Dogs Can Do the Laundry! (27-12-2013)

Dogs Can Do the Laundry!  (27-12-2013)

Disciplined dogs can do many things for people with disabilities. For example, Seeing Eye dogs can guide the blind, by stopping around obstacles and at stairs. From now on, there is one more new thing that can be done by these dogs. They can do the laundry! Doing the laundry is easy and simple enough for normal people. However, it can be very challenging for people with disabilities, particularly those who are blind, autistic, and learning disabled. That’s why John Middleton from the United Kingdom invented a special washing machine called the “Woof to Wash.” So named because it can be controlled by dogs! If dogs are fully trained, they can open the washing machine by pushing it with their paws, load the clothes, and bark to turn it on. Middleton said, “We developed this machine because mainstream products with complex digital controls seldom meet the needs of the disabled user.” Now, some dogs are being trained by the charity, Support Dogs. They will soon be able to help people with a wide range of disabilities across the United Kingdom. Staff reporter Young Kim (youngkim@timescore.co.kr)

Living in the Wild (10-01-2014)

Living in the Wild  (10-01-2014)

What are some of your favorite animals? Humans tend to enjoy being around cats, dogs, and even horses. However, do you like animals such as wolves and snakes? Could you live with a wolf as a pet? What about as a mother or father? Well, a man named Marcos Rodriguez has an amazing story to tell. Marcos was born in Spain, but when he was six years old, he became lost in the Spanish mountains. Most people would be scared and panic, but Marcos survived by making friends with the wolves and his pet snake. Marcos grew up in the mountains with the animals as his only friends. He even fed the snake and made him a bed. Also, the wolves let him eat and sleep with them. He was in the mountains for 12 years! Eventually, people found him and took him to a hospital. Don’t you think it would be hard to grow up with animals instead of people? Now, Marcos is an old man, but he has lived an amazing life!

Samarkand (10-01-2014)

Samarkand  (10-01-2014)

Samarkand, the second largest city in Uzbekistan, is as old as Babylon or Rome. The history of the city is about 2,500 years old! In the 14th century, Timur founded the Timurid Empire by conquering West, South, and Central Asia. He made Samarkand the capital of his empire. That’s why several important historical places related to the empire are in this city. The most famous landmark of Samarkand is Bibi-Khanym Mosque. It was built using precious stones by Timur in 1399. In order to carry the stones, about 90 elephants were employed! Another famous historical site in this city is Gur Emir Mausoleum where Timur was buried. Along with him, his two sons and grandson were laid in peace in this Islamic monumental tomb. The city is also best known for its central position on the Silk Road. It was the meeting point of merchants from China, Persia, and India. When a renowned explorer Marco Polo visited the Silk Road, he described Samarkand as “a very large and splendid city” in his book, The Travel. You Know What?  Do you know what people call Samarkand? They call Samarkand the “city of blue domes” because there are many blue-tiled domes. Staff reporter Young Kim (youngkim@timescore.co.kr)

New Year’s Resolutions, really?

We all make New Year’s resolutions at or around New Year’s Day in order to achieve our goals and improve ourselves. However, fewer than nine percent of people actually accomplish their New Year’s resolutions, according to Forbes, an American biweekly magazine. Here are some funny New Year’s resolutions from Latin Times, an online publication: 1. The New Year will be like the old one if you keep on doing the same old things. 2. My New Year’s resolution is to stop hanging out with people who ask me about my New Year’s resolutions. 3. My excuses for already failing my New Year’s resolution are more complicated than the Korea unification plans. (edited for local application) 4. For my New Year’s resolution, I promise to stop correcting your terrible spelling and focus more on your horrific grammar. 5. Dear God, my prayer for 2014 is a fat bank account and a thin body. Please don’t mix these up like you did this past year. 6. I probably shouldn’t be making any new resolutions this year... mainly because I’m still working on the ones from last year. 7. This year, let’s resolve to make better bad decisions. 8. I can’t believe it’s been a year since I didn’t become a better person. Managing Director H. Gene Reu (reu@timescore.co.kr)

Oymakon (03-01-2014)

The weather is getting cold these days. Are you complaining about the cold? You’d better stop doing that. If you knew about this unbelievably cold place, you would be thankful that you live in Korea. Recently, scientists measured the coldest temperature on Earth in East Antarctica. It was -93.2°C! They say that it is so cold that it hurts to breathe. Fortunately, no one lives there. But where is the coldest place where people inhabit? The Russian village, Oymakon, is known as the world’s coldest inhabited city. In 1924, this city set the record of -71.2°C, which was the lowest temperature ever recorded in an inhabited place. Usually, the temperature of the city is -50°C. Batteries lose their power and pen ink easily freezes. Only 500 people live in Oymakon, and there is only one store to provide necessities. To our surprise, they still burn coal and wood for heat. Also, since there’s nothing to grow on land, they live off reindeer and horse meat. How can children go to school if it’s too cold? Don’t worry. There is no class when it’s under -52°C.