Do you think you are “The Ugly Duckling?”

Do you think you are “The Ugly Duckling?”

            “He felt quite glad that he had come through so much trouble and misfortune,

for now he had a fuller understanding of his own good fortune, and of beauty when he met with it…

…I never dreamed there could be so much happiness, when I was the ugly duckling.’’

                                                                                Hans Christian Anderson

                                                                                  The Ugly Duckling

                I bet everyone must know the story of “The Ugly Duckling” and at some point I assume everyone had felt like the Ugly Duckling at least once in our lifetime. We feel so inferior and think such a loser compared to others. Sometimes, we feel we do not comfit in any group and do not have anything to give to the others. However, it is just a matter of perception. If we think in negativity, we will react in a negative way.

                Just like the Ugly Duckling, he was rejected because he was too ugly or too different from others although he can swim. Actually the Ugly Duckling is not ugly at all but he is somewhat special. Unfortunately, the duck society perceives it differently and could not accept that rarity. That is how the duck society defines the term of beauty and how they react towards it. Humans also act in the same manner and hardly think that the differences are something special. However, we forget that if there were no unusual mind, then a new invention would not be found. Sometimes the absurdity or oddity will open up to the new discovery. But in the reality, our mind unconsciously tends to diminish that differences and try to compromise what we are.

                There would be no rainbow if the day was not raining and the caterpillars would not change into a beautiful butterfly if they were afraid of pupation. Sometimes people are afraid to be themselves and let the negative feelings, for instance inferiority and insecurity conquer their mind and behavior. Everyone dreams of the success but somehow fear of the hurdles and boundary. Actually it is our thinking that makes us afraid to grab the opportunity. We fear of the failures and mistakes, thus make us avoiding from learn and experiencing something new. For example, someone who wants to do a bungee jump but afraid of falling. They have the spirits but somehow their feeling and perception oppose them from doing it.

                I agree that everything is a matter of perspective and our actions actually come from how do we think about. As for me, I don’t think the Ugly Duckling story is about turning yourself into a blonde Barbie doll or doing some plastic surgery so that you can be beautiful, but it is about self-revelation and becoming who you are. That is how I perceive the Ugly Duckling story and it is no wrong to be different because our differences are our assets in our life. Of course there are many obstacles before we achieve the title of success, but if we look them in positivity, we would react in positive way too.

                “The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all.’’

                                                                                By the Emperor (Mulan movie)

The influence of NAFTA

The influence of NAFTA

12H2013 Yukino Ebina

        

           In these days, many countries are trying to combine with others in economics because it is essential to create much benefit and poverty. Thus there are a lot of regional communities across the border. Especially, NAFTA has the powerful influence not only North America but also all over the world. NAFTA is the treaty that was concluded among Canada, the U.S. and Mexico. These countries started to negotiate about the agreement in 1994 and it had spent 14 years to be implemented. The treaty eliminated the tariff to trade their products. The arrangement was admired most of areas. In 1993, the amount of the trade was $290 billion among three countries. Thanks to the treaty, it increased more than $1.1 trillion in 2012. It is said that The U.S. trades more in goods and services with Mexico and Canada than it does with Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Russia, India, and China combined.  This result shows the business within NAFTA occupies large part of the whole trade in three country. The treaty contributes to revitalize the trade among these countries.

              Though this agreement acts on promotion of the trade, it also causes harmful influence to the external economy for both countries between the U.S. and Mexico. For instance, many companies in the United States have moved to Mexico because they prefer cheaper labors. It is because the treaty allows them to be multinational companies and expand their business across the border. This moving causes about 700,000 jobs loss in the U.S. Furthermore, these corporations force their labor to agree being cut the wage. The companies threatened workers to relocate to other countries if they were not obey cutting their salary down. These corporations also frighten the local government to reduce their tax as the same reason. In these points, the treaty is profitable for the multinational companies. On the other hand, the agreement is disadvantage for the small sectors such as local farming. For instance, the United States have been protected the price of agricultural products for a long time and the government subsides approximately $16.5 billion of funding every year to suspect the price. Then the gap of the price appears between Mexico and the U.S because it is not rectified by the tariff. This caused the price down of the crops in Mexico and it became difficult to continue their farming. Furthermore, the number of Mexican migrant to the U.S has been increasing after the treaty to search their job. In these points, small sectors such as farmers or labor are caused the damage because of NAFTA. Moreover, increasing the number of people who are suffering from the poverty tends to caused organized crime like smuggling arms and illegal substances. This means the poverty caused by the treaty bring on the multinational crime.

In conclusion, the NAFTA have a great power and influence to both internal and international economy. The treaty is profitable for the multinational corporation and unfavorable for the local business. Today, many countries are negotiating to join the regional agreement such as Trans Pacific Partnership including Japan. These treaty have been increasing because many countries are interested in improving their economy. NAFTA is seen as a pioneer of these treaty and we have to think about both of positive and negative aspects. 

 

 

Reference lists

Mohammed Aly Sergie, NAFTA’s Economic Impact, 2014 http://www.cfr.org/trade/naftas-economic-impact/p15790 , Council onForeign Relations, February 14

Jeff Faux, NAFTA’s Impact on U.S. Workers, 2013 http://www.epi.org/blog/naftas-impact-workers/, Economic Policy Institute, December 9

Susana G. Baumann, Agricultural Subsidies Impact on Mexican farmers, 2014 http://voxxi.com/2013/01/11/agricultural-subsidies-mexican-farmers/, VOXXI, January 1

Laura Carlsen, Under Nafta, Mexico Suffered, and the United States Felt Its Pain 2013 http://www.nytimes.com/roomfordebate/2013/11/24/what-weve-learned-from-nafta/under-nafta-mexico-suffered-and-the-united-states-felt-its-pain, The New York Times, November 24

Animal rights

Animal rights

 

Contents

1. Introductio
2. Situation
3. Issues
4. Solution
5. Conclusion

 

1, Introduction

 Animal rights are an idea that people should treat animals well, and especially not use them in tests to develop medicines or other products: fur , wool, angora, etc.

  Lately these rights has become common, especially in Europe. The animal rights movement is developing. The animal rights movement is quite clearly one of the great movements for social change.

 

2, Situation

In Spain – bullfighting

Bullfighting was banned in the Spanish autonomous community of Catalonia by a vote of the Catalan Parliament in July 2010. The ban came into effect on 1 January 2012. The last bullfight in the region took place in Barcelona in September 2011.

In Switzerland

Farming and fishing are also regulated to ensure that the treatment of farm animals and fish is humane. Sadly there are however cases of animal abuse and illegal practices, and animal rights groups continue to campaign for these to be stopped. The new law of Switzerland, farmers will not be able to feed the pigs and cattle on hard floors, they argues that international competitiveness will be weak  because of the law.

Foie-gras

To produce fois-gras , workers ram pipes down male duck’s or geese’s throats two or three times daily. Many birds difficultly standing because of their engorged livers, and they may tear out their own feathers and cannibalize each other out of stress.

RED : Countries and regions where the production of Foie-Gras is banned

BLEUE :Main countries and regions producing Foie-Gras

 

The force feeding of animals for non-medical purposes, essential to current foie-gras production practices, is clearly prohibited by specific laws in six of nine Austrian provinces, the Czech Republic, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Italy, Luxembourg, Norway, Poland, or following interpretation of general animal protection laws in Ireland, Sweden, Switzerland, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom.

 

Dolphin drive hunting

December 1980 , in Japan of Iki (Nagasaki ) , " Greenpeace " ( US Hawaii ) was arrested because they released dolphins that were captured for extermination.  However , they claimed  " We prefer the dolphin , than the fishermen of Iki , dophines have the right to feed on yellowtail ". This incident is attracted international attention , thereafter , it became the beginning of  criticism of dolphin drive hunting and Japan's whaling .

 
In india

The Indian government did not recently grant legal personhood status to dolphins. But it did abolish the use of dolphins in aquatic theme parks.The probable cause for the legal personhood confusion stems from a misreading of a government statement claiming that “Whereas cetaceans in general are highly intelligent and sensitive, and various scientists who have researched dolphin behavior have suggested that the unusually high intelligence; as compared to other animals means that dolphins should be seen as ‘non-human persons’ and as such should have their own specific rights and is morally unacceptable to keep them captive for entertainment purpose.”

Romania debates giving human rights to dolphins

 

The 39-year-old activist politician introduced a bill in parliament that would recognize the marine mammals as "non-human persons", on account of their highly developed intelligence, personalities and behavior patterns.The bill, which will be debated in the Romanian upper house in the coming weeks, would make humans and dolphins equal before the law. Dolphin killers would be given the same sentences as murderers of human beings. The bill would also ban the use of dolphins in live entertainment shows.

 

3. Issue

First, the Animal Protection Movement progress. There are many organizations that protect animal rights in the world.Furthermore, Ecoterrosism appeared. They are extremism in the Animal Rights and Environmentalist Movements. Some people suffered damage because of them.

Second, farmers are declining international competitiveness. If farmers stop Intensive animal farming, it will take a high cost.

Third,the food culture. If they can not produce fois-gras , the food culture will disappear.And dolphins unusually have high intelligence as compared to other animals?

How about other animals ?If they are not intelligent , does not they have right ?

4. Solution

 CONSUMER EDUCATION

We need to choose the right food is one of the most important , everyday activities that can reduce our individual environmental impact .We work hard behind the scenes to educate consumers about the impact of our food choices on our health and the environment.

SUPPORT

To allow management that are friendly to animal welfare , the government should create a policy to assist the improvement of the welfare level .

 

Animal Welfare Approved (AWA)

It is the food label for meat and dairy products that come from farm animals raised to the highest animal welfare and environmental standards. The program was founded in 2006 as a market-based solution to the growing consumer demand for meat, eggs and dairy products from animals treated with high welfare and managed with the environment in mind.

Freedom food

Freedom Food is the only UK assurance and food labelling scheme dedicated solely to improving farm animal welfare.they have more than 3,000 members across farming and food production and you can buy freedom food labelled meat, fish and eggs in many of the UK’s supermarkets.

 

5. Conclusion

We should be thinking about animal rights as a consumer.Relationship of humans and animals.The animal rights movement.It is strongly associated with our health.We should know how we can get our food.

                                                                                            

References

  http://www.lepoint.fr/

  https://www.pinterest.com/schmokerc/animal-rights-cartoons/

  http://www.peta.org/about-peta/why-peta/why-animal-rights/

  http://www.greenpeace.org/japan/ja/

  http://www.seashepherd.org/

http://www.freedomfoods.com.au/

  http://animalwelfareapproved.org/about/

  動物に権利はあるか　ローレンス・プリグル著

 

 
 
 
 

golden week

On golden week,I had an amazing journey with my friends who coming to Japan from China.We rent a car,setting out from hirosaki and arriving at senndai. In the trip,I was responsible for translation as a guide.There are six people in my group,but only I can speak japanese.Thus,I had so much work to do either before or on the passage of the journey.For example,before the golden week,I had finished the trip plan.To make a good schedule,I searched what is the great spot on internet and read many guide book.Before the final plan,I had made many courses about the trip.On the passage of the journey,I had to introduce some information about sports for my friends,and if there are any questions,I had to answer it to them.So that,I was so busy with my work in the journey.

Though,I seemed to be a busy guide,I also enjoyed almost natural and human landscapes in the northeast of Japan.For instance,the world heritage forest— Shirakami mountain.The Shirakami mountain range has the world's vastest beechwood forest. It still retains old-growth forests and was registered as a Natural World Heritage Site in 1993. We enjoyed the fantastic view from the popular local "Gono Line" that passes through the base of the Shirakami mountain range and explore the mystical Juniko.

On the journey,I enjoyed many beautiful landscapes and ate much delicious food,of course I practise my japanese.

Self introduction

 My name is  Lin. I come from Dalian university of technology, which is located in Dalian, China. My major is japanese. And now I’m studying here as an exchange  student for one year.My hometown is Qingdao,a very beautiful tourism city.

 I will introduce myself by six words .

The first one is “apple”.The apple is my favourite fruit. It’s very delicious and has much nutrition with vitaminC. There are not only sweet ones but also sour ones. Of course, I like the sweet ones. I like eating an apple when I’m not so happy. That has become my habit. I think apples seem to have a smiling face with its red colour. I just hope to be like an apple and always keep a smile on my face and sweetness in my heart to everybody and everything everyday in my life.  Actually, before I came to hirosaki, I didn’t know that Hirosaki is famous for its apples. Maybe, it is fate that I came here.

The next one is “spring”.Spring is my favourite season. I think it also can describe my personality. Summer is so hot and glows with enthusiasm. Winter is so cold. Autumn seems to make people disappointed with the falling leaves. But spring is a moderate season. It is full of vitality and filled with hope.

The third one ,I wii use “journey”.I like journeys because I like to discover new things that I didn’t previously know. I think it can make my life more colourful and varied, which is why I decided to come to Japan. Not only to improve my Japanese, but also to broaden my outlook.

“Tea”.The tea is my favorite drink. Maybe many people like coffee or cola, but I just like tea very well because of its delicate smell. I also like the process of making tea.

“Calligraphy”and “skating”.I have some special skills. I have been practicing calligraphy since I was a child. At first, I didn’t like to study it, and I was just forced to do it by my father. But I found that I can keep clam when practicing it. I began to like it gradually. It’s also one of the traditional art forms of Chinese culture. I’m very happy I didn’t give up calligraphy, and now I am proud of this skill.

I also like skating. I think there are not words to describe the feelings when I am skating on ice. It’s so exciting and free, just like a bird in the sky. The calligraphy seems to be still, but skating is moving.I think it is important to make a connection between movement and stillness in one’s life for these two elements balance out each other and bring about harmony.

hometown

My hometown is Qingdao,which located in the southeast part of Shandong Province.It is a beautiful seaside city with clear air and enchanting sea view. This city,surrounded by the Yellow Sea on two sides, has the largest bathing beach in Aisa. In the media , Qingdao was usually described as a bright and colorful picture which formed by the red roofs,green trees,blue sea,and azure sky.

100 years ago,Qingdao was just a little fishing village.But now,it has improved to be an important international city in China.Surrounded by the sea on three sides,Qingdao attracts many tourists with its charming seascape. Some famous sights like the Zhan Bridge,WuSi Square,Mt.LaoShan,all of these will help you know the city.Just walking on the sand and listening to the surf breaking on the beach,you will become enjoyable.

Qingdao is not only famous for its tourism ,but also for its international  trade.The city is the home of the famous Qingdao Beer and the enterprise Hair.They make Qingdao become more well-known in the world.In summer,the Qingdao international Beer Festival is held by the city.You can drink Qingdao Beer and have the seafood with your friends there.

 In cooperation with the Beijing Olympic Games 2008,Qingdao held the sailing competition in 2008.This great event brings a great opportunity for this charming city to walk towards the whole world.

SNS linked crimes target more kids

Nowadays a lot of children use SNS and are implicated in a crime. In particular, a sharp increase was seen in the number of children who became victims after downloading free communnications applications such as Line.

A research found that children had become crime victims through game and SNS websites.This problem is for not only children but also us. I tkink that we have to keep this risk at all times.

www.japantimes.co.jp/.../sns-linked-crimes-target-more-kids/

Hello guys,
I found an interesting article about confusing race with nationality.
Lately, a lot of "half" entertainers show up on TV such as Rola.
But are they really foreign entertainers?

Please check our this article below.

see you.

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2014/07/23/reader-mail/confusing-race-nationality/#.U9EL-_n1D1M

Dappo herbs

Hello, everyone. I would like to introduce an article concerning "dappo" drugs and herbs today.

If you get interested after reading my summary, please refer to the article which I linked the bottom. 

Recently, fatal car accidents are increasing which caused by drivers who were under the influence of a kind of drugs or herbs, which are called "dappo drugs" or "dappo herbs" when they were drove their car.

"Dappo" means "an evasion of a low." That is why, it is not prohibited to possess dappo drugs or herbs (it is regulated to product, sell, and import them by Pharmaceutical Affairs Law.) However,  these drugs and herbs are also harmful for human bodies. This is a problem.

Another problem is that their components are easily changed slightly to evade the law.

Therefore, if the government tighten the regulations, it is not effective.

Nao Mazaki, a coordinator in the Japan branch of the of U.S.-based Foundation for a Drug-Free World, a non-profit organizations said that it is more important to educate people why we shouldn't use dappo drugs and herbs than tighten the regulations.

How do you think about this problem?

http://www.japantimes.co.jp/news/2014/06/26/national/social-issues/dappo-drugs-skirt-clampdown/#.U9CPS-N_uSo

Do you agree with early retirement?

 In Japan, a lot of employees retire at the age of sixty. That's quite usual.

 Thesedays, however, more and more people retire early and start living the second life. For example, they move to the country and live in peaceful. Some of them begin engaging in farming or running a guest house. They can get stressfree!!

 How do you think about "early retirement"?

 Please check it out!

http://www.dailyfinance.com/category/early-retirement/

Climate Change

Lately, the weather has been weird.
People in some part of Japan had unexpectedly strong rain a couple days ago.
In another part, it hailed.
Do you know what's happening?

I found an interesting article on a news paper about climate.
As you know, there is a serious environmental problem called global warming.
It seems we have been reducing the emission of green house effect gas.
However, it's not enough.  That's why these abnormal weather happens.
Actually, the climate change is considered that it would bring other problems.

I think we should know what's happening on the earth and we should try to stop happening these.


Please check out the article below.

 http://edition.cnn.com/2013/03/08/world/world-climate-change/

Are you a psychopath?

Are you a psychopath?
This test may find out if you are a psychopath.

All psychopathes don't always behave in a violentway towads other people.
There is also a case that they just suffer from a serious mental illness.

Although this test may be uncertain, it is easy to check and fun.
By the way, I got 11 points.

Please check it out!
http://edition.cnn.com/2014/05/29/business/psychopath-test-infographic/index.html

British Airways tries monitoring how you feel in a plane with the happiness blanket

I found an interesting trial by British Airways.

It tries monitoring how passengers feel in its planes by using special blankets.
When the passengers are relax, the blankets turn to blue.
On the other hand, when the passengers are tense, the blankets turn to red.

I think it is unique and interesting, but some people consider it is intrusive.

How do you think about it?
Check the article which is linked below.

http://edition.cnn.com/2014/06/30/travel/happiness-blanket-british-air/index.html?iref=allsearch

Thirty minutes over Tokyo

Do you know the episode which is named "Thirty minutes over Tokyo?"

It has never been aired in Japan even it describes about Tokyo.
The reason might be some descriptions in the episode are not appropriate to be aired in Japan.
For example, Homer throws a Japanese Emperor. And even its title is a parody of "Thirty seconds over Tokyo" which describes about the Doolittle Raid.

If you are interested in this movie, here is the brief description of it, please check it out.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thirty_Seconds_Over_Tokyo

The Simpsons

Have  you ever thought about the reason why Simpsons have yellow bodies?
I don't know why I came up with this question.  But I think some of you felt something weird when we watched some episodes of it.

Actually, there is a certain reason.
When Matt Groening, the creator of the Simposons, colored the charactors in yellow, he thought that it would be great.  When peopel change the channels, they can realize the Simpsons are on TV because of the yellow bodies.

Talking of their hands, they have only four fingers on a hand.
It seems that the only character having five fingers on a hand was God.

Ain's these interesting?
Please check this web site out below.

http://www.omgfacts.com/Interesting/Ever-wondered-why-the-Simpsons-are-yello/53732?lp=1

 l want to post some explanation of Sinpsons treehouse of Horror and if you want to watch other episode of those, you can watch on Internet...maybe.

 Treehouse of Horror episodes have aired annually since the second season (1990) and each episode has three separate segments. These segments usually involve the family in some horror, science fiction, or supernatural setting and always take place outside the normal continuity of the show and are therefore considered to be non-canon.

 As of 2013, there are twenty-four Treehouse of Horror episodes, with one airing every year. They are known for being more violent than an average Simpsons episode and contain several different trademarks.

Japanese cuisine

In the class, I reported about Japanese cuisine.
The report says, "One of the top Japanese restaurants in Sydney is Tetsuya."

I found a video about Tetsuya.
So, today I want to share with you.

I don't think the cuisine of Tetsuya is Japanese cuisine.
Guys, what do you think?

Maine Lobster

Hi, everyone.
As you know, I reported about lobster in Maine in the class.

However, I lost the article and I forgot the website, so I would like to introduce how people in Maine eat lobsters on this post.






This video is just an example, but looks pretty good.
It is really common to eat steamed lobster in Maine.
I miss the lobster very much.
If you have a chance to go to Maine, by all means, you should try it.

See ya.

The video of google's self-driving car

Tourists rate Tokyo top city

I use blogger after a long time.

At this time I post a article "Tourists rate Tokyo top city".

Tokyo was voted the world's most satisfying tourist city for 2013, according to a poll by online travel site TripAdvisor.

Tokyo came out on top in  five sections: local friendliness, taxi services, cleanliness, transport and overall satisfaction.

For my part of Japanese, this result was excellent! Tokyo was considered as best city for tour.

please check next link to know more details of this topic.

www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/.../tourists-rate-tokyo-top-city/