Ideas evoked by an unpublished memoir from WWII
When I was a middle school and high school student, I used to visit my great grandmother once a week. She was almost blind, suffering from macular degeneration, but her mind was intact. I would help her address Christmas cards and read her mail, as well as her favorite poems and stories, stashed in worn...
stuffing my face in Maine
In the last year and a half I’ve been working in Seoul and traversing throughout east Asia during my breaks. Time seems to tick faster in Asia, but bouts of homesickness for family, friends and food have recurred. Food. Yes, food. I have a deep everlasting love for Korean food, but my stomach has growled...
Running in Seongbuk-gu
From the window of my apartment in northeast Seoul, I see the light dimming over Dobong Mountain. I’m feeling restless. I put on my running shoes and attempt to dress as conservatively as my wardrobe will allow me to. (i.e. find a shirt that will semi-prevent ajosshi from staring at my boobs.) After some half-assed stretches, I’m...
Photo Essay: Rooftop Gardens on Jangwi-dong
I live on Jangwi-dong. In a city as health-conscious and heavily populated as Seoul, it’s difficult to grow fresh produce. However, many have attained this by building quaint roof-top gardens on top of their house or apartment building. I love the array of laundry, tables, barbecues, small trees, plants, and kimchi fermenting jars scattered...
Do Ho Suh: a Korean artist encourages viewers to analyze the concept of home
I recently viewed the Korean artist Do Ho Suh’s (서도호) solo exhibition, Home Within Home, at the Leeum/Samsung Museum in Seoul. I can honestly say this is one of the greatest contemporary art exhibitions I’ve ever seen. (I even walked through the entire exhibition twice.) His work is innovative, concrete, and elegant. Also, the viewer can...
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