Most foreigners living in Korea or anywhere for that matter where they don't know the language rely heavily on the game of charades. In this case it's not so much a game as a life line to communication with the people we interact with daily whether it's at the coffee shop, the grocery store or something more intense like the dry cleaners or the hair salon. It's become like a dance with flailing arms and facial expressions that you would usually only use when talking to babies, dogs or cats (or atleast I use with my cat). You use a certain voice level and simplify everything leaving out connecting words like "the." Seriously if these people understood me completely they would think I was an absolute idiot speaking to them the same way I speak to my students. So yes its safe to say I feel like the typical ignorant North American having to rely on pictures and pointing...its silly really. I've been depending on my friends here, that's my downfall really. I spend most of my time with them and since they've been here longer I let them order my food, find our bus stop and talk to the cab drivers when really Im a big girl, I can do it right! Well I've been trying when I go out on my own but I feel like I'm butchering their language, I'm almost embarassed for myself. I know I should try and make more of an effort, what's the worst that could really happen right. I'm determined to learn the alphabet and numbers so I can actually start reading....translating what I read into actual words and sentences is the important part but atleast its a start. I know that when I leave Korea I'll have nowhere to practice which is a shame because I'll loose whatever I learn which I hope is something...I won't be fluent by no means or even close but maybe I'll surprise myself. Next I just need to work on my discipline...since leaving school getting me to sit down and study something is the last thing on my mind :)
I have more to write but I'm tired....girlfriend is not getting enough sleep over here! tomorrow I promise!!
Until next time,
janeycakes xxoo
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