I feel like I was born with two left feet. I’ve never properly cleared a hurdle, and whenever a ball came towards me, I was always tripping over my own feet. I guess my sense of distance with things like balls was off somehow.
So, I didn’t enjoy phys ed class, and there were days when I couldn’t fit in with the other boys who enjoyed ball games. As an adult, I wasn’t too bothered by my lack of athleticism. But when I became a dad, I worried that my kids might take after me. That’s why these days, I send my eldest son to academies to learn various sports.
Parents often seek vicarious satisfaction by having their children do the things they couldn’t achieve themselves. When my son looks back on his school days, I hope he will remember more lively activities, unlike his old man.
two left feet - to move in an awkward way when you are running or doing a sport
trip over - to fall over, to stumble on, to slip on something
be off somehow - something feels unusual, out of place, or just not as it should be
vicarious - experienced through the activities of other people, rather than by doing something yourself
klutz - a person who moves awkwardly and often drops things
나는 몸치로 태어난 것 같다. 뜀틀을 제대로 뛰어넘어본 적이 없고 공이 내 쪽으로 오면 항상 헛발질 하기 일쑤였다. 공과 같은 사물에 대한 거리 감각이 왠지 모르게 떨어져 있었던 것 같다.
그래서 체육 수업이 재미없었고, 공놀이를 즐기는 다른 남자아이들과 어울리지 못하는 날도 많았다.
어른이 되어서는도 나는 몸치인 내가 크게 신경 쓰지 않다. 하지만 아빠가 되고 나니 아이들이 나를 닮을까 봐 걱정됐다. 그래서 요즘은 큰아들을 학원에 보내 다양한 스포츠를 배우게 하고 있다.
부모는 자신이 이루지 못한 것을 자녀에게 시켜서 대리만족을 얻으려는 경향이 있다. 내 아들이 학창 시절을 돌아봤을 때 아버지와 달리 활기차게 활동했던 기억이 남았으면 좋겠다.
- I can’t dance because I was born with two left feet. / Even someone who was born with two left feet can learn this sport.
- The layout of the furniture was off somehow. / Something about her attitude was off somehow.
- I mostly take after my dad. / I hope my daughter takes after her mom.
A: What academies does your eldest child attend?
B: He’s learning soccer, acrobatic gymnastics, and jump rope.
A: Oh, they’re all sports-related academies!
B: Yes, I am a bit of a klutz, so I don’t want him to take after me.
A: I suppose good physical coordination is important for boys.
B: Exactly! I want him to engage in sports with his friends and enjoy his school days!
