I have a little crush on the cab driver who brought me home from the hospital today. When I got in his car, I couldn’t help but notice his pimp daddy purple shirt, his white driving gloves, his dapper pinstriped pants and his barely there grey at his temples. I handed him the only business card I have with my address on it, which was from our principal, Gary Odom.
“Do you know Bong-mu Dong?” I asked. Usually this question receives a “ney (yes)” or a gruntish response, but not today. Not from my dapper daddy. “Yes, I know it well” he said. You know it well? I thought. I think I love you. Hearing English when I’d just spent a frantic hour trying to navigate the Korean emergency room for Luke’s wrist (which is not broken, thank goodness), was like retreating to the walk-in cooler in the hell-hot kitchen of a restaurant. Just for a second.
Then, as we pulled away and our chat continued, he asked, in much more broken words “How big here Korea?” – he wanted to know how long I’d been here – and no matter how I tried, for the next few miles, my answers were too hard for him to translate. We struggled, and laughed a little, until both of us got a little tired, of straining to simplify and still not being understood. Plus I get wicked car sick in the stop/start of the city traffic. “Card again?” he asked me when he stopped at a red light. I gave it to him. “Oh, Gary Odom,” he smiled kindly, “You do good. You good principal, yes?” And then there was that split second, between when I knew I should have tried to correct him (god knows Gary deserved that) and when I decided not to, that I felt so at home with Mr. Purple shirt. It was something in his kindness that made me think of home. Yes, I decided to answer – I knew he’d be happy just to get something in the conversation right, yes, I am. I’m a good Gary Odom principal. Only I didn’t, I just smiled back.
He brought me home, the long way, but I forgive him, and when I got out of the car he said ” goodnight, new friend!” I mean, really. He just made the whole kooky day a little less scary and a lot more friendly. A small town heart in a gigantic city. Don’t you love my Pimp Dapper Daddy too?
Stone's Throw Away 
Vicki, I just read your blog. Jane gave me the link when I asked about you and Guy and the kiddos and how you were doing. I am thrilled to read your entires; I have read many blogs and you are the queen. I enjoyed Guy’s entry as well. The photos are wonderful and your writing exquisite. I am so glad that you are all well and having such great adventures and writing about it. All blessings and traveling mercies.
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Hi Sea,
Just now catching up on relpies to the blog posts. SO nice to hear from you. Missing Maine during the fall, my favorite time of year. Thanks for your positive thoughts and prayers. We’ll take ’em!
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Oh Vicki I just read you whole blog from bottom to top or from start to finish if you like and I am in love. I am in love with your writing from one English teacher to another, but much more than that I am in love with your spirit which flows from the screen and leaves the reader with a true sense of your adventure, The truth be told I am also jealous of your adventures, as Jer and I talked about doing this exact same thing- traveling and teaching at an American School and we simply let life get in the way. Now with Jer being a lawyer, well I don’t know if it will ever happen… never say never right?
I nearly cried at the beginning of the blog with all your “random thoughts at 3 am” as I could feel your anxiety and smiled when I watched the youtube video of the kids sliding and saw the pictures of their smiling faces in the first day of school pictures.
I love, love, love the blog and love you guys! We want to come and visit– maybe that will be our next big trip.
Say hello — in English of course to the family! You are all so brave and WICKED AWESOME!!!!
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Hi Heffie,
Yes, it is an adventure! We would love for you to come visit, of course! In the blog, I am trying to capture the truth about both how glad I am to have this opportunity and how overwhelming it is. Having never lived outside of Maine, that I remember pre-age 5, it’s shocking. But wonderful. And awesome. It’s only been one month, so in some ways, it still feels like vacation. Most of the staff here started out thinking they’d be gone for a year or two and ended up never leaving the international teaching scene. Once you’re in, you’re in and can find work. Does Jeremy have a teaching certificate too? If so, you guys are golden. Two teachers with only two kids is perfect. Frankly, I would like to go somewhere…warm. New Zealand maybe (though they have no American schools, we’d just be in their system…) Keeping our options open!
Love of love! Hoping all is well with you. Are you consulting this fall? How are the boys? Jer? Give smooches all around.
Muwah.
v
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Yes, even without the stylin’ clothes, this man is a keeper. You should stand on street corners and accept rides only from this welcome, new friend!
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Yes, I think I shall seek him out and request only him from now on. 🙂
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I love your new pimp. I can relate to the story very well. Love your writing style! Will share with Emma….she’s doing great at UMO!!! Hi to the fam from Hamm
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I’m so glad Emma likes UMaine. I loved it, too. Is she living on campus? Glad you’re reading the blog…I’m trying to keep up with our adventures, but am falling short. Will try harder!
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Em is living the dorm life and is showing no signs or desire to come home yet. She rooms with Mary Kate Bickford, and studies New Media. I MISS her so much. It’s terrible to see her away but I am happy for her and proud to see her fly. Speaking of flying….you and yours are setting a great example!
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