Why be Yourself, When You Can be Like Me?

This weekend was my one week anniversary of living in here in Gumi. It was a great weekend. Friday was busy running around to get everything ready to feed friends on Saturday night in my tiny apartment with a tiny kitchen. It came out really great. We had burritos and deviled eggs, and played games. There were about 15 people all crowded into my apartment. We played games and ate food and listened to music.

Today Sunday, I accompanied Kristina for an outing that required a buffer.It turned out quite well, we passed through a beautiful park which I proceeded to take some great and silly pictures. After this we discovered the most acute and direct torture tailored especially to Joanna. We went to the public library at Gumi. There were thousands upon thousands of books, yet I could not read a single one. It was like being Superman without powers. I have the cape, yet I cannot fly.

In the afternoon, Lynn, Ann, Kristina and I went out for some dinner and coffee. It was great because I got to learn alot more about Korean culture. We talked about weddings and a single girl's livelihood. The respect for the in-laws is key in this culture. The way they described it to me reminded me Lane's wedding in Gilmore Girls. Good Korean girls do not leave their homes until they are married.

Also in Korean culture uniformity and conformation is essential. The Korean culture is like one big family. Girls and boys refer to each other as sister and brother. Every elder is respected like a grandparent and having someone older than you scold you on the street is not so unfamiliar. Respect and following the others is so important. That is why becoming Adventist is so difficult because there is so much one breaks away from in accepting the message. When you are Korean, you are expected to be Korean. When you are a foreigner you are respected as a foreigner. Everything is forgiven when you are a foreigner. But a Korean is not forgiven for breaking the norm. It is so distinct from American culture where individuality is prized and encouraged.

Be yourself. Not so much in Korea.