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From the Archives: Original Cover from our December 2003 Issue
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How the Internet Changed Korea...
...and how internet publications will change the world
Featuring an exclusive interview with Samuel Minje Cho, VP of a national daily South Korean newspaper
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by JENNIFER CHANG, editor-in-chief
*Notes on our exclusive interviewee: Samuel Minje Cho is the vice-president of The Kukminilbo, a national daily newspaper in South Korea. He was trained and worked as a reporter before he was put in charge of the Strategic Planning Department. Subsequently, he was promoted to vice-president. At present, he manages the Dizi-wave, a total e-Business solution provider as its president. The Dizi-wave has played an important role in helping the expansion of the internet media.The Kukminilbo was established in 1988 and is a very young newspaper. The Kukminilbo is ranked as 6-7th among the 160 newspapers in Korea. The Kukminilbo was based on the spirit of Christianity. It publishes an issue of 40 pages every day, and among them, 8 pages cover the news on Christianity. The number of Christians in Korea is 10 million, which is 22% of the total population of 45 million people.
When the internet first became widely-used by the public a little over a decade ago, few questioned the experts when they said that the world wide web would revolutionize communication on all scales – local, national, and international. There were even fewer, however, among these experts who dared to offer any specific predictions as to exactly how the world would be affected by a mode of lightning-fast communication for which nearly no limitations existed.
Now the picture is clearer. In the United States, the faces of interpersonal and business communications have been changed forever. We saw the rise of the instant message, of the internet stalker/pedophile, and of the pop-up ad. Where a revolution has failed to materialize, however, is in the realm mass communication. Internet newspapers and magazines in the U.S. are little more than electronic versions of their printed forms. Online message boards set up on these internet publications for serious news discussion are instead flooded with lewd or racist remarks by posters who get their ya-ya’s from anonymously offending people. Of the internet publications that spring up independent of established printed publications, a very small minority last long enough to gain a large or regular readership. Using the internet as a forum for intellectual debate and a means to disseminate news to the general public has proven to be a failed experiment in the United States, and as America is one of the world’s technological leaders, it would be the logical conclusion that the same has happened worldwide.
And yet, surprisingly, this is not the case.
One only needs to look to South Korea to see an example of where internet technology is being put to the uses that the experts once predicted so optimistically for the world.
The Republic of Korea held its presidential elections last year on December 19th. The election pitted Roh Moo-Hyun (who favored a policy of financial aid and industrialization projects for neighboring North Korea) against candidate Yi Hoe-ch'ang (who favored hard line against North Korea in coordination with the US administration). When a few high profile supporters of Roh withdrew their support for him the hour before the polls opened, it was believed that the campaign would be lost to Yi. In a surprising turn of events, however, Roh won by 2.3 percent. Though this defied initial logic, it did not take long for political analysts to piece together what had occurred in the final hours before the polls closed. This correspondence from an intelligence analyst for the US Forces Korea (to a writer for smartmobs.com) tells the story in plain words:
“Young supporters of No Mu-hyon flooded the internet with e-mails and saturated text messaging services with calls to get out the vote for No Mu-hyon……From what my wife had heard, candidate Yi Hoe-ch'ang was leading until about 3 pm on 19 December. The polls closed at 6 pm. If that's correct, there was about three hours for the No Mu-hyon supporters to rally and turn the vote around.”
What happened in South Korea marked the first time in history that the internet has played a decisive role in the outcome of a political election. The logical questions that follow, therefore, would be 1) whether the internet will be so influential in the politics of other countries that are just starting to embrace it, and 2) is such a change possible in America, where the internet has already established itself as more of a mode of entertainment than anything else.
To answer some of our questions, we turn to Samuel Minje Cho, who is fast establishing himself as the expert on the future of internet publications and their current effects on world politics. He has given several talks on the subject in various countries around the globe. What follows in the transcript of our exclusive interview:
The Worldly: Would you say that the boom in internet newspapers in Korea has been a recent phenomenon? What do you think started it, and what allows these publications to enjoy continued success?
Cho: The internet media boom in Korea does not have a long history. In my opinion, the internet media boom started in the year 2000. In particular, the recent presidential election in December 2002 was a great event in enhancing the influence of the internet media.
The internet media had some difficulty in their management during the last two to three years due to the sluggishness of the Information Technology industry, but the presidential election was a turning point in stimulating the internet media. The most important reasons for this kind of internet media boom are the wide spread of the broad-band network and the low cost for its users.
The number of people using the broad-band are already over 10 million in Korea and most of the Korean households and companies now use the broad band internet. As you well know, the OECD and the ITU recently recognized the Republic of Korea as the country with the most wide use of the high-speed internet.The internet media has shaped a new political culture. Owing to this kind of technical development, as has been seen in the events such as the two middle-school students’ death during the U.S military exercise of American troops in Korea, the World Cup match, and the recent presidential election, the young generation has surfaced as an important political power group in Korea.
The Worldly: Why do internet publications have such appeal in South Korea, and what do you think is the reason that they have had so much influence in the country's opinions and events?
Cho: As I mentioned before, the internet appeals to the young generation because of its high speed and easy access to information. They do not want to rely on the printed media any more. They want to use information any time that they need. The internet media satisfies their desire to get information at any time and anywhere.
The internet played a great role in gathering the young generation cheer-group, the ‘Red Devils’ together when the World Cup soccer games were held in Korea and it attracted the young generation in the recent presidential election who has had no interest in such elections before.
The internet is already positioned as a very competitive media compared to the television networks and the major newspapers. For example, the internet media ‘Oh-my-news’ is included in the 10 most powerful media in Korea.
The Worldly: Why do you think the same has not happened in America?
Cho: To be frank, I cannot explain the reason why the impact of the internet in the United States is not as powerful as in Korea. Even though many Americans use the internet, the broad-band network has not spread throughout the U.S. as it has in Korea. In my opinion, if the broad-band internet is not as widely provided, the speed in the wide use of the internet cannot be compared with that of Korea. Geographically, the area of Korea is about 1/100th of the size of the United State, thus it is a little bit easier to establish the broad-band network in Korea.
The Worldly: How would you say the internet publications have changed South Korea on the whole?
Cho: First of all, the media market has changed greatly. The internet media has changed the media market which the printed media had dominated before. Internet media has the advantage of speed. Because the internet media does not have the limitation of space, they can cover many events more in depth than the printed media. The internet media, the Oh-my-news and the Pressian have made great advances.
Second. the internet enlarged the generation gap between the young generation who are good at using the internet and the old generation who are poor at using the internet. Additionally, the internet provides broad opportunities for many people to express their opinions through the on-line media about social issues. Before the on-line media existed, only the leading opinion groups could present their opinions.
The Worldly: What do you foresee to be the FUTURE role of alternative communications in shaping the nation (in politics? in public opinion?). Do you think it is only a short phase, or do you believe this is a revolution that is occuring in Korea that will last for decades?
Cho: The on-line media is trying to develop various new ways to communicate information. The Kukminilbo is also trying to do internet-mobile broadcasting which is connecting on-line media and the off-line media. I think the internet media will advance greatly and make various types of new media in the future.
The Worldly: Do you think it will spread worldwide?
Cho: I think it will spread worldwide. The presence of the new media is not a temporary phenomenon. It will continue to develop around the world. I expect the present broadcasting, the press, and internet media will be changed considerably in the next 10 years.
It is important to note, in conclusion, that South Korea has only been allowed a free press since the late 80’s. The country’s rapid advances and increasingly innovative uses of the print and internet media since then have given the people a clear voice – one that truly brings about great change. It is an accomplishment that would be a credit to any country. Whether our own can make such effective use of the rapidly evolving internet technology to facilitate the democratic process remains to be seen.
A special thanks to the honored Mr. Samuel Minje Cho, who took time out of his busy schedule to allow our humble university publication an exclusive interview. His readiness to educate the public on this important topic is truly commendable and greatly appreciated by our staff and readers.
Internet sources: http://www.smartmobs.com/archives/000462.html, www.timeasia.com
The World in Sex-ty Sex-conds
Birds do it, bees do it, and yes, Australians do it.
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by CAROLINE OUYANG, exclusives section editor
Ah, sex. It’s a wonder how a mere three-letter word in our vast vocabulary is able to elicit and bring to mind incredibly powerful associations ranging from pop icons to skimpy undergarments (and, alas, oftentimes a combination of both). Or is it? Thanks to our contemporary flesh friendly media, sex is everywhere you want and don’t want it to be, a drastic change considering only decades ago the topic was a media no-no. In fact, sex seems to be the common denominator for a variety of products that would otherwise share nothing in common—Marilyn, lingerie, Maxim, oysters. What if there was a world where sex existed not as the focus of a marketing campaign but as a part of an individual’s cultural heritage? While it may sound far-fetched in this day and age, it’s true—there are still cultures that have a serious regard for sex and its significance.
In certain Australian, Melanesian, and Papuan tribes, sex is an important part of a young male’s maturation from a boy to a man. Before you jump to the conclusion that such a ritual is no different than that of young American youth eagerly anticipating the day they join their fellow birds and bees, take note that young adolescent males in these cultures begin their sexual development with other males in their tribe. That’s right. The initiation of boys into manhood starts with homosexual exploration. Giving oral sex to a slightly older male partner is a crucial part of young boys’ growth in some tribes. Such traditions are a perfectly normal and accepted rite of passage and viewed as a necessity for the youth to fully develop his sexuality.Young girls also participate in a sexual rite of passage which leads them to adulthood. In rural areas of the Republic of Malawi, female virgins undergo a special ceremony specifically designed to teach them how to please men sexually. At the end of the ceremony, they each sleep with an older man called a “fisi,” or hyena, whose purpose is to guide the young woman in her sexual activity.
Sexual intercourse has another purpose in other African communities: to cleanse a widow of her deceased husband’s spirit. In certain parts of Kenya and the Republic of Malawi, women who have recently lost a husband are subject to this practice before they are allowed to continue life as usual. Certain Kenyan tribes have a designated man, known as “the cleanser,” who performs the ritual. Kenyan tradition insists that the widow must sleep with the cleanser if she wants permission to attend her husband’s funeral. Single Kenyan women who lost a parent or child are also subject to this tradition. The Republic of Malawi basically practices the same ritual, but the man whom the widow must sleep with is her deceased husband’s brother. The intercourse must be completed before the deceased may be buried.
Talk about hardcore rituals. While modern urbanites treat sex all too casually, there is clearly another end of the sexual spectrum that is quite grave. Kenyan women and the Malawi president are urging against the practice of spiritual cleansing due to the rapid transmission of HIV/AIDS through unprotected sex. Sex isn’t all about stripteases or steamy reality TV—sex is also a critical and revealing aspect of an individual’s culture and the toll it takes on those it affects.
Rushing Russia's Economy
A failed project with world-wide repurcussions
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by WILLIS CHAN, staff writer
By popular vote, Mikhail Gorbachev was elected president of Russia in 1991.
When Communist parties staged a rebellion to depose Gorbachev, Yeltsin led the fight to withstand the Communist coup. After Gorbachev’s resignation as Soviet president, Yeltsin became a dominant player in Soviet politics and has since tried to improve the condition of his country. He began by reforming the Soviet government.
Despite the democratic shift of the early 90s, Russia’s economy remains unstable. Unemployment and corruption are still very common and the unstable political front hinders the possibility of a recovering economy. President Yeltsin implemented many changes in his administration. Decentralized corruption in the government system has driven prospective businesses to look elsewhere. Corruption also affects the tax revenue that the new government receives. Items such as aspirin are still difficult to find and buy.Russia’s inability to modernize production operations causes drastic devaluation of their markets. The country’s low quality of domestic consumer goods continues to limit all enterprises' profits. Ever since the collapse of communism, Russia has started running a trade deficit. Property rights and free market-oriented bureaucracy are new and unfamiliar to the Russian people. Russian political history does not include much, if any, popular participation, as matters of economics and government were always in the hands of the leading parties. Democracy is still a foreign concept to the Russian citizens who have become accustomed to living under autocracy and authoritarian rule. The newly introduced western ideals have yet to entrench themselves in Russian society.
In the past, Russian businesses produced high amounts of capital, but they did not have the technological advancement to catch up to and compete with other more productive countries. The factories were soon deserted and a population was quickly out of employment. The closed economy of Russia did not stimulate domestic economic growth and many trade opportunities were lost. Minimal international trade did not give Russia any comparative advantages. The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has made billions of loans to Russia, but poverty is still the prevailing economic status of most Russian citizens. Formerly state-owned businesses have been auctioned off at insanely cheap prices to very few high bidders.
These businesses have collapsed because of poor management and labor disputes. Meanwhile, interest rates have multiplied and the black market has grown immensely. Russia’s gross domestic product is very low, and the ruble, Russia’s currency, loses value as foreign investors decide to invest elsewhere. Many of the institutions characteristic of democratic systems remain weak in the former communist nation.
Reggae Regained
A look at the popular genre's roots, and the recent resurgence of its popularity
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by VIVIEN LUK, staff writer
Bob Marley, weed, and Rastafarianism. What do such things have in common? If it is not obvious yet, the answer is reggae. Reggae music sprang from Rastafarianism, the movement that spread the words love, freedom, and spirituality. Lyrics of reggae artists spread the world of Rasta, Rastafarianism in short. They tell a story about the struggles of African slaves and African people in general. Their fight for freedom is a common theme in reggae music as well.
Several artists come into mind when one speaks of reggae: Bob Marley, Sean Paul, and Beenie Man. Bob Marley is undeniably the epitome of a reggae artist. He is definitely one to utilize his music to preach the Rasta beliefs. His sound is mellow and soothing, while his strong lyrical contents add power to his music. Some of his most famous hits were “No Woman No Cry,” “Buffalo Soldier,” and “I Shot the Sheriff.”
Sean Paul is a dancehall reggae artist who made a breakthrough recently with hits like “Gimme the Light” and “Shake That Thing”. His popularity keeps skyrocketing as he continues to collaborate with some of the industry’s most prominent artists. Sean Paul’s sound is more closely associated with dancehall reggae, a style which is more upbeat than reggae itself. With catchy beats and half naked dancers, his songs and music videos are always in the rotation on MTV and VH-1.
A musical genius whose career began at the tender age of 5, Beenie Man, now 30, is looked upon as one of the superstars of dancehall reggae. His first album was launched when he was 10, and he is still making hits such as “Feel it Boy,” a collaboration with superstar Janet Jackson. Beenie Man’s lyrics cover a wide range of issues from politics to pop culture.
It is without a doubt that no one can or will ever replace the great Bob Marley, but artists like Sean Paul, Beenie Man, and Marley’s son, Ziggy Marley, are definitely telling people that reggae is only going to gain popularity. Reggae, especially dancehall reggae, will be the sounds to listen for in the near future. It is already on high demand and many reggae and dancehall reggae artists are hitting the mainstream market. They are not sell-outs but artists who are not afraid to give the public a taste of their flavors and a piece of their minds.
Even though many people associate reggae with weed and drug users, it certainly does provide music to a broader amount of people than that. Reggae is music you can chill to. It brings people together and promotes unity. It creates more peaceful zones in this world. Reggae is not something people listen to and get rowdy over. It puts you in a relaxed mode; it creates euphoria. Everybody needs a little reggae in his or her life. Reggae is an excellent choice for parties, road trips, and those days when you stay at home because it’s pouring outside. Reggae selects no particular audience but is chosen by new listeners entranced by its rhythm, veteran loyalists, and those who just can’t get enough of it.
Rabbit-Proof Fence: A Film Review
A film about British thunder down under
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by MEENADCHI GUNANAYAGUM, staff writer
In their hey-day, the British could breed imperial colonies like rabbits. And much like the rabbits they imported to Australia, they soon began devastating the native land. Rabbit-Proof Fence is the story of three aboriginal children who, like many others, were kidnapped from their mother and placed in an orphanage to be raised as white children. Unable to forget their home, the three young girls determine themselves to escape and a 1,500 mile trek which will lead to an inevitable future. Directed by Philip Noyce with music by Peter Gabriel, Rabbit-Proof Fence is a true story based on the book by Doris Pilkington Garimara, daughter of one of those girls.
Wild rabbits brought as sporting game by the British quickly began to terrorize the country, as they lacked any natural predator. In order to defend the land, the British set up the rabbit-proof fence. This fence, built in the early 1900s, was the longest fence in the world, stretching from northern Australia to the south. The wild rabbits were kept on one side of the fence thereby protecting the farmland on the other side. In 1911, the British enacted the Aboriginals Ordinance. This act created the office of Chief Protector. He became sole guardian for every aboriginal or half-caste (biracial) child born on the island. It was his responsibility to raise the children in a civilized manner – basically to breed the black out of them. This process began by separating the children from their aboriginal roots and placing them in missionary orphanages. From there they could be instilled in society as domestic workers and the rest would follow. A. O. Neville (Kenneth Branagh) held this position for 25 years, retiring in 1940. In 1931, he set his sights upon three half-caste girls, Molly (Everlyn Sampi), her sister Daisy (Tianna Sansbury), and their cousin Gracie (Laura Monaghan), born and raised near the rabbit-proof fence. The girls are forcefully removed from their mothers and taken to the Moore River orphanage. There they are witness to beatings and intimidation used to keep the girls in line as well as the preferred treatment of lighter children. After suffering in this state for too long, Molly, 14 years old, riles up her younger and less decisive compatriots, seemingly ages 8 and 10, announcing it is time to return home. With no food or water, Molly uses her wits, ingenuity, and luck to fend for her family and to elude the scouring police. Eventually she finds herself against the rabbit-proof fence, realizing it could be their guide home.
Rabbit-Proof Fence is insightfully acted. Entirely devoid of high hysterics and melodrama, this film brings a simple story home to its audience. Sampi is a powerful character as Molly, never losing sight of her goal. “They came and took us one day…They told us not to speak our language. They told us we had no mothers. I knew they were wrong.” Branagh’s acting is equally significant. I barely recognized the outspoken Hamlet in this demure, well contained role as a man acting on his skewed impressions of right and wrong. The film raises and revives fierce opinions on British imperialism, the damage it’s done worldwide, and reparations/apologies that ought to be made. Aboriginal children were taken from their families all the way through the early ‘70s. Sixty years worth of children are therefore referred to as the Stolen Generation. They were denied their culture and identity, leaving them in a space of racism and confusion. Rabbit-Proof Fence is a story that bolsters the spirit to highlight one’s inner strength. The final ending of Molly, Gracie, and Daisy is one I suggest you discover for yourselves as it was a sincere experience I will not forget.
Pillars of Salt - A Book Review
A gripping tale of woe, love, lust, and insanity, set in the backdrop of an Arab world.
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by JAMIE THORNTON, staff writer
“… I will recount to you an horrific story…unfold the multi-layered secrets of both past and present,” and this is exactly what Fadia Faqir does in her fiction novel, Pillars of Salt. The first chapter begins from the point of view of the ‘best story-teller in Arabia’ yet it is actually a story about two women who are committed to an insane asylum in Jordan and why they were sent there. But do not think that this novel is about mental psychosis or conditions in foreign mental hospitals. Fadia Faqir’s novel is a heart wrenching tale about two women stripped of their humanity based solely on the fact that they were born female and stood in the way of something that a male in their lives wanted.
Maha, the main character in the novel, shares her story about a beautiful love with her husband -and eventually child, - in the midst of the British Mandate. This political war ultimately kills her husband and leaves Maha and child in the hands of her violent and hateful brother. After the death of her father, Maha’s brother has complete control over Maha’s physical life and exerts this power at the first sign of her desire to control her and her child’s fate. The point of view switches from her to the storyteller who gives another perspective on Maha’s story and paints her as Jordan society would: he patronizes her every action with the idea that as a female she was born as though she was evil incarnate.
Um Saad shares a room with Maha in the mental hospital and shares her life story with Maha; Um Saad, who bore many sons for her husband, becomes old, like him, but also becomes worthless in her husband’s eyes so he replaces her with a younger wife. Um Saad’s children begin treating her like a lowly servant in her own house until her husband finally commits her to the insane asylum.
Yet all of these events are known almost immediately and so the true heart of the story rests in experiencing every aspect of these two women’s lives and what it took to make these strong, self-possessed women into broken heaps of pain, despair and outrage. Neither woman survives the repression nor subjugation that constitutes daily life for the majority of Arab women, - yet the author manages to convey the idea that these women share their stories for the next generation in hopes that something will change.
Fadia Faqir writes a vivid story rooted in the ancient tradition of Arabian storytelling. She breathes life into her characters from the very first page and creates enough suspense to make the book impossible to put down; the heat, the sand, the orange trees, the young, almost naïve love between Maha and her husband turn the story into one that won’t be forgotten.
India's Tandoori India delivered to your front step
A Restaurant Review
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by LISA MONTAGUE, staff writer
India’s Tandoori
11819 Wilshire Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA
(310) 268-9100
India’s Tandoori is a good choice for delivery when you do not feel like leaving your apartment; but, if you feel like going out, I would recommend driving out of Westwood to one of the following Indian restaurants in Los Angeles: Bombay Café, Bombay Palace or Tantra.
Overall, the food from India’s Tandoori was nothing special, but the delivery service was impeccable. The restaurant has a complete menu online and the service was fast and reliable, we got everything we ordered. And, as long as you know what to order you can get a fair meal.
I would recommend the chicken pakoras or the onion bhaji for appetizers, the chicken was well flavored and the onions for the bhaji were shredded to just the right thinness, both are covered with chickpea dough and spices and deep-fried. I would avoid the fish pakoras, which were very fishy, and the over-spiced vegetable samosas. For entrees the chicken curry number 5 was my favorite. The chicken is off the bone, spiced mildly, and comes in a very light sauce. The gobbi alu (cauliflower and potato curry) is also a good choice, but very spicy. But, stay away from the tandoori chicken, which was dry and not well flavored. The best part of our meal was the excellent customer service and the helpful and knowledgeable staff.
What in the World? Chinese Go Pee-Pee in Your Coke
Lawrence Lu's Column
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by LAWRENCE LU, staff writer
Ok, I apologize. The title has nothing to do with urine in your beverage. However, this is all about China and what we Americans do not remotely understand about them. Last month, a virgin visit to the middle kingdom genuinely opened my eyes to the misconceptions that the American media have led us to believe. The average American doesn’t give a damn about China or Chinese people. They are simply the source of communism and occasionally good fast food. So for all of you who could care less about the largest portion of world’s population, I’m sorry to bore. For the remaining two people, let me try to relate what I saw.
In the county side, the people are farmers like you would find in any other third world nation. A simple life far away from the malls and insane business centers that make up the world’s major civilizations. They don’t know anything about America except that a bus with a bunch of them on it passes by every now and then. In the cities, however, they are not the oppressed victims of cruel inhumane communistic treatment that we think they are in. Their malls are 10 stories high with everything of everything. It was a Wal-mart, self-contained in its own city. The people walk from home to work and work to clubs, etc. Advertisements were flung across some of the world’s tallest structures. Their cell phone networks were so strong, I could feel the cancer growling from within. They were Americans, except not so pale. Truly, this was a shock for me since I expected to see a subdued crowd who was scared to speak in fear of the government castrating them. In fact, it could be argued that the Chinese people are more free than Americans are. It is true that freedom of speech is not quite to our Eminem level as of yet, but the societal tax structure is much less imposing then our own. The Chinese appeared to be learning quickly from their American brethren as individuals were flirtatious, impetuous and have a rising affinity for divorce. After the reclamation of Hong Kong, China’s cities have been flooded with western influence, uncertain if that is to be considered a positive phenomenon.
The baseline point is that the American government and media have given China an outdated image. The reason behind it is most likely some stupid political dinosaur policy left over from the McCarthy days. It’s beginning in the cities and likely to spread quickly to the masses. China is becoming America with rice and noodles. Whatever lord exists, please help the planet because the last thing needed is for Britney and Justin to sell another couple billion records. Seriously though, China is up and coming. FYI. I personally believe, taking into account the trends of western capitalistic society, that this is an acceleration into our own oblivion.
A Day in the Life - Of a Japanese Student
A summer day with Mariko Okada in Tokyo
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by NINA BASU, staff writer
We look at the Eastern world in awe, reveling in their wondrous culture. Oddly enough, Mariko Okada finds Japanese life to be very similar to our own lives here. Apparently, though each culture is unique, we are not so different after all! Mariko spent most of her life in Tokyo, Japan with her mother, father, and two dogs. She moved to the United States for high school, when she arrived in Michigan for art school. After high school graduation, Mariko came to us at UCLA as a Design Media Arts major, and hopefully, one day she will be a Bruin film undergrad. Fortunately, though she is so often away from her homeland, she is able to travel back home for all major breaks – winter, spring, and summer – to spend time with her beloved family and friends. Today, she describes to me one of the last days of her summer in Tokyo.
10 A.M – Mariko wakes up in her “little house”, as she describes it. She meets her mother, and takes her two dogs for a quick morning walk. They go to a “tiny” park in the middle of bustling Tokyo, where many children rambunctiously run and play all around them. Though Tokyo is so business and technology minded, Mariko finds this place to be carefree, void of all the stress of the city.11 A.M – She comes home with her mother, and they sit together for breakfast. I was imagining all the exotic food she must eat at breakfast and all the other meals. A passerby even asked if she ate sushi for breakfast. She gave us an incredulous look and told me how she ate the “usual” – eggs, toast, and orange juice. After all, “We’re so Americanized over there anyway! Everything we have here (in the U.S), we have in Japan.”
12 P.M. – After getting ready for a busy day, she leaves her house, and enters the chaos of the big city. Since it is a wonderful summer day, she has no responsibilities such as school or work to tend to. Rather, she is free to revel in all the glitter and glamour of the world’s most rapidly developing city.
2 P.M. – On this particular day, she takes her camera and takes pictures of this dynamic hometown of hers. She captures the chaos and liveliness of each and every person. I asked Mariko where she would go for a little “quiet time”. Once again, she gave me an odd look, and replied that there really was no quiet place in this wonderful city. Things are fast-paced, and it is virtually impossible to escape. Furthermore, by her expression, she didn’t seem to want that quiet. She wanted to ingest every wonder of Tokyo.
5 P.M. – Mariko finishes taking pictures, and goes to meet her friends to traipse through Japanese nightlife. First, though, they must eat.
6 P.M. - In the middle of a big city, you can get any type of food, from Chinese to American, from Indian to Japanese. On this particular day she felt the craving for sushi. After a wonderful meal of unagi, inari, and other types of sushi and sashimi, Mariko and her friends are ready for a night out on the town.
7 P.M. – With her infinite knowledge of music and movies, there is never a moment where Mariko Okada will find herself bored. Along with her friends, she goes to a concert, perhaps the 15th of the summer. Today she sees her all-time favorite, Adam Green! The concert scene is identical to ours. Screaming fans engulf the venue, with clusters of signs, this time in Japanese and English, littering the view of the stage.
12 P.M. - After the concert, Mariko visits with the band, and meets her idol, Mr. Green. Who could ask for more?
2 A.M. – The night winds down, and Mariko returns home, safe in her home, curled up in bed. Tomorrow will be another day – exotic to us in the United States, but completely normal to Mariko.Soon after, Mariko will board a plane from the Narita Airport, just outside of Tokyo, and she will join us here in Los Angeles. She will eat the same breakfast, take pictures of bustling Los Angeles in all its glory, spend time with her friends (maybe even eat sushi!), and see another band, except maybe this time it will be Coldplay. Sure, the environment is different, but in the end, the ways we enjoy ourselves here in the U.S. is very much the same as those of Mariko Okada in Japan!
Many thanks to Mariko Okada for illuminating upon her life in Japan.
Drink Recipes - A Sip of Culture
Some tasty and fun drink recipes from all around the globe
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
Compiled by MARY LAWSON, staff writer
If you are up for trying new things then we have some great drink recipes for you to make at home or with your friends. These 6 drinks are from different parts of the world and are very delicious! Not only will you be trying something new but experiencing a “taste” of other people’s culture. Sip away!
Note: Each of these recipes make 8 to 16 servings.
Indian Style Lemonade
Ingredients
8 c water
½ c Fresh lime juice
2/3 c Fresh lemon juice
1 1/3 c Maple syrup
½ tbsp Freshly grated ginger
1/8 tsp Cayenne (Hot pepper)
Instructions
Combine all ingredients in a large pitcher or punch bowl. Serve at room temperature or chilled.
Sangria Punch Ingredients
2/3 c Lemon juice
1/3 c Orange juice
1/4 c Sugar
1 Bottle (750 milliliters) dry red wine
Instructions
Strain juices. Add sugar, stirring until dissolved. Mix juice mixture and wine. Add ice. Garnish each serving with twist of lemon peel if desired.
All Canadian Coffee
Ingredients
1/4 c pure Maple syrup
1/2 c Rye whiskey
3 c hot, black, double strength Coffee
3/4 c Whipping cream
Instructions
Divide maple syrup and whiskey among 4 warmed heatproof glass mugs or goblets. Pour in coffee to 1 inch of top; spoon topping over coffee. Decorate with tiny Canadian flags if desired. Topping: Mix 4 tsp of pure Maple syrup with Whip cream.
Tahitian Tea
Ingredients
½ oz vodka
½ oz rum
½ oz gin
½ oz triple sec
3 oz Orange juice
3 oz Cranberry juice
Ice cubes
Instructions
Fill a cocktail shaker with ice. Add ½ oz of each liquor. Fill with 3 oz of each juice. Shake in a collins glass. Garnish with fruit slices.
Ingredients
5oz Cointreau
4 oz Coke
2 oz Jose Cuervo Tequila
1 tsp Kool-Aid (any flavor)
Surge or Mountain Dew
Ice cubes
Instructions
Mix all ingredients except surge or mountain dew. Stir and pour into tall beer mugs. Fill the rest up with surge or mountain dew.
Finnish Sima (Pronounced See-Mah)
Ingredients
10 qt Water
2 Lemons
2 1/2 c Brown sugar
2 1/2 c White sugar
1/3 c Dark corn syrup; optional 1/4 tsp Dry yeast
Raisins
Instructions
Shave the yellow peel from the lemons, cutting very thinly so that as little of the white underlayer as possible is attached. Set the yellow slices aside. Then peel the bitter white underlayer off and discard it. Slice the lemons into very thin slices. Place them into a container and cover them so they don't dry out. Boil the water in a large kettle. Remove it from the heat and stir in the yellow lemon peel, the sugars, and the syrup. When the sugars have dissolved, cover the kettle and let the contents cool to room temperature (25'C or 75'F). Then add the lemon slices and the yeast. Leave it to stand overnight. Place 4-5 raisins and a teaspoon of white sugar in the bottom of each of several clean bottles (wine or soda pop). Pour the sima into the bottles, straining it through a sieve to remove the lemon. Cap the bottle tightly. The sima will be ready to drink when the raisins rise to the top of the bottles, about 3-7 days depending on the temperature of the room where they are stored. Serve it well chilled.
Disclaimer: It is illegal to drink alcohol if you are under 21. If you are 21 or older please drink responsibly.
TRAVELOGUE - Esfahan (in Iran)
Things you MUST do if you ever travel to Esfahan, Iran
Original posting: December 2003 Issue
by DEAN GRANSAR, staff writer
Iran is tourist country. There are many cultural and historical places that people associate with Islamic fanaticism. However, before I start to describe one of Iran's cities, I should clarify a simple misconception people have about the country and people.Iran is not a place where people wear towels around their heads and ride on camels. It is not a country where native tribes are in constant rivalries for wells and water. Get the word desert out of your head. Second, Airan and Airaq are not the same; they have nothing to do with each other. They sound quite different when spoken in their native tongues. There are many things such as these that many people don¡¯t know about Iran. The best way to learn is to travel to Iran and experience its different cultures and people. Persians¡ªthe residents of Iran¡ªare famous for their hospitality and being swayed by compliments. They are a warm and loving people, and they love Americans. Yes! Most are loving and fond of Americans, despite what we have come to think.
Now let's talk about of the ancient cities in Iran - Esfahan.Esfahan lies in the heart of Iran. It is impossible to say you have visited Iran without having visited this ancient city. It is a reflection of many different historical periods. There is so much here that is interesting for travelers that it has been coined ¡°Half of the World¡± (Esfahan nesfe jahan). There is so much to see that it is recommended that you get a guide or do some research beforehand. In addition to the places mentioned here, there are many gardens, schools, and museums that are also well worth visiting.Naqsh-e-Jahan Square: This square, meaning "pattern of the world", is an open field surrounded by structures all around where the king would receive guests and perhaps watch a game of polo. To get a good feel of it, rent a cart and take it around the square. The small shops making handicrafts and the structures (Imam mosque, Aliqapu, Sheikh-Lotfollah mosque and the old bazaar) are really all pieces of art. The vaulted ceilings, exquisite tile-works and mosaics work with space and light creating a mood that must be experienced to be understood. When you look at the vaults, the pattern revolves around the center (representing God) and everything else (the universe) surrounding it. Astronomically many of these structures correspond to each other and were well thought out. This perfection is typical of structures built in the Islamic era.
Bazaar: Go to the market and get some "soghati" as Persians call souvenirs. You’ll find just about anything in old-fashioned markets: from eatables to clothes and artifacts. There are many exotic foods - feel free to explore. But while you are there, you may want to eat some traditional ice cream and paloode - cold noodles with ice mixed in and flavored like lemonade. It is so cold that it can crack your teeth!Chehel Sotoun: The name, which means 40 pillars, borrows 20 of them from its reflection in the pool located in the front. It is customary of many ancient buildings to have a pool in front of them. This works as a cooler in addition to being the center of the household where every room is connected. The Chehel Sotoun was used for kings¡¯ receptions but has also been a small museum housing many ancient artworks such as miniatures, paintings. Of course, the structure itself is a masterpiece with friezes describing the court and war exploits and a pair of doors from the palace that are currently on display in a museum in England.
Si-o-Se pol or Bridge of 33 Arches: This bridge was built at the beginning of the 17th century. This 45 foot wide and 175 yard structure is a continuation of one of the main streets that go across the Zayandeh Rud (river). If the water level is not too high you can walk on the bottom side portion (you may have to take off your shoes otherwise). At the end there is a place you can smoke hookah or drink tea.The following places are not in the actual city of Esfahan but are in close proximity to the city.
Atash-gah: Or "place of fire" is where fire was kept in a small house on the top of a hill. Fire is one of the holy elements in Zoroastrian religion, and in the pre-Islamic era this was a place of worship for Zoroastrians. The Zoroastrian New Year festival is still being practiced every year around March 21st. I personally regard the place to be holy. Climbing up to the top of the hill could be a transforming experience. This place is 7 kilometers out of Esfehan.
Menar Jonban " SHAKING MINARETS" is how the name translates. Yes, the minarets (the actual towers of the holy building) shake. Every two hours some one climbs up on the top of one minaret and swings back and forth ¨C the whole structure (including the other minaret) trembles. The building is made of bricks, which support each other in an unusual way. Once you're there you can go up the stairs of minarets and watch this scene from the roof.
Takht-e-Jamshid: Or Persepolise, as Greeks called it, is the magnificent ruins of the capital of the Persian Empire. It was founded by Darius I (550-486 B.C.) and later on completed by Xerxes and Artaxerxes. The structures are still standing after being burned by Alexander the Great in 330 B.C. This structured was made on the rise of the mountain. It is a great place to sit and reflect (and don't forget to watch the sunset!). This is not in Esfahan but still within driving distance. It took me the whole day to go and come back, but I assure you that it's worthwhile to check it out when you are already that close to it.
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