New Constitution, New Rules

Pierina Ponce
Oct. 24 2007
ESL 100
In the late eighties, Colombia went trough one of its more violent periods in its recent history. The war between the drugs cartels seeped into the whole society affecting everybody no matter their social condition, gender or religious affiliation. In addition, the social issues such as poverty, unemployment and insecurity, in the cities and the rural areas, made the armed illegal groups become stronger. The guerrillas in that time represented an alternative response to all the social inequity, but their violent method just made the problems even worse. With all the social, political and economic changes around the world, several of them related by the end of the communism in Europe, Colombia's government started to modernize the country. There were so many changes to do, but all of them would need to be under a new legislation that provided the political tools to stabilize the country. That was the background for a new constitution that replaced the one that was more than a hundred years old. Our new legislation changed my country in different ways.
First, the economic changes came. Colombia opened its commercial borders to international products. I still remember that in my early childhood not everybody had access to goods that were from different countries. For instance, buying American candy bars or some special clothing brands was very expensive, and you would need to go to a special import store. With the “Apertura Economica”, name for the new international economic strategy, our markets started to be fill up with international products, and that caused more competition a better prices for the consumers. Furthermore, our national products went to markets all around the world. Colombian coffee became the country's most significant product and became world known.
Second, the political changes started to build a new society. The 1991 constitution brought the opportunity to elect mayors and governors by democratic vote. In order to get the people ready for this big change, the schools had to introduce classes such as democracy and civic in their curriculum. They also had to encourage the students to participate in the schools government. That was like having politically our own country. We had to go through political campaigns, we had to vote and chose our representatives to discuss our needs. That was a nice experience, especially when I was in high school; that I had the chance to participate and understand all the political responsibilities that I would have as a citizen. That was a didactic learning process.
Then the social changes, the government created new spaces for the minorities to participate, that way everyone's can be heard. Even though so many things have changed with the constitution, the social problems are still present in my country. I have the chance to learn more about that when I was in college because I was studying economy. That gave ma a bigger sense of the problems that affect my country. However, watching the news gave me the sensation that we haven't improved so much in solving our social problems. That was the reason why I joined different youth associations that were working to build a more equal, we society.
Colombia has changed, but the modernization of the country is still going on. We are trying to be a more competitive country in terms of international commerce. Also, we have been working on offered the citizens better government representation. However, is our responsibility decide who administrates our country and our sources. because we elect our political representatives. Moreover, we are trying to have a better society, with more and better opportunities for everyone. The constitution have changed the way that every Colombian thinks about their country. The tools were provided, but the changes depend on us.

Lost in Translation

Pierina Ponce
9-17-2007
ESL 6
Decide you move to another place there are so many parts of your daily life leave behind, specially if you are moving to a different country where the culture is totally different, and everything is new, new costumes, food and language, even the weather is new and you have to adapt to your new place as fast as you can . For me, coming to USA wasn't an easy decision. Everything that I knew (at that time) every one I loved and I cared about was in Colombia. But there was the opportunity knocking on my door and I knew that coming here would be an important experience in my personal grow. However, I also knew that living in USA would not be easy, because I have to adapt to a new costumes, such as language, food and other
When I got here I felt strange, I couldn't understand anything. I couldn't express myself because the language was an obstacle. I spend a couple of weeks just saying “ok” to everything. After that I realize that I have to say something else then I start saying, “excuse me can you say that again.” after a while a start asking people the name of some stuff so I spend time asking how do you call this or that?. So I improve my vocabulary and I also try to think more in the grammar before I talk.
But the language wasn't the only problem, I was also shock by my new life. I Knew that the culture will be totally different and didn't know what to expect for the people and how I should act with them, but fortunately I meet great people, who help me set myself. So what I did was spent a lot of time looking at them, see how they behave themselves, how they ask for things in restaurants, how they answer to regular simple question, and just like that I start finding my own way.
But it wasn't a matter just about how to be proper, the food was (and sometimes still is) a big issue to me, in my country, we prepare fresh meals and eat them together, we spend time cooking every single day, so our food (specially lunch which is the biggest meal on the day) is always hot and delicious. Most of the people in Colombia think about what to eat, they try to eat something nutritious and different every day, here the people is more practical (because her the life goes faster) they just to stop by any store and grab a salad, or sandwich for lunch no matter who prepare and how long it had be on the shelves.
At the beginning, when I didn't know much about the food here, I choose to eat what I tough I knew but “surprise” even the world wide known Pizza here tasted different (at least to me). That way I realized that talking about food nothing would be the same. But not everything is so bad, the food in USA offers the opportunity to eat food from every single corner of the world. And that's good, is an excellent way to learn about different cultures trough their cuisine.
There were so many things lost in translation. Aspect of my culture that never were so important to me until I not longer have them. Memories that still make me be attach and proud to my culture. But those things left behind let a great space to new things, to new experiences, that maybe someday will be also lost in translation.

Essay # II

John Paul II

Everyone is affected by certain events or individuals that greatly change their lives. Many people and events have influenced me during my life. The most recognized person in the world and the man with enormous impact for every single person, not only for billion Catholics was Pope John Paul II. He had great power to touch my spirit. I adore him for many aspects of his unusual life, but the mostly for how he spoke out against war, the culture of death and for his help to fight against communist regime.

Pope John Paul II was known as an anti-war spokesman. Every time when he met with presidents, the Pope always talked very clearly, how important is peace in the World. John Paul II understood very well what war means for people. He lived under the Nazi occupation and in his own eyes he experienced of war. Since day one, John Paul was against the war in Iraq. He asked President Bush to put those plans away. Today, we are witnessing how this war has destroyed people's live. Also, he held numerous meetings with Jewish and Muslim religious leaders asking them to stop fighting and destroying the Holy Land. This special place on Earth which is so important foe every religion. Pope John Paul II successfully encouraged meetings with all religions leader to pray for peace.

At the same time, Pope John Paul raised his voice against the culture of death. He defended the rights of the individual. The Holy Father made a great speech in the U.S.A. against the death penalty. He said that punishment is the best when a person has a chance to rehabilitated. Society can help by offering those who have made mistakes an opportunity to reflect and change their lives. In addition, John Paul II was against abortion. He always said that the nation who kills his own children doesn't have a future. Moreover Pope John Paul II talked about euthanasia. Very often he asked to understand death with dignity. The terminally ill deserve the solidarity and respect. John Paul was negative about destroying a human life because life is beyond any price.

Furthermore John Paul II has been credited with helping to bring down communism in Eastern Europe. Since day one, he supported the Solidarity Movement in Poland. He met with Ronald Regan and Margaret Thatcher to talk and support the underground movement in Poland. Because he was man of integrity, with the help the U.S.A. , president and leaders of Western Europe, he borough the Soviet Union empire down, but not with missiles or economic sanctions, just by being a man of faith. He was the firest Pope who ever visited a communist country. As a nation, the Polish people will always be thankful to the Holy Father. He led us to freedom and shard inspirations with people of my nation how spare anti-communist ideas. we all witnessed a successful and peaceful anti-communist revolution and collapse of the Soviet Union.

In conclusion, I found Pope John Paul II to be the person who affected my life the most.His life was fascinating. Pope inspires me for reflection on my life and what is going on around the world. like millions, john Paul II had this great power to touch my spirit and he will always have a special place in my mind. His vision of a better world and passion for humans was enormous. He was against war, communism and any kind of man intervene in human lives. John Paul II always advocated for human dignity and defended the rights of individual. He believed in absolute truth and moral values. This Pope was perhaps one of the most influential person from a global perspective. John Paul was voted man of the year 1994 and many times nominated for Nobel peace Prize. Huge adoring crowds met him during his twenty-six years in the Vatican or wherever he go because he was truthful and full of dignity. For me, in these days nobody can replace him because of who he was and what he has done. Thank you John Paul for inspiring me to be a better person.

Trip of George Bush

Can you imagine that George Bush’s four hour journey to my country gave me a lot of troubles! I used to study in a university right beside the “Grey House” which is equal to American “White House”. Yes, I studied in a university right beside Mongolian “White House”. It took thirty minutes from my home to my school. At first, I was very happy that American president comes to my country. Actually everyone was happy. Therefore, we prepared a lot even though the trip continued just four hours. The preparation part was almost done and we had nothing to do just wait. However, his trip almost ruined my one day life, moreover his trip affected on citizens of Ulaanbaatar, in Mongolia.

The first trouble began with his arrival. It was one of the April days, an early spring day. That day began with a breakfast and news that reported an arrival of George Bush. I saw the news, and thought how lucky we are. I was preparing to go to my school. My class began at one o’clock, so I supposed to be ready at twelve thirty. At twelve twenty, I was already ready to go. I took the bus and waited my bus stop. Suddenly, the bus driver told the people that the bus will go to bus stop, which is located before my stop. The police closed the every road that approached to the “Grey House” and reason was George Bush’s safety. Yes, this was the first thing we should have done because he is famous politician, and he is the president of U.S. Therefore, we have to have huge responsibilities. I was saying to myself, and began to walk my school because it was already the last stop. I kept walking, but I was already late for my class, and my exam.

After a while, I saw my second trouble. I was blaming myself how stupid I was. I should have known this. I was almost at school. I faced another trouble. There were so many police there, and so many SWAT cars. The police did not allow me to enter. I was shocked and thought if I am not give my exam what would happen? How will I explain to my teacher, why I did not give my exam and will ask another exam day? Probably, my teacher will understand, but I still make another exam day, another test and another grade. I did not want it. I finally decided to beg to the policeman and I kept telling my problems to the policeman, but he said that I should have entered before George Bush came to the “Grey House” and told me that if I just came here about half hour ago it have been okay. I was about to cry and asked one more time, to allow me to enter. I doubted at the time, and thought about to go home. In contrast, they decided to allow me. I told them that I appreciated very much and kept walking to my school.

Finally, I could take my test, but no, there was another trouble. I was looking around the cops and then I saw sniper on the top of our school. I was nervous at the moment, even though sniper did not point at me. I was telling myself that I am not a terrorist and I am just student so they will not harm me. I was uncomfortable until I entered to my school. After that, I had time to breathe. I took my test and there were a several students who were missing. I guessed that they stuck somewhere around here, waiting a moment to enter or probably watching news about George Bush and lying in their bed.

Every place was affected the arrival of George Bush. After my class, I went to my mother and told her what happened. She could hardly believe that the policeman let me go inside. She also had some trouble to enter because my mother worked behind the “Grey House” and she went out from her office to eat her lunch. My mother had to wait one hour and a half hour. I am not blaming George Bush, but someone should apologize for this. This someone should be my government. They should have warned people. Even if my government had warned the people, it might not have been so effective. There were a lot of people like me even worse. Now I am thinking and smiling about my adventure, but at the moment I was so nervous. This adventure kept in my mind forever. I am glad that the trip just continued four hour. I will never forget the trip of George Bush.

The Father

Father is the main economic supporter for a family. Most fathers are playing the most important role in each family. Having a successful father is not only important to a family, but also for a country. The first leader of China Mao Ze Dong was one of successful fathers of China who succeed in leading Chinese to fight for freedom with Japanese for eight years. However, he began closing the gate of China and stared the Cultural Revolution in 1966. He was against people who have well-educated in the Cultural Revolution. Either many people were being killed or being sent to develop the Northwest, which was the poorest part of China. Most Chinese were not allowed to be educated and the economy of China was going forward since the Cultural Revolution began. In 1978, another father of China appeared. His name was Deng Xiao Ping who succeeds in opening China to the world. After going through most percentages of ballots in the 11^th Communist Party of China, Deng Xiao Ping started the Economic Reform in the People’s Republic of China. In order to increase Chinese economy soon, he published the Open-door Policy of China and developed many special Economic Provinces in the South coastland of China in 1979.

The Open-door Policy was the key to open the gate of China and lead China into the world. Deng Xiao Ping created four special economic provinces, which were Shen Zhen, Zhu Hai, San Tow and Xia Men. He welcomed any international trade and the foreign direct investment from worldwide to these estimated provinces. I remember my mother told me the Chinese history when I was young. All Chinese didn’t allow to own personal property in the Cultural Revolution. Even though people were good at producing property, the final income still belonged to the Chinese government. In addition, Chinese government had set up an Iron Blow to the masses, which meant no one had to worry about their job and even their three meals in a day. My mother told me she was quite happy during that time because she didn’t have to worry about their life. Most people didn’t work hard on their position, and they didn’t have to study. Therefore, nobody wanted to work hard in the firm Iron Blow at that time. After the Open-door Policy was pronounced, it changed the ownership of the property, which allowed people to own personal property. This movement was not only encouraging people to work for themselves, but also succeed in developing each trade in the same time. Deng Xiao Ping has pronounced a famous sentence which was the goal of this movement, he said:”Let a tiny part of people getting rich at first.” After two years, the four special Economic Provinces became the most important harbors and main invest provinces. Therefore, Deng Xiao Ping continued to open another fourteen Special Economic Provinces in the coming years.

Economy is intimately related to our standard of living. Consequently, the Open-door Policy was the key to change the standard of living for Chinese. When China still stayed in the Cultural Revolution, each family had the limit foods tickets per month, such as Oil Tickets, Port Tickets, Rice Tickets, and Flour Tickets. My grand-parents had three children at that time, even though you had enough money to buy foods to feed your children, you still weren’t to buy any foods or even requested more Food Tickets. Meanwhile, many people always didn’t buy foods they wanted because no any famer who wanted to plant under the Iron Blow. As a result, there had not enough food to provide to the seventy billion Chinese at that time. Subsequently, the Open-door Policy was the most important transition for the stander of living for Chinese. We were not even allowed to buy foods without any Food Tickets, but also our standard of living was continuing increase. For instance, we can buy any international products such as Durian, perfume, and some high-tech products.

The Open-door Policy was also the most important transform in education in China. Since my parents were born in the Cultural Revolution, they didn’t finish High School. They stayed in the Northwest over three years. My mother said she planted rice Xing Ling when she was in high school, where was still a one of poor provinces in China. My father was an iron smelter, worked for a big iron factory which owned by the government. My mother also told me all women were sent to plant food, and all men were sent to build structures. In addition, none of them could be educated. Fortunately, the people in my generation had a successful leader and his great Economic Reform exist. We could have chance to travel to board, to be educated in the U.S., and to though the eyes to the beautiful world. Otherwise, I would still growing rice in somewhere in China.

As my parents always told me, my chance to go to the U.S. was mostly because of President Deng Xiao Ping, and I completely agree with my parents. If Deng Xiao Ping didn’t exist, China still closed itself, if the Economic Reform haven’t been published, China had never in the list of the strongest countries in the world. The increasing rate of Chinese Economy was cause of his smart Economic Reform movement. He was successful to lead Chinese Economy to up and introduced China to the world, and it still had nobody can compare with him. It was without any doubt to say Deng Xiao Ping was a successful father of the Economic Reform and the father of the new China.

A Secret Love

A world famous speaker said, “Life is full of ups and downs.” That means Life is not easy. A long time ago, Korea had a war which was The North and South Korean War. A lot of people had their family split after the war, and my family was also one of them. My grandfather and my father were displaced persons. The war between south and north Korea war influenced me deeply. For example, I have learned wrong Korean history, I have betrayed my parents trust and I have lost my love. These things made me sad like a gloomy day.

I have learned wrong Korean history. For example, one day, when I turned on the television, I watched a scene. It was many young people struggling with the police, and I was very surprised by it. After that I asked my father, “Papa why are they angry?” My father said, “These young people live in Kyoung Ju, and Kyoung Ju people are bad people.” It means in the 1960’s, when the South Korean government took one village named Kyong Ju and killed nearly 70% of the people in the village. And then, the South Korean government said that the people who were killed were from North Korea. Since, The Korea War, many people hate North Korea. Therefore, many South Koreans thought North Koreans have to die. And my family took this idea as a matter of course. Furthermore, my grandfather, and my father supported it. Even today South Koreans think that people from KJ are North Korean people. However, this is not true. What happened was that the South Korean general named Park Jung Hee needed more politicked power. He wanted to have president of Korea, and he became a president of Korea through a coup d’etat. After that, South Korea was under a military dictatorship. Most South Koreans still think Park Jung Hee who was president of Korea was the savior of South Korea. These days, as in those days, most South Koreans do not like the people who lived in KJ because they still believe the old government propaganda.

I have betrayed my parents’ trust. For example, when I was twenty one years old, I fell in love. He was also twenty one years old, and he was very handsome. When I walked with him, many journalists took his picture because he looked like a model. I really loved him, and he also loved me. One day, I had a date with him nearby my house because my parents did not leave home very well often. When we finished the date, he took me to my house. After we arrived home, my father saw us. After that he said, “Daughter, who he is?” I said, “Father he is my boyfriend, Hun.” We entered my house, and my father asked him, “What is your hometown?” Most Korean parents ask there hometown because they think that hometown make people’s personality or people have their hometown’s native specific quality. After that Hun said, “Kyoung Ju is my hometown.” I became tense because I already knew my father did not like the people who lived in KJ. Ten minutes later, Hun left my house. My father called me, and he said, “Do not meet him anymore.” However, I could not agree with him, I just wanted to stay with Hun. Therefore, I met him secretly. We continued dating, I had to lie to my parents, and when they found out it, my parents felt very hurt. My father did not say anything to me for three years. Because of that I lost self-confidence, and I lost my positive perspective.

After that I lost my love. I decided to not meet Hun. I was very sad, and he was also sad. We really loved each other. However, I was my father’s daughter, and I could not hide Hun anymore from my parents. I went travel myself for regulating my mind. When I arranged my mind, I came back home. I opened the door of my room, and I looked at a secret box. The box’s inside had his pictures and my pictures, letters and ring. I read one of the letters. The letters were from when he was solider, he sent to me. The letters’ contents were I was very sorry because I stayed in the army, so you stayed alone for three years. However, I really loved you. When I was discharged from military service, I would return your love. When he was solider, I thought our love could complete through marriage. However, for three years, my father did not change his mind, and I could not complete my love. That day was his mustered out day, I met Hun.I told Hun we had to break up. He surprised by it, and he started to cry in front of me. He told me why did we break up? I explained my father and my family’s deep sadness. When I spoke everything, he could not say anything. He just said, “I love you, and I will remember you forever.” However, I lost my words, I did not answer to him. Actually, I am still thinking about him. Unconsciously, I mutter to myself like to talk Hun.

As you can see, The North and South Korea War influenced me, I have learned wrong Korean history, I have betrayed my parents’ trust and I lost my love. These things made me deep sadness. A world famous speaker said, “If you lost your first love, a second love still waits you.” I am still waiting my second love. Where is my second love?

How My LIfe Changed

In the 1990s, Deng Xiao Ping, one of the most important politicians in China, had suggested a new policy called “Chinese Economic Reform”. From then on, China opened the door to foreign countries, and the Chinese economy made large progress. My hometown, Fuzhou, was a small village in the past, and everyone almost made their livings as fishermen. The government knew that if Fuzhou wanted to catch up with the whole country’s development, it must be changed. I have witnessed enormous changes around my life since I was growing up with the economic reform in Fuzhou.

The obvious change the government had done was to reconstruct the city. Under the control of Chairman Mao, the government promised that the land belonged to the people, for Chairman Mao advised people to develop the agriculture. However, Deng Xiao Ping had not only focused on agricultural development, he wanted to change the whole market system, so he began land reform. The lands belonged to the government, so the government gave people compensation for bringing back the lands. As a result, people gave up their houses and were forced to move. It was unfortunate that my house had been pulled down at that time. My old dwelling was a compound house with a large rectangular courtyard, and my whole family lived together. I liked this old house, for my upbringing with the house was one part of my unforgettable childhood. Then, my parents and I moved to a new place the condo, and we have lived until now. I didn’t like the condo because I no longer lived with my grandparents, my uncles and my lovely cousins.

Besides the separation from my family members, there was another challenge for my parents after the economic reform. My father was a fisherman, and he only had a high school diploma. Furthermore, my mother was a farmer, and she was illiterate. The new city required skillful and highly educated people, so it was impossible for my parents to find satisfactory jobs. My parents said they preferred to enjoy that relaxed lifestyle. When Fuzhou was a small village, they spent their time on raising pigs, catching fish and planting vegetables. Maybe the village life was a little bit dull. However, they really enjoyed it. In contrast, my parents’ wages have increased since they got the new jobs, but they have found it hard to breathe in the new modern city. My father worked at a construction company, and my mother worked as a housekeeper. Nevertheless, they still worried about being fired because they didn’t have any craft.

Due to my parents’ experiences with the new city, they put all the hopes on me. They pushed me to get a better education and have a successful future. After the economic reform, there was a lack of educated people in Fuzhou, so the government enhanced the education. Kids and teenagers had the right to get free education until junior high school. It was good news for my mother because she could use the savings on training my special skills. When I was seven years old, she sent me to the Children’s Development Center. I was forced to learn dancing, calligraphy and chess. Though I didn’t pay attention to those courses, I had made many close friends at the same time. Moreover, when I was in fifth grade of the elementary school, the government suggested all the students to study English as a main course because there were a lot of foreign businesses pouring into China. The government wanted students to master the second language for the cities’ development.

In conclusion, it was inevitable to lose something important in my life when operating under economic reform. At the beginning of the economic reform, my parents were confused with their lives, my family members were forced to separate, and I lost my childhood of playing with friends and watching cartoons. As time went by, my family, but also the whole city, even the whole country obtained the benefits from the economic reform. Right now, it is convenient for my family to reunite together because the transportation has developed. In addition, my parents have enjoyed their retirement because they get higher pensions. I also got a satisfying job after graduation. All of those changes are due to Deng Xiao Ping’s “Economic Reform”, and that’s why most Chinese people admire him as a “people’s hero”.

the 2nd essay

In 1999, it was my high school year. I was not a good student as a little evil. I was cheating all the time, and I had broken everything in the school. Anyway, even though I was not good at study, I still needed to take a high school final exam, and to pass it to get into college. Even though I was the little evil student at school, the final exam for me was a hell, a hell that to imprison some little devils. Then I such as did something wrong and a monster took me to the eighteen levels of the hell (a legendary tradition in china, people thought the hell has eighteen levels). Then, when I heard the news “No High School Exam”, I was liberated and everything changed.
One day, when I was studying at home, I was very different from my normal day. Then I heard a voice outside was calling my name “Hey! Bil Gor, let go play basketball.” He was one of my best friends in high school and also he was the leader of our little devils. I took a look at the clock, which read 7:00 pm. I replied and explained I still had a lot of homework that I needed to do and review. Then I heard him say something which my voice didn’t stop. Because outside the street was very noisy, so I couldn’t hear him. But I noticed a few words said no exam for this year of the high school. Quickly, I left my books and ran out to the evil leader, and then I knew I had a chance to avoid the hell.

There was no exam in this year for the last year students who were graduating at high school. And it changed my future in college. After I heard this news, I played basketball every day without studying in school. Why the education department did that, I didn’t know, but this was the only way for our little evil kids to pass the school and get into college. However, the advanced students still could study hard to take the final exam because they believed they have chance to get into the high level colleges or universities. Those are our choices.
The college changed me. “The First Business of College” was the worst school I had never seen. There liked a devil world, there was fighting every day. You could see the drugs everywhere. The classroom could seat forty people, but only got five people there. I didn’t take the exam to go into this school, and then I thought I was wrong. I came here with some of the little devils, because the leader was there. We were always together. The memories for me in this college still clear until now. I still remember my first time when I arrived to the school, the leader told me, we needed to build up our territory and spread it out. Well! Like a stupid person, I listened to him. Like he said, we fought anywhere, we did everything bad, we wanted to kill somebody, and then somebody wanted kill us. It was like a comic story or a movie. Soon, the school let us out, and we didn’t have school anymore because our filthy background. I was nothing to the world. That’s what I thought about myself. Soon, our evil group separated, and I went into the world by myself. I began to think I did everything wrong or right? What was my future? Should I quit the exam?
It has been eight years since I missed the final exam from now. Now I’m in the United States and I feel better than before. But In these eight years I have five years were empty. I wasted it. Because I didn’t take the final exam, I went into a terrible college. I listened to the evil leader, no! He’s not the evil leader. I thought he’s the real monster than the final exam. I wasted the five years that no one could give me back. This was a really long time for a person who never wants to lose, but I did. Now, I have some basic conversation with English, but I can’t do it in an easy way, because I quit my school for five years. I lost the time that teenagers should have to use it.
I know a person should have a normal education in their life, but I lost. I can’t forget it forever what I have done before. I just regret why I didn’t take the final exam and get into the greatest school. Then I would never been an evil person, I shouldn’t, and the exam wouldn’t have changed my life.

Essay #2

On September 11, 2001, an unexpected terrorist attack happened in New York City. The terrorists hijacked American airplanes and intentionally crashed them into the World Trade Center. It was a terrible disaster that nobody expected would happen. It was found out that this massive terrorist attack was planned by Osama bin Laden and the Al-Qaeda members. Approximately two thousand nine hundred and seventy four people died and another twenty four people were missing and announced dead. Ever since that incident, a new terrorist attack history has become known as 9/11. In my country, Malaysia, which is also a Muslim country, was affected by that disaster as well. As a Malaysian, we are now treated differently than before and differently than other students or immigrants.

Even though I am a Chinese-Malaysian, I’m still being looked and treated like a Muslim person because I was born and received education from a Muslim country. Before I planned to come over to the United States to further my education, I never thought it would be this difficult or considered the disadvantages of being a person who is from a Muslim country. The security in the United States has became stricter after the 9/11 attack. They have become much more alert than before. I remember when I was applying for my VISA to the United States, I was asked a lot of questions about my intentions and reasons to go over there. They treated me as if I were one of those terrorists who intended to harm their country. Of course, I understand that it is their job to maintain the safety of their country, and so I did what I was told without any complaints.

It is also more difficult now for the people who come from Muslim countries to travel to the United States. I remember on the first day I arrived in the United States after the 9/11 attack, I was being checked very carefully compared to other people. I was also being asked a lot of questions by customs before I could safely enter the country. Just a few months ago, my aunt who is also from Malaysia was trying to visit us, but she was not allowed to enter the country and had been told to leave because it was her third time visiting in one year. Therefore, she had no choice but to leave. This really shows how difficult it is now for people from Muslim countries to travel to the United States.

The economy in Malaysia has become worse after the disaster of 9/11 terrorist attack. The trade of gas between Malaysia and Iraq had been cut out because they are now being controlled by the United States due to its loss in the war. Because of this, the gas prices have gone up so high that people in Malaysia can no longer afford more than two vehicles anymore. The bus and train fares have also gone up making people avoid using them unless it is really necessary. This sudden drop of gas prices is really hurting our country. Even until now, our economy has not gotten any better. Because it is hard to find a decent job with decent salary, many people have moved to Australia, Europe or North America to seek a better life.

The 9/11 terrorist attacks were totally out of my expectation. Even thought the attack happened in the United States, many other countries have also been suffering from the consequences. Malaysia is one of the countries that is also suffering from this. The best solution for avoiding this to happen again is to avoid wars because wars can only lead to trouble and unnecessary death. Revenge is not going to help but make it worse. If only the 9/11 attacks hadn’t happened, there wouldn’t be so many problems and difficulties giving the people all over the world such a hard time.

Change China

China is a developing country that a lot of people are concerned about, and it’s a developing country that everybody will know. Before 1978, people in China suffered a lot of war. Generally Chinese were poor at that time. However, for reasons of history and policies of the country and foreign countries, China maintained a closed-door policy. Almost all people in China didn’t have any contact with other countries. People hoped to be rich, but the GDP rate growth in China was very low. As the reason of civil war in China and World War II, a lot of fields and buildings had been destroyed. Even though people worked very hard, their worked just cover their basic need for living. At that time, Deng Xiaoping, one of the leaders in China, came up with an idea: Reforms and opening-up. As this idea come out and into action, twenty-nine years have passed by, we can see a lot of differences in China now. The reforming has changed the fate of China. It has changed my life.

“Reforms and opening-up” let me connect to the world. Without these policies, I am sure China would still be a “closed country”. If so, I can’t buy any foreign products in China now. I still can’t learn any foreign language easily through school. I can’t taste any foreign food in China. As these policies came into action, I can see foreign people easily in China. Buying any products out of the country is piece of cake. We can order it, and ship it to us. All the students in high school or college can learn English, and we can learn other languages from school or some institutions. We can buy McDonald’s food at many corners, and it tastes same with McDonald’s in America. We can travel to other countries easily. That’s the global effect. China is now part of the World. I didn’t want to stay in China without any contact to another country. I wanted to learn another country’s culture.

As these policies came into action, people were richer in China than before. The most favorite festival in China is Chinese New Year. I still remember when I was a child, I could dress in new clothes and eat a rich dinner to celebrate the New Year. A lot of children liked me to celebrate the New Year. They would like to spend money like this only in New Year. So children liked the New Year festival. Now, people have extra money on hand, they can buy whatever they want. They can eat expensive dinner everyday if they want. They can buy some equipment like computers to improve their lives. When the internet came out, we can surf any website from any country to find any information we want. We can buy products on the internet. We can communicate with people in another country by sound or by video. Furthermore, we can meet people from different country people by the internet. People are using money to make money. Chinese people will be more and more rich in the future.

The most important effect of these policies has changed the way that foreign people look at China. I learned one sentence in Chinese history that I never forget, but I don’t know the exact translation in English. The sign said:” No Chinese or dogs allowed.” It’s the sentence wrote by foreign people who attacked China many years ago. I can’t imagine that someone put Chinese with dog together. We were indignant, and we know they dare to say that because China was a very weak country at that time. With these new policies, China has a high GDP rate growth, and it is stronger now. We can have a good position in the world, and we will get what we deserve. We can show our 5000 years of culture to the world. Everybody knows China is a huge market. A lot of people want to learn Chinese, and Chinese will be more and more popular in the world.

One word can change one person’s life, and one idea can change all Chinese people’s life too. “Reforms and opening-up” has been a turning point in China. It has affected my life. It has affected all Chinese lives. It will affect the whole world. Now, I am in America. Many times, I hear foreign people say “ni hao ma” instead of “how are you” to me.

Szmyd Dominika

Gimnazjum

Gimnazjum is a three year long school between elementary school and high school in the polish educational system. This school was created in 1998. At that time, I was eleven years old and I was still studying in elementary school, but I already knew that I would have to experience going to gimnazjum. Even though my class wasn’t the first one which was put in this new system, I felt a little bit like a guinea pig. During the time I spent in the gimnazjum, my class got a lot of surveys checking how we liked the new school. The new system caused many changes in other student’s and my life. Some students had to change the location of school. Fortunately, I was lucky because I had elementary school and gimnazjum in the same building, so I didn’t have to move anywhere. This new school changed my life. It brought much more work to do, a lot of exams to write and less time in high school.

One thing that I noticed from the beginning was that I had a lot of work. I was thirteen years old, and I studied almost as hard as my brother in high school. At the beginning, I didn’t keep up with things we were doing. Gimnazjum required to cover more material than elementary school did. For the Polish language class, we had to read many more books than students who didn’t have to go to gimnazjum. I remembered that part of my life as a constant stress and race with other students. I always had to prove something to my parents or to my teachers. Sometimes, I had to do things I didn’t want to do. I remember the time when my class was preparing to perform a play, and my teacher wanted me to be the main character. Actually she didn’t ask me but she gave me the text and said that I have to memorized it. Because I didn’t want to do it, I refused to take the role. The teacher got mad and, she gave me an F for my behaviour. This is only one story when I was treated unfairly. I can say honestly that these three years were the worst years of my life. I experienced all kinds of unfair treatment. During the time I spent in gimnazjum, I got in trouble many times. The reason was that I am a really honest and truthful person. If I saw that something was wrong, I always said it out loud. Unfortunately not every teacher liked it. It’s really hard to say for me but, some teachers in Poland didn’t treat all students equally. Many teachers in my gimnazjum were subjective. This is another reason I got in trouble easily. All I expected from teachers was to judge other students and me honestly, but for some reason they didn’t do that. I truly hated all teachers until I met a couple in the U.S.A. whom I really like and admire.

We had a lot exams which mostly covered large sections of material. However, the worst exam in gimnazjum was at the end of school. Every single student had to write an exit exam to get into high school. It wouldn’t be anything strange except for the fact that this exam determined whether we would get into high school or not. I was really scared because it was my first serious exam. Technically, this exam is called the Gimnazjum Exit Exam, but it contains four exams in four subject areas. The problem was that these exams weren’t actually checking student knowledge but their intelligence and the ability to think and solve problems. I didn’t know what to expect or how to prepare for it. Before we got the exam, everyone had to chose the high school he or she wanted to attend. I chose two high shools.The first one I chose was the place where my friend wanted to go, so we decided we would go there together. The second school was where my brother was studying, and I chose it just in case the first choice wouldn’t work out. Every high school in Poland has it’s own accurate score students need to gain to attend that particular school. Unfortunately I got nine points less than first high school required, so I had to go to school where I didn’t want to go.

All these changes were made just to have one year less in high school. Before this change was instituted, all students had eight years of elementary school and four years of high school. The purpose of creating this new type of school was better preperation for the high school exit exam called Matura. We had to cover much more material in gimnazjum than students in the old educational system. The Ministers in Polish government thought that it would be better for students to start working hard and make up serious decisions as soon as possible. The exit exam in gimnazjum is really similar or even almost the same as the Matura. Both of them are serious and hard to pass. I am sure that by going to gimnazjum I put my life on a different track from students older than me who avoided going to gimnazjum.

I don’t have to look far to find someone who had an easier life by following the old educational system. My brother is four years older than me, and I never saw him studying so hard in high school as I did in gimanzjum. I think that creating this new type of school was the worst decision Polish government has ever made. Everything worked fine as it was before. A fourteen year old student is too young to make up serious decisions and take responsibility for them. Even though it wasn’t the first stupid decision made by Polish government, I am sure it won’t be the last one.

LOST

Lost In Translation Although, I was born in Ecuador, I will never forget where I grew up and where I came from. My childhood was full of happiness and mischief in a small and poor neighborhood. During my infancy, my brothers and I were so close; I was surrounded of one sister and four brothers. During those days of adolescence; my mom and daddy told us that when we grew up, we should consider to put all their teaching and make a lot of effort to be and become every day a better person. My mom told one day, to be an adult is not so easy; you have to know and hold on all the values of what you have learned during your adolescence and develop during your daily life. Respect has been one of the most important values of my life, to maintain the honor of where you were raised. Although my brothers and I grew up with hardship and a lot of difficulties to support each other, My parents taught us that wherever you go and whatever you do with other people you must be very respectful. This is a simple key to demonstrate yourself and your background of how you have been educated. It is like a mirror; it reflects wherever you are. My home town is not as big as this city; we are composed of fifty families. We know each others is like only one family, I still remember when my parents used to go out to buy some groceries in the big city. Every time they met somebody in the way, they used to shake their hands and salute with total respect, no matter who you are or what age and social class they have. Those symbols of being what you are. It has been helpful in my every day life. Honesty is another important value. Everyone knows that, to be an honest person is very difficult especially if you are living in a capitalist country. Most people in this country don’t care very much about honesty; the priority is to care more about money. Living here, it is not compared where I grew up. I remember when I was six years old, my brother and I found 100 sucres (Ecuadorian money) on the way to school. We didn’t know what to do with this money, but rapidly we though in how to spend it; we thought buying some toys and snacks. During that conversation, between my brother and I, suddenly we realized that our parents told us to never use the money that belongs to somebody else or is not part of your work. Staying in this country, days before while I was waiting to take a blue line to go to my house, I saw one of the passengers to drop fifty dollar on the floor accidentally. My mind was filled out of doubts. If should I tell the guy or not, but fortunately memories of my adolescence showed up to be a right person and do what you got inside. Since that experience what I was put into a prove makes me feel more comfortable and secure about myself. Finally, one of the most important values I learned through my life is to be part of a family. Everyone knows that nothing brings a family together better than a traditional celebration or the special dinner with your whole family. During my life in Ecuador, every year we used to get together to celebrate Christmas Eve. This celebration was to make our favorite home cooked meal; This meal is the typically food of my town which is roasted chicken with mashed potatoes, rice and beans, everything accompanied of an special beverage which is called “Chicha”. This special beverage is made at home by dry corn, some barley and mixed with some alcohol. To drink this beverage is very pleasure because it has been a tradition for several generations. Remaining events like “this” some times makes me cry because it happened long time age, Although I am not living any more in my old town, the food and the traditions which identify me like one of the precious values what my parents though me. It fulls me of happiness and pleasure. Now, I am an adult, and I living far away of my town. Every time I go back to my memories, makes me laugh and cry. Living in United States is not easy, you are exposed to deal and test yourself, about what you have learned back in your background and at the same time how important is to keep it and hold on those values in your daily life. I remember when I was a teenager my mom and my father told us not to disappoint them and forget what you have learned. Every day is a quiz you must be able to confront the obstacles of your daily life. Those values what I learned make me feel comfortable and be secure about myself as a person. “Giving a simple answer.” I will never forget my background, and how it has changed my daily life now. Laughing and sharing things as well as being honest and respectful will be present all my life. Those memories I would like to teach and extend to the next generation which makes me feel proud of where I came from.

The Togolese Presidential Election in 2005

Until the presidential election in 2005, Togo was known as a country of peace. The Togolese were living in good atmosphere while the activities in the country were running well, and people were always busy working to earn their living. The presidential election in 2005 was a hope for the Togolese that their country would become a democratic nation. However, the result of the election was in the favor of the ruling party and the majority of the population protested against the new president. The new president ordered the army to take control of the situation. The repercussions of the presidential election in Togo in 2005 affected me because people were killed, homes were destroyed, and some people went into exile.

First, the killing of people by the army had a big affect on me. The presidential election turned into violence in 2005 and many people died. The army was in control of the whole country and was killing protestors in every place. The power in the country was cut off, so people wouldn’t recognize the soldiers who were attacking them. They used guns to kill and threatened some people to death. Some of the opposition party leaders were killed and their families were executed. For example, I protested against the fraud the ruling party had done to say that it won the election. I lived in fear in that moment because I didn’t know from where a bullet might come from to hit me. The killing was so terrible in many places in the country that many children became orphans because their parents had been killed.

Secondly, the destruction of homes by the army had a big effect on me. The army went to opposition homes to arrest them. Among the arrested, some were executed while others were sent to jail. The army in some homes raped girls and women. They searched people’s homes and stole money, cell phones, and then destroyed the homes. The army burned houses and stuffs in those houses were completely turned into ash. Since my family was known as opposition to the ruling party, it affected us profoundly. I lived in fear that they might come to search our home and even destroy it, and for that reason, we deserted our home. My parents and I moved to live in another village far from home and we took our the valuables with us. The presidential election was a terrible moment that affected me when the army destroyed homes.

Finally, the exile of some of the opposition influenced me. When the army started shooting, some people who were connected to the opposition fled into exile. I moved to a different village with my parents where we lived in lack of food because we couldn’t take all our food with us. Some people walked hundreds of miles in the night to reach Benin and Ghana. The army followed some of the people and arrested them on their way to exile. They killed some of the arrested while they send the rest to jail. I had a difficult time living in another place and always pictured how tough it was for the exiled people who faced serious problems such as starvation, sickness and poor living conditions.

The presidential election in 2005 was a sad memory for me. The killing of people, the destruction of homes, the displacement of my family, and the exile of many people affected me so much. We lived with a tyrannical government for forty years and hoped the presidential election in 2005 would lead our country into democracy, but that was not the result. My hope is that the next presidential election will be a fair election that will bring positive change in Togo. Unless there is a fair election with a new president, we will continue to live in fears and people will continue to live in exile.