Call me a fool, but I’m downright giddy

It’s 2:ooam. I have to get up in 4.5 hours.

I almost fell asleep about an hour ago…but then it was one thought…and then another…and I was awake.

See friend, tonight is the night before my first date in Korea. And I have no idea what to expect.

It happened out of chance. There was a Bar-B-Q. I was in the area, and was going to meet another friend later, and I decided to stop by.

It’s $20 for a cup and you get beer and food all night. Had I been staying all night, it would have been a deal…but I wasn’t.

It was a rip off, but in all honesty I was going to be buying several $10 drinks at the club later anyways. So, in perspective…it was still a deal.

I sat down. I met people. I sat down at other places. I met people. Etc. Etc.

About an hour in, I sit down and there is a few guys and girls sitting around. I introduce myself to the table. I ask them a few questions about what they do, where they live etc.

One girl is cute. But she’s sitting next to another guy. They seem friendly. They go to the same college. I assume they are together. She’s a Civil Engineering major. I make a quick mental note about how awesome that is, but quickly move on.

I’m not here to meet anyone. I have to go soon. She’s taken. No loss.

Everyone at the table is pretty fun. I choose this table in particular for it’s prevalence of Korean people.

I have no problem meeting and befriending Koreans in a mostly Korean environment. But at a meeting like this I’m still not sure what part to play.

I don’t want to practice my Korean because I don’t want to be “that guy” who’s trying to show off and outdo the other foreigners. That’s never my goal. But, I’m not really too interested in making life long foreign friends that might leave soon either.

So, up until this point I’m just quietly drinking and commenting where appropriate.

At some point it’s only Koreans at the table. They start speaking Korean with a little bit of English, so I start speaking English with a little bit of Korean.

They are a bit surprised and the conversation turns towards me.

I truly dislike this part of the conversation, because it’s always the same, and it’s awkward as hell. I’ve been here 9 months and have studied Korean every chance I get. The result, my pronunciation, while still bad, is better than most foreigners, and I can say what I know pretty confidently…

…but I don’t know that much. That leads to a flurry of awkward, undeserved compliments and expectations that are way to high for me. They start speaking faster…and I get lost.

I’ve learned to turn this around by simply over-complimenting them…and asking them all sorts of questions. That keeps me talking less, them talking more, and I can keep nodding, agreeing, laughing at appropriate times, and then ask another question.

Soon I’m back to a comfortable, more basic, place and I’m conversing at a slow and steady past in Korean.

…anyways back to the story.

At some point in the night I realize that the aforementioned girl is in fact single. But, I’m still not there to meet anyone so I don’t think anything of it.

Then, at some point in the night, I realize that she is talking to her friend about me.

At this point I start taking a little more notice.

Then, at some point in the night, she shyly gives me her phone. I put my number in, save it, and call myself.

Then, at some point in the night, I look over to realize that we are sitting across from each other and no one else is at the table.

I’ve had just enough beer to give me a little confidence, so I move, sit next to her, and talk…about something. I have absolutely no idea about what.

During the conversation she keeps making these awkward comments that I have learned is a quite adorable form of Korean flirting.

“you uh…*nervous laugh* … have a big nose”

While this can be considered an insult in America, they are actually referring to your bridge and is, evidently, SUPER important for attractiveness. Before coming here I had no idea. Other attributes include a double eyelid, and pale lifeless skin. (for those wondering…I’ve always had the pale, lifeless skin in the box).

“you, uh…have a skinny face”

This one is a surprise to me. I’m kinda a fat face. I mean. Granted. My stomach is kinda big. If I was a Korean male, and was this this fat, my face would be huge. I don’t know why this is…but it’s true. I’m not sure why this was a compliment…but I decided to take it in context and go with it.

Soon, everyone comes back. We all have a drink. But it’s my time to go. I have to meet another friend.

…………………….

Walking to the bus stop I suddenly realize that I’m being attacked by some weird emotions. What the hell.

I can’t put my finger on it. But I just suddenly realized that…wow…I think that girl was a seriously awesome person.

An…unexpectedly awesome person.

I decide on the bus to text her. I send her a text in Korean. My initial intention was to send the equivalent to “It was nice to meet you. Be sure to add me on cyworld, maybe I’ll see you later. haha” …

…but as I was the bus hit a bump and I accidentally sent “It was nice to meet you. ㄹㄹ” I freaked out for a minute hoping “ㄹㄹ” wasn’t some sort of ….weird…something…and then I started laughing.

Unlike other accidental prematurities, this one was  probably better off!

Her reply: “Good to meet you too^^ I really hope to see you again.”

Righteous.

Forward to Wednesday. I wake up. It’s been 4 days. I figure…what’s it going to hurt. I send a text about…what else…the weather!

I’ve never claimed to be smooth.

Actually I have…but I only claimed it to make the people around me laugh.

…Because it’s pretty funny.

…Because I’m not.

I wait.

I’m getting kinda upset with myself how much I actually want her to text back.

It’s weird.

Her reply: “The weather is good. How are you?”

My reply: “Good. Just working. You know…”

I’m in awe of my smooth texting skills. I did always need more black friends growing up.

Her reply: “Do you…uh…maybe want to meet me sometime? I would like to see you again.”

After taking a minute to get super excited…then mentally slap myself in the face for being a retard…then tell myself what the hell I’m in Korea where men wear their hearts on their sleeves all the time…then realize that I’m not Korean…then get a little sad…then excited again…then slap myself a again for being a retard…I finally text back.

Long story short. I’m going on a date tomorrow.

It could be a bust. It could suck.

I bought a new set of clothes this weekend to prepare. Then I wore them today. Then I realized that I think I’ll be more comfortable in my old set. But then I realized that I like the new jeans better…and maybe the shoes…and maybe the undershirt.

It could suck. It will probably be a let down.

But then I just spent thirty minutes planning a good second or third date. A picnic on my room with a 18th story view of the city. I got a little too dreamy for my general liking.

But it will probably suck. It will probably be a let down.

I mean I don’t even know if I want to date anyone right now. I love being single. I really really do. But who am I kidding. I would trade it all for a good girl. She seems like a good girl.

But it could be a bust. It’ll probably suck.

I mean she is smart. We have texted quite a bit these past few days. My completely premature analysis is that she’s a good student, funny, a bit mischievous, likes to drink a bit, and is responsible.

But…in all reality…it’ll probably be a let down.

Anyways. I’m going to try to snap out of my psychosis, try to find my balls somewhere in this apartment so I can wear them a few more times before trading them in…and hit the sack.

Wish me luck!

-HuskEric

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