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January 4, 2010 Seoul & Family

Korean Scrabble...

I have to say that the greatest design and production team I know are my parents, Doug and Mary Wills.

I have to say that the greatest design and production team I know are my parents, Doug and Mary Wills.

Deciding to come to Korea was a big step for me and my family. Not only have I become immersed in the culture, but I dragged my family along for the ride as well. That meant throwing my kids into challenging situations where they did not know the culture, language or any familiar faces. They managed very well...I can see the increase in their confidence.

I have to say that the greatest design and production team I know are my parents, Doug and Mary Wills.
I have to say that the greatest design and production team I know are my parents, Doug and Mary Wills.Photo: Douglas Wills

From the beginning, I enrolled them in language classes. They had a great teacher, Jin-Kyung Yang. She was a treasure!

When they came back to Kalamazoo, my mother found a Korean church that teaches them on the weekends. Believe me, it is not an easy language to learn. Actually, it is downright impossible! Motivation is a problem...especially for active Wills kids.

From the beginning, I enrolled them in language classes. They had a great teacher, Jin-Kyung Yang. She was a treasure!
From the beginning, I enrolled them in language classes. They had a great teacher, Jin-Kyung Yang. She was a treasure!Photo: Douglas Wills

FYI...this the alphabet: ㅂㅈㄷㄱ쇼ㅕㅑㅐㅔㅁㄴㅇㄹ호ㅓㅏㅣㅋㅌㅊ퓨ㅜㅡㅃㅉㄸㄲㅆㅒㅖ
You have to combine these letters to make an exponential amount of sounds! Like I said...OMG

So, being a designer at heart, my mother identified the pain points and decided to tackle the problem...and I mean tackle it! She did some brain storming and decided on a game. A game for the kids to play that will be more exciting than the drudgery of straight memorization.

So, being a designer at heart, my mother identified the pain points and decided to tackle the problem...and I mean tackle it! She did some brain storming and decided on a game. A game for the kids to play that will be more exciting than the drudgery of straight memorization.
So, being a designer at heart, my mother identified the pain points and decided to tackle the problem...and I mean tackle it! She did some brain storming and decided on a game. A game for the kids to play that will be more exciting than the drudgery of straight memorization.Photo: Douglas Wills

Most people would stop at flash cards...maybe buy a DVD or a computer game...but my mom decides to design and develop a Korean scrabble game...argh! The game is hard enough in English!

When she tackles a design project, she enlists her go-to engineer and production artist, my father. He is equipped with a [man cave](http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/4G4wBD/en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Man_cave) that has all the high tech tools needed for the task. ;-)

When she tackles a design project, she enlists her go-to engineer and production artist, my father. He is equipped with a man cave that has all the high tech tools needed for the task. ;-)
When she tackles a design project, she enlists her go-to engineer and production artist, my father. He is equipped with a man cave that has all the high tech tools needed for the task. ;-)Photo: Douglas Wills

My dad spent over 5 hours cutting and sanding all of the scrabble blocks! Then my mom had all of the kids write their own letters on the blocks. Each family member has their own color set of scrabble blocks...

It took another 5 hours to create the board. Of course, it had to be varnished with molding and a custom hand painted color coated grid!

My dad spent over 5 hours cutting and sanding all of the scrabble blocks! Then my mom had all of the kids write their own letters on the blocks. Each family member has their own color set of scrabble blocks...
My dad spent over 5 hours cutting and sanding all of the scrabble blocks! Then my mom had all of the kids write their own letters on the blocks. Each family member has their own color set of scrabble blocks...Photo: Douglas Wills

There is also a set of flash cards for inspiration and added dimension. You get to use a dictionary to settle disputes...and knowing the Wills family...there will be disputes!

So, the other day, I got a chance to play and test the fun factor. It was challenging and to my surprise, it was actually fun...maybe because I won. ;-)

It took another 5 hours to create the board. Of course, it had to be varnished with molding and a custom hand painted color coated grid!
It took another 5 hours to create the board. Of course, it had to be varnished with molding and a custom hand painted color coated grid!Photo: Douglas Wills

Yes, my mom is still in the testing phase. Above are a few notes she took during the inaugural game... Cheating is allowed? hmmm... as long as you don’t get caught... well it is Korean scrabble.

All in all, I think it is a great way to help the kids learn Korean...

There is also a set of flash cards for inspiration and added dimension. You get to use a dictionary to settle disputes...and knowing the Wills family...there will be disputes!
There is also a set of flash cards for inspiration and added dimension. You get to use a dictionary to settle disputes...and knowing the Wills family...there will be disputes!Photo: Douglas Wills

...But most of all, I am so impressed with my parents’ motivation, creativity and teamwork. Not to mention their devotion to the kids.

We are truly, a family blessed.

Yes, my mom is still in the testing phase. Above are a few notes she took during the inaugural game... Cheating is allowed? hmmm... as long as you don’t get caught... well it is Korean scrabble.
Yes, my mom is still in the testing phase. Above are a few notes she took during the inaugural game... Cheating is allowed? hmmm... as long as you don’t get caught... well it is Korean scrabble.Photo: Douglas Wills