Category Archives: culture
The moral dilemmas i go through everyday at school
I made a student cry today. She didn’t cry in front of me, but her friend later came to me in the office and told me about it. I know it’s hard for them to ask me questions and admit … Continue reading
If only one older Korean could prove me wrong…
I try to like most people. I really do. Because God knows, i have my flaws, and i should be understanding of other people’s. But there’s one thing that irks me—probably more than it should—and that’s unsolicited advice. I went … Continue reading
Against culturalism
My last post generated a substantial discussion on Facebook (i only wish it would have taken place here), which got me thinking about a phenomenon the Korean at Ask a Korean likes to call culturalism: “the impulse to explain minority people’s … Continue reading
Filed under culture
This is gonna be hard
It’s only been four days, and i already hate Seoul. Where do i even start? I’ll limit this one to the people: 1. Middle-aged people stare or glare at me for no reason. 2. No one wants to give directions, … Continue reading
New Yorkers, this is for you
Recently, i’ve been experiencing NYC in a strangely sentimental way every time i commute into the city for work. I find myself snapping out of my usual thought-filled daze, looking up from the sidewalk, and just taking everything in, as … Continue reading
On eating meat
When i was leaving Pace Wildenstein on 57th yesterday, i saw a handful of women picketing on the corner of 57th and Park Ave in front of the Korean Consulate General. They were trying to get people to sign up … Continue reading
questions on the loo, issue #5: “People who know what they want.”
You see that remark everywhere. Anywhere from job listings to online personals, people are always seeking those who know what they want. I never quite understood what this might mean. How could anyone not know what they want? I know … Continue reading
Filed under culture, language, philosophy, questions on the loo
Morocco: The Lively Land
Itinerary: Fes – 1) bus tour of the town. 2) walking tour of the Fes el Bali medina. 3) cooking demonstration at a riad Volubilis (ancient Roman ruins) Rabat – quick drive-through and lunch Meknès – Les celliers de Meknès, a winery … Continue reading
New Jersey is beautiful
Despite being nicknamed the Dirty Jersey, New Jersey is actually beautiful. Beautiful in its own grey, industrial, run-down, suburb-with-history way, that is. I only realized this when i commuted to New York by NJ transit for the first time. On … Continue reading
Filed under art, culture, nature, perception
Things i’ve learned from my WordPress dashboard
More people than i thought have a nostril fetish. Way more. More people than i wished are interested in the hug me pillow. More people than i could have imagined want to be experts on eyeglass frames.
