oneuldaujourdhui

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My Recording of Cockroach, by Rawi Hage, in the Streets of Montreal

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Studying at the Library

For the studying of final exams, I went to the library. It seemed quite convenient, as during the exam week it is open for 24 hours. I usually study in my room at the residence, as it is the place where I could be most relaxed and study in whatever way I want, such as talking to myself and explaining the things that I learned to clarify things and see how much I know and understand. Although this method is quite effective most of the time, sometimes I feel like I just want to lie down in bed or get distracted by my smartphone. With the hopes of enhancing my concentration and minimizing distractions, I went to the library instead.

After studying at the school library for around two hours, I felt that it is easier to concentrate, just as I had hoped. I was less distracted as there weren’t any beds, and the library wasn’t the best place to go on my phone. The main reason for this is due to peer pressure, as there were a lot of people who were studying hard around me. The quiet and hard-working atmosphere that was created made me focus on my work, and it was quite effective. I also became more self-conscious and didn’t want to be seen as though I was not focusing on my work. Therefore, it was a nice place to study for a certain amount of time and to really focus on what I was studying, making the process extremely efficient and effective. But I think that it is quite hard to stay in the library for hours and hours, without taking a break, so I was tired when I returned home. But if I make the habit of going to the library, I am sure that it will be one of the most effective places to study – and of course, it’s always free!

[oneuldaujourdhui]

Two Different Pictures of One Man

Ladies and Gentlemen... Mr. Leonard Cohen (1965) and Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love (2019) are both films about the Canadian poet and musician Leonard Cohen. Although both portray the story of Leonard Cohen’s life, each film’s focus and the way of telling that story is in stark difference, that it is almost as if they are talking about completely different representations of the same person.

One of the differences that stands out the most is the use of color; while Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen is screened in black and white, Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love is portrayed quite colorfully. The different uses of color are each effective in conveying the themes of the artist’s life that each film puts focuses on. In the case of the former, it is more focused on Cohen’s personal accounts and view of his life. This is also suggested in the title, which emphasizes the introduction of the figure Leonard Cohen. On the other hand, the latter focuses more on the relationship between Marianne and Leonard Cohen, portraying their time in more foreign locations.

Another difference is the perspective that each story is told. In Ladies and Gentlemen… Mr. Leonard Cohen, Cohen’s life is told from his perspective of himself, with most of the narrations that are done by his own character. But Marianne & Leonard: Words of Love is told in a more objective point of view, by a third person. Therefore, the former seems more autobiographical, and deeply related to Leonard Cohen’s personal thoughts, preferences, and feelings while the latter more effectively portrays the document-like perspective of the influence of his lovers. It is interesting that depending on how films are portrayed and set out, the life of one person can be shown in very different ways, not unlike every other issue in this world.

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BEANS: Totems Made of Golf Club Bags?

After watching the film BEANS (2020), I could think about the conflicts between the Mohawk people and the people of Oka in 1990. In particular, the scene where the mothers form a protective and resistant wall of themselves in order to stop both sides from pointing their guns at each other was quite evocative. This scene reminded me that sometimes, people easily forget what is actually important, and that violence may not always be the right solution to conflicts. It seemed what is really necessary is mutual understanding, especially for the people of Oka and the Canadian army to see clearly that forcing a golf course in the Mohawk territory is the same as trying to invade their homeland, apart from all the treaties and ownerships. The lines of Beans’ mother, that in order to be respected, they have to act respectfully first, was also quite interesting as I could relate to what current protests look like, in contemporary society. I could agree that sometimes, being respectful may be the way to make your voice heard, as an eye for an eye could make the world blind. But at the same time, I could understand why the people of Mohawk had no choice but to protest through arms in order to protect their territory.

The film also reminded me of the artist Brian Jungen’s work, especially the one that utilizes golf club bags that resemble six indigenous totems, referring to the conflict regarding the Mohawk territory. By using the most unlikely items that seem distanced from the indigenous culture, and merging them together, it is possible to see clearly how the differences between the cultures are in conflict and still present around us. Through these kinds of creative artwork and films that portray cultural issues from diverse perspectives, it is possible to understand them in broader ways. 

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Meditation: The Time when You are Legally Free to do Nothing

What is meditation? People might have different ideas about what meditating means, but my definition is to sit back, empty my thoughts, and do nothing. This is why I have grown to like the long hours of travel by train or plane; because it gives you time to meditate, to do nothing. I didn’t use to like them as much when I was younger, as I found them boring. But now that I have so many worries and anxieties filling my brain, I am quite glad to empty them once in a while and make room for some productive and enjoyable thoughts. Therefore, I was quite looking forward to try meditating after studying. I thought that it would be quite effective to clear my head before starting to study.

My expectations were spot on since I could study much more effectively. Though, I really shouldn’t put any music on while meditating, because the music stuck in my head and kept replaying itself. Next time, I wouldn’t listen to music or try some classic piano like Bach which doesn’t have addictive lyrics. After the meditation, I studied Korean history for an hour and a half, an area I am not very knowledgeable in. But the meditation time allowed me to become free of some of the worries about how I am not that good at Korean History and how difficult it is to memorize everything. It was possible to focus more on understanding the flow and reconstructing them in my head, at least for a while. Therefore, I could focus more easily and not panic when the study was getting more difficult. I would definitely try meditating more often, in order to let my troubled mind rest for a while and to stop all those fears from making my mind go blind.

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Office Hours, Rush Hours

For the Literature, Culture, and Contact course that I am taking this semester, I visited the professor’s office hours. It was mainly to consult about the final research paper that I have been working on, and get some advice. Before the meeting, I was quite nervous and worried. I knew that it was going to be okay, since I have talked to professors in their offices many times back in Korea, and all of those occasions were extremely helpful and productive. I remember once in a literature class when I visited the professor about the papers that I wrote and received such glowing and kind feedback that was helpful and very motivating. However, it was my first time visiting a professor’s office hours at a foreign university so I could not imagine what it would be like. Trying to be less anxious through those good old memories, I finally visited the professor.

Now, after visiting, I am glad that I did. It was very beneficial - I could correct my misunderstandings about the assignment, and get more inspiration on my topic. I also received some feedback on my previous works, which was also helpful. Most importantly, I could gain some confidence, as it was not at all as bad as I had expected. Rather, I was encouraged and realized it was not at all something to worry about.

For anyone thinking about whether they should get help from or consult a professor about their course or their major, I would strongly encourage them to visit their office hours or make an appointment. Sometimes, when you are struggling to find your way, a few words of advice are the best way to see things objectively. There is a lot to learn from the course itself, but there are so many things to learn from outside the course as well. So rush to get those office hours!

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My New Year’s Resolution-Strive for My Dream! (Response to readings of Dec 1)

After reading the articles about careers to lead with a degree in English Studies, I could think once more about the things that I should prepare in order to achieve my career goal, which is to become a reporter at a broadcasting company. I could feel that a career like this one, in the field of media and journalism, is quite related to my major, in many ways. Just like it is mentioned in the article “What Can You Do With an English Literature Degree?”, I believe that a career in journalism is a “niche” for me; I have always been writing and have always loved it.

Thus, I have worked quite hard to develop related skills and have some important experiences. However, that is not enough, since I haven’t yet started to do some proper preparation and research on how to actually become a reporter. This is because, for a long time, I could not decide on a concrete career goal.

In order to really get prepared to become a reporter, one of the things that I should do is to gather the media and journalism-related materials that I have been working on and create my own portfolio. This is quite important, as I should demonstrate not only my abilities and competence as a reporter but also that I have had a continuous interest in the field, and have been working hard on it. This is in fact true, as I have been vigorously seeking opportunities to write, inform, publish, and read in various forms and mediums. Of course, there is still a lot more that can be done, such as to run a media blog, which I am hoping to open in this one sooner or later, and also to develop my skills in producing videos.

Another important experience that I want to have and to develop my skills further is by having an internship at a broadcasting company. Through the internship, I hope to become more familiar with the job and deepen my understanding of the field. I think it is also important to put a lot more “input”. That is, expose myself more to the social, cultural, and political issues that are present today and have more interests and insights about them. This is not only for the preparation for my future career but also in order to fulfill my responsibilities as a citizen and an educated individual. Of course, being adept to understand and notice the changes in the current trend is also very important, not to mention the preparation for some tests that I will have to take.

In 2023, I hope to endeavor more to live my dream.

[oneuldaujourdhui]

Tân’si, Indigenous Voices of Today

I went to the Indigenous Voices of Today exhibition, at the McCord Stewart Museum, an interesting experience where I could learn more about the indigenous people and the First Nations. Some artifacts that were particularly interesting were the tools that the Inuit used to hunt. It was interesting to learn about their actual ways of living because although I encountered the Inuit culture indirectly from books, I did not have many chances to actually see the everyday objects that they used; for me, it was the concrete evidence that proved the strength and importance of their continuous culture. The handmade clothing made by an indigenous artist in the memoir of the lost women was also memorable as it reminded me of the stories of women whose rights were violated and ignored.

After the exhibition, I participated in one of the activities suggested as a way to become an ally of indigenous nations. The activity that I chose was to take an interest in some indigenous languages and learn some words of greeting and courtesy. I have always been interested in indigenous stories and culture, but I did not know how to appreciate them. I mean, I wore an orange ribbon on Reconciliation Day, but what I liked about the experience was that there are ways to actually learn about, have an interest in, and contribute to the appreciation of contemporary indigenous voices. I chose the language-related activity because I believe in the importance and power of language.

One of the expressions that I learned is “Tân’si”, which in Cree means “Hello, how are you?”. It is interesting how it does not literally translate into “Hello”, just as how “Bonjour” literally means “Good day” but can be utilized in all sorts of situations as a greeting. Although I do wish that I could hear the expression used in real life in person, I felt that having an interest in indigenous languages and continuing to appreciate their value is one important way to make the language thrive and live on.

In order to remind myself, I leave a link to the online collection:

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Cyclorama, a Theatrical Tour of Montreal

Participating in the performance of Cyclorama was a fascinating experience. I say “participate” because the immersive play interacts with the audience in interesting ways: the actors simply talking to the audience, the audience accompanying the actors on the short journey, and the linguistic characteristics of the audience, all of whom use either English, French, or both.

The first thing that inspired me was the use of two languages: French and English. Before watching the performance, I couldn’t imagine how it would be possible for me to understand both the English and French lines, since I am still learning French. But the use of the screens to show the translations, and the characters switching from French to English, and vice versa, were aspects that effectively portrayed the trans-linguistic background of theatre in Montreal. I could appreciate once more the unique literary history and culture of Montreal. Not to mention that the history of the French and English theatre, and the conflicts that resulted are very interesting to learn about as an English Studies student.

Another part of the performance that was intriguing and effective to convey the theatrical history was, of course, the unexpected bus ride. In the middle of the performance, the audience went on a bus ride to move from Centaur Theatre to Théâtre d’aujourd’hui. During the short trip, it was new to listen to the narrations which explained the interesting historical backgrounds of Montreal and its theatrical connections. The vote on the common thoughts of the singer Celine Dion was also interesting, a part that also added to the idea of the audience being part of the performance. Overall, the play was a memorable experience that further enabled me to map myself onto the city and appreciate its unique history and culture.

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Reading Angelique Out Loud; Appreciating its Theatricality

I read Act 1, Scene 1 out loud.

I chose this scene because of the note before the scene, which implies that it is up to the director which slaves were present during which scenes. This means that the slaves could be working anytime, anywhere, having an important role as a witness to the whole story and the crime. I think it is particularly interesting as the slaves are not seen and not heard, but have the possibility of being always present; which also has important connections to the witnesses’ accounts of Angelique’s case. Also, the play starts with a voice-over that introduces the background of the play. The musicality of each line getting reduced by one word every time it is repeated is interesting to hear out loud, as if like the continuous pounding of a drum.

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Mapping Myself onto Montreal: Black Montreal Experiences Tour

The walk with Rito Joseph revealed parts of Montreal that I did not know. When I discovered from “Marguerite: la pierre” about the slave market, I was quite surprised to find out that slaves were traded right here in Quebec. This time I could hear more about the slavery and also the story of Marie-Joseph Angélique, which I hoped to discover further. It was hard to imagine that there were even tortures, public executions, and fires.

Starting from the Maisonneuve Monument, we made our way past where the Sainte-Anne Market used to be, and visited places like the Old Custom House that I used to pass by but would hardly give second thoughts to. Before listening to Rito Joseph’s explanation, I did not even know that Maisonneuve is the founder of the city, nor of the slavery that continued even after its abolition in 1834, which made me feel quite ashamed. I came to Montreal because I was fascinated by the unique mixture of cultures and languages, yet I never tried to investigate more about its backgrounds. But it was there all along.

Walking around Montreal and listening to the stories it witnessed helped me map myself onto the city too. For me, Old Port is a place full of thoughts and feelings; an exhibition of polka dots; a site that shows a different kind of beauty every time it is explored; a place that must have felt foreign for Marie-Joseph Angélique on first contact; or a place where it is possible to hear that occasional, nostalgic Korean. I think I have begun to develop my understanding of the city, by adding my own thoughts and experiences onto it. I am curious, then, what this cultural contact will bring this place to look like in the future.

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Une Bonne Journée

I had mixed expectations about the idea of studying after exercising. On one hand, I thought that I could feel more focused, as I would be refreshed and fully awake. But on the other hand, I was quite worried that I might be too tired to focus at all. I had to admit that I was quite lazy to go exercising in the first place.

When I finally made it to CEPSUM, I exercised using the various machines that are provided. I ran on the treadmill for half an hour, did some squats, and then used some of the other machines that help develop your arm muscles. After that, I had a quick breakfast and studied for a French course exam, for around two hours.

The effect was quite good, especially because I felt that the day had started off so refreshingly. As I had expected, it was nice to finally get some exercise and feel wide awake. An added benefit was that I was in a good mood because of the beautiful colours that were visible through the gym windows. Because I was so focused and content, the French phrases that I studied that day stuck to my head quite well.

Most importantly, I could feel that I am in control. When exercising, I could choose which parts of the body to exercise, for how long, and for which routines. And when I completed the set goal, I felt accomplished. I understood how my body worked, and could continue to have this sense of being in control of my own life until the end of the day. That is why I think the studying that followed was also successful. Although I did need some time to rest, I hope to try this again next time.

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Finding a Fox that is Nowhere, and Everywhere

It was quite nice to watch Foxfinder on a rainy day, which set the mood very well. As I sat on the front row of a small stage, I felt the uneasiness of being so close to a story that is quite uncanny, even more than I felt when I just read the script. Unlike the script, which had lines that were written quite crisply and without much directions on how each line should be said, the staged version had more varieties, making the contrast between the first and the last scene greater; Judith and Sam in the last scene seemed remarkably calm compared to the other desperate scenes, which highlighted the grotesqueness of the ending.

There were two scenes that surprised me the most. The first was the scene when William explains what a fox looks like. I did not expect all the actors to be on stage wearing fox masks, and I think this showed the theme of the play more clearly by suggesting that anyone and anything can be foxes. The use of the masks also visually portrayed the influence that Judith had on William, which helped me understand their relationship more intuitively than when I just read from the script.

I also did not expect the laundry-hanging scene to be as emotional, although it was only for a brief moment. Unlike the script, I thought that Judith showed a sense of longing when hanging children’s clothes, making me wonder if she was thinking about her dead son. When I read the script, the only description provided was that the clothes they were hanging were mostly children’s, and I did not imagine what Judith must have felt while hanging them. I think that the play effectively filled up the blanks and added subtle details that explain the characters’ situations well.

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Why I Study Literature (a response to readings of the first class of “Initiation to English Literary Studies”)

As commonly mentioned in the readings and in the video by the School of Life in particular, reading literature provides different perspectives. It therefore broadens my mind to see the world critically, and in many different ways. That is why I could relate to Lisa Bu’s way of comparative reading, as I also enjoy reading certain books together. For example, after realizing that there are many literary works that talk about the first and second world war, reading the Book Thief and Private Peaceful also led me to read books like When My Name Was Keoko and The Boy in Striped Pajamas, which are all set during the wars, but show very different aspects of it.

 Another benefit of reading fiction is that it allows you to find yourself. I believe that a lot of reading leads a reader to eventually write your own stories, lives, and thoughts. Or, as expressed in Fiction is not Frivolous, allows us to “humanize what would otherwise be abstract philosophical formulations”. When reading, I like to underline or make a note of memorable phrases and they become expressions that shape how I think; I always get excited when I see the thoughts that I used to have written in such a beautiful way.

 Lastly, the TED talk of Rita Carter reminded me of the “Language and Brain” class I took last semester. Looking at fiction in a neuroscientific approach is very interesting, especially as I did a research project on how human brains can understand literary phrases that they have never heard of, without feeling any incongruence thanks to the help of “context”. I think it is this creative feature of the brain that allows literature to be so creative, and ever so evolving; an area that I think is worth looking further into.

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Lady Bugs and Dots

After visiting the Kusama Yayoi exhibition, I realized that like literature, visual art helps us experience the universal, as well as grant us a way to reflect on, or express, ourselves.

An inspiring example of “universal reflection” was the way the artist used dots. She imagined herself as a dot, that exists independently but at the same time a part of the rest of the universe that consists of multiple dots. There is no end or beginning for this roundness, which made me think about how everything is interconnected. In this sense, visual art can present stories that are relatable and universal that it is possible to apply them to real life.

At the same time, Kusama Yayoi’s way of expressing her fears about sexual violence through an exhibition of dots made me think that like reading literature, visual art offers us ways that we can express our inner selves. Just like at times when I come across beautiful metaphors or memorable expressions, it was intriguing how Kusama could freely and so poignantly express herself, that I felt an urge to find more expressive ways to present myself too.

For a few days I have been stressed about a clan of lady bugs in my room at the dormitory, and as if by destiny Kusama Yayoi’s works resembled lady bugs a lot, through its use of red-and-white polka dots. The exhibition helped me change my mind about the lady bugs; from intruders that are invading my house to another “dot” that is residing with me in this small world of a room. Even though this may be a superficial approach on as to how art helped me reflect on my life, it was certainly one way visual art enhanced my well-being, providing a more positive light on events that seemed miserable.