OLD POST: Just Call Me an Anyangian…. Commuting Like Nobody’s Business

One of the most pleasant experiences riding public transportation!

I’ve been wanting to share this very useful tip for a while now. The best way to travel in Seoul is hands down the public transportation. With the T-Money Card in hand, coupled with the free Jihachul app (thanks to the tip of Seoulistic), you can go anywhere. Seriously.

With only the T-Money and Jihachul (granted, you need a functioning smart phone w/ a data plan that works in Korea) I was able to travel solo to these destinations: Daebang, Hongdae, Bucheon, Dongdaemum, Myeongdong, Sangnoksu, Sinchon, Yeoido…. and back to Pyeongchon station (Anyang).

Easy as ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ!

back to the future?

Covid-19 has been THE topic for 2020 so far….i don’t think i can handle reading/watching anymore of this scary virus.

i’ve been stuck at home since March 16, but to be honest, haven’t been really good staying home. i blame it on the poor hotspot provided by our district, but it’s probably more like cabin-fever. i’ve been cooking more – the only real truth in being productive while quarantined. [looking around my apartment] my place is still a mess though – you would think it would be white glove inspection ready at any moments notice by now.

the obsession at the moment for me is the enneagram. my obsessions can be pretty bad – i think i’ve practically read every book there is on the subject. i’ve even, unknowingly, had the local library order couple books on the topic. who knew that when you request a book they don’t have in the library, they sometimes purchase it for their collection. that’s when you know you got it bad. i feel that with the knowledge gained from the enneagram, it’s almost impossible not to peg people within the confines of the 9 types. i’m careful not to type the word “personality” because, aside from their own disclaimers that it is NOT a personality test, i feel that it’s beyond that, myself. it’s funny but it’s definitely taken off. at any time, i can spend hours on instagram reading the plethora of updated new posts on each of the 9 types. now that it’s a fad, i need to get a “i knew enneagram before it was cool” t-shirt.

another obsession at the moment would be Youtube – kinda behind in the game for this one, i know. it’s amazing how many videos of whatever-you-want-to-see/learn/blow-off-time-like-nothing-else there is. i’ll create an unfiltered list (unduplicated) of the first 15 uploads i subscribe to:

1. Mosaic – TEAM NIGHT WITH JERRY LORENZO
2. Seonkyoung Longest – Live Cooking Show!! #stayhome Day 52!! Easy One-Pan Egg Toast
3. 복받은 캣독 Blessing CatDog – This is Why “Living with dog and cat together” is difficult
4. Beecompany 비컴퍼니 – BEE CCM Best “예배”
5. Kritter Club – Cat Still Wants A Girl As A Friend Though Got Injured By Humans (Part 1)
6. Smyang Piano – IU (아이유) (Prod.&Feat. SUGA of BTS) “eight (에잇)” – Piano Cover
7. Punching Pandas – Punching Pandas Live Stream
8. Dr. Sandra Lee (aka Dr. Pimple Popper) – The Green with Envy Epidermoid Cyst
9. Nordstrom – Contactless Curbside Pickup
10. Austin John Plays – The FULL Flower Breeding Guide for Animal Crossing New Horizons
11. Audrey Coyne – My Wavy/Curly Hair Routine
12. HigaTV – CODENAMES: like Password but beware of the death card
13. Jay Lee Painting – How to Paint Watercolors using Cooking Paper and Cling Film
14. The Daily Show with Trevor Noah – Amandla Stenberg -Coping with Anxious Moments During Coronvirus
15. Tech Yi Chie – The WFH is not what I expected

*cringe*

it’s a bit too revealing, and i find myself wanting to justify some of those channels…. but no, this is good for me. embrace the cringiness

[insert shrugging bitmoji]

it is what it is.

A Hen Named Sprout

Read June 29-30, 2014

Summer Reading: The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly

The Hen Who Dreamed She Could Fly by Sun-Mi Hwang (마당을 나온 암탉 by 황선미)

Only a mere 134 pages. I knew I had to save this for my trip to Korea. Given to me by my friend YoungMi prior to my flight to Seoul, I wanted to read it right away since the cover illustration was so darn adorable! I’m a sucker for cuteness. Most of my favorite books has consistently been able to make me laugh, cry, and leave me with a sense of emptiness. The third point is the least pleasant experience in my bibliophile ways, but I always come back for more. Put a book in front of me and I’ll most likely read it…. usually to the end. I can be a bit mechanical like that, it’s a strange thing. I can enjoy reading a microwave manual, if I’m bored enough. I’ll admit that I’ve read too many shampoo, lotion, and toothpaste containers than anyone really should.

Oh, did you think I was going to do a book review? I thought so, too. This happens to me in real life too.

So, this lovely, tenacious, ahjumma Hen named Sprout finds herself in dire situations throughout the book. You can’t help being drawn to her. Throughout Sprout’s experiences, what I found most interesting was how the characteristics of Sprout is compared to the older generations of ahjummas. 

I have noticed there are celebrated common traits each culture and communities share. These are ideals that most strive towards or are condoned if deviated from what the community considers a “good” person. In this book, you can’t help but root for Sprout’s simple existence. After all, she is only a hen, among so many other important animals on the farm, and an aged one at that. The beauty of Sprout is revealed through her struggles and her response to the ugly disdain of those around her. Even the weasel, who torments the poor farm animals isn’t the real enemy here. How could you not love Sprout, who only wants to lay an egg and nurture her offspring?

A bit Animal Farm, a bit Charlotte’s Web, a bit Korean drama feat. a sacrificial halmonie. I found myself weeping for what I think stirred my heart to a place of greater level of compassion and love. Sprout (& Straggler – another character I fell in love with) taught me simple things we all know so well: Never give up, Give until it hurts, Love requires sacrifice.

Winston Churchill, Mother Theresa, Jesus Christ.

 

The City of Anyang (안양)

June 29, 2014

Walked around doing errands with appa. Anyang is a beautiful place. There are some interesting art works and installation pieces scattered everywhere. I will have to consciously take pictures of them as I find them. There are also many elements of nature intentionally placed through out this quiet city. Pots of colorful flowers and an assortment of trees. My appa said the Koreans take pride in their pine trees. The needles are thin and abundant. The needles that fall covers the ground and changes into a rusty brown color. There was a forest of them methodically arranged as we walked toward the city center.

Taking a detour into one of many inlet streets.

At our first destination we picked up an extra fan, hair dryer, and microwave. I was happy that appa never owned a microwave, but since I’m here, I think, he thinks, it will be convenient for me to have one at his place. I dunno, but that’s always a moment of discomfort for me. Appa’s extreme hospitality…. I am grateful, but I don’t think he should go to such lengths, since I’m only staying for a month. He wanted me to get a more pricier hair dryer, too, but the 15₩ is enough for me. We continued on our shopping spree and crossed off some of the items on mom’s list (and my list), too. Lotte Mall was enormous…. I believe 10+ floors dedicated to mid to high end products. I was a bit awed during the escalator ride up and down, the center piece design was beautiful from all angles. If I was to compare Lotte to a shopping mall I’m familiar with, it would be the Pioneer Square mall in Portland, Oregon…. but only during Christmas time.

The highrise Anyang Lotte Mall.

There is a type of warmth with all the people I encountered so far. I’m not sure if it’s because they sense that I’m not from here, and hospitality is heightened, but I’ve been treated with kindness and courtesy. There’s a sense of familiarity and comfort, too, that I haven’t experienced anywhere except maybe in church or college. I don’t know what to think of it right now…. but it’s a nice feeling.

Pochangmacha (포장마차) – food cart. This particular one specialized in spicy rice cakes and fried fishcakes kabobs. Notice the happy (& friendly!) customer sporting the “V” gesture as I clicked this photo! :D

Incheon Airport

[apologies for the delay in posting…. no internet access until today – 7/18]

Going towards the parking area.

June 28, 2014

The flight to Korea went so smoothly, I’m dumbstruck….

The eleven+ hour flight seem shorter than anticipated. I sat next to a young guy who I exchanged a little bit of small talk at the last hour of our flight. Whipping out his phone as soon as the flight attendant prompted us it was OK to do so, I overheard him talk to his dad in Japanese and immediately talked to his uncle in perfect Korean. When I commented on this, he told me that his mom is Korean and his dad is Japanese. Did I mention that he can speak English, too? Canadian-English, to be more specific. I should have guessed he had some Canadian background, I was staring at his “Roots” backpack, desperately tucked beneath the chair in front of us all throughout the flight.

Customs was a breeze…. no rummaging through my luggage, and no hassle from the immigration officer. I don’t know if I should be ecstatic or concerned for the security at Incheon airport. In any case, I was happily trudging along and finally made my way through the sliding frosted-glass doors to reunite with my appa. Koreans seem to have a the flare for the dramatic — once the glass doors opened, I felt like a celebrity, with the fans and the paparazzi awaiting my arrival. Incredibly uncomfortable for me, to say the least. All I could do was quickly scan for a familiar face, and quickly keep moving!

My flight was only delayed an hour, but appa had been waiting for four hours. In true Korean ahjusshi-fashion, he wore a pant-suit and jacket outfit. I wished I had put more effort into my attire. The weather was muggy, although only 77 degrees fahrenheit according to my iPhone weather app.

Although I prepared for our reunion, complete with a big smile, i don’t know if it was the long flight or jet lag, but my nervousness and, what I can only describe as, anxiety, crept into my psyche. I often struggle with being disingenuous at times, and I would rather chance to be misunderstood and go against the grain than pretend to feel something I’m not. If that makes me selfish/self-absorbed, then I struggle with that feeling of guilt, too.

I’m leaving on a jet plane….

SoOOoo…. it’s come to this. [forced sigh] I don’t think I’ve traveled much internationally. Nowhere else, but to Korea. I don’t feel I should count Canada or Mexico – not far enough? Proximity matters, I think.

I decided to post a picture (or few) a day in my travel to Korea. Turned out to be pretty therapeutic my first year here in Los Angeles. I am hoping for the same in Seoul. A month is a long time without a daily agenda…. and purpose. I am hoping that this little project will bring me a little joy in the everyday. My expectations are low, but hopeful. ^_^

But before all that, I’ll be visiting my family in Seattle for a couple days, and will be departing from SeaTac airport on Friday, June 27th. Oh!! Did you know that a direct flight from Seattle to Incheon is only 11 hours and 30 minutes? Holy moly, that’s fast!!

In the meantime, I’ve been reading askakorean and envying his intelligence and writing style. More than once did I ask myself, “Whoa, how does he know all this stuff? Very Malcolm Gladwell/Nick Hornby/The Writers of the Daily Show!” I doubt he uses the word “stuff” or “whoa” or any other filler words I use in his blog posts. But more than his ability to write well, he is also very considerate and gracious to his commenters, too. Reading through the threads of comments, it’s no secret that hotly divisive issues tend to bring out the uglies in us — all behind the anonomous mask of the world wide web. But you know, I don’t think I’ve even read a snarky comment from him either. He comes off confident, which sometimes can be mistaken as arrogant, but reading more and further, he just seems to be a guy who loves a good conversation on a topic that really, REALLY interests him. What better platform than his own blog, right?!

And, that’s pretty okay in my book. ^_^

oh what? how did i get so off track?? such is the woes of my sporadic “photo” journaling. I guess I felt a little chatty tonight.

Korea or Bust

world cup…. aja aja fighting ^_^ v

Easter service

Korean Pilgrim Baptist church.

I decided to attend service at Pastor Lee’s church today. I forgot it was Easter when I texted that I would attend today two weeks ago.
I’m glad I did.
The part of the service when the choir comes out was accompanied by a young violinist. I’ve heard her before, she had won a coveted place in a competition, and has somewhat become a recognizable local celeb. Well, at least to me. She played along side the church choir, made up of ahjummas and ahjushis.
It was beautiful. So much so, that the piece almost brought me to tears. The lyrics were in Korean, so unless my understanding of Korean improved drastically over the 8 years I’ve been in LA, or I experienced what I’ve only heard others talk about. Moved by beauty, I felt embarrassed. Almost childish. Like a baby. But, the feeling was real. I hope it happens again.

Sittin’ on the curb of San Gabriel Blvd waiting for Metro 487

Here I am waiting for the bus to pick me up.
There’s a discomfort in this ritual, although, common thing. Especially if you’re all by your lonesome. I think I have a fear of appearing “pathetic.” Slightly less than the feeling of needy, apparently. I convince myself that it’s for my own good…. A good lesson to be had. A way to empathize and create in me a sense of appreciation and gratitude. I tend to think that all hardships are experiences to be embraced. Mostly because our tendencies to avoid them.
Back to my current tun of events….
I’m here on the corner of Colorado Blvd and San Gabriel…. As lonely as lonely gets. Waiting for the bus that arrives, unknown to me, every 50 minutes. And it’s getting colder, windy-er, and the sun is setting soon. My car failed the smog test and has been sitting at Kim’s Auto all day. I took the bus home this afternoon, which included a mile walk from the last stop. My lack of bus skills, provided me with an unexpected day of exercise. And, it was good…. I even smiled at a cute man along the way. :)
Now, it’s become dreary again, but that’s OK. Mr. Kim is fine with waiting for me, even though his closing time is an hour past my arrival. My car will be I tip top shape, in spite of my automotive-challenged lack of care. And tomorrow, I can still make it to church for Easter.
And here’s my bus! On schedule, too!

Kdrama: Happy Together (1999)

Overall: ****
The Feels: ****
Watch Again: Yes
Via Netflix

I watched this in Korea when it aired originally in 1999. I remember having no subtitles, but enjoyed the story just the same. This time around I was able to understand fully the meaning behind the knowing stares and glares that Koreans do so well — 눈치.
I am a sucker for the story of families reuniting, and the tenacious personality of the protagonist to get them back together. There is profound wisdom in characters like that — I like discovering the motivation for the fierceness that drives them.