2009년 12월 22일 화요일
Let it snow !
Connie Talbot - Let it snow
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But the fire is so delightful
Since we`ve no place to go
Let it snow let it snow let it snow
It doesn`t show signs of stopping
And I`ve brought some
corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
Let it snow let it snow let it snow
When we finally say good night
How I`ll hate going out
in the storm
But if you really hold me tight
All the way home I`ll be warm
Fire is slowly dying
And my dear
we`re still goodbying
As long as you love me so
Let it snow let it snow let it snow
He doesn`t care if it`s in below
He`s sitting
by the fires glossy glow
He don`t care about the cold
and the winds that blow
He just sayslet it snow
let it snow let it snow
Oh the weather outside is frightful
But that fire is so delightful
Since we`ve no place to go
Let it snow let it snow let it snow
It doesn`t show signs of stopping
And I`ve brought lots of
corn for popping
The lights are turned way down low
let it snow let it snow let it snow
When we finally say good night
I`ll hate going out in the storm
But if you`ll only hold me tight
All the way home I`ll be warm
Fire is slowly dying
And my dear we`re still goodbying
as long as you love me so
Let it snow let it snow let it snow
2009년 8월 29일 토요일
Book Report : Tuesdays with Morrie
Title : Tuesdays with Morrie
Author : Mitch Albom
Publisher & Year : Anchor Books & 1997
Vocabulary :
so-and-so: 아무개; 무엇무엇
aphorism: 격언
accost: (당돌하게) 말을 걸다, 소리를 지르다
crinkle: 주름지게 하다; 꾸불꾸불하게 하다
scoff: 비웃음, 조롱
touchy-feely: If you describe something as touchy-feely, you mean that it involves people expressing emotions such as love and affection openly in a way which you find embarrassing and silly.
tend: 지키다, 망보다
smoke screen: 연막; (비유적) 위장
gobble: 걸신들린 듯이 먹다
levitate: 공중으로 뜨다
intravenous: 정맥내의; 정맥 주사의
atrophy: 위축증, 쇠약
insidious: 1. 남을 함정에 빠뜨리려는, 남을 속이는 2. 모르는 사이에 진행되는, 잠행성의
sloppy: 진흙투성의
indecipherable: 판독하기 힘든, 읽어도 뜻을 알 수 없는
Reflection :
'Tuesdays with Morrie.'
Frankly speaking, I started to read this book expecting nothing from it. It seemed to be just another book filled with endless reiterations about things like, life and death, meaningful life, life with purpose, and all those kind of stereotyped gibberish. I'd had enough of those kind of books. I wasn't inspired at all, I just found them worthless in real life. Then I concluded, that there were no answers to be provided in life; so why seek for it?
I've been living an extra-busy life since the entrance into high school, always under pressure of the overwhelming tasks. I was often vexed, fretful, and miserable. I hated it whenever my dad pointed out that my personality was changing in a bad way, because I myself was best aware of my internal, negative change. Dad's condemning-but-not-suggesting-a-realistic-solution didn't really help, and I felt myself deteriorating even more.
It was then when Morrie came.
He said to me that I was being shortsighted; that I should stop being obsessed with trivial, materialistic things; and that I'd have to make more room for some more spiritual things. He told me not to be urgent. He told me to look around and feel the more important things in my life instead - things like loving relationships.
Even though his messages weren't that far from "stereotyped", they were special for me. Maybe because of the adequate timing for me, but that's not all. Morrie was different because he was actually demonstrating the things he suggests us to do. It was ironic that he, who couldn't even wipe his own bottom, was always so optimistic about his situation when I was lamenting over myself so much during the most active and lively period in life. As I read through, I was earnestly wanting to be like him. I knew that he was wholeheartedly interested in his pupil, so I was always willing to be one.
He used to say that death is a natural thing.
However I saw myself sobbing a lot when he stopped breathing. Morrie was an unusual teacher who taught me so much; It was sad to lose him.
This book held no answer for my life just like every other book; After all, there is no answer provided in life. But it made me think about it very deeply, and I'm sure that was enough to make a change in myself.
Even though I'm still immature and still have way to go, I show my strong appreciation to Morrie, for he has let me know the depth of life better than before.
I wish many others, especially those who live day-by-day pressing life, could also meet Morrie and find placidity in their lives.
Author : Mitch Albom
Publisher & Year : Anchor Books & 1997
Vocabulary :
so-and-so: 아무개; 무엇무엇
aphorism: 격언
accost: (당돌하게) 말을 걸다, 소리를 지르다
crinkle: 주름지게 하다; 꾸불꾸불하게 하다
scoff: 비웃음, 조롱
touchy-feely: If you describe something as touchy-feely, you mean that it involves people expressing emotions such as love and affection openly in a way which you find embarrassing and silly.
tend: 지키다, 망보다
smoke screen: 연막; (비유적) 위장
gobble: 걸신들린 듯이 먹다
levitate: 공중으로 뜨다
intravenous: 정맥내의; 정맥 주사의
atrophy: 위축증, 쇠약
insidious: 1. 남을 함정에 빠뜨리려는, 남을 속이는 2. 모르는 사이에 진행되는, 잠행성의
sloppy: 진흙투성의
indecipherable: 판독하기 힘든, 읽어도 뜻을 알 수 없는
Reflection :
'Tuesdays with Morrie.'
Frankly speaking, I started to read this book expecting nothing from it. It seemed to be just another book filled with endless reiterations about things like, life and death, meaningful life, life with purpose, and all those kind of stereotyped gibberish. I'd had enough of those kind of books. I wasn't inspired at all, I just found them worthless in real life. Then I concluded, that there were no answers to be provided in life; so why seek for it?
I've been living an extra-busy life since the entrance into high school, always under pressure of the overwhelming tasks. I was often vexed, fretful, and miserable. I hated it whenever my dad pointed out that my personality was changing in a bad way, because I myself was best aware of my internal, negative change. Dad's condemning-but-not-suggesting-a-realistic-solution didn't really help, and I felt myself deteriorating even more.
It was then when Morrie came.
He said to me that I was being shortsighted; that I should stop being obsessed with trivial, materialistic things; and that I'd have to make more room for some more spiritual things. He told me not to be urgent. He told me to look around and feel the more important things in my life instead - things like loving relationships.
Even though his messages weren't that far from "stereotyped", they were special for me. Maybe because of the adequate timing for me, but that's not all. Morrie was different because he was actually demonstrating the things he suggests us to do. It was ironic that he, who couldn't even wipe his own bottom, was always so optimistic about his situation when I was lamenting over myself so much during the most active and lively period in life. As I read through, I was earnestly wanting to be like him. I knew that he was wholeheartedly interested in his pupil, so I was always willing to be one.
He used to say that death is a natural thing.
However I saw myself sobbing a lot when he stopped breathing. Morrie was an unusual teacher who taught me so much; It was sad to lose him.
This book held no answer for my life just like every other book; After all, there is no answer provided in life. But it made me think about it very deeply, and I'm sure that was enough to make a change in myself.
Even though I'm still immature and still have way to go, I show my strong appreciation to Morrie, for he has let me know the depth of life better than before.
I wish many others, especially those who live day-by-day pressing life, could also meet Morrie and find placidity in their lives.
2009년 7월 26일 일요일
Book Report
Title: The Secret Diary of Adrian Mole aged 13 3/4
Author: Sue Townsend
Pulisher & Year: 도솔 & 1990
Reflection: Adrian Mole is a 14-year-old boy who go through what can be called the worst circumstance for a teenager. He is continuously bullied at school; his parents got divorced; his best friend go out with a girl whom he fancies a lot, and his family lives in utter poverty. Nonetheless, Adrian never let goes the hope and even volunteer to look after a pensioner(who turned out to be a communist, as well as an alcoholic).
In these aspects, I think very highly of him. However, I don't think I could understand him completely, for his situation had very few in common with mine of adolescence.
To list some of them, the culture of western teens seemed very much liberal, whereas that of Korean teenagers is rather restricted. We are mostly hooked up with so many schoolworks and exams, lacking spare time to rest our body and mind. I envied Adrian Mole whenever he listed the names of the books he had read, recalling that I've been unable to read the books that I really wanted since entering highschool. Reading Adrian's diary from this kind of busy world, I couldn't but feel a bit isolated.
Also, because of the difference in sexuality, I found Adrian's excessive carnal interest in adult's world simply weird. Not only Adrian but also those people around him seemed a little too much open about the sexual issues. These days, the conservativeness in our society is rapidly fading away as we westernise, but I wish a reasonable order between male and female could remain, at least for those who have the role to be a model for the kids.
Yet, despite these kind of differences, there were many things that I could have empathy as well. One thing that I thought I really kind of understood was the feeling he might have had for having only a dad. I know that missing any of the maternal or the paternal love is critical to an adolescent life through my friend's case. One of my friend in England who lived only with her mum used to spit out the phrase "Life was better before mum and dad split up" whenever things didn't go well. So I was very glad when the Mole family reunited in the end. Although his parents are extremely irresponsible with the household, I would say nothing is worse than a single-parented teen life. I think it was sort of a happy ending.
The secret diary of Adrian Mole was a hilarious book that made my emotions rich with various colours. I wish I could too, write my diary always sincere and lucid like him. Surely I've learned a lot from his diaries.
Author: Sue Townsend
Pulisher & Year: 도솔 & 1990
Reflection: Adrian Mole is a 14-year-old boy who go through what can be called the worst circumstance for a teenager. He is continuously bullied at school; his parents got divorced; his best friend go out with a girl whom he fancies a lot, and his family lives in utter poverty. Nonetheless, Adrian never let goes the hope and even volunteer to look after a pensioner(who turned out to be a communist, as well as an alcoholic).
In these aspects, I think very highly of him. However, I don't think I could understand him completely, for his situation had very few in common with mine of adolescence.
To list some of them, the culture of western teens seemed very much liberal, whereas that of Korean teenagers is rather restricted. We are mostly hooked up with so many schoolworks and exams, lacking spare time to rest our body and mind. I envied Adrian Mole whenever he listed the names of the books he had read, recalling that I've been unable to read the books that I really wanted since entering highschool. Reading Adrian's diary from this kind of busy world, I couldn't but feel a bit isolated.
Also, because of the difference in sexuality, I found Adrian's excessive carnal interest in adult's world simply weird. Not only Adrian but also those people around him seemed a little too much open about the sexual issues. These days, the conservativeness in our society is rapidly fading away as we westernise, but I wish a reasonable order between male and female could remain, at least for those who have the role to be a model for the kids.
Yet, despite these kind of differences, there were many things that I could have empathy as well. One thing that I thought I really kind of understood was the feeling he might have had for having only a dad. I know that missing any of the maternal or the paternal love is critical to an adolescent life through my friend's case. One of my friend in England who lived only with her mum used to spit out the phrase "Life was better before mum and dad split up" whenever things didn't go well. So I was very glad when the Mole family reunited in the end. Although his parents are extremely irresponsible with the household, I would say nothing is worse than a single-parented teen life. I think it was sort of a happy ending.
The secret diary of Adrian Mole was a hilarious book that made my emotions rich with various colours. I wish I could too, write my diary always sincere and lucid like him. Surely I've learned a lot from his diaries.
2009년 5월 26일 화요일
Combat global warming
An increase in atmospheric greenhouse gases made the earth's temperature rise rapidly. Global warming could have several disastrous effects such as climatic changes and a rise in sea levels. The scientists conclude that the earth could probably be about 1 degree centigrade warmer by 2025 and 3 degrees centigrade warmer by 2100.
In order to alleviate this phenomenon, both governmental and personal effort is needed.
Firstly, the populace should make more personal efforts to cut emissions of CO2. There are lots of ways we can achieve this, such as walking more, biking to work, carpooling or using public transit. For this, the government needs to try to inform the public about environmental issues. There are many ways to reduce CO2 emissions in daily life; however most citizens do not know what they can do.
Secondly, more active governmental participation is necessary. The government needs to support companies so they can develop alternative energies. For example, it could consider offering benefits such as tax favors to encourage companies to develop renewable and CO2-free energy. Also, the government needs to actively enlist global cooperation like the Kyoto Protocol to prevent acceleration of global warming. Global warming is not just a certain country's problem, but a global one.
To conclude, in order to cut the CO2 emission rate, the government and people should both put more efforts in their own ways. People should try to live eco-friendly in their daily lives, and the government should encourage people and companies to live green.
In order to alleviate this phenomenon, both governmental and personal effort is needed.
Firstly, the populace should make more personal efforts to cut emissions of CO2. There are lots of ways we can achieve this, such as walking more, biking to work, carpooling or using public transit. For this, the government needs to try to inform the public about environmental issues. There are many ways to reduce CO2 emissions in daily life; however most citizens do not know what they can do.
Secondly, more active governmental participation is necessary. The government needs to support companies so they can develop alternative energies. For example, it could consider offering benefits such as tax favors to encourage companies to develop renewable and CO2-free energy. Also, the government needs to actively enlist global cooperation like the Kyoto Protocol to prevent acceleration of global warming. Global warming is not just a certain country's problem, but a global one.
To conclude, in order to cut the CO2 emission rate, the government and people should both put more efforts in their own ways. People should try to live eco-friendly in their daily lives, and the government should encourage people and companies to live green.
2009년 5월 12일 화요일
Book report
Title : Building Green
Author: Chang Seung Lee
Pulisher & Year : Neung reaul English & 2009
Vocabularies : Solar cell - a device that produces electricity from the sun's rays.
Summary : In order to protect the nature, architects and builders look for greener buildings nowadays. They design in a way that can save more energy and water, and utilise the materials that do not harm the environment.
Sunlight is a very useful resources in terms of green design. One good example is the big windows. At Clackamas Highschool in Oregon, big windows allow lots of sunshine to come in and help the school reduce the use of electricity. The sunshine can supply natural heat as well as natural light. The sun's warmth not only keeps you warm in winter, but also it can be used to generate electricity, converted by solar cells.
Another interesting eco-friendly idea is found at Calhoun School in New York. The building's rooftop is filled with grass and flowers, forming a rooftop garden. This keeps the building cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
Furthermore, a new library in Santa Monica makes use of rainwater in drainage system to save water, and many buildings use fast-growing bamboo for floors instead of wood in order to save the trees. Many other green materials such as recycled substances are used to protect the environment.
The eco-friendly tendency is spreading out rapidly thesedays, with the global encouragement. The buildings are certainly becoming healthier and greener every day.
Author: Chang Seung Lee
Pulisher & Year : Neung reaul English & 2009
Vocabularies : Solar cell - a device that produces electricity from the sun's rays.
Summary : In order to protect the nature, architects and builders look for greener buildings nowadays. They design in a way that can save more energy and water, and utilise the materials that do not harm the environment.
Sunlight is a very useful resources in terms of green design. One good example is the big windows. At Clackamas Highschool in Oregon, big windows allow lots of sunshine to come in and help the school reduce the use of electricity. The sunshine can supply natural heat as well as natural light. The sun's warmth not only keeps you warm in winter, but also it can be used to generate electricity, converted by solar cells.
Another interesting eco-friendly idea is found at Calhoun School in New York. The building's rooftop is filled with grass and flowers, forming a rooftop garden. This keeps the building cooler in summer, warmer in winter.
Furthermore, a new library in Santa Monica makes use of rainwater in drainage system to save water, and many buildings use fast-growing bamboo for floors instead of wood in order to save the trees. Many other green materials such as recycled substances are used to protect the environment.
The eco-friendly tendency is spreading out rapidly thesedays, with the global encouragement. The buildings are certainly becoming healthier and greener every day.
2009년 5월 6일 수요일
Is it art?
John Cage is famous for his performance "4 min. 33sec." in which he walked into the stage and decorated it with absolute silence for 4 minute and 33 seconds. The piece is seen as challenging the very definition of music. The definition of art, however, is the process of deliberately arranging elements in a way that appeals to the senses of emotions(according to the Wikipedia). And from my point of view, John Cage's "4min. 33sec" is definitely a piece of art.Even though the piece has no particular rhythm or melody, and it cannot be precisely defined as music, it was a performance that consisted of the artist's intention to make the audience feel something through listening to the trifle noises.John Cage says that he spent many hours conducting performances of his silent pieces, and I strongly believe that his effort to appeal to the audience itself is a great work.Also, I believe that sometimes an accidental thing can end up as a beautiful artpiece. There are many examples that show the beauty of improvisation in art, including Action painting, and Chance music and so on. Therefore, although the durations were filled with unpredictable noises that came from the audience, "4min 33 sec" should be regarded as an artpiece.Cage wished the audience to listen to the sounds of themselves, and get fresh feelings from it. I'm sure he succeeded in doing so in the form of art. Thus, I believe his novel creativity should be acknowledged its artistic price.
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