Should I gather some pearls?

Gathering of Pearls is interesting book at least to me. It was written by Korean author Sook Nyul Choi who came to US to study in college and then immigrated to US. It talks about the story of a girl who decided to leave Korea and study in US. Her name is Sookan which is pretty similar with its author's name. I could reckon from it that this book was written based on the author herself's american life and experiences. And with it, she wanted to share what she thinks about it with her american friends or whoever interests in. According to the site that our instructor posted on her blog, this book Gathering of Pearls is the last novel in Sook Nyul Choi's trilogy of a Korean girl. I was surprised that there are two more books that are talking about earlier life of Sookan, so I thought if I have chance next time, I might try to read those books too. Even though we have done with half of this book, I can say this book was the only book that I was willing to read among the books that our class have read so far.

This book has a lot of points that I could empathize on. That is the biggest and the most important reason that made me keep reading this book. It is always interesting and it kinda makes me laugh when I see someone is doing or having exactly same as what I did or had. And while I was reading this book I felt that feeling. Sookan's experiences as an international student in american school are pretty much same as what I am experiencing now. Her fist step on this continent reminded me of the first time I came to this unfamiliar country, and her hardships and confusions especially with language and culture also reminded me of my hardships. And the fact that she was from Korea just like me reinforced those feelings. I was into this book, which I haven't felt for a long time. To be more specific with some examples, when she got a letter from her mother and her sister, I became kinda melancholy and sentimental because I started to think about the letters from my friends before and after I came to this place. I still have those in my room because those are one of the most important and precious things throughout my whole life. Also about her challenging courses, her principle was kinda similar with me so I was nodding my head while reading this book.

At the beginning of this post, I said "this book is interesting book at least to me." But I am pretty sure it will be interesting for all the international students. Once you start to read it, this book turn into an interesting book at least to them. They would be able to fully empathize on the book, connect with their experiences, and get some advices from it. Therefore I would like to recommend this book.

Study Guide 6-12

Gathering of Pearls Study Guide: Chapters 6-12

Chapter 6
1. Reflect on the letter that Sookan receives from her sister. Describe the conflict between the two women. Also discuss the internal conflict (with herself) that Sookan has. Why is this important to the novel and to Sookan’s identity?
Sookan has her own busy schedule but her sister wants she to write her a journal about her life in America which takes pretty much time to do. Because of this Sookan had inner conflict that was between as a student and a sister. This is kinda showing culture in Korea so it is important in this book.

Chapter 7
1. What does Ellen think is important in college (and in life)?

She thinks enjoying life is important.
2. How does her friendship with Ellen make Sookan reconsider her future?

Ellen tells her own perspective about life which is pretty convincing and Sookan is kinda affected at it and she starts thinking about her future.

3. Do you think that Sookan is right to listen to Ellen or should she follow the model of her sister instead?
In my opinion, she should listen to Ellen. I think it is important too. And as Ellen said, she can do everything she wants after she gets married.

Chapter 8
1. Why does Sookan get in trouble and receive demerits in Ch. 8?

Because she missed afternoon attendance.
2. Do you think she made the right decision in sneaking out?

I think she made the right decision. Keeping touch with family is necessary.

3. What is the letter that she writes about?

It was about the things that she was amazed about after she came over to US.

4. How do you think her sister will react to this letter?

Probably her sister will be satisfied with it. She wanted to know about how Sookan is living, and Sookan gave her what she wanted to know.

Chapter 9
1. Thanksgiving with Ellen’s family is both good and bad for Sookan. Why? Give at least two reasons for each.

She had fun time with Ellen’s family and by putting hanbok on to Ellen, she could show what’s Korean traditional clothes. Also she got the nice and thoughtful present from Mrs. Lloyd. On the other hand, she started to worry about her sister because Sookan thought she disappointed her sister. She also was embarrassed because she made Mrs. Lloyd worried about her.

Chapter 10
1. What is Sookan’s secret study spot?
Bathtub in the corner of the shower room that is at the end of the hallway and the lights were kept on all night.

2. What happened to her while she was studying for her final exam?
She fainted because of exhaustion.

3. What are Sister Reed’s instructions for Sookan over winter break?
Sister Reed let Sookan leave to Marci's house for winter vacation and maybe Ellen, Marci, and Sookan could get together under one condition which was not to take any book with her and when she returns, discuss about her schedule.

Chapter 11
1. Compare the two letters from home: how is the one from her mother different from the one from her sister? What does this show about these two women and their different viewpoints about life and about Sookan?

The letter from her mother was worried and caring about Sookan. Her mother was missing her and gave Sookan some news of family. However her sister’s letter had strict and strong message and advice. Her sister focused on being the only Korean in school and Sookan’s life.

Chapter 12
1. What food does Sookan prepare for her guests?
She made bulgogi, salad, and white rice which are typical Korean food.

2. What do Marci and Ellen add to the celebration?
Marci helped Sookan to prepare for dinner and made the brownies. And Ellen brought the Christmas butter cookies and set the table.

3. Who joins them?
Marci, Ellen, Kyle, Sister Casey, Sister Reed, and Bennett's family joined.

4. Why do you think this gathering is so important to Sookan?

That was the great opportunity to thank them for being a good people around her.

Questions

1. How do you think about her refusion at class officer election?

2. Does she have to be that hardworking student? 

Letter to Sister

Dear my sister

Hello my sister, this is Sookan.
I want to say sorry first about the journal you asked for me.
And I know you are little bit dissapointed with me.
However, I've been really busy these days so I had no chance to start it yet.
Of course, I will write and sent it to you when my schedule gets looser.
I want to join in your rewarding and worthy work.
I hope you to understand me.

Love you always,
Sookan

There Is Always Exception

There were so many Korean movies that I wanted to watch, however because I stayed in New York, I had no chance to watch those. Instead, I watched really interesting non-Korean movies. And I'm going to write a brief review about one of them.

The movie that is chosen to be written called "Minority Report" directed by Steven Spielberg who is super famous movie director and producer of a lot of blockbuster movies. Among his pieces, this movie is SF movie which is his best part and that is why I watched this movie. I am not a big fan of SF movie but actually this movie was really interesting and fun to watch. It is not only technically well made that has a lot of things to watch but also quite instructive.

The story occurs in such a far future from now, 2054 in Washington DC. At that time, there is the system called "Pre-Crime" which is used for foreseeing a future homicide so that they can prevent it before it happens. Thanks to that system, Washington DC gets zero percent on crime rate. And the protagonist whose name is John (Tom Cruise), is working as a cop who is in charge of arresting criminal based on the fact from pre-crime system. One day, John's name is predicted as a criminal, and he becomes a fugitive. While he tries to run away, he finds some outrageous facts. 


Visually, handsome actor Tom Cruise is a featured actor in this movie, and that makes us feel refreshed. However, the most interesting fact is, although this movie was released in 2002, it shows very refined and polished scene style. The computer graphic of this movie is perfect. For example, there are flying cars and laser computer that is hard to give body  with the technique on 2002, but it is almost like real that even made me check again when did this movie come out. Also throughout the whole movie, the screen is whitish, and little bit unclearly bright. It is hard to explain, but because of those  characteristics, the overall atmosphere of the movie is somewhat depressed and down. You can definitely feel it if you watch that movie. I thought it was a problem on my computer at first. 

Usually many other SF movies are focusing on showing a developed technique so they fail to convey important message, but this movie was different. In this movie, there is a line "You can choose". The characters in this movie already know the future, thus they can change their future if they want. Life is full of choices, even now, I could have not done this review and had fun with my friends or myself. Like this, my life is made by me and it is all up to me. Whether the choice is right or wrong, I have to take charge of it and be responsible. It may sound cruel, but I have to. At this point, I want to say one thing to myself. "Don't make any regret."

This movie was really interesting to me. It didn't feel like old movie that was released more than 10 years ago and also brought me huge lesson. Therefore I want to recommend this movie to others. Except for someone who is not patient because this movie is about 150 minutes long.  

Facts About Sook Nyul Choi

She was born in North Korea in 1937 and moved to South Korea in 1947.
She studied English in Ewha Woman's University and moved to U.S and went to Manhattanville.
And she became a teacher, then moved to Massachusettes and became a writer.
Her books are about the culture in Korea.
Her daughter is pretty famous in Korea.