voci أﺻﻮات sesler voces 聲音 голоса

声 เสยงี voix 목소리들 vozes tiếng nói

The University of Houston Language and Culture Center Spring 2010

INSIDE THIS ISSUE:

Director’s Message 3 Culture Festival 18 Scholarship Winners 4 Spring Break 21 From Home to Houston 5 Values and Beliefs 23 Life Experiences 7 Important Person 26 My Home 11 Dave’s Page 30 Amazing Places 14 Poetry 32 U.S. Experiences 15 Folktales 34 Page 2 Voices Spring 2010 Page 3

D IRECTOR’ S MESSAGE BY JOY TESH

Happy Anniversary to the 2009, teachers and administrators in for students seeking Language and Culture Center! the LCC completed a self-study for undergraduate admission since Established in the summer of 1975, the Commission on English 1995, and we have been working the LCC will celebrate thirty-five Language Program Accreditation hard to achieve the same years of teaching English to (CEA) and sent it in to the CEA opportunity for graduate students. international students this summer, office in Alexandria, Virginia. In This is another major milestone in the summer of 2010. Eighteen November of 2009, a CEA Review the history of the LCC. We students, sponsored by the Gran Team visited our program and appreciate this vote of confidence Mariscal de Ayacucho (GMA) observed classes; interviewed from the university and this scholarship program of the students, teachers, and confirmation of the outstanding government of Venezuela, made administrators; and spent time academic preparation provided to up the first student body. The verifying claims in our report and students in the LCC. Institute of International making recommendations concerning Education referred that first group ten years of re-accreditation for the This spring, we have been of students to the University of LCC. We hope to learn the decision delighted to have 351 students Houston, and Dr. Joyce Valdes of the commission before the from 36 countries in our vibrant became the founder and first summer term begins. and growing program. We are director of that small but working hard to make sure we promising Intensive English Another reason to celebrate in 2010 give you the best program Program (IEP). is that the Graduate and Professional possible. The LCC teachers, Studies Committee of the University counselors, administrators, and I Since that memorable beginning, of Houston has granted approval for hope you have had great the LCC has had an interesting a TOEFL waiver for LCC students experiences in our classes and on enrollment history. IEP enrollment who successfully complete level six in the University of Houston is always affected by the global the Intensive English Program. This campus. I wish you the best as economy and by world events. new approval becomes effective in you complete the spring term of Enrollment in IEPs across the fall 2010, and is very important to 2010, and I look forward to seeing United States became very low students who are seeking graduate many of you again as you return following the events of September admission to the University of in May for the summer term of 11, 2001. The LCC also Houston. We have had this approval 2010 in the Language and Culture experienced low enrollment during Center. that time. Now, however, we are experiencing record-breaking application counts and healthy student registration every term. The program has averaged more than 300 hundred students per term during the past two years.

We have every reason to believe that 2010 will be a year of great celebration for the LCC, its students, and its teachers. During Page 4 Voices Thuy Thi Diem Vuong, Ricardo de Castro Garcia França, Guillermo José Coche, and Pedro Vicente Nastasi Receive LCC Scholarships by Sandy Hartmann, Associate Director The Language and Culture Center good work I did last semester in this improving my English very quickly awards four scholarships each term to semester. Leaving Vietnam to come to and learning about new cultures. returning students who best combine America to study placed me in a difficult Thanks to the LCC and my teachers academic excellence and leadership with match, in which I was expected to win. for giving me this opportunity to international awareness and cross- The LCC scholarship is considered my achieve my goals and dreams.” cultural understanding. Traditionally, first real goal for the match of my life.” one full scholarship honors Joyce Merrill Pedro Vicente Nastasi Valdes, the founder and first director of Ricardo de Castro Garcia França the Language and Culture Center. A was also a second full scholarship honors Joseph was awarded the recipient of a O. Davidson, who served as director of Davidson merit the LCC for 22 years before retiring in scholarship. Mr. scholarship. Mr. 2006. These two full scholarships cover França is from Nastasi, who is the cost of tuition, fees, and medical Brazil and speaks also from insurance for one term of study in the Portuguese. After Venezuela, has Intensive English Program. In addition, beginning in level been at the LCC the LCC awards merit scholarships of four, his academic for two terms. $1500 each for one term of study in the achievement allowed He began Intensive English Program. At the fall him to skip to level studying in level graduation ceremony, on Thursday, six, where he is now two and by virtue December 9, 2009, the LCC awarded the studying. He plans of his diligence Valdes scholarship to Thuy Thi Diem to take one more semester of English at and hard work, skipped to level four Vuong, the Davidson scholarship to the college level, and after taking the where he is studying now. He would Ricardo de Castro Garcia França, and TOEFL, he will return home. Mr. like to earn a degree in geological the two merit scholarships to Guillermo França remarked, “I think I just have to engineering in the future. Regarding José Coche, and Pedro Vicente thank all the people who helped me to the scholarship, Mr. Nastasi Nastasi. achieve this prize: my mother, my commented, “First, I’m very grateful English teachers, and a couple of friends, to God because He allowed me to who encouraged me to move forward win this scholarship. Secondly, Thuy Thi Diem Vuong when I was weak.” thanks to my parents and my brother, was awarded the who trusted in me. Finally, thanks to Valdes the excellent teaching I received from Guillermo José Coche scholarship. Ms. my teachers. Because of this, I’m so Vuong, who is was a recipient of a grateful and happy.” from Vietnam, is merit scholarship. Mr. currently studying Coche is from in level six. This is Venezuela and speaks We congratulate Thuy Thi Diem her second term at Spanish. He began in Vuong, Ricardo de Castro Garcia the LCC. She level five and is França, Guillermo José Coche, and began studying in studying in level six Pedro Vicente Nastasi on their level four and was this term. After he outstanding records in the Intensive able to skip a level completes his study of English Program at the Language and through diligent English, he plans to Culture Center, and we wish them work. After she pursue a master’s great success as they continue to completes her degree at UH in study in the United States. We all study of English, she plans to pursue a mechanical look forward to learning who will be master’s degree in business engineering. Upon receiving the the next LCC scholarship recipients administration. Ms. Vuong said of scholarship, Mr. Coche commented, “I at the spring graduation ceremony. receiving the scholarship, “It’s a great was taken aback when I received the honor, encouraging me to continue the scholarship; it was wonderful. I am Spring 2010 Page 5 FROM HOME TO HOUSTON

My Last Day in My Country The Visa On the eve of my departure, I Abdullah Al Hawkash, 2B Mahamane Coulibaly, 2B organized a big celebration for friends, relatives, and classmates. My flight was My last day in my country was The day I got my entry visa for the from Bamako to Morocco to New September 14, 2009, during the month United States was September 30, 2009, York and later to Houston. I spent of Ramadan. My mother and my at 4:00 p.m. It’s not easy to obtain an two months in New York with sisters were crying. I was really sad entry visa to the United States; you relatives and then took another flight because it was the first time for me to need to go through several stages. I to Houston on December 16, 2009, travel alone without my family. My had an appointment with the U.S. my birthday. My brother welcomed mother prepared three suitcases for Embassy in Mali for Tuesday, me to Houston with a cake. I began travel. One of them was full of only September 29, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. The my life in Houston. kitchen things. My mother said, “You night before, I was so frightened that I

are a man and you should live your could not close my eyes during the life.” My father and my brother took night. Early the next morning, around My American Dream me to the airport. I kissed my father’s 6:30 a.m., when I was about to leave Ismael Guindo, 2F hand as I said goodbye. That day was the house, my mother came to me to Since I was a small boy, my goal was difficult for me. give me her blessings. At the to come to the U.S.A. to realize my Embassy, I was the first person there. dreams. I went to school to get my Many others came after me. We were My Travel to the U.S. high school diploma. After that, I told to form a line. Then we were continued my study for two years, and Stephanie Diallo, 2F called, one by one. Although I was the I got my associate degree. Then I filed first person to arrive at the Embassy, I I will never forget the first time I went my application for my visa with the was the last person to be called by the to the U.S. The day before my travel, I United States Embassy in Burkina consul. It was now about 12 p.m. organized a party to say goodbye to my Faso. There are several conditions if friends. During the party, my mother I was tired and scared, but I kept you want to get your visa in my was very quiet. She wasn’t happy. That myself calm when I greeted the consul country. In my case, I attached my night I slept with my parents like a and answered his questions. He asked high school diploma, my associate baby. The next morning, my mother how I would finance my education, degree, my I-20, my letter of packed my bags. At 9 p.m., I went to what school I would attend, if I knew admission, and my statement of the airport with my best friend and my someone in The States, and why I financial aid. In the end, I proved to family. I sat with my mother, and she chose the United States. His questions the consul why I wanted to continue gave me advice. When the hostess said took 30 minutes and then he asked me my study in the U.S.A. The consul it was time to go, my mother began to to return to the Embassy the next day asked me many questions about my cry. Me too. It was my first time to see at 4:00 p.m. The next day, it was a age, my relationship with my parents, my mother cry. I miss my mother now great moment in my life when I and also how long I wanted to stay in because she was like my friend, and I received my visa because I had the U.S.A. It was a difficult experience was always with her. Finally, I had a acquired an opportunity that many do for me, but it changed my life for the good trip, and I am happy to be here. not have. better.

Page 6 Voices

My Last Day in My Country Embassy, I was the first person there. The First Time I Came to the Many others came after me. We were U.S. Helder Gama, 2A told to form a line. Then we were Badriah Al Shehri, 2F My last day in my country was very called, one by one. Although I was the bad because I was leaving my friends first person to arrive at the Embassy, I I will never forget the first time I and my family. My girlfriend and I was the last person to be called by the left my family to come to the cried together and talked about the consul. It was now about 12 p.m. United States. I spent the day future, but she understood my wish to before my flight with my parents I was tired and scared, but I kept go to school in the U.S.A. That night, at their house. That day, my myself calm when I greeted the consul I just stayed in my room and thought parents gave me a goodbye party, and answered his questions. He asked about my new life in another country. and they invited all my friends and how I would finance my education, I left all my friends and family for my relatives. My mother made me a what school I would attend, if I knew future chances. I try not to remember beautiful cake and wrote on it, someone in The States, and why I that day because I felt so bad. I try to “We will miss you, Badriah.” In chose the United States. His questions forget my last day in my country. the evening, my sister and mother took 30 minutes and then he asked me helped me pack my suitcases. My to return to the Embassy the next day mother cried. She was afraid and at 4:00 p.m. The next day, it was a The Visa worried about me. I said to her, great moment in my life when I “Don’t worry, Mother. I will be Mahamane Coulibaly, 2B received my visa because I had OK.” On the day of the flight, my acquired an opportunity that many do The day I got my entry visa for the parents and I woke up very early not have. United States was September 30, 2009, because my flight was at 8:00 a.m. at 4:00 p.m. It’s not easy to obtain an On the eve of my departure, I We drove to my house to pick up entry visa to the United States; you organized a big celebration for friends, my husband, and then we went to need to go through several stages. I relatives, and classmates. My flight was the airport. After that, my parents had an appointment with the U.S. from Bamako to Morocco to New kissed my family and me, and they Embassy in Mali for Tuesday, York and later to Houston. I spent said goodbye. That is what September 29, 2009, at 8:30 a.m. The two months in New York with happened the first time I left my night before, I was so frightened that I relatives and then took another flight parents. I miss them very much. could not close my eyes during the to Houston on December 16, 2009, night. Early the next morning, around my birthday. My brother welcomed 6:30 a.m., when I was about to leave me to Houston with a cake. I began the house, my mother came to me to my life in Houston. give me her blessings. At the Spring 2010 Page 7 LIFE EXPERIENCES

The Worst Trip in My Life The Sailor sentimentally attached to one of Abdullah AlShaya, 4E Yang Xia (Kevin), 2B them, which is my elementary school. The first reason that made When you arrive in Cairo for your Two years ago, I was a sailor in the me attached to it is that it was my vacation and you suddenly discover Chinese Navy. I was in the Chinese first school. There, I learned how to that you have left your wallet at home, Navy for five years. I regret that I read and write for the first time. what should you do? never saw the sea; all my work was on Also, I learned how to count This was what happened to me last land. It was a precious experience for numbers, add them, and subtract year on my vacation. In August 2009, me. Every day, I did a great deal of them. The second reason that made Raed and I planned to visit Cairo for a exercise with other people. We ate and me attached to that school is that I couple of days. We went to a travel lived together. Sometimes I felt so had good friends there. Actually, in agent to book a round trip to Cairo. In hungry that I saved two eggs from that school, I met my best friends in fact, we found a special offer that breakfast to eat at midnight. I ate my life, Ali and Zaki. We met when matched our budget and we booked it them then on my bed and no one we were in first grade, and we have immediately. The day before the trip, I knew about it. The rules didn’t allow been friends until now. Another went to bed too late and I got up late. us to do this, but to me it was so reason that made me attached to my My friend Raed knocked thousands of funny. I have to admit that navy life elementary school is that I had good times on my door, but I didn’t hear it. was a rough life for me. However, I teachers there. They were kind and Finally, I woke up. The departure was became a real man because of my navy tried to make sure that all the only two hours away and I had just life. students understood the lessons. I woken up! remember most my math teacher, I took a shower, which took me only The Photographer Ahmed, because he would give us difficult math problems and when four minutes and which was perhaps Nasser Alawami, 2A the fastest shower I had ever had in seeing that we could not solve them, my whole life. Raed took our bags and Two years ago, I was working in Saudi he would try his best to explain until put them in the car. I went out of the Arabia for SUN magazine as a everyone understood them. bathroom and hurriedly put on my photographer for the magazine. I was only 18 and the youngest one there, clothes because we were late and didn’t A Bad Day want to miss the flight. The car trip to but I have a talent with photography. Dammam airport took us only 40 Many people there were amazed by Cheick T. Dera, 2E minutes. Thank God! We still had time my skills at a young age. When I went One day when I was a child, I had a to eat before the departure time. After on assignments with the reporters, bad experience with a crazy person. that, we got our boarding pass, they always encouraged me. My friends and I were very active. finished the immigration routine, and I saw many of the princes of my We liked dangerous games. There went to Gate 9A. The plane took off country and one crime scene. The was an uninhabited house near and, as usual, Raed and I were talking crime scene made my mother worry mine. It was our favorite place to to each other. As we were going to about my work, but I had a lot of fun play. This house was dangerous, but rent a car there, Raed asked me if I had when I was photographing the princes we loved it. One day, there was a brought with me my driver’s license. I or ceremonies. I saw King Abdullah crazy person in there, and he immediately looked for it, but I didn’t Al Saud. He was very handsome and stopped us from playing. We got find it. I must have left it at home in all Saudi people love him. I left this upset and decided to beat up the my hurry! job when I came here to study crazy person. He got angry and I'll never forget this bad trip in my English. decided to beat us up, too. He whole life! followed us. Unfortunately, I was not fast, so he caught me and beat I Love My Elementary School me with a bat. I was badly injured. Muayd Almarshoud, 4E This was so terrible for me that I I have been in five different schools in never went to the uninhabited house again. Saudi Arabia, but I am only Page 8 Voices

A Frightening Experience A lot of interesting things were there! like waking up early. After that, I had Mohamadou Thera, 4A One day I decided to go to the market breakfast and my mother dressed me alone. I didn’t tell my parents. and gave me a backpack. Then, I I remember when I was a little boy, one Although I was only six years old, I asked my mother, “Whose bag is event surprised me a lot, and I will thought I was an adult. I went to the this?” My mother said, “It is for you. never forget it. The event happened in market on foot. I looked around the You are going to school today!” Now my country on March 26, 1991, and it market. Time passed quickly. It got after that, the scary movie started. I was a military coup. That day, earlier in dark outside, so I hurried to go home. cried and I went to hide under my the morning, all the streets of the My mom looked like a lion. She was bed. Then my father came and said, capital, Bamako, were blocked by very angry, and she was crying. My “We’re not going to school; we are soldiers with guns, and they were mother scolded me. She had worried going to the park.” I believed my shooting people who were marching about me. I went to bed feeling proud father and I went with him. My father against the dictatorship. of myself. I thought I would be able to took me to the park. However, I In the beginning, it was only students go to the market alone, but I realized didn’t know that the building next to who were protesting against the bad later that when I wanted to go the park was the school. After that, we conditions on campus. When they anywhere, I had to discuss it with my went inside the building. When I saw started marching, the government sent parents first. the children in the building, I knew soldiers to break up the demonstration, this building was the school. Then I but all of a sudden, the soldiers started started to cry. The teachers greeted shooting students, and then all the The First Day of School me, and they gave me toys, food, and population went out to support the Doussouba Camara, 2C a notebook, but I continued to cry. My father told me he needed to go to students. My first day of school was my first the restroom, but he didn’t go there. experience to be with many other Unfortunately, the soldiers continued He went home instead. In the end, I children that I didn’t know. I was six shooting. There was blood and death in continued to cry all that day and for years old. Before the first day of almost every area of the capital. I three days after that. It was the worst school, my parents bought the three thought that I would die that day. All day in my life. the members of my family went to hide different uniforms for school. They in our house. I was under my bed, and were pink, green, and blue for girls. my dad and mom were under the big The first day of school was on A Powerful Memory table in our living room. Monday. First, my mother woke me Nguyen Trang Thi Hien, 2F up early and gave me a shower. Next, By the end of that day, around 5 p.m., I put on my green dress and ate I will never forget how I felt when I the soldiers stopped shooting, and soon breakfast. After that, my father took passed an important examination. In after, we heard that they had arrested my mother and me to school. My my country, at the end of high school, the president and all the members of mother taught there. The class time if you want to continue to study in his government. At the announcement was from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. We college or university, you must pass an of this news, some people started arrived at 7:40 a.m. The school important examination that includes crying out of happiness, and some were building was painted yellow; there three subjects: math, physics, and dancing in the street. were lots of flowers outside. My chemistry or another subject. There I will never forget this day because it mother left me in my classroom. I aren’t a lot of public colleges and was my first time to hear the sound of finished class at 12 p.m. In universities in my country, so there are guns, and I hope to never see this kind the afternoon, I had no class. My first a lot of students who take part in each of event the rest of my life. day of school is one of my greatest examination. Only some of the memories. students can pass an examination because it is very difficult. I thought I

Independence Day from Mother was a lucky girl when I passed that My First Day of School examination. At the time, I thought it Yu Jin Lim, 2E Khalid Alajmi, 2D was really unbelievable, but it was true. When I was a little girl, I was a very It was incredible. A few weeks later, I curious child. I liked to go to the My first day of school was like a scary was still in shock about the results of market near my house with my mother. movie. First, my mother woke me up the test although I was happy. This is early, and I was angry because I didn’t a very strong memory for me. Spring 2010 Page 9

My First Day of School and entered the living room, they were chat with me at home. He told me Meshal Alenazy, 2D waiting for me. They asked me why I that he had warned me before. He did not answer my phone and what made fun of me. I was never as My first day of school was difficult for happened about my results. I did not terrified as I was on that day. me because I was only six years old. But answer anything. I just gave them the I remember everything that happened results. After that, they started crying The First and Last Time I Went that day. First of all, on November 3, and hugging me. They really were Fishing 1986, I woke up early. Then my mother surprised at that moment. After one gave me a shower. After that, she week, my father came to our home and Abdoul Zongo, 2E dressed me in jeans and a t-shirt. Then gave me a small box, and I asked him One day I was playing soccer with my my father took me to school. The school what it was. He said, “I do not know. friends and we got tired of playing, so was near our house. The school building Just open it.” I opened it, and there was we decided to go angling at the dam. was huge. In fact, it looked like a a key, and he told me go out and see When we arrived and started fishing, monster to me because I was very what was there. There was a red car. 30 minutes passed and nobody caught nervous. I saw many things that scared Really, I was surprised, because the red a fish. I decided to go to another me, like children who were crying and car was mine. My father had bought it place. When I tried to sit down, I unhappy. That made me feel like crying for me. In summary, we can say that slipped into the water. The problem too. To make me stop crying, my father each person has surprising moments in was that I didn’t know how to swim. I bought me some sweets. When I his or her life. However, the best was crying and yelling, “Somebody, stopped crying, I noticed the weather moment is when you make a surprise help me, please. I need help!” I was was wonderful, and I remember the for your parents. afraid, but then a strange man heard teacher helped the new students. That is my shouting and came to help me. He a day I will never forget because it The Day I Fell in a Lake pulled me out of the water. I explained changed my life. My student life had what happened to my friends, and we Traore Mohamed Hadji, 2E begun. went home. After this day, I never I never thought that one day I would returned to fish. A Big Surprise fall in a lake. When I was a child, I used to go fishing with my friends on the One Day at Chuck E. Cheese Abdulrhman Alied, 4A weekends. One day I went with my Last year, I graduated from high school, friend Moussa to fish. After we arrived, George Gharibe, 2E and I got “excellent” on my results. I we cast the net in the lake and waited. One time my cousins and I went by was so surprised and happy because my After an hour, we caught a lot of fish. boat to Chuck E. Cheese to have fun. parents were surprised about my results. At that moment, my friend told me to When we were going to leave Chuck They thought I was not going to get be careful because where I was sitting, E. Cheese, my cousin said, “Stop, let’s “excellent” because I had not been the boat was moving. I told him, go play this tricky machine!” We studying during the term. However, “Don’t worry. I know where I am.” played and we lost. I had one more three weeks before taking the test, I Five minutes later, I rolled into the coin. I put the machine in perfect studied a lot. Moreover, I stopped doing lake. My shoes were slipping in the position. Then suddenly, it moved by all my favorite things, such as playing mud. I was scared because I didn’t itself. I was angry. Then I hit the soccer, watching TV, and surfing on the know how to swim. I cried out, “Help machine and I broke it. My cousin Internet, even on the weekends. I still me!” Someone near us plunged in and screamed, “Run, everybody!” We ran remember when I went to my school to got me out. I had hurt my foot in a to the boat. When we arrived, the rope get my results, my parents were calling hole in the mud. I went to the hospital. was tied too hard to leave, so I cut the me on my phone, and I did not answer The doctor gave me some medicine, rope. Luckily, we escaped. my phone. When I arrived at our home and I went home. My friend came to Page 10 Voices

A Trip Li Qun Guo, 2F One Sunday, my friends and I decided to take a trip to the countryside. Late in the afternoon, we put up our tent in the middle of a field. As soon as this was done, we cooked a meal over an open fire. We were all hungry and the food smelled good. After a wonderful meal, we told stories and sang songs by the campfire, but some time later, it began to rain. We felt tired, so we put out the fire and crept into our own tents. The sleeping bags were warm and comfortable, so we all slept soundly. In the middle of the night, my friend woke up and began shouting. The tent was full of water! We all jumped out of our sleeping bags and hurried to run outside. It was raining heavily, and we found that a stream had formed in the field. The stream had wound its way across the field until it was right under our tent! We took our baggage to our car because our clothes got so wet that we couldn’t sleep. We sat on the cold car seats until daylight.

Memories of a Class Cherng-Hann Lee (Ben), 3D Everyone has their own room which is full of memories. Of course, I do too! But my memory is of my senior high classroom. This was a room full of artists, but you also could say they were freaks. Even my second most important teacher was a freak. For example, which teacher would play the guitar in class, suddenly? Which student would use soy sauce to draw a Chinese painting? They would. Although they were crazy people, they still worked very hard on their majors. I also learned a lot from them. This situation not only gave me important art information, it also taught me a lot of different life experience. For instance, my first love was my classmate. Actually, she didn’t like me, but I still felt that “love” feeling and “broken heart” feeling. It wasn’t a good feeling, but we had to accept it. Three years later, our graduation allowed us to enjoy an interesting and special emotion because we were the “Final Art Class” in this school. Maybe some people would say, “Oh! That’s too bad,” but we didn’t think so, for it also meant that we were unique. Spring 2010 Page 11

MY HOME

Songkran Festival African recruited by the Jet other states one by one. For the first Wathunya Boonpairote, 4A Propulsion Laboratory of NASA, time, all of China was unified under where he participated in various one of the powerful rulers. Wars The Songkran Festival is the Thai New programs. stopped, and people finally settled Year. It has a lot of fun activities. The In 1999, he began to work half time down. At the same time, Qin Shi period April 14 through 16 is recognized at NASA, which allowed him time to Huang called himself “first as a family holiday in Thailand. On the contribute to the educational emperor”. first day, everybody comes back to his or development in Africa through the After he unified China, Qui Shi her hometown. Even people who work creation of a foundation (Pathfinder Huang started to make some far away from their homes will come Foundation for Education and changes in the new government, and back to celebrate the New Year with Development). In November 2001, one of his new plans was to build their family. The next day is a day that Cheick Modibo Diarra became a the Great Wall. The Great Wall everybody really enjoys, especially kids. volunteer ambassador for UNESCO. could protect the northern borders People go out with a bucket of water or In 2002, he developed in Mali a of the Chinese Empire. After 1000 a water gun and throw or squirt water on research laboratory for solar energy. years, the Great Wall we see today other people. The last day is elders’ day. has been rebuilt and it is still very Children and teenagers put water on Cheick Modibo Diarra was the first beautiful. older people. They do that to show president of the African Virtual respect to their elders, and the elders University based in Kenya. On give a good blessing to the young people. February 20, 2006, Microsoft Korea’s Traditional Holiday announced the nomination of Cheick In short, there are many fun activities for Tae-mi Kim, 2D families to do together during the Modibo Diarra as Chairman of Songkran holiday. Microsoft Africa. He is my idol, and February 14, 2010 was a very special every Malian loves and wants to be day. Usually February 14 is

like him. Valentine’s Day. However, this year A Person Who Made a Difference: was different. February 14 was also Cheick Modibo Diarra the lunar calendar’s New Year’s Qin Shi Huang and the Great Wall Kassoum Traore, 3A Day. This is unusual. In the west, of China February 14 is just Valentine’s Day. Cheick Modibo Diarra is a Malian Yu Zhang (Roy), 3A However, this year it was the real astrophysicist who is highly regarded in New Year for the Asian people. On the scientific community. He was born in Qing Shi Huang was the first the lunar calendar’s January 1, all 1952. After he graduated from high emperor in China in the warring family members go to their native school in Mali, Cheick Modibo Diarra states period. There were seven homes. They meet other family studied mathematics, physics and independent states in China. The members, and they cook traditional analytical mechanics in Paris at the stronger states always invaded others foods like Korean pancakes and rice Université Pierre et Marie Curie, and to become bigger ones. So there were cake soup. Then they have to offer aerospace engineering in the United many wars in that period, and people sacrifices. Most people spend some States at Howard University were in distress. Qin Shi Huang was a time with their families and wish (Washington, D.C.). He was the first victor in a great war. He conquered good luck to each other. Page 12 Voices

The Changing Role of Women in soldiers, police officers, presidents, and women were diamonds and so they Burkina Faso other government jobs. Now this way of had to be protected by being kept in Wenzoodo Brice Ilboudo, 4E thinking has changed and more and the house. Now, the way men think more women are found in the army. about women has changed. More and My country is Burkina Faso. It's in Even some of them are occupying more, the whole society has realized the middle of West Africa between important positions in the government. the importance of education, and as a Mali, Niger, Ghana, Ivory Coast, The state has a new policy to promote result, women are allowed to attend Benin, and Togo. In my country, women to higher positions. schools. However, one thing remains things have changed since 1980. In unchanged, and that is men’s wish to the past, there was no freedom for To sum up, it can be said that in my protect the women. This explains why women, but now there is more sweet country, it was not easy to be a now if you come to Saudi Arabia, you freedom for them and they have woman in the past because of those bad can see men driving their wives or different and more important roles things mentioned above. Now women daughters to schools and universities. in the society. How have things are protected by the law and the changed? What are the two most government. Second, a long time ago, women had important changes in the role of to be fully covered because men thought that they were diamonds and women in the past as compared to Native Clothes now? it was the Saudi law too. Thus, Eid Alotaibi, 1B whenever they wanted to go out, they First, in the past, my country did not Saudi Arabia has beautiful native had to be fully covered. We should, recognize women to be humans. It clothes. Every man in my country wears however, open a parenthesis here to means that they did not have any a white robe. Its name in Arabic is thob. say that most of the women at that rights and could not make any We also wear a red scarf. Its name in time really believed that this practice decisions concerning themselves. Arabic is shomag. The people wear the was correct. This practice is changing For example, in the past, families thob and shomag when they go to work, to now and some of them today are not could decide to give their daughters school, and to pray. The women wear a fully covered. This is particularly true who were only12 or 15 years old as black dress. Its name is abaiah. The with those women who are working in spouses to other families to create women in my country wear the abaiah hospitals or modern companies or strong relationships. The girls were because this is our tradition in Saudi who have spent some time in Western not informed about the decision. Arabia. From time to time, I miss my countries. When the wedding date arrived, the native clothes. groom, who was usually an old man and who had already had two or Narratives of the Ivory Coast three wives, came to take his new The Role of Women in Saudi Arabia Helena Yoffou, 6A wife. Now it is different. Women Is Changing The Ivory Coast is located on the west have the right to choose their Abdulaziz Saud, 4D side of the African continent and husbands even if their families do A long time ago, women in Saudi Arabia shares a coast with the Gulf of Guinea. not agree. What is more, the current could not do anything. They just stayed The country borders Mali and Burkina law forbids underage marriage. Also, at home doing the housework and Faso on the north side, Guinea and in the past, when a girl got married, taking care of the kids. Now everything Liberia on the west side, and Ghana her job was just to give birth to is extremely different. There are many on the east side. children and to take care of them. differences between Saudi women in the She had to make sure that the The Ivory Coast is composed of sixty past and in the present. This essay children got food and were healthy. sub-ethnic groups classified into four explores three important changes that The wife was considered an object main groups that came from are taking place in the role of women, and the man could treat her any way neighboring countries for different especially in their education and their he wanted. Now all of these things reasons. The Mandes established looks. have changed. themselves on the northwest side of First, let’s talk about education. Long the country because of Saharan Second, in the past, some jobs were ago, education in my country was only commerce opportunities. The other just for men because women were for men, and women were excluded three groups came to the Ivory Coast believed to be unable to do them. from the benefit of education. The most in order to escape the war in their The jobs that women were not important reason for this situation is country. The Krous, who came from allowed to do included those of that men at that time thought that the Liberia, are located on the southwest Spring 2010 Page 13

side (my sub-ethnic group, the Bétés, French colonists arrived and took coffee exportation. Because of a comes from this group); the Gour, possession of the whole territory growing economy, the Ivory Coast who came from Mali and Burkina until the 1960s. During colonial established itself as the most Faso, are concentrated on the times, local people were coerced to influential country in West Africa. northeast side; and finally, the Akan, work for the French as slaves in During this time, the country from Ghana, are found on the cocoa and coffee plantations. The enjoyed political, economical, and southeast side of the country. As a harvests were directly exported to social stability. After the death of result, the Ivory Coast is considered Europe to fund the French president Houphouët-Boigny, the the most welcoming country. economy. It was the same for political class struggled to succeed Indeed, a third of its population is mining and wood exportation. The him peacefully. The Ivory Coast composed of foreigners from slave workers also built a railroad to suffered a coup d’état in 1999 that everywhere in the world. Also, the connect Abidjan, Ivory Coast and brought General Robert Guei to second sentence of our national Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. The power. In 2002, the General was anthem says, “Pays de l’hospitalité,” colonization would last until the assassinated in an attempted military meaning “country of hospitality.” independence in 1960. Nowadays, coup that left the country divided in By the fifteenth century, the the fact that we speak French in the two. The south side is controlled by Portuguese were the first European Ivory Coast is a strong reminder of the government troops and the explorers who arrived and started this period. north side by the rebels. Laurent slavery as well as ivory trade. They Felix Houphouët-Boigny was the Gbagbo is the current president of called the country “Costa de first president of the Republic of Ivory Coast. Marfil” (Ivory Coast) and named Ivory Coast and stayed in power for Even though the Ivory Coast is an many cities and rivers, which have three decades. It was a prosperous independent country today, it still maintained their original names till era for the Ivory Coast, which has a strong political and this day. developed itself thanks to the economical French influence. During the nineteenth century, revenues mainly from cocoa and Page 14 Voices AMAZING PLACES

Angkor Wat Anh Ngo, 3B Angkor Wat, one of the fundamental heritage places of the world, is a place with a lot of mysteries and wonderful architecture. Last year, I traveled to Cambodia to visit this interesting country, and it surprised me because of many incredible aspects. First of all, many mysteries of Angkor have never been explained. Archeologists have done a lot of research trying to find out how people were able to move many huge stones a long distance from place to place. There were a lot of mysterious miracles about the statues on the walls, which are still today a secret of Cambodian ancestors. Moreover, Angkor Wat gave many messages from ancestors to descendants, and they are still useful in modern life today. Secondly, Angkor Wat has wonderful architecture. It was built seven floors high, and it was designed with four entrances from north, south, east, and west. It has an enormous manmade lake around the building, and this lake was the main water supply for Cambodia at that time. In conclusion, Angkor Wat is a place that people should visit before they die. They will personally discover another world with a lot of interesting and mysterious history.

What Do You Know about the Rose Red City? Rana Oweinat, 3C The Rose Red City has always intrigued me, so finally, I made up my mind, and here I am standing in front of the mysterious statue of the magnificent Rose Red City. Starting with the name of this city, I didn’t know why they called it this name until I saw the color of the pink stones that built up the city. I can’t describe my feeling (was it shock or confusion?), but it is really an amazing place. I do believe it is a sensational place for scientists. It is like a puzzle they had to speculate about and figure out how they did that. Was it a cooperative work? Petra, which is the other name for this city located in Jordan, became one of the Seven Wonders of the World in 2007, and that has fascinated tourists from all over the world to visit it. People who live in that area make their living by selling souvenirs for tourists or by renting horses to the tourists to arrive to the fantastic Petra. In brief, no one who visits this area can stop dreaming about the beauty and the greatness of this place. Spring 2010 Page 15

U.S. EXPERIENCES

The Internet in the U.S. next day, they spoke slowly and me that I could go study in the U.S. At Eid Alkhaldi, 4A explained in a friendly way when I first I was really scared because of what didn’t understand. I had heard. After a while, I realized that There are many things that have I have many new friends from other it would be a great opportunity to really surprised me in my life; however, the countries. I like them. In my country, know American people. one that I was most surprised by was some people don’t like people from When I arrived at the U.S., in August the Internet in the U.S. Actually, I Africa. They think Africans are 2009, I called my friends and told them was surprised by it for two reasons, dangerous and not good. But when I that it was like a challenge against all my which are the Internet speed and the met my African classmates, I liked preconceived notions about the U.S. I ways that people use it. them. In the LCC, I have many have been here for almost six months When I came to the U.S., I couldn’t friends from Africa. They are so nice and now I’m ashamed of all the bad believe the incredible speed of the and they help me very much. things I used to think because Internet here because it is different On my first day in the LCC, my first Americans are so friendly and patient, from in Saudi Arabia. In Saudi friend was Pinky from Thailand. We and even though I’m a foreigner, they Arabia, if I want to watch a video on became friends sharing everything and have treated me well. It has really YouTube, even if it’s two minutes, it understanding together, just using surprised me because in my country takes at least fifteen minutes. On the English. Many of our classmates think people aren’t friendly, and when they other hand, here I can download a we are from the same country, that I notice that you’re a foreigner, they make lot of videos at the same time in a understand Thai and she understands fun of you. few minutes, and I can surf the Vietnamese. Maybe it’s because both Living in the U.S has taught me a lot of Internet faster than in Saudi Arabia. of us are Asian. Our classmates are things that I wasn’t aware of. I have l The other thing that surprised me is surprised to know that we are from earned that we can’t judge without the ways that people use the Internet different countries. knowing or being totally sure. in the U.S. because in Saudi Arabia it English is wonderful. It helps connect isn’t as good as in the U.S. In the people from different countries. We U.S., I can pay my phone bill on the come to America, make new friends, My Son Speaks English Better Than Internet, and I can also buy some and share emotions together. I Do clothes from store websites, such as Armani Exchange, and even if I Arnold Ouedraogo, 2A want to order some food, I can. Change of Opinion It’s amazing to see this child, born and However, In Saudi Arabia, I can’t do Euridice Cortez, 5B growing up here in the USA! It’s any of the things that I can do in the Before I came to the U.S., I had especially surprising to see him learning U.S. People in my country use the the languages he hears around him. My Internet just to have fun. different opinions from those that I have now. I thought that all son, Ganny, is not quite two years old, To sum up, I have faced a lot of Americans were materialistic and but he speaks English better than his things that have surprised me in my didn’t really care about others’ father. I often take pleasure in just life; however, the one that really opinions. I also believed that all hearing him speak. I have learned new surprised me was the Internet in the American teenagers were rude because words with him and will never stop this U.S. because it has unbelievable I saw in many T.V. programs that they learning. Recently, I gave him some speed and people can use it in many didn’t respect their parents and they drawing exercises to do. When he ways. used a lot of bad language. I also saw finished, he politely said, “Daddy, I that they talked about a lot of violence finished my drawings and now I want to Being an LCC Student and crime on the news. do something else if you want.” Almost two years old and politely asking his Trang Tran, 2A I remember that I told myself once father for permission! Amazing! that I would never live in a country When I came to the LCC, it was like like this, where people don’t respect Heaven. I have American teachers each other and where the government who are so nice to me. I really allows people to have guns. But then, worried the first day when I didn’t my father got a grant for me and told understand everything they said. The Page 16 Voices Life Here it was very exciting. All of the spec- see some animals that were so cute. Serge Sampebre, 2B tators started to raise their hands Our trip to the zoo was enjoyable and scream. The cowboys played because my family spent fun time I live near Richmond and Dunvale with around until 9:30. After that, we saw together and found many interesting my cousin and his friend. We are three Mary J. Blige. She is a very good things to share. in the same apartment. Every week, each singer, and some of the spectators of us must cook two times, and every danced to some of her songs. At

Sunday, we go shopping at Fiesta or at 11:00, I went home. I was still ex-

Wal-Mart behind our complex. During cited. It was an amazing trip. I want the week, we sometimes eat Chinese or to go on the rodeo trip next year. Mexican food, which is very interesting for our experience. I find that American life is very interesting because we must The Houston Zoo cook our food, clean our apartment, and Fengling Wang, 4A wash our clothes ourselves, but to be I recently went with my family to honest, this life is very hard. the Houston Zoo. It was interesting and a lot of fun. We saw many spe- The Rodeo cies of animals, such as mammals, Khalid Alhumaidi, 1B reptiles, and amphibians, and we The rodeo was on the fifth of March. learned about their habits and distri- We met at the University Center. Almost bution throughout the world by all of the LCC students were there. Then reading labels. Watching wildlife we rode the bus to the rodeo. We got rambling from here to there was there at 2:00 in the afternoon. First, I also something for our family to played with my friends, and we enjoyed enjoy. At the zoo, we could observe the shows. After that, we went to a res- animals face to face instead of see- taurant and ate a delicious pizza. At 7:00 ing them just on TV. We spent time at night, they started the fireworks, and outside in the fresh air and got to Spring 2010 Page 17

LCC STUDENTS ENJOYING THE HOUSTON LIVESTOCK SHOW AND RODEO Page 18 Voices LCC CULTURE FESTIVAL Spring 2010 Page 19 Page 20 Voices

Several LCC students spent Spring Break doing volunteer work at Ghost Ranch in New Mexico. Spring 2010 Page 21 SPRING BREAK Ghost Ranch snow. It looked so fantastic. his kinfolk and how they had suffered in the Ha Chu (Ruby), 3B The next day, the sun was shining, and past to be like we know them now, and it was the most perfect weather I had about his life among all his people. He told Ghost Ranch is a good place to go for ever seen. Now, I thought, that’s why us how earlier in his life he had done awful relaxing and leaving your busy life everybody wants to stay here. So, if I things such as alcohol and drugs. However, behind. I went there during Spring have another chance, I will surely he quit these things after he got shot and Break for a community service return to Ghost Ranch to relax. lost a lot of family members. He realized project. From Houston to New that life is beyond a price. Now he is the Mexico took us one day, and youngest leader of his people in his lifetime. everybody was tired, but when we My Spring Break Moreover, he told us he prays every reached Ghost Ranch, we were morning for everyone he knows and shares excited because of the wonderful Sami Bamatraf, 3B his breath with their spirits. weather and beautiful landscape. The Last week was our Spring Break, and I The Native Americans also taught us their area around Ghost Ranch is protected went on a trip to New Mexico with own traditional dance. That was the most by a lot of huge and magnificent the greatest group I have ever met. fantastic and wonderful thing I have ever mountains, which made me feel quite The purpose of the trip was to do done. tiny in front of such imposing and some community service work in abundant natural sculpture. Finally, I learned something really different places, but it was also a important, and that is how you can live with I was surprised and asked myself how wonderful learning experience. no communication with others, except your people could live there without The first day, we were divided into small group, for one week. At the anything. They didn’t have a small working groups. Some of the beginning, that was the worst thing I could supermarket or a clinic, and the school volunteers went to paint some walls; think of, but I got used to it little by little was so far away from their houses. It the girls went to the office to organize until finally I didn’t even worry about it. was not convenient, but I figured out files; and the leaders took my group to that people live there because of the In conclusion, although we drove almost do the real work, which was digging weather and the beautiful view. In seventeen hours away, which made us tired through the snow to find the concrete, addition, they have fresh air every for sure, I learned many things from this and that was really hard work. For morning when they wake up, and they trip. It was only a week, but it seemed like a example, we had to remove the snow think that they live longer in this year of work and also fun with awesome first from the top and then start to dig location. friends. This was my Spring Break for this the muddy places in the ground until year, and I really enjoyed it. I just wanted to see everything that I we could see the concrete. One of us had heard about from others. At night even got injured; he slipped and fell, it was a quiet area, but during the but he got fixed up quickly and came Spring Break in New Mexico daytime, when I woke up, I felt the back to work. Linh Mai (Lucky), 3B fresh air that Houston will never have; The second day, I worked with Last week we went with other University furthermore, in the evening, snow was another group. We went to a farm to of Houston students to New Mexico to do falling, and that was so marvelous. build a chicken coop. We worked as a humanitarian service during Spring Break. After a few hours, the snow stopped, team and we did an excellent job and On Saturday we met each other on and everything was white. I looked up turned out a first-class chicken coop. campus, and everybody was smiling as one at all the mountains around Ghost by one we introduced ourselves to each Ranch, and from the top to the Next, we met a Native American man other. About 9:30 a.m. we left Houston, bottom of the mountains there was named Gilbert. He talked with us about and at 1:30 p.m. we stopped for lunch in Page 22 Voices Dallas at a huge mall. We were quite looking to have fun during your My Spring Break holiday! lively because we were excited about Americo Geovanni Dos Santos, 3A going to New Mexico, where we would Before Spring Break, my friends and I My Spring Break was peaceful and see snow and mountains and feel the decided to go to another city. One of reflective. I mean it was a good time to fresh air. We ate lunch in the huge mall. them suggested Miami and others said think about myself. The first days were After one hour, we continued our trip. somewhere in Florida, but we faced a little weird because the university was On the way, we saw a lot of farms with some obstacles. My cousin almost empty, and everything around cows, horses and sheep…they were recommended traveling to South Padre me seemed so unlively. Yet, I wasn’t smelly. At 6:30 p.m. we stopped in Island, which is the place we chose. bothered by it; in fact, I actually Amarillo, a city in the Texas panhandle, The town is located on South Padre considered it an opportunity to have and we ate delicious Mexican food. It Island, a barrier island along the Texas some rest, so I availed myself of it, as I was extraordinary. After dinner, we Gulf Coast which is accessible via a had been thinking deeply about what I played games together until 12:30 a.m. causeway from the town of Port Isabel. wanted for myself in the future. Am I The next morning, we went to New Our trip took six hours by car. When doing right? Am I on a good way? Mexico non stop because we wanted to we arrived, the weather was fantastic. These kinds of questions had been reach there as soon as possible. We First of all, we had to rent a room in a troubling me. Actually, I think I have arrived there at 3:30 in the afternoon. It hotel near the beach. Then we changed been trying to find myself because I’ve was very cold, and it was snowing, but our clothes and hurried to enjoy the been feeling a little lost since I came to it was great. That was the first time I beach. People there were very friendly U.S.A. I had never thought about how had ever seen snow, and I could touch and kind. We met a group of them to hard it could be to take care of myself it. Everything looked like a dream. play games and have fun. There was a and be far away from my family. Everybody made snowmen, and we special beach called Coca Cola Beach, Moreover, I think I have discovered had a great time. where they have activities from 1 p.m. how important my parents are. to 5 p.m. every day during this vacation The next day, we couldn’t work or do Although I didn’t do very many week. Among these activities, were tug anything because the snow was so interesting things, like go to the cinema, of war and endurance competitions, in dense, so the leader took us to visit malls, or museums, and I didn’t hang addition to singing and dancing. Other some places. We met lots of people, out with friends, the break wasn’t bad people preferred sunbathing, swimming and we could even understand the at all. Sometimes it can be very and surfing by jet ski. Native American people. They were interesting and enlightening for us to very kind because they always said “hi” Every night there were other special take a look at ourselves and review our even though they didn’t know us. We activities. There were a lot of topnotch concerns. It’s incredible how self- worked there for two days, and we did restaurants, and they had delicious food conversation can help us. anything they needed to have done. and affordable prices. After that, we It is true that interacting with myself walked in the noisy street and there It was an interesting Spring Break, and wasn’t an exciting way to spend my were many different people from it helped me to learn something about Spring Break, but it was very different cities. There were many New Mexico. informative and positive as I nightclubs, and some of them faced the discovered that my subconscious, if it is sea. People were dancing together with Spring Break well explored, can give me interesting loud music under huge speakers. feedback. Although I haven’t yet found Mohammed Baagiel, 3A Finally, we went back to the hotel after myself, I feel I am on the way. a long day. In conclusion, I spent the Spring Break is a wonderful opportunity most fun and exciting three days ever if you have good friends and you are on South Padre Island at Spring Break. Spring 2010 Page 23 VALUES AND BELIEFS Cause and Effect eating and sexual life, if you want to be simple things, so when they are alone, Belal Abuayyash, 5B cured, cultivate your mind first, and they suffer a lot trying to do some then take medicine.” Most Korean things that their parents should have When I was in elementary school, I was ancestors believe that the power of the taught them. I’m happy to know these the first in the class in all subjects. I used mind outweighs the effect of medicine. things, which help me a lot because to focus on every single word that the There are still many herb doctors in they are important every day. teachers were saying in the class. I never Korea. Also, common people regard read anything at home, even when Responsibility is the other important shamans as therapists. They also think preparing for final exams, and I always thing that my parents taught me. that exorcism can treat diseases unable got the highest grade in the class. I was Without it, a person could have many to be seen. A piece of research written labeled a genius by all the people around problems. I have needed it everywhere. in 1920 shows that at that time, about me. And, of course, I kept dealing with For example, I needed it for my four fifths of all diseases in Korea were school as I was used to doing. homework when I was in high school, being treated by shamans, and it helped me to be a good student. When I went to high school, the situation grandmothers, or mothers. I was very Responsibility is a value which all of us was the same but worse: staying awake all surprised after reading this article. should have because it helps us to be night, hanging out and playing cards, Today, many studies support the fact successful people. going to school with nothing except my that the mind is more powerful than To sum up, all of these things that my pen, sleeping in classes, and not even medicine, so many doctors including parents taught me have helped me to buying the books (100% careless). I herb doctors are using mind relaxation be a nice, responsible, and independent started having trouble with math and as a part of treatment. physics, and I felt that I would never pass person. I’m grateful to my parents since the final tests (the ministry tests). One they made my life easier. day, when I was hanging out with my What I Learned from My Parents friends, I jokingly told them that I would Pedro Nastasi, 4A Respect get “B” in those tests. As it was 3:00 a.m. While growing up, my parents taught Jeremie Oubda, 3C and the first final test would be five hours me some essential things which have Respect refers to a good feeling toward later, they said that it was impossible. helped me be a good, independent, and someone you respect. It’s a will to One of them, who was my cousin, said, aware person in many aspects of life, satisfy this person by trying to accept “I dare you even to pass.” We were just and which now help me to continue my him just the way he is. A joking, but in fact I took it seriously. life without them. Good manners, respectful person doesn’t want to When I went back home, I could not stop independence, and responsibility are deceive anyone and just desires to live thinking about those words. The first the most important things which my with good relationships with others. thing I did was I took all the furniture out parents taught me. Nowadays, however, respect can have and burnt it outside, and I kept only a A person without proper manners isn’t others meanings. First, it can refer to chair, a desk, and my 3000 Watt alarm – able to develop good relationships with fearing someone. For example, the which used to wake up all the neighbors other people. My parents taught me powerful countries are in first place and before me (I lived alone at that time). some important tips, such as not the least powerful have to follow their Then I called all my friends and told them speaking with food in my mouth, not decisions. Second, respect may depend that I was going to start preparing for the saying bad words, not answering them on self-interest; that means that respect tests and that I wanted no one to visit or in a bad way, respecting them and doesn’t exist in its real meaning. In this even call me until the last day of the tests. people older than me, etc. Those tips case, the rich get the most respect. I made a plan, bought the books, and about how I had to behave helped me They don’t value the human being; they started studying 18 hours a day. Finally, to be a cultivated person. just value their own interests. As a the result: 93.1%. I won’t make a While growing up, a person needs to result, the world is divided. On the one conclusion about that. I’ll leave it to you. learn so many things in order not to hand we have rich people, and on the rely on his or her parents into other hand we have the poor people Mind over Medicine adulthood; therefore, my parents taught who undergo the caprices of rich Jung-im Park, 5A me how to do many things by myself. people. As a solution, we have to For example, my mother taught me reconsider the word respect in its true In Korea, there is a traditional medical how to cook, how to dust my house, meaning for the best world possible. book, Donghuibogam, written by Joon and how to be organized. So many Huh, an herb doctor. It says, “Because all people don’t know how to do these human diseases are caused by the habit of Page 24 Voices Guatemalan Proverbs this proverb until I was about twelve suggested that I change my old ring, Daniel Bonifaz, 6B years old. By then, I understood that too. But I refused. For me, new jewels people will judge you as a good or bad are not beautiful because it’s more the Proverbs are used all over the world. person depending on who your friends meaning of the thing that makes it Most of the time, proverbs are used in are. beautiful, and not whether it is new or an indirect way, so it doesn’t matter old. how long or how short the proverb is; “Más ayuda él que no estorba.” This is what matters is that you understand it. another famous proverb in my country. I like to see people wearing old jewels, In Guatemala, from the time we are It means, “The one that doesn’t get in even if they are not shining anymore born, we try to pervasively encourage the way will be more helpful than the or they are not really beautiful to look kids to know how important the core one that is a nuisance.” Sometimes it is at any more. When they wear old values are. These values include better not to help if you are not going to jewels, it means that they really love courage, wisdom, and respect, among take things seriously because if anything their jewels, and if you ask them others. goes wrong, you are going to be the about these jewels, they could tell you scapegoat. a lot about them. I have an old ring on Courage is an important value in my my right hand that I have never taken country because you need to have Guatemala is not that recognized in the world, yet those who do know off and that I have loved very much. passion and desire for what you want. First, I love it because it is a gift from There is a proverb in Guatemala that something about it can say that we Guatemalans are very respectful and a person that is very special to me. says: “Vale más morir intentándolo que Whenever I look at it, I always vivir toda la vida lamentándolo.” The attentive with other people. “De poquito en poquito se llena el jarrito.” This proverb remember that day when she gave it to translation is: “It’s better if you try to me, telling me if something happened do something and die, than to die explains patience, which is one aspect of respect. The literal translation would be: and we had to be separated by without even trying and then regret it distance, I should remember that even for the rest of your life.” This proverb “Drop by drop, the jar gets filled,” meaning that everyone has a limit, so if she was not physically close to me, has a lot of sentimental meaning she would keep me on her mind and because it points out the difference you should be careful because sooner or later, someone will explode. that one day we would meet again. between whether you have cheated Secondly, I love that ring because yourself by not following your My very favorite proverb says: “Todos many times when we had some happiness or whether you are willing quieren meter su cuchara en la sopa.” This troubles, that ring helped us to resolve to do what it takes to find it. means that sometimes people do not the troubles. care about other people’s problems, but My dad always said to me that the That person is my girlfriend and that biggest success will be disguised as they still give their opinion. Literally translated, it means: “Everyone wants to ring embodies the attachment between bigger problems. Therefore, I decided us. to include this proverb: “Caer es put their spoon in the soup.” Some permitido, levantarse es obligatorio.” The people like privacy, which is why you It happens often that when things translation would be: “Falling is shouldn’t do what you wouldn’t like become old, we don’t like them permitted, but getting up is a must.” other people to do to you. anymore. However, when those things This is one of my favorite proverbs I would like to conclude by saying that have a particular meaning after several because it explains that no one is every culture has proverbs. Proverbs years, it’s still as beautiful as on the perfect and that making mistakes is teach us the lessons learned and first day we saw it. conceivably possible, yet you should perfected by our own ancestors with the try not to do them again. purpose of making us realize humility, Values and Assumptions of My Wisdom is a strong word, and from love, and respect. Culture my point of view, it is gained from Mingyue Tan, 6A personal experiences or basically from The Meaning of Things the simple act of living; in my country, Because of the different locations, wisdom is everywhere because there Bourdes Anyimbi, 4D histories, theories and backgrounds, are a lot of elderly people. My For a lot of people, new things are the there are many cultural nuances grandfather always told me: “Dime con most beautiful. Two days ago, I went to between countries. One of the biggest quién andas y te diré quién eres,” or Wal-Mart with my niece, who is 23 years differences between Chinese and translated to English, “Tell me who old. When we approached the jewelry American culture is thatyou should be you are with, and I will tell you who area, she started to tell me about the old modest in China. It is a virtue in my you really are.” I never understood jewels that she wants to change and country. For example, if I told you Spring 2010 Page 25

that you are so beautiful, instead of have been able to recognize the way. For example, they try to use words saying “thank you,” you should say, importance of academic honesty. that make them feel more relaxed. “Come on! You are so much better Every year our teachers tell us to than I am.” No one will say that he or avoid plagiarism. Plagiarism can be a she is the best. very serious mistake. First, if a Values of our Lives Another important value is to show person copies another’s homework Thuy Vuong, 6A or test answers, he is acting like a respect to others. In my culture, Vietnamese culture stands on the base of children cannot call adults by their thief. Maybe he uses the other’s achievement to gain a lot of respect, Asian culture. We appreciate respect, name. They need to show deep respect morality, and family values. for teachers, parents and elderly people. flowers, or honors, but he is still a If someone comes in while you are thief. Second, the plagiarist will First of all, respect and morality are the sitting, you should stand up and give always stop at his current level. most important factors to judge a person. the seat to them. When we make Because he plagiarizes, I would say, We are taught that we need to be conversation with teachers or parents, he stops gaining new knowledge. He respectful and grateful to others, we usually don’t look at them directly. just enjoys the achievement of especially the elders. People will look at We also have different words for others. In the end, he’ll find he how we treat others in order to evaluate different people based on age, gender, understands nothing. In sum, us. In addition, Vietnamese appreciate and relationship, in order to make plagiarism is a serious problem that morality. Vietnamese culture is affected conversation gentler. all of us must avoid. Let’s not be lazy by conscious thoughts and moral in our studies. We must follow our standards. We are supposed to respect Last but not least, privacy is very plan to study step by step, enjoying the elders and receive respect from the important. Actually, we don’t tell others our own achievement. younger people. This is also the rule in what bad things happen in our family our family. because we have an old fashioned proverb that says,” Don’t wash your Power of the Mind Second, the Vietnamese appreciate the values of family. Family, deep in our dirty linens in public.” This means Cristina Trujillo, 5A family troubles are not a thing to be thoughts, is the most important element talked about in public. We also don’t A lot of research around the world of our lives. We were born and have ask others their secrets unless they tell focuses on the effects of the mind been taught and taken care of by the us without prodding. If someone told over the body. Researchers are family, so we are supposed to live for it. you their secret and without permission demonstrating the power and In addition, people may evaluate one’s you told it to another person, it would importance of a healthy mind. For morality based on his or her family. For really be rough. After that, you might some reason, your body can show example, if people know that your father no longer have any friends. what your mind is thinking. is in jail, most will look at you with a Sometimes we can’t avoid it, but we suspicious attitude and treat you in the One more thing is different. In school, know that something is happening same way. In fact, these thoughts have teachers usually put a list of students’ inside and we feel different. This is been in our culture for such a long time scores for everyone to see. They do this what the power of the mind means. that we can hardly change them. in order to encourage students to study In Venezuelan culture, practices of hard to make a better impression on In conclusion, Vietnamese culture, as relaxation are more and more with most Asian countries, appreciates others. Chinese people care about their common in hospitals, especially for image, and no one wants to lose face. respect, morality, and the values of people suffering critical illness. Many family. All of the above are some important doctors think the mind can deter the points for understanding my culture. I medicines’ effects or produce hope you won’t get culture shock! depression, which is the worst enemy Values of Proverbs of the body when it’s facing an Justine Lee, 6B illness. Also, the power of what a The Importance of Academic patient is thinking about his/her Proverbs are concise expressions of the Honesty future could help him/her to fight wisdom of life experiences. From Jin Zhang, 4A against the illness and support the childhood, we learn verbally or literally immune system to be better. Doctors from our family, school, and society. This article, by teacher Kathy Najafi, always try to motivate the patient to Over the years, with lots of trial and talks about academic integrity, which is think positively. Also, they strive to error, we learn firsthand the meanings of imperative for students in colleges and treat the patients in an encouraging proverbs. Moreover, proverbs exist universities all around the world. As a across the barriers of language, religion, student, from a six-year-old until now, I and culture. Page 26 Voices

Confucius, who was a After he got married and had A N IMPORTANT PERSON Chinese thinker and social a baby, to have a better philosopher, has significantly environment for his family, My Best Friend influenced Oriental society. I he was determined to quit Nassaran Diakite, 1C would like to introduce to you smoking. As a result of this, three of the most important he found out his weakness My best friend’s name is Kadidiatou. She is twenty-two values that he has taught us, and changed it, which was the years old. She is single, but she lives in Mali with her which are consideration, smarter way. sister and her two big dogs. She has two brothers and reflection, and peacefulness. The most significant core three sisters. She lost her parents when she was very young. She goes to the School of Economics in Mali, 己所不欲, 勿施於人 value that Confucius delivered to us is peacefulness. and she is in her fourth year. She likes movies and “Never impose on others swimming. My best friend, Kadidiatou, is very funny, what you would not choose 君子動口, 不動手 interesting, and tolerant. I love my friend, and I miss for yourself.” This tells us The English translation is: her a lot. that if you do not wish “People win games with My Best Friend something for yourself, do dignity, not with violence.” It Aminata Bah, 1B not do it to others. The core presents an ideal of value is consideration. While peacefulness among human My best friend’s name is Diarra. She is twenty-seven people focus on individualism beings. Confucius bestowed years old. My best friend is very kind. She is married. nowadays, we should not his life with peacefulness. She has one son. My best friend lives in Mali with her forget that we are members of What we need is a husband. She has short, wavy, black hair. She is tall. a larger group in the world. harmonious society. Violence Her eyes are brown. My best friend is a teacher. She Being considerate of people is should be avoided to the likes children. My best friend likes to cook rice with important for living in a greatest extent possible. One’s fish. She is beautiful. I love my best friend because she group. For example, a non- dignity always depends upon is a great person. polluted planet is critical for his manner. The fourteenth My Best Friend human beings. In order to Dalai Lama, who was Abdoul Kadre Sawadogo, 1D save the vulnerable earth, awarded the Nobel Peace industries should consider Prize, didn’t inspire Tibetans I want to describe my best friend. His name is Mo- reducing pollution rather than to fight opponents through hamed Ouedraogo. Like me, he is from Burkina Faso. strictly making profits. Being war. He advocated peace for He is 21 years old, and he is the first son of his family. considerate of your group and his people and received He has five sisters and brothers. He is first in his class, not being selfish is respect worldwide. so I know he is intelligent. He talks a appreciated. Peacefulness is the only way ot too, and he makes everybody smile. Some say he is Reflection is a process to utopia. very friendly. Others say he is a comedian. I say he likes whereby people notice and In conclusion, consideration, to party every Saturday night, and he invites me to go improve the mistakes they reflection, and peacefulness with him. I like Mohamed. He is my best friend, and I have made. Confucius said, are well rooted in our life and am his too. “To know your faults and be have influenced our attitude My Mother able to change is the greatest towards people, society, and Seydou Keita, 1B virtue.” family. They guide us in daily I have a beautiful and very excellent mother. Her name 知錯能改, 善莫大焉 life. Therefore, the proverbs you learn teach the values you is Aminata. She is an old person. She has long, light No one is perfect, but we can can acquire. Indeed, we are black hair. She lives in Bamako, Mali. She is married. face errors and learn lessons fortunate to have our Her husband’s name is Falaye Keita. He is my father. from them. In contrast, if we ancestors’ intellectual He is a very excellent person, too. They have five chil- don’t face faults, the treasures, which tend to bring dren, but they don’t have pets. My mother works at a problems will be exacerbated. us a better life. school. Her job is very hard. She wakes up early every One of my friends had day to go to school at 6:10 a.m. She likes her job be- smoked for twenty years since cause she is an educator. My mother is very intelligent his adolescence because he and hardworking. I love her very much, and I miss her thought smoking made him all of the time. more accepted by his peers. Spring 2010 Page 27 A FEW OF OUR FAVORITE THINGS Memory of A Shirt favorite and which is very rare because it who is now dead. This essay always brings me memories of the time explains two reasons I want to Yanasate Aattawachara, 4E when I was a child. keep this old jacket. Most students have memories about Although traveling is now more and The first reason I want to keep friendship in high school. In Thailand, more common, it is still hard for me the jacket is because I got it from it is a tradition that when students because my parents do not have time to my cousin on one rainy day when graduate from high school, they accompany me on trips. However, an he and I were together in a exchange something with each other opportunity presented itself when I was basketball game. On that day, it such as a book, diary, etc. The only ten years old. That summer, we went to rained heavily and the weather one thing that I still keep is my high DaLian, which is not too far away from was freezing cold. I did not have a school shirt. my home. There, we went to the parks, jacket and I started to feel The high school shirt that I have been the beach, and an entertainment place bad because it was so cold. When keeping for a long time still reminds called “Kingdom of Discovery.” We my cousin saw me shivering from me of my high school life. We had a spent a whole day at the place playing the cold, he lent me his jacket lot of things to do together and there interesting games and enjoying the and I felt better. He was so nice to was so much fun. This shirt, which beautiful landscape. Fascinated by the me that he was willing to sacrifice was a uniform for students in my place, my family and I took a lot of his own comfort on my behalf. school, is white and has an ID number photos of ourselves in different He even lied to me that he did not and the logo of school, and everyone postures. Of course, we made sure that feel cold despite the bad weather. has to wear it every day. On the last all three of us were in these photos. I was so moved by his kindness day of high school, we had a Of all the photos we took at DaLian, I that up to now, I have always graduation ceremony. I brought it like best the one of my family playing wanted to keep the jacket with with me and passed it to my friends so games in the facilities. I like this photo me. that they could sign their names and because all of us looked very happy. The second reason I want to keep write something about me on it. They There were even smiles on my parents’ the jacket like a treasure is that could write anything anywhere on the faces, which was rare because their life two years after what happened on shirt except the front pocket because was so hard that they had never been the basketball court, my cousin that was the space reserved for the seen with smiles before. After this trip, I died and his jacket is the only most important teacher. Because the also made some other trips, but I was personal object from him that I shirt is full of messages from my always accompanied by my aunt and now have. Here I must add that teacher and friends, I still keep it and never by my parents, as they were so the jacket was my cousin’s never wash it for fear that what is busy with work. favorite and so, whenever I see it, written on it will be washed away. I can remember him and Some people think that it is too old As compared with the other photos, this remember also the many and dirty to keep. But I don’t care. It photo is old and not beautiful. However, adventures that we had in our is valuable to me. in my eyes, it is the perfect photo and I never want to throw it away because it younger days. Many people keep something to always reminds me of the happiest I do not use the jacket anymore remind them of their beautiful past moments I had with my parents. and it is now packed away in my life. For me that shirt is important and closet, together with my old I cannot throw it away. It always clothes. However, I have never reminds me of my wonderful high My Cousin’s Old Jacket once thought about throwing it school life. Saúl Isaac Rico Jiménez, 4D away because it carries with it a People always have something old in sentimental value for me. As a matter of fact, whenever I open A Rare Photo their closet, in their desk drawers, or maybe under their beds. However, they the closet and see the jacket, I Sabrina Xiao Sun, 4E do not want to throw it away because always remember my cousin and In my life, I have taken lots of photos they are sentimentally attached to it. In that rainy day when he showed his in different places. However, among my case, I am sentimentally attached to a care for me. these is an old photo which is my jacket which belonged to my cousin, Page 28 Voices My Favorite Dollhouse bathroom. It was designed like a who wanted to help me and to Ivy Chen, 4E princess’s room. The bed sheets and encourage me to face the difficulties pillows were laced with pink. Apple- in life. They hoped I would comb my Children have their own favorite toys green floral wallpaper adorned the walls difficulties smooth much in the same which they always take with them of the bedroom. There was a small tea way I would with my hair. How Toys are their good friends. My table where my doll could sit for her tea sincere the friendship was. When I favorite toy is time. I had a lot of happy moments with opened the gift box, I couldn’t help my dollhouse, and I even showed it to crying and I thought I had to be an old dollhouse, and there are lots my friends when they came to visit me. braver. Every time I felt sad, I would of memories I had with this pick up the red comb and remember dollhouse when I was a little girl. them and their love, which gave me The dollhouse is very old and shabby Actually, it was my cousin’s the power and the bravery to deal now, but I do not want to throw it away. dollhouse and I can still remember with the troubles in my life. It is my good friend and it has brought the first time I saw it in her room. I many sweet memories to me. Sometimes Another precious old thing for me is was so deeply obsessed with this when I walk through the display a cartoon badge in which was classical, beautiful dollhouse that I windows of toy stores, I think about my embedded a tiny picture of my could not forget it, nor could I even doll house, about the smell of the wood, mother and me. When I was studying sleep or eat anything. I visited her and about the small exquisite pieces of in Shanghai, my mother couldn’t see many times when I could, and when furniture in it. I believe I will keep my me frequently because my hometown I couldn’t, I would send her letters dollhouse as long as I can. was far away from the city. One day, begging her to lend me the doll my mother appeared at my school

house. One day, she wrote back to without notice. I was so surprised at me, “Sure, I can lend you my doll Love her coming to see me. We went house, but you have to do my shopping and had dinner together. I Lin Ma, 4D homework for me.” I agreed. What I felt that all my body and soul were had to do for her was to paint three Old things are not useless. On the filled with happiness. We took pictures, to make a dog doll, and to contrary, they are sometimes very photos, one of which was later bake a cake for her. After Amy got valuable because they may invoke in us embedded in a cartoon badge. these things, she gave me her feelings of love. In my case, I always Despite the fact that I am now dollhouse. I was a happy bird when I bring with me a red comb and a cartoon studying in the United States, which received it. badge because they are not just things is far from home, I am not lonely The dollhouse was put on my desk, for me, but they are love itself. anymore because I have the picture with me.Some people cannot which was quite big. There were two When I was ten years old, I had to study elaborate on the meaning of love, nor floors in the dollhouse. The first in Shanghai alone because of my can they feel love. For these people, I floor was the living room, which was parents’ divorce. I had to do everything advise them to carry with them some decorated in classical British styles. myself. It was really a tough time for me old things because these old things There were some small pieces of and I almost cried every day. I was not can teach them about love. furniture such as tables, chairs, and happy until my friends gave me one red cabinets, which were all made of comb as my red comb as my thirteenth wood. They were made to look like birthday gift. They were my best friends, real furniture, even the function! The Page 29 Spring 2010

My Pink Bicycle hospital many times because of a lot of The first reason I want to keep my bruises and scratches on my legs and Gulsah Metin, 4E small bicycle is that it had been used arms. In the end, I learned to ride the by my mother before I got it. In my life, I have had a lot of things, bicycle. Both my grandfather and I were According to her, she was seventeen one of which is my old pink bicycle. I very happy. It was a great achievement when her father gave it her because could neither forget nor ever want to on my part. Unluckily, not long after she had gotten very good results at throw it away because of some that, my grandfather passed away school. When she grew up, instead sentimental reasons. because of a heart attack. I was really sad of throwing away her father’s gift, when I heard the news from my mother. When I was a child, I wanted to have she kept it for me. I think I should After his death, I couldn’t ride my pink a pink bicycle, but my mother and do the same thing. I will also keep bicycle anymore because whenever I father didn’t want to buy it because I the bicycle for my children. wanted to ride it, I remembered my had one already. I used to ride this old grandfather and the wonderful moments The second reason I want to keep bicycle with my brother and it was we had had together and I would start to the bicycle is the memory of my OK except for the fact that it was not cry. dear grandfather, who died when I pink. My parents thought that a new was very young. This is because bicycle was not necessary. Then I In conclusion, my old pink bicycle is a although my mother was the one decided to tell my grandfather about very important thing in my life. When I who gave me the bike, it was my my dream. He said that if I passed my see it, I can see my grandfather, and I grandfather who taught me how to tests successfully, he would buy it for can remember the wonderful time when ride it. I still remember when I first me. I was very happy because I we were together. I never want to throw rode the bike. I fell down again and thought that passing tests was not a it away. again and was badly injured. big deal for me. At the end of school, Fortunately, my grandfather was I passed my tests successfully. After always there to take care of me and that, I went to my grandfather’s home to give me advice. Because of his and showed him my school report. He help, I was able to ride my bike very praised me and embraced me. Then, well before he died. Ever since, the he took me to a bicycle shop. I was bicycle has become the only thing to confused as to which was the best for remind me of my dear grandfather. me. Finally, my grandfather helped me choose one. It was pink, and it had a My First Bicycle To sum up, my bicycle is very important to me because it reminds blue bell and large, white wheels. I did Bado Igor Landry, 4D not want to touch it because I was me of the two people dearest to me afraid that I would break it. Now this In my country, children usually get their in my life. I am sure that my future sounds funny, but when I was a child, first bicycles when they are eight or nine children will be happy to see this old it was a serious issue for me. years old. Luckier children get their bicycle because it has been used by bicycles earlier. I was one of these lucky many generations before them. I used to ride a four-wheeled bicycle children because I got my first bike before, so I didn’t know how to use a before I was three years old. Ever since, two-wheeled one. My grandfather I have always kept the bicycle with me taught me how to use it. I fell down for two main reasons. several times and had to go to the Page 30 Voices NOTES FROM THE STUDENT ADVISOR BY DAVE BURNS STUDENT ACTIVITIES The next event was the LCC Culture ambulance to the hospital. Just as his Festival. We shared our cultures as we friend and I arrived to meet him there, New students along with continuing tasted dishes from around the world students went on the first trip of the prepared by both students and staff. a soccer player from another team was spring term during registration week. We had plenty of good food, and we checking in with a bandage around his This gave us the opportunity to get enjoyed viewing beautiful clothes from head and eye. One of the hospital to know one another and make new the many different cultures. A variety employees commented, "Who says friends as well as to see some of music was played, and students soccer isn't a contact support?" interesting things. We went to the danced to their own music as well as Rothko Chapel and then to the the music of other cultures. New this I am happy to report that Servando nearby Menil Collection, a museum term was the addition of games such as was x-rayed, examined, and released. that has art from many countries and chess and backgammon, producing It was a great day. cultures. Next, we went to the some rather competitive bouts. Thanks Galleria, where students and teachers to everyone for helping make the The Falcons represent us well and are shopped and had lunch. The trip Culture Festival a big success. a real asset to the LCC. Please join us ended with a stop at the Waterwall in congratulating them. Our team for some photos, and then we As this is being written, we are getting included Kassoum Traore, Mohamed headed back home to UH. ready for our final field trip of the term. Hadji Traore, Fawaz Alsalloum, We are going to Huntsville State Park! In February, we had the LCC class Abdulmajeed (Medo) Aldakhil, Saleh This is a day when we can all relax, Aldakhil, Isa Alisa, Mana Al Dighrir, photo and sports tournament. After have a picnic, hike in the woods, and the photos, many students went to Moussa Diarra, Sigfrido Esperanza, enjoy being out by the lake. I hope and Pablo Ruggeri. the UC Game room to participate in everyone has a good time. billiards, table tennis, and bowling. Go Falcons!!!!!!! The winners were as follows: The day after the trip, the semester Bowling: 1st – Erencan Yilmaz, 2nd – comes to an end with the graduation Alassane Toure, and 3rd – Drissa ceremony and a reception. We wish Diakite; Billiards: 1st – Meshal good luck to those students who will be IMMIGRATION Alenazy and 2nd – Yen-Chun Lu; leaving us. For those who will be Table Tennis: 1st – Salloom returning, start planning for the Students in F-1 status need to make Alsallom and 2nd – Abdulmajeed summer and prepare to welcome the sure they maintain their immigration (Medo) Aldakhil. new students who will be joining us. status. If you are planning to take a vacation during the break, see Dave SOCCER TEAM Burns or Sam Long first. If you are travelling outside of the U.S., you need The LCC soccer team, the Falcons, to either have your current won the UH intramural soccer championship! The UH intramural I-20 signed on the back or get a new tournament playoffs were held on one. Saturday, April 3. After two rough games and a forfeit from one of their If you are planning on transferring to opponents, the Falcons prevailed. The a new school for summer or on taking LCC Falcons are once again the UH a summer vacation, please see Dave or CHAMPIONS! Sam to make sure you are following the immigration rules. If you have any The day was not without its excitement, doubts or questions about however. Soon after the second game immigration, be sure and see us. It is began, Servando Hernández Vargas, very important that you maintain your our captain and coach, suffered a F-1 status. It is very difficult to get dislocated shoulder and was taken by your student status back if you lose it. Spring 2010 Page 31 Page 32 Voices

POETRY

My Broken Heart My Love Youma Moulekafou, 4C Ahmad Zareei, 4B My heart, this small box where I keep my When I saw you on that rainy day, feelings, my joy and sadness, is crying. I told myself that you are my love. It is crying all day and all night long. I tried to tell you that I had found my love, It is crying because I have lost the most But you left and I felt angry. important thing in my life, I wanted to kill myself without your beautiful face. My grandmother, who was my world. Your eyes were more beautiful than the moon. She did everything for me. I stayed where I had first seen you, She was my mother, my father, my But you never came to satisfy me. grandmother, and my friend at the same time. I complained to God and asked why I should suffer from such love. We were so close... I believed that you would never come to see me again, My dream was to finish my studies, start But then I saw you yesterday and told myself that I would let you go. working, and make a family. But I didn’t do that because I wanted to keep your love in my heart I wanted to make her really proud of me. forever. Proud of the little girl that she built, Who became an accomplished wife My Glass Heart Unfortunately, it is still a dream. Wael Al Mateeq, 4B Why is it a dream? You are the only thing that I have and don't want to lose. Because she died on May 25 of last year, You are my hope, my dream, my life; you are my love. Which was the worst day of my life. When you smile, it is just like refreshing my face with cold water. My dream has shattered. I remember the times we had. It is really hard to desire something, I remember the things that still make me cry. And know or believe that you can now never I wish that I could go back into time. reach your goals. I wish to hug you once again. Life has no meaning to me now because I I know the way to your heart is long and impassable. have lost a part of me. But have you ever heard of making the impassable passable? That is how I now feel. My heart is a house of glass.

Try not to throw a stone at it because it will easily break. (This poem is written to my loving grandmother, who died last year.)

Shadows of My Heart Saleh Aldakhil, 4C Everyone has their own feelings. They might be good or bad. No one can control his or her feelings because it happens naturally. Missing my family or friends makes me upset. Three months ago, my uncle had a car accident; then two months later, he died. Nine months ago, my sister, who had been married for ten years and had no children, had a son. Just as we cannot control death, neither can we control birth. Spring 2010 Page 33

Dreams of My Heart My Lonely Heart Yuxing Zhou, 4B Meansy Phokapan, 4C A sheet of clouds in the sky. Have you ever felt that there are many I am standing beside the water pool. people around, Winds come to my face. But your heart is still so lonely? Natural smells of the fresh air. Many may come and pass your way, I have on sunglasses and am staring at the sun. But no one special. The light is strong and direct. Have you ever felt your heart is look- The same sun and moon are on the earth. ing for someone But it is a different me and a different place at this time. When you are confused and dispir- ited? Families are in my mind, friends are in my heart. But there is no one. I want to be a bird, to fly away. Far away from home this loneliness I try to shake my head and take a deep breath. happens, Everything will be fine and my dream will come true. All day and all night. Open eyes, for I have such a beautiful life in front of me. Every minute and every breath, The only thing I can feel is missing. My Heart Abdullah Almosbih, 4C I’m sitting in front of the pool at the university. It looks like a lake this time, I don’t know why! A lot of people, friends, and classmates are around. I can feel the sun’s rays caressing my skin. I’m enjoying Houston’s beautiful weather today and so are the others. I miss home, especially at this moment. I feel love -- hot, shy, and cold. My Heart I feel everything in front of me and behind me is looking at me! Linh Nguyen, 4C The view is out of this world, and so is my heart at times. Who are you? Sometimes I feel it when I’m alone, when I’m happy and even when I’m sad. When my heart feels cold, I can’t tell myself the truth because it always changes, just as people do. You come and warm it up. Every single morning I look at the mirror and speak to myself: “Who am I?” You take care of all my feelings. Let me call you “my mom.” Holding Whole My Love for You Who are you? Xiaoqian Huang (Anita), 4B When my heart feels upset, Can you see that star hanging on the nook of the sky? You come and soothe it. It looks very lonely but is pretty adamant. You console and hold me tight. You won’t break that piece from persisting, will you? Let me call you “my father.” Because that is the mood which means I miss you so much, Who are you? When I stand on the other side of the ocean. When my heart feels lonely, Can you discover those flowers beside you? You come and tell me that They are blossoming with beautiful flowers. You’re always by my side. You don’t want to bother their beauty, do you? Let me call you “my friend.” They symbolize every colorful moment which I have experienced with you. Who are you? Can you feel those pieces of leaves which are falling from above you? When my heart gets hurt, They are covering around and embracing you softly. You come and give me your shoulder. You don’t want to clean them away from your clothes, do you? You listen to me and make me smile. Because they are telling you how deep is my love. Let me call you “my love.” Page 34 Voices FOLKTALES The Butterfly Lovers landlord had already accepted the searched everywhere in the forest, but proposal of a young man surnamed Ma, he couldn’t find this bamboo. Finally, Xuejiao Dong (Jo), 3C a son from a rich family. Liang Shanbo however, the laborer found it with the Long, long ago, there was a landlord felt utterly sad and got severely sick. help of God. He came back just before surnamed Zhu. He had a daughter named Soon he died. Two beautiful butterflies the wedding and made the landowner Zhu Yingtai who was very beautiful and flying out of the tomb danced elegantly, follow through with his promise. As a smart and liked learning very much. freely and happily in the sun. result, the laborer was able to marry the However, girls were not permitted to go landowner’s daughter and they lived Yingtai, who opposed her father’s to school during that old time. So she had happily together forever. decision about marrying her to Master to stay at home and look through the Ma, became strangely silent when she window at the students coming and going received the message about her brother on the street every day. She envied them A Chinese Folk Hero Liang’s passing away. She put the red very much and thought, “Why does a girl wedding apparel on and got into the Guanfei Li (Daniel), 3C have to stay at home and do embroidery? bridal sedan. When the party escorting Why I can't go to school?” Long long ago, there were ten suns in the bride passed by the tomb of Liang the sky, so it was extremely hot. Of Suddenly she went to her parents and told Shanbo, the wind blew hard out of course, plants couldn’t grow well. There them with courage, “Dad, Mum, I want to anticipation. The party had to stop for was no water to drink, and almost go to Hangzhou to have classes. I can the time being. Yingtai came out from nobody could live. However, there was wear a man’s garments and act like a man the sedan and took the red wedding a man named Yi. He was strong and and I will not be recognized. I promise. attire off and was just in white. She cried smart, and he could use a bow and Please let me go, please!” The old couple loudly and sadly in front of the tomb. A arrows very well. He used the arrows to didn't agree at first but had to do so later sudden thunderstorm came and the shoot down nine of the suns. After that, because Yingtai implored them tomb split amazingly with a loud noise. the plants grew beautifully. Because continually. Yingtai, who loved Liang deeply, there was just one sun in the sky, it was jumped into the tomb with a smile The next morning, Yingtai and her maid, not so hot or cold. In addition, there before others could realize it. Then the both in men’s suits, set out happily to was more and more water for people to tomb closed with a loud noise again. Hangzhou after bidding farewell to her drink. Yi is a hero in people’s The wind ceased and the clouds parents. hearts. scattered. Flowers were dancing in the At school she met a classmate named wind. Two beautiful butterflies flying Liang Shanbo who was excellent and out of the tomb danced elegantly, freely The King’s Shoes knowledgeable. They were like old friends and happily in the sun. Tasneem Alsibaa, 2A from the moment they first saw each other. The two talked and discussed a lot A long time ago, there was a king who The Hundred Knots of Bamboo from then on. Later, they decided to be governed a large state. One day he “sworn brothers” and became more Nam Hoang Ngo, 3C decided to make a long journey into the intimate than before. wilderness. After he came back, he felt A long time ago, a laborer worked for a tired and his feet were swollen because Spring went and autumn came. Three landowner. The worker and the he had walked for a long time along a years had passed. It was time to say landowner’s daughter were deeply in bumpy road. He issued a decree that all goodbye to her teacher and return home. love. Therefore, in order to motivate the streets should be covered with Zhu Yingtai felt she loved Liang Shanbo this worker, the landowner promised leather. However, one of his counselors very much after three years’ studying him that he could marry his daughter advised him to take two small pieces of together. Liang also hated to see her go after three years. Believing the promise, leather and just cover the bottoms of home although he didn't know that she the man worked hard without minding his feet. This was the beginning of the was a girl actually. They missed each other it. When the time arrived, the landowner production of shoes. day and night after their parting. Several broke his promise and arranged a months later, Liang Shanbo went to visit marriage for his daughter with another If you want to live happily in this world, Zhu Yingtai and, with surprise and rich man. However, the landowner gave don’t try to change the world. Try to rejoicing, he found that Yingtai was a girl. the laborer a final condition, which was change yourself first, and then try to Later, Liang Shanbo sent a woman to find a stalk of bamboo that had one make the world better. matchmaker to Zhu’s home to get the hundred knots before the rich man permission to marry Yingtai. But the could marry his daughter. The laborer Spring 2010

Original artwork by LCC student Cherng-Hann Lee (Ben), 3D

Congratulations, Spring 2010 LCC graduates! Language and Culture Center University of Houston 116 Roy Cullen Building Houston, TX 77204

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Artwork by Cherng-Hann Lee (Ben), 3D