If you’re interested in being involved with the program feel free to shoot us an email at kacelboston[at]gmail.com and we’ll let you know when we start back up again.

Happy connecting!

Written by KACEL buddy Tony ~ On an unseasonably-warm, November afternoon, KACEL gathered together in the spacious kitchen of one of its members.  Across the counter top were the ingredients for the day’s menu: doenjang chigae/된장 찌개, dduk bok gi/떡복이, and bulgogi/불고기. After dividing into smaller groups, KACEL got to work.
The kitchen hummed with the sound of chopping vegetables, running water, and growling stomachs. Above it all, the voice of Andie, the head chef, could be heard.  A vigilant cook and a patient teacher, Andie walked from station to station to lend instructive advice and to reveal the next step in her delicious recipe.

Despite the cultural differences, the conversations were no different than those happening in kitchens throughout the world.

While the broth for the chiage simmered, some members discussed their school work.  While garlic was being chopped, others discussed their frustration with the job market. Everyone—Korean or American—could relate to parental pressure/involvement regarding relationships, employment difficulties, and concerns for a post-graduation life, and everyone waited hungrily for the food to cook.

A few hours later, dinner was ready to be served. The table was set, and an exhausted but ravenous group sat down to eat. Steam from the bowls of rice and chigae wafted across the dinner table as pairs of chopsticks descended upon the plate of dduk bok gi.

All that remained was the grilling of the bulgogi—or so they thought.  Strips of marinated beef, mushrooms, and vegetables sizzled atop the portable burner, and soon, the tantalizing smells of garlic and onions filled the room.  Unfortunately, so did smoke. The dinner was brought to an abrupt halt as the high-pitched smoke alarm screamed throughout the house. Luckily, the alarms were found, and the portable burner was traded for a vented stove-top. The bulgogi was cooked with no further problems and/or sirens.

Dinner was delicious. The efforts of KACEL and the instruction of Andie were savoured with every bite. Unsurprisingly, there weren’t any leftovers, but there were plenty of stuffed stomachs to go around. Given the timing of the event, the group discussed American Thanksgiving and how it was traditionally celebrated—food being the consistent ingredient of any worthwhile Thanksgiving.  Of course, Thanksgiving is more than just food.  It is a time to give thanks for what we have and those who make our lives better. Nonetheless, food—especially delicious food—can bring people of all cultures, religions, races, etc. together, and it is something we were all thankful to have that Sunday afternoon.

(Written by KACEL buddy Jungha 정하)

Just after we arrived at Salem, we ate a late breakfast at one restaurant.  Friendly, comfortable, and they served a variety of American-style breakfast menus.  That was our second choice because the New England Soup Factory would be open after noon, but it was quite good.

The group wearing their 3D glasses from the 3D haunted house

For activities, we hang around lots of Halloween or witch-themed shops and a haunted house.  The shops mostly sold scary things, such as witches and ghosts’ stuff, to amuse us.  The haunted house made me feel nervous and spooky, but it was not as much as a Korean haunted house.  In addition, there were some fortune telling houses, such as tarot reading, mediumship.  Nikki was interested in the fortune telling, but she didn’t try it.

We also went to the Salem Witch Museum.  Since I didn’t know about the basic history of the Salem Witch Trials, it was interesting and informative for me.  Around the town, there were a lot of monsters, witches, vampires, werewolves, and ghosts walking.

I think we had a pleasant time in Salem despite unseasoningly chilly weather.

• fun fun buddy meeting idea every FRIDAY: 
  Try Playing Japanese Taiko Drums with Genki Spark!
  Friday Night Introductory Basics: 7:45-9pm
  $15 per class, pay on site.
  -karen young, a friend of mine, runs this organization -please tell her i sent you!

• Friday, November 11, 2011 (8PM)
  SamulNori -World Music/CRASHarts performance by the Korean percussion group SamulNori, with drumming maestro Kim Duk Soo, at Sanders Theatre on
  There will also be a free lecture/demonstration with Kim Duk Soo and company on Saturday, Nov. 12 at Harvard that I will be moderating (Holden Chapel, 1-2:30).
  If interested, we could go as a group.
  Founded and led by Kim Duk-Soo, the group’s leader and master of the changgo (hourglass-shaped drum), SamulNori’s dancing percussionists play music based on 5,000-year-old Korean shamanist traditions. In several numbers the musicians also wear hats topped with long plumes or streamers that produce swirling patterns of color as they move from ceremonial walks to great leaps and dizzying spins.

Boston, MA ~ A group of KACEL buddies metup at Super88 food court for dinner to get to know one another. The dinner was for buddies who couldn’t make the bowling event.

We ate Korean food, talked about ourselves, and shared our experiences of Korea and our lives here in the U.S.

Our next group event will be at the end of October and hopefully those who couldn’t make the last two events will be able to join us!

KACEL is a cultural AND language exchange program, but I think sometimes it’s easy to forget that and just think it’s supposed to help Korean people improve their English. Most of our events and are conducted in English. But if you remember our original mission, there’s the Korean portion of the cultural exchange too. Eating Korean food is great and all, but it’s really only one aspect of what Korean culture is. And, anyone could do that on their own without this program.

Recently a Korean participant pointed out that many of the Korean participants don’t come to the group events. She explained it could be because once the American participants start talking (at real speed) it’s hard to follow their conversations. Especially given that the Korean buddies also have to think how to respond in English–it’s very stressful. (I totally understand! Sometimes I get lost trying to follow. And throw in a Boston accent or two. . .^^)

She suggested speaking some Korean at events; it might make Korean participants feel more welcome. And, it could be helpful for the American participants who want to improve their Korean. I LOVE this idea. Now I just have to figure out how to incorporate it into the program. . . maybe introduce a topic of concept or saying that people have to use at each event? Any suggestions?

We’re meeting this week, and I suggested we speak Korean the last hour or half hour of our meeting–it’ll be an experiment. It could be difficult for those who don’t know any Korean.

Another suggestion a few Korean participants suggested is playing Korean games at events. I think the interest is to see how the American participants respond to them. I also like this idea. It just requires a casual atmosphere where we can sit undisturbed and maybe be a little loud. Not a restaurant.

There are so many Korean games, 삼, 육, 구 (3, 6, 9); Go, stop; 화투 (hwatoo) just to name a few. I have a harder time coming up with American games: Uno? Twister? A few participant suggest jaxx and marbles, which I’ve never played before–have you?

Any suggestions or advice you might have for doing either of these things would be VERY helpful! 

And in October. . .
October 22 and 23: Head of the Charles Regatta, Charles River

(Written by KACEL Korean buddy 경미) – As you know Chuseok is Korean Thanksgiving day and is on lunar Aug. 15^th. On every 15^th of month, we can see full moon. Especially, on Aug. 15^th, the biggest full moon of the year appears!! So our ancestors started to make wishes and that turned to be a tradition of Chuseok.

송편 (songpyeon, half-moon-shaped rice cake) is typical food of Chuseok. We can fill inside of the rice cake with chestnut, sesame, honey and bean. There is a superstition about 송편. If you can make good-looking 송편, you can have a cute and pretty daughter!!

In the past, we were poor and there were not many chances to buy new clothes. But on special holidays like 추석 and 설날 (Seolnal, Lunar New Year’s day), we wanted to wear clean and neat clothes. Because those were special days that all big family gathered in one spot!! Therefore there was a tradition to buy new clothes for these holidays. We call those clothes as 추석빔 (chuseokbim), 설빔 (seolbim). Thesedays, it becomes a good excuse for children to buy new clothes on holidays!!

Chuseok could be a stressful day for women. Because there are so many things they have to do for this holiday. 며느리 (daughter-in-law) usually makes whole foods with other daughters-in-law in oldest brothers of husband’s house or mother-in-law’s house. Nowadays, some husbands help them to make foods, but still it is stressful for daughters-in-law. So every big holiday, many mass medias report that this issue.

추석 has three days of holidays. Middle day of these days is real 추석 (Lunar Aug. 15^th)!! Usually (in my family’s case), the first day and a half (the first vacation day and half of the actual Chuseok holiday) we stay with father’s side relatives, and the other day and a half (half of real Chuseok and the last vacation day) we stay with mother’s side relatives. So we can meet all members of big family in three days!!

Even you are in the U.S., you can feel the mood of 추석 by making 송편 or by staying with your family or close friends!! Enjoy!!

Note from Saebom, KACEL founder – It’s striking to me that this year 추석 Chuseok falls right around the same time as 9.11. As Korean people spend the day with family and close friends Americans also are commemorating the time with friends and family. If there’s one thing I learned from the Sept 11th tragedy it’s that life is fleeting; you never know if what you take for granted today could all be gone tomorrow. So appreciate and relish what really matters; the friends and family who make it what it is. 

Boston, MA ~ KACEL group had its first event of the fall term: lunch and bowling at Jillian’s in the Fenway. Participants showed up to get to know one another and try out their skills on the lanes.

It was Korean participant Sunyong’s first time ever bowling, and she had an impressive show.

Sunyoung about to bowl–a strike?

American participant Kate showed great skill on the lanes coming in second place!

Kate rockin’ the lanes

But American participant Tony showed everyone up with his first place score–and two days before his birthday!

Tony, happy from a stellar performance

Thanks to everyone for coming out! Our next group event will be at the end of October and we will be going apple picking!