Here's how to help keep kids out of the hospital from COVID-19

You can help doctors and nurses overwhelmed with COVID patients, including very sick children | Opinion

https://www.pennlive.com/opinion/2022/01/you-can-help-doctors-and-nurses-overwhelmed-with-covid-patients-including-very-sick-children-opinion.html

Faith Leaders worry about the impact of Jan. 6 on American democracy

The Pennsylvania Council of Churches organized an online prayer vigil to mark the first anniversary of the Jan. 6 insurrection.  Here's a story on the event:

Faith leaders are praying Jan. 6 will not extinguish the torch of American democracy

Poor People's Campaign Say Senators Are Hurting Those Most Vulnerable

Dear Joyce, The outright refusal of extremist republicans like Senator McConnell and his caucus and the interposition gradualism and inactions of those claiming to be moderates like Senator Manchin and Senator Sinema are causing hurt, harm, pain, and unnecessary economic and physical death among the most vulnerable of our society. None of this has to exist. Even if we can’t be fully in the streets because of Covid and our care for one another, we won’t be silent any more. The Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call For Moral Revival, is committing to a new season of intensified nonviolent moral direct action, emboldened by our current conditions, and led by poor and low-wealth people alongside religious leaders and moral allies. Today, we begin a national call-in where we are asking all of you – poor and low-income impacted leaders, religious leaders, and moral allies – to call the offices of Senator Manchin, Senator Sinema, Senator McConnell, and Senator Schumer. We demand that Congress do right by the 140 million poor and low-income people living in this country and meet their pressing needs, from voting rights, health care, paid leave and living wages to immigration justice, the rights of indigenous people and more.

CALL CONGRESS TODAY

We don’t have scarcity of resources in this nation, instead, we have a scarcity of moral consciousness that is blocking economic investment and voting rights and hiding behind an historically regressive and racist filibuster which is morally indefensible, constitutionally inconsistent, politically incompetent, and economically insane. We will act together using moral language, with the power of love, truth and justice on our side, until our demands are realized. This may take more than a season, but our deadline is victory! Every day of continued injustice will only embolden our agitation and strengthen our resolve to realize our moral agenda and the nation we have yet to be. Join us as we take our first action this season and call Congress today!

Forward together, not one step back!   Rev. Dr. William Barber and Rev. Dr. Liz Theoharis Co-Chairs, Poor People’s Campaign: A National Call for Moral Revival

Martin Luther King Jr. Day ( Jan 16, 2012)

I woke up early this day to attend a Central Pennsylvania Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. 

When I was in University, I read one of his speeches which were noted for ‘I Have a Dream’. Martin Luther King Jr. had many speeches to ask the equality and coexistence between blacks and Whites. That is all I know about him, so I thought attending the service was a good chance to know about him.

On the Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there are the various events taking place in the region, and I attended one of the services which were held at Camp Curtin School. The Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service is an annual event that is sponsored by a consortium of schools, non-profit organizations and community service groups in Central Pennsylvania.  I could see many presses and many different ages at that school. The most impressive thing was there were a lot of volunteers wearing a T-shirts printed about MLK Day. Even though they could spend time for resting at home or meeting with their friends, they helped the people who visited school for Martin Luther King Jr. Day of Service. They seemed like they emulated MLK Jr’ spirit of self-sacrifice. Also, there was a performance about the Africa-American’s human right by high school students. It was short, but very impacted. I could get the meaning of Martin Luther King Jr. Day easily, and also I think it’s good for children to understand.

Actually, I didn’t know that Martin Luther King Jr. Day is national holiday. After attending the service and searching about the Martin Luther King Jr., I think Martin Luther King Jr. Day deserves to become a national holiday.

Did you enjoy the Farm Show?

From January 7th to 14th, Pennsylvania Farm Show was held. For me, a farm show is not a familiar word, but it was really enjoyable experience to go there. When I talked about Farm Show, all the people mentioned food there. They said the food in the farm show is really fresh and delicious! I got some specific good food from them.

Near the farm show complex, I was really surprised at the cars. I have never seen so many cars like the day in Harrisburg. I heard later that this farm show is so famous that people who are not reside in Harrisburg came there, and then, I could understand that was why.

As soon as we arrived, we went to the food court. The food was the best thing we expected to the farm show. The food court was very crowded and there were very long lines for Milk shake that I really wanted! After long waiting, I could get the milk shake and it was really great! I ate mozzarella cheese cube, too. The cheese was fantastic! I totally understood the reason of the long lines.

After food, we started to look around the rest of farm show. The farm show complex was big and there were many kinds of animals. Cows, rabbits, chicks, etc.

It was really interesting. As I always live in cities, I don't have any opportunity to see animals in person. I can at most see only cats in my house. Many different kinds of animals were really impressed.

After the farm show, I could realize that the farm and agriculture is quite important to Pennsylvania. I couldn't feel it in Harrisburg but I could in the farm show. Plus, it is a big enjoyment for people in this state, especially for kids. I hope the event like this will hold in Korea, too.

Happy Holidays and New Year!

It is 2012! We are in the new year! I was so busy this holiday season. I sold gift sets and was invited to Christmas dinner and New year's dinner. I am sure the holiday season is the most live season of the year in the U.S.A.

When it comes to New Year's day, I think it is less meaningful than Christmas for American people. Every American have a dinner or party with their family for Christmas and exchange many gifts. So, just before Christmas, the mall is very busy and the day of Christmas, I can't see anything and anybody outside. Everyone is home with their family. Christmas is the biggest holiday for American.

Compared to Christmas, New Year's day is casual. People celebrate this day by their own way. Some spend this day with family like Christmas, some go to the big city and participate in the countdown or some go to the club and have a party. One of my friends said me "Christmas is with a family, New Year's day is with friends". I think it is correct.

In Korea, New Year's day is a really big holiday. It's the one of the biggest 2 holidays. (Other one is Thanksgiving Day.) We celebrate New Year's day on the lunar calendar so it changed the date on the solar calendar every year. It's January 23rd this year. For New Year's day, every people moved to their hometown to meet their family, so we suffer terrible traffics every year.

The new year season is the most busiest season for the mall(especially, food) because people buy presents for the new year's day. Korean people don't exchange gifts but usually give them to thankful people around New Year's day.

On the new year's day, Korean family has a big party with traditional food. We have an unique custom. When children bow to older people for new year's good luck, the older people say good words to the children with money. So it is very exciting day for children.

I think Christmas day in the U.S. is very similar with Korean New Year's day. Food and detail is different but gathering and the way to greet and talking was the same. It was same feeling at least for me.

I hope you all spent great holidays with your family and everything goes well this year. Happy new year!

Happy new year:)

Hello, everyone:)

It is new year, 2012.

I greeted the New Year in New York.
I think a lot of you guys saw the TV show at midnight in Time Square. It was truly a big event.

I tried to go, but I gave up because I heard the waiting time would be more than 8 hours.
From 1-2  p.m.  people started to gather on the square.
As night fell, it was impossible to move in the time square.

Can you imagine? during 8 hours, you cannot go to toilet!
.....So I choose to see it on the TV:)
I believe it was the best choice.

I was with my friends, and we cheered and clapped when midnight came.


It is new day and we are happy to say HAPPY NEW YEAR.

Hello, New York:)

Hello, Everyone.

I have a piece of news.

I moved in New York City!

I got a part-time job in Korea Consulate, New York.

There is a campaign, and I joined that from 1st Dec.

There are two elections, Congress and President,

and overseas korean who has a visa can vote in America.

However, almost Korean doesn't know it.

That's why I work to advertise campaingn.

Its not easy...

It looks like.. um.. home-visiting sales....

I don't go home, but I try to talk Korean on the street, in the institute.

I was busy because of the work.

I hope that I write something new in New York City.

See you later:)

I miss Harrisburg!!!!

How old are you?

Oct. 7. It was my birthday.

I invited some friends and had the mexican dinner with them.

At that time, I got a lot of questions to ask my age.

I answered "25 In America, but Im still 26 in Korea."

If you are American or European, you are confused this sentence.

If you are Chinese or Japanes, you can understand exactily what I told.

Yeah, It's different to calculate age between them.

In America and Europe, a baby is 0-year-old when he is born.

And he is 1-year-old after 12 months past.

In Korea, Japan and China, a baby is 1-year-old when he is born.

And he is 2-year-old after 12 months past.

I celebrate my birthday, but my age isn't changed on that day.

Every 1 on Jan, everyone get 1-year-old together.

People of 3 countries thinks it is a human being even he isn't come out yet from the belly of mother.

So they add 1-year-old when he is born.

One more thing, I have 2 birthday in one year.

One is 1986.Oct.7 followed by sun calendar,

the other is 1986.Sep.4 follewed by moon calendar.

Long times ago and utill now, Korea has moon calendar.

It's not public calendar, but we our holiday(new years day and Chu-seok)

has to calculate on the moon calendar.

I hope its enough to explain how to calculate age in Korea.

......

......

and I prefer American's way..

I want to be young!! ;_;



Burqa and the rights of Muslim women

On Oct. 8, we have a Teacher workshop on Muslims. I learned many things about Islam and Muslims. Among them, I got more interested in Burka. So I will talk about Burka and the controversial issues on that in this post.

Burqa means an enveloping outer garment worn by women in some Islamic religion to cover their bodies in public places. Usually, people who don’t know the name call it just a veil. There are several kinds of veil that Muslim women wear and they are called as other names depending on the level of body exposure. Burqa is the kind of veil that covers the most part of body among them.

It became as a symbol of repression to women because of Taliban in Afghanistan. They forced women to wear Burqa as one of their extreme policies. Still now, in many Islamic countries, Women are reinforced to wear Burqa by husbands and government. They have to live behind the veil. They cannot make friends on their communities because the purpose of Burqa is to hide women from people. Only her family who are presented by her husband can see her own appearance. Yes. Burqa means the subordination to men for Muslim women. The biggest problem is they cannot choose to wear this Burqa or other clothes.

So, do you think we have to get rid of Burqa because of it is a bad thing? Many non-Muslim has that kind of opinions, especially in Europe. Many countries in Europe want to take it over from Muslim women because they are afraid of Muslims who live in their own territories. It makes even the word ‘Islamophobia’.

Last year, France banned Burqa. They had many ridiculous reasons such as the violation of rights to equality. They said women who wear Burqa violated the rights to equality because they could see other’s face but hid their face. It doesn’t make sense. It’s like if I am naked, you have to be naked because it is fair to do so. Even ban on Burqa is the contradiction itself. People blame forcing Muslim women to wear Burqa. The prohibition of Burqa also compels them not to wear Burqa.

I think their movement against Burqa is not to protect Muslim women’s right but to oppress Muslims by using the symbol of their religion. In reality, Muslim women have protested against Government who prohibit their own garment.

 "This is an attack on my freedom of conscience, my freedom of religion, my freedom simply of being a woman, so this is a really big attack on my own life”.

This is said by one female of protesters. Burqa can be suppression to Muslim women but at the same time, it can be the most valuable thing to them.

Commercial Breaks

This monday, Gossip Girl that is my favorite drama started its season 5. Because of it, I watched TV for the first time in USA. I was really excited and concerntarted on TV. However, My Gossip Girl was often interrupted by commercials. I already knew that there are some commercials in one show in USA but it was too much! I didn't know which one was longer, the drama? or commercials? The commercial breaks came around 4 times during watching the drama. I could watch the drama for 4 minutes and had to watch commercials for 3 minutes.

During a program on American TV...

    

            A program 4 min.                 ->             Commercials 3 min.          ->        A program 4 min.

In korea, commercial breaks during one program show on the public broadcasting channel is prohibited. They can emit commercials only before and after the program. On cable channels, commercials are inserted in the middle of a program but the length and the number of times depending on the length of programs are limited by regulations.

Few years ago, there were vocies to introduce commercial breaks in the middle of a program for profit of advertisers. They insist the income of advertisers is getting reduced so the introduction of commerical breaks is needed for the efficiency of advertisement. The government and broadcast stations also agreed with them and they pushed ahead to do it.

However, public people didn't want to accept it. They were opposite against it because of right of wathing. They said people have a right to watch TV without interruption of commercials. So Korea can't bring commercials in the middle of a program.

In my opinion, I understand this system can promote industry of advertisement and help them to live more but commercial breaks in programs annoys me. Under korean system, viewers can control channel when commercials come out and go back to the cannel when the program that they want to see starts if they don't want to watch commercials. But in America, it is hard to change channel when commercials are on air because they don't know when the program start again. It's really inconvenient for viewers and just good for advertisers.

In most ways, I support American's free-regulation system but when it comes to commercials, I think proper regulating is not bad and needed.

Glad to meet you, Congressman Tim Holden.

It was a office of congressman, Tim Holden.

There were people to say hello each other

and they talked lively in the hall.

Someone talked about family as a greeting,

on the other hands, the other talked to discuss the hot issue in Harrisburg.

I turned my eyes to the office.

(Because I didn't know who they are..., but I said hello a lot in there, too.)

I looked around the pictures on the wall

and articles in the newspaper.

These show me who he is and what he did.

Something was so old, so I could guess he has worked so long time.

There was a football picture, so I could he like a football.

Tim Holden started to speak in front of people.

He spoke not fast, not slow.

Everyone in the hall concentrated on his speech to understand what he said.

(I also tried to focus on it, but its too difficult to understand for me.)

After his speech, people started to ask questions to him.

A guy asked what is plan for Harrisburg and he explained the answer what its going.

Congressmas needs to communicate with people, voters.

They have to speak their supporters opinion in the house and public.

In a same time, they also need to pursuade their supporters.

Even some people suggest an idea to give benefit to them,

it always can't be good,

in the view of federal gov, or in the view of state gov.

He tried to communicate with them.

So people tried to understand him.

It was good chance to remind a duty of politician.

......

(Anyway, the lunch was delicious!)



Two bison deaths at Hershey Park

    

On Sept. 7, two bisons was dead at Hershey's Zoo America because of last serious flooding. One drowned and the other was enthanized by the staff. Recently, A animal rights group PETA called for federal probe of the bison deaths. I have 3 questions on this case.

First, It is so big case for people here. When I googled this case, it showed me 506,000 results. I am surprised that deaths of two bisons can make such a big amounts of news. Last summer, South Korea had singular big flood in history but I've never heard any news of animals. I think American people think that animal is important as same as human more than Korean. I was also surprised that there is a word 'beloved bisons' in an article. It is hard to find this kind of word for anmials in the articles of newspapers in South Korea.

Second, I thought about enthanasia. Basically, I am not opposed to euthanasia. I think it's better to administer euthanasia than keeping unmeaningful life. But I am sure it has to be careful and be paid close attention. However, in this case, a staff shot a bison when he was in water. I am wondered how long the staff considered the bison's death and pain.

Finally, the biggest problem of Hershey's staffs is not to prepare evacuation. Everybody knew it was heavy rain and TV warned all day big flood. But they keeps saying they did not know the seriousness of flooding. I think it does not make sense and PETA said the zoo failed to evacuate the animals despite receiving warnings that severe flooding was imminent. In my view, they just ignored warnings and handled the flooding easefully.

The last flooding might cause many damages and victims. We can call it as a natual disaster. But we have to know human can prevent many of them.  

+ Why did they fail to evacuate the bison?

According to Hershey Park, the staff put the zoo evacuation plan into effect and began to move animals in danger spots to other Hershey Entertainment & Resorts property, including the Giant Center, Hersheypark, Hersheypark Stadium and Hersheypark Arena.

The flood waters rose very quickly in ther area occupied by two bison, said Mindy Bianca, Hershey spokeswoman. The bison weigh about 2,000 pounds each and stand about six feet tall.

+ What is PETA?

People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals(PETA) is an American animal rights organization based in Norfolk, Virginia, and led by Ingrid Newkirk, its international president. A non-profit corporation with 300 employees and tow million members and supporters, it claims to be the largest animal rights group in ther world. Its slogan is "animals are not ours to eat, wear, experimetn on, or use for entertainment."

There are critics of their ways of campaign and euthanaia. There are also opinions that their advertisement is too exterme. In 2009, they eutanized 2,301 dogs and cats. They think if there is no shelter or home for animals, they will suffer pains and giving death to them is better than that.

Flooding, Who is in charge of it?

Do you remember flooding 2 weeks ago?

It might be YES, YES, YES.

It was huge disaster.

The front street was flooded, and people moved from uptown area.

Some roads became big ponds or a stream,

trees on the island was disappeared half of it.

The news was showing it again and again,

schools were closed, shops were closed, too.

(The mayor had said to close every shops)

But there was no one angry to the government.

People prepared everything themselves,

they didn't blame the government.

You might be wondered.

Why do I blame the government because of flooding?

 In Korea, there was flooding in this summer.

It was huge as like here,

subway station was closed as like New york,

cars were sinked, roads were disappeared.

And people were angry.

They thought it is in charge of the government.

To predict, To prepare.

The government need to build and fix a waterway,

and manage it for protection of flooding.

I don't think they are wrong, American and Korean.

I agree the government is in charge of flooding,

so its required to clean and maintain,

and the government has to be reproach for its carelessness.

But people also have to know the government isn't God who knows everything.

So they need to wait and keep on eye the government.

The government is a collaborator, which work together.

Hum.... Anyway, I like rainning, with a cup of coffee:)

Happy Chu-seok, Marry Chu-seok!



Happy, Happy, Happy!

It was awesome day.

Yesterday was a holiday, Chu-seok in Korea.

It's to celebrate to begin the harvest

t(Thanksgiving is a day to celebrate to finish the harvest)

and people shares these grains, fruits with whole family.

On this day, it's happen to huge moving in Korea,

because everyone try to visit there hometown to gather their family.

So,

I made a Chu-seok party with my new family, in Harrisburg.

I and Jenna had cooked more than 6 hours.

Nurumjeok(fried with vegetable and ham), Kimbab(Sushi with seaweed), Sesami reaf fried,

 Chicken stew(hot spicy), Fistbab(rice with tuna), Dongurangddang(fried beef, tufu and vegetable)

Ddukbboki(rice cake with spicy) and Sikhye(rice punci).

I was worried a little bit.

These food are not familiar with Americans.

Of course, I couldn't be sure my cooking..

However, everyone liked these!!

They were impressed taste, and enjoyed a lot.

I was so happy that they like korean food.

(and I didn't make disappointed my cooking, hahaha)

Even my family in Korea gathered together,

but I didn't miss them.

In Harrisburg, there are new family who enjoy Chu-seok with me!

Happy Chu-seok,

Merry Chu-seok!

(Traffic jam is terrible, but people don't give up to leave)

Social Media in South Korea

I think most of you have an account of Facebook. Nowadays, Social Media Service is growing up rapidly and smart phone boost it. So it became one of the important tools for everyone in private or public sector.

There are many social media services in South Korea. Koreans use global services such as Facebook, Twitter as well as Korean services like Cyworld, Metoday and Many portal websites offer blog service. Cyworld is the most famous SNS(Social networking service), which is similar with Facebook. Metoday is a same type of social media with Twitter. We call it microblog. I will explain the most popular social media service in South Korea, Cyworld compared to Facebook.

1.   The Biggist Korean SNS that Facebook can’t win in Korea, Cyworld

Cyworld that most Koreans are using launched in 1999. It is earlier than launching time of Facebook(2004). Cyworld offer the space to communicate with friends online like Facebook. The big difference between Cyworld and Facebook is openness.

If you sign in the site, you can get a “Minihompy” (Abbr. mini homepage) for the personal space.

 

Cyworld Minihompy

  

It is like a virtual home of each person. So Cyworld users visit friend’s home(Minihompy) to communicate with them on Cyworld. It is the way to use Cyworld. On the other hand, in the case of Facebook, it is like that people who hold their profile communicate one another in one big place. The way of cyworld is more inconvenient and closed.

We can see comments of strangers in News Feed page

 However, because of openness of Facebook, it is hard to personal communication that people don’t show to other people happen on Facebook. If you write on the wall of someone, all who are friends of the person can see it and it is easy. But Cyworld offers the feature to lock post and it can be shown to only the owner of MInihompy.

In conclusion, Facebook is good for communication with more people simply because of its openness. Compare to it, Cyworld is convenient to be used for communication with close people and when people share secrets and deeper things online.

2.   The present situation of Social Media in South Korea

-          Steep increasing of using SNS

According to a study of a Korean consulting company, the amount of a SNS used in South Korea increase 2.9% during last one year.  This percentage is the amount of a SNS used compared to the whole media using.

-          The purpose of using SNS

Most of Koreans using SNS have a clear purpose to use it. The study says around 70% of survey respondents use SNS in order to network with more people. The following is the result of Survey.

1.   to network with more people – 69.8%

2.   to get more information – 56.6%

3.   to update my situation – 38.9%

4.   to keep and arrange information they got – 31%

There is an interesting related to a second answer. 40% of respondents answered they trusted the information from SNS. It is much higher than 12.3% that answered they did not trust it. They think information from SNS is believable because of ‘retweet’(Twitter) or ‘like’(Facebook). It means they believe it because the source is their neighbor.

I think there is no big difference between Korean and American social media users. Both want to communicate with people more convenient. The interface of the service is the only difference. In fact, people who use Korean service and global service at the same time increases in South Korea. In my case, I also use several services depends on the purpose. I hope my writing be the chance that you can know Korea is also located in the trend of social media.

Noblesse Oblige, In Hershey Park.

Noblesse Oblige.

It generally used to imply social resonsibilties to a person with wealth.

In the past, royal families had a power and money.

And they also had responsibilities to take care their territory.

Since than, some royal familes have been done their duties, so they have gotten respect, confidence.

I think Milton S. Hershey was a man who shown what it is.

Even he got wealth through 3 times failes,

he tried to share his wealth with employers in his factory.

He remembered to miss the education when he was young,

so he founded schools for orphans and poors.

He put trolley to help commute and other community,

he built amusement park for happiness of employers.

He wanted to make a community which every employers live happily.

When I found this stories, these made my heart hurt.

Because the foriegn workers riots in hershey come to my mind.

If there was a Milton S. Hershey,

What would he say about it?

How would he do for them?

I can guess what the answer about these questions.

But one thing I'm sure is that

it would be differnt result if his values were reflected in them.

......

Anyway,

It was awesome! Hershey Park!