Many things have happened on this end, ranging from events that are completely American to events that are completely Korean.
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While Chin-Hwa was hobnobbing with famous American people, I have been spending time with non-famous Koreans. My boss, Jae, invited me along to her mother-in-law's house to
make kimchi. Kimchi is a Korean dish with a very distinct taste and smell. It is difficult to describe, but it is basically cabbage that is pickled in a spicy red sauce. One might compare it to spicy sauerkraut. You can also make cucumber kimchi or various other vegetables, but cabbage kimchi is perhaps the most famous. The kimchi process was amazing to watch. When Jae and I arrived, her mother-in-law and mother-in-law's two friends had already begun making the pickling sauce. They had dumped shredded turnips into the largest bowl I have ever seen (really. I could have bathed in this bowl if I had felt so inclined, which I rarely do upon first meetings). They were adding various sauces and spice. All Jae and I had to do was sit at nearby smaller bowls and put the sauce on the cabbage. We wore gloves so as not to stain our hands with the sauce (it stains like crazy. Even Hints from Heloise would find it difficult to get out these stains) and proceeded to turn 30 heads of cabbage into kimchi. The women spent their time gossiping in Korean, which was entertaining even though I had no idea what they were saying. By the end, they told me I was a wonderful kimchi maker (oh, stop, really) and I felt like I had participated in a true part of Korean culture.
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Yessss I'm the first to comment! That picture of Chin-Hwa and Obama is so cool! Congrats on the successful kimchi-making.
ReplyDeleteWhat a wonderful life. Did you eat any of the kimchi or does it have to kimchify itself for a while? Does it stain your teeth when you eat it? Did Chin-Hwa get to shake hands or salute the pres?
ReplyDeleteChin-Hwa is quickly becoming the most famous person I know.
ReplyDeleteJackie, what a sweet life you have. I am glad you are having so many adventures. We all really miss you....especially at the Holidays. Love, Mom
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