2. I accept things from my co-teachers with two hands. Out of habit, if someone hands me a paper I will extend one hand to take it. Not in Korea, I put both hands on the document/gift/payslip and bow my head. I have found myself grabbing samples in the grocery store with two hands, it looks silly, but its a bit programed in me now.
3.I brush my teeth at random intervals of the day, this may have something to do with the amount of spicy, pungent Kimchi I consume. I still haven't been able to bring myself to floss in public, like many Koreans, but I join my fellow teachers and my students, right after lunch for a personal grooming session.
4. I stand up for myself much more that I used to. I was never a push over, but Korea has taught me to pick and choose my battles and to develop a backbone when I need to. I even confront Ahjussi's who violently shove me on the subway! I can take a little pushing, but occasionally someone steps out of line and I have to put them back in check. My students taught me how to say "do you want to die" when someone is behaving horribly and so far it has served me nicely.
5. I get shit done! I did a lot of winging and complaining before (which I still do) when something goes wrong. But in Korea, I have to be prepared for anything to happen and when it does I put on my big girl pants and fix it. I feel I was very dependent before on my parents or the people I was living with in Scotland, but now that I live alone, I really had to grow up! For example- my shower pipe tubing burst in my bathroom the other day ( I admit I cried a little bit) but in the end, I found some silicone sealant and fixed it on my own. It may not seem like a big deal, but for me it was a bit of a symbol that I can take care of myself and problems when they arise.
6. I throw up the peace sign like it's my job. At home we had a joke about asian tourists and their love for the peace sign, but I never knew how true it was until I started living in Korea. 90% of my photos feature the peace sign. I have no shame.
7. I enjoy spending time alone. I always used to feel bored when I was by myself. Korea is my first time truly living on my own without family or a flatmate/roomate. It is scary sometimes when I hear strange noises and I can't just run into Felicia's room for a complaining session, but I am starting to really value the peace that comes from solitude. I am getting to know myself, on my own terms, and I think that's really important!
8. I accept challenges. Anyone who knows me, knows there isn't much that I am afraid of, but Korea is a whole new territory for me. I am constantly being exposed to opinions I will NEVER agree with, foods I am terrified of and traditions I just don't understand. When traveling, a person will encounter a certain amount of adversity as is, but living here has been a wonderful challenge. I have become more patient, accepting and understanding of things that I don't comprehend or always agree with and it has really made me a better person.
9.No drama (well almost). I used to be eager to help people solve their issues or to comment on situations that were none of my business. I never had the intention of creating issues, but sometimes that backfired. The ESL teaching community here is much smaller than you would know. I have taken a step back and realized that I don't always need to have an opinion. There are times to pick and choose your battles and more often than not, I don't get involved. This has made me happier, healthier and just overall contributed to my positive experience here in Korea.
10. I have learned to love myself. Being in Korea, I stand out on a daily basis. Not just because I am not Korean, but because I am not a typical ideal of beauty here. I am bigger, I have muscles, thighs and a butt. I see constant comparisons to K-Pop stars and my student's ideals of thin beauty. I expected this to negatively affect the way I see myself, but instead I am taking comfort in the fact that I am different. This is the most confident I have ever felt in my entire life and my sense of harmony shows on the outside. I smile more, glow and I genuinely feel good about who I am for the first time in a very long time.
4. I stand up for myself much more that I used to. I was never a push over, but Korea has taught me to pick and choose my battles and to develop a backbone when I need to. I even confront Ahjussi's who violently shove me on the subway! I can take a little pushing, but occasionally someone steps out of line and I have to put them back in check. My students taught me how to say "do you want to die" when someone is behaving horribly and so far it has served me nicely.
5. I get shit done! I did a lot of winging and complaining before (which I still do) when something goes wrong. But in Korea, I have to be prepared for anything to happen and when it does I put on my big girl pants and fix it. I feel I was very dependent before on my parents or the people I was living with in Scotland, but now that I live alone, I really had to grow up! For example- my shower pipe tubing burst in my bathroom the other day ( I admit I cried a little bit) but in the end, I found some silicone sealant and fixed it on my own. It may not seem like a big deal, but for me it was a bit of a symbol that I can take care of myself and problems when they arise.
6. I throw up the peace sign like it's my job. At home we had a joke about asian tourists and their love for the peace sign, but I never knew how true it was until I started living in Korea. 90% of my photos feature the peace sign. I have no shame.
7. I enjoy spending time alone. I always used to feel bored when I was by myself. Korea is my first time truly living on my own without family or a flatmate/roomate. It is scary sometimes when I hear strange noises and I can't just run into Felicia's room for a complaining session, but I am starting to really value the peace that comes from solitude. I am getting to know myself, on my own terms, and I think that's really important!
8. I accept challenges. Anyone who knows me, knows there isn't much that I am afraid of, but Korea is a whole new territory for me. I am constantly being exposed to opinions I will NEVER agree with, foods I am terrified of and traditions I just don't understand. When traveling, a person will encounter a certain amount of adversity as is, but living here has been a wonderful challenge. I have become more patient, accepting and understanding of things that I don't comprehend or always agree with and it has really made me a better person.
9.No drama (well almost). I used to be eager to help people solve their issues or to comment on situations that were none of my business. I never had the intention of creating issues, but sometimes that backfired. The ESL teaching community here is much smaller than you would know. I have taken a step back and realized that I don't always need to have an opinion. There are times to pick and choose your battles and more often than not, I don't get involved. This has made me happier, healthier and just overall contributed to my positive experience here in Korea.
10. I have learned to love myself. Being in Korea, I stand out on a daily basis. Not just because I am not Korean, but because I am not a typical ideal of beauty here. I am bigger, I have muscles, thighs and a butt. I see constant comparisons to K-Pop stars and my student's ideals of thin beauty. I expected this to negatively affect the way I see myself, but instead I am taking comfort in the fact that I am different. This is the most confident I have ever felt in my entire life and my sense of harmony shows on the outside. I smile more, glow and I genuinely feel good about who I am for the first time in a very long time.
