Out of the numerous events going on in my hectic life right now, an MUN conference reserved itself a spot. For the past three school days, I’ve been at Indianhead International School, participating in the MUN conference. It was only my second conference, yet meaningful.

The conference was minimal with only three different schools participating and mostly the Indianhead students. This time, I had to step up from the unnoticed role I played in SEOMUN to a main submitter, meaning writing a resolution to be debated on. Unfortunately, due to the numerous and overwhelming imovies and such tasks, it was difficult to squeeze in the time to write the resolution until the very last minute. It was only two days before the lobbying time that I commenced my resolution. I thought to myself,” I can’t do this.” Nonetheless, something in my mind kept me going leading into my very first resolution. Frankly, it wasn’t as great as the ones I’ve seen before; moreover, it seemed like a trainwreck. I had to bug Jessica to help me out and skype me about my mistakes and possible improvements. It was total mess. There seemed to be no hope for this resolution to pass, but I had to carry it with me to Indianhead searching for co-submitters.

Let’s say the first impression of my committee was plainly cold and ignorant about the visitors. They were amongst their own classmates signing each others resolutions. Other KIS delegates and I were out of the searching. Inside, I was screaming,” Hello?!?!” Too bad I couldn’t say anything, I just thought I should be quiet in a foreign school. However, I needed at least six co-submitters in order for my resolutions to pass, I mean I did put a lot of effort into this messy resolution. I had to put a smile on my face and go up to the IIS students, one by one asking them to be my co-submitter. Fortunately, I had exactly six of them, whew, that was a alleviation. But oh no, what’s coming was even more terrifying.

On the day my resolution had to be debated on, that very morning, I realized minimal errors. I felt humiliated and wanted to hide under a rock. Too bad my resolution was the first one that morning and I was trapped in a hot room full of delegates dressed in black and white. To my nerve wrecked mind, they looked like penguins.

“Can the delegate of France approach the podium and read the resolution,” the Chair demanded. Yes, the delegate of France was me. I walked up slowly acting like I was confident, but I felt like my nerves were divulged to the whole committee. “Be calm Yura, be calm,” I had to repeat in my head. I couldn’t do anything, but read the resolution I had written. I commenced one by one, trying my hardest to keep myself together. Luckily, I managed to speak clearly, but the luck failed by the last page. THE NUMBERING WAS WRONG… that I couldn’t even read my own resolution. I hesitated for a second, which seemed like a minute in what to do. This was the resolution: KEEP ON GOING, so I did. Finally, I was done reading the two pages of my typo-filled resolution. My hand was still shaking and I didn’t remember a thing I said or saw when I was up at the podium.

I came back and seated myself into my seat. My nerves wouldn’t shake off, it was like glued to my body. As the conference continued, my resolution was debated on. Many delegates attacked various parts of my resolution, but I managed to give them an answer to their doubts. Without a notice, the glue had lost its stickiness and left my body. Surprisingly, I felt confident enough to defend my resolution. I had various people support me and defend my resolution. They were amazing and felt like the sun that melted away the cold ice thrown at my resolution by some delegates. After 40 minutes of debate, it was the time for voting. I highly doubted it’ll pass. It had too many flaws, the flaws that divulged my inexperienced self. Miraculously, it passed. I was surprised, but glad that I took my time to write this resolution because if I hadn’t I would have never learned how to enhance a resolution. I’m still a fledgling, but my experience has taught me one of the infinite lessons.

Lunch is a time to finish homework or the chance to squeeze some studying in. Nonetheless, it is supposed to be 30 minutes of stress free and socializing time. Yet, it’s the contrary. Too many students are too busy stressing out to finish the last bit of reading or homework. The students stare at the clock frequently wishing time to stop. Today, I came across an article about a school creating a mandatory course called Lunch.

A high school in New York, a leading school, realized that too many students don’t go to lunch, but rather rush around the hall ways to grab something speedy and run to the library to finish studying. The principal realized that this is only going to make the students more stressed and do harm to their health. He came up with an efficient resolution, making lunch a class. Now, a little bit of class time is reduced and put into resting time for the students to relax and just hang around. It is a mandatory class. The students at Briarcliff High School now have an additional mandatory course. Now, the capacious cafeteria won’t be deserted. Just like Briarcliff High School, there are several high schools nationally. These schools are trying to create stress reduction programs for the students to catch a breath from their packed AP classes and such. In Korea, where grades seem to be the only concern of too many parents, these rectifications should be made or rather the schools should set up programs to limit the stress. I mean, what’s the point of succeeding academically if you’re not happy?

We all know the famous Nicole Richie. She is frequently on the front page of a gossip magazines with news ranging from anorexia to her life of party. As I was looking through People, I came across an article about Nicole as a Mom and not a trouble maker. Personally, not a big fan of Nicole Richie, but like her fashion style. It’s an inevitable fact that Nicole lives a life of luxury. However, the new article was contrasting to the stereotypes of Nicole.

“I use Seventh Generation diapers and we don’t use baby wipes – we use cloth with water,”

It made me wonder if it’s her 4-month old daughter that shifted her into a environmentalist. It seemed like Nicole was going over and beyond as a mom. Whether, Nicole’s daughter made changed her from a party girl to a good mom, it did give Nicole the title as a Mom. I wonder how much I changed my parents’ lives or how they were before they got the responsibility of parents. Moreover, how will my life change when I have children? Well, Nicole’s daughter evidently had the power to change her mom and making the gossipers create a rather positive article about Nicole than the previous criticisms.

Picture from People

Too many people care about weight, but has anyone paid attention to their brain? It’s not time to care about the outer looks, but rather the condition of the inner organs. As people grow older, their memory gets worse and worse. It’s scary how people can forget the simplest things. Not only old people, but also teenagers are now pretty forgetful as well. We define is as “clumsy,” but nobody really takes it seriously. However, it should be taken into consideration. Many people are actually consulting about their brain’s fitness. It sound funny, but it might save your memory. There are simple ways to fitness your brain such as playing nintendo games that require thinking and the ability to remember objects. It may sound pathetic, but it’s just like spending time on a treadmill. As the awareness of the loss of memory increase, there are now edible products that are supposed to prevent or slow down the process of the brain’s decaying. Believe it or not, the decaying of your brain isn’t just a story about other people, but it probably applies to you as well, although it’s more common for the boomers. It is a common issue and now there are many companies, who help out the people in need of brain exercise. Find something you enjoy doing and constantly be active in any activities from knitting to playing a piano. It is preventable and fixable, but it’s all depending on the individual’s effort to take the time. Wouldn’t it be scary when one day you wake up and all your friends vanished from your memory? Without memories, there’s no record of your living. As the New York Times mentioned, it’s time to care about the fitness for brain.

“Our memories are who we are. And if we lose our memories we lose that groundedness of who we are.”

Picture from Flickr

Starbucks is the hot spot for gossip. Pushing the glass door, the coffee aroma rushes into my nose. I told myself that I’m not going to drink coffee today, but it’s impossible to bare the smell of Starbucks coffee.

As usual, we order a vanilla latte, caramel frappucino, and a caramel macchiato. Waiting for our drinks, we smell the coffee beans. Yet, as soon as our drinks are ready we rush up stairs to find a comfortable seat. Mina as usual wants to sit on the couch and she does. We start taking sips of our incredibly tasting coffee. Soon, the coffee brings us together in our own little world. Looking foolish, we sit there laughing for the oddest things. Talking loudly, we gossip like no other girl. It’s a coffee break, the time we update each other on the “latest news.” Moreover, the time we laugh at everything. Thinking about it now, there’s so much told at Starbucks, the current events. It’s surprising because life seemed just same old life without anything new. Sitting with a cup of coffee and two best pals just made life interesting. Explaining about our day or days makes time fly away. There seems to have been many new things that happened for the past few days. In a way, boring happenings in life become the funniest things in life. Yeah…not sure how it happens, but it sure does happen every hangout. Just a little amazing how a cup of coffee can spice up life immensely..or is it the sugar in the coffee that just hypes us up? Oh well, as long as we’re happy the cup of coffee is worthy. I’d say……

starbucks=ecstasy

Last week was sunny, this week is cloudy. Weather seems to be as unpredictable as human minds. Despite the warmth last week, this week is back to chilliness. Last week was the return of the summer clothes, this week is the return of the jackets. Having such a warm and sunny weather brought back the summer mood, but back into the coldness fades away the excitement for summer. These days, it isn’t safe to wear anything just by looking out the window. It is necessary to check the weather because the fickle weather seems deceiving. Through the window the sun shines brightly, yet outside there’s a cold breeze. In the other hand, through the window there are clouds covering the sun, but outside is filled with warm air.
I just wish it was warm and brought the summer mood back. It’s time for shorts not to take out jackets. The cold winds and rain must be gone. The sun and warmth need to come back and notice me that summer is almost here and that I only have to survive a month or two of school until it’s

SUMMMMMMER !

“Can I get a Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip?” (full on the Korean accent). I order an ice cream at Coldstones as usual. What’s unusual is the guy taking my order and friends giggling at me. All of the sudden, I was nervous, but more puzzled about the source of these laughs.

I finished ordering and came back to the table where my friends were sitting at. They were still laughing mocking the way I pronounced, “Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip.” Of course, it isn’t funny, but I tried pronouncing it with a Korean accent very slowly so that the worker understands me and also because I detest repeating myself. Soon, I realized it does sound awkward and funky. I think it was more of the pronouncing and the speed that made my whole ordering a big funny issue. Speed and the way words are pronounced makes the same words sound like a total different language. I found it quite interesting how much words are affected by the tone, the speed, and the accent. It was quite entertaining pronouncing the same phrase with different characteristics to it, I felt like i was speaking millions of differing languages. Next time I take a visit to Coldstones, I am going to order Mint Mint Chocolate Chocolate Chip with a contrasting speed and accent, we’ll see if they chuckle again.

Image from Flickr

Dear right foot,

I miss you being capable of walking. My spring break is going awful without using you. Hoping on one foot isn’t very pleasant or comforting. I feel useless without being able to walk with both my feet touching the ground. My very wishes include being able to run and walk around everywhere. I never realized until this day that my life without you isn’t sweet. It took me sixteen years to notice your importance. I hope you cure super fast, so I can use you to walk, jump, and every other crazy things you make me capable of doing. Wrapped in white, you don’t look too pleased either. Your absence is such a tragedy. At least you’re still there, although there are two more weeks left until your back to work.

- Yura

Yes, it is finally the start of spring break 2008. However, it isn’t sweet as it was supposed to be. The weather being not so stupendous. Rain keeps on falling with an unpleasant wind. Spring isn’t here yet, but only spring break. The weather totally ruins the mood of a ordinary spring break. This spring break isn’t about tanning and having fun under the sunshine, but rather walking under a umbrella.

Nonetheless, the time off school seems to take off a whole load of stress off my back. Strong desires for spring break to last forever aren’t deniable. Too much things to do, but too many unpleasant priorities to accomplish. Ironically, wanting to be at school eating the chicken salad without enough lettuce. Dreaming to be laying under the sun in South Africa. Waking up with an alarm, which reminds me that my spring break is under an umbrella that protects me from the acid rain falling continuously.

“Tanorexia is the term often used to describe a condition in which a person participates in excessive outdoor sun tanning or excessive use of other skin tanning methods (such as tanning beds) to achieve a darker skin complexion because they perceive themselves as unacceptably pale. The syndrome should not be confused with tanning addiction which is a physical desire for the endorphine rush that some people can experience when tanning and is not related to the individual’s perception of their skin color.” (http://www.reference.com/browse/wiki/Tanorexia)

Summer seems to be such a wonderful season to be roasting under the brightly shining sun. The sun that strikes out an ice-cream cone in an instant, shoots UV rays to the skin. The result? It bakes the milky pale skin hidden during the winter to a pleasing bronze skin. Yet, it is undeniable that it can also burn the skin into a bright red color causing it to peel and feel the excruciating pain. Nevertheless, there are always other ways, in tanning wise, there’s the efficient tanning bed. Although it coats the body with an artificial tan, it makes the skin match more pleasantly with the revealing summer clothes. Not that pale skin is not pleasant, but there are many preferences to have a tan coated skin in the summer. Despite the popularity of tanning, there are too many people against it. It is inevitable that tanning causes grief on the skin, so many people believe that tanning is a horrible and dangerous addiction like drugs.

As it says in the encyclopedia, tanorexia is a whole different story from a tanning addiction. Moreover, tanning is one of the easier ways to look pretty and feel satisfied without doctors involved and blood shed. Too many things in this gigantic world are harmful to avoid care about every danger. If tanning satisfies desire and makes one feel better, it should not be something to be badly talked about. Life is too short and complex to care about every dangers because much of life is filled with risks. It is sometimes okay to take actions to live a life looking good and feeling good. Tanning is a tiny risk compared to the life changing risks, so don’t worry and get a tan (if it’s your desire).