10) Music day

This was posted on 26th, March, 2015 here :

https://www.facebook.com/lolseoul/posts/399079870263695

Hello, those of you who have waited my new coffee(my post), sorry for making you thirsty.

These days, I didn't have enough time to write...
If you didn't read my previous post on my note, hope you enjoy reading it with pictures too. I prefer writing a note to writing a status, as it makes the album seem neat, and finding a note is easier than a post on timeline.

Spring arrived in Korea! I can tell as I can smell! Whenever the season changes, I can smell something different in the air. It reminds me of great memory I had in the spring of 2014!

Definitely, I'll upload some photos to share the beauty of the spring in Korea, but today, let me just share some music.
Spring! It's the perfect time to enjoy the music! (Of course, listening to awesome music is always nice though grin 이모티콘 )

The pleasure of listening to music is what really shouldn't be neglected. It's an important part of life. I just came to realize it once again, after I got stressed, as the new semester started in the beginning of March and I got several tasks and assignments all of sudden. Wow...now I see 3 weeks passed quickly! It's already 25th March! Though I'm not a musician or artist, I can't deny music is wonderful!

I love Opera songs, classical music, jazz, European pop, K-pop(some of), Korean traditional music, electronic music and so on. Let me put some links:

1. <바람을 깨우다 by 꽃별>
As most of people here are interested in Korea, first of all, I'd like to introduce this! http://bit.ly/1DZskJ3 Watching this video isn't necessary. I just recommend you to listen to this song without watching it, as I love the melody so much! Not that exotic in the beginning, but from 00:40, it's different..
This song seems to bring some emotions of Koreans. Somewhat bittersweet, wrenching, heartbreaking...
I like the player of this music. She is a Haegeum player. Haegeum 해금 is a Korean traditional instrument. It's quite similar to violin, but it has only 2 strings!! grin 이모티콘

2. <Canon variation played on the Korean traditional instrument >
Hmm it's quite famous in Korea, but for the people who think traditional music is boring, this might give you different impressions and you might love it with b-boys and beatbox! http://bit.ly/1DZxqVN

3. <Arirang Rhapsody>
Just watch it! Just Awesome!! Wonderful! http://bit.ly/1ETKoC7

4. <This is Arirang>
Great flash mob!!! Worth watching! http://bit.ly/19PZhLl

5. <Hey Bob, Hot sauce, Happy Bubble (3 songs) by Winterplay>
If you're into jazz, I'd say my favorite Korean jazz group is Winterplay! The vocalist 혜원 is so beautiful! Happy Bubble is so bright and cheerful!http://bit.ly/1CYt1m5 http://bit.ly/19lrGaX http://bit.ly/1N8vKe3

Oh, one more: If you know Nikki Yanofsky, Canadian genius musician (from Quebec) then you might like this one too!
http://bit.ly/1Ngq2Vz Definitely, I do love her! ahh I love both! smile 이모티콘

6. <If I Ain't Got You-Gayageum cover by Luna>
This will bring you different impressions, even if you're familiar with the original melody! http://bit.ly/1BqVhXj
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7. These days I often listen to Opera "Carmen" of Bizet, or some classical music!
I love this video...! http://bit.ly/1GmhbSi Here, Milstein's 'Paganiniana' is played by a wonderful Korean violinist.
http://bit.ly/1LYvD7q Carmen Fantasy by Korean pianist and violinist! Amazing!!

http://bit.ly/1oXXOrk Caprice 24(Paganini's) by David Garrett (German genius violinist): I watched this movie in the cinema, and it was wonderful!!! grin 이모티콘

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Happy Spring with great music! Hope it inspires you! ^^

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Plus:

This is nice too, if you're interested in 해금(Haegeum-Korean traditional instrument) and Irish music!  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n2FU2byQ_Zk

9) Spring and 3.1 March 1st Movement

This was posted on 1st, March, 2015 here https://www.facebook.com/notes/locals-life-in-seoul-lol-seoul/spring-and-31-march-1st-movement/387985278039821

(2015/3/1)

In Korea, the school year begins in March, not in September like in America or in Europe.

I like this school system. March begins, spring comes, flowers blossom again, and the school also starts again with welcoming sunshine. 

It makes me refresh my mind and helps me get back to study mode. One of the good school policies!

Usually, schools start on 2nd, March, as far as I can remember, from elementary school until now in university.

March 1st is a national holiday, so normally, schools start on 2nd, March, unless 1st March is Friday or Saturday. We don't go to school on weekends.

As always, New year's day came, and so did March. March is the perfect time to start something, with flowers blooming.

March, the first month of spring, sprouting time, begins with a holiday.

However, this holiday is quite different from other holidays prior to March.

Unlike New year's day and Lunar New year (3 days of holiday), it's not that happy time, but it's more than worth remembering this day.It's the day we shouldn't forget.  

March 1st 삼일절(Samiljeol) is the day that the biggest independence movement was held across Korea, and it's known as the first public displays of Korean resistance during the occupation of the Korean Empire by Japan. We wanted to achieve Korean independence peacefully.

***Before wondering if I can survive this semester and preparing for the new semester, I should appreciate and thank the people who sacrificed their lives for our country's independence. That's why the beautiful month, March begins with this holiday.

The freedom now I take for granted wasn't available then.

Free right to read Korean, write Korean, speak Korean, listen to Korean... ordinary, daily, indispensable, essential, vital part of life for Koreans.

As the American poet Ron Chapman says: "We should never take for granted our freedoms that we have today. Our freedoms were paid for with the blood of Heros." Well said! 

대한 독립 만세! (Daehan Dokrip Mansae!) "For the independence of Korea!" 만세(Mansae) means hooray in Korean.

Hooray Korea. Hooray for the beautiful spring!!

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If you're interested in Korean leading activists' thoughts during Japanese occupation, it would be helpful to read "My desire" by one of the great leading Korean activists, Kim Koo.  link: http://goo.gl/272cYe

Below, I'm adding photos that photographers took and photos Utgar took today at the event. ©All Rights Reserved.

photo credit: photographer 류재일

photo credit: photographer 유원균

photo credit: photographer 장무상

Statue of Kim Koo. photo credit: photographer 김정민

From here, the photos were taken at today's 3.1 March 1st Movement event at Seodaemun Prison by Utgar. 

8) March! Spring! Coming!

This was posted on 28th,February,2015 here https://www.facebook.com/notes/locals-life-in-seoul-lol-seoul/march-spring-coming/387612611410421

(2015/2/28) 

March is marching!

Spring is springing! 

Wake up! School life begins next week.

Again, as usual. SpRING is coMING.

Again, as usual. Excited about what this new semester will bRING.

Again, as usual. WonderING if I can survive this semester.

Hope everybody can survive!

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I like this comment my visitor wrote below my note.

I'm happy that fall is not falling nor winter is winning! Greetings from the Netherlands where slowly the spring seems to jump more than winter wins!

Sounds creative!! COoooL!

7) Happy New Year 2015

This was posted on 19th,February,2015 here https://www.facebook.com/lolseoul/posts/383754351796247

Here comes our coffee time, as the Lunar New year's day has come! wink 이모티콘Perhaps some of you might think your New year didn't go as well as you expected. Don't get stuck in that feeling.

"Let it go!" smile 이모티콘 You still have the beautiful days of 2015 left. You could think you're late. However, late is better than never.

Also, it could be that you're not late at all. Steady and slow wins the race!

With the help from professional baristas, I'm adding 20 pictures including my own. First two pictures were roasted by me. The rest were roasted by experienced baristas (calligraphers). All of these pieces wish you a bright new year or encourage people with beautiful sayings.
Have a great 2015! 새해 복 많이 받으세요! grin 이모티콘
**Special thanks to art director, Han DeokTaek and a group of calligraphers, Eo-ulrim(어울림) for allowing me to upload these nice pictures. Photo courtesy of Han DeokTaek. Copyrights reserved.*

6) Valentine's day

This was posted on 14th,February,2015 here https://www.facebook.com/lolseoul/posts/382162181955464
Hi coffee lovers wink 이모티콘
Are you enjoying your weekend? 
I really appreciate that a lot of people read my previous post more than I expected, though it's quite serious and very long. Thank you so much!
As I'm interested in literature and I admire great spirits, I love to spread and share awesome words. 
Also, I'm grateful that several people like my handwriting! so I'm adding some here. grin 이모티콘 This time, no Korean though.
Have a good weekend, and please remember Ahn's great spirit.

5) Ahn Jung-geun

This was posted on 13th,February,2015 here https://www.facebook.com/lolseoul/posts/381577592013923

On the way to roast my new coffee, I'm getting support from others including my guests.
Some experienced Korean baristas are friendly, and say I can use their photos, as long as I mark the source!
So, I can keep this cafe, offering more interesting coffees! Yippee!
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Well,,,today's coffee is quite serious...
Just a few days ago, when I started making coffee,
I planned to make my cafe (my page) just to be cozy and comfy.
But not today.
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As I was scrolling down my newsfeed, many people seemed to talk about Valentine's day.
Honestly my close friends and I don't care about Valentine's day.
Normally we think Valentine's day is just a day for chocolate companies to promote their items.
However, as a Korean, I'm quite ashamed to forget that tomorrow isn't just Valentine's day.
Many young people like me are not aware that tomorrow is also another significant day. Thankfully art director, Han DeokTaek reminded me of this day.
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On 14th, February, 1910, though Korean hero, 안중근 Ahn Jung-geun was Catholic, he was sentenced to death for killing a Japanese leader. Ahn was the man who struggled for independence during the Japanese colonial period. His brilliant achievements are beyond my speaking.
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The more surprising thing is that his mother was also remarkable.
Like mother, like son.
Even if the son follows a great cause, as a mother, it would be hard to allow the son to be sacrificed.
Following is the letter she wrote to her son. I have read it before, but reading it again while translating the it made me sad again. It arouses deep emotion. Poignant sorrow, bitter, wrenching...
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< "As you are sentenced for doing what was right, don't ever beg for your life like a coward. Instead, keep in mind that dying honorably is an act of filial duty.
Without leaving the impression that you are struggling to live on, give your life honorably.

If you have ever thought that dying before your old mother is an undutiful thing, you disgrace me.
Your death is not of one person, but carries all of Chosun's righteous indignation. Die without being double-faced, for you have come to this point for your country.

To appeal against a court decision is to beg Japan for your life.
You must die honorably and purely for Korea.
Perhaps this will be the last letter I send to you.
As I'm sending your shroud here, wear this and go.
As I anticipate, I am not going to see you again in this life, in your next life, be born as a son of low birth." >
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It's really sad.
Well... I know I'll enjoy my weekend, but I strongly believe that at least I need to remember this day. Thanks a lot for reading this serious,long post and please remember our hero. grin 이모티콘
Have a great weekend! Happy Valentine's day! smile 이모티콘
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Enjoy my handwriting. The photos are taken by a cell phone.
(*While translating the letter, I referred to this article a bit:http://goo.gl/TbYFEt)

4) On the way to roast my coffee

This was posted on 10th,February,2015 here https://www.facebook.com/lolseoul/posts/380144835490532

On the way to roast my coffee! wink 이모티콘
What a mess? tongue 이모티콘 My parents were surprised to see what I had done.
This is what I was doing for my coffee, my post wink 이모티콘
Usually I'm generous, rather than being a perfectionist, but surely I'd like my coffee to be tasty and good!
Make it, taste it, make it. Again and Again. smile 이모티콘
It takes a lot of time to find and choose the ingredients and make my coffee. My coffee is slowly roasted, so please bear with me. If my page was a restaurant, many people would be starving... tongue 이모티콘 sorry my guests.

It's quite cold these days, but...!
May my coffee warm your heart and day! 

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Come visit my cafe (my page - lol Seoul) and enjoy my coffee (my posts). grin 이모티콘
From finding ingredients to roasting my coffee, I'm doing my best to make my coffee. Slow and steady!
May my coffee warm your heart and day! ;-)