Level 3a Reading/Writing Teacher: Donna McVey
	Barack Hussein Obama, Jr.
	by Ho Kook Kang (Mark) In U.S history, there was no African American president so far. But now, someone is trying to change that history and to be the first president of color of the U.S. His name is Barack Hussein Obama, Jr., the junior United States Senator from Illinois and a leading candidate for the Democratic nomination in the 2008 presidential election. He is a great man and also has a lot of reasons to be respected by people even if he fails to win this election. First of all, he overcame his bad background, and became a candidate for the presidential election. As a teenager, he struggled with his identity and spent a lot of time figuring out "who he is." During that time he even used drugs. Obama has an African father and an American mother. They separated when he was only two years old and later divorced. His mother married an Indonesian foreign student, and the family moved to Jakarta in 1967. He then returned to U.S to live with his grandparents. This abnormal and unsettled life could be a big confusion to a young boy and even ruin him. However, despite these bad situations, he is now running a U.S presidential election campaign and his bad background turned out to be a big advantage to him. Second, he dedicated his life to helping people. He moved to Chicago to take a job as a community organizer. He helped low-income residents to live in better housing and also worked at decreasing the rate of crime and unemployment and made a remarkable achievement. He also worked as a lawyer and helped a lot of people who couldn't afford a good lawyer. Third, he was the only senator who fought against the Iraq war. Recently, more and more people are thinking about the Iraq war as a mistake and a disaster and rather not commit to that war. If the people who agreed with the war had listened to him, lots of innocent people could have lived and enormous national property could have been saved. In conclusion, he has changed many things in the society in a better way. Now, he is trying to change his whole country. I really think that this kind of person should be a president and get the chance to make a difference.
	Differences in Eating Customs between Japan and Korea
	Jiah Lee Eating customs in Japan and Korea are very different but also very similar. Before having a meal, Japanese people and Korean people say something for thanks. Japanese people say, "ITADAKIMASU" to God or farmer, and Korean people say, "JALMUKESUMIDA," which means "I will have a meal well, and thank you," to their mom or farmer, too. It is very similar to say thanks for serving meals. During a meal, however, there are many contrasting things. First, the biggest divergence is the amount of food. Although Japanese people enjoy having a light meal, Korean people eat much. For example, whenever Korean people have a meal, there are many different side dishes on their table. Otherwise, Japanese people have about three dishes. The food is also dissimilar. While in Japan, fish dishes are popular, in Korea, many kinds of dishes have evolved. It is based on their location; Korea is a peninsula, but Japan is an island. Second, whereas Koreans share meals, many side dishes on the table except their rice and soup, Japanese people don’t. Though they share the main big dish such as shabu-shabu, they usually distribute their food. In other words, if four people will have small grilled fish, they are put on four dishes which are in front of people. Third, in Japan, they generally use only chopsticks so, they should rise up their bowl near their mouth. But in Korea, it is impolite; they use spoons and shouldn’t rise up the bowls. After having a meal, Korean and Japanese people say a word for thanks like before having a meal. Korean people say, "JALMUKUSUMIDA," which means "I finished the meal well, so thank you," and Japanese people say, "GOCHISOUSAMA." And then before they leave their table, there is a contrast. Japanese people put the chopsticks on their bowl like a bridge, but Korean people put the chopsticks and spoon beside their bowl. Putting them on a bowl is bad-mannered in Korea. In conclusion, Japan and Korea are located close to each other, so they have many similar customs. Although they have exchanged their culture with each other, they still keep their own customs.