5/3
I am proud to say. That I, Jessica Probst, 한민희 (Han Minhee)...
woke up...
at 9 am!
I felt like a princess. Specifically the one from the Princess and the Pea. I cherish the most of this moment, taking my sweet time to get ready and managing my beloved Instagram account. It wasn't until 11 am that I finally got my buns out of bed and off to my morning ritual... 스벅 (Seubeok - Starbucks).
I really am a creature of habit. I've got to quit that.
But! This time I tried my 두유 (dooyoo - soy milk) latte iced. And it. was.
TERRIBLE.
Korean Starbucks is doin' some whack stuff. I respect the whole Go Green campaign. In fact I promote it! But do NOT put my iced drink in a MUG for HOT drinks. Especially not when you have cold glasses accessible right behind you on the shelf. And it wasn't just foreigner discrimination, this is everyone getting their iced drinks in a freezing, dewy chunk of porcelain.
But I digress.
It lacked the magic of a hot latte, and I failed to even finish it.
After my morning routine, I head across the street to Artbox, a cutesy gift shop. That evening I would be meeting 민규's (Mingyu's) mother and sister, and I wanted to do everything in my ability to secure a happy relationship with them. This of course meant I brought them some awesome gifts from the US, but I just needed a gift bag to put them in. And Artbox was just the place to pick up an endearing wrapping for the gifts. I settle on a set of three paper gift bags with hearts dotted all across their surface.
Feeling a bit parched, I stop by 공차 (Gongcha) on the second floor of the Hyundai Department Store on my way home. I have a certain fear of indulging in sugar, so I always make sure to order my drinks without. I order a black milk tea with aloe and no syrup. And as I receive the drink, I'm quick to notice that the barista had forgotten to leave out the syrup, as the sticker marking the drink noted 100%. No matter, this was a pretty common experience for me and was easy to solve. I returned to the line and politely explained to the girl that there had been a mistake. She seemed to understand immediately and had it remade....
but one of us (or both) had miscommunication... as they added MORE sugar in the drink.
Humored and feeling guilty since they had been so kind about the mix up, I went one stand next door to try something a little different. Mango Sago is something I've been undressing with my eyes since my first trip to Hyundai Department Store. But I had never actually been hungry enough to consume it. But aside from coffee, my stomach was empty and it was nearing 1 pm. Mango Sago is a voguish desert that first appeared in 1980s Hong Kong at the hands of Lei Garden. This particular take on the dish takes a takeout cup, filled with sago pearls (similar to tapioca but softer in texture), mango sorbet, and topped with cubes of mango. Mine is naturally sweetened, and I give it a full ten out of ten.
Recalling that I needed to withdraw won from an ATM, I hunt down a nearby 편의점 (pyeoneejeom - convenient store) to advance some cash. But the thing about foreign cards?
Its Korean ATM roulette.
Its practically a try your luck on any ATM. The ATM might take your card, it might not. It might take it only if you indicate your card is credit, regardless of whether or not it actual is. It might do the same for checking. The ATM may have a broken key. It may have a high fee for withdrawing. It may have half a broken screen.
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.
So after, I kid you not, 8 attempts to withdraw money... I finally found a machine that would accept my card (Its directly across the street from the big red statue outside of the UPlex in 신촌 (Sinchon) in case you need). Relieved, I skirted on home to get ready to meet 민규's family.
After spending a million and two years on an outfit and makeup, I finally pack up and head to the subway station.
And again, I am in rush hour.
But I am too accustomed and too darn nervous to be perturbed by the crowded train. Instead, I frantically message 민규 with last minute questions: what to call his mom, what his sister's name is, do I call her 언니 (Eonnie - older sister)? I was rather stressed.
He assured me that I had little reason to worry, as his mom and sister were very open minded and didn't care about the language barrier or that we were an international couple.
민규 and co were also stuck in traffic, and would be a few minutes late to meet me at 신도림 (Sindorim) station. I popped a squat outside of Exit 1, where an open park with auditorium leveled seating stacked the hills. Finally, I spot 민규 among the crowd, and giggle as he fails to see me, even though he looks directly at me. I wave to him and punch his arm as I meet him, giving him crap for not being able to notice the only foreigner in contrast to a swarm of natives.
We walk across the street towards a third floor Izakaya inspired 사시미 (Sashimi) house. My heart seemed to race with each step we took towards the restaurant. Which was incredibly romantic with a dimly lit atmosphere, traditional style tables where you remove the shoes before even entering, and benches cut into the floor so that your table was at floor height, but your bench was literally in the ground. Lanterns decorate the walls alongside cherry blossoms and oriental art. At the very end of the hall, two women sit at the same side of a bench. Although I had never seen them before, I recognize them immediately. 예슬언니 (Yeseul eonnie) and 어머님 (Eommeonim - mother)!
I bow my head in greeting and giggle nervously as I nimbly angle myself into the table. 민규 is not blessed with the same grace as he struggles to sit down.
That's what he gets for being a big strong lean green bean.
Between the little bit of English that the girls retained, the proficiency of my Korean, and 민규's translating ability, we got to know each other in what turned out to be a half Korean, half American style of getting to know each other. They asked questions about my parents and family, what I liked about 민규, and what kind of things I enjoy. I asked in return, about age, jobs, and hobbies.
I scored major brownie points by telling them both in Korean that they were beautiful. And when 예슬언니 asked me to guess her age, I told her that she looked 22 in Korean age. She was very pleased with this response. As she's actually 30.
어머님 noted that 민규 and I have similar hands, which surprised me but wasn't totally wrong. I don't know if that means anything. Except that we give awesome high fives.
I can see where 민규 gets his trouble making skills, as both he and 예슬 prompted me to try and pronounce 어머님's given name. I hesitated, knowing that it was very anti-cultural to call an elder by their first name. But they continued to press, and I finally gave in. They couldn't suppress their laughter as 어머님 seemed surprised but assured me it was fine and "just a name".
When meeting anyone for the first time over dinner, its very likely that you'll end up drinking. Its a dynamic used to ease the tension and create a more comfortable atmosphere where times might get awkward. We drank 소주 (soju) and beer, and I managed to impress 엄머님 and 예슬 with my knowledge of table manners and chopstick skills. And 민규 impressed us with his 소주 tornado.
We ate more food than most humans ever should, a course of variety 꼬치 (kgochi - skewered food), sashimi, and 단호박떡볶이 (dan hobak tteokbokki - sweet pumpking tteokbokki).
We were given a service of grilled salmon and salad as well from the owners. Before leaving, 어머님 gave us her official blessing, which is awesome for any couple in a Korean family. She told us that as long as we're happy, she's happy.
Good food and good company, 민규 and I ended our meeting by sending them off with the gifts I brought. Then we stayed and enjoyed a mini-post date with the remainder of the food before he took me home. Letting our goofy selves a little more loose now that we could stop worrying.
That night I laid in bed with a feeling of relief and gratitude. Now all I have to do is meet his dad...
woke up...
at 9 am!
I felt like a princess. Specifically the one from the Princess and the Pea. I cherish the most of this moment, taking my sweet time to get ready and managing my beloved Instagram account. It wasn't until 11 am that I finally got my buns out of bed and off to my morning ritual... 스벅 (Seubeok - Starbucks).
I really am a creature of habit. I've got to quit that.
But! This time I tried my 두유 (dooyoo - soy milk) latte iced. And it. was.
TERRIBLE.
Korean Starbucks is doin' some whack stuff. I respect the whole Go Green campaign. In fact I promote it! But do NOT put my iced drink in a MUG for HOT drinks. Especially not when you have cold glasses accessible right behind you on the shelf. And it wasn't just foreigner discrimination, this is everyone getting their iced drinks in a freezing, dewy chunk of porcelain.
But I digress.
It lacked the magic of a hot latte, and I failed to even finish it.
After my morning routine, I head across the street to Artbox, a cutesy gift shop. That evening I would be meeting 민규's (Mingyu's) mother and sister, and I wanted to do everything in my ability to secure a happy relationship with them. This of course meant I brought them some awesome gifts from the US, but I just needed a gift bag to put them in. And Artbox was just the place to pick up an endearing wrapping for the gifts. I settle on a set of three paper gift bags with hearts dotted all across their surface.
 |
| 어머닌 - A mug that says "Mother" in English with cookies and a strawberry Poptart 아버님 - A hat that says "ask your mother" in English and a s'mores Poptart 예슬 - a wine tumbler that says "aged to perfection in English and a strawberry Poptart |
Feeling a bit parched, I stop by 공차 (Gongcha) on the second floor of the Hyundai Department Store on my way home. I have a certain fear of indulging in sugar, so I always make sure to order my drinks without. I order a black milk tea with aloe and no syrup. And as I receive the drink, I'm quick to notice that the barista had forgotten to leave out the syrup, as the sticker marking the drink noted 100%. No matter, this was a pretty common experience for me and was easy to solve. I returned to the line and politely explained to the girl that there had been a mistake. She seemed to understand immediately and had it remade....
but one of us (or both) had miscommunication... as they added MORE sugar in the drink.
Humored and feeling guilty since they had been so kind about the mix up, I went one stand next door to try something a little different. Mango Sago is something I've been undressing with my eyes since my first trip to Hyundai Department Store. But I had never actually been hungry enough to consume it. But aside from coffee, my stomach was empty and it was nearing 1 pm. Mango Sago is a voguish desert that first appeared in 1980s Hong Kong at the hands of Lei Garden. This particular take on the dish takes a takeout cup, filled with sago pearls (similar to tapioca but softer in texture), mango sorbet, and topped with cubes of mango. Mine is naturally sweetened, and I give it a full ten out of ten.
Its Korean ATM roulette.
Its practically a try your luck on any ATM. The ATM might take your card, it might not. It might take it only if you indicate your card is credit, regardless of whether or not it actual is. It might do the same for checking. The ATM may have a broken key. It may have a high fee for withdrawing. It may have half a broken screen.
YOU JUST NEVER KNOW.
So after, I kid you not, 8 attempts to withdraw money... I finally found a machine that would accept my card (Its directly across the street from the big red statue outside of the UPlex in 신촌 (Sinchon) in case you need). Relieved, I skirted on home to get ready to meet 민규's family.
After spending a million and two years on an outfit and makeup, I finally pack up and head to the subway station.
 |
| When meeting Korean families, remember to dress conservatively! You want to look young but don't flaunt it! Ladies: no cleavage or short skirts. Gentleman: Try to cover piercings and tattoos. Where something clean cut but comfortable. I recommend avoiding skirts or dresses in case you sit at a traditional table, and make sure to where clean socks! |
But I am too accustomed and too darn nervous to be perturbed by the crowded train. Instead, I frantically message 민규 with last minute questions: what to call his mom, what his sister's name is, do I call her 언니 (Eonnie - older sister)? I was rather stressed.
민규 and co were also stuck in traffic, and would be a few minutes late to meet me at 신도림 (Sindorim) station. I popped a squat outside of Exit 1, where an open park with auditorium leveled seating stacked the hills. Finally, I spot 민규 among the crowd, and giggle as he fails to see me, even though he looks directly at me. I wave to him and punch his arm as I meet him, giving him crap for not being able to notice the only foreigner in contrast to a swarm of natives.
We walk across the street towards a third floor Izakaya inspired 사시미 (Sashimi) house. My heart seemed to race with each step we took towards the restaurant. Which was incredibly romantic with a dimly lit atmosphere, traditional style tables where you remove the shoes before even entering, and benches cut into the floor so that your table was at floor height, but your bench was literally in the ground. Lanterns decorate the walls alongside cherry blossoms and oriental art. At the very end of the hall, two women sit at the same side of a bench. Although I had never seen them before, I recognize them immediately. 예슬언니 (Yeseul eonnie) and 어머님 (Eommeonim - mother)!
I bow my head in greeting and giggle nervously as I nimbly angle myself into the table. 민규 is not blessed with the same grace as he struggles to sit down.
That's what he gets for being a big strong lean green bean.
Between the little bit of English that the girls retained, the proficiency of my Korean, and 민규's translating ability, we got to know each other in what turned out to be a half Korean, half American style of getting to know each other. They asked questions about my parents and family, what I liked about 민규, and what kind of things I enjoy. I asked in return, about age, jobs, and hobbies.
I scored major brownie points by telling them both in Korean that they were beautiful. And when 예슬언니 asked me to guess her age, I told her that she looked 22 in Korean age. She was very pleased with this response. As she's actually 30.
어머님 noted that 민규 and I have similar hands, which surprised me but wasn't totally wrong. I don't know if that means anything. Except that we give awesome high fives.
I can see where 민규 gets his trouble making skills, as both he and 예슬 prompted me to try and pronounce 어머님's given name. I hesitated, knowing that it was very anti-cultural to call an elder by their first name. But they continued to press, and I finally gave in. They couldn't suppress their laughter as 어머님 seemed surprised but assured me it was fine and "just a name".
When meeting anyone for the first time over dinner, its very likely that you'll end up drinking. Its a dynamic used to ease the tension and create a more comfortable atmosphere where times might get awkward. We drank 소주 (soju) and beer, and I managed to impress 엄머님 and 예슬 with my knowledge of table manners and chopstick skills. And 민규 impressed us with his 소주 tornado.
Good food and good company, 민규 and I ended our meeting by sending them off with the gifts I brought. Then we stayed and enjoyed a mini-post date with the remainder of the food before he took me home. Letting our goofy selves a little more loose now that we could stop worrying.
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