Wednesday, November 23, 2011

Old News: Korea Hates Me

Korea is a sadist and likes to watch me suffer. Overdramatic, but true! Prior to Korea, I have never had a digital camera just stop working. That happened in August, and the Sony Cybershot was brand new. I have never had text messaging issues with my phone. I resolved that issue yesterday at a Sky Service Center. After waiting for over an hour, the technician decided to reformat my phone, which cleared all of my conversations and applications. The phone is also brand new. My laptop has never been unresponsive. Then two nights ago, my computer indefinitely went to blue screen and says that there is a hardware malfunction related to the memory. Even though my computer is 4.5 years old and ready to be replaced, all of my struggles with technology have one thing in common: KOREA.

In other news, I was invited to play in a teachers volleyball game against Samho Elementary School. When I first walked into the gym, it smelled like feces, piss, and kimchi. In other words, it smelled like the bus ride to school every morning. The sideline offered a table full of drinks and snacks including, but not limited to: meat, kimchi, dried squid, and tangerines. The combination of sweaty teachers and "only in Korea" volleyball cuisine created a very unique aroma.

I missed the first game and arrived in time to practice with the teachers before the second game. My hits seemed promising, but after a few bumps, the tenderness in my wrists reminded me why I didn't like volleyball during high school PE. (Remember what I said about sadists?) Well the game began and anytime the ball would come near me, I would swear under my breath and move out of the way. Let's be honest. I'm not that coordinated. I would probably have a sprained ankle or a broken nose if I tried harder (or at all). I'm better at running and swimming aka I'm better at individual team sports.

Did we win the game? Yes. (My principal may look old and stiff, but he was keen on the court and dove for the ball a few times. Even the older ladies held their own.) Did I shuffle back and forth to make it appear as if I were playing, resurrecting old tactics from 9th grade PE? Oh definitely. Did I volley the ball? No. Is my right wrist swollen because they let me serve the ball? Yes. Did it ever go over the net? It successfully did not.

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