I Got Seoul but I'm not a Soldier

It is painfully obvious at all times that I'm very much a civilian. Off post, I suppose, it is not as noticeable even though I still don't exactly blend in. But upon walking through any gate and onto post, which I do just about daily, I am immediately faced with the realization that I'm very different. My wardrobe is generally a dead giveaway that I'm not exactly there to do any sort of work. Because of the heat, I'm limited to free-flowing dresses or tanks and capris on a rotating basis until the rest of my clothes arrive. As an American, it's rather ironic that instead of my things being on a slow boat from China, as they usually are when I order something online, they are on a slow boat from the United States. At any rate, I stick out like a sore thumb pretty much everywhere I go.

I've made a little bit of a routine of trying to get out of the apartment at least once every day. Considering the fact that we live on a pretty steep hill and I am nearly a puddle on the doorstep

by the time I reach our front door at the end of the day, leaving out again is kept to a minimum; love my place, hate the hill. I don't ever feel obligated to go onto post, but I often find myself there during peak travel times for some of the soldiers who are heading to work in the morning. Yesterday morning, I amused myself with thoughts of what each soldier on the post shuttle must think I'm doing that early without children or a husband around to give me a purpose for being up and at 'em. In my ripped jean capris, bright blue t-shirt, and gym shoes, I definitely clashed with the sea of green fatigues that filled the bus.

Nonetheless, I was alert--which was more than I could say for the poor, exhausted soldier next to me who tilted his head back, dropped his mouth open, and began to snore next to me--and off to a meeting with regarding employment. My original plans to start working in a Korean school teaching English had been delayed, so I took that as an opportunity to look into other things to keep myself busy. To my sleeping seatmate's dismay, my stop came quickly. I tapped him and excused myself, then waded through the sea of soldiers and off the cool bus into the hot sun.

The meeting went well, as did my off-post excursion following that to the Cat Cafe (a must for any cat lover in Seoul), and my subsequent interview later that day--an exception to my rule about climbing the hill twice in one day, as it was necessary to change out of my casual attire into something more suitable for an interview.

I'm pleased to report that the company I interviewed for did make an offer and I'm hoping to start working very soon. If there's one thing I can say for certain about myself, it's that when I really want something, I go after it full force and I'm not likely to let a few awkward glances in my direction deter me from getting it. In this case, I love being a teacher; I'm learning more and more that it's not just something that I do, it's really who I am and I enjoy every minute of it.

I may not be a soldier, but I've got heart and determination...and now I've got a job in Seoul!