2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference- Cooperation for the world? Or just another political game?

In China, news on 2009 Copenhagen Climate Change Conference is hot issue. I’ve been watching CCTV international News and Dialogue (Part of CCTV program) every morning and it is all about this climate change conference. I bet this is happening not only in China but also all over the world, which represent; awareness of environmental breakdown is now serious matter to all of us.

In the beginning, it seems great to get all the nations gather and decided what will be the action plan towards reducing carbon emission. But then from last two days this issue is seems to heading to somewhere else.

From today’s news, many of developing countries raised their voices that regulations on carbon emission are not fair for them. Some complaining that why should they accept the new goal while some developing countries haven’t even reached the goal this year and since all this mess was made by developed countries, they should help (pay) developing countries, claiming that in order to help developing countries, at least 10 billion U.S. dollars is needed each year in the next three years to address the challenge.

This scenario was expected, however part that I was shocked was when Chinese expert mentioned that he views Climate Change Conference as ‘Political game’ rather than seeing as cooperation of the globe. Of course it is just his opinion, but anchor showed convinced face, which make a lot of Chinese people would think this conference this way by now. Once this word was mentioned, the purpose of this conference became impure to China and perhaps even more.

I just can’t believe, people actually think this as political game. How sad!! I mean this is for sake of everyone including our own children’s future. If we do not do something now, then there would be no future even for ourselves. Instead of seeing it as collaboration of making better or at least try to get back to original world, people actually think this is just a political game to show the power. Sometimes I feel politicians are too twisted that they have to make sarcasm of bona fide.

Since everyone’s stand point is different, bit of conflicts and disagreement is obvious. That is why conference is held; to listen to different voices and find out the best way to solve the problem. This conference should be pure COLLABRATION rather than playing POLITICAL GAME.

I really hope leaders in the Copenhagen conference feel this way. If they think this event as political game and just try to get their nation away from regulation due to their economic grow purposes, I don’t think there is any hope for the future.

Välkommen till Högskolan i Jönköping

대학교 3학년때 스웨덴의 욘쇼핑 대학교로 교환 프로그램에 참가하게 되었다. 스웨덴의 욘쇼핑을 선택한 이유는 단순히 사람들이 많이 가지 않는 색다른 곳을 가고 싶었기 때문에 고르게 되었다. 하지만 이 단순 무식한 호기심 덕분에 색다르고 멋진 경험을 할 수 있었고 때론 작은 이유 하나가 나의 인생을 통째 바꿔놓았다.

무엇보다도 욘쇼핑 대학교의 가장 큰 장점은 아름다운 자연과 경치다. 학교나 시내를 다니는 길이 너무 아름다워 때로는 영화 속의 주인공이 된 것 같은 느낌이다. 스웨덴에서 5번째로 큰 도시임에도 가깝게 자연을 접할 수 있어서 머리가 복잡하고 심난할 때는 때때로 근처의 공원에서 산림욕도 하곤 했다.

<욘쇼핑 대학교>

욘쇼핑 대학교는 총 네 가지 학부로 나누어 진다. International Business School (국제 비즈니스 대학), Education and Communication (교육과 커뮤니케이션), Engineering (공학), Health Science (보건대학). 내가 교환학생으로 있었던 학부는 교육과 커뮤니케이션 학부 로 교과 과목의 선택의 폭도 넓어서 흥미로운 공부를 마음껏 (?) 할 수 있었다.

그리하여 고른 수업으로는 Communication and Technology, Intercultural and International Communication, Mass Media Studies, Swedish Language and Culture and Society 1, Visual Communication, Global Environment and Survival Issues, TV Production 입니다. 이 과목 중 스웨덴어와 문화1의 과목은 모든 교환학생들이 들어야 하는 필수 과목인데 스웨덴의 간단한 언어와 문화를 배우는 것은 물론이고 여러 나라에서 오는 교환학생들을 만나고 쉽게 친해질 수 있는 수업이다.  그 외 전공과목들은 실습위주이기 때문에 관련 회사 방문, 카메라 실습, 프로젝트 진행 등 많은 경험을 쌓을 수 있었다.

<수업형태>

수업형태는 한국과는 매우 다르다. 대부분 토론위주로 수업이 진행이 되는데, 교수님께서 미리 읽을 자료나 범위를 정해 주시면 다음 수업 전까지 해당되는 자료를 모두 숙지해가야 한다. 그 덕에 정말 열심히 공부했다. 미리 읽어가지 않으면 수업시간에 대채 사람들이 무슨 말을 하는지 도통 알아들을 수 없을뿐더러, 평소의 학습태도가 성적에도 반영되는 경우가 많기 때문이다. (정말 좋은 학습 시스템인 것 같다) 그 외에도 조를 짜서 프로젝트를 하는 형식, 마음에 맞는 사람들끼리 모여 수업을 발표하는 형식 등이 있으며 교수들의 역할은 학생들의 토론/발표 주제가 벗어날 때 방향설정과 조언 등을 해주시는 것이 대부분이다.

<각종행사>

총 네 학부를 합한 욘쇼핑의 교환학생의 수는 어마 어마 하다. 욘쇼핑 대학은 스웨덴 내에서 2번째로 가장 외국인 학생을 보유한 대학이기도 하다. 그렇기 때문에 새로운 이벤트나 행사가 끊이지 않는다. 인터내셔널 데이 (International day) 는 물론이고, 시나몬 빵 만들기 날, 퀄링 (Curling) 체험, 할로윈 파티, 러시아 여행, 핀란드 크루즈 여행, 덴마크 여행, 산타루시아 데이 이벤트 등 각종 문화, 스포츠, 여행 행사를 틈틈이 참가하여 견문도 넓히고 친구도 쉽게 사귈 수 있는, 새로운 경험을 추구하는 교환학생들에게는 딱! 인 행사들이 많다.

한국을 떠나 살다 보면 어려운 일들을 많이 겪게 되는 것은 사실이다. 부모님, 친구들도 보고 싶고, 난생 처음 손수 해먹는 나의 음식솜씨에 경악을 해 더더욱 엄마가 보고 싶을뿐더러, 거리의 간판들은 알 수 없는 언어로 써있으며, 슈퍼에 가도 대체 머가 먼지 모르겠다. 웬걸..심지어 날씨까지 도와주지 않는다. 스웨덴은 여름에는 백야현상, 겨울에는 흑야현상이 뚜렷하게 나타난다. 하지만 젊을 때 고생은 사서 하라는 말이 있듯이, 젊을 때의 이러한 여러 가지 경험과 고생들이 나중에 나의 큰 자산이 될 거란 생각이 든다.

대학교 3학년때 스웨덴의 욘쇼핑 대학교로 교환 프로그램에 참가하게 되었다.

스웨덴의 욘쇼핑을 선택한 이유는 단순히 사람들이 많이 가지 않는 색다른 곳을 가고 싶었기 때문에 고르게 되었다. 하지만 이 단순 무식한 호기심 덕분에 색다르고 멋진 경험을 할 수 있었고 때론 작은 이유 하나가 나의 인생을 통째 바꿔놓았다.

The Grapes of Wrath

5 minutes before I leave my parent’s house for airport, I quickly looked around the house for a book . A book that no one will notice even if I take it so that I can throw it when I am done without any guilt. Choice was made. ‘The Grapes of Wrath’. It was stuck in the bookshelf for God knows when that color of paper were turned light brown. I felt as if I am reading an ancient book.

It took two days to finish the book. (Thought i would able to finish in the plane ) When I closed the the last page, I realised  that I was wrong. I can never throw this book, in fact I was even more thirst for more detailed description of the book. (Turned out to be my book was simplified version for middle school level).

As a whole story, it describes how America’s capitalism has initiated gap between rich and poor. The story itself was very interesting but I was more impressed with parts by parts and dialogue by dialogue. No wonder writer (John Steinbeck) was awarded Pulitzer Prize in 1940 and the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1962.

So here, I want to share some of quotes that I was deeply moved.

“You been a good guy. But look, when you been in stir a little while, you can smell a question comin’ from hell to breakfast. You telegraphed you’re the first time you opened your trap.“

The story starts from where a protagonist (Joad) hitchhike a truck in order to go back to his home town after being parole. Truck driver try to figure out where Joad come from or what he’s been doing by asking all sorts of questions and Joad sense that he is being examined. Joad get offended and get out of the truck. It could be ‘A guilty conscience needs no accuser’ situation, but I think author pointed out well on how people are curious on each other. Curiosity is good, but Instead of asking directly, we have habit of asking indirect questions and try to link with our curiosity, thinking that is polite.
“There ain’t nobody gonna push me of my land! My grandpa took up this land 70 years ago, my pa was born here, we were all born on it. And some of of us was killed on it! …and some of us died on it. That’s what make it our’n, bein’ born on it,…and workin’ on it,…and and dying’ on it! And not no piece of paper with the writin’ on it!”

This quotation moved me the most. I think it is true. God created this land so it should be owned by every creature that living in this planet not by particular human. Furthermore, I think having a border and passport between countries is also another ridiculous thing that human have. Instead of share the earth and live in harmony, we divided it in to continent, country and control each other, fearing each other. How sad…

The book also had some interesting comments on bank.

“The bank is something more than men, I tell you. It’s the monster. Men made it, but they can’t control it.“

“They breathe profits; they eat the interest on money. If they don’t get it, they die the way you die without air, without side-meat.”

It is funny that after all, it was us, people that made all this life and  society complex and unfair. Have we come too far to go back or even make simple and fair?

Sinterklaas is in Shanghai this year!

This year Sinterklaas must be really busy, because he came all the way to China.

Today (5th of Dec), the Netherlands is celebrating for Sinterklass day. (Also called Saint Nicolas’ Eve). From my observation, Dutch seem to celebrate more of Sinterklaas day than Christmas that rest of the world would usually celebrate (25^th of Dec).

What would happen in the Netherlands today is, children would put their shoes nearby fireplace in the evening and find present in the next morning.

But what makes different from normal Christmas is about Sinterklaas and Zwart Piet. Normally from our knowledge, Santa Claus remains ‘mysterious’ but in the Netherlands, you can actually see Sinterklaas. (They say Santa Claus and Sinterklaas are differnet, but i find it pretty much same. well, at least concept is same, isn’t it?)

Anyway, Sinterklaas would visit Children’s home or school with black Piet (Zwart Piet) who carries big sacks and a white horse. Sinterklaas would call out children’s name and ask if they were been naughty or not.(Just like Christmas song we sing all the time ) If he/she have been good this year then present will be rewarded but  if not, Zwart Piet would take him/her inside his sack and take them to Spain.

My dutch boyfriend told me that as for children, they would feel Spain is really far away that If Zwart Piet would take them they would never able to come back home. Plus Zwart Piet’s apprearence is really scary for Children. (Recently in the Netherlands, some raise voice that Zwart Piet is symbol of of discrimination that they should change color in to green. I am not sure, if that is going to happen soon though) He also used to get scared that he had to behave in front of them, how sweet.

So! As I said before, this year this Sinterklass visited Shanghai in China just for me. Somehow, Zwart Piet did not come but I guess it is either to save some travel expenses or I have been really good this year.

I got present which size is big as I am. A Christmas tree!!!! It is my first time in my life to have REAL Christmas tree. (I usually had plastic Christmas tree when I was young, every year same tree but I still loved it)

In a blink, whole house smells like forest and existence of Christmas tree encouraged my Christmas spirit, Christmas song  has been playing ever since in my house. Tomorrow I will be going for Christmas shopping to find some nice decorations! Yes, I am going to have long Christmas this year.

Thank you my dear Sinterklaas.

Everyone Happy Sinterklaas day~

Yes I did it! 2009 shanghai International Marathon

5:00 am,  in the morning, i had to wake up for marathon. It is the day!

weather was good for running and I was super nervous.

7:30 am, race started. I set to myself  rule that i will just focus on cathcing up person infront of me, and not let other people benid me go over me. But i guess that was too much ambitious plan. after while i got too tired and decided to just stick with my own pace.

What i liked about shanghai marathon is that every once in a while, there were people dressed up with drums and scarves to cheer runners. also people on the street shouted ‘Jiayo!’ (menas go! go! in chinese). It really helped and gave evergy.

Where i reached 14km, I had really bad mucle pain on my both calf. Oh i never had that pain and whatever i do, pain got worse. But seeing other people running made me keep going. (I have to point out that some grannies can really run!!) Another amazing thing was, while i was running, i wasn’t thinking of anything. I was running with blank mind. That was new experience.

Finally I did it!

21km half marathon in 2 hour 17 min 38 second. I was ranked 346th among women. My first half marathon and I am proud of my self

PS. I thank my boyfrined who inspired me to achieve new goal. ( although i was blaming him why he subscribed me for this marathon when i reached 17km)

One child policy in China, Government vs Human Instinct

One of famous policy in China will be ‘One Child Policy’. Which basically means Chinese can not have more than one child in order to control that population and economic growth. (Although these days you can have more than one, if you pay or have some unique cases, but still it is possible for only rich people)

I heard about this policy before, but now that I am in China, I get to see the reality of the policy as well as its consequences. Any Chinese that I meet, when I ask if they have any sibling most of them answer that they are the only child. In the metro, I haven’t seen any family that has more than one child until now.

China is so huge and crowded that in some way, I can understand their government one child policy decision. However, it seems this policy would be most difficult one to keep among the people since it is fighting against natural human instinct.

Racial instinct is the one of  strong instinct that human (also animal) have. It is so natural that even if government try to stop it, people always find way to get around it, especially in Asian society where male is considered more important than female in order to carry on thier family name.

It is not new to hear that in china province, people either kill their baby girl or hide them in their house never allowing them to come out of the house ever. (otherwise they need to pay fine which they can never afford) So there are many Chinese girls living in China without their identification which caused difficult for Chinese government to calculate exact number of population in China.

However, this is old story that everybody already knows. Now there are new methods. Recently one guy put up his niece in the Chinese online auction site (taobao) claiming that he is looking for person who will adapt this baby girl. The motive behind this action was because his family needed someone to carry on their family name but baby girl was born instead. Since they can not have more than one child, they decided to give away their baby girl. How sad for both parents and baby.

Another case is, Lots of Chinese pregnant women are heading to Hongkong to give birth. This is because If their baby is born in Hongkong, they will get Hongkong resident permit which will allow them to get education in Hongkong as well as can avoid one child policy. Due to this fact, Hongkong is targeted for Chinese single mothers as well. There was report that because of this movement whole Hongkong hospital is fully booked until next year April and that result actual Hongkong people are having difficulty to find hospital for their birth delivery. Therefore HongKong government took strong act that they ordered all the Hongkong hospital not to allow any reservation for Chinese pregnant woman.

As Chinese economic grows fast, Chinese people’s awareness on human right and intelligent on get away from policy is increasing. I can not blame them. After all.. this is human instinct. I think it is a matter of time, Chinese government need to find another way to balance between human right as well as controlling their economic growth & population.

Power of Facebook, Go Facebook!!

Recently I felt that Facebook is becoming like Twitter that there is no use of accessing Twitter anymore. Then one night it changed my mind again. A Canadian friend who was my ex-roomate in Sweden contacted me through Facebook saying she is coming to Shanghai in few days. And just like that  I meet her in Shanghai and spend really exotic Chinese night. (we found local Chinese hotpot restaurant and ate for 2 hours

“Who would have imagined that I would met Korean friend that I met in Sweden in Shanghai!!”

Actually this is my second time this suprising event have happened.

Last June, while I was having one month vacation in The Netherlands, I got Facebook message from my high school friend from Kenya.

“Oh! Suna! Are you in The Netherlands? Me too!! We have to meet!!”

And Just like that I had reunion with a friend that I haven’t meet for 7 years.

The night we meet, we talked and talked until we see the dawn.

People are everwhere thesedays. Yes, Of course we can contact them through E-mail and phone but let’s be honest. We do not contact everyone every other day. Yet we all go to Facebook at least once a day (at least I am) and check what other people are up to. So I think it is the facebook that keeps everyone connected. It truly fulfilling purpose of social net-working.

One day, If I get to meet Mark Zuckerberg, I would really like to thank him, for real!

Now, I am waiting for next surprising event. Who will be my thrid suprise contact?

China and It’s 60’s Anniversary

While I was watching Chinese Parade 2009 on their national day (1^st of October), I was shuddered at the sight. Everyone knows that the purpose of the parade is to let their people to feel proud to be Chinese as well as show off their power to the others but still the ceremony was jaw dropping outward show.

Now that China has rival expectation due to Beijing Olympic, expecting Shanghai Expo in 2010 and became 2^nd largest economy in the world, ceremony of their 60^th anniversary had to be too perfect and organized. And here I am amazed with thier ‘behind story’.

1. Manipulate weather

It is not new, since China already did it during the Beijing Olympic, but once again China manipulated weather for National day to have clear blue sky as background. In order not to rain on 1st October, they used “artificial rain reduction” (thanks to that Shanghai rained all day long on 1^st October), 24 machines was set on the land on national day to suck up all the smog.

2. So many banned action

• Tourists spots, hotel, restaurants in Beijing was closed and armed police was located at many intersections as well as metal detectors in the subway to scan the bags of passengers from few weeks before the parade.
• People who live on parade route were told not to open their window and not allowed to come out of thier balcony to see the parade.
• Few weeks before the parade, knives and soaps (it can be used for bomb) were banned to sell in every store (even Wall Mart) in  Beijing.
• Flying kites and BIRDS were banned on 1^st of October.

3. Military parade

Total 52 types of weapon that were all MAID IN CHINA were displayed in the parade including nuclear weapon. 14 blocks, each comprising 352 soldiers, marched past the country’s leaders everyone in same height, shape and posture. When president of China, Hu Jintao, passed through soldiers, all the faces of soldeir moved exactly same direction on same pace.

“Parades have always been considered the best way to display national strength and military might. It is also a good chance to educate people about national defense” Luo said. (Luo Yuan, a military expert with the with the Academy of Military Sciences) But I think it was also educational purpose to the other country sending message that ‘DO NOT MESS WITH CHINA!’

Plus showing the image of military weapons, at the same time broadcast  emphasizing that China is seeking and supporting peace was very contradiction.

4.  Crowds controlling

Total people participated in parade were 200,000 people. Among these numbers, 80.000 were children and they signed the contract in advance that they would not talk with any media until the parade is over. I wonder what that reason was, just hoping that children were not abused.

Moreover, I heard from Chinese that for one day performance they had to practice the parade since JANUARY, sacrificing their summer holidays. Although they get paid 50RMB per day, there is no option to say ‘No’ to participating the parade. It’s an ORDER. Some Chinese even feel that it is honor to be part of the parade and most of Chinese who are in the other cities sat at home and actually watched the whole parade. (Well I can understand since both day and night parade were entertaining and huge that it draws attention)

The 60^th anniversary parade certainly draws the world attention and  surely gave big impression to the people both Chinese and rest of the world. (Especially seeing the reaction on the Twitter was very interesting) Many Chinese felt that their nation is now strong and no other country would never look down on them.

Western media were generally assumed critical attitudes. They criticize on 80,000 children that were in the parade, the parades means rise of communist party in China, sees it as old-fashioned parade with new weapons. (More detailed information in source 3)

No one can deny that China is giant tiger that grows super fast. Some say China is becoming more and more capitalistic, but after this ceremony it feels like they are going back to Communism. I wonder when China becomes largest economy in the world, would history be repeated.

Sources:

1. http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?id=7445&sec=1
2. http://www.3news.co.nz/China-clears-central-Beijing-for-anniversary-party/tabid/417/articleID/123339/Default.aspx?ArticleID=123339
3. http://shanghaiist.com/2009/10/05/what_western_media_had_to_say_about.php
4. http://www.asianewsnet.net/news.php?sec=1&id=7915
5. http://english.chinamil.com.cn/site2/news-channels/2009-01/21/content_1627155.htm

Chinese trick of the trade

Today I went to local market where you can buy antiques. And I was suprised with thier negotiating skill on prices.

Trick is this, instead of merchant give you the price, they ask you to give them a price. How clever is this, most of times travelers do not know the local price. With this negotiating skill, they would never have loss, in fact more likely to have profit most of times.

This is how it worked.

Suna: (Looking at lantern) how much is this?

Chinese Merchant (CM): 128 RMB

Suna: What? So expensive!!

CM: Ok, ok then give me the price that you want (giving Suna calculator so that she can pick the price)

Suna: I want it 20 RMB

CM: No! that’s not possible, how about 98RMB?

Suna: No way!  I am not interested. Bye!

CM: Ok then than 60 RMB! (Grabing Suna’s arm)

Suna: No!

CM: ok give me last price

Suna: I want it 20 RMB, I told you.

CM: Ok 25RMB, Last price

(This is the point you can decide whether you want to buy it or not, because usuallly they would never go lower than your lowest offer price)

It is funny that they make client to decide the price. Which I find it really clever but not fair to tourist. So I learnt some lesson today.

1. Never let merchant notice that you need to buy stuff desperately

2. Always ask for 20% of the price they offer

3. Be ready to walk away when they do not offer the reasonable price. (Don’t worry, you will find same stuff next store )

With above technique, I bought those (see below)

Funny, first price they offered was 380RMB. I end up bought them for 80RMB. I could manage to discount 300 RMB but i still wonder what was the ‘Real’ price.

Feeling Korea in China

Few hours ago, I just went to gym in Shanghai and ran 5km on running machine while watching Korean traditional sop drama called ‘Lee San’ (이산). Except that I have to train for the marathon, the only reason I like to go to gym is because I do not feel homesick in the gym. It might sound weird but I would say, ‘Physical’ gym in Shanghai is built for Korean. So many Korean music is played across the hall starting from ‘Nobody’ by Wondergirls to ‘Candy’ of HOT. (This song was big hit when I was 12!!-well I am 23 now…) So many Korean songs are played that it is even rare to hear Chinese song in that gym. For that reason I stopped carrying my personal MP3.

(2pm)-I think….

(Super Junior-Sorry Sorry)

Thanks to the Hanrye (한류-Korea Trend), I feel less homesick in this big city, Shanghai. Also I feel how Korea is influencing their neighboring countries which lead to their economic growth due to its success. When Chinese find out that I am Korean, they have so many questions about Korea sop drama. (Sometimes I don’t even know which drama they are talking about-Chinese really watch Korean drama A LOT!!)

Whenever I hear Korean music on the street, seeing Korean actor posted on metro station in Shanghai, I cannot help feeling proud of being Korean. Go Korea!