MeRrY CHRISTMAS~~ !!! :D

Merry Christmas everyone! :D

Hope this season is especially joyful and memorable!

I know I haven't been able to post much this semester (yes, it's Junior Year!) .. but MERRY CHRISTMAS!! HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS! :D

The Power of Three

"Let's push the train!" a man hollered to the crowd waiting for the subway. He places both hands bravely onto the stalled cart composing the subway train. For a moment there is silence as vital seconds pass by until the train restarts and the man stuck between the rails and the platform is no more. More silence between the people in the crowd. The man looks around and shouts words of encouragement, "We can do this. We can move this train and free the stuck man. But with only me? -- there's no chance that he'll survive. We are his only hope. We can do this!!" The man lays unconscious, unaware of the dilemma that is happening around him concerning his life. If the people try and shift the train to the other side, he lives. Even if the sole man shouting pushes with all his might, he dies, crumbled underneath the thick tires of the subway train. After what seems like an eternity, a young man pushes through the crowd and places his hands on the train. "I'm in!" he declares as he looks expectantly into the crowd. The once silent crowd start whispering and discussing, the fate of the unconscious man resting in each and every one of their hands. People are looking at one another, each waiting for another to make the first move. A young woman finally places her small hands ready and prepared to move the train. All of a sudden, the crowd rushes. Each person reaches to touch the train as the man who first initiated the effort looks relieved. He quickly composes himself and organizes the pushing into a systemic effort. (P.S = the train/cart is empty) After a couple of systematical pushes by the crowd, the subway train tips in the opposite direction and the unconscious man is quickly rescued with only minor lacerations. The crowd cheers as they look unbelieving at the tipped cart. They have done the unthinkable, they have moved the train that weighs tons with their bare hands. How? -- Well it's all in the power of three.

~~~~~~~~~~

I saw a documentary about a month ago explaining the physiological aspect of the human mind about people becoming victims of their situational environment or "overcoming" their environment. It was really eerie how people can be so easily affected by what others do and think around them even in a life-or-death situation. For example, a subway in Korea exploded and many people died and were injured, but the people who trusted their instincts and escaped the cart lived. 10 minutes before the subway exploded, the subway conductor/driver announced that the subway would take a short break and resume 10 minutes later. So the people in the subway believed the man and patiently waited for their ride to resume. Who wouldn't right? But here's the catch, smoke started to seep inside the cart where the people were waiting. As the minutes ticked by, more smoke poured into the cart ..... yet no one did anything. Most of the people just sat there quietly coughing. No one moved even though something was apparently wrong..... Everyone was waiting for someone to do something, watchful of what others were going to do yet scared to be the catalyst or being judged. These people assumed that since no one was taking action that nothing was wrong, even though the smoke was the only evidence that they needed to known that something was in fact very wrong. The few people who did escape, did so by opening the subway doors themselves and in doing so avoided death. Yet as these few people climbed out, most of the people just sat there, coughing ...... little did they know that they would all die soon. The choice to wait for others to take action cost their lives. Each person in the subway waited for another person to stand up and take charge. Well, if person A is waiting for person B to act and person B is waiting for person A to act .... nothing gets done and nothing happens. If one person had taken action and spoken out and said that something was wrong and that everyone should escape, all the people would still be living now. Yet no one had the courage to speak out because they were afraid of getting judged by other people. After hearing this story, I realized how hard being a leader really was. The ability to stand up, speak out and tell everyone that something is wrong is actually pretty hard. People think that since no one else is speaking out against something that everything is okay. The people in the subway doubted their instincts to get out of the subway because they watched what the people around them did. They blindly believed the conductor's statement that they would leave in 10 minutes and assumed that nothing would happen and everything would be all right. This example also provides insight to how the Holocaust and other notorious atrocities occurred throughout history. Everyone was waiting for another person to speak out and as a result, no one spoke out. The people in the subway lacked a leader. They needed a person to become the spark and tell them that their instincts were correct. There was no such person on the subway... Almost everyone died ... Had one person spoken out and taken action and two other people joined, their cause to escape would have become a movement. Who knows if one person spoke out but was rejected by the others? If that one person doesn't have support of at least two other people, the cause fails. The subway train example from the way top of this post explains this. Because three people agreed to try to move the train, the crowd joined in. If no one had responded to the one man's calling... the man who was stuck would have probably perished. If you have one person in a cause, people view it as being a one-man cause. If you have two people in a cause, it's just a group. Yet if you have three people, it becomes a movement that is worthwhile to fight for.

~~~

The documentary also showed other examples and stimulated the subway smoke incident in classroom. When one person was in a room, however, they quickly ran out of the room when they discovered that smoke was slowly filling up the room. The physiologists noted that this was because they didn't watch and wait for others to take action.. because there was no other person. This revelation was chilling because it portrayed how much we watch other people's reaction and wait to see their solution, so as to not feel stupid when the incident is in fact nothing. But in cases where the incident (such as smoke filtering into the room) is a situation of life and death, people still wait and see what others around them are doing. Even though the warning sighs eminently show something is wrong, we sometimes choose to ignore our instincts to just fit it. This is where leaders are important.... STAND OUT. SPEAK OUT. BE THE LEADER. And remember:

"I wondered why somebody didn't do something. Then I realized : I AM SOMEBODY. "
--anonymous

[[ Just an opinion: The phrase one person can change the world is in a way true, but in a way false. True = one person's idea can change the world. False = one person without the support of other people can make a difference.]]

Will you be the leader? or the follower? If you are the follower who will the lead the others?

World Cup..Something People Can be Proud About...Esp. Koreans

4 years have past like the wind and the fever of the World Cup season is back again in South Africa. The period of the World Cup is a time of happiness, disappointment, cheering like crazy, staying up all night just to watch a game, and most of all a time that heals a nation, gives hopes to people around the world, and opens a door to a plethora of possibilities for people in underdeveloped countries. These players on the field running with all their strength become subjects of national pride, and most importantly become role models for the millions and millions of kids out in this world. All of countries participating in the Cup have devout fans cheering and rooting for their countrymen. Let's see ... 32 countries have been able to advance into the World Cup out of hundreds and all of them undoubtedly are every proud of their players. However my pride for my country has overflowed and is still overflowing. So which country am I talking about? In fact which two countries am I talking about? Why South and North Korea of course :D. Asia was given three tickets (I think?) for the three "best" Asian soccer playing teams. The three lucky countries: South Korea, North Korea, and Japan. North Korea is ranked 105th in the world while South Korea is ranked 47th.

~~~~

Many Koreans, including me, were both elated and surprised that BOTH Koreas were able to advanced to the World Cup. Now why is this a big deal? Well, Asia is a pretty big continent and holds many good soccer teams

known worldwide, but it amazes me that a tiny peninsula was able to capture two spots in the Cup. Many people worldwide think that North and South Korea are two totally separate countries and have nothing in common. This is true in some instances and the major one being the two separate government types.

However, what most people do not understand that the most important factor is the same. THE PEOPLE. We both share the same deep ancestral roots, the same language, the same history, the same love for our nation, and as a result we are family. Maybe not family that gets along well, but family nevertheless. And witnessing North Korea being able to go to the world cup was a very proud moment and a time to reflect on how far Korea and its people have come from the times of the horrible and tortuous days of the Japanese occupation and Korean War. Yes, we are separated... Yes, we are a tiny nation without much power

against the major nations... Yes, the world doesn't understand the tears of a torn

nation... BUT YES, WE ARE FAMILY...AND YES, WE ARE ONE! The time of reunification may actually be ticking away as the children of the Japanese occupation and Korean War become elderly and pass away unable to pass the torch of our prideful nation's last wish. Yet the World Cup reminded me of the wish... When the North Korean players raced down the field playing against Brazil, Portugal, and Ivory Coast .. I was there cheering and cheering for my people.

Let me hear your thoughts.. please comment below !!

[was supposed to post this before school ended.. but the learning lab lady stopped me ;( ]

Wow.. School is almost over with just 2 more days of school left ....

actually technically one for me b/c i have no final on Friday..

I remember the same exact moment from last year of the last week of school

Going to Blue Baker with Cristina after a final for open campus lunch, taking weird pictures with Joon and other class mates.. HAHA

and i remember thinking... next year .. ahh whatever we still have a long way to go..

but WAIT BOOM WAMMM KAAAABAAAAMMMMMMMMMMMMM

SOPHOMORE YEAR IS OVER..

not a freshman any more, not an underclassmen any more... but ...

............................................................

..................................................................................................................................................

an upperclassmen...

wow ... .. WOW

and i'm still really short... haha ...

KCYC

I still need T-Shirt money from the following people for KCYC:
* Sun Choi * Chris and Brian Hong * Joshua Ho

T-shirts are $13 ... Please give this amount to Jeeho's mom or YoungJee .. THANKS!!

StuCo

StuCo Banquet was amazing!! -- plus good food and nice company :] I had many surprises this evening .. yep.. surprises

AP Test

AP Human Geography Test is now over!!
--All of my classmates should gather together and make a bonfire..haha just kidding (:P)
I'm sure everyone did GREAT!!~
the Free Response was wayyy easier than I expected but the Multi-Choice was ehhh... so so??
THANK YOU MS. LANGE FOR PREPARING US SO WELL FOR THE NATIONAL EXAM!!

FINALS

ahh!! AP and Finals week are coming up .......

GOoD lUcK eVeRyOnE!!

~~~ HANG IN THERE!! ~~~~~

to all my human geo. peeps, hope you guys beast the final and AP test!!

btw: I made notes for different chapters if anyone needs .. ask me (:])

funny and cute

Regionals

WeLl, I spent my weekend preparing/going to UIL regionals ! (:])

--cramming my head with Civil War stats and everything.. haha I'm totally prepared for that Civil War chapter in APUSH next year :)

Although my team and I didn't place, it was still a great experience!

--seeing the people who are really really really smart and getting to talk to them was fun!

Even though I didn't (or my team) didn't make it to state, I now understand the true competition level :]

well, hoping for better results next year but

SPECIAL THANKS TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL UIL TEACHER SPONSORS FOR SPENDING THEIR VALUABLE SATURDAY WITH US !! :]

STUCO STATE WAS AWESOME!! :]

-- will def. post pictures and my reflections later

[[i know people really don't read this blog, but I guess it'll be my little diary type thing and besides blogging is funnn!!]]

The Face of the Sophomore English Pre-Ap Student

happy

Spring

and

Easter Week

shirts

Doubt anyone looks at this .. but I don't mind babbling to myself.. :]

well, i sent e-mails with the "maybe" t-shirts .. soo i guess checked them

KCYC SHIRTS

So.. about the KCYC shirts ...

I'll keep you guys posted about the design...
I'm gonna post a "pre" design or some choices of the designs so yeah comment if you like/dislike them ;]

thanks!!
happyyyy spring breakkk!!!

KCYC

Here are the times for KCYC orchestra practice for those of you who lost the sheet:

3/6 = Saturday *12-2:30

3/13 = Saturday *12:30-3:00

3/14 = Sunday *4:00-6:00

3/27 = Saturday *9:00-11:00 am

3/28 = Sunday *12:30-1:30 [for those of you who can't make the 3/27 practice.. come to this "additional practice"
*4:00-6:00 [[regular practice time]]

4/2 = Friday *12-2:30

4/3 = ** we are probably gonna play somewhere... so SAVE THE DATE :]

4/4 = *12-1:30
*** 5:00 CRESTVIEW practice/set up
*** 6:00 Crestview performance

--- If you can't come to any of the practices.. please contact me (979)422-7042 or at cookemonster12@gmail.com [YoungJee] OR Jeeho's mom OR smartie101@gmail.com [Angela]

Thanks!! :]

HAPPY SPRING BREAK

Haiti Earthquake Poem

Okay, so for English class we had to write poems for a project. We had to complete different activities before we started actually writing a poem [ex: listening to music and writing down as many words as we could think of and writing a poem from theses words], well one of the activities inspired me to write a poem about the harsh realities about the aftermath of the Haiti earthquake and all earthquakes... So I guess this is a poem in memory of all those who have perished from the Haiti and Chile Earthquake:

All is quiet, not a single sound can be heard

But in the darkness, a girl waits to be found

Breath shallow,

Hopes down,

Courage erased,

All is lost in a world diseased with pain and suffering

Victim, the girl is smothered by darkness

As, it’s slowly eats away the light

Her hope

Her only hope

As the few vital hours slowly evaporates, her eyes close

She has lost all hope..

No reason to fight

She will never be found

Her family lay around her

Scattered like shards of glass

Her family torn in a few seconds

No reason to fight

For the life she once loved

I know.. this poem is really sad, but I wanted to show the true reality of the earthquakes ...

-----will post another poem soon of a rescue -----

E-mail

Ok, so I send an e-mail to Mr. Reed yesterday and Cristina and I are prob going to talk to him tomorrow about the fundraiser..

His secretary person said a lot of fundraisers are going on concerning Haiti, but I hope he'll let us .. It may not happen as soon as planned, but I think the Haitians would need more support once the media stops covering news there and help/aid slowly goes away?

Well.... I'll keep posting :]

and Thank you for becoming followers, it makes my day :]

YAY FOUR FOLLOWERS :]

Thanks guys :]

What to do??

So after I heard about the earthquake Thursday night .. I wanted to do something to help the Haitians that were in dire need of help... But what can a 15 year old living in a city in Texas, hundreds of miles away from Haiti do?? did I have medical training or any special training that I got that would really help the people? NO... I wasn't a doctor or a rescue personnel ...HMMM.... (-.-)" .. problem??
At first I was unsure of what to do, or what steps I should take ..
Whenever a disaster struck a different part of the world, in a place where they don't have much, I wanted to help out. But at those times I was younger and did not have "power".
Now I feel that I can help because I'm sufficiently old enough to organize an event or organization to help the disaster stricken country. With each picture I saw of the devastation in Haiti, I wanted to help more. I was actually quite frustrated that I couldn't immediately help (except for donating money.)
So I thought I should help organize an event or fundraiser at our school or community to help these Haitians. I called my friend who I thought would also be interested in powering a fundraiser and I suggested my idea. Haiti needs a lot of supplies and resources and major organizations like UNICEF, Red Cross, UN, Stand with Haiti, and other great relief organizations bring these resources to them. Many local and international organizations have started raising money to help these people and I thought high schoolers should also raise money [ or do something ] and to their appreciation of our blessed lives here in the US. It would also be a great way for teenagers to stay connected with the world and help people in need. So... my friend and I discussed a way to help Haiti and decided to try and start some sort of fundraiser at our school. Maybe we could raise money? -- but a lot of organizations would be doing that and just collecting money from students didn't seem like a way that could best connect teenagers .. so we thought.. maybe a bandage or medical supplies drive?? but another problem.. Teenager at least at my school didn't seem interested in the earthquake or many didn't even know about it. I would talk about what happened in Haiti and there would be a brief nod or reply and then BAM.. "By the way.. did you hear about ........sadie .....weekend...it's friday...tired....clothes...i need to go shopping...."
So maybe spreading the word out about Haiti and raising support from the teenagers here would help the people over there too.. to show that we know what's happening even though we might not be there to actually physically help. Informing our friends and peers about this could also widen their vision and help open their dreams of helping others. And it could just be a way to understand and take a few moments to realize how privileged and lucky we are to live in a country that has many luxuries and a plethora of basic necessities on the palm of our hands. Shower?? here.. it's weird and looked down upon if a person doesn't shower at least every other day.. there .. they don't have water to drink ...
Here we drench ourselves in huge pools of clean, drinkable water to keep ourselves feeling fresh and clean...
There they die waiting for someone to give them a drop of water..
Here we're going shopping, eating wonderful meals in a heated home..
There they're trying to dig people out, hoping that somehow people crushed in a building could survive days under the rubble...
And the differences go on and go ...
There is a massive differences between them and us.. except for one fact.
WE ARE ALL HUMAN! And another human is in dire need of help, the more fortunate one should extend their hand.
I'm sitting here, comfortable and warm typing on a computer ....
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
what have I done to receive such blessings?
well now i think it's time to show our appreciation of our blessings and make use with our power to help these people.

Feelings

Howdy!! :]
Ok.. I'm from College Station and I attend A&M Consolidated High School. Although the earthquake in Haiti occurred on Tuesday, I learned about the disaster yesterday when my friend's mom told me. I haven't known about this earthquake because I didn't have time to watch the news for the past couple of days. But it shocked me because our school and teachers didn't announce it or discuss about this disaster. They supposedly thought that we already have known, but not one person around me,[ during lunch, in the hallways, or class... ] talked about this urgent situation. Everyone's mind seem to be focus on events that are happening here and Haiti didn't seem to really be a discussion topic. This shows how isolated teenagers may feel with the real world. The world in the minds of the teenagers are focused primarily on THEIR CURRENT lives. So after I thought about this situation and watched Wednesday's and Thursday's news, I realized yet again how blessed we all are to have a home, food, water, and other basic necessities that we take for granted. I sighed and looked around me.. here I was eating a warm bowl of soup and rice and watching the chaos that was happening just a couple of thousand miles away in a little island country of Haiti. I grew sad and wanted to something that would in someway help these people.....
My dream has also been to become a doctor and join the United Nations or other organizations that reached their arms out to the needy and devastated parts of the world. One dilemma: Would I be strong enough both mentally and physically to see the devastation and help?? I also thought I was afraid of the sight of immense amount of blood and pain...
seeing blood wasn't my problem but actually I wasn't very strong watching the beginning incisions in an operation .. I would winced and seem to feel it [if that makes sense?]
But as I watched the survivors of the earthquake doing all that they could to help their neighbors and doctors, volunteers, and other personnel rushing to Haiti to help in any way possible.... I gained confidence ...
Doctors from all over the world are hurrying to Haiti to help the people there, even though they know the dangers and pain that is in Haiti. They sacrifice. These doctors could have stayed at home, leaving the relief effort to another person, and just continued on with their lives. But NO!! These honorable people left in a moment's notice.. right when they heard.. and without hesitation to set forth to cure and save hundreds of lives that would have other wise been lost. I gained a more powerful vision and courage. If these powerful and wonderful people could see blood and work in difficult and panicky situations .. I could too... and I will too in the future ...
Being a doctor and going to help people has always been my mission in life.. people in North Korea and joining the United Nations ... but as my vision and mission gets stronger ..
i can suck up my "fear" of blood and witnessing devastation ... why? -- because it can and would save lives...

Help Haiti

Hey Guys!!
We're finding a way that teenagers here in a pretty rural town of College Station can help Haiti and its victims ....
It's an idea that popped in my mind today (because I learned about the whole earthquake today) and my friend and I are working hard to find a way to help Haiti out in any way possible!!