I haven't been writing much. I've been tired and stressed, worried about both the now and the future. There's been some topics I've wanted to write about, but I just had an incident that I think was really... I don't know what.

Myself and two Irish friends (Ciara and Niall) are heading off to Japan on Saturday for a quick weekend stomp around the country. Due to a series of unfortunate events (not the books nor movies), we lost our hotel. Luckily, due to some quick thinking by Niall, we were able to find a capsule hotel in Osaka for about $25 a night. I made the reservation, using my credit card, and everything seemed great.

But then, my bank never processed the payment. It was under pending authorization in my account, then suddenly nothing. I was worried. I quickly checked online, and there were no other available hotels for the weekend. I called my bank, and they hadn't seen any record of the transaction. I was told to call the hotel. This of course presents a difficulty. My Japanese is rusty to say the least. Granted, I'm using it far more here than I ever did in the States. This, combined with my irrational fear of speaking on the phone, has had me worried for practically the entire day. I couldn't sleep well last night I was so worried about making this call.

Not 15 minutes ago I finally bit the bullet and called. The call was so easy. There was a kind old lady with who I had no problem checking my reservation (still there - Thank God.) Compared to the difficulties I have with talking to Koreans everyday, this was a welcome relief.

I think that for some reason, I've become very comfortable with Japan, in a way that Korea will never be able to duplicate. There are certain features of the culture that I seem to connect with more than I do here. (Though, on a quick aside, almost every one of my Korean friends or co-teachers has exclaimed at one point or another how truly Korean I behave.) And it has to do with more than just the language gap. Politeness is something that I highly value, coming from a very polite family myself. In Korea, the standards of what is considered polite are different than back in the States. It is not uncommon to be walking in common places and have people bump into you and not even bother to acknowledge you. Not even a cursory "sorry" is offered. In fact, despite my being here two months, I don't know what the Korean equivalent to excuse me is. (Well, I do - Sillye jiman - But it's not used the same way as sumimasen.) People just tend to push their way past you. Other annoying manner issues - throwing trash on the ground (everyone does it), spitting (not nearly as bad as China, or so I've been told), people crossing streets in front of cars (simply dangerous, I saw a girl from my school get hit by a bus) and cars not obeying traffic signs (running red lights and swerving in and out of traffic like they were Jason Bourne being chashed by the Russian equivalent to 'The Jackal' .)

Will I miss Korea? You bet a will. I have orientation for Georgetown around August 20th, so I'll be out of here around August 15th. That means I have three months left in the country. I plan to enjoy myself and travel as much as possible. Maybe I'll even get to go to China, or Jeju. I'll definitely see all of my Korean friends at least one more time. But will I eventually have the same nostalgic feelings for Korea that I have for Japan? I don't really think so.

Then again, when I left Japan I was so ready to leave that country I swore I'd never go back. Go figure.