24 Thoughts I Had in Quarantine

My 10-day quarantine upon arriving in Korea turned out to be a blessing in disguise. For one, it allowed me to adjust to the enormous time difference, and two, it led to an assortment of random thoughts that I wanted to compile for your viewing pleasure.

1. I might be a little too good at self-quarantine.

2. But really—if I could live in a cozy room with all the amenities and have food delivered to me constantly, I think I’d be fine.

3. Turns out I’m capable of spending a solid hour quite literally sitting and doing nothing.

4. The giant ticking clock on the wall of the apartment really adds a nice touch to my mounting feeling of insanity.

5. As does the gold-and-white checkered wall across from it.

6. Ironically broke my 31-day Duolingo streak because I was traveling to the country I’ve been practicing for.

7. I don't know who's more disappointed: me or the Duolingo owl.

8. Being fluent in Korean really takes some big-brain energy.

9. TWO different number systems in Korea??

10. Formal AND informal ways of saying virtually everything??

11. I’d like to thank my besties, Melatonin and Vitamin D, for getting me through a lack of of both proper sleep and proper sunlight.

12. It really took living in Asia to finally get all the Studio Ghibli films on my Netflix account.

13. So now I can't not watch one every night.

14. This 14-hour time difference is really messing with me. Am I technically…in the future?

15. Even if I am in the future though, there still seems to be not enough hours in a day.

16. How does one manage to have 24 hours but also get nothing done? (Probably b/c of #3.)

17. Good morning to the two Korean grandmas in the street who saw me struggling with my blinds for an embarrassing amount of time.

18. Ready-made meals in Korea are already higher-quality food than I could ever make for myself.

19. I think Google Translate is trying to make a fool out of me.

20. I mean, I've watched enough K-Dramas to know that "hello" doesn't need to be so complicated, buddy.

21. Honestly, towels do not make great yoga mats.

22. Downward-facing dog easily becomes a dangerous slipping and sliding situation.

23. I'm never so sad to not know Korean as when I'm trying to order food online.

24. I'll definitely have to learn how to say, "I don't speak Korean" in Korean, won't I?