I was really busy this past semester, so busy that I am posting a summary of last semester on January 18th! It will be short on words but I wanted to share about a few things.

Courses:

- Brain Health and Exercise: We learned about the importance of physical exercise for all functions of the brain related to our physical, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual health.
- Research Methods
- Independent Study: I focused on researching the history of Brain Education by collecting, reviewing, and summarizing related books and research articles.

- Peaceology: The study of peace and a practical philosophy about peace that is based on humans taking responsibility for the Earth and for all of humanity.

UBE News

1. Approval of Global Cyber University by Korean Ministry
2. Approval of Brain Trainer certification by Korean Ministry

IBREA News

1. New BE Online website: www.braineducationonline.com
2. Brain World Magazine now available in 19 countries: To read some of the articles online or to subscribe, go to www.brainworldmagazine.com.
3. Launch of new Brain Test site coming soon.

Books/Magazines I'm Reading:

- Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain, John Ratey: How exercise "prepares your brain to learn, improves mood and attention, lowers stress and anxiety, helps stave off addiction, controls the sometimes tumultuous effects of hormonal changes, and guards against and even reverses some of the effects of aging on the brain".

- Mozart's Brain and the Fighter Pilot: Unleashing your brain's potential,Richard Restak: "This book is based on an important principle: The more you learn about how your brain works, the better the chances of using it most efficiently". It is meant to convey an understanding of the basic principles of brain operation and gives you 28 suggestions to help you improve your brain function: your thoughts, moods, inclinations, decisions, and actions.

- Quantum Medicine, Paul Yanick, Jr.: An approach to medicine that draws on the existence of a cohesive, energetic system-the Quantum Energy Field-that regulates all systems of the human body and determines our state of health. It has long been the basis of Eastern medicine (where it is known as ki or chi) and is used in many healing modalities.

- The Art of Loving, Erich Fromm: Discusses our innate capacity for love "on the only level that truly matters: love that is compounded of maturity, self-knowledge, and courage and which like every art demands practice and concentration, as well as genuine insight and understanding".

- SQ: Connecting with our Spiritual Intelligence, Danah Zohar & Dr. Ian Marshall: First there was IQ. Then there was EQ. Now, there is a growing body of evidence, including brain science, to support the existence of SQ or Spiritual Intelligence. SQ is described as uniquely human and linked to humanity's need for meaning and values in our lives.

- The Oprah Magazine (November 2009): Who are you meant to be?: Stories and guidance about finding and fulfilling your life purpose.

Trips (after the semester finished):

1. To the DMZ (De-Militarized Zone)

My conclusion, after the tour and especially after the stop where we took pictures of the North Korean soldier while he was watching us watch him through binoculars (he is on the steps in the second picture), is that we spend a lot of energy and time maintaining conflicts with each other. We weren't supposed to smile as we were told our picture could be used as propoganda in North Korea. The first picture is a monument to family members that have been separated due to this conflict. The third picture shows South Korean soldiers standing guard (also watching the North Korean soldier). The fourth picture was taken at the United Nations' Joint Security Area in front of the gift shop :).

2. To Kangrung and Mt. Seorak on the Eastern Sea

I love the sea but it was especially beautiful in the Winter. I visited a classmate--we enjoyed food traditional to this area (potato dumplings), and visited the sea, a Buddhist temple at Mt. Seorak, and a well-known lake.

Movies and Brief Commentary

1. Korean movies and dramas: A good way to learn the language and understand this part of the culture better.
2. Ninja Assassin, featuring famous Korean actor "Rain": Lots of blood but the message was about listening to your heart.
3. 2012: We need to wake up and be prepared for changes.

4. Avatar: Hopeful

Wishing you all a happy new year full of love and hope wherever you are!