She resembles the Atlantic Ocean

 Every late summer for several years, visiting a friend. And I diligently returned home. As soon as I entered the kitchen, I laid out the soaked rice in a cast iron pot, filled it with sesame leaves, and put shrimp in it, and cooked. While the rice was cooking, minced green onion and red pepper and prepared seasoned soy sauce with plenty of almond powder. 

 My husband and I ate sesame leaf rice with soybean paste stew and sesame leaf kimchi made by a friend. Our couple fell in love with the scent of sesame leaves and became talkative. 

“The famous French chef came to Korea and fell in love with the scent of sesame leaves.” 

I don't want to miss my husband's happy moments. 

“Can I cook sesame leaf rice and sesame leaf pancake again tomorrow? We should eat them all while they are fresh.” 

 My friend also gave me red peppers, cherry tomatoes, and zucchini. Kakaotalk came, regretting that she forgot not to give the zucchini leaves and pears. 

 It was exactly 31 days ago. It was right after I gave birth to the second child. The moment we met at a small church in Flushing, we were somehow attracted to each other and became friends. Was it because all the church members were deacons, but it wasn't just the two of us, so we were called 'Non-deacon'? So far, while being friends, there has never been a single quarrel or disappointment. Perhaps it was because of her consideration. She is a small giant. she is short, but her heart literally resembles the Atlantic Ocean near her house. 

 It's just like that today. To go out to the backyard of her house and pick sesame leaves, I must be armed to avoid mosquito bites. She was worried that I would be bitten by mosquitoes, so she cut and stacked the whole stems of sesame leaves in the room that goes out to the backyard. I sat on the cushion and quietly picked sesame leaves and fell into thought. She is always considerate of me so that I don't have a hard time. Then, what kind of consideration did I give her? I don't remember. I only remember receiving it from her. 

 We met occasionally while going through hardships to raise two children and live well. Now that the children are adults and we are growing old together, we see each other more often than before. I chatter and my friends listen to my chatter. At the next meeting, I should hold back my chatter and listen to her, but it's not that easy. Is it because I haven't been able to open my mouth for nearly two years because of this fucking COVID-19? I tried to make excuses, but to be honest, I felt more at ease when I admitted that I was a natural chatterbox. 

 I am not religious, but I do not pass by the cathedral. If the door is open, I always go in and pray. Before I broke up with her, I stopped by her church. It is a small white church. The pure and cozy atmosphere of the church relieved tension and made my heart warm. We each prayed quietly.

빗속에서 뛰는 여자

“아이고머니나! 왜 이렇게 시원한 거야. 클로젯으로 와 봐요. 여기 너무 시원해요.” 

“옆집 에어컨 바람이 들어온 것 아니야. 벽에 구멍이 뚫렸나?” 

“그럴 리가. 벽이 두꺼워 옆집 소리도 안 들리는데. 아무튼, 미국 사람들은 에어컨을 틀어도 너무 세게 틀어. 추워서 건물에 들어가기가 겁난다고.” 

남편은 클로젯 안에 혹시나 옆집 벽 사이로 갈라진 틈이라도 있나 살피지만, 없다. 

“생각나? 옆 가게와 구멍이 뚫려서 에어컨 바람이 들어와 시원하다는. 아무에게도 말하지 말라고 해서 웃었던 동내 아줌마 이야기.” 

“아! 옆 초콜릿 가게에서 에어컨 바람이 뚫린 벽으로 들어온다던 아줌마.” 

올해는 이상하게도 밤만 되면 서늘해서 한 번도 에어컨을 틀지 않았다. 대신 창문을 열어놓고 실링 펜을 노상 튼다. 실링 팬은 냄새도 없애주고 시원 섭섭지 않게 시원하다. 가만히 앉아 글을 쓰거나, 서서 붓질하다가 더우면 샤워한다. 90도가 넘는 날은 바닷가에서 놀다가 다 저녁에 돌아오니 물속에서 차가워진 몸이 덥지 않았다. 

“마누라 입에서 덥다는 말은 들어 본 적이 없네. 춥다는 말은 시도 때도 없이 수시로 듣지만, 땀도 나지 않아. 아주 건조한 인간이야. 그래서 성격도 건조한가. 질척이는 인간관계를 싫어하다 못해 무 썰 듯 뚝 잘라버리잖아. 차가운 성격으로 사람들에게 정도 주지 않는데 왜 그리 만나자는 사람들은 많은지. 비결이 뭐야?” 

“뭐 난들 알아. 그러는 당신은 왜 그리 물(水)이 따라다니는데? 다 팔자소관이지.” 

용띠인 남편은 물이 따라다니며 자기를 괴롭힌다는 것이다. 상수, 하수도 파이프를 고치느라 바쁘다. 최근 연달아 들이닥친 허리케인 때문에 무거운 타르를 들고 지붕을 때운다고 난리 쳤다. 물이 따라다니는 남편 팔자로 인해 나는 밖에 나갔다가도 소나기만 오면 빗속에서 뛰어야 한다. 비가 그치길 기다릴 수가 없다. 

콘도에 들어서는 흠뻑 젖은 나를 쳐다보며 도어맨들은 ‘와우’를 연발한다. 왜 비만 오면 저 여자는 허구한 날 뛸까? 궁금해 갸우뚱하지만, 나는 잽싸게 엘리베이터를 타고 후다닥 문을 열고 들어가 창문들을 닫느라고 난리 친다. 창문을 빨리 닫지 않으면 비가 들이쳐 벽과 마룻바닥이 눅눅해진 것을 보는 남편의 일그러져 짜증 난 표정이 눈에 선하기 때문이다. 

‘놀랄 때 꼬이고 살필 때 풀린다.’라는 스님 말씀을 머리에 되새김질하면서 조심하다가도 빗속에서는 무작정 뛰는 습관이 몸에 밴 팔자가 됐다. 하도 개떡 같은 뉴욕 날씨 때문에. 가을이 점점 짙어진다. 이젠 소나기는 한동안 오지 않겠지? 당분간은 뛰지 말고 우아한 몸짓으로 맨해튼을 거닐자.

A woman running in the rain

 "Oh my gosh! Why is it so cool here? Come to the closet." 

"The air conditioner wind next door is blowing in. Is there a hole in the wall?” 

"No way. I can't hear the next door because the wall is thick. Anyway, Americans turn on the air conditioner too hard. I'm afraid to enter the building that is too cold." 

My husband looks inside the closet to see if there is a crack between the walls next door, but there is no gap. 

 "Do you remember the story of a local store woman? It is cool because the air conditioner wind blowing in from the next store. We laughed because she told us not to tell anyone." 

"Oh! The lady who said the air conditional wind coming through the wall from the chocolate store next door." 

 This year, strangely, it was not hot at night, so I never turned on the air conditioner. Instead, I left the window open and kept turning on the ceiling fan. The ceiling fan also eliminates odors and keeps me cool. Sit quietly to write, or take a shower when it's hot while making artwork. On a day above 90 degrees Celsius, I played on the beach and came back in the evening, so my body was not hot. 

 "I've never heard you say it's hot. I hear cold all the time, and you don't sweat in your body. You are a very dry person. Is that why your personality is dry? You hate clingy relationships, so you cut them off as if cut them like a radish. you have a cold personality and don't give affection to people, but why do so many people want to meet you? 

"What's the secret?” “What do I know? Then why is water following you around? It's fate.” 

 My husband, who was born in the year of the dragon, is said to have water following him and harassing him. He is busy fixing the water and sewage pipes. He raged about lifting heavy tar and fixing the roof over because of the recent hurricanes that hit in a row. Due to my husband's fate that the water follows, I have to run when it rains even when I go out. Can't wait for the rain to stop. 

 Looking at me soaked in water as I enter the building, the doormen shout "wow". Why does that woman run on a when a raining day? They are curious. I quickly take the elevator and go into my apartment and close all the windows. This is because if the window is not closed quickly, my husband's distorted and irritated expression is visible as he sees the walls and floors soggy due to rain. 

 Even though I was careful while reflecting on the monk's words, ''It gets messed up when surprised and it gets solved when looking carefully.'' the running recklessly in the rain has become a habit. Because of the terrible weather in New York. Autumn is getting darker. It won't rain for a while now, will it? Let's not run for a while and walk around Manhattan with graceful gestures.

명품 친구

“우리의 만행(萬行), 내일 어때?” 

“좋지. 어디로 갈까?” 

“우드스톡으로 가자.”

 

 북동쪽으로 여행 갈 적마다 뉴욕시티로 들어오기 전, 서너 번 들렸던 우드스톡을 가자고 했다. 친구는 오래전, 록 음악 페스티벌로 히피들의 낭만적 놀이터였던 Woodstock이 가 보고 싶었던 곳이라고 했다. 그녀가 너무 기대하다가 실망할까 봐 한마디 곁들였다. 

“10여 년 전, 그곳에 들렸을 때 왠지 동네가 낙후되는 음습한 분위기였어.” 

 우리는 우드스톡에 도착해서 일단 차로 동네를 한 바퀴 돌았다.

 “여기로 오길 잘했다. 인터넷으로 봤을 때 보다 더 좋아” 

그러고 보니 예전에 남편과 들렸을 때보다 활기차다. 아기자기한 가게를 들여다보며 걷다가 일본 모자 가게에 들어갔다. 

 “예쁜 모자가 많네.” 

친구가 흥분하며 이것저것을 쓰고 거울을 봤다. 

“우리 물건 사지 않기로 했잖아. 이젠 슬슬 정리할 때라며 죄다 솎아내어 버리면서.” 

“이 모자는 살 거야. 말리지 마. 딱 보자마자 마음에 들었어. 저것도 마음에 드네.” 

또 다른 모자를 써보는 친구에게 

 “그럼 하나만 사. 그 모자는 커. 이것이 더 예뻐.” 

“아니야. 이 모자도 예뻐.” 

더는 말릴 수 없었다. 다른 모자를 둘러보는 척하며 나는 친구에게서 떨어졌다. 예전 같으면 두 개를 샀을 친구가 한 개만 사서 쓰고 나를 쳐다보며 방긋 웃었다. 아래로 다소곳이 내려간 모자챙 속에서 갓 피어난 수줍은 노란 꽃이 고개를 내미는 것 같다. 

 “멋져. 옷과도 잘 어울려. 잘 샀어.” 

 나는 70년대 낭만의 시대에 대학 시절을 보냈다. 말이 좋아 낭만의 시대지 실은 4년간 가을 학기는 데모와 최루탄 속에서 개점 휴업. 장발과 미니스커트 등 혼란의 범벅이었다. 그런 속에서도 틀에 박히지 않고 자신의 가치와 개성을 추구하는 히피 문화를 엇비슷 따라 했다. 그 당시엔 명품은 저 꼭대기에 있는 상류층에서만 존재했는지 명품이라는 말이 생소했다. 그 시절을 그리워하며 시간과 인간에 쫓기지 않고 자연과 하나가 되는 삶을 추구하며 살려고 노력했다. 그러다 보니 비록 명품 가방이나 옷은 없지만, 명품 친구를 얻었다. 

 황갈색 모자 속에서 꽃처럼 피어난 친구는 그야말로 인간 명품이다. 오랜 세월 몸에 밴 세련미가 뿜어져 나온다. 아마 그녀가 자라온 환경과 문화가 그녀를 자연스럽게 명품으로 만들어 낸 것이 아닐까? 명품 친구와 함께 걷는 것이 자랑스러워 발걸음에 힘이 들어간다.

A brand-name friend

“Our wondering truth-seeks, how about tomorrow?” "It's good. where should we go?" “Let’s go to Woodstock.” 

 Woodstock is a place I visited three or four times before entering New York City every time I traveled northeast. The friend said that Woodstock, a romantic playground for hippies as a rock music festival, had wanted to go a long time ago. I added a word because I was afraid she would be disappointed while looking forward to it too much. 

"When I stopped by there more than 10 years ago, I felt a shady atmosphere in which the neighborhood was lagging." 

 We arrived at Woodstock and drove around the neighborhood. 

"It's a good thing we come here. It's better than when I saw it online". 

Come to think of it, it is more energetic than when I visited with my husband before. While walking and looking into a cute store, we entered a Japanese hat store. 

"There are a lot of pretty hats." 

The friend was excited and wore hats and looked in the mirror. 

"We said we wouldn't buy anything. Now it’s time to clean it up and sift it all out.” 

"I'm going to buy this hat. Don't stop me. I liked it as soon as I saw it. I like that hat, too." 

To the friend who is trying on another hat 

“Then buy only one. That hat is big. This one is prettier.” 

"No, That hat is pretty too.” 

I couldn't stop her anymore. Pretending to look around the other hat, I fell off my friend. A friend who would have bought two in the past bought only one and smiled at me. A shy yellow flower that has just bloomed seems to stick out its head from the brim of the hat, which has been slightly lowered. 

"Cool. It goes well with your clothes, too. You bought it well." 

 I spent my college days in the romantic era of the 70s. In fact, for four years, the fall semester was closed amid demonstrations and tear gas. It was full of confusion, including men's long hair and a miniskirt. Despite this, I followed the hippie culture that pursues my own values and individuality without being stereotyped. At that time, the word luxury goods were unfamiliar as luxury goods only existed in the upper class at the top. Longing for those days, I tried to live a life that was not chased by time and humans and pursued a life that become one with nature. As a result, although I do not have a brand-name bag or clothes, I have made a brand-name friend. 

 The friend who blooms like a flower inside a tan hat is truly a brand-name human. The sophistication that has been around her for many years comes out. Perhaps the environment and culture in which she grew up naturally made her a brand-name product? I'm proud of walking with my friend, so It's light on my steps.

크레딧 프리즈

 “크레딧 프리즈 했지?” 

친구와 크레딧 이야기를 하다가 내가 물었다. 

“크레딧 프리즈라니. 그게 뭐야?” 

나는 많은 사람이 이미 알고 있고 친구도 알만한 사람이기에 깜짝 놀라 나의 꼰대 기질이 발동했다. 

“신용을 쌓는 것도 중요하지만 신용과 자산을 잃지 않게 관리하는 것도 중요해.” 

“좋은 정보야. 신문에 써서 사람들에게 알려.” 

친구가 신문에 쓸 소재를 줘서 감히 용기 내어 쓴다. 

 나는 아주 오래전 컴퓨터가 서서히 집안에 들어올 때, 둔탁한 배불뚝이 컴퓨터를 장만했다. 몇 년 쓰다가 맵시 좋은 컴퓨터가 나오자 고물 컴퓨터를 쓰레기 나가는 날 집 앞에 내놨다. 버리고 들어오자마자 컴퓨터 안에 세금 보고한 기록 이외에도 중요한 내용이 들어 있다는 것을 깨닫고 밖으로 부리나케 뛰어나갔다. 이미 누군가가 집어갔다. 

 밤을 꼬박 뜬눈으로 새웠다. 다음 날 아침 일찍, 거래하는 은행마다 전화했다. 은행들은 도와줄 기미도 없이 건성으로 대답했다. 하지만 시티뱅크의 어느 친절한 여자가 나를 안심시키며 7년 동안 크레딧 프리즈를 (freeze credit all 3 bureaus; Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) 해줬다. 7년이 흐른 후 나는 다시 우리 식구 넷 모두 아이덴티티를 도난당해도 아무도 접근할 수 없는 평생 동결(permenant freeze)을 했다. 패스워드를 잘 간직했다가 필요하면 잠시 풀었다 다시 동결하면 된다. 무료다. 

 www.annualcreditreport.com 에서 Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian 세 군데 각각 들어가서 자신의 크레딧 히스토리에 모르는 리포트가 있으면 지워 달라고 요청한다. 그리고 프리즈 하면 된다. 세 군데 각각 따로따로 해야 한다. 소요 시간이 별로 들지 않는다. 전화로 해도 된다. 내가 확인한 바는 아니지만, 예전에는 일 년에 한 번 무료였다. 하지만 얼마 전 프리즈 한 친구에게 들은 바로는 코로나 사태로 사기꾼들이 범람해서 일주일에 한 번 무료로 들어가 볼 수 있다고 한다. 

 세 회사 모두 크레딧 프리즈를 해 놓으면. 본인에게 직접 연락하게 되어있기 때문에, 다른 사람이 신용카드를 연다든가 론을 받는 것이 불가능해진다. 

 나의 크레딧 점수가 어느 날 갑자기 뚝 떨어졌다. 불에 댄 듯 깜짝 놀라 전화해서 내 크레딧 정보가 도난당한 것 아니냐고 물었다. 

“너는 이미 프리즈가 되어 있는데 뭔 걱정이냐? 안심해.” 

 절차가 복잡한 듯 들리지만 매우 간단하다. 한번 해 놓으면 고된 삶의 반은 해결한 듯 마음 편한 나날을 보낼 수 있다.

Credit Freeze

 "Did you freeze the credit?" 

I was talking about credits with a friend and I asked. 

"Credit Freeze? What's that?" 

I was surprised to hear that my friend didn't know, and my kkondae temperament was activated. “It’s important to build credit, but it’s also important to manage your credit and assets so you don’t lose them.” 

“Good information. Write it in the newspaper and let people know.” 

A friend gave me material to write in the newspaper, so I dare to write it. 

 I bought a blunt, bloat computer a long time ago when computers slowly came into the house. After using it for a few years, when a fancy computer came out, I put the old computer out in front of my house on the day it was trashed. As soon as I threw it away, I realized that the computer contained important information besides my tax return and ran outside. Someone has already taken it. 

 I stayed up all night with my eyes wide open. Early the next morning, I called every bank I did business with. The banks responded dryly, with no sign of helping. But a friendly woman at Citibank reassured me and gave me a credit freeze (freeze credit all 3 bureaus; Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian) for 7 years. Seven years later, I again placed a permanent freeze in which no one could access even if all four of my family's identities were stolen. Keep the password well, release it if necessary, and then can freeze it again. it's free.

 Go to www.annualcreditreport.com and go to each of the three companies Equifax, TransUnion, and Experian and ask them to delete unknown reports from your credit history. And freeze it. You have to do each of the three separately It does not take much time. You can do it over the phone. It used to be free once a year. However, I heard from a friend who did credit freeze recently that fraudsters to flood because of the Covid-19 has caused, allowing them to go in once a week for free. 

 If all three companies do a credit freeze, since you are contacted directly, it becomes impossible for someone else to open a credit card or take a loan. 

 My credit score suddenly dropped one day. Surprised as if it were on fire, I called and asked if my credit information had been stolen.

“Your credit is already frozen, so what are you worried about it? Rest assured.” 

 The procedure sounds complicated, but it is very simple. If you do it once, you can spend your life comfortably as if half of your hard life has been solved.