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| Jay with his grand mother and 7-year-old young brother. |
Children are all excited to receive gifts during the Christmas season
Chae-Jun Lim
When I was young, I believed that Santa Claus really existed. I always wait for him to give me presents. Every Christmas morning, I boast to my parents that Santa Claus gave a gift to me again, meaning, he thinks I am a good boy. Gifts that I receive were lego play set, toy car, bicycle and so on. I was so happy. But one day, through a TV show, I discovered that Santa Claus was not real. In the show, they said that ‘Santa Claus’ presents were bought by your fathers’. I was shocked. It made me a little sad. After this incident, my parents noticed that I don’t believe in Santa Claus anymore. From then on, they ask me directly what I want for Christmas.”
Hyung-Ha Choi
“I spent my Christmas with my boyfriend last year. He gave me a surprise party and I was very impressed. We then travelled to Busan where he gave me flowers and a lovely ring. It was our first couple ring. We went to a wonderful restaurant wherein he gave a surprise again. He played the piano and sang a song for me. I was so happy. Sadly, we broke up this year. This wonderful Christmas experience will always be in my memory.”
Geun-Ju Park
“Last year, I had a wonderful Christmas experience with family and friends. My family woke up early to have breakfast together. We then went to church to pray and thank God for all the blessings that He has given us. In church, we sang beautiful Christmas carols that made me feel happy and contented. My father then gave my mom, my sister and myself gift certificates for shopping. We were all very happy. We went shopping that day for winter clothes. My mom bought a beautiful handbag. Seeing her smile made me feel all warm inside. In that afternoon, I spent time with my high school friends. We ate chicken and shared stories. It was really a fun Christmas and I hope this coming Christmas will be the same. ”
Hope that we remember the real reason for the season ^_~
Song-Eun Oh
“When I was still a kid, the thought of Christmas always makes me excited because of the gifts that I will receive from Santa Claus. As I grow up, my belief with Santa Claus, along with my enthusiasm about Christmas faded away slowly. I guess this is because most people in Korea think that Christmas is a day for couples. The streets, restaurants, shopping malls and parks are flooded with couples. I think people should start to rethink their perception about Christmas day. It is important to spend it with your loved-ones but they should not be the center of the celebration, rather it should be Jesus Christ.”
Article written by Chae-Jun Lim, Hyung-Ha Choi, Geun-Ju Park and Song-Eun Oh
from GEO Class 1-1 (Prof. Tom Kim and TA Cynthia Garcia )
Last Thursday, November 24th, about fifteen GEO students and four TA’s from Roger’s classes went to Roger’s home church, International Lutheran Church, to participate in a free American Thanksgiving dinner. We left CUK at 5pm and arrived at the church just after 6 pm. We entered the church sanctuary and participated in the service.
During the thanksgiving service, the minister said, “Even though we have different religion, race, or language, we are a family in God. And God loves you”.
During the service, there was worship, music with piano, singing and the minister talked about the meaning of Thanksgiving Day. During the service, a family with two adopted Asian girls sat in front of some GEO students. The parents are both Westerners. The students were very impressed that this mixed family represented the true meaning of thanksgiving and true love. “Even though we are different from each other, we can still share what we have with each other. That is the true love” said one GEO TA. At the end of the service communion was offered to everyone. But before leaving the sanctuary, the minister hugged and prayed for each family, including the GEO students and TAs. The minister said, “Even though we have different religion, race, or language, we are a family in God. And God loves you”. The ministered ended with a warm hug. The students were very impressed by his actions and words.
Yummy and delicious turkey usually served during Thanksgiving dinner. Thanksgiving is usually celebrated every fourth Thursday of November in the U.S.
Afterwards, we got in line for the buffet. It was all you can eat and drink buffet. To give you an understanding of the food we ate, here is a listing:
Turkey, stuffing, salads, breads, sauces, chicken, chop-cha, mash potatoes, sweet potatoes, corn, pumpkin pie, brownie, cheese cracker, fruits, kim-pop, along with different wines.
There were about 80 to 100 people who attended the dinner, some of whom were busy serving, whereas others were busy cleaning and organizing. While we were eating, the minister made a toast and then went about visiting each table, mingling with almost every person present in the gathering. One GEO student commented that he felt like he was in America during his visit. The GEO students and TA’s had a wonderful cultural, food and language experience, and as a bonus, the students even received Incentive Bonus Points.
It was the first time for all the students and TA’s to experience a Thanksgiving dinner and eat turkey. Roger had mentioned the sense of community during Thanksgiving and all the students and TA could sense it. We were all thankful for going. It was a memorable experience indeed!
from GEO Class 4-2 (Prof. Roger Foard and TA Sehyun)
Peperos of all shapes and sizes found almost everywhere in observance of the Millenium Pepero Day
Every November 11th, South Koreans become maniacal frenzy individuals who purchase and trade chocolate covered biscuit sticks named ‘Pepero’ which are manufactured, heavily marketed and distributed by one of the largest conglomerates in both Korea and Japan: the Lotte Corporation. November 11 is Pepero Day, a quirky holiday in South Korea which is similar to Valentine’s Day.
Lotte Corporation is very aggressive promoting the Millenium Pepero Day. Even subway stations were flunked with Pepero advertisement campaigns
You might ask why Koreans celebrate Pepero Day during November 11th? Well, because when you hold up two Pepero sticks they resemble the number 11, and what better way to celebrate 11/11 than clearing out every mini-mart, supermarket, and department store of these delicious treats. Not only are simple boxes of Pepero available, there is a wide variety of cellophane-wrapped, glittered and bowtied gift baskets lining shelves for that extra special someone in your life. So like me, why don’t you also give love, share joy and offer some Pepero to your friends and loved ones today ^_~
Article written by Jeon Chang Bae
from GEO Class 3-5 (Prof. Stephen Jones and TA Mario Rebosura)
A glimpse of South Korea's Oedo island
My hometown is Geoje-si, Gyeongsangnam-do. Because of the character of the island (Geoje-si is also known as Geoje-island. It is located near Busan.), I can go anywhere by boat. Excluding Jeju island, my hometown is considered to be the biggest island in Korea so our family have traveled the whole of Geoje island, from end to end. Geoje-island is famous for tourist spots.
Venus garden in Oedo Island
I think the most famous place in Geoje-island is Oe-do (‘외도’ in Korean). It is a small island. If you want to go to Oe-do, you should check the weather first! The only way to enter that island is by ship. My family knew this already, but the weather was not good at that time. Every time my family visits Oe-do, the waves are relatively high. But Oe-do has a magical power that cures our hurt mind with its amazing weather. We feel rejuvenated every time we go there. At the entrance, you can see some trees that seem to appear only in fairy tales. When I saw the trees for the first time, I thought that I was a small Alice (in the tale, Alice’s adventures in wonderland, she gets bigger or smaller from time to time). We also went to the place named ‘Venus garden’. All the trees in this island were magnificently laid out. Oi-do was chosen as the set of the famous Korean soap drama, Winter Sonata (‘겨울연가’).
Sacheon - the place I will always vividly remember
My father loves traveling. He brings me along when he travels. So I remember that I travel a lot around Gyeong-nam when I was young. There is this one particular place that I vividly remember intensely in my memory. One summer, we went to Sacheon (사천) with my father’s friend and his family. We went to some small village named Dong-hwa (Fairy tale) village. And there is a good place where people can enjoy and have fun in water. That place is named after its village, ‘Dong-hwa forest’. It was interesting for me because there is a very dense forest near the river. And there was an underground pass so we could play hide and seek. I don’t know why I have the memory of playing in water, but obviously I think that it was the most interesting place to me. Thanks to my father, just like him, now I love traveling too. When I go home this vacation, I’ll go somewhere with my family and bring along some camping tools. I’m excited for my future trips. I hope you also get your bags packed and be ready for your travel adventures. I’m sure it would be loads of fun.
Article written by Koo Gi Young
from GEO Class 3-8 (Prof. Stephen Jones and TA Ezzy Lee)
Chicken and Beer Festival
2010 Poster of the Chicken Festival
Since I know that most people like chicken and beer (^_^), I want to tell you about the chicken and beer festival.
There is a chicken festival in Coex. Actually it’s a festival that was created to spur business. However, even if that is the case, a lot of people still patronize this festival. People enjoy new chicken items. Not only chicken festival, they also have the Seoul national wines and spirits expo. Aside from wine, other beverages such as beer are available as well. They also display hard liquors, traditional alcoholic drinks, cheese or olive and etc. Other items such as accessories like wines refrigerator and glasses are also available.
Chicken Festival Poster 2011
I think it’s good chance and experience especially for those people who love drinking. Even people who just want to taste the beverages will surely enjoy this wonderful treat.
Buryeong Mud Festival
Tourist flock Buryeong for the mud festival
I recommend another festival. It is a famous festival to both locals and foreigners alike. It is called mud festival. Boryeong mud festival happens every July in Daecheon swimming beach. Initially, the mud festival which first occurred in 1998, was something that organizers made in order to advertise the superiority of Boryeong Mud and Boryeong Mud Cosmetics. In addition, it is to boasts about the sightseeing places in the vicinity. Since the event was very successful, it became a yearly event.
There are a lot of events during the festival proper. First off, the mud pool sliding! Falling into the mud or sliding into it. You can also opt to massage your whole body with mud. Second event is the mud fall adventure. It’s very simple but interesting. Mud will drop to your body from 5m high! Thirdly, there is this event called “conquering the mud peak”. Individuals compete and grab a flag to win. It’s fun especially when participants roll in the mud.
Songpyeon rice cake that is normally served during Chuseok
Chuseok
One of the most commemorated days in Korea is the Chuseok holiday. It is the thanksgiving day in Korea. It is a major harvest festival and a three-day holiday in Korea celebrated on the 15th day of the 8th month of the lunar calendar. Koreans like me visit ancestral grave and perform some ceremony for ancestors. And we eat delicious foods too. At that time, we eat a lot of rice cakes. The rice cake is called songpyeon. The contents of this rice cake vary depending on the region. But I can guarantee that it’s delicious. Aside from eating songpyeon, some even enjoy rice wines such as sindoju and dongdongju.
Left photo: Korean children perform sebae during Seollal; Right photo: tteokguk that is usually served during the Korean New Year
Seollal
Seollal or the Korean New Year (first day of the lunar calendar) is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays. It consists of a period of celebrations, starting on New Year’s Day. Korean New Year is typically a family-oriented holiday. The three-day holiday is used by many to return to their home towns to visit their parents and other relatives where they perform the ancestral ritual known as charye (차례). Many Koreans dress up in colorful hanbok. Tteokguk (떡국) (soup with rice cakes) is commonly served. They also perform sebae towards elders and sometimes they even play folk games in the household during this holiday.
Article written by: Choi Yun
from GEO Class 5-2 (Prof. Tom Kim and TA Porter)
Hwanung descended from the heaven to live with mankind and make us comfortable
There are some explanations on the date of the Foundation Day. Some explain that it is decided as October 3rd, because October means harvest month in lunar calendar and 3 is lucky number in Korea. At the same time, others say that October 3rd is the day when Hwanung descended from the heaven, because Korean people believe that Hwanung had descended from heaven to live with mankind and make us comfortable.
In any case, October 3rd is special day for Korean people. People used to have festivals to celebrate the harvest, and it was inherited from other countries in Korean peninsula such as Yeonggo of Buyeo, Mucheon of Yemaek, Gyeeum of Mahan and Byeonhan, Dongmaeng of Goguryeo, Palgwanheoi of Silla. Then it was enacted as a national holiday in 1990 by Daejongkyo which is a religion of Korea founded in 1909 by Na Cheol. Daejonkyo worship Dangoon, who ruled over the Korean empire about 5000 years ago. They believe that Korean people do not need to worship foreign gods, because they already have their own. When the Republic of Korea was founded, the government inherited the holiday and designated as the National Foundation Day. There were some arguments on setting the date of Gaecheonjeol, the National Foundation Day, because it follows the lunar calendar. However, it was decided that solar calendar will be used, because it is very hard to convert the date every year. Hence, since 1949, the holiday is being celebrated every year on October 3rd based on the solar calendar .
National Foundation Day festivities near Gwanghwamun Square
On the Foundation Day, Korean people look back on the way they live and keep the spirit of the national foundation, humanitarianism, by raising the Korean flags. Also, big and small festivals are hold in many places in Korea to commemorate the Foundation Day.
from GEO Class 3-3 (Prof. Nigel James Power and TA Jinah Kim)
Article written by: Dong Hun Lee
Different faces of Korea's Chuseok holiday
Let’s take a tour and learn more about the wonderful stories of GEO students as they share highlights of their experiences during this three-day holiday.
GaEun – I was training for Psychodrama this summer, so it was a happy holiday for a long time. I was so happy. During the night of Chuseok, I drank beer and talked a lot with my mom and dad. We talked about my psychodrama play (but I think they couldn’t understand…), my future major, and love. I said, “I want to have a romantic relationship with someone this semester.” Then they said, “You are too young!” In their point of view, they think I’m always ‘too young’ to do something like that.
Min Jeong – I went to my grandmother’s home in Sokcho during the Chuseok. Sokcho is famous for the fried chicken restaurant located in Sokcho Central Market. Although there were many people, my sister and I decided to eat chicken there. We waited for 30 minutes before we could buy chicken. How does it taste? It was not special. It’s just that the amount of chicken was a lot more compared to other restaurants. That night, we went to the beach after eating dinner. We had so much fun running by the seashore. Suddenly high waves came to us so we got wet. Despite the fried chicken’s so-so taste and being wet on the beach, for me, it was still a very fun Chuseok.
Yeon Jae – Chuseok is a big holiday in Korea. While inside the train headed for my hometown, there were too many people. All seats were occupied and I had no choice but to stand by the entry door for three hours. At that time, I saw the old woman who yield seat to someone and then, I also give her my seat. The old woman noticed my book which has a stamp of Catholic University of Korea. She said that she lives in Sosa. We have a good time talking to each other for three hours. She told me about her life stories and we became friends. I really felt good.
Young Sang – We are six in the family: my parents, three sisters and I. Why do I mention about my family? This is because families are just about everything on Korean holidays especially, Chuseok and Seollal. It is during this time of the year that I would like to spend time with my family. Since my parents and sisters have their jobs as well as lots of task in everyday life, and since we live separately, I couldn’t usually meet them. That’s why I was very happy being with them on Korean holidays. We had conversation about how we had lived, cooked Korean Chuseok food for ancestor worship ceremonies, paid attention to ancestors and met our relatives. These are the ordinary Chuseok activities of Korean families. My family and I would drink a lot whenever we get together after a long time of not seeing each other. My whole family is like alcohol monsters. And so am I. Drinking Korean alcohol during Korean Holiday means my family is still healthy. After paying attention to our ancestors, we always drink until early morning of the following day. That is why I always have hangover. But even with that, I like the memories of being with my family.
Sung Jin – My family and I went to my uncle’s house. We had a “Jaesa” together. Jaesa is a Korean traditional ceremony for honoring deceased ancestors – especially grandparents. After Jaesa, we shared food and drinks used in Jaesa with my family. And we went to my uncle’s house. With my cousins, we played “blue marble” – a Korean board game. I won the game and got 20,000won for first prize.
Photo credit: http://english.visitkorea.or.kr
from GEO Class 4-5 (Prof. Roger Foard and TA Keith Capoy)
