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!!

 

 

Topic #3 : Money, Power, and Fame

  I do not think that I do not need fame. Yet if I have to make a decision which one is more important, I will choose money (and next one is power). Especially these days, having not enough money means that we can not be free from doing what we want. Unfortunately, we have to pay all of things which we eat, live, and wear, unless you leave in a community village that doesn't have money system. People say that we can be happy with least money for living. However, let us be honest. If you have enough money, you can afford many things you can do with your lovely family and friends.

  I think power is similar with money. It can make things easier. On the other hand, how about fame? Fame is other people's opinion, it is not from you and not your will. If I achieve fame, it will be great definately, because every people want to be loved and paid attention. However, it is not much important to me. If I am doing my best for my work and satisfying with that, it does not matter that I gain fame or not. Think about Van Gogh. He did never know that he is going to be a famous artist in the world and will not know forever. I am not sure he had satisfied his life or not, yet it is obvious he had been very fascinated and passionated with his work. (What a great example!! hahaha!!) I mean fame is not a purpose, it is a conclusion. Therefore I am going to give up for fame. I will hand you a chance that you can make me gain fame!!

 

Topic #2: I could eat a horse.

 Yes, I did. I have eaten horse meat and it was even raw. However, it was not bad and not strangest to me at least. Actually, raw meat is pretty common in few countries such as Japan and Korea as far as I know and it might be not strange to eat horse meat in some other countries. 

 I had raw horse meat in Japan, but I found that we have also raw horse meat in Jeju island of Korea. Raw meat that is not a strange food in Korea is called "Yukhoe". In fact, I do not like Yukhoe very much (but, I really like raw fish :D).

 When I have tried horse meat in Japan, I was staying in a traditional Japanese inn - 'Ryokan' where is including traditional dinner service. Then, they served a full course dinner which was including a small plate of raw horse meat. But, it tasted just like beef!! I had been little bit scared of eating horse meat, but it was really not a big deal. hahaha :D Someday, I can probably try Korean Yukhoe of horse in Jeju island.

 

 

 

Topic #1: Who am I?

 Hello!! :D I am Soomin Kim and from Korea. I have been here for 4 months. Before I came here, I had worked at the landscape architects office for 3 years. And I really love my job. Working in design area must be tough regardless of any country in the world, sometimes I had to stay up all night at the office for a project. But, it is always inspiring me and exciting when I saw that one of my project I parted in has became a REAL place.

 Also, I LOVE traveling!! I have traveled about 15 countries such as the USA, south Europe, Netherlands, Thailand, Japan, China, Hongkong and Korea! My next goal is South America. It is little bit difficult to go to South America from Korea. It takes many times and a lot of money. Because of that, I think this is the best chance to travel South America when I am in the USA. :) However, I shouldn't miss traveling the USA neither!!

 Probably, we have more time that we can talk and know each other. Really nice to meet you everyone. Have a great semester!! :D