Images

Slang Phrases of Ukraine

Statue of Yaroslavl the Wise outside of Zoloti Vorota “The Golden Gate”

In addition to expanding my vocabulary of more academic and formal words, I hoped to develop a good sense of the slang words used by Ukrainian Russian speakers. To do this, I visited the park near Zoloti Vorota and the NovaMova language school I was attending to ask four strangers about some of the slang I had heard. These strangers included a man and woman in their 20s, and another man and woman in around their 40s-50s. There were 3 slang phrases I had heard of prior to coming to Ukraine, which I hoped to get their opinions on. Hopefully, I would get a better sense of their use, the context in which to use them, and their relative appropriateness. 

The first of these was the phrase “V luzhu pyornut,” meaning “to fart in the puddle.” Just based off its English meaning, I could tell it would be crude, but I decided to ask about nonetheless. Both the younger man and woman thought it was quite funny when I asked them about the phrase, and they told me that it is often used after someone has said something very foolish. However, as the older man warned me, it is used in a much more informal context and should not be used in decent conversation. He, as well as the older woman, both agreed though, about the general usage and meaning of the slang phrase.

Building of the NovaMova Language School in Kiev

The next phrase I asked them about was “Vot chuma!” — an exclamation meaning “that’s plague!” While it was difficult to get a precise answer from any of them to find a clear English equivalent, I could tell it meant something like “shucks!” or “blimey!” — an expression of bewilderment, either negative or positive. The older woman did stress that this too should mainly be employed in an informal context, like the previous phrase.

The last phrase they were asked was “Ne ponos, tak zolotukha,” meaning “if not diarrhea, then scrofula.” Again, this phrase got some chuckles out of my interviewees, who were able to explain to me how it is used to mock a person who annoys you by claiming to be sick all of the time. I thought this phrase in particular was a fine example of how languages can develop different words and idioms for a very precise situation or feeling, and how translation tools, while helpful in a basic, survival context, often leave out these more complex nuances of culture and language. I was fortunate to be able to discover these phrases directly from their native speakers, and I appreciated the variety of perspectives on their usage.

 

Greenery is an Indispensable Element in Mexican Architecture

Without real knowledge in Mexican architecture, I am only conjecturing here. The prominent place greenery enjoys in urban curating reminds me of the colonial Spanish courtyards. But maybe it is a reflection of their harmonious relationships with nature before the Spanish arrival. Aesthetically this perfect blending of greenery with concrete makes Mexico City an idyllically relaxing urban space.

The four pictures below gives us a sample taste of this tranquil urban space. The top left is a soviet style complex for workers built in the 70s, while revolutionary Mexican ideals were on a high tide. Today the complex is still in residential use. The trees were so grand that their shades cover the whole small square.

Top right is the famous statue of the lady of reform in the city center. I took this picture during the gay pride parade. The trees are not dwarfed at all by the shiny office buildings nearby, nor by the landmark statue.

Bottom left is the famous studio for the couple of Mexican icon artists, Diego Rivera and Frida Kahol. They had designed the cactuses around the house, demonstrating their pride for the iconic Mexican plant.

The bottom right is a corner of the UNAM contemporary art museum. It is famous in Mexico City for discovering many up-and-coming artists by first showing their work before fame caught up to them.

 

My First Week at Yonsei

Hello! 안녕하세요! It has already been a week since the program started and I am amazed at the experiences I have already had. Coming to South Korea by myself was definitely nerve-wracking because I have never travelled this far without my parents. I had always relied on my parents to act as my translators while we navigated through Korea, but this time I had no one except for myself to rely on. I stayed at my aunt’s house for a week before I moved into my Airbnb before school started. I was very anxious about making friends because I knew no one at the program, but luckily the students in my class are very friendly! They are very energetic and outgoing and are always proposing new places to go. I honestly though everyone in my Korean class would be Korean American because I as enrolled at a semi-high level, but there are a good amount of foreigners too. I was amazed that these students, some who have never even taken a formal Korean course, were so good at Korean.

My Korean Class

The class is definitely expanding my knowledge in Korean vocabulary and sentence structure. As someone who grew  up listening to Korean, I tend to write words as they are heard, which is not always correct. As English speakers would know, we do not speak the way we write. I am also more familiar with daily conversation language, and not reading newspapers or articles, which is what we are learning in class. I hope I can see my improvement in the language in the upcoming weeks.

On the second day of class, we went to Han River (한강), one of Korea’s most beloved attractions, together. We ordered chicken and pizza and got to know each other. The sunset was beautiful and the weather was perfect, not too hot with a slight breeze.

Han River

 

Friends at Han River

I am hoping to make a lot more memories for the rest of the time I am here!

Arrival in Madrid

I can’t believe that I’ve finally arrived in Madrid!  After befriending a native from the city on my flight and riding my first metro to get from the airport to my host family, I am shocked by how detailed, bright, and clean all of the high rise buildings are.  Since I’ve only associated “cities” with the concrete skylines of the United States, I am shocked to see a completely different take on city life.  Though the streets are brimming, public pace is extremely slow compared to my home.  I soon realized that this is because Spaniards spend their free time outside of the home, unlike Americans who host parties in their own living spaces (which is not common here at all).  Though I would assume a late dinner is the result of a hectic day with not enough time to cook, my family’s evening meal at 8:00 is considered extremely early for Spaniards, who eat their main meal around 3:00 in the afternoon.  The social schedules and norms are surprisingly different from what I’m used to, even though Spain and the US both share western culture.

Ultimately, my arrival in Spain has humbled me more than I expected it to.  Since I’ve only traveled for leisure and not for learning, I’ve been challenged here in Madrid in ways that I didn’t expect that have made me aware of how very narrow my idea of “society” and what it’s constructed of has been my whole life.  For instance, I spent a full minute standing in front of an elevator with my suitcase, waiting for the manual door to open for me since that’s how they operate in the States.  To anyone passing by, I looked like a total “tonta”, or idiot, plugging up the stairwell… but in reality, it is only through allowing myself to be humbled by my lack of knowledge regarding these small nuances that I will be able to grow in adaptability during my two month stay here in Spain.

I have made great friends my first week at Nebrija University, and even visited the nearby town of Toledo, which is the capital city of the providence “Castilla la Mancha”, the home of the incredibly popular fictional character Don Quijote.  This book has been immortalized as more central to Spanish culture than Shakespeare is to the English, its pages and images adorning metro walls and shop windows alike.  I was shocked at the contrast between the antiquity of the cobblestone streets and iron smelting shops of toledo with the modernity of Madrid, making me realize the history present in the country that I lack exposure to in the US.  As and American Studies major, I am amazed at the depth of the country’s timeline that is simply not present in our 250 year old nation, and am ecstatic to continue exploring it.

There’s so much I have left to learn.  Just today, I spent an extra thirty minutes on the metro because I got on the train going the wrong way, and ended up completely outside of the city by a river (that I made a mental note to run by later).  Overall, it has been in these moments of complete confusion that I have stumbled upon my favorite parts of the country… whether it was finding my favorite open-window café after painting a nearby fountain after school with friends from class, stumbling upon a rose garden and horseback policeman during a run in Parque del Retiro, eating an actual hot-waffle strachiatella ice cream cone with raspberry jam on a street curb in Toledo, or sipping on my first cup of gazpacho walking through the indoor/outdoor flea market called “mercado de motores” because of the locations history as a Madrid train station.  The more I make steps outside of my comfort zone, the more rewards I receive as I open myself up to being humbled and forming new friendships in the home of my favorite language.