It's funny how the little things make all the difference...
It is Friday night around 11:30. Needless to say, the mere fact that I am sitting home at this time of the day, this day of the week, says something about my mood. At times, living abroad can take a toll on you. I think this is particularly applicable in East Asia (although East Asia is the only place I have actually traveled to). There are numerous factors that lead me to this belief: difference of language, difference of race, difference of culture, etc. And even in attempting to keep the most positive of attitudes, it is unavoidable that, on the occasion, frustration, exhaustion, and apathy will create a perfect storm, if you will, that just makes you want to say, "fuck it". And this, ultimately, is why I am spending my evening at home with some shitty Korean beer and a large bottle(s) of soju.
The point of this post, however, is not to bitch or complain. It is actually quite the opposite. Feeling the need to actually step out of the house this evening, albeit simply to purchase more alcohol, I had a small encounter that turned my negative feelings on their head. In fact, these sort of interactions are things I've experienced quite often. Yet for some reason on this particular night, on this particular interaction, I felt the need to revive my dormant blog.
What I will describe is nothing dramatic and, frankly, considering all the fantastic blogging that is taking place right now, now even worthy or blogging about. Yet a certain "perfect storm" (again, if you will) of emotions leads me to want to write this. I simply went to the local grocers, grabbed a 6-pack and a bottle of soju, made my way to the counter, and checked out. Nothing out of the ordinary, right? This is a grocers I go to quite frequently however, and have been since I first arrived here roughly 8 months ago. There is a usual woman who works the counter and she always greets me with a smile; she always is quite accommodating to my less-than-spectacular Korean skills. And tonight, to top it off, she asked, "Name? Your name?" A simple question, but a question that acknowledges me as not only a consistent and respectful customer, but a person. And frankly, at times, it can be easy to forget that you are a real person as a foreigner in Korean society. Don't get me wrong, I have met many fantastic people here that have been kind, considerate, and accommodating. Yet the generic questions and constant superficial, "keeping-you-at-a-distance" interactions that foreigners inevitably experience, again and again, day in and day out, certainly take their toll. But what has, and continues, to give me strength during the tough times abroad are these simple interactions. They not only encourage me to continue forging through this unique experience, they not only encourage me to keep studying a place, a society, and a people I am truly passionate about, but they also give me hope in humanity as a whole.
On a separate note, I have a great deal of music that I feel should be shared with people outside of not only Seoul, but Korea, East Asia, and the world in general. So I plan to (on a consistent basis!) upload files in an attempt to fulfill at least one original purpose of this blog and, more importantly, communicate the original, innovative, and passionate music that is being created outside of the West.
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