If my posts seem disorganized and feel like a bunch of random thoughts and events, not only is that how I tend think, that’s kinda how my days feel to me at this point. Furthermore, if you find these posts to be long, try not talking English all day but experiencing a bunch of things you want to talk about. Come along for the ride!
Should have said I was 25 instead of 20, ‘cause I’m pretty sure I’m getting demoted to the undergraduate lab tomorrow…
He also said something interesting about the dynamics of the lab, which felt more “family” like to me. He gets the utmost respect from all of the students, which is kinda similar to the US in respecting your PI, but this is a whole new level. That being said, he is responsible for finding jobs/doctorate positions for all of his students who are graduating! How nuts is that? So there is definitely a closer tie between professor and lab members here in Korea then there is in America. He said that he has graduated about 50 students so far. He also said something I thought was funny in that even though he gets all the respect, he has to pay for everyone when they go out for dinner ‘cause that is the senior person’s responsibility, but every project that gets funded in Korea actually has a budget for this particular purpose. I thought that was pretty cool.
He also came in with a brand new iPad from his trip to America and when I asked if he bought it, he said that he got it fo’ free. Apparently some people from Apple took him out to dinner and gave him one because he freakin’ developed the LCD screen for the iPad and the iPod touch. He discovered/invented (can never tell with science) the way that you can look at a screen from any angle. Try looking at you laptop from different angles and if it’s an older model, you’ll see the picture go blurry. But if you look at an iPad or most phones now, you can look at it from any angle and still see the screen. Pretty sweet, eh eh eh?
I think the best part of the day was when he busted into lab later in the day and exclaimed “Andy, you don’t drink?!?!?!?” If you didn’t know, drinking and eating are a GINOURMOUS part of Korean culture, so of course this type of news is a BFD (big “furry” deal). I knew that this false accusation my professor asked me came from something lost in translation. When I had been previously asked “Do you drink?” by other lab members and I answered “Yes, but the drinking age in the US is 21 and I’m only 20, so I can’t drink publically.” Made me chuckle inside, and now everyone in lab is telling me that drinking is fun, just not too much, which I politely nod and say “yes” since it’s too much of a hassle to explain what got lost in translation. Apparently we’re playing soccer with everyone in the lab (professor included, how sweet is that?) tomorrow and then getting drinks and food later for my welcoming party and “first” time drinking.
Out of context thing said to me today: “I want to play with you.”
Context: He asked me before the above statement if I was bored, which I said “Just reading up on LCD things” aka “Yes.” Then he said the out of context statement, then completed the statement with: “But we are all too busy with work.” Which I replied “I wish I was too…”
I’m sure all of you are asking: What are you doing in your research? Honestly, pretty sure it’s going to be a whole lot of nothing (just like real undergraduate research. JK! But not really). He gave me a choice of “working” on monitors which can be seen in the sun or developing blue phase liquid crystals; I’m probably going to choose the latter. The problem with these experiences is I know from previous research that it takes months to just be trained in equipment and lab procedures, let alone be doing something meaningful for the lab. So I think that I’m basically going to be shadowing others, and that’s the best case scenario right now. I spent the day trying to figure out LCD stuff, and finally did about an hour ago. I’m going to be figuring out electro-wetting tomorrow for shits and giggles.
Korean’s don’t say anything after someone sneezes, or people in this lab don’t. Not sure if that’s the norm yet.
Things I’m now used to in Korea: Being stared at walking down the street (saw another American guy yesterday!). Conversations about me that I’m not engaged in, but am witnessing first hand. Jokes that are completely lost in translation, but laughing anyways. Not having generally coherent conversation, but rather exchanging a few sentences. LANGUAGE BARRIERS ARE HUGE!!!!!!!
Things I am not used to, nor will ever be: Being treated like a baby, and necessarily so. I can’t speak or read Korean well enough to get around. I have to be escorted everywhere outside of lab. If you know me, I’m kinda fiercely independent when it comes to taking care of myself or setting my schedule. The thing is that I can get from lab to my apartment and back comfortably, which I explained to everyone so that I don’t have to tell someone I am ready to leave and feel like a dick cutting into their work day (9AM to 10PM in lab by the way. A shorter day by last semester’s standards, yet it is technically summer for me). The response to me saying this was, “It is our culture to take care/protect guests.” Shut down….
AM I RANTING?!?!?! FUCK YEAH!!!!
Until my next catharsis, you stay classy San Diego.
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