DATE NO. 6
NAME: Lee Songsan
INTERESTS:
International Studies, Communications, Sailing
Parent Occupations:
Politician; Retired oncologist,
now supporting husband’s political career
Jisu: Wow, I really did not know there were that many kinds of knots in sailing.
SongSAN: Yup, and a real use for each one!
Jisu: And you somehow have every single one of them all memorized.
SongSAN: I’ve been sailing since I was a little kid, so it all comes naturally to me.
Jisu: I think I need another cup of coffee. Do you want to order anything else?
SongSAN: I’m all set. I try to avoid going near or over three cups a day. Too much caffeine can throw off the balance in your system and cause acid reflux if you’re prone to that kind of stuff.
Jisu: Sorry, what? Oh, acid reflux, sure. I’ve heard of that.
SongSAN: Are you feeling all right, Jisu?
Jisu: Hmm? Oh, yes. I’m good. Sorry, Songsan, I was just up a bit late trying to do some of the reading we got assigned over summer break.
SongSAN: I’ve been there. Which subject?
Jisu: World history.
SongSAN: History is one of my favorite subjects! Which era is the summer reading on?
Jisu: It’s on revolutions: French, Bolshevik, American, Chinese, Korean—all of them.
SongSAN: Revolutions are probably the most thrilling parts of history. The turning points, the pivot, they’re like the real-life plot twists.
Jisu: Songsan, I hate to sound rude, but can we talk about something else? I spent all night trying to do the boring reading and barely got a hundred pages in.
SongSAN: Of course, of course. No problem. History can be dry, too. At least it is compared to everything that’s happening in the world now.
Jisu: What do you mean?
SongSAN: Well, you have the Arab Spring and the repercussions in the years following, the ongoing Syrian civil war, all the chaos that’s sprung upon the US since their last presidential election and of course the impeachment of our last president.
Jisu: Mmm hmm.
SongSAN: To be honest, in every discussion I see unfold online, in print or on TV about the current state of the world, there’s a continuous thread that doesn’t get highlighted or called out as often as I think it should.
SongSAN: I don’t think people realize how much climate change has a direct impact on all of these things happening. I can’t imagine what it’s like to be a scientist and having the leaders of the world ignore your advice or deny and claim your lifelong research as flawed or even worse—a hoax. Could you imagine?
SongSAN: Jisu?
Jisu: Hmm? Oh, yes, totally. I’m with you 100 percent.
SongSAN: Did you just...fall asleep?
Jisu: What! No, no. Fall asleep? I could never. This is my fourth cup today. I was just...admiring this latte art that they made. Look—it’s shaped like a little leaf!
SongSAN: Maybe you should head home. You seem tired.
Jisu: I’m really sorry. I’ve just had a long day.
SongSAN: Don’t worry about it. We can always reschedule. Who knows what kind of crazy global developments can happen between now and next week, or whenever we meet.
Jisu: I’m sure you can give me the full download.
SongSAN: You bet. How’s next Thursday for you?
Jisu: Um, actually, I’m not too sure what my school schedule looks like. I’ll figure it out and have Ms. Moon get in touch? I might not be free for another two or three weeks...
SongSAN: Sounds good. Just let me know.
Jisu: Sure. I’ll do my best!