Amanda Takes Off...

I entered the studio, this whole conversation took place in Korean.

Crybaby Gold Medal Girl, directed at the other boys, freaking out because she's lounging around on the bench: Who is it? ... Oh! Amanda! Hi!

Me: Hi! [Crybaby], I have homework.

Crybaby: Yay! Sit down, sit down, let me see!

We work together on a "Let's Talk!" exercise. Given certain situations, what do we want. "Amanda, you're in a bad mood. What do you want to do?" "I want to sleep! And eat chocolate!" The boys that are there playing soccer start laughing, "Amanda, you like chocolate?" "I love chocolate!" After those exercises, Crybaby starts telling me the answers to the written exercises before I can figure them out for myself.

Me: No! Stop! I need to practice! You speak Korean! You're Korean! I'm American! I need to practice. We'll practice together!

Crybaby: OK!

Grin's Brother walked into the studio and bowed specifically to me. I figured it was the perfect time to apologize.

Me: [Grin's Brother]! 오세요... 앉으세요. Please come here, please sit down.

Grin's Brother, looking expectantly at the Korean textbook on my lap: 네? Yes?

Me: 그제? 어제 어제? 그제? Yesterday yesterday?

Grin's Brother: 그저께.

Me: 그저께에 나는 큰 소리로 말했어요. 미안합니다. The day before yesterday, I yelled at you. I'm sorry.

Grin's Brother: 괜찮아요. That's OK.

We smile and bow to each other.

I apologize here so much more easily and quickly than I ever did in America. I figure that I've screwed up or offended people numerous times and they've been too kind to tell me. The least I can do is swallow my pride and apologize when a miscommunication, misunderstanding, cultural difference blows up. I am the guest here, after all. I am the miscommunication, misunderstanding, cultural difference.

Class was good. The last 20 minutes or so were spent playing soccer with blocks as goals. Grin's Brother and I were on the same team. We had fun together. "Amanda! Amanda! Good job!"