Showing posts with label write in English. Show all posts
Showing posts with label write in English. Show all posts
Feel Korean Experience with Summer School
For many times, I feel impressed by this rare opportunity to join in an international summer school program which held outside Japan.
Last August, 2013, represent Kumamoto University, I went to South Korea
for the first time to participate in International Summer School II,
held by University of Seoul (UOS). The participants of this summer
school program were mostly consists of Japanese students from all over
universities in Japan, 2 Chinese students, and me, the one and only
Indonesian.
Actually, the summer school program divided into four kinds of courses, Korean Language Course (Hangul),
Korean Studies Course (cultural and diplomacy), Cultural Course, and
Field Trips at several iconic places in Korea, including the legendary
Jeju Island. Because of my limited capability in Japanese language,
unfortunately, I only took the morning class, 1-1 Beginner Level class.
It was because the Korean Studies Courses were given in advanced
Japanese language and I thought I could not do the tasks which needed to
be written in Kanji. In Korean Language class, I learned to write, reading, doing conversations and make sentences with Korean language.
Hangul experience, attend Korean Language class to learn Hangul
Besides studied language theory in class, studying Korean culture
and tradition while travelling was what I got from Cultural Course and
Field Trips. We went to historical building and places in both Seoul and
Jeju Island, such as Chang Deok Gung Palace, Korea House, Altar in Mt.
Sanbangsan, Jeju traditional house in Seongeup Folk Village, and lastly,
Jeju Folklore & Natural History Museum. At Korea House, we made
Korean traditional craft of hand mirror used Hanji (Korean traditional paper), wearing Hanbok (Korean traditional dress), and finally had a chance to taste Korean traditional foods called bibimbap. Taste
Korean traditional culture while enjoying the traditional atmosphere at
Korean traditional house has left me with such indescribable feeling
ever.
Hanbok experience, wearing Korean traditional clothes at Korea House
Hanji experience, making handcraft with korean paper called hanji
Chang Deok Gung Palace, was served as the residence for many kings
Another days in Seoul, I also enjoyed another taste of Korean cuisine: ddeokbokki, namyun, samgyetang, and the most interesting ones was when we experienced the cooking class, together with Korean buddies, cooking bulgogi and capcae. Some Korean non-verbal comedy shows which incorporate traditional samul nori rhythm called “Nanta”, or Korea’s martial arts like “Jump” were
also had impressed me toward their totality in entertaining audiences
and express the ‘truly taste’ of Korean show to inexperienced foreign
(like us) at the same time. Next day, we also had a chance to play
traditional music instrument used in Nanta, that is samul nori, by formed one team for our individually performance.
Bibimbap,
mixed rice and vegetables with spicy sauce, my Korean Buddy said that bibim means mixed and bap means rice
mixed rice and vegetables with spicy sauce, my Korean Buddy said that bibim means mixed and bap means rice
Ddeokbokki, steamed rice cake in spicy sauce, one of fenomenal dish from Korea
Take a chance to playing samul nori
Insa-dong street, one of my favourite place in Korea,
famous with traditional antique shop, art galleries
Once, my Korean buddy named Sohee, ever told me about 3 phrases that must be experienced if I want to know about Korean’s truly, it is Hangul, Hanbok, Hanji, where Han means
Korean. Now, I could say proudly that I already had through those 3
experiences when I joined UOS International Summer School II.
Learning new things is always become my interest, and when I was in
Korea I think I had gained a lot of important experiences. There, I learned directly about characteristics of Korean’s
life as a whole, their culture, tradition, language, behaviors, which
all have been fused in Korean people’s daily life. I am impressed by
Korean people, all Korean buddies, staffs, teachers in this summer
school program are warm, kind and fun. I also have a really good time
with my Japanese friends, whom I met for the first time there. They help
me a lot, especially towards my Japanese language barrier. This summer
school not only gives me a bunch of unforgettable moments, but also has
blessed me with a lot of new friends. In addition to both Korean and
Japanese, I made a friend with Spaniards, Singaporeans, Pakistani, and
also had a chance to gathering with Indonesian who still studies in UOS.
Tracking at Seopjikoji in Jeju Island,
which featured with savanna, retro chapel and lighthouse tower
With my Korean and Japanese buddies at Mt. Sangbangsan
Aside from what I had gained, of course I had some obstacles when I
was joined this summer school program: language barrier, weather
condition, adaptation matters on early arrival at Korea, food, etc. But,
it thanks to them who help, support and encourage me, so I can really
enjoy my summer time in Korea through UOS International Summer School II
and only left with almost good memories behind.
Jeju Island as One of the World Natural Heritage
The first time I knew about Jeju Island was in 2011, when it became a contestant from South Korea in New Seven Wonders of Nature Global Festival. Back then, my home country, Indonesia, had also nominated Komodo Island as the contestant. These two islands then become the provisional New Seven Wonders of Nature with the five others. It is said that Jeju Island has been chosen as the second most beautiful scenery around the world and get a recognition as one of the world natural heritage by UNESCO. In consequence of a sense of rivalry in New Seven Wonders Festival, since then I have the curiosity in how Jeju Island’s wonders can attract people from all over the world to come. What are the island practically have to make people come? How great is its landscape and how unique is Jeju indigenous way of life? At that time I just have a thought, how is the feel of exploring the island directly?
Luckily, a chance came for me to visit Jeju Island on August 16-18th, 2013. Still prepared with some curious thoughts, my adventure time in Jeju Island had finally begun. On the first day, we went to Mt. Sanbangsan which region are consists of several altars of prayer for honor, for life, for love and for a good health. Mt. Sanbangsan is well known for its auspicious topography, resembling a hen sitting on golden eggs. My impression against the Mt. Sanbangsan: I think it is a great place where we can feel both of mountainous and sea scenic landscaping while sense the spirituality at the same time.
Figure 1. Mt. Sanbangsan and its surrounding areas
Figure 2. Daepo Jusangjeolli Cliff were run along the coastline
Jusangjeolli Cliff is not the only one trail in Jeju Island which has such a wonderful and fascinating landscapes showed both mountainous and sea scenic landscaping. There is also a trail called Seopjikoji which seemed to divide its region by wide savanna most on the left side and sea on its right side. In this place we can also see a retro chapel and lighthouse tower, makes the scenic ambience to be more dramatic.
Figure 3. Seopjikoji with its savanna, retro chapel and lighthouse tower
Our adventure then take us to the Manjanggul lava tubes which is designated as one of the World Heritage Site by UNESCO in 2007 and it is become the 2nd UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN after Mt. Hallasan. The existing formation was caused by the eruption of Geomunoreum which then forming tunnels on the ground known as lava tubes. When we observed the rocky wall, the ancient lava flow had been clearly visible on the wall. The underground cave in Manjanggul lava tubes features some unusual rock formation.
Has become the 3rd of UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN and certified as the world geopark, here is Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone (Sunrise Peak). It is a peninsula rock like a crown called tuff that compress the volcanic mass. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone famous for its magnificent view of the rising sun that can be seen from its peak. When I was there, though I did not do a tracking until the up of the tuff, I can feel the sense of landscaping from this place that makes it certified as the world geopark.
Figure 4. Seongsan Ilchulbong Tuff Cone, the one of world geopark in Jeju Island
After exploring that hidden treasure of natural landscapes beneath the very surface of Jeju Island, I wonder how are their traditional community live and have deal with their natural environment. Actually, the expected answer is somehow lied on Seongeup Folk Village. In this traditional village that showed the actual tradisional housing of Jeju traditional community, it can be encluded that Jeju traditional community still have kind of local wisdom applied in their daily life and they tend to maintain their traditional cultures and customs until nowadays.
Figure 5. Jeju traditional house in Seongeup Folk Village
As a result of several direct observing, exploring and adventuring, from my point of view, I implied that Jeju Island deserves to be the one of the World Natural Heritage and get the UNESCO TRIPLE CROWN in UNESCO natural science area. Jeju Island not only an island with fascinating landscapes, but also an island which concern to maintain its traditional cultures and customs in daily life. It thanks to this UOS International Summer School II, I can learn such an important lesson, especially about Jeju Island as the one of South Korea pride.
What willl you do when you're sad? :(
“Sometimes, when you're so sad you don't know what to do, it helps to be angry.” ― Cornelia Funke, Inkheart ―
Quotes said by Cornelia Funko above quite makes sense. Sometimes, I have questions in my mind, for what reason we suddenly feel like angry when we're sad? And what should we do when we feel it? Does anyone know the answer? Having curious about it I try to look for the answer by analizing my own experiences when I'm sad and nearly get angry for no reason.
I think everyone will agree with me when I say both the feel of happy and sad can't be separated from brain cells. Simply, what we feel is the result of what our brain messengers tell, so that we can feel. So do for the case of happy and sad. From http://www.teachhealth.com/chemmess.html, it said that,
"There are vital chemicals that are carry messages between brain cells as of allow brain cells to "talk to" one another. The first one is the brain's "HAPPY MESSENGERS" (technically known as Biogenic Amine/Endorphin System), its function is carry the messages that are happy and up beat messages. The other called the brain's "SAD MESSENGERS" that carry somber and quieting messages."
"Stress, however, causes problems with the brain's HAPPY MESSENGERS. When life is smooth, the happy messages keep up with demand. But when too much stress is placed on the brain, the HAPPY MESSENGERS begin to fall behind on their deliveries. As the stress continues, the happy messages begin to fail. Important nerve centers then receive mostly sad messages, and the whole brain becomes distressed. The person enters a state of brain chemical imbalance known as "OVERSTRESS"." (http://www.teachhealth.com/chemmess.html)
From what we've discussed, scientifically, we now know that the reason why we suddenly feel like angry when we're sad (maybe) is because the important nerve centers receive sad messages more than happy messages, and as a result, not only we probably feel depressed but also we don't know what to do and ultimately have an impact on angry. In this case, to avoid angry, we must make the brain's HAPPY MESSENGERS work to carry our happy messages more than our sad messages, but how?
The brain's HAPPY MESSENGERS have important function and role by transferring happy message to the important nerve centers in order to make us feel happy. That's why we always suggested to think positively, so that the brain's HAPPY MESSENGERS can compete with the sad messages and work stronger than the brain's SAD MESSENGERS in the important nerve centers. In my opinion, when we think positively, we can make the working of the brain's HAPPY MESSENGERS overcome with sad messages we have.
"Everyone inherits a certain ability to make and use Happy Messengers in the brain. As long as you can make enough Happy Messengers to keep up with the stress in your life, you will find stress to be fun, exciting, enjoyable, challenging. In fact, without it you would be bored." (http://www.teachhealth.com/chemmess.html)
According to what I've said before, always think positively is one of 'basic' solution to make us feel not too depressed when we're sad. Besides, there are another way to relieve sadness. I'll give you some solutions how to relieve sadness based on my own experiences. Check this out!! :D
1. Crying and then praying
From what I've read, it turns out that crying have health benefits, such as remove your body's toxin through your eyes, reduce your stress, increase your mood and relieve your feelings. So, crying when you're sad for once in a while isn't a bad thing to do. Usually, after crying, I pray to my God, wish that God will lead me whatever might happen.
2. Sharing your sadness with someone
There must be a reason behind your sadness, right? It will be good if you're not alone or not feeling alone when you're sad, therefore, sharing with someone can be one of good solution to relieve it. You can talk about your problem and ask for advice from your friend, your brother or sister, or maybe your parent. In this option, I think the closer you're with them, the more they've known about you and understand how you feel. Sharing with someone will make you feel more comfortable, although there's another people who won't.
3. Have quality sleep by sleeping deeply
Have you ever hear about quality sleep?
"Quality sleep is that of sufficient duration and depth that results in one feeling awake and refreshed throughout the day." (http://www.goodsleepadvice.com/2-goodquality.html).
You can get quality sleep by sleeping deeply. Sleeping deeply is needed for relaxing your mind. With sleeping deeply, we can forget our sadness for a moment and be refreshed after we wake up. For me, when I don't want to think seriously about something that will lead me to the sadness, I'll go to sleep in a few hours, until my head dizzy. And trust me, it works!!
4. Relaxing in the nature
Biking or walking out of your room to the nature place will give you a new atmosphere. You can breath of fresh air, see green leaves, or lying down beneath the blue sky :D. Going to waterfall or flower garden might be quite far, if that's so, you can go to nearby grass field and lying down as much as you want :D LOL..
By relaxing in the nature, you feel not only a new atmosphere, but also how precious to enjoy your life as there are a lot of great place you've never seen before. At last, your feeling of sadness will be replaced with the feeling of gratefulness to your God.
5. Listening to the music or singing
When you go to a spa house or when you're having facial treatment at a beauty salon, almost of those place are playing instrumental music while giving a treatment. Don't you know why? It's because instrumental music believed to provide a relaxing effect to the listener. It changes your mood, so you can feel comfort and calm. Sometimes, I listen to the melow music and not the instrumental ones. The songs from Korean Ballad singer will be my choice, such as 4Men, 2AM, SUJU K.R.Y, etc. Well, everyone have their own taste in the music they're listening to.
As for singing, it doesn't matter how bad your voice is, as far as it can make you happy just do it! :D. Once in a while, I sing even when I'm in my boarding house. The genre of song that I sing should be adapted to the condition of my heart at that time, for example, I sing melow song when I'm sad and singing the pop rock song with such a scolding rap lyric when I'm angry with someone but I can't scold him/her. So far, my boarding house friends are laughing at those strange hobby of mine, but I keep in acting cool :D.
6. Reading or writing
Some people might say that when they're sad, they don't have any 'enough' mood for reading or writing. I don't think so, because when you're in 'sad mode', it's like an appropiate time to get some motivation for yourself, and that's you can get by reading. Why? Because reading make you think. When we are reading, both of our eyes and brain (and maybe also our feeling) working to interpret what we read. For example, if we read a motivational book about life, our brain will affected by it, and further we will take an action as a result from what we've read. In this case, in my opinion, the contents of book that learnt by people who are sad will be more touched as long as the genre isn't comedy book :D.
For me, it's easier to write what's on your mind when you're sad. You might write about your feeling and your thoughts. You can write articles like I do, or if you genius you should write cerpen or novel so you can publish it later. Inspiration obtained when you're sad sometimes is the greatest ones, without you ever realize.
7. Watching comedy film
I think this is the most enjoyable way to get rid of our sadness. Suddenly, you just can laugh even in the other side of your heart your sadness is still remained. I use this solution most than the other. Maybe it sounds like force yourself to laugh when you shouldn't, but trust me it really an effective way provided that your comedy film is really funny, if not, I can't guarantee it :D.
Let me tell you the list of comedy genre I've ever watch. Since I'm expert in Japanese Dorama, I'll tell you the best 5, the 1st grade is My Boss My Hero (2005), I'm sure you can't (not) laugh when you watch Nagase Tomoya's action in this dorama, the 2nd is Hanazakari no Kimitachi e or Hana Kimi (2007), Ikuta Toma's action and his face's expressions is so funny, the 3rd is Unobore Deka (2010) starring Nagase Tomoya (again), the 4th is Nodame Cantabile (2006), this dorama is funny in its own way, and the last is Otomen (2009), funny with a little bit of romance.
8. Eating sweets
Chocolate and ice cream will be the best sweets that you're eating when you sad. It will taste more delicious than when you eating it normally. I ever eating ice cream while crying. And what happen is, I'm more focused on what I eat and then stop crying :D. Maybe I'm a freak, but you can try it and proved what I've done. Because of that, now, everytime when I feel down, have no passion, and in a bad mood, eating ice cream is one of my tips to avoid from get worse.
9. Riding on ferris wheel
I remember when I'm trying to ride on ferris wheel for the first time. Not when I'm young, but it just happened recently. My parent always not allow me to ride on it, I don't know why, maybe becase they worry that I'll scare when I'm riding on it. Then, from some of japanese dorama that I've watched, there are several scenes that showed you must seeing or riding on ferris wheel when you're sad. It said that seeing the light that shines from the rotating ferris wheel will make you calm and forget your sadness.
Since then, my curiosity begin and I decided to ride on it, even if I have a little scare. Finally, I went to Batu City Park with my friend. We've been a little bit bad mood at that time, so we decided to have some amusement. At first, we were just sitting at chair and seeing those ferris wheel until we were riding on it when sunset time. Then do you know what I feel? It's so wonderful. I don't know why but it feel like a tranquility rotating around me. Seeing lights from above as far as the eye can see, and in sunset time, it really relaxing. Just try it for once!!
Anyway, that's all the 9 points of my solution on how to relieve sadness. I'll hope it can be helpful to you. Thank's for reading :D. And before you leave this page, would you mind to read this closing quotes below.
Closing quotes:
“Happiness depends upon ourselves.” ― Aristotle ―
“People are just as happy as they make up their minds to be.” ― Abraham Lincoln ―
“Rules for Happiness: something to do, someone to love, something to hope for.” ― Immanuel Kant ―
Reference:
http://www.teachhealth.com/chemmess.html
http://www.goodsleepadvice.com/2-goodquality.html
Picture source:
http://www.wallcoo.net/
http://vi.sualize.us/
One of My Inspirational People, Mizushima Hiro^^
I love watching japanese dorama best :) .I watch it almost everyday, in my spare time at night and sometimes until the dawn, kekeke :D. When I feel down for no reason, have no passion and no books to read, watching japanese dorama can be the one of my solution to make me feel better. At least, when I haven't enough time to go out for refreshing, it still make me consoled.
From those "unstoppable" hobby, I got to know him for the first time. First, when he acted as Nanba Minami [ Nanba Senpai ] in Hanazakari no Kimitachi e or Hana Kimi, then as well at Lovely Complex, Zettai Kareshi, Gokusen, Mei-chan no Shitsuji and also at Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata. I wish I could watch 100 Scene no Koi, Tokyo Dogs, Mr. Brain, BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad too, where he acted as the main role.
From those "unstoppable" hobby, I got to know him for the first time. First, when he acted as Nanba Minami [ Nanba Senpai ] in Hanazakari no Kimitachi e or Hana Kimi, then as well at Lovely Complex, Zettai Kareshi, Gokusen, Mei-chan no Shitsuji and also at Kanojo to no Tadashii Asobikata. I wish I could watch 100 Scene no Koi, Tokyo Dogs, Mr. Brain, BECK: Mongolian Chop Squad too, where he acted as the main role.
This is Mizushima Hiro :)
I love his gorgeous smile^_^
Mizushima Hiro as Nanba Minami
[ Nanba Senpai ] in Hana Kimi
My first impressions of him was ordinary, nothing seemed special until I found more about his early life and career. For me, at first he was just a cute actor who fit funny character in both of his face expressions and his actions perfectly, but then I did thought of him that he had more talents than that, after I learned more about him.
His early life:*taken from wikipedia.org*
*Mizushima was born in Tokyo on 13 April 1984. He has one older sister. When he was six years old, his family moved from Japan to Switzerland due to his father's job. He lived in Zurich, Switzerland for six years, where he became fluent in English and developed an interest in soccer. His family returned to Japan when he was twelve years old.
Mizushima went to the junior high school and the high school of Toin Gakuen and belonged to the soccer club of the school. When he was in the twelfth grade, he worked as a regularmidfielder in The 81st All Japan High School Soccer Tournament. His team advanced to the semifinals, but, they were defeated by Kunimi High School that had Sota Hirayama who played in the U-20 FIFA Youth Championship.
In April, 2003, Mizushima entered the Faculty of Environmental Information, Keio University. (He graduated in March 2008.)
In 2004, Mizushima began to work as a fashion model to earn money to study abroad while at college. Then he worked modelling in the fashion show for a while. However, he was spotted and recruited as a potential actor by the acting agency Ken-On and transferred from the modeling agency Gig Management Japan to Ken-On.*
This were 6 reasons why I added him to my list of inspirational people:
- He graduated from the Faculty of Environmental Information, Keio University. Keio University was known as the oldest institute of higher education in Japan. In Keio or Keidai, Hiro was majoring Policy. No one could ever doubt his cleverness since he could make Keidai as his college. He also became fluent in English and Japanese as a result of his early life in Switzerland. Majoring Policy in Keidai, fluent in English and Japanese, those 2 reason was enough to make me proud of him, and someday, I wish I could be accepted in Keidai too, so we could became the same alumny, kekeke :D I'd love to meet him in such alumny event [ day dreaming :P ]
- He worked to earn money to study abroad while at college. From my college days in this past 5 years, there was a moment when I earned money for savings by worked in projects, maybe just 3 times :( and I was happy I had those experience, although, compared with my friends in the same major I was still lack of experience to earn money by worked in project. From those experience, I did thought that both worked in project and earned money wasn't as easy as it seemed ('_'), so that, I thought Hiro was great because of his effort. Worked to earn money to study abroad while at college? I was still couldn't make it!! T.T
- He get married and always support his wife, Ayaka who battles with graves disease. Get married with someone means we must share happy and sad each other. And Hiro proved it! He married Ayaka, despite the fact that he knew she had graves disease. He always there to support Ayaka when she has struggle with her disease. He once said to his fans that he did it in order that Ayaka fans will accept him to marry Ayaka and give their trust that he'll make her happy and have no regret for marry him. Because of this, once again, I feel touched by the gentle of Hiro :).
- He left his career as an actor to pursue a writing career
Kagerou, his very first book
Hiro take the decision to left his career as an actor in time when he is at the top of his career. The reason behind his decision was to pursue a writing career. He didn't have any experience in writing before, but he said, to be a writer is one of his dream. When he began his career as an actor, his parents declined his decision because they didn't have faith in him that he'll be a successful actor in the future. Then he proved it to his parents until he finally became one of the succesful actor in Japan. *Both Hana Kimi and Zettai Kareshi where he was took the main role were became the most popular dramas of Japan at the time of their airing*. But, not long after those achievement, he left his talent agency and begin to write his very first novel entitled "Kagerou" [ written under the pen name Saito Tomohiro, which is also his real name ]. Public didn't know Hiro debut as a writer until he won the 5th Poplar Publishing Grand Prize for Fiction which one more time also became his proof as a successful writer. The things I like from him except his stubborness in pursue his dreams and take the decision whatever that might happen later was his generous for declined the prize money and instead requested the organizers that it be used to promote literature in Japan.
Mizushima Hiro, you're just too good to be true.. :)
You make me learn the importance of keeping my dreams alive and the effort I must make to pursue my dreams..
Some inspiring quotes about dreams:
“You're never given a dream without also being given the power to make it true.” ― Richard Bach, Illusions ―“When a person truly desires something, all the Universe conspires to help that person realize his dream.” ― Paulo Coelho ―“Go confidently in the direction of your dreams. Live the life you've imagined.” ― Henry David Thoreau ―“You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” ― C.S. Lewis ―“There is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” ― Paulo Coelho, The Alchemist ―
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