Kimchi Mamas

Al-Anon

Given how prevalent alcoholism or "drinking problems" are in the Korean American community, I thought I'd get the word out about Al-Anon. It's basically like AA, except it's for people affected by friends or family members that are alcoholic. You know how they say that alcoholism is a family disease?  Well, I didn't really get that until I started going to Al-Anon.

My dad was and is an alcoholic. He can down two bottles of soju with dinner and see no problems driving home. I grew up with him drinking but didn't realize how much it affected me until I started going to Al-Anon. I'm sure my "problems" are not ALL from his alcoholism but I find that many of my behaviors are classic symptoms of having an alcoholic in the family.

It's like group therapy. There are meetings all over the place and probably one not more than 1 mile away from where you live. It's free, anonymous, and tremendously full of hope.

Thank Galbi It's Friday

Thank Galbi It's Friday Jjim

Ingredients:

2-3 lbs bone-in thick-cut beef short ribs

Water

2 T sake or mirin

4 T soy sauce

1 T brown sugar

8 cloves of garlic, minced

½ onion, roughly sliced

4 carrots, large chunks

1-2 lb. Korean radish or daikon, large chunks

6-12 shiitake mushrooms (soaked in hot water for 30 minutes if dried)

2 green onions, daintily chopped

½ t pepper

1 T sesame oil (optional)

1. Soak ribs in cold water for at least 30 minutes, changing the water often (to get the blood out).
2. Cover with fresh water in a pot or Dutch oven, then boil ribs 5-10 min.
3. Drain the pot, take the ribs out, and wash them in cold water to remove fat and impurities.  Put back into the pot.
4. (Don't tell my mom, but you can skip the first 3 steps if you don't feel like it doing all that crap.)
5. Add: 2 cups water, mirin, soy sauce, brown sugar, garlic, and onion.
6. Bring to boil, simmer ½ hour.
7. After ½ hour, add carrot/radish/mushroom.  Cover and simmer for AT LEAST 1 hour over low heat, stirring/basting/tasting occasionally.
8. Meat is done when you can poke it with a chopstick with very little effort.  
9. Separate fat from the Good Stuff.  You can use a gravy separator to do a decent job, or you can be hardcore (like my mom) and refrigerate the whole thing overnight, then scrape off the solidified fat.  Discard, or feel free to make candles or what have you, you hippie.
10. Garnish with green onions and fresh black pepper, and sesame oil IF YOU MUST (I think I've already mentioned my disdain for that flavor).

Open Thread Thursday

Koreans getting their team support on: Human LCD!

Don't mess with this ajjumma!  (Maybe she should get her own fan group!)

It's Open Thread Thursday . . . What's on YOUR mind?

--Angie in Texas missed ya'll!

Tae Kwon Do Rocks!

My 6-year-old, Isaac, just started attending Tae Kwon Do classes.  I figured it would be a good way to develop agility and athleticism while simultaneously introducing him to an aspect of Korean culture that he's never experienced before.  Plus, he'd look so cute in the uniform.

What caught me by surprise, however, was that athletics is only one aspect of the curriculum: much of the teaching revolves around inner qualities like respect and integrity.  It is drilled into every aspect of the class: when doing jumping jacks, the kids count out, "1 sir!  2 sir!  3 sir!"  Also, at the end of every session, they line up and individually thank their parents.  My jaw dropped when I heard that.  Gratefulness is something that can be taught?  How novel!

Isaac also brought home a sheet labeled "Homework."  I thought I'd share the content with you all because this is the kind of homework I can really get behind!

12 Home Rules for Martial Arts Students -- Practice every day!

Greet Your Parents!
When meeting: "Hi, Mom!"  "Hi, Dad!"
When leaving: "Good-bye!"

Show Respect! 
Always be respectful to parents, teachers, friends, family, and elders.

Be Kind!
Be kind to your brothers, sisters, family and friends.

Get Good Grades!
Work hard in school and try to get “A’s” every day.

Be Neat and Clean!
Keep the house neat by cleaning up after yourself.
Keep your hair, body and teeth clean every day!

Don’t Interrupt!
Do not interrupt adults when they are talking.

Eat Healthy!
Eat your vegetables and drink plenty of water every day!

Be Polite!
Say “Please” and “Thank you.”

Be Honest!
Always tell the truth, no matter what happens.

Be Responsible!
Do what you promise to do and admit when you are wrong.

Be Loving!
Say, “I love you” to your parents each day.

Be Humble!
Never brag or boast.  Let others be “first.”

(Copyright 2010 Susan Fields and World Power Martial Arts)

Isn't this list amazing???  It's like the 12 Commandments of Mom.  I love how they make each rule sound so simple and attainable.  It would take me years of nagging to get Isaac to the point of even learning these rules, let alone abiding by them.  Plus, since they come from a third party, the children are much more open to that kind of influence, for which I am extremely grateful.  So grateful in fact, I think I'm going to sign up a certain 3-year-old girl as well.

--Julie

Open Thread...Friday?

Oops, I think we missed Open Thread Thursday yesterday.  Must be the holiday scheduling forcing us back a day.

So, what's on your mind?

Here's a question for Silicon Valley Korean Moms:

What has been your experience with Silicon Valley Korean School? 

I am thinking of enrolling my 11-year old son in the fall, but he speaks and understands NO Korean at all.  Will he be stuck in a room with 4 year-olds?  I might have trouble getting him to give up his Saturday mornings if that is the case.

--posted by Jomama

Generational differences in immigration?

This article from Diversity Executive states that different generations of immigrants from Korea had different experiences, largely due to the reasons for the immigration. 

Earlier immigrant waves followed the more traditional "work hard to build a new life" paradigm, dealing with a lot of racism while they were trying to gain a foothold.  Later immigrant waves were more likely to come from wealthier families, seeking a US college education and more opportunity.  Not necessarily looking for a "better life."

My immigration story is adoption into white middle class, but my (white) grandparents' generation maps to the earlier immigrant waves.  Comment below--does your family's experience map to the article?  Or did the author get it wrong?

--Posted by Jomama

Open Thread Thursday

It's Open Thread Thursday!

What's on your mind today?

I'm still recovering from the baby's dol we had last week. It was a great party complete with tons of Korean food, ttuk cake, great friends, and tired family members. 

A friend of ours drew this for us as a present and I just HAVE to share it.

The Incredi-Chois. We love it. Thanks Ben!

Now if only I can get my waist to be that skinny.

- Mary