Leslie's challenge

Rachel's graduation

2009-10-23T23:04:00.000-07:00

In Las Vegas

2009-10-03T01:54:00.000-07:00

Jeeyun

2009-10-03T01:51:00.000-07:00

Rachel and Katie

2009-10-03T01:48:00.001-07:00

Ji Youn's Graduation Ceremony

2009-10-03T01:18:00.001-07:00

Journal #15 How to Make Yaksik

2009-05-04T12:34:00.000-07:00

Yaksik is a kind of Korean traditional rice cake. The meaning of Yaksik is the steamed rice which is able to use a medicine.Indeed, enjoying Yaksik sometimes is more helpful than taking a medicin, when I feel tired. Moreover, it can be preserved longer than the common steamed rice.

Journal #14

2009-04-24T09:51:00.000-07:00

I agree most diet program and plastic surgery could trigger health risks. Someone say taking plastic surgery is better than losing self-respect. However, I don't think once plastic surgery can cure people without plastic surgery. Most people who undergone plastic surgery once consider next one whether the surgery is successful or not. Eventually, plastic surgery can be addicted. We can see a lot of the example like Michael Jackson or Mickie Rook.

Journal #13 Free Journal

2009-04-17T12:55:00.000-07:00

Today, I did presentation about human origins for the reading class. My responsibility was to explain the Islamic views on evolution theory. Before the research, I guessed Muslims seem to have severly bad feeling towards evolution theory, because I thought Islam is based on the creation theory and Muslims' religious belief is very earnest.
However, I came to know through this research, Muslims have not experienced conflicts between evolution theory and their traditional creation theory unlike in the west.
One of the reasons is that Muslims have generous attitudes on scientific ideas. Arabic was the international Scientific language over 700 years from the third century to the tenth century. Therefore, evolution theory has not undermined the traditional creation theory for many muslims.
After the research, I acknowledged my view on Muslims was thwarted due to the affect of American and Jewish views on Muslims.

Journal #10

2009-03-27T10:27:00.001-07:00

In 2002, South Korea and Japan held worldcup game together. Korean soccer team became a fourth winner in 2002 FIFA worldcup. In Korea, soccer games had been not popular, but Koreans always strongly unites to cheer national league. All Koreans made one unity in red T-shirts to cheer Korean Soccer team during 2002 worldcup periods. We all cheer our team together in the plaza and the park. Korean soccer team was FIFA ranking 40 until then, but they did it. It was miracle that Korean soccer team became the fourth winner.

Journal # 9

2009-03-16T12:11:00.000-07:00

I want to travel during this spring vacation, but I can't because my daughter' spring vacation is the following week of mine. Yesterday, the LA Times said most domestic airlines suggested a great deal because of the low gas price and the economic situations. Some fares between LA and New York is posted at about $200. I want to go to Manhattan, New York. Manhattan has so many fabulous restaurants, museums and art galleries....... If I go to New York, I will buy a traveller's journal with information of New York. If I visit New York, I will eat, walk, and watch too much. Also, I want to take a picture and buy something in New York.
However, I worried if my younger daughter enjoys the tour of New York and the spring vacation negatively affects on my and my first daughter's remaining semester. I dislike Febluary to April of California which has cold temperature and strong sunshine. I wonder how is the weather of New York. I can't decide if I go to New York.

Journal #8

2009-03-16T12:07:00.000-07:00

I am not sure how to improve the writing skills. The good writing needs many vocabulary, so it might be better studying new words and its collocation. Also, I think paraphrasing is very helpful.

Journal #7

2009-03-02T11:19:00.000-08:00

I frequently watch a various kinds of TV dramas, but my favorite genre is a romantic comedy. Because of busy day after day, I have no time watching TV except for one hour before I go to bed. It is important for me to relax and well prepare sleeping and the next day. At this time I love watching romantic comedies because of some reasons.
First of all, romantic comedies are funny and interesting. Most characters of these TV shows are not perfect. They always make mistake and regret. I feel comfortable because of their unperfect characteristics. Whenever I watch these shows before falling asleep, I can easily forgive myself who made mistakes for day along.
Also, most romantic comedies are light, not severe and heavy. After watching these shows, I don't need to remember and reflect. They are very simple, so it is easy to understand and forget. Therefore, I can comfortably sleep even as soon as I turn off the TV.
Finally, the theme of romantic comedies is mostly love. Love stories is very classical, but popular. A lot of adults especially women would like to fall in love. Love is very happy and beautiful feeling. I feel happy thinking love experience. Romantic comedies make me memorize my happy memory.
In conclusion, I watch a romantic comedy TV show before going to bed, because it is funny, light and intimate. Romantic drama shows make me sleep well and forget hardworks of the day. Simple and happy thinking is very important for good sleeping.

Journal #6

2009-02-23T11:54:00.000-08:00

I watched the 81th Academy awards on TV. The film "Slumdog Millionaire" was a winner of the day. I was sorry I didn't watch this film. My elder daughter wanted to watch this movie, but younger daughter "Coraline". Therefore, my husband and elder daughter watched "Sumdog millionaire", and I watched "Coraline" with my younger daughter. I have too many things that I want to do but I can't do because of 5 year old girl. My first daugter who is 15 years old sometimes is complaining about the existence of her younger sister. Even though I used to say all family is important, it is hard to take care of a kid. A cute girl makes me harder because she is very adorable. I can't deny her proposals because she is so pretty. I read the book that she want to. I play the game that she want to. My husband and first daughter say to me I make a girl spoiled, but they also do something in the way that she want to do.
10 years ago, I wanted time passed away. But now if time passed away, I am getting older.

Journal #5

2009-02-19T10:53:00.000-08:00

One of Korean old sayings is that it is too difficult to live in a place with different people and water. After I came Califoria, I agree half with this saying. California water is strange to me. My bathroom and kitchen has coverd with white and hard something even though I washed around there. Probably California water includes too many minerals. I doubt California water quality so that I buy bottled water. I feel nervous that bottled water is very expensive and heavy to deliver it. Moreover, even bottled water is divided by purified water and mineral water. Even though Korea are producing mineral bottled water, it has less mineral than California's. Also, I know some purified botteld water brands is not good, because purified water is easy to be contaminated. I don't believe faucet water in California, and it is hard to choose and buy the good bottled water.
Also, I am afaraid of Police officials here. Two months after I came here a police car let my car stop. The police woman in black uniform said to me that don't move and you should have stopped at the stop line. I said I stopped, but she said I should have stopped for a longer time. while she was talking to me, her hand was grabbing the gun placed on her waist belt. After the day, I feel nervous whenever I see police officials.

Journal #4

2009-02-19T10:04:00.000-08:00

My favorite season is the autumn. I like the fall because of its mild temperature and beautiful colour. My chubby tummy can't be concealed by a light summer look, and a winter coat is too heavy. Climates of the fall is poper to take a walk. I am used to drink a coffee at the outdoor cafe wearing a simple cardigan and a scarf in the fall. The Fall gives me gentle breeze and shows me white clouds. If there are not the Fall, I might not feel the earth is beautiful so that I might love to stay at home all around year.
Moreover, even though California's Fall is not, falling leaves in the Fall are very beautiful. I am facinated by the picture of Canada's Fall secenery. I 'd like to visit Canada in the Fall. Of course, my country Korea has the beatutiful Fall covering yellow and red falling leaves. I especially loves yellow falling leaves. The background of splendid yellow colours can make me gain the good picture. I feel happy when I play with my children frying falling leaves and take a picture with them on the background the Fall secenery.

Journal #3

2009-02-09T11:50:00.000-08:00

I prefer having a small party to bigger ones. At the second birthday after I married, I finally could have the party for two with only just hudsband. We had made a reservation in the luxurious hotel for one night. On my twenty eighth birthday, we arrived there at 5 pm. At first, we took exercise at the fitness center and relaxation at the spa. After doing that, we had a fabulous dinner at the Italian restaurant and drink and dance at the night club of the hotel.
The hotel room was spacious and had a great view. Moreover, there are nice sofas and a table, and those made me feel better with the cake and candles and the present which he prepared. Even though I actually loved atmosphere mooded with candles. especially the day was more romantic because there are only me and my husband in the wonderful room with the nice music stereo systems and very big windows. His birthday present for me was a pretty necklace, and I was very happy at that night. Probably, our baby might come to us at that night. Ten months later from the day, we had a first daughter.

Journal #2

2009-02-04T10:38:00.000-08:00

I watched the Super Bowl game last Sunday. Even though for last 10 minutes is it terrific, I was boring at watching this game like other sports game. Only commercials made me fascinate. Especially,the commercial of Audi was very cool. It was fantastic as like watching 007 films. This commercial had no narrations but copies, so I can more eagerly concentrate on that. However, when I watched news programs, I was disappointed that Americans chose the Doritos commercial as the best one. Probably, due to nowadays economical recession, it seems that Americans prefer the economically produced commercial to the one like blockbuster.
The Super Bowl is very meaningful to Koreans, because Hines Ward is half Koreans and Hyundai Motors is the sponsor for the Super Bowl. I am happy Hines Ward's team won. Also, I am proud of Hyundai Genesis advertising on Super Bowl. I like very much Hyundai cars, but I think the Audi commercials is more impressive. After this Super Bowl, I think the advertising is one of the hardest game accomplished with budget and ideas.

Journal #1

2009-01-29T11:46:00.001-08:00

My name is Leslie Ahn. I came here one and half years ago. This semester is third for me, and I feel this time would be more difficult for me. I have two daugthters, and one of them is fourteen years old and another is four. Everyday I have to take my first daughter to and from her school, even though taking care of four year old girl is my husband's job. My busy school days make my family be tired.
In last year, my mother had gone back and forth between here and Seoul for my spring and fall semester. Thanks to her, my family and I was very comfortable. Her visa can let her stay in the USA during six months a year. She plans to come back here this summer. Since I am very tired and miss her, I really want she came back.
Even though I took ALP classes for two semesters, my English skills are getting very slowly improved. If I am confindent to my English skills, I will ask my family to help me to study more. However, the top prior purpose that my family visited the USA was for my first daughter's education, who is going to high school this september. She wants to attend the Northwood high school in Irvine, so we plan to move to Irvine due to early June. Nowadays, I am busier to search the house in Irvine.

Journal # 19 : Reaction - Baraka

2008-12-07T23:51:00.000-08:00

The movie title, Baraka is the word that means blessing, but in this film people are depicted as the unblessed existence. The view of the director is negative to the people as compared with the beautiful nature. This film doesn't show the people smiling and communicating. The people always have no expression, therefore they seem to have no feeling. Especially, busy people in highly industrialized Japan are described like chicks. There are different cultures and the conflicts among the people. However, I don't think that civilized Japanese are so unhappy and busy.
Highly industrialized Japan is very affluent. Japanese afford to enjoy a life. Japan has a lot of museums and parks. These places make people have the beautiful imagines. Also, in Japan, there are many hospitals and restaurants. Japanese live longer and healthier. I think the directors view on japan is very partial.
Also, this film almost shows slow shots except the scene of industrialised Japan. Fast and busy Japan is expressed in a negative view. However, even though Japan has the fast and busy aspect, all Japanese is always not busy. They have time to enjoy their life. Although they are quiet in the public area, they can smile and talk to each other.
Therefore, I think this film is partial. People is beautiful as much as nature does. Especially, highly civilized people are happy and comfort, because they have time to enjoy a life physically and mentally.

Journal #18 Reaction - Writing

2008-11-23T09:20:00.000-08:00

Edgar Allan Poe, who was known as an author of horror genre, wrote this poem The Raven in 1845. Although there were not yet horror movies at that time, this poem expressed well grotesque atmosphere just like Tim Burton’s film. This poem, which is composed of 18 paragraph, effectively conveyed the sound and image of a raven. The repetition of the words such as napping, tapping, and rapping, was weird like a raven’s cry. The adjectives like dreary, weary, and ghastly help easily imagine a black raven. As a result, this poem’s sounds and images made me feel fear of death.
A raven’s sound made me imagine death. The repetition of the word, “nevermore”, seemed like that the raven said it was dead. Also, the words like beating, repeating, and entreating made me feel nervous. It seemed like that this poem said we had to hurry because the death was the end. In conclusion, this poem was using strong internal rhymes, so I could feel different when I read aloud. When I read with an eye, I could feel not nervous but fearful. However, if I hear someone read aloud, I felt not only horrible but also tense.
A black raven was a symbol of scary and fearful death. This poem‘s atmosphere was dark, so it made angel shown as a ghost. The angel’s name was Lenore, and the repetition of Lenore made this poem’s atmosphere felt more and more weary. The death usually imagined the grief, but this poem made me know that the fear was more glamorous than the grief. After I read this poem, I thought fear feeling might be simpler and cleaner than sad feeling. Thus, this poem made me think the death was a very significant and elegant.

Journal #17 Anticipating Your Parents' Objections

2008-11-14T11:25:00.000-08:00

Persuasive letter for buying a new car

I understand mom's objections for me to buy a new car. As you said, a new car was expensive, so we would have to spend considerable money to buy it. I concede it is a economically grand burden for us. However, mom, if I buy a used car, I might spend not so much money as time. A used car mostly could require a lot of money and time to fix it. Moreover, a new car might be a valuable property. In the future, when I resell the car, I could get back the big portion of paid money. After I buy a used car, if I have to go to the auto care service center to fix the car, I will regret. Do you agree with me?

Journal # 16: Confucius Quote

2008-11-07T12:38:00.000-08:00

'Find a job that you love doing and you will never have to work a day in your life."-Confucius

I don't agree Confucius. Although I always think I should live following his thoughts, he is unrealistic. Mostly his teaching ignores reality, so it makes people frustrate.
Making money is a very hard job. Confucius' saying means money is valueless. How can we be happy without money! If someones have gifted talent, they can easily find their profession. However, most common people have to find a job to make money. If we want to find a job that we love doing, we may have no job. We can do something that we love doing as a hobby, after we work hard.

Journal #15: Analyzing Arguments

2008-10-31T10:10:00.000-07:00

God at school. (2008, September 7). Los Angeles Times, p.A33.

According to this edditorials, it is not good for public schools to prevent stdent religious clubs. This article argues that although the U.S. Supreme Court prohibit to pray officially in the classroom, it doesn't mean a voluntary student bible club should be barred from meeting on school property outside of class. The argument opposed discrimination against the bibke club at a public school is a claim of policy which appeals to reason. To rreach the conclusion that Anaheim's Esperanza High School have to allow the bible club to meet on school property like other student clubs, this editorial suggests the Equal Access Act passed by Congress in 1981 and upheld by the Supreme Court in 1990.

Journal #14 My First Source

2008-10-24T21:36:00.000-07:00

Paletz, D. (2002). The media American Politics: contents and consequences. second edition. Addison-Wesley Educational Publishers.

David L. Paletz is a professor of Political Science. He studied about the relations of mass media and politics. Mass medias which he dealt with were various from television to internet. Also, he talked about people influenced by mass media and government which had influence on media. In this book, he suggested lots of information about the interaction of mass media, people, the intermediaries like interest groups and elections, and the government. America is a free democratic society, and has a open culture that direct speaking is preferred. Especially, debate and interview are considererd as important factors when Americans make a political judgement. I am interested with speech communication which help people to make a political decision. Speech communication has a controversial effect on political judgement. I gained my research topic from this book, so I will do research for speech communication's role for political impact.

Journal #13 Summary/Paraphrase Practice

2008-10-17T15:50:00.000-07:00

In October 14, 2008, Claudia Eller, LA Times staff writer, reported that Steven Spielberg's funding plans are dragged because of the global credit crisis. Now, DreamWorks needs to fund-raise $700 million to $750 million for debt, even though it is invested $ 500 million to $ 550 million by India’s Reliance ADA Group for a 50% equity stake. Recently, Spielberg, who wants to independently reconstitute DreamWorks, chose Universal for distributing his movies after breaking up Paramount Pictures. Interviewing with Stacey Snider who is a partner of DreamWorks since 2006, Claudia says that Spielberg is ultimately satisfied with Universal Pictures. Universal and DreamWorks approve that Universal get an 8% fee for distributing about six films a year during seven year, and also DreamWorks will receive over $150 million loans for new studio and advertising costs.

Eller,C.(2008,October 14)Universal Pictures to DreamWorks films.Los Angeles Times,from http://www.latimes.com/business/la-fi-dreamworks14-2008oct14,0,4451902.story

Journal #12 Research Topic

2008-10-12T19:29:00.001-07:00

My research topic is speech communication, and I try to study about freedom of speech and expression. My major was Political Science, and especially I was interested with Modern Korean Political History. In 1970's and 1980's Korean Government had limited freedom of speech and expression, because most korean politicians thought free speech would be a severe threat to social statibility for Korea which was a divided country. At that time, most mass media such as TV, newspaper, and radio was controlled free expression, and nobody could express their critical thinking. Any opposite opinion wasn't allowed. Therefore, government became more and more dictatorial, and people were resented.
Now, Koreans have enjoyed complete freedom of speech since 1988 held Seoul Olympic Games, but Korea has had another problem about free speech. Nowadays, the impact of free speech is great because of the development of various mass media, like especially internet. Now koreans are concerned with the right of free speech, not the limitations of free speech. A few days ago, a famous Korean actress killed herself. One of her suicide causes was blogger's bad comments about her. Her friens told that she felt very sad when she read the comments about her. People seem to have unreponsibility for free speech; however, it is dangerous government limit free speech because a mature society can be accomplshed by free communication. Therefore, I'd like to learn more about freedom of speech and expression.

Journal #11 Advice

2008-10-12T08:38:00.000-07:00

I had advised my first daughter, Rachel, to read Little Women when she was 10 years old. This book, which was written by Louisa M. Alcott, 1868, was very interesting for her, and also helped her to grow mentally. At that time, I thought Little Women would be a helpful book for Rachel. I and my husband had told her she would be our only one child, so we all were confused when I had a second baby. Especially, 10 year old Rachel wondered if she lost our love. Little Women taught her what is family and how to love family. Rachel still sometimes doubts her younger sister win more parental affection. If she had not read Little Women, she would hate her sister. Even though Rachel envies her cute sister, she extremely loves her sister. I thank to the book, and I think my advice for Rachel was very appropriate.

Journal #10 American Food

2008-10-01T20:29:00.000-07:00

America is bigger in size and drier in weather than my country, Korea. This difference may be the cause of the food's difference. When Americans appreciate a dish, they frequently use the expression, "juicy". Koreans don't need the expression, "juicy", because most Korean dishes is very moist. Americans and Koreans have quite different cooking ways especially for meats, vegetables, and fruits.
First, Americans mostly cook a thick sliced meat; on the contrary, Koreans like to cook a thinner sliced meat except boiling meat. A thick sliced meat sometimes isn't cooked thoroughly, but Americans express it as "juicy". Also, Americans use the dressing for cooked meat, but Koreans don't need the dressing for meat on the dining table because of using sauce before cooking.
For vegetable, Americans like to eat raw one, and Koreans steamed one. Koreans cook steamed vegetable using a various kind of seasons, or saute shredded vegetable with oil. American cooking ways for vegetable are simple, while there are a variety of seasonings for salad.
On the other hand, Americans probably like cooking fruit. Caramel coated apples, chocolate coated strawberries, and a various smoothies are very popular in America. In Korea, cooking fruits are notpopular, and Koreans love a neatly sliced fruit.
Therefore, American cooks possibly don't need to use more expertly kitchen knives than Korean cooks.

Journal #9: Optimistic Quote

2008-09-28T18:08:00.000-07:00

I have great respect for Winston Churchill, and I love his saying "A pessimist sees the difficulty in every opportunity; an optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty". For me, although I met the difficulty, I didn't consider it as mine, and although I met the opportunity, I didn't have the ability to use it. I was so egocentric that I always had made a decision according to my own taste. I didn't care whether the glass is half empty or half full, but I was concerned about whether I was thirsty or not.
Now, I try to change myself. I should have taken a active attitude changing my status in the past. I should have been concerned about the neighbor, society, world affairs. I regret that I had thought about me, no matter how pessimistic or optimistic. However, I am sure I can be an active optimist like Winston Churchill, who changed the difficulty the opportunity. Also, I know it needs toil and tears to change the difficulty the opportunity. Since I know this truth as well as Winston Churchill, I have no doubt I will an active optimist. If I use my ability, I will hold the opportunity. The opportunity will improve my ability, and I will be happier than now.

Journal #8 My Best Friend & Me

2008-09-24T00:15:00.000-07:00

My best friend Hanseon and I had been in the same university. She majored in French Literature, and my major was Political Science, so we hadn't met until we became sophomores. When we were sophomores, she and I met Eadae Hakbo , our university newspaper, office. Both of us wanted to be student reporters, so we had worked together as reporters. In 1986, Korea's political situation was very unstability, and many students frequently used to take part in demonstrations. Even though student reporters at that time excessively felt stressed, she and I always had bright expressions. We had many points of likeliness. Both of us studied moderately and liked watching romantic movies, but we dreamed our wonderful future. Also, we were lazy girls and poor singers, but we liked meeting with a lot of various people.
After we graduated, she got her boyfriend. My friend Hanseon felt sad because I had no boyfriend, so she help me make boyfriend. Both of us have had a very happy marry-life since we married 2 years after graduation. My friend Hanseon had gone France to study with her husband and baby, and she took a master degree in Architecture changing her major. Now she has been taking a ph.D course in Korea. I am sure we are perfect friends with similar tastes.

Journal #7 Heroes

2008-09-19T11:28:00.000-07:00

I wish I can cure somebody with a illess. If I can cure the patients, and so if patients become healthy, I make feel happy. I won't tell anybody about my special ability, because a lot of patients maybe come to me. Although I have the secrets, if I have ability, I will frequently use my ability. I know I am really happy when somebody need me. I will travel, and meet the patients. I won't tell loudly. Maybe somebody envy me, so I will act secretely. Neverthless the rich or the poor, I will cure the good people especially with their families in the first place. People in the world will become more and more happier.
I really want people wouldn't suffer pain. Therefore, I will never cure the people who make other people suffer pain such as Kim Jung-Il. I won't make money using this ability, because I don't acquire it from my efforts.

Journal #6 Doctor Dolittle

2008-09-17T20:16:00.001-07:00

Although I can talk with animals, I am not sure I would make friends with them. I am afraid to touch animals, and I hate their smells. If I can talk with animal, maybe I speak to them you have to take a shower.
Provided I can talk with animal, I will keep in touch with a bird. A bird can fly. Highly flying birds can see a lot of things. I want to ask many questions to them about their experience. They can see far away. If we came into close association, I can ask to them about street situations before I go out.

journal #5 My favorite song

2008-09-14T21:23:00.000-07:00

My favorite song is “Edelweiss”. I heard this song for the first time on the movie “The Sound of Music”. The sound of Music was the first foreign movie I had watched. At that time I was thirteen years old and that movie impressed me with beautiful songs and scenes. The main character, Captain von Trapp sang this song in the movie with his own lips. After I watched “The sound of Music”, I became to know the flower, edelweiss. Edelweiss is a white flower found high in the Alpine hills and usually grows inaccessible places. I hoped that someone gave it to me. My father bought it for me, but I disappointed that edelweiss was a tiny and ugly flower. I am not sure what Captain von Trapp meant by edelweiss. Maybe it is his country or his lover. What I mean by edelweiss is my own happiness which nobody has. I usually sing this song at the happy morning.

Journal #4 weather

2008-09-09T10:09:00.000-07:00

When I was in Korea, I always used to complain the weather. "Today is so hot! Why does it wind, today? It is too cold. I can't go out because of heavy rain. Because of snow traffic is so terrible. etc." Now, I missed my country. California's weather is mostly consistent all around year,so I feel so boring. In Korea, sunny weekends made me feel so exciting. However, I don't need to enjoy going outside even though on the beautiful sunny weekends. The people having everything may be not happier than the people having anything. The comparison of Korea's and California's helps me to learn the wisdom of life.

Journal#3 Old Fears

2008-09-05T12:34:00.000-07:00

Dogs are a very cute and lovely animal. I think so. I usually buy a doggy doll and I love to collect puppy pictures, but I am so scared of dogs. Even though very pretty puppies, I became nervous whenever I meet them. I hate their fur and teeth. I feel sorry for dog raisers. Especially my heart beat fast in case of riding an elevator with dogs and I loudly scream when a dog is next to me. I still don't overcome a fear of dogs; but fortunately most Americans think all dogs must be kept on a leash at all times outside home. Therefore now I don't need to be nervous in the U.S. such as in a few other countris.

Journal #2 Getting Around

2008-09-01T23:12:00.000-07:00

Laguna Beach provides a lot of events during summer. Art festivals and street musicians pull more and more visitors in the beautiful beach. As today was the last day of August and Festival, roads near Laguna Beach, streets and parking lots were crowded all day long. When I was in Korea, I thought that America wouldn’t suffer from a traffic jam and parking trouble. Certainly these cases do not happen so frequently in America as in Korea: on the contrary high speed driving and too much spacious parking lot make me feel fear. I don’t like to travel by car, but I occasionally drive to go shopping or to dine out. Especially on and around Laguna Beach are so many shopping districts and fancy restaurants. I had twice gotten a ticket on the number 133 freeway near Laguna Beach, although most domestic roads have a convenient network and are mostly free of charge. In Korea, toll roads have gates for collecting money instead of cameras for catching a illegal pass. The gate of Korean toll roads doesn't allow the car to pass through unless the driver pays a toll charge as in a parking lot. My car was pictured because of having no pass and I was fined 60 dollars, but I still don’t know where to purchase a pass for toll roads. There are a lot of luxurious cars on Laguna Beach. In Korea, especially conspicuous is the difference from expensive cars and cheap ones. Korean roads are very well paved like the number 5 freeway passing by Irvine and have so bright street lights. Therefore, luxurious cars in Korea give more comfortability to drivers owning to nicer pavement and the drivers can boast of their proud vehicles even in the dark night.

Journal #1 My Introduction

2008-08-30T23:50:00.000-07:00

It is a hard job to introduce a 42 year old housewife. My name is Ahn Young Ok, but I am strange to my name. In Korea, married women have few opportunities to be called by their name. Most Koreans don’t call a woman with husband and children by her name and even her parents call her by the name of her children. Since ALP, I became to know people who were trying to call my name, so I picked out my nick name Leslie for their convenience. My new name makes me feel confident. I like to be called by my name I chose. When I graduated the university, I wished I would be a journalist. During my student days, I worked as a student reporter and was acted in the play, but I have no careers since I was married. Now I have my own dream again. My major was Political Science, but I will first challenge M.A in Communications at CSUF and then want to attend doctorial course in Political Science at UC Irvine and concentrate on studying ecopolitics. My future school career will give me another opportunity. One of Korean popular poems sings that the flower has been only a little motion until I call it flower. I want my name is called by many people.

My new challenge

2008-08-29T12:40:00.001-07:00

At last, I got it. I am a blogger, too.