Is a lion an animal?

We did not explicitly answer Mo and Air's concerns and the excellent questions those concerns prompted yesterday when we were discussing.

• The unresolved question is: When we say that "a lion symbolizes strength," what does the word lion mean, an animal or something else, such as a characteristic or set of characteristics? 

The discussion yesterday was excellent, with people making points and asking further questions (What does characteristic mean?) which will be very useful next week, and which, as we saw, led smoothly into a discussion of the essay questions that are academic writing 2. However, I also think it would be good to resolve properly the particular question that led to such a fruitful discussion. Doing  so might also clarify our ideas about symbols, symbolism, symbolizing and symbolic structures.

Please share your ideas in a comment.

And in case you would like to use italics, insert a link or anything similar in your comment, the
AEP Class Blog - Information Page "Comments - italics, bold, links and ¶" tells you how. (The link is also on the list on the right.)

Could coffee become extinct?

Coffee is the best friend for almost every one in different areas. Beginning the day with hot coffee and cream is the best breakfast ever. To suppose that one day coffees are extinction. Will we missing the smell and tasting of it?

According to “Climate change threat to Arabica coffee crops”, the conclusion of work by a UK-Ethiopian team is before the end of 20s wild Arabica coffee will demise, and the researchers from the Royal Botanic Gardens in Kew, UK, and the Environment and Coffee Forest Forum was did the examines in three difference location with carbon emission scenarios and the result came out with reduction as the least favourable by 2080. In contrast, “the extinction of Arabica coffee is a startling and worrying prospect, however, the objective of the study was not to provide scaremonger predictions for the demise of Arabica in the wild. (¶3)

I’m a coffee fan, but I don’t know coffee that I like is Arabica or something else. I want to try the most expensive coffee in the world once in my life, but I know where this coffee comes from. So, it’s hard to try it. Have you ever heard Kopi luwak or civet coffee? It isn’t new thing, I knew it for a long time. Many people said that the taste of civet coffee is the same as normal. The reason why this coffee is expensive, because “in the digestive tract, the civet's proteolytic enzymeseep into the beans, making shorter peptides and more free amino acids.” (Wikipedia) This process makes the price of this coffee get higher.

Because of this news warn me that climate change causing problem in everywhere around the world. Natural calamity damages the world little by little every day since the climate gradually changes. Human has to adaptation with new environment and surrounding. Animals slowly extinct and change the area to live. Everyday on newspaper or on the television, disaster happen almost areas on earth; latest news that I was read is hurricane Sandy. Luckily, I didn’t get high toefl score for applying the university in NYC, I didn’t feel the hurricane Sandy. My friend in high school got toefl score high enough to get in the university in New York City, last two weeks she scared with this hurricane and she can’t stay in town because of the electricity. She told me that it was very dreadful and horrible, she can’t explained her feeling in that time.
__________
References
Climate change threat to Arabica coffee crops. (2012, November 8). BBC News- Science & Environment.    Retrieved November 16 , 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20252472 

Sympathy

 I found a story of Linda, having two full-time jobs which are a customer service center manager and a mom of two young kids. She wanted to handle her stress caused by her
job, the commute to work, the chores around the house, care family ,on the Womens Health. gov.(A project of the u.s. Depart).

This story is very normal but it's enough to appeal to me because it is placed on top of the report on stress and health. Just only a  job of mom is very hard and very stressful.
Korean moms say that kids looks most beautiful when they are sleeping. Before I have babies I couldn't even guess the reason but as kids growing I one hundred percent agree with them. Even though the blessing of hormones to make mom happy and positive, pregnancy is absolutly a big stress for woman. I  have  three children, I repeated these serial processes. Of course, having babies and growing them give mom a lot of a  delight and satisfaction but it's important that stress could exist at the same time in life.   Onday mom realises  too  much changed herself then she  upset again . Daily stress and earnest hope for self throws  mom in double trouble.

Most people have own solution to stress out. Linda also acted so  firstly she  asked  to her boss to work in better mood modifing her work time and her busband to take part in caring children and house work such as picking up kids from school or cooking and she also started few minutes aside for her. She confessed this small change leaded her deep satisfaction in her life. 

I feels sympaty with her story. One day I also found that nobody could start the change excepting me because outside pressure is just only a  pressure for  me.
I also has started to give me a time for me. Sometimes listening music , exercising , watching drama series, reading books,hanging out with friends.. If it does not cause ulcers anything ok, new interests before never having have.

Dare you eat fat?

Can you resist attraction of fresh cookies or cream decorated cupcakes? How about a pizza, roasted meat or barbecued sausages? These all things contain saturated fat.

In “Denmark to abolish tax on high-fat foods”, we are told that Denmark government is going to abolish their ‘fat tax’, which has been imposed on foods containing more than 2.3% saturated fat since October 2011, in order to decrease the number of overweight and obese population, because of food prices inflation and job risk.

I knew already about ‘fat tax’ through my daughter’s school homework a year earier. It was a debatable issue when it was introduced by Danish government. At the first time, I was surprised at the idea that government can control the overweight population by taxation. I had never thought there is the kind of way to limit the population’s intake of fatty foods, but I have lightly expected good results. The article in BBC News makes me laugh. Their termination’s reasons are not getting proper results, just only related to economy. Yah, the economy is more important people’s health?

When I eat food, my mind always hovers on a calorie table, and tries avoiding fat. Judging from my cooking experience, the foods containing fat are more delicious. To give up fat for health or to give up health for palate is undecidable choice. I’m not an epicure, but don’t want to live under abstinence. One of my favorite foods is a brioche, a highly enriched bread, is made out of so much butter and eggs. If I give up delight of a brioche not to get fat, I will be so depressed. How much I am happy is a norm of how much I live well, and I’m ready to do pushups after eating a brioche right now. This writing gives me a sudden urge to eat a brioche.

Reference
Danmark to ablosih tax on high-fat foods, (2012, Novemver 10). BBC News Eurpoe. Retrieved November 15, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-20280863

Reponsibility or Obligation

One of the most beautiful relationship between people is definitely parent’s love even though there are so many different kinds of relationships in the world. They don’t expect anything from their children. Only they give children love.

In “Caring Mum and Dad: Mary’s story”, an article says that Mary who has given up her job and house to take care for her elderly father who has dementia and heart failure. Although she didn’t expect to quit her job and that taking care of her parents is harder than she imagine, she tries her best and looks after her parents.

As far as I know, A lot of Koreans have believed that the eldest son in the family should look after their elderly parents when parents get old. Occasionally either the second son or the youngest son looks after their parents, but the oldest son usually takes care of their parents. It is necessary duty and common sense in Korean society. This belief and tradition is thought to be our beautiful tradition. Nevertheless, I don’t know exactly that since when it began and who started looking after their parents first in Korea. It is like which one comes first either a chicken or an egg. Yet I guess that this culture is based on agricultural society and is originated from tradition of Confucianism. Long ago, three generations had lived together in the house where there are many rooms, garden and multipurpose spaces. We had not only worked together, but had celebrated ceremonies together. Often we lived with their clan in town. We saw our ancestor’s death and saw birth of babies in the house. Because it was natural circumstances, no one in our society denies that the eldest son should look after parents and we took care of each other from the cradle to the grave.

However, the faster Korean society has been changed, the rapider Korean’s mind has been altered. An extended family system changed into an atomic family system, an agrarian society changed into industrial society. As a result we don’t need to live with grand parents or relatives in the same house, father, mother and children are regarded as an ordinary form of Korean family. Although my grandparents had lived with their parents, my grandparents didn’t order or suggest that my father live with them. I’ve always been wondered why they do that. And What made them to do? Though my family doesn’t live grandparents, my house is located near my grandparents’ house. It takes only 30 minutes by walk or 7~8 minutes by a car. My family attends every ceremony. In this case, can someone say that my father didn’t look after my grandparents? I don’t think that he doesn’t look after grandparents. Even though he doesn’t live with his parents in the same house, he always looks after his parents for years and I’ve seen and learnt from him what he has done to grandparents and what should I do to my parents.

The older my parents are, the worrier I am. They need son and daughter’s help and they want to see grandchildren. They frequently have some physical problems and feel lonely. Last year, my mother went to the hospital to undergo an operation and also my father went to the hospital to have an operation in March in this year. Not too long ago, I got a phone call from my mother. She said that she wants to give me something that is belongs to her and is valuables in my family. Since I am the eldest son in my family and all of my relatives. They want me to keep that forever and to hand down to my son. As soon as I heard that news from my mother, I cried without saying. I thought that no one can resist time in the world and they are preparing their last time in the world. I haven’t seen them for a couple of months owing to busy schedule. I am worried about their health. Especially, in winter season, the elderly easily get cold and sick. Even though I have busy days, I should try to call them at least once a day. I think that I should take some action to show them my love.

Looking after elderly parents is not obligation, but it is natural and necessary. Were it not for parents, how could we be here?

________

Reference
Caring Mum and Dad: Mary’s story, (2010, November 10). BBC News Jersey Retrieved November 14, 2012 from http://news.bbc.co.uk/local/jersey/hi/people_and_places/newsid_9172000/9172995.stm

Grants to be available for childcare businesses

 If you have no time to take care your young children, where is the first place that you think of?

In''Grant to be available for children businesses'' the government points out that a childcare is a vital part of helping women get work and have a chance to work outside. Therefore, next April the government will give a grant of up to 500 pounds to people who are about to establish childcare businesses.

In my view, I agree with this article in that the childcare industry is a major employer of women. In other words, childcare businesses will help women have high employment opportunities. Babysitters are mainly female. The more nurseries are set up, the more women are employed.

However, I do not think that the nursery is the good place where young children are taken care. Young children should stay with their mothers at home. Most children taken care by the nursery are in the age of 0-5 years old which are a critical period of growth and development. Therefore, parents should take care their young children by themselves. This reminds me of how luck I was. My mother used to tell me that she spent three years taking care me before I would start kindergarten. She quit her job to have taken care me. Some women may think that if  their young children are taken care by the nursery, it is a good chance for them to work outside in order to earn money and help support their families. I know that money is the most necessary thing in life, but I also realize that money is not the important thing in life.!!! If you do not lack money extremely, you should spend time taking care your young children by yourself. Spending time with the child whom you love is the most wonderful period of time. You can view your child's growth and development.

Reference
2012, November 14. Grants to be available for childcare businesses. BBC News Website. Retrieved November 14, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-20321063

He thinks. Therefore, he is. Hence ?

The one idea most who read him, or read of him, remember from mathematician and philosopher Rene Descartes, who gave us Cartesian coordinates, and thence analytic geometry, is summarized in those rightly famous Latin sentences "cogito ergo sum" - I think; therefore, I am. And there appears to be more being going on than the medical professional have long been thinking.

According to Fergus Walsh in "Vegetative patient Scott Routley says 'I'm not in pain' ", fMRI scans of patients who had been diagnosed for many years as vegetative because they showed zero observable responses that would suggest the presence of any conscious awareness of the world around them or of themselves have shown convincingly that although most are in fact vegetative, others do have periods of awareness, being able to answer Yes/No questions and in at least one case to have "laid down new memories" whilst believed to be incapable of sensing or thinking (2012).

This kind of reminds me of the situation described in The Matrix films, where Neo and everyone else are just brains connected to computers creating sensations of interaction with a world that doesn't exist: their bodies are withered and useless things that simply lie forever unused in a bath of goo. (The films don't tell us whether they go to the toilet in that state.) The difference of course is that in this case it's the computers using the fMRI data that allow the locked in brains of these people to communicate out to the world of humans around them.  In this case, as Walsh emphasises, many years of ideas firmly believed by doctors and other medical professionals have been proven totally wrong.

That medical science has been proven wrong did not surprise me - that is fairly common, although as the standards improve, it's probably becoming less common than it has long been, when ideas were formed not on solid evidence from well constructed experiments or other research, but from small samples, anecdotal evidence or "what sounds reasonable" - all very dangerous paths to discovering any truth about the way the  world works. I remember growing up that my mother always gave me a couple of eggs for breakfast, then the cholesterol connection with heart disease was discovered, so doctors sincerely started telling people to eat no more than a couple of eggs a week because of their high cholesterol content, advice which sounds reasonable, but is wholly unsupported by any research and was proven false when the actual research was done. As so often, it reminds me of the totally false belief many have that legalising drugs will increase drug use and addiction - a false belief which is never based on any solid evidence.

But the really important question that I immediately thought of while reading this BBC News story was to ask them whether they want to be kept alive in that state. Perhaps the doctors did not ask that question because they don't want to know the answer.

__________

Reference

Walsh, F. (2012, November 13). Vegetative patient Scott Routley says 'I'm not in pain'. BBC News Health. Retrieved November 14, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20268044

Do you like your work?

Work appears to be one of the essential parts in the life of most people.  As we spend so much time of our life working, it sounds reasonable that we’d better find the job that makes us feel happy with.

In "Gardeners and florist 'UK's happiest workers'", the City & Guilds online survey shows that gardeners and florists are the happiest workers in UK because of the autonomy over their day, whereas, bankers were the least happy. Nick Bradley, group director at City & Guilds, says in the article that "It's particularly interesting to see that those who have taken the vocational route are happiest and feel the most pride in their work; there's certainly something to be said from learning specific skills and working your way up the career ladder."

I am now still wondering that what kind of jobs could make me happy with. I am not talking about occupations, but I mean characteristics of jobs. I will make it clearer by giving my experiences as an example. I used to work in 2 Japanese companies, and both of my jobs, in each company, were totally different. My first job after graduating was design engineer. For this job, all I had to do was just sitting in front of the computer and drawing the structures of air conditioners. In the first place, I was very happy because, by working with this company, I had a lot of free times as I could easily finish all of my assignments so early before due time, and I really enjoyed drawing. However, one year later, I felt extremely bored, so that, I decided to quit this job. My second job was production planner. Working as a planner, I was terribly busy since there were several difficult things to do in  very short and strict time, before I could finish a weekly production plan. Then I always complained about my job. However, I could stay in this company for four years, which really amazed me and my friends. Therefore, nowadays, I am still unsure that which kind of jobs I prefer.

According to the City & Guilds online survey result in "Gardeners and florist 'UK's happiest workers'", the majority of workers in UK, who participated in this survey, say that they satisfied their job because "they had ability to control their daily schedule" and "were able to use their skills every day".  After reading this article, I get an idea that  although  I could control my daily schedule very well  in my first job, I was still unhappy with it because I used only one skill, which was drawing skill, to easily complete my work, and that was not enough. In contrast, in the second job, I had a lot of chances to use several of my skills, for example, language skill, computer skill, and presentation skill, Nevertheless, I still complained about my job since almost all of my works were scheduled strictly and I was expected to submit them on time precisely, so I could not control my daily schedule by myself. Therefore, right now, I can answer the question of myself that a job which is very challenging, however it should be flexible, could make me happy with. 

__________

Reference

Gardeners and florist 'UK's happiest workers’, (2012, November 13). BBC News education & family. Retrieved November 13,2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/education-20298238

Imagination

Looking around through this big busy city, we see ourselves surrounded by inventions and technologies that provide convenience to our lives. Some might interested in how scientist created them but ,for me, the more interesting topic is what inspired them to created those inventions.

According to the article "Invisibility cloaking in perfect demonstration" of the BBC news website, the writer talks about the new successful invention of a structure that makes item or the scene behind it become invisible by using a diamond-shaped cloak with microwave emitters which are perfectly lined up so thAT the light can cross around the cloak completely without causing reflection. The writer praise that it is the first time since the idea of making invisibility cloak emerged in 2006 that the cloak can perfectly invisible, although it works only for one direction viewing.

This article make me smile and reconsider about the inspiration of scientists who created inventions around me. They might start from an attempt to create an item base on imagination from a children literature like this one. I will be very grateful if in the future the invisibility cloak mentioned in Harry Potter novel do exist and I have a chance to wear it. In my opinion, it is very amazing moment when you see what you imagined in the past turns into reality in front of your eyes. If you have ever watch the movie "2001: A Space Odyssey" directed by Stanley Kubrick during the time it was produced;1968, you might have experienced this miracle feeling before. During the time this movie is showing in the cinema, there was no mobile phone and human could not find a way to land on the moon but the movie introduce the audience to the future world where human can travel into the space, and can communicate with people who live far away via the artificial moving images. Look at what we have now, we flagged on the moon and we have facetime.

I believe that our childhood daydream can create the greater change to the world. In the future some small idea like making invisibility cloak might lead to new invention on more serious issue such as military weapons or air crafts. In my opinion, letting your imagination flow and trying to think like children while you feel stuck on any task is a practical advice because when you let yourselves think like a child, there are no space for the word impossible, every idea is acceptable, there is no right or wrong. With this way of thinking, you might find the new perspective that you have never seen before and it is where you can be creative.

Like Einstein said, imagination is more important than knowledge, I think it is really amazing that our world is like a ship which moving forward by the power of human's knowledge while our imagination act as a compass.

__________

Reference

Palmer, J. (2012, November 12).Invisibility cloaking in 'perfect' demonstration. BBC News. Retrieved November 13, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-20265623

Heidi: my favourite book

I started my intensive programs in order to improve my English language skills in July this year. Furthermore, in past August, I had a chance to read total of seven books of fictions and novels; however, only one book that I was very impressed and fallen in love with it, that is, Heidi (the story of a lovely Swiss girl who lives with his grandfather on the Alps). This book is my favourite book because I always smile and am very happy when I read it and I can repeatedly read it again and again without boring.

In “Book Club Reviews: Heidi by Johanna Spyri”, Bronagh says that if you are people who like to be happy, like adventures, and like a changing story, this book is for you; moreover, a little wonderful girl in this book might bring you to see your life in the other perspective.

My first impression is a story of Johanna Spyri who is an author of this book. In very first pages of this book (I read a version of Macmillan publisher.), you will find a page named “A Note About The Author”. From this page, you will read a summary of her biography, and my most impression is her dedication to help injured soldiers from the Franco-Prussian War, to help poor people, and to visit schools.

In essence, I received much of happiness when I read the story. In this story, you will follow adventures of a little girl named Heidi. Her parents passed away when she was young; thus, she had to live with her grandfather who is an isolated old man and no one in his village can talk with him. However, a lovely and caring girl could live with him. In addition, I still remember one scene that shows his kindliness. A lovely girl came back his hut with a lot of questions about environments that she found, and one of them was why bright and warm orange light shines after a beautiful mountain when sunset. The grandfather answered this question that this light occurs because sun want to warmly say goodbye to a mountain, and let a mountain know that the sun will come back to meet it again tomorrow.

These are only two happy examples that I received from reading this book. In this book, you will also be happy with a lovely and caring girl, beautiful natural scenes, and sincere friendships. Additionally, I promised myself that if I have a chance, I will share my good experience from this book and recommend it to people who I care.

Have you ever felt boring while travelling or on the plane? Why do not you pick this book with your trip and enjoy reading it while travelling on the plane or vehicle?
                    

Reference

Bronagh. Book Club Reviews: Heidi by Johanna Spyri. BBC News Website. Retrieved November 13, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/schools/studentlife/bookclub/reviews/heidi_spyri.shtml

English: an added value for the Philippines

Although education industry shares an interesting number in GDP of some countries, such as Australia and the United Kingdom, the Philippines is the rising star with an outstanding qualification - low budget education.


In her article entitled "The Philippines: The World's budget English teacher", Kate McGeown reports that the number of foreign students in the Philippines has grown 3 times from 8,000 to 24,000 within the last 4 years because there are more foreigners from all over the world looking for cheaper English course or degrees in higher education taught in English with the low tuition fees. Apart from low-cost education, Filipino people are able to speak English not only fluently but also with American, therefore, the Philippine government promotes encouragingly the flourishing education industry.

When I first read the title of this article, it reminded me of a news I read from Reuters website a few months ago. The Philippines, which is now ranked in one of the four least developed nations in ASEAN, has successfully stabilised many sectors, such as political sector - notorious in corruption, and economic system - driven by reforming and restructuring in most areas. One of them is the capitalised education industry which I totally agree and respectfully look up to the initiative. It is kind of thinking out of the box: whereas other countries in ASEAN - its most proximate neighbouring group - are developing their industries, especially trading and tourism, the Filipino people pull their advantage in English language as a beneficial assess to earn more money from foreigner. It looks like they are exporting education, but they are still at home and don't waste any costs of exportation. Actually, it is not exportation because they are selling English courses and servicing higher education to foreigners. For well-educated or good English speaking people, it is a great job opportunity for them. They need not go abroad and work in any unwanted jobs like cleaning public restroom.

The news from Reuters I mention above shows the creativity of some English language schools that make themselves different from others. It is a mixture between an English course and relaxation on the beach. This is extremely interesting! And I would like to take a course if I can afford. However, I didn't even try to find deeply in details about studying in the Philippines. First, all of my friends and professors told that the taste of Filipino food does not match with Thai's. Second, living there in a condition of much pollution is like staying and studying in Bangkok, perhaps worse in the Philippines, but wastes more money. Third, earlier this year the country experienced severely hit by a couple of storms which left damage in most area of Manila and surrounding areas. This may be uncomfortable for a newcomer.

McGeown also mentions the reason why Philippine people speak clearly with American accent. It is because many of them used to work or are now working in the call center industry serving companies in the United States. Likewise, some of my friends are working in this position for multinational businesses in Thailand. This seems like those companies want to reduce their cost of staff salary. They prefer to pay higher than the standard of living in the developing countries rather than hiring their staff with a high rate of wage and a strict labour laws. This points out that economic systems in North America and Europe are turning down, so they must save all costs.

__________

Reference

McGeown, K. (2012, November 12). The Philippines: The World's budget English teacher. BBC News Business. Retreived November 12, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-20066890

Philippine tropics lure English lerners. (2012, July 17). Reuters. Retrieved November 12, 2012 from http://www.reuters.com/video/2012/11/12/philippine-tropics-lure-english-learners?videoId=236522347&videoChannel=2602

Not only lovely but also capable (?)

As a longtime dog lover, every article about dogs catches my eyes. I always admire working dogs and wonder how capable and faithful they are.

In “The NHS’s number one drug sniffer dog”, Rachael Buchanan reports how eager Paddy, the first sniffer dog of NHS’s, finds out illegal drugs in the hospital; consequently he helps patients get rid of drugs and leads to quick recovery. The handler of Paddy, Julie Traynor says in the article that Paddy is welcomed by patients and works as a therapy dog, too.

It is a common knowledge that dogs have keen noses. Not only top elites of dog’s world, I mean, police dogs or drug sniffer dogs, ordinary dogs without special training can sniff out hidden treats easily. One of my dog’s favorite games is to find treats which are hidden around the house. Sniffing is very important part of his life. When I bring something new to our house, he always check it by sniffing, and after long sniffing he looks up me, as if he said, “No problem, it is OK, you can keep it!” I always bow to him and say “Thank you, inspector.” He likes smell of shoes, stinky cheese, used socks and garbage bin in the kitchen. Every time when I imagine how strong such smells for his sensitive nose can be, I feel sick myself. Dogs may have not only good sense of smell, but also special brain system to manage with it. He also likes good smells. When I put freshly dried laundry in a basket, he sniffs its flowerlike smell happily, and sometimes sits down in the middle of it and takes a nap, which of course makes his owner upset, and the scolded dog has to reluctantly retreat to his crate where is filled with his own smell.

Dogs also can hear well. My daughter and I both play the violin. Because my dog has listened to sounds of violin since he was a puppy, he must have some taste about it. His favorite must be Mozart’s Divertimento to which he earnestly listens with his head little tilting. High pitched and quick played melodies can be his second choice. If it is well played, he starts to howl together. It looks like that he really enjoys howling with the sounds of violin. Several weeks ago, I played the violin after long break. Hearing the violin, my dog came to me, and started to howl, but the next moment he stopped it, turned over and went out from the room without saying anything. Then I know I need more practice. He is not only a pet, but also a capable inspector and critic.

Reference
Buchanan, R. (2012, November 9).The NHS’s number one drug sniffer dog  BBC News Health  Retrieved November 12, 2012  from  http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-20256002
 

Jennifer's Non-Academical interests

 Recently I am interested in BigBang, a K-POP group. I've never been interested in young idol group before. About two  months ago I had a chance to watch G-Dragon's
(the leader of BigBang)second solo album's new MVs. They were very energetic, creative and exciting.  I spent a lot of time for searching informations about BigBang and G-Dragon so I am a specialist of them.^^ Every day I listen to their music so my
children also became their fans. Sometimes my kids sings with dances that makes me
laugh. However, my husband's reaction of my interests is out of my expectation. He looks envy them. Oh Man!

Does Anthony Ham approve of these traditional cultural ways?

When I saw it in horror this evening as I was thinking about my answer to the question on preserving the traditional culture of the Dogon, this BBC News story very nearly replaced the old example in the introduction to my essay.

Zulfiqar Ali says in "Girl killed in Pakistani-administered Kashmir acid attack" that Pakistani police have arrested a mother and father, who killed their 15 year old daughter in a traditional Kashmir honour killing because, according to one officer, the father saw her " 'looking at two boys' riding on a motorcycle outside their home" (2012, ¶ 9). Suspecting her of being interested in one of the men, the father first beat his daughter before he and his wife used acid to kill their own child "in the name of an honour" (¶ 1), which was only made a serious criminal offence in Pakistan earlier this year.

When I saw this story, I immediately made the connection with Anthony Ham's travel article praising the unspoilt traditional ways of thinking and acting of Mali's Dogon people (2011). What these "loving" parents have done is to act exactly according to their traditional culture, and I think it is evil. Killing young women because they look at a boy is not OK just because it's an ancient tradition, but apparently Anthony Ham would disagree with me. Of course, Ham cannot reply to my disagreement here, but since a majority of the class seem to agree with Ham, you might like to respond in a comment on his behalf - why would it be a good thing to preserve the sort of traditional thinking and culturally approved behaviours that teach parents to murder their own children? I think that is grossly immoral for any reason, but for something as trivial as "looking at two boys riding on a motorcycle" it is monstrously evil. If that is what some culture and its traditions teach, then that seems to me to prove the culture and its traditions monstrously evil. It should be pushed to extinction as quickly as possible. The remote village in Kashmir where this atrocity occurred seems very like Ham's description of the Dogon in important respects: it is isolated from other cultures and communities, it is poor, traditional ways of life are still strong in the community, and so on.

You might think my language here is bit strong, but I really was angry when I read Ali's story. If you think anything I've said is wrong, please present your reasons. I will probably defend everything I've written here. Of course, you are also welcome to agree with me.

But I am wondering whether it's possible for you to agree with me and with Ham, with whom I strongly disagree.

__________

Reference

Ali, Z. (2012, November 1). Girl killed in Pakistani-administered Kashmir acid attack. BBC News Asia. Retrieved November 5, 2012 from http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-20173484

Air's non-formal academic interests

Although I am a grown up, I still being attracted by children's literature. Children picture book is always the first section I visit every time I  go to a bookstore because I am fascinated by the fact that a simple story line in children book always conveys some hidden meanings. For me, it is enjoyable to guess what children would get from a story. Sometimes a children book teaches them a basic thought, for example children should obey their parent's warning, or it is bad for avoid brushing your teeth. But it can surprise you for what can be interpreted from a children story. To illustrate,"The Little red riding hood","Alice in wonderland", or "Snow white" convey very serious issue like sexual discrimination, and psychological disorder.

When I was young, I read a fairy tale which is titled " Snow Queen". I can remember that I am very scared of the Snow Queen and her crow. But when I grown up and read it again, there actually is not any really scary part of the story. Comparing to other witches from other fairy tales I had read before, Snow Queen is quite a kind person.  I don't understand why I am so scared of Snow Queen not other witches. This issue brought up a curiosity in my mind about how children understand children literature, especially a classic fairy tale which is told to children all over the world. Are the hidden meaning unconsciously affect children's feeling? or Are there any symbolic object that has strong affect to a child but not an adult? Do you have any idea about that?

__________

Mo's non-formal academic interests

I graduated in Veterinary science.And I'm also interested in foreign language- Japanese. The influence is from Manga, Japanese cartoons, Dramas and cultures. Then I decided to study in Science-Math-japanese program in the most famous secondary school in Thailand - Triamudom school. But unlucky me, I was failed to study there. After that, I learn Japanese by myself for moths. Because of study so hard, I ceased to learn it.

Language is very important to communicate with other people. The more language you speak, the more world you see. I love to read many genres of books, I hope one day I can read Japanese manga in orginal version when I can speak Japanese fluently.

Anne's non-formal academic interests

I am interested in photographer. Whenever I go to the new areas, I must take photos.

__________

Sup's non formal academic interest

Healthy behaviour

In past ten years, I devoted my time to some tasks and ignored my health. Fortunately, five months ago, I received the significant chance to review my life, and my poor health became one topic that I intent to make a change. Healthy behaviour is one of my non formal academic interests.

Important components for your good health are an average of 8 hours sleeping per day, three meals with healthy and nutrient foods, and three times of an average of fifteen minutes exercising. I have neglected all of them since I graduated my bachelor degree. The much I dedicate is the much I neglect my health; finally, I use full of my health reserved and it is empty. Luckily, I got a significant opportunity in past five months and my health is one of my targets that I hope I can recover it back.

Nowadays, I am on my way to change my habits although it is very slow because I devote my time and energy to adjust and improve my new tasks.

Apple's non-formal academic interests

Five years ago, when I was surfing the internet, I found a picture of a beautiful birthday pop-up card. At that time, I started to curious about how it works. Then I spent a lot of time searching for the methods to create this kind of cards. I finally found plenty of explanations about how to make it and that made me more interested in this type of cards.

I am interested in pop-up cards because of its complicated mechanism. In order to design such a creative card by yourself, you need to think carefully about how to make the picture pop out, in the way you need, from the paper when it is opened. However, it  is quite easy for everyone to make a card by using patterns which has already been created by someone. These days, you can find a lot of free and beautiful patterns on the internet. In case that you are looking for a wonderful card for someone, I recommend a handmade pop-up card. I believe that the reader will impress your amazing card so much.

Phong's non-formal academic interests.

When I was about 10 years old, I was first introduced to meditation by my aunt. She likes to do meditation about 1-2 hours a day. I took the first course about how to practice meditation since then. Normally while practicing meditation, I was taught that we should sit still, do anything slowly and be mindful as much as I could. However, I partly agree with this idea because meditation can be done in the normal pace of living, and included in everyday's life. For example, when I speak to others, First I see whether he/she is ready to listen. and Second, I think of what I want to speak to that person is appropriate or not. Lastly, I decide to speak out if it is alright. That is one example that I can adopt the concept "mindfulness" from meditation into an intensive practice, and everyday's life.

Chieko's non-formal academic interests

I'm always interested in astronomy , which was my favorite subject when I was a junior high school student. I bought expensive books filled  with beautiful pictures of stars and planets, and was absorbed in reading and watching them. I stayed up late until midnight so that all neon lights were gone, and I could see a starry sky. I learned many myths in Greek, which tells story of constellations. At high school of course I became a member of astronomy club. Then I found out almost all members were really good at mathematics and physics. To study astronomy, having good knowledge of both subject is essential!! Some of members talked about Einstein's theory of relativity, which was for me just a gibberish. So, I gave up to study astronomy, but I still enjoy watching stars and also imaging when and how human being begin a voyage to the outside of the solar system.

__________