thought update

Not going on too much recently. School is almost over at WM, which means by this time next year, I will be graduating. Scary thought. As much as I am going to miss college, I will miss the things that I didnt do. Starting with going abroad. I really should have applied to go abroad when I was a sophomore. But out of pure laziness, I didnt. I want to stay an another semester. Although I am not having a time of my life here, I would like to stay here longer and figure out more about myself and what Korea is going to be for me in the future. Whenever I talk to my friends here and tell them I went to the States when I was a fifth grader, I realize how long it has been since the last time I attended school in Korea. It has been a while. Many instances, people tell me I fit in well among other Koreans. But in many other instances, I feel in many ways, I am Americanized. Is this what they call an identity crisis? Or maybe I am just different.

I am gonna miss Korea when I leave. I dont know when I will be back and what I am going to be like when I come back. For the remaining time, I will make a great time out of it.

Things are going pretty descent. Did pretty well on Korean politics and Chinese politics exams, other classes are going pretty well too. But the Writing class is giving me hell. Basically, we learn how to write a paper, which I have been doing for years in college. For me it is completely unnecessary. Withdraw period is over but soon, I am going to go to the exchange students office to give them hell I have been in and try to drop the class.

Football team is going ok. It is fun and I like it. But the practice is way too unorganized. I talked to the coach about it. I will see what happens. As for Rotaract, we are going mountain climbing this Saturday. Should be fun.

I miss my car. I wish I get to travel more soon.

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2007.5.9.

ok one more

it has been awhile since i updated this thing except for the last two posts so i think i will go on and add one more blog, about something more interesting. so yeaaa, girls at Yonsei, I find them extremely attractive, overall. I dont know how so many girls in one school can be so attractive. ok im gonna stop now. good night for real.

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2007.05.04.

who would have imagined

ok, I am going to tell you about my place. I live outside the East Gate of the Yonsei University. It is about 5 minutes walk to the gate, 10 minutes to the New Millenium Hall, and 20 minutes to the Central Library. Walk to and back from the campus is a pain, so I dont usually come back until late night. Basically, all I do in my room is sleep. The house I live in has 4 floors. A family live in the basement. On the first floor, there is a bathroom, kitchen, washer, and four rooms which are rented out. A grandpa and a grandma, the owners, live on the second floor, and I live on the third. All floors are separated.

The third floor is actually the roof and my room is build on the roof. It is called 옥탑방 in Korean which literally means a room on the roof. I think 옥탑당 is the symbol of a stubborn, poor, jobless, unmarried man because it is so cheap and unpleasant to live on the roof. Bathroom is downstairs, cold during winters, hot during summers, small room, etc. But when I first found this place, I really liked it. The typical Seoul non-apt neighborhood like the one I live in is so crowed, if you opened a window, you would see the wall of the house next to yours. But here, I get to have the roof all by myself and I have an open view. Plus, I thought it would be interesting. Although it sucked when it was cold, and it will suck much more when it gets hot, I am pretty used to it. The worst part is the bathroom because it is on the first floor. But with nice weather and all, I am beginning to like it much more. Also, I never have to worry about me or my neighbor being obnoxious or loud. Overall, it is sweet.

Sometimes, I imagine living in the International House, which is the dorm for exchange students, because I barely know any exchange students. My experience at Yonsei would have been completely different. I wont go into that now, but I will add some pics of my place. Enjoy.

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2007.05.04

View #1

View #2

View #3

View #4

thought

passed the half way point of the semester. almost 2/3. i dont feel quite satisfied with my experience here so far. i have less than a month and half to change that. i dont think i can but i will try. i miss things here that i missed, i miss things in williamsburg, but i appreciate lots of things that were givent to me here.

friends here dont think so or dont think i should, but i feel like i am having a serious trouble determining what am i going to do after graduation. graduation is sooooo close. complicated being a korean living in the states. one day i will organize my thoughts.

you all know i am playing football for Yonsei. i tackled one of my teammates and ended up dislocating his leg? or pelvis? i dont know the official term for the injury but yea, it is like dislocating your shoulder but much more painful. anyway, you all have a good night.

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2007. 05. 04.

another random thought

how come everything is so much more interesting on Wikipedia than textbooks?

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2007.4.22.

a random thought

beautiful night out. perfect for a date.

studying "korean politics in transition" in the library.

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2007.4.21.

hi all

I hope everyone is doing well. I wonder what is going on in Williamsburg right now..... so far away. I can update a lot of stuff about things going on here but I dont know which one to tell you all.

There is one thing. I wish I had gotten in the international house because it is difficult to make friends living by myself. Hard to meet people around here.

I was hanging out in the Rotaract room tonight and one of the club members came to say goodbye because he was joining the air force. It was kinda funny because all the guys who already did their service started singing for him and gave him advices, tried to scare him. It was a whole lots of fun. But weird because..... it is kind of crazy how all males have to go to the military for 2-3 years. I think I will probably go after I graduate because if I dont I just dont think I will feel alright. I am not really sure what I think of all these. Hard to plan something that will preoccupy me for three whole years, especially in a completely different environment. Okk thats enough. Night.

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2007.4.21.

exam

Three exams tomorrow. Still havent done the Writing class hw. Sweet. I am not too worried for some reason and I am going to enjoy it somehow. Wahahahah~~~ But I will still study a lot tonight. Less than two months until end of school.

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2007.4.18.

sadness

So I heard about the VT Tech shooting.... sad. It was a Korean who went to the States around my age, got a green card, lives in Centreville, went to a Virginia state school, a senior who majors in English. Sounds pretty similar to me. It will definately effect not only Koreans but the entire Asian community in VA. One person dying is a lot. 33 is............. What an idiot.

It could have happened anywhere.... like WM. I miss my friends.

craziness

Exam week starts this Wednesday. I have my Chinese Politics & Foreign Relations exam, Sports Massage, and Writings class exam this Thursday. Sports massage isnt really a big deal and writings I cant really study for. I dont know how the Chinese exam is going to be like. I have my Korean Politics in Transition exam next Monday.

I realized I am stressing more about exams here in Korea than back at William & Mary. Back in WM, I would study for my midterm exams the night before. Sometimes I didnt even study all that much for it. Maybe it was because of crew. (probably isnt) But I feel like it was much more relaxed. But here, it is really different. First, all classes are canceled for a week to devote solely on the exams. Plus, all extracurricular activities are canceled. So no football practices and volunteer stuff. Most importantly of all, the library is disgustingly full. I wish I can take pictures for you all to see. The library (Central Library as they call it) has six stories plus basement. Unlike WM, most spaces are solely devoted for cubicals. So yea, thousands of people crammed in and there isnt any empty spaces. It is a war trying to get a space. We have about 10 space issuing(?) machines in the lobby and 10 people are waiting front of their machine with their finger ready to press the keys as quickly as possible as ONE space frees up. So when one person returns their seat, whoever selects that seat on the machine the quickest wins. It is actually fun. To avoid this type of craziness, people come early... as early as crew practices to get a space. Oh and they are building an another library right behind the one we have now. Sweet. So yea, it is really intense here. So I am going with the flow here. I am in the library a lot. Too bad my actual working time is less than half than my time in the library. Ok, I have to fight an another war tomorrow so I got to go. Night.

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2007.4.16.

stuff

Exam week soon. We dont have classes during the exam week and we just have exams. It is really sweet because I only have few exams so I will have a nice vacation. I think I will try to find someone with a schedule like mine and travel somewhere like Busan or something.

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2007.4.12.

Sickness

Did I ever mention I have been sick? I have never been sick since I lived in the States but it seems like every time I come to Korea I get sick. But this time it was pretty serious, or at least it seemed so. I have been really tired constantly day and night. Combined with little cold, it got pretty bad so I went to a doctor last Thursday and got myself checked out. By then, the cold went away. But I still got a blood test, urine test, and x-rays on my chest and head because I was so sure there was something wrong with me. I dont know why I got the x-rays but other tests seemed pretty reasonable. I thought I had mono or something similar because I am SOOOOO tired all the time. But yea I got the results back this morning and they didnt find anything.....

It's weird. I dont feel all that tired today. I actually studied and it is one in the morning. But I dont feel all that bad. Maybe it is all psychological. I wish I knew for sure. Oh well. I am just going to think positive from now on. We will see what happens. Night.

This is one awfully written blog. Sorry. I really want to go to bed.

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2007.4.10.

Studies

So I am studying in our 로타랙트, the volunteer club room. This place is a perfect location in Yonsei, in the middle of the school and inside the Student Center. It is nice and cozy in here, except it is really hard to concentrate here because of all the commotions. But I survived. I managed to be the second to last person remaining in the room and I am trying to work on my Writing class. This class is probably the most useless and annoying and time wasting class ever.

Now I am in the library. The exam week is coming up soon so the library is disgustingly crowded. Actually, it is always disgustingly crowded. They are building an another library right behind the present one. I have been attending Yonsei a little over a month and I am so sick of this damn library. I dont know how people here do it.

I found out we have registration today. Thank goodness. But I had my classes ready. Scheduling was really easy actually because of two senior seminars. I remember registering when I was freshman and how chaotic it was. I did not know what classes to take. The ones I decided to take were full days before it was my time to register. I am thinking right now how easy registering is going to be. I am going to be a senior. OH SHIT. Anyway, right now I am planning on taking:

HIST 490C Middle East 16th-20th centuries
GOVT 482 SEM: Geostrategic Thought
SOCL 250 Principles of Sociology
SOCL 204 Social problems
SOCL 203 American Society

Fun huh? And I am planning on dropping one during the add/drop period and have 13 credits. Speaking of credits, I realized I could stay in Korea an additional semester and still graduate fine. But it sounds like such a crazy plan. But another semester would be fun. A semester is so short. It is already the half way point in a week. Maybe I will think about it. But before thinking about anything, I should seriously think about what is best for ME for once. Things like honors thesis, military service, graduating are stressing me out tons. I dont know what I am going to do. Well, it is close to registration time. Good luck to everyone. Haha, for the first time, I did not have to wake up early to register. I just had dinner.

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2007.4.10

Updates from Seoul

Few interesting things you might find interesting.

1. I always give people crap about no one ever being able to pronounce "Seoul." Well, apparently, I don't pronounce my name, Seungwoo, very well..... I have to repeat it multiple times. Or even better, someone just says it for me.

2. I look somewhat Western? According to some people, they can tell I grew up abroad by just looking at me. Also, I hear I talk a little funny.

3. All Yonsei people don't speak English at all according to them. Even professors. Except they got their Ph.Ds in the States and wrote multiple books in English.

I thought I had more. I will remember some more later.

Last night was the Freshman initiation for Eagles Football. It is a small club with about 20 members, which happens to be the biggest ever. However, we have great list of alumni who came to support us. Oldest alumus entered Yonsei back in '75 and others in the '80s and so on. Pretty amazing. I was not even born when they started and played football at Yonsei. Even more amazing how they still keep in touch with us and provide us with money and support. Other than that, it was lots of food and alcohol. Fun stuff.

Incoming Yonsei Eagles

I have been going to a dentist, which happens to be my uncle. It was my third time seeing a dentist past 10 years. All three times happens to be my uncle. Pretty cool.

The weather here is pretty crazy. It feels more like February than April. Combined with overcast, the weather here is depressing. I hear it is getting better though. It better get better...... Anyway, do you want to know what is on TV right now? CSI Miami. I have never seen that show. I did not expect to see it here. Oh and Korea now has Hooters and pretty much everything else in the States, Japan, and Europe. Ok that's enough. I got to go. Good night!

GO ME!!!

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2007.3.8

피곤~

별로 하는 것도 없는데 왜 이렇게 피곤하지? 글구 왜 이렇게 바뻐? 공부도 엄청 안하고 운동도 많이 안하는 편인데..... 자꾸 쓸데없는 생각만 많이 하는듯. 미식축구팀은 그래도 재미있는데 지금 생각해 보니 정말 경기 한번 못뛰고 가네. 정말 힘 빠진다. 로타랙트. 봉사활동 자주 못가서 너무 아쉽다. 다 미뤼놏고 같다올걸... 재수. 재활센터. 번역 엄청 어렵내. 내일 가서 모라고 하지? 아님 내가 너무 신경쓰나? 내일 가서 잘 알아봐야 되겠다.

나의 쓸데없는 생각들은? 나는 정말 친구를 어떻게 사귀는지 도저히 모르는 것 같은. 아니면 다 그런데 내가 이상한 건가? 말 안하면 너무 말 안한다고 하고 말 많이 하면 권히 이상한 말만 하는 희귀종이 되는 것 같은 느낌...... 아 정말 모르겠다. 어쨌든 혼자 사는것 정말 싫어!!!!! 공부도 혼자하면 정말 재미없다~

글구 군대는 어떡하지? 지금 걱정을 해야 하는것 같은데... 그냥 팍 갇다 올까? 면회 와죠~ 아이씽 내일 일찍 일어나야 하는데.... 내 수업들 정말정말 싫어. 모 이런 것만 걸렸냐... 모 어쨌든 사진 하나 넌다.




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2007.4.3.

More travel stories

One of the more interesting places we visited was a 분재 (bonsai park), called the Spirited Garden.

분재 is a dwarf plant. It is an art form of trees. At a very young age, a tree is restricted of nutrition so that it grows abnormally. I do not know too much of it neither. But apparently, it is a very complicated process that takes hundreds of years of caring and attention. My dad once tried to grow them in our veranda long time ago but they all died. There were probably many things he did wrong. To make it easier for all of us, I will let wikipedia do the explanation of 분재 and I will just provide you with my own pictures.



This was a short update... but I have to go. But before I leave, I must tell you I got a girlfriend. She said she would wait for me even if I go back to the States after this semester. I even have a picture to prove it. Isn't she pretty?



Night!!

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2007. 3. 29.

Some updates.....

View in the plane on the way to Jejudo.... Clouds....

Hi all. I am going to start with the things I have done already. When I arrived in Korea early February, I flew to Jejudo, which is an island off the southern coast of Korea west of Japan. This is where my family is from. My parents were born and grew up on the island. I think I am the first generation to grow up outside the island. My name, 양(梁, YANG) is native to the island and there are lots of people with same family name on the island.

I traveled around the island as I would always do when I come visit Korea. My dad and I drove around the coast of the island. We didnt make it all the way around, but I visited lots of place, most I have been to already. I love Jejudo. Such a beautiful place. Many of my cousins still live on the island. My parents, and especially my grandparents, still speak Korean with Jeju accent. I feel some type of connection whenever I visit. Maybe it is in the blood.



This is the first place I visited, a big dragon shaped rock called 용두암 (Yongduam). It is actually not that big when you see it. But it looks really big on pictures and this stamp I have of it.



Too bad I have really few pictures of this place. This is a town my dad was born. Another really interesting fact. When we were driving through, they were having an inauguration for a new village president. My dad told me many years back, his dad was the village president. How interesting.



The background is 한라산 (Mt. Halla), vocanic mountain on Jejudo. Our family gravesite is on the foothills of 한라산. With my dad, I went to take care of the graves and perform rituals for my ancestors. My dad is the oldest son. So he takes care of all the graves as often as he can. It gets very difficult during summers because of weeds and stuff like that. But he accepts it as his responsibility.


I believe under that mound, my 8th generation grandfather is resting there.

I will continue with more stories later. For now, I will leave some pictures for your pleasure. Good night!!!

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2007.3.28

안녕~~

So I started a new blog. I am going to promise myself that I will write as often as possible and keep it interesting. I will try not to write about my crazy thoughts that are impossible to comprehend... even to myself. But yea, be excited.

2007.3.26

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