A Year Supply

From what I've read, it is hard to find deodorant in Korea unless you search the black market. Unlike the black market in the U.S. where people sell drugs, pirated movies, and stolen merchandise; the Korean black market is where you go to buy deodorant and American food. Though it's illegal to sell on the black market in Korea, it is not illegal to purchase things.  The tricky part is knowing where, when, and how to find the illusive market.  

I decided it would be best to stock up on some supplies before leaving the country so I took a trip to Walgreens this weekend.  Walgreens isn't the store where I would normally buy in bulk, but finding the deodorant I use can be just as tricky as searching for any deodorant in Korea. I've been let down many times by Target, Walmart, and CVS.  They all carry Lady Speed Stick, but have discontinued my preferred scent.  Walgreens is the only store that still has it on their shelves. 

Luckily, the store had 4 sticks left.  I'm not sure how many sticks equals a year supply, but I snatched up what they had and headed to the check-out.  I figured it looked strange to be purchasing that much deodorant and for awhile the guy ringing me out said nothing.  Then the elephant in the room became too big and he couldn't resist.

guy:  "Afraid you'll run out?"

me:  (embarrassed chuckle) "No, I'm moving to Korea and apparently they don't really use deodorant so I'm stocking up."     

guy:  "Gross."

me:  "Well I don't think they need it.  They don't sweat as much."

guy:  "As much as you?"

me:  (silence)

That was completely awkward.

Who's taller?

Well, it's official.  I'm moving around the world to South Korea in just over 2 months!  

The application and interview process over the past few weeks has been interesting.  My first job detail came from an agency less than 12 hours after the application took flight from my computer monitor and a phone interview was set up for the same week.  On the night of the interview, I waited by the phone for Korea to call just like a high school girl waits for the cute guy in study hall to pick up the phone.  

**This would be a good time to note that I refer to any interaction I have regarding this whole situation as - Korea.  "Korea hasn't responded.  Korea's so big.  Korea just called.  Korea's upset."  

Because of a miscommunication with the time/day difference, my call never came through that night.  Again, just like the girl who waits for the cute boy.  Eventually the interview was rescheduled and Andrea was called first.

me:  "How did the interview go?"

Andrea:  "Good.  They asked some weird questions though."

me:  "Like what?"

Andrea:  "Well, they asked if I have good health and then they asked which one of us is taller."

me:  "What?"

Andrea:  "If you get paid more for being taller I'm going to be mad!"

My interview was the next day and as if they didn't already know the answers, I was asked the same questions.  "Yes, I have good health... I am actually the taller one... About 5 feet 10 inches... Is that a good thing?"  I was assured it was "very good" though I'm not exactly sure why.    

In the end we were offered the job and after some deliberation - we accepted.  Now the reality is sinking in and sooner than later I will be testing the limits of my dislike for large crowds.