"Every year, the American Library Association dedicates a week to highlighting works challenged as inappropriate for schools and libraries. The ALA defines a 'challenge' as a formal, written complaint filed (usually by a parent) with a library or school. 'Banned Books Week' features readings nationwide of controversial material."

So let's see. The simple fact that a book has been 'banned' [usually by a parent? the nerve!] is grounds for the ALA to shine the light on something that some people find objectionable, irrespective of the legitimacy of the objections. Hmm.

"Focus on the Family, a 'pro-family' [shocking!] group based in Colorado Springs, Colorado, released a statement saying that 'Banned Books Week' was a lie.

'Nothing is 'banned,' but every year this organization attempts to intimidate and silence any parent, teacher or librarian who expresses concern about the age-appropriateness of sexually explicit or violent material for schoolchildren,' said Tom Minnery, vice president of public policy for Focus on the Family.

'What the ALA calls 'censorship,' most Americans would call common sense,' he said."

Chuseok in Chunchon

Chunchon Missionaries, attired in their hanboks, in observance of Chuseok.

L-R: Elders Clarkson & Beck, Sisters Dangerfield & Lieshman, Elders Brown & Ellis, Moi.

I'm happy to report that after months of being lulled to sleep by the living, breathing thing that was my noisy, less-than-effective refrigerator, I now have a functional icebox which is whisper quiet and, comically enough, only four feet tall.

Of course this means I now lie awake, staring at the ceiling all night, feeling lonely as I ponder the solitary, hopeless, brain wracking, void-of-meaning, pitiful journey that is my life.

(Yes, yes, I know. You wonder why would I exaggerate my plight by using such superfluous language. It's probably more appropriate to substitute "tortuous, death-march" for the dramatic "journey." I was weak. It won't happen again.)

Shalom Who?

Sign found on the outskirts of Chunchon.

Am I missing something here? Aren't these two words diametrically opposed?

Young Korean "skulls full of mush"

"Let's Go 5" Students

"Let's Go 5" Students

"Let's Go 6" Students

"Let's Go 1" Students

"Let's Go 2" Students

"Pre-reading A" Students

"Reading 1" Students