[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

     Stella, thank you for your review on the Korean Cultural Center.  I found the web site to be quite valuable.  There is information about Korean culture, language programs, and seminar workshops.   This site also offers a variety of Korean cultural events that students may attend with their parents, but most importantly they offer free field trips for students from first grade on to the upper grades.  The opportunity for students to learn hands on about Koran culture by actually going on a field trip is awesome!!  I always view field trips as excellent learning experiences that students always remember.  Thank you for sharing!

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

Lucy Hornby addressed China's huge pesticide pollution crisis during her lecture.  She spoke about the danger of  brownfield sites  being used for new building sites.  Hornby wrote about such an example in her article abnout hundreds of pupils falling ill due to pesticide pollution.  This situation ocurred because a foreign language high school was relocated to an industrial city in China.  Soon thereafter students started complaining of symptoms such as nosebleeds, rashes, and strange smells.  Some students were even diagnosed with cancer.  China is planning an action plan for soil pollution, but it can't come soon enough.  The existing brownfield sites are plentiful and most of them are only superficially rehabilitated before being repurposed for residential and other uses. The value of these brownfield sites is so little that it is not even weorth it for the development investors to invest the money to rehabilitate them.  My understanding is that this pollution crisis is so extensive that it will take plenty of money and  years of careful planning to eradicate some of the long term effects that this pollution crisis is having on the people of China.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

     Lucy Hornby's lecture opened my eyes to the seriousness of China's industrial pollution crisis.  The major issue lies in the lingering soil pollution that remains even after the original pollutor is gone.  Although China has made attempts at cleaning up their pollution problem Chinese people are unhappy with the way that this polluton crisis is bing handled.  "Green financing" which provides funds to remediate the problem may function to treat waste water, but it doesn't function the same for polluted soil.  There are various types of soil pollution that are quite serious to the health of the people.  For example, heavy metals are inhaled with the dust that children kick up as they play.  In addition, local crops are contaminated which means less food and income for that community.  As a result some affected villages are switching to ornamental crops , like flowers, that cannot be eaten.  This may provide a temporary solution to the income dilemma, but it does not address the health risks that still continue.  Overall, it is a step forward for China in that they are reognizing and trying to address the pollution crisis affecting Chinese people, but there is still along way to go!

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

The trip to the Huntington Library inspired me in many different ways.  I know that my students would absolutely enjoy this outing and I found that the websites offered many ways to tie in this type of field trip into my classroom curriculum.  I specifically found the web asssets and templates web site helpful.  I thought the lesson plan on Earth Science Processes,  "Rooting Into the Soil" would be a great way to teach my students about the relationship between plants, soil and water.  In addition, I thought it would be a perfect waya to teach my students about environmental pollution and awareness.  This would be a great gateway to have a discussion about the pollution crisis that China is experiencing with their water and soil.  I am excited to plan a trip to the Huntington Library next year with my fourth graders.  The possibilities of many different lessons and connections to East Asia are definitely present.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

      The pollution crisis in China is affecting the health of Chinese people drastically.  One example of this is with China's hairy crab scandal.  Hairy crabs are a seasonal delicacy served in Hong Kong restaurants.  The hairy crabs are brought in from lakes around the Chinese city of Suzhou.  It was reported by food safety inspectors that some crabs contained dakngerous levels of cancer-causing chemicals.  The lake where these crabs were said to have come from was known as a lake that had been cleaned up as an effort to fight against pollution. So the answer to the pollution lies in a practice called "bathing crabs."  "Bathing crabs"  refers to crabs that are brought in to spend minimal time in the lake's clean waters so that they can be sold at a premium price.  They are sold for a better price because the fresh water makes the crabs sweeter and tastier.  China has struggled to clean up their water pollution.  Although they have funded environmental clean ups and water quality has improved at this particular Lake Tai, they continue to struggle.  The bigger issue is that the water pollution is also linked to the soil pollution crisis in China.  The pollutants penetrate into the sediment and stay in the environment for a long time.  Although China has made efforts and invested millions of dollars to clean up, the pollution crisis is continuous.  This is evident with China's hairy crab scandal.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

     I found the reading on "Tenants" to be very enlightening.  The use of very specific contracts for tenants during this time surprised me. The tenant contracts that were drawn up by a master or scribe also nseemed to serve as a way for masters or landowners to acquire services from their tenants.  The tenant-servant contract was quite specific and often times also hereditary.  If tenants did not perform their contract duties, then they were considered in violation of their contract and taken to court for punishment.  The duties were written out specifically in the contracts.  Services performed by tenants included helping at marriages, funerals, or sacrifices in the master's house.  The guarantee of any tenant agreement had to be drawn up in a contract.  I can understand why tenancy may not have been looked upon highly by the government.  It appears that large land owners retained a lot of power and tenants were indebted to their masters.  This in turn ended up reducing the government's revenues.  

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

During the MIng Dynasty, Emperor Hongwu ran a very strict government that focused on refraining from evil.  He focused on stopping the corruption of officials and stopping the disruptive and dishonest activities of those who worked for officials.  He believed that having a virtuous society would bring prosperity and good fortune to the people.  It would also establish names for themselves in Heaven and on earth as worthy men.  He enforced strict punishments for those who did not abide by his rules.  He encouraged his people to stay away from evil doings because this would  maintain their reputations and in turn preserve their lives.  He detested riffraff who didn't partake in any occupation, yet had connections to the local officials.  These behaviors were disruptive to those who had occupations and worked.  Emperor Hongwu did his best during his ruling time to eradicate all these behaviors by imposing strict ruthless punishments.  He was regarded as a tyrant, but this did not deter him from trying to have the people follow the laws effectively.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

I found the reading on "Peach Blossom Spring" based on late Imperial China to be a reflection of what society hoped for during a time of war.  The utopian idea of living worry free in a beautiful place represented a problem free world where one could just relax and live happy lives forever.   I imagine that the idea alone that such a place could ever exist provided a sense of hope and comfort for any Chinese people that felt despair by the society they lived in.  This type of idealistic literature and/or paintings that spoke about "Peach Blossom" may have been looked upon as escapism from a harsh reality.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

     Filial Piety, a practice praised by Confucious and carried to new heights during the Han Dynasty, refers to the family being the fundamental unit of Chinese society.   it was based on the idea that parents looked out for the interests of their children and in turn obedient chidren would take care of their parents in old age.  Servitude towards ones parents and ones ruler was the ideal and this in turn dictated a person's character.  All this pointed towards morality and being loyal to ones superiors.  This tradition of filial piety still holds truth in the sense that sons and daughters are still held to the moral standard that a good son or daughter should always take care of their parents in their elderly age.  Although I am not Chinese, I can relate and draw comparisons to my own Mexican cultural traditions where these family morals and traditions also exist.  In the Mexican culture, it is quite common to have strong family values where we are always expected to take care of one another.  Children are expected to take in and care for their parents in their elderly age.  I believe that these traditions are valuable and set a good example of what family unity should be.  Traditions, such as respecting and taking care of parents in their elderly age, should definitely be traditions that are carried on. 

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

Jacqueline, I agree with you that women in East Asian countries are still viewed within the lense of tradition.  They contribute to the economy by joining the work force, yet they are still expected to maintain traditional gender roles.  This reminds me of how cultural traditions and gender roles still play such an important role in society.  It is interesting to me how East Asian countries are innovative in many areas, yet they remain ingrained in traditions that in a sense hold them back.  The dynamics are somewhat contradicting, but I also agree with you that a change in attitude regarding a woman's role needs to happen in order for birth rates to begin increasing again.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

Simba is an amazing inspiration to me in how he has chosen to live his life with drive and passion.  His personal life changing story speaks volumes and exemplifies someone who decided to strive for what he believed in.  I admire how he sacrificed his own economic stability to dedicate himself completely to saving the lions in Africa.  His perseverence and patience with working with the villagers demonstrates how important it is for Simba to protect the interests of the villagers while still protecting the wildlife.  Even though he faces various complexities and challenges in his work, Simba perseveres through his application of the conservation model.  His fundraising efforts in China have drawn much speculation, yet he has not allowed that to deter his efforts.  He has continued to follow his dream of saving the lions through continuous to fundraising, workshops and speeches.  I commend his drive and his goals and hope that he continues to receive the necessary support.  I can definitely use Simba's film in my class to teach my students about environmental awareness issues. His work would also be a great example for my students to learn about working hard and following your dreams.

 

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

I thoroughly enjoyed Professor Ye's lecture on the three stages of Chinese history. I learned about the three stages , but I also learned how written poetry was an important part of China's cultural development in Chinese literature.  I especially enjoyed learning about the practice of chanting.  I learned that chanting is oral poetry organized rhythmically by both the internal rhythms of language and the external rhythyms of music.  In addition, Professor Ye explained how the Chinese language has four different tones.  My favorite part of the lecture was listening to Professor Ye chant poetry.  It was evident through his lecture and his chanting that he had a passion for Chinese literature and poetry. 

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

The Huntington Library field trip was picture perfect.  The weather and scenery contibuted to the beauty of the day.  The  Japanese and Chinese Gardens were equally enlightening to me.  The architecture and the natural aspect of the Gardens drew me in and left me wanting to spend more time there.  As I listened to our docent speak and walk us through different areas in the gardens, it reminded me of the philosophy of Daoism.  The idea of what is natural is perfect stuck in my mind as I admired all the nature that made up the Japanese and Chinese Gardens.  I envisioned my 4th grade students walking and observing in awe.  I could thought of how I could incorporate a field trip to the Huntington Library into my class curriculum and I knew immediately that my students would enjoy writing Haiku poetry about the Japanese and Chinese Gardens.  The visual experience of the Gardens would allow for the introduction of many descriptive words relating to nature.  It would also draw my studnts in and engage them in learning some new facts and history related to China and Japan.  Ultimately, I can see how a field trip to the HUntington Library gardens would be a wonderful learning experience for my students and I hope to have that as an option for future classroom field trips.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

I am a Confucianist and I live my life serving my parents and  following filial piety. I demonstate absolute loyalty to my father.  My father has violated a law willingly and now I am conlicted.  I know that following rituals and laws is the honorable thing to do and my father has not abided by this.  I ultimately owe my reverence and loyalty to my father.  I believe I have failed him as a good son because in the ways of Confucianism remonstrating is what a good son should do.  "And if a father had a son to advise him, he would not fall into doing wrong."  Even though I am conflicted I know that I must show complete loyalty to my father because I was not a good son in allowing him to violate a law.  Also, he has given me life and I am indebted to him because no tie is stronger than this. Ultimately, as a devoted Confucianist, I choose to be loyal to my father.

[Sandra Soltero-Torres]

 After reading "Commercial Activities" and "Penal Servitude in Qin Law" I think that Chinese governance has been based on very specific laws and cultural norms.  The more I read about Chinese laws and specific rules and contracts, the more I I observe the inflexibility that Chinese governance imposed on its society.  Chinese governance has been dominated by different philosophies during different time periods, but the commonality I have observed is that very specific contracts and guidelines were developed for very specific situations by all ruling dynasties.  My opinion is that China may have demonstrated an infexibility that may have made them economically successsful, but at the expense of other great benefits.  For example, in "Penal Servitude in Qin Law" the Legalist impunities of absolute punishment offered very little hope for Chinese society members to rehabiliate.  The Chinese laws  offered very minimal options to improve the quality of life of one who had been convicted of an infraction.  In "Penal Servitude in Qin Law"  the punishments are described very specifically and seem somewhat severe.  In "Commercial Activities" their contracts were so specific and focused on the idea of commercial distrust. The focus on governance was rigid at best and was very specific for many particular situations.  In addition, "Commercial Activities"  also offered examples of sample contracts that were based on commercial distrust.  In my opinion, the contradicting dynamics of Confucian views that were based on the innate goodness of humans clashed with the idea of the creation of so many specific contracts that focused on the distrust due to the profit motive.  To believe that humans are innately good, yet to develop such a distrustful attitude towards commercial activity was contradictory at best.  It seems that these rigid laws and practices were created and enforced to benefit those with socio-economic power.  In essence, the Chinese seemed very focused on preventing negative behaviors or selfish attitudes from having an impact on their society.  The different dynsties operated under different philosophies, but their commercial contracts and penal servitude laws ensured that Chinese society maintained a certain level of order.

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