Mokdong Magnet MGT5-A Magazine

                   Girls Generation “HOOT”

Reported by: Clara Chung

Seoul, South Korea

December 2, 2010

The nine-member group drew inspiration from the retro fashion and music of the 1960s and 1970s as concept for their new album “Hoot” that was released on Oct. 27. The single "Hoot" has achieved success as it dominated online music charts in Korea when it was released last October 18. Moreover, the "Hoot" album has achieved a stunning 150,490 in pre-orders composed of 51,000 online orders and 99,490 offline. Girls Generation drew inspiration from retro fashion for the album concept. The members portray themselves as Bond girls in the album photos. The album is a follow-up of Girls Generation’s “Oh” album and the repackaged “Run Devil Run” album which was released in the first half of this year.

Members of Girls Generation will be very busy as they try to focus on promoting their music in Korea and Japan. This after they held their successful “Into the New World: The 1st Asia Tour” concert at Taipei Arena in Taiwan last Oct. 16 and 17 where 24,000 fans were in attendance. After releasing the Japanese version of “Genie’, they released their second Japanese single, “Gee”, which has sold 28,838 copies on its first day on Oct. 20 and landed at No. 2 on Japan’s Oricon Chart, the highest debut for a Korean girl group.

Girls Generation’s new album ‘Hoot’ is very popular among the teenagers in the world. Girls Generation is a famous girl group in Asia. Thanks to them, Korea is getting more famous in the entertainment world



Magnet MGT5-A Magazine

THE GREAT SAPPHIRE TECHNOLOGY

                                                                                        
Reported by: Josh Lee
Seoul, South Korea
December 2, 2010





Do you know about Sapphire Technology?? It is well known as PC Graphic card in the USA and South Korea. It is a multimedia program that is made to make everything 3D, very big, and to make the user feel reality while playing computer games. It is made in, and now showing on Taipei, Taiwan. It is made for computer users to have more advanced graphics. It is made from Direct ☓@ 11 ATD, and there is SAPPHIRE HD 5450, 5550, 5650, 5750, 6870, 6850, 5770, 5570, 5870, etc. SAPPHIRE HD 6870 is the most advanced graphic system. It is also used in medical problems, such as surgery, making medicines, etc. When we use SAPPHIRE PROGRAM for graphic games, we can connect maximum 3 computer's software with one SAPPHIRE CHIP that is a little bit longer than a cigarette case. It is for computer users that wants to play games with other users. It shows 3D graphics, and it is usually 1GB. Especially, SAPPHIRE HD 6000 series is the best advanced and the world-admitted PC graphic system in the whole world!! In my opinion, I want to play game using this advanced technology system!! Also, I actually want to play games with 6800 series. It can get to 1024 MBs, and it can make 4200 MHz. It is very complicated, but it is very advanced and fun to play!!

  

Magnet MGT5-A Magazine

               Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallowes : Part 1


Reported by Annie Lee
Seoul,South Korea
December 2,2010

   Harry Potter and his friends, Hermione Granger and Ron Weasley have returned! It is a much forcasted motion picture event to be told in two full-length parts. It already hit theaters worldwide on November 19, 2010. It made lots of Filipino go crazy during premieres in the Philippines.

   The long-featured war has begun and Voldemort’s Death Eaters seize control of the Ministry of Magic and even Hogwarts, terrorizing and arresting anyone who might oppose them. But the one prize they still seek is the one most valuable to Voldemort: Harry Potter. The Chosen One has become the hunted one as the Death Eaters search for Harry with orders to bring him to Voldemort... alive. Harry’s only hope is to find the Horcruxes before Voldemort finds him. As he searches for clues, he uncovers the legend of the Deathly Hallows… And if the legend turns out to be true, it could give Voldemort the ultimate power he seeks, so Harry Potter must know about the deathly hallows before Voldemort gets the power of the Deathly Hallows.

   Little does Harry know that his future has already been decided by his past when, on that fateful day, he became "the Boy Who Lived."


   No longer just a boy, Harry Potter draws even closer to the ultimate battle with Voldemort.


   Harry Potter is a movie character who is loved by not only movies, but also by books (by JK Rowling). Do you want to find out about the Secrets of Deathly Hallows and the great battle between Harry Potter and Voldemort? If you do, meet returning Harry Potter at the movie theater in December 16th!

Mokdong Magnet MGT5-A Magazine

Nobel Prize in economics awarded to ‘policy – unemployment relation’

Reported by : Brian Yang
Seoul, South Korea
December 2, 2010

Nobel Prize in economics was awarded jointly to three scholars who studied the relatioinship between policy and unemployment.

The Royal Swedish Academy of Sciences, the 11th and MIT professor Peter Diamond and Professor Dale Mortensen of Northwestern University, Professor Christopher Pissarides, London School of Economics and Political Science, said they were chosen as getting the nobel economic prize.

Academy of Sciences has created these called 'search friction' and the government's economic policy, unemployment and job restrictions, wages, etc. so you can understand how to influence that contribute to the selection and explained why.

Rise summering Professor Diamond was born in Cyprus in 1948 with Professor Mortensen is an American professor.

Diamond Professor who became the the Federal Reserve Board (FRB) director recently was picked as a member of the nomination even before the midterm elections and disagreement from Senate Republicans were forced to quiet down.

Nobel Prize in Economics in 1895 death of Alfred Nobel's will, according to the award, but not remaked in 1968 to honor him, the Swedish central bank has been awarded the following year.

The first economics prize was awarded in 1969 after more than 40 Americans have received this award, this time two Americans received two prizes.

Meanwhile, for the winner 10 million Swedish kroner (about 1.67 billion won) awards the prize. Alfred Nobel’s prize will be given at the ceremony each of rotating December 10 and held in Stockholm, Sweden. After the Nobel economic ceremony, the presentation ended.

Magnet MGT5-A Magazine

Ji-sung Park becomes a hero in Carling Cup

Reported by: Chris Lee
South Korea, Seoul
December 2, 2010


Ji-sung Park, Korea’s winger, became a ‘hero’ in the Carling Cup. On September 22th 2010, Manchester United beat Scunthorpe United at Glanford Park, England 5-2. Ji-sung Park scored a goal, but that wasn’t it. He made two assists. Also, Ji-sung Park scored two goals that led Manchester United beat Wolverhamton Wanderers.


Ji-sung Park was born on February 25th, 1981. He grew up at Suwon. At 2000, he signed the contract with Kyoto Purple Sanga. After leading the team to the Emperor’s Cup, he followed Guus Hiddink(he lead Korea to the 4th tournament)to PSV Eindhoven. There, he made great honors to PSV, and was elected as one of the UEFA MVP in Forward section in 2005. In the closing months of 2004~2005 season, Manchester United’s director Sir Alex Ferguson chose Ji-sung Park, and he signed for 4 million pounds. After that, Ji-sung Park became a key player to Manchester United.


He became a star at the 2002 World Cup. When Korea had to at least draw with Portugal, Ji-sung Park scored a winning goal that led Korea to the 4th tournament.


Ji-sung Park doesn’t have a good physique (178cm, 73kg). However, he used to drink frog juice-only to play soccer. Ji-sung Park. He is now called as the captain of Korea.

Magnet MGT5-A Magazine

Regrettable Death

By Sunny Choi

Seoul, South Korea

December 2, 2010

Cholera had overflowed Haiti to more than 150 confirmed deaths, according to Centers for Disease Control.

At a meeting held on Friday, some of the doctors discussed an effort to work out for curing patients. The CDC said that they will send a team of doctors to Haiti over the next few days to make the best plan to stop this disease. US AID; an International Development will provide supplies needed to the patients. Officials also confirmed this dangerous state that happened in Haiti. Haiti had once suffered a strong earthquake. Haiti is crying for supplies that they need.

Cholera is caused by a bacterial infection by the biggest point. Especially in poor cities, Cholera is very rare disease. The poor cities have to get treated by clean water. Haiti is poor city, becoming ill and ill from the earthquake and Cholera. “This is the disease that can cause more severe diseases than any other.” CDC presented.

Haiti is still trying to bounce back from magnitude 7.0 earthquake that happened in January. By the end of October, cholera had been confirmed in four of Haiti's ten departments: Arcahaie, Limbe, Mirebalais and the capital city Port-au-Prince. It started to spread more and more to the farther place.

On November 11, the Ministry of Public Health (MSPP) released the latest case count: 796 deaths and 12,303 patients’ cases. Lots of countries are helping Haiti and donating some money to the patients. November 17th, SBS news program had announced that Haiti has more than 1,000 deaths. Haiti desires in true-heart that their country would stop from this terrifying cholera.

All in all, this made the horrifying Cholera from all of the other choleras that happened before. We hope this satisfying Cholera ends.

Celebrations Around the World!

                                                               April Fool’s Day

By Sean Park

     Do you like tricking people and not getting scolded? Well, there is a day when we play tricks! Have you ever thought about April Fool’s Day, one of our tricky holidays? If you haven’t, now I will tell you all you need to know about April Fool’s Day like when is it celebrated, where is it celebrated, and why is it celebrated.


      April Fool’s Day is celebrated on April 1st every year in the western world and we play tricks and pranks to our friends, family, and other people. For example, there is an old joke that still works. Superglue some coins to the sidewalk or spot that a lot of people walk around. Then, watch people break fingernails.


     In 1564, Europe derived its April Fooling from the French, and then April Fool’s Day became a holiday. In France, the person fooled is known as ‘Poisson D’Avril’ has been explained by the ideas coming from the fact that in April the sun quits the zodiacal sign of the fish.


     The Dutch also have reasons why they celebrate. Spain and the Netherlands were in battle, and then they had a war. Spain’s ruler Alba couldn’t prevent the war because on April 1st in 1572, “Alba lost his glasses.” The Dutch found this joke so hilarious they still celebrate the first of April now, too.


     In Scotland, April Fool’s Day is celebrated for two days. The second day is devoted to pranks and it is popular to see 'kick me' signs stuck on people’s backs. One pereson sticks the sign on the person's back without knowing and then when that person is walking in thetown, people will kick that person.

     In Mexico, April Fool’s Day is actually celebrated on December 28th, this day was a sad remembrance of the slaughter of the poor children by King Herod. It was changed into a lighter holiday invoving tricks and pranks. 


     April 1st is not a legal holiday, but is widely recognized and celebrated as a day which allows practical jokes and general foolishness. Traditionally, in some countries, such as New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, the jokes only last for noon, and someone who plays a trick until noon is called an "April Fool."


     April Fool's Day is a "for-fun-only" celebration. Nobody is expected to buy gifts or to take their "significant other" out to eat in a fancy restaurant. Nobody gets off of work or school. It's simply a fun little holiday, but a holiday on which one must remain forever watchful.

     Next time, when you see a coin on the sidewalk, be careful to not touch the coin. the person mignt playing a trick on you! I hope that you are more intersted in April Fool's Day. Play many jokes and pranks to your family or family next year on Aril Fool's Day!

Important People Around the World

              Why was Abraham Lincoln Famous?

By Anna Oh

Seoul-August 18th-

 A long time ago, Americans and Africans always fought each other, and Americans made Africans into their slaves, but Abraham Lincoln made the Civil War stop.

Abraham Lincoln was born on February 12th, 1809 in Hodgenville, Kentucky. He was the 16th president of the U.S.A. When Abraham Lincoln was nine, his mother, then 34 years old died of milk sickness. Soon afterwards, his father had remarried, to Sarah Bush Johnston. Lincoln and Sarah were close; he called her ‘Mother’ for the rest of the times. Lincoln's formal education consisted of about 18 months of schooling and he was largely self-educated. He was an excellent reader, writer, and poet. In his late education, he returned to practice law and Abraham Lincoln became interested in politics. Also, he went to the military and practiced law in his early years.

Later, it became 1860 and it was United States election. Then, Abraham Lincoln became a 16th president of United States. Abraham Lincoln was against slavery. His two of the most famous speeches were the Gettysburg Address and the Emancipation Proclamation. The Gettysburg Address, which was given on September 22, 1862, stopped the Civil War, and the Emancipation Proclamation, which was given November 19th, 1863, ended slavery. Abraham Lincoln had died in a special way. John Wilkes Booth killed Abraham Lincoln in the Ford Theater while watching ‘Our American Cousin’. Then, he was dead on April 15th, 1865.

Abraham Lincoln is famous for everyone these days. These days, Abraham Lincoln is a memory for everyone by making Abraham Lincoln on the five dollar bill and the penny. He is remembered most by the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C. Abraham Lincoln had a little hard time with his mother and father’s divorce, but he became the 16th president. Abraham Lincoln was the person who stopped the Civil War and ended slavery.

Cleberations Around the World

Let’s Ride a Dragon Boat!

By May Lee

Seoul - August 19

Introduction

Did you hear about the Dragon Boat Festival? That’s a traditional holiday of china. It’s known as Double Fifth Day and Duanwu. There is a sad history of that day. Now I will talk about it.

The sad story

Long ago, there was a poet named Chiu Yuan. He was loved by lots of people. One day, a new king came and made him go out, but he still loved his kingdom. When he was having a walk, he heard that his kingdom was defeated. He was so sad that he jumped into the Miluo river. The fishermen threw zong zi into the river so fish won't eat his body. Because some people rode a boat to save him, the Chinese do a dragon boat race.

The festival

The dragon boat festival is one of the biggest festivals in china. They celebrate it on June 6th. People commemorate him by dragon boat racing and eating zong zi. That's the most exciting part of the festival. Races take place all over China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. This festival is considered one of the most important holidays in china. Now, people use dragon boats to do sports. The Chinese also believed that the festival will keep them safe from evils. These days, the dragon boat is not a simple traditional boat.

Zong zi

Zong Zi is the traditional food for the festival. It began when fishermen threw zong zi into the river. The following years, the tradition of wrapping rice into bamboo leaves had begun.

Now you have learned about this festival. Do you like it? Then let’s go ride a dragon boat!

Celebrations Around the World

Interesting Holiday, See You at the Pole Day

By Misha Kim

Seoul - Aug 19th

Have you heard about the holiday, See You at the Pole Day? If not, I will tell you. On April 6th, 1990, a group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas changed the world for a student’s retreat. One night, they decided to go to three schools and pray around the campus’ flagpoles for their friends and fellow students.

On September 15th, 1990, at a rally of teenagers in Dallas, Texas, over 20,000 people that went to the rally were challenged to organize prayer sessions at their schools, following the Burleson example. Some 45,000 students from 1,200 schools were doing it, so it became a tradition for teens.

See You at the Pole is a student-led festival. Every morning of September 15th, the Christian people celebrate them. Some people wear a See You at the Pole T-Shirt and pray.

Even though it is hot, cold, or uncomfortable, they come out on almost dawn, and pray. After the praying, some acrobats come and climb the pole up and down. They all get to know each other. Some people go to their home, and some people play until night. They drink wine and eatsome snacks. At night, they do some fireworks beside the flagpole.

We can notice that it is a very important holiday by watching that people who can’t join the crowd just goes to the near pole and pray, or eat, even three people!

Lastly, I want to say that See You at the Pole Day will evolute more and more.

Important People Around the World

                                                  Great King Sejong

Rachel Kim

Seoul-Aug 19

Almost 1000 years ago, Korean people wrote and used words known as Hanja. King Taejong, who was king at that time, had three sons. His third son Chungnyeong , or King Sejong invented Hangul. He was born on May 7, 1397. He loved to read when he was sad and tired, but his brothers didn’t and played. So, king Taejong chose Chungyeong for the great prince.

 

When great prince Chungnyeong became king Sejong at age 22, he went out the castle to watch people. King Sejong hated punishing and killing. People usually got punished because they didn’t know how to read or couldn’t understand Hanja. When King Sejong saw that, he thought that he should make easier words. Easier words that every one could know.

 

So, after he thought that he should make new words, he went to work. He made words as they sounded. That became the Korean alphabet, Hangul. Also, he made words called Hunminjeongum. His eyes were bad, and he had a sickness called diabetes that we should drink almost one bucket of water, but he finished making Hangul. When hangul was invented, first, servants said that people won’t learn, but King Sejong finally won and spread it to people. After people learned Hangul, they knew what to write, and what the story was. On May 18, 1450 King Sejong died. Everyone became sad. Even though he is dead, we won’t forget him.

Almost 1000 years later, today in 2010, In Gwannghwamun, there is King Sejong’s statue. I hope when you visit Gwannghwamun, that you will visit King Sejong. Also, he is on the 10,000 bill, so I hope you will remember him.

Celebrations Around the World!

Day of the Irish, St. Patrick's Day

      What is your favorite color? If it is green, I think you would like St. Patrick’s Day,  too. St. Patrick’s Day is celebrated all around the world, but Irish made it first. They made it too improve their country more and more.

     St. Patrick's Day is celebrated all around the world to honor ‘The Patron Saint of

Ireland. St. Patrick was born about AD 385. His given name was Maewyn. He was

sold into Irish slavery by a group of marauders. Marauders are groups of people who

wander looking for opportunities to kill or steal. He escaped from slavery after six

years. He escaped

     After he escaped, he went to the church and studied under St. Germain. His

name Patrick was given to him later by Pope Celestine. And the day he died, which

was March 17th, is now St. Patrick's Day. He died at the age of 76, in Saul, Down

Patrick, Ireland.

     On St. Patrick's Day, the color green is popular because it takes place just a few

days behind the first day of spring. In Ireland, on St. Patrick’s Day, people

traditionally wear a small bunch of shamrocks on their jackets or caps. Children wear

orange and white and green badges. Women and girls wear green ribbons in their

hair.

      The first St. Patrick's Day was celebrated in America, in Boston, Massachusetts in

1737. The first official St. Patrick's Day was held in New York, in 1766. Now, St.

Patrick's Day is celebrated in over one hundred U. S cities.

    Many holidays around the world have feasts. On St. Patrick’s Day, people have

corned beef and cabbage. On St. Patrick’s Day, Shamrocks and Leprechauns are

Also popular you see them everywhere in Ireland and around the world.

      The word Shamrock comes from Gaelic/Samrog meaning trefoil or little clover.

Leprechauns are thought of as “Irish Fairies” who look like small old men looking

about 2 feet tall. They are often dressed like a shoe maker, with a cocked hat and a

leather apron.

    

     Next March 17th, you should go out and celebrate St. Patrick’s Day

together!!!

Celebrations Around the World!

Israel's Day, Sukkot

By Amy Choi

    How does your country celebrate harvest? Our country, Korea celebrates this holiday and it is Chusuk. In North America, their holiday is called Thanksgiving. Well, in Israel, there is a holiday that celebrates their harvest. This holiday is called Sukkot.

    Sukkot begins on October 15th and goes until October 21st. It lasts for seven days. It is celebrated by Jewish people. The word Sukkot means ‘little mart’, because in the past, there was some little markets named ‘Sukkot.’

    There are two days that are end of the Sukkotre Shemini Atzeret, Smchat Torah. Shemini Atzeret is on October 22 or October 23. Second day of Shmini Atzeret is Simchat Torah. Simchat Torah means "Rejoicing in the Torah" It is on October 23.  It is celebrating the law and end.

   
    Sukkot started back in ancient Israel when Jewish people would build huts near the edges of their fields during the harvest season. One of these huts was called ‘Sukkah’, and ‘Sukkot’ is a plural form of ‘Sukkah.’     These huts not only provided shade but allowed the workers to spend many amounts of time in the fields, harvesting their food. It is related to the way the Jewish people lived while they wander in the desert for 40 years, as they moved from one place to another they built tents or little marts called ‘Sukkot’, that living shelter in desert.

   
    At the beginning of Sukkot, Jewish builds their Sukkah. Some neighborhoods have friendly contests to see who can build the best Sukkah. There is no work allowed in the first and second days, but it is allowed on the rest of the days. In the holiday, it is commanded to stay in poor shelters, as our ancestor did in the wilderness.

   
    There are the three most important traditions that have to do in Sukkot. First is building a Sukkah, eating in the Sukkah, and waving the lulav and etrog together while saying special things and they are waved in each of the four directions.Lulav is closed frond of palm tree. Etrog looks like a lemon, but it is yellow citron.

    I  hope that you learned something new about this Jewish holiday! I hope someday we all go to Israel and celebrate this holiday, Sukkot.

Celebrations Around the World

Fun Onam Festival


By Jenny Jeong

Seoul -August 12th

Introduction

Have you gone to the Onam Festival? You should go to that fun festival! There are lots of fun things to see. The festival is celebrated from August to September in the South Indian state of Kerala. Now I will tell more about the Oman festival.

Information

Vallamakali is a Snake Boat Race, held on the river called Pampa. It is a colourful sight to watch the decorated boat oared by hundreds of boatmen. People also make beautifully designed flower mats called ‘Pookalam’ in the front courtyard of the house to welcome King Mahabali. Onam celebrations at Thiruvanthapuram, Tricher and Kottayam are remarkable. They do a beautiful display of fireworks to tell the end of the festival. Dancers decorated in yellow, red and black, dance to the beats of instruments.

Onam legend

A long time ago, an Asura king named Mahabali ruled Kerala. He was a wise ruler and his popularity spread far. But Mahabali wanted to ruled the heavens and the neather world. Indra, the king of the gods did not want Mahabali to be so strong. So Indra changed into a dwarf. He asked Mahabali to give three spaces of land and Mahabali agreed. The first step, the dwarf covered the sky, second, he covered the neather world, and third, he stepped on Mahabali's head. And he sent Mahabali to the nether world. But before the dwarf sent Mahabali to the neather world, the dwarf gave him a boon so Mahabali could visit the kingdom every year. And Onam is the celebration that tells that Mahabali came.
 

Celelbrations Around the World

INTRESTING HOLIDAY, SEE YOU AT THE POLE DAY~!

By Misha kim

Have you heard about the holiday, See You at the Pole Day? If not, I will tell you. On April 6th, 1990, a group of teenagers in Burleson, Texas changed the world for a student’s retreat. One night, they decided to go to three schools and pray around the campus’ flagpoles for their friends and fellow students.

On September 15th, 1990, at a rally of teenagers in Dallas, Texas, over 20,000 people that go to the rally were challenged to organize prayer sessions at their schools, following the Burleson example. Some 45,000 students at 1,200 schools became doing it, so it became a tradition for teens.

See You at the Pole is student-led festival. Every morning of September 15th, the Christan people celebrate them. Today, they enjoy the celebration, and it will evolute more and more.

 

Celebrations Around the World

Let’s Ride a Dragon Boat!


By May Lee

Seoul – August 12th

Introduction

Did you hear about the Dragon boat festival? That’s a traditional holiday of china. It’s known as a Double Fifth day and Duanwu. There is a sad history of that day. Now I will talk about it.

The sad story

Long ago, there was a poet named Chiu Yuan. He was loved by lots of people. One day, a new king came and made him go out. But he still loved his kingdom. When he was having a walk, he heard that his kingdom was defeated. He was so sad that he jumped into the Miluo River. The fishermen threw zong zi into the river so fish won't eat his body. Because that some people rode a boat to save him, so Chinese do a dragon boat race.

The festival

The dragon boat festival is one of the biggest festivals at china. People commemorate him by dragon boat racing eating zong zi. That's the most exiting part of the festival. Races take place all over china, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. This festival is considered one of the most important holidays in china. Now people use dragon boats to do sports. The Chinese also believe that the festival will keep them safe from evils. These days, the dragon boat is not a simple traditional boat.

Zong Zi
Zong Zi is the traditional food for the festival. It began when fishermen threw Zong Zi into the river. The following years, the tradition of wrapping rice into bamboo leaves has begun.

Now you have learned about this festival. Do you like it? Then let’s go ride a dragon boat!!

Celebrations Around The World

Rachel Kim

Seoul - August 12th



Japan’s Holiday, Tanabata



Every country has their own special holidays. Well, today I’m going to tell you about Japan’s holiday, Tanabata. Tanabata is celebrated on July 7th. Why? Well, they celebrate Tanabata because of the story that is heard 2000 years ago. It is called Kikkoden. Many years ago in Japan, there was a weaver princess called Orhime and a cow herder called Hikoboshi. When they met, they fell in love and didn’t work. When the king knew that, he became angry, and he separated them. So, Orhime and Hikoboshi could meet only at July 7th, watching by opposite sides of Amanogawa. People believed that Orhime and Hikoboshi can’t meet at rainy day, so they pray for clear weather. So, Tanabata was invented by Japanese people to commemorate this occasion.

They celebrate Tanabata by writing their wishes on a paper called tazaku. Also, they decorate bamboo trees with special paper decorations. They decorate with colorful streamers. They put streamers to symbolize weaving threads. Other decorations are toami (casting net), symbolizing luck for fishing and farming and kinchaku (hand bag) meaning good wealth. They celebrate this festival at night. Also, they sing a song called

“The bamboo leaves rustle,

Shaking away in the eaves.

The stars twinkle;

Gold and silver grains of sand.”

Tanabata festivals in Sendai-city, Miyagi Prefecture and Hirasuki, Kannagawa Prefecture are well known. Because Tanabata festivals in these countries are popular, Tanabata decorations hanging on the main streets attract millions of visitor every year when Tanabata is celebrated.

Celebrations Around A World

 Ghost Festival is Fun and Scary

By: Joshua Kim

Seoul - August 12
The Ghost Festival is also called the Hungry Ghost festival, and it started in China. The official name of the ghost festival is Ullambana. It is called ghost month in the month when they celebrate the Ghost Festival on that day. And, it is observed by Buddhists.

The type of the Ghost Festival is an Asian and Buddhist festival. The significance of the Ghost Festival is the opening of the gates of Hell, permitting all ghosts to receive food and drink.

The date for the Ghost Festival in 2010 is August 24. The observances of Ghost festival is Ancestor worship, offering food (to monks as well as deceased), chanting of scriptures.

The Ghost Festival in Japan is called Obon. On the day when they do the Ghost Festival, they don’t swim because the ghosts will pull you to a water and kill you. There is one more fun fact that when we are outside alone at night, ghosts will go to a child’s body and make the kid crazy.

So, the Ghost Festival is fun and scary.

 
 
 

Celebrations Around the World

By Eric Jeon

Seoul-August 12th

                                                       Fantastic Melon Day

Have you ever heard of the Turkmen melon day? It is an unusual holiday that is celebrated in the Asian country, Turkmenistan. It is observed on the second Sunday of August because it is the ripening season of the famous Turkmen muskmelon.

In 1994, a previous president named Saparmyrat Niyazov established this day to celebrate muskmelons, which is one of the major crops of Turkmenistan and also a pride for Turkmens.

To commemorate, Turkmens have contests such as ‘Golden Melon”,” Biggest Watermelon”, and “Biggest Pumpkin”. Also, in Ashgabat, the capital, there are numerous dances and musical performances.

So, what are muskmelons? Muskmelons are called cantaloupes in America. They smell like musk. They were originated in India, but it is famous in Turkmenistan. They come in many colors. Yellow, pink, green, white are the most popular ones. It is very tender and sweet. Turkmenistan’s melons are especially sweet.

How about celebrating melon day from now? It would be a good chance to experience Turkmenistan’s agriculture!

Celebrations Around the World

By Anna Oh


Seoul-August 12th

A Day of Remembrance

Have you heard of Anzac Day? It is an unusual holiday that Australia and New Zealand celebrate. Anzac Day is celebrated in the early hours of April 25th and is Australia’s most important national occasion. Also, it marks the anniversary of the first major involvement of Australia in a war.

Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Many Australians and New Zealanders think this day is the most important day. When war broke out in 1914, Australia had been a new independent country for only 13 years. It was the first time of entering the war. They set out to capture the Gallipoli peninsula with the other nations on the same team. Over 8,000 Australian soldiers had been killed.

In the early commemorations, the lives of Australians who died in that war are remembered. It is marked by a wide variety of ceremonies and services in Australia, a march through London, and sports day at the Australian camp in Egypt.

These days, Anzac Day means Dawn service and time of the original landing. Also, it is held at war memorials around the country. The Dawn service is followed by the Australian Army today. During Battle, the half light of dawn was one of the most favored times for an attack.

Anzac Day is a memory for Australians and New Zealanders. They had a war, so they made Anzac day to celebrate the death of people.

The Perfect Baseball Player, Babe Ruth

The Perfect Baseball Player, Babe Ruth

By Sean Park



Early Years

On February 6th Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore, Mary Land. Ruth’s father owned a tavern, and running the business left him. Young Ruth began skipping school and played baseball with neighbors whenever possible.



Signs Baseball Contact

In 1914, Ruth became so good at baseball that he moved to Baltimore Orioles minor league team, six months contract for six hundred dollars. He was the best player in that team. Then, he moved to Boston Red Socks team (American League) in 1915. In 1919, he recorded 29 homeruns.



Becomes Legend with the Yankees

In 1920, Babe Ruth was sold to the New York Yankees for one hundred thousand dollars and three hundred fifty thousand dollars. He recorded 0.849 in 1920 in the slugging percentage. Then he had a career high batting average of 0.393 in 1923. He hit 60 homeruns in 1927.



Lately Years

In 1935, he signed with the Boston Braves as an assistant manager and player, because he was told he was going to get manage the following year. He hit his last homerun on May 25th, 1935. After that year in 1936, he was inducted into the Hall of Fame with Ty Cobb, Honus Wagner, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson. In August 16th, 1948, he died at Memorial Hospital in New York City at the age of 53 years old.

                                                                                   

Abraham Lincoln's Life and Fun Facts

Abraham Lincoln’s Life and Fun Facts

By Amy Choi

Early Years

On February 12, 1809, in a log cabin in backwoods at Hardin, Abraham Lincoln born from Lincoln family. He grew up in newly broken pioneer farms of the frontier. His father was Thomas Lincoln. He is minatory carpenter and farmer. His first mother was dead in 1818, when Lincoln was 9 years old. So Sarah Bush Johnston, became Lincoln’s stepmother and she proved good and kind.



Early Political Career

When he first elected to House of Representatives, he spent most of time in Washington DC alone. He debated with Doug as in a series in a series of events which represented a national discussion the issues that were about to split to nation into two.



Presidency

He became a lawyer in 1836 when he was 27 years old. He married with Mary Todd in 1842, when he was 32 years old. He became president in March 4, 1861.



Important Thing

He give slaves free so slave can live freely like other people, not living poor and do something that someone is telling to do.



His Death

He is killed on April 15, 1865 in by John Wikes Booth at 56 years old. He was the first president that was killed by other person.



Fun Facts

He had a dream predicting his own death. When he had a dream, he heard crying in the White House so when he asked the person who had died, that person answered that president was died.

Marie Curie, the First Famous Woman Scientist

The First Woman Scientist, Marie Curie

By Esther Kim

On November 17th, 1867 Marie Sklodowska, known as Marie Curie, was born in Warsaw, the capital of Poland. Her parents were both school teachers. But, her happiness didn’t last long. When she was about 4 years old, her sister Sophia died of typos. Soon after, her mother died of tuberculosis. When she got about 18 or 19 years old, she wanted to go to Sorbone University. But, her house didn’t have money to go. So, she and her sister promised to earn money and then, get each other to the university.

As she wanted, she went to Sorbonne University. She met Pierre Curie. They didn’t have a big, fancy wedding or a honeymoon, because they were poor. Even though they were poor they lived a happy life time. They had two daughters. They found Polonium and Radium. And for the result, the couple got a Nobel Prize. One day, her husband, Pierre Curie, died of the wagon accident.

Marie Curie and her daughters were sorrowful after years of doing experiments every day. Finally, Marie Curie found pitchblende and got the Nobel Prize.

At the age of 67, On July 4th, 1934, she got dead by pernicious anemia. These days, Marie Curie is remembered by her pioneering work in a field of radiate search. I hope she can be remembered by the future people.

                                                                         

                                             

The Legendary Babe

By Eric Jeon      

Seoul - August 5, 2010                         

                   

Before Babe Ruth was born, it was the time of the Great Depression. People had hard times making money.

They had no hope. But Babe Ruth, a legendary baseball player, brought hope to people like a miracle.

Born in February 6th, 1895 in Baltimore, George Herman Ruth Jr. did not have a happy childhood. His family was poor but could afford going to school. In the school baseball team George played on many position and he was very good at all position. Like the early times, Babe Ruth was amazing at baseball to the high school times.

When he was 19, Ruth was accepted by the minor league team of Boston Red Sox, the Baltimore Orioles. He was so young that he was called “Jack’s Babe”. Since then he was called Babe Ruth. Babe Ruth played both on pitching and hitting. But after he was purchased by New York Yankees, he mostly played hitting. He was fantastic at hitting that almost every pitcher made him walk to first base. Babe Ruth had so many fans that the Yankees’ stadium was full of Babe’s fans. That’s why the stadium was called “The house That Babe Built” After he was put into Boston braves, he retired. After 13 years, he passed away peacefully at the age of 53.

Babe Ruth brought hope to sick and poor people and happiness to the people watching his game. He tried his best to play games and that brought an amazing result. He was able to be the best player in the world. He is a role-model for everyone. That’s because a trying the best is better than doing the 1st.

 

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