Wednesday, February 11, 2009

미국 사람 이예요.

미국 사람 이예요 (Meeguk saram eeyayyo) means "I am an American." (Or, literally, "United States person I am," which gives you some idea of the language barrier.)

I find myself getting Americaner and Americaner. I've made my apartment a little island built up on English language books and an iPod packed with Western pop songs and NPR podcasts, and a few tchotchkes from home, and above all, the Web. Facebook and CNN and tv shows and movies and email and Skype keep me anchored to my friends and my country. I eat American food at home and most of the time when I eat out. (At least that way I know there aren't any animals in my food.) Even the cats have forgotten their Korean vocabulary by now.

It's just possible that the change in presidents has contributed a smidge to my revived patriotism, as well.

I guess it was inevitable; I like many Korean people, but the culture is, in many ways, totally alien, and I can no more immerse myself in Korean life than Kirk would go native if he were living on the Klingon planet. So I cling on (Get it? Har!) to what I know.

In some ways, I feel more 미국 사람 than I ever did back home. But I'm still glad to be here.

2 comments:

Cindy said...

So, is the American food in Korea authentic? :)

Stephen J said...

...I don't remember bulgogi burgers at the McDonald's outlets in the states...

Pizza Hut is way expensive, and the pizza comes with this odd ring of... stuff... inside the crust rim. Somebody told me it's... it's... potato!

Burger King fries, however, are the real thing, and the Dunkin' Donuts (the ones that are the same varieties as in the States) are, too.