Misunderstandings Can Turn Out To Be Just That

Especially when different languages are involved.

From memory:

An-yeong-haa-say-yo hello

kam-sah-haab-ni-da thank you

naega choo-nan i am lost

chae-bal please

ahn-ee-yo no thanks

There are two others in there. One of them is 'i am hungry' but I can only remember that it starts with 'naega baega ...' and I don't even remember at this moment what the other phrase was that I learned.

I've been up for 15 hours, followed directly after another 12 hours of awake-time with only a sporadic 3-hours of sleep. I'm stressed from having to vacate my apartment before I leave for Korea and live with my parents for a week (I was originally supposed to leave before my lease ended), followed by living with my sister and her husband for another 1-2 weeks until I leave. And I'm stressed from having to give up both of my loves: my two precious kitties. They will forever be in my heart.

I'm also stressing over something more personal that I haven't thought about too much out loud, like, ever. Before I leave Ocala at the end of this week/beginning of next week, I want to go visit an old friend. Only this friend has passed away.

In 2006, a friend of mine was riding his motorcycle and was hit by a truck. I don't know much of the details, but I'll spare you what I do know.

He was a good friend and he helped me through a rough emotional period. He told me his feelings for me as I was getting back together with my now-ex, and I did something I never do: I lied to him. I knew I had to make a choice between him and my now-ex, so I did. I won't tell you what the lie was, but I can tell you that recent events are probably God's kindest way of showing me a little bit of Karma. Trust me. I get it. And I know how it feels.

I heard of his passing from an old friend a few months after the accident, but never went to visit him. I never met his mother, but I was always afraid that we'd see each other and I wouldn't know what to say. I'm not good with things like this. But then again, I don't know who is. I also wasn't sure if I should go, but now I want to. I'm going to live in a part of the world he always wanted to visit, and I may even travel to the country that fascinated him most. I want to tell him about it, and I'm sure after listening to every detail, he'd tell me to have a great time.

So along with all of the things I want to do once I'm in Korea, such as visit temples, learn about religion, immerse myself in the language and culture, enjoy the food, and try to fit in, I also have some things I want to do at home before I leave.

Here's to apple martinis, big salads and little steaks, and to squeezing every last drop out of life.