Sunday, May 23, 2010

Cooking Korean with my Friends

Sometimes I come to a sudden realization that I am living, by myself, in a foreign country where I don't know the language or culture. This is my first time being independent ever, and I'm doing it in a such an alien place to me. So far so good, I haven't completely run out of money yet or anything, but then again I have no one to tell me to remember to lock my door at night, or that if I don't buy groceries I won't be eating this week. Sometimes I wonder what it would be like to be independent in my own country but I realize this is what I have now, so I have to deal with it. I like it.

Today I learned a bit more about some of my students. One guy in my class is just a few years older than I but has been married for a year and is expecting his first child in a few months. Another one of the students is alot older, she's maybe in her 30's, and she lives by herself. She strikes me as being really lonely and I wish I could help her, but I'm not sure how. For now, all I can do is pray for her and open my home to her. Speaking of opening my home, God is paying me back for all those lonely moments I felt in the last few months. I prayed for companionship and friendship, and suddenly I remember why they say "be careful what you wish for". It brings to mind the verse of the Bible that says, "He will open the floodgates of heaven". There have been soooo many people here in my apartment this weekend. I feel as if it's been absolutely full all weekend long. I was actually surprised to be able to fall asleep last night at a reasonable hour. On Friday I had nine people here, on Saturday night, I had four, and Sunday, some students showed up to cook for me and brought all their friends: about 12 people from noon to 8pm. Think of my kitchen like, say, a shoebox. And that shoe box is inside an apartment the size of a closet. Now add 12 people. It was mad full.
These things maybe stressful to some, but for me they bring me joy. I'm realizing that I enjoy being alone because it's something that I was forced to learn, however, I love to have people around me at all times.

I must be a very social person.

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