It's been a long time coming—years, in fact—but it finally happened. I bit the bullet and got myself some goofy new glasses. They're not the huge, 70s-style rectangular glasses I wanted, but I guess they're close enough. Up to now, I've been relying on Mom's old glasses, which I don't plan on throwing away, but my eyes long ago deteriorated beyond Mom's prescription. And besides, those glasses made me look even more retarded than I already look. The new pair cost me W160,000 (about $133, US, at the current exchange rate); I'm going to try not to drop them too often or allow them to get too scratched.
Normally, I rely on contacts, but if you're a lens-wearer, then you know that contact lenses can become scratchy and irritating, especially in the evening after a long day. Being able to pull my eyes out at night and resort to glasses will be a relief, and I assume the current prescription will be good for at least a few years before I need to buy yet another pair.
The process to get the glasses was quick: I told the glasses guy my prescription, but he insisted on an eye test, anyway; the test took only a few seconds (and was done with my contacts on), and after I picked out the frame I wanted, the guy said it'd all be ready in an hour. I told him I'd be back before closing time since I was on my way out to do a walk; he said to be back before 8 p.m. The glasses shop is in my building, which is nice and convenient; I got back from the walk, picked up my new glasses, and that was that. You go through a hell of a lot more rigamarole in the States to get glasses and contacts; this is one aspect of Korean society that is light years ahead of how we do things in the US.
So now, it's just a matter of getting used to wearing these glasses, which do that weird, world-warping thing whenever you turn your head. After a while, my brain will stop noticing the effect, but right now, it's fairly prominent.
I look forward to leaning over a steaming bowl of soup and fogging myself up.
So, you go from "Think Like a Teacher" to look like a teacher just like that.
ReplyDeleteActually, they don't look bad. I'd forgotten that you wore contacts. Do you intend to wear the glasses more frequently now (like at work)? I wore glasses for 20+ years prior to my cataract surgery a few months back. I don't miss them!