… I’m leaving for Korea.
Usually, we adoptees find that when we go to Korea, we lose weight because unless you want to eat Whoppers, KFC and McDonald’s (or instant ramen from the convenience store) for every meal, it can be both difficult and intimidating to order food.
Interfacing with Korean Koreans is, in fact, one of my weaknesses, because I get so self-conscious and ashamed about my minimal knowledge of the Korean language that I freeze up and start stammering in broken English like the queen idiot of all idiots. And it has only gotten worse over the years. Back when I knew only about 10 words, I was much more confident in my naïveté, and would bravely spit out my 10 words with horrible pronunciation, to the puzzled looks of the Korean speaker before me.
However.
After speaking with my 언니 today, regarding my visit to Korea and the time I’ll be spending with her and 엄마, I’m more concerned about gaining weight. At least perhaps I can load up on food while I’m with them, like a greedy little chipmunk, so that during the rest of my stay in Korea, my body can just feed on its stores.
엄마 has already purchased two boxes of 갈비 … for me! I burst into a fit of giggles when I heard that.
엄마 is making 깍두기 today … for me! I could hear her chopping radishes in the kitchen.
So far, 90 percent of their plans for my stay with them center around feeding me — what, when, where and how often.
Although there was also talk of 찜질방. (Eek!)
When 언니 asked me what special things I wanted to do, all I could think of was, I want to sit next to you and 엄마 somewhere quiet, and see the things you see.
(I am a thrill-seeking world traveler.)
It has been 5 years since our lives collided again after spending 26 years apart, but now there are just 65 days left until …
I’m sooo excited and happy for you. Nutty TRA romanticism coming out, but I’m tempted to say, “Hey, it’s food from your b-family. It’s magic and won’t add a single pound. Get it while you can!”
Hmm, I like the idea of magic Korean food. Maybe even magic fat-burning Korean food.
Happy travels and many blessings on magic Korean food.
I’ve been lurking at your place for a really really long time–and for this post, I just had to delurk to say, I too am sooo excited for you and your trip–and I know what you mean about the food–I’m even scared, some times, to go to the taqueria up the road because nobody speaks english, and it’s hard for me to work my ears sometimes–to pick things up that they are saying and even harder for me to spit out what i want to say…
anyway–here’s to magic food and interlinking fingers.
I ate soooo much my 1st trip to Korea. I didn’t stop eating. The oddest part of it all, is that my clothes somehow fit better there. So, I am certain there is something magical going on.
I hope you have a wonderful and healing journey. Enjoy every moment!
Wish I could actually read what those different dishes are.
But yeah – YUMMY!!
Definitely sounds like you’ll be well-fed this summer! That’s really touching how your 엄마가 깍두기를 만들고 있어요…^^.
I lose weight in Korea in the summer and after 1st arriving…. however I definitely gained weight during the latter half of my time living there, because I was eating at McDonald’s and such out of desperation to eat anything but Korean food. Also, the teachers at my hagwon made frequent stops at the 7-11 across the street…. 7-11 was my downfall earlier this year here in Seattle, too. 7-11, I shake my fist at you!
i am hungry just thinking about being in korea and i don’t even have a clue what i’ll be eating! glad to know there is 7-11 for backup though. it is my weakness also. there is one across the street from my house and i see its lovely neon sign every day and night.
Hooray and yay for your upcoming trip! I have to agree with the magical sustaining powers of homemade Korean food… no restaurant can compare, and it fills so much more than just your tummy.
Eat well and wear that fat proudly girlfriend, it will say that you are loved by your family.
I’ve been reading your stuff for a few months and I just wanted to say that I’m so happy and excited as I read about your journey. It’s truly remarkable. I feel very similarly when I go to Filipino establishments and though everyone usually speak English, I feel so ashamed that I have difficulty understanding and speaking Tagalog. Your words resonate with many.
Looking forward to more of your writing!
“I want to sit next to you and 엄마 somewhere quiet, and see the things you see.”
That is so sweet and so amazing that you can spend time with them.
And I agree with Sue, definatly let them feed you up. Forget about weight gain, how often do you get to eat in Korea?
Many thanks to all.
Kind of funny how much focus and energy is being put into food for this visit. But as food is one of those universal languages of love, I have a feeling that food will do much of the talking between my umma and myself, when we can’t communicate in words. I suppose that for her, feeding her daughter — and for me, eating my umma’s home cooking — will be as symbolic and significant for both of us as it will be a necessity. I still remember the one meal Umma cooked for me five years ago as one of the best meals of my life, and not simply because the food was delicious.
Hope you enjoy your time with your birth family, and by all means eat, eat, eat! It’s blaphemous to pass up Korean food, especially when it’s cooked by your mom. ^^
Wow.
Just a quick comment to offer my gratitude for your amazing voice. Thank you so much for sharing your incredible journey and expressing it with such eloquence, fire, and compassion. You have taught me so much about my OWN experiences as an adoptee, even though my circumstance of adoption (adoptive parents are white, as am I) is very different from yours in so many ways. It’s amazing what people can learn from eachother when we just listen.
Thanks.