life-altering decisions, part the first
I've recently become aware, even more so than before, more salient, that my life, in the next two to three years, is going to change a very great deal. Is this it? For years, I've been drifting. It sounds stupid and trite, but it's true. What am I still doing in Korea? Why did I come?
I've got some answers.
Why did I come? I came to experience Korean life, learn the language, try to make some money, and besides, what else was there to do? I had planned to apply to teacher's college. I did and was rejected. In defense, I didn't make a really serious effort at it. I applied to only one school, and OISE/UT at that.
What am I still doing in Korea? Well, you know the answer to that. Her name is Jackie. But more than that, it's easy here. Life that is. Or is it avoiding capital-ell-life? My job here pays me well. I work on the side and it pays even better. I've got an apartment. Utilities, food, beer, movies, videos, internet, TV, phones, transportation... they're all cheap. And I can pretend that I'll live like this for the rest of my life.
Except for one thing. Marriage.
I'm not married yet. However, I am engaged. I've bought the ring. I've given it to her. I didn't get down on one knee, but I did make a fake CD case. I was just me before. Now I'm gonna be a husband, a son-in-law, a brother-in-law, all in one swell foop [sic]. I'm representing my family. I've got to grow-up, basically.
We went shopping on Saturday and Jackie didn't want me to buy clothes that looked too casual or raggedy. She said, Get something that looks more professional. I scoffed. I've got clothes for when I need to exude professional. They're not comfortable. Nor are they necessary when talking at children in English when all they want to do is get a good mark on some test so that they can get into a good high school. (I bought the 'raggedy' clothes anyway; after she had went and gone and bought a whole bunch of stuff, I felt the urge to buy stuff.) But clothes is just one aspect of it.
I need a job. And to get a job I need an education. If anyone who is reading this that wants to hire a guy with a few years of experience teaching English as a foreign language to elementary school kids, a year or so in technical field service, five years in the food and beverage service industry, five years in custom framing and retail, a year or so in a supermarket, two days selling ice cream on one of those tricycles in the park, and last but not least, an Honours Bachelor's Degree in Physics, please, please, please, drop me a line. I'll be available sometime in 2006. I've been rejected also from seven law schools. That didn't stroke the ego. I'll be making a serious attempt at teacher's college again. Cross your fingers.
I asked earlier, Is this it? Is this the culmination of all my years of work, rest, and play and consumption of Mars bars? Is this what everyone looks for? The reason? Will the decisions that I make in the next two to three years affect the rest of my life? We'll see. Because...
...there's one thing I haven't mentioned yet, besides marriage & family, besides education & career, besides fashion & appearance...
...I won't say just yet what it is, but I will say that it seems that my life is poised to change yet again...
If you're sufficiently curious, then my work is done.
Comments
Oh my! I can only guess what you're alluding to! I don't want to say in case I'm wrong.
I think if you apply to teachers college again, and include some other schools, you will get in. I don't think its a huge deal if you don't go to OISE, since its only a 1 year course anyway, right? Take it at York or something, get it over with and then you can find your career.
Of course, I think it would be pretty cool if you moved back to Toronto eventually, but I'm not sure if that's what you're planning.
All my friends from school (i.e. You, Jen, Heather) are getting married, buying condos, and working towards those kind of "settling down" things... but I'm still doing the same as I was 5 years ago. I'm starting to worry about myself since I have none of those things yet...
Posted by: Tim | October 26, 2004 4:00 AM
I'm curious to see what your guess is.
I am eventually going to apply to teacher's college, and yes, I wil apply anywhere and everywhere. I was stupid and elitest when I applied only to OISE/UT.
But don't worry. the Master Plan is to settle in Toronto. I'll reveal this much: that event should happen sometime early 2006.
I have been wondering what you've been up to. Just because you've been doing the same thing for five years doesn't mean that it's bad. Perhaps you began your 'settling' earlier.
Posted by: f r e d | October 26, 2004 1:43 PM