MONEY TALKS

..currently it is night in Korea..  the wind is restless and echoing throughout my room is the constant clatter of the blinds rattling against the window pane.  I hear a distant howl in the city outside of my window, and the only light in my room radiates from the neon glow of my labtop monitor. . .as always when it is night.. I feel a little sick, with the covers over me and a roll of paper towels near my bed…somewhere.

The past couple of days have been eventful..if not somewhat disturbing.  Apart from the fact that my cough has only improved moderately, I have decided that I will see the doctor when I do have the opportunity.  Nevertheless, sickness is not my biggest concern.  Seemingly, there is a problem with transfering money over from my American bank accounts, and I am faced to meagerly ration the little pocket money I now have until “the calvalry” of hundreds of thousands of Korean wons swoops in to my great relief.  It is definetely not easy to be meager in a city of endless possibilities, yet, a little discipline will go a long way here.  .  and conveniently adding on to this theme..

Yesterday, I got a job.

As of now, I will be teaching English to a somewhat affluent family in an apartment complex hundreds of miles away from Yonsei.  I have absolutely no clue how I will get there, and I am forced to face the gauntlet of subway stations and buses that will eventually lead me to the mini-treasure trove I have found.  Concerning fees..I will earn around 40000 won per hour..on the weekends per student per hour.  This will translate into 70000 won per 2 students, with the fee being a bit more during the weekdays.  For those of you who know not about the won..I will be earning roughly 40 dollars an hour as an English tutor..working possibly 5 hours a week.  However, the money in itself is not the real story…

Where this story gets a bit interesting is the reason why I am getting this somewhat ample amount.  The kid I will be teaching..Chong Ii..is a brat.  True to heart, undisciplined, sniveling adolescent of 14 years of existence out to prove only what God knows.  .  .and I like him.  He reminds me of me somehow..in a strange indescribable way, and we get along.  The mother was quite surprised and shocked to learn that I could actually handle him, but I have a way with kids that most people dont seem to understand.  Kids are shockingly intelligent in the simplified world they know, and the language many of them speak is earnestness and heirarchal respect.  I presented both in a 1, 2 combination and the rest was smooth sailing.  His mother contrarily, was the bigger obstacle.  Eating dinner with the group of friends who arranged this rendezvous, I met her quite amiably to find my gesture returned aesthetically.  However, I know how to speak many languages, many of them not necessarily with words.  I was as kind to her as possible, but I have learned that when dealing with money, unfortunately, good action and deed can sometimes be misinterpreted as perpetuated want or desire.  I showed neither.  Inwardly, I could not have really cared less for this rude woman and child, and this must have shown.  And strange enough, I think she must have appreciated such a straight-forward attitude.  Nevertheless, unfortunately, I would be fooling myself to think attitude in itself in such a situation was enough.  Sadly, I am afraid that appearance is most important, especially in a culture that venerates beauty, and my superficial physical attributes without a doubt was a factor in the decision.  I could tell the moment she sized me up, and her pending decision was acknowledged instantly through her desire to indeed keep me as a teacher.  I look down upon such people, for the simple fact that such choices are out of hand and control, and not fair, unfortunately, for many….  In the end, I found myself in a car en route to her place, and in the awkward situation of talking dollar(won) amounts.  Every arrangement I offered was met, and I was quite satisfied with the results.  What I have learned is that money and people go hand and hand.. handling one takes care of the other.. and this interaction I call Business… Call it what you want..but I’m getting to know money..and I definetely know people.  In my understanding of these two concepts, life has become somewhat easier…

well..for now I will be hitting the books.  Since it is Wednesday night..many of my friends have went to the clubs, especially so since it is ladies night out.  I have chosen not to, but instead, I will journey into the lounge area with my lifelines of knowledge to learn and progress in mental aptitude. . . I have inwardly pity for people whos existence revolve around superficialities of nightlife and alcohol.  Truly, what greater exhibition of sorrow and low worth is there but to seek love through such temporal means..a constant cycle of pleasure and the emptiness that follows.. the yearning to find happiness.  I have already found my happiness, and life is so much more beautiful because of it. 

Nae Epoun Sae.