South Korea
The ladies in the library can't believe me at first. "You're going where?" South Korea. "Why would you go there?" To teach English and pay off loans. "Do you know anyone over there?" No, not really. "Do you speak the language?" I can say thank you. The librarians are shocked. In this moment, they resemble a group of wizened cats, cocking their spectacled faces in curiosity as they consider me. They share a glance before asking, "How do your parents feel about this?" Oh, they're fine with it. The bookish ladies shake their heads at me, grey hair swaying behind their ears as they exchange looks again. I try not to laugh. The JBU librarians' reaction does not surprise me. After being their workstudy for three years in college, I suppose they feel a certain sense of protective instinct. I am used to their questions, truth be told. Everyone has the same ones, and I sometimes wonder if people are worried I haven&