Kevin Kwak’s Blog

Liberty in North Korean (LiNK) Presents Shin Dong-Hyuk
There are three exciting events happening in the LA/ OC area that I want to share with you for three main reasons: 1) it’s a very unique opportunity; 2) I feel like this will be of some interest to you; and 3) your support could make a difference.

Who
Shin Dong-Hyun (Shin) was born on Nov. 19, 1982 and called the camp home until 2005. While at the camp, Shin endured daily beatings, torture, starvation-level rations, saw forced abortions and even witnessed the public execution of his mother and brother in 1996. Shin described his life of total isolation from the world: “In South Korea, although there is disappointment and sadness, there is also so much joy, happiness and comfort. In Kaechon, I did not even know such emotions existed. The only emotion I ever knew was fear: fear of beatings, fear of starvation, fear of torture and fear of death.”

Articles on Shin:
http://www.washingtontimes.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20071030/FOREIGN/110300055/1001&template=printart
http://www.reuters.com/article/idUSSEO16870720071029
http://www.csmonitor.com/2007/1106/p07s01-woap.html
His book: http://book.naver.com/bookdb/book_detail.php?bid=3292618

What
LiNK is hosting a speaking tour for Shin entitled, “Born and Raised in a Concentration Camp,” from Wednesday, April 30 to Wednesday, May 14. Shin will recount his experiences as a North Korean who was born into slavery as a political prisoner in a North Korean concentration camp. Mr. Shin, along with LiNK’s Executive Director Adrian Hong and Deputy Director Hannah Song, will arrive in LA on May 14. For more info: http://www.libertyinnorthkorea.blogspot.com/

Where/ When

UCLA (Westwood), Wed. 5/14, 4:00 - 6:15 PM, Bunche Hall 1209B
Hear Shin’s testimony, watch riveting clips, hear updates from LiNK and ask questions, get answers!

Further details: 405 Hilgard Ave. Los Angeles, CA 90095. [http://www.admissions.ucla.edu/map/directions.htm ]
M-Grill (Koreatown), Wed. 5/14, 8:30PM - 10:30 PM ($20 cover (donation to org.); RSVP necessary. Limited space!)
Come join us for this special after-hours event for your opportunity to meet and speak with Shin more personally, learn more about LiNK, watch film clips, and mingle with other young professionals. Light appetizers will be served. Link to Facebook invite: http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=16668681994
UCI (Irvine) Thurs., 5/15, 8:00 - 9:20 AM, Social Science Lab 228.
Hear Shin’s testimony, watch riveting clips, hear updates from LiNK and ask questions, get answers!
Further details: This public event is during a Conflicts Management in Cross-Cultural Perspective course taught by Prof. Paula Garb (Founder and Co-Director of UCI’s Center for Citizen Peacebuilding: http://www.socsci.uci.edu/~cpb/)
E6 on map: http://today.uci.edu/pdf/uci_07_map_campus.pdf

Why
When will you again be given the opportunity to listen to a survivor of a prison camp who is willing to openly share his story so much so that he will come to you (from Korea)? Seize the opportunity to learn, be educated, and discover ways in which you can take action. Thanks in advance for your attendance and support!

Born and Raised In a Concentration Camp Video

Yikes! Prices of bananas (produce), rice, gasoline, utilities bill, are all up. Gasoline prices will continue to go up for few more months and who would’ve ever guessed that a barrel of gasoline would reach $200.

Off-topic: This drummer dude got groove.

After giving some thoughts and talking with some folks, I decided to add a new career goal to the New Year’s Resolution list (which by the way I am progressing well so far ). Computer/management information system courses were part of the major requirements and I’m glad it was part of the curriculum as it introduced information technology into my world. I pretty much aced the course and did well on the projects that had to do with Microsoft softwares and internet applications.

Even though information technology (IT) field is not where I currently work in, I always imagined myself being a computer/IT technician that solves complicated networking configurations or do simple tasks like building a top of the line gaming rig for my friends. It actually all started in my senior year at the high school when I met a guy who knew inside out of Microsoft softwares and used IRC and P2P programs at a time when I was busy online gaming. Visited his house and he had like three computers all networked and online. It was running Windows XP Professional and Windows 2000 Server. Back then I did not have a clue what networking was and the difference between Windows 2000 Server and Windows ME. Through him I was introduced to new computer technologies and my interests expanded from then on. I quickly learned how to build a computer from the ground up and learned the fundamentals of computer hardware and software. I then learned about the certifications computer technicians could earn through an examination offered by The Computing Technology Industry Association (CompTIA). I was meaning to take the exam but the test guide book was thick as a bible and wasn’t persistent with the studying.

Now fast forward to 2008 and I am back in the certification track. With years of hands on experience with Microsoft operating systems and office suite along with various applications, it will not be very difficult to obtain the IT credentials and certificates now. And what better way is there to prove your expertise? Become a Microsoft Certified Professional (MCP)!

It is fairly easy to become a MCP since you need to pass only one of the many Microsoft exams. Note this: the Microsoft Office Specialist (Office 2003 and before) certification do not count towards the MCP, but the new Microsoft certifications for Office 2007 do grant you the Microsoft Certified Technology Specialist (MCTS) credentials. If you decide to put a Microsoft Office certification under your belt, best to read which certifications are available on the MCP webpage. My advice is to obtain the Microsoft Office Specialist Master for the Office 2003 software especially you job seekers.

My goal is to complete the Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator (MCSA) certification tracks. The MCSA concentrates on the Windows Server 2003 operating system where networking and domains are heavily used in mid- to large-businesses. The core and elective exams include the following:

Exam 70–290: Managing and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Environment
Exam 70–291: Implementing, Managing, and Maintaining a Microsoft Windows Server 2003 Network Infrastructure
Exam 70–270: Installing, Configuring, and Administering Microsoft Windows XP Professional
One Elective

The MCSA certification tracks requires three less exams than the coveted Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer (MCSE) certification which is a prominent credential for any IT members. Did you know that these two credentials are available for Windows Server 2003, 2000, NT4.0 but not for the new Server 2008? The credentials are no longer available for Server NT 4.0 (obviously) and have recently phased out the Server 2000 operating system. The Windows Server 2008 introduced new certification tracks.

It is better late than never. Estimated time of completion for the credential will be before the end of 2009. Second thought, I think I could complete it by the end of this year just by self studying. No need to spend thousands attending technical schools or a college.

UPDATE: Read my MCSA progress journal to get the updates.

What an emotional video. Check out the article and the video.

The American Heart Association recently explained that hands-only CPR can be as effective as doing a mouth-to-mouth CPR. It is nice to know that you could rush in and become a hero instead of hesitating whether you want to give a mouth-to-mouth CPR to a total stranger. The least anyone could do if they witness a heart attack is to dial 911.

Teach your friends and family how to perform a CPR and even demonstrate the simple procedure. In a hands-only CPR, you would want to pump as fast as you can right above the heart, or the mid-center of the victim’s body with both of your hand. Put one palm over the other and pump repeatedly to reach 100 pumps per minute.