꽃감

When a Korean adult says that a kid is nice (착하다), it means that he/she does not seem to be particularly intelligent. "Though he is not smart," is usually implied in the sentence, "he is nice." I am proud to say that I have never been called a nice kid.

As I write, I am thoroughly enjoying dried persimmon (곶감), even though I know that it is a product of P.R.O.C. (중국산!). I think the Korean market may have intentionally labeled it "Product of P.R.O.C." so that nice kids and adults alike do not realize it is made in China.

김치 라우동

I have had udon for five days straight as of today. But a new season is fast approaching. This is partly because I only have one bowl of instant udon left, but also because I'll soon be entering a new year and a new age.

Why have I been consistenly posting Friday through Monday? Why not Tuesday through Thursday?

Extraneous yet extremely necessary things to do

1. Practice drawing stick figures to my satisfaction.
2. Learn to cook a wider variety of dishes, that is, something other than pasta.
3.

RIP Mr. Russell, our biggest fan & cheerleader. The truest star in a school of aspiring stars.

everyone looked the same, only a little bit older.
someone said, "what's our ten year reunion gonna be like?"
many hugs later, I've returned home with the familiar scent of colognes.

september seems to be a month for death.
october, however, is one of birth.
my baby sister officially becomes a teenager tomorrow.

Did you know beauty once?

Your lips move, forming the syllables ah-men.
They twitch with some kind of laughter,
but joy is not written on your face.
Perhaps out of habit, you frequent the building,
week after week, decade after decade,
eating away at the body.
Like mold.

Cold.
Colder than the East Coast at the height of winter,
despite the heat wave of a Californian summer.
Did your hearts never burn with fire?
Have you ever tasted the goodness of a melon bar?
Did you know beauty once?

focus

I thought I would be a bit more heartbroken.
I held my breath for a minute, then released, flushing my mind clear.
With my mind empty and my heart full, I let myself feel.
I never belonged to you, nor you to me.
Now certified true, I sharpen focus on who I am.
And look through the tunnel to see -
I’m meant to be a pioneer.