So all I've got to salvage any bit of personal dignity is to think back on all those good times in Korea. After the incident in the subway station, I was almost certain that that would be my defining moment in Korea. And in a way, it has been. Whenever anyone asks me about my time in Korea, I always think of that one incident, but ofcourse I just give my well-rehearsed, neutral answer of "oh, it was really great. I was really blessed to have that opportunity, even though it was really challenging. But I met some really good people...blah blah blah." I feel like I'm rehearsing a monologue for a bit part on 7th Heaven.
Cheryl, always one to comfort me in my complaining, told me that ofcourse, that one incident would not be the defining moment from Korea. As much as I'd like to think she's wrong, at moments like this, when all I've got is to look at the good times and not the bad, I see that I have some great moments to add to my mental photo album. So what if they consisted of 45 minute lunches at a nearby snack bar or drinking beer on plastic chairs outside a local convenient store? I've realized that I need to make a concerted effort to make my own defining moments throughout all the ups and downs...and finding them is not really as hard as I make it out to be.
Here's to the people who helped make my defining moments of summer 2006:
Juliana: My fellow TOEFL Speaking/Writing teacher in crime. She travels the world AND she's a snowboard instructor. How 'bout that. Thank you for always going to McDonald's with me and cracking jokes about our TOEFL curriculum. Um..and did I mention that she got 3rd place in a dance competition at one of the biggest clubs in Seoul?
Ms. Jenny O: Cheryl is definitely right. Jenny was the girl that all the Korean men would stop to look at (quite inconspicuously), not to mention, also the sleazy American men. Hey, what can you do when you're Caucasian and beautiful. I've often been plagued with the same problem. I like to think Jenny and I are soulmates because we both love country music, mexican food and margaritas. The only thing that keeps us from being ABSOLUTE soulmates is her love of hiking and nature. And Jenny knows that I'm just not down with that.
Ahrum: Remember that movie My Sassy Girl? That movie you heard was so good, but then you watched it, and then you wanted to go and throw up on the filmmakers in a subway, just like the title character does to her boyfriend? Well, I think those Korean filmmakers originally meant to cast Ahrum in the title role because she is in fact quite sassy. Winston, NC is lucky to have her. She was also studying for the LSATs this summer, and we all know how much I love the LSATs.
Hae Jin: I honestly have no idea why our paths did not cross earlier at Amherst. We had many of the same friends but the only interaction I had with her was a drunken high five we gave each other the day before graduation. Rest assured, there were many more drunken high fives this summer. There are three things that I will always associate with Hae Jin for the rest of my life: 1) "Don't Cha" by the Pussycat Dolls. 2) Kim-bop. 3) Pat-bing-su (red bean shaved ice dessert).
Cheryl: I knew that Cheryl was badass when someone at one of the first Hoyah dinners said something ridiculous and we both caught each other's eye with a "what the fuck?!" expression. Cheryl always reminds us young-uns that everything's going to be alright in life. She's also a blog whore so I know that there will always be atleast one person to read over this nonsense that I write. She couldn't have said it better herself: we both love ice cream and Augusten Burroughs. And did I mention that she's badass? See you in Austin in a couple weeks, Cheryl!
Definitely 10 out of 10.
3 comments:
my dear paolo, i do believe i heard a mama cheryl in there somewhere, but because i think you're so damn cool, i'm going to let it slide. mamas and badass just don't mix. plus i've never been called a badass before, so i'll bask in it for awhile. ooh...thank you. haha. AUSTIN, here i come!!!!! i miss sharing my mandoo with you guys. i miss you guys in general.
Wait a minutes...you LOVE augusten borroughs? um. hmm.
With shared memories of the HOYAH crew, I couldn't have put it better!
You forgot to introduce youself! How about this: This is Paul. He is well known around Hoyah for his cool spin on everyday fashions. However, his stylish tops matched with funky ties, and colored belts are not the only way I'll remember my beloved "Ace Teacher"! With a never-boring blog, filled with intriguing observations, witty stories, and clever comments, I'll continue "touching" Paul through blogspot.
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