Article 11

Japan population to shrink by one-third by 2060

by BBC

issued: 30 Jan, 2012

accessed: 31 Jan, 2012

According the government report the population of Japan is expected to fall by one third by the year 2060. Currently the population of Japan is 128 million; however, this is expected to fall to 87 million in 50 years. The Health and Welfare ministry also estimated that 40% of the population will be of retirement age by 2060. This is because Japan already has one of the highest life expediencies of the world and it has one of the lower birth rates of the world. Prime Minister Yoshihiko Noda promised to push the reform programme this year. The programme is designed so that there will be higher birth rate than there was in year 2011. If this plan works out then population will not fall as fast as expected. However, his opponents say his plan require higher taxes than are currently proposed.

This is the problem that Korea is also facing, and probably one of the biggest problems that Korea faces. I think this is a big problem, for aging society, like Japan, will not have positive effect on the economically within its country. Economically, for the population will be rising needed more money from the government, and the money that is given to the old will be taken from other with higher taxes. The main reason for the aging society is the rapid inflation, while the salary is not rising as high. If one can not afford to support oneself, then he is not likely to have a kid. If the government really wants to increase the birth rate of a developed country, then they should give more subsidizes on goods related to infant and child. 

Vocab

1. compile

(v)- to put together (documents, selections, or other materials)in one book or work.

Origin: 
1275–1325; Middle English  < Latin compīlāre  to rob, pillage, stealfrom another writer, equivalent to com- com-  + -pīlāre,  perhapsakin to pīla  column, pier, pile¹ , pīlāre  to fix firmly, plant (hence,pile up, accumulate) (dic.)

One needs to compile a lot of documents in order to make a non- fiction book

2. programme

(n)- a plan of an action

Origin: 
1625–35;  < Late Latin programma  < Greek prógramma  publicnotice in writing. See pro-² , -gram¹

There is a lot of programmes in Woodstock yet to be accomplished. 

3. grim

(adj.)- stern and admitting of no appeasement or compromise

Origin: 
before 900; Middle English, Old English;  cognate with Old Saxon,Old High German grimm, Old Norse grimmr

Some teachers always have a grim look on their face.

Article 10

China steps up security in Tibet following protests 

by BBC

issued: 31 Jan, 2012

accessed: 31 Jan, 2012

The security in Tibetan Buddhist monasteries and main roads following deadly protest in Sichuan province has been tighten due to a senior Chinese official’s order. Lhasa Communist party secretary QI Zhala informed about a crackdown on people involved in “separatist, destructives and criminal” activities. This security has been tightened due the move that came after protesters clashed with security forces in some parts of Sichuan province last week. Observers of this news say the recent violence is the most serious outbreak of anti-government protest among Tibetans in nearly four years. This activities lead to three death and injured more than dozens. This tighten in security will prevent further unrest regarding mainly separatist and Dalai Lama.

I think this action does have a point in Chinese defense, for the Chinese government want to keep the Tibetan province under their control. Also, this order has a good point, for there will be less chaos. However, I believed that this order was made only so that the government can have more control over the Tibetan province. As a person surrounded by Tibetan, I think Tibet should be free. Tibet has its own unique culture, religion and language that is totally different China. Although I do like the part that there will be less violence, I do not like the part that the order will restrict that freedom of Tibet.  

1.Province

(n)an administrative division or unit of a country.

Origin: 
1300–50; Middle English  < Middle French  < Latin prōvincia province, official charge (Dic.)

Tibet is not a province of China, it is a whole country in itself. 

2. Monasteries

(n)a house or place of residence occupied by a community ofpersons, especially monks, living in seclusion under religious vows.

Origin: 
1350–1400; Middle English  < Late Latin monastērium  < LateGreek monastḗrion  monk house, orig. hermit's cell, equivalent tomonas-,  variant stem of monázein  to be alone ( see mon-) + -tērion  neuter adj. suffix denoting place (Dic.)

There is no monasteries in Woodstock, for it is a Christian  school.

3.prefecture

(n) official residence of a prefect.

Origin: 
1570–80;  < Latin praefectūra. See prefect, -ure (Dic.)

Is there a prefecture in Woodstock?

100+ College Essay Topics 11

Once you have completed your education, would you return to your hometown to begin your adult life? Why or why not? (William and Mary)

Every vacation, when I reach my home my parents ask me, “What do you want to do in the future?” Every family meeting I attend my relatives ask me, “Where do you want to go for University?” However, my answer is always the same, “I do not know.” The future that I thought was so well planned out is not even there; just like the promises that politicians make every year. To find my interest I participate in many extra- curricular activities. It is not that I do not enjoy anything, but rather like all of it. I think if there were no after school activities that I go to, I would be depressed due to boredom.

Sadly, in Korea, where I come from, there is no such thing as extra- curricular. All there is after school is more studying until they go to bed, which is around 2 am. I want to introduce fun extra- curricular activities that children will actually enjoy, and not be like those academies that students are forced to go. So my answer is, ‘Yes, I would come back to my hometown to begin my adult life, once my education is completed.’ I would come back show something other than studying in Korea and bring some joy in their lives. Hoping that they will actually enjoy their lives, leading it to some decline in teenage suicide rate. As South Korea has one of the highest suicide rates in the world. I really hope this rate goes down with my help later in the future.

100+ College Essay Topics 10

You’ve just written a 300-page autobiography. Send us page 217. (University of Pennsylvania)

This little incident inspired her greatly and made me changed her job eventually. I gave up a well paid job to start up Non-Governmental Organization. It was not so easy for the little girl from a small country, South Korea, to full fill her dream. Not only, it took me a long time to find my passion, as me was a worried one, but also there were many obstacles on the way. I found out that I needed experience to run NGO.  Soon after I realized my lack of experience in this field, I applied for a job in a whole different field. To make up for the time that I missed to find my passion, I had to work twice as much as I did. The more I worked the more I found out that starting up the NGO was not as easy as I thought it would be. While working in the field I found out that there were many problems that did even come to my mind. Nevertheless, I did not give up, for I was sure that was what I really wanted to do. Although I did not have a global recognition regarding my field, I was just happy with the fact that I finally found my dream. In fact, I found myself lucky; there are many people in the world who does not even know their passion, but I found out what I wanted to do. On my way to reach the goal, I met someone just like me. A man, who did not know his passion until later on, however, worked passionately about it.  

Article 9

China's microbloggers quadrupled in 2011, report says

By BBC

According to a thinktank report the number of microbloggers in China quadrupled in 2011. Almost half of Chinese's population used- Twitter equivalents- in 2011 compare to 63 million in 2010.  These microbloggers focused on topics such as opinions on pretest, corruption scandals and other major events. The rapid growth of internet users in China made it hard for the Chinese government to control the web. One of the ways being Chinese major cites began requiring internet users to register their real names. However, these restrictions did not stop the people to stop using internet. Some say that the reason that number of internet users grow is due to the increasing of population. The government's main concern is the open point of view that communism goes against. 

I personally think this is a hopeful news for world as a whole. I believe everyone should have a right to their opinion. The rise of microbloggers in China indicates that more and more people are slowly getting their fundamental right back from the government. Furthermore, the topics that microbloggers are dealing with global problems. This indicates that China citizens are becoming more aware of major news and becoming more of a global citizen. I hope this rate grow rapidly so that others Chinese will know other side of the story rather than knowing only the side the Chinese government prefer. I also hope that government of China will loosen up their watch on internet so that more people can speak up for themselves. 

watershed-

n- an important point of division or transition between two phases, conditions, etc.

origin- "line separating waters flowing into different rivers," 1803, fromwater + shed. A loan-translation of Ger. Wasser-scheide. Fig.sense is attested from 1878. Meaning "ground of a river system"is from 1878. (dic.)

Scheduling woodstock viewing policy this fixes the nine o'clock watershed.

microblog-

v- to post very short entries

origin- 2005–10; micro-  + blog (dic.)

There are many microblog thanks to our English teacher's homework.

netizen-

n- user of the Internet

Origin- 1990–95; Net  + (cit)izen (dic.)

Most of Woodstockers are netizens, for most of us use internet. 

Article 8

Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou wins second term 

by BBC

Taiwan’s President Ma Ying- Jeou has won a second term in office. It was a close match as President Ma received 51% of the vote and Ms Tsai received 46.3% of the vote. He promised to further improve ties with China. In contrast to Ma’s victory his main opponent Tsai Ing- wen, took her responsibility by resigning from leader of the Democratic Progressive Party. However, China still does not recognize Taiwan, regarding the island as a breakaway land. China wants unification with Taiwan. President Ma told his supporters, "In the next four years, cross-strait relations will be more peaceful, with greater mutual trust and the chance of conflict will be less." He included both economical and political bonds with China. However with China’s want for unification many Taiwanese fear that Taiwan just might become part of China one day.

When I come to think about the World, it is not as pure as the textbook makes the World to be. I guess the World itself is a hypocrite. It tells the children that you should stand up for what you believe. However, in a real society if you stand up for what you think is right you are more likely to get bullied. I think what Mr. Ma is doing is a prefect example of it. I am pretty sure that Mr. Ma recognizes the risk he is taking, however, he believes that Taiwan is not in a position to oppose a powerful country like China. I think his decision is good as a short term. Nevertheless, as a long term this just means Taiwan is becoming more and more dependent on China. I hope Taiwan like it teaches the students will have guts to stand up against China. 


jubilant 
adj- showing great joy
origin- 1660–70;  < Latin jūbilant-  (stem of jūbilāns,  present participle ofjūbilāre  to shout, whoop), equivalent to jūbil-  shout + -ant- -ant (dic.)

The jubilant students jumped up and down after the final Assembly 

retaliation

n- return of like for like

retaliation 

1580s, from L.L. retaliare "pay back in kind," from re- "back" + L.talio "exaction of payment in kind," from talis "suchlike." Originallyused both in good and evil senses.(dic.)

I panicked and attacked an opponent who immediately retaliated.

obliged

v- to require or constrain, as by law, command, conscience, orforce of necessity.

origin

c.1300, "to bind by oath," from O.Fr. obligier, from L. obligare,from ob "to" + ligare "to bind," from PIE base *leig- "to bind" (seeligament). Main modern meaning "to make (someone) indebted byconferring a benefit or kindness" is from 1560s.(dic.)

Students are obliged to study in Woodstock.

100+ College Essay Topics 9

How do you feel about Wednesday? (U of Chicago)

My least favorite day of the week is Wednesday for me. By Wednesday I have used up all my energy that I had from the weekend. I have at least one extra- curricular activities per week, and unfortunately or fortunately Mondays and Tuesdays are the hardest ones. As many friends of mine knows, if I am tried I get crazy. I jump up and down the stairs of my dorm, talk and I ask more questions in class more than usual, and I wonder about the weirdest things on Wednesdays. I think about the reason behind everything and I talk about this to everyone. Thus, my roommate tries to stay away from my nonsense ideas.

For example I thought about justice as I was reading the book Justice written by Michael Sandel. I pondered about the whole idea of justice. Who came up with the idea of Justice, that stealing is not sharing, that white lies should not be lies? If it was a group of people who came up with it, did it consider everyone? Why is it wrong to eat humans? I mean I do not eat it, but some tribes believe that it is honor to be eaten after they are dead. Nowadays, everyone thinks they know about what is wrong and right. The question is do they really know that justice is? These are some of the less outrageous thoughts I have on Wednesday.

Though I say Wednesdays are my least favorite day of the week because I get very tired. However, I also think Wednesdays are the days that I learn the most about myself. So I guess maybe Wednesday is  after all a wonderful day of the week.

100+ College Essay Topics 8

Dog and Cat. Coffee and Tea. Great Gatsby and Catcher in the Rye. Everyone knows there are two types of people in the world. What are they? (U of Chicago)

There are many types of people in the world, too many that it is almost impossible to draw a clear line between people. Although there are some clear line such as male and female, I think that does not tell others who they really are. However, according to my father there is two types of people that shows who they really are; people who learn from their mistake and others who fails to do so.

Edison once said,” Failure is the mother of success.” Nevertheless, failure can only be the mother of success, if the person learns from his mistake. My father told me about it over and over again when I was young. I took this to my heart and tried not to make the same mistakes. Although I try my best not to make the same mistake, sometimes I do make the same mistake. For example, I tried not to get behind homework this vacation, for I learned how hard it is to catch up with it last vacation. For couple of weeks I was doing okay with it, but I got in to the typical vacation mode. So here I am try to post a blog everyday for this week, so that I am up to date.

So, I guess I fall in to the second category; not learning from the mistake that I made in the past. Or am I in the third category; where I did learn about my mistake, but fail to make a change? Some might say that is the same as the second category, but some might say it should be the third because at least I know the mistake and I tried to change it. This is the reason I said there can not be a clear line made between people.