I finished dinner in our upstairs shared dining room and was downstairs washing dishes when the house owner slid up next to me and whispered: “I asked Freshman if she wanted to take our dinner and join you upstairs but she said since Korean male roommate was home from work, she didn’t want to.” I laughed and said in a low voice, “I can’t blame her.” I don’t know in what particular way he aggrieved Freshman but in any case it was a point of validation for my occasional frustrations with him! The house owner continued with a thrilling conclusion. “So I suggested making a downstairs dining room in the…

I was downstairs sprawled on the floor with house owner and Freshman trying to explain the concept of coffee creamer when we heard thumping EDM and the telltale signs that our boy roommates were getting tipsy upstairs. They were clearly having a fun party of two free from embarrassment or shame. At one point I heard the Brazilian ask, “do you want me to cut your hair?” To which the Korean responded with a sing songy “NoOoOo~”. It was funny. And I’ll admit, cute. Boys just want to have fun.

Chuseok, or Mid Autumn Festival, is a celebration on fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month. It is celebrated in Korea along with China and other East Asian countries. Koreans typically return to their hometowns, pay homage to their ancestors, and eat typical harvest foods like rice wine and special rice cakes. Thanksgiving is the American parallel. Rachel, Busan tutor has officially earned a name, invited me to her home for a sleepover and extended Chuseok holiday celebration. She picked me up at the station the day before and our adventure began. I wasn’t sure if I could call her friend just yet. Weren’t we too different? Then she told…

I spent the afternoon in near hysterics having realized that the way I applied for an absentee ballot was completely wrong for a citizen abroad. Once that was sorted, I ate a boring and healthy dinner due to the copious amount of cookies I had for lunch, and was joined by the Brazilian and the male Korean roommate. What a strange little family we are, I thought to myself at one point. The Korean asked me if I was from Miami since I said I was from Florida and Miami is a Florida city. “No,” I answered, feeling gleefully vindictive in a short and obvious reply. The Brazilian had made…

Even though Seoullites warned me repeatedly that I wouldn't understand the Busan accent, to my great suprise and accomplishment, I found it no more difficult to listen to a Gyeonsgang family playfully rib each other for 3 hours than any other Korean conversation. Which is to say, I understood as little of it as I do in every other Korean conversation I have.

I made a true American brunch for freshman and houseowner, complete with mimosas. The freshman appeared from her room in a long, high waisted skirt. “Are you going somewhere?” “To our brunch!” She replied to my utter delight. Someone who enjoys themes, excellent! I can’t often cook for other because iconic American dishes require an oven so it’s always a high point when I can share a little piece of home.