Car Wash...

You've heard the story of the country folk who decide to go to town. They get up early, bathe and brush their hair. They put on their Sunday best and try to look their most presentable. They say "please" and "thank you" and do their best to be respectful.

Today I went to the bank to make an international transfer. I got up early, showered and curled my hair. I ironed my prettiest dress and put on make-up. I didn't consciously plan all this out, but it felt like I should look presentable and respectable today. However, now that I think about it, I know why. I didn't want to give anyone a reason to judge me. I could just as easily wear jeans and my Reefs, but if I wear a dress and curl my hair, maybe I'll be less likely to be labeled, "just another stupid foreigner." Of course, I realize how silly this is, but I am the ONLY white person in the entire building. I have never transferred money internationally and even if I had, I am entirely helpless unless someone can speak my language. It's like I'm a country bumbkin in a big city!

While at the bank I experienced one of my least favorite elements of being a helpless foreigner. I call it, "The Crowd." I started speaking to one clerk, then another came over to assist. These two clerks were followed by another. By the end I had between three and five clerks helping me and speaking Korean around me. There are a few reasons I dislike this. First, I feel guilty to trouble all these people. FIVE people had to stop what they were doing to help the ONE person who came to their country and doesn't speak the language! Every other person in the bank requires one person to help them. I require FIVE! It feels selfish and arrogant. Second, I don't know what any of these people are saying. They are speaking around me and I don't know how to respond. Sometimes they will throw in a few English words and look at me, but I miss the English words because I am so lost in the Korean. I don't know how to be polite. Do I pay attention to the speaker despite having no idea what he is saying? Do I look at the listener and try to discern if he understands the instructions and will be able to help? Or, do I sit quietly, examine the ground and try and wait until they need me for something? I just don't know and usually do a combination of all three; my gaze drifting from speaker to listener to the chipped nail polish on my toes. The last reason why I dislike this is that I have to rely on body language. The vocal tone of the Korean language is so different from English that there is no way for my discern emotion in the volume and tone of the words. So, instead I rely on body language to gauge the attitude of the people around me. One woman looked so helpful. She sat forward and smiled and pointed at things I needed. Another man slouched in his chair, would speak Korean/English at me and then look away and slightly roll his eyes if I didn't understand him the first time. The original clerk didn't smile, worked diligently and just pointing at places I needed to sign or fill in account numbers. And the mixture of attitudes puzzled me. Should I be apologetic? Friendly? Quiet and professional? Most often when I am unable to discern the proper response to a situation, I simply follow the lead of the other people in the situation. But, in these "crowd" moments... WHO DO I FOLLOW?

In the end, I was successful at the bank. I transferred the money and all ended well. There was one more funny moment. At the bank, instead of being able to electronically transfer the money, I had to actually go over to the ATM and withdraw the cash and give it to the clerk. So, I had to withdraw 5 million won, which is about $5000. However, the largest bill they have is a 10 thousand won bill, which is about $10. So, I had to walk across the bank lobby with 500 bills. There was a little part of me that wanted to throw it in the air like confetti, start ghetto dancing and singing Jim Jones... "We fly high. No lie. You know this. BALLIN'. Foreign Rides. Outside. Just like showbiz." But that was one of the many urges I chose to ignore. Nonetheless, 500 bills in your hand, even 500 $1 bills still feels pretty good.

For your viewing pleasure, I've decided to share the video. Jim Jones "We Fly High."



Onto other subjects...

Wow... I am weak sauce. All flavors of weak sauce. I was at tap class today and am learning a new move. I hop from foot to foot, but have to do a double tap (called a "slap") when I hop. This doesn't sound hard, but I have to keep my knees bent and together, my feet have to be controlled by my ankles (and not my knees) and unless I can get my toe to point upward (which I still can't!) I'm not able to get the double tap. I end up kicking the floor instead of slapping it. Not to mention, my heels aren't allowed to touch the ground, so it is all on my toes. There are so many little parts to this simple move... toe up, back straight, ankles together, no heels, stay balances, keep the rhythm, hands on hips. And this is the only move I did for two hours. My calves and butt burned! And all I could think was "PULL IT TOGETHER, JACKI!" So, I just kept hopping and slapping, hopping and slapping.

Last week I learned another move I like a lot more! It is a flap-ball-change, but it includes a turn. So I do a 360 flap-ball-change while moving forward. It is a really fun move because my feet get to twist and stomp in fancy looking patterns. That move was so fun to learn that I didn't even realize two hours had passed. Of course, fun moves that don't hurt are rare. However, on days like today when the new steps burn and I think about how I'd rather be taking a nap on my Sat afternoon instead of hopping from left foot to right, I hear Christina Aguillera's song "Carwash." That song will be the song for my tap routine! And the faster I learn all these smaller steps, the quicker I'll get to put them together into a routine! Now, that will be FUN FUN FUN!

And for further viewing pleasure... Christina Aguillera "Carwash."