p.93 first draft wed.56 [soo jung han]

 

Some one's always watching you

 

    Walking on the street, working in your office, or in the elevator, whatever you do, if you are outside, someone's watching you. It may sound a little freaky, but it is true. It is CCTV(closed-circuit television) who is watching you. Moving cameras screens every place for 24-hours and we are so used to it so sometimes we don't even notice it. It keeps us safety, but it is not pleasant always.

 

As the world gets bigger, and the population grows, where we live has become a more complicated society. And crime also has been increased, proportional to the size of the society. It became the reason why the number of CCTV has grown, and actually it is doing its job well. The biggest effect of these cameras is preventing crime. Recently there was a research that in Kang-Nam Gu, after putting up some cameras the rate of some crimes like murder, robbing had decreased about 43 percent. It sure is effective. But to think of it, I think there are too many cameras just for preventing crimes. What about our privacy? Let's suppose you are alone in an elevator. You look in the mirror, fix your hair and clothes, and if your nose is itchy, you scratch, and see if something are between your teeth. And suddenly, you look up, and find out there was a camera. How would you feel? Well, to me, it wouldn't be so happy. You might feel embarrassed about what you've done. Actually, CCTVs are recording us without our permission. Recording to another research, on average, a normal business man is exposed to a camera 82 times a day. It is quite a lot for a day, isn't it? Some cameras can record voices too! The purpose of the cameras is very good-preventing crime-but to us it is not quite sure if the recorded video will be only used as for preventing crime. Because there is no way for us to know it! And for the crime, the rate might have been decreased, but just for the places where cameras are working. Places where cameras can't see, still crimes are happening.

 

CCTV is definitely a useful technology. I cannot deny it. But it is also definitely that sometimes people want to be alone without being watched. All of us have the right to protect our own life, and if it is violated, although it is for the public goods, it can't be a public good anymore. To satisfy everyone, there must be another solution.  

p.93 first draft of the Opinion Essay 200902461 Lee Su A

 

Another hope for treatment, stem cell

 

A few years ago, there was a big issue related with stem cell. You have been heard of the event, 'Hwang Woo-Suk scandal' Doctor Hwang, Woo-Suk published a statement that he discovered and studied stem cell to cure the people are suffering from incurable illness. However, his thesis came out into the open that it was manipulated, so many people discouraged as they heard of it. Fortunately, many researches about stem cell has been made after that, there are still many problems to deal with.

 

           I know it is sensible issue because it is related with the dignity of human. As we succeed to commercialize stem cell, many people will be able to get a new life by curing the serious diseases. But there's a possibility to violate our dignity because stem cell can be considered as a part of human, not a kind of cell. It's because stem cell can be an organ as it can mature into functioning cell. So there's an opinion that stem cell should be considered almost like a human-being. But I can't agree with this kind of view. There are too many people who suffer from the illness such as many kinds of cancer or rare diseases. Let me suppose a situation that it is possible to cure people by using stem cell, but we don't do it just because it can be regard as insulting the human dignity. I think this choice makes the situation more desperate. In my opinion, it's more important to cure the patients and this can lead people to live reasonably and with dignity. My grandmother is a terminal patient suffering from stomach cancer. Whenever I saw her, I sincerely hope that the treatments with using stem cell will be developed quickly. If it is possible to grow a stomach with stem cell, she can be healthy again. Of course, it is necessary to concern about human dignity when we apply medical technology to people, but I think it is secondary consideration. From the patients' or their families' points of view, it is more urgent to cure them as soon as possible. In addition, we can deal with this problem by enacting laws not to abuse stem cell for other purposes such as personal interest. By making powerful related laws and keep a close watch to stem cell treatments, we can prevent this to make ill use as commercial means.

 

           Discovery and research that are related with stem cell is astonishing event for both patients and other people. By apply this method properly and morally, we can lead a healthy life without diseases that make us painful. So, we take a positive point of view about stem cell treatment designed to cure people and it's also can be a way of preserving human dignity.

 

The first draft of the Opinion Essay on Page 93.[200601955 Won Du Ho Wed.56]

I bought a smartphone early this year. I thought it was just a phone which had more functions but I was wrong. The smartphone has changed my life totally. At first, I had a trouble to use it because it is too difficult for me to use; however, the more I knew the smartphone, the more my life became convenient. For example, although I have no sense of direction I have never got lost since I had a smartphone, and there are millions applications which can help me to do anything I want and I could use the internet anytime and anywhere.  The smartphone is the fruit of the advanced scientific technology and the best invention which has a great effect on human life of 21st century for several reasons. First, you can use the internet anytime you want with the smartphone. It means that to use the internet, you need a computer no more because it is the smallest computer. Using internet anywhere anytime gives us a lot of advantages. For example, a businessman who need to check his email frequently can check his email every second and a student who have a question can search the answer on the internet immediately. Next, you can use the map and gps system with smart phone. It provides you not only the map but also the picture where you are and information of the area such as restaurants, hospitals, hotel, and so on. Finally, there are millions of application which you can install on your phone. Feature phones also have a lot of functions; however, you cannot add the functions you need. Unfortunately, if you need a new function you have to buy a new phone. On the other hand, smart phone allows you to install applications you need. For instance, if you need a forecasting program, you can download it from the App store or Android market. Thanks to the applications, there is nothing you cannot do. Recently, I don't have to wait  a bus because the smart phone application, Seoul bus told me when the bus is going to come to the busstop. In addition to this, you can communicate with people all over the world by the application such as twitter, facebook, or Kakao talk. Only three three years ago, I could not immagine that the phone can access the internet and provide us the map all over the world and allow us to communicate with people all over the world. Now it is no more a dream but reality. It makes our life very convenient. Of course, the smart phone is not necessary complement of human life; however, it is clearly the invention which has changed human life style rapidly.

the first draft of the Opinion Essay on Page 93

200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

 

Smartphone and the Old one

 

             Smartphone that is very smart literally is being released, and helps people live more conveniently. Consumers are responding that situation faithfully, throwing away their existing phones only to buy the Smartphone. They are busy keeping pace with the new trend of the world. At this point, it's certainly important to consider how to dispose a lot of abandoned mobile phones which are very harmful to the environment. And furthermore, we have to care for the matter that it's ok to develop something more competitively and rapidly indeed. 

             There is the movie "Operation Green Collect: Mobile Phones". Although running time of that movie is just six minutes, and it is animation film actually, the message from that movie isn't simple. The great monster made of countless abandoned mobile phones says to us that we must stop throwing away the phones that are still useful. If we can't do that, we have to find the way to preserve the environment like recycling. Nowadays, many measures are carried out. For instance lots of public and private institutions collect the abandoned phones, reuse them as rent phones, and also extract the available metals from them. And even some amusement parks discount the ticket price at fifty percent by bringing the phone that isn't used. But these measures are not enough and not fundamental. Given that situation, the competition among many mobile phone enterprises is going to be intensified, and then they will make more convenient one. Accordingly, consumers are going to purchase one. People are not able to be satisfied with the status quo. But both enterprises and consumers are socially responsible. Enterprises must give time, effort, and money unsparingly to develop eco-friendly materials as a long term goal. And consumers must have their own values about development and environment. It seems very clear to solve this problem, but it's so hard to take into practice. Lots of people are nearsighted and they haven't realized the importance of environment. The first thing that we have to do is to convince people of the great importance of that.

             As mentioned earlier, a huge increase in sales of Smartphone is natural in this world. However, we should not take this phenomenon for granted. Although both development and conservation are essential to our lives, we have to put more values on the latter. We are socially responsible to pass down great nature to our future generation. It's possible to do that. Let's do that from bringing the phones which aren't used in your drawers to the near public or private institutions.

 

pg. 76, 77, and 78 essay writing first draft [Seung Ah Lee 200902496]

Habitat for Humanity

 

Have you ever appreciated for your home? We all live in a cozy, warm and comfortable house where we can relax and rest. Because it's always there, we often forget about the value of it. If you look just a little farther or broader, however, there are still many who do not even have a place to sleep or eat properly. It was the experience I had when I was in high school that awakened me to the value of habitat.

It was a deserted area in the northern part of Tajikistan. Though it was raining, it seemed very dried. Trees looked so weak that they were about to break not bearing the weight of rain. The students who volunteered for the activity were talking each other quietly looking at the view there. The person who was in charge of the program was giving an instruction that was not too clear and catchy to most of us. After some time, one picture showed up on the screen and it drew our attention. It was the picture of poor homeless people living in the area. The man explained the situation there and everybody was listening carefully, being entirely focused. The images were quite shocking. I wished I could be a big help for them by participating in the program and was eager to do my best to help. After his explanation of the whole program, we changed our clothes and were equipped with all the necessary tools and devices. Some of us were looking carefully into the tools that were unfamiliar. We worked hard. My friends and I took pictures of us while we were refining the edge of the fence at balcony. One of my friends was humming when she was painting the wall. She seemed to enjoy working. When it was a lunch time, all of us ran into the table and sat. As soon as we sat down, the food was delivered. There were pizza and some traditional Tajik food. While some of Westerners were eating pizza, many Asians tried the Tajik food. While we were eating, we shared our feelings about working. Many of us thought it was not easy to work and the working condition was not so decent. Yet, we were all smiling, thinking that we were contributing to helping the poor.

It was an invaluable opportunity. It was a three-day voluntary work, Habitat for Humanity to Tajikistan. Though it was only three days and I did not build the whole building, I felt a sense of accomplishment and was happy. Most importantly, I had a chance to think about the people without a shelter and came to appreciate for what I have.

 

p.77 first draft 200903726 Han soo jung wed.56

 

BATMAN and the principal

 

 Some people would have experiences hearing this: "To the principal's office!! NOW!! " I do have one too. And it was because of Batman. Yes, the superhero who I was crazy about when I was 7 years old. But instead of saving me, this superhero putted me into trouble.

 

When I was at kindergarten, I lived in Texas, U.S.A. Like almost every kindergarten did, we had a naptime. Whether you like it or not, we had to sleep for a few hours. I had a Russian friend, named Kseniya, and one day both of us did not want to sleep. We laid down as the teachers said, but did not close our eyes. Instead, we started chatting really small. And suddenly, I don't remember what came out of my mind, but I suggested her to draw some pictures! But we didn't have anything. Luckily my friend found a gray crayon on the floor. The carpet which we were laying down was also gray, and it was dark because the lights were off, so we thought, "Nobody will know that we are drawing some pictures! It's all gray!" So we started drawing some things. At that age I was crazy about batman, so I drew a big batman symbol, and my friend drew some flowers and other stuffs. Suddenly, the lights went on, and our teacher screamed, "SOO!! KSENIYA!! WHAT ARE YOU DOING!?" we were so in trouble. Because the pictures were all drawn with purple! My friend confused its color because it was dark! Well, we were so panicked, just sitting and just about to cry with fear. Our teacher held our hands and said, "To the principal's office, NOW!!" to think of it now, it was too harsh for seven year old kids! The principal laughed when he heard what we did, but called our mothers to school. My mother rushed to school, I don't know how many times she said sorry! And Kseniya's mother came too. She held her daughter's hand, and walked out from school yelling at her in Russian. I cried and cried because I was so sorry for my mother. She punished me hard, and I swore that I will never do that again.

 

 After that, for days there were purple stains in the carpet, and every time I saw that I felt guilty. My friend and I were cool, still friends, but didn't lay together at naptimes. And I stopped being crazy about batman, too. Still this is the worst trouble I ever made and cannot forget.       

first draft 200601955 Won Du Ho wed. 56

Basket Ball Tournament   When I was a freshman in H.U.F.S., there was a basketball tournament which only freshmen can take part in. I participated in the tournament as a member of English department basketball team. We played basketball every single night for the tournament. As a result, our team had a strong team work. We are not afraid of anything, and we had a confidence to defeat any team. At last, the tournament began, and our first opponent was Japanese department. Unfortunately, we had a problem that we had no substitute. Actually, our team members are six, but one of them living far away from H.U.F.S could not come to the first game early in the morning because he got up late. Therefore, we had forced to continue the game without a substitute. We were winning in first half by lopsided score; however, one of our members had a broken leg as soon as the second half started so we continued the game with 4 members. Although we had a one less member, we had a confidence to overcome the adversity because we had a strong teamwork. We never gave up, and tried the best. We eventually win the game by one point. We kept on rolling to the final. Business department is our opponent in the final. The team was a favorite to win, because there was an outstanding player who was basketball player until high school. He was 190 centimeters tall and overwhelmed all the game. His portion of the team is more than 80%. Although We did not have such a player, we did not cower. We were in perfect harmony, so we won the game. We were so excited to win the game. No one could expect our team to defeat the business department team; however, we did it with a perfect teamwork. I learned that there was nothing more important than teamwork in the team sport

p.77 essay first draft TAE EUN, KWON (Wed.5-6)

Bananas in pajamas        I was a really shy little girl until I was six years old. When I had to stand in front of many people, I got so nervous that I could do nothing. For that reason, I never tried to do something in front of people. However, there was a chance for me to overcome this fear.   When I was in elementary school in Brazil, there were many events throughout the year. Parties, plays, performances and other events were held by the students. Because of my fear, I usually watched or participated in other students' events. One day, when I was in 2nd grade, there was an announcement that there would be a very big event held by the school. So every class had to prepare something for the day. Our class decided to do the 'Bananas in pajamas'. It was a TV show for children, which bananas wore pajamas and sang songs and so on. We were going to dance, wearing the costume of the bananas' along the theme song of the show. We practiced everyday with our homeroom teacher's help. Every time, I stood at the very back of the class so there would be no one watching me. I thought that I wouldn't have to face the audience if I was at the back and it wouldn't be so scary that way. So I enjoyed practicing the dance and even practiced when I was at home, very quietly in my room with my door locked, in case one of my family members will see me. Finally the d-day arrived. We dressed up into two-piece pajamas with vertical blue lines, a hat shaped like a banana covering the entire face, a white mask with the character's face and a pair of big yellow shoes. In the theater, there were so many people that I couldn't even see the end of the audience. As soon as I saw the amount of people I started to get nervous. My hands were getting cold and my stomach seemed to twist. My teacher saw that I was panicking, came to me, held my hands and said just to look at her dancing right in front of the stage, while I was standing on stage. It was finally our turn. Even though I stood at the back of my friends, I could still see the audience. The song started to play. At first my head was totally blank that I just stood there not knowing what to do.  Then I saw my teacher looking at me and trying to help me out of the situation. She danced along the music telling me to follow her motions and encouraging me with a comfortable smile. I got relieved when I turned my eyes off the audience and looked at my teacher. Then I heard people clapping and laughing joyfully along our performance. I suddenly felt good about people showing interest in our performance. So I started moving little by little and when I got used to the atmosphere, I started to enjoy the dance. After the song was over, the audience applauded and I felt very satisfied of myself that I did it.   I still remember the feeling I had after the performance. I can't forget it because it was the first time I felt some kind of satisfaction by doing something in front of people. After that, I tried to participate in many events and almost overcame the fear. I will never forget the bananas in pajamas.

p. 76.77 and 78 First draft 200902461 Lee Su A

 

Being a missing child in the Geumgang Mountain

 

Many children have a tendency to get lost, and of course, I was no exception. When I was young, I rarely understood the concept of direction. I easily got lost even though in a quiet large street. So I was afraid to go outside by my self because I almost always lost my way when I go outside and couldn’t know how to deal with that situation. One day, one of the worst experiences in my life happened in other countries, almost being a missing child in North Korea.

 

The frightening events happened when I visited the Geumgang Mountains. In 2002, I won a prize in a literary contest for the elementary school students, so I got a chance to visit the Geumgang Mountains, located in North Korea, for 4 days. Owning to the war, there’s no stability on the Korean peninsula, so I was little bit afraid of the travel. When we arrived at a harbor near the mountain, I saw a gloomy, grey colored city and many guards with threatening looks. First, we took the bus to go to the mountain and got off at the entrance, and then we began to hike. Despite of the gloomy atmosphere of the city, the site of the mountain was very magnificent and beautiful, so I started to climb cheerfully, enjoying the scenery. However, about an hour later, I noticed that my shoe’s strings came untied, so I stopped to tie them, but it took more times than I expected. When I stood up, I couldn’t see my companies, I lost my way again! Of course I was so embarrassed that couldn’t think anything. There were all strange travelers around me. But I decided to keep going. However, even though time passed by, I couldn’t find my fellows and my legs had gone to sleep, so I became more frightened. At that time, I was just 13 years old, didn’t know what to do, except crying. But I realized that I could be brave to go back home because I knew that nothing could be better if I just cried alone. So, I tired to ask help to a person who looked like coming form South Korea. Fortunately, I choose a right person and he brought me to the entrance again, and waited with me before my group arrived. Thanks to his help, I could safely return to home.

 

               After all these years, I still can remember that terrible experience because it was the most serious situation that I got lost. But there’s one big thing that I got after that event. I became to cope with things when I get my way. In short, it was a kind of turning point to be a brave person and think properly to deal with something than who I am in my childhood. So, it was not only my worst experience, but also a meaningful lesson in my lifetime.

200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

p. 76.77 and 78 Timed Writing - First draft

 

13 Days with My Three Chicks

 

           When I was a second grade in elementary school, I had my first pets in my whole life. They were three chicks. I bought them in front of my school. One day after school, I found that many students were gathered together around some boxes. So I went there with curiosity, and there were many chicks. They looked so cute because they were so small and each of them was dyed as a different color. They were sold as very low prices, so I could afford some of them. I decided to buy three chicks, and began to choose them very carefully. I picked the pink, green, and yellow one. And then I called them as their colors. And I stroked my chicks' very small heads continuously. I was so happy all the way to home with my new friends.

           From that day, the first thing I did when I got up was to say good morning to all my three chicks and stroke their heads softly. Whenever it became time to go school, I felt so sad. And the thought of my chicks kept going round and round in my head during all classes. We had a really great time together. Whenever I played with my yellow friends, the other two friends came to me and behaved like they were really jealous. They were so cute and adorable. I never thought about parting from them, especially for their death. One day, however, my green chick did not stand and move at all. The only thing she did was just raising her head sometimes. I was very worried about my green one. So I took care of her, and talked to her that she would be fine. But she died. My sadness was beyond expression. And the same day, my pink one died either. We spent time together about 12 days only. Two of my friends left me too early. But my yellow chick was still alive and the same as any other day. I paid more attention to her. After school, I ran much faster to get home and be with her. The next morning, my yellow chick did not stand and move at all like the other chicks did before death. I could not go to school. I cried for help to God to help her not to die. I put her on my two palms, and kept saying that 'please don't die'. The last moment, she suddenly pooped and died. I cried and cried for more than five hours, still putting her on my palms.

           It was my first and last day in my life to be absent from school. I could not leave my yellow friend. I thought that she was just tired and felt weak, so she might get up after having a rest for a while. I really could not admit her death. I rubbed my cheek against her body, and kept saying that 'please get up'. I didn't hear the phone ringing from my teacher, so I was unable to answer it. All in my mind at that time was only my yellow friend. She was still warm. I cannot forget her warmth on my palms and 13 great days with my three friends. They have been my best friends ever.

 

200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

p.67 first draft 200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

 

My Wonderful Teacher

 

I think I am so lucky that I have met nice teachers every time. But it is hard to keep in touch with all of them. Every year we all have to adopt ourselves to new circumstances – teachers to new students and students to new teacher and friends. As time goes by, the teacher or one student last year or more past would be forgotten easily. And just saying hello to each other also would become awkward thing actually. But I have the only one teacher who I keep in touch with very naturally until now.

 

I met her when I was a second grade in middle school. She was my class teacher and also an English teacher. First, as my English teacher, she made me take an interest in studying not only English but also all subjects. At that time, I was not a quite model student every teacher liked. I could not concentrate well during the class time, and I didn't do any homework. She suggested that I would be a class president and the head of English class. I accepted her suggestion and I just helped her for our class. From helping her, I developed my sense of responsibility. And I became interested in studying, knowing new things. So actually I graduated my middle school as a top student. Although she was not my class teacher in my third year in the middle school, she was really proud of me and truly congratulated me. Second, as my class teacher, she was another mother to me. Because of my father's business failure, my family had a really tough time during my middle school. So I became mature early and worried much about the future of my family. One day, my teacher asked me what the cause of my anxiety was. I wept with emotion and told all about my concerns. She patted me on the shoulder and hugged me. And she told me about her childhood in bad condition. She consoled me by saying it would be a strong foundation of my growth and become better soon. For two years – my second and third grades in middle school – she always took care of me. And even for three years in my high school, she sometimes called me first and encouraged me in studying hard to enter university. She was the one who felt so happy when I entered the university, HUFS.

 

About two years ago, she called me and said that she was in hospital. At that time I was in Busan, but she was in Seoul to get treatment. I was so worried and sad about her and the fact that I couldn't be with her. In the last time when I met her, she was okay but looked so weak. Actually I have not known what kind of illness she had because she hasn't wanted to tell me about that. I'm really happy that she came back to daily life and I only want her to return to good health. Although we can't meet often, our hearts to each other are and will be the same forever.

 

pg 67 essay writing first draft [Seung Ah Lee 200902496]

The Unforgettable Teacher

 

What is a teacher? The dictionary says teacher is a person who provides schooling for others. That is, providing knowledge to learners. In my opinion, however, a good or rather memorable teacher is more than an information transmitter. Here is one person who had the greatest influence on me and helped my life abroad in many ways. My Russian private tutor, Valentina was the better than any other teachers and instructors in schools or academies.  

When I went to study abroad in Uzbekistan, I had to learn Russian apart from English. People there spoke in Uzbek and Russian and I did not know one single letter of either language. Because Russian is spoken more widely, it was wiser to learn Russian. All my relatives who lived there learned from one Russian tutor- Valentina. Until she retired, she had worked as a professor in the local university in Uzbekistan. She was an old single woman living with her 15-year-old dog. She was blonde. She was full, which reminded me of my grandmother. She always wore long skirt. We started the lesson with so much trouble. What I mean is that I basically did not know any Russian and she did not know any English or Korean. Back then I was 15 and did not know what to do with a stranger in an unfamiliar situation. Although she tried to be as friendly as possible and was eager to teach me, I was totally tensed and frozen during the whole lesson. She seemed strong with high self-esteem. Her voice tone was very low and hoarse. She was strict and sometimes made angry face saying "Why are you so distracted? Sit properly!" Three hours of daily studying with her was like a hell to me. As time passed, however, my Russian proficiency grew dramatically. She taught me very systematically; from letter to grammar and lexicon. I started to communicate with my friends in Russian little by little. One day, I realized that I liked her more than anybody else in the place where I stayed. As I got to the level of expressing my thoughts freely, my best friend became her, my respectful Russian tutor. She was such a great listener and I told her simply every single matter in my life out there, like problems and worries. For example, I told her the conflicts I had with my cousin sister; and I told her how much I missed my family members who were living in Korea, away from me. She was more than a teacher who gives me linguistic knowledge; she was my counselor, my friend and my mother.  Since I enjoyed learning Russian with her, I quickly reached the level where I could understand newspapers or TV programs in Russian! How amazing that was. I was so grateful to her that I bought her many gifts from Korea like traditional snack, small souvenirs and cute accessories. Though she seemed rather strict at first, I realized how humane and understanding she was.  

There is no doubt that every teacher does good to learners and plays a pivotal role in student's life. Yet, if I were to talk about the best teacher, I would definitely have to say it's my Russian private tutor, Valentina. With her efforts and dedication in developing my Russian skills, I became a fluent Russian speaker and though I am not perfect, I have great confidence and pride in speaking Russian. I would never ever forget about her for the rest of my life and will always appreciate for her teaching.

pg.67 essay first draft Lee Su A(200902461)

 

The greatest teachers in my life.

 

People meet many teachers in their life time. To me, there are some teachers who affected me a lot. They not only encouraged me to doing something, but also gave me some advices that are very helpful to overcome the difficulties. There are two teachers who are meaningful to me.

 

One teacher is who helped me to enjoy learning English. When I was 13 years old, I got a chance to participate in winter English camp for a month that held by Seoul Education Authority. At that time, I was a beginner for learning English, so I had some fear about going there. In that camp, I met a native English teacher from New Zealand whose name was Katrine. She encouraged me to learn English, even though I couldn't understand it. What I still remember is that one exercise about finding clues that was hidden by the teacher in the camp. Everyone understood the rule except for me. I felt almost cry because I couldn't catch up. At that moment, Katrine came to me and explained the rule more easily and helped me to move on. I tried hard to find the clues, and finally got a prize. After that, I don't afraid of learning English anymore and start to enjoy English. Anyway, she is meaningful to me because of that episode. Another one is my Korean teacher who was in charge of my class. She was a very thoughtful person. At that time, I was 16 years old and was in 3^rd grade of middle school. I had a hard time at that moment because I failed to enter one of the foreign language high schools. I was so disappointed that couldn't do anything such as sleeping or eating, without crying all day. It was the worst thing ever happened in my lifetime. One day, she gave a warm advice to me: "I always believe you. There will be more wonderful things that you can't imagine in your life. Just keep peace in your mind and try once more. Then, you are at the finish line." Her words were a great consolation to me. She knew what I wanted at that moment, a warm words of comfort.

 

You also know that someone's words sometimes have a great power to change the others life. When it is a teacher's words, it's more effective. Those two teachers taught me to take up the challenges and overcome the difficulties. Without them, it took a longer to get over the hard time. So, I still remember their kindness and also want to express my gratitude to those two teachers.

 

pg67. first draft Soo Jung Han 200903726 wed.56

 

My best teacher ever

 

We meet lots of teachers in our life; some teachers teach us really well and funny, understands us even if we are not good at that subject. And try to make us learn as many as possible. But some are not like that. There are ones that yells to us, put hands to us, and some of them sleep during the class! But what I want to talk about is the good part, especially a teacher who I really liked.

 

When I was a High-School second grader, I was like a trouble maker. I was not good at studying. And I didn't like it too. So the other teachers almost gave up with me. But my teacher, she wanted to pay attention to me. She was very passionate. I really didn't like her because she always made me study. She gave me extra-homework, and when it was unfinished, I was punished. I hated her with all my heart! My school life was like hell. But during the summer vacation, I received a letter from Turkey. I did not know anyone at Turkey, so I was surprised. And I opened the letter, it made me surprise more! It was from my teacher! She was on a trip to Europe, and she wrote to me at Turkey. She said that she was sorry about being so harsh, and she wanted to help me because I looked just same as her high-school life. She did not wanted me to go bad. That letter, really touched my heart. I was able to feel that she cared for me very much. And it was only sent for me! None of my friends got a letter from her!

 

From that day I threw away all my hate about my teacher, and tried to become a good student. I studied hard, and my scores got much better. She gave me an experience that if someone cares about someone, that can change the one's life. These days still, I go to my old school to visit her. She is like my friend now and she is really proud of me. She is the best teacher I will ever have.  

first draft 200601955 Won Du HO

The Wonderful Teacher   I have a lot of teachers in my school life. Most of them had a good effect on me and I learned countless lessons from them; especially, they help me to make good personality. Among them, the most memorable teacher is Lee GwanHoon Who is my Geography teacher in high school. He remembered the entire students' names of my high school more than 1,000!! He can even remember students who he did not teach so I cannot help respecting him. He always taught us with a kindly look and soft voice so I think he looks greasy and his class was boring when I saw him for the first time. However, my prejudice could not last long because he was very funny man and enjoy joking and his jokes made his class very funny and throw away his oily character. He was handsome and the only single teacher, many girl students loves him. Also, he was the best counselor to us, because students who had a problem requested advice to him and he always sincerely counseled the students and tried the best to solve the problem. We always felt he was our good friend who listen to our troble. He never called the students hey, gentleman ,or Mr. but he always called our name. This is due to he know every student's name. For that reason, we felt more friendly for him. I visited my high school two years ago, after graduating from school in 2003. I met him after long enough and I think he could not remember me because I had never kept touch with him. However, He called my name and we exchange warm greeting. I was surprised that he know not only my name but also the college I attended, my family, my friends, and almost everything about me, so I could have a pleasant talk with him I thout he just had a good memory at that time. Howver, I realized that it was impossible without attachments for students. He really loved us and taught us with a good faith. Therefore, We loved and respected him and He will be loved and respected by his students now and forever.

pg67 essay first draft TAE EUN, KWON (wed5-6 / 200900220)

The wonderful teacher        We meet many teachers throughout our life time, but it's really hard to remember all of them. Maybe the ones that are in our memory might have remained because they are related to either a good or a bad memory. For me, there was this teacher I met at my high school years that I remember the most, for good reasons.        It was my 3rd year in high school when I met her. 12th grade in our school had 13 liberal art classes out of 16, and teacher had to split into two or more to teach all of them. So I was wishing that I had to be lucky enough to have a teacher that would teach with great enthusiasm, since it was the final year before the university entrance exam. Most of the teachers were just good. However, the Korea geography teacher was great! She was very young, about 28 I guess. Small, about 160 centimeters or more, always had a pony tail and almost every day wore jeans and shirts. She looked like a mouse because her front teeth were big. At first, because of her small and na?ve appearance, made me think she will be like those teachers speaking with small voice and not knowing what to do with the students when they're not paying attention. But to my surprise, she was the exact opposite. Her voice was loud, had charisma, but knew how to make jokes and become friendly to the students. All the time, she was well prepared for the class and tried to teach the concept over and over again until the students could fully understand. Her teaching was easy, clear and passionate that it made me concentrate to the class. I got so interested in the material that I even thought majoring it. She tried to follow her syllabus, but when we seemed to be tired, she was cool enough to tell us interesting stories like her first love, scary stories and so forth, just letting us rest. I really liked her, so I visited her sometimes during lunch with my friend to chat.        Thanks to her, even though I'm not studying now, I still remember many things about Korea geography. Besides her, there were other teachers who were great, but she is the first one to pop into my head when I think of a wonderful teacher. She was a respectful teacher and also a good friend!

pg.41 essay second draft Lee Su A(200902461)

 

The Food that I dislike the most: Japanese food.

 

I enjoy eating almost all kinds of food, but there is one exception, Japanese food. For example of typical Japanese food, Sushi and slices of raw fish (Korean call it, Hwe). Even though Japanese food has been very popular in Korea, I strongly dislike those kinds of dishes. There are two reasons for this. One thing is related with the experience that I had before, another is my personal thought about taste of Japanese food.

 

First, I have bad experience of eating Japanese food, especially slices of raw fish. When I was 10 years old, I went to the coast city, Sokcho, which is famous for its fresh fish and plenty of sea food. So my family went to a restaurant for eating sliced raw fish near my uncle's house and a problem happened there. That was my first time of eating sliced raw fish, so I ate the food without any hesitation. It was very soft and mild. However, after having that meal, I got sick badly, even I went to the hospital. I threw up all the things that I ate and have to stay in the bed for whole day. That bad experience of Japanese sliced raw fish was stamped on my memory for long time. After that, I have a tendency to avoid that kind of food. The second reason is that my own taste for food. I prefer to eat spicy or salty food, but I think Japanese food does not have pungent flavor, they just have weak or flat flavor. I think the own taste of Japanese food is not attractive to me. The taste of Japanese food is too greasy and fishy to me. Not like Japanese food, Korean food tastes not greasy, but spicy and salty. You may not understand without this example, Korean ramen and Japanese ramen. I tasted both, and found some difference between them. I think Korean ramen have more spicy and pungent flavor that attracts me to eat it. Meanwhile, Japanese ramen tasted like just a little salty and oily soup, so I really disliked eating it.

 

 As you see above, I don't like the taste of Japanese food and also have a bad memory about that. If you were in my shoes, you would hate Japanese food like me. That bad memory still makes me feel disgusting when I saw or smell Japanese food. I'm not sure when this bad memory will go away, but I don't have any obstacles that I have because of my hatred for Japanese food. Maybe in the future, I may enjoy Japanese food, but not now.

 

p.51 essay first draft 200903726 Soo Jung Han

 

Han-Bok : Korean's beautiful Clothe.

 

When you talk about 'traditional clothes' , what comes to your mind? Kimono from Japan? Pancho from Mexico? How about Han-Bok from Korea? Han-Bok is a Korean traditional clothe. It is not very famous, but it is very beautiful than you think.

 

Koreans wore Han-Bok at livings until the 1930's. And after the western culture came, most of Koreans started to wear western style clothes. But still we wear Han-Bok at our traditional holidays, and some of the old peoples enjoy to wear it for livings. Han-Bok is very beautiful because of its color. There are various kinds of colors used at Han-Bok. For both men and woman, the color of the top and the bottom are different. And we do not use colors like firey red or fluorescent yellow. Because they are to strong, so they can bury the face of the person who wears Han-Bok. So instead of them we use more pastel colors like sky blue, light pink, soft purple, bluish green; tone-downed color that can bring out the person's face.

And the size of Han-Bok, they are quite loose. The sleeves are very wide enough to hide some apples. Also the pants, and skirt too. And because it is made of a fabric called Myoung-Ju or silk, they are as light as feathers and so comfortable as you are wearing a smooth blanket. So whether you are thin or fat, Han-Bok can fit to any size. And also, it fits to foreigners too! Doesn't matters your skin tone; white or pink or black, Han-Bok's colors are so various that we can find them a perfect match.

 

Han-Bok is not famous, but when it is shown to someone, almost everybody says they are beautiful. So, it is a very important thing that Koreans should keep. As I said, Han-Bok can be a international clothe; It is great to everyone!

200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

p.49-51 first draft 200903141 Jung Sun Hoa

 

<Special Events for New Year's Day>

 

On December 31st every year, almost all Koreans wait for the Watch-Night bell, especially it ringing for 33 times. Many people go to a particular place to hear the bell ringing directly. For a few minutes before the Watch-Night bell ringing, the opening of New Year's Day, people get thrilled and excited. When the bell starts to ring, they decide something as a New Year's resolution and they pray their wishes for the New Year to their own God or themselves. And then they go to mountains or seas, also to high bridges to see the first sunrise of New Year.

 

When I was first grade in elementary school, my family went to the famous park in Busan to be in the New Year's celebration. Although almost two hours left to be midnight and be New Year's Day, there were so many people in the park. At that time, I was very curious and active kid, so I myself went here and there to look around many various ceremonies like heaping up stones and lighting up the candle lights. It was so funny to watch people's faces when they piled a stone very carefully on the top of other stones and tried to make their candle lights keep alive. The park was so crowded that finally I got lost. I couldn't find my father, my mother, and my elder sister. Maybe it was 20 minutes left to be midnight when the Watch-Night bell would ring. I walked through the crowd to search for my family everywhere for about 20 minutes. When I heard the bell ringing, I cried for help to God to find my family. It was my only wish for New Year. In the telephone box, I cried and cried. All people there looked so happy and seemed that they were walking on air for new start, but I was so scared to be left alone in the park. After the bell ringing, people started to get out the crowd to see the sunrise. I just sit in the telephone box and kept crying for help. The moment when I opened my eyes after praying, my father showed up in front of the box. I couldn't believe that my wish came true. My mother and my elder sister appeared soon after. They all looked really flushed and even my elder sister's eyes filled with tears, but I felt happy for the fact that I was not alone anymore. My father held me tight in his arms and then made me ride on his shoulders. Our family finally went to the sea to see sunrise. And there, we were all together. We had a great time to see the first sunrise of New Year, and prayed for our happiness forever.

 

There are the origins of the Watch-Night bell, and also the special meanings of ringing 33 times. They are related in our history. But today, many people just enjoy the events with their family, friends and their lovers. Because it's the tradition which they have experienced since they were young. To me, it's so natural, yet special event in December 31st to go to hear the Watch-Night bell ringing and see the sunrise. I'm so pleased that we have this kind of events for New Year. I'm looking forward to doing so on this coming December 31st again, hopefully with a boyfriend!

 

 

pg51 essay first draft (200900220 TAE EUN KWON)

<NEW YEAR'S DAY>        Almost every culture might celebrate New Year's Day on the first day of the new year. Koreans also celebrate January 1st, which is called 'Sinjung', but have another special holiday called 'Sulnal' or 'Gujung'.        'Sulnal' is sometimes in January and sometimes in February. The date differs because 'Sulnal' follows the lunar calendar. It's a three day holiday but if it's connected with the weekends, we get at least one or more days to rest. In 'Sulnal', families gather together and wish good luck for each others. Usually, the young bow in Korean style, wishing good luck to the elder. Than the elder give some money to the young in return for the greetings. Also we eat a special food called 'dduk gook' which is a rice cake soup. Eating it mean that you got a year older. Because of the meaning, I believed that I could be older as much dishes I had, so once I ate a lot and got a stomachache. In New Year's Day, we do many entertaining things such as kite flying, skating or taping on ice, 'yutnori' and so on. My family plays 'yutnori' in 'sulnal'. 'Yutnori' is a game played with five sticks with 'x' marked on the arch shaped side and nothing marked but flat on the other side. There's a board with a rout and when you go around and comeback to the starting point, you win. It's a great game since everyone in the family can participate.        For Koreans, 'Sulnal' is a very important holiday since it's hard for the whole family to get together often. By celebrating the holiday all together, we can rethink of the meaning of the family and feel how important and happy is to enjoy 'sulnal'.

[Won Du Ho 200601955] first draft pg.51 New Year's Day

New Year's day   New Year's Day is one of the biggest holidays in Korea. Most Koreans live in the big city, leaving their hometown, so a lot of people come to the hometown in New Year's Day in order to celebrate the holiday with their relatives. Therefore, every single New Year's Day, all the highways turn into parking lots. Although it takes over about 10 hours to come to their hometown, people are willing to go to their home because it is very happy to celebrate New Year's Day with their parents and relatives. When I was young, I wished all the days would be just like New Year's Day since I was extremely happy on the New Year's Day. On the New Year's Day people eat Ddeok-kuk which is the soup made of the rice cake. Eating Ddeokuk means that you grow a year older. I love Ddeo-kuk because the rice cakes in the soup are really soft and chewy. Secondly, they do a traditional game which is called Yut Nori on the holiday. Yut Nori is a game just like a dice game. They Throw Yuts and count Do, Gae , Gul, Yut, and Mo which are mean number 1,2,3,4,5 and they draw lines on the board and put tiny pieces on the board and moved them by Yut numbers for the goal. A team that reaches the goal for the first time would be winner. Finally, they do Sae Bae on the day. Sae Bae is a kind of greeting. The younger people bow to the older people to wish their health and peace and the older people give some money and words of blessing. After that, they hold memorial service for their ancestors. New Year's Day is the happiest day for the Koreans because they can meet relatives and have a good time together. Many children look forward to the day, because they can earn some money by doing Sae Bae to their relatives. I also always look forward to the New Year's Day, because I live alone in Seoul so I want to have a great time my family and relatives.

pg.51 descriptive essay first draft 200902461 Lee Su A

 

Have you ever live in 'Han-ok'? Han-ok is a Korean traditional house. There are various types of Han-ok all over the Korea, but a typical type of Han-ok is a house made of wood and bricks called 'Ki-wa house'. It is known as its antique style and some advantages for health. There are three main figures about Han-ok.

 

 First one is about its construction. Han-ok is usually made of wood, paper, and stones. It has some big wooden columns and stones that support the whole house. The roof of Han-ok usually consists of a kind of brick called 'Ki-wa', but sometimes, it is made of straws for the poor. On their roof, there are some wooden dolls that have a specific purpose for protecting house from the evil. That's a kind of superstition. Next, Han-ok has special heating system called 'On-dol'. The principal of On-dol is very effective. Some big stones are set on the floor and warm water passes through them, making the stones warm. Because warm water gets colder slowly, heat can be remained longer than other heating system. Finally, scientific structure of Han-ok is also an important thing because it has beneficial for health. One of the reasons why Han-ok is beneficial and comfortable to its residents, is that Han-ok has a special ventilation system. It has a lot of windows and doors, and all of these make a one long way that wind goes through when these are all open. Also, we can change the ventilation system easily with closing some doors or windows if you have little power to close these. So just with opening and closing doors or windows, you can change whole ventilation system of the house. This can make you live in Han-ok without air conditioner in summer and heater in winter. Another reason why living in Han-ok is good for health is that its structure is based on the Korean topography called 'Fengshui'. It is believed among Korean that when the building is built by the theory, it is good for health and luck. Therefore, people who suffer from atopic syndrome or asthma are trying to move in Han-ok for curing their disease.

 

Han-ok is traditional Korean house that also includes ancestor's wisdom, and it is based on scientific principal to comfort people who live there. It gets popular, receiving attention to many people because of those reasons. So, I think it will be a good experience to live in Han-ok once in your lifetime, escaping from the apartment.

 

 

pg 51 essay first draft [Seung Ah Lee 200902496]

Celebration of New Year's Day in Korea

How do you celebrate New Year's Day in your country? It is the beginning of the year. Starting is very important in that many people make plans and set goals in the beginning. Our nation is not an exception. 'Seolnal,' meaning New Year's Day in Korean, is considered one of the most important and meaningful holidays. Thus, in New Year's Day, you can taste the Korean culture: the tradition, food and custom.

             People put a lot of meaning into New Year's Day. That is why families and relatives gather to enjoy the time together. They play traditional games, like Yuetnoree or Go-stop. Most importantly, though, Koreans have bowing tradition on the day. Wishing a good luck or health for adults, younger people bow to older people like parents or grandparents. Usually, those who were bowed from children or younger generations give some money as allowance. In addition to this tradition, cooking accounts for the big part of the celebration of New Year's Day. The food known to be the prerequisite for the day is called Teokguk, meaning soup made of rice-cake. There is a concept behind the dish is that only after you eat one bowl of Teokguk, do you get one year older. This often makes children eat a lot because they are eager to grow up. Apart from eating part, various fruits are prepared, too. While eating at a table as a family, people feel pleasant and cheerful. Lastly, New Year's Day is when people dress up in beautiful Korean traditional clothes, called Hanbok. Bowing activity is done by people in this costume. These days, Hanbok is modified or fused with other modern clothes. Though it's traditional clothes that are way different from today's clothes, they are made in such a colorful and sophisticated way that even youngsters often are willing to wearing them.

             New Year's Day is celebrated by almost all Koreans as it is the biggest holiday. It is the day to gain money from adults or to give money to children. It's the day to enjoy delicious traditional foods and day to dress up in beautiful clothes.