Visions of Seoul V

I sit in a darkened multiplex beside two co-workers, surrounded by Saturday afternoon Korean moviegoers. All heads in the theater are craning back (with an occasional aversion of young or sensitive [that would be me] eyes), thrilling to the larger-than-life action unfolding before them. The film (no spoilers forthcoming here, but likely an in-depth debriefing later) on-screen is this summer's darling, the critically lauded blockbuster it seems no one can hate: The Dark Knight.

The action reaches an emotionally resonant crescendo of pathos and mounting action, as the Joker - Batman's foil, embodiment of chaotic, senseless evil - bursts into a large society function, knife flickering unsteadily in his hand as he jabs erratically at cowering bystanders making pretense of bravery. One finally takes a moral (and physical) stand, causing the psychotic figure to whirl around as she interrupts his capricious soliloquizing:

Woman (on-screen, bravely): OK, stop.

Me (without thinking, out loud): Hammertime.

If you can't go for quality...

...go for quantity
I haven't really had time recently to delve into any subjects at length (what with working 10-to-14-hour days, being a little under the weather, and getting into the Times, it was a big enough week), so I thought that I would just do a quick scattershot update so as to forestall (for so long as it may be) the inevitable slide into old age and senility of a casually- (read: not-)updated blog.

Illness
I got a quick cold, but I think I'm coming over the worst of it. I came down with alternating fever/chills around Thursday afternoon, and a bit of a sore throat that intensified by Friday. By grace, though, I made it through work yesterday, and rested up last night. My mom gave me a bunch of echinacea and licorice root extract (yo sound like I am finna go potion mastery on they @zz) before I came over to Ko Rea though, so it is all gravy train. Things is straight up by now and I think (pray) I will be at one hunnid per cent (if I were DJ Khaled, I would say we da bess right here) by tomorrow. I am pretty grateful about this as, basically, I have been working so hard (not to mention, with various fractions of the kids that I hang out with for 3-9 hours/day constantly catching their own maladies) that it was a nearly foregone conclusion that, at some point, my immune system would undergo an insurgency and kick my ***. This clemency (of it happening over a weekend) is probably as much of a sign of grace as I could ask for.

Pictures from a friend
Yesterday evening I went out to eat with my friend/student, 天花. She
leaves for America for a nine-month stay tomorrow! It'll be her first time
in the States.


天花 and I met when she needed help reviewing for her student visa
interview at the US consulate. After that, we decided to embark on
two weeks of private tutoring to prepare her for American college life.


At the tonkatsu place near work.


Still smiling in the manner of a rodent.

We Got It 4 Cheap: regarding brand name purchases
[Adapted from correspondence: My sister holla'd at me on facebook for some advice on buying clothes. She was at a clearance outlet with my mom and they copped some joints on the low, supposedly marked down from $160=>$20. She asked for some tips on what gear to cop and how to get it for the low as what I do often know.]

I don't usually cop gear no more at clearance outlets... there are two kinds of things that drop at clearance outlets: cheap stuff, and stuff that was supposedly expensive at retail, but was actually simply overpriced when it came out.
In the former case, joints is just cheap and no reason to purchase. In the latter, what is going on is that there is an inferior (or at least mass-market) brand that operates at an MSRP so high above their overhead that they are used to unloading the overstock later on at bulk retailers without loss of profit, because they operate at such a high mark-up. Neither option, at this point, is too attractive to me, personally: Cheap clothing isn't worth it, and I am at a point in my consumer cycle where I already have enough good items, and am simply trying to upgrade. Ecko, Akademiks, Enyce, this sort of stuff, even joints like Lacoste and other mid-level brands (I make an exception for any Ralph Lauren brand, out of respect for the OG's and 'Heads/Lifers), I already have enough of those. At this point, I no longer need more clothes; I am just working on upgrading it all, I'm tryin to go from the 20 dollar tee (Ecko) to the 70 dollar tee (Bape, Bust Out! [ha]) you digg? (of course $70 tee doesn't mean you PAY 70 for it...)

Of course, though, that is simply because this clothing thing is a pastime of mine; as with any other hobby or pursuit, there are different levels on which you can conduct yourself. I mess around with running, but am not investing in running shoes, an iPod/Nike+, etc.

So, in general, unless you are actually lookin to cop clothes for the love of the game instead of just to look marginally fly (and trust me, there is a difference between looking stylish and looking fashionable... you can have real fly style without having any fashion knowledge, and vice versa), my advice is to forget about the big savings. Don't care about how much something's MSRP is (high MSRP has no necessary correlation with high quality or high desirability), or whether the brand is any good (that requires extensive knowledge of what's currently hot, what's classic, where brands are positioned in markets, etc.); instead, just look at the cut, quality, materials used, etc. of a garment.

If you want to get into the brand name game, you have to do some real in-depth research: you have to know what's popular this season, why it's popular, where it comes from, for how much it sells (not retails.... a lot of things don't actually sell at retail price), how much it goes for on eBay, how to tell a real from a fake, etc. You can definitely not tell (without knowing) if something is in-fashion just from the cut and its looks, especially if you're not used to it. Of course, if something looks good, though, it looks good. No shame in copping some lower-level joint just because it looks good: There is, though, shame in copping a lower-level joint because you were fooled by their imitation of a higher-level brand. That means they won.

For example: "US Polo Association" is a lower-level brand with the same stylings as much of the Polo Ralph Lauren collection; as a line, however, they have fairly decent quality. US Polo Association joints are nothing to write home about, but if you got a good deal on them and they suit your body type well, then you should be happy. Of course, if you purchased a USPA joint thinking "hey this is a mid-level brand name", you should feel like a sucka (note: I know the history of US Polo Assn. licensing and branding. My point is simply that, for the last 15-20 years, they have been riding the coattails of their more highly-regarded [if arguably more unofficial] kin).

Basically, that's why I just do my own shopping now. To the untrained eye, the difference between a highly desirable/fashionable piece (BAPE, 'Lo, whatever) and a complete rip-off (Rebel Ape, US Polo Association, etc.) is VERY difficult to ascertain.

NY Times' Background
I guess that i never really explained how I got into the Times. For someone who is quite the opposite of associated with journalism it was a pretty surprising turn of events:
Basically, a reporter (well, technically, a stringer) emailed the Yale Chinese-American Students' Association (who forwarded his solicitation to their entire mailing list, to which I still belong for, you know, whatever reason) all "yo if anyone wants to write up a reminisce about China and the Olympics, holla back." Dude was especially interested in unique perspectives on Chinese culture and the effect of the Olympic Games on 'em. As a Chinese-American from Yale with a rap crew in Beijing, I figured I ought to qualify as such. So I was all why not, worst that happens i use this for a blog entry.
So i hollered and he got back at me. A few weeks later, it went down, with no edits (apparently my unedited prose is up to the apex of journalistic standards.... or dudes was mad rushed).

Recommended downloading
I downloaded this game maybe 3 days ago and it's all I do in the evenings after work now (not ALL I do, but it's a large chunk of my time...) I highly recommend it if you want to just have a quick little game to mess around with.

The Battle of Yavin (The graphical update is a must-download too... makes the X-wings and etc. look much more movie-real).

Basically some dude just programmed a pretty good replica of the Battle of Yavin from Episode IV... and he has a Battle of Endor too, both are real call-backs to the Wing Commander/X-Wing vs. TIE Fighter days. Doesn't get better than skimming across the surface of a Star Destroyer while your lasers are locked onto a TIE Fighter that's been ducking you.

In the New York Times

"What Is the Real China?

"Jason G. L. Chu, a second-generation Chinese-American, has spent the last two summers studying Mandarin in Beijing. He currently works in Seoul, South Korea.

"As a second-generation Chinese-American growing up with a dearth of cultural familiarity, my first exposure to Beijing came as one of the perennially rotating crowd of language immersion students. Amidst the framework of our effective — if rigid — curriculum of cultural and linguistic recital, the official China came vividly into view...."

-(New York Times, August 4, 2008; online archive, pgs. 2-3)

lampin it, cold Gangnam style

[Gabe sent over some pictures from when we were chilling the other day
in Gangnam, so I hence present an updated version of my original post.]

I went into the city late Saturday afternoon to chill with my homeboy
Gabe near the English church we attend in Gangnam (강남구/江南區).
He is a fellow minority so you know he shares that passion over bargain
hunting. As for my own pragmatic stance:

Paying retail isn't shopping; that's just buying things.
(can I get a Sneaker Fiends holla?)

As both Gabe and I are well aware, when looking to cop fly gears on
the low in Asia (or SoHo), there is only one mother lode:


Uniqlo is the Japanese equivalent of H&M and The Gap, with quality
and style to spare. I've bought Uniqlo gear in 上海 (a 40元/$5 track
jacket and a tee) and New York (a pair of $66 selvedge denim) and the
price (low), quality (high) and wearability (even higher) has thus far
been uniform across two countries. This time, Gabe and I found a
whole mess of Uniqlo's signature limited tees on sale for 5000 Won
(~$5). Gabe copped a stay-dry sports top, while I chose two more
stylish joints. I had been tempted to get one of the Gundam designs too,
but held off on principle of not wanting to be, you know. That guy.


For some reason I was grinning like a chipmunk all day.
[Note to self: it's not becoming.]


Gabe has lived in Ko Rea too long...


Me: That's a camera!
Gabe: (grins)


Me: (poser)
Gabe: (grins)


Me: Index finger down
Gabe: (grins)


Gangnam... one of the style centers of Korea...


...and the pick-ups...


We'll teach you how to stunt shop (75% off at bare
minimum!)


A closer examination reveals the bag is sealed with Uniqlo-
branded tape. All the touches here.




Exhibit 1: "The eleven and The only"

"UT x Stylist vol.02: "The eleven and The only" is a project that follows
"The ten and The only" project with new members added. It refers to
eleven special T-shirts created through the collaboration between
Uniqlo and eleven stylists. The stylists, who love T-shirts and
thoroughly know the essence of them, designed their T-shirts with "My
News" as the concept. Each T-shirt possesses the stylists' passion and
their uncompromising tastes."


"Shinichi Mita"

"Born in 1975 in Tokyo."
"Mita moved to the UK in 1998 and worked mainly for European
magazines and advertisements. He returned to Japan in 2001, and
continues doing styling work for magazines, advertisements, and music
visuals. He is also unveiling unique artistic expression activities,
presenting his works at the Nokimono Exhibition held in Canada and
the Stylist Meets Exhibition held at Laforet Harajuku."


I am not sure what this tee is supposed to be presenting,
but the skull makes me think of that latest Indiana
Jones flick. And it's gripping a blood-red flower in its
jaws? Aiight.


The print quality on this joint is incredible, almost
photorealistic, and the colors are vividly chosen.


Exhibit 2: "Inspired:"

"Inspired: is a worldwide design project whereby artists from around
the world compete in creating T-shirts. Curators from the world's
major cities become the "epicenter," and select those artists who
create works of art that are inspired by the themes presented by UT.
The T-shirts allow the wearers to enjoy these various works of art."






This print has even more photorealistic verisimilitude,
if that's possible, than the Circulate joint.
(Side note: why does statuary always lack arms?)


Uniqlo Paper, Korean version: a poster of Uniqlo's
current season tees.

Quick notes (temporary update)

Had a pretty fly last 24 hours. Some quick notes, to be succeeded by something of more substance (hopefully soon):

Pulled a 13-hour day at work on Friday, including two new classes: SAT Math and SAT Essay Writing. Left work at 9:30 and my boss drove me over to an office dinner to officially welcome (2/3 of the way through my stay here) me and a few other Summer arrivals/hires. Came home around 1 AM and fell asleep around 2.

Woke up around 10 AM today and headed over to Western Dome to meet with some of my SAT students who finished their classes with me this last Friday. We played a few games at an arcade - House of the Dead 4, Time Crisis 2, and a few others. I then ate a quick lunch with them, then went to a 5-star-looking no rae bang - karaoke room - which was only around $15 for one hour's reservation (and then 30 minutes of bonus time added on) and free ice cream. My first time doing karaoke in Korea; they have more rap than China. Also, sang 童话. Know James Kim would be glad to know that.

After saying goodbye to my students, headed into Seoul and met up with Gabe in Gangnam. Hung around the church cafe for a while, then walked around Gangnam. Found Uniqlo t-shirts for $5. Took pictures; fell asleep on the subway coming home, listening to 王心灵. Woke up listening to 王光良.

Back home now. Going to rest, then got to write a prayer letter/update, then catch up on emails.

Tomorrow: testimony at Navigators' fellowship, dinner with Korean Navigators members. Preparation for week 7 of work. 北京: T-minus 3 weeks. 3 weeks from now I will be (God willing) hanging out with Billy in a country whose language I can (more or less) decipher. Chea!

Visions of Seoul IV

I'm letting my students take a break, having just completed a marathon half-hour of today's SAT Critical Reading test, with a good 50 minutes yet remaining in this afternoon section. I sit on the front-right-side of the classroom, in a curved-back chair of wood and metal situated under the wall-mounted whiteboard; staring off, doing mental calculations, auditing the figures on my upcoming pay stub.

Students chatter away to my left. A girl sits in the back toying idly with her mobile phone (a common sight in these Korean classrooms, during break as well as, more stealthily, during class time), while the boys play some sort of Korean game that involves slapping each others' forearms with two tightly-held fingers, flicking foreheads, or some other such typically Korean punitive measure.

The group of four girls sitting closest to me talks in quick, amused-sounding syllables; while I can't understand their content, the context - of high school students' relaxation - is universal. Two of them turn to me, and it registers to me that they're speaking English:
"Teacher Jason, I have a question."

Sure, go ahead. (I'm always eager to instruct)

"Do you know any of our names?"

No.

Prostitutes and tax collectors.

[Adapted from correspondence]

At my church this morning, our associate pastor gave a really moving (well, it moved me) sermon about...

OK. To be honest, I was not paying attention during a massive portion of the sermon, because I got like 4 hours of sleep last night during a sleepover at Adam Y-V's house (4 Christian brothers = hallelujah, a Godly confraternity!). I did gather, in between desperate attempts to at least appear attentive, that, in general, the pastor was talking about the salvific power of Christ: how He can reach anybody, regardless of where they are coming from or located at in their lives. A good topic, one with which I'm sure we are all more or less generally familiar. Good stuff, good stuff... but not really one (at least when broadly approached) likely to be provoking a lot of introspection for me (this is a sad truth, and more likely just about my own foolishness than the weightiness of the topic).

But, towards the end of the sermon, the preacher started talking about how the depths of sin from which God had saved him. He is an ex-gangster/drug dealer/adulterer/etc. He's been jailed multiple times. But the point that he kept hammering home was that God had always walked there beside him and before him (that is why we call Him a God that is previous). When he was dealing drugs, God was there with him. When he was sleeping with whoever, God was with him. When he was putting a needle in his arm for drugs, God was there with him. Kanye West might say that Jesus walks... but the truth is, He does so in such thorough ways that we got no clue.

And then the pastor drew a parallel between Jesus' always being with us (even to the end of the age) and Jesus going to be in tax collectors' houses, down to be with them after - and while - they partied. Tax collectors, prostitutes, these were basically the two sides of the "immoral" coin: few men could be more despised than a tax collector, and few women regarded as more shameful or less worthy of respect in that culture. (And of course, we could talk on and on about gender roles in 1st-century Israel/Judea and what it means and signifies that a man would become a tax collector or a woman a prostitute.)

Now, as he started talking about these people with whom Jesus associated himself, my mind started wandering again... but, this time, I think it was a Godly wandering; less a loss of focus than a purposeful redirection of it.

I began recollecting how, so often, I have held a sanitized view of Jesus. About how I intellectually assent to the fact that Jesus hung out with "bad people", but I somehow disengage those "bad people" from their "bad acts" while Jesus was with them. As though He existed in a little bubble of goodness and moral rectitude that somehow charmed the corrupt moral fibre of those around Himself into marginal and temporary sanitation.

But the thing that I realized today was... nope. Basically: the parties to which Jesus went to were not saintly affairs. Jesus hung out with tax collectors. And prostitutes. Let's run over that again:
-Tax collectors (i.e. men who, by virtue of their corruption or/and low moral standards, had a lot of money).
-And prostitutes (i.e. women who, for whatever reason, did... things... in exchange for money).

And ummm... I'm sure that those tax collectors and prostitutes were not just getting together to chill and read the news. While I'm sure that they might have felt ashamed by His presence there - or, more likely, odd and a little weirded out (all ay yo who is that dude hanging out outside talking to everybody but not coming into the party? why isnt he gettin down with the ladies; he shy or gay or somethin?) - but I'm also fairly sure that His presence didn't change all that much of their behavior, and certainly all their behaviors (Isaiah 53:3 - "He was despised, and we esteemed him not").

So this is our God. Going back to a devotional I wrote a little while back, this is our real Hosea: our Christ. He loved each and every one of those people in those parties more than anyone we have ever loved, and he was there to watch them forsake Him for cheap, quick, objectifying lustiness. And He was, so much, Loving Grace, that, instead of fleeing from the scene, unable to handle it, He remained with those people, utterly in love with them.

Can we do this?? I can still remember the dread heartache I felt this one time in high school, when I was dating some girl and she basically started falling for this other guy. I could see it coming, I could hear it on the phone; and she probably could, too. I can still recall so vividly well the sinking emptiness of love taken and rejected; or worse, a love accepted but left without reciprocation.

To use a gross term: love abused.

It's the same feeling you get (well, I do anyhow) when you see that girl (or guy, though I wouldn't know about that.... im guessing it's the same) you have a crush on, or even just sort of fancy, talking a little too closely with some other person, or coming to the party with them, or (ha ha here do I give too much away?) going back and forth avidly from facebook wall to wall with a few too many ;)'s and =)'s for comfort (yeah that was a little of a stalker-ish example. I don't actually do that, promise).

You know that feeling? That hollowness which shakes you in your very heart and to the pit of your stomach? Your very essence of being?

Now imagine Christ - Lover and Husband and Knower of every individual person - not only not avoiding that feeling (magnified by an infinity of comprehension, I'm sure), but seeking it out.

Desiring to give us grace so much that, instead of fleeing when we adulterers approach Him, instead of simply standing still and waiting for us to come to Him, loving these sinners - we prostitutes and we tax collectors - so much that He actually sought them (us!) out, even in the midst of their (our!!) very moment of consummated adultery?

That's a God I can cry out to. That the God whose grace can (and did) bring me to my knees during worship after the sermon, literally crying out for His Cross to be mine. And I hope - I think - that my tears might be the same as those of Mary Magdalene (also a woman with a sordid past... as are we all [not women. Having sordid pasts.]), which watered His sore feet.

This is the God who is seeking me out, to embrace me, as I go to Internet sites that I shouldn't go to, or talk to girls that I don't really need to be talking to, in ways that I don't really need to be talking, about things that don't really deserve discussion.
This is the God who is desiring me, when I'm obsessing over clothes, or money, or sneakers, or any of a thousand other things which could be good but are too-often idols.
This is the God who loves me when I commit adultery with the manifold succubi of my own creation;
and one day, one day soon, one day already, this is the God whose love will be so greatly and obviously revealed to me that I will finally turn back and fall in love with that God once and for all.