Our Community Blog

Friday, July 30,2010

2010-07-29T22:04:00.000-07:00

กลาง:
วันนี้ก็เหมือนทุกๆวัน
ต่างกันตรงที่ มันเป็นวันสุดท้ายของการเรียน Speech เย้! จบสักที
กลับบ้านมาก็นั่งฝึกทำเลขไปเรื่อย แล้วเพื่อนเวียดนามที่ชื่อ Anne ก็ติดต่อมา
บอกว่า จะขอมาติวเลขที่บ้าน หนูเลยบอกโอเค ติวกันจนดึกอะ ง่วงมาก เหนื่อยมาก นี้ก็เพิ่งอาบน้ำเสร็จนะเนี้ย ปีนี้หนูมีเพื่อนเยอะมากกก นิสัยดีหมดเลยทุกคน หนูรักเพื่อนหนูทุกคนเลย อิอิ

อะเดี่ยวหนูลงรูปให้ดูแล้วกัน วันนี้เจ๊กิ๊ฟทำ Grill cheese ให้กินตอนเที่ยงก่อนไปเรียน

โอเค หนูไปนอนแล้ว คิกๆๆๆ

Thursday hanging out

2009-05-19T19:53:00.000-07:00

Ok everyone, we have been decided to meet each other at the clock tower on Thursday at 2 PM. If someone know where the Thai restaurant (Happy Chang)is and want to go by yourself, please feel free to do so. People who want to go, please comment on this post, so I know how many people will be there. If you guys want to bring other friends with you, please do it. I might bring some of my friends with me too. I hope to see you guys there. Also, this is my phone number 760-658-4990. If you guys have any question, please call me.

Going to Thai restaurant (Happy Chang)

2009-05-16T00:20:00.001-07:00

Hey ! guys !!
This is Gift. After we hung out at Dixon lake, I had a lot of fun with you guys. Therefore, I plan to take you guys out either lunch or dinner at Thai restaurant (Happy Chang). It is closed to Palomar college. I plan for this coming Thursday (May 21). We can meet each other at the clock tower at Palomar college at a certain time, depend on lunch or dinner time. Therefore, I need a vote from you guys about who want to do it for dinner or lunch. Please comment and vote for either lunch or dinner, so I can set a specific time. Also, please tell me who want to go, so I can talk to the Thai restaurant owner before hand. Here is the address to get to Happy Chang: 1450 W Mission Rd San Marcos, CA 92069. From Palomar college, you just drive toward Buena creek for about half a mile. It should be on the right side. You will see a bus stop and West Gin Bakery, just drive into that area. What I want you guys to do now is just vote for either lunch or dinner time and tell me who want to come. This is my e-mail address if you guys have any questions : g_gang_gamer@hotmail.com.

PS. You can get a free Thai tea at Happy Chang if you are Palomar students ^o^.

Picnic at Dixon Lake May 15,2009 @1pm

2009-05-13T22:40:00.000-07:00

Here is the list of what you guys are bringing for friday May 15.Make sure you guys bring enough for evryone and bring any games you guys have to play.Thanks and see you there!

Food:

Mr.Lawson
Kosanovic Dejan
Elizabeth Molina
David Cruz
Gulzhan Walker

Fruit:

Jude Song

Guillermina Rodriguez

Soda/Juice:
Kitzia Vega
Silvia Villalobos

Elma Vasquez

Chips:

Julio Aguayo

Luis Garcia

Desserts:

Abby Villanueva

Gift

Plus I will also be briging plates,napkins, cups, spoons, forks etc...

Making New Friends

2009-05-12T13:46:00.000-07:00

Communicating with my classmates was fun and interesting. I learned many things by their posts. Having friends from everywhere give us the opportunity to know different place that maybe we will never have the chance to know by traveling. Sometimes we think that the world is just how we see it but it is not. There are others places that are so interesting. When the semester started, we did not know each other, but with the past of the time we began to know each other and that help the class to be more interesting and fun. I think that having a blog just for the ESL 102 class is so creatively and helpful for some students whose shyness are more stronger than anything. I strongly recommend this methods to all the teachers, I know that they will see an improvement in their students. Thanks to all my ESL 102 classmates for sharing those wonderful stories!!!!

FUN ACTIVITY

2009-05-11T09:42:00.001-07:00

The first day of the semester, I felt strange because I just knew some classmates, but I had new classmates too. I wanted to be with my friends with the people who I knew. Later we did work group, and I met some other classmates. It was interesting because in the class there were people from different culture, when we began to talk; we shared some of our culture. Later, we began the activity to write on a blog about our culture. When I began to write about our culture on the blog, we got to know each other. It was good to know how our culture is different, but that it is not a barrier to get to know each other. I think that this activity help me a lot to know my classmates. Also, it is helpful when we meet other people with the same culture. It will help us to understand and talk with others. Sometimes it is difficult to talk with people from a different culture because of their language. We do not if she/he wants to talk with a person from another culture. Also, other teacher could do this activity, because it will let their students to get to know each other. It will be easier for students to have friends from different culture. The class will be more fun, and it will be easy to work in groups. I think that more classes need to do an activity like to write on a blog about our culture.

COMMUNICATION

2009-05-11T08:30:00.000-07:00

Communicating with my classmates has been an enriching experience for me because I learned a lot of new things that I did not know before. Knowing new things about my classmates’ culture has been really interesting. We are not able to go to every single place in the world, so having friends from different places could be very helpful to know more about different cultures. They can share each other about what they use to do. For example, they can talk about their festivals, holidays, customs, legends, food, believes, clothing, etc. Sharing new things with other people could be really interesting.
I think is important to know about different cultures because sometimes people talk about their culture, but you don’t understand anything because you don’t know anything about that topic. On the other hand, if you already know what they are talking about, you can get into a conversation with them and make new friends. Then, they can share with you some other things that you don’t know.
I encourage other teachers to create a blog for their students because it is a really good way to know about other’s cultures, especially when students don’t talk each other. Creating a blog, students can get curiosity about a culture and ask the writer about it. They can get to have a good friendship with their other classmates besides just talk with their s mall group of friends.
Also, creating a blog is important because teachers can know more about their students and create a good relationship with them. Having a good relationship with teachers is important because it can help students to feel comfortable with the teacher and ask whenever they have questions.

2009-05-11T07:53:00.000-07:00

At first, I thought that writing on the blog was just a homework I had to do, until I realized that communicating with other students is a great way to know each other culture. I really started to like writing on the blog because every time I logged in and read some of my classmates writing I learned a lot of new things about their culture. This activity is a perfect way to get to know more about other people cultures and practice on the writing. By doing this activity I learned things that I didn’t imagine that they exist. For example, the “Shinkansen” in Japan is the fastest transportation that exists in the world and the bending machines in Japan; I never thought that they would be selling milk, eggs, etc. Another thing that got my attention was how girls in Japan decorated their cell phones, I-pods and pens. They really make them look pretty. I really enjoyed writing on the blog and communicate my culture with my classmates. Many teachers should use the blog technique to communicate with each of their students and get to know more about each other culture.

OUR-COMMUNITY BLOG

2009-05-10T23:49:00.000-07:00

Throughout the semester, it was hard for everyone to get to know each other. We are from different cultures and we were afraid to communicate one another in the class. However, by communicating with other students in the blog it was great way of knowing each other better. We were posting blogs about our cultures and I bet everyone liked about writing his/hers culture. I learned a lot from other cultures during the blog activities. Learning about other cultures was a good experience not only for me but for the rest of the class as well. It was a great idea of Mr. Lawson to create this community blog because it’s a really good and new way to communicate with others. Well, I think that It is very important to know about other cultures.
I also think that its was good way to bring people closer together because usually most of the students are shy and they don't like to get involved in class, they don’t participate. However, now a days everybody is involve with computer and having to communicate online is very exacting. Many students will become more involve and comfortable in talking about themselves and his/her culture but also in sharing ideas about any subject. So yea, the bloggin activity was a great idea. At the end our community blog activity turned out to be a place where we go an express what we think and comment what the others classmates think...PEAce!!

A Great Discovery

2009-05-10T23:12:00.000-07:00

At first, I did not like blogging because I am bad at using a computer, and the blog post was just homework to do. However, this blog post got more interesting and valuable for me to learn my classmates' cultures and also my own culture too. Knowing and understanding a different culture is not that easy because we have already had a prejudice or stereotyped images toward one's culture. Also, we do not have many opportunities to communicate with foreigners to know a foreign culture. Nevertheless, our ESL teacher, Mr. Lawson and our classmates provided a great opportunity to share each own cultures. Through the blog spot, I could learn not only foreign cultures but also my own culture. To make a blog post, I researched honorable things about my culture. As my classmates added a comment to my blog, I have been surprised and happy because the thing that I thought as normal was incredible to my classmates. As I introduced many interesting things about my culture, I could be proud of being the one who could tell the world how wonderful my country is. Also, by reading my classmates’ blogs, I learned many differences and also similarities between their cultures and my culture. Especially, it became a big surprise when I learned that my culture and my classmates’ cultures share many commons because it is authentic to know people who speak a different language and live so differently have similar holidays or food. As one can see, knowing foreign cultures and understanding each others can let us show respect to the others, and also we can see how we are one of the citizens in the small planet, the earth. We still have prejudice or discrimination toward people who are different from us, but understanding each own cultures can be a help to solve these problems because we can see how similar we are. Therefore, teachers should let students do this blog post as Mr. Lawson did. The blog post can be a great writing activity, and also a great discovery all over the world.

Blogging rules!!!

2009-05-10T23:06:00.000-07:00

The blog that my classmates and I did is about our cultures, and I think it is just an amazing experience. Just reading about difference between cultures makes persons wonder and maybe even explore more about these cultures. I see this type of writing as a pure fun, where person can learn something very interesting and at the same time something different from his or her own culture. In addition, I don’t consider blogging like a rest of the school work. I consider it is an interaction with the other cultures, my friends’ cultures. Through reading the blog I am getting a feeling that I know my classmates for a long time.

Also, by learning about their different cultures I started to understand their behaviors, opinions, and reaction on the different things. For example, for some people from the ESL class it is just normal not greeting a professor’s entrance into a classroom. For me, however, it was cultural shock because I am used to stand up and greet professors when they are entering a classroom.

Moreover, the importance of the blog is that the cultural things that my peers and I posted are not common in every day conversation. It is deeper, and I would say more personal because a culture is a part of persons’ identity. For example, Gulzhan’s name means “soulflower”, but if I just talked to her I don’t think we would touch that topic, and I would not know such an interesting detail from her life.

The blogging is definitely one of the activities I like the most in my ESL class. It is too bad that more professors don’t do the same activity in their classes.

The Chance

2009-05-10T22:51:00.000-07:00

During this semester, I, myself realized that when I get to know other classmates and communicate with them, I could learn much more experiences. It was really wonderful to know about my classmates’ cultures. I feel very close to them when understanding their cultures. I also amazed about their cultures and countries. Each country has its own feature that other people should get to know. However, it really surprised me when I found out that in some of countries’ cultures are similar with my country. For example, the Thai’s food and Vietnamese’s food is almost the same. Also, the traffic in Iran is the same as the traffic in Vietnam. I didn’t travel around the world, though I could know a little bit about the nations in the world. I was so touch when having a chance to get to know about my classmates and their countries. Our community blog has brought us closer together. Although we come from different countries around the world, we are now as brothers, sisters and as a family. I would like to give thanks to my teacher, Mr. Lawson who had an idea for writing about this blog. He gave us an opportunity to get to know each other, and other teachers should use this project to help their students to be closer to each other.

2009-05-10T22:20:00.000-07:00

Communicating with other students in the bloog is a grate way of knowing eachother. posting bloogs about culture has been probably the most fun activity in the class. I have learned a lot about other cultures in the bloog. I have learned things that i didn't even imagine that they would exist for example, vending machines in Japan. I knew about vending machines but, they sold snacks, but this ones in Japan they sale eggs, milk and other kind of groceries. I never imagine this existed. Learning about other cultures in the bloog has been a realy good experiance. I am sure it hasn't been a realy good experience only for me but for a lot of students in my class and for other people who visit the blogg. puting coments in other peoples bloog is good also because you can get to tell who ever posted the blogg about any thing new or any question someone might have. Other teachers should use the blogg and get their students to know more about their friends culture. It is very important to know about other cultures because someone might be doing something that a student from other culture doesn't practise and could be rude or disrespectfull for them. This activity is very nice if any teacher trys it i am shure he or she wont regreat it. They will be realy hapy about it, and their students will learn a lot about different cultures.

Why Every Teacher Should Use Such Project as the Blog?

2009-05-10T21:55:00.000-07:00

I have been living in California for about four years. Adjusting to life in a new country is

an ongoing and long process that needs a lot of time and work. When I came here, I felt confused, unsure, uncomfortable since all was new for me. First I tried to keep in touch with my family and friends in Kazakhstan through e-mail. Then, I began to find friends who live here with the same background and language as I speak. When I started my ESL classes, I discovered that I was not alone in this situation since my classmates were from different countries with different backgrounds. Also, some of my classmates wanted to make friends too. I know that it is very hard to make new friends because some of the students are not open and outgoing. I think that communicating with my classmates about our cultures has been an enriching experience not only in improving our writing skills but also in making a good relationship. We could share our cultures, traditions and learn other cultures. I think that every teacher should use such projects as the blog to get students communicating with each other. It is a very good oppotunity to know each other better by sharing some subjects that is very interesting for everybody in the class. Also, we students have to work to get new friends because our teacher cannot do some things that are dependent only on us. If I liked somebody's post, I tried to send my comment with encouragement and warm words. I discovered that the next day my classmate's face who got my comment was happy and was smiling. Then, we usually began to talk about this posting, and it is was a very good opportunity to get new friends. Also, I tried to pay attention to my classmates who regularly sent comments on my posts. It is not a secret that little things can make a real difference. Thanks to this blog, I learned about different cultures, and know my classmattes better than when I met them in the begining of this semester. I think that learning only through books is boring. Therefore, we have blogging where we can share comments. In my opinion, it is very fun and interesting. This blogging helped me to improve my writing skills, make new friends, and learn different cultures, and traditions.

Our Blogs

2009-05-10T17:29:00.000-07:00

Throughout the semester, it was hard for everyone in getting to know each other and since everyone was from a different culture their were many people that didn't know each other and were afraid to talk to one another in the class. By being introduced to a online blogging website, everyone had the chance to share something about their culture and because of that many were learning about peoples cultures and had a really good experience with it. Taking the time to write a blog about our culture has made communication with others in the class much better, and many of us have learned so much from each other. I think that all teachers should provide a blog website that can make their students communicate with each other in some way.I think that its a good way to bring people closer together because usually many students are shy and don't like to get involved in having to communicate with others. By having to communicate online, many students will become more involved and comfortable talking about themselves and sharing their ideas to one another.

The Importance of This Blog

2009-05-10T16:57:00.000-07:00

Since I started to post blogs about my culture, I have also learned a lot of things about my ESL classmates. This blog assignment gave me a valuable experience for understanding cultural differences between Japan and other countries, and it would be enriching experience for my life. ESL classes have a huge advantage which other classes don’t have in Palomar College. It is that a lot of students from all over the world gather in one classroom. It means that we can gain knowledge about other culture which we haven’t known yet. I believe this knowledge will be valuable tools for our future. However, unless we have opportunities to share our culture, we waste this advantage. Hopefully, this blog assignment performed the place where this advantage functions very well. Before I started this blog, I hadn’t known much about other cultures, such as Mexico, Vietnam, Serbia and so on. By reading a lot of blog posts my classmates wrote I really enjoyed knowing and understanding cultural differences between Japan and other classmate’s culture. If I didn’t had this assignment, I would still unknown and misunderstood other cultures. Moreover, I wanted to introduce everyone to my country Japan, so it was great opportunity to post my blogs. By posting blogs about Japan I was very excited to read comments not only mine, but also other Japanese classmate’s one. I learned how everyone thinks about my country, and which parts of Japanese culture are interesting for everyone. There is another thing I would feel the importance of this blog. It is that I could see everyone’s writing styles. Throughout this semester, our writing skills have dramatically changed. I could see the progress we made in this blog assignment. By reading everyone’s posts I felt that I have to make efforts to improve my writing skills. Overall, this blog assignment gave me great opportunities about not only cultural things, but also seeing everyone’s progress. I would never forget this assignment in my future.

Knowing Each Other

2009-05-10T13:49:00.000-07:00

Since our class had students from various cultures, sharing each one of our cultures was valuable moments. It was a really exciting experience that I could introduce my culture to my peers, and so it was for me to know my peers' cultures. Throughout the activities, I realized that no one can judge whose culture is superior to others. Every cultures have to be respected, and we all have been respecting each one of our cultures. Also, those activities helped to eliminate my cultural biases that prevented me from making friends from various cultures. I was also amazed by my peers' writings. We were sharing one goal, which was to become a better writer, and I could feel that we all achieved our goals.

This blog was also a good method of sharing our cultures not only within ourselves, but also the people who visited this blog. I am not sure if I would keep post on this blog if we decide to keep it, but I am sure I would revisit this blog. This blog can be a great source of writing about other cultures although the posts are not written by professionals. I would say visiting this blog is a kind of travelling around the world, and I guarantee it would be fun!

I want to thank to all my peers who gave me valuable trips throughout this semester, and I want to thank to all the people who visited our community blog.

BLOGGING!!!

2009-05-10T13:39:00.000-07:00

To tell the truth, I was thinking I couldn't be bothered to post on the blog just after I heard explanation from Mr. Lawson. I have never blogged before, and in my last ESL class, I just did my reading and writing assignment which teacher told, so I had no idea what I can do for that. However, once we started to post blogs, I found it is a very interesting and wonderful tool to know many things which I didn't know. Of course, I also have some friends from other countries such as Mexico, Vietnam, Thai land, etc. out of the class, and I have known their some culture. However, I haven't heard any detailed story about their culture so, this blogging have given me a bunch of new information and subjects of conversation with friends. Also, blogging is good for not only knowing about other cultures but also knowing my culture more. To post on the blog, I sometimes use the Internet to get more particular information or to make sure of what I already know. Through this research, I could get some new and correct information about my culture. I could realized the goodness of my culture again. Also, reading other Japanese friends' post and others' comments is also very interesting for me. I could know what kind of topics in my culture people are interested in by reading them. Moreover, we talked each other even out of the class through the blogging, so we have known each other more than in other classes. I really like this blog and our class now, so I'll miss them after end of this semester, but I hope we still connect together even if we don't have any same class or blog. Thank you so much, every one!!

2009-05-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Communicating with my classmates about their cultures has been an enriched experience. I say it has been an enriched experience because all of us, as a class we have learned from each other’s blog. For example we have learned about different customs, sports, various forms of transportations, food and many other things. Learning from each other’s cultures, to me personally it feels like the blog has join us more as a class, because we have all come closer to each other. I feel that the class after going thought the process of writing in the blog and sharing about their culture brings all sorts of friendships, connections etc.. that will last forever. The blog is a great way to communicate and express ourselves about our culture and anything else that is important to us or plays an important role in our life.

Many teachers should use such projects as the blog to get students to communicate with each other because it is a neat way to get to know about each other’s life, culture etc. The blog is also a good way for the professor to get to know each and every student that is in her or his class. The professor by getting to know her students she can relate with them or learned from them as well as the students can learn from their classmates. Many Professors should use the blog because it’s a good way to take advantage of technology, since technology has been improving throughout the years. Many students prefer to do homework assignments on the computer.

2009-05-10T09:56:00.000-07:00

Communicating with my classmates through the blog spot has been a great experience. I learned about their behavior; it is shaped by their culture. For example I did not know that in Japan was correct to slurp when eating soup. Also, by blogging I notice that my classmates’ personality were shape by the beliefs from their culture. The differences between our food and the food from other countries are so noticeable. In Mexico we are used to the tortilla that every dish is accompanied with it. However I notice how other cultures do not use forks to eat their food instead they use chopsticks. In some way learning another culture way of life is essential in order to get to know them better. Now, you do not have the same impression other individual does just because we took the time blogging and letting people to know about us a little bit better. We explained to them why we value and how those values make us act in different ways. However, here is an important part of blogging which understand others’ culture. Having to teach my culture to my classmates was fun. I presented to them important parts of my culture and how we celebrated them. Blogging is not only an interaction activity between students, it in some way made us more tolerant with each other. As a result, of knowing my classmates culture as I said before made us tolerant, not because in a classroom we have to be tolerant. It is because of knowing such information from their culture we know what we are not supposed to be making fun of where they come from or what they value in general. It is a good idea that professors encourage their students to practice activities such as blogging. I t will help to promote interaction between students.

pss. it was a pleasure to get to know all of you, i really enjoied reading your blogs!!!!

Communicating with each other in ESL class

2009-05-09T22:44:00.001-07:00

Posting in our blog is not only a good way to practice writing English but it is also a great way to communicate between our classmates. As popular as students in ESL class come from different countries in the world, so understanding their cultures is easy to communicate and enrich experience to each other. Our class has learned more about different cultures through our community blog such as I knew more about Japan, Mexico, Korea, Thai, Iran, Russia, ect. Though I have not been able to travel anywhere, I did learn a great deal about many beautiful places as well as had a chance to imagine a lot of yummy foods in my mind. I told myself that in future if I had an opportunity to visit any of these places, I would definitely try these foods to actually experience their taste. Also, many of my classmates wrote about their national celebrations or festivals that were very interesting. In short, I think blogging is a great way for students to communicate and learn from each other. At first, I was terrified by the idea of blogging when the teacher mentioned it in class. Due to the fact that my computer skills are not that good, I was afraid that I could not handle these assignments. However, I soon realized that as I started my first post, it was then very stimulating. I could write freely as much as I wanted with no time constraint or no brainstorming. All in all, it was a great idea to start blogging, and think I will be missing this fun activity when our class is over.

The Importance of Blogging

2009-05-09T15:04:00.001-07:00

Blogging is something that teachers should encourage students to do in order to know their classmates. When we are new to a class we don’t know many of our classmates and by writing blog post about us, about our culture, is a great idea and opportunity to know about each other. Blogging gives students a great experience. By blogging you don’t only get to make new friend, but you also get to learn about your friends and classmates cultures. Knowing about each other’s cultures has been an enriching experience. Before we started blogging all I knew about my classmates’ cultures was the stereotypes that people and society made up, but after reading my classmates’ blogs I learned a lot about their cultures. I learned about other countries traditions, about their religion practices, their music and many other important traditions. I learned that other countries believe and celebrate many of the traditions that different countries have. An example of this is, Japan as well as Mexico celebrates children’s day, even though they both have different meaning and celebrate differently, they both honor children. Communicating with my classmates about their culture has been an amazing experience. Now that I know about their cultures, about what they believe in I can engage in a conversation without been afraid of offending them. I believe that teachers should use blog to get students communicating with their classmates. If students use the blog they would get to know their classmate, they would have the opportunity to know what each other likes and beliefs. After knowing each other, students would be able to help each other in class. Blogging is a great idea, it brings students together and it would help students stop stereotyping. It would help students learn and appreciate other people's cultures.

Blogging its fun!!!!!!!

2009-05-08T17:22:00.000-07:00

Communicating with my classmates by blogging has been an enriching experience for me because I got the opportunity to learn about their cultures. As well, I think, I became an open-minded person, due to all the things and experiences that my classmates have been through since they moved to the United States. Moving to a foreign country it can be a nightmare for some people because they have to learn the language, be able to understand the culture, and even the religion from the country. For some of my classmates I think moving to the United States, was a harder experience because they have to get used to the life-style that American people have. By blogging with my classmates I got an idea about the big barrier that exist among their native country and the United States. Classmates should get to know more about each other because they would have the chance to practice their socializing skills with people from a foreign country and to make new friends. It is important to relationate with your peers because we see each other almost daily and it would be wrong to not even try to get to know each other better. I think teachers should use these kind of projects to get students communicating with each other more frequently. Since students during class time do not get really the opportunity to talk to each other. As well, I think it would be very beneficial in the future because students can continue to talk to each other or even become best friends!!!!!!

My experience

2009-05-08T10:55:00.000-07:00

Our community blog was a good resource to communicate with others. In my case was a good topic that we chose to talk abou it because I learned many cultures. Eventhough, some of my classmates are from my country I didn't knew their cultures from their states. In addition, was a good experience to post my opinion about other cultures, and I think that is a good resource that everyone should try to learn from others because they can post whatever they want that others can read. One blog that I read was Thai food mm made me hungry!!! actually I work in a thai restaurant in Encinitas that all the costumers told us that is the best thai restaurant that they have tried. Here is the address if you guys like to go and try Thai food. "Siamese Basil" 527 S. Coast Higway 101 Encinitas Ca 92024 is by the bus station.!!!! :} Japan is one of the place that I want to go because their culture is interesting the things that they do and of curse the food mmm.!!! Actually, I like to try all kind of food because is so delicious. In conclusion, from the posts of my classmates I learned a lot, and I think that all the teachers should use it to motivate their students to write something interesting and the same way their students enjoy writing. :}

New way to communicate with classmates

2009-05-08T01:00:00.000-07:00

It was my first time to make blog posts and viewed by many friends. At first, I fought to posting an entry. But I got used to blogging soon, and I could have enjoyed it. I could read and know other countries my friends come from, and it is really amazing experience. I saw many beautiful pictures of buildings and natures in Mexico. I like that Mexican culture, mariachi. (Because I like the movie "El Mariachi" which I watched in my cinema class (o^-^o)b.) I was surprised by the speed of the Internet in Korea. Moreover, I didn't know the surprising traffic in Iran. And also I could notice how my country, Japan has unique cultures. Students should get to know more about each other because it is a good chance to communicate in English. Other teachers should use this style blogging, in the class because each country has wonderful culture and telling them to classmates by blogging is really interesting way. Also we can comment to my classmates’ post and we can answer them. We don't have to be too serious like writing an essay, (maybe we should be??) and blogging is easy way to show the pictures. We can see and write our blog posts anytime when we are free. Actually I was ashamed a little bit because everybody can see my bad writing and mistakes of grammars, but I like to share our cultures so I decided to not care that too much. I didn’t know that if blogging is so interesting for me. I could really enjoy writing and reading blogging!!

My expirience bloging

2009-05-07T11:09:00.000-07:00

I had a wondergul expirience bloging, I used to know about many other cultures. Knowing about Japan was so awesome. I liked knowing about the Japan culture how beutiful that country is. The decoration from Japan, The fashion from Japan, I'm amazed about Japan. One day I would like to go to Japan. I knew about he Vietnamise culture, the Vietanamise leaf. how that leaf is the spirit of Vietnam. I learn about Thai clothes, Thai food so delicios food. I learned about the trains from Japan, how fast those trains are. Here in the United States We need to improve our transportation. The traffic in Iran, here in the United States still have traffic problems we need to do something about it. I learned about many different cultures. How Esl students from different countries expressed themselves from the bottom of their haerts. I learned how people from different countries behave in a different way. I enjoed also reading the blogs from my own country Mexico. The mariachi beutiful music from Mexico. The different tradictions remembering Mexico. Bloging made me to react what good custums from differrent countries have. What custums this country have, What custums Mexico have. The beutiful places from Mexico. Different traditions, I enjoyed bloging communicating with Esl students. Many countries have so beutiful culture, I believe so. Esl students that have the same purpuse as I have to improve their English writing and communing in Enlgish. This country was formed from cultures all over the world. This country is enriched from different cultures. I really liked this blog. I will miss to blog about culture. I recommend other teachers to start using blogng, bloging is a new way for students to know each other in a beutiful way.

My opinion about blog posting

2009-05-06T16:32:00.000-07:00

For me, posting different cultures on the blog was a great experience to me. I got to learn some cultures that I never knew before. I had a chance to tell other people my culture by posting on the blog. Posting different cultures on the blog gave me an opportunity to share my cultures with others and also learn other people's cultures as well. The cultures that we posted on the blog are the knowledge that we can't find in the textbook or lecture. We also created a connection between our classmates by learning a little bit of their cultures. Learning different cultures can make us show a respect to other cultures beside our own cultures. Not only our classmates that learn our cultures, but also other people all around the world who visit our blog !!! Posting blog is a great connection between people all around the world. We shared our opinion of other cultures. Sometimes, we do not realize of how interesting of our cultures are until we have a chance to share our cultures to others. When we travel to different countries, we know a little bit of the cultures of those countries from our classmates. when we post on the blog, we show our experiences, ideas, opinions, etc to others who we do not know. We creat a relationship with other people. Therefore, we can learn something from those people by exchaging opinions and ideas. We cannot learn opinions and ideas from any textbooks because opinions and ideas come from what other people think about certain things. I think teachers should start to use the blog for students to communicate with each other, so they can creat a relationship with each other. Therefore, students can make friendship with others and maybe other people from different countries. This connection makes our world become smaller and smaller. In the future, people from all around the world may understand each other more and more because we open our world wider than before. When we open our world wider, then we can bring peace to this world.

The battle of Puebla

2009-05-01T12:38:00.000-07:00

This weekendwe celebrate the battle of Puebla. Many mexican here in the U

States celebrate this holyday. The battle of Puebla occured May 5, 1862.
Early on May 5, 1862, General Laurencez led 6,000 French troops toward Puebla, Mexico, just 100 miles from Mexico City. Expecting the attack was General Ignacio Zaragoza, a Texasborn Mexican who was ordered to defend Juarez with a force of 4,000 troops, many of them agricultural workers armed with antiquated rifles and machetes. The battle would take place in a muddy, uneven field.
To show his contempt for the Mexicans, Gen. Laurencez ordered his troops to attack through the middle of the foes’ defenses, their strongest position. The French cavalry went through ditches, over adobe ruins and toward the slope of Guadalupe Hill. By then, the cavalry, exhausted and nearly disbanded, failed to achieve its goal. The Mexican army stood its ground. Gen. Zaragoza, who had no experience in military tactics but was a veteran in guerrilla warfare, ordered his troops to go after the French, who fled to Orizaba, where Zaragoza attacked the French again, forcing them to flee to the coast.

Dixon Lake Picnic Info!

2009-04-29T19:13:00.000-07:00

May 15, 2009 Meet at 1 pm in Dixon Lake

This is the address:
Dixon Lake
1700 La Honda Dr, Escondido, CA 92025

Bring any board games, soccer ball, football or volleyball, and something to sit on like a blanket or something like that. As for food Cherry, gave me a great idea that we should all bring food from our country, since we are talking about culture. If all of you can bring something like food, desserts, drinks, or snacks that are part of your culture. Remember to bring enough for the whole class. Next week on Wednesday let me know what you’re bringing that way I can know who is bringing what. I will also bring food and don’t worry about plates, napkins, spoons/forks, and cups I will take care of that.

Email me if you need my number.

I will be their earlier so that I can get a good spot for everyone, if you wanna join me your welcome to do so!

Directions from Palomar College Located in San Marcos
Start at 1140 W MISSION RD, SAN MARCOS going toward COMET CIR - go 0.60.9 mikm
1. Turn Right on KNOLL RD - go 0.50.8 mikm
2. Turn Right on W SAN MARCOS BLVD(CR-S12 W) - go 0.20.3 mikm
3. Take ramp onto CA-78 E - go 5.69.0 mikm
4. Turn Left on N BROADWAY - go 0.50.8 mikm
5. Turn Right on E EL NORTE PKY - go 2.13.4 mikm
6. Turn Left on LA HONDA DR - go 1.32.0 mikm
7. Arrive at LA HONDA DR, ESCONDIDO

Directions from Palomar College Located in Escondido
8. Start at 1951 E VALLEY PKY, ESCONDIDO going toward N MIDWAY DR - go 0.60.9 mikm
9. Turn Left on N CITRUS AVE - go 0.91.5 mikm
10. Continue on E EL NORTE PKY - go 0.10.2 mikm
11. Turn Right on LA HONDA DR - go 1.32.0 mikm
12. Arrive at LA HONDA DR, ESCONDIDO

2009-04-27T10:43:00.000-07:00

In April 30th, we celebrate Dia del nino. We give them toys, candy, or things that they love. In school must of the children make performance t show their parents that they are happy. Must of their parents show their love to their childrens by doing a big party just for him/her. In the party people can find many food such as tamales, mole, posole, tostadas, ice cream, ect. Must of the food is the favorite child's food. We try to make our children feel special in the day. We try to make the best to show our love to them.

The Orthodox Christianity

2009-04-27T09:40:00.000-07:00

(Temple of saint Sava. Location: Belgrade)

I will try to explain the differences between Orthodox Christianity and Catholicism. I will discuss the historical and today’s aspects. I will discuss the religious practices, the liturgy and even the differences in architecture. Although the faiths have the same common beliefs, we believe in the same God, we do have differences that I will try to explain.
History of Christianity is very complicated; it started when the Roman Empire broke apart. The East part of Roman Empire took the Orthodox view of religion, while the West part of Roman Empire embraced the Catholicism. Under rule of Emperor Constantine the Roman Empire broke apart, and that was a geographic separation between the two religions. The Catholics integrated closely with government. They wanted to bring religious change among the people using the power of the government; this is why even to this day the Vatican has such strong religious and political influence. The Orthodox leaders worked within the framework of the people and their culture, forging strong alliance among their people. Even to this day many of the Orthodox religion are strongly devoted people; they have strong ties to the Church and have much of their personal identity rapped up in the Orthodox faith. Most of the Orthodox countries today are still viable, such as Russia, Greece, Serbia, Bulgaria, Republic of Serbia, Bosnia, and Macedonia, etc.

(Altar of the orthodox church)

Some of the differences are found in the building structures. The Orthodox building does not have pews in the middle of the church; the parishioners stand during the service. There are chairs off to side built into the wall for those who special needs. The doors into the church are built on the east side of the church. The people enter through the east doors, represents the division that took place back in past the division of the Roman Empire. The Crosses are different in both faiths. Both faiths have a lot of beautiful art inside their churches, these arts are called frescoes. Also, Orthodox churches’ altar is usually made from beautiful hand crafted wood.

(Orthodox cross)

The liturgy is different in both faiths, the lengths of the services are different, and the Orthodox service is about 2-4 hours. The Catholics have what is known today as a “Mass” which usually last about 30-40 minutes. The people cross themselves differently, the Catholics are taught to cross themselves with 5 fingers, and their motion is representative of their cross. The Orthodox believers cross themselves with 3 fingers. The 3 fingers represent the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, the Holy Trinity! The biggest difference in the faiths is the strong leadership of the Pope on the Catholic people, when he speaks is as if God Himself is speaking. The Orthodox faith teaches that God speaks through His Word, The Bible.
In conclusions, the hearts of both religions are the same. However, there are differences in the traditions of each church. We serve the same God with common interest.

April 30th

2009-04-27T09:16:00.000-07:00

In my culture we have special days for parents and even the children. April 30th is day of the children "dia del niño". We learned to celebrate it as a birthday party either they do a special celebration or my parents take us somewere to eat or to have fun. We ha learn to celebrate it becaue it has become one of our traditions lately.

Traffic In Iran

2009-04-27T09:11:00.000-07:00

Unlike the driving rules in the US. In Iran there are no rules for driving, people do whatever they can to get to their destination. Many drivers cut other cars from any direction. For example making U - turns where they desire. Also they park where they want, which causes many of the traffics in Iran. It is very hard for a pedestrain to cross an intersection because many drivers don't stop, they just keep going. Many drivers run red lights which causes many of the accidents in Iran and its very hard for the police to stop drivers because of the traffic.

Japanese decorated goods

2009-04-27T02:19:00.000-07:00

You will be so surprised when you see this Japanese so unique culture. Do you see what is this? This kinds of cellphone are called "decorated phone". Nowadays, Japanese young girls love this kinds of "decorated" stuffs (of course, me too!!). And this trend is being so big industry all over the world. Almost all girls have some decorated stuffs like a cellphone, and pens, an ipod....and sometimes it can be too much. There are many schools to learn to make these decorated goods, and many girls makthose goods by theirselves. Of course we can order it to professionals and it costs about $200 for this design of cellphone (in picture#1). It is not so cheap but it's so cute so we can't stop decorating!!!

How they dress

2009-04-27T01:03:00.001-07:00

Most Mexicans when they go to a party and are most likely will dance usually wear boots and a suit. Its not a common like people where to go to a job. its a different type of suit. They also wear a cowboy hat and a big belt. The color can come in many way depending on your preference. Some girls are the same. Some wear almost the same but not all wear it. Some just dress casual.

Japanese Fasion

2009-04-26T23:19:00.000-07:00

If you have ever been to Japan, everyone may say Japanese fasion is so unique. Yes, Japanese fasion go beyond your thoughts about fasion because it's so unique and crazy. There are so many types of fasion styles, such as "gal style" "Urahara style" and "Gossic Rolita style." Every types of fasion has own characteristics, and the trend of fasion change rapidly. Basically, Japanese people are very sensitive to the beauty, and people have a sense of beauty in their mind. It reflects the fasion in Japan and each person try to be creative what they wear and how to show them. For me, fasion is my life because it's one of the ways that I can express myself without physical appearence. Maybe, I belong to "Japanese casual style??"haha

Tortas Ahogadas!!

2009-04-26T23:07:00.000-07:00

If you want to come to Jalisco, I will recommend you to eat "Tortas Ahogadas." Tortas Ahogadas is the most popular food in Jalisco.

The Tortas are very spicy and delicious. Tortas Ahogadas have pork meat, bread called bolillo, onions, spicy salsa, and tomato salsa. Also, you can only eat Tortas Ahogadas in Jalisco, because the bread is special. People try to do the bread, but they can't do it. The ingredients are not the same as Jalisco, so the bread is different. When you put the bread in the salsa, the bread begins to undo.Also, the salsas have a secret ingredient, so if you like to eat spicy and you want to visit Jalisco try to eat Tortas Ahogadas, it is delicious.

Oaxaca food

2009-04-26T22:50:00.000-07:00

Oaxaca,Mexico is the state with more variable food in the country of Mexico. If you want to go to Oaxaca,Mexico is there many plates of food that you can enjoy. For example, to open the appetite how about a glass of mezcal, and here the saying para todo mal, mezcal y para todo bien, también (for all ill, mezcal, and for all good too.) Now you can enjoy some appettizer like Chapulines (toasted grasshoppers), empanadas de amarillo (turnover filled with yellow sauce.) totopos (oven toasted corn chips), quesillo (string cheese), chorizo bien frito (well fried spicy sausage) or memela con asiento (thick tortillas with lard sediment). Other traditional food is the mole or tamales in banana leaves. Now if you want something to drink you can enjoy a cup of tejate or chocolate with sweet bread. After a good lunch don't forget the dessert like nieves ( ice cream.) :}

2009-04-26T22:24:00.000-07:00

The Day of the Dead is celebrated on octuber 31st and ends in November 2nd .The day of the death time for the dead to return home and visit loved ones, feast on their favorite foods and listen to their favorite music. Mexicans usually decored altars to honor the death ones by offering them their favorite food they used to like when they were alive.In the homes, family members honor the ones who are death with ofrendas or offerings which consist of photographs, bread, other foods, flowers, toys and other symbolic offerings especially personal belongings. During the day of the death celebration Mexicans tend to make fun of the death.However, they still fear death but celebrating these days bring to them happiness and joy

The Vietnamese Leaf Hat

2009-04-26T21:32:00.000-07:00

The Leaf Hat is adequately appropriate for hot weather, so it is popular and convenient in Vietnam. The hat has the name Leaf hat" because it is creatively made from leaves, the simple materials of nature. These young leaves are brought from the softest trees and are exposed to the dew for one night so when dried, it is still soft enough to be flattened. The hat usually consists of 16 to 18 rims made from a special kind of bamboo. These rims are shaped thinly into conical-form, so the hat is also called the cone hat because of its shape. The leaves are sewn into all rims solely by hand. Finally, the hat is trimmed and painted with a coat of attar old to keep it clean, smooth, and water-proof. The hat has been around almost as long as the country and is worn by men and women everywhere. The leaf hat not only fits the festival air with the long dress but also is fairly convenient when working on the farms under the sun. People may use it as a basket if they turn it up-side-down, or sometimes they may wave it like a fan when the weather is too hot. In Hue especially, the hat makers insert poems into the weaves and the poem can only be seen when the hat is held up to the sunshine making it even more special. The more lighter the hat is, the more elegant the look. Vietnamese girls wear thin leaf hat like a little umbrella to protect themselves from sun or rain. Foreign travelers like wearing the leaf hat in their tours. The leaf hats are familar and close to Vietnamese, so they have the missing feeling when they they go aboard as if missing their relatives. Nowsaday, the leaf hat is not only a symbol of Vietnamese girls but also has become a part of the spirit of Vietnam, the nation.

Dia de los Muertos

2009-04-26T21:18:00.000-07:00

On november 1st dia de los angeles (Day of the angels) is when we people make altars to the kids that past away. On november 2nd day of the dead (Dia de loa muertos) is celebrated by making altars and putting flowers of "cimpasuchil" is an orange flower we also put sugar skeletons with names on their forehead. After that people eat the sugar skeleton. Offerings are placed on the altar, things that the past away people liked like their favorite food or drinks that they kiked when they were alive. It it supposed that they come to share with us.
Some people spend the entire day in the cementary on the side of their relatives or their loved ones that ore in the tombs. Lots of people make a verse called "calaberitas" is like a form of joke so they are not sad about their dead. In my town the church priest goes to the cementery and offers a ceremony to all tha dead in the cementery. Lots of people assist to this ceremony an after it they stay there and spend their day with their people.

The Leyend of Zirahuen's Lake

2009-04-26T19:52:00.000-07:00

Michoacan has many leyends, but one of the most popular is The Zirahuen's Lake. This leyend talks about a beatiful princess named Zirahuen. She was the daughter of one of the most powerful chieftains of Michoacan. She fall in love with the leader of an enemy army. When her father knew she was in love with one of his enemies, he told the warrior that he must to fight againts other warlords enemies in order to be with his daughter. The warrior accepted the challenge without hesitation. He fought againts them and he won. When the warrior when to see Zirahuen's father to prove him that he won, the father did not accepted his winning. Zirahuen's father did not want him to be Zirahuen's husband, so he told him that he must to figh with him. They were ready to figh, but Zirahuen stood between them and said. "I do not want to be the cause of death of either. If my father wins, I will lose you forever. If you win, I do not marry you. " The young warrior understood and he left. After that, Zirahuen climbed a hill to cry. Her gaze was lost in the distance with the hope to see him back, but he never did. Her tears were so heavy that made a hole that went beyond the passing days, drowning the princess and flooding the town. That is why now it is called Lake of Zirahuén. People that live there, say that in the early hours of the morning, she appears on the surface of the lake drowing men that she confuses with her love. They blame her for the deaths of many fishermen whose bodies can only find after several days of being drowned.

Japanese "Gals"

2009-04-26T15:43:00.000-07:00

Japanese culture can be changed rapidly. Especially among young girls, the fashion culture is always different. It is hard for us to wear the cloths which we bought last year now. I guess the most characteristic culture for the people who are not from Japan is one of the girls' culture called "gal." This gal's culture has also been changed so quickly.

What do you think about them? They are called "Yamanba gals," and you used to be able to see so many people like that throughout Japan in a couple years ago. Their makeup is very unique, isn't it? I'd like you to see this picture.

Wow! Can you imagine? These two girls are the same parson. The girl on the top can become the girl on the bottom after about 1hour.

However, if you come to Japan now, it is hard to find them now because this gal's culture has almost gone out.

These are kind of the latest gals. Don't you think they are much more natural than before? There is a big similarity between them. Can you guess what? It is the makeup for showing their eyes bigger. I think you can show there is kind of dark black color around the eyes. They use a lot of kinds of makeup for their eyes: eye shadow, eyeliner, mascada, and false eyelashes. Also, some gals put on color-contact lenses. Not only gals but also almost all of Japanese girls always try to do our best to show our eyes bigger everyday.

El Día Del Niño

2009-04-26T12:59:00.000-07:00

El Día del Niño is a especial day were we celebrate our children every year. This especial day happens on the 30th of April. This is a day that children spend their time waiting for this day to happen. We celebrate them with a little party and we play games with them. We also give them toys or take them to eat what they want, we make them feel great on this day. I really like this day because I like to see them happy and I love to see their faces when they opened their presents.

Japanese Children's Day, Koinobori!!

2009-04-26T12:09:00.000-07:00

Koinobori are carp-shaped carp wind socks, decorate from April through early May, in honor of a traditional event which is now designated a National holiday, Children's Day (originally Boys' festival) on May 5. They are made by drawing carp patterns on paper, cloth or other nonwoven fabric whichi are allowed to flutter in the wind. The carp symbolizes courage and strength because of its ability to swim up a waterfall, so Japanese people decorate the Koinobori to hope that sons in one's house will grow up healthy and strong. The decorating order has a meanig that the biggest (black) koinobori for the father, next biggest (red) for the eldest son, and ranging down to the smallest carp for the youngest son.
These carp sets are flown above the roofs of houses.

In Tokyo, they fly small famly of Koinobori from the apartment balconies or the house's yards. In the countryside, whole towns become one big festival of Koinobori. Koinobori come in a variety of sizes, designs and colors, but they are all beautiful, and the figure of flying Koninobori looks as if they are swimming in the sky. I miss Koinobori in Japan.

The Brave Kazakhs Pilots from DOSAAF Club

2009-04-25T21:28:00.000-07:00

Do you know that the distance from Almaty, Kazakhstan to San Diego is 20,000 kilometers? I was suprised when I heard that Kazakhs pilots from the DOSAAF aviation club traveled this distance in 1992. I think it was possible to reach this distance thanks to brave pilots who are members of this aviation club. This club has prepared many excellent pilots and Kazakh astronauts. First, the pilots began the flight from Almaty on August 28, 19992 and landed in San Diego in October 22, 1992. I cannot imagine how they traveled so long distance in such a light airplane as an Antonov An-2. I have seen this airplane many times and once flew in this airplane but for a very shot distance. It was the first time in history that pilots flew this distance in such a light airplane. The crew of an Antonov An-2 consisted of a captain, a co-pilot, and a flight engineer. In addition, it was a very long flight through Siberia, Kamchatka, the Bering Sea, and Alaska to the Western coast of Canada and America and to the Mexican border. Second, the crew met a lot of difficulties during the flight: the autumn fogs, the storm of Primorskij, a Japanese typhon, and cold weather in Alaska. Furthemore, the crew had 47 landings. But an even more unusual event in the history of the Almaty aviation club happened later, in October-November 2000. The crew of a Mi-2 helicopter with the same captain flew from Almaty to Oakland, California. It was an international crew since the navigator of this flight was a 69-year-old pilot and a citizen of America, Thierry Nicolas Tis. In this way the pilots demonstrated that all is possible if a person is brave. It would be great to have a flight from America to Kazakhstan in the Northeast directon. I hope that some day I will fly to my home country in this direction but on a big airplane.

Movie Land

2009-04-25T14:46:00.000-07:00

Durango is not only call “La Tierra de los Alacranes” (the scorpions land), but is also know as the “movie land.” Durango has been known as the movie land due to its natural beauty (its architecture, historical buildings, parks and churches.) also for being a popular site for national and international movie directors and productions. In Durango we have a place that is in charge of assisting cinematographic productions. Its job is to get support from the government, also to get work permits, visas, and anything they might need. Durango has a building call Durango Cultural Complex where you can find the National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH), the Institute of Culture of the State (ICED) and diverse museums. This building has the Museum of Movies, which was built to teach the history and potential of Durango’s cinematography industry. It also has the Rafael Trujillo Museum, where there are numerous objects of the history of movies in Durango. This museum has six exhibition rooms. Here we can find old fashioned movie cameras, an auditorium and movie library with hundreds of films. Some of the movies filmed in Durango are One Man’s hero, the Mask of Zorro, Cisco Kid, revenge and many others. If you are not afraid of SCORPIONS, and if you ever travel to Durango don’t forget to visit Teatro Ricardo Castro

A neoclassical theater which at one time was a boxing arena and cinema.

also Museo Regional de Durango ( Regional museum of Durango) , Which was built in the 19th century. This museum exhibits invaluable archaeological and anthropological treasures along with an important collection of religious objects. this museum has a mural on canvas depicting the life and deeds of Francisco "Pancho" Villa, one of the most famous person of Durango.

Celebration of "El Dia del Niño"

2009-04-24T19:33:00.000-07:00

In Mexico and here in America we celebrate El Dia del Niño every single year on the 30th of April. Eventhough its not an official holiday Mexicans honor the children thought the country. Sometimes they celebrate them by praparing big parties for all the children in the community or neighborhood. In each party they have piñatas, clowns and candy for the children and other times they give them presents like toys or materials for school and things like that. El Dia del Niño its a special day for all the children to promote their rights as children and to let others know how important each child is to the world, they are our future. El Dia del Niño is celebrated for children from babies to the age of 16 because its belived that at the age of 16 they start to grow up and not see themselves as children anymore.

Mariachi

2009-04-24T16:20:00.000-07:00

Mariachi is a type of traditonal musical group from Jalisco, Mexico. Mariachi represents one of the most popular icons from the Mexican music and it is also well known abroad the world. Mariachi is usually interpret in special occasions such as mother´s day, birthday´s, family meetings, apologizes, weddindgs, quinceañeras (fifteen year old celebration).. In a Mariachi group there it can be from 6 until 12 musicians, but there it is not really a limit. Usually, a Mariachi consists of at least 3 violins, two trumpets, one Mexican guitar, a vihuela (high-pitched, five-string guitar) one guitarron (a small-scaled acoustic bass) and occasionally a harp. They dressup with a charro suit, a sombrero. Commonly, the color of their charro suit is black or white depending on the occassion.

2009-04-24T12:43:00.000-07:00

When I was a little boy, I used to go with my grand pa to this place. Here is a big park, I wanted to go where this horse is.
With my frines we used to to to a place called los filtros a beutiful place. a big cascade was there. the water coming dow from a big lake. The first time when my father brought me to the United States I didnt want to come to this country. Mexico is a beutiful place to live.

This is the cathedral of Morelia Michoaca. In morelia Michoacan there are

many beutiful places where to go. Therew are many parks where people can enjoy their days off.

Morelia Michoacan has many lakes too. American people think that Tijuana is Mexico the truth is that they don't know many beutiful states. There in Mexico are so many beutiful places. I used to go to so many parks and lakes. I enjoyed the beuty of parks. Morelia Michoacan is a historic place in Mexico.

If you are planning a vacation to Mexico consider that is so beutiful Mexico. Don't take my words find out for yourself.

Thai food

2009-04-23T15:50:00.000-07:00

Today, I will talk about Thai food because I just went to eat Thai food at Thai restaurant ^o^. Thai food is spicy and hot, and consisted of five flavors which are hot, sour, spicy, sweet, salty, and sometime bitter. Thai food is different in each region of Thailand; Northern, North Eastern, Southern, and central. Coconut milk, lime juice, fish sauce, different kinds of soy sauce, oyster sauce, sugar, palm sugar, fresh peppers, Thai herbs, tamarind, garlic, onions, Jasmine rice, and meat are the main ingredients in Thai food. There are different types of Thai food such as noodles (Pad Thai), curries (Green Curry), rices with side dishes (Stir-fry Basil), and so on. We usually use pork, seafood, and chicken in Thai food.
Thai desserts mainly contain coconut milk, palm sugar, rice flour, Pandan leafs, taro etc. The popular Thai desserts are sticky rice with ripe mango (Kao Niao Ma Muang), Pandan flavored rice flour noodles in coconut milk (Lod Chong Nam Ka Ti), taro rooted mixed with flour into balls in coconut milk (Bua Loy), Chestnuts covered in flour, jackfruit, tapioca, and Lod Chong in coconut milk (Ruam Mit). There are both hot and cold desserts; hot desserts usually cook by boiling all ingredients, and we use ice cube for cold desserts.

PS. We use a lot of coconut milk in Thai food and desserts because Thailand is full of coconut trees. Also, seafood in Thailand is quite cheap because Thailand is surrounded by the ocean.

If you guys want to try Thai food, I would recommend you to go to Happy Chang which is closed to Palomar college. This restaurant provides you with traditional and delicious Thai food. Here is the address :1450 W Mission Rd San Marcos, CA 92069

my identity...

2009-04-23T12:06:00.001-07:00

So as you all may have guessed, i am a Mexican born in America. The whole topic for this blog is about culture, yet i find it difficult to identify myself. In any type of paper work I am latina, hispanic, mexican, or other, yet people look at me and jump the gun and say i'm Mexican, that i dont speak any english, that i am illegal. During these past few years we have had many walk outs, many protests for an amnisty for imagrents. I was not able to decide what side i wanted to support, and going to school seeing all these white americans carrying the flag as if they thought that they owned the country. walking around the school i heard so many racist comments being said to me and my hispanic peers. the comment that made me reflect the most was, "Go back to your country!" and to this day i still think about it, i look at my brown skin, and my long black hair, i see a mexican, i go out and live my life and talk to my friends, i am american. I was born here in the United States, this is my country, this is my native land, this should be my colture. I too celebrate the 4th of july, as my family celebrates 16 of september. I too celebrate christmas with the Santa clause, as well as celebrating noche buena. I am divided between two different worlds, i am a mexican and i am american. I get the best of both worlds, so you could say, and i enjoy having both coltures.

Tết Vietnam

2009-04-23T01:07:00.000-07:00

New Year or Tết in the Vietnamese word, is a national holiday among all Vietnamese people. The Vietnamese usually return to their families during Tết to celebrate. In the days leading up to Tết, people are full on the streets and in the markets. They bustle buying food, flowers and things to decorate their house before New Year comes because during New Year, all of the shops will be closed. Each family cooks traditional food such as Thịt kho nước dừa(pork meat stewed with eggs in young coconut juice and fish sauce.), Dưa Hành(pickled onion and pickle cabbage), Củ Kiệu( pickled small leeks). Also, Hạt Dưa(or roasted watermelon seeds)and Mứt( dried candied fruits) are eaten during Tết. In addition, two sticky rices or bánh chưng (rectangular) and bánh giầy (circular) are essential in any Tết celabration. Vietnamese celebrates New Year during three days. The first day of Tết is reserved for family. Children wear new clothes and give the elders such as grandparents, parents, or uncles and aunts, the traditional greetings before receiving a red envelope which contains money. This tradition is called lì xì in the south Vietnam or mừng tuổi(happy new age) in the north. Friends have a friend reunion, in the second day of Tết, after a year they have not seen each other. They also wish each other luck and prosperity in the New Year. The third day of Tết is reserved for teachers, who are respected in Vietnam. In this day, students meet their teachers whom they love, and give their best wishes to their teachers. Common wishes for Tết are Sống lâu trăm tuổi means live up to 100 years (this is used by children for elders), An khang thịnh vượng means security and prosperity, Vạn sự như ý means may a myriad things go according to your will, Sức khoẻ dồi dào means plenty of health, Cung hỉ phát tài means congratulations and be prosperous, and Tiền vô như nước means may money flow in like water (this is used informally). Vietnamese people very cheer these wishes and believe that these wishes will come true in new year. There are still many traditional ceremonies and fun activities during Vietnamese’s Tết. Vietnamese people relax and have fun during Tết. They are proud of having a great national holiday as Tết, which gives family members, relatives, friends or students and teachers an occasion to gather together and wish each other the best wishes. Wherever they go, Vietnamese people always remember about their national holiday and wish to gather together with their families.

Japanese transportation

2009-04-21T22:49:00.000-07:00

In my country Japan, there are many kinds of transport.

There are many taxis on the every roads, subways and trains, also there are Shinkansen.

Shinkansen can run 300km/h it means about 187mph. It is the fastest transportation all over the world. As you see, there are so many lines of the trains and subways.

One line (black-and -white)is circle. So we can take the trains anywhere anytime. I miss Japanese convenience transportation.

Afghan Food (from Ahmad)

2009-04-20T10:24:00.001-07:00

Afghans just like any other of its neighboring countries shares very close food culture. In many of the Asian countries, their famous food is rice. Afghan people have many types of rice, and one of it that I will explain is Qabili. Qabili is a delicious type of food, which is made from rice. Rice is cooked separately and is prepared many hours before its cooking time. The rice is left in water for many hours so it becomes ready. Then it is cooked. At the same time, carrots are chopped and mixed with raisins. Then both are deep fried and the carrots take the sweetness of the raisins. When the rice is served with meat in between, the carrots and the raised in sprinkled on top of it, giving the rice a sweet taste.

Mothers Day spice

2009-04-20T09:35:00.000-07:00

Mothers day is coming don't forget to congradulate your mothers on May the tenth. My culture tends to celebrate onece a year a special day for the moms. Mothers should be thank for taking care of their children every day.They are also fortunate that they have a day for thenselves. It's like a birthday party al the family comes together to celebrate. We bring varies traditional food such as, carne asada and rice and beens. It all depends on what the family wants to make to celebrate, but always around our food we need salsa to spice any plate of food up.

Dia de la Virgen

2009-04-20T09:26:00.000-07:00

Dia de la Virgen is celebrated on December 12 because on this day she apeard to an indian named Juan Diego. She appeard in "el cerro del Tepeyac" which is located in Mexico city. In my town we celebrate this day by making long walks and dancing all over the streets.12 days before December 12 is when this walks start. Groups of people get together in the church to start the walk. Many are dreesed with white and red, some are dressed normal those are people who are just waliking while the others are dancing some type of ritual. People put a picture or a statue something representing "La Virgen"out of their houses on the street so when the dancers pass by they dance to "la Virgen". They do this walks for 12 days and the last day they walk on their knees a hole block until they get to the church. this is a very nice time of the year lots of people do this every year from kids to old people.

MARIACHI!!!

2009-04-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Marichi is the most popular and old music from Mexico. It is original from Jalisco during the 19th century. Marichi is differeent from other bands, because people, who is in a marichi, dress with the popular clothing from Jalisco. Songs are about love, politics, revolutionary heroes, and betrayal. In Jalisco, we can see Marichis on the streets or restaurants. Also, we have Marichi festivals like International Marichi Festival in Guadalajara, Jalisco. Thare are many songs, but there are two most popular songs: "La Cucaracha" and "El Marichi Loco." Also, some men pay Marichi to go in the night to his girlfrind or wife house to sing a love song. We called "Serenata."

Serbian Easter

2009-04-19T23:58:00.000-07:00

First of all, Serbian Easter is one week after Catholic Easter simply because Serbian Orthodox Church uses Julian calendar whereas Catholic Church uses Gregorian calendar. Today is the first day of Easter.
Actually, Serbian Easter starts six weeks before actual Easter. For those six weeks people fast. First and last week of the fast people can eat only food made on the water. The purpose of fasting is that believer can receive sacrament.
First big day of those six weeks is Great Tuesday where believers go on service which is dedicated to The Last Supper. Food and wine on the table represents Christ’s body and blood, respectively. That night it was established Holy Secret of Sacrament.
Next day, Great Friday, day when Christ is crucified on Golgotha for Serbs is the saddest day. That was the sacrifice for the salvation of the world. When he saw what solders and people doing to Him, He said” Father, forgive them they don’t know what they are doing.” On Great Friday believers don’t cheer, sing, and churches’ bells don’t ring, because the bells represent cheer. Priests say prayer for the piece of the holy tapestry “Plaštanica” which represents Christ’s grave. Also, on Great Friday believers paint the eggs. First egg has to be colored in red and kept as a guardian of the home. This even comes from the time of roman empire where Maria Magdalena, follower of Christ, gave to Roman Emperor the red egg and said ”Hristos vaskrese (He is risen.)” Red color symbolizes Christ’s innocent blood. Some believers eat only food prepared on the water; however some believers don’t eat at all.
Great Saturday is the day when believers gather in front of the church before midnight and they go around the church three times, welcoming beginning of the Easter.
Easter day is Sunday, when Christ was risen from death, and it is the greatest day for believers. That is the day when believers go on the early service to get sacrament. After arriving home from church, believers prepare Easter celebration meal, which is full of meat, because the fast is over. Also, eggs’ purpose on the Easter is to either gave them as a gift, or crash them in competition for the strongest egg. This a most joyful holiday because brings family and people together.

Umeboshi

2009-04-19T23:32:00.000-07:00

Hi I'm Arata: )

As Hanako posted the blog about "natto" as Japanese unique food last time, I'm also going to introduce "umeboshi," which I often hear from non-native Japanese prefer and not prefer. Umeboshi is very popular Japanese food. It's used in various dishes as side dishes with breakfast, rice ball for lunch and seasoned for dinner. Ume is a species for fruit-bearing tree in the genus pruns, which is often called a plum, but it's actually more closely related to the apricot.

By harvesting umefruit when they ripen around Jun they are packed in barrels with salt. They taste salty, and are extremely sour due to high citric acid content. The citric acid acts as an antibacteria, helps to increse saliva production. Moreover, the citric acid is said to combat fatigue and protect against aging. According to rumore, samurai tried to prevent battle fatigue by eating umeboshi. If you are interested in Japanese culture, I'd really like you to eat it!!

CHRISTMAS

2009-04-19T21:40:00.000-07:00

Christmas in traditional homes and rural areas, is a religious holiday.
It is a celebration of the Nativity. This means the birthday of Our Lord Jesus. In order to prepare for the day of symbolic commemoration, we have the "Posadas". These celebrations are a "Novena" or nine days before the 24 which is the "Noche Buena" or "Holy Night".These Posadas are an enactment of looking for lodging of St. Joseph and Virgin Mary, called The Pilgrims going to Bethlehem for the Census according to the Scriptures. In Spanish we called them:"Los Peregrinos, San Jose y la Virgen Maria". Each family in a neighborhood, will schedule a night for the Posada to be held at their home, starting on the 16th of December and finishing on the 24th on Noche Buena. Then after all the prayer is done,then it comes the party for the children. They were be a pinata filled with peanuts in the shell, oranges, tangerines, sugar canes,and seldom wrapped hard candy. Of course, there will be other types of chants the children will sing while the child in turn is trying to break the Piñata with a stick while he/she will be blindfolded.

Spicy rush: How to Make Spicy Ricecake

2009-04-19T21:05:00.000-07:00

Most of Korean people like to eat spicy food. For example, Kimchi is one of the most beloved every-day food in Korea, which is made from cabbages, a lot of red peppers, and other ingredient. Since I was born and raised in Korea, I had been eating a lot of spicy food, and some of them were too spicy that I had to drink a gallon of water to put out the fire on my toungue.

Today, let me introduce one of Koreans' favorite street food, Tuk-bok-ki.

It is not too spicy, but if you are not familiar with Korean food, it would give you a good idea of

how Korean people love spicy food.

It is not very hard to make, but I guarantee the taste if you would make it for yourself.

To make Tukbokki, you need:

1. Rice Cake (200g)

2. One Carrot and Spring Onion.

3. Fish Cake (100g)

4. Korean hot pepper paste (4 Scoops)

5. Starch syrup (2 Scoops)

Making Steps

1. Boil the water. You will need to boil 3 1/2 cups of water

2. First, you have to fry Carrots and Spring Onions. They should be fried for about three to five minutes. Do not fry them too much.

3. Put vegetables and rice cake into the boiling water. Then, put four scoops of Korean hot pepper paste (you can buy this in a Korean Market), and two or three scoops of Starch syrup as well.

4. Boil them until the soup become thick. You can add ketchup for mild taste, or you can add Korean red peppers for more spicy taste.

Your Tukbokki should look like ...

Isn't it look delicious? Once you try this, you would never be able to reject its spicy desire!

Norooz In Iran (New Years)

2009-04-19T18:32:00.000-07:00

In Iran, norooz is a very special day that brings families together to spend time with each other and to celebrate the new year. Like new years in America, Iranians like to do countdowns till the new year starts. On the new years day, eveyone hugs each other and welcome the new year. Iraninan usually make their house super clean for the relatives and families to come. They cook special food and make special deserts that everyone really likes.

Japanese Shinkansen!!!

2009-04-19T16:16:00.001-07:00

In Japan, people do not need to have a car because a transportaion is well-developed, and people can go anywhere by a train. When I came here, in California, I felt I cannot go anywhere without a car. Even though there are some transportations such as a bus or sprinter, they are still inconvenient because the bus usually does not come on time, and the sprinter is so slow. As one of the greatest transportations in Japan, there is a train called "Shinkansen." The Shinkansen is a network of high-speed railway lines.

In 1964, Japanese people developed one which can travel up to 210 km/h (130 mph.) Nowadays, the network has expanded to link most major cities in Japan, and the lenghth is about 2,459 km (1,528mi). In addition, as the fastest Shinkansen in Japan, there is Tokaido Shinkansen (Its picture is on the right side.) which can travel up to 300 km/h (186 mph). Test runs have reached 443 km/h (275 mph) for conventional rail in 1996, and up to a world-record 581 km/h (361 mph) for maglev trainsets in 2003.

I hope that California has a same kind of transportation as Japanese one. However, lately, I read an interesting article about the future of California's transportations. As Aaron McLear wrote in his article, 'Gov.Schwarzenegger Urges Federal Investment in California’s High-Speed Rail ,' the California governments are planning to develop a high-speed rail system in California. On the left side, there is the pictuer of the sample train of the plan. As a model of the system, Japan is on the list of the countries which have a well-developed high-speed rail system. I believe that the Japanese high-speed railway system will be the model of the California's transportation. I hope that the goverment will bring the plan to completion, and people will be able to use a convenient transportation in California. Moreover, it will be able to lead up to solve the problems such as the pollution of exhaust gas and the growth of population in California.

"EL BAILE DE LOS VIEJITOS" (DANCE OF THE OLD MEN)

2009-04-18T22:34:00.000-07:00

The "Dance of the Old Men" has more than one hundred years and is typical for Michoacan's culture. In Michoacan, the dance is danced in days of religious festivities like the day of theVirgin of Guadalupe (December 12). The dance is done with old men movements. One of the dances is called "train" because the dance begins slowly, imitating the sound of the train. They start walking slowly with little steps and are gradually accelerating. In the middle of the song starts to be faster, and that represents "youth" because it is when we think we control everything. The group tries to imitate the sounds of the train with his footsteps. After that, begins the joy of dance. This last part represents the joy of being alive and dance.

An importan characteristic of the "Dance of the Old Men" is that the dancers wear masks of old people along with their typical peasant clothing.

Age days

2009-04-18T14:39:00.000-07:00

In Japan, we have various "Age days," which is the day for celebration for the people who are in some specific ages. For example, "Shichigosan" is for the kids turning three, five, and seven years old, "Seijinshiki" is for the young people reaching twenty, and "Kanreki" is for the people turning sixty are the most popular.

The biggest and the most popular in these three is "Seijinshiki," which is also called "Coming of age day." In January, we have big ceremonies for the twenty-year-old young people in every local area. Sometimes it's hold in Disneyland for the people living around it!

By the way, do you know why it is twenty? In Japan, the people age of twenty is considered as the new members of the society, so we can drink, smoke, and have the right to vote. Therefore, "twenty" is the most important age for us.

Actually, because I turned twenty last September, I also joined this ceremony in my area in this January. I wore special Kimono called "Furisode." Most of girls wore the Kimono which is more beautiful and expensive than usual Kimono, and whose sleeves are so longer that they can reach down to the ground. Some people buy it and others rent it because it's expensive if we buy it. It depends on the quality or some factor, so we can also buy it for less than $5,000.00. As for me, I put on my mom's. Actually, the older Kimono is, the more expensive it was when we bought it. When she bought it, it cost, say, more than $15,000.00!! On the other hands, boys wear different type of Kimono called "Hakama" or a Jacket and a tie.

Although the party itself is not so fun, the most exciting event for us on that day is meeting and talking with lots of sometime classmates, not the party.lol. We also tend to held a class reunion after that. Anyway, "Coming of age day" is the one of the most important and traditional events for every Japanese.

Isn't it cute?? lol

soccer

2009-04-18T09:43:00.000-07:00

In Mexico most of the people especially guys have an obsession for soccer. The majority of mexicans love to play or at least watch soccer games. The only thing i do not like about soccer is that people take soccer very seriously. It seems that soccer is everything for them.I personally do not like to watch soccer games.However, i used to play soccer not long ago.I know soccer is an entertaining sport however it brings to much problems between soccer fans.

Durango the Scorpion Land

2009-04-18T02:15:00.000-07:00

"LA TIERRA DE LOS ALACRANES"

Durango is also call “La tierra de los Alacranes” (the scorpions land.) Durango is call la tierra de los alacranes because it “houses” the most venomous scorpions. Just a little information "scorpions are 8 legged arthropods , these toughly armored and armed invertebrates enjoy a well deserved reputation as their neurotoxin venom injected through the use of a tail stinger is designed to act quickly. Though in most cases the sting is harmless to humans, often compared to a bee or wasp sting, some scorpions are deadly to humans." (Def. Google.) In Mexico there are 225 species and 23 genres of scorpions. Scorpions usually live under rocks, wood, trees and houses believe it or not they do. Scorpions live in dark cool places. You can find them in inside houses (not only in rural zones but in nice urban places.) scorpions usually hide in the wall cracks, closets, kitchen you can sometimes find them in your clothes or shoes, since shoes are dark and there is moist inside. From the 225 venomous species 7 of them are consider fatal to humans. Even though Durango is know for its venomous scorpions, this one of main things why Duranguense people are proud of living there. They think of themselves as strong powerful people because they live in the land of the scorpions.

Fireworks

2009-04-18T00:41:00.000-07:00

Fireworks is a big tradition for many mexican families. I remember when i was young, the main reason i went to be mexico was to blow up fireworks. The biggest event where fireworks are used are Christman and New Years Eve. Fireworks are easily distributed in Mexico so dont be surprised when you see 10 years olds buying fireworks. Its still fun blowing up fireworks but now they have to be a little bigger.

QUINCEAÑERAS

2009-04-17T16:18:00.000-07:00

The quinceañera is a passage to the womanhood. In which the fifteen year old girl celebrate with her family and community members that she is now a young woman. The origins of the Quinceañera come from the Aztecs. At the age of fifteen was when many young Aztec woman left their homes, in order to become wifes and then mothers. Usually, after a girl turns fifteen yers old in Mexico, many people begin to see her and treat her differently. Due to the fact that she is not a child anymore, now she has become into a young woman. This celebration has become very popular in the United States, because there exist many hispanic communities that celebrate their fifteen year old daugther´s birthday.

Mexican food

2009-04-17T12:20:00.000-07:00

The mexican food is one of the most delicious food of the world. In many States of Mexido people like to eat the taquitos. I like the taquitos a lot. When I lived in Mexico some years ago. I used to eat every other day taquitos. If one you have the oportunity to go to Mexico try the taquitos they are so delicious that you will eat a lot of taquitos. Here in the U.S.A. Restaurants sale Mexican taquitos, but in Mexico those taquitos are much better. There a different types of Mexican food so delicious. The enchiladas, I love the enchiladas. The quesadillas with cheese I like the quesadillas with sour cream and guacamole. The combination plates tacos with rice and beans. I like a lot the Mexican food. I know you can enjoy this food. People can buy really good food here at the United States too. Are you hungry now.

The Tule Tree

2009-04-16T15:00:00.000-07:00

The Tule tree has 2000 years old, and it's probably the biggest tree in the world which is actually an Ahuehuete Cypress. His diameter is with a 10 meter (33 feet) diameter trunk and the circumference of the trunk is an amazing 54 meters (178 feet). It is over 40 meters (130 feet) high with a diameter of over 51 meters (170 feet), and weighs over 500 tons. Also, the tree has many figures of faces like tigers, jaguars and other figures.

MEXICAN WEDDING CELEBRATION!

2009-04-15T21:29:00.000-07:00

Well as every other wedding the guests the groom arrives to church. The groom waits inside the temple with his parents for the bride. Once the bride gets their she walks in with her parents . Once the bride and groom are face to face they hold hands and go to the front of the church. During the ceremony after the couple has exchange vows, the lasso a large cord, or rosary its placed around the groom's shoulders, and the bride's shoulders. A bible and the wedding rings are handed to the priest by someone special that they have chosen like a close friend or aunt/auncle . Then the lasso is put on the couple by someone that is special to both of them. Most of the time is Godparents, grandparents or best friend. The lasso is worn for the remainder of the ceremony. This tradition is performed to show the love that the couple will have together for the rest of their lives. Second the arras are 13 coins that are given to the groom by his padrinos the Godparents, or like I said someone special that they both selected to give these on the day of the wedding. The coins are a symbol of trust, and a promise by the groom to support his family.Then in between the bride and groom take a moment to pray to virgin Mary (St. Mary) to show how thankful they are, the bride leaves her flower bouquet in her altar. Next the groom takes the arras and places them into the hands of his bride. Next the bride and the groom recieve pillows on which they kneel, to recive la bendicion. Once the ceremony is over the guests tossed rice, bubbles or rose petals as a symbol of good luck and wishing much happiness to the couple as they walk by them. Then its time for the party, its usually held in a different place, all the guest get their first while the couple is cruising around taking pictures. Once the couple arrives they have a sit and food is serve and a toast is done usually the couple says couple words and so do their parents. After food is done the money dance is next, the money dance is basically a waltz with all the padrinos(Godparents) who helped with the celebration and all the other guests who want to be part of it. All the guest get a pin from where they can put from $1 bills to $50 dollar bills they eathier make a line or they just go up and put the pin in the brides dress or the grooms tuxedo. After that is done then it comes the Vivora de la Mar. Basically all the women line up in a line and the groom grabs the bride by the hands or sometimes the veil and they both raise their hands they usually stand in a chair to be alittle higher then the crowed. The music goes and they start moving around the bride and groom passing under their arms and around them then the music is over the bride throws the flower bouquet to all the girls who were part of the dance. It is said that the one that gets the flower bouquet is the next to marriage. Then the same thing is done with the guys they line up they start moving to the music kind of like a train. The groom takes the garter from the brides leg usually he does this with his mouth he does this in front the guests. Once he has it he grabs it and trows it to the gentlemen,Who ever got the garter now dances a song with the girl who got the flower bouquet.After they dance then everyone can go to the dance floor and from their the dance has begun.

Thai traditional costume

2009-04-15T16:41:00.000-07:00

Some of our classmates have posted about their traditional costumes. Now it is my turn to do so ^o^. As in the pictures, there are many styles and many colors of Thai traditional costumes. Usually, Thai costumes are made of Thai silk, and Thai people wear costumes with many accessories. Thai people wear Thai costumes on special day, and they wear Thai costumes when they perform Thai dancing. Usually, people that live in a rural area wear Thai costume. On the other hand, people in the city usually wear Western clothes.

The different styles of the costume depend on when and where do they wear them. Northern, Southern, Middle, Nort Eastern, and Western people wear Thai costumes differently. Also, Thai costumes on the wedding day or other special day, including Thai dancing are totally different. There are many types of Thai dancing which means there are different kinds of Thai costumes for Thai dancing as well. Moreover, Thai male costumes are also different than Thai female costume -_-". If I have to describe all Thai costumes that we have, it would take me forever !!! However, I just give you guys an idea of what Thai costumes are like. I used to wear Thai costume when I was in Thai school. I wore them to perform many Thai dances in school^o^ !!! Therefore, I am very proud of Thai traditional costumes !!!

How Celebrate Nauryz in Kazakhstan

2009-04-14T21:39:00.000-07:00

This holiday is a celebration of the Islamic New Year. After Kazakhstan received its independence from Soviet Union, our citizens began celebrating this holiday, and in 2001 Nauryz was announced as a National holiday. We celebrate this wonderful holiday in late March, and we celebrate it in different ways. People set up yurts in big cities, villages, and neighborhoods and decorate inside of the the yurts. Also, people wear traditional Kazakh outfits in order to show our guests our culture. A big parade is always organized on the main streets. Besides, people tries to visit seven different places or have seven guests because the number seven is holy in Islam. Then, every family prepares a popular meat dish that is made from mutton, horsemeat, and wide noodles. It is so interesting to see how people on the streets taste other traditional dishes which is prepared from seven ingredients. As a rule we have a big concert with popular and beloved national singers on the New Square. At the same time, everybody likes to make gifts for each other. It can be not an expensive gift, but it is more important to show the appreciation and respect to each other. Some of the more exciting pastimes are different cultural events and games. For example, it is very popular games while riding horses. Nauryz gives people the opportunity to begin the New Year with fun, forgivness, appreciation, and hope. I believe that this famous holiday Nauryz brings citizen of Kazakhstan all what they wish for the New Year.

2009-04-13T10:06:00.000-07:00

In my culture we celebrate the New Year with a big party. We go to the church to thanks to God for the New Year that came. At 12:00 am we eat our grapes all together and drink wine or soda. Then we eat tamales, mole, atole ( is made from rice or corn or how you want it), tostadas, bunuelos, etc. We have pinatas that make all the children happy. After we ate we can dance or just wacth the fireworks. We dance and dance all night until the morning.

"Romeria"

2009-04-13T08:47:00.000-07:00

HI! During October in Jalisco, Mexico, we have parties called "Fiestas de Octubre." During this time we celebrate our lady, Our lady of Zapopan. This is a religion celebration. On Octuber 12 each year, we celebrate that she is the queen from Jalisco. We celebrate her because she is a virgin like our Virgin of Guadalupe.

Our lady of Zapopan is in the "Catedral de Guadalajara"(Capital of Jaliso).

This "Catedral" is like a huge Church. People come from different cities, states, and countries. Over 2 million people come to see Our Lady.

Our Lady travels and visis churches until she arrives in the "Basilica de Zapopan." People celebrate with music, praying, dancing, and singing. We began to celebrate in 1734, and it is one of the oldest celebrations in Jalisco. People sale the Virgin's picture, rings, paints, etc. Also, there are people who sale food. Sometime people walk in knees for a miracle. All this is called the "Romeria." It is good time to celebrate with our family and friends.

May 10th Mothers Day

2009-04-13T07:19:00.000-07:00

Every May 10th in my culture we make a big celebration. We celabrate our mother's day. All parts of Mexico celabrate this special day, but in Sonora we celebrate even nicer. We sing to our mothers " Las Mañanitas" at 12'o clock with a Mariachi. A Mariachi is a type of musical group, originally from Cocula, Jalisco, Mexico. A Mariachi consists of three violins, two trumpets, and one mexican guitar. While they are singing to our mothers, we distribute the tamales and atole. We all try to spend a great time next to our mothers and giving them all they want. We give them presents and children in school proudly invite their mothers to plays, dances and and give them special recuerdos made from them.

Mexico's Religion

2009-04-13T01:40:00.000-07:00

It is said that Mexico has no official religion, and for the most part churches are on there own. Choosing a religion is an option you get, once you are older to decide. At least it is in Durango, the city I grew up, and with my family. Growing up my two best friends were Christians, my cousin is Jehovah's Witnesses and I’m catholic. Being from different religions, living so close and sharing many things never changed our friendship or points of view we each had. Mexico has Jews, Christians, Synagogues, Tibetan Buddhists, Muslims, Catholics and many others. They all can find a place to worship in the city. Even though religion is an option we see and think Mexico’s religion is Roman Catholicism. 3/4 of Mexico's population are Catholics’. Most of these churches are the most impressive architectural buildings Mexico has.

This is the Catedral of Durango Dgo

We as Mexicans are overwhelming Catholic, our devotion is unlimited. Our religion takes part of our every day life. You would see our image of the Virgin of Guadalupe as often as you would see the Pepsi logo.

Sep. 15 Independence Day

2009-04-12T21:33:00.000-07:00

Every September 15 in Rosarito we make a big celebration. We celebrate Mexicos independence Day. In all mexico we celebrate this day, but in rosarito we celebrate really nice. We all go to the park and there we have like some sord of carnival were they sale food and drinks. The best part is at 12 o clock were every body starts yealling: "Viva Mexico". At the same time they light up some sord of castle that they make with wood and fireworks. The sky lights up with diferent colored lights. At the end of the fireworks a crown flys spining all ligth up and all the kids try to catch it. It is a great celebration that we have in Rosarito.

Famous Legend in Vietnam

2009-04-12T20:51:00.000-07:00

The legend "The Sea Dragon and The Mountain Fairy" has been used to explain the origin of the Vietnamese. Based on this legend, Lac Long Quan (the Dragon King) and Au Co (the Mountain Fairy) met each other on a high mountain, and immediately they fell in love. After getting married, Au Co gave birth to a pack which had a hundred children, and very soon these beautiful sons grew up into strong young men. However, because of the differences between the two living environments, Lac Long Quan and Au Co had to live a part. Thus, Lac Long Quan took fifty sons with him back to the sea, while the other fifty sons accompanied their mother to the mountain. Later, the children spread out, divided and ruled the land. They were called the Hung Kings in Vietnam . For that reason, they were known as the ancestors of the Vietnamese. Today, Vietnamese people are proud to say that " we are Dragon and Fair descendants." There is a popular saying that no matter where you go, remember the 10th of the third month in the lunar calendar, when people commemorate the anniversary of the death of King Hung in Vietnam. Thus, every year we celebrate " Hung Kings Temple"as Vietnam's traditional festival. This is like we celebrate Thanks Giving in America.

Internet Cafe in South Korea

2009-04-12T20:01:00.000-07:00

More than 50% of South Korean homes have high speed internet connection. The average downloading speed is 3.5 MB / sec (one CD in 4 minutes!), which is ten times faster than the U.S. I was very annoyed from the slow speed of the Internet in the U.S for the first time. Although I got used to its speed, I still want to have a high speed Internet connection just like I had in my country. They are much cheaper ($30 per month), and much faster.

Since Korea had developed the Internet so well that people created a new type of entertainment, Internet Cafe. Do not imagine a cup of delicious coffee and a piece of sweet cake in front of you. Most people would not like to step in those Internet cafes because of cigarrette smokers. Now, people are putting their efforts on seperating the cafe into two sections, which would provide a better enviroment for non-smokers.

However, it is obvious that the Internet cafe has been developing since its birth. Most of them provide very comfortable chairs which you would want to have in your room, and they provide even faster Internet than you can have in Korean homes. Also, they have many attractive food such as Cup noodles, chips, and other food that you might never heard of.

Matcha

2009-04-12T15:20:00.000-07:00

Hi I'm Arata. I'm going to introduce "matcha." When I feel stressed out, and want to make myself relax, I always drink matcha. Macha is Japanese representative tea, and it has the variety of effects, such as reducing stressful emotion, preventing sleepiness, and etc.. The leaves of macha is once powdered, and we drink it directly. By drinking like that, we can gain the maximum nutrition which is contained in leaves. Macha was traded with Chaina in 1191, and since then, it continued to be an important item at Zen masteries in Japan. After that, the demand of macha was decreases in Chaina, but in Japan, it lasted its culture with changing into Japanese style. Now, macha is the most popular tea, and it applies a lot of ways especially ice cream, chocolate, and pudding. When you go to coffee shop, you may find green tea. That is the same product which is macha, so if you have never tried, you should drink it!!

Mexican "Fiestas"

2009-04-12T12:56:00.000-07:00

Mexican people are vivacious Individuals with an incredible enthusiasm for life. Every Mexican city or town holds a yearly festival to commemorate their local patrom saints. They celebrate them colourful, festivals known as “Fiestas.” During the “Fiestas,” they burn candles, hold large parades, and fireworks. Some of the most popular "fiestas are: Día de Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe ("Guadalupe's Day"), Las Posadas ("The Inns", celebrated on December 16 to December 24), Noche Buena ("Holy Night", celebrated on December 24), Navidad ("Christmas", celebrated on December 25) and Año Nuevo ("New Years Day", celebrated on December 31 to January 1). "Guadalupe's Day" is the most important religious holiday for Mexican peopleo because it honours the Virgin of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico, which is celebrated on December 12.

Piñatas are popular in Mexican celebrations. A piñata is made of papier-mache. It is created to look like popular people, or fictional characters. Once made, it is painted with bright colors and filled with candy or small toys. It is then hung from the ceiling. The children are blind folded and take turns hitting the piñata until it breaks open and the candy and small toys fall out. The children then gather the candy and small toys.

Food

2009-04-12T10:24:00.000-07:00

In the iranian culture, food is very important. Usually all our foods are eaten with rice. Mostly every persian food is cosidered to be healty because of all the vegetables that they add to them. One of the main dishes that you find in persian resturants are kabobs and shish kabobs because they are eveyones favorite and very delicious. In los Angeles there is a famous persian resturant called "Caspian" there food is delicious and I would consider going to it.

Vending Machines of Japan

2009-04-12T01:37:00.001-07:00

When you think about what a vending machine is, you might think that it is a machine which provides drinks or candies. However, in my country, Japan, there are many unique and revolutionary vending machiens which are beyond your expectations. Actually, I did not notice how amazing Japanese vending machines are until my friend who is learning Japanese pointed out and said, "Japanese vending machines are so cool!!" I was just thinking that American vending machines always have monotonous products, and sometimes they just take my money without providing a product. In Japan, the vending machines are everywhere, and a lot of people often use them because they can get almost everything from them. The most common machines are drink and cigarette, but also they provide umbrellas, hot meals, ice cream, rice, popcorn, flowers, cameras, e.t.c... The below is some samples of them. (The order is:, cameras, eggs, flowers, hot meals)

As you can see, there are many unique and convenient vending machines in Japan. If you have a chance to come to Japan, you will see the future world of vending machines.

Serbian Wedding: Unforgettable Event

2009-04-11T23:36:00.000-07:00

Serbian wedding is great tradition with a lot of interesting and symbolic “rules”. Groom and bride spend day before wedding partying, but separately with their own friends. Groom’s guests come early in the morning at groom’s house usually around 9am. The bride’s guests come at the same time at bride’s house. Car from every guest has to have colorful towel or blanket tied onto the car’s mirrors. The bride and groom’s car, the main and the first car in the column of all guests’ cars, is all in flowers and decorations. Also, groom’s brother carries the Serbian flag. After serving a little food and usually a lot of Rakija, they form column of cars with the bride and groom’s car in the front, and they then go to purchase the bride. All the way towards bride’s house cars from column don’t respect traffic rules and honk all the time.
When they arrive at bride’s home groom has to use the weapon and to shoot the apple from great distance to show that he has become a men, and that he deserves a bride. Also, hitting the apple is permission for the guests to come into the yard or house. If he misses the guests join him with their weapons until they blow up the apple. When they come into the house the bride is locked in the room and groom’s brother go to negotiate with bride’s brother about the price. When groom’s brother pays for bride he walks out with her to the yard. In the yard guests can enjoy Serbian food, a lot of Rakija, and guest usually dance Serbian national dance called “Kolo”.
Then they all go to groom’s house. There bride has to throw colander full of wheat and candies on the roof of the house, and if it stays on the roof the bride is going to stay. Wheat in the colander symbolizes fertility of the bride, and candies symbolize sweat, beautiful life. Bride also has to throw little child called “Nakonjce” in the air and catch him a few times to show that she is strong enough to give a birth and raise a children. The groom carry bride into his house and she carry bread with milk and honey on it, and bottle of wine. Wine is like a gift for house, but bread symbolize that groom and bride’s marriage is going to be easy going and great combination like bread, honey, and milk.
After getting the bride they all together go to government building to get legally married. After which they come to get married in the Orthodox Church where everybody has to stand. The priest starts ceremony with the preamble, and continues with putting crowns on groom’s and bride’s heads, and ties their hands together with a piece of clothe which symbolize unity in their marriage. In one part oh ceremony they go after priest three times around table which symbolize the Holy Trinity of Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and the godfathers followed them with candles in their hands. When priest pronounced them as man and wife if bride step onto groom foot, she is going be in charge for everything, she is going to be the head of house and vice verse, and then the groom kisses the bride. They walk out from the church, and then first all available ladies gather into the group, and bride throws “Bidermajer”. Lady who catches it is next bride. Also bride and groom have to have their first dance.
After that we make a big wild party with lot of food, luxurious cakes and home made cookies. Drinks like great Serbian plum homemade Rakija called “Sljivovica”. Also, there is lots of dancing and Kolos. We party until dawn; sometimes we party all night and all day tomorrow.

NEW YEARS!!!

2009-04-11T18:26:00.000-07:00

In Tecate, Mexico during New Years Eve, many people are accustomed to wearing red underwear because it is believe to bring good luck for the New Year. Another superstitious believe is that at the strike of noon people are suppose to eat 12 grapes, and for each grape that they eat they must ask for a wish. Also, for those who want to travel during the upcoming year they have to go to the streets at 12:00PM with a suitcase on their hands. As well, some of the people that I know from Tecate, sweep their houses before 12:00PM so, when it is 12:00 PM they throw out all the trash outside of their houses, in order to bring all the good energy and get rid of all the bad energy.

OUR MUSIC!

2009-04-11T13:22:00.000-07:00

US, HISPANIC WE HAVE LISTEN AND DANCE TO ALL SORTS OF MUSIC. MUSIC PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN OUR CULTURE. WITH OUT MUSIC WE CANT CALL A PARTY A PARTY BACAUSE THATS WHAT MAKES A GOOD PARTY. EVERYONE IS HAPPY AND LOOKING FOWARD TO HAVING A GREAT TIME.WE DANCE TO BANDA,DURANGENSE, NORTENO,CORRIDOS.

BANDA IS A BRASS-BASED FORM OF TRADITIONAL MEXICAN MUSIC.BANDAS PLAY A WIDE VARIETY OF SONGS, BANDAS ARE MOSTLY WIDELY KNOW FOR THEIR RANCHERAS, BUT THEY ALSO PLAY MODERN MEXICAN POP, ROCK, BALADAS, BOLEROS AND CUMBIAS.LA BANDA EL RECODO, BANDA MACHOS, BANDA CUISILLOS, LA ARROLLADORA BANDA EL LIMON, EL COYOTE.ARE SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUS BANDA ARTISTS. BANDA IS PRIMARILY A MALE-DOMINATED GENDER; HOWEVER THERE ARE ALSO A FEW FEMALE BANDAS SUCH AS GRACIELA BELTRAN AND JENNI RIVERA.

DURANGUENSE WHICH IS ALSO KNOW AS EL PASITO DURANGUENSE IS A GENRE OF MEXICAN MUSIC. DURANGUENSE IS CLOSELY RELATED TO THE MEXICAN STYLE OF BANDA AND NORTEñO. THE MAIN INTRUMENTS, ARE THE SAXOPHONE, TROMBON,AND BRASS DRUM. WHAT SETS DURANGUENSE APART FROM OTHER GENDERS ARE THE SYNTHESIZERS TO PLAY BOTH MELODIES AN THE TUBA BASSLINE. THE TEMPO IS FASTER THEN BANDA OR NORTENñO. AMONG THE DURANGUENSE ELEMENTS CARRIED OVER FROM OTHER GENRES IS EL TAMBORAZO, A HEAVY PERCUSSION LINE. SOME OF THE MOST FAMOUSE DURANGUENSE GROUPS ARE ALACRANES MUSICAL, MONTEZ, HOROSCOPOS DE DURANGONO, K-PAZ, LOS CREADORES DEL PASITO DURANGENSE AND MANY MORE.

NORTEñO ASLO KNOWN AS NORTEñA OR CONJUNTO IS A GENRE OF MEXICAN MUSIC. THE ACCORDION AND THE BAJO SEXTO ARE NORTEñO'S MOST CHARACTERISTIC INSTRUMENTS. THIS GENRE OF MUSIC IS EXTREMELY POPULAR.SOME OF THE MOST POPULAR NORTEñO BANDS ARE LOS TIGRES DEL NORTE, LOS RIELEROS, LOS HURACANES DE NUEVO LEON.

CORRIDO IS MUSIC WHICH IS AN EPIC BALLAD FORM THAT IN MANY WAYS TELLS THE EVENTS OF MEXICO'S TALES OF ITS HEROS' TO BATTLES, CRIMES AND BETRAYAL.CORRIDOS HAS CONTINUE TO DOMINATE MEXICO'S REGIONAL MUSIC AND GIVEN BIRTH TO THE MODERN FORM OF KNOWN AS NARCO CORRIDO, RANGING FROM DRUG AND HUMAN TRAFFICKING TO ILLEGAL IMMAGRATION. SOME OF THE ARTIST WHO SING THESE TYPE OF SONGS ARE VALENTIN ELIZALDE, LOS TUCANES AND MANY MORE.

Sports

2009-04-11T08:11:00.000-07:00

Sports
Sports are very important in Mexico. Sports can be so important to people that it practically seems like a religion to some people. Two of the most popular sports in Mexico would be Soccer and Baseball. Soccer is still number to many people in Mexico. As a kid and in Mexico sometimes the only good thing to do when young is play sports. At times a kid would be from day to dark just playing soccer. Even thou Mexico hasnt played so well i have confidence that they will pull through. THEY BETTER.

tortilla

2009-04-10T17:07:00.000-07:00

The tortilla is thin and made of corn dough or flour. In Mexico we usually eat every meal with tortillas.In our culture we easily recognize a tortilla.However, i had notice that some people in usa do not know what a tortilla look like or taste like.I work in a retirement home and the majority of residents that live there are white.We usually have ethnic dinners at this restaurant that is inside the retirement home.When we serve mexican food i had notice that the residents do not know what is a tortilla; they frequently ask me what is a tortilla and how it looks like.When a resident ask me about the tortilla I almost started laughing of couse i did not laugh, it will be very rude.Therefore, I get very surprise to know that a lot of people do not consumed tortillas because they do not even know what are them.

Yes Man

2009-04-09T18:03:00.000-07:00

I'd like to share my friend's funny story with all of you.
My friend, who is an American, has stayed in Tokyo, Japan for a few months for studying. One day, her friend called her to have a lunch together, so she went to the station to take a train and looked for the ticket machine. Unfortunately, the Tokyo station is so large like a mall that even I can lose my way easily. Of course, she also got lost there. Because she's not good at speaking in Japanese, so she was at a loss. Fortunately, she found a smart-looking-guy came close to her. The guy wore a neat suit and glasses which looked expensive, and he smiled gently when his eyes met her gaze. She thought the guy must be able to use English, so she asked hime, "Excuse me, is this the right way to the wicket?" He answered confidently, "Yes, yes!" so she stepped the way without any doubt. However, she got the end of the street. There were nothing but bathroom! She was so confused and asked herself, "Why there are bathroom instead of ticket machine?" As the result, a guard talked to and helped her, so she finally could meet her friends 5 minutes after their appointment.
In Japan, we tend to think it is ashamed to tell someone that we can't do what others can do such as using English. Because of that, we sometimes pretend that we can use English even if we can't. In addition, we tend to say, "YES!" when we can't understand what we are asked. Therefore, I can easily guess that guy couldn't understand what she said, so he just answered "yes." It is not so unusual in Japan, so I just can say, "Don't believe Japanese' YES when we answer confidently and without saying anything after YES!"

The Jaripeos

2009-04-09T11:56:00.000-07:00

My birth place is Morelia Michoacan, Mexico. People enjoy to go to Jaripeos. A jaripeo is where people ride bulls. Men win prizes when they ride bulls. Men riding bulls is a dangerous activity. Many men have died already. People like to watch this activity. Jaripeos are part of a tradiction in Mexico where people enjoy watching brave men riding bulls. When I lived in Mexico I used to go to Jaripeos.

2009-04-09T09:59:00.000-07:00

Ballet folklorico
To me, dancing, music, and parties are what come to my mind when i think of mexico. Although i was born here in the US, My family raised me with tradions from mexico. so i guess you could say i get the best of both worlds. One of the things i treasure most about my mexican coulture are the traditional dances known as the moving art of ballet folklorico. I have been dancing for about four years now, and it has been the best experience of my life. Each state has more than one type of costume. Like the dress i am wearing above is from the state of jalisco, the dance my brother and i are doing there is called "El huisache" this song is a funny story about a guy trying to get a girls attention by seducing her in a dance, though she knows that he is a "Campesino" so she does not want to go with him because he is poor. yet in the end like every love story the guy gets the girl.

Japanese Four Season

2009-04-08T23:02:00.000-07:00

Which season do you like?

In my country Japan, we have four seasons and each seasons are appearently distinct one from another.

As I told you about summer with beautiful fireworks, other seasons are also beautiful.

In the old era, people enjoyed the beautiful views at the window.

Those pictures are taken through the same window, but the view is really different each season.

This is a famous room in the temple in Kyoto. This frame was established based on the image of a picture frame. Therefore when you look the outside through this window, it looks like a picture, and it is really impressive and forgetable.

Japanese four seasons are really unique and obviously different from other countries.

Each season can be expressed by a different color.

In spring and summer, you can see the vivid green through the window.

In fall, you can see the coloful autumnal leaves.

In winter, you can see the pure white snow.

In spring, we can also enjoy the pink color of "Sakura"which means cherry blossam in English. This is famous for the flower of Japanese symbol. In spring, many people go to see the cherry blossoms. Also we go to see the maple leaves in autumn.

If you have a chance to come to Japan, it is an important decision in which season you come!

Elephant !!!

2009-04-08T16:40:00.000-07:00

Elephant is the national symbol of Thailand in both power and peace, and we have a lot of them in my country. They are very friendly and strong. In the ancient time, Thai people rode on the back of elephants to fight in the war, just like the Western people use horses in the battlefield. Nowadays, Thai people use elephants for transportation, and they also train elephants for the performance such as they train them to play soccer, paint, entertain, dance and so on. They also use them to carry a log in the forest. Many tourists like to come see elephants's performance in Thailand. The number of elephants in Thailand today is approximately about 2,600. If you come to Thailand, you may see elephants walk along the side of the street with a person who control elephants (mahout) on their back. Most tourists like to ride on elephants back with mahout in the forest

PS. White elephants is a symbol of royal power in Thailand, and it is very rare. Usually, white elephants are held by the king of Thailand.

The Green Bazaar in Almaty

2009-04-08T14:22:00.000-07:00

The Green Bazaar is the second largest market in Central Asia. A person who goes to this bazaar can buy anything that he wants and needs. For instance, if you wanto to buy meat, go to the meat section, which has five lines: beef, pork, pultry, horse, and lamb. When my friend, who is from America, visited the meat section for the first time, he was suprised to see that there was no refrigeration. I explained to him that meat was always fresh because the animals were slaughtered and sold on the same day. Kazakhs like eating meat, and usually meat is sold on the same day. Also, I like the section where I can buy dried apricots, raisins, and nuts. Much of the apricots, raisins, and nuts come from Iran, Uzbekistan, and Tadjikistan. It is always crowded in this section since Kazakhs prefer to serve dried apricots, raisins, and nuts on special occasions. Local Korean women sell Korean salads of carrots and noodles. These salads are very popular in Kazakhstan. They always offer sample. When I am in Almaty, I like to have fresh meat, vegatables and fruits only from Green Bazaar, and I am sure that it is organic food. Besides, it is interesting to talk with sales people and negotiate. In other words, the main bazaar of Almaty brings to life the finest traditions of the Asian bazaar.

Using Chopsticks

2009-04-06T10:59:00.000-07:00

All of nations have their own cultures and all of their cultures have their own beauty and interest. Viet Nam also has its own cultures that I want to share to you. One of them is about using the chopsticks when eating.
Some of you may know about the chopsticks, but some of you may not know about it. However, in Vietnamese culture, chopsticks are used as a traditional eating utensil. In every meal, the Vietnamese usually uses chopsticks to pick up pieces of food instead of using a fork as American usually does. About the chopsticks, they are a pair of small, equal-length, tapered sticks. Since olden times, chopsticks are usually made from bamboo tree and various types of wood. Recently, people make them from bone, metal or plastic as well. The pair of sticks is maneuvered in one hand, between the thumb and fingers. It’s a little bit hard to use the chopsticks to pick up food. I still remember how hard it was when I learnt using chopsticks. The food was slipping back and forth on the plate as I was trying hardly to pick up it to put in my mouth. Because of that, using chopsticks is not easy at least is for me. Yet, the chopsticks, themselves, have a meaning-the meaning of Vietnamese’ emotional look. As I said, the chopsticks are a pair of sticks, and they have to be a pair to use, but without other stick, they are useless and meaningless. Additionally, the chopsticks cannot be separated apart and cannot be used on each other hand. They have to be used by one hand, either on right hand or left. According to this, Vietnamese people compare the husband and wife in family as a pair of chopsticks. They need to be a pair and should never separate from each other for if not, they cannot do anything as a pair of chopsticks missing another.
After all, I want to say that there are still many other cultures about my country and their meaning. Moreover, the differences between every each culture in every each country represent their own beauty and make an interest thing for each of us to discover and to amaze at.

My Culture

2009-04-06T10:26:00.000-07:00

One of the traditions that we have in my culture is to go to the cemetery on day of the dead to visit our love one that has passed away. We also create an alter that we put up with their favorite food with a drink that they use to like. We put a picture of them on the top shell some candles and orange flowers. We usually also celebrate Christmas on the 24th and wait until midnight to open the presents up. Our culture is full of music spice and happiness we tend to always have music on.

Sports

2009-04-06T10:03:00.000-07:00

There are many different sports in the world but Soccer is the most important sport in my culture. i Dont know why but everysinlge member of my family likes soccer. Its almost like a tradition cause if your dad likes soccer, then you are going to like soccer too ,but then your children might like soccer is like a chain.