My Korean Lessons

My various attempts to learn the Korean language have been admittedly slower than they should be. Despite the fact that I get easily frustrated because I cannot hear some phonetic differences in the words, I (and Ryan) feel as though I should know much more than I do at this point.

That being said, Ryan sat down with me and Rosetta Stone for the first time recently, and it was SO much fun! He is somewhat of a militant teacher so I had to kindly remind him that I CAN’T hear the proper enunciation – p’s and b’s…j’s and ch’s… Again, I get frustrated. He would then say the words slowly with his mouth, and I was able to copy the formation of his mouth and the sound. According to Ryan, the Korean language is somewhat scientific in the way it reads and is written. So hopefully my ability to read and write will come a bit more quickly!

I took Spanish in high school and minored in it in college, but I have never really used much of what I learned. I can get by… and that’s about the extent of it. So outside of my academic Spanish and minimal Creole for a dental mission trip, I’ve never really learned a language. My attempt to learn Korean is so exciting and maddeningly frustrating all at once!

            I have always been intrigued by those who speak multiple languages. I have had many friends over the years who will interrupt a conversation with me to answer the phone and speak with a family member in Korean, Creole, Spanish, Mandarin, Cantonese, etc. ... and then seamlessly resume the conversation with me in English. I have always thought there was something so special about that. I used to joke that Ryan 'is such a grammar nazi'…and he is. Ryan’s proficiency of both Korean and English (and well, Spanish, if we are being honest) far surpass my proficiency of even the English language alone. (This is where he calls me a ‘spoiled American’.) He will unashamedly call me, and anyone else, out on their incorrect usage of the English language.

It’s cute - every once in awhile Ryan will wake up unknowingly speaking in Korean. I have a LONG way to go, but maybe that will be me one day too!

The Kimchi Inspiration

Half-black, Half-Korean ... No. I don't have any children. That's one of the many descriptors I've been using to describe the lovely Mrs. Marja Vongerichten (the other descriptors include The Kimchi Chronicles and Jean-Gorges). Although Ryan had met her previously, I had the pleasure of meeting her briefly at an event promoting The Kimchi Chronicles at The Korea Society in NYC. What an incredible woman with an amazing story... and funny too!

Her book, The Kimchi Chronicles: Korean Cooking for an American Kitchen, has been sitting in plain view since I arrived back home. I have it to blame for my intense cravings for Korean food this week; however, it has inspired me to really learn how to cook Korean cuisine. And this is coming from someone who, ashamedly, can burn a bag of popcorn. Everyone has his or her gifts...

I did buy a Korean cookbook previously. After all, I would like to be able to cook Korean dishes for Ryan one day, but that one sits in the cabinet with the other 2 American cookbooks that I own and have never used. Marja's book has not found its way to the back of the cabinet yet because I keep going back. Her book is just as personable as she is in real life!  I couldn't put it down when I first started reading it because in the introduction she shares her personal 'coming-of-age' story along with pictures. Call me nosy, but I was dying to know the details. I am dating a Korean-American boy after all. As I continued to turn the pages, there was something so enticing about the vividness of the beautiful food photography (see previous post regarding my love of photography) coupled with detailed, yet simple explanations of the seemingly foreign ingredients contextually placed within a familiar American setting. I thought, "I CAN DO THIS!" This is not just a cookbook... it is a storybook jam-packed with history, culture, and of course, many inviting recipes and accompanying pictures to make the perfect Korean drink and dish within my own home! 

 'How To Throw a Korean Picnic' is actually a page in her book! I took Ryan on his very 1st picnic in Central Park a little over a year ago. I attempted to do my part and make some small snacks, but the main course of our picnic was wings from KyoChon in K-town. See evidence below....

Not quite sure why I took this pic...

Little did I know our Korean-themed picnic might actually be legitimized one day with authentic dishes made by yours truly! 

Marja, I have you to thank! I never thought I'd be the type to win my man over with her cooking, but maybe... just maybe...

America the Beautiful(l of Diversity)

Over the past fortnight, I was reminded of how much diversity surrounds me in my everyday life. Mind you, as healthcare professionals, Nicole and I are no strangers to diversity, continuously dealing with a parade of patients from all different backgrounds, languages, smells, and socioeconomic status.

Speaking of parades, don't you think diversity makes them more robust, more fulfilling to watch? You pick one -- Mardi Gras or a Ku Klux Klan march? The Opening Ceremony of the Summer Olympics (the United Nations of athletes) or that march at the Winter Olympics (only those athletes who are -asian: Caucasian or East Asian)? Well, you get my point.

Having recently re-relocated to New York City, I was again reminded of the tremendous diversity here in this crazy metropolis. I was running late to a college admissions event, and I certainly did not want to deprive overly-ambitious high school kids (of all different colors and fashion styles, of course) from sucking up to me in the hopes of getting into my alma mater. So, like a good New Yorker, I hailed a cab. Sidebar: I was merely a volunteer without any say in admissions decisions, but it was funny to hear squeaky-voiced high schoolers suck up to me anyway.

'Racist Cameras'...Still?

I LOVE pictures and the art of photography! However, I want to preface this post by saying that I admittedly know VERY little about photography. I am trying to pick up a few things here and there, but I do not claim to be an expert by any means. (There seems to be more science involved than I thought. I oftentimes crave the blissful ignorance of a point-and-shoot.) However, I can tell you that I noticed VERY early that even the art of photography is limited by its natural tendency to segment according to race and color. When helping shoot an after-prom party, it was really hard for me to capture the natural skin tones of the couples who were not of similar complexions. (...I also had to take many breaks because my weak wrist apparently couldn't take the weight of the lens.)