Korean Drama MUST Watch checklist

Just like the presentation I did this Monday, I am a person so passionate about Korean TV shows and movies. So here are some Korean Dramas that I would like to recommend you to watch, trust me it worths it! 

5. Full House (풀하우스)

Full House is a 2004 South Korean television drama series starring Rain and Song Hye-kyo. 
The story is about an aspiring script writer lives in a house called "Full House" but two of her friends trick her into believing she had won a free vacation to Shanghai, and sell her house to the Top Movie Star Lee Young-jae, who she actually meets on the plane to Shanghai. And after all things messed up, both of the characters sign up for a six-month marriage contract for both of their wishes.
This Drama won many awards in Asia, and last episode Ratings ends up with 42.0%. 
It is a remarkable successful Korean Drama, and you can watch it free on Hulu.com

4. City Hunter (시티헌터)

City Hunter is a 2011 South Korean television drama series starring Lee Min-ho, Park Min-young and Lee Joon-hyuk. The story is based on the Japanese manga series City Hunter written and illustrated by Tsukasa Hojo. 
The story is about in 1983, the South Korean president and his delegates and visiting Burma when a bomb planted by North Korean agents explodes, killing many South Korean officials. Five South Korean officials plan to covert operation, and it is successful. However, as the troops swim out from Nampo to and ROK Navy submarine assigned for their extraction, snipers from the submarine open fire on them, and already injured soldiers Park scarcities his life to save soldier Lee. Everything is planned by South Korean high officials and the five soldiers records have been erased. Lee swim back to South Korea, and takes Park's 1-month old son Lee Yooon Sung away from Park's wife, and trains him for the revenge. 25 years later, the revenge begins. 
This Drama makes the actor Lee Min-ho becomes very popular in Asia, and his role netted him the Special Drama Top Prize plum at the 2011 SBS Drama Awards.

3. IRIS 

IRIS is a 2009 South Korean television drama series starring Lee Byung-hun, Kim Tae-hae. 
Lifelong friends Kim Hyun-Jun and Jin Sa-woo are ushered from their military base to a secret compound in the middle of the night. After successfully completing the test, Hyun-jun and Sa-woo are introduced to the standing of the National Security Service, Baek San, who later informs them that the NSS is a secret organization tasked with preempting foreign threats and protecting the country's interests through wetwork operations including assassination of anyone who could be a treat to South Korean national security. Later, a grand conspiracy begins to unravel at the hands of a far-reaching villain. As political tensions mount, Hyun-jun is given an independent assignment that will alter the course of history and change his life forever. 
The series also took home away of the highest honors at the 2009 KBS Drama Acting Awards, totally worth to watch it!!! 

2. The King of Dramas (드라마의 제왕) (On Air NOW!)

The King of Dramas is a 2012 South Korean television drama series starring Kim Myung-Min and Jung Ryeo-Won. 
The story takes a revealing look into the world of drama production. Anthony Kim will do anything for success and money in the media production industry. He has the midas touch when it comes to subcontracting the productions in drama series and is extremely talented in running a business. Theere's also a top Korean actor who does not negotiate and a new screenwriter who holds a pure view of drama series in general. The story is about how do they successfully produce and air the TV drama series "Elegant Revenge". We see how Korean TV drama produces at the first place. 
Personally I really love this drama, as a media person it is always fun to watch a story based on the experience which is familiar to the life that I want to have. 

1. My Lovely Sam-soon (내 이름은 김삼순)

Yes, I put this one as the number one MUST watch! 
This is a classic Korean Drama that which is my all-time favorite, Sam-soon is a 2005 Korean TV drama, starring Kim Sun-ah, Hyun Bin and Jung Ryeo-won.
The plot is about Kim Sam-soon is a baker who has a talent in making pastries and cakes. She does not like her name because it considered a very old-fashioned and embarrassing name.  On Christmas Eve, she caught her boyfriend cheating on her and breaks up on the same night. That night, she accidentally went into the men's restroom and met Hyun Jin-hun, a somewhat callous fellow but sometimes considerate guy. After all these embarrassing things happened to her, she manages o land herself a job in a big French restaurant working as a pastry chef for a rude and angry 27-year-old man, who is the same guy that she met in the men's bathroom on Christmas Eve... 
My Lovely Sam-soon is such a great piece that I can't even find a word to describe how good it is. It is a story that is so close to many people's real life, and talks about love, career and family. 
Go and watch it on Hulu.com, these are awesome!
  

The Spirit Level: Your Motivation to Volunteer and Travel

Why People Should Volunteer and Ways to do it Abroad:

In my recent presentation and blog post I brought up the influential book, "The Spirit Level" which argues with significant statistical evidence that the more unequal a society is the more inefficient and unhappy the society will be. The book further argues that inequality negatively effects all classes therefore I further developed the idea to include the benefits of volunteering. Volunteering both makes the society more equal through the work you put into helping people in a given project and also brings classes together. There are clear happiness benefits that exemplify the Spirit Level hypothesis by both the help your giving and the profound sense of accomplishment and meaning one receives from dedicating yourself to something greater. Therefore, it is clear that equality creates a strong societies and more happiness while volunteering can be a key aspect to creating this equality. 

So what are some ways to get involved in Volunteering?

The first thing is that it all depends on you! Personal interests, motivations, region, and of course bank account all play a huge role on where would be a good fit.

Here are just a few brief, cheap, and interesting ways that you can combine traveling with volunteering:

1. WWOOFing

(http://www.wwoof.org/) is a organization dedicated to matching up travelers with sustainable organic farms around the world for free. Basically, you live for free on a farm for a agreed amount portion of time and work a certain amount of hours per day helping out in exchange for food and a bed. WWOOF  links with farms in every region of the world and can be the perfect opportunity for someone looking to live in another country for free and help local farmers in their community.

2. Volunteers for Peace

(http://www.vpt.org) This organization is an amazing resource for finding volunteer opportunities abroad. Their easy to use website matches you with a specific region, type of work, and time period to find perfect matches with your compatibility. VFP works in accordance with numerous other agencies around the world so that they are always abreast of interesting new service projects plus they give out scholarships and grants to make it easier on your purse. If there's a specific field of interest and country your interested in this could be your ticket.

3. PeaceCorps

(www.peacecorps.gov) If you are very serious about volunteering and could see yourself spending up to two years abroad then PeaceCorps could be a great opportunity. This organization assigns volunteers all around the world for a set time period around two years, it is a very serious commitment but also includes many benefits. The peacecorps fund everything you do so it is effectually for free although you are not paid enough to save money and also they will forgive your federal loans from College. So, if you are really looking into going into the field of international development or want to spend considerable time abroad for awhile this may be something to look into.

4. University of Vermont

If you are a student at a UVM or most universities they will provide numerous opportunities for volunteering and travel. UVM is affiliated with projects-abroad.org that has a huge scope for volunteer projects around the world. Also, a one can apply for grants and scholarships through the school to fund any research based trip of your choosing. I have found that many of the school lead trips can be overpriced and over managed while for a short period of time, but there are exceptions when they offer you opportunities that would you could not undergo by yourself. Therefore, UVM offers numerous opportunities through affiliations, grants, and service trips that are very worth looking into.

Remember also you do not always have to go through an organization or with other people to travel or volunteer if you research a country or project enough you can always just go alone and get in touch with projects yourself. Volunteering can be a fun, cheap, and meaningful way to travel. I hope everyone gets the chance to be able to so that they can both help others and themselves and make the world that little bit happier in the process!

RECIPE4: SPRING VEGE PASTA

Hey everyone, it has been a while since last time I introduced our third recipe. 
I know the winter treats our Green Mountain State hardly, so I am going to fresh some air today and teach you how to make Spring Vege Pasta! Pasta becomes a kind of daily meal for every Americans. So this recipe works so well because we are not going to make it in the traditional way. This recipe calls for true vegetables. In pasta primavera, the vegetables and pasta are tossed together in a cream sauce made with broth and heavy cream. We love this classic, but sometimes we want a lighter, brighter version—one with a creamy sauce, but without the cream. This nontraditional approach gave us a light but creamy sauce with sweet, grassy flavors that paired perfectly with the vegetables for a dish that truly tasted like spring.

INGREDIENTS 

3 medium leeks, white and light green parts halved lengthwise, washed, and cut into 1/2-inch-thick slices (about 5 cups); 
3 cups roughly chopped dark green parts reserved 
1 pound asparagus, tough ends snapped off, chopped coarsely, and reserved; spears cut on bias into 1/2-inch-thick pieces 
2 cups frozen baby peas, thawed 
4 medium garlic cloves, minced or pressed through garlic press (about 4 teaspoons) 
4 cups vegetable broth 1cup water 2tablespoons minced fresh mint leaves 2tablespoons minced fresh chives 
1/2 teaspoon finely grated zest plus 2 tablespoons juice from 1 lemon 6tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil Table salt 1/4teaspoon red pepper flakes 
1 pound campanelle 
1 cup dry white wine 
1 ounce grated Parmesan cheese (about 1/2 cup), plus extra for serving Ground black pepper 

INSTRUCTIONS 
1. Place dark green leek trimmings, asparagus trimmings, 1 cup peas, 2 teaspoons garlic, vegetable broth, and water in large saucepan. Bring to simmer over high heat, then lower heat to medium-low and gently simmer 10 minutes. While broth simmers, combine mint, chives, and lemon zest in small bowl; set aside. 
2. Strain broth through fine-mesh strainer into 8-cup measuring cup, pressing on solids to extract as much liquid as possible (you should have 5 cups broth; add water as needed to measure 5 cups). Discard solids and return broth to saucepan. Cover and keep warm over low heat. 
3. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add sliced leeks and pinch salt; cook, covered, stirring occasionally, until leeks begin to brown, about 5 minutes. Add asparagus pieces and cook until crisp-tender, 4 to 6 minutes. Add remaining 2 teaspoons garlic and pepper flakes; cook until fragrant, about 30 seconds. Add remaining cup peas and continue to cook 1 minute. Transfer vegetables to plate and set aside. Wipe out pot. 
4. Heat remaining 4 tablespoons oil in now-empty Dutch oven over medium heat until shimmering. Add pasta and cook, stirring frequently, until just beginning to brown, about 5 minutes. Add wine and cook, stirring constantly, until absorbed, about 2 minutes. 
5. When wine is fully absorbed, add hot broth. Increase heat to medium-high and bring to boil. Cook, stirring frequently, until most of liquid is absorbed and pasta is al dente, 8 to 10 minutes. 
6. Remove pot from heat, stir in lemon juice, Parmesan, half of herb mixture, and vegetables. Season with salt and pepper to taste. Serve immediately, passing Parmesan cheese and remaining herb mixture separately.

Enjoy your spring vege pasta, hope you like it. 

The Spirit Level: Why Greater Equality Makes Societies Stronger

Here are some resources to follow up my presentation on equality in our world:

The Spirit Level:

• http://www.equalitytrust.org.uk/- Website set up by the authors of The Spirit Level that provides data, initiatives and a clear argument of their philosophy
• http://i.imgur.com/Cufgf.gif: Statistics shown in class that backup the hypothesis
• http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Spirit_Level:_Why_More_Equal_Societies_Almost_Always_Do_Better: Wikipedia overview

Volunteer Opportunities:

• For UVM: Volunteers in Action (http://www.uvm.edu/~via/)
• Burlington: Community Justice Center (http://www.burlingtonvt.gov/CJC/)

*Look for an upcoming blog post on volunteer opportunities through traveling!