Saving, Saving, Saving
You know I came to Korea with the intention of saving, saving and saving. It was my only thought, and yet seven months in my account does not reflect the millions and millions of Won that I had hoped it would.
This has been bothering me of late. But my life is not all glumness. I have in the last seven months had some amazing experiences. So here’s a list of totally incredible things that I have done. (It is in no particular order).
I have been skiing several times, and at several different resorts.
I have swung gently, arm in arm, with a complete stranger (actually he was one of Jessica’s colleagues) while singing love songs in singing room.
I have been to tropical islands. (The Philippines)
I went diving for the first time, and on my first dive I saw a turtle.
I have lived in Asia for more than half a year.
I have visited amazing temples.
I bought a scooter.
I have scrubbed, and been scrubbed by a male colleague.
I bought a lap top.
I bought a camera which I am totally thrilled about.
I have been lectured to about embracing Korean culture by my co-teachers, all the while sitting naked in a pink / strawberry hot bath
I have finally started collecting books.
I am financially independent and have repaid the debt that I owed.
I am living half a world away from my parents (just kidding).
I have drunk fresh coconut juice straight out of a coconut.
I have swum in oceans as warm as bath water.
I have experienced and finally begun to understand very different cultures.
I have eaten silk worms and wriggling octopus - you really have to chew it.
I have eaten fresh squid on a desert island.
I have been involved in the incredible experience of teaching children to speak a new language. It’s been difficult, but there have been some great moments.
And at the end of all of this I must also say that I have grown as a person, and what in life can be more in important than personal growth? (Ok - so bringing about world peace and getting everyone to hold hands and stuff like that is probably more important -- but hey give me a chance I’ll get there yet.)
I only wish that I could have shared my amazing experiences with all of you back home. (Not the sitting naked in a pink hot bath one though.)
You collect books!
ReplyDeletewhat specifically? 1st editions yeah but how would a book merit it's way into your collection. I can keep an eye out for you
I miss you, friend.
ReplyDeleteThanks Lara!
ReplyDeleteEebee:
ReplyDeleteWell I am not to fussy when it comes to books.
They have to be non-fiction and books that I will look over again. I'm not concerned about first editions at this stage.
I'm especially looking for books that introduce new ideas, or really expand on existing ideas, and books about SA (particularly those by prominent South Africans).
My collection of South African books include:
- Govan Mbeki, "The peasants revolt"
- Pumla Gobodo-Madikizela ,"A human being died that night" (On her interviews with Eugene De Kock)
- Max Du Preez, "Pale Native"
- Glenn Frankel, "Rivonia's Children" (Frankel is British I believe)
- Andrew Feinstein, "After the party" (Who I was lucky enough to meet)
and couple of Zapiro's books (I briefly met him as well)
I recently added:
Jarred Diamond, "Guns,germs and steel" and "Collapse" (also by diamond).
I am dying to get my paws on:
Jaques Pauw, "Into the Heart of Darkness: The Story of Apartheid's Killers"
Unfortunately this book is out of print and second hand copies go for between R1000 - R2000.
So yah, I have a small but growing collection of books. I think I am somewhere between 15 and 25 books. It's not a lot, but it's more than some people will ever own.