HIGHLIGHT of the week! paintball trip.

Posted by joonplee on May 25th, 2008 filed in Event

Photo credit to Mr. Joo

Mr. Joo’s chem class boys had an outing. It is undeniably one of my best experiences. About 20 people went. We rented a bus to take us to Ichon, an hour away by drive. When we got there it was totally exciting. The paint ball guns were lined up, and the “battlefield” seem quite adventurous.

After a brief explanation from the owner of the paint ball place, we started our “war.” It was Mr. Joo’s A block chem against the rest including Mr. Salaazer, who is an elementary school teacher. We shot the heck out each other in four matches. Our team lost three of the matches, and won one.

We got owned especially in the second match. Our team got totally ambushed! Our team was rushing up a hill and the opponent team was hiding behind the hill, and soon I found a barrage of paint balls shooting toward my body. I probably had like 30 shots on me, and it hurt! If you really want to know the feeling of a paint ball shot, let me describe it to you like this: it’s like getting hit by a small hard baseball. Because of the ambush, I got a lot of bruises on my body. Getting shot wasn’t a good experience but shooting and killing the opponent was the best part of the game. On our last match, we had the owner playing on our side because we had lost three consecutive matches. The owner was really good. I thought I was seeing a James Bond movie. He literally slid down the hill, and took out two guys while sliding.

Although we got owned in three games, it was still fun because of some of the funny things that happened. First of all, Ed asked Mr. Joo “What’s our chem homework?” And Mr Joo with a funny facial expression, “Ed! We’re at war! Why are you talkin’ about homework?!” Another funny thing that happened was Brian shot himself! If you are far away, and you get shot by the paint ball, it still hurts, but Brian shot himself in the hand from about 5cm in distance. “I thought there was no bullet inside. I just wanted to feel how much air this gun can shoot out.” he claimed, while everyone was laughing their brains at his clumsiness.

Going on this paint ball trip was really fun. I hope I can go again with my friends and shoot the heck out of them!

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Use your Disadvantages as your advantages.

Posted by joonplee on May 23rd, 2008 filed in Event

Project Global Cooling opened a successful concert near Hongik University in Seoul. To be honest, I never thought this concert was ever going to turn out to a sucess because the preparation was hindering due to the students’ obsession towards grades. None of the club members had the time or the initiative of do anything for the concert. The club barely had anyone helping out. Fortunately, Patrick and Lauren persuaded Mr. Boerner, our principal to give us money to rent a club to hold the concert.

The worst came when we had the tickets printed and ready to sell them. No one in the Project Global Cooling Club had any idea how to get students to buy them. Everyone was probably going to say that they were too busy to go. HOWEVER, the idea of extra credits save the day! We decided to persuade the teachers to give out extra credits to students who went to the concert, and that’s how the club succeeded in getting such a large and enthusiastic audience.

Frankly, as a member of the PGC Club, I would say that the concert would not have succeeded without the help of the extra credits. We definitely used our disadvantage as our advantage.

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Congratz Manchester United!

Posted by joonplee on May 12th, 2008 filed in Sports

It was probably one of the most nervous nights I ever had. As a fan of Manchester United(Manu) I was watching the final game against Wigan. Manchester United and Chelsea were tied for first in the Premiership. Manu had to win this game in order to win the Premiership title. As my heart beat almost to the point of an heart attack, I was staring at the screen watching with my fingers crossed. My nervousness turned into excitement when my favorite player Christiano Ronaldo scored the first goal.

“Premiership title is almost ours!” I exclaimed at myself. I couldn’t resist the happiness, and I was jumping up and down!

My excitement turned into happiness when Ryan Giggs scored an additional goal for Manu. A nice pass was sent from Wayne Rooney, and Giggs kicked into the net easily. This was marking the victory and winning the English Premiership title for season 2007-2008.  As the whistle blew for full time, I was jumping up and down my bed yelling “Manu did it again! We are the champions!”

I was so happy that I was singing the Manu song with my horrendous voice, “Glory, glory, Man United, Glory, glory, Man United, Glory, glory, Man United, And the reds go marching on, on, on.”

Manu’s championship just brightened my weekend! I hope Manu wins every year! Manu forever!

Here’s the Manu song I was singing.

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Myanmar Why Are You Shooting Yourself in the Foot?

Posted by joonplee on May 9th, 2008 filed in Event, News

Creative Commons 

I understand the term “a country’s sovereignty,” however, I don’t understand why Myanmar is refusing aid from other nations after a cyclone devastated the country. According to an article by New York Times, there are 1.5 million people who are possibly under threat of starvation or disease. Myanmar obviously does not have enough doctors to care for the 1.5 million people.

“Aid officials and health experts warned that the slow response could lead to outbreaks of diseases like cholera and malaria, adding substantially to the death toll.” (article)
Why is the government rejecting aid? Is it because the military leaders do not want foreigners in the country? Why?! I don’t understand!

The number of deaths are just going to increase because of disease. I hope the Myanmar leaders know that.

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An Unsmiling Gold Medalist

Posted by joonplee on May 9th, 2008 filed in People

This picture above is a marathon runner who received a gold medal. Do you see the irony of this picture? He’s not smiling. Would you believe me if I said this guy is Korean?

His name is Sohn Kee Jung(???) , and yes he is a Korean man that won a gold medal in the 1936 Berlin Summer Olympics.  During this time, Korea was a colony of Japan, which meant that Korea had no identity. That was the case for Sohn.

Sohn  Kee-Jung was forced to run in the Berlin Olympics for Japan even though he was Korean. That is why he is not smiling even though he won the gold medal. At the medal ceremony, Sohn shed into tears when he saw the Japanese flag was raised and Japanese anthem was played. He felt sorrow that he wasn’t able to represent his mother country.

Personally, I think he is a very admirable man because he ran for the Olympics to raise awareness  of Korea’s colonization in the global community. Sohn always signed his name in Korean and drew the shape of Korea beside his signatures.  When interviewers asked him about his country, he always said that Korea was his mother country. His legs ran for Japan, but his heart ran for Korea’s independence.

Unfortunately, Sohn died from pneumonia at the age of 90 on November 15, 2002.

My words to Sohn: “I admire you for your courage and patriotism. I am glad you were able to celebrate and experience Korea’s independence before your death.  Forever will your patriotism be ingrained in my heart as admiration. Rest in peace.”

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Can his visit make a difference?

Posted by joonplee on May 9th, 2008 filed in Event, Blogroll

A few days ago, Bill Gates, the chairman of Microsoft visited the Korean president, Lee Myeong Bak. Will this bring prosper to the Korean economy?

Korea is a very interesting nation because the country and the people all seem rich when actually the economy is on its decline. Korea is very industrial and high-tech which makes it seem like a very prosperous country, and the Korean people dress very fancily which makes them look rich. But honestly, Korea’s economy is on the decline. Prices of commodities are increasing at a high speed, but people’s incomes are not. At this rate, most people probably wouldn’t be able to afford a living anymore.

Korea’s economy seriously needs some reform and improvement. With Bill Gates’ visit to the presidential Blue House(the Korean “White House”), hoefully some changes can be made. According to Chosunilbo, one of Korea’s major newspaper, Bill Gates is investing US$147 million into Korea in the automotive sector, information technology, games, and education over the next five years.

With Bill Gates’ investment, I am really hoping that it would improve Korea’s economy by providing new jobs and business opportunities for the people.

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Sophomore Year Coming to an End!

Posted by joonplee on May 9th, 2008 filed in School

Sophomore year was great and painful at the same time. Now it’s almost coming to an end. Sophomore year was pretty tough . I had tougher classes than my freshman year. I was taking an AP class. At the same time, I had a lot of fun. I hung out with friends and joined the soccer team. This was my first year doing sports, and I really had a lot of fun.

I just can’t believe that I am going into my junior year! It’s going to be a painful year. I really can’t imagine myself in my junior studying and cramming knowledge for SATs and AP Tests.

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what blogs can develop into…

Posted by joonplee on May 4th, 2008 filed in Challenging Society

It seems that there a billion bloggers in this world. More and more people seem to be connected.

Of course the business people see this as well. What is the ultimate goal of all businessmen? “Minimize Cost Maximize Profit!” The thought of blogs becoming a huge part of the business industry came into my mind. Soon, blogs will probably become used to advertise. Why? Because it gets so much attention and it costs almost nothing!

What else can blogs develop into? As mass media has grown into a new political power, I think blogs will also grow into a source of power in politics. To elaborate what I mean, today broadcasters such as CNN and BBC have a large influence to politicians because CNN and BBC both “control” how most people think. Well the same will happen with blogs! The number of bloggers are going to soon increase to the point that blogs control how people think.

The thought of blogs becoming another big source of power in society is amazing but also at the same time it’s scary!

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Japan should say sorry…

Posted by joonplee on May 4th, 2008 filed in Challenging Society, Politics

It is disappointing that the Japanese hasn’t said a single word of sorry for the atrocities they committed during World War 2. It’s very disturbing because Japanese politicians even visit the Yasukuni Shrine on 8/15 the independence day for a lot of countries. Koizumi, former Prime Minister of Japan, is a good example. Yasukuni Shrine is temple that commemorates the Japanese soldiers that died during the war. Koizumi visiting the Yasukuni shows how proud they feel about their crimes during World War 2.

Japan is totally opposite of Germany. It is illegal in Germany for a teacher to deny the Holocaust, however, in Japan, school textbooks deny the Nanking Massacre. In one textbook, they describe the Japanese invasion of Manchuria as just a simple “interaction” between China and Japan. An average Japanese student does not know about what their country did during World War 2. History is bound to repeat itself. Why is the Japanese government brainwashing their citizens and denying what they did wrong?! Why can’t they just say sorry? They’re just shooting themselves in foot.

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Unforgotten Hero.

Posted by joonplee on May 4th, 2008 filed in People

Can you name an undefeated military leader? I bet not. But if you are a Korean, I am sure you can! Admiral Yi Sun Shin is a name that no one in Korea will ever forget. He is Korea’s hero! He is one of world’s few leaders to win all battles! Can you believe it?! He has never lost a battle? 23 battles 23 Victories. Not only that, but he also the first military leader to use an ironclad ship.

Although he does not receive much recognition in world history, his contributions to Korea are unbelievable. In 1592, Korea was invaded by Japan, within 18 days the capital was under the hands of the Japanese. The Japanese navy wanted to get access of the Yellow Sea to land their ships in the capital. However, Admiral Yi Sun Shin stopped the Japanese navy with his 23 victories!

To really understand how good of a military leader he was, I am proud to tell you that he even defeated 333 Japanese ships with just 13 ships! This battle is called the Battle of Myeongnyang.

He also used the world’s first ironclad ship called the Turtle Ship. The Turtle Ship is shaped like a turtle and has iron spikes on top. This ship was the invincible ship! It was first used in the Hansan Battle, and continued to contributed in Admiral Yi’s battles.

Unfortunately, he died on his 23rd battle, the Battle of Noryang, he was shot by a Japanese soldier when he was trying to stop the retreating Japanese soldiers . His death was like a death of a father to all Koreans. Korea is proud to have such a hero that saved our country from the Japanese invasion.

His name and contribution still remains in the heart of all Koreans.

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