Long Distance Relationships

9 (Exclusive) Benefits of Being in a Long Distance Relationship (March 26, 2014)

Summary :

This is an article, more closed to a blog, by blogger Grace Buchele. She breaks the stereotypes most people have towards long distance relationships being ephemeral with her successful marriage to her boyfriend who had 2 years in long distance relationship with her. Buchele lists nine different ways that long distance relationships can help a couple, using factual articles and college studies from reliable sources, such as the Huffington Post, Cornell University, and Hong Kong University. The nine are listed in the following order : first, long distance relationships guarantees the couple that they can do anything if their supposedly difficult conditions may be able to tolerate; second, each individual can have more individual time; third, one can learn how to effectively communicate; fourth, both parties show full commitment; fifth, one cultivates independence through this relationship; sixth, one can get good at planning; seventh, one can guarantee that their relationship is not based on physical pleasure; eighth, both parties get enough individual time to know their identity; last; couples can enjoy exotic travel and adventure.

TPP: What is it and why does it matter?

TPP: What is it and why does it matter? (October 6, 2015)

Summary :

This news article is a business article from BBC news that informs readers about what the TPP (Trans-Pacific Partnership) is and how it influences or affects American citizens. The TPP is a free-trade agreement signed by the US, Japan, Malaysia, Vietnam, Singapore, Brunei, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Mexico, Chile and Peru. The TPP started off with a trade agreement signed amongst Brunei, Chile, New Zealand and Singapore ten years ago. As that deal eradicated tariffs on various goods traded amongst the countries, the issues of strengthening employment practices, intellectual property and competition policies was highlighted in the TPP.  The main objectives of the pact is to strengthen economic ties, and boost growth between nations. The countries involved are hoping to create a new single market, such as the European Union. As most tariffs will either be removed or reduced, agricultural and industrial products will mostly be cheaper. The TPP has casted international attention from its grand size, as the 12 countries involved have a collective population of 800 million people (double that of the EU’s single market). Also, the 12 nations are already dominant over 40% of the world trade. Although the TPP is acclaimed for its innovative economic approach in conglomerating the diverse economic sectors in the international society, it has also caught great criticism due to its secrecy and lack of access to voters.

TED TALK : Sex Trafficking in Your Back Yard | Vednita Carter |

Summary :

The following TED Talk is done by Vednita Carter, the Founder and President of ‘Breaking Free’, a nonprofit direct service provider in ST Paul to end all forms of prostitution and sex trafficking that mostly puts women and young children as targets. Carter explains how she accidentally, yet traumatically stepped into the field of prostitution at the age of 18. Blindly trusting a newspaper advertisement, looking for young women who were interested to dance for $1000 an hour, Carter and her friend fell into stripping. (Complex Sentence) Throughout strip clubs in Minnesota, other parts of the United States and Canada, Carter was susceptible to drugs and sexual harassment. Fortunately, she was able to escape from an year of prostitution, and after an year of recovery, she opened the ‘Breaking Free’ agency to help women and girls that were trapped in this type of lifestyle. Through this TED Talk, she emphasized the prevalence of sex trafficking from Minnesotta, to the whole world. She underlined how it is the whole community’s obligation to limit the demanders, those who desire sexual pleasure through strip clubs, pornography and prostitution, and instead promote a social trend that prostitution is severely prohibited. (Compound Sentence)

Breaking News English : Woman Marries a Bridge, Time-out from Eurozone possible for Greece

Woman Marries a Bridge (July 7, 2013)

Summary : Australian female artist, Jodi Rose, married 600-year-old Le Pont du Diable, also known as the Devil’s Bridge, in France on June of 2013. This article states that, although many countries around the world are discussing the topic of same-sex marriage, marriage with a bridge has never been an issue until now. Rose, prominent for traveling around the world to visit bridges, records the sounds and vibrations bridges make, and composes different musical pieces for her “Singing Bridges” project. Rose claims that she fell love at first sight with Devil’s Bridge.

“Although he is made of stone…I feel at peace in his strong embrace. He makes me feel connected to the earth.”
She also explained her love for it: “The perfect husband… strong and silent,” she said.

Dead body of a three year old Syrian boy, finally opens European Gates to Refugees

Summary : At the age of three, Aylan Al-Kurdi lost his life during the dangerous venture of crossing the Mediterranean Sea to Europe. In search for tranquility in a foreign land, after spending his three years in deep misery and trepidation in a war and terror-stricken country, Aylan was not able to set foot to Europe, and instead was found washed upon the shores of Turkey bay.

Syrian boy, Aylan Al-Kurdi’s body washed up on a Turkish shore in a failed attempt to sail to the Greek island of KOS. (Credit : DHA Photo)

This stirring image of the young Syrian boy’s lifeless body has drawn international attention and awareness of the severe immigration problem in Europe. With over 300,000 Syrian refugees attempting to set foot in Europe, just this year, over 2,000 died. Of the deaths, most of them were young children like Aylan. This news story from CBS Evening News emphasizes how Aylan’s picture has finally brought the tremendous Syrian and immigration tragedy home to Europe. For years, the European migration crisis was veiled. Wealthy countries, prominent for their advanced welfare, such as Germany, were internationally criticised for its reluctance to expand its mandatory quotas for migrate numbers. Countries such as Britain, were reluctant to open up their borders for the war refugees, in fear of the public’s discord : the public showed outcries of defiance against illegal immigrants and refugees for their economical and social costs. However, the traumatic photo of Aylan has shaken the hearts of many Europeans, even those who were against taking in refugees, to open their homes and support the migrants with any of their necessities. In addition, European leaders are now showing initiative and taking action.

Opinion : I chose this certain video because it captures the main reason for the current European stance towards the migration crisis. It vividly describes the death of Aylan, its impact internationally, and how the family members of Aylan are feeling and what they are going through. This video, in particular, evokes concern and instills the thought of taking initiative amongst its viewers, as it takes a more deeper and personable approach to Aylan’s death, by showing actual interviews with Aylan’s family members.

In addition, as I am interested in international affairs and relations, I always thought that the Migration Crisis was a severe international humanitarian crisis. I have been investigating this crisis throughout the year, and had always wondered how Europe would solve this out. Although the motivational force was the death of a three year old child, I believe the end results, which was Europe’s active reconciliation to the Migration crisis, is turning out to be satisfactory.

As the Syrian civil war created more than four million refugees, the United States took 1,500, Canada took 1,074, Australia took less than 2,200 and Brazil took fewer than 2,000. Although these powerful, wealthy nations did expand its migration quotas, it was still too little. Also, most refugees settled in Europe because it was the most geologically easy to reach continent. As Europe was criticized for not handling the migration crisis, and for not considering human security and natural rights for all beings, I thought that they would continue to reject the current crisis to not be their responsibility nor duty. However,as I saw their instant change of actions after the death of Aylan that broke the hearts of many, internationally, I felt grateful that Europe was taking action, while I also felt depressed for two reasons. First, I was sad for the little boy who lived all his life in terror and fear. Second, I was depressed by the human nature to take action only after one sees an accident or a traumatic incident take place.

I believe that Europe should not be the only party to be helping the refugees from Syria. The New York Times Article, “The Refugee Crisis Isn’t a ‘Euroepan Problem‘”, written by Michael Ignatieft concurs with my ideas. This article also states that the Migration problem is not a European problem, nor should be limited to Europe. Instead, it should be an international problem with the main focus on natural rights and human security, the basic necessities of a human being. Blaming Europe for the crisis is simply putting Europe as the Alibi, and demanding that they take primary action is being irresponsible as a global citizen.

Similarly, I believe that every international citizen should acknowledge this issue, define basic human rights, and contemplate feasible solutions that will absolve the migration crisis. I will continue to take careful account on the international reaction and actions to the migration crisis, as it is is a topic of my interest.