Being so far from you is surely the most interesting experience I’ve ever had before.  I It is a mixture of sadness,  tenderness, anxiety, etc.   William Shakespeare wrote once: “All days are nights to see until I see you, and nights are bright days when I dream about you” (I paraphrased it a little because it was written in old English).   This phrase beautifully tells about the feelings of a person when he is separated from his beloved.  Even “Dryden” (another poet) says: “Love reckons hours for months, and days for years; and every little absence is an age.” The feeling of missing someone is special.  On the one hand, it gives you pain and on the other, it makes you realize how important is a person in your life.  You tend to see your beloved everywhere and whenever you are free from those stressing activities of your daily routine.  When her image comes to your mind, you are taken to another world that moves around her thoughts only.

보고 싶어요!

Music is art, and that’s why it is closely related with the way I see life.  I love music, specially because melodies and sounds they can exactly tell what our feelings have to say about something. The harmony between melody and a beautiful voice is what I appreciate most.  (I guess everyone does)

Love songs and distance

After I wrote this post,  I happened to listen a very nice (and romantic) song which is just related with this topic.  When I listen to it, the lyrics manage to  touch those inner feelings within my heart.   I don’t know if you have experienced something like this before.  Artist must be able to recall previous experiences and memories and bring back the emotions and feelings involved in order to pour it on canvas, sketchbook or etc.  It is in Spanish, and the singers are two guys: one of them is from Mexico and the other one from Argentina.  This song tells about a man who is far from her lover and how he do not care about distance.  If you like it, I will translate it for you.

Sin Bandera

“Kilometros”

Download song (다운로드?)

Lyrics

A varios cientos de kilómetros

puede tu voz darme calor igual que un sol

y siento como un cambio armónico
va componiendo una canción en mi interior

Sé que seguir no suena lógico
pero no olvido tu perfume mágico
y este encuentro telefónico
me ha recordado que estoy loco por ti

Que todo el mundo cabe en el teléfono
que no hay distancias grandes para nuestro amor
que todo es perfecto cuando te siento
tan cerca aunque estes tan lejos

A varios cientos de kilómetros
tiene un secreto que decirte mi dolor
en cuanto cuelgues el teléfono
se quedará pensando mi corazón

Que todo el mundo cabe en el teléfono
que no hay distancias grandes para nuestro amor
que todo es perfecto cuando te siento
tan cerca aunque estes tan lejos.

Introduction to our particular Spanish

I really wonder to know if you have been practising some Spanish since I am gone.  If you haven’t, don’t worry.  I will be more than glad to teach you some common Spanish phrases and sentences for you to learn.   They are meant to be used with me during our conversations by phone, and of course, if you have the chance to meet some Spanish speaker around there.

Lección uno: Hablando por teléfono

It should be quite convenient for you to learn how to answer the phone whenever I call you, right?  There are plenty of phrases you can use, so pay attention   -

¡ring-ring! ♫

I. Saying “Aló?”

There is a very easy expression you can use when answering the phone.  We usually say: “Aló?“   it can be used for both speakers in order to make sure there is someone on the line.  it is also a good strategy to hear the other speaker’s voice and confirm you called the right number, even before asking… jaja!

Alóoo!!!? ♥

note: it can be used in both formally and informal situations, so don’t worry about when to use it.

II. Quién es?

The second step is to ask how am I talking with in order  to confirm if we are talking with the right person, don’t you think so?  Then you have to say: “¿Con quién hablo?” ~ Literally translated, it is “With whom/who speak?”  don’t forget that, like Korean language, we tend to omit the subject of sentences, just like when I say – Te amo mucho (I love you a lot) – “I” is not present.  The other speaker can reply to this :  “Soy Matías“.  If the person also wants to know who is calling, he can also ask the same question or  “¿Quién es?“  – lit. : Who is it?

If you notice that when hearing the other person’s voice and somebody “else” answered the phone, what you can do is to ask “¿Estará Matías?“ It literally can be translated as – Would/Will be Matias? – The person will answer yes or not, depending on each situation, and you probably know how to replay to this, right? (Sí está / No está)

¿Aló?... ¿Quién es?

III. Saludando

Now you are completely sure that you are talking with me.  The first thing I do when talking with somebody I really miss  is  to say with a lot of enthusiasm: “¡Kiubo Mina! ¿Cómo estay?” – It means Hi Mina, How are you? - If you are talking with somebody who is not your nene (because I am your nene) you can just say: “¡Hola Matías!,  ¿Cómo estás?“  The answer for this will vary depending on your mood, right? well… the possibilities are:

a) ¡Bakán! (also “muy bien“)  which means that you are very fine!

b) Más o menos, which means literally – so, so -

c) Mal, which means that you are not feeling good.

Kiuuuubo weon! ♫

IV. Qué pasa?

I obviously will ask you why? in order to know what happened.  The Spanish equivalent for this:  “¿Porqué?” or “¿Que onda?“  Qué onda is a little bit informal, mainly used when talking with friends or people you have a good and close relationship with.  The normal way to ask is what happened or what’s going on is “¿Qué pasa?“

There must be many reasons for being glad or sad, right? Let’s think you are talking with me, so:

a) you are “bakan” because:  “Porque estoy contenta de hablar contigo” (Because I am glad to talk with you) please note that “contenta” is used for women and “contento” is used if the speaker is a man.

b) you can be “mal” because: “Porque te extraño mucho“ ♥ (because I miss you a lot/so much) if you want to sound really like missing someone, you can emphasize “mUUuuuucho.”

Matías... Te quiero muuuuucho! ♥

V. Disculpa!

Chileans like to interact and talk a lot.  This is part of our South American lively and sometimes cheerful personalities.  I wonder if Koreans like talking on the phone quite a lot.  Most of my friends talk a lot with their “pololas or pololos” for a long period of time.  Personally, I don’t like cellphones because it cannot compare with being in front of the person you are interested in.  I exclusively use my phone for job activities or emergencies.  If I need to see someone, I just pick up my bycicle (or walk) and visit him/her.  And of course, we usually stay talking and talking until very late.  Does the same happen with your friends in your country?

I miss you muuuuuucho! ♥

VI. No me interrumpas!

Another curious thing you probably realized when speaking on the phone is that we tend to interrupt the other person’ speech.  Please, it is just the way we are.  It is expected for you to do the same just after one of the speakers makes a pause on their speech.  The same happens when I talk to Eric or Nancy Hartung.  If you want somebody to stop talking, you just can say: “¡Cállate weon!” – cállate in English means shut up and weon, will depend on who are you talking to, and your intonation.   If you want to sound formal, you can also say “¿Podrías callarte?” (could you please shut up? – it sounds more polite, doesn’t it?).

note: Always remember that “cállate weon” can be used also when somebody whose presence is unpleasant.  In this case, you are telling him(her) to stop disturbing you, thus you have to be very expressive.  Don’t forget to use your eyebrows just like I taught you!  the secret is in your eyes, show how much unpleasant a person is for you.  vale?

Ándate a la Xuxa!!

I guess this is enough for now.  I really hope you can take a moment to read this crazy learning approach.  I am totally convinced that you will use these expressions without difficulties.   See you next time

♥   Chao!!

After a really interesting experience in USA, I go back to South America in order to continue with my English teaching activities and studies.  The first thing  I had to deal with, it was to speak Spanish again.  I can’t believe how normal it was for me to be the whole time speaking in English.  When I arrived to Santiago’s airport, I was greeting everyone in English… until I realized that nobody replied.  That’s surely quite strange.

여기 ~ 스페인어 !

Unfortunately, I forgot completely to tell somebody I was arriving to Chile.  So it’s not strange that nobody came to receive me.  I had to carry all my heavy stuff (including my drawing and figure out how to get to my relatives house).  There are plenty of them living in Santiago, but I don’t visit them too often, only on summer holidays.   Santiago is quite a big city in comparison with the rest of Chilean cities.   Santiago is located almost in the middle of Chile. A high number of people live in this city.  When I got there it was winter season in Chile, so you could not expect to see a beautiful scenery of Santiago.

Santiago de Chile

If you want to see beautiful landscapes, I would rather choose the previous region located in the north. (Viña del Mar or Valparaíso) However, I like visiting historical places in Santiago, like “Santa Lucia” hill. This place is located right in front of “Santa Lucía” subway station. You can see “Alameda” street which goes straight along several important locations in Santiago.

Cerro Santa Lucia

It is in the middle of this city. When Spaniards came to South America, an Spanish soldier called “Pedro de Valdivia” founded the city of Santiago on February 12th, 1541. He planned the city according to the traditional Spanish checkerboard layout which is still evident in the downtown area today (and many Chilean cities too ~ Spanish were not too artistic in this aspect… jajaja! ).

Entrada del Cerro! lots of stairs!

This is surely a nice place, with a magnificent entrance.  The part I like most is going upstairs and taking a look at the scenery below… I love high places!

Vista desde arriba

As you keep going up, you can take a look at different levels of “Santa Lucia” hill. Lots of couples like to come here to sit down and talk as they enjoy the view (when you come to Chile, We will visit this place together! just like Chilean pololos! ♥)

Segundo nivel del cerro

I don’t think it is clear. But the next sculpture is supposed to be a “Mapuche” … the indigenous who were living here before “españoles” (Spaniards). This statue commemorates the famous mapuche called “Caupolican“. He was one of the chief mapuches that fought the spanish soldiers as he didn’t want this land to be conquered by the spaniards. He fought Pedro de Valdivia (founder of the city) again and again, making his plans quite difficult.

Caupolicán: The brave warrior

Due to the fact that this place was supposed to be an strategic place for protection, it is not strange that you can see some old “cañones” (cannons) around there.

Spanish Cannons

This is the middle level of Santa Lucia Hill.

Be careful! Don't look downwards !

“Los Andes” can be seen in the back of Santiago. I am pretty sure those mountains look gorgeous when it is not cloudy… jaja!   The true is I just like taking a deep look around… but cities… are not special… they are almost the same everywhere.. but standing at a high place and looking at it… is quite cool.

Los Andes: Bellas Montañas

*I got there…. I mean, to the top of this hill.  unfortunately, I was doing some secret business alone, so I couldn’t take many pictures including me on them… I asked someone to take a picture of me with “Los Andes” mountains in my back.. At the top of “Santa Lucia” hill. I read somewhere it has around 65 M height.

저는Santa Lucia's Top 에서

I went to Chinese and Korean embassy in order to get some information about the Visa process and costs for when I visit you.  For my surprise, it is quite cheap and simple if we compare with the tedious process for applying to USA.  I even managed to know that there are some scholarships for Chilean students! ♥  I can’t wait to graduate and apply for them!

Te Amo ♥

Last month, I took my drawings to Dimka’s hometown.  It is a small town called “Los Muermos”, which is located a few hours from mine (Actually almost four hours… ).  When I visited Dimka’s house by first time, I promised her to do this art exhibition as soon as possible because she is the most “buena onda” red cheeks girl around there.

Bienvenidos!

The Cultural Center of Los Muermos is a nice place.  Wooden constructions are the most typical characteristic of Southern Cities houses and buildings, because wooden constructions are warmer than concrete.  Chilean south can be quite cold during winter.  Seen from far it even looks such a big place.  That’s the physical place where my exhibition takes place.  I really liked it when I visited it.  Obviously, I included some of the drawings  I made at NSU.  Your drawing is my secret artwork which is now being presented at “Pto. Varas” art exhibition.  So you won’t be able to see it yet.

Centro Cultural de Los Muermos

Everything is really close in Los Muermos, so just a a few blocks from Dimka’s house.  Fortunately, she helped me to prepare the materials in order to hang each artwork on the hall’s walls.  It was not an easy task, it took me almost two days.  I started early morning with the preparations and trying to decide where to put each artwork.  Dimka joined later.

Early in the morning

However, with some great music we managed to have fun while getting everything done ♫ .  It was really funny to decide a name for this art exhibition.  Dimka got really surprised when she saw the advertisement around the city inviting people to visit the new artshow called “At Dimka’s” ~ in  Spanish, “Donde la Dimka.”  So, los Muermos was the center of Chilean Culture during the whole month of September.

Be careful!

After everything was done, we started to have a great time taking pictures in order to show them to our friends at NSU (on facebook).  Dimka “red cheeks” Bahamonde posed next to many of my favourite drawings.  I really wished you could be here.

Come to Chile!

When I went back to my hometown, Dimka was in charge of everything and take care of my lovely drawings.  She and her brothers visited the art exhibition together.  It seems they had lots of fun playing and acting out !   I really laughed at them!

Dimka's Gang

Dimka has two sisters and a little brother.  In this ocation, her younger sister and her brother went there and got crazy taking photos.

Joaquin as "Sun Wu Kong"

And they didn’t stop! ♥

Dimka as the "Pincoya" (Chilean mermaid)

What about Maya??

Maya as Angelina Jolie

I almost die of laughing too much due to these photos.  Dimka’s sis and bro are so funny…! ♫

Dimka as Laetitia Casta

And finally… the next Chilean top fashion model: Joaquín ♪

Joaquín... the potential Giocondo!

You cannot miss “Puerto Varas” Art exhibition titled: “I wish you were here”  ♥

bye!!!

Well, like most of South American countries, every year we have the chance to celebrate and remember the historical events which took place almost two hundred years ago related with the attainment of our freedom from Spanish rule. In the previous letter I wrote you, I mentioned in general terms how we got rid of Spanish and took them out of South America.

Abrazo de Maipu (at Maipu's famous hug)

In general, Chileans are quite lively but if we compare us with brasileños (Brazilians), we seem to be a little bit cold (could you believe that?). Everything changes when September 18th comes. All the people look even more friendly or glad, and that’s because we have almost a whole week to rest and have fun. In every house there is a Chilean flag fluttering indicating that September is the month of independence. At elementary schools and high schools, children and adolescent participate in special activities related with these festivities. So, The “fiestas patrias” (literally “patriotic parties”) are a time for all Chileans to gather together and celebrate their country, culture, and independence. Celebrations of all things Chilean center on their independence day.

Sept 18th at Osorno

The 18th, or “dieciocho,” is celebrated during a week full of fiestas patrias. This includes parades, dances, drinking, eating traditional Chilean food, and music. Parades include “huasos“, the traditional Chilean cowboys, music, and displays of national pride.

Fonda de Osorno

Much of the celebrations occur in “ramadas“, temporary open buildings with thatched roofs traditionally made from tree branches. Ramadas feature a dance floor, music, and tables to eat. In the past, around two hundred years ago, people from country side were particularly known for celebrating “fiestas patrias” this way. In the modern Chile, it is more suitable to talk about “fondas” or refreshment stands, offering a wide variety of Chilean food including empanadas, anticuchos (shish kabobs), chicha (alchoholic drink), and more.

Empanadas & Vino Chileno

Okay, there are three things which are directly associated with dieciocho and they are “empanadas, ” “vino” &  “cueca.”  Empanadas are probably (and even ironically-funny to mention) some dish derivation of a Spanish food.  They reminded me to those Chinese dumplings I tried at NSU once. At that time Chinese boiled them… I think I didn’t like them because of that.  Empanadas are quite similar but quite bigger, and they can be put in the oven and baked or even fried.  It is possible to find “empanadas de pino,” turnover stuffed with diced beef, onions, raisins, olive, and hard boiled egg. There are also “empanadas de marisco” (instead of beef… they use seafood) and my favourite ones, “empanadas de queso,” turnover filled with cheese and usually fried. Vino (wine) is surely one of the most emblematic characteristic of Chilean products.  Unfortunately, I am not good enough to appreciate Chilean wine because I do not drink very often, but everybody loves our wine.  

Matias, The Chilean Huaso! ♪

I went to Osorno and stayed there the whole weekend celebrating with my friends.  We had lunch together and tried some traditional food.  At that moment, I was wearing some plaster on my wrist because I had broken it some weeks ago.   It was quite strange and funny to do all those common activities like eating and writing with my left hand.  It is just like getting use to it.  Actually, I managed to use my left hand properly, except by drawing.  That was impossible.

Matias con brazo enyesado

A Chinese friend of mine “Mario” and her girlfriend participated in a Cueca Contest.  I taught him some moves and guess what! he got the third place! ♫  It was very funny to see a Chinese guy dancing cueca… and he did quite well!  after that, we visited a Traditional “Fonda”,  and we ate some empanadas, and danced a lot…!  Some dance groups performed all Chilean traditional dances including those from Easter Island.  Obviously, I danced every kind of music style they put on!

Cueca

Well, if there is something I really like it is cueca.  Like every country, there is a particular traditional dance which is very popular.  I am pretty sure that Korea also does have one right? What is particular from South American dances, as I probably mentioned to you before, is the idea of “cortejo” – courtship -  (wooing, the attempt to make a woman or man to fall in love with you).  In fact, I am almost sure that almost a 99% of South American dances are meant to be danced by couples (isn’t that cool? I couldn’t conceive not having a lovely woman to dance with! ♥).  Thus, Cueca is not an exception.   In the following picture, you can see me dancing like a real Chilean should do… with a lovely partner. I am wearing a typical cowboy hat, but I didn’t get a complete costume… lol  Anyways, it doesn’t matter when you can make a good performance dancing ! ♫ and I try hard to make it alright! ♥

The man tries to make the woman to notice him while he uses a handkerchief.  He moves the handkerchief while he performs some dance steps around the woman.  Obviously, he needs to be quite brave and passionate to success.  The problem is that the  woman doesn’t seem interested at first.  She just smiles and tries to avoid the man’s advances towards her.  That’s why he must persist and follows her not letting escape… that’s quite funny.  There is just when the audience must clap to cheer up the man! ♫  Little by little the woman begins to smile and show her charming joy.  She subtly accepts the man’s advances while joining to the rhythm of his moves until they get together…! ♥  Probably, cueca shows somehow our romantic and persistent personality when it is about falling in love with a charming and lovely woman like you (for instance ;-D ).

Cueca de Salon

There are different types of cuecas, depending of the geographical situation.  The following one is the classic cueca.  The huaso and the huasa are wearing a formal dress.  it is not the popular one, but surely the one you see in most of important events.

Traditional Cueca

In traditional and classic cueca, the man invites the woman to dance.  As you can see below, the costume is quite different for the woman and sometimes for the man too.  I personally preffer this one because the woman’s dress is more colorful, and the cueca itselfs can be sometimes even more interesting (in the sense that the man can perform more straight or direct dance moves as an attempt to show his interest towards the lady.

Cueca Chora

This is a more contemporary cueca style.  I guess it comes from Chilean central part near the capital city.  It is called “chora” (because it means to be direct, to dare) so the man and the woman are evidently more passionate for make his or her partner to fall in love.  You can see that they are wearing modern clothes (and I really regret for not having remembered to perform this cueca style at NsU when Lin Lin asked me to do it).  It shares some similarities with “Tango” in the way that Woman and Men are trying to seduce and vividly show their passion as a way to impress the other person.  In addition, the women dress is quite provocative and beautiful isn’t it?

Armed Forces Day

Army parade

The day after Independence Day is also a national holiday. Armed Forces day includes military and naval parades and events celebrating Chile’s military victories including their independence.  Personally, I don’t like army and all that weapons stuff, but it is quite relevant to mention that Chilean pride is also strongly related by our previous victories during our independence period and the post independence period too.  There were several battles against Spanish, Peruvians and Bolivians for a long time.  We were known for our naval strength, but also a deep braveness in the war.  The most precious traditional emblem for us is Chilean flag.  It represents a strong affection towards our nation and freedom.  That’s why Chilean soldiers had the pride to say that they never gave up during battle and even died protecting their flag.

In brief, I really wish that someday you could come and celebrate this festivities with me, that should be really great!  what are you waiting for?? 

Ven a Chile!! Come !

My art activities should follow the plan I’ve considered.  Inspired in USA (thanks to everything I learned, and those interesting people I met ♥ ), there are many ideas I got from the different realities I was exposed… I really feel like doing some interesting subjects to show the people from Southern Chile. As I mentioned in my letters for you, I’m determined to accumulate several art exhibitions during the time I will have to continue my studies and graduate once for all.

Well, It is me again… but this time taking my big sketchbook to a Chilean Southern city called “Puerto Varas“.  I’ve chosen this place to try my luck and have an art exhibition if it was possible (and it was!).  In fact, it was my first time there, and I had to sign some documents in order to arrange all the procedures…  I went there with my friend Constanza.  She usually goes there so I fortunately wouldn’t get lost with her company.  Pto. Varas is not that far from Osorno as you probably saw in the brochures I sent you in the previous letters, but I never had a reason for going there though.  You should know that I went there only with the portrait of yours almost finished.  The man in charge of Culture Department of Pto. Varas was amazed by my artworks and when he asked who was the beautiful woman in the drawing, I proudly said: “Esa hermosa mujer coreana es la nena que me gusta” ♥

이런 여자 가 너친구♫

She is my very good friend “Cony”.  Every Secret Agent need a partner… and since Dimka doesn’t seem to be around lately…jajaja …  I had no choice..! ♫

We arrived to Puerto Varas, a nice touristic and small town located nearby Osorno, the city where I study. I really love cities close to lakes (lagos) and rivers (ríos)… and that’s a very typical feature of Chilean Southern Cities.  Unfortunately, the weather was quite “malo” because it was raining and the sky was cloudy.  During verano (summer) time it is extremely lindo, with a great scenery of two volcanes in the other side of the lake.  If I am not wrong, one is called “Volcán Osorno” and the other one “Pintiagudo.”

Puerto Varas 는 여기에 있습니다! ♫

From this city you can take a trip get to some Argentinas cities located not too far…  however, they are just to the other side of “Los Andes” mountains.  I had the chance to visit Argentina when I was in high school.  You can take a bus and be driven to “Bariloche” (a few hours from Osorno),  a beautiful city in Argentina famous by their deliciosos chocolates! Me encantan!! ♥

I surely think it should be really great to sit down and take a look at the lake during summer time… with you, when you come to Chile.  Water is always my favourite element for relaxing and having a good time.  I think the two things wich really get me inspired is water and some particular women  features (like Mina’s charm & beauty).

미나-야! 어디에 있는 거예요?! ♥

I am looking at the horizon… water inspires me for sure.. so I am not waiting for a boat if that´s what you are thinking… Everytime I had the chance to choose where to go during vacaciones (holidays)or verano time, I surely will choose lakes, beach or rivers.  When the art exhibition takes places, the clima (weather) will be gorgeous and nice because it will be primavera (spring) season… amor and blossom time!

Who is this guy?

In this picture, I really wondered to know who was this guy… He is called Vicente Perez Rosales… (probably some old Presidente Chileno); he reminded me the name of the last High school I had to teach some English in Osorno… that was not surely a pleasant week…. lots of hard work due to working with teenagers… jajaja (it feels great to be a Teacher and not a Student anymore! )

Centro Cultural Estación

Okay!!!  it is supposed to be a surprise… but the building located behind that tree is the art gallery where I will hold my art exhibition during September and October… ♪.  I studied the size of that place in order to realize how many artworks I will need to make for then.  I probably must have around 40 drawings and paintings (including yours! ♥ ).  My art exhibition will be held at an old train station which is now used as a gallery/center  for art shows.

Finally, the opening ceremony will take place on Septiembre the 30th.  I look forward to invite all my friends, professors of my University and all those I know.

Next time, We'll be there together! ♥

      This is a new web space where English Teaching is the main topic to discuss about.  It’s expected to publish  some articles related to language learning  in order to share previous experiences and comments.   I have to say that it’s quite interesting to use weblog as a way of communication.