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 Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 5:45 pm
"Erm, we must have tangled up some wires here... 1A is one of your English requirements, not the Math. For Math, you're looking at Statistics, if you look..." She gently pointed out where these things were on the print out. "Literature, like I said, is either an elective, or a class for an English Major." Seren smiled apologetically. "I apologize if I confused you with how I phrased things. I simply meant that perhaps you could take English 1A and Statistics... Between them you'd be at 8 units, so you'd have another seven units, which you could use for less heavy classes." "And um... Sure?" She sounded unsure, not because of how uncomfortable she might be or might not be in a Korean grocery... But because of finances, and having to shop where someone could see how poor she really was, and how hard she had to budget to afford all the food she used. "I admit, other then for rare spices and stuff, I do most of my shopping at places like Grocery Outlet, or Costco..." It was the best she would say on the issue. Surviving on a scholarship and tutoring income did not lead to a huge budget. She made notes on what the young woman was saying about languages, though, and got the information on the various options. Korean wasn't showing, right now, but Japanese was, so she nodded, and noted it in the girl's plan. "Japanese it is. Maybe start that the semester after next, so you've had time to settle in." Seren blinked, startled, when she was suddenly enveloped in a hug by the other girl. She froze, for a long moment, then hugged her back, but hoped to god the shirt she wore was thick enough that EunKyung's hands on her back wouldn't pick up... well. Anything. "I... Perhaps. I just know it can be hard for me to cope, sometimes. I am working on it. It depends on... how the men I deal with act around me, partly, but... Well. Anyways." She gave a wobbly smile. "I need to focus on school, though, as my primary... I'm trying to get my BS, so I can move onto a Master's/Doctorate combined program, so it's a lot of work."
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 6:55 pm
"Oh! Well then let's do both and I'll hold off on the Japanese...but since I'm at eight and I want to get to fifteen...how about see if I can get into a literature class at the same time perhaps? if the system will allow it?" She didn't know but maybe it would, she was hopeful.
"I've never been to either of those places for grocery shopping but we'll try an Asian market together and see what you like." What the other didn't know was that if EunKyung figured things out, which she likely would, she would help the other with food and might even start preparing meals for the other. That's what friends would do and surely right now they should be friends. She would certainly cover food for her at the grocery store if she noticed...and she would. She was no foolish child, she was good at watching people and she was smart.
"We can go together soon. They have good sales most of the time." Most of the time it was on good things also...as well as less healthy snack options and such. But she knew her elder cousin went often now, with the twins, in order to get them various things they missed from home...things they hadn't really gotten to enjoy back home.
"That's a lot of work...but I think you can do it. You seem determined unnie. I'll help you if I can as well. I might be your underclassman but I promise I can help." She would try at least. She was good for studying and helping when it came to school work. She would do her best to help herself and help the older female. "And I promise...when you're ready to meet my cousin and his husband you can. They'll be kind...they always are. It was Seung-hyung I called when I was in the hospital....the night my parents and I got into an accident...he was there when I became an orphan." She trusted her elder cousin, both of them, with a lot. The elder of the two hadn't been able to come....and she understood that. He was busy with work...but he had wanted to come. he'd kept in touch with her and worried for her. Seung though had been right there...like the older brother she never had.
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 7:36 pm
"Alright, let me take a look." She said, and typed away, examining the options on offer. "We seem to have a Medieval English Literature class, a generic English Lit class... And a poetry focused class. Each one is 3 units, so you have your choice. I wouldn't suggest trying to do more then one of them, though. You're going to end up with a LOT of reading. Even if you're used to pressure, you don't want to have more reading then you can actually fit in a day, while still also going to classes." She annotated into the file that Japanese was the future planned language course. "They're pretty decent options, and Costco is great for things you want in bulk. Rice, for instance. Not just food, either." She gestured at her hair, which brushed her ankles when it wasn't up. "I buy some of my hair care products there." Her hair was her one big indulgence, so she did get the best she could manage to care for it. "But sure, that sounds good." She'd just have to budget in advance, so she'd know how much she could spend. "Just let me know in advance, so we can plan. I do a fair amount of tutoring, outside of classes, so I don't want to have to say 'sorry I've got a student!', since I can't just blow off my students, obviously." Not if she wanted to keep getting paid, that is. Seren smiled a little at the earnest kindness of the younger girl. "I appreciate it. I am mostly not too worried... The maths and sciences I am studying at this point are all about my major, and I love my major. It's just a lot of work, and getting the balance between it and my tutoring sometimes is a challenge. Still! I'm getting to focus on what I love, and that's really huge." She was simply nodding, politely, at first when she mentioned her cousin again, and then she brought up the loss of her parents. Seren's eyes widened a little, and then went very sad. Clearly, this girl's family had been close to her, had cared about her, and she also quite clearly missed them. It wasn't something Seren completely understood... She had lost her parents in a car accident, as well, but... Well. In the end, it was healthier for Seren, because she couldn't lie to herself and try to believe they would someday see she wasn't jeoju, that she was someone to be proud of. Besides, at least according to her brother, they deserved it. And maybe, given her back and her life, he was right. But it still made her sick to think about. She didn't say any of that, however, she just reached over and gently rested her hand on the other girl's shoulder. "I'm so sorry to hear that, EunKyung. I wish you had not had to go through that pain. You did not deserve it."
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 9:11 pm
"No, I agree. I think I'd like the medieval lit class...if you can sign me up for that as well." That would put her at what...11 credits...so she could take four more. What else she would take, or even could take, they'd figure out but at least she would have the classes she wanted, and needed, right now. The English lit class sounded fun actually - really fun.
"Rice...Asian rice? I know most Asian markets have that but if they have the same ones...and better priced." Than perhaps that would be something for her aunt and uncle to get, though she did doubt they'd have the same brands. That was one thing most super markets didn't have...though rice was a pretty universal thing. The brands were different as was the grain type. "You're hair is lovely...it would take a lot of good products to keep it like that...it's not easy to keep hair in good shape." She too had long hair but not like the other female. Her own hair was what most expected of Asian hair aside from the light waves to her hair which were due to her having a digital perm on her hair.
"If course! I wouldn't want to intrude or assume you were free to just up and go shopping! I'd let you know in advance. You're a busy person like everyone else." Or mostly everyone anyway, some people really weren't busy at all...she wondered about those sorts.
"it's ok...I'm healing from it. I'm getting there." She still had issues in cars at night if it was raining but she worked with it, she accepted it. "You need to heal still...you have a longer way to go than I do. But you'll get there." She would help if she could. No one should suffer whatever the other was suffering....people shouldn't suffer. Even evil people....they should just be dealt with. Suffering wasn't right....though wasn't it a part of life also...to live was to suffer...but it wasn't the same sort of suffering as what she was thinking.
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Posted: Wed Jul 04, 2018 10:44 pm
Seren nodded and added the lit class to the girl's schedule, and tilted her head thoughtfully, wondering what else to suggest the girl take. She had three heavy thinking classes... perhaps something more physical. "Do you like any arts, or do them as a hobby?" Her tone was curious and thoughtful. If Seren had time for such electives, she knew she'd take up an arts class. Maybe ceramics, it always sounded interesting. Of course, a physical education class could be good too, and it would be needed for the general education reqs. "Sometimes... The one downside to Costco is it can be varied, what they have. Usually they'll have at least one Indian rice brand, in my experience, a Jasmine rice of some nature, and possibly CalRose... Beyond that, I'm never quite sure. I know CalRose can be used as a sushi rice, so if I'm not sure, I will sometimes use it as a substitute when I want something with a good starchy hold... And the bags would be usually HUGE." She leaned her head back. "I've seen anything from 20 lbs to 50 lbs. I'll usually get a 20, and it'll last me a good while. I have some airtight containers I store it in." She beamed at the compliment to her hair. "Thank you!" Few things made her happier then to hear that people liked it... Given how much it cost to dye it and maintain it, this was major to her. It meant the world, in some ways, to her. It was the one thing she looked in the mirror every day and went 'That is beautiful' about. "Oh I didn't think you would, I just meant it more as I wouldn't want you to feel like I was avoiding you or something!" Her lips hit the weak smile stage again. She was doing her best to heal, but part of her wondered if she ever would heal, fully. But at the same time she wanted to believe she would. "Still, grief is hard. I am glad you are healing, though." She was trying to gently hint that, right now, she did not want to talk about her own healing process. It had been hard enough to heal her mind enough that she was able to eat properly, and have a real appetite. The rest of this was a battle she did not know how to face.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 9:21 pm
"N-no..not really. I've never been big with artistic things...maybe something easy?" She asked, hopeful. She figured she had to take something physical, since the other was asking, and the idea of too much of a work out was a bit much for her. But she was a senshi and maybe she should get used to doing more physical things. "I mean...I like walking around the city....especially at night." Despite it not always being safe, as she'd done it a lot even before awakening to a senshi. She had liked to walk and that was as physical as she ever got.
"it is hard...grief is never easy. Neither is whatever you are dealing with. I'd like to help...if I can." She offered gently to the other. Sitting back she settled a hand on the others shoulder. "I want to be a friend and help...as a friend can." She was sincere, she meant it. She wanted to help but she wouldn't push. She'd be gentle, she knew healing was never easy...healing wasn't supposed to be easy she figured. It was a process and took time as well. But in the end if you ever wanted anything to come out good it always took time.
"We'll set up a meeting for shopping soon and Korean lessons. I'll help you at the grocery store as a lesson also. Since the one I go to has mostly Korean workers. "With a few Chinese and Japanese workers as well. It was a bit of a mix bag but it wasn't a bad idea, different foods which each culture had different from the rest and it meant having people who knew each of those items was good.
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Posted: Fri Jul 06, 2018 10:30 pm
"Well, I think you'll need an arts class at some point, but maybe check with a full counselor on that, see what all qualifies." Seren wasn't 100% sure on that, and didn't want to tell the girl anything wrong. She was a general adviser, not a fully trained counselor. She watched the other young woman for a moment, eyes widening about her saying she walked around the city at night. Seren... couldn't exactly judge, she was known to jog late at night but... It seemed so risky, and the other girl was rather younger. She couldn't not worry. "Perhaps a martial arts class, then? Something for self defense. Just in case." Seren paused, and considered how to respond to the next part. She wanted to be the younger lady's friend, no question... It just was the part where she wanted to help... Seren knew that would mean talking to someone about her past, and well... She wasn't really ready to do that with anyone. She'd have to be... extremely close to someone. She did not know if she had it in to be that close to anyone, ever again. She licked her lips and then said "I would love to be your friend. It... Might take time, before I can talk to anyone... If I can. It takes me time, a lot of it, to open up fully. I have reasons. But I want to be your friend." She considered and nodded. "That sounds really good." She grabbed a scrap piece of paper and scribbled down her phone number, so that she and EunKyung could talk outside of Seren's work hours.
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 12:24 am
An art class...that wasn't something she planned on but it wouldn't be that bad, even if she wasn't very artistic. She was one of those people who could imagine, and picture, things in her head but when she went to put it to paper....it just feel flat. She didn't know how to make it look on paper how it did in her head. She had once tried and after failing at it she had given up. Perhaps though it was something easy, like pottery, she could do it....that couldn't be hard - right? it was something to think about, since it had been presented to her.
"Oh! You think so....maybe that would be a good idea." She wasn't much for fighting, she hadn't a clue how to infact, but it wouldn't be a bad idea. It might give her something to do other than use magic...and well...run, or call on others for help. She really didn't have any other options at this point when she was out as a senshi. "That would be good then - sign me up for a martial arts class...something beginners. That should be enough credits then...right?" At least she thought so, she wasn't sure how many credits gym classes counted for, was it the same as other classes?
"I'd like that - being friends. I don't mind waiting and you maybe never telling me anything. So long as we can be friends - that'll make me happy." That would make her very happy indeed. She was happy enough that when she took the others phone number she went and wrote her own down and handed it over, an excited smile on her face. "It's been hard making friends since I moved here, at first language was an issue....and being the new girl in a new school from a different country." High school, and high school students, could be really mean. Even back home they were mean, worse in fact in her opinion.
"I think now, in college, it'll be easier." She hadn't made friends in her first semester but here she was making a friend!"
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Posted: Sun Jul 15, 2018 4:48 pm
Seren nodded and considered the Martial Arts options in the PE department, before giving another nod and clicking. "Aikido One. From what I understand, it's one of the best for self defense. If you like it, you could always continue with it for personal interest." She brushed her hair out of her eyes, because a lock had gotten loose, and then glanced at how many units EunKyung was at. Eleven... Then the PE class was a full unit, which most were only half, so that was nice. "You're at Twelve, so if you want, you're pretty full." "Friends are good. And I'm sure I'll tell you things. But yes... Being friends would be amazing. I need friends, too." She smiled shyly and started finalizing the class list, unless the other woman said she wanted to add anything else, though Seren thought she probably should focus on what she had so far. She listened as the other girl spoke, and her lips curved in a weak smile. "I never really had friends, back home. I... didn't fit in, shall we say, and so making friends wasn't something I succeeded at. I understand." In college, she wasn't usually finding it easier. She was still so scared of men, and worried about the curse...
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Posted: Tue Jul 31, 2018 8:33 pm
"Ok, I'll be good there then at twelve." The aikido sounded good, it was for self defense from what the other said, she was sure it would be put to good use at some point. There was little reason to think it wouldn't help her in the future, considering she was a senshi, despite how much she didn't want to get violent with people. She had learned, and was still learning, that it was almost impossible to avoid as a senshi. This was a big war between terrorist groups, because all sides did terrorize the normal civilians in the city and make going out unsafe, and even if she wasn't a senshi she was likely to come into contact with someone who was powered.
"I had friends back home, although not many, they were close. It was strange coming here and no one was interested in being friends. I was different and stood out too much." Between her accent, heavy as it was, she dressed different and had a different approach to things not to mention she liked to study - a lot.
"I think we'll become good friends in time. You can learn whatever you want about Korea and I can finally have a friend here." While she'd had friends it hadn't been many and they hadn't been very good friends, in fact those friendships had not lasted long at all. They'd ended rather quickly...mostly because the novelty of being friends with the new and foreign girl had faded. That's all she'd really been to them, because things she liked were seen as strange or just childish here.
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Posted: Mon Aug 06, 2018 9:43 pm
"All right!" Seren finished inputting the information for the classes the other girl was taking, and hit submit, then print. "You'll need to go online to your Student Passport when you get home, or you can use one of the computers here or at the library, to confirm your class enrollments. I technically can't do that step, as I'm not a counselor... Only you or your counselor can." She handed the other girl the sheet, showing pending enrollment. "But it'll be quick and easy to do." She considered the other and smiled, an odd look in her eyes. "Well, it can take time to adjust to the different ways people behave in different areas. Even just crossing the country showed me that. People in Rural California behaved very differently to people in New Jersey... And they act differently from the people here in Destiny City. I mean, sure there's... basic stuff that's the same, but..." She paused, thinking, before finally saying "But the real depth, that can be so different. It's hard to get used to. But yeah. That sounds awesome." She gave the other girl a bright smile, and nodded. "You can contact me anytime you want, if I'm free we can try to hang out."
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Posted: Fri Aug 10, 2018 9:21 pm
"Ok, I'll do that once I get home." Since she would be heading home right from here. If it was quick and easy, it had been last semester when the counselor had done it with her, than she was sure she could do it easily on her own. Her course list was...impressive, and something she looked forward to for the most part. She really was excited for the second semester, she enjoyed school.
"Yes, it is the same in Korea. Between big cities like Seoul and Busan...or any of the other big cities." And Korea, when compared to the US, was much smaller the distance between the two cities was different. The biggest differences, in her opinion, was some of the foods as Busan was on the water and so seafood was bigger there than in Seoul. Accent was also a big difference, especially for those from Jeju Island.
"That sounds good. I'd like that." Smiling as she stood, a hand gently reaching out to the others shoulder. "It is a lot different...some things are as you said - deep and hard to get used to. It almost cost my older cousin his relationship." She remembered that, she'd worried for her elder cousin then, but it had worked out and they were married with two adopted children. It was a lot of cultural things and needing to talk more...to understand and learn to work through things slowly...not all at once or alone.
"I'll see you soon then."
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