Tonight I met Stella (my 1st co-teacher) in Goejeong, my old neighborhood, for some Bi Bim Bap and Tuna Kimbap (our favorites) at our favorite little restaurant in my old neighborhood! I became very close with the 2 women who run the place... or as close as you can become when you don't share a common language! Anyway, when I walked in, it was as if I were the prodigal son! They were so excited to see me and told Stella they thought I had gone back to America and were sad I didn't come anymore! :) Aaahhh.
It feels good to be missed!
Then after dinner, I stopped by the corner mart to say hello to David (the Korean man who owns the shop!) I gave him the English name David my second week in Korea, almost 3 years ago! I really didn't need to buy anything but I wanted to stop in to see him, so I picked up a beer for Aaron, and David put 5 packs of mixed nuts in my bag, for free, and said, with a big smile, to come see him again soon! Aaahhh.
It feels good to be missed!
Since I was in the neighborhood, I stopped into my favorite thrift shop, where I would go at least once a week in Goejeong Market! When I walked in, the girl who owns the place completely dropped what she was doing and yelled "Emo" (aunt) and came to meet me at the door! After a couple minutes of fumbling through a 1/2 Korean, 1/2 English conversation, and a lot of laughter, she told me she needed to run down the street to the bathroom and asked if I would watch her store! Now that's trust! Aaahhh.
It feels good to be missed!
Lastly, before I jumped on the bus back home, I stopped to see Beksuna (a sweet dog who lives in the front yard of a house in my old neighborhood!) It was like no time had ever passed! I knelt down and she came running out of her doghouse wagging her tail, licked my face, nuzzled her head in my leg, and made me feel like a million bucks! Aaahhh
It feels good to be loved, remembered and missed!