Back in the US!

Actually, I've been back for a week, but I wanted to vegetate for a while before I did any work (yes, I consider writing this post "work". I'm quite worried about my already-poor work ethic when I return to Williams). When my program ended, my mom and sister visited me in Madrid. From Madrid, we started our "European blitz" tour - Madrid, Rome, Florence, Venice, Paris, and London in 10 days (yep, I went back to London and Paris). It was tough, only because we had to see and travel so much in so little time. Despite the crazy schedule, I had a good time with 2/3 of my family, and I really enjoyed what I saw of Italy.

Adjusting to the US, specially Irvine, has taken some time. For example, I still instinctively reach out to the button on top of the toilet to flush - there's a funny moment when my hand, reaching out for a button that is not there, pauses for a second then is lowered. Also, I don't think I'm used to all this driving. It's nice to be able to drive my Honda, but I think it was nicer to walk everywhere. Another thing that amazes me is the number of Asians around me. At Willams, Asians were still the minority, but at least they were a noticeable minority.

My identity as an Asian American will be further explored by me as I go to Korea this summer. I think I will have a true culture shock when I go to Seoul, a truly foreign place despite my ethnic background.  (Madrid, in my opinion, was pretty Americanized compared to other European cities and I was usually stuck in a fixed schedule for the majority of my week.) In South Korea, there is an unusual adherence to social expectations that are defined by the idealization Western culture. One major example is the definition of beauty. Koreans are obsessed with plastic surgery, and the most popular type is double eyelid surgery. Why do so many people get it? (It's not even considered "surgery" because it's so common.) So their eyes can get bigger. Why do they want them bigger? ...because Caucasians' eyes are big? This puzzles me, since I don't see anything wrong with single eyelids. But this is the country where I will be spending the next two months of my life. My project is actually on English education, but I think this "obsession" with English education (heck, "obsession" with all things "Western") is related to what defines Korean culture and society.

Anyways, sorry for that little tangent. I realize that I still have not covered my time in Paris, Portugal, or Morocco. I probably will write about my lovely time in Paris (it was great! and I'm glad I had the chance to return) but we'll see about Morocco and Portugal. It all depends on my work ethic :) But I will definitely continue to write about my experiences this summer. So, for the few readers that actually read this, stay tuned for Susan's Adventures in South Korea! (Sorry, I couldn't find a catchy title with alliteration.)

Susan