My friend Peter, who is a way better photographer than I, has posted some fantastic shots from the lantern festival on his Flickr page. It includes the above shot of the boys (titled "Buddha Brigade") with the caption:This video demonstrates why I should really be committed. Between Dahin's conviction that people with the swine virus have alien blood and that 'America' in Korean is pronounced "mi-Kook' (emphasis on the hard 'k' in the middle), Ronan's repeated "whazzup!", and Oliver's medley, I'm not sure I can think anymore--not like I ever really could, but it's just downhill, downhill, downhill...We're enjoying FINALLY having a computer at home with webcam and all.
The lantern festival took place in central Seoul this weekend. This festival sets in motion the week leading up to Buddha's birthday. The day is filled with crafts, like constructing paper lanterns and flowers, and food and music. Our first stop was at the craft table where our friend, Aruna, was busy helping people. She had volunteered at the festival as a representative of her temple. After getting sticky with glue in the process of bungling a few lanterns, we decided to walk around Insa-dong. 
On the way to Insa-dong, we rested for a minute on the steps of Chogye-sa (Chogye Temple) where the kids showed off their lanterns. We also discovered that, on festival days like this more than any other, the kids are like instant celebrities. Really, the focus was on the boys and their friend. As we walked along, sat, ate--whatever--people snapped photos of the boys left and right. When we were in Insa-dong--a neighborhood filled with tourist shops and antique stores--a couple of girls asked if they could take pictures with the boys. I think I should charge money next time. After our model escapades, we headed to Peter and Aruna's house for a much-needed rest and some snacks and tea. After a few hours and a visit with some Buddhist nuns, we headed back out to the streets so that we could see the lantern festival in full-force.
Chogye Sa was absolutely beautiful--lanterns were lit and the atmosphere was joyous. The boys (above) struck their best power ranger poses. Because they are so darn cute, more passersby took photos of the boys. Oh--if only I had had my thinking cap on--cha-ching!! Dahin and Ronan paid 1,000 won (about $1) to give the baby Buddha a bath for his birthday. My friend Peter said it was a great photo op; he was right. Right outside the temple, there were a series of performances that took place at the tail end of the parade. We stood and watched drummers, dancers, and the floats. For the kids, the highlight was getting their own lantern and people helped to make sure they were lit. Inside each paper lantern is a small candle. The photos really don't capture the energy and beauty of the festival; you really have to be there. Oliver really had a great time watching all of the colors and movement of the evening. Above, he gets a lift from Peter so that he can see the sights better.
The floats were amazing. My favorite is the one above--Monk on Board!! How funny is that? There were elephants, peacocks, and, of course, dragons in addition to the many representations of Buddah. I wish I had a better grasp on Buddhism. I'd be able to explain the images better if I did. Maybe next year...
The kids looked like they were trick or treating with their lanterns. Above, we're watching the p'ungmulnori (drumming/dancing) troupe perform in front of the temple.
I must admit, the dragons were my favorite. The one above actually spit fire at random intervals (a little scary, but cool), and the one below produced a boat-load of smoke at one point. It was very, very cool.
The festival atmosphere was very congenial. It felt different from an outdoor festival in the States. At many festivals at home, there is a tension in the air and a lot of drunk people. At this festival, people were just very kind and kept giving the kids lanterns and buttons of baby Buddha. I must admit, it was very comfortable. Still, each adult kept track of a child. Aruna helped watch Ronan as we walked around.
The festival ended with a performance by a series of pop music artists. Dahin got to hear one of her favorite songs sung live at the event. Really, a total blast. As you can see above, people were having a wonderful time. Best of all--it was free! Ok, well, I can also say that, just as good, was the fact that the kids got exposed to a really fabulous tradition in Seoul. Dahin kept saying, "This is so fun!" and I completely agree. 
A composer and friend of mine premiered one of her works at the National Center for Korean Traditional Performing Arts. We all went together and met her family, and we brought Haenee (our niece; one of the kids' cousins). The wonderful thing is that they provide childcare for performances in the large concert hall. So, my friend dropped her daughter off there and we dropped our boys off there. The boys were a little hesitant at first. but they seemed to have a good time. They made little drums and got to watch "Sleeping Beauty." Afterwards, we all went out to dinner in our neighborhood (my friend lives in the same apartments as us and her older daughter goes to school with Dahin).
We had a composer's showcase in my department. Here I am with several faculty (from the composition dept and traditional music dept) and a few others. The tall caucasian in the back is a Belgian composer, Baudoouin de Jaer, who did a lecture and workshop here. He composed a series of kayagum (12-string zither) pieces and premiered two of them at the concert. He was very nice. Also, next to me at the end is a Korean composer I admire: Ku Bonu. He is very creative and some of his work is way out there, but he's not afraid to experiment. Yi Ji-young is next to me in the front and next to her is Baek Byeong-dong, a very famous contemporary music composer. Hwang Byung-ki (famous kayagum performer and composer) is wearing the hat in the front. Hwang mentored de Jaer as he learned the ins and outs of the kayagum and prepared his compositions. It took him 4 years to study and compose the pieces. Compositions of de Jaer, Ku, and Baek were performed at the concert. The students did an amazing job playing these very difficult pieces. There was also a competition. In June, several of the students are headed to Europe for a showcase in Luxembourg, Paris, and Spain (I believe; they auditioned for the spots), and the night of the composers' showcase two students premiered their work. The best one was to go to Europe. I guess the composition professors could not decide, as it was announced that night that both students were going to Europe. The students are simply amazing. I feel very blessed to be in this department at Seoul National.
The back entrance of Dahin's school is right next to a bunch of shops and the outdoor market. There's a bakery we love that we stop by at least twice a week when we pick up Dahin (it's also where I bought Jack's birthday cake). Dahin has lunch at school before pick up, but for a special treat we've been letting her pick out a doughnut or other type of bread. She usually goes for the twisty doughnut. Beginning this week, Dahin is starting her Korean language class at school with other non-native speakers. They are doing this as part of the after school programs. In addition, Dahin is also going to take a clay modeling class. This will be good for us all since picking her up at 1 pm is a bit of a strain. The asp will keep her in school until about 3 pm which will actually give Jack or me time to accomplish things during the day. And, Dahin will be extra hungry for that doughnut when we pick her up.
Dahin has become a master bus rider. As an elementary school student, she gets a discount on her fare. Dahin, Jack, and I (the boys are free) have cards we can use on the bus and on the subway (and some taxis). They usually last us a week before we have to put more money on them. Now, in the mornings, Jack walks Dahin to the bus stop and she gets on the bus with some of her school friends. He was riding to school with her, but she insisted she didn't need Apa to do with her. Luckily, we know most of the bus drivers by now and the bus drivers are really good about looking out for the kids. We call the teacher to make sure she gets there just fine. We're a bit paranoid, I know--we see 7-year-olds riding the bus by themselves--but we'll do this for a while until Dahin's Korean and social network improves. I think we'll be picking her up ourselves and riding the bus with her on the way home for now. It's a bit more complicated than riding from home and it requires that she cross the street. There's no way we're letting her cross the street by herself, at least not right now; even though there are crossing guards, the cars drive too fast and run red lights far too often for comfort.
After we sent the kids off to school, Jack and I went to Myeongdong shopping district to look for some new shoes. That's what he wanted for his birthday. As soon as we got out of the subway, we found a free coffee stand. It was actually really good--better than most instant coffee I've had (maybe because it was free!). 
Many of the stores did not open until 11 am, so we killed some time by looking in some makeup stores and I got a little makeover. BB Cream is the new makeup fad here--it is foundation and sunscreen rolled into one that you can wear with or without powder. It must be a big hit with the Japanese tourists since I saw signs in Japanese advertising BB Cream all over the place. Anyway, I splurged and bought some BB Cream and powder for me (I've been looking for something lighter than the MAC I am using). That was one for me, and zero for Jack on his birthday shopping trip--cha-ching!!
Next, we went to some stores to look at shoes. Jack tried some on, but found nothing he liked.
Meanwhile, I kept eye-shopping for me, of course. : )
We then went to the famous Myeondeong kalguksu place Jack loves. We split the basic kalguksu and bimbim guksu. It was really good. I love that place.
After that, I kept shopping around for me. Found something else I 'needed' at the Body Shop. Me two, Jack zero--cha-ching!
After we rode the subway home, we went to Jack's mom place and had galbi with halmoni and the kids' cousin Haenee. Jack and I went to a concert that night while the kids slept at halmoni's, and when we returned, we called Jack's sister and met her at a raw fish place where we ate some fish and drank some beer and soju. Jack really liked his birthday; and, he actually found the perfect pair of shoes the next week. Timberland--on sale! He loves them, and we got a bargain. Yay! Happy Birthday Jack!
