Topic #6: Biggest Lesson this Semester

I did not drive when I was in my country because the city where I lived has good public transportation so that I did not need to drive. Therefore, I was not good at driving even though I have had the driver's license. 

However, after coming to the US, it was totally different. I was not able to go out without a car, so I bought a bicycle as soon as I arrived. I commuted by my bicycle during a month after I started to stay here, and I guess even I was more active when I was using a bike. haha

After about a month, I got a car from my brother. I was so nervous when I tried to drive after a long time, yet I got better and better. In the end, I was able to travel to New Mexico by my car. It was a really amazing experience. And Now, I finally got a California driver's license after two miserable failure. :D

Topic #5 My Favorite Place

  I lived in the city where was near the sea when I was young until I entered the university. My house, which was placed right next to the sea had been built about 50 years ago by my grand father. It was a pretty inconvenient house because of its age. Also it was not in downtown (because it is near the sea), so I need to wait a bus long time whenever I go to downtown. Although, I complained many times when I was staying there, but now it is the most precious place for me. Currently, only my parents live there, so I go to see them sometimes. Because the town is always quiet and placed near the sea, I can feel relaxed and peaceful. The house has been made of wood and reveals the natural pattern of wood; there is always a smell of wood, which gets stronger when it rains. Also, the house has large windows so that it is always sunny inside. Especially I like the smell of wood after the rain. On the other hand, there is a plan of the city that the town is going to be developed to be a leisure town. Therefore, I am very worried about losing our house. 

Topic #3 Obstacles

It could be not a big deal, but recently it was a big deal for me. The problem was a california driver's license. I already have one for my country, so I was able to get a temporary license. I have been driving for over half year here, but I failed two times on the driving wheel test. I think my driving is not bad. Actually, it is pretty good now, because I am quite cautious when I am driving. Therefore, I was very depressed when I failed two times. If I fail one more time, I should take a written test again. Last Thursday was a last chance to get a license. I was so nervous. The people in DMV, especially examiners are very unkind. :( I really do not like to go to DMV. Anyway, can you guess what my result is?... Yes!! I passed!!! Finally!!! Thank you for your congrats in advance :D hahaha.
Once I thought to give up getting a license because I have a temporary one, but after failing two times I was like "I would not give it up for anything!!" Now, I am so happy and waiting for my license card.

Topic #2: Spring Break in CA&NY

  I had long spring break personally, but it was not permitted by school.XD I had gotten a really good suggestion from my brother about three weeks ago. He said he was going to the RV (car for camping) camping tour with other people, and there is a seat for only one person. Hence, I just joined there without any hesitation because I really love to travel and wanted to travel with a RV. That is the excuse for my absence for a week before our spring break.

  We had gone to Yosemite Park and San Francisco and drove along Pacific coast highway when we were coming back to south. It was a great experience I have never done before. I met new friends who came from Canada, Korea and the USA and saw DOUBLE rainbow at the very first time in Yosemite Park.

  After coming back from tour, I went to New York which was my real spring break plan. It was very interesting that I just had come from nature and went to the big city. These were totally different types of trip. I was with many friends in California, but by myself in New York. I went to see a musical ‘Wicked’ and New York Philharmonic Orchestra. I also visited many museums such as MOMA, Metropolitan museum, Neue gallery, Whitney museum, Guggenheim museum and Morgan library because I really love to see paintings.

  Now I came back to my school. I still have feelings that I experienced in CA and NY and excited little bit when I think those memories. Sometimes I felt it was a dream. However, was not the end of my travels because I will keep traveling until I can not move my body. :)

Topic #5: I cannot live without...

  I was thinking that what it is I cannot live without, yet it is too many things. I need my cell phone, need my labtop, can not give up my all clothing, and this, and this, and..... Hence, I should think on the opposite way. What if I shold leave with only one thing of my personal stuff? I might choose what I cannot live without. Yet my answer is not essential for living but for my personal preference. I say it is my camera.

  I love taking pictures. However, I think I don't take it just for making memories or "evidences". I just like the action of taking pictures rather than its output. The analogue sound of a camera shutter makes me excited. Actually, I had considered studying photography once, but I found that it could be more fun keeping it as a hobby not a job. If I do it as a hobby, I could enjoy it freely because I can try everything what I want without any judgement from other people and feel free from the rules and pressures. I think that is the reason why I can keep loving taking pictures without any worrying, and I will keep loving it surely.

  Therefore, I could say I cannot live without my camera. I know that it is going to be my beloved thing until being a grandmother.

Topic #4: What about Italian?

 "Cosmicomics", which is written by Italo Calvino, is one of my favorite books. It is about cosmos, and the author makes readers feel like reading a comic book. The reason why the reader might think this book is like a comic book is that it is ridiculous, funny, and fantastic. This book says about all things of the world (or space), for instance, the moon that we can reach by sailing according to this book, the origin of creatures, the birth of colors, and so on.

 What is this all about? I mean the author of my beloved book is Italian!! Hence, I just want to try to read "Cosmicomics" in original language. You might know what I am talking about. The writing is neither "just words" nor "only meanings of words". It implies the author's opinions, values, and thoughts, and these are expressed in the words what the author choose from many words that has the same meaning. For this reason, if the translation was perfect, it is not "the author's real sentences". Whenever I found the films, books or something what I really like, I wonder that what the original expression is.

 Although the start was from my simple idea that I want to read "Cosmicomics" in Italian because I love this book, it is getting difficult and complicated to express. (hahaha^^;;) To be short, I want to be fluent in Italian!! Because the question is that if I could be "instantly" fluent in another language, which would I choose, I chose Italian just for reading a book.

Chuseok: Korean Thanksgiving Day

  Chuseok, which is similar with Thanksgiving Day in the U.S, is the most important and biggest holiday in Korea. Most Koreans love and look forward to this holiday. We usually have three or four holidays for Chuseok. Therefore people who do not live with their families visit their hometown and relatives to say hello and spend time together.

  When I was in Korea, I lived by myself separated from my family because I worked in another city which is not my hometown. I used to visit my family for weekends but not very often. On the other hand I can spend my whole time with my family on Chuseok. Besides we do a ceremony for our ancestors and eat some delicious food that we cooked for the ceremony. Eating delicious food is also one of the reason why I like Chuseok. Especially, I can eat abalones, a kind of shellfish, as much as I can that my parents prepare for the ceremony and for me!! Because they know that I am dying for it!!