Last Wednesday, during conversation class, my boss walked in, looking all concerned and told me to come with him. I was scared that I got fired or something, but turns out my Alien Registration Card came in and we had to motor to the bank so I could get a bank account. We boogied on off to the bank (he came to get me at 4 and it was closing at 4:30) and after about 10 minutes, I had a bank account. Then we went to SKtelecom to get me a cellphone (or hand phone as they say here). I got my first cell phone ever. Really exciting stuff for me. I asked my conversation class about how to use cellphones on Thursday. It’s a bit of a lame conversation topic “how do I use my cellphone”, but they had to explain it to me in English, so it’s all good.
I think I’ve got a good handle on it now. The features are probably really standard for people that use cellphones, but to me, it’s a miracle of technology. I can link pictures to phone book entries and there’s even a subway map on there! The rates here are about 14$ per month for base service and 0.108$ per minute of talk and 0.015$ per text. Sounds pretty reasonable. I think that’s based on a one year contract though. I also had to put down a 200$ deposit, I’ll be getting it back next year.
So that’s good. I’m officially a legal alien in Korea. If you didn’t get it, the title of this post is a reference to the Sting song “Englishman in New York” where the chorus has the line “I’m an alien, I’m a legal alien”. It’s a bit forced, I know, but I like it.
Tonight I’m going to eat raw squid legs. Apparently the neurons are still firing, so it squirms in your mouth. Sounds interesting. Then after I think I’m hitting up the “club” with a Korean friend I made at a language exchange club Thursday. For now though, I’m going to walk around the Cheonggyecheon stream. Oh! And turns out I don’t need to work every second Saturday for club day. My contract says I work Monday to Friday exclusively. Pair that with the three day weekend we’re having, and I’d say I’m in a pretty good place overall!
EDIT: A few people have been finding this page by looking for the lyrics to “Englishman in New York”. Here are the lyrics courtesy of Lyrics Freak:
I dont take coffee I take tea my dear
I like my toast done on one side
And you can hear it in my accent when I talk
Im an englishman in new york
See me walking down fifth avenue
A walking cane here at my side
I take it everywhere I walk
Im an englishman in new york
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
If, manners maketh man as someone said
Then hes the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Modesty, propriety can lead to notoriety
You could end up as the only one
Gentleness, sobriety are rare in this society
At night a candles brighter than the sun
Takes more than combat gear to make a man
Takes more than a license for a gun
Confront your enemies, avoid them when you can
A gentleman will walk but never run
If, manners maketh man as someone said
Then hes the hero of the day
It takes a man to suffer ignorance and smile
Be yourself no matter what they say
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Im an alien Im a legal alien
Im an englishman in new york
Of course, you must realize that if you ever eat dog, you’ll be disowned…
I was boasting to a customer of mine that you had girls hanging on your arm in several photos. Her response was “don’t let him kid himself, he’s their ticket out of Korea and into Canada.”
Bearing this in mind, the lyrics to Sting’s song say “A gentleman will walk but never run”. You may need to consider running under certain circumstances. Good blog though.