In a closed room, all that one could see were people hugging each other tightly, releasing out cries of joy or holding out old photographs beside one another. To almost everyone in the room, now was the time for happiness. Separated for about sixty years, this was the first time ever since to come across with one another. While everyone else enjoyed their hours of reunifying with their loved ones, one person was shedding tears, looking into her old photograph and into a young man standing in front of her. Eighty year old Kim Sun Yeon was unable to find her sister she was supposed to meet today at the reunion, instead was faced with the news of her sister’s death from her sister’s son. If the reunion took place several months ago as it was supposed to, Kim would’ve been able to reunite with her sister.

Following the division of Korean peninsula in 1945, thousands of Koreans had to be separated from their loved ones and have not come across with each other ever since. Taking these separated family members’ desperate wishes of reunion into consideration, the two Korean governments agreed on holding periodical reunions between the separated families. This emotional and humane event, however, later took on the form of a political threat between the two countries, completely losing its purpose of reuniting the families. It is now crucial for both Korean governments to cooperate with each other to hold more family reunions, rather than to force their political beliefs upon this intractable issue.

North Korea has demonstrated its political strategy during the supposed family reunion in September 2013. By then, the reunion involved about 100 families from each country. However, North Korea decided to cancel the reunion just four days before the scheduled date, justifying their action by stating how “it does not make sense to carry out the reunion of families who were separated due to the war during the dangerous nuclear war practice” (CNN, 6 Feb 2014). What the North referred to as the “nuclear war practice” was the annual U.S.-South Korea joint military drill.

President Park of South Korea  has maintained a tough stance on North Korea. Under her new policy of “trustpolitik,” Park has announced “rewards” for North Korea only if it takes actions that earn South Korea’s trust and appreciation. For example, even when North Korea demanded the South Korean government to stop the joint military drill with the U.S, Park continued the scheduled drill.

With both countries insisting on continuing their strategies concerning family reunions – the North using them as  a bargaining tool and the South never seeking to cooperate with the North – it has become nearly impossible to hold stable family reunions in the future.

Given this situation, the two governments should cooperate with each other to find a middle ground, a solution that both Koreas can agree on. In order to do so, North Korea must see the humanitarian and emotional side of the issue. For South Korea, President Park should take a softer stance. If the current tension between the two countries continues, there may be no additional reunions.

Although the Korean Peninsula remains divided, the bond and relationship the people share across the border should not be ignored. Both governments must find a way to cooperate with each other and address this urgent need for the benefit of their own people. If both take action to instill greater trust in each other, then a “peaceful ending” between the two countries – something everyone is looking forward to – may even be possible in the near future.

I. Kim

It’s a secret:

The deal with crushes and infatuations

Tina Herr

He or She is near. What happens?

Your heart starts to race. There are butterflies in your stomach and heat is rising to your cheeks. Your fingers are trembling and you have the sudden urge to go up and say hi, but you can’t. You are rendered speechless. There’s no hiding it; you have a bit of a crush on someone.

Crushes are a healthy part of growing up. Our feelings mature just as our bodies do. It is a somewhat similar to the kind of feelings that adults feel when they develop romantic love for each other—which is why crushes are also referred to as Puppy Love, as it is young and innocent.

Sometimes, feelings for other people can be a bit confusing. When they’re near, a part of you would like to run away and hide in embarrassment, and another part would love to come up to this person and think that they share the same feelings for you.

Crushes can range from a big celebrity to a friend. But there really is no difference—a crush is a crush and there’s no denying it.

It’s a wonderful feeling—having to imagine that they would feel the same for you before you go to sleep. It may be just a crush but it makes you smile and that’s a good thing.

But then, there’s the fear of rejection–what if your crush doesn’t like you, or doesn’t have the same feelings for you?  It may make you sad and feel disappointed in yourself.

A few words of advice: crying over a crush that has rejected is okay—because it is something that made you feel upset and you have the right to let out all those negative feelings. But keep this in mind: you’ll always find a new crush in every stage of your life. It doesn’t end with just one.

Also, if you are on the other end of the crush—be nice to the person who likes you. Tell them that you feel special about it. But if you don’t harbor the same feelings about them, say it in a nice way—as being rejected is never a good feeling and you wouldn’t want that to happen to someone who actually makes you feel special.

 Img source: http://everydaylife.globalpost.com/DM-Resize/photos.demandstudios.com/getty/article/165/253/78650525.jpg?w=600&h=600&keep_ratio=1

Urban transportation in Malaysia

The public transportation in Malaysia is very improved and effective, and it will help you conserve not only your time but the difficulty in dealing with driving as well.

The public transportation system in bus, minivan and train are very organized and the fare in these public vehicles is very affordable convenient to all passengers. They also offer air travel to those who want to go to other big cities but it is very costly.

The transportation tickets are available on board or at the station, but it is recommended to purchase your ticket early because domestic transportation is a very convenient way if you wish to visit Malaysia for special occasion just like during festival. This will prevent you from being stuck in the train station.

In Vietnam, you need to have cash in your pocket if you choose to ride in the public transportation since credit card is not commonly use when purchasing public transportation tickets. People are also advise to be vigilant in public areas because cases of pickpockets are often reported.

In addition to this, Vietnam has another way to purchase public transport tickets which is called Touch’n Go. It is an electronic prepaid cash card that can be used to purchase anything like when you want to park your park, watching movies or riding in the train. The person can also add balance in their cash card which is available in pharmacies, department stores and ATMs. However, a cash card is also possible to break so people are advised to bring extra coins in their pockets to avoid inconvenience.

J. Ong