[i][color=FFEFD5][h1]부모님께, 말해줄게 있어서 편지를 써요...[/h1][/color][/i]


[indent][i][color=FFEFD5]...my time in America has been...strange. It has only been a few months so this letter might have you assume that I am homesick and maybe I am and maybe you were right that this was not the wisest decision, but it was [b]my[/b] decision and though it came after an argument I still want to thank you for allowing me to make the choice. I do miss Korea. The noise is so different here. When I was in Seoul I felt like I could hear the thoughts of myself and those around me, but it's so much different here in America. I'm not sure if it's better or worse, just that it's different. Compared to home, things here just sound so much...[/color][/i][/indent]

For a moment a slightly hunched over head looks up. From behind, muted by the presence of a closed door and walls, running footsteps are heard but only just barely as they are drowned out by the elated screaming of someone who should not be running indoors. Another voice calls after the first, shouting out a warning. A loud THUD and a subsequent THUMP silence the footsteps and the voices, until only an expression of pain from running into a wall is left to provide the ambient soundtrack.

[indent][i][color=FFEFD5]...louder.

I have been getting used to things finally, and spending time with some of my classmates has been a learning experience even more than school has been. I haven't told you about some of my classes but they are going well. I think it's because the curriculum at home is slightly harder, but in my Algebra class I am one of the top students. I've been helping a sophomore, that's someone a year older than me, with her math homework. If the concepts didn't have to be taught in English I think I could have gone into higher level math classes here. But I think my favorite class is going to be chemistry. I don't really think I can memorize the element chart but I look forward to the class because it's where I made my first friend away from my host family. She's my lab partner and she is into video sports, like Jong Kook-sachon. Maybe I should set them up! 

I think my English is improving but sometimes people talk very quickly so I just pretend to understand them. I hope it doesn't make me look stupid to them. I think if they went to Korea and went to school there they would find it similar. I don't think anyone has said anything bad about me in English, though one of the people here calls me 'Minced Meat' and I'm not sure what that means, but this same girl I think is a little...different so I let her do it. She is very funny but sometimes I feel like a mother around her! She is good friends with my host family's son so she is around the house often. I wonder about her family sometimes and why she spends more time away from her own home. But I don't want to step above my boundaries.[/color][/i][/indent]

A small, thick, bright orange stick is dipped into a small cup of a smooth, creamy brown spread; the crunchy snap came with a few little splashes of moisture dropping to the plate. In the distance the footsteps have picked up again, meaning the shouts were not far behind. 

[indent][i][color=FFEFD5]My host family seems like they are a big deal. They live in a house that is bigger even than the COEX Shopping mall! I have not really met the sister but I am told she is not a nice person but I don't think that's true. I think everyone is a good person somewhere. I am being looked after by Henry, the son. Yes he's a boy but don't worry there isn't anything going on. We don't even sleep in the same room and I think he has a girlfriend. I question his taste, though, since his girlfriend I think is the same one that calls me 'Minced Meat' and is a little on the loud side. I saw the two of them go upstairs at a party and that is a very American thing to do! But Henry is a good person. He has these cute sea animal things and he let me feed them once! 

Oh! Don't worry! I was at a party but it wasn't on a school night and I only had water and carrots. I don't want you to worry. I know we've had arguments but you didn't raise me improperly and I'm not here to make myself or our family look bad. This is a learning experience. And so far I've learned...that I really miss home. 

It is fun here and every day is very different but the food isn't the same, the music isn't the same, and even though there are many different people of shapes and sizes...it just isn't the same. It has been a few months and I have only made one friend outside of Host Henry and his girlfriend Parker. I would like to make more friends but it isn't easy. In English class I can't even speak when called upon and I think that makes people think ill of me. At the party I mentioned people only talked to me because they had to since I was serving their drinks...um..it was like fruit juice called 'punch'. 

I am sure that this choice wasn't a bad one and I am not wishing to come home early, but I understand your concerns when you said it would be difficult. The more time I spend in America the more I realize there was more wisdom in your lectures than I realized. While I will not be coming home early since I will fulfill the transfer requirements...so far I have not found something that would make me want to stay. Henry is very nice and sweet and has been helpful and my one friend, Kit, is someone I can keep in touch with even in Korea. 

I hope my next letter has a different view and that I was just letting my high expectations control me. But America...is a foreign place even though much of it feels so very familiar.[/color][/i][/indent]

There came a loud knock at the door and the familiar cry of 'MINCED MEAT'. Time was up. 

[indent][i][color=FFEFD5]I have to go now as it is the morning of a school day as I write this. I hope this letter reaches you in good health and prosperity.[/color][/i][/indent] 

[right][h3][color=FFEFD5]건강히 지내세요.[/color][/h3][/right]
[right][img]http://txt-dynamic.cdn.1001fonts.net/txt/b3RmLjcyLmU2ZTFiYy5UV2x1TFhObGJ3LCwuMA,,/chasing-hearts.regular.png[/img][/right]