When we were young, we could see easily people smoking in the road or in a bus. That might be regarded as natural at that time in Korea. Since the danger of smoking was announced to the public, however, ban on smoking has been discussed constantly and seriously. Today, due to the sharp increase of concern about health, smokers are being attacked by non-smokers as if smoking is a crime. Is it really fair that smokers are treated like criminals?
Smoking is a kind of right to pursue happiness guarantied by the Constitution. People pursue their happiness in various ways and smoking is just one of these ways. So it should be respected as a right by all people even though it is harmful to human body. Of course, non-smokers assert that they also have a right: the right to live a happy and healthy life. However, this conflict between two parts cannot be a decisive problem if we recognize that there are a lot of conflicts among rights and that our duty is not demolishing the rights, but finding the way of respecting the rights and minimizing conflicts. We have various policies regarding smoking such as smoking only in designated area and campaign against smoking. Through enforcing the policies, we can protect non-smokers from most injury, prevent the young from starting smoking, and give smokers motivation to quit smoking.
Smoking doesn't play entirely bad role to individuals and society. The tax income from smokers in 1960s covered up to 16% of whole tax income. Still now, cigarette tax has been big income source of our government. In addition, smoking is helpful to human mentality in contrast to physical harm. Jung-Jo, one of the greatest kings of Chosun dynasty praised smoking in his essay as follows "Namryung-cho(the name of cigarette at that time) is of great use and better than tea or alcohol." It is another good effect that smoking contributes to our national wealth by providing employment in agriculture and distribution areas.
Smoking has good and bad sides. For a long time, we have told about its bad side. However, what we should keep in mind is that smokers have exercised their right within laws and that all people don't have the right to invade others' right if it is not illegal. In stead, we need to think about the individual and social devices to decrease the bad effects of smoking and finally enlarge our happiness all together.
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Smoking
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
Limerick
LIES of GUYS [by Bos, Lily and Chris]
The POOL is FULL of GUYS.
WHO have wandering EYES.
If you look at their leer
their motives become clear
and YOU know they'll be telling some LIES.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Kimchi
Kimchi is a Korean representative fermented food that is made with various vegetables. Due to its hot and stinging taste, most Koreans really love Kimchi and it appears at almost every meal. In addition to attractive taste, it has excellent factors in aspects of its variety and nutritions.
The origin of Kimchi goes back to Kochosun, the first country in Korea Penisula. At that time, as it was before many ingredients including red chili peppers were not introduced, Kimch in those days was not like present Kimchi but it can be regarded as Kimchi in that it was pickled and fermented.
Types of kimchi differ from region to region, depending on harvest and weather conditions. The number of Kimchi types can not be easily counted; the Korean Food Academy has categorized over 100 different types such as Baechu Kimchi(Cabbage), Baechu Keotcheoli(Cabbage), Gat Kimchi(Mustard Leaf), Oi Sobaki(Cucumber), Chongak Kimchi(Ponytail Radish) and so on.
According to the type of Kimchi, the ingredients vary but those of Baechu Kimchi(Cabbage), the most familiar one are mainly cabbages, radishes, red chilli peppers, garlics, thick salt, spring onions, gingers, pickled seafood, sticky rice paste, sugar and so forth. Kimjang, Kimchi-making for the winter, usually starts in late October or early November and lasts for 2 or 3 days. Nowadays, due to the reduction of family size, the change of eating habits or development of cabbage cultivating, the importance of Kimjang has decreased but it is still considered as an annual family event and whole family or close relatives get together and work together when they do Kimjang. The process of Kimjang looks easy at a sight: washing cabbages, preparing materials, and stuffing ingredients inside each cabbage leaf. However, it needs very delicate care of pickling and seasoning, so young housewives ask for the help of their experienced mothers.
Kimchi has played a role as an important source of nutritions in fermented vegetables during the long winter. It has different kinds of nutritions based on ingredients and the level of fermentation. Usually, the ingredients of Kimchi have few calories and low levels of sugar, but contain high amounts of fibers, diverse vitamins and minerals. It helps protect against cancer and germs, and lower blood cholesterol. The nutrients and activities of the various micro-organisms produced during fermentation are also very beneficial to health and beauty.
Kimchi, a Korean traditional fermented food with various vegatables, has diverse types, good taste and abundant nutritions, and it is one of foreigers' most favorite Korean foods. Researchers say that Kimchi is one of the most healthful foods in the world. So many governments and institutions are trying to inform worldwide of its excellence. Kimch might be a good solution for keeping life healthy among harmful eating environments such as Endocrine disruptor.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Effects on my life of taking an English course
People experience great effects in life by various causes such as marriage, childbirth, employment, etc.. Changing jobs is also a big event which causes such effects. Recently, I have temporarily changed my job and it affects my daily life. What are effects on my life of taking an English course?
Taking an English course has good effects on my life. Above all, I can focus on studying English. I believe that it is really a precious chance to help me to survive in the global world. Besides, I can live more comfortably while taking this course. I am allowed to have casual wears and I can walk around the beautiful campus. I am free from stress of working. I don't have to work overtime and I can better take care of my family. Of course, I am under another stress of studying. It is, however, very positive in that this makes me improve.
Changing jobs doesn't have always good effects on my life. I feel isolated from society. Almost every day, I concentrate how to improve my English so I get indifferent to everything except for English. Sometimes I feel worried that I won't be able to adapt myself to the working life - the tight and tough working environment. Another bad effect is a bad reputation that may follow me after this course. Govenment workers usually think that people who attended any education courses had intended to run away from working and had spent time to play. It will be a tag to me in my career.
Taking an English course has advangtages and disadvantages at the same time as all events in the world do so. As for me, advantages are much more and bigger. It's because that 10months are given only for me to spend on what I really want, studying English. I am not sure if I can go up to my expected level of English. But I am really sure that it will be a important motive and the foundation for the improvement of English.
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Editing by classmates
1. Many Korean recommend Sin-saimdang at first if somebody ask you ideal mother : you를 바꿔야
2. People choose the nations according to their taste : countries가 좀더 좋은 표현
3. She didn't look like to sacrifice her times for children. : seem으로 대체
4. I can expect comfortable life : a가 있어야
5. Those financial situation lead to jump into struggle for jobs. : jumping into or jump into를 지움
6. people who need the help.: the를 some, my로 대체
7. It is worth to challenge even though many expected difficulties that weren't mentioned up, because the possibility of the happy silver life is higher in Philippines than in Korea.: challeging, regardless of
8. the menu of the breakfast -> the menu of a break or menu deleted
8. it is recommended for tour places which have amusement parks, zoos, aquariums, theme parks or beaches.
it 가주어 나올 장소가 아님,
9. To seniors, they prefer a historical place, a religion place or a hot spring resort. -> Seniors prefer
10. These days, they developed luxury pool villas in Asia. -> have deleoped
11.We may attend relatives' wedding ceremonies by force soon after quarreling with our husband. -> a (our가 공유의 의미로 받아들여질수도 있다)
12. We may change our goals in the work place and move to another department. -> or가 더 적합
13. We make new relationship with people related to family-in-law, but, on the other hand, we can lose partially old relationship that we have made before marriage. -> on the other hand를 빼는게 낫다. but에 반대의 의미가 있으므로, partially를 lose앞으로
14. For various reasons, recently it has become very common, and it affects all levels of society. In the past, divorce was quite rare. -> 순서가 부자연스럽다. 빈도는 빈도끼리 묶는게 자연스럽다.
15. Even so, all married couples having some problems could not get divorced. -> with ,문장끝인데 이유가 불명확. could대신 일반동사로 바꿔줘야 (부분부정)
16. Also, because they feel a difference of an emotional expression of the love or complaint, they sometimes misunderstand each other.
17. in general, when a man occurs to a problem, gets off a conclusion quickly and think to solve the problems
18. the divorce ratio will reduce if people should prepare the attitude thoroughly how to live in a marriage, to recognize the difference from each other, and to make up for their weak point together. -> ratio는 비율, rate가 좋음
Thursday, June 5, 2008
Adjustments to Marriage(new version)
In life, we experience some great changes. Marriage is one of events that cause these changes. We face new environment through marriage and have to make adjustments to new environment whether they are hard or easy. Marital life can be different results according to adjustments. Then, what are adjustments to marriage that people especially women undergo?
We go through personal adjustments. It means that we are put in new position. We become a daughter-in-law as well as a wife and a member of newly enlarged family. We should manage all sorts of matters related to new family as well as housework such as dusting, washing, ironing, cooking, etc. for daily life.
Social adjustments are resulted also from new relationship. We make new relationship with people related to family-in-law, but, on the other hand, we can lose partially old relationship that we have made before marriage. We may attend relatives' wedding ceremonies by force soon after quarreling with our husband. But we may attend less gettogethers with old friends which we really want.
Emotional adjustments can be the most difficult for some people. We are under stress because of new duties or a sense of duty that we have to act and even think as other people expect as married women. Some women feel overwhelmed by pressure and responsibilities. Conflicts among family members may make women feel unhappy.
Professional adjustments are to change our attitude to the work. We may hesitate to have charge of task neccessary a heavy resposibility, a lot of time and energy. We may change our goal in the work place and move to another department. Of course, we can manage both work and home but we sometimes have unsatisfactory results at work and home. In some case, we are to choose one out of the two, home and work.
Mostly, these various adjustments occur at the same time. Because of hardship of adjustments, some couple have difficulties to last marital life. The adjustments aren't basically easy even to those who are well adapted, but, nevertheless they are essential to successful marital life. If we believe that the adjustments are to give up a part of myself in order to get better future with new family, we can accept them easier and more delightful than expected.
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
making body sentences
Many television shows today portray a great deal of unnecessary violence.
1. The number of violent acts in a one-hour show has increased.
2. The description of violent scenes has been direct and more detailed.
3. The description of violent scenes has been stronger.
4. Even in films for children, are less limited violent scenes.
5. The kinds of violent acts have been more diverse.
Because of the need for both parents to work, many families find that their closely knit unit is falling apart as members are moving in opposite directions.1. Children's emotional needs are not met.
2. Children have less occasions to meet, and talk to their parents.
3. Because parents feel themselves to be blameable, they are so generous to their children that they permit even things that should not be allowed.
4. Children spend a lot of money because parents give much money to make up for their absence.
5. Children are not obedient.
The president's new plan for education caused great concern among teachers and students.
1. The plan calls for increase in salaries as well as in class size.
2. Many schools try to get new school systems such as a special public boarding school.
3. Teacher and students are busy in get information of new plan and in planning their schools' future.
4. Some students make a decision of going abroad to study English.
5. Some students go to private institutes to adjust to new system of education.
Freezing conditions created many problems for travelers during the holiday season.
1. De-icing planes causes considerable delays in takeoff and landing.
2. Heavy snow can prevent planes from taking off.
3. Clearing snow in the runaways causes considerable delays in takeoff.
4. Travelers should wear warm clothes and take them, which makes the traveling inconvenient.
5. Due to cold, travelers cannot go around as much time as they want.
Sunday, June 1, 2008
Metamophosis of a frog
We are sometimes alarmed with the wonder of the natural world. Metamorphosis is also a kind of this wonders. There are many species undergoing metamorphosis and that of a frog is well known to us.
The life of a frog starts with an egg, and it continues life as a tadpole. It is aquatic, lacks lungs, eyelids, front and hind legs, and has a cartilaginous skeleton, a lateral line system, gill for respiration and tail with folds of skin fins for swimming.
At the end of the tadpole stage after about five weeks as a tadpole, a tadpole begins to change. It undergoes metamorphosis, in which it transitions into adult form. Metamorphosis involves a dramatic transformation of morphology and physiology, It starts to grow hind legs, and it is soon followed with forelegs. Its tail becomes smaller. Lungs begin to develop, preparing the frog for its life on land. Now and then, it wiggles to the surface to breathe in air.
Over time, a tadpole becomes even more froglike. It has shed its skin and lips. Its mouth widens, and it loses its horny jaws. The tail becomes much smaller, and the legs grow. The lungs are almost functioning at this point.
Eleven weeks after an egg was laid, a fully developed frog with lungs, legs, and no tail emerges from the water. This frog will live mostly on land, with occasional swims. The tiny frogs begin to eat insects and worms.
Eventually, it will find a mate. The way this is done varies depending on the species but the whole process begins again at the same process.
The process of metamorphosis is quite amazing and complex, so it is stressful time in a frog's life, especially near the end of the process. We compare this process with our life mainly negatively: abnormal mentality or arrogance. But we should know that the metamorphosis is the noble and painful method to adapt an animal to the nature and to survive.
