Translation of Love

2

Beginning

With a sigh of relief, I sit down in my desk chair.

Finally, I'm done unpacking.

Somehow I ended up with a single room—a privilege for only very lucky international students as they are assigned based on a lottery system. It seems almost comical for me of all people to be labelled lucky. However, the drawback is that the room is much tinier than a double. Despite it I'd much rather be living in a shoebox alone than a bigger place with someone I don't know.

I sit around for a while, unsure of what to do. The act of being sedentary eventually allows for my thoughts to darken.

I want to talk to my mom. I want to explain to her how different everything is, how hot it is outside, how there are buildings absolutely everywhere in Seoul with very little green space. But maybe she already knows all of this.

I sit for a while, staring at my desk. There's nothing for me to do. I've unpacked, I don't have any readings yet since classes only commence in four days, and I don't have the right voltage adaptor to be able to use my laptop yet. Who knew you can't just plug in your laptop into any old plug in any country? Stupid Summer.

I guess I should go buy one.

I reluctantly get up from the white plastic desk chair and grab my room card and purse. I have to take a big breath before opening the door. Just like I thought, the dorm hall is swarmed with students, some with their parents, some with their friends, all excitedly moving things into their rooms. I quickly glance away and make my way downstairs and out of the dormitory. It is better for me to keep moving rather than stay stagnant. My unwanted thoughts could come back to haunt me at any moment.

Hot summer air mixed with an inhumane level of humidity hits me like a brick wall. Why is it so damn wet here? As soon as I go outside I feel like I've sweated through a marathon race.

I pull out a small folded map that I had put in my purse; a map of the campus and the shops around.

Would a convenience store have an adaptor?

I make my way across the pedestrian road, searching for the right directions. My university at home was so different. Here there are trees everywhere, making it hard to tell where I am. A small river even cascades its way through the campus, and there are tiny little shops all over the place for student convenience. I'm grateful for the nature encompassing the space though since it is sparse once outside of campus.

Maybe I'll never need to go off of campus.

I dodge past a few students to make my way into the cramped little store. The place is almost emptied of everything, little chip bags and toilet paper packages thrown all over the place. The chaos makes me nervous, causing me to sheepishly cross my arms over my chest and lower my head.

I find a section of black cords and plugs and look for a voltage adaptor. I find one that has NORTH AMERICA written on it, and indeed it has the familiar three prong holes. From what I can tell, it's the last one. I quickly snatch it before this tall guy with an American accent has time to register that it's the last one. I hear him exasperatedly sigh behind me as I fast-walk to the cashier. I drop the plug onto the counter and get my wallet prepared.

The lady says something in Korean, but I ignore her and keep my eyes peeled on the electronic screen in front of me, which says 12,000 won. That seems like a lot doesn't it? Then again, I haven't gotten used to the currency yet, so who knows. I pull out three bills from my wallet and hand it to her. I quickly grab the item and hastily turn towards the door, which is very sharply to my left.