Thank you, but no Sang Q

Remember when I told you about Jake, the Korean guy I met at the Barbos’ house on NYE? He said people were turned off by him for “some reason,” but he seemed pretty chill to me. Sang Q (his Korean name – spelled a different way I’m sure) has since made it clear to me why people are turned off…

I will hedge this post with this: Adem, what should I do about him? There you go. Now it is about coming up with a solution and not just venting about Q’s quirks.

Allow me to share a series of text messages with you to illuminate my underlying quandary…

January 2, 2010

Jake: Sorry to txt u this late…just have a question to ask…do u know where i can buy some wines? (12:05 AM).

Me: No problem…maybe walmart. Costco near walmart has wine too. (12:08 AM)

Jake: Do they have good ones in walmart? (12:08 AM)

Me: I’m not really sure. I don’t know a whole lot about wine. (12:09 AM)

Jake: ok thanks for the info..va doesn’t sell alcohol after mid night right? (12:18 AM)

Me: I think you’re right. (12:19 AM)

Jake: Ok..thanks man (12:20 AM)

…Later that day…

Jake: Do u know any good wines? im very sorry to bother (6:13 PM)

Me: (My sister is with me, so I ask her) Barefoot Merlot is a good red that’s not very expensive. Cavot Pinot Gregio is a good white wine. (6:21 PM)

Jake: Thanks so much (6:26 PM)

Jake: What do u do tonight? (6:33 PM)

Me: My brother and sister are still visiting from Richmond. (6:49 PM)

Jake: I was going to to ask if i could hang out with u but i guess u are busy ttyl (6:49 PM)

Me: Oh sorry. They are in from out of town. Have a good night man. (6:50 PM).

Jake: Ok i was going to bring wines but ok..family time..i understand..have fun man (6:50 PM)

Me: Thanks for the offer, but I actually don’t drink. I will let you know when my friends are back in town to hang out. Talk to you later. God bless. (6:58 PM)

Jake: Oh i thought u do drink…cuz u were talking about going blue nile the other day..any have fun tonight cya (7:00 PM)

January 7, 2010

Jake: Hey, sorry to bother u. I’m just wondering if u would like to go to buffalo wild wing tonight (5:48 PM)

Jake: U can bring ur friends..I know i met u only once and asked u weird questions (about wines) so u might think I’m weird but (5:52 PM)

Jake: But I just want to hang out and get to know and make some friends so please let me know if you want to or not thanks man (5:55 PM)

Me: Sorry man. I am at work until late this evening. Maybe some other time. (6:08 PM)

End Scene.

I really was working, and that seems kind of sad now that I read those last messages again. I just got a weird feeling about it. Kind of like when JP called to “catch up.”

In other news:

Firas was recently let go from his job because the economy sucks. He is chipper about it and loves sleeping in. But he is trying to find another job. I asked him to move in with me next year here at the apartment if he does. Blake sees himself in NOVA after graduation and also offered Firas a place to live if he finds himself a job up there.

Erika is back, but I have yet to see her. IBS is still nonexistent. I don’t have a whole lot of time, but Blake is really focused on finishing his last semester with a bang. Very little time to plan meetings or motivate people to get to know internationals. More on that as it develops…or doesn’t develop. Either way, I’ll let you know.

We got some new neighbors in the hothouse a few doors down. Remember the flaming mattress and the drug bust that ensued? Well two Kurdish cousins moved in. They drive a Lexus. Doesn’t mean a thing to Abu Muhaned who, although is cordial, wrapped his arm up and over his head to point to his ear as the Kurds are joked about as doing when I asked him where our neighbors were from. They speak English really well. I am not sure, but I think they own a hookah bar. They invited Melissa and me out to smoke at their place of business. Have yet to take them up on such a kind invitation. (But I should visit them some time. Wish you were here to exhort me on that front).

Jafar (little one) is turning six soon (this Friday). Hard to believe he got here when he was four. He is nearly fluent in English now. It’s amazing. He says stuff like “twice” and “play” (instead of let’s pray). Remarkable. Bahaa goes crazy over it too. He says that Jafar speaks better than everyone in the family and doesn’t know how it happened. I almost agree. Huda just took her SATs in November. Applied to JMU to be able to stay close to home. She is graduating in June.

Rawaa is still driving but has extended her route to include part of West Grattan and Kyle Street. I may or may not drive her and her parents to NYC in the near future. Her sister from Australia is coming to NY to visit someone or do something. I don’t know really. The English down there is not very belong to good. Most (about 80%) of our conversations are in Arabic and ASL (Arabic/American Sign Language).

Classes just started this week. I am taking 18 credits. I miss my undergrad classes though. These education classes are just…blah. Nothing really captivating or mind-blowing. Very rote stuff. I have three classes this summer, four in the fall and student teaching next spring. Then I’m done. I will be ready to travel abroad as a teacher or work somewhere local. Or go back to school. Or travel to another state. Or move to Guam and work as a meteorologist. Who knows? I’ve become a cook and a runner. An all-around health nut. Or just a nut. I’m cooking hot meals twice a day. Running 2 to 3 miles a day at the gym. Combating the cold weather blues with Betty Crocker and some endorphins.

I am glad to read that you are feeling revitalized in your new digs. How is your weight? Skinnier? Heavier? You are doing a lot of walking…four twenty-minute walks a day to your ‘rents’ house and back plus any other hoof traveling you’re doing.

I just thought of something. What if your high school teacher met Jake? I’m talking, of course, about Q. They could eat healthy breakfasts or drink wines together while staying away from the Powa Baa’s. I’ll see about setting that up.

Thanks for commenting about these posts. It’s nice to know you are enjoying them. I am trying to make it one of my resolutions to write more. Feel free to hold me to that if I slip up like the last few months. You deserve better. Lo siento. Talk to you soon.