North Korea cuts all links with South Korea

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/asia/northkorea/4394455/North-Korea-cuts-all-links-with-South-Korea.html

In a significant escalation of tensions on the Korean Peninsula, North Korea has cancelled all agreements with the South, claiming that the two Koreas were on the "brink of a war".

By David Eimer in Beijing
Last Updated: 7:44AM GMT 30 Jan 2009

South Korean President Lee Myung-bak delivers his New Year's address at Presidential House. Pyongyang remains angry over South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's decision last year to cut the amount of economic aid given to the North, until progress was mad Photo: GETTY

The decision by Pyongyang to nullify all military and political accords, including declaring the maritime border between the countries "void", increases the prospect of an armed confrontation on the Peninsula, where over a million soldiers face each other along the Demilitarised Zone that divides the countries.

North Korea's Committee for the Peaceful Reunification of Korea blamed the South for Pyongyang's decision to sever all links, claiming that the agreements between the two countries were "dead documents".

The neighbours last clashed militarily in June 2002, when they fought a deadly gun battle along the disputed maritime border in the Yellow Sea.

Pyongyang remains angry over South Korean President Lee Myung-bak's decision last year to cut the amount of economic aid given to the North, until progress was made on disarmament.

The Six-Party talks aimed at ending North Korea's possession of nuclear weapons have been stalled since last August.

Analysts believe the North's leader Kim Jong-il, who is thought to have recovered from the stroke he suffered in August, is waiting to see the approach of new US President Barack Obama towards the rogue state.

The North, which has long used its nuclear capability as a way of extracting economic aid and concessions from the US and South Korea, wants to establish diplomatic relations with Washington in a bid to end years of global isolation, as well as pressuring the South into abandoning its tough stance on economic aid.

In response to the North's cutting of ties, Seoul said its armed forces have been on alert since earlier this month, but urged Pyongyang to reduce tensions by agreeing to talks.

Outliers: The Story of Success

I am in the midst of a wonderful book that I'd recommend, about the "story of success." it takes a look at people who have become rich or successful or good at something (sports, academics, business), and picks it apart, talking about statistics, birth dates, time in history, resources, family ties or lack thereof, cultural situations, and etc; then he applies it to why some people become successful and why perhaps others do not. it's a very compelling book.

I found a particular chapter on the Korean Air Crash epidemic in the 80s and early 90s to be especially interesting, as they talked about how language shapes how we think/interact and communicate with each other on a cultural level and inter-culturally. he discusses how the USA has one of the lowest if not at the very far end of power dynamic stratification, where the individual sees him/herself as its peers/boss' equals and communicates in that way, and how Korea is #2 on the opposite end, only behind Brazil. Koreans flaunt their superiority, and there are rules about how 2 people interact w/ each other-language and inference and even body language is completely dependent on the nature of ones status to the other. there's even a different word 'dongsang' for little brother, and big brother, 'Opa,' which deserves more respect and requires a completely different language code. Anyway, back to the book, Outliers.
I read this chapter with great interest, seeing exactly where he was going the entire time with his point. I knew the reason for the crash before he even got to it, because I have seen these kinds of conversations and how they go between a Westerner and a Korean, one in which the Westerner will say something directly, and the Korean will find it to be 'rude,' or too direct. Or oppositely, a Korean will make a passive statement only one time and expect that the western person will make the proper connections and do the "right" thing, and come to the Korean's expected conclusion, but our minds don't work that way and we just get frustrated and there's a lot of drama and conflict as a result.
And of course, there's my favorite, when you offer something to a Korean that they really want, but their culture insists that they must say no, which means gives the offerer an opportunity to flaunt their generosity by offering two more times--while the receiver gets to flaunt their modesty--finally, the arguing comes to a conclusion--satisfying for Korean folks, but for someone like me, leaves me feeling impatient and annoyed, as if I'm playing a role in a confusing game where no one exactly explained the rules.

Anyway, read the book. here's a passage I very much enjoyed the author is talking about 'pilots' here, but really, it could be anything. I definitely see it applying to my lifestyle here in Korea as a professional educator:

"When we understand what it means to be a good pilot; when we understand how much the culture and history and the world outside of the individual matter to the professional success, then we don't have to throw our hands up in despair at an airline where pilots crash planes into the sides of mountains. We have a way to make successes out of the unsuccessful. But first, we have to be frank about a subject that we would all too often rather ignore. "

Seollal Agashii

All Around this world,
in life of every day,
princesses still should
deserve to exist;
even if she only gets
to dress up on very
special occasions.

~Apkujeong 01.25.09~

SNOW

Snow attached itself to the windows and dissolved within a fractions of a second. The world outside was in fast-forward; a time-lapsed video. It assaulted us from all sides, blowing from all directions but seeming to come from no direction in particular. I, however was safe. I was inside in the pre-paid-pod--at least for now --encased by the protective shell known as bus #201.

I dare you to find me!

http://www.maplandia.com/korea-south/seoul/

I dare you to find my house!--well, i'll tell you where my school is, anyway.
go to the map and double click on Guri until you see an outline of the city. See those wide brown spots? those are the school playgrounds! see the seoul city limits line? it's a dashed white thing. my school is the westernmost brown spot to the east of the line in a cluster of houses. there is a main intersection really close by. See it? That's me! I'm waving at you right now!

Sus

How's your January going? WINTER BOOK CHALLENGE

1. Anyone can participate and can join in at anytime after December 1st and before February 28th.
2. Each individual can set their own goal as to how many points they think they can earn in that time and if they want to they can reward themselves. The top 3 point earners will get to choose the 25 point tasks for the next challenge.
3. Each task counts for points only once and the same book can not be used for two categories.
4. Re-reads count (unless otherwise stated).
5. If you have at least 50% of a book you started prior to the beginning of the current challenge it may be counted towards your point total (if it meets the criteria for one the tasks).
6. Small adjustments can be made to the categories but try to stick as close to the task as possible...if you aren't sure feel free to ask.
7. In general small books (I'd say 100 pages or less) like children's books should be used sparingly and only for the 5 point tasks.
8. Audiobooks can be used to complete any of the tasks unless otherwise noted.
9. It's fine to change your mind about which books you plan to use for which task at any point.
10. Other than that just have fun and post what you are reading and your point totals...

5 POINT TASKS
1. February Is African American History Month: Read A Book With A Main Character Who Is African American Or A Biography/Autobiography Of An African American.

2. February Is National Library Lovers Month...Visit Your Local Library And Either Check Out A Book Or For Those Who Have To Own - Buy One From A Library Sale And Read That Book. (Previously Purchased Books Don’t Count.)

3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Romance Novel.

4. It’s Winter: Read A Book Whose Title Contains a Winter Weather Word – i.e. Blizzard, Snow, Ice, Sleet, Icicle, Snowflake, Frost, Freeze, Slush, Flurry, Chill, Or Hail.

5. Pick 10 Books From Your TBR List, Put The Titles Pieces Of Paper, And Pick One Out Of A Basket Or A Hat Whatever You Can Find, And Then Read That Book.

6. Read A Book By A New, First Time Author. (The author can have only one published book at the time you read it.)

7. Read A Book Whose Title Starts With The Word Who, What, Where, When, Why Or How.

8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word Winter, Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, or any other winter holiday.

9. Read A Mystery Novel.

10. The Oscars Are In February: Read a Book you’ve Already Seen the Film To.


10 POINT TASKS
1. For Chinese New Year: Read a Book That Takes Place in China or Was Written By a Chinese Author.

2. For The Holiday Season: Read a Book with a Holiday Song in the Title.

3. For Christmas: Read a Book with Any of the Following in the Title: Angel, Miracle, God, Jesus, Shepherd, Manger, Wise Man, Mary, or Joseph.

4. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Love, Romance, Kiss, Valentine, Cupid, Sweetheart or Heart in the Title.

5. Many Great Authors Died In 2008: Read A Book By An Author Who Died This Year. http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/years/...

6. Read A Book That Takes Place In A Country That Is Part Of Your Ancestry (I.E. If Your Irish Read A Book That Takes Place In Ireland Or About Ireland).

7. Read A Book Where The Main Character Is Mentally Or Physically Handicapped.

8. Read A Book Whose Title Contains The Word King, Queen, Princess, Prince, Duke, Or Duchess.

9. Read A Book With December, January, Or February In The Title.

10. Read A Book With A Title Containing The Name Of A Body Part (Eg. Hand, Nail, Finger, Toe, Etc).

15 POINT TASKS
1. For African American History Month: Read a Book about the Civil Rights Movement (Non-Fiction) or Takes Place during That Time Period (Fiction).

2. For Christmas: Read a Book with the word Santa, Elf, or the Name of Any of the Reindeer in the Title.

3. For Valentine’s Day: Read a Book with the Word Chocolate (Or Type of Chocolate or Other Candy) In The Title, Then Eat That Kind Of Chocolate Or Candy.

4. Read A Book And Read It's Sequel. Books should be read back to back. They can be any two books from a series (not necessarily book 1 & 2) but should be read in order i.e. book 3 then book 4 not book 5 then 8.

5. Read A Book Where One Of The Main Characters Has The Same Profession As You.

6. Read A Historical Fiction Book Featuring A
Famous Historic Personality Or A Biography Of A Historical Figure.

7. Read A Non-Fiction Book About A Religion Other
Than Your Own.

8. Read A Book That Relates To One Of Your New Year's Resolutions.

9. The Oscar’s are coming: Read a Book or Play Whose Movie Counterpart Was Nominated or That Won in the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay Category and Watch the Film. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Academy_Awa...

10. In Honor Of Inauguration Day: Read A Book About Politics/Politicians (Fiction Or Non-Fiction).

25 POINT TASKS
1. Karen's Task - Read a book about / set in / or by an author of a country with a name that starts with the first letter of your name (first / middle / last). Example - If your name is John - you could read a book about Japan, set in Jamaica, or written by an author from Jordan. http://www.listofcountriesoftheworld.com...

2. Ann From S.C.'s Task - Read a book that you have started but never finished.

3. Lisa's Task - Read a book of at least 700 pages.

Keelung Night Market; Taiwan