Easter weirdness
Today was odd. Not that I haven’t seen weird stuff in Korea, most of it just rolls off my back now, but some of the little things are still just a bit off.
Today, I went to Suwon to check out the shopping center in Suwon station. I had the best Okonomiyaki I’ve ever had there, by the way, it was squid okonomiyaki and it was delicious.
On my way back home, I stopped at a skin store to pick up some face lotions, and started on my way home. I noticed a lot of groups of old, well-dressed people wandering the streets. Again, seen it, not a big deal. At one point, I come to a corner, and turn it to run into one of the bigger groups, out of which a young woman pops out and greets me with “Hi! Jesus I love you.”, and then hands me a single egg. One of the men in the group then snapped a picture of me looking at an egg with the most WTF?! look ever on my face.
I figured it out in a few seconds. Today is easter, so that explained the egg. The “Jesus I love you” was easy too. Koreans have difficulty with third person statements, so they often just say a name and then speak for that person to get the idea across, so obviously, Jesus loves you. She also gave me a pamphlet in Korean with a little stick figure guy being chased by directional arrows, and a cutesy anime Jesus.
Also, the lotion shop gave me free skin whitening cream.
Something strange is happening to me.
I realized today two big changes in me. First, I haven’t bought any electronic gadgets or equipment besides my phone, and I selected a modest phone for that matter. Second, my wardrobe has changed considerably.
I’ve thrown out all my computer joke shirts and ill fitting clothing (I had a lot -_-), and I’ve been buying a lot of new clothes. And not my normal clothes, well fitting, a wide range of colors, and I’m able to match the colors properly. I caught myself just today trying on several outfit combos at home to find something to wear tomorrow. Planning ahead, and with fashion, not exactly my style. Well, not until now, at least. I really enjoy it.
I’m actually wearing a tie by my own will tomorrow, because it looks awesome with my new button down shirt and leather belt.
F*ck the Police
Been awhile since I last updated, I’m busy and lazy, but I have a few posts ready to go.
I’ve been spending a lot of time lifting weights at the gym. It’s a thoroughly awkward experience. Combined with my general lack of knowledge on proper form and what all the equipment actually is or does, with being the only white guy in the shower (korean guys are not shy about staring, or asking questions 0_o), its yet another unique experience I never thought I’d have.
Yesterday, I was running on the “walking machine” (koreans don’t run on treadmills, just walk), when one of the trainers at the gym (really nice guy, decent english) comes up to me, and says, with a friendly smile, as if he was commenting on the weather, “Fuck the police”. I just kind of stared at him; I’ve been in Korea for 5 months now, so this wasn’t nearly as surprising at it would have been 5 months ago. Truth be told, I’m used to 12 year old girls quoting offensive phrases to me with big grins.
Not surprised, I was still at a loss on how you properly respond to a phrase like that. I guess the look on my face told him I wasn’t understand, so he said it again. I narrow my eyes in concentration, and ask what I think was a fair question. “What?” He points at the radio, blaring terrible rap (after this song, “Close to you” by olivia newton john came on, the music mix at gyms is completely random and spread across three languages), and says it again. I’m still not getting it, pointing at the speaker just confused me more. Then he says its the name of the song. I hadn’t heard that particular piece before, but it was gangsta rap, so it all snapped together for me there.
I asked him if he knew what that meant, and of course, he didn’t. I merely asked him that should he ever find himself in America, not to use that particular phrase.
