OK, I know this is a lot in the last few days, but I had to get this one on here too. Today I was just thinking about the differences between here and Japan, mostly in the context of how open and friendly the people are. I was in Central Park today, just reading, and taking pictures, and basically just hanging out by myself. And I pretty much knew that if I was in Japan I would have met half a dozen cool people to talk to.
When I was on my way back from Bundang, when I got off the bus in Suji, a lady came running up behind me and tapped me on the shoulder. I could tell she was a little nervous talking to me. She wanted to know if I would be interested in meeting some of her students. I was pretty confused as to what was going on, but it turns out she is a piano teacher, and she once talked to a white guy in Dunkin Donuts when she was with her students (because they were daring each other to talk to him). And when she did, they students freaked out. So she wanted me to come up and meet her students, because she said they would be shocked. So I said I would, not having anything else to do tonight. So we got up to her apartment, and talked for a little bit, and waited for the students to show up. It turns out her plan was to have me wait behind the sliding door in her room, and come out and surprise the kids when they got there. So this was a bit different than the meeting I had in mind, but I thought it was funny. So when the moment finally comes, and she slides the door and girls catch a glimpse of me they completely freak out. I actually felt kinda bad, I thought one girl was going to cry.
The girls are 16 and 19, and the teacher, Sarah is 36 (but Korean ages are a little different, I think they are actually 15 and 18 by our standards). So eventually we went to Dunkin Donuts and sat and talked (and man were they nervous/ shy- they couldnÂ’t even look me in the eye most of the time, and very afraid to speak English and risk messing up). They invited me to their piano concert in Seoul, sometime in September, and when I said I would try to make it, they were so happy, and honored. Then, before we left, they asked me I liked donuts, and I said yes, but I try not to eat them because I have a horrible sweet tooth, and shouldnÂ’t eat so much of that food. And as we left they surprised me with a bag full of donuts, for breakfast tomorrow. As we parted ways I could hear the two girls running off screaming. Sarah said they wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. So I don't know how to put this, but.....
(actually I was almost as embarrassed as them- the only other time things approached this was in India)
8 comments:
I always knew you were a big deal, Kyle! :)
And how Mom! How sweet is she?... Tell you what though mom, he's going to have one of these girls in a white dress with a shiny ring at the rate his legend is growing... Kyle, so funny to hear the story, but more importantly, so amazing that you said yes and took the leap... it's inspiring and your headed for such great things having an attitude like that... seriously, you're enthusiasm and sense of awe for the world that surrounds you at the moment, is an inspiration to me.
oh geeze, you are even more sweet than my mom. but she didnt understand that the title quote was from a funny movie and meant to be a joke.
Which movie would that be?
Never heard of it, so it does not really matter... but you are still a big deal ~ joke or not.
Love you.
good story Kyle! Hope you meet a lot more people like that and I'm sure you will! let's go to one of those 'jim jil bangs' sometime!
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