IEW / Important place(first draft) / Song Inyeong

Happy Grave

Song Inyeong

My grandmother passed away. The funeral was the second one I've ever attended. My first funeral was of my great grandmother's. It meant nothing to me, because I had had no memories with her at all. But my grandmother had some memories with me.There wasn't many things to do as a grandson there, except bowing down as a part of ritual. The mortician had us say good bye in front of her body before coffin her. I was surprised that I cried out loud like a child, because I hadn't cried since I was in elementary school.

Her body went through crematorium, and after one and half hours, she came back to us as a handful ash. Our next destination was her hometown, Cheongdo. I thought she might be happy to come back to her hometown. The place was a small town with many persimmon trees. On the way of Cheongdo, I was watching landscape without saying anything. It was winter and the outside was stark. The land was filled with dark colored trees and bear hills without grasses. The village we arrived was just right under the mountain, and I was thinking about hike up to get to the cemetery. One nameless bridge was not wide enough to drive through it by car. Anyway, it was fortunate that we was able to drive that mountain road.

We said goodbye on the coffin, buried it, and stepped on it. Now the view of the cemetery is the one of the place I remember, when I think of my grandmother. Few months ago, my mom and I visited her grave again with my uncles and siblings. Persimmon was fully ripen into scarlet-red. Everyone looked delighted to see her again. The air was fresh, and the weather was clear. We joyfully talked about each other in front of her, just like she's alive. I felt like she's really listening our small talks with her special smile on her face. We are alive, and she's dead. But the place let us feel her existence. My aunt's family and my family found a narrow track that cosmos is swinging by breeze, along the car road. We took many pictures of full happiness.

IEW / draft in ch.4 / Sujeong Seo

Remembrance about a Mountain

 There was a time when I wasn't fussed about my face getting tanned. The little girl with worn-out sandals had a lot of fun under the sunlight. My tight ponytail usually got loose when night came. What I enjoyed most is neither seesaw nor swing. There was a little mountain near my house and my mom always asked me why my sandals looked like trash covered with soil. Almost every day I climbed the mountain like a squirrel. I can easily find so many diaries that I wrote about the mountain in those days so I think I can deliver my story clearly.

 The reason that I first went to the mountain is that I was too shy to play in the playground. In the early summer when I was nine years old, my family moved to a village in Anyang in which there were many apartments and schools. Children on my block were so close to each other that they didn't let me in their group. Once I was whimpering because I couldn't fit in with the girls. My dad lifted me up in his arms and went to the mountain. It smelled fresh summer mountain and the wind blew so softly. It was calm like as another world. There were dead leaves which covered the mountain so whenever my dad took a step forward, I heard the sound of rustling. Going more inside the valley, I could see some raspberry trees. My dad put a ripe red berry in my mouth and it tasted sour sweet. In his arms, I looked around the mountain until the tears on my cheeks got dry. Probably I was consoled and healed in there.

 After the visit, my interest was no longer the girls in the playground. When I came home from school, I threw off the school bag in my room and went into the mountain. It was not steep so I could easily climb. There were few or no people at that time so I almost owned it. I felt so cozy. I collected unique shaped stones or leaves and picked berries that looked edible. When green leaves were trembling in the breeze and the sun was shining through the trees, I firstly felt that nature was so precious and beautiful.

 But my mom didn't want me to go to mountain and she hated my collections like acorns or wood sticks that I gathered. One day she noticed that I played alone so she called her friend who had a daughter in our neighborhood. Then my mom told me to go her friend's house and hang out with the daughter. But I was already a lonely wild girl in the mountain so I felt burdensome. Whatever my feeling was, the next day my mom dressed me up with pretty skirt and pink shoes and I headed to the house. When I arrived near there, my courage failed me. I hanged around for a while and finally went to the mountain again. I was too accustomed to play by myself in the mountain. 

 As time went on I felt guilty and scared to go back home. So I began to go more inside the mountain. The skirt and shoes were not suitable for the mountain and my feet hurt. I should have stop moving when I found some green chestnut burrs. I naively thought that they were unique and climbed up the hill to pick them up. I put carefully the unripe chestnut burrs in my bag. But my pick shoes were not careful as me. I slipped and my right hand accidentally grabbed a burr. The thorns were stuck in my soft skin. My hand started bleeding and I was awfully painful. I flopped down crying loudly.

 Time passed and it was beginning to get dark. Fear paralyzed me but I knew I should go down. I managed to calm myself down and took a step slowly. The chestnut burr was still attached on my palm. Fortunately, after a few steps, I found a woman climbing up. As it turned out, the woman, the friend of my mom, was looking for me when I hadn't come. After she saw my palm with the burr, she was so surprised and called my mom loudly. Immediately they took me to a hospital. It is hard to remember how the burr and thorns were removed maybe because I was so panicked—my diary said that I had an operation for the first time.

 For several days I just stayed home and I met a new friend, Minju. She was the girl who I'd supposed to meet the very day. We got to be closer and hung out together in the playground. My mom didn't let us go to mountain and also I didn't want to go there again. But Minju knew that I used to play in the mountain and curiously asked me to bring her there. I really didn't feel like going but she was the first friend in the block. I took her the mountain. It was still beautiful without change. I felt that it welcomed me waving the leaves. Naturally I got close with the mountain again and Minju and I secretly played there without saying to our moms. I introduced my favorite trees to her and let her know the taste of raspberry. Minju liked the smell of mountain and feel of the wood grain.

 Now I thank her because if I didn't go to the mountain that time, maybe I would get a kind of trauma about the beautiful mountain. Still now whenever I met Minju, we talked about the mountain, and my mom remember the chestnut burr accident more lively than me. I wish the mountain is still there with my remembrance.

Kseniia Kim 201300918/ IEW/ Chapter 4 Draft

No place like home

                I believe we all have that one place that brings back sweet memories. The place you would always want to go back to and relieve that moments. For me that place is my backyard in my hometown. Why? Not only was it such a common place for me, but so many special events were held there. In the summer looking out the window, into my backyard, I remember how beautiful it was. The yard was so green and it was filled with these small colorful flowers, red, yellow, pink. They had this sweet smell. I remember I liked the smell of the flowers so much that once I just kept a few in my room and when they would die I would just go pick some more from the yard. In the back, we also had four big apple trees, which border the far backside of the yard.

             My grandparents had their own garden in the back yard. I remember as a child I would always tell my granny that the vegetables in our yard, were the best vegetables ever. That would always make my grandma smile. There are cucumbers, tomatoes, potatoes, onions, carrots and for fruits strawberries, raspberries and apples. My granny spends so much time in the garden, and that makes her happy. We like to have family gatherings there, especially when the weather is warm. My uncle and granddad make the best BBQ. The smell of burning coal, you can hear the meat sizzling, everything makes your mouth watery, and you cannot wait until you get a bite of the delicious piece of meat. The smell of fresh, cut cucumbers and tomatoes, just baked bread from the oven and a glass of beer is all I need to have a good time there. We like to invite our relatives for the BBQ the way we can talk, laugh and share stories. Since I graduated high school and most of my friends left to study abroad, I have tradition. Every summer when everyone comes back home I have a BBQ party at my backyard. Usually girls prepare food and serve the table while boys make the BBQ. My friends bring huge speakers, we set them outside, play music and dance. It is different kind of music from electro to pop. Once, we put the volume so high and my neighbors called the police. It was very funny and awkward for everyone. Summer is the best time to enjoy the nature and the beauty of my backyard.

            We all have that one place that brings back memories. My backyard is the place where I can rest, relieve stress and have a good time. Whenever I have BBQ in Korea, it reminds me of home. The warm feeling in my stomach makes me smile. I always go back there, knowing that my family, my friends and me would have a great time. 

IEW/ Hwisoo Jung/ Gwangalli

I was born in Busan on 28^th October, 1994 and grew up there until I was in high school, so basically it's my hometown. And Busan is very famous for the sea and the beach nationally. Because of that, since I was a small 4 years old girl, (or maybe younger than that age but I don't remember) I went to the beaches in Busan such as Haeundae (An affluent beach front community in Busan) and Gwangalli (Another famous beach in Busan) holding hands with my parents and 1 year younger sister. My parents took my sister and I over these places, but mainly to Gwangalli and showed us the deep blue sea with infinite horizon and the azure, clean sky. But actually when I was young, I didn't enjoy visiting there that much because I didn't really feel anything even if I saw the scenery. I couldn't understand why my parents always brought my sister and I to Gwangalli that frequently. Anyway, even if it wasn't my cup of tea, because my parents loved visiting there in weekend both in summer and winter, it was a common weekly routine for me. There wasn't anything to complain about, because I liked wherever I go with my family. However, I didn't know that there was something special at the sea back then.

During summertime, my family and relatives went to Gwangalli together to swim and to enjoy the fresh air, wind in a touristic atmosphere. Even if we weren't tourists, we just did the same thing like all other tourists did in Busan. We brought a cold fresh huge watermelon and ate it underneath a huge parasol which was under the intense sunlight. That was the best thing that I could do in summer. In winter on the other hand, my family went to Gwangalli with a cup of hot coffee or hot chocolate each. Even if it was cold outside, we just chatted together appreciating the scenery except for me. Still then, I didn't really feel if the beach is beautiful. My mom said, "Hwisoo, take a look over there. Isn't it spectacular?" And I replied, "Well, maybe. I don't really know." Then my mom smiled and said "You'll understand it someday when you grow up more." And my mom was turned out to be right.

That was the second year in autumn at high school, when I first have realized that visiting the beach is something different from what I had felt. I couldn't visit Haeundae and Gwangalli as frequently as I had done before because I had to study a lot for university entrance examination. One Saturday, I was sick of studying so I just visited Gwangalli beach alone instead of going to academy. I don't know why I went to Gwangalli myself either, but I just felt like doing so. When I arrived there, I could smell the tang of salt sea air. I could also feel the cool and fresh wind on my face. I could hear the cry of seagulls. "Ah!" When I saw the sea, I couldn't help exclaiming. I noticed what I had been missing until then. The vast deep blue sea was reflecting the sunlight and was shining like a bunch of crystals. The sky was serene and azure, there were some seagulls flying, and I could appreciate the spectacular view with the bridge together. I went to a café, ordered a tea and kept looking at the view unconsciously. Gwangalli had been changed a lot while I was growing up in Busan. They were modernized and so many new buildings were built up. However, no matter what, the sea remained the same since I was young and welcomed me all the time. Watching the sea, I realized how many memories I shared with the sea. Since then, whenever I felt depressed or lonely, I started visiting Gwangalli and pulled myself together. I talked with the sea that shared my childhood, adolescent memories. When I go back to Busan next week, I'll definitely visit Gwangalli again, to share my adult memories. I'm so glad that Gwangalli waits for me all the time at the same place like a lifetime friend. 

Daeseong Ko/ Chapter 4 First Draft /2016.01.10

Jejudo is a beautiful place and everyone agree with that. It reminds people of beautiful sea; beautiful sea with its unpolluted water even a deep place of it can be seen. It also reminds people sunny days of beach with a soft breeze which tickles their skin.

There is a place which is called Tapdong. There is a wide open space right next to the sea and straight lined walk along the sea. Many people play basketball there because there are basketball stands. Sometimes people mistakenly throw the ball into the sea so they lost their ball. Sometimes people who rides roller-skate or skate-board can be seen. Near the wide open space, there is a Seaside Concert Hall and people sometimes are able to watch festival on summer.

When I was second grade of middle school student, I went to there with my best friend for report of Jeju International Wind Ensemble Festival which was held in the Seaside Concert Hall on summer. When we got there however, there was so crowded so we decided to not watch the concert and to walk around instead. After we passed many sushi restaurant, finally we got there.

I had never seen such a wonderful sight. In front of the lighthouse, there was a quiet sea hitting little waves to seawall. Its sound and the songs from festival made me really calm and peaceful. There were few people there so that sound deeply came through my ears. Some lights from fisherman's boat made the night much lighter. The rear of the lighthouse, so beautiful scene of summer night was spread. Streetlights were there along the seashore and they lit the street where people played basketball. It felt so peaceful. Most grateful thing was that my best friend and I were together inside of that peaceful and beautiful scene.

Few years later, I heard that he died by car accident. I was really sad. The only thing I could remember is the moment when we saw that beautiful scene.

 That place is both beautiful and meaningful to me. Among the beautiful place in Jeju, it is the only place that has memory of my best friend. When I think about it, I can feel the cool breeze touching me and the sound of the waves through my ears.

Jee-hyoun Kim/ Ch.4 Essay First Draft /IEW

When I was young, I really like to spend my time in a library. I like the peaceful silence in there. Reading a book in a quiet place always made me feel calm and relaxed. As I grow up, I like to spend time in café. I go to café to get a coffee almost every day. Though it is not as quiet as library that I used to love, I started to like to spend some time in there, too. I read books, do assignments, and have a conversation with my friends.

When I first visit this café called 'Comma', I had a feeling that I was in a library. The walls were filled with huge book shelves. And there are various coaches with tables that looks comfortable. People usually visit there to read books so they hardly anyone talk loudly. They order a coffee find a book they would like to read, and get a sit. This place looked half library, half café. The scent of coffee and books are mixed, and that makes this place really attractive. If you close your eyes, you can notice that this place is filled with the sound of classical music, coffee machine, and small chat between other customers. The volume of the background music is so small that the customers barely noticed what music is being played. The coffee and other beverage taste just like the other ordinary cafes. But the atmosphere make customer visit here, whether they are alone or not.

I live far from this café, but I occasionally visit here. This café is like a photo album for me that I spent the most precious time in here. I came here only with the people I love. Whenever I come here, this place reminded me of that time. The feeling that I'm in library and café at the same time also made me love this place. If I go alone, I bring the burdens of works that I had to do. In this café, I could work or study hard as if I was in the library. If I had a chance to visit near here with someone else, I always tell them how much I love to be in here.

 

Jee-hyoun Kim/ Like mother, Like daughter(Ch.3 Final essay) / IEW

Like mother, like daughter

There is an old saying: "Like father, like son." Though it's a famous adage, I have never thought this is suitable for me. My parents used to tell me that I am not like father, and also mother. I'm not as smart as my father and neither am I diligent like my mother. But, I always wanted to be like them, especially my mother.

My mother is a good housewife who takes good care of her family. She looks like an ordinary middle-aged Korean woman: She has a short black hair. About 150 centimeters tall, she is considered short. She used to have a slim body, until she turned into the late forties. As she got older, she gained some weight. She is very diligent to work out every day and that kind of regular work out made her body fit. She has big eyes with arched eye brows. She sometimes wears red framed glasses, which makes her look old-fashioned. Her lips are small, and they are bit protruded as if she was eager to talk about something. High cheek bones and strong chin make her look obstinate. I resembled her cheek bones and chin, and I think this is the only part of my body that I look alike her. My mother smiles like a child, and that smiley face makes her look naive.

My mother is very candid person who always tell the truth. She honestly says things that coming up in her mind and never tell a lie. Some people may consider that telling the truth is being honest. It has both advantage and disadvantage. It sometimes hurt others feeling. Whenever I asked her if I look fat, she said: "You look chubby and really need to exercise like I do. Work out every day, and stop eating sweets." I once thought it's the worst part of her that needed to be fixed as soon as possible. I recommended her to think about what she is going to say before she speaks.

However, some people liked her for being honest. They told me that she is trustworthy. Though she hardly flattered others, she at least said the truth. Before marriage, she used to work as a piano teacher. The students used to like her for being honest: she told their weak points and strength directly. I heard that it helped them a lot for their improvement. For being honest, she could help them out in a good way.

For now, I'm trying to be more like my mother. The people around her trust her. She is a good advisor, indeed. Whenever I need help, I also go and ask her about the matter. Of course, like the old days, she barely says something sweet. She just tells the truth for others. Sometimes, it can hurt others feeling. But at the same time, being honest can be the best solution to help others. I want to become more like my mother, the best advisor in my life.