Don't stop believing!

Jane is always kind! we met the library last week. she thought me some spanish expression such as ‘No puedo hablar espanol’, ‘agua caliente’. I’m not sure these words are correct. I think it is really useful in my trip. I have to memorize some expressions and words to enjoy traveling! and then she want to learn about Korean. I was a little bit embarrased because I have not thought about Korean but I was trying it. Jane is really curious girl. she wondered how do Koreans memorize the word and characters. I explained about the logic and process the way of setting up each characters. It was very chellenging for both of us. However, it was really cool.

the other day, we met again at commons. she want me to help her project. the topic she have to present is about environment of South Korea. I wish I knew lots of information about it but I just know a few fact…I just know cheonggyecheon, the great four rivers plan, etc. So I feel bad but Jane said ‘thank you’ although my saying is totally not helpful for her assignment. She is really nice! and then we saw the google map, just checking location each other’s home. It is really fun! :)  

http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/cifamerica/2010/dec/06/north-korea-obama-china
Obama should stop blaming China over North Korea and start talking

<questions>

What is the meaning of Obama’s blaming on China?
What is the thinking of writer about relationship beween china and North Korea?

 <voca>

fraught-full of problems etc
confontation - a situation in which there is a lot of angry disagreement between two people or groups
perversely - behaving in an unreasonable way, especially by deliberately doing the opposite of what people want you to do
standoff-a situation in which neither side in a fight or battle can gain an advantage
blunt-not sharp or pointed
apportion-to decide how something should be shared between various people
impunity-if someone does something bad with impunity, there is no risk that they will be punished for it
torpedo-a long narrow weapon that is fired under the surface of the sea and explodes when it hits something
punitive-intended to punish someone
proliferation-a sudden increase in the amount or number of something
righteous-strong feelings of anger when you think a situation is not morally right or fair
hawk-a politician who believes in using military force
transgress-to do something that is against the rules of social behaviour or against a moral principle
menacing-making you expect something unpleasant
rogue-not behaving in the usual or accepted way and often causing trouble

 
* I will post it, I sent you mail though. as you know, tumblr didn’t work on monday.

During Thanksgiving hollidays, I visited Alexandra’s home in Norfolk. The family invited me and doori, my Korean friend. When this inviting was given to us, we were very surprised and full of excting. On Wed, we met in front of the GRC and went to Norfolk with Alexandra and her father. Her father is the geographic teacher in high school. He worried about tension between South and North Korea. He is very humorous and kind. After 2 hours, we reached Alexandra’s home. It is located on the beach, so the scenery was so beautiful. Thanks to Alexandra and Sarah, we could stay in her and her sister’s room. And then we went to skating in downtown. Alexandra told us she likes hiphop music. On the way going skating, we listened a lot of club music. On thursday, we met alexandra’s cousins and did a lot of board games. During games, I was embarrassed when I picked word what I didn’t know. It seemed to interrupt games, but they understood me. So I really appreciate it. They looked very happy with their family. It reminded me my family in Korea. Her mother and aunt was busy preparing for Thanksgiving dinner. Before dinner, we saw the football games, NFL. I felt it was very common thing to watch football game on Thanksgiving. Also, we found the items what could be bught by us using Blackfriday. After dinner with turkey we came back to home early because we had to wake up at 4:30 on friday for shopping. we were hanging around 2~3 malls. There were a lot of people, I waited for an hour to pay for my stuffs. I got running shoes and hoodies. It was really cheap!!!! It was around 3:00 when we came back home finishing shopping. Isn’t it surprising? at night, alexandra’s mom and grandmom made us sausages for dinner. They used traditional Irish way, cuz Alexandra’s grandfa came from Irland. Doori and I helped the process making sausages. It’s really funny, little bit hard tough. Taste was really good!!! :)

Also Doori and I gave them small present like Boakjumony-fortune pocket-, traditional accessary for being suited Hanbok-Korean traditional clothes-. we explained that meaning and express thanks to the family. It’s our last dinner cuz on saturday, I had to leave Alexandra’s home to meet my Korean friend in DC. Thanksfully, Alexandra gave me a ride to Greyhound terminal at 6:00 AM.

During 3 days, I was able to feel American holidays with their family. I cannot forget everything they gave us. I am very lucky girl to have such a great time. Again I really appreciate Alex’s family! I will send letters for them when I will be latin america!

It was really nice experience!

Wikileaks release ‘shows China thinking on Korea’

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-11871641

<Questions>

why did China express opposition to North Korea?

What is happened about Wikileaks?

<VOCA>

revelation-a surprising fact about someone or something that was previously secret and is now made known

Deputy-someone who is directly below another person in rank, and who is officially in charge when that person is not there

dispatch-to send someone or something somewhere for a particular purpose

embassy-a group of officials who represent their government in a foreign country, or the building they work in:

consulate-the building in which a consul lives and works

benign-kind and gentle  

torture-to deliberately hurt someone in order to force them to give you information, to punish them, or to be cruel:

residency-legal permission to live in a country for a certain period of time

On last friday, I met Barange after speaking class. I visited her apratment. Her room is really pretty and clean compared to my messy room. Ant then we also watched Korean movie, ‘welcome to Dongmakgo’l. last time we met, she said she likes movies and I recommanded Korean movie. I really proud of Korean movies cuz Korean movies are really awewome in various ways. They got a lot of pirze in international movie competition. Changdong Lee and Chanwook Park are the movie director who won the prize with their competitive movies. However, she haven’t seen Korean movies at all. so I decide to introduce Korean movie for her. and last friday was the day I showed Korean movie. The reason why I chose ‘welcome to dongmakgol’ was the movie is very historycal. The movie depicted Korean war between south and north and it was not biased any side. we watched the movie eating pizza in her room. she was really interested about that movie and Korean culture. she saw hanbok, Korean traditional clothes, and village. (‘gol’ means village). It was really good time for her and me. Movie is really good way to understand another culture in natural way. 

P:S Audrey, I totally forgot about my homework T.T sorry I really busy to prepare for leaving richmond to join Thanksgiving inviting from american familly! I will post about it on next reflection HW.  (Actually, I’m in the norfolk now with american family!)

Tim Berners-Lee: Facebook could fragment web

http://www.guardian.co.uk/technology/2010/nov/22/tim-berners-lee-facebook

<Questions>

what did Tim Berners-Lee warn?

List reasons why he warned social networks such as facebook

<voca>

silo- a tall structure like a tower that is used for storing grain, winter food for farm animals etc / a large structure under the ground from which a large missile can be fired
chip away - remove or withdraw gradually
egalitarian - based on the belief that everyone is equal and should have equal rights
trap - to prevent someone from escaping from somewhere, especially a dangerous place
wall off -to build a wall or a barrier around an area to separate it from another area
reiterate - to repeat a statement or opinion in order to make your meaning as clear as possible
forge - to develop something new, especially a strong relationship with other people, groups, or countries
exempt-to give someone permission not to do or pay something
favouritism - when you treat one person or group better than others, in an unfair way

on friday, I met my conversation partner again. :)
and we talked about president Obama and free health insurance.
I cannot understand it costs more 1000 bucks to pull out a wisdom tooth if I don’t have health insurance. In korea, it costs only 3~4 dollars. I know it is complicated process expanding free health insurance to americans. but view point of Korean, it is too weird to pay for a lot of money to meet doctors and get some medicine. Jane’s wisdom tooth is growing now. so she worries about that because her family didn’t choose insurance about dentical things.
And then, we talked about Lee myungbak, president of South Korea. I am against him in a various ways. He seems to ignore citizen’s opinion. I explaind to my conversation partner about the candle protestors in Korea, 2008. Thousands of candles were lighted in the center of Seoul by people who opposed to government’s careless and dogmatic execution. Everyone from housewives to teenagers participated in this protest to show their opinions. Jane surprised about this protests. She said to me she will triy to search some informations about it

Legal doubts over EU plans to give states choice on whether to grow GM

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/2010/nov/15/legal-doubts-over-gm-crops

<Questions>

Do citizens in Europe want to eat GM food? If it is or not, why?

What is the purpose of European commission (EC)?

<Voca>

Vulnerable - a place, thing, or idea that is vulnerable is easy to attack or criticize

Concession - a reduction in the price of tickets

Compatibility- the ability to exist or be used together without causing problems

Parliament- the main law-making institution in the UK

Reign- the period when someone is in charge of an organization, team etc

Plethora- a very large number of something, usually more than you need

Be in the pipeline- it is being prepared and it will happen or be completed soon

Initiative- the ability to make decisions and take action without waiting for someone to tell you what to do

Yesterday, I met 2 conversation partners! In the morning I met Berengee at the commonse and afternoon, Jane and I had a good time in the library! It’s first time we meet outside classroom! and they were really nice and kind people.

At the commons, Berengee and I talked about the Korean food. She really know well about the korean food. She have already eaten korean BBQ and BIBIMBOP. It’s very interesting to me! In addition, her mom have bought some KIMCHI ! Berengee said to me She really likes it! but her husband, Berengee’s father, doesn’t like it that much.  

 
and later, I met Jane in the starbucks. we are interested in history and sociology. Also, Her major is spanish! It’s awesome! cuz I have a plan to go South america. but I cannot speak spanish at all. So, she can give a help in some way :) and then she let me know a website about travel. this site offers a lot of information about the family, who wants to be host for travelers. It’s free! when she went to Europe, she homestayed with family getting their information from this site. I got really good information! and she asked some question the relationship between South and North Korea. Especially, it is about the people escaping from North Korea.  In my college in Korea, There is a person who came from North Korea. so I explained her situation in Korean university. Also she wondered what if Korean can enter each country. I answered, “Of course, it is impossible.” visiting North Korea is only permitted a few people like stars, athletes, or politicians.    

I really enjoyed the time with my conversation partners! a surprising thing is my conutry, Korea is quiet famous for American. Some people enjoy Korean food, and Jane already know we are divided. I hope our next time will be fun again!

Russian journalist ‘nearly killed’ in doorstep beating

http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/nov/07/nationalist-thugs-attack-russian-journalist

Questions

- Why did Kashin be attacked at last night?

- In the Russia, freedom of speach is protected by nation?

Words

assailant - someone who attacks another person [= attacker]

blunt - a heavy object that is used to hit someone

beleaguered - experiencing a lot of problems or criticism

culprit - the person who is guilty of a crime or doing something wrong

traitor-someone who is not loyal to their country, friends, or beliefs

amputate-to cut off someone’s arm, leg, finger etc during a medical operation

ideologue-someone whose actions are very much influenced by an ideology

groom-to prepare someone for an important job or position in society by training them over a long period