Now that I have no internet at home, the only way to post to my blog is via a hack (backdoor) that my blog host provides, in which I have no ability to add pictures or control formatting.
So my posts – except for weekends when I can run to a PC-bang or something – will be tending in a rather only-texty direction.
While traveling in Australia and New Zealand, I had the opportunity to finally finish several “books in progress.” One, that I enjoyed, was Gong Ji Young’s novela, “Human Decency.” Actually, included with that novela in the published volume is an even shorter novela (or longish short story) entitled “Dreams,” which I liked even better. Both treat similar characters, however – they’re that generation of Koreans who, like the author, grew up in the tumultuous 1980’s as South Korea was struggling to emerge from dictatorship. The author even uses the phrase “Gwangju Generation” at one point, in reference to the 1980 “Gwangju uprising” and the seminal role this played in the eventual democratization of the country’s politics.
Perhaps because of the recent events in Egypt, this is more relevant that usual – although it’s notable, to me, the way that “revolutions” seem to be getting more peaceful. Not always – but often: Egypt, Tunisia, Georgia, Ukraine, etc. They’re not any more successful, typically. But I think if there’s any one thing this new, media-transparent world offers, it’s that repressive violence is harder for regimes to pull off successfully.
Um. I was talking about Gong Ji Young’s novelas: I recommend them VERY HIGHLY – they’re a great window into the mindset of 40-something Koreans, and the translation I found is excellent.
Last night, I settled into my new apartment. It seems very huge, compared to my Yeonggwang apartment. And the commute, this morning, was remarkable. Previously: Walk to bus terminal (2 km), ride bus (30 km), walk to school (1 km). Now: walk across school yard (100m). I like having a “real” kitchen – the one in my Yeonggwang apartment had something that would have disappointed an RV owner. But: there’s no washing machine (still!), and there’s no microwave. And of course, the killer: no internet. Hopefully, that will change, although if pressed, I can admit there are lifestyle changes that not having internet at home induce in me, that are… well, adventitious. I behave more responsibly with respect to myself in use of time and goals.
I found a great website yesterday afternoon, while “deskwarming” (at my rather damn cold desk, definitely in need of warming) that is useful for studying Korean vocabulary. I may be using it a lot over the next months, if I can keep some momentum.