Prompt: What did you learn from doing NaBloPoMo?
Relatively little. At least if we're just talking about what I learned from writing these blog posts.
In the past month, however, I've learned quite a bit.
I've learned how to say right, left, straight, here, and thank you in Korean. I've learned how to use chopsticks better, and how to order shabu shabu at a Korean restaurant (and to cook it at the table). I've learned how to get home and downtown and how to stand in line at the movies. I've learned where to find food and where to shop for shoes. I've learned how to play a new song on the guitar, and I've learned how to do a load of laundry when the washing machine is all in Korean. I've learned which days foreigners drink and where.
I've learned how to plan for classes and what to do if there's extra time. I've learned how my students respond to shouting, laughter, and fake tears in class. I've learned which students are the most belligerent, which have the most skills with sarcasm, and which ones like Harry Potter enough to tolerate my constant references.
Mostly I've learned that I know nothing here in this strange yet familiar place. But I have learned a lot about being alone, despite the fact that I am almost never by myself. I love the new people, but dear god it's hard to live day after day without being able to turn to one of my best mates and tell an inside joke.
Thursday, December 1, 2011
NaBloPoMo 21: Bedtime Rituals
Prompt: What is the last thing you do before bed?
Easy. I daydream about things to write about. I always hope those will turn into lucid dreams. I love lucid dreams. When I was little I could lucid dream all day, but when I hit twelve or thirteen, I lost control. Yes, that's probably a metaphor for some insecurity or another.
I also listen to music. A lot of it. I have a special mix for falling asleep. There's a lot of Enya, a bit of chill-out stuff. Some people fall asleep to TV. I fall asleep to music. Whatever works, right?
Easy. I daydream about things to write about. I always hope those will turn into lucid dreams. I love lucid dreams. When I was little I could lucid dream all day, but when I hit twelve or thirteen, I lost control. Yes, that's probably a metaphor for some insecurity or another.
I also listen to music. A lot of it. I have a special mix for falling asleep. There's a lot of Enya, a bit of chill-out stuff. Some people fall asleep to TV. I fall asleep to music. Whatever works, right?
NaBloPoMo 20: Heirlooms
Prompt: Describe an heirloom that has been passed down through generations of your family.
Other than insanity and a knack for divorce, I can't really think of anything.
Taught one class about Haikus, so let's write one to explain my current emotions:
Hiking trip cancelled,
Lonely for cheesy romance,
I need to write more.
Other than insanity and a knack for divorce, I can't really think of anything.
Taught one class about Haikus, so let's write one to explain my current emotions:
Hiking trip cancelled,
Lonely for cheesy romance,
I need to write more.
Saturday, November 26, 2011
NaBloPoMo 19: Presents and Giving Thanks
Prompt: Do you like to buy presents ahead of time, or right when you need to give them?
Eh. I'm the type who sucks at secrets, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I've gotten someone a really good present, I'm not good at hiding it for long. So even if I may have intended to save the present for a while, I usually give it to the person early. Womp.
Also, this was a foolish prompt, so let's talk about Thanksgiving:
I've always taken the holiday for granted, but despite its less than familial origin, Thanksgiving is about family. And food, and abusing our bank accounts and digestive systems and football. But mostly family. My family is flawed and quirky, but they're mine, and I miss them. I also miss my second family (you know, those people I call friends. Love you guys), and so being gone for this Thanksgiving wasn't the easiest thing. Working on Thanksgiving was pure torture. Eating squid soup on Thanksgiving was the end of the world.
I do love Korea, but November 24 was the catalyst for premature homesickness. Time goes fast here, and I'm learning a lot. Every day is a surprise, and it's usually a good one. But one thing I've learned here is how much I've taken for granted. Not only in terms of cultural differences (though I could write a post on American showers, or why kimchi really doesn't need to be eaten every meal including breakfast). I guess I've always harbored a secret hatred for familiarity. Anything that I knew well enough, like the route to school, or the inside of my freshman dorm, was the focus of my scorn. Now I'm nostalgic to walk through the arch on the way to class, or trudge up the hill to my old high school. I'm worried this is a sign I'm getting old, or maybe I'm just old enough to have accrued enough memories to truly understand what nostalgia means.
Anyways, my bad mood was conquered today, not through booze, but through food. Much healthier, right? A group of foreigners put together a Thanksgiving potluck. After a few weeks of rice, soup, kimchi, and ramen, my senses went into overdrive at the sight and smell of mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey, pie, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, and broccoli casserole. My stomach tried to quit before my taste buds were sated, but I conquered the food. Guys, be proud. So Thanksgiving happened, finally. Even if it wasn't a lazy Thursday afternoon with the people I love driving me up the wall, it happened. Enough.
Wait. Did I mention the amazing company? There was amazing company. I found a lot of people who love Love Actually, and I even found a few Doctor Who fans! WIN.
So Happy Belated Thanksgiving, and may your Black Friday endeavors not end in bruises, broken bones, or credit card debt.
Eh. I'm the type who sucks at secrets, and I wear my heart on my sleeve. If I've gotten someone a really good present, I'm not good at hiding it for long. So even if I may have intended to save the present for a while, I usually give it to the person early. Womp.
Also, this was a foolish prompt, so let's talk about Thanksgiving:
I've always taken the holiday for granted, but despite its less than familial origin, Thanksgiving is about family. And food, and abusing our bank accounts and digestive systems and football. But mostly family. My family is flawed and quirky, but they're mine, and I miss them. I also miss my second family (you know, those people I call friends. Love you guys), and so being gone for this Thanksgiving wasn't the easiest thing. Working on Thanksgiving was pure torture. Eating squid soup on Thanksgiving was the end of the world.
I do love Korea, but November 24 was the catalyst for premature homesickness. Time goes fast here, and I'm learning a lot. Every day is a surprise, and it's usually a good one. But one thing I've learned here is how much I've taken for granted. Not only in terms of cultural differences (though I could write a post on American showers, or why kimchi really doesn't need to be eaten every meal including breakfast). I guess I've always harbored a secret hatred for familiarity. Anything that I knew well enough, like the route to school, or the inside of my freshman dorm, was the focus of my scorn. Now I'm nostalgic to walk through the arch on the way to class, or trudge up the hill to my old high school. I'm worried this is a sign I'm getting old, or maybe I'm just old enough to have accrued enough memories to truly understand what nostalgia means.
Anyways, my bad mood was conquered today, not through booze, but through food. Much healthier, right? A group of foreigners put together a Thanksgiving potluck. After a few weeks of rice, soup, kimchi, and ramen, my senses went into overdrive at the sight and smell of mashed potatoes, green bean casserole, turkey, pie, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, and broccoli casserole. My stomach tried to quit before my taste buds were sated, but I conquered the food. Guys, be proud. So Thanksgiving happened, finally. Even if it wasn't a lazy Thursday afternoon with the people I love driving me up the wall, it happened. Enough.
Wait. Did I mention the amazing company? There was amazing company. I found a lot of people who love Love Actually, and I even found a few Doctor Who fans! WIN.
So Happy Belated Thanksgiving, and may your Black Friday endeavors not end in bruises, broken bones, or credit card debt.
NaBloPoMo 18: Isolation
Prompt: Do you enjoy being alone? Would you rather be alone or with people?
Easy. People. Any day. I'm a Leo, an only child, an extrovert, a Gryffindor. Long story short, I crave attention the way a vampire craves blood.
But I think I set high standards for my friends. No, I'm not that pretentious ass who claims to meet those standards, but I do set them. I love people, and I love meeting people, but I'm so judgmental. It also takes quite some time for me to feel comfortable around someone. Months, years even. That doesn't mean I won't ham it up within moments of meeting someone (because I have, do, and will continue to act like an idiot in public). It just means that given the choice between a large group of strangers, and two or three friends, I'll choose the friends. Any day of the week.
Speaking of, I know a lot of my friends are probably reading this back home in the states (or wherever you are), so here's a message for you:
But mostly, this:
Much love.
Easy. People. Any day. I'm a Leo, an only child, an extrovert, a Gryffindor. Long story short, I crave attention the way a vampire craves blood.
But I think I set high standards for my friends. No, I'm not that pretentious ass who claims to meet those standards, but I do set them. I love people, and I love meeting people, but I'm so judgmental. It also takes quite some time for me to feel comfortable around someone. Months, years even. That doesn't mean I won't ham it up within moments of meeting someone (because I have, do, and will continue to act like an idiot in public). It just means that given the choice between a large group of strangers, and two or three friends, I'll choose the friends. Any day of the week.
Speaking of, I know a lot of my friends are probably reading this back home in the states (or wherever you are), so here's a message for you:
And this:
But mostly, this:
Much love.
Friday, November 25, 2011
NaBloPoMo 17: Life-changing Music
Prompt: Write about a piece of music that changed your life forever.
I can think of two artists, in general, that made a huge impact on my life. But let me say (as if I haven't said it enough) that music changes my life on a daily basis. Er, what I mean to say is that music is a consistent source of positivity. I wake up to it. I fall asleep to it. I write to it. I write it, read it, study it. Of course, I don't love it enough to play guitar four hours a day, but I do love it enough to listen to it for at least four hours a day. And I don't just mean on the radio, or in the stores downtown. I mean purposeful, headphones or at-home listening.
Ok. Back to answering the prompt.
1) Once starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
These two artists are made of pure genius. Glen is from Ireland, and Marketa is from the Czech Republic, I believe. Glen is in another band, but (correct me if I'm wrong, world) when the two started collaborating/dating, they were asked to star in their friend's movie. It was no big deal. Shot on a camcorder. No one was a professional actor. Won an Emmy.
Changed my life. I went to see it with a friend the summer after I finished high school. It was showing in the theatre downtown reserved for indie movies, and everything about the movie blew me away. It wasn't melodramatic, but it made me cry. The two main characters were never even named. I remember the exact moment I fell in love with the movie. Right here:
This song is amazing, but it's even better watching it within the context of the movie. The scene never fails to give me shivers. My friend and I left the theater and immediately headed to the nearest store to purchase the soundtrack, which was co-written and performed by Glen and Marketa. Then we spent the night talking about life and listening to the CD on repeat.
Some of my best memories are belting it out to this song in harmony with my platonic other half as we road trip. Good times. I started getting into alternative music as a result of this movie, and I can say it's one of the best decisions I ever made. Iron and Wine, Fine Frenzy, Ingrid Michaelson, etc. Oh, they're all amazing.
2) Julia Nunes, YouTube sensation
I stumbled on her after watching a clip of her guest appearance on College Humor. It was funny, and they sang Chumbawumba, so I obviously had to watch. Then I listened to some of her covers. I thought she was ok. Then I heard this song:
Oh my god, I can't even explain how wonderful this song is. It connected to what I was writing at the time, which was creepy in the best way possible. But more than that, it felt right. Everything from the lyrics to the melody to the rhythm amazing. Her voice is so unique and lovely. The song above is my favorite by her, and in a tie with Ingrid Michaelson's "The Chain" and Ghost's "Welcome Home" for my favorite song ever. I love how deceptively cheerful it is.
Anyways, Julia also led me into a shift in my music preferences. I started listening to Amanda Palmer, Anais Mitchell, and other people, especially YouTube artists. I also learned the song on guitar. It's my absolute favorite song to sing, even though I know I'll never do it as well as her. Her unabashed singing helped me to gain confidence in my own voice, and I also felt enabled to write original music after listening to her beautiful lyrics.
Anyways, yeah. Julia Nunes and Once. Check 'em out.
I can think of two artists, in general, that made a huge impact on my life. But let me say (as if I haven't said it enough) that music changes my life on a daily basis. Er, what I mean to say is that music is a consistent source of positivity. I wake up to it. I fall asleep to it. I write to it. I write it, read it, study it. Of course, I don't love it enough to play guitar four hours a day, but I do love it enough to listen to it for at least four hours a day. And I don't just mean on the radio, or in the stores downtown. I mean purposeful, headphones or at-home listening.
Ok. Back to answering the prompt.
1) Once starring Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova
These two artists are made of pure genius. Glen is from Ireland, and Marketa is from the Czech Republic, I believe. Glen is in another band, but (correct me if I'm wrong, world) when the two started collaborating/dating, they were asked to star in their friend's movie. It was no big deal. Shot on a camcorder. No one was a professional actor. Won an Emmy.
Changed my life. I went to see it with a friend the summer after I finished high school. It was showing in the theatre downtown reserved for indie movies, and everything about the movie blew me away. It wasn't melodramatic, but it made me cry. The two main characters were never even named. I remember the exact moment I fell in love with the movie. Right here:
This song is amazing, but it's even better watching it within the context of the movie. The scene never fails to give me shivers. My friend and I left the theater and immediately headed to the nearest store to purchase the soundtrack, which was co-written and performed by Glen and Marketa. Then we spent the night talking about life and listening to the CD on repeat.
Some of my best memories are belting it out to this song in harmony with my platonic other half as we road trip. Good times. I started getting into alternative music as a result of this movie, and I can say it's one of the best decisions I ever made. Iron and Wine, Fine Frenzy, Ingrid Michaelson, etc. Oh, they're all amazing.
2) Julia Nunes, YouTube sensation
I stumbled on her after watching a clip of her guest appearance on College Humor. It was funny, and they sang Chumbawumba, so I obviously had to watch. Then I listened to some of her covers. I thought she was ok. Then I heard this song:
Oh my god, I can't even explain how wonderful this song is. It connected to what I was writing at the time, which was creepy in the best way possible. But more than that, it felt right. Everything from the lyrics to the melody to the rhythm amazing. Her voice is so unique and lovely. The song above is my favorite by her, and in a tie with Ingrid Michaelson's "The Chain" and Ghost's "Welcome Home" for my favorite song ever. I love how deceptively cheerful it is.
Anyways, Julia also led me into a shift in my music preferences. I started listening to Amanda Palmer, Anais Mitchell, and other people, especially YouTube artists. I also learned the song on guitar. It's my absolute favorite song to sing, even though I know I'll never do it as well as her. Her unabashed singing helped me to gain confidence in my own voice, and I also felt enabled to write original music after listening to her beautiful lyrics.
Anyways, yeah. Julia Nunes and Once. Check 'em out.
NaBloPoMo 16: Luck
Prompt: What is the luckiest thing that ever happened to you?
I feel like I have to be careful answering this question, because I might seem self-deprecating if I say something like "getting into NU." Of course I feel like I deserved that admission letter, but I still feel lucky as hell.
Luckiest thing that ever happened to me?
Hmmmm.
In the recent past, I was lucky to get an invitation to go to a middle school concert. Hear me out. See, I was visiting my dad in Texas, and his coworker, who is insanely awesome, invited me to her son's concert. I shrugged and said sure, and we left. Afterwards, she introduced me to her coworker, who was an English professor. This coworker asked me what my post-college plans were, and I mentioned the teaching abroad idea that I'd just discovered the day before. Turns out one of her students was already here in Korea on her third year. She hooked us up over facebook, and that's all she wrote.
So, I'm here in Korea because I got invited to a middle school band concert.
Lucky as hell.
I feel like I have to be careful answering this question, because I might seem self-deprecating if I say something like "getting into NU." Of course I feel like I deserved that admission letter, but I still feel lucky as hell.
Luckiest thing that ever happened to me?
Hmmmm.
In the recent past, I was lucky to get an invitation to go to a middle school concert. Hear me out. See, I was visiting my dad in Texas, and his coworker, who is insanely awesome, invited me to her son's concert. I shrugged and said sure, and we left. Afterwards, she introduced me to her coworker, who was an English professor. This coworker asked me what my post-college plans were, and I mentioned the teaching abroad idea that I'd just discovered the day before. Turns out one of her students was already here in Korea on her third year. She hooked us up over facebook, and that's all she wrote.
So, I'm here in Korea because I got invited to a middle school band concert.
Lucky as hell.
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