Settling for World Peace

The events in Japan that happened almost two weeks ago still frighten me and I feel the need to address this, especially to those who are against us Americans of helping out.

I find that it's ridiculous how some people are still bringing up the attack on Pearl Harbor, which mind you, happened almost 70 years ago, when half of you were found nowhere in this world, as soon as you heard the news. It's outrageous how people debate on these things based on a political issue rather than the sake of humanity. Yes, Imperial Japan tried to take over the world 70 years ago, but if some of you have actually done your research, it wasn't just the United States; they've tried to take over Australia, China and Korea. But in the end, we did the most damage by destroying two of their cities, where they surrendered. Some of us act like we surrendered to Japan when we really didn't. During that period, the world was truly a mess when nations saw themselves as the superior and tried to take over as much nations as they could.

If we Americans think we had it bad, look at the time when Japan occupied themselves in China and tried to overthrow the Chinese government in the 1930s for many years versus one day in the U.S. I'm not saying it's not a big deal because many people were killed and it's horrific but if the Chinese are barely saying anything about the past and donating millions of dollars in light of this tragedy, why can't we not bring up the subject? First of all, it's not "karma" or "payback", it's called a natural disaster and we had a massive one as well, in 2005 and Japan sent a crew of workers to help clean up and stood by our side when thousands of people were homeless.

As an American, I am truly embarrassed by some of the thoughts shared mutually by some of my fellow Americans who are living in the past. For those who have every support of the US giving a helping hand overseas and donating, I applaud you! Please continue to donate for the disaster relief through the American Red Cross.

Settling for World Peace (TV)

We now bring you a report from Japan where 148 volunteers and 12 rescue dogs from Los Angeles and Virginia were sent overseas to the aftermath of the earthquake followed by a tsunami in the northeast coast of Japan where more than 2,000 homes were destroyed and 19,000 are missing or presumed dead.

Settling for World Peace (Radio)

There has been much debate on whether or not the Americans should help Japan given our history with them in the 1940s keep in mind that the US was not the only nation that was attacked by Japan back then and we did avenge back regardless of what we think 148 volunteers and 12 rescue dogs were sent to Japan a week ago to find the lost souls along with more than 90 nations.

Settling for World Peace (Article)

Almost 70 years ago, on December 7, 1941, an unexpected, cruel attack by the Japanese on Pearl Harbor, Hawaii shook the whole nation, in what would be one of the darkest days in the history of the United States.

70-years later, it seems that some (those who were alive that day and generations onward) are still not able to let go of the events of that day. Indeed, it has been 70 years and many people have already relinquished the catastrophe that struck us that day, but those who haven't, bear grudges even after the United States avenged Japan and forced them to surrender the war by dropping two of the most powerful atomic bombs in Hiroshima and Nagasaki.

Regardless of how we feel about the events that happened almost 70 years ago, the United States and Japan are allies. After the destructive Hurricane Katrina in the southern part of the U.S. destroyed more than 200,000 homes and took more than 1800 lives in 2005, Japan proved to the United States that the 'past is in the past' and contributed $200,000 in donations to the American Red Cross as well as supplies. Right now, Japan needs us.

In midst of the earthquake that was followed by a tsunami on the northeast coast of Japan that destroyed thousands of homes and left more than 20,000 people missing or dead 2 weeks ago on March 14th, more than 90 nations, including the United States, Sri Lanka, Canada, United Kingdom and many other nations that are neighbors, have come together to stand by the Japanese post-catastrophe. The United States, by far, has provided the most physical aid, with a crew of 148 people and 12 rescue dogs from Los Angeles and the Fairfax County of Virginia, as well as U.S. military support and has also funded $100,000.

China, despite their rough history with Japan during the 1930s, has contributed the most in funding to the tsunami and disaster relief in Japan, with $4.6 million. After the 2008 earthquake in Sichuan, China that killed more than 69,000 people, Japan was one of the many nations that aided China after one of the deadliest earthquakes that has struck them. Premier Wen Jiabao acknowledged Japan's efforts after the 2008 earthquake and in return, sent 15 volunteers and the large funding to support Japan.

Despite the many controversies that some have due to their nations' past with Japan, when another country is in trouble, we should forget any conflicts and problems we have had with them in the past, even for a second, and indulge the good samaritans and heroes in us, whether it's helping physically, economically, or even just a prayer will make a difference. But one thing that we should keep in mind is, no matter how much conflict or hate we have with a country or some countries, they may, surprisingly, just be our saviors in times of catastrophe. The law of humanity is that regardless of strife, we will always be there when they're in need.

Dancing With The Stars: Getting Cozy With The Stars!

With yet another season going underway, this coming season of Dancing With The Stars might just turn away from all the controversies, for once.

Two seasons ago, singer and The Pussycat Dolls' frontwoman, Nicole Scherzinger, was put in the hot water for making it to the finals and winning the Mirror Ball trophy, given her dancing background with PCD. Olympic gold medalist Evan Lysacek was also in the talks due to his choreographic skills in figure skating.

And last season might have been the most controversial season yet, when politician Sarah Palin's oldest daughter, Bristol Palin, who was famously announced her pregnancy during the 2008 presidential election, was the biggest talk of the show for overcoming every elimination, until the finale, given her flimsy dance skills. Many viewers were outraged when singer Brandy, who received high marks throughout the season, was eliminated over Palin, debating whether the season was based on a political matter.

However, this season, which premieres on Monday at 8 pm EST on ABC, might be avoiding such disputes with 11 new contestants with less dancing backgrounds, with the likes of wrestler Chris Jericho, rapper Romeo, model and tsunami survivor Petra Nemcova and television star Kirstie Alley, it might actually be a drama-free season afterall.

St. Patrick's Day

...And we're back!

How was everyone's break? I suppose not many of you were on break since my school's breaks are in contrast to many other school's breaks. It seems that many students are starting their spring break this week, while many others are still awaiting theirs in mid-April, nothing like a warm break.

As most of you know, when people think of the holidays in March, St. Patrick's Day is a widely-celebrated holiday in March (unless you celebrate Passover and the First Day of Spring) and when people think of St. Patrick's Day, they think about getting drunk but this is not the case back in Ireland.

In Ireland, families actually gather together for a meal, kind of like the Chinese for Chinese New Year, Koreans for Korean New Year and Greeks for Greek New Year. We all have this perspective that St. Patrick's Day is the day to carelessly get drunk, but it's a complete different scenario for the Irish.

The New York City annual St. Patrick's Day Parade will celebrate it's 250th parade on Thursday the 17th, as usual, from St. Patrick's Cathedral to 86th Street, with live bands and non-profit and profitable organizations parading until 4:00-5:00 pm.

March Spring Break: Winter Break Part II?

For some of us, spring break has already begun, more like Winter Break: Part Two. At least, for me.

Honestly speaking, there isn't much to do at this time of the year in New York City, unless you have no problem walking around city for leisure. Although it is 'spring' break for some of us, it is, if fact, still the winter season, until the 20th.

Flu season is kicking in soon and before we know it, the Macy's Flower Show will be ongoing and more flowers will be fully-bloomed at the infamous Brooklyn Botanic Garden, both very popular during the spring season but those are to be covered in the weeks ahead.

For those who feel like watching a romance flick, be sure to catch Beastly, starring Alex Pettyfer and former High School Musical-star Vanessa Hudgens, who has been off the big-screen for almost two years. Beastly is about a good-looking yet shallow popular teenager from New York City, who gets hit with a spell that gives him a fix on his face and he starts to notice those who are 'out of his league'.

Also, Matt Damon stars in yet another thriller, The Adjustment Bureau. Similar to his character, Jason Bourne in the Bourne films, Damon's character undergoes a change in fate when he wakes up and finds the love of his life missing, but the pair didn't exist at all. Talk about alienated!

Pride and Ambition

It's not an everyday-thing, where you come across someone with so much pride in their school.
Some just come in-and-out for the education, nothing more. But there's also those who have pride and dignity in their school because it feels like home, or rather is home, temporarily.

As as student who goes in-and-out of the school, because of the commuter I am, I don't find myself much at these events like most of the students who dorm or don't, do. Last semester, I have only attended three different activity events and no athletic events at all. Like most students in college do, attend college sports events, I haven't yet. And it's not because I don't want to, it's because the timing is never right.

To show what St. John's University means to me, I've put together a small video of the journey, as a commuter, of getting to school, how the road is long yet rewarding upon arrival.

The Halls of Passion

If any building at St. John's University is the most academically significant, it has to be Marillac Hall, respectively.

Thousands of students come in and out of the building everyday, with something new learned. Of all the buildings I've come across, I find that Marillac Hall is the busiest building. And I wonder if it's because there's a cafeteria there, or most of the lectures are actually held at this particular building?

When many people think of college halls, the ideal hall is "moderately-designed, sophisticated and busy". Busy is quite the word to describe Marillac Hall. If anything, it's not too sophisticated-looking or moderately-designed, it's beyond that.



Upon showing some of my friends pictures of Marillac Hall, their response?

"That's your school's hall? It looks like a high school hallway!"

Yes, my dear friends, that is one of the hallways of my school and mind you, the school campus is 57-years-old, compared to much newer-looking halls, such as Hunter College.