Article 7

Roundup: North Korea’s Kim Jong-Il dies

by CNN

On 17th of December 2011, North Korea’s dictator passed away in a train. His death was due to a hearth attack, he was sixty nine when he had a heart attack. The North Korean government tried hard to keep his death as a secret, but the secret spilled out on 19th. This was due to the announcement from the Working Party, which stated the Kim Jong- un, Kim Jong Il’s son, will replace his father as the country’s leader. Though some might think that the death would bring positive effect, it actually had more negative effects. This could be seen through the reaction of the other countries went on a crisis situation such as United State, who called for closely monitoring. South Korea was no exception to this action, South Korea went on a South Korea- U.S Combined Forced Command; ensuring their alliance with United State incase of an emergence. South Korea also increased monitoring efforts along the border.

As a citizen of South Korea, I was very much effected by Kim Jong Il’s death. When the new of his death came out, it spread like a forest fire. It quickly became what Koreans call ‘hot issue key word.’ Some Korean thought a war might just break out and some companies were even shut down for the day. People were buying tons of Korean noodle just incase the war broke out and the stock market of South Korea was falling. In the mist of this situation, I thought how much impact Kim Jong Il had on the world. Though some said he has no power, for he is a ruler of one of the poorest countries in the world, when he passed away world became a mess for a while. At least South Korea did, for after all they called in most of the ambassadors back to Korea for emergence meeting and enforced the border line. I guess in world there are many hypocrites and as usual I am no exception, as I said what most people said and was scared of what most people were scared of. 

Regime

(n) a mode or system of rule or government

1770–80;  < French régime  < Latin regimen regimen (dic.)

There is no regime in Woodstock for it is a school not a country.

Cohesion

(n) the act or state of cohering,  uniting, or sticking together.

1670–80;  variant of cohaesion  < Latin cohaes-  (variant stem ofcohaerēre  to cohere) + -iōn- -ion (dic.)

One of the properties of water is Cohesion.

Authoritarian

(adj) favoring complete obedience or subjection to authority  asopposed to individual freedom:

1879 (adj.), "favoring imposed order over freedom," fromauthority. Cf. authoritative, which originally had this meaning toitself. Noun in the sense of one advocating or practicing suchgovernance is from 1883. Related: Authoritarianism (1909). (dic.)

I hope the new principle of our is not authoritarian person.

100+ College Essay Topics 7

Are we alone?

This question is a tricky question, who is the "we" in the question. Due to the grammatical mistake I can not answer the question. This is what I would like to say. However, this is after all it is homework, and this is one of the questions, I will give another opinion of mine. In the world there are many species, and there are still more being discovered though researches. Thus, I think it is fair to say that we, humans, are not alone in the plant. Although I think this is pretty clear some of human on the plant act like there is no other organism or treat the organisms not significant enough to care.

One of the acts of humans that make me really mad is the cutting trees due to economical reasons. Not only are we killing the organism just because they can not move, but we are also destroying the habitat that other animals and plants live. This is not even the main problem, the resource that we receive after all that is wasted. We do know that happens to those areas yet, like hypocrites we only saying things. Some says they do not have the power to change the world, but one can take small step at a time. I am pretty sure they are well aware of this, but we still don’t do anything about it.

I am no exception, here I am criticizing everyone, but doing nothing in my own life to make a change. I excuse are similar to others, I don’t think I can make a change. I hope after writing this essay I would actually change and recycle more, waste less and consume less. This is my goal the habit that I would make for the 30 day change, and hopeful for rest of my life. 

Article 6

India set for all-party meeting on anti-corruption bill

by BBC

published on 14/12/2011

accessed on 14/12/2011

      Thanks to Anna Hazare, who sparked the anti- corruption activists in India, India is now setting for all- party meeting on anti- corruption bill. The corruption in India has led to billions of dollars in India. Hazare has threatened to go on huger strike if the bill is not passed during this parliament session, and his 12-days fast and other supporters are the main factors that made this meeting possible. The activists and opposition parties’ demand for this bill is to include everyone in the government, if prime minister to lover level bureaucracy. his bill will hopefully lead to more justice in the country than now. The Indian government is now drafting a anti- corruption bill, some still believes that the bill is too weak and should be enforced even more.

      I think this is a good lesson that everyone can learn from, if you believe in something than instead of just complaining, one should put it in to action. The actions of the activists and Hazare did for corruptions that are present in the country can be one of many examples. People complain about not having the chance to change thing, but the truth is the chances are everywhere. Just last month there was a chance for everyone in senior school, we the chance to change to school system to get rid of exam that everyone complained about. Surprisingly not many students went stand up for what they believed in, yet they still complained about the exam. Unfortunately, one of the students that complained yet did not go to the peace garden to make a change was me. Though I could give many reasons like I had Hindi work to do, and other homework, but I will be honest, I thought it would not make a change in our school and that no teachers would listen to us. Now, after reading his article I will try to make a change in the world though I don’t know how yet. 

Vocab-

ombudsman 

a government official who hears and investigates complaintsby private citizens against other officials or government agencies.

Origin: 
1910–15;  < Swedish:  legal representative, equivalent to ombud agent, attorney + -s ’s¹  + -man -man (dic.)

There is no ombudsman in Woodstock, for hopefully there is no corruption in school.

envisages

to contemplate; visualize:

Origin: 
1810–20;  < French envisager. See en-¹ , visage (dic.)

In woodstock there is no one who envisages an era of anything. 

whistleblower

a person who informs on another or makes public disclosure of corruption or wrongdoing.

Origin: 
1965–70

whis·tle-blow·ing, noun (dic.)

In high school the head of the school is a whistleblower, for he informs everyone about one's suspension. 

100+ College Essay Topics 6

If you had the gift of telepathy, the ability to read other people’s minds, would you use this gift or not?

             I watched the X-men First Class during AP biology movie night. While walking down to dorms from school in the dark, my friend and I talked about the power that we wanted the most. There are many supernatural powers shown in the movie so there were plenty of options to choose from.  Thus, the answers varied, some said the power to control the metals, some said to fly, and I said I wanted to read people’s mind. So, yes if I had the gift of telepathy I would use it to read people’s mind.

             Everyone wants to know more than what they already know. This is the motivation behind all those researches that makes our education courses harder. I am no exception to this and that is the reasons that I try various things such as Hindi, Indian Music and taking harder courses than needed for my diploma.

             I think learning other points of view is also very interesting, that is the reason that I want to have to power to read people’s mind. I can read people mind and compare to my point of view regarding to issue. That is another reason that I take Model United Nation, for doing that activity I learn other point views of around the world. Though some times I disagree with their point of view, I still know about their stand and the reason behind it.

             Also, if I have a chance to get something that everyone would not have, then why would I refuse it. I would use it just to show off a little bit to my friends and scare them a bit. 

Article 5

India Dalit boy 'killed over high-caste man's name' by BBC

Issued 02/12/11 Accessed 03/12/11

In Uttar Pradesh, one of the northern states of India, a boy was killed for his name. Kumar’s father Ram Sumer was asked to change his names’ of his two sons, as it was same as Jawahar Chaudhary’s son, a higher caste. Police believes that the death of Kumar is due to he had the same name was a man of high caste. This is because in India the caste system is not fully abolished. The boy's name was Neeraj Kumar. He was found dead in the field on 23rd of November after going to his friend’s house to watch television on 22nd.  Mr. Though Chaudhary’s house is framed by the police; he denies that he was involved in this crime. Although caste discrimination is illegal, there are still some debates going on about it. 

This is not related to anything that I was learning this week, but rather the things that I learnt all though my life. I think this is pure injustice.No man should be hurt just because of their caste, and certainly not killed. This is a concept that I do not believe in. Though religions can be important, one should not kill a14 years- old boy for his name. I am seriously disturbed by this incident. My opinion might is due to the fact that I am not a religious person, but with the TED talk video, that we watched in English class, I believed I can be counted as immoral. I hope who ever killed the boy is found and the caste system in India will abolish, not only in law but in the society as well.  


Vocab- 


framed-
(v)-to form or make, as by fitting and uniting parts together;construct.
Origin: 
before 1000; 1910–15 for def. 8; 1920–25 for def. 25;  (v.) MiddleEnglish framen  to prepare (timber), Old English framian  to avail,profit; cognate with Old Norse frama  to further, Old High German ( gi )  framōn  to do; (noun) Middle English,  derivative of the v.(dic.)
It seems like in Woodstock rules are framed in such a way that by after a week rules have to be frame again. 


discrimination-
(n)-an act or instance of discriminating.
Origin: 
1640–50;  < Latin discrīminātiōn-  (stem of discrīminātiō ) adistinguishing. See discriminate, -ion (dic.)

There is no discrimination in Woodstock regarding the caste system.

dalit-

(n)-	Formerly called untouchable a member of the lowest class inIndia, whom those of the four main castes were formerlyforbidden to touch
Origin (dic.) from Hindi, from Sanskrit dalita , literally: oppressed]     There is not such thing as dalit in Woodstock.

100+ College Essay Topics 5

If you had to describe yourself as an animal, what animal would you select and why?

Since when I was a little child I always had at least two pets. I had dog, turtle, fish, hamsters and even some insects.  Out of those 17 years I had dog for 15 years unlike other animals, which I did not like as much as the dog. Thus, if I was an animal I would like to be a pet dog. 

There are many reasons to this answer, but first if I was a pet dog then I will have company. I like to be around people, talking and listening with others. That is the reason that I talk to everyone in our class and take so many extracurricular activities. It is allows me to meet people that I could not have with out these extracurricular activities such as CARE, big brother big sister day and MUN.

Another reason that I would like to dog than other animals is because dogs are relatively free. Unlike other pets that I grew up with dogs are the only pets that are not lock up in the cage.  That is that reason that I came to India all the way from Korea, to experience new world and ideas.

There was a research done about dogs in office, and it said that at the dog made the environment in the office a lot happier place. This is because in the busy office dog looks at the person’s filled with love. I would also like to make a difference in people’s lives, make them feel loved and let them know that they are important.

In many Korean insults words, dogs are present. I failed to understand the reason behind the dogs are in insult words. I believe dogs are one of the best animals in the world. Thus, with reasons above, if I had to be an animal I would like to be a dog. 

Article 4

A New Voice Grips South Korea With Plain Talk About Inequality and Justice

By- Choe Sang- Hun

Published: November 19, 2011 Accessed: November 22, 2011

Ahn Cheol-soo, an university dean who had earlier been seen as a contender for mayor of Seoul himself spoke for election. He said, “When we participate in an election, we citizens can become our own masters, principle can defeat irregularity and privilege, and common sense can drive out absurdity.” With this nearly 30% of the Park Won-soon, an independent candidate, supporter backed out. He pointed out that in a country like Korea where social and economical inequality is rising the citizens should stand up for their rights. This quote of his is actually influencing  the young middle- class, one big example being prompting Occupy Wall Street movement, which did not happen before in South Korea. Kim Hyung-joon, a political scientist at Myongji University also said, “Professor Ahn represents the people’s aspirations for change.”

In  English class Shalaka gave her presentation about Occupy Wall Street and how we have to stand up for our right. Ahn Cheol-soo, gave the same message to young middle- class. I think this is important in different scale, in one one learns that they he/ she needs to stand up for a change that they want. The change that you want will not be given to them. Also living in a 21st century where globalization is taking place, Occupy Wall Street is another big issue. The unemployment rate all over the world is raising, it is an important event. This also warns us, students, how difficult our lives are going to be. The fact that we might be the next victim of rapid growth of unemployment rate. Still as Mr. Ahn said: “You can’t find out how fast the river is flowing by sitting on the banks and watching. You have to take off your shoes and socks and jump in.”

vocab

phenomenon-

           noun- a fact, occurrence, or circumstance observed or observable:

           origin- 1595–1605;  < Late Latin phaenomenon  < Greek phainómenon appearance, noun use of neuter of phainómenos,  presentparticiple of phaínesthai  to appear, passive of phaínein  to show (dic) 

          sen.- Since Woodstock, is a pretty small school there is at least one phenomenon of everyone that all student knows about. 

grievance-

          noun- a wrong considered as grounds for complaint, or something believed to cause distress: Inequitable taxation is the chiefgrievance.

             origin- 1250–1300; Middle English greva ( u ) nce  < Old French grevance.See grieve, -ance (dic) 

          sen- According to some students there is no grievance in Woodstock. 

disillusion- 

verb- a freeing or a being freed from illusion  or conviction;disenchantment.

origin- "to free or be freed from illusion," 1851, from dis- + illusion (q.v.).Related: Disillusioned; disillusionment.(dic) 

sen. Disillusion in English class is very common. 

100+ College Essay Topics 4

Spanish poet Antonio Machado wrote, “Between living and dreaming there is a third thing. Guess it.” Give us your guess. (U of Chicago)
Some romantics say love, but since I am not one of them I had to think hard. I thought about things that I really like such as, chocolate, chatting, listening to music, and sleeping. I thought about it for a long time and I came to a conclusion  between living and dreaming there is sleeping. Though my father say, " why sleep so much? When you are dead you will sleep for century and you will regret the times that you slept." Sorry dad, I am a teenage after all, who like to sleep more than to jog at 5am in the morning. 
While one is neither fully living as one is not really doing anything nor are you doing dreaming for one only dream about 7 min in sleep. Well, that is the excuse that I am going to give my father about this essay. I hope this works as a logo to persuade my dad. 
Nevertheless this is the real reason; I love sleeping. In weekend when there is nothing everyone sleep as much as one wants to, and I am no exception. Thanks to my dad who is against sleeping for so long, usually I get up at 8am. There is no better feeling than to wrap myself in a blanket, knowing that you have nothing to worry about anymore. After the busy day that I had studying, sleep is the factor that refreshes me for the next day. While sleeping I do not have to work, think and worry anymore, which is what I have to do while I am living. Yet, it is not dreaming, for I know when I alarm rings at 6am during weekdays to get up or get up early during weekend to write blog, just like today. 

Article #3

Japan bans Fukushima rice shipment due to contamination

by BBC

published: 18 November 2011 accessed: 19 November 2011

After high level of radioactive cesium detected on the Fukushima rice, Japan has banned shipping of rice near Fukushima. The rice had 630 becquerel per kilogram of radioactive cesium, when the safety limit is 500 becquerel  per kilogram. The rice that contained high level of radioactive cesium came from 60km away from the nuclear plant. This nuclear plant was damaged during March due to earthquake and tsunami; resulting in radiation leaks. Thankful, the pre-shipment rice had not been sold to any consumer. The government is taking the rice back and restricted the shipment of rich harvested this year. Though there were series of other agriculture product banned such as, mushroom and beef, this is the first time that government banned shipment of rice in this area.

            It is unfortunate that Japan is going though a hard time. There economy is going through a downfall at least regarding agriculture. Japanese living near the nuclear plants not only have to face psychological problem, fear, but also economic difficulty, especially ones in agriculture. This is also the opportunity cost, when Japan decided that they are going to build nuclear plant, many countries opposed for events like this might occur. The opportunity cost of Japan having surplus of electricity was the tragic events like this might occur. This also effects Japan as a whole, with Fukushima’s rice banned there will be shortage of rice indicating that there will be more imports needed. This will result in loss in terms of import and export in Japan. I sincerely hope this issue will resolve as fast as it can.

Becquerel- 
            The SI derived unit used to measure the rate of radioactive decay. 

            Origin- 20th century, Thomson had been made Lord Kelvin in appreciation of his many scientific accomplishments

            Thankfully, in Woodstock School there is low becquerel ker kilo detected.

Contamination-

            the act of contaminating.

Origin- 1600, from L. contaminationem, noun of action fromcontaminare (see contaminate). Fig. sense is from c.1620;specifically of radioactivity from 1913.

Megan drinks shower water and is still not contaminated yet.

Caesium/ Cesium-

            a rare, highly reactive, soft, metallic element of the alkali metalgroup.

Origin- 1930–35  neuter ofcaesius  bluish-grey;

Hopefully there is no cesium in our science lab.