Issue 18: A Special Q&A with Our Moms
Remembering where we come from.
Dear KP community,
In this issue, we’re celebrating Mother’s Day by honoring our moms. How well do you or did you know your mom? However joyful or complicated your relationship may be, it’s hard to deny the emotions associated with the word mother. Sometimes, a mother figure is someone you feel the closest to and other times the farthest away from. Sarah and I asked our moms to answer a few questions in the hope of getting to know them better, as understanding where people come from really matters. I loved seeing their answers! I hope you enjoy reading them and join us in honoring the dedication it takes to raise good human beings.
Flavor of the Week: KP Q&A with Our Moms
Eunie Lee, Aram’s Mom
Eunie Lee is the eldest of four siblings who loved climbing trees in her childhood home garden. After she studied English Education at Seoul National University, she taught in schools for many years before she moved to the United States where she raised two children and learned to cook Korean food with American ingredients. Now she is happily retired in her home country, enjoys reading and driving everywhere in her little car she cherishes.
Where do you live?
I grew up in Gwangju, in the southern part of Korea, then went to Seoul for college and later a teaching job, moved to Cincinnati, OH in the US right after marriage, and had two beautiful daughters. After seven years, returned to Korea, settled in Anyang, a suburb of Seoul. Since then, I have been living in Sanbon, a newly planned city in Gunpo-si for more than 30 years.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Persevering, meticulous, reserved, mischievous turned into serious, enjoying being alone
What are your favorite Korean foods?
Soondubu jjigae, spicy potato jorim, walnut cakes (호두과자), and yaksik (약식).
What do you love about being a mother?
I can watch children grow up step by step with joy and amazement. They become close confidantes who are always on my side and love me back.
What is difficult about being a mother?
When children were very young, they followed me wherever and whenever (like salt and pepper ^^). I could never feel free. It takes so much time and effort to care for children, I remember thinking that raising a child was the most difficult thing in the world.
What five things can you not live without?
Smartphone to connect with people I love, a few books I value, delicious bread, my very own small car, warm sunshine and starry sky.
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Pumpkin pie.
Sue Kim, Sarah’s Mom
Sue Kim was born in Seoul, South Korea, during the Korean War and is the youngest of five siblings. She studied nursing at Seoul National University and immigrated to Houston, Texas, in 1973. She became a registered nurse at M.D. Anderson Hospital after passing the TOEFL exam, and met Sarah’s dad Sibok through the small Komerican community in Houston. She left nursing and connected to her love of nature and entrepreneurial spirit by starting a floral business in 1981. She followed her passions and business savvy again in the 2000s when she sold her florists and opened a jewelry small business. All along she has helped Komericans buy and sell real estate, and continues to do so today. Sue loves traveling, gardening and cooking for family in Atlanta.
Where do you live?
Atlanta, GA.
How would you describe yourself in five words?
Free, positive, happy, productive, and travelphile.
What are your favorite Korean foods?
Cod stew (대구 조림/탕), a braised cod in a mildly spicy, well-seasoned broth; and namul (나물), blanched, steamed or boiled veggies with mild seasonings.
What do you love about being a mother?
Cooking for family and sharing life together.
What is difficult about being a mother?
Culture and communication gaps with American-born children.
What five things can you not live without?
Family, cooking, unique clothing, tending flowers and plants, and massage chair.
What’s your favorite kind of pie?
Apple pie with vanilla ice cream.
H Mart Happiness: What’s your favorite product and why?
“My favorite from Hmart currently is Choco Mont because it has a perfect balance of chocolate and cookies. Tiny individual packages are cute and prevents me from overeating.” - Ben.V
What’s your favorite H Mart product? Share the love and leave a comment!
Crispy Crust: A Touch of Jeong - Uplifting illustrations that delight
Wishing everyone the warm hug that comforts your soul.
Love, Aram
Korean School: Parent’s Day 어버이날
Fun facts, idioms, translations and history
Parents’ Day 어버이날 Uh-beo-i-nal in Korea is on May 8th every year. Celebrated three days after Children’s Day 어린이날, Parents’ Day is not a national holiday, but honored heartily. It’s a day to show appreciation for parents or parental figures in one’s lives. For children, it’s customary to draw and write a thank you card for their primary caretakers. Children also buy a single red carnation or make a paper carnation for a parent to wear on their chest for the day.
Sweet & Salty: A list of the tastiest treats satisfying all the senses
Do you love donuts like we do? Have you wondered how so many Asian immigrant families got into the business? If so, check out The Donut King - a fascinating and nostalgic documentary about Ted Ngoy, a “refugee escaping Cambodia, arriving in America in 1975 and building an unlikely multi-million-dollar empire baking America’s favorite pastry, the donut.” His story shows us the lasting impact of war, the power of the immigrant hustle, and the ups and downs of chasing the American dream. Ted personifies both the power and the weakness of being single-focused on success.
This Saturday (5/11) in New York City, Aram will be a featured author/illustrator for the panel “Young Voices, Wise Words” at Asia Society’s first annual AAPI Children's Literary Festival. Join her and other creators in Manhattan for a fun afternoon celebrating books, workshops on writing and illustrating, along with a fun cookbook demonstration and tasting!
Sometimes knowing a person’s story helps us understand them better. This applies to mothers, too! If you’re looking to understand your mom better or in search of a last-minute Mother’s Day gift, consider this independently published guided journal I’m Glad I Asked My Mom to create a family record that details all the facts, wisdom, and dreams of your mother.