Chapter Three

Zandary Gallery, March 1st

2009-03-05T22:31:00.004+09:00

Our string quartet met on March 1st, at a gallery called Zandary in Hongdae area, which is considered the hip college district in Seoul. I arrived at the space with help of directions given to me on my cell phone as I walked through the maze-like tiny streets. Our violist, Michelle, knows the curator of the gallery and she was able to persuade them to rent the second floor reception space for us for a moderate reantal fee. Equipped with sheet music, music stand and passion to make music, we warmed up with Mozart's divertmento. It was not bad at all. In fact, it was better than I expected. I think we are well matched for both skill and intention. Although Michelle's playing is a level above everyone else, her push comes with the most appropriate dosage. Mr. Jang, our second violinist, keeps steady rhythm and excellent at sightreading. Dr. Yang, our cellist, is quiet, but knows the music. Beethoven wrote six string quartet music in early days. They are numbered as Op 18, No 1 ~No 6. Our heart is in the number 1. Now, I am undoubtedly under pressure. I haven't made a complete transition from the second violin to the first. I miss those days when I played 2nd violin in suburbs of Boston, safely under the guidance of Dr. Sebastian, then our 81 year old first violinist. Here, I need to lead and more expressive. Although, I know that I can do it somehow, it's still scary.

Out of the blue

2009-02-03T18:12:00.003+09:00

The day after lunar New Year's Day, I got a text message about forming an amateur string quartet. I was hesitant to respond first. I wondered if this could be one of those cell phone schemes from China that can charge high fees when you respond. However, the message was too specific to be a random call. I called back and carefully asked questions. The guy had a voice that made difficult to guess his age. His tone was not that compelling, but his information was genuine, something that amateur classical musicians can understand instantly. After all, he's a violinist like me. Three days later, I got another call from him, saying that he found viola and cello. No time to waste. Yesterday, we had the first meeting. We have to find a place to play and I am working on it through my friend who has connections in the theater community. I was looking for a chance to play the violin in a quartet ever since I arrived in Korea. I posted my information on an internet cafe site a year ago. My cell phone number that remained in that dormant cafe site was found by the violinist. There's a strong possibility that the quartet can be a regular thing, just my hunch. It will be a nice touch to my experience of Korea.

Meaningful work

2009-01-15T18:08:00.004+09:00

I'm reading 'Outliers' by Malcom Gladwell. It's about what makes the successful successful. On the contrary to the general notion that the successful people's best ingredient for success is their personality and character, Gladwell shows the circumstances and environment that gave the successful the grest opportunities: when they were born, where they were born, and the family background matter. It reminds me of palza, the eight letters that can say all about your destiny.

I am about half way reading it and there's an articulated remark about work. "Autonomy, complexity and a connection between effort and reward are .....the three qulaities that work has to have if it is to be satisfying." Very true.

One Roomtel

2009-01-14T00:34:00.005+09:00

On Monday, I moved to a goshitel called "iGuesthouse", near the Heyhwa rotary. Due to a partial renovation at The International House, some residents were moved to guesthouses nearby and I am one of them. The renovation will go on until the end of February and I hope they take care of those bathrooms with incredibly thick water stain and aged mold.

Goshitel in Korean means a student residence for those who study for exam. The first thing the manager said to me was to keep quiet and he said it politely and firmly. I was given a tiny room, packed with essential amenities arranged in a very clever way. There is space just enough for me to stand and pivot from desk to bed to bathroom to a bookcase/cloth cabinet. There's even a window, but it's all foggy and can't see anything beyond. I am grateful that I am not claustrophobic and decided to enjoy this living experience that I could not, would not have ever attempted on my own. Who knew that I would have this kind of experience? The free ramen, eggs, and instant coffee mix in the communal kitchen are very charming. I should make myself a ramen meal sometime this week, to make the experience complete.

"oriental medicine" to "integrative medicine"

2009-01-07T16:58:00.005+09:00

I just found out that Meiji University of Oriental Medicine was renamed "Meiji University of Integrative Medicine". Their sister school in Berkeley, CA also changed its name to "Acupuncture & Integrative Medicine College". Integrative medicine is not a patent word, so anyone can use it. However, the meaning is different to different people. Here are some definitions that have been worked out in the US.

This is a definitino of integrative medicine by UCSF Osher center for integrative medicine.

Integrative medicine is a new term that emphasizes the combination of both conventional and alternative approaches to address the biological, psychological, social and spiritual aspects of health and illness. It emphasizes respect for the human capacity for healing, the importance of the relationship between the practitioner and the patient, a collaborative approach to patient care among practitioners, and the practice of conventional, complementary, and alternative health care that is evidence-based.

Consortium of Academic Health Centers for Integrative Medicine (CAHCIM)

"Integrative Medicine is the practice of medicine that reaffirms the importance of relationship between practitioner and patient, focuses on the whole person, is informed by evidence, and makes use of all appropriate therapeutic approaches, healthcare professionals and disciplines to achieve optimal health and healing."

I found a blog called "The Ingegrator Blog". A good one to follow.
http://theintegratorblog.com/site/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1

Blogging

2009-01-07T15:05:00.000+09:00

Although I have been thinking that it would be a great idea to have a blog, I didn't start one becasue I forsaw the burden of updating. Then, here I am, encouraged by the teacher of writing class, I signed up finally. Then I met an immedate challenge: the title. After I spent some time and produce nothing but a blank space, I realized that I was constantly self-censoring. It's the same recurring problem when I write anything. I constantly edit and sensor while I write, to the point that I can't write. So, in order to use this space to practice writing whatever comes into my mind without self-censoring and overcome the fear of over-exposure, I start this blog with no pre-planned agenda. Well, wish me luck.