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Boo! I can’t believe a month has already passed and it’s that time to give you guys an overview of my October 2020. The concept of time has been bizarre ever since the pandemic because I feel like I’m still stuck in March but it’s already the end of October! Anyways, this month truly had its highest highs and lowest lows so go get your popcorn and drinks because this month has been a full rollercoaster ride!
Lifestyle: When One Door Closes, Another One Opens
Start of a New Chapter
This month, I had the opportunity to interview for a Korean company. I was quite terrified to interview since it was all in Korean. However, I will go more into details about that in the “Lows” segment so please continue reading. Anyways, I got a callback and I was able to get the full-time offer. Although I had an overload of joy, there was an overload of fear that came with it. There’s so much uncertainty going on since it is my first “big girl job” and I’m scared about whether I will be able to be “good enough.” However, I will just have to go with the flow and figure that out once the time comes. It might not be my dream job, but I am so glad that I get this opportunity to no longer feel like I am just “wasting” my time in Korea. (Even though I was never really wasting any time here to begin with. Because relaxing and not being productive does not mean that you are wasting your time!)
Getaway
Ever since I got the news about the job, I knew I wanted to squeeze in a small weekend getaway when I had the time to do so. I knew that life might get a bit more hectic and I will lose more time of freedom. Therefore, I chose to do a getaway to Gangwondo, which is where my dad was born! Although my dad wasn’t here with me to go together, it felt more special to go to a place where he spent his childhood. Since it was more filled with nature, it was such a great place to clear my head and put my worries away.
Saying Goodbye
This month I also had my wisdom teeth surgery. I always found it cool that Americans call it “wisdom teeth,” while Koreans call it “사랑니" (love teeth). What are they called in your language? I love putting meaning to anything, whether that’s small or big. Therefore, if I have to put meaning into this, it felt like I was finally letting go of my “love” that I was holding onto for a while (a little cringe - I’m sorry). But, you will learn more in the “Lows” segment, so continue reading. Anyways, (with both) it was slightly painful but it was something that needed to be done.
Lows: Overcoming Hardships
Interview Anxiety
I struggle with pretty bad interview anxiety. There were so many times where I wanted to cancel an interview, no matter how much I prepared for it. This happens every time, even though I realize it’s not that big of a deal at the end of the interview.
I've always been afraid to give anyone tips because who am I to give others tips? Are my tips even going to be helpful? What if my tips come off across as common sense? However, I thought I would overcome my fear of giving tips today in hopes that it can help at least one person. Here are my tips on how I cope with my interview anxiety:
1. Create a Google Docs with a list of what needs to be done before the interview. This usually includes:
- History of the Company
- A general idea of the start of the company
- What are its values and what are they looking for in their employees
- Learning about the interview etiquette
- You won’t have to this every time, just when you are interviewing at a different
geographical region for the first time
- Write down the frequently asked interview questions and write down a general idea of
what you would say
- Make sure you don’t try to memorize it word for word because you don’t want to
sound like a robot/ not genuine during the interview
- Write down any questions you have for the company
2. Make sure to practice!
- Have a mock interview with your friend!
- Practice saying your answers out loud so that it makes sense because sometimes it
sounds different written down versus saying it out loud.
3. Stay Calm
- I know everyone says this, and it’s also very hard. However, try to get a drink of water
before the start of the interview and take a deep breath.
For the most recent interview I had, I once again had interview anxiety. It was also because I had to speak Korean for most of the interview and although I knew my Korean was good, I was unsure whether I could speak professionally in Korean. Therefore with enough practice before the interview, I was able to manage through it during the actual time. However, I know that it would not have flowed well had I not practiced my skills. Even though I was nervous about the interview, when the time came to go inside I was honestly able to stay calm. I realized that an interview is still a conversation where you are trying to get to know each other better - the company and yourself. It’s also honestly crazy how it feels like nothing once the interview is over - whether it was good or bad. Just remember you never know unless you try, so try to overcome the interview anxiety because you never know what opportunity awaits for you.
Long Distance is Hard
Whether it’s a relationship or friendship, no doubt being miles apart causes trouble between them. I truly learned that long-distance was hard when I broke up with my boyfriend this month (now does the wisdom teeth meaning make sense? haha). I hate getting too personal but it was hard, even if it was a friendly breakup! I think I’ve always had a hard time staying in touch with long-distance friendships. I’ve never been a great texter or the first person to hit them up for a Facetime. It wasn’t because I no longer cared about them but because I got overwhelmed by the everyday life. However, I truly learned the importance of being a better friend and keeping in touch with them. Everyone is so busy with their lives and it’s so easy to slowly lose the friendship without realizing it because you don’t realize how much time has already passed. Therefore, it’s so important to ask them to hang out, whether that's a quick 5 minute Facetime call or an hour-long phone conversation. I think this is a very important lesson to take away especially in these times of the pandemic because it can be hard to meet up with someone, even if you are close in distance. I’m still learning to become a better friend and person but I hope this inspires you all to hit up someone that you miss or you haven’t talked to in a while! No one can guarantee how long your relationship with someone (significant other or friend) will last, even if you have known them for a long time. Remember you have to water your plants and take care of them, or else it will die.
Lessons: Focus on Yourself
This month, I got the realization that I wanted to focus on myself and improve myself to be a better person. Focusing on yourself can come in so many different forms, whether that is working hard for your goals, finally letting yourself rest, or finding a hobby. For me, I did all three this month and it was really nice.
It’s really easy to get wrapped up in your head that you aren’t good enough. This reminds me of a beautiful quote that I found when watching the new K-drama called, “The Start-Up.” I recommend watching this K-drama if you haven’t already. Anyways, in the drama, the grandma said this to her granddaughter who felt like she didn’t accomplish much compared to her sister, who is very well off. The quote goes like this:
“You’re a cosmos flower. And it’s still spring. Wait until fall, and you’ll bloom beautifully.”
This quote is saying you might see other “flowers” blooming already and you feel like you’re left out and so behind. However, it’s just not your season yet and you just have to wait patiently for the right timing.
I often felt like I was very behind in a lot of things compared to my peers. Although I try not to compare, it’s very hard when you’re always surrounded by social media nowadays. However, this once again reminded me that everyone has timings and if you wait patiently while putting in the effort, your hard work will one day pay off.
Songs on Repeat:
This month I want to give a special shoutout to K-pop songs!
You Never Know - BLACKPINK
HOLO - LEE HI
I Need You - OVAN
Link to my Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/5V8AIrXVdqa9isLBZ96nDq?si=VRp0ZVlKSqW3HNvTgENMYQ
My Pick of the Month: Jenn Im’s video: What I Learned In My 20’s!
I picked this video because it was very inspiring to watch. There were so many familiarities in her lifestyle in her early 20’s that I am going through right now! Therefore, to see the rest of her 20’s and how fulfilling it has been had encouraged me to realize that there’s so much that I can and will still experience in life. I felt like I had experienced everything I needed to in my teenage years and that there was no more excitement left. However, seeing how much Jenn has accomplished made me feel like I can do that as well! Although our lives are similar yet different, it gave me excitement for what’s to come.
Link to the video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4rZ5z4pSzJk
Thanks so much for reading this month’s blog and just remember, it’s a bad day, not a bad life. You can have several bad days in a row but it doesn’t mean that there won’t be any good days. You just have to overcome it to be able to experience the good days. So, if you are going through some rough times right now, I hope you stay strong enough to experience the best days of your life.
Talk to You Later,
-- Jin
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