Week 13
1. Photo of the week: What impressed you to take it, select and write about this photo?
I never imagined spending Thanksgiving in the United States. However, this time, I unexpectedly got to experience my very first Thanksgiving in the U.S. I knew that Thanksgiving in America was similar to Chuseok, a traditional holiday in Korea, but I never thought I would have the chance to experience an American holiday firsthand. Fortunately, this Thanksgiving, I was lucky enough to be invited by an American friend to their home, where I enjoyed traditional Thanksgiving dishes such as turkey, along with corn, potatoes, sweet potato dishes, and more, giving me the opportunity to experience the essence of an American holiday. To my surprise, the food was not too salty but rather mild and flavorful. In addition to the dishes I mentioned, I also got to enjoy a variety of foods like muffins and cakes, which made me happy. Moreover, gathering together to watch a comedy movie will remain a memorable part of my life.
2. New person (outside of DASL) that you met? How did you or the person initiate the encounter, what made the encounter challenging or easy, and how did it help you?
There are only about two weeks left until I return to Korea. As my time in the U.S. winds down, it seems increasingly difficult to meet new people. So, instead of focusing on meeting new people, I feel like spending more time reflecting on and talking with the people I’ve already met here. But, during this Thanksgiving, I had the chance to meet my American friend’s girlfriend and father. I felt grateful for their kindness in asking me questions about Korea. In particular, I found the conversation with my friend’s father especially enjoyable since we shared a common connection—he had spent a year in Korea as a soldier. This common ground made our discussion even more engaging.
3. What institutional or American/Vegas cultural insight did you learn this week?
I believe that experiencing Thanksgiving, the biggest holiday in the U.S., at my friend’s home was the most significant part of this experience. I understand that it’s difficult for a foreigner to fully experience another country’s holiday, but through this Thanksgiving, I was able to directly see, feel, and enjoy the American Thanksgiving culture that I had only encountered through books or YouTube. It was an incredibly meaningful and enjoyable experience.
4. What did you learn about yourself?
Through this Thanksgiving, I noticed how close and friendly the parent-child relationships are in American families. Watching my American friend and his father interact, I could see that their relationship was truly like that of friends, yet filled with moments of love and affection. Unlike in Korea, where such casual and even slightly profane conversations with parents might feel unusual, their dynamic made me reflect on whether I’ve been too confined to Korean norms, potentially overlooking other ways of connecting. It also prompted me to think about what kind of father I want to be to my own children in the future.
5. What is the status of your technical projects and what skills did you learn?
Last week, I successfully operated the motors for adjusting the height of the pipes, except for one CDPR pipe. However, due to a communication issue with one of the Raspberry Pi devices, I couldn’t get the remaining motor to work. Eventually, I resolved this issue and successfully operated the last motor as well. Now, I have completed all the preparations for remote control using a joystick, including powering all three motors with a battery and setting up the wiring. This week, I plan to install and operate everything to demonstrate the practicality of the prototype I built. Additionally, I’m considering adding wheels in the future.