Rising Divorce Rate

Korea’s divorce rate is rising at an astronomical rate. In the early 1980’s it stood at around 5%. By the mid-1990’s it was around 25%, and by 2001 the rate had risen to around 30%. Worldwide, Korea now ranks 3rd in divorce rates behind the USA and the UK. What’s going on?

We mostly hear about how members of the younger generation just don’t understand what marriage is supposed to be, that they’re only looking for a quick way to satisfy their sexual desires, or that today’s newlyweds give up too easily when problems start to occur.

But while these things may be true, a rising divorce rate may also be an indication of something much bigger. Some people blame it on a breakdown of morality, but it could also be one result of the improved status of women. Interestingly, 64% of divorce suits filed in Korea in 2000 were filed by women.

In Korea any of the following conditions can qualify as a good reason to file for a divorce:

* proven adultery
* unreasonable behavior including violence
* excessive drinking
* making excessive sexual demands
* associating intimately with another man or woman, even if no sex involved
* neglect
* keeping the other part unreasonably short of money
* living apart for 3 years or more
* mistreatment of parents (either side)

Until recently, Koreans couldn’t understand how there could be so many divorces in the US while there were so few in Korea. Because divorces here were so rare, a lot of Koreans were convinced that their own social system, based on the Confucian idea that females should serve males, was superior to American system.

But it’s now clear that the main reason for the low divorce rate was the low status of women, who had no choice but to stay with their abusive or philandering husbands. Until recently, divorced women were looked upon in Korean society as “used goods”. Besides that, almost no jobs were available for divorced women.

All that has changed. Laws relating to grounds for divorce have loosened up quite a bit in recent years, mostly to the benefit of wives. This is a direct result of the improving status of women, who can now get out of uncomfortable relationships much more easily than in the past.

Most couples getting divorces in Korea are in their 30’s, and most of them have children. Children are usually the ones who suffer the most when their mothers and fathers split up.

Questions for discussion

1. What do you think are the main reasons why young people get married in Korea?
2. Why do you think that more young married couples nowadays are getting divorces than in the past?
3. Do you think there are any good reasons for getting a divorce? If so, what are they?
4. The article suggests that one reason for the formerly very low divorce rate in Korea was because Korean society discriminated against women, and women couldn’t get jobs after a divorce. Do you agree?
5. If you were in a bad marriage, would you rather stay in the marriage or get a divorce and become single again?
6. Which marriage partner do you think cause the most problems which lead to divorce in Korea- the husbands or the wives?
7. In divorce cases where children are involved and money is not a problem, which parent is better able to take care of the children- the mother or the father?
8. In your opinion, what is the best age for getting married—for men? For women?
9. Compare the advantages and disadvantages of remaining single and getting married for men and women.

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Food
No matter how it’s prepared, how much or how little of it we eat, whether we are picky eaters or willing to try anything, food is very important part of everyone’s life. Biologically and psychologically, food is of the highest importance to our health and well-being.

But beyond this, the kinds of food we eat also function to identify us a member of a particular culture. What foreigners might find distasteful or even revolting, the locals of an area consider normal. For example, you might find it disgusting that people would eat insects, but in some parts of the world, people eat insects without giving it a second thought.

Sometimes these cultural differences are not only a matter of taste but become a debate about morality. Some people find it objectionable that some Europeans eat horse or rabbit or that some Asian cultures eat monkey, cat, or dog.

In this age of globalization, some people are becoming increasingly concerned that the spread of Western fast food culture is threatening to obscure their native food culture. In countries all over the world, young people, especially, are becoming accustomed to eating American-style food instead of their native cuisine.

Discussion:

Food for thought

1. If you had to choose one food that is typical of Korea, what would it be?
2. Are there any kinds of food, besides Korean, that you enjoy eating? Are there any that you would like to try?
3. Do you think that Korean food is healthier than food from other countries? Why?
4. Do you think that you have healthy or unhealthy eating habits? Why?
5. What is the most disgusting thing you have ever eaten?
6. Most Westerners share a distaste of certain Korean foods, for example ‘bundeggi’, ‘san-nakgee’, and ‘boshintang’. What do you think about these foods? Do you enjoy them? What “Wetern” foods do you consider gross?
7. Where do you usually eat when you go out for a meal? What are some of your favorite restaurants?
8. How often do you eat at a street vendor? Have you ever eaten from a street vendor in another country?
9. Many Westerners are sometimes quite surprised by the prices that are charged for Western food at restaurants in Korea that would be considered to be only average quality in North America. Do you think Western food is over-priced in Korea or do you think that it is reasonably priced?
10. Are you usually surprised when you see foreigners enjoying Korean food or using chopsticks?


Activity:

Consumption Trends

Discuss the following trends with your teacher. For each one, speculate about what has caused these trends, what consequences are, whether they should be reversed, and how this could be done.

· Increasingly, Korean children prefer Western fast food to traditional Korean food.
· Korean children and teenagers are getting fatter and fatter these days.
· Anorexia and other eating disorders are becoming more common, especially among young Korean women.
· Women are smoking and drinking more than they used to.
· Increasingly, young people, including high school and university students, are taking up smoking.

Eat your Words

Describe, in as much detail as possible, each of the following.
1. Your favorite beverage
2. The strangest thing you’ve ever eaten
3. A food you could never give up
4. The best meal you’ve ever had at a restaurant
5. What you typically eat for breakfast
6. Your mother’s specialty
7. Something you can cook well
8. A cooking experiment that went horribly wrong

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These days, everyone is chasing the almighty dollar. Fortunes are made and lost in the blink of an eye, and split-second decisions often make the difference between success and failure. Money had been a key element in our society for thousands of years, and it will continue to play a vital role in our future.





Credit Card Debate
You will be asked to defend one of the following positions. Before you begin, read over the supporting arguments, and choose what you will focus your argument on.

Opinion 1: Credit Cards are Essential
· There are now a number of everyday activities, such as buying things on line which are not possible without a credit card.
· Customers can stop payment on a credit card account for unsatisfactory services.
· Most credit card companies offer purchase points and merchandise incentives, or airfare mileage points.
· Credit cards are a perfect way to establish and maintain a good credit card rating.
· Using credit cards, you can re-establish your credit rating after bankruptcy or other financial mishap.
· Credit cards allow you to get cash advances for emergencies.

Opinion 2: The Risks of Having Credit Cards Outweigh the Benefits
· The temptation to acquire too many credit card accounts can lead to losing track of payment details and deadlines.
· Credit cards give people a false sense of security and freedom, which make them likely to overspend.
· Most people who have credit cards have difficulty understanding the details about how the various fees are calculated.
· Young people, especially, are often poor at managing their money, and likely to find themselves in personal bankruptcy.
· Credit cards companies often charge high interest rates on cash advances.

Discussion:
1. Have you ever been hard up for money? What did you do to scrape by?
2. Have you ever lent money to a friend who was broke? If a friend didn’t pay you back for a long time, how would you handle the situation?
3. If you suddenly become filthy rich, what would you buy first? How do you think your lifestyle would change? Would you still work? Do you think there would be bad as well as good consequences?
4. Why are people so concerned with being well off? Does money always bring happiness?
5. What is the most you have blown on a shopping spree? How about for a meal? On alcohol? On a gift for special someone?
6. Do you and your friends usually chip in to pay the tab when you go out, or does someone usually foot the bill themselves? Have you ever gotten stuck with the bill unexpectedly?
7. How often do you pay things by credit card? How many credit cards do you have? Are any of them maxed out? Or are you good at managing your credit card spending?
8. At what age do you think people should be expected to be financially independent from their families? What do you think of young people who live at home after they start working and continue to sponge off their parents?

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Why is it that if someone is quiet, people automatically assume that person is nice, but a little shy? That may be the case most of the time (that timid people are nice, but perhaps stuck in their shell). However, I would like to suggest possible alternate causes for the silence.

I would assert that some quiet people are quiet because maybe they feel aloof to the situation or their surroundings. I know of individuals who think themselves above certain topics or circumstances. They would rather remain silent than lower themselves to the level of discourse

On the other hand, I know of cases where silence was mistaken for pretentiousness. In reality, however, the person was intimidated of the particular situation and that caused the individual to be reserved. This example goes to prove that silence can be tied shyness, although it may be misdiagnosed.

This train of thought, though academic, is not my ultimate destination. My main point is that many times silence can be a signal of danger. For example, ninjas are very quiet. Their silence stems not from shyness but from their stealth. A ninja can be completely silent, but very deadly. In this way ninjas are like human flatulence, silent but deadly. In other ways, however, ninjas are totally unlike flatulence, even though scientist have shown that ninjas have the ability to break wind. Although, no one has ever smelled a ninja fart and lived to tell the tale, as ninjas are able to creep up on their victims faster than the gaseous emissions. Ninjas arrive to kill the person before the foul scent can reach the unsuspecting nostrils. (This raises the question if a ninja lets one rip, but no one is around to smell it, did they really pass gas?) That is why ninjas are able to get away with eating so many soybean based food staples. But you would never get a ninja to admit that they eat gassy food, since ninjas cherish their silence so much that they would rather kill you than talk to you. That all feeds into why ninjas are so quiet, and so dangerous.

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Intentional or not, our cars tell the world a lot about what type or person we are – our social and financial status, our need for outward validation, our security in our gender roles, or even the transitional stages we are currently undergoing. All this information is subtly broadcast to the world based on what we are driving around town.

When someone purchases a new car, there are a lot of factors motivating their choices. Consciously or unconsciously, we choose our car based on who we think we are or who we want to be. This is because, at some level, we know others are judging us when we are in very public settings like streets and highways.

But cars not only project messages to others, they also reinforce the ideas that we have about ourselves. Think about it: there aren’t many good reasons for buying a new car given that they depreciate in value so rapidly. Besides, no one really needs a new car when a reliable used car can be purchased for a fraction of the price. So, there must be something else motivating people to make such large purchases, and considering the price tags, that motivation must be quite strong.

Discussion A:
1. What message do you think the following people are conveying with their cars?
· A middle-aged man driving a sports car.
· A young mother driving a luxury SUV.
· A young man driving a minivan.
· An older man being driven in a black luxury sedan.
· A young woman driving a small sporty two-seater.

2. According to surveys conducted in North America, the color of your car also says a lot about who you are. Do you agree with the following? Is it true in your case?

Red
You’re outgoing and impulsive with a youthful attitude, but easily bored.

Silver
You have great style and are often successful, but you tend to be pompous.

White
The first choice of doctors and drivers who are reliable and methodical.

Grey
Expresses understated good taste and indicates a safe, cautious driver.

Blue
A team player who’s sociable and friendly, yet lacks imagination.

3. How much do you care about what kind of car you drive? What do you think your car says about you? Do you think that you consciously chose your car based on the messages that it communicated to others?
4. Describe the interior of your car. It is neat or cluttered? Is it personalized or does it look the same as it did when you bought the car? What do you think people would think about you if they took a ride in your car?
5. How much time do you spend taking care of your car? What are some of the things that you do take care of it?
6. What kind of car do you dream of owning? What do you think it says about your personality?
7. Research has shown that men want power and performance from their cars, and women want safety and reliability. What do you think this says about men and women?

Discussion B:
1. Do you know who is a backseat driver?
2. What is road rage? Have you ever witnessed an incidence of road rage?
3. Generally speaking, do you think it is safe to drive in Korea?
4. Have you ever driven in any other countries? How did it compare to driving in Korea?
5. Which are of Korea is the most scenic to drive in?
6. Where is the most dangerous place to drive in Korea?
7. Have you ever been involved in a serious traffic accident? Do you know of anyone who has? What happened?
8. How do you usually get to work?
9. Who’s the best driver you know? Why do you think that person is a good driver?
10. Who do you think are better drivers: men or women? (just because there are few women drivers, it doesn’t mean they are worse drivers than men.)
11. Who are better bus and taxi drivers: men or women? Who do you trust more?
12. Do you think Korean drivers have a good reputation, or are they regarded as maniac behind the wheel?
13. North Americans can obtain a driver license when they turn 16. Do you think this is a good idea? Why or why not?
14. Do you know anyone who has driven drunk? Do you know anyone who was caught by the police driving while under the influence? What happened?
15. Do you think Korean car insurance rates are too high?
16. What is your favorite domestic car? Chairman, Tico, etc? Why?
17. Would you be embarrassed to drive a Tico? What do you think of Ticos?
18. What do/ will you consider when buying a new car? (price, color, fuel efficiency, etc.)
19. Would ever consider buying a foreign car?
20. If you won an expensive car like an Equus in a contest, would you keep it or sell it?
21. What is your favorite foreign car? Are Japanese cars well-made?
22. Have you ever driven a car while traveling in a foreign country?
23. When travelling in Korea, do you prefer to travel by car, train, or bus?
24. Have you ever ridden a motorcycle or scooter? What do you think of this form of transportation?
25. What do you consider to be the safest form of transportations?

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deportment • \dih-PORT-munt\ • noun

: the manner in which one conducts oneself : behavior

Example Sentence:
The school expects students to dress in proper attire and maintain a respectful level of deportment throughout the day.

Did you know?
"Deportment" evolved from the verb "deport," meaning "to behave especially in accord with a code," which in turn came to us through Middle French from Latin “deportare,” meaning "to carry away." (You may also know "deport" as a verb meaning "to send out of the country"; that sense is newer and is derived directly from Latin “deportare.”) "Deportment" can simply refer to one's demeanor, or it can refer to behavior formed by breeding or training and often conforming to conventional rules of propriety: "Are you not gratified that I am so rapidly gaining correct ideas of female propriety and sedate deportment?" wrote 17-year-old Emily Dickinson to her brother Austin.

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By: Brie Cadman

Biology and Behavior

Though our sleeping and waking preferences may be partially innate, some are due to what we’re used to from childhood, the seasons, or what we’ve adapted to. This means we can—and do—change our sleeping patterns.

For instance, during the summer, when daylight hours are plenty, we may stay up later but rise earlier with the sun. In the winter, darkness and cold sets in early, making our beds all that much more alluring. It’s also harder to wake early in the winter when it’s dark out.

Age also alters our sleeping patterns. Different times in our lives lend themselves to different sleeping patterns. During the teens, for instance, hormones may change the sleep and wake patterns, and this is one explanation as to why so many teens tend to shift to a night owl schedule. (Socializing, studying, and busy schedules also contribute.) Alternatively, as people get older, work and familial demands tend to make people more morning focused, regardless of their preferences. Later in life, in the sixties and seventies, people tend to need less sleep altogether.

In Sleep as in Life?

In reality, however, few of us are true morning people who can effortlessly bound out of bed at five or six in the morning; likewise die-hard night owls are also rare. Researchers estimate that extremes comprise about 10 to 20 percent of the population, with the rest of us falling somewhere on the intermediate spectrum. And in fact, the majority of us prefer a common point in the 24-hour continuum: daytime.

So what does that say about the common belief that night people are more creative—the artist who stays up to the wee hours to paint or the musician who keeps a bedtime-at-dawn type schedule?

A few studies show that character traits may differ between the diurnal and the nocturnal. A Spanish researcher found that the time of day we prefer to be most active corresponds to certain personality traits. Early risers were more likely to be logical and analytical, and likely to use concrete information as sources of knowledge, whereas those that stayed up late were more imaginative and intuitive. Another study published in the February 2007 issue of Personality and Individual Differences determined that night owls scored better on creativity tests than did intermediary and morning people.

However, the research presents a bit of a chicken and egg conundrum: Does your internal clock shape your psychology or does your psychology help shape your sleeping patterns, and thus your internal clock? Many questions still remain and I’m sure there are many creative early risers and analytical late-nighters who would dispute the above studies.

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Vocabulary related to Emotions

to feel uptight/ anxious
I'm sorry I snapped at you. I'm really feeling really uptight about things at work.

to take a toll

Actually, my stress at work is also taking its toll on my family life.

to have no patience for something

I have no patience for my coworkers

to go ballistic

Sometimes, I just go ballistic and start yelling at them!

to control one's emotions

I know I should control my emotions, but I can't help myself!

to be at the end of one's rope

I've tried everything, and now I'm at the end of my rope.

to get a grip

My manager just tells me to get a grip or I'll lose my job.

to blow off steam

Let's go out tonight. I need to blow off a little steam.

Aggravations and Amusements

Explain how you would react to the following situations. Focus on describing how you might feel in case and how you would respond.

·You accidentally lock your car with the keys inside.

·You have been taking an English conversation class and during one activity you accidentally make a mistake that makes everyone laugh including the instructor.

·You are running to catch a bus. The driver pulls away, just as you reach the door.

·You are out shopping and you make eye contact with someone you know quite well, but they just walk past you without saying a word.

·You get home after a long day only to find that there is nowhere to park your car.

·You are having a nice conversation with your friend on the subway, when an elderly man tells you an angry voice that it is a public place, and you are disturbing him by speaking too loudly.

·You are having dinner with a friend when someone at the next table suddenly collapses on the floor.

·You are on a crowded subway and a seat becomes available right in front of you. As you turn around to sit down, a speedy middle-aged woman darts into the vacant seat.

Feelings and Emotions Discussion:

1. Are you embarrassed when you are praised in front of other people? What do you usually do when this happens? What do you usually say?

2. Who is the most emotional person you know? Give an example of their behavior to explain why you think this way?

3. Are you good at hiding your emotions or do you wear your heart on your sleeve?

4. What was the most disappointing day of your life?

5. Do you hold grudges? Are you still angry about something somebody did to you in the past?
6. When was the last time you forgave someone for something bad they did to you?

7. Do you think men and women experience emotions differently? Can you understand the opposite sex's emotions?

8. Have you felt pity for someone? What were the circumstances?

9. What do you think is the most powerful emotion? (love, hate, jealousy, envy, etc) Why do you think so?
10. What is the most frightening thing that's ever happened to you? What do you dread the most?

11. What is the worst kind of pain (toothache, backache, mental anguish etc) Do you have a high tolerance for pain?

12. At what time of the day are you in your best mood? Why?

13. What would make you feel really happy these days? Why?

14. Do you think animals have emotions? What emotions do you think they have?

15. Do you anyone who is grouchy? Describe some of their actions.

16. When was the last you were really upset? What happened?

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At one time, offices were the epitome of formality where bosses were addressed as "Mr." or "Mrs." and you wore only suits or dresses. Now, many workplaces have a business casual dress code with even more casual Fridays, and the bosses -- who go by their first names -- are your Face book friends.

Employers relaxed the rules to enhance workplace attitudes. If you're on the phone or on the computer all day, it doesn't matter if you're wearing a tie. At least you'd think so of course, as with all things good, too much can be detrimental. How can you have a relaxed, casual environment while still maintaining your professionalism?

Friendships are commonplace in all jobs. They exist between colleagues and sometimes between employees and their bosses. Try as you might, switching from friendship to professional mode while you're on the clock can be difficult. For the sake of your office, however, you might want to try harder. "We spend so much of our day at work that people often forget where the line between work and personal life should be drawn," says Roberta Chinsky Matuson, president of Human Resources Solutions. "Discussions regarding what you did last night and with whom are not necessarily conversations one should be having at work." what you say to a close co-worker can be overheard by many other people in the desks or cubicles within earshot. Even if no one else hears, you could be talking to the wrong person in the first place. You might be close with your boss, but giving information that could undermine your reliability or professionalism can harm your career down the road when it's time for a promotion.

Your words, appearance and behavior are three key factors in gauging whether work has become too casual. The use of expletives, overly familiar terms (calling someone by [his or her] first name or a nickname when few others do), using common slang deemed inappropriate for work communication or failing to use appropriate jargon for your particular work context. The obvious wardrobe error is dressing down too much, including jeans and belly-revealing shirts, not to mention showing a lot of cleavage or tattoos and piercings. When it comes to grooming, the rules are pretty much common sense: Keep the style and color appropriate to your field and bathe on a regular basis. And Lastly, Your behavior: "This could include too much socializing at work, socializing that is perceived as too personal and too often getting inside another person's personal space, which for most Western cultures is about arm's length.

VOCABULARY: discuss and give the meaning of the highlighted words.

ARTICLE DISCUSSION:

· Do you think it is appropriate for a workplace to have a strict dress code? Why and why not?

· When do you think should an employer and employee draw the line in a business environment? And will there be an advantage and disadvantage for doing so?

· According to the article, what are the no- no’s in a workplace attitudes?

· Do you think it is inappropriate or appropriate to be close to your boss?

· What are the standards of measure to determine whether work has become too casual?

· Do you have this kind of situation in your office? And if so, does it really affect the workplace environment?

IDIOMS:

Dressed to the nines - if you are in your very best clothes, you're dressed to the nines.
Dress to kill - when someone is dressed to kill, they are dressed very smartly.
Dress someone down - If you dress someone down, you scold them.

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EMAIL FROM MY STUDENT " NICK "


hey~ It's nick. How r u? These are pictures taken from Eiffel Tower.

I hope you enjoy that~!


Talk to later~!

NOTE: You can also send your interesting pictures to

my email so that I can post here in our blog...

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Nowadays companies are finding out many ways to reduce costs and improve their profitability. Expense management is a process where you narrow your company’s or organization expense/repayment transactions. This helps mainly in getting rid of the paper forms and make sure all your employees are working on one style in all places inside your company.

Expense management could be used for keeping employee data, accurate information on employees salary, recurring and nonrecurring expenses.

Implementing Expense Management software BenefitsImplementing expense management software means cutting out your major costs.

Saves money and time on all expense management process

Increase efficiency by reducing overall administrative time.

Reduce each expense type and make sure that employees do not go above their limit.

Advantage of having an expense policy compliance

Complete control over the entire corporate expense management process

Increase the accuracy of record keeping

Easily approve all cash advances and transactions

Accurate information data for real time analysis

In short expense management can save lot of money for your company/organization mainly to increase accuracy and productivity

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THE HATCH REPORT

The internet is an amazing entity. It is constantly expanding, constantly updating and changing. New content is being posted all the time. People are recording thoughts and ideas; new products are being described, marketed, and sold. It seems like a place with limitless growth potential.

All that is fine and dandy, but is human knowledge expanding? The answer is yes. Of course, some of that information may be more beneficial to improving the human quality of life than other information. For example information about how to prevent disease improves human life in a much more direct way than the latest celebrity gossip does. But in both cases, the information satisfies someone’s human curiosity and in that respect at least in some way improves quality of life. The best part of the internet is the speed of dissemination and the ease of access and information retrieval. Those improvements over past methods of distributing and retrieving information are perhaps the biggest benefits of the internet.

How does this philosophical talk relate to the content of the website you are currently viewing. Well, this site does not portend any great revelations to human knowledge. Hopefully the writing will be of some interest in provoking thoughts. Hopefully the informational articles will be instructive in how to do things and think about things that are useful. Another than that, this site does not offer much else.

INTERNET DISCUSSION:

When did you first use the Internet?
About how many hours a day do you use the Internet?
About how many hours a week do you use the Internet?
What are some security issues you must think about when you access the Internet?
Have you ever bought something using the Internet?
How can the Internet be improved?
Do you think our lives have been improved by the Internet?
Do you have any ideas or ambitions to start an Internet company?
Do you think the Internet favors men or women?
Do men and women use the internet for different purposes?
What are the sites you most commonly access?
What is the best thing about the Internet?
What problems does the Internet create?
What problems does it solve?
Is it dangerous to meet people on the Internet?
Would you like to go on a date with someone you meet on the Internet?
Do you think that the Internet safe for children?
Why do you think that it is important for schools to have Internet access? Why?
Do you think that it is a good or bad habit for young people to play computer games?
Give me a reason why you think that email is a good way for people to communicate.
The Internet can help people work from home. Do you think that this is a good or bad?
Do you think that meeting people is easier than meeting people face to face?
Are old people disadvantaged by today's usage of the Internet? How?
Do you think that the Internet will replace Libraries?
Do you think that online banking (being able to do most of your banking by the Internet and ATM machines) will become popular in all countries? What is a disadvantage of this?
Do you think that some people spend too much time on the Internet and does this stop them from seeing their friends? Why?
In some countries you can sell personal items on the Internet (E-Bay). Do you think this is a good idea?
Many Universities are now offering online courses. Give me some reasons why this is a good thing.
Do you think that the Internet usage is an anti-social activity?
E-commerce (buying and selling things on the Internet) has become very popular. Give a reason for this?
Is the Internet making people more impatient?
Are we becoming a society where we all want instant satisfaction?

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Dealing with Stress, Stepping out of your Comfort Zone

There’s no doubt about it: stress is one of the most common features of modern life. While it’s true that in the past, people were stressed too, the distinct characteristic of modern life, and what gives people these days even more tension than their ancestors is life’s complexity. When you think about it, the sheer number of choices facing people on a daily basis is jarring. From marriage and children careers and hobbies, we have more choices facing us than we can sometimes handle. The result is stress. So, how stressed are you? Care to know? Have a look at the following simple stress test to get an idea.

Stress Test

Answer each question using a number. When you complete the questionnaire, add up your total number of points. An answer key is provided below. Discuss the results.

1= Never True 2= Sometimes True 3= Often True 4= Always True


1. I try to do as much as I can in the time I have.
2. I dislike being interrupted and sometimes become irritable.
3. If I don’t win at games, I don’t really have a good time playing them.
4. I speed to get through intersections before the light turns red.
5. I don’t like to ask people for help on a problem.
6. The respect and admiration of others is very important to me.
7. I often check the time.
8. I look for ways of doing better and achieving more.
9. I don’t have enough time to do things I need to do.
10. I do more than one thing at a time.
11. I get angry or irritable.
12. I don’t spend time alone or have time to enjoy my hobbies.
13. I dislike talking with people who speak slowly.
14. I work at or near my limit.
15. My friends and relatives think I work at or near my limit.
16. I am involved in several projects at the same time.
17. I do most of my work to meet deadline.
18. If I am not doing something, I feel uneasy or guilty.
19. I take on too many responsibilities.
20. I am dissatisfied with the way other people do their work.

Answer Key
· If your score is between 20 and 30, chances are you are non-productive or your life lacks stimulation.
· A score between 31 and 50 indicates a good balance in your ability to handle and control stress.
· If you tallied up a score ranging between 51 and 60, your stress level is marginal and you are bordering on being excessively tense.
· If your total number of points exceeds 60, you may be candidate for heart disease.

Discussion:

1. Briefly describe your stress symptoms. Do you withdraw from people? Sleep more? Sleep less? Become irritable? Smoke more? Eat more? Experience muscle tension or pain? Get headaches?
2. What causes you the most stress? Family, relationships, work, colleagues, romance, personal issues?
3. How do you deal with your stress? Is it a healthy way to deal with it? Does your way of dealing with it lead to more stress?
4. What is the key to reducing stress in life? Exercise? Balance? Sleep?
5. Do you think that having some stress is a good thing? Why or why not?
6. Someone once said, “Having no stress is stressful.” What does this mean? Do you agree?
7. Korean workweeks are, on average, still longer than their counterparts in other countries. How does this affect you personally?
8. Have you participated in any physical activity to reduce your stress? How about yoga, tai chi, or meditation?
9. What is your perspective on drinking to relieve stress?
10. Does smoking really reduce stress? Why do so many people use stress as an excuse to smoke?
11. Which would you choose and why: a fast-paced, exciting, but stressful job in a large city or a relaxed, fulfilling, sometimes boring job in the country?
12. Koreans often describe themselves as the “hurry-up people.” Are you satisfied with the rushed lifestyle in Korea or would you like to see it become more relaxed? If you were suddenly President and could change something to make the country less stressful, what would you change? If you’re happy about the lifestyle, explain why?
13. The “hurry-up” mentality has caused some problems for Korea. Some say the collapse of both the Sam-poong Department Store and the Sung-soo Bridge are examples of this. What do you think?

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I can't name a single person who doesn't have some fantasies about being filthy rich. I'm quite certain that most people also have the same daydreams. Just look at the lines of people buying lottery tickets and you'll see the stars in their eyes.

But, how in the world do you marry a millionaire? Do you just walk up to people in the streets, ask them if they're rich and single? It's a great fantasy but not one that most people have the pleasure of turning into a reality.

There are reality TV shows that allow people to compete for the opportunity to win the heart of and marry a millionaire. That just doesn't seem to be the proper way to court and fall in love. But, stuff like that brings in viewers and more viewers ensure profits for TV producers.

If you really want to marry a millionaire, make it happen. Just know that you might have to change your lifestyle before you even attempt to chase that dream. If you want to be rich, surround yourself with rich people. Just make sure you are able to fit in. Normal people can't marry a millionaire if they don't play the part. Think about it, millionaires are probably well educated, worldly and live life in a certain manner. Remember Marilyn Monroe's role in "How to Marry A Millonaire"? Pretend you're her. Woo the lady or man that you've always dreamed of. I can't say that just because you may get lucky enough to marry a millionaire, you'll be happy. As much as you may think money buys happiness, and for me it just might, it may have the opposite affect. Perhaps after the ownership of expensive materials gets boring, you may realize how much you don't enjoy your lifestyle. I'm not sure why, so don't ask. But it could happen. You've seen the shows and movies. There's always the lady who does marry a millionaire and has a miserable life. Maybe he's never around. Maybe he has girlfriends all over the place. Maybe she's lonely and empty inside. Maybe they need to spend some of their earnings on therapy.

You certainly didn't marry a millionaire, but he/she is one in a million. You struggle to pay our bills some months and have arguments about money. Sure, You'd absolutely love to have a huge house and expensive cars, constant shopping sprees and go on exotic vacations. In fact, that's what people think about when they are waiting behind all of those hopeful people in the lines to buy lottery tickets. They don't need to marry a millionaire; they just need a few lucky winning numbers.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever had fantasies/dreamed of becoming rich or marrying a millionaire?

2. Are there any reality TV shows in Korea?

3. What do you think about reality TV shows or dating game that allow people to compete for the opportunity to win the heart of and marry a millionaire?

4. Do you think this is a proper way to fall in love or is this a proper way to choose your lifetime partner?

5. What is your ideal courtship?

6. Do you believe that if you want to be rich you need to surround yourself with rich people?

7. What do you think about people who are social climbers?

8. What is your idea of a happy family?

9. If a person marries a millionaire is there an assurance that the person will be happy?

10. Do you believe that money can buy happiness?

11. What about king and queen do you think they enjoy their lifestyle?

12. If given a chance to choose would you like to be famous and rich but not happy or an ordinary person but happy?

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They come around once a year and heaven forbid that you forget one! Wedding anniversaries are a time to let your partner know that they are special. It's a chance to show your romantic side. Some people like to be traditional and follow the set rules for anniversary presents, from paper for the first anniversary to diamonds for the sixtieth. It's a long time to wait for diamonds. It would be an achievement to follow the anniversary presents list every single year. You may want to use your own imagination and knowledge of your partner, perhaps honoring the crystal, silver, pearl, ruby, gold, and diamonds for the landmark years.

The anniversary doesn't have to be celebrated by anything tangible. Anniversary presents could include a special outing or experience. Perhaps you could organize a trip in a hot air balloon or a hang gliding lesson. You could put together your own romantic day, with a champagne picnic in a row boat on the river. That will probably be treasured more than expensive earrings or cuff links.

If you don't want to organize something yourself, you can buy anniversary presents in the form of experience days, where the whole day is set up and you just enjoy. There's everything from swimming with sharks (divorce is less dangerous), to a day in a health spa. If it's difficult to decide on something you both like, you could take it in turns to choose.

There are some presents that can't be gift wrapped but make a wonderful statement. Anniversary presents just need a bit of lateral thinking. A tree can be planted in your partner's name, maybe in a place that means a lot to both of you. You could go beyond earth and name a star for your beloved. That star will carry that name forever and there will be a certificate of registration, so no one can take the name away. When you promised them the moon and the stars, you sort of did it! While you're at it, you could have a favorite song played on the radio.

If you do want something that your partner can open and you can see the delight in their eyes when they unwrap their anniversary presents, you could buy a piece of original art. Make sure it's to their taste and not just yours. A painting, a sculpture, or an antique that your partner has mentioned or hinted at! Why not compose your own poem. Romantic anniversary presents don't come more personal than that. If your talents don't lie in that direction, buy a book of love poems to be on the safe side.

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:

1. Have you ever celebrated anniversary?
2. What does anniversary mean to you?
3. What is your ideal anniversary presents?
4. Do you think celebrating anniversary is important?
5. How can you show and let your partner know they are special?
6. Which do you think a person will appreciate and treasured more, an expensive jewelry gift or a romantic day together?
7. Are you a romantic type of person?
8. Have you ever gave a card or letter to your partner?
9. Do you believe that anniversary is the time to celebrate the good year of your relationship and be thankful that your still together?
10. What are some of the qualities of your partner that you appreciate?

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Scientists in the USA say they are a step closer to developing materials that could make people invisible. Researchers at the University of California have found a way to cloak humans and objects using special materials that redirect light around things. The findings, led by Professor Xiang Zhang, were published in the journals ‘Nature’ and ‘Science’. Zhang works at the Nanoscale Science and Engineering Centre at the university. His team developed a set of artificial “meta-materials” on a microscopic scale that is measured in billionths of a metre. The researchers said the special “fishnet structure” of the nano-sized objects do not absorb or reflect light, which makes them seem invisible. They compared the light to “water flowing around a rock".

The new discovery is a huge step forward from earlier technology that only allowed the concealing of two-dimensional objects. In the future, scientists could make “invisibility clothing” to hide people and large objects. However, scientists are still a long way from designing and manufacturing invisibility cloaks. The U.S. military is extremely interested in developing this idea to bring the technology to the battlefield. The U.S. Army Research Office funded part of Dr. Zhang’s research. The technology could also lead to more powerful microscopes that are able to look more closely at living cells and even tinier objects. This means scientists could look at how viruses are formed and how they grow.

INVISIBILITY discussion:

· What springs to mind when you hear the word “invisible”?
· Would you like the ability to become invisible?
· What would you do if you could become invisible?
· What uses could an invisibility cloak have?
· What do you think of Professor Zhang’s research?
· Do you think invisibility is something only from science fiction?
· What do you think of the idea of a two-hour invisibility pill?
· Would you like a job as a researcher?
· Can you remember how the new technology works?
· Are you interested in reading about new discoveries in science?
· How much would you pay for an invisibility cloak?
· How do you think invisibility cloaks would change the battlefield?
· What kind of large objects might people want to hide, and why?
· What other huge steps forward have you read about recently?
· Do you think other countries will worry about America’s invisibility technology?
· Do you think more powerful microscopes will find things we never knew existed?
· Do you think this new discovery will help in fighting diseases?

Idioms of the day:

give him the slip: leave him; hide from him
example: I think that man is following us. Let’s give him the slip!

a grey area: something that is difficult to define
example: I researched your case but there are not any black and white answers. Your situation seems to fall into a grey area.

give him credit: acknowledge an achievement or contribution of someone
example: Although he is not easy to work for, you have to give him credit for managing the company well.

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Barack Obama was elected the first black president of the United States Tuesday night in a historic triumph that overcame racial barriers as old as America itself, The Associated Press reported.

The son of a black father from Kenya and a white mother from Kansas, the Democratic senator from Illinois sealed his victory by defeating Republican Sen. John McCain in a string of wins in hard-fought battleground states - Ohio, Florida, Virginia and Iowa.

A huge crowd in Grant Park in Chicago erupted in jubilation at the news of Obama's victory, according to AP. McCain called his former rival to concede defeat - and the end of his own 10-year quest for the White House. "The American people have spoken, and spoken clearly,"

McCain told disappointed supporters in Arizona.

Obama and his running mate, Sen. Joseph Biden of Delaware, will take their oaths of office as president and vice president on Jan. 20, 2009. As the 44th president, Obama will move into the Oval Office as leader of a country that is almost certainly in recession, and fighting two long wars, one in Iraq, the other in Afghanistan.

South Korean government officials and diplomatic watchers in Seoul said the impending change of administration in Washington will have little impact on the solid alliance between South Korea and the U.S., though Obama is expected to take a different stand toward bilateral trade issues and North Korea from that of his predecessor, according to Yonhap News.The office of President Lee Myung-bak is also firmly convinced of the continuation of the strong bilateral alliance under the Obama presidency, as the new U.S. leader has repeatedly pledged to further solidify the U.S.-Korea relationship throughout his campaign.
Korea times

image by AP Associated Press

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You will meet 20 different people in this clip.

This is the type of question that makes some people think a lot before answering, while others answer very clearly and immediately.

68the-best-year-of-your-life
Uploaded by realdogswimming

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Grieving is usually associated with the death of someone important in your life. This can be referred to as "big death", since it usually involves a family member or friend. However, life is full of "little deaths" as well. They occur unexpectedly and take many forms such as: the unexplained loss of a job; the loss of a pet; loss of a budding romance; or an expectation of someone that is not fulfilled. Little deaths also can consist of such things as an investment that goes awry, or a dent in the fender of your new car. And there is always the unexpected illness or injury that forces an immediate alteration in one's lifestyle and relationships.

VOCABULARY BANK

grieve
• verb suffer grief; cause great distress.
awry
• adverb & adjective away from the expected course or position.
dent
• noun a slight hollow in a surface made by a blow or pressure.
• verb have an adverse effect on.
fender
• noun the mudguard or area around the wheel well of a vehicle.
alteration
• verb change in character, appearance, direction, etc.

DEATH / GRIEVING DISCUSSION
· Are there special rites or ceremonies performed when a person dies in South Korea?
· Are you afraid of death?
· Do you believe in life after death?
· Do you often think of death?
· Do you think that there is anything worth dying for?
· Do you want to know the date of your death? Why or why not?
· How do you cope with the death of someone special?
· Is organ donation/transplants an option where you live?
· Is the death of a loved one considered a joyful or a sorrowful occasion?
· Is there any person you would die for in order to save? Who is it?
· What are some ways which you can help a family which has just experienced the death of a family member.
· What are your beliefs pertaining to a person's soul once they have died?
· What do you think of suicide?
· What happens to a person's remains after death? (cremation, burial, etc.)
· What is the mourning process?
· Where do we go when we die?
· Would you consider physician-assisted suicide if you were suffering a painful dying experience?
· Who do you think would mourn for you after your death?
· If you were on death row, what would you request for your last meal?
· Why are so many people afraid of death, when it is unavoidable?
· What would happen if you died?
· On account of your beliefs or some other reason, do you look forward to dying?
· Have you ever had to put a pet to sleep?
· Do you believe that you will be born again?
· What should you say to someone who has lost a loved one?
· Why is facing death a difficult experience?
· How does a person cope with death of a friend or loved one?
· What are some reactions to death of a friend?
· How do your national customs surrounding death reflect the values of your country?
· What are some funeral customs in your country
· If you were given the chance to have someone die with you, who would that person be?
· Have you ever thought you'd like to die?
· How does it feel when your loved one dies and you were unable to see them for the last time?

DEATH IDIOM:

At death's door: If someone looks as if they are at death's door, they look seriously unwell and might actually be dying..

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