Korean-American Culture Inquiry
Korean-American Culture: Through the Generations
IDS 3713-002
December 6, 2012
Stacey Kim
At the time I just thought we were going on vacation. I was too young to understand that my mother was being transferred due to work responsibilities. At the time we were living in Los Angeles, where I was born and raised until the age of five. Los Angeles was all I knew, it would be ridiculous to say that I still remember my California life, but who wouldn’t forget all of the times one spent with Mickey Mouse and the gang? Yes, we were frequent visitors to the happiest place on Earth.
I had cousins who I played with every day, a community with people who looked like me: yellow skin, slanted eyes; a community that catered to our cultured needs. It was home. I remember eating at the same restaurant every Sunday because it was my grandfather’s favorite place to eat out at. I had a favorite dish, and to this day when I go back to visit I order the same item and it still tastes exactly how I remember it. Every few years or so we pass by the old house I grew up in. The window where the room was once mine is now covered with stickers; belonging to another young child I assume. The front yard where I would run around in, especially when the sprinklers came on. We still visit the church my parents grew up in since they were elementary students. It’s always so nice to see their eyes light up when they find that their friends are still avid goers. I miss Los Angeles and it’s Korea Town; something that San Antonio definitely lacks.
I was five years old when my mother was transferred to San Antonio for her work. I was oblivious as to what was going on in my life at the time, but then again what five year-old is aware? I was so excited to be on “vacation”, especially since I was able to see my mother after five months of separation; with her getting settled into her new job and our new apartment. But, I soon came to realize that I did not like this vacation one
IDS 3713-002
December 6, 2012
Stacey Kim
At the time I just thought we were going on vacation. I was too young to understand that my mother was being transferred due to work responsibilities. At the time we were living in Los Angeles, where I was born and raised until the age of five. Los Angeles was all I knew, it would be ridiculous to say that I still remember my California life, but who wouldn’t forget all of the times one spent with Mickey Mouse and the gang? Yes, we were frequent visitors to the happiest place on Earth.
I had cousins who I played with every day, a community with people who looked like me: yellow skin, slanted eyes; a community that catered to our cultured needs. It was home. I remember eating at the same restaurant every Sunday because it was my grandfather’s favorite place to eat out at. I had a favorite dish, and to this day when I go back to visit I order the same item and it still tastes exactly how I remember it. Every few years or so we pass by the old house I grew up in. The window where the room was once mine is now covered with stickers; belonging to another young child I assume. The front yard where I would run around in, especially when the sprinklers came on. We still visit the church my parents grew up in since they were elementary students. It’s always so nice to see their eyes light up when they find that their friends are still avid goers. I miss Los Angeles and it’s Korea Town; something that San Antonio definitely lacks.
I was five years old when my mother was transferred to San Antonio for her work. I was oblivious as to what was going on in my life at the time, but then again what five year-old is aware? I was so excited to be on “vacation”, especially since I was able to see my mother after five months of separation; with her getting settled into her new job and our new apartment. But, I soon came to realize that I did not like this vacation one
References: I am korean american: Culture [Web series episode]. (2011). In I am korean american. Los Angeles: Arirang. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ePDwLiU8udE The philip jaisohn memorial foundation. (ongoing). Retrieved from http://www.jaisohn.org Schaefer, R. T. (2008). Amish encyclopedia of race, ethnicity, and society. Sage Publications. Doris, S. F., Diana, T. F., Woo, L., & Woo, J. (2009). Improving health-related quality of life of patients with chronic heart failure: effects of relaxation therapy. (Vol. 66). New Jersey: Blackwell Publishing Ltd. Coffman, T., McCartie, C., Romvari, G., & Robinson, C. (n.d.). An interactive classroom on the korean american experience. Retrieved from http://www.koreanamericanstory.org/arirang/flash/main/index.htm