discoveryOctober - November 2016

Homecoming SIWA Bazaar: 40 Years Later Home Cooking from A Voice for Korean-American Adoptees A Haven for the Disadvantaged

SEOUL INTERNATIONAL WOMEN'S ASSOCIATION Enhancing lives through Friendship, Enrichment and Charity. 1 SIWA NEWS President’s Message: Homecoming

By the American defnition, homecoming is “the tradition of welcoming back students of a school.” The tradition is usually followed by universities and high schools with activities such as sports, cultural events and parades. This fall, my two children will return for a weekend to their alma mater for such celebration where a football game against an archrival will be the CONTENTS key event. Homecoming in essence brings people and communities together. SIWA has a long tradition of homecoming. SIWA and the Diplomatic Community Bazaar, held every fall, is the ultimate homecoming that will bring a community of people from many diferent walks of life to “share culture, share love, and share life.” Coming up on its 54th year, the largest international fundraising event in Seoul celebrates the people and communities that collaborate to achieve a common goal; to alleviate some of the pain and sufering for the marginalized people in Korea and make a lasting impact that will change the social condition. In 1982, then-SIWA Welfare Chair Mrs. Van der Berger visited the Missionaries of Charity with Mother Teresa while she was in Korea. That tradition and spirit of remembering our aficted continue some 34 years later as SIWA members prepare for the Bazaar. Mother Teresa was canonized on Sept. 4, 2016. I am not Catholic, therefore, my comprehension is very limited to the status given to her posthumously. However, I recognize the work she accomplished and the lives she afected through selfess service. Regardless to faith, I know there is a little bit of Mother Teresa in all of us, and it is a great homecoming.

- Anne Choe SIWA President

1982 마더 테레사, 국제 부인회 회원들과 수녀회의 복지 시설을 방문 October / November October 2016 Discovery

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3 DISCOVERY Contents

SIWA News 3 President’s Message 4 New SIWA leaders 7 SIWA supports breast cancer awareness

The Bazaar 8 The history of SIWA’s Bazaar 8 9 SIWA seeks volunteers for Bazaar

Homecoming 10 Korean adoption from the adoptees’ perspective 11 What it Means to be a Seoul Sister 12 Our Photo Club captures “Home” 14 Weekend Getaway: Gangwha Island 16 A second home for Busan’s needy 18 A Haven for the Marginalized 20 Home cooking from Central Asia 12 26 Korean lesson 27 How to cope with reverse culture shock

SIWA Activities 22 Tours & Interest Groups

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On the Cover October / November October 2016 Discovery “I took this picture at Gamcheon Culture Village in Busan, a famous place for its colorful houses and murals. I’m nostalgic for jangdokdae because my family used to have big pots to ferment and store sauces made by Mom.” -- SIWA member Sook Hee Kim

Cover Photo: Photo courtesy of Sook Hee Kim / Editorial Team Robin Carney, Greta Tonnon, Monica Williams Contributors Anne Choe, Alexis Dodson, Emma Duke, Doria Garms-Sotelo, Justesse, Gomis, Maverick Icon, Sook Hee Kim, Monica Park, Sandhya Ramabadran, Galiya Sharapova, Courtney Snede, Neeti Virmani Graphic Designer Sunwoo Kim Published by 10 Magazine / Advertising Coordinator Kyoko Kawaguchi

Discovery Photo Files All photos used by Discovery magazine, unless otherwise stated, have been provided by SIWA vendors or members and are the property of SIWA. Photographers who donate photos for SIWA’s use retain the rights to their photos.

Contributions Welcomed! Discovery is published bi-monthly (six issues per year) by SIWA, with articles and content written by our members and associations. It is distributed exclusively for SIWA members. All opinions expressed in these articles are those of the respective authors and may not refect the ofcial position of SIWA. All rights reserved SIWA 2016. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without prior written consent of SIWA.

For submissions and questions, email [email protected] or go to www.siwapage.com/connect/discovery/ Upcoming deadlines for contributions November 1 (Fashion) & January 1 (Education) 5 SIWA NEWS The Bazaar is Back!

The SIWA and Diplomatic Community Bazaar is the largest international fundraising event in Seoul. Since its launch, the bazaar has helped raise more than 2 billion won for worthy South Korean charities. On November 14, embassies from more than 40 nations, women’s clubs, welfare organizations, vendor partners, local and international sponsors and countless volunteers will come together at the Lotte Hotel to sell unique products, foods and crafts from around the world. You can get a massage there, see cultural performances – or even win a valuable prize. Gabrielle Kim (SIWA Bazaar Manager), Amy Lee (VP Fundraising) and I invite you to SIWA’s 54th annual bazaar, the leading opportunity for the expat community and Korean nationals to meet and mingle, while shopping for a good cause. Volunteers from SIWA sold rafe tickets, guided visitors and helped the embassies and clubs with logistics. All of these eforts combined for one purpose and goal: to meet the needs of those less fortunate and to make Korea a better place for both native Koreans and foreign expats alike. We’re still looking for a few good volunteers to fll key roles this year to help make the bazaar even more of a success: · Sponsorship Team (need sponsorship leader) · Korea Table / VIP · Logistics · Rafes · Public Relations · Publications SIWA & Diplomatic Community Bazaar · Volunteer Coordinator 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., Monday, November 14 If you’d like to contribute or volunteer, Lotte Hotel Seoul please e-mail us at [email protected]. 3F, Sapphire Ballroom We look forward to 30 Eulji-ro (Subway line 2, Euljiro-1, seeing you on November 14! #SIWAbazaar2016 Exit: 8, 1-minute walk) Jung-gu, Seoul - Justesse Gomis Ph. 82-2-771-1000

Photos by Maverick Icon

Box Bridges the Past With the Future Ann Robinson got lucky in her visit to the SIWA bazaar 40 years ago. The SIWA member was pregnant with her frstborn that fall and her mother-in-law was visiting from the states. On their way to Incheon Airport, the two decided to stop by the bazaar. As luck would have it, Robinson’s name was drawn in a rafe in which she won a lacquer / November October 2016 Discovery jewelry box. Robinson and her husband left Korea in 1977 and the wooden box went with them. In fact, she still uses it today. Lacquerware inlaid with mother-of-pearl or najeonchilgi, is a time-honored Korean treasure dating from the Joseon dynasty and was long a symbol of wealth. “Najeon'' means mother-of-pearl, and `”chilgi'' refers to lacquerware. During the 1960 and ‘70s, lacquerware cabinets, chests and tables were popular items for newlyweds in East Asia. But only a few artisans of the craft remain. “I’ve asked my husband to fnd another box like that and we’ve looked,” Robinson said. “You don’t really see that type of lacquerware anymore. It’s a beautiful box.” To make lacquerware, artisans apply black or dark-red lacquer onto the wood, carve patterns or drawings on the surface and afx or encase mother of pearl or seashells. When Robinson and her husband, Steve, returned to Seoul for a second stint this year, thoughts of her beautiful box led her back to SIWA where she’s working on the sponsorship team for this year’s bazaar. Who knows? She may get lucky again. - Monica Williams

9 HOMECOMING

Home Sweet Home SIWA’s Photo Club captured the theme of “coming home” in a recent friendly photo challenge. What does “homecoming” mean to you? and a good book? Or Mom’s home cooking? The SIWA Photo Club is open to members who desire a more artistic and structured approach to creating photographs. Club activities consist of an annual exhibition, technique workshop, critiques of each other’s works, gallery tours and photo shoots. Possession of a camera is prerequisite and all levels of expertise are welcome. The club meets every frst Thursday of the month and is free and open to all SIWA members. To join, email [email protected]

“This is a picture of Bella, my family's Brittany “Home is where I relax. A good book, hot bath, and a spaniel. I imagine her sitting on the couch, where glass of wine make me feel like I'm at a spa.” she is not allowed, waiting for me to come home.” -- Courtney Snede -- Alexa Dodson October / November October 2016 Discovery

“The first two photos are about returning home at the end of a day's work! The other one is about “This is the view from my apartment in home. For me, home is a safe cozy space and I love Uijeongbu. On the right you can see Dobongsan lamps.” -- Emma Duke which is one of the most popular mountains at “Home is a place where I can rest after a hectic Bukhansan National Park. I love this city because I day in the city and relax with a book or look at the am only 10 minutes from the closest trail head.” mesmerising lights behind the window.” -- Doria Garms-Sotelo -- Galiya Sharapova

13 Anna's House: By Monica Park

HOMECOMING A Haven for the Marginalized

Anna’s House, a charity in Seongnam, Gyeonggi province, Anna’s House is an amazing place. There are so many welcomes the homeless, elderly, jobless and street people serving others in the most selfless ways. Father children. The center also hosts an association for people Vincenzo Bordo, who started the charity, is also an with dyslexia. incredible force. I was really struck by his humanity and I was also happy to do charity work. I frst went to Anna’s Since 1998, the organization has been a haven for the House to volunteer work last year with a group of Italian marginalized. There are three ways you can serve: talent friends. Since then, I have been happy to work at Anna’s support, counseling as a native English speaker, or by House alongside SIWA members Mi Kyung Yu, Kaylin donating goods or money. Kyung Lee, Sonia Vanderaa and Andrea Leideck, preparing food for the homeless. Shuda Tumbe teaches at the The soup kitchen serves about 400 meals a day. Last year, Dyslexia Center twice a week. they distributed more than 83,000 dinners to homeless adults. The center also had 1,136 patients and provided Though giving, I understand the point of life, which is them dentistry, psychiatric or oiental medical assistance. sharing ourselves with others. After serving at Anna’s It also provided employment and legal counseling and House, I found myself a bit different and more open- distributed clothes, and provided a place to wash clothes hearted. Every time we go, I experience this treasure that or just shower. we have with us through everyday living.

At the home for adolescent male runaways, there are two The next SIWA meetings at Anna's House will be Oct. 27, programs. One is short-term and the other is long-term. Nov. 10 and Dec. 8. The charity work starts at 1 p.m. and Father Vincenzo is looking for a native English speaker to finishes at approximately 4 p.m.. To get there, we can work short term at the shelter once a week from 7 p.m. to meet at Moran Station (Line 8 or Bundang Line), Exit 4 at 8:30 p.m. 11:45 PM to have lunch and go together to Anna’s House, which is a fve-minute walk from the station.

You can also donate money to the charity through two accounts in its name: Woori Bank(1005-601-037069), Shinhan Bank (100-024-061995) or Kookmin Bank (275401-04- 093261) or via PayPal.

Monica Park, a SIWA member since 2010, is a native of Korea. She worked for 30 years for KT Corporation (formerly Korea Telecom) before taking an early retirement.

October / November 2016 Discovery 2016 November / October

18 HOMECOMING October / November 2016 Discovery 19 Home Cooking: By Monica Williams

SIWA ACTIVITIES SIWA A Taste of

Tazegul Mammetalyyeva learned how to make kutia, a Ukrainian Besides arresting carpets and scrumptious samsas, what else is there to puddinglike dish last year know about Turkmenistan? For starters, in 2013, Guinness World Records has been made for centuries in Turkmenistan and other Central listed Ashgabat as having the greatest number of white marble buildings — Asian countries. Preparation is a simple but somewhat lengthy process. estimated at more than 540. The desert nation also has the largest indoor While the dough bakes for only 20 minutes, prep time is 40 minutes, not Ferris wheel. including the 90 minutes that the dough is refrigerated. As with most At the August ICE, a SIWA member asked if she could demonstrate a Central Asian food, samsas are best washed down with hot green tea, traditional dance after watching Turkmen dancers in a video. which is served just about everywhere in the country. “No, no,” Mammetalyyeva politely declined with laughter. “That’s another “It’s not my mother’s dumpling,” Mammetalyyeva said, with a smile. “But program.” I think it is good.” Born in the Turkmen capital Ashgabat, Mammetalyyeva is a trained SIWA would like to thank Tazegul Mammetalyyeva for donating all of the fees researcher in the field of law. Since 2015, she has served as the from the program to our Welfare fund. Executive Secretary of Ambassadors Spouses Association in Seoul (ASAS). Since coming to Korea with her husband and two children in 2014, About Turkmenistan Mammetaltyeva, who often goes by “Gulia,” often opens their home to share the culture of the most unexplored of Central Asian’s ‘stans, a Population: 5.3 million fascinating country of 5 million residents. Capital: Ashgabat, 574,000 The nation, more than 70 percent occupied by the Karakum Desert, has Area: 488,100 sq. km (188,456 sq. miles). Slightly larger the second lowest at SIWA’s Ukrainian International Culinary Exchange (ICE). than the state of California and smaller than Spain This year, Mammetalyyeva, the wife of the Turkmen Ambassador to Major languages: Turkmen, Russian Korea, returned the favor. She opened the doors of the couple’s home Major religions: Islam, Eastern Orthodox to SIWA members and showed them how to make samsa, a traditional bread or pastry eaten daily across her home country as part of SIWA’s Literacy: 98% August ICE. Life expectancy: 61 years (men), 69 years (women) SIWA members from eight countries rolled up their sleeves and rolled Currency: Turkmen manat out balls of dough on Mammetalyyeva’s kitchen table to fill and fold their samsas with beef, and pumpkin. Samsa, which resembles a dumpling, is prepared across Turkmenistan with various fllings such as meat or herbs and baked in a tamdyr, or clay oven. The tamdyr, where bread is traditionally baked, is thought to be the most sacred place in a Turkmen house, and bread has always been revered as a charm that protects the family. Mammetalyyeva, who was dressed in traditional purple silk shift , said that if you don’t happen to have a tamdyr, you can bake samsas in a gas or electric oven or on electric plates. population density (after Kazakhstan) in former . Because of visa restrictions, Turkmenistan attracts just 100,000 tourists a year –although more visitors are expected next year for the Asian Indoor Games--but Turkmen hospitality has long been the stuff of legends. A month before the culinary exchange, Mammetalyyeva also shared her love for Turkmenistan with SIWA members in her home, giving them a glimpse of the treasures of her country’s sleepy desert cities along October / November 2016 Discovery 2016 November / October the Great Silk Road and its beautiful beaches on the Caspian Sea via a Cultural Connection. 20 SIWA ACTIVITIES

Turkmen samsa Turkmen samsa contain various fllings —from pumpkin to vegetable to beef. It is often baked in a tamdyr, a Turkmen clay oven used to prepare bread and other delicious meals made from flour such as samsa. The traditional meat version contains beef and . Prep time: 40 minutes (plus 90 minutes to refrigerate) Cook time: 25 minutes Ingredients · 450 ml. hot water · 150 grams of · 1 teaspoon salt · 600 grams (6 cups) of four (can be reduced or increased to achieve desired consistency) · 500 grams of ground beef flet or ground beef, chopped (a pumpkin, peeled and grated can be substituted for the meat) · 3 onions, diced 1. Preheat oven to 150 degrees Celsius. · 1 teaspoon black pepper 2. Warm up the water and butter on the stove or in a microwave. Add · ½ teaspoon red pepper salt and stir. · 1 teaspoon coriander 3. Add the four and stir until the mixture is of a smooth consistency. · 1 large egg Cover it in a bowl with wrap and let it stand for 15 minutes, and then let it cool down in the refrigerator for 90 minutes. 4. In a large bowl, mix meat and onions and throw in a pinch or two of pepper. 5. Take the prepared dough, cut into small pieces and form a ball. Roll out the ball until it’s thin and fat (about 3-5 mm). Brush it with melted butter. Depending on how you want to shape your samsa, form some squares (usually about 5 cm. square). 6. Put a scoop of the meat flling inside each square and then fold it over into a triangle and pinch the sides shut, as you would a traditional dumpling. 7. Cover baking tray with aluminum foil. Place the samsa on the tray. Crack the egg and brush on top. 8. Place in the oven; increase the temperature to 200 and bake for about 10 -15 minutes on one side; turn and bake for another 10 minutes. October / November October 2016 Discovery

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