There are two big national holidays in Korea. One is called ‘Chu-seok’. It’s 15th of August on lunar calendar, when we are supposed to see the brightest moon of the year.

The other one is called ‘Sul-nal’, the first day of the year on lunar calendar. If you come to Korea during either of those, don’t dare to use high way then. ‘Cause it usually becomes huge parking lot. In addition, you may not be able to buy express bus or train tickets unless you buy it in a few months advance. As you may imagine, it’s a big family gathering. Most people visit their home town, wear ‘Hanbok’ (Korean traditional clothes), eat traditional foods and play some traditional games together.

      It was Sul-nal yesterday, and my family and I visited grandparents’ place as usual. We are lucky that we don’t have to go far since grandparents live in the same city. My grandfather used to be a high school teacher, but joined the navy as a marine during the war. After the war, he worked for a bus company, and has been farmed after retiring. Grandmother was a housewife, as most Korean women were in the past. She is good at calligraphy and draws oriental painting very well. Though I always wanted to learn calligraphy and oriental painting from her, I couldn’t manage to make it yet. Anyway, we visited them, and they warmly welcomed us. Well, my grandparents were just the same people as I knew, but I couldn’t help noticing that they looked much older than the last time. It was a little bit shocking. I thought they would be there as they were for ever. I know it doesn’t make sense, but seriously that’s what I thought. Yet now I am realizing by heart that it’s unavoidable to grow old for everyone. Soon I, too, will graduate, be 30’s, 40’s and 50’s…… so on.

      I like the word twilight. For me, twilight is the sun that not too shiny nor too hot, but still bright and graceful. I want to be a twilight like woman when I get old. I will live in a small house that has two rooms and one neat kitchen. One room is for my bedroom, and the other one is for my own little library. I will take a walk at the nearby park, have a chat with neighbors and read books time to time. Playing baduk and writing things will definitely be my favorite activities. Now that I mention baduk, baduk is a really good hobby for the elderly. Isn’t it? You can make good excuse for meeting friends while you enjoy it as long as you are able to think and put stones. Also, it is proven fact that playing baduk prevents dementia. Oh, also (I got back to my story) if I am healthy enough, I will travel around about once a year. Anyway, the point is that I wish I could enjoy my life at the twilight years. Thus, for that, I should do my best at the present. (what a simple conclusion!) Jgiomniesmiy