Pope appeals for Mid-East peace

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#11
Date:12/26/2008
From :BBC
Pope appeals for Mid-East peace
（http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/7799464.stm）
My Reaction：
According to an up to date poll survey done by Americans, nearly everyone celebrates this festival regardless of the religion as well as race. It is interesting that people identify with Christmas because of a variety of reasons.In fact, the festival has been commercialized that it is considered a good time to do the shopping.However, owning to the global economic recession, the sales are said to decline, so this year the mayor of the New York even called upon to encourage the public to buy more.
There is another crucial reason why people celebrate Christmas that they agree on its spirits-peace and happiness.In these recent years,a number of conflicts happen, and many poor people suffer from them, living under the shadow of uncertainty and fear.Some may stand up to fight against what is called enemies;nevertheless,the desire for a peaceful life undoubtedly roots in their hearts.Of all the conflicts,the Mid-East especially draws our attention because this is the place where Jesus Christ is said to be born but now in horrible condition.Christmas is a time to share joy.Instead of throwing real bombs, why not enjoying the explosion of love not only in Christmas but also every daily life? （200 words）

Shrek musical opens on Broadway

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#10
Date:12/19/2008
From :BBC
Shrek musical opens on Broadway
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/entertainment/7783190.stm
My Reaction:
In recent years,there has been a dozens of animated films adapted for stage plays on Broadway;however, few of them really turned out a blockbuster.Take Tarzan and The Little Mermaid for example.Although they already have great fame,the advertising can be saved.Both of them still received overwhelming criticism,and cost numerous money.Therefore,this time Dream Workers taking the plunge to spend an arm and a leg is considered an adventure.
Undoubtedly,the show is a big success.According to the attendants of the opening performance,totally different from the movie,the play arouses dynamics as well as chemistry.With Tony-nominated actor’s vivid interpretation,the green ogre brings a lot of joy to the audience.
As everyone knows that now we are in global depression.People suffer from great burden of life,so they tend to laugh less.Shrek is said to make people burst into laughter because of the humorous plot.Irony is characteristic of the story;that is,it makes fun of other famous films.The play retains the core of it,which the audience can not help but giggle at.If the show maintains making a big hit for a long time,it can be thought of as a miracle in the financial swamp.（about 200 words）

Britons 'saving money with sex'

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#9
Date:12/11/2008
From :BBC
Britons 'saving money with sex'
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/health/7755315.stm
According to a survey,having sex is considered a free activity,and most people like to do so than window shopping and gossiping.Furthermore,the survey also show that there is a distinct difference between men and women.The latter have preference for window shopping as well as gossiping unlike the former.Talking about saving money,there is only one reason the illustration gave us-snuggling under the duvet could also save on those heating bills.
However,we can easily find many negative perspectives on uncontrolled sex.One of them is well-knowned that being infected with AIDS has become a worldwide disease,especially in those so-called lowly developed areas.Because of the lack of education,many people still don’t know how to protect themselves.The most convenient but yet not the most effective way may be having condoms.Due to rates of HIV and other sexually transmitted infections increasing with amazing speed,people are supposed to do it safely when snuggling down with a partner.Whatever the reason people have sex,contraception should be taken into consideration.Otherwise,saving money will turn to be costing much more money as well as losing one’s life forever. （200 words）

The C.E.O. of Thanksgiving Dinner

Name: Angela Chen
Reaction Article#8
Date:11/28/2008
From :NYTimes
The C.E.O. of Thanksgiving Dinner
（http://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/26/dining/26dele.html?_r=1&ref=style）
MY reactions：

It is so interesting to compare preparing a Thanksgiving dinner to managing a company. Indeed, neither of them is an easy task, both of which require a great number of endeavors. Starting from scratch ending up receiving applause is what a successful chief executive officer may go through.
According to this article, a host equal to a C.E.O. is supposed to start with a vision. As the Thanksgiving chief architect, one can ask himself what is his vision toward this special occasion. It is a good idea to think bigger, but one should avoid expecting something impossibly achievable. There are two things to take into consideration：Organizing to execute and organizing to innovate. Then try to have effective delegation focus on results, not methods,because in this way person responsible for the job can do whatever he wants.Most importantly,a praiseworthy leader should appreciate people publicly and never blame mistakes on others.
As for my own experience,taking charge of an activity really calls for a sharp mind.The arrangement of delegation is always bothersome.Take one for example.Once being under the pressure to perform a good play in my high school time,I kept asking people to fulfill something they could not do or not want to.Therefore, I was accused of a bossy leader, and the performance turned out to be a real sulks.In fact,delegation is a terrific way to develop people.I should have given them a chance to shine by asking them questions that allowed them to express their accomplishments .After all, a successful cooperation was all what we pursued. （257words）

Maldives Considers Buying Dry Land if Seas Rise

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#7
Date:11/21/2008
From :New York Times
Maldives Considers Buying Dry Land if Seas Rise
By ANDREW C. REVKINhttp://www.nytimes.com/2008/11/11/science/earth/11maldives.html?scp=2&sq=Maldives&st=nyt
Maldives, once considered a heavenly place in the world, now unbelievably is likely to be destined for disappearance. Not only its original lowland but also the global warming problem has increased the crisis. The government now is going to plan to invest fund in buying a haven for its citizens.However, everyone will miss the breathtaking view.
The country is well-knowned as a traveling hot spot for its waters as clear as crystal. There is also a large number of atolls around it.However, after the Asian tsunami several years ago, people start to be aware of something different. The unexpected savior was the very coral reefs that surround the atolls, which absorbed the brunt of the initial 15- to 20-foot waves and reduced the wave size by half. Therefore, environmental protection is the most crucial thing ,including marine aspect as well as atmospheric condition. It is emissions of heat-trapping gases that are linked to rising temperatures, so people are very worried now.
If such a gorgeous paradise goes into history, how disappointed people will feel.
In order not to feel regretful,we had better do some action to love the earth.（214）

What Women Want

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#5
Date:11/06/2008
From :Newsweek
What Women Want
Designer Anna Sui on fashion, from New York to Tokyo.
（www.newsweek.com/id/162344）
My reactions:
Every time I browse through the shops in the department stores，Anna Sui’s boutique always draws my attention easily for its delicate storefront. One of her well-knowned style is traditionally tribal style, which combines a great number of different races. Then, I am wondering why she has such a talent to mix all those things and furthermore to create something novel. Once when I was sitting on a couch waiting for getting a perm，I took a look at a fashion magazine, and I was stunned to find out that Anna Sui looks like Asian as well as her younger age compared with other famous designers. How did she do to break the barrier?
From this article, we can see that the motive for her career is simply because of thinking becoming a designer is glamorous. However, she followed her heart to pursue her dream through dozens of difficulties. Thanks to the unique experiences her parents provided, which Anna Sui said is a big gift to her, she already prepared to think globally to face a foreign environment. Out of my surprise, it seemed that her age, gender and color of skin were not the main problem to her. Money is the biggest problem, but she overcame it.(210 words)

Math is Hard, Barbie Said

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#4
Date:10/31/2008
From :Newsweek
Math is Hard, Barbie Said
(http://www.newsweek.com/id/164523)
My Reactions:
Can we please retire the claim that boy brains are hard-wired for math and girl brains are not?
There has been a stereotype that girls have inferior math ability compared with boys. This article is trying to clear out the statement from biological point of view. According to the analysis the writer made, we can find chances are that the starkly social and other environmental forces in each country lead to the bias instead of the intrinsic biology. One may be confused if the outward force could make such a big influence on human’s behavior. Therefore, the writer also made efforts to clarify this point with dozens of scientific researches.
"Whether mathematical ability is identified depends on social, cultural and other environmental factors," says Janet Mertz of the University of Wisconsin, who led a study to discuss the math gender gap. It seems that the more emphasis the country put on the mathematical education, the better performance they did. For anyone still grasping for biological explanations for the math gender gap, consider neighboring countries with a common gene pool, such as the former East Germany and West Germany, or Slovakia and the Czech Republic. The female apparently did well in math.
It is no need to overestimate a man’s math ability, and to look down on a woman’s. Once people put prejudice on the gender, it may really affect the performance because one has expected it what will go on.(about 200 words)

Four Ways to Get Physical—Digitally

Name: Angela Chen（49712051）
Reaction Article#3
Date:10/24/2008
From :Newsweek
Four Ways to Get Physical—Digitally
（http://www.newsweek.com/id/164359）
My Reactions:
From computer games to iPhones, there are cool new tech applications you can use to get in shape.

This article is mainly talking about the novelist way with some fancy gadgets to keep people in shape. Apart from the traditional pedometer, which simply tallies how many steps the runner took, the newest ones combine computer technology to become more efficient and interesting. For example, stationary –bicycle manufacture Expresso Fitness has caused a great sensation because its bikes are more than a bike. They are equipped with television screens that allow users to challenge themselves on different digital terrains or even chase the dragon through the sky.
There are plenty of digital machines it mentioned; however, I am more interested in the adjective the writer used in this article. Instead of putting emphasis on pursuing becoming slender and slender, she keeps using some neutral words like physical, keeping fit, which let me feel more motivated to use these machines to make myself as fit as a fiddle.
After seeing the movie”Spray”, I found something is much more important than slim figure-being yourselves! The girl in the movie is a little bit heavy, but undoubtedly she is the happiest person in the world because she acts so naturally to do the dancing which is her favorite activity. Besides, one of the main protagonists in the blockbuster movie”Sex and the City”, Samantha, finally accept her aging body and no more bondage to love and perfect figure, which means she doesn’t have to restrain herself from eating delicious food.
From my point of view, it is ironic to resist something you really want to eat or finally dig into the food but with guiltiness. What’s worse, in order to get rid of the extra fat, some people would abuse themselves by using cruel means. Thanks to the advanced modern technology, people today are able to work out along with play around. （about 300 words）

The Mommy Track

Name: Angela Chen
Reaction Article#3
Date: 10/17/2008
From: The New York Times
The Mommy Track
（http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/19/movies/19harr.html?_r=2&ref=arts&oref=slogin&oref=slogin）
MY REACTION:
Some said Angelina Jolie is a controversial figure; however, as far as I am concerned, she has set a good model as a career woman. Though she has not got married yet, everybody all over the world know she has an intimate partner, Brad Pitt. They are supposed to be the most well-knowned couple for both of their successful performance in Hollywood and those sequential gossips reported on tabloid. Before they met each other, Ms. Jolie has already started to adopt orphans across the race as her own children. Rumor has it that Mr. Pitt is appealed to affectionately by her maternal love. Now including three of her own children and adopted ones, they have six children in total, and according to Ms. Jolie herself they may have more.
Once being asked why her children are so different racially, Ms. Jolie chuckled her expectation that miniature UNO provides a good environment for both the kids and herself to learn. Compared with her incredible ability in the movie, she in the real world seems more down-to-earth and humble to learn how to be an appropriate mother. It is not an easy task for woman to take good care both of her job and family. As for me, one successful woman has to be not only financially independent but also responsible enough for the children. In this way, Angelina Jolie has done a wonderful job. （about 200 words ）

French Novelist Le Clézio: A Nobel Surprise

French Novelist Le Clézio: A Nobel Surprise
My reactions:
Gustave Le Clézio ,a French novelist, was awarded the 2008 Nobel Prize for Literature .He was highly praised as an "author of new departures, poetic adventure and sensual ecstasy, explorer of a humanity beyond and below the reigning civilization." In fact, he is not a well-knowned writer in Taiwan, and only two of his works have been published .According to the publisher’s analysis, although these years the public are fond of translated literature, his type of work is not so welcome here. Thanks to the Nobel Prize, we notice him again.
The characteristic of Le Clezio’s work is full of exotic cultures, like American aboriginal people and African life. The factor may be deeply rooted since his childhood. His parents traveled prodigiously, which gave him an open mind to embrace the world. Because of the distinction from the insular American literary culture, his works are almost out of print in the U.S.
As he himself once said "Western culture has become too monolithic” Therefore, he wants to show his awareness through his works, expressing some closely forbidden topics, such as religiosity and feelings. However, he does not like to be classified because as for him, writing is just writing.
Le Clézio has said. "Today, writers can only record their political impotence ... Contemporary literature is a literature of despair." These words shocked me due to the weakening power a writer has today, but somehow I know it is exaggerated. Once there are some writers like him willing to speak out, the masterpiece is not lonely.

Global Warming Solutions

Global Warming Solutions My reactions: In recent years, global warming has been a hot topic since there are some weird weather phenomena. They are too difficult to explain in detail；hence, most of the public associate them directly with global warming. However, it is not such an easy problem that many experts have made great efforts to deal with it. From this article, we can learn that stabilizing greenhouse gases（GHGs）is a crucial task to our future. It also brings up a question whether we can control this deteriorating problem or not. Apparently, here came some experts giving us some positive suggestions. One is called “stabilization wedges”, which means reducing GHG emissions from a variety of sources with technologies available in the next few decades, rather than relying on an enormous change in a single area. Thanks to these probable solutions, the future of the earth seems to be more promising. Although there are still many drawbacks happened when used among each country, as human being really have the consciousness of solving the problem, I think everything will go right