Bibimbap dec 2016

Bibimbap a

Teachers Magazine Jeollanamdo • Volume 4 • Issue 3

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EST. 2013 • Volume 4 • Issue 3 • October 2016

For questions and comments concerning articles please contact the writer via their emails listed at the end of their articles

For general inquiries contact: BibimbapNews@gmail.com general managment

Chris Devison chrisofficeofeducation@yahoo.com Dinh Nguyen d11nguye@gmail.com Lindsay Ross Ross6520@gmail.com copy editor

Colin Bishoff art director

Dinh Nguyen production team

Chris Devison Dinh Nguyen Joe Campbell Elizabeth Anne Susan Sahab Lindsay Ross Colin Bishoff Madeleine Grace photographers

Dinh Nguyen Joe Campbell Susan Sahab

The Editorial Team

{bibimbap{

Chris Devison is the Provincial Coordinator for the Jeollanamdo Language Program. He has lived in South Korea for almost 10 years, and has spent six of those years in his current position.

Aside from assisting public school teachers with their contract and school life, he has a keen interest in health and wellness.

Having lived in both Western and Eastern cultures, he has a strong understanding of the healthiest practices of both worlds.

Before coming to South Korea, Dinh Nguyen was a Canadian journalist. He has 6 years experience as an editor, reporter, and desktop publishing designer. After obtaining his CELTA in 2012, he moved to Yeosu to follow his passion for teaching and traveling.

He also holds a CELTA YLE, and two DELTA certificates. He is the co-founder of ESL Nomads.

Shortly after completing his English degree at the University of Georgia, Colin Bishoff moved to South Korea in 2015 to pursue his dream of experiencing Asian culture. He has a passion for his native language in both its written and spoken forms, and he greatly respects the difference between a dash and a hyphen. An avid runner, Colin can often be found winding his way alongside the rice fields of glorious Yeonggwang.

Lindsay Ross is a Canadian teacher living in Mokpo. After getting her bachelor of education in 2011, she taught with JLP for four years at the middle and high school levels. She now works at a university in Naju. Among other articles, Lindsay researches and puts together the event calendar and Korean language sections for Bibimbap.

Elizabeth Anne has taught at all levels in public schools in South Korea since 2002, and at an International School on China’s east coast. While at University she studied Food Science, Nutrition and Biology in addition to Elementary Teaching. She grew up in multi-cultural New Zealand which influenced her to explore other cultures and food.

Madeleine Grace is an EFL teacher in Yeosu. Prior to pursuing teaching, she earned a BFA in Photography and Design. She has worked for JLP since 2015 and worked at a private academy prior to that in Mokpo. Her journey to EFL teacher includes traveling to Dubai, Nepal, and several other countries to research ESL and EFL professionals. She also has earned her M. ED in ESL Curriculum Design.

Susan Sahab is an English teacher in Hwasun and is currently starting her second year in Korea. As an Art History major, she is passionate about both the historical and aesthetic significance of art and photography. Her passions include photography, music, cooking, and illustration. In an attempt to continue her art while teaching, in her free time she teaches traditional art classes at the Gwangju International Center and tries to shoot as often as possible..

front and back cover photo :

Dinh Nguyen

All non-credited photos are used under public domain

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After completing his degree and travelling around Canada extensively, Joseph Campbell recently moved to South Korea to teach English and immerse himself in a foreign and fascinating culture.

He is always looking for something new to learn, and you won’t find many topics that don’t interest him.

Behind the cover 4

Upcoming holiday and event calendar

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Understanding your students' learning styles

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Korean education system through the eyes of a student Letter from the Coordinator: About the provincial summer camp Photo essay: Biking through Jeollanamdo The Recipe Box: Vegetarian Pad Thai Healthy Musings: A look at one of the oldest full body healing systems

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Upcoming holidays and events richard tang

Holidays October 31 Halloween

October September 3 - November 30:

Busan Biennale (부산비엔날레; Busan)

November 24

Thanksgiving (U.S)

September 9 - October 30:

Hongseong Namdanghang Port Jumbo Shrimp Festival (홍성 남당항대하축제; Chungcheongnam-do)

September 24 - November 13:

Mindung Mountain Eulalia Festival

(민둥산억새꽃축제;Gangwon-do)

September 24 – November 13:

Korean Folk Village Historical Drama Festival (한국민속촌 사극드라마축제; Gyeonggi-do)

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September 30 - October 30:

October 8-30:

(서울국제공연예술제; Seoul)

(안면도 백사장대하축제; Chungcheongnam-do)

Seoul Performing Arts Festival October 1-16:

Jinju Namgang Yudeung (Lantern) Festival (진주 남강유등축제; Gyeongsangnam-do)

October 1-23:

Busan One Asia Festival (부산 원아시아페스티벌; Busan)

October 1 – 30:

Sanjeonghosu Lake · Myeongseonsan Mountain Eulalia Festival 2016 (Gyeonggi-do)

October 1-31:

Korea Grand Sale (코리아그랜드세일; Seoul)

Anmyeondo Beach Shrimp Festival

October 15-23:

Yeongju Punggi Insam Festival (영주 풍기인삼축제; Gyeongsangbuk-do)

October 19-23:

Icheon Rice Cultural Festival (이천쌀문화축제; Gyeonggi-do)

October 20-23:

Jeonju Bibimbap Festival

(전주비빔밥축제; Jeollabuk-do) October 21-22:

Jeju Olle Walking Festival

(제주올레걷기축제; Jeju-do)

October, Novemeber, and December October 21-23:

October 28-30:

(남도음식문화큰잔치; Jeollanam-do)

(대전국제와인페어;

Namdo Food Festival

October 21 – November 6:

Hampyeong Grand Chrysanthemum Festival

Daejeon International Wine Fair Daejeon)

October 29:

(대한민국 국향대전; Jeollanam-do)

Chuncheon International Mime Festival

October 22-25:

(춘천 마임축제; Gangwondo)

Daejeon Science Festival

October 29 - November 7:

(대전 사이언스페스티벌; Daejeon)

Masan Gagopa Chrysanthemum Festival

October 22:

(마산 가고파국화축제; Gyeongsangnam-do)

(부산 불꽃축제; Busan)

October 29 - November 6:

Busan Fireworks Festival October 27-31:

Jeongeup National Bullfighting Festival (정읍 전국민속소싸움대회; Jeollabuk-do)

October 28-30:

Yeoju Ogok Naru Festival (여주오곡나루축제; Gyeonggi-do)

October 28-30:

Geoje Island Flower Festival (거제섬꽃축제; Gyeongsangnam-do)

November 4-20:

Seoul Lantern Festival

November 4-6:

(순천만갈대축제; Jeollanam-do)

(서산국화축제; Chungcheongnam-do)

November 18-20:

(파주장단콩축제; Gyeonggi-do)

(정동 야행; Seoul)

November 18-20:

October 28 – November 6:

Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival (서산국화축제; Chungcheongnam-do)

(서울디자인페스티벌; Seoul)

November 18-20:

Paju Jangdan Soybean Festival (파주장단콩축제; Gyeonggi-do)

November 18-20:

Geumgang River Migratory Bird Festival (금강철새여행; Jeollabukdo)

November 18-20:

Gunsan·Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival

Ross6520@gmail.com November 18-20:

Paju Jangdan Soybean Festival (파주장단콩축제; Gyeonggi-do)

November 18-20:

Geumgang River Migratory Bird Festival (금강철새여행; Jeollabuk-do)

November 18-20:

Gunsan·Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival (군산-서천 금강철새여행; Jeollabuk-do)

(군산-서천 금강철새여행; Jeollabuk-do)

Paju Jangdan Soybean Festival

Jeong-dong Culture Night

(익산천만송이국화축제; Jeollabuk-do)

Seoul Design Festival

Suncheon Bay Reeds Festival

Seosan Chrysanthemum Festival

Iksan Ten Million Chrysanthemum Festival

December 7-11:

If you would like to have your event listed in Bibimbap, please contact:

Cheongsong Apple Festival

(장성백양단풍축제; Jeollanam-do)

October 28 - November 6:

(광주세계김치축제; Gwangju)

Compiled by Lindsay Ross

November 4-7:

(청송사과축제; Gyeongsangbuk-do)

October 28-29:

Gwangju World Kimchi Festival

(서울빛초롱축제; Seoul)

Jangseong Baegyang Maple Festival

October 28 - November 6:

November 18-22:

Geumgang River Migratory Bird Festival (금강철새여행; Jeollabukdo)

November 18-20:

Gunsan·Seocheon Migratory Bird Festival (군산-서천 금강철새여행; Jeollabuk-do)

5 dinh nguyen

ESL vs. EFL

The difference between English as a Second Language and English as a Foreign Language

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dinh nguyen

madeleine grace teacher

C

ase in point: my own path as a teacher has beeWhen we use the term English Language Learners(ELL), we are generally referring to one of two core groups of English language students: learners of English as a Second Language (ESL) and learners of English as a Foreign Language (EFL). Although there are definite similarities between these groups, these terms are not interchangeable and should not be confused with one another. Indeed, to best serve and educate our students, it is important for us as teachers or instructors of English to know what type of language learners we are teaching so that we may tailor the methods of instruction to suit the needs of our students or classes. madeleine grace

Why is it Important to Know the Differences?

What is the Difference?

In his well-renowned Teaching by Principles (2001), San Francisco State University Professor H. Douglas Brown states that the biggest difference between EFL and ESL is the motivation of the students and the level of impact English has on their everyday lives. Thus, when we think about our own classes, we should considerthe impact English has on the students.

Some points to think about includethe number ofstudents who will regularly use English outside of class in their everyday lives; who (if any) among our students will be moving to or living/studying in an English-speaking country; and whether or not we have any students who will pursue education or work abroad. If none or only a few students meet the above criteria, chances are the class is one of EFL rather than ESL students.

It is important to know the difference between ESL and EFL because the outcome, motivation, and approach will vary depending on the type of student.

To many Korean students, learning English is the equivalent to Western students’ learning of French, Spanish, German, or another language. That is, these students see English as just another class at school that matters little for any practical application. Thus, the score they get in class may or may not be important to them, and the connection they have with that language may be very weak. There may be a few students who want to learn out of personal interest or who have a personal motivation for doing so, but most students are just taking the class because the school has told them they must. It is therefore important that we understand what motivates our students and use this motivation (or lack thereof) to help teach them more effectively.

Using Creativity As teachers, there are times when we may be bound by textbooks or curricula that may not best serve or motivate the type of learners we are teaching. It is in these situations that we must take ourselves out of the place of the teacher and imagine ourselves as a student in the class. That is, we should think about what our students’ motivation is for learning; what gets them excited; what ideas are difficult for them to understand because of their culture; etc. Also, we should consider the expected outcome from the school. Most of the EFL teachers in South Korea are here to give cultural context to the students and expose them to different ideas. We must remember, however, that we can’t expect to reach 100 per cent of the students in our classes 100 per cent of the time. What we can do, however, is adjust our expectations and provide our students with a learning environment best suited to their needs.

With files from: Brown, H. D. 2001. Teaching by principles.

New York: Longman.

dinh nguyen

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K-ristmas

How the holiday is celebrated in Korea, and where you can find pieces of home

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chris devison jlp coordinator

W

ith this edition of Bibimbap being released right around Christmas,I thought that now would be a perfect time to revisit an article on K-ristmas that I wrote a while back.

Religious beliefs aside, chances are that, through the commercialization of Christmas in most Western countries (or at least the ones that send teachers to Korea), all of us have been influenced by the Christmas season. It’s an exciting time of year for most and is also something that some of us will miss dearly while we stay in Korea.

As a Catholic Christian, I have found that Christmas has always been the hardest time of year for me to live abroad.

Christmas was a big part of my upbringing, and although I still miss being home for Christmas, being here so long has helped me to adjust to being away from my family. Hopefully, I can share some advice that will help all of us make the best of this time of year.

First, it’s important to understand that our past experiences with Christmas may be different than the typical Korean experience, and this may, in fact, be part of the reason why some foreigners tend to miss Christmas so much. Like many of the special days in Korea, Christmas is traditionally targeted towards couples, though it is slowly becoming more and more a part of mainstream society. Couples will typically spend the day together by taking in a movie, having dinner, and, or exchanging small gifts.

Recently, however, more and more families have started getting into the Christmas spirit. For these families, a typical Christmas might mean having dinner together and then sharing a “Christmas cake,” which in Korea just means a standard birthday cake emblazonedwith a festive design. Theseare very plentiful and can be found in literally every corner

bakery and convenience store. Christian churches also offer Christmas Day masses, but they may lack the extravagant Christmas masses some of us know from back home.

More and more local businesses have also begun decorating for the season and playing Christmas music. Home decorations are becoming more prevalent each year, with most large box marts having a decent selection of everything from trees to Christmas cards. Daiso provides a nice selection of inexpensive items, too, as do many local sweet shops, some of which sell candy canes, Christmas chocolates, and other familiar candies. Restaurant and coffee shop chains have gotten into the holiday spirit, as well, and now offer Christmas-themed items and specials.

Even with these changes, however, there remains a slight feeling of emptiness or of something lacking from home at this time of year; maybe something just feels “different.” Whether we are fans of the commercialized and prepackaged version of Christmas or not, there is undoubtedly something about Christmas that makes many of us miss home more.

That being said, and despite the fact that Christmas for some of us could even be perceived as a struggle, I think a Korean Christmas can actually be better in some ways than a Christmas spent back home. As a less-commercialized version of the holiday, K-ristmas helps us to focus on what Christmas really should be about: spending quality time with family and loved ones. Though it may sound perverse to say it, maybe it takes this lack of loved ones in close proximityto actually realize that they are what we should really have been focusing on to begin with. It certainly made me realize how much I missed having my family around at this time of year and helped me to prioritize time with them, even if it was only online. Also, the lack of distractions that come with the Christmas holidays at home—the endless Christmas parties, the visits with relatives, the rushed sense of everything—enables us to pay more attention to the important things.

Regardless of how we feel about Korea’s version of Christmas, it is important that we prioritize scheduling time with our loved ones during this time of the year. Although using Face Time or Skype may not be as good as actually being together, being able to reach out to friends and familyback home is something that is surely cherished by all and that we most definitelyshould make time for. The extra little things will also make us feel more connected with home, and sending Christmas cards or care packages to the ones we miss is a great way to keep in touch and (hopefully) to receive some comforts from home in return.

After homesickness, the next biggest struggle for foreigners during the Christmas season is food: where can we find those Christmas comfort foods we all have? The good news is that these days, Korea has practically everything we need in terms of holiday celebrations. Unfortunately, however, many of these things come with a cost.

The first thing many of us will want to think about is the turkey, which—for whatever reason unbeknownst to me— is a rarity in this country, though it can still be found with a little work. Unfortunately, the rarity of turkey means that it come sat a comparable price to gold here, so it’s much more expensive than what we’re used to back home. This is why many teachers end up having rotisserie chicken from the local mart or a fried version from the local chicken shop as their Christmas meal: the practicality and price make these more reasonable options.

For those lucky enough to have a decent-sized oven, there are several online grocery stores selling turkeys, hams, and lamb and beef roasts. These sites also usually carry other Christmas essentials like cranberry sauce, stuffing, and packaged gravies. For those without the luxury of an oven, some even offer cooked varietiesor meal sets, too, all of which are available for home delivery.

Continued on page 10

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Christmas in Korea

Where to find pieces of home this holiday

chris devison

Continued on page 9

prices and ordering information.

The following companies are all possible options, with the cheapest frozen turkeys starting at about 90,000 and holiday meal sets running as high as 250,000 KRW. Click on their names to visit their pages.

Lastly, various HomePlus locations have had both rotisserie and frozen turkeys during the holidays in the past, so it’s likely that some stores will have them this year, as well.As always, checking early is critical, as supplies will surely be limited and go quickly

• EZ Shop Korea, Costco • High Street Market , • Fatbag, The Chop Shop • John Cook Meats • Ask Ajumma In addition to cooking dinner at home or having it delivered, there’s also the option of going out for Christmas dinner. Probably the most reasonable Christmas dinner I’ve seen is at Gwangju’s premier foreign pub and grub, The First Alleyway. Seating is limited, so it’s important to inquire early by checking their Facebook page or by calling 0704127-8066. Other large foreign hotel chains in Gwangju that often have Christmas dinner specialsinclude the Holiday Inn and the Ramada.

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Additionally, anyone planning on being in the Seoul area for Christmas can look at getting a turkey takeout.

The Grand Hilton Seoul offers takeout roast turkeyswith all the fixings until December 31. These come with the steep price tag of 200,000 KRW but serve up to 8 very happy people.

The Grand Hilton Hotel’s Alpine Deli (062-2287- 8989) can provide

• The Grand Hilton Hotel • The First Alley Way Now that we’ve covered some of the food options, let’s take a look at some of the many events and activities K-ristmas has to offer.

To start, Korea’s amusement parks, especially, have recently gotten into the Christmas craze, offering Christmas parades, festivals, concerts, and of course Santa Clause.

Everland, Lotte World, and Seoul Land are the main attractions, but other, smaller amusement parks may have something, too.

• Everland, • Lotte World • Seoul Land Another great thing to do for the holidays is to take in the Christmas lights. Myeongdong’s streets are lit up nicely with lovely white Christmas lights, offering a refreshing change

from the usual glow of neon signs that litter most Korean streets. The Seomyeon area of Busan even has a Christmas Tree festival, with Lotte Department Store and the surrounding areas litup extravagantly. For something a little closer, the Boseong Green Tea Plantation Light Festival, which starts in mid-December, is a good option, as is the Christmas display at the Shinsegae Department Store attached to the U-Square Bus Terminal in Gwangju.

Performing arts are another option which can be found in most urban centers of the country, and an evening at a play, musical, or ballet followed by a nice dinner is a great way to spend a night out. A common show is The Nutcracker, and local symphonies often perform other Christmas favorites, as well.

Some cinemas may also show Christmas movies at this time of year, and going to a movie can be a great way to get into the holiday spirit. If there aren’t any good Christmas films playing locally, a movie party is another great option, as surely nothing beats a night spent at home watching Christmas classics with friends. For non-movie buffs, a creative alternative might be a Christmas high-tea party or cookie exchange. Whatever we decide to do, taking the time to decorate our homes and classrooms for the Christmas season is always a

great way to get into a festive mood and enjoy some memories of home.

Some other ideas that are at least wintery in nature are to plan a ski trip or to go ice skating with friends.

Muju Ski Resort in Jeollabukdo is a popular destination and is close enough for a day trip. Staying the night is also a budget-friendly option, as the resort is open late and accommodation is quite reasonably-priced.

Some of the rooms will hold up to 6 people and come complete with a semi-equipped kitchen (stove and rice cooker) for as low as 165,000 KRW. Of course, these are Koreanstyle accommodations, which means an open room to sleep on the floor, but after a long day of skiing, nothing feels better than the ondol, anyway.

• Muju Ski Resort If we approach the season positively, I’m confident that even the biggest scrooges among us can find something to make this season more festive and magical while here in Korea. Hopefully, although we are far away from our loved ones, we can make this an enjoyable and memorable K-ristmas.

Merry K-ristmasand Best Wishes for the New Year from all of us here at Bibimbap! chrisofficeofeducation@yahoo.com

Wanted Volunteer photographers and writers. If interested, please contact: BibimbapNews@gmail.com

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Photo essay

Creating in Korea:

A Guide to Finding Photography, Craf t, and Ar t Supplies in Gwang ju

By Susan Sahab

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W

ith the end of the year approaching, many of you are preparing for the holiday season, planning camps, and getting ready for winter vacation. Some of you may be stuck on ideas for gifts or craft projects, and you may not know where to go to get the supplies you need.

Graphic

An easy-to-follow map of Downtown Gwangju. Use the landmarks to help you explore Art Street and more! For more information, please visit “The Gwangju Art Class” on Facebook.

Links to places mentioned in the article Gallery 55 MisubHur of Misub’s Jewelry and Craft Shop

As a former art instructor for the Gwangju International Center, I’ll be sharing with you our Art Guide to Downtown to help you more easily find art supplies, framing shops, print shops, and more.Throughout this article, I’ll be focusing on a few locations in Downtown Gwangju that I think are the most resourceful in assisting with multiple creative projects. This list isn’t comprehensive, but it should serve as a great starting point to help you in your search. In addition to sharing some resources to help you find your materials, I’ll also guide you through creating one of my own favorite accessories—masks. Masks are always great for camp, and they work even better as gifts for loved ones or as accessories to help create interesting

Gwangju Art Museum Sochon Art factory

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As you walk up the stairs to the second floor, look towards your right and you’ll see rows of multiple plastic bags filled with different styles of masks. Modern usually offers masks in the style of different animals and traditional Korean folk lore. These masks are made of very versatile materials, giving you the freedom to explore your options and get creative. You can use the masks as a base and build on them with papier-mâché, clay, or craft foam, or you can experiment with mixed media and a glue gun. Modern also carries small tubes of acrylic paint, which dries very quickly when used on the masks. I find the masks to be helpful, interactive tools in camps when teaching shapes and colors, and they can also be a great way to get the kids involved in plays or to make story time more engaging.

Our first stop for art resources is Modern. Modern is located down an alley, right across from the YMCA bus/taxi stop. There are three levels to the store, each one crammed full of different supplies.

The first floor is filled with the typical stationary goods you’ll find in shops like Alpha, but don’t let this stop you from exploring. I have found a number of hidden gems by digging through the narrow aisles, and I’ve learned that gifts are sometimes cheaper here than at megastores like ArtBox.

I like to use masks for my photography projects, as creating a narrative and painting masks to help convey a story on camera gives me full control of my images. By doing this, I not only control what I want the photos to look like, but also allow my illustration and painting skills to become another form of my identity that I can insert into my photography. Aside from being great for camps and personal projects, masks are just really cool andcan serve as thoughtful gifts to give to friends. They’re easy to paint and make great surprises, and your friends will love knowing that you’ve taken the time to create something special for them.

The second and third floors of Modern contain various materials.

These areas are where you’ll find supplies for jewelry-making and model-building, as well as crafts materials, classroom decorations, various kinds of paints (oils, watercolor, acrylic, etc.), brushes, paper, and much more. The prices are usually fair, and the selection gives you the freedom to choose what you need rather than forcing you to buy an entire expensive set.

In addition to many of the name brands you’re probably already familiar with, Modern also carries a numberof other brands you can try out and experiment with. For craft-

If you’re looking for photography supplies, you can find them at our next stop, the Canon/Nikon store, which is on the same road as Modern—right at the beginning of the alley to your left. I have gotten my camera lenses cleaned here at a very reasonable price and have generally gotten them backwithin a day or two. The sales associates don’t speak much English, but you can communicate with them well enough if you’re talking cameras.

Maybe they’ll even share some secrets with you; rumor has it that the second floor is a print shop where you can professionally print your photos. Although I’ve never bought any cameras or lenses from this

portraits.

Gwangju Art Class 1 Gwangju Biennale

ing and art supplies (both illustrative and painting), this is the first place to go!

store (I usually stick to doing that in Seoul), they do have camera cases, tripods, and other tools readily available in stacks against the wall.

Ordering supplies on Gmarket may prove to be cheaper for you, but this shop serves as a place to go for getting last-minute needs and for viewing items in person.

Our last location, Misub’s Jewelry and Craft Shop, is for those of you interested in making your own wearable art. Misub offers classes on the weekends where you can create various kinds of handmade jewelry.

These make for cute date idea sand are a good way to make something to remember Gwangju by. Regardless of why you’re there, it’ll be a fun, interactive way to get involved in the art process and the local community.

Downtown is full of resources for you to create art. Modern, the Canon/Nikon store, and Misub’s are only a few of the major locations. There are also plenty of smaller shops found in the alleys between the GIC and Modern that offer resources for illustrators and painters, as well as shops that will frame your work for you. If you’re not interested in creating art, but would like to purchase some, this same area is filled with galleries and craft shops that sell their work.

Often times, venues like Barim (located right next to Modern) and the GIC have art shows open to the public. Gwangju’s Art Street, in particular, is filled with these kinds of shops, and on weekends it offers pop-up craft tables for local artists to sell their work. If you’re interested in selling your own work on Art Street, reaching out to the GIC for guidance is a good first step.

Please use the map I have created to help you easily find these locations, and feel free to wander through the side streets while you make your search. These areas are where you’ll find framing shops and smaller art-supply shops that may fit your needs better than Modern.

Listed below are some helpful links to assist you in your search.

If you need more assistance, please contact Aine and Jen from the Gwangju Art Class to help you with any of your art-related questions. I hope this article helps inspire you to go out there and get creating!

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I bought this mask in Tokyo ata neighborhood craft store.

The material is similar to masks found in most Korean stationary stores. These masks can be used as props for plays as well as for portraits, camps, and more.

When painting this mask, I used only acrylic craft paint.

Fast-drying paints like acrylic are not only ideal for those of you with time restrictions, but also very cost effective.

The mask’s material quickly absorbed the paint, making it possible for me to complete this project within 30 minutes.

Instax Wide instant film of The Cat 17

Instax Wide 18

e instant film of The Fox

I found this mask at Modern in Downtown Gwangju. Originally created with the intention of being used as a Halloween costume, it came with a stretchy band that I replaced with thin leather strings that I also found at Modern. I think the leather ties help bring the entire piece together.

I used a combination of acrylic paint and India ink to paint this mask. Although the medium is slightly different from the white cat mask, this mask still dried quickly.

I painted multiple layers to create the red fur, as well as the backside of the mask, and was able to complete the project in less than an hour.

I usually create and paint masks for my ongoing personal photo project. The history of masks is fascinating to me, as masks can be used for protection, entertainment, or disguise, as well as for any number of rituals. My favorite way to play with themes of identity is by creating portraits of my subjects in masks.

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Recipe box Citrus Chicken

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courtesy: quadic

Citrus chicken is a very quick and convenient alternative to recipes like apricot chicken casserole and ticks all the boxes. Not only is it a delicious dish, but it’s also made from ingredients you likely already have on hand. And if not, everything is easy to get. Now you can make a convenient meal that’s incredibly delicious and tastes like something from back home!

I got this recipe from my uncle, who was an airline pilot. I recently made it when I didn’t have much in the cupboard and thought it would be a good time to give it a try. Enjoy!

Ingredients 2 frozen chicken breasts, thawed 2 dessertspoons yu-ja-cha (유자차;citron tea) 2 dessertspoons mayonnaise 1 dessertspoon of cooking oil

Method 1. Dice each of the thawed chicken breasts into 6 cubes.

2. Heat the oil in the fry-pan.

3. Add the diced chicken breasts and brown on all sides, making sureto cook the chickenall the way through.

4. Add 2 dessertspoons each of yu-ja-cha and mayonnaise and stir until the chicken is glazed.

5. Serve with sides and enjoy!

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Manufactured convenience

The State of Health in Today’sSociety and What to Do about It

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I

n today’s world, everything seems to be complex: life is complex; our jobs and relationships are complex; even our diet is now complex.The agrarian days of whole foods have been replaced, somewhat out of necessity, with a modern world of manufactured convenience.

Most of us live busy lives, and what withwork, family, and social obligations, there is often very little time left for us to prepare a proper meal or even to go to the mart to buy healthier food options. We are thus left reaching for snacks of convenience: sugarcoated, sodium-filled, chemical-laden concoctions designed to have long shelf-lives andto make us crave them more and more. Manufacturers seem to have little to no concern about the effects these product shave on our health, and unfortunately, many of us are guilty of consuming them far too often.

Even when health is a consideration, it is not as much of a concern for most companies as profit. Profit is, of course, achieved through using cheaper products, and it goes without saying that these substitutions are often not the healthiest. Common fillers used to cut costs are often government-subsidized crops such as soy, wheat, corn, or other unwanted things, and these can easily be found in our foods. Even more troubling is that many of these things were not found in foods 50 years ago—at least not in these highly-processed states.

Some would have even been considered waste products by our grandparents!

With these things in mind, we are left questioning our own governments and wondering how they might be influenced by agri-business conglomerates. We have all heard of the various issues regarding this problem and are probably even familiar with some of the conspiracy theories surrounding food production and marketing. And there’s good reason for this. Corporate-funded studies are often contradictory to studies done by outside organizations, leaving us scratching our heads and looking for answers. Furthermore, in an attempt to confuse us as consumers, our governments and the large corporations that manufacture our food bombard us with such an excess of superfluous information that we don’t know where to turn for reliable guidelines on diet and food.

This problem rings true in the health and wellness sector, as well.

One day we may read an article on the health benefits of a food or product (for instance, coffee or chocolate), only to see an article on its harmful effects a few days later. These two articles may evenbe seen on the exact same web browser or contained within the same publication. It’s astounding that, in today’s world, there is such a level of contradiction and misinformation surrounding our food supply, and the words of Slavoj Zizek have never been more true: “We are censored by a market that is flooded by irrelevant information. Power is no longer only knowing information;power is knowing what irrelevant information to ignore.”

With what seems to be a cyclical process of confusion that leaves most of us wondering where to turn, it’s no wonder people lose hope and reach for whatever is convenient. So, what do we do?

One of the biggest problems with diets and even exercise programs is that, although they may in theory provide us with the results we desire, these changes are often shortlived because they are too difficult to incorporate into our day-to-day lives.

This is true whether we’re starting a strict diet regimen or attacking an intense exercise program: if our expectations are not realistic or practical, we are likely going to fail in the long term and find ourselves exactly where we originally began. With thisin mind, then, we should try not to focus on immediate changes like quick weight loss or rapid fitness gains, but to incorporate small, sustainable changes that—when done consistently over time—can make big differences in our health and well-being. We need to start small, adding in little thing by little thing and experimenting to find the things we like. Things we enjoy are more likely to become part of our daily lives than those we dread, and as we include more and more of these healthy habits in our lives, we should begin to be able to crowd out the less-healthy ones.

Specifically in regards to diet, our focus should be on plant-based whole foods. For those unfamiliar with this concept, it means focusing on unrefined or unprocessed foods as much as possible. We want real foods in their natural states, not food-like products

chemically altered by large manufacturers or corporations. A simple first step is to avoid anything that comes in a package or box. Foods that do not contain any other ingredients (and especially unnatural ingredients) are what we are after, which means that if a label contains scientific-sounding names oringredients weare unfamiliar with, we should probably avoid this product. A good rule to follow when deciphering food labels is the “grandmother test”: if our grandmothers didn’t eat (or wouldn’t recognize) an ingredient, it’s probably something we shouldn’teat, either.

When reading labels, it’s also important to be aware that ingredients are listed by weight, meaning that regardless of the name of the product or the picture on the front of the package, it’s the first ingredient on theproduct list that’sthe most prevalentin the item. This is especially telling of of many snacks and convenience foods, as a form of sugar very often comes first on the list.

Healthy Musings

Chris Devison

Continued on page 22

Becoming familiar with some of the marketing techniques used by manufacturers is another essential step, as the use of clean labeling techniques and “buzz words” touting a product’s healthbenefits can be misleading to consumers. To prevent ourselves from becoming victims, we should take the time to familiarize ourselveswith nutrition labels. This will help us to identify the ingredients and also to learn more about the nutritional content of the foods we buy.

More often than not, the products disguised by manufacturers as health foods are not, in fact, what the company has lead us tobelieve.

Another step for us to take is to minimize meat and dairy consumption. Not only is this healthier for us, but it is also better for the environment and more ethical in terms of animal welfare. Vegetables can provide us with all the nutrients we need and will leave us feeling more energetic and looking more radiant.

Of course, we can’t forget to get into the kitchen ourselves! By preparing our own meals, we know exactly what is in our foods. We are more likely to choose higher-quality, healthier ingredients than would a restaurant whose chief concern is making the food taste good in order to secure return costumers.

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Eat what grandma ate Continued from page 21

Organic, natural ingredients are always best, and local/seasonal products will increase the nutritional content even more. Local and seasonal ingredients will also be cheap when they are in season, making them a great way to experiment with new recipes or dishes. When planning our meals, we should all strive to eat like nutritarians by focusing on improving the nutrient quality in our daily diet.

Beans, nuts, seeds, and of course fruits and vegetables should be our main focus.

Fruits and vegetables of all colors are great, and greens, especially, are the most nutrient-dense. Not only are colors visually appealing, but they are also indicative of nutrient density: the wider the spectrum of colors, the greater the range of nutrition. “Eating the rainbow” (and no, this doesn’t mean Skittles) is an excellent starting point, and from here, we should add in healthier types of vegetables and superfoods whenever possible.

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It’s also a good idea to choose foods that are more alkaline in nature and/or low on the glycemic index, especially since these foods are usually plant-based and less-processed to begin with. Dining in more often is also a good strategy, as weare less likely to eat as much at home as we would at a restaurant. (Eating in front of the TV, however, negates this benefit.)Eating at home is less social and thus allowsus to be more conscious of what and how muchwe are eating so that we can avoid overeating. A good rule of thumb is to eat until weare only

80 per cent full, as it takes time for our bodies to realize we have had enough.

Servingon smaller plates is also a useful tactic, as this tricks usinto thinking weare eating more than weactually are.

Educating ourselves abou thealth and nutrition is also a critical step in achieving ideal wellness. Yes, it can be confusing, but as we learn more and more, we will become better able to decipher which information is valuable and which is not.

Reading books, taking part in online seminars (many of which can be found for free), and discussingthings with friends or a health coach are all great ways to become more nutritionally-aware.

As the saying goes,“variety is the spice of life,” and this holds true for exercise, as well. If possible, it’s good to get outside, too. A run, a hike, or even an outdoor yoga session are all wonderful ways to enjoy the outdoors, especially when combined with a healthy dose of sunshine. The sun often gets a bad rap nowadays, but moderate exposure can do wonders for our health.

As a subsequent step, we should also learn to be critical of food claims by checking the sources of articles andfinding out who funded them.Indeed, researching how the government may benefit from our unhealthy food purchases and how this, in turn, may affect federal dietaryre commendations may in fact shed some light on why some of these guidelines are not in our health’s best interest.

As a final note, it’s important to remember that good health goes beyond just food and exercise,and for this reason, we might also consider trying things like yoga, meditation, or even visualization. These can do wonders for our emotional and mental well-being as well as our physical health. We should never be afraid to try new things, either,as these might just turn out to be activities we enjoy.

And of course, if we don’t like something, we are under no obligation to continue doing it. We should, however, further investigate those things we do like to see how we can incorporate them into our everyday lives.

When it comes to exercise, moderate is enough: we don’t need to run marathons in order to be healthy. Diet is always first and exercise the supplement to a healthy lifestyle. Our aim should be to incorporate regular exercise at least three times a week,and we should experiment with different forms of exercise to find out what we enjoy.

When planning a strategy for overall health, we should work to implement some of these new, small things—be they related to diet, exercise, or general wellness—into our everyday lives. When done with consistency, it’s the little thing swhich, taken together, will help uson our road to a healthier life.