Wednesday, May 8

A BASKIN ROBBINS SUMMER (Part XII of ? If you are new to this story, you can read from the beginning, here)

I was awakened later in the evening by giggling. Though I kept my eyes closed, I gradually came to my senses and realized that there were at least two, if not more, kids in the room. They were whispering in shushed voices that were louder than normal speech, and kept erupting in giggles. Evidently up to no good. I decided then that since they had entered my room, impinging upon me, I had the right to do whatever I wanted to them. As one of them came tiptoeing, hugging a barley-filled pillow (to put over my face, I presume), I suddenly rose up and shouted, “AAAAAAAAAAHHH!!!” They took one look at me, and fled screaming, nearly tearing down the door. I had a good laugh. I followed them out, where Tae, Soo and another man and two women were laughing as they were comforting the two little buggers. Little buggers who turned out to be my nephews, Young and Myoung. The adults introduced themselves. The man was the eldest cousin, In-Sung, and one of the strange women was his wife. The other woman was Tae’s wife.

By this time, the two little guys had stopped crying, and peered up at me, half angry, half curious. I laughed at them. Adult conversation followed, but I engaged only halfheartedly. These little fellows were much more interesting. It was a silent battle we waged. Funny faces, pokes, jabs, all trying to elicit a sufficient response from the other party. I had more fun than I had in a long time. These guys were emotionally and mentally my equivalents. I played long into the night with my new pals. A kid with a missing front tooth (Young), and one kid that barely knew how to talk, but was the most intelligent rascal I've ever met (Myoung). When they finally had to leave, I was just as sad as they, if not more. Only the knowledge that I would see them tomorrow and every day after that, prevented real sorrow from setting in. I again slept deeply, from exhaustion.


SUNDAY

I was awakened the next day by the bustling going on outside of my room. Sunday. It was Sunday, and the entire house was in a uproar. I quickly got up, washed up, and got dressed.

My aunt was bustling over the stove, preparing breakfast for a chaotic crew. My uncle and Tae sat down, took a few bites, and sped off. A few minutes later, In-Sung sat down, followed by my cousin’s wives. Meanwhile, Young and Myoung were running around, laughing, crying, hitting each other. My aunt spied me and sat me down. She brought toast, eggs and ketchup, a special breakfast, for me. Everyone else was digging into rice and daeng jang jji-gae, a powerfully pungent stew of fermented soy beans (think of miso soup that packs a punch, and smells unworldly).

Earlier in the summer, one of my aunts had discovered that I favored this combination of toast, eggs, and ketchup. Though I love Korean food now, at that stage in my life, I didn’t really favor it. I was a McDonald’s kid all the way. So when relatives brought out Korean staples, it was a while before I adjusted. But by then, the news had gone around my relatives that I would eat the combo of toast, eggs, and ketchup. All too frequently, the eggs were sometimes omitted, and then it became just toast and ketchup. Somehow, I ate those meals, out of politeness.

After breakfast, my aunt grabbed me, and we went down to the sanctuary, on the 2nd floor. There were a good number of people already taking their seats, praying. I did my best to fit in.


yakob at 7:07 PM

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