Bittna Lee/ Final Paper: I'll Not Have to Check My Schedule/ ISS 2016

The different experiences I had and the choices I made throughout my life has made me who I am today. I was shaped by various aspects such as what school I went to, what kind of friends I made, what kind of books I read and even what kind of food I ate. However, one of the biggest experiences that has changed me was backpacking through Europe. I had a chance to travel around Europe by myself for a month two years ago when I was 21. During that time, I learnt that it is okay not to have plans sometimes.

I was going to Goettingen, Germany for a semester for a language course programme and I went there about 5 weeks before the beginning of the semester to spend that time travelling. My plan was to find a Wohngemeinschaft, a flat share of Germany also known as WG, within a week and then to go on my trip. However, I did not know that WG was always in short supply and how difficult it was to find one. It had almost been a week, but I still had no good news regarding the WG. I was very stressed because I had already bought the tickets and booked the hostels for my trip. Yet, I could not leave until I find a place to live for when I come back to Goettingen. I was frustrated because it did not go according to my plan. Then something unexpected happened. The owner of the hostel suggested that I get a WG from the hostel. He told me that he is renovating a building next door to open a WG style hostel where 4 bedrooms share one kitchen and two bathrooms. He offered to rent the only single room for a very reasonable cost. My bad luck had just turned into good luck.

After my housing was settled, I had thought that now everything will go according to plan. My plan was to visit Prague, Vienna, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Milan, Interlaken, Basel and Zurich during my one month trip. I had sorted out how many nights I would stay in each city, which were about three to four nights. I always had the whole day ahead of me filled with where I would go, what I would eat and see. Nevertheless, I encountered on a problem I did not anticipate in Rome. On the day before my departure, I dropped my camera and broke it. I could get it repaired with the help of the hostel owner but I was told that it would take two days to fix. I had to make a change of plans and decided not to go to Bologna. I was somewhat disappointed because I felt my perfect itinerary was ruined. I cancelled the hostels I had booked in different cities and stayed in Rome. I was not very excited to stay two extra days there because I had already been to every tourist attraction I wanted to visit. Later that evening, three German students checked into the hostel. We began to talk to each other and they invited me to join their trip. With my new friends, I tried out a different style of travelling. I went to an authentic local Italian bar that night, sunbathed in the Spanish squire for hours and napped and read a book underneath a tree in a park. We did not plan anything but just did what we can as we went along. I didn't do anything special but it was the best time I had in Rome. The broken camera that I considered to be unfortunate turned out to be a very fortunate event. I made new friends who I still stay in contact and saw a new aspect of Rome I did not see before.

All in all, through these experiences, I learnt that not planning out everything and knowing ahead is not frustrating but exciting because you never know what kind of experience you are going to have. Although my plans did not work out, the results turned out to be even better. I was able to get a brand new room with new furniture for a rent lower than my budget, make new friends and enjoy the beautiful city of Rome the way I have never enjoyed before. These were the moments that made me realise that it is okay to change plans along the way. That is the beauty of life.

Bittna

 

Rachel(Juhyeon) Lee/FINAL ESSAY/ ISS

Keys to My Life

 

I was always looking for the answer through my whole life. I couldn't explain who I was and I was unsatisfied with myself. Looking back through my life, there were some big keys that brought the 'real' me.

 

*Being a Bad Student in Korea

 

"If you keep skipping your class, I might have to call your parents. Korea is not developing because of you people!" My homeroom teacher in first grade of Daeduk Junior highschool scolded me while hitting me with his class attendance book. 31 homeroom students staring at me and my three friends who skipped the first and second period that day. Humiliated, but dignified looking right at my teacher's eyes which just made him more angry. The whole day, I had to stay in the teachers room writing a letter if apology. I wasn't sad at all since my friends were with me. Back then I thought we could control the world, but now I know how stupid it was to think this way. Living this way, my grade got worse. Out of 272 students, I only obtained 241.

Since my friend Yunseo's parents were away often, we used her house as a drinking place. We could easily get drinks asking her brother to buy them for us. We were almost lost, vomiting in her bathroom, sleeping without blanket in the middle of her living room and so on.

 

 

*Big Liar

It was dark enough to go home but I was playing video game at my friend's house. We ordered chicken and when it just arrived my father called. When I picked it up I could tell that my father was upset, he said to come home right away with his angry voice. So I did. When I got home mom was inside her room with doors locked. Father sat in the couch and told me to sit on the floor on front of him. I sat down. He brought my report card and almost threw it at me. In my mind I was saying " OH GOSH. I'm so dead. He found my report card I was hiding for more then a month?" Yes. I have two things to confess. First, I hid my grades in my room. To be more specific, I wrapped it around with wrapping paper and put it back in the plastic bag so that it looked new. I never thought my parents would look it there. Second, I lied about my grade when my parents asked and told them that report card will not be handed this time.

I could hear my mom crying and saying that I'm not her daughter anymore and couldn't believe that I have done this. At that time I finally realized how awful I was as their daughter and as my teacher's student. My mom didn't cook or say a word for a week then. I stayed at my room reading and studying because I was feeling sorry towards my parents. Oh wait, I wasn't studying, I was crying the whole time regretting what I had done.

 

 

*Star in ESL class

 

After a few months, my parents called me and we sat around the table. "You know that your aunt lives in Canada, right? I think you'd better stay there with your aunt for an year to look back your life and study English." I was shocked to hear that, because I was enjoying my school life and I thought I could restart as a good student. Above that, I didn't want to live alone far away from my parents and friends! I said "NO! I'll never survive alone!" After struggling with parents for few weeks, we had a deal. My mom will go to Canada with me. I thought it was a good deal so I went to Canada with her. I got into international school, Woodman Jr. High. In my school, there was a class for ESL students, English as a second language. ESL teacher, mrs. Anderson liked me a lot in the first place. I strtill don't know why she cared me so much but I'm always thankful for that. She showed me around the town and kept helping me with English as if I were her daughter. After three months of 'hard training', my ears for English was open.

Mrs. Anderson stared to call me the star of ESL class. I was proud of myself. One day teachers from Korea came for workshop to look around my school and discover the difference between education in Korea and Canada. She called me to her office and asked me to help translate during the program and I did. I actually did really well. That day she called my mom to visit and she told my mom how great I was in English. That day she bought me a guitar.

 

 

*Having struggles

 

Even though I was good enough in ESL class, I couldn't keep up my work in other classes such as Social Studies or Language of Art. It didn't help that I started to hang out with koreans more and my English was not improving at all. The same semester, I was in the band playing flute. Mrs. Green, my band teacher was giving me a hard time since I couldn't understand what she was asking me to fix so she kept scolding me in her class. I was humiliated.

Another problem I had at school was with Steffany and Louis, I think I will never forget their name because they stole my stuff. It's not like my whole bag was missing, but I still was pissed off. I brought a really nice eraser and I put my name under the paper that was wrapped around it. It was missing. I somehow looked through their pencil case and I noticed that they had stolen it. They kept stealing my stuff and I was annoyed. So I confronted them and said " If you steal my stuff once again, I'll tell our homeroom teacher." They said "No you won't. I mean you can't. Your English isn't good enough to explain what happened. You suck!" Wow, that hurted me so much. It was harsh.

 

 

*Returning to Korea

 

After one year of staying in Canada, I returned to korea. When I was in first grade of highschool, my homeroom teacher asked me to help as a representative of a class because I was sitting in the front of the classroom. If I were old me I would have said no, but I gained some confidence in Canada so I accepted it. I became a real representative eventually. My teachers started to like me and my classmates were asking me for help. I was useful! I studied harder to get good grade and to help classmates. I was chosen to be the representative for all the classes of my grade. I became more and more confident and could actually get into HUFS, my dream university!

 

Now I'm working hard to keep good grades and trying to get many experiences as possible. Even the life in Canada wasn't always fun, I became real me and now I love myself!

 

 

Phoebe / "Ignorance on the Law no one can Justify"

            Chinese Immigrants in the 18th century suffered discrimination at every level of society. They denied the entrance of the aliens into what was regarded as a land for white only. After passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Laws not only prevented new immigration but also brought additional suffering to the Chinese. The "In the Land of the Free" was exposing the discrimination Laws and the Humanity of the Chinese but  I want to figure out how important the law nowadays that can affect our entire living. That can be brought miserable life not to oblige rules.

             In the story parents obey Laws of the white country.The Laws that become leeway to separate the the son and parents . Hom Hing was patiently waiting for government decision regarding his son, like what he do before waiting his family after twenty moons. The father image was nothing while Lae Choo become miserable, the obedience mother was encounter difficulties while waiting his son like crying all night, not eating and upset. She felt depression that came to the point that she didn't figure out what happen around her house. the devoted mother continue hoping that law will give them freedom to be with their little one. Lae Choo life that full of lights become dark. One day, James Clancy as a represent the typical american of the time period and situation. He is a very stereotypical depiction of Lawyer. The heartless sharks looking to make money off of people who need them. Lawyer is simply desire for the money and not for the safety of the boy. And Immigration officers give the parents unfair treatment. The officers that seems to care only about the law and their instructions. 

              "Thus was the law of the land complied with" this is the quotes that show our gratitude to oblige the rules. Nowadays every country have their own Laws and culture that we followed people. What if Laws didn't exist we cannot gain peace, this was become our guide if this is not existing we don't know the legal and illegal actions in this world. The purpose of Law isn't punish people for their transgression, their purpose is to give every citizen a safe place to stand.

                I conclude that author give sadness and suspense to the story and it comes to read between the lines to think what was happen that came to focus on the parents love for their child, but the story was pointing the law separate the family. Sometimes we need to obey the Law rather than what we feel is morally right. I had experience, my brother and I was first time to go out of country vacation. He is under age (below 18) , Immigration looking for travel clearance for children authorized by our parents allowing me to accompany my brother. The point is what if we have no idea about the immigration rules in entering under age children, we can't pass the immigration, our consequences are we didn't visit the beautiful places and experience the delicious foods of Korea, also we feel upset and our effort to make those vacation become useless. The Law become guidelines for the good actions for us to follow so that we avoid cruelty. Ifs theirs no rules we will kill, abuse people and other inhuman behavior freely. People will act accordingly if theirs a law. 

                My essay writing was all about ,following the rules for us to avoid bad experiences resulting of not complying the rules. Discussing the importance of the Law in each people life.

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Marcelo / ESSAY-II Final / ISS

An Important Choice to not Regret

It is easy to see in Tito's story that some people just make the wrong choices in their lives. So when they realized that there is no time anymore to start over they just  feel down about their choices. It was what happened to him. Even though he loved his children, money was more important. He had to maintain his "fake" luxurious lifestyle. I want to analize the fact people make wrong choices and its consequences as well as their feelings.

 

Life is about making decisions. We have so many choices to make every single day and these choices will draw the life line of an individual. Everything that happened is a consenquence of a previously action. Sometimes we can learn after a wrong decision and make it again so that we can learn through our mistakes, sometimes not.

 

It is hard to predict if we will make a wrong choice as well as the measures of its consequences. If Tito had known that the food he were about to eat would kill him he would not eat it. We don't know what happen after our decision. All we can do is keep us safe and have uncertainly avoidance to our actions. People are guide by feelings. Even if someone is cold enough to feel anything, their attitudes will affect people around them. Nowadays society are structured in images. Not necessarily images that we can see but images that we can draw in our minds. Thus people tend to keep the desire of to be seen and to be imagined. They need to be good looking everytime, but to reach this they have to get money. Money is the main resource.

 

I don't want to be sorry in the end of my days on earth. I want to live as much as I can without any regrets. I only have one chance to live my life and then die happy, satisfied, full. That's why we have to keep on our minds the assumption in which does not matter how many attempts you have to try to make it right you get keep trying.

 

Tito had choosen money above family. He was greesy enough to see what he was missing as well as the reason he should to be sorry. But he didn't feel anything about this. He was selfish. He died alone. 

 

Bittna Lee/ My Experience 2/ ISS 2016

The different experiences I had and the choices I made throughout my life has made me who I am today. I was shaped by various aspects such as what school I went to, what kind of friends I made, what kind of books I read and even what kind of food I ate. However, one of the biggest experiences that has changed me was backpacking through Europe. I had a chance to travel around Europe by myself for a month two years ago when I was 21. During that time, I have learnt that it is okay not to have plans.

 

I was going to Goettingen, Germany for a semester for a language course programme and I went there about 5 weeks before the beginning of the semester to spend that time travelling. My plan was to find a Wohngemeinschaft, a flat share of Germany also known as WG, within a week and then to go on my trip. However, I did not know that WG was always in short supply and how difficult it was to find one. It had almost been a week, but I still had no good news regarding the WG. I was very stressed because I had already bought the tickets and booked the hostels for my trip. Yet, I could not leave until I find a place to live when I come back to Goettingen. I was frustrated because it did not go according to my plan. Then something unexpected happened. The owner of the hostel suggested that I get a WG from the hostel. He told me that he is renovating a building next door to open a WG style hostel where 4 bedrooms share one kitchen and two bathrooms. He offered to rent the only single room for a very reasonable cost. My bad luck had just turned into good luck.

 

After my housing was settled, I had thought that now everything will go according to plan. My plan was to visit Prague, Vienna, Rome, Bologna, Florence, Milan, Interlaken, Basel and Zurich during my one month trip. I have sorted out how many nights I would stay in each city, which were about three to four nights. I always had the whole day ahead of me filled with where I would go, what I would eat and see. Nevertheless, I tumbled on a problem I did not anticipate in Rome. On the day before my departure, I dropped my camera and broke it. I could get it repaired with the help of the hostel owner but I was told that it would take two days to fix. I had to make change of plans and have decided not to go to Bologna. I was somewhat disappointed because I felt my perfect itinerary was ruined. I cancelled the hostels I have booked in different cities and stayed in Rome. I was not very excited to stay two extra days there because I had already been to every tourist attraction I wanted to visit. Later that evening, three German students checked into the hostel. We began to talk to each other and they invited me to join their trip. With my new friends, I tried out a different style of travelling. I went to an authentic local Italian bar that night, sunbathed in the Spanish squire for hours and napped and read a book underneath a tree in a park. We did not plan anything but just did what we can to as we went along. I didn't do anything special but it was the best time I had in Rome. The broken camera that I considered to be unfortunate turned out to be a very fortunate event. I made new friends who I still stay in contact and saw a new aspect of Rome I did not see before.

 

All in all, through these experiences, I have learnt that not planning and knowing ahead is not frustrating but exciting because you never know what kind of experience you are going to have. Although my plan did not work out, the result turned out to be even better. I could get a brand new room with new furniture for a rent lower than my budget, make new friends and learn how to really enjoy the city.  These were the moments that made me realise that it is okay to change plans along the way. That is the beauty of life.

Bittna

Yana / Essay 2 \ 2016

    Our life is always unpredictable. We can't know what happens tomorrow. On the one hand it's interesting, on other it's scary. So we have to appreciate and live every moment of our today. We should live not holding back our feelings to not to regret later. 

    This text is about Agustin "Tito" Urena who had a sudden heart attack. He could reconcile with his children, could get on with his wife if he knew that thi would happen exactly this day. But death does not mercy anyone, appears suddenly, and takes from you everything you have. So every moment of our ives is very important. 

    In my opinion, Tito was so greedy to money that he forgot about the real values of life. For example, when a person is aging and needs of some help, love from children, but if he had changed them for money, all he will have will be money and nothing else. 

   Why we keep to refer to our life as if it's infinite process? We're always thinking that we have a ot of time and delaying everithing to "later". Usually we do not appreciate that we have, casually miss some great opportunity (which we will regret about) because of laziness or under the influence of fears and anxieties. Why this reaization comes too late? But we really nee to die to live? Everybody have no idea what people feel before "going to the another world". In example of Tito, death comes suddenly and person even have no time to think about other things except of his death. 

   Death is a natural process, like a ife. Imagine immortal already o tired to ive a very long and endless life that he wants to die.  Imagine immortal already so tired to live a very long and endless life, he wanted to die. It's like that doomed to death really wants to live.

So we need to appreciate our lives. Ask yourself from the future, and what do you like to do and change in your ife.

Bittna Lee/ At the Edge of the World/ ISS 2016

At the Edge of the World is a short story written by Krys Lee, a Korean-American author. The novel is about a smart but a unique 9 year old boy Mark Lee, also known as Myeongseok Lee, and his family living in the United States. They were one of the few North Korean immigrants that the States let in. Although Mark's family looks like a typical family of immigrant in the US, his family is not a traditional family. Mark's father is not his biological father. Mark's mother conceived him by a Chinese farmer she was sold to when she was 16. Mark is very well aware of this fact and this sometimes made him insecure. His bully at school would say that Mark's father couldn't really love him because he wasn't his real father. However, what I have learnt from this story is that family is family, no matter what shapes and sizes they come in.  

 

In the story we can see that the father is very supportive of what Mark says. He also does not want to deter Mark's curiosity. Whenever Mark asks question such as how bad the North Korean dictator Kim Jung-un is his father would try to answer him opposed to his mother who thought these questions are inappropriate. Also, when their new neighbour introduced herself as a shaman, Mark asked "What does a shaman do?" His mother, who is a devoted Christian, said, "Keep quiet!" Whereas his father said, "He's just curious." We can also see the fathers affection towards his son when Mark says " I'm going to be a heart surgeon and buy Omma and Appa a house in Beverley hills." and the father responds by saying "It's good to have a son!", while cutting him the best slice of cake. (p.30)

 

We can see how the father thinks of Mark when he is fighting with his wife. The mother and the father was in a big argument because the father had engaged in Shamanism in an attempt to see his dead brother who he misses dearly. The mother said she was not going to let her son be infected by his inability to live in the present. When Mark tried to make peace between his parents, his mother said, "Don't protect him. He's not even your biological father." When the father heard this, he got extremely upset and said, "He's my son, too. That's what we agreed. We mad this family together…" (p.43) I think if I were the child, I would have been deeply hurt by what the mother said if it wasn't for the father.

 

Although we can see that the father loves Mark very much, it mentions that the father does not express his affections with words like I love you or Sarang hae. (p.41) However, at the end of the book Mark's father said "Mani Sarang handa", I love you very much to Mark. He also hugged Mark and stayed tight around his neck and shoulders. (p.49) I think this might have not been easy for the father if he is more used to a traditional father figure. It was nice to see him stepping out of his comfort zone to show his love for his son.

In conclusion, I believe it is evident to the readers that the father loves Mark and that his feelings are genuine. In the begging of the book, I doubted the father's affection for Mark because he is a step-father. Nevertheless, the reading proved me wrong and I am glad it did. I feel that this is an important lesson, especially in the modern society where there are various forms of family, that it is a true family, regardless of blood, when the family members love each other. I think blood is thicker than water does not apply anymore.

Bittna Lee   

Margarita /09 AT THE END OF THE WORLD / ESSAY 2/ HUFS-ISS

The story is about a family of North Korean immigrants (father, mother and son) who end up living in America. It described the situation that spend the majority of illegal immigrants who have to leave everything and no possibility of contact with past life, and they had to have a new way of life with their customs, laws, etc.

The protagonist, a nine year old boy, see through his eyes how his family tries to adapt unsuccessfully to their new home. As frustration, longing and distrust for the future take over family with the passage of time.

The story is about a family of immigrants from North Korea (stepfather, mother and son) who end up living in the United States.  Described the situation that spends most of the illegal immigrants, they have to leave everything and there is no possibility of contact with past life, and they have to have a new way of life with its customs, laws, etc.

 

The protagonist, a nine year old boy, see through his eyes how his family tries to adapt to a new home. As frustration, longing and distrust in the future can take care of the family with the passage of time.

 

The situation in North Korea at the time of the story (2009) develops under a restrictive Communist dictatorship, it makes that the general population knows nothing of foreign countries, know nothing about culture, customs, religions, etc.

 

The parents, both North Koreans are known each other in China after escaping from North Korea,  practically they not know nothing about the country to which they are (USA), so they have to start completely from scratch, seek them jobs commensurate with their experience and knowledge, but because of their situation are few jobs that you can choose.

 

The family goes through ups and downs during the adaptation to the new country, hopeful moment together with longing and nostalgia for the family left behind. By the education received in North Korea, the father  not believed on superstitions previously, but with it he has a support and try to get out of the situation powerless to not adapt to something and find the moment of transition.

 

The father feels depressed about not being able to offer a better future to his family, and has internal fights with his thinking to be free in the country that welcomes them.

 

The wife criticizes her husband because he always looks back and does not evolve, and perhaps this was the basic problem in the beginning. I did not know how to adapt to what was living

 

Meanwhile the protagonist, from a child's mind, he sees that there are problems in the family and tends to believe that being adopted his father did not really want him. He hides his family that he suffering from booling, and sees how his mother refuses to accept a relationship with the girl he likes for reasons of superstition. As the story progresses worries about the health of his father and thinks he can do a crazy.

 

The North Korean education system encourages individualization of being, there are no displays of affection between people or property. The father have this education, initially, is unable to demonstrate their feelings towards the family but when the father embrace his son, he demonstrate that change begins to take its toll on him, and adaptation is potentially viable.

 

 It is difficult to envisage being in a similar situation, but above all the problems what counts is the attitude with which we face them. Everything takes a process of adaptation, we should try to find out, the support of a family is an important asset for courage and courage to fight for change and not fall into suicide as the other North Korean person that he is mentioned in the story

Margarita / 07 Tito´s Goodbye/ HUFS-ISS

Man is the only animal that stumbles twice on the same stone, we know what is the right path, but in certain situations and for various reasons choose at least we need.

In this situation a person can ask, what is the right thing ?, it's okay? And why not?

It is indisputable that before the money should be the family, but not always the case, we make decisions that are not always appropriate and in most cases it is first what people will say to our own desires and needs.

On the other hand, there are countless types of people, each person is different, and vain and selfish people always have been and will, no one comes with an instruction book when we born to know what decisions to make in every moment of life and where each of those decisions lead us.

The elections of negative behavior in most cases lead to unwanted situations that make us decide what our priorities in life. It is at that point where a person chooses how he wants to live his life and the most consecuences negative or positive that entails rather they are driven consequences does not arise.

Although the story shows a selfish person who only looked for himself, was not aware that this would lead to a death in solitude, it is sad that a person dies alone and without anyone cares about the fact, but in general thinking nature of man is prepared to underestimate the negative consequences of their actions

Margarita / 07 In the Land of the Free/ HUFS-ISS 2016

We see the title as an irony of what is related in the story, immigration that came to America was looking for freedom but upon arrival the first barrier to integration were overcome the paperwork for customs and the  immigration registration.
At that time the infants recognition systems had many shortcomings and produced many situations similar to those described in this story. All this coupled with the problem of language, unable to be properly understood each other.
The anxiety caused by the loss of a loved one, and powerless to do anything to fix the situation. Although  that the father is shown strong initially claiming her son, will appeasing as the story progresses, and let the law take its course
I personally think that one of the pillars of life is family, and if i am in that case, never for any reason had left the child alone, not only by age, the ways of destiny never know where to take things and it is always better to prevent,  especially when it comes children

Margarita / 06 The Ingrate / HUFS-ISS 2016

The development of this story can be viewed from two perspectives, Mr. Lecker with progressive ideas and from the point of view of the slave (Josh).

Josh is considered an ingrate because it has provided an education that did not used to be available for the rest of slaves and still never say thank you to their "owners" for the facilities they provided.

But on the other hand you could say that Mr. Lecker is also an ingrate, because he gives his slave the opportunity to study but he think that his slave not is a person is a property, so that, he do not have to give thanks for nothing

Mr lecker demonstrating consent of freedom for some things but not for other things, not for recognize the work that josh does

In the title story the irony of the author is see clearly, the wanting to fight for freedom from the point of view of human beings is not to be ungrateful, it is to have the same rights as other

You could compare it with the false sense of freedom we have in democratic states, we believe that we live in free countries, but governments and big brands control us through their policies, legislation and the media. If we try to solve unjust situations that go against the dominant policies, we are just ingrates for (ironically) not to recognize the benefits they give us.

On the other hand we observe the spirit of overcoming that the human have to get what he yearns to have, he is able to withstand extreme situations

   

Phoebe / ESSAY 2/ ISS2016

            Chinese Immigrants in the 18th century suffered discrimination at every level of society. They denied the entrance of the aliens into what was regarded as a land for white only. After passed the Chinese Exclusion Act, the Laws not only prevented new immigration but also brought additional suffering to the Chinese. The "In the Land of the Free" was exposing the discrimination Laws and the Humanity of the Chinese but  I want to figure out how important the law nowadays that can affect our entire living. That can be brought miserable life not to oblige rules.

             In the story parents obey Laws of the white country. Laws that took their child from them. Hom Hing was patiently waiting for government decision regarding his son, like what he do before waiting his family after twenty moons. The father image was nothing while Lae Choo become miserable, the obedience mother was encounter difficulties while waiting his son like crying all night, not eating and upset. She felt depression that came to the point that she didn't figure out what happen around her house. the devoted mother continue hoping that law will give them freedom to be with their little one. Lae Choo life that full of lights become dark. One day, James Clancy as a way to represent the typical american of the time period and situation. He is a very stereotypical depiction of Lawyer. The heartless sharks looking to make money off of people who need them. Lawyer is simply desire for the money and not for the safety of the boy. And Immigration officers give the parents unfair treatment. The officers that seems to care only about the law and their instructions. 

              "Thus was the law of the land complied with" this is the quotes that show our gratitude to oblige the rules. Nowadays every country have their own Laws and culture that we followed people. What if Laws didn't exist we cannot gain peace, this was become our guide if this is not existing we don't know the legal and illegal actions in this world. 

                I conclude that author give sadness and suspense to the story and it comes to read between the lines to think what was happen that came to focus on the parents love for their child, but the story was pointing the law separate the family. Sometimes we need to obey the Law rather than what we feel is morally right. I had experience, my brother and I was first time to go out of country vacation. He is under age (below 18) , Immigration looking for travel clearance for children authorized by our parents allowing me to accompany my brother.  Without those paper we can't pass the immigration, our consequences are we didn't visit the beautiful places and experience the delicious foods of Korea, also we feel upset and our effort to make those vacation become useless. 

                My essay writing was all about ,following the rules for us to avoid bad experiences resulting of not complying the rules or following. Discussing the difficulties that we get.

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Daekyu/ Essay2/ ISS

Essay about "At the edge of the world"

People have their own individuality. And there are some differences between the individualities. Differences make conflicts with other people sometimes. Therefore they usually hide their individuality and pretend to be a good person. It helps them to have good relationships in society. So most people hide their individuality to some degree to keep their relationships such as friends, colleague and family. They are considerate of others. Krys Lee, the author of the story "at the edge of the world", shows what happen if people reveal their own individuality regardless of others.

Mark's (Myeongseok) family consists of father (step-father), mother and Mark. They have their own individuality. Father can't forget the past when he was in North Korea. His brother was died because of him. So he want to remember and cherish his dead brother, but his wife doesn't like it. Therefore he hides his mind at least in front of his wife. But after he met the shaman, one of his tenant, he reveals his feelings and emotions about his dead brother. And it became a big problem in his family when his wife noticed that. It provides one of the causes that Mark's family leave for Grand Canyon.

Also Mark reveals his individuality and pretends to be a good student. He was bullied in school. So he didn't have a friend before Chanhee's family moved to his duplex. And he loved Chanhee as a fiancée. But he couldn't say it to his mother. Because his mother hates Chanhee's family since Chanhee's mother belives dead people as a shaman. After he told his mother he will get married Chanhee, It makes his mother get angry. It makes loosen the relationship of his family as well as his father does. Also it provides one of the causes that Mark's family leave for Grand Canyon too.

Lastly, his mother hides her individuality too. After his father was caught he met shaman by his mother. His mother gets furiously angry and she complains how she doesn't like to do the chores. It makes Mark gets in shock. Because his mother has pretended that she likes doing the chores.

It can be applied in real life. We usually don't disclose our emotions or feelings completely. We try to control and moderate our individuality to keep good relationship. If we do act whatever we want, it can cause harm to other people. As a result, we would be blamed. And our relationship with the person who got harmed by us would be broken. So we pretend to be a polite and good person. By so doing, we can make good relationships. And it will bring us many benefits.

Consequently, I felt we need acting or pretending to some degree in society. We can keep the good relationships with people by pretend to be a nice person and hide our own individuality. It is proved by three persons in the story "at the edge of the world". Acting or pretending makes us to feel very stuffy. But according to the story, we need to do it to some degree. Because it can prevent us from getting the problems 

Rachel(Juhyeon) Lee/ Essay2/ ISS

After reading 'AT THE EDGE OF THE WORLD'

 

Person in the present has to keep going for the future and not get stuck on the past. Past is the memory, not the one you get to be held back. From the writing Mark's father went through exorcism with a help from Chanhee's mother to meet his brother who is now dead. His wife won't let him go through it because she didn't believe in it and thought these rituals bring bad luck. Even he knew that his wife hated it, he was so desperate to meet his brother. Mark's father must have had hard time adapting to new environment, but the most hardship he had was living without his real family.

 

The family in the story, they all have infection that is hidden somewhere in their own.

 

 First Mark is a genius. He knows whole lot of weird things like a bush in Peru has more kind of ants then the Uk. He is also clever enough to stop their family fighting by asking them an awkward question. His parents would think he is a nice kid who wants to be a doctor. But behind it, he was bullied in his school and fell in love with Chanhee. He couldn't tell his mother that he had crush on Chanhee, because his mother hated her due to religious difference.

 

Second, his father was a happy man but there were some parts missing. He was a gentleman in front of his wife and was trying to be a good father. However, outside of his acting zone, he was lost and grieved. In the dark of night, he sat at the kitchen table drinking and tried to hear any sound from the silence as if he were trying to find an answer or a solution.

 

Lastly his mother hid her nervousness on her husband trying to kill himself. When they went to the Grand Canyon, she asked Mark to stalk his father dark at night and told him to make sure that he doesn't go near the edge of the Grand Canyon.

 

Regardless of different background, family has a strong bond to connect to each other. They can overcome their infections by understanding the difference and helping each other to fill the gaps in. At the end Mark's father hugs him really tight and tell him 'I love you' probably for the first time. They finally get to understand each other and become a real family.        

 

 

 

 

 

Rachel(Juhyeon) Lee/ second essay draft/ ISS

 Person in the present has to keep going for the future and not get stuck on the past. Past is the memory not the one you get to be held back. From the writing Mark's father went through exorcism with a help from Chanhee's mother to meet his brother who is now dead. His wife won't let him go through it because she didn't believe in it and thought these rituals bring bad luck. Even he knew that his lover hated it he was so desperate to meet his brother. Mark's father must have had hard time adapting to new environment, but the most hardship he had was living without his real family.

 Through the reading he always was a happy man but there were some parts missing. He was a gentleman in front of his wife and was trying to be a good father. However, outside of his acting zone, he was lost and grieved. In the middle of dawn, he sat at the kitchen table drinking and trying to hear any sound from the silence as if he were trying to find an answer or a solution. So as the reading passage went to the end, I thought he could actually kill himself to meet his brother again. It turned out that he was respectful to the present. He was vulnerable and sad for sure but at the otherside he had his family to spend his life with.

 At the very lost part of the story he could finally grab his son, Mark in his arm. I was touched. 

Naryia / essay 2 "The Ingrate"/ ISS

Ingrate is not a man who has forgotten all that he did, and in the future is not helping them. It's bad when a person thinks that all the success he achieved alone, without the help of others. In society need mutual support in difficult situations and not only. There are examples ingrate. Because the situations are different. First, a businessman late for an important meeting, but can not find a place to park his place. Raises its head and says: "God please help me find a place. I then transfer more money to the orphanage, give up drinking and going every Sunday to go to church!" Miraculously appears free place. He again turned to the sky - "and all, it is not necessary. found!" Second, amateur aquarium fish asked: "Why do you look after them well? They also can not do anything to give you. For example, a dog can be protected. They may not thank you for caring for them." He said, their gratitude is that they thrive and multiply rapidly so they say "thank you." Indeed, a good deal does not require gratitude. it should not be, "you to me, I to you".

The story "The Ingrate " raise the question of the slavery and race discrimination. Mr. Leckler was a man of high principle, but he gave the opportunity to learn his slave Josh. One day Josh heard a voice, and run way to Canada.  Josh is worried about his brothers. Later he finds out that they are at large and was very pleased. Author has shown that slave is the ingrate to the owner. Josh does not have to be a slave until his death only because the owner has given the chance to learn.

I want to view the text on the other side. The main objective was to have the freedom Josh. He struggled, but still hurt. Now you can learn to read and write. He took advantage of this tool, and reached his goal - freedom. If the main purpose was to read and write, he could be called a traitor. Because it took advantage of his master and gave up. But here the situation is different.

Slavery is very sad experience of people. I remember when that was once some people were equal things. It's horrible. They just it could sell or trade.
[After reading the stories, I learned that the civil war in the United States occurred in 1681-1865. After which abolished slavery in the United States. In Russia, slavery abolished in 1861 during the reign of Aleksaedr II].

In my opinion, the struggle for freedom is the biggest fight of people. It continues to this day. A lot of people gave their lives for the right to be free. Wars, demonstrations, riots ... It's horrible. In today's developed world, people do not die for freedom.

In conclusion, it is thank or not a person decides for himself. Sometimes, it may hide there's feelings and not speak a word of thanks. Josh, I would recommend to go and visit their former masters. Perhaps it thanks to their skills and found work in life. Becoming a successful person what he can do to help. He can to talk on equal terms and of course thank you for your knowledge.

Daekyu/ Essay2/ ISS

People have their own individuality. And there are some differences between the individualities. Differences make conflicts with other people sometimes. Therefore they usually hide their individuality and pretend to be a good person. It helps them to have good relationships in society. So most people hide their individuality to some degree to keep their relationships such as friends, colleague and family. They are considerate of others. Krys Lee, the author of the story "at the edge of the world", shows what happen if people reveal their own individuality regardless of others.

 

Mark's (Myeongseok) family consists of father (step-father), mother and Mark. They have their own individuality. Father can't forget the past when he was in North Korea. His brother was died because of him. So he want to remember and cherish his dead brother, but his wife doesn't like it. Therefore he hides his mind at least in front of his wife. But after he met the shaman, one of his tenant, he reveals his feelings and emotions about his dead brother. And it became a big problem in his family when his wife noticed that. It provides one of the causes that Mark's family leave for Grand Canyon.

Also Mark reveals his individuality and pretends to be a good student. He was bullied in school. So he didn't have a friend before Chanhee's family moved to his duplex. And he loved Chanhee as a fiancée. But he couldn't say it to his mother. Because his mother hates Chanhee's family since Chanhee's mother belives dead people as a shaman. After he told his mother he will get married Chanhee, It makes his mother get angry. It makes loosen the relationship of his family as well as his father does. Also it provides one of the causes that Mark's family leave for Grand Canyon too.

Lastly, his mother hides her individuality too. After his father was caught he met shaman by his mother. His mother gets furiously angry and she complains how she doesn't like to do the chores. It makes Mark gets in shock. Because his mother has pretended that she likes doing the chores.

 

It can be applied in real life. We don't disclose our emotions or feelings completely. We try to control and moderate our individuality. If we do whatever we want, it can cause harm to other people. As a result, we would be blamed. And our relationship with the person who got harmed by us would be broken. So we pretend to be a polite and good person.

 

Consequently, I felt we need acting or pretending to some degree in society. We can keep the good relationships by pretend to be a nice person and hide our own individuality. It is proved by three persons in the story "at the edge of the world". Acting makes us to feel very stuffy. But according to the story, we need to do it to some degree. 

Bittna Lee/ Proposal/ Summer 2016

I want to write an essay about "In the Land of the Free" by Sui Sin Far. First, I would like to start with some background knowledge about the author. Then a brief summary of the plot. Finally, I want to see what the characters and the details in the story show about Chinese immigrants in the States at that time. I would also like to relate the story to my experiences living abroad.

Bittna

Bittna Lee/ Summary of The Land of the Free/ Summer 2016

The Story begins with a Chinese merchant welcoming his wife and his little boy arriving in San Francisco from China. However, the couple faces a problem. There was no documentation for their son so the custom\m officers take their son away until they receive a certificate from the government. The mother, Lae Choo, was very reluctant to leave without her son, but she had no choice. Her husband, Him Hong, calmed her down by promising that they will reunite with their son soon. However, there has been endless delay from Washington and that drove the mother m\nearly insane. Later, Him Hong and Lae Choo had to hire a lawyer and pay him to go to Washington to speed up the process. Finally, Lae Choo was able to go to the mission nursery school where her son is. Unfortunately, unlike the happy mother, the son was not happy to see his mother after 10 months of seperation.

Bittna

Marcelo /ESSAY-II / ISS 2016

After reading the Tito's story I can only think that some people just make the wrong choices in their lives. So when they realized that there is no time anymore to start over they just  feel down about their choices. It was what happened to him. Even though he loved his children, money was more important. He had to maintain his "fake" luxurious lifestyle. I want to analize the fact people make wrong choices and its consequences as well as their feelings.

Life is about making decisions. We have so many choices to make every single day and these choices will draw the life line of an individual. Everything that happened is a consenquence of a previously action. Sometimes we can learn after a wrong decision and make it again so that we can learn through our mistakes, sometimes not.

It is hard to predict if we will make a wrong choice as well as the measures of its consequences. People are guide by feelings. Even if someone is cold enough to feel anything, their attitudes will affect people around them. Nowadays society are structured in images. Not necessarily images that we can see but images that we can draw in our minds. Thus people tend to keep the desire of to be seen and to be imagined. They need to be good looking everytime, but to reach this they have to get money. Money is the main resource.

I don't want to be sorry in the end of my days on earth. I want to live as much as I can without any regrets. I only have one chance to live my life and then die happy, satisfied, full. That's why we have to keep on our minds the assumption in which does not matter how many attempts you have to try to make it right you get keep trying.

Tito had choosen money above family. He was greesy enough to see what he was missing as well as the reason he should to be sorry. But he didn't feel anything about this. He was selfish. He died alone. 

Marcelo / Tito ~ Essay / ISS

After reading the Tito's story I can only think that some people just make the wrong choices in their lives. So when they realized that there is no time anymore to start over they just feel down about their choices. It was what happened with him.

I want to analize the fact people make wrong choices and its consequences as well as their feelings.

Rachel (Juhyeon) Lee/ Essay2 craft/ISS

I will be writing on my essay based on "At the Edge of the World"  Because when I confronted the title I want to explore it. I'll finish reading it today and hopefully start my essay today as well.  

Yana / proposal / ISS 2016

For an essay assignment I've chosen the story of Cristina Garcia "Tito's Good-bye" because I'd like to speculate on the issue of life and death, this topic is mysterious for all people in the world and no one knows this theme well. But I'm not saying that I will reveal all aspects of this issue, I want just try to speculate, because in studying this subject is not often that you can meet.
Introduction
Tell a little about the Tito's story
Body
Speculate about the death
Conclusion
Add something positive, happy end for reader to make him not upset at the end.
P.S.: may be I will change, if I will find that it's really sad topic. ~

Marcelo / In the land of the free / ISS

The reading show us  a little story about a Chinese parents and its son surrounded by burocratics issues in an overseas land. Going abroad is always a challenge even if you speak the same language that will be used in the country you are going to. Thus it is more likely that people out from their origin country feel insecure about what will happen and how they must behave. Hom Hing was always trying to be polite in the beginning, through nice words to customs officers. His attitude shows like he was trying to avoid conflits, and his wife as well. The situation changed when the customers officers requested to Hom Hing's child to stay. When it comes to family, in special a son/daugther, the situation definitely goes serious. 

The reading is divided in some parts and in it all the language barrier has a important role in story development. 

Daekyu/ Proposal/ ISS

Proposal of essay about "At the edge of the world"

 

After I read the "At the edge of the world". I wondered the reason why Mark's step-father can't forget his dead brother even his wife doesn't like that. And he visit shaman, despite he is atheist. I want to find the reason and to know their lives in America.

Introduction

Introduce Mark's family and today's situation about immigrants from North Korea.

Make questions about Mark's father.

Body

Explain Mark's parents' history and the reasons why they came to America.

Explain the reasons of trouble between Mark's family and Chanhee's family.

Conclusion

Explain how the story reveals the author's view to life of immigrants from North Korea these days..

And how relates to an issue in today's world. 

Yana / in the land of the free / ISS 2016

      Reading "In the Land of the Free" I thought how easy it's to lose happiness in one moment, if you just give up.
      But I can't blame neithe missioners nor parents. Because not to obey the laws os wrong. In my opinion, Lae Choo is not guilty that she couldn't protect her son. Firstly, she tried to resist. But they insisted on that everything will be O.K., they will meet with son in a few days and even her husband said to let their son. But they didn't know the outcome of this situation, they were just very trustful people and they didn't want to get any problems with the missionaries. Then also they had a language barrier to explain their feelings properly and that prevented them to protect their Little One.
      If I were in their situation I'd may be do the same as them, but I don't know yet the motherhood so I can't be sure of that. Just I'm very trustful too and I always believe in the positive outcome of everything. It has a positive side, but can have a negative side too in example of "In the Land of the Free".
      I was full of feeling of sorry for Lae Choo and Hom Hing and wanted to cheer them up, especially Lae Choo.
      They found their son only in the next year with their efforts. This situation happened to this family that supposed to would never happen.
      But the saddest in this story is that after such a sufferings she finally found her son, but he probably forgot his mom, because children usually fastly forget everything in his age.
      I have some feeling of incompleteness of the story. The author left the last part on the imagination of the reader. But I believe that Lae Choo took her son with herself, because I believe in the happy end.

Marcelo / The ingrate / ISS

Slavery is a word which should never exist on our history's book. Mr Leckelry showed to us that he is a generous man, but i think there are different points of views in which a generous man is based. In that time, white people were very severe towards black people. Even white people had bought black people from their own people, it was possible to see a inequality. 

In my country there were many slave people. Actually our history is based on slavery work. I do not have any proud of that. For many years, African people came to my country to work on huge fields and they had a such hard work everyday. They had to pass through misery, humiliation, fear, sadness and so on. In humanity history there were many people who thought there were no problem on rule and master others. As human being we are igual and we have to share good things with one another. 

Daekyu/ The land of the free/ ISS

I think 'The land of the free' reflects the social aspects of the early twenty century in America. Many immigrants had flown to America. And there were discriminations to immigrants. So the one couple, Hom Hing and Lae Choo, was deprived of their baby Quong sum. They had tried to get back to their baby. But government had not interest in their request. As a result, they had a lot of pay for send a lawyer to government office.

This story makes me sad. Because Korean had suffer in early twenty century too as well as Chinese. Choseon dynasty which had existed before Korea was dying that time. And many powers such as Japanese empire, Russian empire and china invaded Korea. They fight each other in Korea. So Korea became the hell more. As a result many Koreans moved to other countries. And they got many discriminations as a foreigner who hasn't their county and government. Korea had no power to protect their people that time. I think this miserable tragedy never happens again to any country as well as Korea.

Yana / the ingrate / ISS 2016

      Black people are really amazing! Because only their race usually humiliated by whites in most of the cases. But they hadn't never given up, even after such sufferings they rebelled and proved their rights to live equally with other people. I recognised from Josh's example that coloured people have so much bravery and courage.
      I think that slavery was really despicable and rude. I'm glad they can live a normal life now. I don't even want to imagine what kind of life they lived, they were the same as animals for white people.
      The most I liked the part when Josh became Joshua Leckler, when he became a freeman and felt himself a man.
      It makes me very sad, that so good people like Joshua had to suffer actually for nothing, only for their skin colour, as if it's their fault to be born black.
But I think that problem of racism exist even nowadays but not as much as before. How can we overcome this problem? Many people all around the world are solving this problem. But mostly all the races have an equal rights at the moment.

Yana / essay / my experience / ISS 2016

      When I worked in the volunteer center "Pole of Kindness" in my hometown, we went to the different kinds of shelters. But the one time was very special for me. May be because it was after New Year when everybody believes in miracles.
      We went to the orphanage "Romashka". The building of this orphanage was very old and dilapidated. It was very cold inside.
      We were only 5 people that day from our volunteer center, because it was New Year's holidays and that day was extremely cold. To be honest, I didn't want to go out from home that day too. But I felt that I have to, because I wanted to make orpgans' Christmas holidays a bit brighter.
      All children wrote letters to Santa Claus, but they didn't get that gifts which they really wanted, so we decided to gather money and buy them Christmas gifts by their wishes.
      Of coursr we weren't able to fulfill all desires of children in orphanage, because very many children wanted to find his/her parents.
      It was the experience that changed my view to life. Every child is pure and it's not his/her fault that he/she got such life. They were so happy. They smiled so widely, reveived their gifts, thatcmoment was incredible you could see so much happiness in their eyes, and for us it was the main reward to see them happy. Every child wants a miracle for the New Year, they ran up and hugged us, saying: "Thank you! Thanks!". I was about to cry, seeing such nice kids and thought: "Why did people leave such a wonderful kids? How could they abandon them here?" Anyway, I wishedto every child to have parents. I'd like them to know what's that to feel parents' love. It's really important in the child's upbringing.
      I thought that every person that has parents is a very lucky person and I was blessed by God and he gave me parents. And only for that reason I suddenly felt that I'm the richest and happiest person.
      Usually we don't notice our main source of wealth and happiness because we think it's normal, but actually that "simple" things are the reason to be happy everyday and we have to appreciate that things.

Yana / My English / ISS 2016

      The knowledge of English is very useful and important nowadays. People all over the world learn English from children to elder generations. Because travelling had become very popular, and we need to know English to communicate with foreigners, at least the basis of this language.
       As for me, I learn English not so much. I started to learn only in the last grade of school to pass the entrance exams. I'm very thankful to my English teacher, because she was a really god teacher, I got a lot of knowledge from her only in just one year. So I passed my exams not so perfect, but not bad. Also I had no practice of communicating in English with native speakers before ISS, so sometimes I can't understand what people say to me because they talk very fast and fluent and it's like they eat up some of the sounds of the words. But I feel that I'm getting better.
      Now I'm studying in the North-Eastern Federal University in Russia, and my major is English language, however my skills yet not good but I'm trying my best!

Yana / Indian girl / ISS 2016

      The school days of an Indian Girl
I think Zitkala-Ša has a very strong personality and makes a reader respect her. Not everyone in her age would dare to rebellion in such a strict conditions of upbringing.
      Of course my learning of English is absolutely different from hers. Because her learning happened by accident and because of necessary of knowing English  in such conditions, but she had never given up and even became a writer, it's very commendable. But nowadays is a different time, and learning of English is usually done only by wish of a person.
      Despite that Zitkala-Ša was strong, throughout the text I felt sorry for her, she was a little defenseless girl and robbed of her mom. I could feel her feelings from her narration, it's a very sad story. I think even I would feel very bad and helpless now without my mother. I mean that I'm exactly elder of that age that Zitkala had in this text.
      I really don't like stories where someone suffers, it makes me feel very sad. I start to think how I could help them.
      This story touched me and made me appreciate my life even more. Thanks to God that I wasn't born at this time as in this story.

Yana / Barriers / ISS 2016

     Rolando Niella's story is familiar to all learners of English as a second language. And it doesn't matter if a reader can play tennis or not, he will just understand and feel every moment Niella said. Because we are really feel us sometimes confused, and frustrated. As for me sometimes I'm feeling myself like I'm a dumb truck, because sometimes I understand the meaning of jokes or some phrases too late to react properly to that, like in Niella's situation when one guy asked him to turn down his stereo. So in these cases I'm feeling myself very embarrassing.
      I liked the way Niella tells us his thoughts very detailed, without any embarrassing of being seemed not perfect in eyes of his readers. It was very real. Real stories affect on me much more and make me live together with the narrator every detail of his story.
      As he compared English with his favorite kind of sport, I thought to compare English with my favourite kind of sport - basketball. I'm playing this game for a quite long time. Basketball is a team kind of sport, therefore you're learning how to understand what they want or what they're thinking about, just seeing the expressions of people, also we're learning to communicate with each other with non-verbal way, so it helps me sometimes in speaking English. For example, to express the word I can't explain verbally. Also I think basketball also can be compared with learning of English, when conversation is too fluent, it's like if you're the slowest player in the court, you can enjoy to be a part of such an exciting game, but you just have no any skills to move faster and catch up to the other members. So you become a little bit disappointed. And being a fluent speaker is like to be the most resultative player.
      After reading the story of Niella I could see myself in Niella's behavior and understood that I shouldn't be shy and even if I do any mistakes in explaining my thoughts, I should make my best to get an experience and improving my daily English.