Author Archive

Some Impressions From Our Visiting ESL Students

Thursday, January 14th, 2010

“Since we arrived here in Glenside, we have met many people. Our English teacher is Joan. We like her because she is kind and speaks slowly for us. She is the only person who we can have conversation in English without burden.

Lisa is very kind also. We visited New York together.  She followed us to help us. At first, we were afraid to have conversation with her, but she understood us and eventually, we could make a good relationship.”
From Hannah and Jason

About houses– from Kevin and An

“America has large ground so you don’t need apartments.”

“Each house has a big front yard.”

“American houses developed the porch.”

“In the house, carpet is spread.”

“Inside the house, you may put on slippers or shoes.”

“Everyone uses a bed.

About food–Likes and Dislikes! from Lee and Woo

“It is convenient.”

“It is made of many food materials.”

“It is a new experience.”

“I like cheese.”

“Soda is very cheap, better than Korea.”

“It is high-calorie.”

“It has few sidedishes.”

“It is expensive.”

“The restaurants don’t give me a water.”

“Very salty and greasy.”

A poetic impression titled “What I’m doing” from Jo

I don’t know, but I’m just alive.

And I’m here in America.

It’s the second time I’ve been here.

Everything is same as last year.

Only difference is shape of them.

It might not change in the future.

Whatever time passes like the river flows.

The shape of the world is changing even now.

And it’s same.

Change is not up to shape of everything, but it’s up to me.

If I feel something’s different from before, it’s my change

Nobody except I, cannot change my world, even a tiny thing.

This is what I’m doing now.”

Five for Friday

Friday, January 8th, 2010

5 for Friday from Pat King, Won Institute Library, 1/8/10. Below are short commentaries on 5 recent acquisitions. I hope you find this helpful!

Naming Infinity, Loren Graham and Jean-Michel Kantor, 2009. “A passionate confluence of mathematical creation and mystical practices is at the center of this extraordinary account of the emergence of set theory in Russia in the early twentieth century.”
“The intellectual drama will attract readers who are interested in mystical religion and the foundations of mathematics. The personal drama will attract readers who are interested in human tragedy with characters who met their fates with exceptional courage.”

Tibetan Buddhism and Modern Physics: Toward a Union of Love and Knowledge, Vic Mansfield, 2008. “Clearly and engagingly addresses the complex issues of dialogue and collaboration between Buddhism and science, revealing connections and differences between the two. It strongly responds to the Dalai Lama’s ‘heartfelt plea’ for genuine collaboration between science and Buddhism.”

A Bull of a Man/Images of Masculinity, Sex, and the Body in Indian Buddhism, John Powers, 2009. “Whereas for years Western scholars have propagated a disembodied view of Buddhism, John Powers makes a powerful case for the Indian tradition’s obsession with gender, sexuality, and the body. Engagingly written and packed with fascinating details, A Bull of a Man is a major contribution to Buddhist studies and a must read for anyone interested in the interaction between gender and religion.”

The Energetics of Western Herbs/A Materia Medica Integrating Western & Chinese Herbal Therapeutics, 2 volumes, 4th ed., Peter Holmes, 2007. “This classical book, now extensively revised and updated, provides a creative revisioning of western herbalism. Clear, concise and comprehensive. . .An exceptional and immensely useful text.”

Herb, Nutrient, and Drug Interactions/Clinical Implications and Therapeutic Strategies, M. Stargrove, J. Treasure, D. McKee, 2008. “This book, by acknowledged medical experts, offers evidence-based advice on a variety of interactions between conventional drugs, dietary supplements, and herbal medications.”