My grant finished in July, as most of you know, and so now I'm living in Brighton MA processing the past 2 years, drawing and silk-screening, and avoiding getting a real job.^^ Sorry I didn't post much at the end my grand period, I was overwhelmed by teaching and saying my goodbyes. However I will now post pics from trips and stories that I didn't get the time to tell. Things may be a little out of chronological order, but you're all smart, you'll be fine.
Re-introduction to life in the USA was actually a little more difficult than I had expected. Life in Korea is definitely more comfortable - government-run offices are speedy and efficient, convenience/makeup/everything stores are everywhere and affordable, restaurants are plentiful and cheap, and public transportation puts the MBTA to shame. However, I am happy to see diversity all around me once again. And the ability to peacefully protest against one's government. Oh wait... are we allowed to do that in our country anymore??
Now that I'm back in the swing of things that are all American, I've been spending my days making work, reading, and trying to figure out my job situation. I'm taking a silk screening class at Mass Art, and I was just notified that I got accepted for a residency in Cambridge MA at a local gallery. So at least I'll have studio space as of next week through mid February, yay! Even though I'm engulfed with art and where my future is going, these past 2 years in Korea have left a permanent spot in my heart. I've already received a gift box from one of my past students. On the customs form, she simply wrote the word, "cracker." To my delight she included snacks, ramyeon, periodical photos (for collage use), and a long letter. No matter where my life goes, I don't think that Korea will really be that far away.^^
Right before the debacle involving no water in Gumi (in May), I went on a trip with a bunch of the young teachers from my school. We headed to Jirisan, the most famous mountain range in Korea. We hiked all day the first day (about 7 miles) and the landscape was really beautiful. All around were these step-like rice paddies that climbed up and down the mountains.
And after about half-way through the hike, what did we do? Drink makgeolli! It's like a hard fast rule in Korea: if you go hiking, you will drink alcohol!
That night we finished the day with some delicious grilled pork. Mmmmmm. After hiking all day there's nothing like grilled pork to warm the heart.
Unfortunately the next day it rained, and so we spent our time exploring some of the traditional folk villages that were around our area. And we also ate 파전 (scallion pancakes) and drank more makgeolli, b/c that's also what Koreans do when it rains.^^
