The ESL Parrot rnational stu- for ESL, multicultural, inte Your ARC newsletter by and d, well, anybody really... dents, new Californians, an Issue # 14 Fall 2007

The Parrot Chatting with Danah Nelson, I. A. at the ESL Lab Who does not thank Ivy: Tell us a little bit about name was Coors, the same as the dence, and so their families for little will not yourself. Coors beer company, and I guess invited me to come and teach at we’re related to them—just a the university there, so I ac- thank for much. My name is Danah. I was cousin in some way. cepted it, and I went over there born in Michigan, but moved for a semester. Estonian Proverb to California right at the end of Jeff: Danah, do you speak World War II which was the other languages? Jeff: How did you like the year I was born. Well, my Dad experience? was a navy man, and so he I speak bits and pieces of a spent a little bit of time in few languages, but I don’t speak I have to say it was a life California during the war any of them fluently. I had Span- changing experience because at years, so when he saw San ish and French in high school that point then I decided that I Diego he said—that’s where quite a bit, and I’ve lived in Ja- did want to teach ESL (English I’m going to live, so he moved pan for two years, so I picked up as a Second Language). It was us to California when I was 5 some Japanese, and I lived in also a life changing experience American River College years old — in 1950. I was a in a way that—well, I lived in 4700 College Oak Drive navy junior, so we moved a another culture when I was in Sacramento, CA95841 lot—about every two years. (A high school which was in Ja- (916) 484-8011 navy junior is like an army pan, but China is so different. brat—that’s what they called f Japan is different too, but see- the children of military people, ing China as an adult (because I so for the navy it’s called navy was almost forty nine when I were sort of normal, but when I junior.) moved there), was with just a moved to China, I had a little little bit different perspective. bit of culture shock, I guess. Ivy: So, since you moved The food is different, the lan- After about three months, I about every two years, where guage is different, the money is started missing home, espe- else did you live beside Cali- different, the cultural attitude is cially when I had to stay alone. fornia (San Diego)? different, the methods of educa- I had gone on my own, so I tion are different; even in the really started missing home, My family and I have lived China for about five months or way they say their names — and missing that Thanksgiving in San Diego, California, At- one semester, so I picked up they say their last names first was coming up, and Christmas lanta, Georgia, Yokoso, Japan, some Chinese, and then, I go to — so everything was really was coming. I missed my chil- and Santa Rosa, California, Albania in the summer time, so I different and backwards, and dren, and my mother got sick— and when we were in Japan, picked up quite a bit of Alba- interesting. you know things like that made that’s where I met my hus- nian. me sort of yearn for home, but band. He was a young Ameri- Ivy: So through all the course in general because my Dad can Marine. Ivy : You said that you had of moving around about every moved around — we moved lived in China for five months two years including when you about every two or three years Vi: As an American, do you or one semester; tell us about moved to China for five all the years when I was grow- have a mixed ethnic back- your Chinese semester? months, how did you manage ing up — it was just natural to ground? or adapt the culture? adjust to a new place because Well, I was fortunate enough we had to do it — we just had Yes, mostly German and to be invited to go over there. When we moved to Japan my to do it. Dutch, and some English and The way that opportunity opened parents were there, so adapta- native French, but mostly up was I was part of a correspon- tion wasn’t so extreme because Northern European—German dence school, so I had students we had family that surrounded Continued on page 17 and 18 and Dutch. My Mom’s maiden learning English by correspon- us, and at home things

The ESL Parrot Page 2

Types of Food that People Eat in Colombia Colombia’s food is very tasty. Peo- and 2:00 p.m. It is the perfect time to cup of tea. It is before going back to ple from other countries usually think eat something because your body our routine. that our food is very similar to Mexi- needs a break from study or work. The Dinner usually is at 8:00 p.m. We can food. It is not true. It is very differ- best way to have a break is eating like to eat dinner late. It isn’t like in ent. We have in Colombia many kinds and then resting a little bit. Colombi- America where everybody eats din- of food. We have food for everybody. ans love soup. Sometimes we eat rice ner at 5:00 p.m. That is the reason why If you like healthy food, we have it. If in chicken broth. Other times we eat the majority of people have another you like sweet desserts, we have soup with meat or soup with vegeta- arepa with something different on them. If you like vegetarian or fast bles. We eat a lot at home. You can top. We eat very late. We have to eat food, we have it too. We can make taste in Colombian food the flavor of just a little bit. With the arepa we like each person happy. In Colombia we a piece of jam or tuna. We have a have three important meals per day. natural drink at night too. When we We can classify our food on the basis don’t want to eat “arepa”, we love of the time of the day. We have three to eat bread. We can have a sand- types of food: food that we eat at wich at night, with some cheese, breakfast, food that we eat at lunch, mayonnaise, tomatoes, lettuce, a and food that we eat at dinner. little bit of ketchup and meat. Other Breakfast is the most important people like to eat heavy at night. meal during a day for the Colombian They usually eat the same food that people. It is the meal that gives you they had at lunch. the energy to start the day. We usu- We can classify Colombia food ally have breakfast at 9:00 a.m. We love because in our culture the moms depending of the time of the day. We love “arepas”. They are like a piece and the grandmas cook all the time usually have breakfast at 9:00 a.m., of bread. We make arepas with corn. for the kids. We start lunch with a lunch between 12:00 and 2:00 p.m., They are delicious. We can have bowl of soup and then we have an- and the last meal is dinner at 8:00 sweet “arepa” or salty “arepa”. It de- other plate called “seco”. The seco p.m. We have a saying for our meals. pends on which kind of corn we always has rice, a piece of meat, and It is, “eat like a king in the mornings, choose to make it with. We can eat a sweet plantain. We have many of eat like a prince at noon, and eat like the arepa with everything. Regularly kinds of rice. It can be just white rice, the homeless at night.” Our most im- at breakfast we eat the arepa with a or it can be rice with coco flavor or portant meal is breakfast. And our little bit of butter, salt, and cheese. with meat flavor. The meat can be most favorite food is the arepa, be- Next to the arepa we put eggs. We chicken, beef, or fish. The plantain is cause you can mix it with everything. love eggs with mashed tomatoes. As like a fried banana. It tastes very a drink, some people like hot choco- good. We always have a natural juice by Natalia Arboleda late and other people like hot coffee. with our lunch. At the end, some peo- Lunch is usually between 12:00 p.m ple like to drink a cup of coffee or a

Page 3 The ESL Parrot Parrot Warbling

Spill the Beans Did you know that Harry was going to Tense Sentence Meaning take Kathy on a Caribbean cruise ? Yes, I did. He was planning on surpris- ing her with the tickets for their anni- I haven't found the Present per- I've lost my keys. keys yet -- they're versary, but someone spilled the fect still missing. beans. What a shame ! That was supposed to have been a surprise. I've probably Yes, it's too bad that someone told her I lost my keys yes- Simple past found them again about the trip beforehand and ruined terday. already. Harry's surprise. That's OK. Her enthusiasm was not dampened in the least! Present per- She's broken her The arm is still fect arm. injured.

Questions/ Comments? Please let us know what we can do to The arm is proba- Simple past She broke her arm. improve the “ESL Parrot” We appreciate any and all feedback bly OK by now. you are willing to give us. Send us an e-mail, call, or just drop by Professor Bracco’s office D387 ( Davies Hall) (916) 484-8988 Student editors— Christian Valenzuela , Andrea Carrero, Na- talia Arboleda.

Rigoberto’s English — How COOL is it? Riddles • Floccinaucinihilipilification, the declaration of an item being use- less, is the longest non-medical term in the English language

Why did the truck driver drive off • Goddessship is the only word in the English language with a triple the edge of the cliff? letter.

• The longest word in the English language is He wanted to test his air brakes. ‘pneumonoultramicroscopicsilicovolcanoconiosis’ which describes a lung disease caused by breathing in particles of volcanic matter or What can be measured but has no a similar fine dust. length, width , or thickness? • In the English language there are only three words that have a letter Your temperature that repeats six times. Degenerescence (six e’s), Indivisibility (six i’s), and nonannouncement (six n’s).

What doesn't ask questions, but needs • In the U.S. there are 18 doctors called Dr. Doctor, and one called to be answered? Dr. Surgeon. There is also a dermatologist named Dr. Rash, a psy- chiatrist called Dr. Couch and an anesthesiologist named Dr. Gass. The telephone

The ESL Parrot Page 4 Out of The Cage

Sunday, November 18, 2007 [Music Event ] Tuesday, November 27, 2007 6:00 pm 12:15 pm-1:15 pm World Music Concert The Kairos Quartet will team up with the Re-tracing Gender : A Reflection of a Trans –Gendered Student Nada Brahma Music

Ensemble to present a Please join Markee Slagel world music concert. for a truthful, personal, There will be a free and self-revealing presen- lecture from 6:00- tation on identity and 6:45PM, then at constructed cultural roles. 7:30PM they will present their concert in the ARC Theater. Admission is $10.00 General, Location: Raef Hall 160 $5.00-Students. For more information, contact Dr. Dyne Eifertsen at (916) 484 -8676, or visit www.kairosquartet .com

Friday, December 7, 2007 7:00 pm-8:30 pm

2008 Rollout of The American River Review

Tuesday, November 20, 2007 12:15 pm-1:15 pm Facilitator : Ron Morris, Marketing and the Student Chapter of the Sexual Assault Awareness Workshop American Marketing Asso-

Sexual Assault prevention presented by ciation (AMA) Come and find out about WEAVE (Women American River College’s Thursday,Escaping November a Violent 8, 2007 12:15 pm - 1:15 pm “Best in the Nation” literary Environment) and the Honoring Out Veterans - Japanese-American Combat Soldiersand from visual arts magazine, World War II Los Rios Police De- the American River Review. This is an amaz- In honorpartment. of Veteran’s Open Day, to we are privileged to host Japanese-Americaning collection of literary and visual arts creativ- (Nisei)everyone veterans of– Worldstudents War II. Their unit, the 442nd Infantry, distin- guished itself for its outstanding record, including many medals for bravery,ity, created by the students of ARC! President and manyand casualties.staff. Come learn more about these patriotic men whoDavid fought Viar will introduce the American River in Europe while their families lived in internment camps, and understandReview and students will present poems, pho- what it meant to be an American of Japanese descent when America was at war withLocation: the Japanese. Raef Hall 160 tographs, and visual art media. Copies of the 2008 edition will be for sale in early December Location: Raef Hall, Room 160 at the ARC Beaver Bookstore.

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Dear Granny, nothing new in that there will al- A few weeks ago, there were ways be people who want to say some very unpleasant people something, create a stir, and have The Spirit of Thanksgiving on our campus saying bad any kind of impact, but who are things about Islam. I’m not a often uninformed or “under- Muslim, informed”, mistaken, or who Autumn's glory adorns the trees but I left “have an axe to grind.” Our whole campus country has pride in freedom of with blazing reds and hues of gold. feeling a expression and our courts are al- bit sad ways talking about what freedom about the of expression is. Still, there’s a Our visual reward and gentle re- whole responsibility that comes with free situation. speech. Volatile, incendiary re- minder, that another year has come What’s marks are so, so not cool. In fact, up with “dissing” other religions appears and gone. this kind to be ignorant and not very gentle- of thing? manly or ladylike in Granny’s book. All of the world’s religions Harvest intensifies in the shortening Horace (used to be “Pissed-of respect and extol (I looked that Student) one up) the virtues of a good edu- days, to win the race on field and cation. Education – yeah! If these farm. Dear Horace, mean people say things like this again, suggest (nicely) they take Hi, Horace. I’m so glad you’ve one of our lovely humanities changed your name. You classes, sociology classes, history A final charge of machine and know, I’m just a simple gal. classes, psychology classes, art scythe, to secure the fruit of the Seems to me – “It seems to history classes, etc. We’ve got me” I should’ve said (The ESL “hecka good” (again, apologies, year's long labor. department likes to keep my ESL friends) professors that tabs on me J) – that what can help us understand religion’s happened on our campus is (all religions!) place in the world. A hint of frost on the window pane, Nature's lace so perfectly sewn. Famous Quotes Related To So fragile in the morning's light, Thanksgiving Thank God every day when you get up that you like the days of our lives too quickly have something to do that day which must be gone. done whether you like it or not. Being forced to work and forced to do your best will breed in you temperance and self-control, diligence and With the chill of November our strength of will, cheerfulness and content, and a memory dulls, of summer's heat so hundred virtues, which the idle will never know. long ago. Basil Carpenter Heap high the board with plenteous cheer and gather to the feast, And toast the sturdy Pilgrim We gather together at hearth and band whose courage never ceased. home, to give thanks and reflect on Alice W. Brotherton the passing year. What we're really talking about is a wonderful day set aside on the fourth Thursday of Novem- ber when no one diets. I mean, why else would they call it Thanksgiving . Jim Canaday Erma Bombeck Natural Resources

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A Multicultural Thanksgiving Thanking a higher deity for a bountiful harvest is not unknown in other parts of the world. Apart from America, there are a number of religions and countries that celebrate a Thanksgiving Day in their own various forms during the harvest season. The festivals are dedicated to give thanks for blessings and for the abundance and prosperity bestowed upon us . We discuss here some of the similar festivals from ancient Greece, Rome, China and Egypt and the other lands.

Chung Ch’ui Sukkoth Succoth is the Jewish Harvest Festival. It begins on the 15th day The festival similar to of the Hebrew month of Tishri. It is usually held in September and Thanksgiving Day in China October. The celebration lasts for 7 days. is known as 'Chung Ch'ui.' Succoth traditions and customs have both historical and religious It is a three-day long har- significance. This festival dates back to the period during which vest festival celebrated on Hebrews wandered in the wilderness on route to Canaan (now the full moon day of the 8th Israel). During their pilgrimage, they lived in temporary booths. Chinese month and was This open living space is called a succah. People also gathered in sukkot (plural for believed to be the birthday succah) to worship and share meals. Thus, Succoth is also called the Feast of Taber- of the moon. The specialty of the festival was nacle. During harvest time, farmers also lived in sukkot in open fields. During Suc- its round and yellow 'moon cakes' with an im- coth, farmers take this time to thank God for the crops. age of rabbit on them. Their feast featured Today, modern Jewish communities continue the traditions of building sukkot and roasted pigs and first fruits of the harvest. A holding festivities inside them. For kids who love camping in the outdoor, this is a lot legend says that anyone who sees flowers of fun. The roof of a succah is built with olive and other tree branches. The branches falling from the moon on this day is blessed are decorated with fruits and flowers. Three sides of the succah are covered with with good fortune. An interesting anecdote to blue and gold fabric. For those who need some help, you can also buy a complete these moon cakes narrates that at the times succah kit. During Succoth, a special ceremony is held each day to remember He- when Chinese were surrounded by enemies, brew ancestors and to thank God for the harvest. Families gather for meals and sleep their women used these moon cakes to deliver inside them as well. secret messages in the name of their rituals and thus, helped the men to win back their Thesmosphoria liberty. An autumn festival held for three days known as Thesmosphoria was celebrated by the Greeks to honor the goddess Demeter, the deity of food Kwanzaa grains. The interesting festival was related with fertility and thus, fertile married women used to build a home for the goddess to The Kwanzaa celebra- stay on the first day and equipped it with all the comforts. They tion is based on Afri- purified their souls and body on the second day by keeping a can harvest traditions. fast in her honor and then prepared a grand feast on the third Kwanzaa means first day. Since, it came around harvest season, the specialties of fruits in Swahili. The the table included first fruits of the season, plump pigs, seed celebration starts on corn delicacies, and yummy cakes. December 26 and lasts for 7 days. Created by Cerelia Dr. Maulana Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, The Roman festival known as Cerelia was celebrated annually community, and culture. Contrary to popular on the 4th of October to honor Ceres, the Goddess of Corn and belief, Kwanzaa does not substitute for Christ- the offerings made to her included first fruits of the harvest and mas. Many African American families celebrate pigs. Other highlights of its celebration was a grand feast, music, both Christmas and Kwanzaa. The 7-day cele- parades, games, and sports. bration is based on seven basic values of Afri- can culture. The 7 principles, in Swahili, are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self- In Egypt determination), Ujima (collective work), Uja- The Spring harvest festival of Egypt was dedicated to Min, the maa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), deity of vegetation and fertility. Its highlights were a parade Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). headed by the Pharaoh, a gala feast, music, dance and sports. Although the holiday is designed for the Afri- The most interesting and unique feature of the festival was the can-American community, Kwanzaa is an mass grief, weeping and howling by the farmers to trick the spirit American holiday for all. of corn into thinking that they were grieved to cut the corn and thus, prevent it from taking revenge.

Page 7 The ESL Parrot Pongal Têt-Trung-Thu

Pongal is a popular har- In Vietnam, Têt-Trung-Thu (tet-troong-thoo) or the Mid- vest festival in South Autumn Festival is one of the most popular family holi- India. Named after a days. It is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar month. sweet rice dish, Pongal Vietnamese families plan their activities around their chil- starts on January 14 of dren on this special day. In Vietnamese folklore, parents each year. The celebra- were working so hard to prepare for the harvest that they tion lasts for three left the children playing by themselves. To make up for days. On the first day, lost time, parents would use the Mid-Autumn festival as an Pongal is offered to opportunity to show their love and appreciation for their Bhogi or Indran (the rain children. gods) for providing rain Appropriately, the Mid-Autumn Festival is also called the for the harvest. On the second day, Pongal is Children’s Festival. In the United States, this tradition continues in many Vietnam- offered to the sun (Surya). On the third ese-American communities. Trung-Thu activities are often centered around children day, the family's cattle (mattu) is cleaned and and education. Parents buy lanterns for their children so that they can participate in dressed up with flowers, bells, and color pow- a candlelit lantern procession at dawn. Lanterns represent brightness while the pro- der. This is the day to honor the cattle's hard cession symbolizes success in school. Vietnamese markets sell a variety of lan- work for plowing the fields. terns, but the most popular children’s lantern is the star lantem. Other children’s Festivities vary in different regions. Some fami- activities include arts and crafts in which children make face masks and lanterns. lies clean their houses and throw away old Children also perform traditional Vietnamese dances for adults and participate in clothes. But the main activity involves people contests for prizes and scholarships. Unicorn dancers are also very popular in from the entire village. Neighbors get together Trung-Thu festivities. for a community feast to share their crops and Like the Chinese, Vietnamese parents tell their children fairy tales and serve moon give thanks to all who have contributed to a cakes and other special treats under the silvery moon. A favorite folklore is about a successful harvest. carp that wanted to become a dragon. The carp worked and worked and eventually transformed itself into a dragon. This is the story behind the mythical symbol, Cá hóa Rông. Parents use this story to encourage their children to work hard so that Chusok they can become whatever they want to be. There’s also a story about how the Moon Lady ascended to the moon. A man Chusok, also known as the Korean Thanksgiv- named Chu Coi found a lucky tree that had special healing powers. Because this ing, is held on the 15th day of the 8th lunar tree was sacred, people were forbidden to urinate at the foot of this tree. Unfortu- month. Chusok nately, Chu Coi’s wife, Chi Hang, forgot the rule and urinated on the tree. On day, means a great day while she was sitting on the tree’s branch, the tree started to grow and grow. Even- in the middle of tually, it reached the moon. Since then, Chi Hang lived on the moon for the rest of August. It occurs her life as a punishment for desecrating the sacred tree. during the harvest season. Thus, Ko- Yam Festival rean families take this time to thank Background their ancestors for providing them with The Yam Festival is usually held in the beginning of rice and fruits. August at the end of the rainy season. A popular The celebration holiday in Ghana and Nigeria, the Yam Festival is starts on the night named after the most common food in many Afri- before Chusok and can countries. Yams are the first crops to be har- ends on the day vested. People offer yams to gods and ancestors after the holiday. Thus, many Korean families first before distributing them to the villagers. This is take three days off from work to get together their way of giving thanks to the spirits above with family and friends. them. The celebration starts with a family get-together at which rice cakes called "Songphyun" are More Informaion served. These special rice cakes are made of rice, beans, sesame seeds, and chest- nuts. Then the family pays respect to ancestors A yam is large root vegetable that looks like a by visiting their tombs and offering them rice tube. People often confuse a yam with a sweet potato. Yams come from Africa and fruits. In the evening, children wear their while sweet potatoes are from Asia. Yams can be stored for 2 months in dark and favorite hanbok (traditional Korean clotjing) and cool areas. They can also be dried and turned into flour for longer storage. Inter- dance under the bright moon in a large circle. estingly, yams are associated with Thanksgiving in the United States. When you They play games and sing songs. Like the have yams at your Thanksgiving dinner, think about the villagers in Ghana and Ni- American Thanksgiving, Chusok is the time to geria. They too are giving thanks ... especially for this special food. celebrate the family and give thanks for their blessings. www.familyculture.com

www.thanksgivingworld.com

The ESL Parrot Page 8 In Memoriam Brainy Parrot Dies, Emotive to the End He knew his colors and shapes, bird brains,” said Diana Reiss, a researchers then worked with the he learned more than 100 English psychologist at Hunter College who bird to help shape the pronuncia- words, and with his own brand of works with dolphins and elephants. tion of the words. one-liners he established himself in “That used to be a pejorative, but Alex showed surprising facility. TV shows, scientific reports, and now we look at those brains — at For example, when shown a blue news articles as perhaps the world’s least Alex’s — with some awe.” paper triangle, he could tell an ex- most famous talking bird. Other scientists, while praising perimenter what color the paper But last week Alex, an African the research, cautioned against was, what shape it was, and — after Grey parrot, died, apparently of characterizing Alex’s abilities as hu- touching it — what it was made of. natural causes, said Dr. Irene Pep- man. The parrot learned to commu- He demonstrated some of his skills perberg, a comparative psychologist nicate in basic expressions — but it on nature shows, including pro- at Brandeis University and Harvard grams on the BBC and PBS. He fa- who studied and worked with the mously shared scenes with the actor parrot for most of its life and pub- Alan Alda on the PBS series, “Look lished reports of his progress in sci- Who’s Talking.” entific journals. The parrot was 31. Like parrots can, he also picked Scientists have long debated up one-liners from hanging around whether any other species can de- the lab, like “calm down,” and “good velop the ability to learn human lan- morning.” He could express frustra- guage. Alex’s language facility was, in some ways, more surprising than tion, or apparent boredom, and his the feats of primates that have been cognitive and language skills ap- taught American Sign Language, peared to be about as competent as like Koko the gorilla, trained by did not show the sort of logic and those in trained primates. His ac- Penny Patterson at the Gorilla ability to generalize that children complishments have also inspired Foundation/Koko.org in Woodside, Calif., or Washoe the chimpanzee, acquire at an early age, they said. further work with African Grey par- studied by R. Allen and Beatrice “There’s no evidence of recursive rots; two others, named Griffin and Gardner at the University of Nevada logic, and without that you can’t Arthur, are a part of Dr. Pepper- in the 1960s and 1970s. work with digital numbers or more berg’s continuing research program. When, in 1977, Dr. Pepperberg, complex human grammar,” said Even up through last week, Alex then a doctoral student in chemistry David Premack, a professor emeri- was working with Dr. Pepperberg at Harvard, bought Alex from a pet tus of psychology at the University on compound words and hard-to- store, scientists had little expecta- of Pennsylvania. pronounce words. As she put him tion that any bird could learn to Dr. Pepperberg used an innova- into his cage for the night last communicate with humans. Most of tive approach to teach Alex. African Thursday, Dr. Pepperberg said, Alex the research had been done in pi- Greys are social birds, and pick up looked at her and said: “You be geons, and was not promising. some group dynamics very quickly. good, see you tomorrow. I love you.” But by using novel methods of In experiments, Dr. Pepperberg He was found dead in his cage teaching, Dr. Pepperberg prompted would employ one trainer to, in ef- the next morning, and was deter- Alex to learn about 150 words, fect, compete with Alex for a small mined to have died late Thursday which he could put into categories, reward, like a grape. Alex learned to night. and to count small numbers, as well ask for the grape by observing what New York Times as colors and shapes. “The work the trainer was doing to get it; the September 10, 2007 revolutionized the way we think of

Page 9 The ESL Parrot

Types of Costa Rican Food Costa Rican food is a fusion cui- Caribbean almost all my life and fried plantains. Everything is served sine. It combines elements of culi- tradition is that every Sunday peo- in one dish for lunch or dinner with nary traditions from many different ple eat “rice and beans”. The Carib- beef, potatoes, carrots chayote countries but always keeping that bean is very famous for tourists for (vegetable pear), plantains and special and traditional flavor that the beautiful beaches, but also for yucca. We also have “Picadillos,” only Costa Rican food has. Costa the delicious food. hashed vegetables they can be from Rica has many different types of In the central part of the country, any vegetable such as potatoes, car- food. Rice, corn, and beans are the the types of food are vegetables and rots, or “chayote” vegetable pear. basic variables in almost all Costa rice. The most common dishes that In the Pacific part of the coun- Rican cuisine. Around the country, try, the types of food are seafood. people eat food such as fruits, vege- This part of the country is based on tables, meat, seafood and more, but the fish industry. The most deli- there are some special types of food cious is “ceviche,” consisting of that are traditional in some parts of raw fish soaked in freshly squeezed the country. That’s why I decided lime juice. “Mariscada” is seafood to divide the country’s food into 3 soup, “Langosta” (lobster) and categories: Caribbean coast food, “camarones” (shrimp) are on the central food, and Pacific coast food. Pacific coast. This part of the coun- On the Caribbean coast of the reflect the rural culture are “Gallo try is very touristic, and every per- country, the types of food are “Rice Pinto” (spotted rooster) and son who passes through this beauti- and Beans.” It is the most famous “Casados” (Married). Gallo Pinto ful place can not resist the delicious food in the Caribbean. It isn’t just consists of rice and beans seasoned taste of the seafood prepared by rice and beans; it is rice and beans with coriander, onions, and Costa Rican people. cooked with coconut milk and some Worcestershire sauce usually In conclusion, Costa Rican cui- spices such as oregano, salt, and served for breakfast with scrambled sine has many faces depending on pepper. Accompanied is chicken or fried eggs and a cup of “Agua the location, but always with that with coconut sauce and cabbage Dulce,” pure sugar cane diluted in special and traditional flavor that salad. Another delicious food is hot water or coffee. Casados con- only Costa Rican food has. “pati.” It is a pie filled with spicy sists of white rice, black or red meat. “Rondon” (rundown) is a fish beans served with pork, steak, or by Jilliam Murillo soup with plantains, breadfruit, chicken, a small portion of cab- peppers and spices. I lived in the bage/lettuce, tomato salad, and

The ESL Parrot Page 10 Types of Food People Eat in Ethiopia

Ethiopia is an ancient country trees. There are different types of beans, potatoes, carrots and onions called the land of thirteen months of meat and chicken entrees. “Daro sautéed in a blend of exotic herbs. sunshine (the Ethiopian calendar wat” is one of the spicy and hot en- “Yemisir wat” is lentils simmered has twelve months of thirty days trees made of tender chicken mari- in a spicy hot “berbere” (pepper) each and five extra days called nated in lemon sautéed and sea- sauce. “Shiro wat” is Ethiopian- “Pagume”). Ethiopia is located in soned butter, and stewed in a red style ground split peas simmered in northeast Africa at the base of the “berbere” (pepper) sauce flavored a spicy pepper sauce. horn. Ethiopian bordering countries with onions, garlic and ginger root The third type of food people eat include Kenya, Somalia, and Sudan. with a pinch of cardamom and nut- in Ethiopia is seafood. Even if sea- Ethiopian food consists of various meg . “Gored gored” is cubed beef food is not widely popular in Ethio- vegetables or meat, side dishes, and simmered in a blend of “berbere,” pia, there are different types of entrees, usually a “wat” or thick onions, ginger root and a warm Ethiopian-style seafood entrees. stew served on top of herbal butter. “Kitfo” is another “Yasa wat” are chunks of white fish “injera” (pronounced: en-je-ra). In- cooked in oil and onions, stewed in jera is the preferred staple in the a spiced red pepper sauce. “Yasa Ethiopian diet. It is a flat, sour-like Tibis” is Ethiopian-style fried fish. fermented pancake about twenty “Asa” is pan-fried fish, a whole fish inches in diameter. It is used with without the head, Ethiopian-style, spices, meat, and pulses such as len- served with a cup of”awaza” (sauce tils and split peas. In Ethiopia , composed of Ethiopian honey “Teffe” is the most common cereal wine, garlic, onion, and red pepper). crop used to make “injera”. It is a “Injera,” which is made of tiny, round, khaki-colored grain “teff”, is the Ethiopian staple bread closely resembling millet. Most Ethiopian-style steak tartar sea- all dishes are served on. Ethio- Ethiopian food is not eaten using soned with herbed butter sauce and pian cuisine offers an exceptional with utensils , but using the fingers hot “mitmita” (chili powder). and exquisite array of flavorful food of the right hand to scoop up the “Tibs” is lamb or beef chunks sau- that is unique to Africa and the entrees and side dishes. Ethiopian téed in oil, seasoned with onions, world. Ethiopian food is the ulti- food is also known for its spiciness. green, rosemary, and black peppers. mate in spicy cookery, not only be- There are several types of food in The second type of food peo- cause the food is hot, but also be- Ethiopia, the main categories are ple eat in Ethiopia is vegetarian and cause of the wide variety of spices meat and chicken entrees, vegetable cereal entrees. Some of them are used. If you are a spicy-food lover, and cereal entrees, and seafood en- “Gomen wat,” chopped collard try one of the above Ethiopian tradi- trees. greens cooked in herbed oil with tional food entrees. The first type of food people eat onions, green pepper, and garlic. in Ethiopia is meat and chicken en- “Atakilt”is mixed vegetable, green By Getachew Tareke

Page 11 The ESL Parrot

Parrot Recipes (not recipes for parrot) 4 bay leaves. Quesadilla Pondu In the beginning, you need to wash 3 lbs. of mushrooms. Then put the mushrooms I am going to show you how to pre- in the pot and boil for five minutes. pare quesadillas in only 20 minutes from While the mushrooms are boiling, take start to finish. For 4 servings you will another pot and put in corn oil, vinegar, need: sugar, salt, 6 cloves of garlic and 10 whole black peppers. Then it’s supposed 1 ½ cups shredded Monterey Jack to boil. After that, take the mushrooms cheese. out of the pot and put them in the second ¾ cup shredded sharp cheddar cheese. pot with ingredients. Then the mush- 1 small can whole green Chilis drained. rooms are supposed to boil for ten min- 3 tbsp. Sliced green onions with tops. “Pondu” is cassava leaves, a finely utes. Then turn off the heat and add 3-4 2 small tomatoes chopped ( fresh or ground vegetable from Africa. Here is bay leaves, cool it off, and put the mush- canned tomatoes). how to cook “Pondu”: rooms in a jar. It’s very delicious with 4 flour tortillas. First, you need to put some ingredi- fried potatoes. ents together in order to cook a delicious by Svetlana Dragni Once you have everything ready, be- Pondu. The ingredients that I need are gin to prepare the quesadillas. Follow cassava leaves (which is called pondu in these steps. my native language), palm oil, green onion, green pepper, eggplant, garlic 1. Combine the cheeses, cut the Chilis in powder, and salt. half and take the seeds out Second, put pondu and palm oil in a cooking pan and mix them together with 2. Put about ½ cup cheese mixture over some water. Then, put them in the stove, half of each tortilla. Top each with a and let them boil together for about 45 piece of Chili. Fold in half and secure it to 60 minutes. While waiting, cut the rest with a tooth pick. of the ingredients into small pieces (green onion, green pepper, and egg- Beef Strogonoff 3. Cook on an ungreased hot plate over plant.) After 45 minutes, put everything medium heat until cheese melts. that you just cut in a boiling mixture in the cooking pan and add salt and garlic This is a very popular recipe in my fam- 4. Remove toothpicks. Top tortillas with powder to them. After that, stir them ily. It is not very hard to make BEEF onions and tomatoes. Right after that, altogether. Ok, it’s ready! You can serve STROGONOFF if you have all the in- serve and enjoy it with your friends and this recipe with rice and fried meat, fish gredients. You need 1 1/2 pounds beef family. or chicken. It tastes delicious! Believe cut into thin strips. Salt and pepper, 3 me! tablespoons of flour, 3 tablespoons of by Juventino Camacho sunflower oil, an onion, 3 tablespoons of by Losamo Yenga tomato paste, ½ sprig of fresh basil, 1 cup of sliced mushrooms, 2 cups of Marinated Mushrooms cooked rice or noodles. Season the beef with salt and paper to taste, then dust For this delicious dish you need: with the flour, tossing until all the sur- faces are coated. In a large skillet over medium-high heat, warm oil, then add 200 grams of corn oil. onion and beef. Cook about 6 minutes. 160 grams of vinegar. Add tomato paste, basil, and mush- 4 teaspoons of sugar. rooms. Reduce heat to low and simmer 2 teaspoons of salt. for 20 min. Remove from heat and serve 6 cloves of garlic. over rice or noodles. And ENJOY it! 10 whole black pepper corns.

The ESL Parrot Page 12 know that some American people also That will be better than normal frying, so like it. It is deep-fried. Can you guess we need a deep frying pan. Put the fry- it? It’s an egg roll.I think you are inter- ing pan on the oven, and pour the oil into ested to know how to make it. Don’t it. Please note to turn on the oven to a worry, it is not complicated and it does- medium level. We have to wait until the n’t take too much of your time (about 2 oil gets hot, using a pair of chopsticks to hours) to make it. Right now I can give put the egg rolls in the oil. How many you a recipe for 4 persons from which rolls you should put in the pan depends you can make up for your own measure- on its space; don’t put them on together

ments. Now, we need the following in- because they will easily sticky together. by Marina Nikulina gredients: While frying, please notice not to let the

oil get too hot (that’s the secret). If the Special Pizza A pack of large-sized egg roll papers oil gets too hot, we have to adjust the (also called pastry wrappers) oven to a lower level right away. Re- Hello, my name is Svetlana. I am going Half a pound of ground pork member to turn the rolls. When we see to tell you how to prepare a special A small carrot the rolls get golden brown, it means they pizza. In the beginning I make dough Half a large taro root are done. Don’t let them smoke. We can for the pizza. I usually put 3 cups of Some black fungus strips take them out of the pan and place them flour, one egg, and 2 teaspoons oil. Half an onion on a plate. Wow, they look delicious!!! Then I mix it. After I wait for about 3-4 teaspoons of salt You can serve the dish with green salad thirty minutes to let it rise. Then I put 3 teaspoons of sugar or rice noodles and fish sauce if you are the dough on a baking tray. I cut vegeta- 2 teaspoons of black pepper Vietnamese. Let’s enjoy them. bles such as tomatoes, cucumber, and Vegetable oil sweet pepper into smaller pieces . Next, by Van Tran I put tomato sauce or ranch dressing and cheese on the pizza. I put vegetables which I cut, and meat or mushrooms on Mushrooms with the Eggs the pizza. Finally I put pieces of olives and parsley. Then I wait a few minutes I will prepare some components for this again and put the baking tray in the oven meal. I need 2 lb mushrooms, 40 grams to bake the pizza. It bakes for thirty of butter, vegetable oil, pepper, salt, 2 The first thing we need to do is to soak minutes. Then I turn the oven off and eggs, 1 onion, and 1 clove of garlic. all the fungus strips in a bowl of little the pizza is ready. Also, I want to say I will clean and wash the mushrooms, warm water for about 15 minutes until that in my country the pizza is a meal then cut them into pieces. I will put they become softer; then clean them and that almost all of the people like and we them into the pan and pour them in the chop them into one-inch long strips. can bake it for different parties. water. Water should cover the mush- Next, we peel the carrot and taro root, rooms, I will add salt, pepper, onion, and grating them into small pieces (that by Svetlana Koval garlic. As soon as water in the pan boils means you slice it into small pieces, and on the small flame, constantly stir them then chop them into small strips). After slowly. My meal will be ready to serve that, we take half an onion and chop it after twenty minutes. into small pieces, too. After finishing

chopping, we put the ground pork in a By Serghei Ciloci large bowl, mixing it with the chopped

onion, and grated carrot and taro root,

the fungus strips, salt, sugar and black

pepper for about 20 minutes. Next stage is wrapping to make egg rolls. I think that in order to be comfortable for us to Recipe for ______wrap, we need a cutting board. Place each of egg roll paper on the cutting I am really glad to tell you my favor- board, put about 3 teaspoons of the ite dish and its recipe which I learned above mixture on the wrapper, and wrap from my mother. It’s very popular with carefully because the egg roll paper is Vietnamese and Chinese people and easy very easy to tear. When finishing wrap- for you to find at parties or buffets. I ping all of the egg rolls, we begin to try them. Usually, egg rolls are deep-fried.

Page 13 The ESL Parrot Mix thoroughly. Pour into crust and small pieces, until cooked through. Using Galina P’s Anonymous Spouse’s bake 30 minutes. Combine raspberries a slotted spoon, transfer sausage to a large Recipe and cornstarch in a heavy saucepan over bowl. Melt butter in skillet with drippings. medium high heat. Cook about 3 min- Add onion and celery and cook 4-5 min- utes, stirring frequently, until thickened utes, stirring frequently until tender. Stir and clear. Spoon raspberry mixture in next 5 ingredients and salt and pepper to evenly over top of pie. Chill 4 hours or taste. Transfer onion mixture to bowl with until set. Serve with a dollop of whipped sausage. Mix thoroughly, adding more cream. stock if too dry. Preheat oven to tempera- ture of 325 F. Season inside of turkey cav-

ity with salt and pepper to taste. Fill neck Galina’s Recipe and cavity with stuffing. Truss bird with string. Pat skin dry with paper towels. Prep Time: 25 minutes Brush turkey with melted butter. Place Cook Time: 300 minutes turkey on a roasting rack inside a roasting Total Time: 325 minutes pan. Roast turkey about 20 minutes per Servings: 12 pound, basting with chicken stock and brushing with butter every 25 minutes, Ingredients: until a meat thermometer registers 175 F Prep Time: 15 minutes when inserted into thickest part of the Cook Time: 30 minutes ¾ lb ground pork sausage thigh (or when thigh and leg fall easily Total Time: 45 minutes ¼ cup unsalted butter away when pulled). Remove turkey from Servings: 10 1 ½ cups onion/cooked, chopped oven. Reserve fat and cooking juices for 1 ½ cups celery/cooked, diced gravy. Let turkey stand 20 minutes before Ingredients: 1 tsp. poultry seasoning carving. 1 tsp. sage, rubbed 3 whole egg yolks. 1 cup fresh cranberries, cut in halves 1-2/3 cups sweetened condensed milk 4 ¼ cups dry bread cubes ½ cup lemon juice. ½ cup chicken stock or water, plus extra One 9-inch graham cracker pie crust. 1 turkey, about 14 lb 10 oz. sweetened frozen raspberries, 2 ¼ lb. roast turkey thawed Kitchen string, for trussing bird 1 tbsp. cornstarch. ¼ cup unsalted butter, melted 1 ½ cups whipped cream. 1 1/3 cups chicken stock

Instructions: Preheat oven to tempera- Instructions: Heat a heavy nonstick skillet ture 325 F. Combine egg yolks with con- over medium heat. Cook sausage 5-7 min- densed milk and lemon juice in a bowl. utes, stirring frequently, breaking meat into

Carrot-Stuffed Parrot Albuquerque Turkey (Sung to the tune of 'Clementine') Take one de-feathered, de-voiced parrot, re- cently expired. Stuff Albuquerque he's my You could ever get. turkey with baby carrots. turkey He's so cozy in his bed Boil, broil, bake, Oh he's feathered and Better than a dog or Because for Thanksgiv- roast -- whatever it he's fine cat. ing dinner takes to get the job He wobbles and he Albuquerque he's my We had scrambled done. Serve with cham- pagne -- after all, gobbles turkey eggs instead. this is a festive oc- And I'm awfully glad And I'm awfully glad of casion! he's mine. that. - Anonymous He's the best pet Albuquerque he's my Tom T.

Gobble, gobble, gobble ! (Parrotese for “Better you than me, Tom.”) Page 14

My First Foreign Thanksgiving What's more American have the things we were tually looked like it did than turkey and stuffing accustomed to for Thanks- in real life. Snails on Thanksgiving Day? That giving, we wanted to have cooked in their shells was a question we had to things that we were com- look like...snails. In ponder the week of pletely unaccustomed to. the garden. But we were Thanksgiving, 1971. I was We were going to have a there to try new things, in Reims, France for my very French un- so we did (most of us, third year of university, Thanksgiving! anyway) -- and discovered and together with the I'll never forget that how good they were. other American students meal. We started with a That prepared us for on the same study-abroad soup that none of us had the next part. At this program, we wondered what ever tried -- lobster point, some of us just to do for our special day bisque (we were all still said "Eew, I'm not hungry so far from home. anymore." But the rest of Back then, it was hard us discovered how wonder- to find turkey in France. ful frogs can taste! Not No stuffing, either. Just the whole frog -- they not their custom. No corn only eat the thighs, the -- that was only for the upper leg. The rest of animals to eat. We might the frog doesn't have as well have been on much meat on it. But the Mars! sauce they were cooked in Finally, we decided to on student budgets). When was delicious, and I was make it a special day, we had finished exclaim- surprised to find that French-style. It turned ing how wonderful lobster frogs really do taste out to be the best deci- soup was, they brought like...chicken! sion possible! out several plates of I don't remember the Together with our coun- snails for us to try as rest of that dinner (it selor/moderator, we found an appetizer. was a long time ago!). a really nice restaurant Hm. Snails. We were all But I do recall that in Reims that could ac- from New York City. Our since we were in the commodate all of us food usually came pack- heart of the Champagne (about 25 people). And aged, in little pieces, region, we had several then we told them that we wrapped in plastic or different kinds of wines wanted a very special cellophone. None of us with our unusual dinner, meal. Since we couldn't was used to food that ac- and finished -- of course

Page 15 The ESL Parrot The Thanksgiving Duck When my husband and I first got tional fat was necessary. Finally it was time to take the bird married, we lived in my native I carefully seasoned the duck, put it out of the oven and sit down at the country, Germany. My husband in the oven and started preparing table. I opened the lid, and what did told me about the American tradi- the side dishes. The aroma of the I find? A duck skeleton, covered in tion of celebrating Thanksgiving very crispy skin swimming in a with the traditional meal of turkey pool of grease. I almost cried. My and all the fixings. husband said. “A Roemertopf is Since there were only two of us, obviously not the right way to cook and turkeys were also hard to find a Thanksgiving duck. Luckily the in German stores in the 1970’s, I restaurant at the corner was still decided to cook a duck instead of a open, and we didn’t have to go to turkey. In those days the bed hungry. “Roemertopf”, a red clay pot, was duck roasting made both of us very very popular, everyone had one and hungry. My husband was looking by Ilse PowellI IA-ESL Lab used it all the time because it kept forward to the Thanksgiving feast.. the meat very juicy and no addi-

Turkey Down Under I remember my first Thanksgiving while living in Australia. They don't celebrate Thanksgiving there and they don't eat much turkey. I come from a big family where all the holidays are very special occasions with lots of people and lots of food. I had invited all the local Americans who were liv- ing around Sydney without family so that they wouldn't be feeling homesick on the holiday. I had also invited lots of Australian friends so that they could experience an American Thanksgiving. Plus, I wanted there to be a crowd at my house on that day so I wouldn't feel so homesick either. Next, I went in search of a big bird to cook for the feast. There were none in the grocery stores so I went to the local butcher shop and asked if he could get a turkey for me. He said he could special order one and asked if 10 pounds would be OK. "Ten pounds!", I said in surprise. "That's just a chicken on steroids." I usually cooked at least a 20 pound turkey so I told him I would need some- thing much, much bigger. He did his best and after scouring all over Sydney, he found me a 15- pounder which he said was the biggest he had ever seen! On the day, it was a great feast despite the puny bird. The only other problem was that I had to make pumpkin pie out of a Queensland Blue pumpkin! I couldn't convince the Australians to even try it. They only eat pumpkin as a vegetable and couldn't imagine it as dessert. by Dr. Marsha Leeman Conley ARC ITC Professor

The ESL Parrot Page 16

I spent my first Thanksgiving away from home Thanksgiving is my favorite in San Antonio, Texas when I was in Air Force holiday because I am a Mayflower officer training. My wife had planned a turkey descendant. My auntie Margie kept dinner for us and several of my classmates, but the family tree all the way back to we’d never used the oven in our tiny apartment Stephen Hopkins. He was a pas- for anything big before. The turkey took so long senger on the Mayflower that sailed from England that by the time it was done, it was almost time to Cape Cod in 1620. I don’t remember exactly for us to go back to the base. Luckily, we had when I discovered that I had a special pilgrim an- also overestimated the number of avocados we cestor. But, when my daughter, Laura, was born, would need for guacamole appetizers, so most of my mother typed out the family tree for her. We our Thanksgiving dinner that day consisted of love to celebrate Thanksgiving and have visited corn chips, a hastily opened Plymouth Plantation where the Pilgrims established can of refried beans, and gua- their homework. After many generations living in camole dip. New England, my relatives eventually moved to California during the gold rush. John Gamber Sylvia Dilgard ESL Instructor Finance Office

Don’t You Think the Turkey’s Time is Up ? Bring on the Parrot!

• While there was some conflict over 'turkey' and 'bald • Parrots have a wide range of articulations. Wild parrots do not eagle' for being the National Bird of America. Benja- imitate. Only pets will mimic people and noises they hear. The min Franklin voted out 'bald eagle' for being cowardly. African gray parrots are the best mimics.

• In the wild, Macaws and Cockatoos can fly 500 miles per day in • Turkeys have great hearing skills but no ears. search of food!

• Turkeys can see in colors, have excellent visual • Larger parrots such as the macaws and cockatoos live more acuity and their field of vision spans across about than 75 years. 270 degrees.

• An estimated 25,000 wild parrots, caught or plucked from their • Turkeys have poor sense of smell but great sense nests in Mexico, are smuggled across the Texas border each of taste. year. • Turkeys are so sensitive that they can drown by • The zygodactyolus feet of the parrot have two toes that point looking up while it is raining and can have heart backwards and two toes that point forward. These toes make the attacks due to sudden shocks. parrot excellent climbers.

• Wild turkeys can fly at a speed of as much as 55 • The parrot is the only bird which has its own ESL newsletter read miles per hour over short distances and are good by thousands, if not millions, of erudite and discriminating read- runners with a speed of about 25 miles per hour. ers in California and around the world.

Page 17 The ESL Parrot Vi : Can you tell us about your family did, and also get a job, so I just came here so important all over the world. We also, to ARC, and because I had experience of course, teach the scriptures, and only I was married to a man whom I’d met teaching ESL in China, and through corre- hope that they’ll see something valuable, in Japan. We were married for 26 years, spondence courses and things, and there and that it will become important as well to but then he had a heart attack and passed was a need here at that time, I got hired. them. away. We had three children. I have two sons, and we had one little girl, but she Vi: So how do you like working here in Jeff: How long do you stay there for died when she was a baby, so now I just ARC and with the students? your mission and teach? have two grown sons — very interesting people. One of them is 38 years old, and This is a very good environment. Col- I usually go over there for six weeks he’s an electrical contractor, and he really lege is always an interesting environment during the summer time, and teach six specializes in solar energy. Now he lives because a lot happens, but ESL in particu- hours a day. along the coast in a tiny little town called lar I really like because the whole world is Gualala, and in that part of the northern this room. It’s stimulating to be around— Vi: That’s really awesome! How long coast of California he’s the solar expert, to hear all the stories from every different have you been doing that? and that’s what he’s really working for — part of the world. I like my work very well to be a solar expert. He really believes in because not only have I’ve seen many peo- I’ve been doing this for seven years. taking good care of the earth, and one of ple, but my workmates—we all just get the ways is to use solar energy. He has two along so well, and it comes from Krista Ivy: Now we know that you’ve taught in children. Now I have a six year-old grand- and Kate at the top being the kind of lead- a university, and obviously deal with son, and a two year-old granddaughter. In ers that just really makes working here college students here at ARC, but you’ve addition, my other son —, he’s in Antarc- very enjoyable. also mentioned that you’ve taught ele- tica. mentary students, so can you tell us the Jeff: How long have you been working difference, based on your experience, Jeff: Wow! What is he doing down here in ARC? and which one you prefer teaching the there?! most? I’ve been working here for about eight That’s a good question! It happens to be years as an instructional assistant. Krista, The main difference is that students in the International Polar year, so he’s always Kate, and the others are our instructors, but college are there because they choose to interested in what’s going on at the Pole. we do basically the same work as far as be, and they’re more motivated to learn — He’s a support staff person for scientists working with students, but we’re not quite for the most part, but students in elemen- who are doing all kinds of research, and so as qualified as they are. Before that I’d tary school — you have to be there for this journey down there has been very in- worked one semester at a university in them. Some are motivated, and some teresting, and thorough, step-by-step, be- China, and then I worked for seven years aren’t, and the other thing is that they’re cause they have to have the right gear, at a private elementary school near Santa not as independent as adults, and you have clothing, and they have to have a course — Rosa, California, and that was really to be there for them all the day long, and CPR, first-aid, in case of emergency or if nice—the beginning of teaching. they ask you a million questions some- they have to save a life. They also have to times, depending on the age, but mine learn ways of communicating in case Ivy: Danah. you’ve been to many places were all first, second, third, and then they’re cut off from the main base, so in different part of the world and taught fourth, fifth, and sixth because I had two search and rescue would come out. He’s internationally; are there any other levels, and very needy children at that age. just a real adventurer. He’s a naturalist. He places you’ve taught before besides the They’re taking your energy out, but I did- loves living in the woods, in the forests, United States and China? n’t even know I was tired until we man- and actually just like a Native American. aged a YMCA camp for eleven years. That Yes, in Albania—a country in Southeast- was another interesting chapter of my life, Jeff: So, how did you end up working ern Europe but once we moved here, I realized how here in ARC, particularly in the ESL tired I was from teaching because it was department? Ivy: Wow! You’ve been teaching every- just stressful, but stressful in a different where! So tell us about your teaching way, not from main questions all day long Well, the way I came to Sacramento experience in Albania, and how did it from the kids, but by solving everybody’s was ... eight years earlier I had lived in San start? problems. Diego. I came up here because a family member needed someone to live with (my Well, I’m usually a missionary during Jeff: Is there anything difficult in teach- mother-in-law actually was kind of going the summer time, so I go to Albania to ing based on your experience? downhill, so I came up here and lived with teach English, but we use the Bible as a her, which I did for three years), and then text book, and people come to us, and we Well, sometimes communication or misun- at that time she had other help during the teach very good quality English, and if derstanding can be a problem, but I’ve day time, so I thought I would go back to that’s all they want, that’s fine. We’re glad been around this kind of thing most of school and continue my education, which I to help them with that because English is

The ESL Parrot Page 18 my life, living overseas when I was in high guilty of that myself because it’s just so won’t tell you. You need to watch it; it’s a school, and spending some time overseas common to make some copies, and just four-star movie! throughout my life, so I don’t personally leave them, and often buying supplies that have any problems; I can even understand aren’t really needed. I think in general Jeff: I have a question. What’s your people whose accents are very strong be- government is in crisis — I have a con- favorite food? cause I’ve heard them so often. There’s science about it, and I wish that there could My favorite food is Mediterranean just sometimes misunderstanding that you be a better system of not wasting money. I food, but I love Chinese food too. A real feel bad about. guess you could say—a better system to Chinese food is hardly like anything else in track things so that if you’re given a cer- the world. In China, eating food is an art Vi: Now we know how energetic you tain amount of money to use for your form—appreciating it, and you look at it, are, and just on the go all the time, so budget, and if you don’t need it, then you and you talk about it. If you’re going to a what are other things or other interest- could easily give it to some other part of business meeting to meet somebody for the ing or unusual things that you’ve done? the college that needed it, but there’s so first time, you don’t talk about business;

much paper work to go through that it’s you enjoy food together, and you talk Well, there are some interesting things just ridiculous. In addition, I wish the food about food and fine wine, and then eventu- that I’ve done in my life. I climbed Mount didn’t cost so much at the cafeteria. I think ally you talk about business. I remember in Fuji when I was in high school in Japan, it’s too expensive, and I wish the books China; they used to say for a Chinese man and just traveling around to certain coun- were cheaper. I think it’s just outrageous! — marrying a woman who can cook is tries and getting here and there. I actually On the other hand, there is plenty good more important than just about anything also went to Korea in 1961 just to visit about this college even though I just talked else, and that’s very important for them because they (the military) had a special about waste, but I do enjoy seeing im- because if you entertain people you want program for what we called dependents— provements such as the new theater and the best to come out. military dependents, so we had this pro- this building LRC (Learning Resource gram from the military dependents in Center). It’s nice to see something is Vi: A random question here! If you had which you could go from Japan over to a million dollars, what would you do grand—that main theater over there. It’s Korea and then back. It was sometimes with it? just state-of-the-art, and you can be proud called a “round-robin.” We went over of it, and the education that you get here is there, and spent just spent a few days, and If I had a million dollar, unfortunately I of a very good quality. then came back, and we also went to Oki- probably wouldn’t keep too much of it, but nawa. I’d probably invest some of it for my fu- Ivy:We know that you’ve traveled to ture, and I know that our church has a mis- lot of countries already, but do you have sion in Sudan, which is a very poor part of Vi: So besides traveling and teaching, any dream vacation? what do you do in your spare time or the world and very war torn, and they’re what’s your hobby? Yes, I think I would like to go to Mos- trying to build a hospital, so I think I

cow, and take the Trans Siberian train, and would invest some money for our hospital Music probably takes up a lot of my go down to Mongolia and then wind up in over there, and there’s an orphanage that spare time now that I’m learning to play Beijing. Of course, I’ve been to China, but we support in Zimbabwe, and I think I the guitar. Music relates to my great love I want to go back there. would help that too, and then I might have of traveling. I also like to sing… to save a little for travel, and take my

Vi: Danah, let’s talk about movies: Trans Siberian trip. Jeff: Do you like dancing? What was the last movie you saw? Ivy: So tell us about your future plans! Yes, I like dancing, but I don’t have a The last movie I saw was Into the partner! Wild . It’s about a young man who’s of Well, only God knows my future plans, college age like you, and his parents are but as far as I know I’ll stay here in ARC Ivy: Are there any changes you would very wealthy, and they want him to go to for another eight years, and work, and then like to see at ARC? If so, what would retire, and then maybe going to a full time they be? college, and then graduate from college, missionary work. but his heart just wanted to go to Alaska Well, from things that I’ve seen from and live in the wild. He didn’t care about this perspective, there’s a lot of money in money; he didn’t care about things, and government positions, or government type interestingly enough I was drawn to that jobs, and it bothers me some that the tax movie because of my son that it’s in Ant- by Ivy Balansag, Vi Tran, and Jeff Lim payers’ money is wasted a lot. For exam- arctica right now because he’s a naturalist, ple, there’s a lot of paper wasted , and I’m and it really does kind of parallel his life somewhat except for the ending , which I