KICKIN' IT IN KOREA #20: So WHY Do You Like Living in Korea???
I haven't blogged in a while, so now is the perfect time to set the record straight WHY I like living in Korea.
I'm asked this on a perpetual basis. So now, after living here more than 1 1/2 years, I have my definitive answers ready to go.
Here Are The Top Ten Reasons Why I Like Living in Korea.
1. Table Tennis. I am an international umpire, twice-a-week player, and started a table tennis club of foreigners (see below). Forget China - this is the mecca of table tennis. Ping pong has kept me sane by giving me a social base, recreational outlet, and a fun platform to make conversations. In the States, I'd still be getting weird looks.
2. Toastmasters. This is largest social network I've ever been part of, and it gives me an opportunity to give back to the organization that has always given back to me. With over 500 Toastmasters in Korea, I am one of less than 10 Distinguished Toastmasters, which means that people come to me with questions, and I'm happy to hear them. I've helped with speech contests (see below), as well as being one of many that has helped increase Korea's Toastmasters clubs from 16 to 34 in just over 1 year. Last year I was a national officer, and this year I've taken a little bit of a step back, serving on a committee, as well as being the webmaster. Oh, and it's fun, too!
3. Collectivist Culture. It's about the group, not the individual here, which is quite Biblical if you think about it. Food sharing is normal, one bathroom for an entire floor of offices is quite usual, and people easily rally around the same cause. This life is not about me, and the culture here helps remind me of this.
4. Passionate People. People don't do 6 hobbies here. They do 1 or 2 and kick butt and dedicate themselves to their hobbies. This is a country full of specialists, not Renaissance people. I'm the table tennis and Toastmasters guy, and people "get" that. Both of these groups are passionate and spend time perfecting the craft, not just dilly-dallying around.
5. Perpetual Litmus. I'm not ADD, but my parents are still probably wondering about my test results! (haha) I have a short attention span, and because it is an entirely different surrounding then what I grew up with, I'm always entertained. Whether it is ordering food, taking pictures of funny or crazy signs (see below: Anti-Calculus toothpaste! Proven to help you like math even less!), or listening to Korean pop, I'm never bored and am always on my toes.
6. Speaking Many Languages. 네. 지금 한국어학원에서 한국말로 배워요. 그리고, 재 한국좋아있기 때문에 많은 친구를 있어요. He ying wei 2009 wo zhu zai le beijing, wo ye shuo zhongwen yi dian yi dian, he tai duo de hanguoren shuo zhongwen, he tai duo zhongguorens zhu zai hanguo. Wo shuo zhongwen he hanyu zai hanguo tai duo! Ming bai ma? (If not, use Google Translate.)
7. Asian People. They are super-friendly, hospitable, open-minded, and less "Oh, woe is me" attitude. Enough said.
8. Karaoke. Karaoke places, called noraebangs, are EVERYWHERE. I can go with one friend or a big group, have our own private room, and sing the songs we miss singing in the States for a few hours. Jason Mraz "I'm Yours" has definitely come in handy, as well as Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." I might have to open one up in Hillsboro when I get back.
9. It's Fun to Be Different. Period.
10. I'm in a Movie! If you've been in a cave, I made my Korean movie debut this past July, and the movie will premiere here in Korea in February 2012. The movie "Korea" is a drama about South Korea and North Korea combining to win the Women's 1991 World Team Table Tennis Championships. I play the role of head umpire of the final match (which I'm told could take as long as the last 20 minutes of the movie, since the team "match" consists of four singles matches and 1 doubles match). I got my resume completed (see below), and I'm working on getting an agent.
All that being said, I miss my family, miss my niece and nephews, and miss cheap Mexican food. If the right opportunity comes along to come back to the States, then yeah, I'll definitely look into it. But for now, life is good.^^
I'm asked this on a perpetual basis. So now, after living here more than 1 1/2 years, I have my definitive answers ready to go.
Here Are The Top Ten Reasons Why I Like Living in Korea.
1. Table Tennis. I am an international umpire, twice-a-week player, and started a table tennis club of foreigners (see below). Forget China - this is the mecca of table tennis. Ping pong has kept me sane by giving me a social base, recreational outlet, and a fun platform to make conversations. In the States, I'd still be getting weird looks.
2. Toastmasters. This is largest social network I've ever been part of, and it gives me an opportunity to give back to the organization that has always given back to me. With over 500 Toastmasters in Korea, I am one of less than 10 Distinguished Toastmasters, which means that people come to me with questions, and I'm happy to hear them. I've helped with speech contests (see below), as well as being one of many that has helped increase Korea's Toastmasters clubs from 16 to 34 in just over 1 year. Last year I was a national officer, and this year I've taken a little bit of a step back, serving on a committee, as well as being the webmaster. Oh, and it's fun, too!
3. Collectivist Culture. It's about the group, not the individual here, which is quite Biblical if you think about it. Food sharing is normal, one bathroom for an entire floor of offices is quite usual, and people easily rally around the same cause. This life is not about me, and the culture here helps remind me of this.
4. Passionate People. People don't do 6 hobbies here. They do 1 or 2 and kick butt and dedicate themselves to their hobbies. This is a country full of specialists, not Renaissance people. I'm the table tennis and Toastmasters guy, and people "get" that. Both of these groups are passionate and spend time perfecting the craft, not just dilly-dallying around.
5. Perpetual Litmus. I'm not ADD, but my parents are still probably wondering about my test results! (haha) I have a short attention span, and because it is an entirely different surrounding then what I grew up with, I'm always entertained. Whether it is ordering food, taking pictures of funny or crazy signs (see below: Anti-Calculus toothpaste! Proven to help you like math even less!), or listening to Korean pop, I'm never bored and am always on my toes.
6. Speaking Many Languages. 네. 지금 한국어학원에서 한국말로 배워요. 그리고, 재 한국좋아있기 때문에 많은 친구를 있어요. He ying wei 2009 wo zhu zai le beijing, wo ye shuo zhongwen yi dian yi dian, he tai duo de hanguoren shuo zhongwen, he tai duo zhongguorens zhu zai hanguo. Wo shuo zhongwen he hanyu zai hanguo tai duo! Ming bai ma? (If not, use Google Translate.)
7. Asian People. They are super-friendly, hospitable, open-minded, and less "Oh, woe is me" attitude. Enough said.
8. Karaoke. Karaoke places, called noraebangs, are EVERYWHERE. I can go with one friend or a big group, have our own private room, and sing the songs we miss singing in the States for a few hours. Jason Mraz "I'm Yours" has definitely come in handy, as well as Green Day's "Good Riddance (Time of Your Life)." I might have to open one up in Hillsboro when I get back.
9. It's Fun to Be Different. Period.
10. I'm in a Movie! If you've been in a cave, I made my Korean movie debut this past July, and the movie will premiere here in Korea in February 2012. The movie "Korea" is a drama about South Korea and North Korea combining to win the Women's 1991 World Team Table Tennis Championships. I play the role of head umpire of the final match (which I'm told could take as long as the last 20 minutes of the movie, since the team "match" consists of four singles matches and 1 doubles match). I got my resume completed (see below), and I'm working on getting an agent.
All that being said, I miss my family, miss my niece and nephews, and miss cheap Mexican food. If the right opportunity comes along to come back to the States, then yeah, I'll definitely look into it. But for now, life is good.^^
Posted by FOCUSED PURSUIT at 10/21/2011 8:32 AM 
Categories: Korean Culture
Tags: table tennis Korea movie toastmasters karaoke
Categories: Korean Culture
Tags: table tennis Korea movie toastmasters karaoke
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