ISLAND VIEWS

Editor’s Note: The following essay and mini-essays are written by the students of Mrs. G. C. Borja-Robinson’s writing classes at the Northern Marianas College. The views expressed are solely those of the students.

Stress
By YUN HEE LEE

How do you manage your stress? Controlling stress is related to our health because illness will develop if we do not respond to stress in healthful and constructive ways. People can be grouped by how they react to stress. The first group releases its stress outwardly with anger. The second group holds its stress internally and expresses nothing. The last group manages its stress in healthful and constructive ways.

People in the first group release their stress by reacting with anger to people near them. They cannot control their stress. They do not care about other people near them when they release their stress. They think their feelings are more important than the people in their surroundings. Other family members, co-workers, or friends may receive the negative reaction(s) from these stressed people. After they release their stress with angry outbursts to those around them, they will feel bad and still feel stress. Their tendency to release stress with anger stems from their inability to regulate their stress; their stress may escalate to violence. Their expression of stress with anger often brings negative results, and those results may worsen the stress.

People in the second group withhold their stress and express nothing. Other people surrounding them may feel better than those around the first group. However, if these stressed people do not resolve their stress and let it simmer inside them, bigger problems may result. Those persons may develop mental or physical illnesses. Withholding stress is not the answer to stress control. It can be more dangerous than stress expressed by the other two groups.

The last group is able to manage its stress in healthful and constructive ways. They do not release their stress with anger. They also do not withhold their stress internally. They try to resolve their stress in healthful and constructive ways. They may rest, listen to music, walk, play sports, do yoga, or talk through their problems with trusted family members or friends. By doing these things, they can reduce their stress and get new energy for tomorrow.

We often encounter stressful situations in our daily lives, so we must know how to manage stress. We can learn how to control it so that it does not control us. Which group do you belong to? Instead of expressing anger, find beneficial ways to reduce your stress. Doing so will help you maintain a healthy and happy life.

The United States of America
By HOJIN WOO

Have you ever visited the United States? The U.S. is the best country in the world. If I had the opportunity to travel, I would visit the U.S. The first place my family and I would visit is the White House in Washington D.C, where the President lives. We would also visit Hollywood and meet famous actors and actresses. After that, we would visit Las Vegas and Disneyland. I want my children to see Disneyland in particular, because I want them to experience something new. I also want my family to visit New York, Los Angeles, Boston, and other big cities in America. By visiting these cities, we will learn more about the U.S. Someday I hope our dreams will come true.

Shin-Osaka
By HAN JEON

Do you know where Shin-Osaka is in Japan? Shin-Osaka was my first overseas destination. It is near Osaka. I used to live in Shin-Osaka from 1990 to 1994. During my stay there, I attended a language school and a junior college. So I have a lot of memories of Shin-Osaka. That is why I want to visit it again if I had the opportunity. Besides attending school in Shin-Osaka, I had a part-time job. I went shopping at many places, ate in various restaurants, and went to public baths everyday. I also traveled to other cities in Japan. In 1994, I left Shin-Osaka. I miss it even today. There are many cities and countries to see, but it is Shin-Osaka that I want to visit. It probably has changed much since I lived there. I have a lot of pleasant memories of Shin-Osaka.

My Dream
By YUNKYUNG LEE

Have you ever thought how your life would be when you are older? Everyone desires a quiet, peaceful life. However, many modern people today do not have a calm life because they are too busy. In my spare time I like to do ceramics and raise plants, but I live in an apartment in Korea. So I dream of having a house someday with a yard for my plants and space for my ceramics. At my house I will water my plants and do ceramics while listening to calm music. I will invite my friends to my house and drink tea with them. Such a life would make me very happy. Small joys every day make me happy. I desire a peaceful and happy future. Today I am a busy mother and a college student. So I do not have much spare time, but someday I will.