Chopin Ballade No. 1

Sooo beautiful. I feel happy and sad at the same time when I listen to this piece; perfect.

Being in Boston is nice, but I miss my parents. If this were the future, the world would be advanced enough for teleportation. That would be awesomeeeeeee. I’m not really a type of person that is severely attached to her parents–I have friends who tell everything to their moms. That’s not me–in fact I think that’s pretty gross (mean but true). But every so often I think of them. I called my dad today and felt sad hearing his voice; it wasn’t a deep convo or anything. He just blah-blahed to me about the usual. But I got a little teary-eyed anyways. My mom was at church, duh, so I got her voicemail :(

Last night was interesting; this weekend seems to be filled with awkward meetings for us.

And I discovered that I actually enjoy beer pong…thanks W~~~ :)

Can’t forget.

I suddenly really miss Korea. You know what the worst thing is? I’m already forgetting the names of my friends. I always had a hard time remembering Korean names–if I don’t recite them every once in awhile I’m really going to permanently forget them. Life moves so fast, and I can’t keep up.

All those things I experienced and learned and saw, are slowly dissolving out and being replaced with other things: Boston, the States, Americans.

Dreams fading.

But Korea is lame. In another sense. Jaebum was only a punk high schooler. What’s so wrong about KPOP bands anyway that people go out of their way to destroy them? Really want him to go back to being leader of 2PM but he looked so defeated–walking the last walk in the airport head hung low surrounded by uncountable masses of supporters.

In times like this all I can do is type an emoticon. T_T

E.E. Cummings

may i feel said he
(i’ll squeal said she
just once said he)
it’s fun said she

 
(may i touch said he
how much said she
a lot said he)
why not said she

(let’s go said he
not too far said she
what’s too far said he
where you are said she)

may i stay said he
(which way said she
like this said he
if you kiss said she

may i move said he
is it love said she)
if you’re willing said he
(but you’re killing said she

but it’s life said he
but your wife said she
now said he)
ow said she

(tiptop said he
don’t stop said she
oh no said he)
go slow said she

(cccome?said he
ummm said she)
you’re divine!said he
(you are Mine said she)

in the dark on the floor typing blind.

that’s what i’m doing as my roommates are sleeping and i haven’t set up the lamp on my desk because i don’t have an extension cord and the output is 15 feet away. i’m finally here in boston and it’s already been quite interesting.

so many people, events, restaurants and things to do. really not much time for reflection. first day of classes is tomorrow and i’m really excited for it. wait…i’m super nervous. i want to suck up to my profs, but that would be stupid. i want to get all As, but that seems delusional for me.

the point is, the window is open and i’m scared to close it because that would seem like passive-aggressive action against a roomie. plus i don’t have a pillow and i have no idea what happened to it. i guess i must have taken it home a year ago in lieu of shit i don’t need (astronomy textbook??).

okay and the last straw–there are no more cigarettes anywhere on campus. in a bum daze i went to the convenience store across the street looking for marlboro lights and they informed me that BU no longer sells the sticks anywhere. sooo i had to walk a few extra blocks to CVS where they don’t accept BU points and i was very grumpy. the more i think about it the more ridiculous it is. the world is going through a crazy health endeavor and that’s all great and all, but come on. aren’t we old enough to decide for ourselves if we will take care of our bodies or not?

oyasumi.

already time for school??

The older I get the shorter every summer becomes. I really have to go back to university in 3 days? What the fuck I’m going crazy. And this time I’ll be a junior, which means the bad side of college is impending. I love being a college student; it’s the springtime of my life.

Life is short. I had a reading list to read  this summer but of course I didn’t progress so much as I initially wanted…

Books of summer I particularly enjoyed:

KITCHEN by BANANA YOSHIMOTO – What is it about Japanese people that is so goddamn depressing? In a similar vein with both Murakamis and Kirino, Banana Yoshimoto has a lot of feelings about death and alienation. It’s a simple enough story, about a girl who’s totally alone, surrounded by death. She associates herself with others who are alone, the outcasts of Japan. She’s an excellent cook too, which has something to do with the title. But there’s also a sad love appearing in the midst of all the darkness–you never really know where the story’s headed, but it kept my thoughts occupied for a long time.

anything and everything by JD SALINGER concerning the Glass Family (RAISE HIGH THE ROOF BEAMS, CARPENTERS; SEYMOUR: AN INTRODUCTION, ZOOEY AND FRANNY) – Really the most amazing literary writer for youth agony and philosophy has to be JD Salinger. Maybe the ideas don’t work as well in the 21st century, but then why am I so fascinated by it? The Glass Family is a collection of novels and short stories about a family with 7 prodigal children and the genius thoughts they ponder. Seymour is the most interesting character–but of course he committed suicide long ago and most of his narrative is depicted by second-eldest, Buddy.

Movies of summer:

500 DAYS OF SUMMER – Joseph Gordon-Levitt and Zooey Deschanel = Perfect. Basically about all the ecstatic highs heartcrushing lows that a girlfriend can give to a guy, but with excellent storytelling. Plus it’s got a good, indie soundtrack.

PONYO – Another genius Ghibli creation directed by Miyazaki Hayao. Gorgeous to look at and it’ll give you a warm-cuddly feeling inside. It’s sort of a remake of Little Mermaid, except with a goldfish princess.

looking in retrospect..korea.

I went to Samcheongdong 삼청동 for the second and final time on my last day, which looked a lot different in the daytime but it was still fun. And I discovered the coolest cafe ever–a little house-thingy hidden away behind a stairway next to an art gallery; together with a mini-waterfall and pond with koi fish and lilypads. I had a refreshing peppermint tea for not a bad price (4,000 won) and had a nice time to myself.

I started stalking people on the subway in my last week, as you can see in the photo montage. I very sneakily stole shots–or at least, I think I did..

Going to the airport, where we parked very far away from the terminal. I’m carrying my stuff that accumulated over 7 months. Not bad.. Now I’ve been in Oregon for 9 days and it’s been interesting. Life goes on.

last day.

farewell korea.

i will miss you. i already do.

너무 아쉬워. 여태까지 새로운 경험을 많이 해봤고, 재밌고 멋있는 친구들 사궜고, 아주 화려한 학기였어. 고마워.

먼 훗날에…

in the future…

안녕.

best music video ever. 가지마 가지마…

Brown Eyes – 가지마 가지마 (Don’t Go)

features Yoo Seungho 유승호, my new favorite actor. should be viewed in HD.

no genre just music.

I FINALLY bought a new camera:

Last meeting with my bestest club friends, Hyunjae Hyerim and Jungu. We went to Seoul Forest and watched a free concert of My Sister’s Barbershop 언니네 이발관 (which incidentally is all guys despite the misleading “unni”). A very chill, mellow concert, sitting on the grass and drinking beers. We had a farewell dinner of McDonald’s. And Hyerim got me the new Epik High remix album! Saying goodbye sucks; I’m going to miss my club very much, those cool weirdoes..

Really random huge Cass can outside of Yongsan I-Park mall. I think they were doing a promotional concert..

A super cool Indian cafe called Flower Water 꽃물 in Sinchon. Somehow ended up with all Japanese people which reminded me that I don’t speak Japanese.

A uber trendy utility spotted at the bars these days: fountains!

The view from our little tent. A nice place, but the drinks were mad expensive and mediocre.

You can never do enough shopping in Korea… I love these stands of pretty jewelry that only cost a 1,000 won (1 dollar).

Students flocking at a ddukbokkgi 떡볶이stand at night :9

Walking around in the love motel district… ^^;;

Lee Minho 이민호, or as he’s known in Boys Over Flowers, Gu Junpyo 구준표 and his lovely face on the Etude House, a cosmetics store.

So gorgeous.

My aunt took me to the nail shop and got me the coolest manicure I’ve ever gotten–gradationnn wowza.

On the subway with Seoeun.

In other news…. There is news that DBSK is breaking up. Therefore, my heart breaks up.

goodbye students :(

My boss is so nice; she took me out for a traditional Korean meal after my last day at work with her son, Tom. During these past few weeks I got really close with her, so it was a sad farewell. I also learned some interesting things about the foreign school in Seoul that Tom attends: he goes to school 16 hours a day and eats all 3 meals at school. Then he sleeps in the dorms (this is a high school mind you) and then does it all over again the next day. Of course, his English is superb and he’ll probably go on to Seoul National University. This guy got a 5 on the AP Calc test–and English is his 2nd language. After dinner, my boss drove me to the subway stop and we had a final hug.. :( I’m currently drinking the jasmine tea she gave me and it’s very good.

Then I had to say goodbye to my tutees Kelly and Hannah and their mom who is awesome and feeds me wonderful things every week. I’ll miss the random times they let me play with their hamsters, admire their ant farm and sea monkeys and other random stuff that kids have.

I’m done with teaching and now there’s only 1 week left in Korea. O_O

What to do…