Impact

I just got done with my Korean class and it might have been the greatest class I have been to in recent memory. We watched a documentary on the Korean culture. The documentary put so many things in front of me that I wasn't able to put into words. The documentary helped me understand myself more then any other class I've been in. Its easy for me to understand what I'm feeling and how I work, duh, but I was never able to explain it to others. I knew my passion, my morals, and the way I go about things was because I'm my Korean background. I may have Korean blood pumping through my body, but my mind is very American. It was hard for me to explain a lot of the concepts that the Korean culture had to offer. The video blew me away.

It was cool for me to see how outside cultures view the Korean culture and what things Korean people take pride in. Of course the video only had good things to say about the Korean culture, but thats okay because I understand some of the negative things and I also understand that some of the negative things are because of how much pride they take in the good things. A lot of the negative things have higher excuses that support what they do. There seemed to be a lot of British scholars that were being interviewed and although I bet the video was edited so only the good things came out, the people still have to understand and explain the good things.

The video dug into the history and kind of explained how the Korean people built the mentality they live today. There was this book they read some lines out of. The book sounded like it was written by someone trying to explain the culture to others. One of the lines stated, "These people put honor ahead of their own lives." Ain't that the fucking truth. I've always tried to be a honorable person. Honor encompasses so much to me. Loyalty, honesty, and many many more morals. Living in the American culture, it was confusing to me how people just say things, or do things, and how blindly they look at things. I know a lot of ignorant people and it is so frustrating sometimes to see how they go about things. It was relieving to know that there might a bunch of people out there that see life the way I do. It just seems like sometimes I have a wider view on life. I think someone like Kevin Garnett would understand what I am saying. Not a lot of people I know personally understand what I mean. I think the best example of someone I know personally would be Joe Barnett. He is a very life savvy person and understands a lot of the things that go on around him. Otherwise, I can't think of another name that is even close.

Pride is a wonderful thing if you can focus it well. I think Koreans are able to do this. In the video people talked about the 2002 Korea-Japan World Cup. People talked about how much pride the Koreans took in the games. And when they were eliminated, the emotion the Koreans showed caught people unexpectedly. A foreigner compared the passion and heart the Koreans showed to other nations. He compared the Chinese and Koreans directly but later elaborated and explained the difference between the world and Korea. I think he mentioned the Chinese to show that Korea differs from the other oriental countries. He explained that when the Koreans lost, everyone cried, and how much it affected everyones lives. He said many Koreans couldn't get it off their minds and that they lost sleep over the defeat. He said when the Chinese lost, they just went home and that it was the same with other countries. When other countries lose, they just treat it as a game. A lot of people look at me and think I am crazy when it comes to sports. I often get the impression people think I take things to serious and that I am half insane for taking a friendly backyard football game so seriously. And to a point, I thought they were right. We live in a country where majority rules and what the majority thinks is right. What if the majority is wrong? I would say I have lost 75% of my intensity and only a few that were around back in the day would understand what I am talking about. I am very mild compared to whe I was younger. I changed myself, but I will always have some of that fire in me. Its just a problem of no one understand me and my makeup. I just don't understand why people only work when there is a public incentive. People don't work hard unless they know they will get credit for it. It shows how selfish people are now'a days. I do a lot of things under the radar and I look after after a lot of things and people have no idea I'm doing them, but thats okay, I know and thats rewarding enough to me. I explained to Dean one day while playing Melee that I see a lot of things going on the screen that other people don't see. I think he kind of got what I was talking about. I was furious on New Year's eve when we played football in the snow. A lot people before the game showed excitment and talked about how hard they are going to try. After the first play, everything they claimed went to shit. Again, I can't explain my feelings, but the way they went about things made me want to kill myself and them. People talk a lot, but can't back things up. I can't grasp why, not talking, and letting actions speak hasn't caught on. Before the game Mitch was one of the most vocal persons. But in the middle of the game, he would stop running routes, he wouldn't block and I had to ask him to pick it up. I wouldn't point out someones short comings if he hadn't expressed dedication before the game. It was a 3v3 game and the whole other team was full of short comings. I am glad Andy played that day cause if it wasn't for him, I might have hanged myself. Later my anger was brought up. I tried to make some peope understand but again, it didn't work. Jon kept asking me things and I asked him, "Doesnt it bother you that you aren't dominating when we play?" He had a split answer and came up with some excuses. I don't see any reason why Jon couldn't run over ever single player that plays in our little group. Jon is bigger, faster, stonger then almost everyone. Its sad that I can kill ever single person in our little group even though physically I may be the 2nd or 3rd smallest. Jon complained about not making the A team this year for hockey. I know even though things bother Jon, he doesn't really work to make things better for himself. I've never seen Jon dedicated to anything. So I told him, I've never notcied him working out, or shapening his skills and that there is probably a reason he is on B. He quickly came out and told me that politics made it so he couldnt make A. Which I believe is partly true, but not completely. People are so quick to bust out excuses. One day after backyard football we were eating dinner and we were discussing the game and Mitch brought up that I was offensively pass interfering cause I was pushing him off the block. That day I was a little ticked off and I played very physical and I had dominated people physically all day. I correct Mitch and he tried to deny it but Dean came to my support. Dean was on Mitch's team so there wasn't much he could say after it. I guess he hadn't heard of the 5 yeard bump rule. When I watch the football video I made from the game we played in the fall, there are so many laughable things others are doing.

I am just usuing my friends as examples, but I'm ure this applys everyone. And trust me, I love my friends to death even though it may not sound like it here. Thats another thing that the documentary touched on. That Koreans are very loyal and I think loyalty is one of the most important things. It is very hard to find now'a days. I've never been someone to make friends just to make friends. When I make close friends, I do it thinking that when I'm 50, I will still be in touch with them. I think this effects my dating life too. I'm not just going to jump into a relationship just so I can say I have a girlfriend. Thats dumb. I don't want to look back and have regrets. My Mom and Jon both brought up that they think the first girl I meet, will most likely me the one. I think this could very well happen. As long as the other person lets me, I will always be there. A-Christ and I went through a tough time a couple of summers ago. Long story and I don't care to go into that. But its crazy that we are starting to hang out again. I hate to bring up Melee again, but even in video games I believe in sticking to one character and keeping up with tradition. Tradition was another thing the video talked about. They said Koreans have found a way to fit into the new media life style while maintaining thier old ways. I think its amazing that they can adapt and still remember their history, who they are and keep their identity.

Well thats enough preaching, bitching and trying to explain how I feel on thing.