Now that I'm back I'm really missing that nice weather that America was enjoying. It's freezing here!
Lately I've been just hanging around and acclimating. Despite my family's efforts to re-assimilate me into American culture my Korean actually improved over break (I started implementing new vocab and a new grammar form!) and my friends from my church commented that they were scared I would come back not knowing any Korean at all. 아싸!
Anyways, today I spent most of my day writing letters. I had gone to Hongdae to have lunch (냉면/naengmyeon) and dessert (a tiny waffle with ice cream!) and then I went to the stationary store, called a 문방구/munbanggu to get some letter paper and stickers. Yesterday I went to a different stationary store and bought a hilarious notebook, about a bajillion cute pens, and a new pencil case. I'm almost all ready for the new semester! Just gotta get a new backpack first.
Being back in Korea is like slipping back into a pair of shoes you've already broken in. It's such a relief that it's not like putting on a pair of new shoes again. Going to America was like putting on some sneakers I've had for the past four years - you're so used to them you almost don't want to look at them after having worn shiny new nikes for 5 months, but once they're on they're just so comfy!
Sorry I like weird analogies.
In Korea, Valentine's Day has evolved such that on the 14th of February, girls are expected to give the men in their lives candy. It's a time where cute boys have to hide in fear because of the many prospective women showering them with obsessive attention and gifts, as Valentine's Day here is kind of like a day where any revealing of feelings or bold moves forward are encouraged. And so for me, this meant no candy at all *sniffle*.
However! On March 14th is White Day, the counterpart to Valentine's day, the day on which I will receive the candy that I so rightfully deserve! (Just kidding, but seriously, I want candy hahah.) My Korean professor at Wesleyan told me that in the old days in Korea, when Ewha Women's University had gates that did not allow males inside, every year on White Day the boys used to crowd right outside the gates waiting for the girls' classes to end waving candy and cards and gifts in the air like a crazy man mob, hoping to win the girls' hearts with commercialized fluff.
April 14th is called Black Day, or what I like to call ForeverAlone Day, because that is the day that all single people get together and eat black bean noodles (called 자짱면/jajjangmyeon) and talk about how single they are. What a coincidence that it's Stephanie's birthday! (Stephanie is my little sister, for you readers who did not know.)
Anyways, just thought I'd write briefly to say I'm doing well and enjoying the Seoul atmosphere again. Miss you all bunches!
Love,
Janet
