Wan juh ni hangook shik ee neh! - H

...a comment my mom made the other night. She was delighted. Translated, it means, "Wow, this is a thoroughly Korean-style household!" She was referring to the Korean food I have in the fridge (both pre-prepared and some that I made myself) and the Korean dishes and utensils I have, etc. It's all very familiar to her, and she said she felt right at home. I was glad, but I dislike inaccuracy and was a little bothered that she might think that our home is like this constantly. I really like that in me is preserved a relatively significant slice of Korean culture, and it's important enough to me that I plan to pass on as much to my children as I can. However, I think it's also important to recognize that I've also been immersed in this other culture that has also played quite a significant role in forming me. You have to see the whole picture. This is in part due to this quirk of mine where I value accuracy, and the fact that a perception might be inaccurate is the source of tension. This is one part, and the other is that I can't be defined as just of one culture or the other, and at least for my parents it's important that they recognize that for a variety of reasons.

Anyway, being with my parents constantly the last 2 days has been quite exhausting. For one, I hardly get any "me" time. I pretend that I'm still asleep until 8 or 9AM (while my parents have been up and about for at least an hour) and squeeze in some time to myself. (That's what I'm doing right now.) I also pretend I'm going to sleep at 9PM and hide in my room to catch up on my down time so that I can recharge. I'm one of those people that needs some time to myself during the day to regain some energy. My energy comes back during that little half hour segment I get before I go to sleep, and it makes me happy. Before then, I'm just drained and cranky after a whole day of hosting. I wish they would just take the car and explore, but they aren't like that. My mother is much too cautious and fearful of getting lost in this unfamiliar place. I think this is mostly due to her age. She feels very vulnerable.

I'm glad that they're here, especially my dad since he hasn't had much opportunity to travel in his lifetime like my mom has. I just can't help but notice how different my life is with them around.