Northern Ireland peace process

Did you know that England and Ireland were in conflict for years? Or Ireland split into two countries and had civil war? Ireland was ruled by England starting in 12^th century. Ireland wanted to be independent and declared independence on 21 January 1919. However, on the same day, the guerrilla war started when the two British policemen in Ireland were attacked.

After the bloody war, both sides agreed to ceasefire and signed Anglo-Irish Treaty. A year later, Ireland became a self-governing state except Northern Ireland (remained within United Kingdom).

Because of the difference in religion and politics (republicans vs. loyalists, Irish Catholics vs.Protestants), the violence continued in Northern Ireland. Moreover, the disagreement among republicans over the Anglo-Irish Treaty led to a civil war for 11 months in 1922, and the disputes did not stopped until 1994.

In 1994, the leaders of Ireland and Northern Ireland tried to end the disputes and bring peace to both countries. This act is called Northern Ireland peace process. After this act, there has been no dispute but peace until now.

             From this act, I imagined how it would be like to have a peace process between South and North Korea. It is such a heart-breaking for hearing the news of the separated families of South and North Korea get together only for a short time and they have to wait for another years to see them. Even though, Koreans are same nation, they consider each other as enemies. I, as a peace lover, hope these two countries will be united someday and live in concord.

Reference: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Northern_Ireland_peace_process

                  http://www.lonelyplanet.com/maps/europe/ireland/

The world is one

In which country do you live in? Are you from Canada? Or are you from India? Are you from the south? Or are you from the north? In which continent are you from? Asia? Europe? There are over two hundred countries in the planet earth. And of course there are the South, North Pole and the oceans. If we see the world as the nature itself, there is only peace and it is calm. Mother Nature gives us all that we need without price or value. It is all for free because of the love of the living beings on earth. That includes all the animals and plants also human beings like us.

< Planet Earth >

 If you see the picture taken from outer space, what can you see? Yes, land and water to make it short. But what I want to ask is, can you see any boundaries or borders? Well for me, I can’t find any. Then, how about in this picture?

< Lands and oceans on Earth >

As you can see, the Earth that we are living now has no separation, division or any things that separate. If the Earth is like this, why is the world that we live now have so many wars and conflicts? Is it natural to be fighting with our friends and the people that we must care? Although the boundary is necessary to administer the nations and countries, why do we have to fight?

< The boundaries on Earth >

When it is hard to see clear things that we face forget it and think about the Mother Nature. Because she is saying love, love, love but we are complaining hate, hate, hate. Don’t look for the solution far away. It is right next to you. Look carefully and see, listen to what the nature says. The world is one with the way it is. Respecting others and the caring hearts for them will bring peace on earth. Don’t you think so too? Peace is what all men want even though they live in other countries or nations. If we want the same thing, why don’t we get together and try to achieve this? We can change it buy helping and understanding. Look for what you can do even now, and it will be a better place even on this world.

Source of photographs:

(Earth) http://blog.naver.com/rokoko111?Redirect=Log&logNo=140185617264

         http://cafe.naver.com/ls08/921

(Globe) http://blog.naver.com/mhkang0225?Redirect=Log&logNo=30185894655

Graduation day

Some of my friends got graduated today. What would I feel if I find myself in the graduation ceremonial hall? It will be so awkward seeing myself dressed up in a gown and throwing graduation cap in the air. Of course, graduating school is a big day, but it is also a starting point of being a member of society. I hope someday that my friends and I meet again as respectable social beings. 

Spring is coming!!

    After the hard snow and cold winter weather, nowadays we can feel spring in the air. The atmosphere is filled with warm feelings all around us. People’s clothing is getting thinner than before and we can see the colors of brightness in the nature. Spring is visible when we can see Korean forsythia on the streets. The yellow color it has makes us feel that the season is changing. It brings green and yellow to show everything is alive.

     [ Korean Forsythia ]

     This flower represents spring in Korea. When we see this flower bloom, we know that spring is here. What flower do you like? Or what flower makes you feel that spring is here? It doesn’t matter which flower makes you feel of spring. The feeling that makes you happy about the change makes everything different.

Source of Image: Doopedia

Happiness is near!

Happiness is .. : D

Happiness is not something big
It is about the things that make you happy, things that make you smile
You don't need money for happiness. All the things are for free. Like hugging, smiling, sleeping and meeting friends that you care. There are many things that I can make for myself. There is plenty of things around me. I just have to look carefully and change my mind!

Korean Poetry: Whispers of early spring

-Beautiful Korean Poetry

Whispers of early spring

                                          -Jeongki Kim

Cherry blossoms are whispering on the ground
absorbing the fresh aroma of azaleas.
Soils are in a festive mode
to welcome the new bride.

Balsam seeds that fell last year
tickle my underarm,
too shy to show their bright yellow smile.
I can hear the sound of something breaking in my body.
The wind, hidden for thousands of years,
tries a new fashion.

The worm, weeping slowly after waking up
from its long hibernation,
is talking to me with a butterfly's accent
and singing with a honey bee's gesture.

In the early dawn, the birds,
crying out the spring words that were born underground
grown up under my arms,
wear wings and carry time in their mouths.
And they listen to the whispers of early spring, assuring:
I'll keep your promise, I swear.

 

     I haven’t noticed how beautiful Korean poetry is! I looked up a few poetries but since spring is coming, I put up a poetry that reminds me of spring. From this poetry, I can feel the warm breeze and the sweet smell of flowers. I can’t wait to see cherry blossoms fluttering… I hope spring comes soon! Moreover, in Korea, there is a big cherry blossom festival in May. I’m so looking forward to itJ

Early Valentine's Day :)

     What a surprise! I didn't even think what day is tomorrow until one of my student gave me a chocolate today at the acadamy where I work ! Glad about the chocolate but more delighted to know the kind thinking that the student had. To think about others and the heart to make people smile is the best mind in this world! Although I received it a day earlier but so happy to have a good student who makes me happy like this! Plus! This is the special edition from the factory! :D

Great Full Moon

    What comes up in your mind when you hear the word moon? How about werewolf? The goddess of moon? Sailor moon? That’s what I thought until I knew about “Great Full Moon” in Korea. In Korea, they celebrate the first full moon of the New Year of the lunar calendar – the 15th day of the first month of the lunar New Year. In Korean history, people burn the dry grass on ridges between rice fields the night before daeboreum (“Great Full Moon”) by playing traditional game, geuybulnori (whirling around cans which carry charcoal fire). This make the field fertilized and get rid of harmful worms.

     Also, there is a custom of eating nuts, Ogokbap (five grain rice consists of rice, millet, Indian millet, beans, and red beans), Yaksik (made of glutinous rice, chestnuts, pine nuts, honey, sauce, and sesame oil), and drinking 'Ear-quickening wine.’ In the countryside, there is a custom of climbing mountains, to catch the first rise of the moon. It is said that the first person to see the moon rise will have good luck or a wish will be granted.
 
     During the festival, they do the big campfire and play traditional games like ‘지신밟기, 사자놀이, 쥐불놀이, 윷놀이.’

<Campfire>

      Sounds fun huh? I’m looking forward to go to the Full Moon festival on the 15^th.

Reference:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Korea-Daeboreumnal-Full_Moon_Festival-09.jpg

Nelson Mandela, 67 days after he left us.

     Do you remember what happened on December 5th in 2013?

     It was the day that one who devoted his life to equality and peace. 
Yes, I am talking about Nelson Mandela. Mandela whose full name is Nelson Rolihlahla
Mandela, was born in July 18th 1918 and left us on 5th of last December.People who  respected the achievements of Mandela expressed their sorrow over SNS, Medias and on Mandela’s national funeral.

     It’s been 67 days after he left us. Some might have forgotten Mandela’s death due to other daily news. At this point, I once again express my condolences to his death and also for his family who lose their husband, father and grandfather. RIP Nelson Mandela.  

Man Hee Lee contributed to Mindanao peace agreement.

     Have you ever heard of 40 years of deep conflicts in an island Mindanao? Korean peace activist Man Hee Lee, the representative peace organisation contributed to make Peace Agreement between religious leaders of two different religions; Catholic and Islam. For last 40 years, there were more than 1,400,000 damages and loses for human lives in this island.

Map of Philippines, from The Economist

     The Peace Agreement was achieved when Chairman Lee was making his third peace trip to Philippines.

     Mindanao is an island in Philippines which had been suffered more than four decades due to dispute between Catholic and Islam. Despite the beauty of its island, Mindanao was known for its long conflicts. In order to bring peace to this region, the peace activist Chairman Lee met Archbishop Antonio J. Chairman Lee hosted the Peace Walk with more than 1,000 participants. Students, peace organisation members and religious leaders walked together with the hope for peaceful Mindanao. After the Peace Walk, representatives from Islam and Catholic united to sign the Peace Agreement to end the war and pursue World Peace, together with peace activist Chairman Lee. 

     Chairman Lee contributed deeply in order to end the conflicts in the Mindanao region. Local National Broadcasting station in Philippines reported his historical and memorial peace achievement.  Local Filipino showed their gratitude to Chairman Lee to contribute to end the conflict in Mindanao and actualize peace on this world. 

Image from The Economist