RIGHT NOW in Korea the weather has decided to open up its good side to me. Halfway through April I can finally write under the shade of these beautiful and travel-brochure-like flowering trees in nothing but shorts, shades and a t-shirt. The smells of construction and barbecue awkwardly come at me in separate blasts over a great distance to where I am peacefully sitting on this bench.
I am overlooking the scenic lake that plays the star role of the Konkuk University campus. From time to time a frosty breeze reminds me that I was wearing a down jacket a week and a half ago, which is a small eternity for an exchange student. Things move slow here.
Still, two months into my adventure overseas, I move on knowing that time still moves as it always has. It's a little like staring at a sand timer, watching every little grain stack up until the job is done (for now). Only it's not just the time that has been flipped around - with you asleep while I'm awake - my entire life and the way I look at it has been overturned in a similar fashion.
2011 was a year for a lot of heavy things, not only for me but almost anyone I talked to. I remember it got so bad that the entire world thought that at the rate things were going everything would come to an end by the time we hit December of 2012. We entertained ourselves with this thought, sure. But I bet even John Cusack would agree that the whole idea of the world ending with things the way they were was like a scene from a bad movie. I like to think that we as humans deserve something better than that disaster.
Looking out at the Seoul skyline I see army helicopters. In fact, I've seen them every day I've been here. They look big and scary, sometimes rolling out in groups of five. The other day one was even so close to the ground I thought that if I pulled out my camera and zoomed in I could see the person driving it. I remember something though: Those big scary looking helicopters make rounds every day to keep the border in check. Although these helicopters still haunt the skies, they are a reminder of the trouble that still exists in the world while we are free to go about our care-free day-to-day.
As far as trouble in the world goes I see the situation improving. We can take comfort in the fact that evil governments such as the one found in North Korea were the norm only a century ago. Now they are the laughing stock of the world, having to lie to everyone (themselves included) just to continue existing. As for what these governments say about us we can rest assured that whatever truth their arguments once had against the modern world is now disappearing. I've found that even on its busiest day, nature still decides whether the sky will be blue in Seoul. This is true even with its status as the second largest metropolitan area on the planet.
Furthermore, people are learning more and more about the world they live in. I have found in the space of two months that, although the language barrier may still be high, this wall of communication has no trace of barbed wire and there are even those from the other side who offer a hand to pull you over. More people are willing to scale this obstacle not because they think the grass is greener, but simply because the grass is different. We embrace change and difference, this may be what separates us from past generations. Due to all their sacrifice we are wiser for all that happened in the past one-hundred years.
I like sitting out in the Sun until I'm burnt or tanned. It's not because of fashion or because I happen to be whiter than the rice I've been eating every morning or these flower petals that fall down on me as I write under this tree. It's because things can change at any moment, whether it be the weather, the wind, a woman, or the way I live. At least if I have a sun burn or a tan I can remember this good day and take it with me through any changes - good or bad. It's one of those rare moments where you were able to sit so long in the sun and just absorb the moment.
I'm not sure if it's only the Sun that makes me feel hopeful. At least if it is, I'm sure there are good reasons to be hopeful. Contrary to what we thought in 2011, I believe 2012 will mark not just the end but also the beginning. In this new movie everyone will have a role and will be too busy living to stop and watch another actor.
