happy april!

today, for the first time, i had to ride the bus in my city to get to my tutor kids house. i'm used to the buses in seoul because they run often and there's so many available to get to where you need to go. but, it's kinda different in a small town. they don't run as quickly and they don't always go to exactly where you need to go. it was seriously such a big learning experience for me. i know what you're thinking, how can you learn anything from riding the local bus? there's a story...

so, after i was done tutoring, i had to take the bus back to my area and so logically i would have to get on across the street from where i got off. get it? i went across the street and got on the bus i took to get there, and deposited 1,000 won (this is how much it costs in seoul). i sat down and was just listening to my ipod, but a few minutes later, this man tapped my shoulder and told me the bus driver was yelling at me to put in another 100 won because it costs 1,100 won! i had no idea because i had my music on really loud and didn't realize the bus driver was trying to get my attention. gg pwned #1. after about 3 stops, the bus stops and everyone gets off and so i realized this was the last stop of the route and i was no where near where i needed to be. gg pwned #2. i asked this man where i needed to stand to go downtown and he directed me across the street and a few minutes later the bus that was rolling up, was the same bus i just got off of 10 minutes ago. gg pwned #3. while finally getting on the right bus in the right direction, i noticed the route it was taking and that the place i need to get on is the same place i need to get off!

so, i guess what i've learned from this and what i'm trying to say is that, by making mistakes and experiencing it first hand is the best way to learn anything in life. when i was growing up i'd always be afraid to do anything wrong in fear that i might get in trouble by my parents or suffer any kind of repercussions, so i tried to be good at everything that i did. i didn't want to disappoint my parents. i wanted to be this perfect person, but i don't know why since my parents never put any pressure on me to excel in school or sports or whatever. BUT what they did do was keep me away from anything that can harm me; aka they were/are overprotective. the don't-get-married-until-you're-35 kind of overprotective (and they really mean this). they never let me venture out to search and learn on my own, they knew what was good and bad for me and they simply wouldn't give me any leeway, no breathing room. now, that i've been on my own for the past 8 months, i've had plenty of time and room to experience the beauty, yes beauty, of making my own mistakes. something as little as getting on the bus at the wrong stop is a learning experience for every person, and it's just a matter of remembering that mistake and to never make it again. this is where a lot of people falter. they make a mistake, and then repeat that over and over again, when the point is to make a mistake, and then never let it happen again. this part is called learning from your mistakes/past experiences; it's a good thing. i'm sure from now until the time i leave i will have plenty more of these little mishaps and get to learn on my own, just a matter of seeing the good they can bring.

"but i trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
i will sing to the Lord,
for he has been good to me."
Psalm 13:5-6