Golden Zephyr

By means of...

I got my Sogang acceptance letter today:

Sogang Acceptance Letter $_$

It’s all pretty exciting.I sent off the documents for the Sogang Scholarship–now I just have to wait. I also have two scholarships to apply for through my university–which I need to get done ASAP. All in all it’s pretty crazy. I’m still working out if I can get upper-level language credit for the Korean program or whether I need to somehow try and get some other credit–which would not be as good for me. As long as I get at least 6 credit hours I’ll be fine. I’d originally planned to be okay with just 3 credit hours–but I just can’t take 19 credit hours this semester. It’s killing me. I really don’t want to have to spend another semester as an undergrad either–just because I can’t kill myself this semester…

Korean study is going really well–I have met a lot of the Korean students at my school and a couple of them are going to meet me in Seoul when I’m there ^_^ I can’t wait for that–though I am very nervous of actually speaking in Korean for real!!!

Now for a little grammar:

학교에 걸어서 가요?

This sentence basically translates as “Do you walk to school?” 에 is a location particle and also means “to”. 걸어서 means “by walking”.

아니오, 차로 가요.

“No, I go by means of car”. 로 here literally means “by means of N”. It’s a really useful thing to know. Often my Korean friends ask me “How do you get to University?” or “Do you live on campus?” It’s nice to be able to say I drive, or that I don’t live on campus but it’s not too far to drive.

로 can also be used when talking about an “instrument” or the use of something. This one is a little more confusing. For example:

한국어로 말하세요.

Speak in Korean (use Korean to speak).

or 볼펜으로 쓰세요.

Write with a ball point pen.

I find it easy to talk about how I come or go somewhere, but the use of something still gets me a little confused!!!

I’m still working on creating a basic learning site as an addition to this page that will contain basics of Hangul all the way through basic grammar and phrases, including some vocabulary ^_^ I hope to be able to get it up very soon.

힘내세요!!!!

Struggling

I have so much work right now it’s not funny. I am so far behind on readings that I just don’t even know where to start. I have to read an autobiography (“The Spider Eaters”) and then read a huge tome of “Mao” (written by the same author as “Wild Swans”, so I’m looking forward to it, but it’s like “War and Peace” size, >.< ) I also have two 10 page papers to write (one on Women in the Chinese Revolution, and one on comparative politics (Asia and America). And that’s just this week… haha!!

I filled out all of the forms for Sogang–and immediately received a reply basically stating that I am accepted–all I need to do now is await their answer regarding my scholarships I applied for. (I applied for one general one and then I applied for one that is specific to the Korean language program). According to my Professor though, Korean time is much slower than American time, haha, and I probably won’t hear until the last minute… which is going to drive me crazy.

I’m feeling so stressed that I’m starting to feel pretty emotional. Most of the time I just want to hide in my closet or cry. Or both. One of my oldest friends can be so selfish and she just frustrates me even more… sometimes I think that I should move on… but then I feel terrible. Part of the problem is that she lives so far away. I don’t have any close friends here right now either, so I don’t really have anyone to talk to (I know I have my husband, but boys are boys haha!!) I need some real girl time… *chuckle*

I am *really* going to try and get a Japanese/Korean post up this coming weekend. Really. mmhmmm….

Okay, now I’m going. Sorry for the waste of space posts lately…

Crazy!

Things here are super crazy. I have a lot to do to finalize everything for Korea (have to fill out a form to accept my University scholarship, then I have to fill out three forms for Sogang University (one for the immersion program, one recommendation form for my professor and a general application form). I have about 8 or 9 pages of Korean homework for tomorrow, including several listening comprehension. I have many chapters of reading to catch up on for both my Chinese history class and my Asian geography class, as well as some reading for my economics class.

This blog has taken a severe hit! I really just don’t have time to write long interesting posts anymore..!! I hope to be able to put up some Japanese and Korean grammar/vocabulary soon. Obviously, today I am sitting here typing this instead of studying! I have been feeling a bit off-colour lately, so I hope taking things a bit slower will help me feel better. I almost don’t care what grades I get in my general classes (such as the Religion and Culture class) instead focusing on the more “important” classes such as Korean language, history, and geography.

Every time I think about Sogang I get scared! I have traveled places by myself before, but nowhere like this. Sure, I went to India and couldn’t speak a word of the language and made out just fine… I’m just not an… outgoing person who can just walk up and talk automatically with anyone. I guess I get nervous, especially when talking in a foreign language, and end up finding ways to avoid talking… which of course won’t help me get any better!! However, the classes at Sogang have “practical task-based” classes every afternoon, where we’re given a goal and have to go out and achieve it, in the real world!! @_@

I think that will possibly be the most scary–and most useful–of the classes!

Well, I better go off and get on with everything. I’ll check up on all of your blogs later today, I promise! Sorry for being so quiet!

와우~!!!

어머나~! I just received a letter telling me I was awarded a scholarship to travel to Sogang University International Summer program!! AHH!! @_@

Sogang University, Seoul

I’m… terrified!! I honestly didn’t expect to receive it and now that I have I’m in shock! I can’t believe it. I just don’t know what to do next. I suppose I have to meet with my advisor, meet with my Korean professor to have her help me with the Sogang side, meet with the Financial office people (required), and … PANIC!!!!!!!!!!!!!! This is kind of crazy… I ….

Yeah.

So busy! 바빠요!

University is crazy busy! I don’t recommend taking 19 credit hours. *shakes head* I have so much work. Our Korean professor is slamming us with acres of work. It *does* help, but it’s also very, very hard! I am so tired tonight! I’m sorry I haven’t been updating very much. I have a lot to say, just not very much time to say it.

Today I am posting on the phenomenon of stars made by YouTube. Of course, most people who follow Japanese vloggers on YouTube know about Maggiebon and Applemilk1988 (Emily). Both went from unknowns on YouTube to stardom in Japan. Maggiebon was on tons of TV shows and Emily has her own band.

Now, there’s a new kid on the block–15 year old Becki from the UK. She got started by dancing to anime songs (mimicking the dances that the anime characters do)… now she’s hit Japan as “ベッキー・クルーエル” (Beckii Cruel). Her debut video is… well… I hate to say it, pretty bad. She’s got mad guts to go out and do this, so I give her props for that, but it does illustrate the phenomenon of YouTube and the cross-cultural aspect of Westerners hitting the big time in Japan because they mimic Japanese acts (language, dress, or dance)…

I find it quite weird. Anyway, here’s the vid, judge for yourselves:

I did it!

So here I am typing on my new HP mini notebook. It’s… adorable. ^_^ It’s 10″ of pure awesomeness. I wasn’t sure about getting an Asus or Aspire, so I paid a little more and got an HP. I’ve never had a problem with an HP product to date, so I hope this is just as good.

My baby... ^_^ It’s stacked with 1GB of memory, a 250GB hard drive and Windows 7 professional. I’m sure there are other geeky specs of interest, but I can’t think of them off the top of my head haha!! It has a wireless card (as all new computers do) and runs quickly and efficiently. One big concern I had was installing Korean language on here. I also wanted Japanese but I discovered it’s not a completely simple operation. Firstly, I tried changing settings, but there was no option. Secondly I tried downloading MUI or LIP files from the internet, but they would not install. Luckily, my husband bought a new copy of Office last night so I tacked on the “Korean language pack”. It installed seamlessly and I can now type in Korean in any program I’m using!!! At some point in the near future I’ll spring for the Japanese version of the same thing I imagine, unless I find some other setting I can change that will do it for me.

I’m having a bit of a … language-nervous-breakdown at the moment. I simply have SO much to do that I can’t spend the same amount of time as I used to on my study. I haven’t been to any sites in the past week or so, and have spent most of my time seeming to play catch up. Today I have three 10 page articles to read, plus a book chapter (for one class), I also have about 8 or so pages of Korean homework and a quiz to prepare for. That’s just two of the four classes I have tomorrow.

I need some ideas for improving learning. I am going to transfer all my audio files on here so that when I’m studying I can listen to them. I switched Facebook into Korean so I’m forced to read it every.single.time I log on. Other than that I’m not sure… I suppose I should try writing and reading something every day (and my Korean homework counts). I just wish I had more time to throw Japanese in there. However, I know as soon as I get to grad school I’ll be simply spending every waking hour in either Japanese or Korean… so maybe I shouldn’t panic just yet.

Okay, I’m off to begin some homework…

Gonna do it!

I sold my flute yesterday (*sob*) but I’m going to go and buy a netbook today. This computer is really not all that stable anymore and I can never get a free minute on the PC. Plus, I hate not having my own computer when I’m at Uni. I need something that has MY stuff in MY places!!! @_@

So, I’m going to bite the bullet. I really want to keep it for school work only, especially as I want to dedicate it to language learning. I need to have all my audio on it etc. I can’t wait actually. This laptop has turned into more of a desktop since I can’t actually take it anywhere anymore, because if I do it refuses to recharge and throws up the ’screen of death’…

I have a lot of work this semester at Uni. My anthropology professor is … annoying. He had us take a quiz yesterday and asked the MOST obscure questions from the chapter he could think of. He also wanted us to write “LARGE”… which I thought I did (and it was certainly HUGE compared to my usual writing. As I placed it down he whipped out a highlighter and circled the word “LARGE” on the sheet of paper twice. That made me so angry. I thought to myself, if you can’t READ the answers, why have us write? Why not just have us circle them? >.<

I have another Korean quiz on Monday and I need to be better prepared for this one! I was so under prepared for the last one–I got all messed up with not being back in the swing of things. I actually think I *gasp* got one wrong. At least one. So unlike me. On the same day, mind you, I also had an exam over the whole US Constitution, 3 chapters to read, and 6 pages of Korean homework to do.

!!!

Well, I’m going to head off to shower in a bit after another cup of coffee. I want to go get my new toy soon (I feel so tempted to buy a decent TV while I’m at it. A new 36″ is actually less than the netbook I’m buying!!!) I have a lot (LOT) of homework to do, and I want to get back to regularly updating this with actual DECENT information, instead of random spurts here and there!!

Asked already…

I was asked by Phil Void from the Dharma Bums to aid in translating their “Rangzen, Free Tibet” song into Korean. Of course, being the silly goose I am, I said SURE!! So, now I need to find 수민 하고 민영 to help me! I also posted a “please help” on lang-8 hoping that someone will come along and be nice enough to do it for me. I really love the Dharma Bum boys and their music. They’ve been so instrumental in spreading the word about Tibet. They’re “HH Dalai Lama’s favorite band” according to their promotional info. I can just see HHDL rocking out to them!!

I just don’t know. I’m in one of my “tantrum” modes where I feel that my whole life and future plans are utterly pointless. Happens every few months or so. I get so frustrated in my slow progress. The idea of fluency seems so intangible that I have nothing to hold on to except my bumbling attempts at conversation. Which… are really rather pathetic. Everyone is so busy this semester that we hardly have time to talk–so even conversation has been neglected.

Japanese is staying with me somewhat, even though I’m neglecting it. When I watch Heroes (haha, I know, I know) I understand the spoken Japanese rather than the subtitles (which are often radically different than what is actually said!!) I feel that I’m having to make some kind of trade-off and it could all back fire. I could end up not being able to speak either language well. Or even at all. I have to maintain focus. It’s just so hard with all the distractions of life around!! Not to mention, it’s SO difficult to find time to do something everyday. Then it becomes harder to motivate myself to do anything… especially when I have to learn silly things like the US Constitution for exams (not that the US Constitution is silly, but rather the fact that I’m being forced into learning every word of the thing… yeah… )

もう我慢できないね！

Busy

Today I have spent most of the time studying, when not plagued by a bored six year old. I have a quiz in Korean on Wednesday, as well as a test over the US constitution (eegads–the professor assumes everyone took American History and Civics in High School in the US. Erm. No?!!) So, I am now playing catch up. He also expects us to take a “current event” from world news and politics every class–it’s how he takes attendance.

Sometimes, I hate school.

But, I also took the time to write a post over at lang-8 and received a lot of corrections (yep, I suck!) but they really do help. I’ve only been learning Korean for a few months, so if I can write a post there at least once or twice a week it should really help me.

lang-8 homepage

It’s great because I feel like I can give back. I can help people with their English skills, as well as learn some things myself. My biggest problem is frustration though. I tend to get upset when I can’t for the life of me write what I want–and have it make sense. I used to post there all the time in Japanese–great long paragraphs about my days and my dreams. Mostly I got aesthetic changes – this word sounds better than that word – rather than out and out corrections. Now, however, my entries are usually slaughtered! But, I do know that it will help me–and it’s my fault for attempting this only three months into learning the language!! @_@

My little Udea dictionary is becoming very useful though. I try to find the words I need there and work out conjugation. There are also enough good English speakers at lang-8 that they can answer my questions (in English) about Korean (in English) so that I understand the different verb conjugations or prepositions etc.

I do feel slightly lame because most of the Koreans speak WAY better English than I do Korean. I feel like I insult everyone with every word I say! Mostly it seems I make the mistake of using the formal or polite forms of a verb when I should be using the standard form – at least when talking about myself (I guess I have a habit of making myself “honorable” haha!) I’m not sure I ever had the same problem in Japanese. I think because usually the endings became longer the more formal they became, so I didn’t get as confused as easily. Korean, however, can sound the same!

For example:

~하냐?

~하니?

Only a slight difference between these two…

~하세요?

~하시나요?

~하십니까?

~하십니까? is the most polite expression. I guess here it seems as though the phrases become longer as they become more polite… however each is used in different circumstances.

and

~해.

~한다.

~합니다.

are again all the same meaning, only differing in politeness level.

좋아해. 좋아한다. 좋아합니다.

I need to nail this to my forehead so I don’t forget. I keep posting about verb conjugation and politeness. One day it will stick in my head, I promise!!!

Mad!

I just found out that my university are charging me an extra $700 for the privilege of taking ONE extra class. Because I want to be proactive and actually graduate, I’m being penalized. If I want to stay an extra semester though, it would cost an extra $6000. So, I guess $700 isn’t bad. Yet, they were also trying to charge me over $700 for books. Eesh. The American system is based only on one thing–money. I’m so mad. I kind of needed that $700.

I am in the process of selling my wooden flute–but as of yet have had no bites what-so-ever on it. That would be $650ish. However, I was hoping for at least SOME of that to go towards a netbook. Now? No chance.

*sigh*