XI. You asked for it...

HAPPY LUNAR NEW YEAR!!!

At Aquana Resort with my cousins :)

      I have to admit, with this break coming up, I was a bit anxious, wondering how I was going to spend the Lunar New Year. Everyone was busy making plans and visiting family, and I had no idea what to do. Of course, this whole time, my Korean relatives were planning a surprise...
     I visited my relatives once and it was a semi-awkward experience. In no way did they make me feel as such, but I couldn't help it, considering that I couldn't speak the language. It was during Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving, so I was also overwhelmed with the people there. But this time it was different.          

     My trip started Sunday, when my uncle and his family drove 6 hours out of the way just to pick me up. We then spent a grueling 10 hours in a car, mostly because of bumper to bumper traffic. But you know, it wasn't bad at all. The first time I met my cousins, I hardly got to know them because of the chaos. But the trip forced us to get over the language barrier and get to know each other. I can honestly say I had an amazing time. I LOVE my uncle and his family. They are the coolest family ever. 

Hyun Soo, the eldest

Joon Suh, the most loving child

Hyun Suh, the happiest baby in the world

     We arrived at a waterpark called Aquana and essentially went straight to bed. The next day was the Lunar New Year. We celebrated by eating mandoo gook (dumpling soup) which is sooo delicious. Then we spend the day at the park. That night we drove back to my uncle's house.

     That night I was able to see my mother's sister (I'm in love with this woman) and her family. The next day I departed, showered with money and gifts. Oh, how I love Korean relatives ;)

With my Waesookmo (Uncle's wife)

With my aunt and her beautiful daughter

      Overall, I had an incredible time. I was nervous, but my relatives treated me beyond well. This has been the first time (in Korea) that I've experienced love and generosity way beyond what I expected. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I was so blessed. I hope I can see them again, soon, and repay them for their kindness. :)

  

VI. A thing for you

After going to a norae-bang (kareoke room) in Korea, I can truly appeciate this. 

V. Homesick

      This place is called Nature Poem, which is a building of galleries (mostly modern) in Seoul, South Korea. A place that I hope to visit very soon. See, I'm starting to get very homesick. Not just for the people I care about, but for culture. Trust me, I know how weird that sounds.

      One great thing about living so close to DC is the numerous things you can do. When I moved from the smallest town of Valdosta, Ga straight to Northern Virginia, I was hit with culture shock, quite literally. I could have never imagined living in a place with so much history, with such an exchange of art and ideas. I fell in love with the galleries (notorious and hidden), the museums, the columned buildings, and the mixing bowl of ethnicities. Although Korea is becoming quite international, it doesn't feel like home.

      This site, though, shows promising direction if I'm headed towards things art or style related. Korea certainly has history down, with palaces boasting thousands of years older than our meager young capitol. But, I know where to look for those things. I need something fresh and new. I need to find people that will know what I'm talking about. 

      Overall, I need to get out more. Live, breathe, notice the things around me. When I walk to work, I find myself spending too much time looking at the ground. And that's a big no-no in my book. 

      

IV. Some people are imprinted

      This is Alexandra Nechita, a prodigy painter, with a mile long list of achievements at 12 years old. Upon finding this picture, I was slightly ashamed that I had never been aware of her before. Her story is truly amazing and proof that, sadly (for me), some people are just born with it. You can read an article about her here. Here's one of her paintings:

"Earthly Flower"

      She's now about 23, which is only one year my senior. It's pretty convicting to think about the things some people have done with the same time that I've been given. Which gets me to think, what will be my great accomplishment? Some people claim it's bearing children, but I don't think that's in my cards. 

     Currently, the way I see it is that I have my own mile long list, not of accomplishments, but of desires. But really, even at my meager age, I am lucky to have done the things I've done. To be in the place that I am. Hm. Anyway, just some thoughts. 

     Now, pardon me while I start on a ground-breaking painting... 

      

X. Yes, I do have a life.

Apart from teaching, it's hard to do anything else. The schedule is demanding and there's hardly days off. Luckily, the last open weekend, my Australian friend Wendy and I went to Changdeokgung Palace and some other places to squeeze in some sightseeing. The weather report said it was a chilling -9 degrees Celsius, but we managed (with aluminum cans of hot chocolate and jumping jacks). 

We have a long weekend coming up for the Lunar New Year. Tokyo was calling my name, but alas, the prices are sky high. Let's see what will happen for the next long weekend. Any suggestions?!

III. Can you guess the city?

Being in Korea = a dream. Close enough.



A: Shanghai

II. Ignorance is Bliss.

     For a fun way to keep up with world affairs I turn to 10x10. This site is a ten by ten frame of images of the top news searches of the world. I consider myself among the ignorant when it comes to current affairs, but this site has been helpful to keep me semi-updated. 

     One topic that I've noticed has to deal with Korea, the country I'm currently living and teaching in. I don't know why, but it's so easy and preferable to keep myself detached from anything that has to do with politics. And that's so foolish. I had a conversation with one of my Korean students and realized how much their loyalty to their country contrasted with my apathy. 

     I don't know how to make people, or even myself, care about politics, especially when the future can seem so bleak and hopeless. Everyone has a twisted agenda, and who really cares about the people's pursuit of happiness anyway? See. Even when I'm trying to inspire you (the reader) to care, it just doesn't happen. 

    With the coming inauguration, there's so much pressure. I can't imagine what it's like to be Obama right now. For one thing, he's set himself up. I've never seen anyone so blatantly made out to be a savior aside from Jesus Christ.

    I hope that apart from successes and failures, that Obama remembers that he is human. And I hope we remember that too. 

I. Solitude for the sake of art?

Just a thought: does it take isolation to create true, unique pieces of art? 

     I've always wondered where inspiration comes from, you know, for those amazing masterpieces that we conjure up when we think of something great. Do you have to be irrational and radical to create something that challenges and stands out above the rest? Or come from, say, the Netherlands?

     I mean, hey, I wouldn't mind moving to Iceland if that means that I'll come up with some crazy sick ideas and create something original. But is that what it takes?

     Sometimes I think my mind is too simple and constrained. I get so jealous of the geniuses who can break bounds, but in a way that seems natural and authentic. Every effort I make seems too forced.

     Someone fly me North and isolate me. Let's see how crazy things get.