no wander why

What life in Korea was like, what going through a mid-life crisis is like. 🙂

[nowanderwhy]

To SKKU Review visitors

Hello, this tumblr was inactive for a long time. I wrote here my experiences as an exchange student in SKKU, then as a Korean language student in Sogang. I then made a new blog when I was on a working holiday visa. The latter didn’t work out well though..

I have vivid memories even though all of this happened 3 years ago. I still have a lot to share. Since the pandemic started there has been an affluence of youngins getting into Korean culture. l see these videos on social media about how Korea isn’t like a drama and I think they’re right, people need to face the reality. However, there is no need to scare people.

I am thiking of bringing back this blog to life and write.. EVERYTHING that happened to me in Korea: the good and the bad, and the lessons I’ve learned.

If you have any questions about life as a student or working-holidayer in Korea, you may directly send me an email here: [email protected]. I WILL REPORT SPAM/P0RN-RELATED MAILS, DON’T TRY ME.

Have a lovely day! :)

[nowanderwhy]

“Open Happiness”

[nowanderwhy]

I don’t know if this store still exists but if you explored Hongdae you probably passed by it. You never entered, but you might have been as fascinated as I was when you saw how much creativity was used to make these lamps.

Before I left Korea, my mum had joined me. We were taking a stroll and she was just as fascinated when we came across the shop. She wanted to have a look inside so we went. During my 2 years in Korea, I had never seen the owner of the shop, but on that very day, he was at the back behind the counter. He had dyed his hair blonde; with the dimmed light it looked more orange. He seemed to be in his thirties.

The shop was narrow so we were careful when looking around. These lamps looked fragiled so touching them was out of the question. I simply leaned in to see the details of his work when the man raised his voice and said “NO. NO TOUCH. NO.” Although the way he said it sounded rough, I just said “yes, ok” like it was an evidence. I’d be pissed if someone were to play around my work too.

My mum wanted to take a photo and if I remember well, we did ask the man first if it was possible. He replied using the same grammatical pattern “NO. NO PHOTO. NO NO” but this time I interpreted his voice tone as hostile. It felt like he was talking to 5 year old children who didn’t know how to behave in public. 

As this situation started getting on my nerves, I still ask the man how much these lamps cost since my mum really wanted to take one home as a souvenir. “30 000원” he said. My mum’s eyes widened which meant “we’re leaving this store” lol. 

You are inventive and passionate, I admire that. But I can understand why your shop was always empty.. sir, you sure lack in negotiation skills but the pricing is not the problem here, it’s your attitude. 

I thought of removing this photo out of respect, and copyright issues. Even so, what a shame it would be to not expose his stunning work, and what a shame it would be for other tourists to experience his rudeness.

[nowanderwhy]

Here I am, back with my rants...lol

I just found a job in a company but I can't wait to quit. I'm still looking for something else and have a possible job interview this week and sent another cv.

Yesterday was my first day. And boy was it boring. I just have to make phone calls. Without knowing the background of the people or their relationship with the company. Yet I have to create a good relationship without sounding like I'm just selling something. Wth. Create a relationship in few minutes? Wth.

The main reason why I want to quit is that I didn't think I'd just do phone calls. I thought it'd be more about negotiations, via emails too, documentation but nah. I've been telling how my first day went and my friends be like "lol gurl, you could have been a telemarketer, it's the same thing". I KNOW.

A company called me yesterday for a social network/marketing position and I have experience in that, and it's more fun than doing phone calls.

I mean, I'm thankful my boss and coworkers are still nice. I know I have to start somewhere, and it's not like I'm doing some hard work like cleaning in a hostel so I know, I really shouldn't complain. If you knew the boss' requests though... so contradicting. I did try to change my way and be more friendly while trying to talk business (during the interview he gave me that advice after making me do phone calls as a test) but he be giving me the same advice, again.

I know I'm a beginner but how do you want me to learn if you don't give me info beforehand? And when I try to get info on companies you say it's a waste of time because I need to do many calls? What do you want :(

Do you guys also have that feeling when you start school or work or when meeting people, that it's not going to turn out well?

I honestly think this is going to look good on my resume but not help me grow. The only experience I'll gain is in maintaining relations with customers through 5min calls. I want to put in practice what I've learned about creating contents and marketing.

You might think I'm frustrated over nothing.. maybe. But my intuition has been telling me to not go further ever since I was done with the interview.

[nowanderwhy]

you know, that time of your life when you reach a certain level of happiness and suddenly something crushes this moment and you think “is this the balance they’re talking about?” 

i have mixed feelings.. can i allow myself to be happy in this state? but the more we walk towards that path, the more i feel like this is not what i wanted? 

the main issue is that, i do not know what i want.

the main consequence is that people i cherish will be disappointed and some people might suffer.

[preciousasapeony]

Alfred’s Coffee

[virgoassbitch]

My ultimate goal is to not end up like all the miserable people around me who settled in life and are perpetually bitter about it

[nowanderwhy]

[nowanderwhy]

I've left Korea for exactly a week now. I've adapted quite fast. I'm not ready for family gatherings though. There's always drama during those lol. I'm just happy to see my parents again after 9 months. Video calls made me feel like I never left home but it's still not the same as being close to them and be able to hug them.

[nowanderwhy]

I've left Korea for exactly a week now. I've adapted quite fast. I'm not ready for family gatherings though. There's always drama during those lol. I'm just happy to see my parents again after 9 months. Video calls made me feel like I never left home but it's still not the same as being close to them and be able to hug them.

[nowanderwhy]

I've left Korea for exactly a week now. I've adapted quite fast. I'm not ready for family gatherings though. There's always drama during those lol. I'm just happy to see my parents again after 9 months. Video calls made me feel like I never left home but it's still not the same as being close to them and be able to hug them.

[nowanderwhy]

I thought LDR would destroy it but it didn't. We actually grew fonder of each other. I thought he'd get bored, he thought I'd get bored, but it isn't the case.

The fact that we're both busy must help us. I still have insecurities and so does he, but I suppose that if we don't try harder we won't know how it'll turn out.

[nowanderwhy]

I've been saying I'm fine. I'm not.

I try to understand why I feel sad sometimes.

I can't understand.

I've thought over and over again.

And maybe it's because I'm scared.

But I also remember that some people sincerely care about me.

I also remember that I can't let myself drown in something unecessary.

I also remember that I am capable of achieving things and I'm going to work hard for it.

[nowanderwhy]

You know it's winter when your toes get numb and you have no choice but to finally turn on the heater.

[nowanderwhy]

Only my ligament is sprained!! Woohoo! No fracture and no damage that requires surgery. Just rest, ice and anti-inflammatory medicine to take! In 1 or 2 weeks I can get rid of that weird green cast and plastic shoe!

Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be able to dance at the 졸업식 next week. I will also have to wake up earlier because I don't want to wait in line for the elevator just because some lazy asses can't take the stairs to go up 2 to 4 floors.

But you know what, it's fine, I'm so relieved. I am thankful to my boyfriend who's been taking care of me and also to my friend who helped me at the hospital.

[fiftyshadesofmacygray]

It’s important to make friendships that are deeper than gossiping and drinking and smoking and going out.

Make friends who you can go get breakfast with, make friends you can cry with, make friends who support your life goals and believe in you.

[nowanderwhy]

If I didn't decide to buy the mustard...

... I wouldn't have fell off the stairs and sprained my ankle. It doesn't look bad it's just swollen but it hurt so bad yesterday. It feels better as I applied ice but I can't walk properly. Might skip classes tomorrow if I still can't walk and I will have to go to the hospital although I don't want to ㅠㅠ I am not looking forward to take an hour of subway to go home tonight, but thank god my boyfriend is with me and he'll help me get home.

[nowanderwhy]

Livingtel gossips

I now know who throws up once in a while. Unfortunately, it's a girl I hung out with once and she's really nice. I wonder if she has actual problems that she tries to fight by keeping herself busy with some alcohol while watching tv alone in her room.

There's another girl who moved in recently and whom I interacted with. One evening, I heard her talking to herself while going to the bathroom. I heard her sighing and peeing, so I guess she left the door of the toilets wide open while she was doing her business. She then went back to her room, letting out her gasses in the hallway.

Tonight, I heard a girl crying. I thought it was a drama, but when I finished showering I heard it again. It was a heavy cry, like someone who just learned some terrible news. Hopefully, it wasn't something like that.

This place is fun fun fun. Sarcasm.

Some girls really get on my nerves. I'm planning on moving out soon anyway so no more common bathroom, dirty kitchen and doors slamming at 3am. I can't help but worry, I hope the girls living here will be fine somehow.