I AM KOREAN AMERICAN

Own Words

I am Korean American…I’m half Korean and half Finnish-American. My Finnish nickname is Taisto which translates roughly to “two opposing, conflicting sides/forces.” I was the first Asian American elected to local office in my county, I play harpsichord and accordion, and became a mother for the first time in 2008. I love Korean food and love the Korean language…my first language was Korean. My father, the Finn, speaks fluent Korean. My Mom eventually learned to speak Finnish too! Korean and Finnish are thought by some to be distantly related languages. I like to think that this is obviously true! Both of these languages are taught at our local university.