Badz Badz Gal 배드민턴 동아리

Geraldine did joke about starting a bball girls club in Hanyang Univ when she was still in Singapore, ever since she realized that it's uncommon for girls in Korea to play sports. She had many people telling her that she would be the only member. But she never did thought that she would end up joining the Badminton club. She walked past the booths during CCA orientation week a few times and just suddenly thought that joining one would be fun. Geraldine figured that badminton is an indoor sport that can be played even if it's minus 20 degrees outside. And she does miss those times when she trained till 1am. Those were the times..

Anyway, she went for the welcome dinner on Wednesday, got to know a few more people and has a cute dongsaeng (동생) who calls her Yuljeong Nuna 율정누나. And today she went for the 1st ever training session. Surprise, or maybe not at all, there were only 2 other girls. The coach paired everyone up and had a mini tournament. Geraldine and her partner managed to go to the final round but lost 13-15. ㅠㅠ

For the last match that Geraldine played, it was against the coach and this other guy. Lost the 1st and won the 2nd, so they went on to the rubble set. Started off badly with 2-10, but slowly bounced back. Made a few mistakes at the end and before they knew it, it was 20-20. Deuce. Geraldine hates the new point system. Okay fine, not that new. But she lost by one point. If only there was still the "Service over. 2nd server." Soon, she will show the guys that girls can do it too.. regardless of the new or old point system.

So for 2.5 hours non-stop, she lobbed.smashed.pushed.net.dropped.chopped.lifted.dived.

Anyway, Geraldine mentioned something about Nuna 누나 just now. Here in Korea, everyone is like family. If someone is older than you, you will have to show respect to the person and address him/her accordingly. Everyone is a sister, a brother, or an auntie/uncle.

Girl to Older Girl - 언니 Oenni
Girl to Older Guy - 오빠 Oppa
Guy to Older Girl - 누나 Nuna
Guy to Older Guy - 형 Hyeong

People who are younger - 동생 Dongsaeng
Auntie - 아주먼니 / 아줌마 Ajumeoni / Ajumma (Bet everyone already knew this)
Uncle - 아저씨 Ajeossi

Geraldine once heard a conversation among her Korean friends and thought that it was really food for thought. If everyone is either an 오빠/어니 or 형/누나, and only people of the same age or younger than you could you call by name, doesn't that mean that only people of the same age can be friends? The rest are either higher up or lower down on the social ladder. Is that good or is that bad? It is very obvious that the older ones will take care of the younger ones here. But at the same time, the younger ones usually have to do whatever the older ones tell them to. Hmmm........................