Love story : Dee and Dang

What did happen was that I ended up in South Korea.

When I landed, it was cold. (I would find it that way for the next several weeks, it seems; in more ways than just the weather). I was still sick, lonely for my Love, and in no mood to be here.

“Oh, where is my Love?!?!”

Going through immigration was easy. No problems there. My ride was waiting for me at the gate; and within minuets after my arrival, we were off to where I would live for this next year. I say, “were I would live,” rather than home because Mama is home for me. No place in Korea can be my home without her.

After a 45 minuet to an hour drive, we arrived at the apartment. Mrs. Kim, my new boss, was there. “This is where you live. This is the heater. This is the air. This is the washer. Off. On.” That was about all that I got. The rest was up to me to figure out. There was word given of soon to be coming translation stickers. It’s my 6th week here and I’m still waiting. No worries. I have it all figured out now…. after a few dozen cold showers, some chilly nights, and stiff clothes.

There were no towels, a pot, a pan, and a couple spoons. Ohhhhh…. this was going to be interesting. I didn’t have time to worry about it then, though, for I had to be at the school the very next day. How’s that for orientation?

I must say, that was one of the loneliest nights of my life. (I would say that it was the loneliest night of my life if all the nights that followed weren’t equally as lonely.)

The next morning, I awoke to the coldest shower in the history of showers. No coffee. No food. And not real clue as to how to obtain those, other than the small convenience store in the basement. So, I dried off with a t-shirt and headed down to the store. I guessed to the best of my ability as to what I was buying and made my purchase. Can’t remember what I bought, but do remember that I ate out of this store for a good week…. it was all that I had. Hey, I didn’t even know what street I lived on, where the school was. How was I to know where to find food?

I found the next few days to go about the same- extreme loneliness, depression, and and a sense of alienation were to be my friends- for I received no help, no advice, nothing from the school. They were supposed to be there to help me get settled, and they weren’t. I’m still upset over that.

As I begged for help, day after day, I began to discover the things I needed, little by little. It took me the first week to find a towel. That’s right. I went without so much as a towel for more than a week, or roughly that. I can’t remember now. It took longer than that to find food, etc. But I did.

That’s what I want to close with, too. Things in the first 7 days were hell (they were hellish afterward, too), but I made it. I know where things are now. I am familiar with my neighborhood. I have a bank account, and am growing as a teacher. I am finally settling in. And, the remainder of my time, should be much, much better.

Am I still in hell? Yes.

I am in hell because I’m without Dang. Any place without her isn’t fit to be, as far as I”m concerned. I will survive. Not only that, I will grow, but will I thrive? No.

I can have a good attitude about work, life in Korea, etc. I can make the best of anything, but don’t ask me to put a positive spin on being separated from Dang. It’s not happening. I will speak the truth in that matter. I hate being a part from her!!!!

Without Dang, the days after the first 7 will all be lived in a whirlwind.