Frequently asked questions.1
I've had a few new visitors to this blog lately, so I thought I'd write some answers to "frequently asked questions." This is not really formal and today I only have time to answer a couple of questions, but here goes.
Are you the tallest person there?
I am not the tallest person here. I have seen many Koreans that are as tall as me and sometimes taller. That said, most Koreans tend not to be as tall as Westerners and so I do stand out in a crowd. Not just for my skin color, but my height. Many people assume I'm a basketball player and I have been called "Jordan" by children on the street. I'm not sure if it's a joke or if they actually think I am Michael Jordan. Other people have admitted to finding me a little scary. One student recently admitted to me that my height scared her. Interestingly, the turning point for her came on a Friday (the teachers' casual day at the school) when she spotted me wearing a Charlie Brown and Lucy bandage on my elbow. After that, she decided that a guy that wears a Peanuts bandage couldn't be all that scary.
So far, clothes here in my size have pretty much been nonexistent, except for neckties. Some people have told me that in the Itaewon section of Seoul I can find clothes and other products for Westerners.
The tables and seats here in restaurants, churches, cafes, trains and various public places are pretty small. And that makes me feel like a giant.
Do you miss New York?
This is a difficult question to answer, because some people who know me may read this blog and think to themselves: "If he's homesick, good, maybe that means he'll be back soon." Ha ha, sorry Mom. Let me put it this way. Recently one of my students showed me a computer slideshow of his trip to New York City. It seemed as if he visited and took pictures of most of the places where I normally hang out, including Central Park, the World Financial Center and even the corner of 51st Street and Broadway (where my church is located). It was an emotional experience. I get emotional every time I see a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge or a subway train.
I visit the New York Times Web site regularly. I listen to a lot of Western (read: English) music online, especially on MySpace. I sometimes listen to sermons online from my beloved Times Square Church. I also keep in touch with friends and family through constant e-mail and, every now and then, phone calls.
However, when I was in New York my career was in a rut and I was very unhappy about it. When I start to miss home too much, I remind myself how unhappy I was a few months ago. There's certainly more to life than career--loving God remains the most important, although I don't always treat it as such--but having a job that I like has provided a certain sense of stability. Living in a foreign country is also a very exciting feeling. One of the most incredible parts of my experience here has been the increasing sense of familiarity.
Are you the tallest person there?
I am not the tallest person here. I have seen many Koreans that are as tall as me and sometimes taller. That said, most Koreans tend not to be as tall as Westerners and so I do stand out in a crowd. Not just for my skin color, but my height. Many people assume I'm a basketball player and I have been called "Jordan" by children on the street. I'm not sure if it's a joke or if they actually think I am Michael Jordan. Other people have admitted to finding me a little scary. One student recently admitted to me that my height scared her. Interestingly, the turning point for her came on a Friday (the teachers' casual day at the school) when she spotted me wearing a Charlie Brown and Lucy bandage on my elbow. After that, she decided that a guy that wears a Peanuts bandage couldn't be all that scary.
So far, clothes here in my size have pretty much been nonexistent, except for neckties. Some people have told me that in the Itaewon section of Seoul I can find clothes and other products for Westerners.
The tables and seats here in restaurants, churches, cafes, trains and various public places are pretty small. And that makes me feel like a giant.
Do you miss New York?
This is a difficult question to answer, because some people who know me may read this blog and think to themselves: "If he's homesick, good, maybe that means he'll be back soon." Ha ha, sorry Mom. Let me put it this way. Recently one of my students showed me a computer slideshow of his trip to New York City. It seemed as if he visited and took pictures of most of the places where I normally hang out, including Central Park, the World Financial Center and even the corner of 51st Street and Broadway (where my church is located). It was an emotional experience. I get emotional every time I see a photo of the Brooklyn Bridge or a subway train.
I visit the New York Times Web site regularly. I listen to a lot of Western (read: English) music online, especially on MySpace. I sometimes listen to sermons online from my beloved Times Square Church. I also keep in touch with friends and family through constant e-mail and, every now and then, phone calls.
However, when I was in New York my career was in a rut and I was very unhappy about it. When I start to miss home too much, I remind myself how unhappy I was a few months ago. There's certainly more to life than career--loving God remains the most important, although I don't always treat it as such--but having a job that I like has provided a certain sense of stability. Living in a foreign country is also a very exciting feeling. One of the most incredible parts of my experience here has been the increasing sense of familiarity.
posted by Marc Hogi at
3:52 PM
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