Korean kids seem to think that all Westerners have really big noses, so I must make their day by having a big nose even by Western standards. I usually just laugh about it when one of my darlings so matter-of-factly says "Teachuh, you big nose!" I've never heard them say it maliciously, so it doesn't bother me any.
Today we were looking at pictures of animals and talking about their features. Does an elephant have a little nose or a big nose? Does a spider have many legs or few legs? Does a rabbit have little ears or big ears? Then we compared animal features to human features. An elephant has a big nose. Do you have a big nose? A spider has eight legs. Do you have eight legs? A rabbit has big ears. Do you have big ears?
I could have seen it coming with the questions about the elephant, but I certainly thought the rabbit questions were innocent enough. Not so. One of my little darlings looked up at me with this beautiful, innocent, little face and said, "Teachuh, you have big ears."
"I have big ears?"
She nodded yes.
"No," I said. "I have little ears. A rabbit has big ears." I said to all the kids, "A rabbit has big ears. Do I have big ears?"
"YES!" they all said very seriously. Some even nodded to emphasize the point.
Finally the little one who pointed it out in the first place piped in, "Teachuh, you have big ears. We have little ears." Well, I guess she has a point.
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In Sunday's post (click here) I wrote about my television channels. I've been really happy to watch old musicals on the Japanese station at night. Last night, though, I thought the Japanese station was really going to be the best thing ever. After the musical, I heard the familiar music of the ER theme song. ER! My favorite series! But then came the letdown. Unlike the musicals which they show in English with Japanese subtitles at the bottom, they dubbed over ER. It was all in Japanese. Abby, Carter, Luca, Sam--all of them were speaking in Japanese! Oh, the disappointment, BS2!
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And while we're on the subject of disappointment, I have to ask all of you in eastern Iowa and northwest Illinois to eat some good ol' Fincels sweet corn for me this summer. A lot of street vendors in Korea sell steamed corn, so on my way home from my walk tonight, I bought a couple ears, thinking that would be a good reminder of home. When I bit into it, though, it wasn't that wonderful, crisp Iowa sweet corn. Instead, it was tough, rubbery CATTLE CORN! Oh, the disappointment! Someone please go to Kennedy Mall or Dick's or wherever they may be selling it this year and fix yourself some of that fresh Fincel's sweet corn. And tell 'em I say hi.
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So silly things aside, everything is fine here in Korea. I'm getting to know my students and coworkers better and am learning my way around town. As much as I joke about the disappointment of Japanese television and biting into cattle corn, I realize that I have much to be thankful for, including the food before me and the technology that simplifies my life and keeps me connected. I'm looking forward to starting my "real" mission work before too long but am trying to get myself adjusted and settled a little before doing that, so that I can really commit myself to the work ahead of me.
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4 comments:
Ellen ~ Kids just say the darndest things don't they. They are really too cute to take it personally though. As for the TV I understand because we don't even get any channels. And finally for the sweet corn ours isn't up yet but as soon as it is I will eat a lot for you. You are doing a great job serving our mighty God. Keep it up!
Michelle
Michelleche! Thanks for promising to eat the sweet corn for me. I'll enjoy it vicariously. I saw another corn vendor today, but man oh man, can't fool me twice with that stuff! Hey, I miss you. Every now and then I think about one of the many utterly ridiculous situations we've found ourselves in (moving that futon out of my apartment, learning to rollerblade, trying to figure out how fast we're driving down the highway . . . ), and it makes me smile. I love you! Hi to Chris.
Hello again, Ellen Marie.
I have worked 13-hour shifts for 8 of the last 9 days and am just catching up with you.
I love sweet corn, also; and I especially miss the wonderful farmer who supplied us with several ears every year when we lived in western Kentucky. (Thank you, Randy!)
One question I have is whether or not you have access to an English speaking faith community. OR is your Korean getting so good you can go to a Korean Church?
BTW I am loving the new job, even though there have been some small problems along the way.
Keep up the good work. I'll keep you in my prayers as I know you keep us in yours.
Mike Mansfield
Hi Mike! Sorry it has taken me a while to respond. I have not settled into a faith community yet. I did visit my coworker's church last weekend, though. The service was in English. I'm hoping to connect with a church community to do some mission work with them. The language is not crucial for me, though I speak/understand minimal Korean. In my last location, when I didn't understand the service, I used the time to pray. Three services every week, an hour plus per service, equals a lot prayer! The hymns were usually familiar, even if the words were in Korean.
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