I was listening to today's presentations when I started to see some of my own networking connections. It is one of my weaknesses--not recognizing my strengths or skills. In this case when talking about my social capital or networks, I felt like it was pretty much non existent. After the presentation about the Olympics I realize I do have some social capital--in Korea.

The city I lived in for the majority of my time in Korea is the capital city of that particular province. A mountain town/resort from that province was bidding for the 2010 Olympics and if I go by what the local Koreans were saying, it was down to Korea or Canada (not sure if that is actually completely true.) As an instructor-turned-professor at that university I was asked to proofread official English documents and statements for the Korean Olympic Committee bidding for the 2010 Winter games. Through my hard work at that school and the many contacts I made, I was asked to participate in a very small way in Korea's bid. Had Korea been chosen, who knows what might role I might have been asked to play.

On the provincial, civic and university level, I had also been asked on many occasions to be a judge at English speech contests, international events (where English was spoken) and even to record a tourist guide in English (GPS based) for tourists in that province. I was chosen for these roles based on my presence in the community (particiaption and engagement) and by the people who recommended me for the job (social network.) I now realize just how rich I am.

One more thing. Recently I was watching a Korean movie when suddenly I saw they were filming on my old campus and I could see my office window. The movie came out in 2007 and I could have been in my office when it was being filmed. I kinda feel special (and I am not one who feels special often.)