I can't get enough of this piece. I've listened to it 5 times already. Absolutely beautiful.
Tuesday, March 31
Tuesday, March 24
Friday, March 20
Friday Podcast
Deschooling Society(55 mins)
This interview originally aired as part of the Education Debates in 1998. Very interesting.
You'll hear a recording of Paul Goodman, and an interview with Ivan Illich, the writer of the essay "Deschooling Society".
David Culp writes "Ivan Illich's book will change the way you see the world and yourself. It's difficult for us who were "successful" in government schools to look back at the process objectively, to remember the cartoonish simplification of everything, and the process' lack of applicability to our lives. You may need this book to help you reconsider that which has become so large a part of your own feeling of self-worth. You will then see why it is almost impossible to discuss true school reform with people - they still have their blinders on."
This interview originally aired as part of the Education Debates in 1998. Very interesting.
You'll hear a recording of Paul Goodman, and an interview with Ivan Illich, the writer of the essay "Deschooling Society".
David Culp writes "Ivan Illich's book will change the way you see the world and yourself. It's difficult for us who were "successful" in government schools to look back at the process objectively, to remember the cartoonish simplification of everything, and the process' lack of applicability to our lives. You may need this book to help you reconsider that which has become so large a part of your own feeling of self-worth. You will then see why it is almost impossible to discuss true school reform with people - they still have their blinders on."
Thursday, March 19
Wednesday, March 18
He can't even throw a punch!
This is the funniest video I've seen all day!
And people want to nominate this guy for Head of State? Say it ain't so...
And people want to nominate this guy for Head of State? Say it ain't so...
Scratchy throat
It turns out the dust storm wasn't as bad as I thought. Yesterday the sky was a little hazy from the dust but it didn't look like anything serious. As for it's immediate effect on my health, I had a hint of a scratchy throat. That's basically it. I didn't have any trouble breathing. I heard that the dust storm was much worse in Seoul. The prevailing winds usually go up and around Korea rather then below it. Nothing to worry about.
Monday, March 16
The dust phenomenon
For all of you meteorology nerds out there, I've taken the liberty on blogging about the Asian Dust storm that is heading toward Korea and Japan. This phenomenon occurs in Korea every year in March. The yellow dust originates in China and floats up to Korea passing over Japan and sometimes going as far as the United States!
Dust clouds leaving mainland China and traveling toward Korea and Japan
Here's some info I found on Wikipedia:
Asian Dust (also yellow dust, yellow sand, yellow wind, or China dust storms) is a seasonal meteorological phenomenon which affects much of East Asia sporadically during the springtime months. The dust originates in the deserts of Mongolia and northern China and Kazakhstan where high-speed surface winds and intense dust storms kick up dense clouds of fine, dry soil particles. These clouds are then carried eastward by prevailing winds and pass over China, North and South Korea, and Japan, as well as parts of the Russian Far East. Sometimes, the airborne particulates are carried much further, in significant concentrations which affect air quality as far east as the United States.
In the last decade or so, it has become a serious problem due to the increase of industrial pollutants contained in the dust and intensified desertification in China causing longer and more frequent occurrences, as well as in the last few decades when the Aral Sea of Kazakhstan started drying up due to a failed Soviet agricultural scheme.
EFFECTS:
Areas affected by the dust experience decreased visibility and the dust is known to cause a variety of health problems, not limited to sore throat and asthma in otherwise healthy people. Often, people are advised to avoid or minimize outdoor activities, depending on severity of storms. For those already with asthma or respiratory infections, it can be fatal. The dust has been shown to increase the daily mortality rate in one affected region by 1.7%.
SEVERITY:
Shanghai on April 3, 2007 recorded an air quality index of 500, in the US, a 300 is considered "Hazardous" and anything over 200 is "Unhealthful". 2007 so far seems to be the worst on record.
Desertification has intensified in China, as 1,740,000 km² of land are "dry", it disrupts the lives of 400 million people and causes direct economic losses of 54 billion yuan ($7 billion) a year, SFA figures show. These figures probably vastly underestimate, as they just take into account direct effects, without including medical, pollution, and other secondary effects, as well as effects to neighboring nations.
Global warming as well as El Nino play a role in Asian dust storms, because ice sheets that form in winter can keep dust from sweeping off the land.
MITIGATION:
In recent years, South Korea and the People's Republic of China have participated in reforestation efforts in the source region. However, this has not affected the problem in any significant way. In April 2006, South Korean meteorologists reported the worst yellow dust storm in four years. Japan has donated money, equipment, and knowhow to install sulfur filters on coal plants in China. Despite this, a very low percentage of plants have sulfur filters installed.
China also has taken steps, with international support, to plant trees in desert areas, including a claim of 12 billion trees planted. However, the winds are so strong in some places that the trees simply topple or are buried in sand.
In 2007, South Korea sent several thousand trees to help block the migration of the yellow dust. These trees, however, were planted only by highways, because the People's Republic of China stated to South Korea that they could receive the trees but that they would decide where the trees would be planted.
_______________________
The dust storm will be passing over Korea in the next few days. It's advised that you wear a mask when you go outside. Make sure you keep your windows and doors closed.
I hope this information was useful.
Dust clouds leaving mainland China and traveling toward Korea and Japan
Here's some info I found on Wikipedia:
Asian Dust (also yellow dust, yellow sand, yellow wind, or China dust storms) is a seasonal meteorological phenomenon which affects much of East Asia sporadically during the springtime months. The dust originates in the deserts of Mongolia and northern China and Kazakhstan where high-speed surface winds and intense dust storms kick up dense clouds of fine, dry soil particles. These clouds are then carried eastward by prevailing winds and pass over China, North and South Korea, and Japan, as well as parts of the Russian Far East. Sometimes, the airborne particulates are carried much further, in significant concentrations which affect air quality as far east as the United States.
In the last decade or so, it has become a serious problem due to the increase of industrial pollutants contained in the dust and intensified desertification in China causing longer and more frequent occurrences, as well as in the last few decades when the Aral Sea of Kazakhstan started drying up due to a failed Soviet agricultural scheme.
EFFECTS:
Areas affected by the dust experience decreased visibility and the dust is known to cause a variety of health problems, not limited to sore throat and asthma in otherwise healthy people. Often, people are advised to avoid or minimize outdoor activities, depending on severity of storms. For those already with asthma or respiratory infections, it can be fatal. The dust has been shown to increase the daily mortality rate in one affected region by 1.7%.
SEVERITY:
Shanghai on April 3, 2007 recorded an air quality index of 500, in the US, a 300 is considered "Hazardous" and anything over 200 is "Unhealthful". 2007 so far seems to be the worst on record.
Desertification has intensified in China, as 1,740,000 km² of land are "dry", it disrupts the lives of 400 million people and causes direct economic losses of 54 billion yuan ($7 billion) a year, SFA figures show. These figures probably vastly underestimate, as they just take into account direct effects, without including medical, pollution, and other secondary effects, as well as effects to neighboring nations.
Global warming as well as El Nino play a role in Asian dust storms, because ice sheets that form in winter can keep dust from sweeping off the land.
MITIGATION:
In recent years, South Korea and the People's Republic of China have participated in reforestation efforts in the source region. However, this has not affected the problem in any significant way. In April 2006, South Korean meteorologists reported the worst yellow dust storm in four years. Japan has donated money, equipment, and knowhow to install sulfur filters on coal plants in China. Despite this, a very low percentage of plants have sulfur filters installed.
China also has taken steps, with international support, to plant trees in desert areas, including a claim of 12 billion trees planted. However, the winds are so strong in some places that the trees simply topple or are buried in sand.
In 2007, South Korea sent several thousand trees to help block the migration of the yellow dust. These trees, however, were planted only by highways, because the People's Republic of China stated to South Korea that they could receive the trees but that they would decide where the trees would be planted.
_______________________
The dust storm will be passing over Korea in the next few days. It's advised that you wear a mask when you go outside. Make sure you keep your windows and doors closed.
I hope this information was useful.
Friday, March 13
Friday podcast
Lister Sinclair's Radio Special - The Year 1905(55 mins)
This is the best podcast I have ever heard. It's all about 1905, the year the 20th Century began. Sinclair takes us on a journey in 1905 discussing Arts, Sciences, Music and Politics. Take a listen. I nearly cried at the end.
Thursday, March 12
Destiny no... plan no... commitment and love - yes
So many people spend their entire lives searching for a purpose. They go about their daily lives searching for their destiny or some kind of "divine" plan that has been layed out for them. Before we know it, it's too late and then we realize it is up to us to make this "divine" plan. We are the ones who have to take action, we are the ones who have to make our own destinies. There is no time to wait for someone to show us the way. It is up to us to find a direction be it the path of least resistance or not, that is up to you. All we have to do is commit and learn to love the decision that we made.
Tuesday, March 10
New school year
March 2nd was the first day of school. A lot changed that day. I met my new co-teacher, Mr. Yook (he likes to be called Bruce), I have a new TALK scholar teacher, Daniel (from Philadelphia) and I have a new teacher's assistant, Jennifer (from Busan). We all work in the same office. I have the desk closest to the window with a nice view of the mountains in the distance =) We have a brand new heater/air conditioner in the corner as well! I'm sure it will come in handy in the middle of summer. It gets very hot here. Average temperature is between 25 and 30 plus humidex! September and October felt like June and July back home! I can't even begin to imagine what it will be like here. Hot, sweaty and sticky. I definitely prefer dry heat over humid eat. My hair goes nuts in the summer as well. Add that to another reason why I should cut my hair off. That's for another blog though.
Things are pretty good here. Students are crazy as usual. My co-teacher Bruce is also the school's gym teacher. He's a nice guy and the students really like him. The only problem is that his English isn't very good. But that's ok, I'm always up for new challenges. His teaching style is very relaxed and he's very friendly towards the students. Even though I barely understand a word he says, I can tell by the kids' reaction that he's a funny guy. My only worry is that he likes to carry around a big stick about 24 inches long. Fortunately he hasn't used the stick on anyone... yet. I'm still trying to figure out whether it's just for show (intimidation) or if he plans to use it for punishment. For the sake of the students, I hope that it is the latter.
The school system is very different here. Corporal punishment is usually acceptable in Middle Schools but in Elementary it is not. Teachers have much more power here and always have the last word when it comes to what is best for the students. Of course parents have a responsibility for the well being of their own child, but they put a lot of trust in the teachers. It is important that their children get the best education that they can get so they give the teachers full reign over their kids. Thankfully, this freedom is not abused and the kids here are very well behaved so I have not witnessed any corporal punishment.
Although I still have a few questions that need answering. Why are asian kids generally better behaved then north american children? Do teachers enforce a more effective style of discipline or is their behaviour better by nature?
I believe that it is in their nature and culture that they behave this way. In my experience I've observed that Asians are extremely family oriented. Many Koreans live in a single family household surrounded by all of their family members. Father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandma and grandpa. They value the hierarchy system as well. There is a respect and humility that is taught within Asian families that isn't seen in the Western world. I found that even in city life, Asians are taught to respect and love their elders even if they are complete strangers. I've even experienced this first hand when I was with my parents. This tradition brings into the family respect, order, obedience and honour and goes back thousands of years. Asians honour people who share these qualities while Western cultures honour the rich, the powerful, the beautiful and the rude.
Things are pretty good here. Students are crazy as usual. My co-teacher Bruce is also the school's gym teacher. He's a nice guy and the students really like him. The only problem is that his English isn't very good. But that's ok, I'm always up for new challenges. His teaching style is very relaxed and he's very friendly towards the students. Even though I barely understand a word he says, I can tell by the kids' reaction that he's a funny guy. My only worry is that he likes to carry around a big stick about 24 inches long. Fortunately he hasn't used the stick on anyone... yet. I'm still trying to figure out whether it's just for show (intimidation) or if he plans to use it for punishment. For the sake of the students, I hope that it is the latter.
The school system is very different here. Corporal punishment is usually acceptable in Middle Schools but in Elementary it is not. Teachers have much more power here and always have the last word when it comes to what is best for the students. Of course parents have a responsibility for the well being of their own child, but they put a lot of trust in the teachers. It is important that their children get the best education that they can get so they give the teachers full reign over their kids. Thankfully, this freedom is not abused and the kids here are very well behaved so I have not witnessed any corporal punishment.
Although I still have a few questions that need answering. Why are asian kids generally better behaved then north american children? Do teachers enforce a more effective style of discipline or is their behaviour better by nature?
I believe that it is in their nature and culture that they behave this way. In my experience I've observed that Asians are extremely family oriented. Many Koreans live in a single family household surrounded by all of their family members. Father, mother, sister, brother, aunt, uncle, cousin, grandma and grandpa. They value the hierarchy system as well. There is a respect and humility that is taught within Asian families that isn't seen in the Western world. I found that even in city life, Asians are taught to respect and love their elders even if they are complete strangers. I've even experienced this first hand when I was with my parents. This tradition brings into the family respect, order, obedience and honour and goes back thousands of years. Asians honour people who share these qualities while Western cultures honour the rich, the powerful, the beautiful and the rude.
Friday, March 6
Shark Dive
Hey guys. Here's a video my friend took of me diving with nurse tiger sharks at the Busan aquarium. Don't worry, I still have all of my fingers and toes.
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