ESL NEWSLETTER a Publication from Spring Semester 2004 English As a Second Language Students April, 2004

Black Hawk COLLEGE

ESL NEWSLETTER A publication from Spring Semester 2004 English as a Second Language Students April, 2004

Experiences in the USA when we reached the supermarket. I love her by:Sassou Koffi Akakpo so much and do not like to bother her when The United States of America is a she sleeps. I thought that she would be fine wonderful land where experiences and dreams because in my home country of Togo, people differ from one individual to another. From all leave their children inside their car without any over the world, most immigrants’ expectations consequence at all. But by the time I came before coming into the USA are unrealistic. back from the supermarket, law enforcement They think that America is the land where agents were searching my car. As soon as anyone can begin a new life, they saw me, they asked me if the car and the earn a good salary and drive child belonged to me. My affirmative answer big cars as soon as they start was the beginning of my problems in the USA. working in the land of Uncle They arrested me and brought me to the Rock Sam, but this is not the case Island county jail where I spent almost two all the time. Indeed, everyone hours before some Togolese friends came and can start a new life here in the paid the bail for me. The police released me States as soon as his or her documents are but told me to come to the Court House the delivered, but gaining sudden fame and money following Monday. is a long story. As far as I am concerned, my Consequently, I went through sorrow and experiences and dreams in America have been worries. For instance, I could hardly sleep both positive and negative. during the night when I was asked to appear in Indeed my positive experiences began as court. I was under extreme stress. All my soon as I came in America. My friends, Kossi attention was focused on this event. Add to Ayikey and Kwami Dansou helped me to settle that, I could not eat because I was so scared down. Those friends were Togolese mates and so lonely. Fortunately, I found who lived in the USA before I came here. They psychological and emotional support with offered me a place to live in and shared their Black Hawk College’s counselor: Cristina food with me. They helped me with Greene. What she did for me was priceless transportation until I was able to find a job at because no one else spoke more friendly and Tyson Fresh Foods (IBP) in Joslin, Illinois. patiently to me than she did since I had arrived They even helped me with a loan for my car by in the U.S. She understood me like a mother cosigning the paperwork. Add to that, they used to being with her favorite son. It was like helped me to bring my wife to the USA, find an fresh air for me in this difficult situation. First, apartment, and begin my life here. she gave me some clues – I mean background Apart from the Togolese friends, I met information- to help me some Americans who helped me too. Some of understand the American them gave me kitchen utensils, a bed, culture and why the laws blankets, shoes, and armchairs to begin my and rules governing child new life. Others gave me advice which enabled care is so severe upon me to boost my integration without big trouble. those who unknowingly or But one afternoon during the month of unwittingly leave their child inside their cars. August, I went to Wal-Mart with my three year She helped me a lot. For instance, she old daughter. Unfortunately, she was sleeping assisted me psychologically by telling me to be 1 strong, patient with my wife and daughter in she was sixteen years old. She spent thirteen order to handle everything perfectly. Her years in California and seven years here in advice encouraged me and showed me that I Moline. Still, she feels very alone in the USA was not alone. even if she lives with her parents. She misses Moreover, Cristina voluntarily came to the her friends who lived in Mexico. Her only court to support me physically. Her presence problem is that she wants to go back to Mexico enhanced my morale mood, and I answered in order to stay with her close friends. correctly the questions of the judge with Meanwhile, she likes her work in the U.S.A. patience and humility. After several and cannot leave it. appearances in the court, the final decision To sum up, I would say that experiences was made by the judge. He gave me one full are very different from one year of court supervision. I thought everything individual to another. Mine was finished but the Department of Children are both positive and and Family Services brought another case negative because I met against me. This time, the punishment was wonderful people who helped very heavy on me. They will keep this case me during and after my “open” for five long years. They said that if I coming to the U.S. Moreover I had a would not do anything wrong during this period troublesome experience with the American they would dismiss every charge against me. rules about the child care, which taught me Indeed, this traumatic situation was very that one should know the basic rules and laws harmful for my mood and my nuclear family in a country before he immigrates to any because we are new immigrants in this particular state. On the contrary, some ESL country. I think that we do not deserve all these students like Oumar Coulibaly and Martha problems with the law because most of Ramirez have more pleasant experiences in immigrants are not aware of every single rule the land of Uncle Sam even if they still miss and law in this country. So it would be very their friends and family members who still live helpful for future immigrants to know the rules in their country. and laws in use in a country before they go over there. Therefore, the American Embassies abroad should try to help future ÒÒÒÒÒ immigrants figure out which laws are necessary for those immigrants. It would be a Culture Stereotypes very good experience for them to know in by: Lillian J. Lara advance some of the laws before coming here. Some people think because I am Just as the United States is very wide, Mexican I used to wear a long skirt and a experiences of immigrants are very different. colorful blouse while I was living in Mexico. Indeed, I interviewed other ESL students who One day, when I was in high school, a North have had different and sometimes frustrating American girl asked me, “How do experiences. I interviewed Oumar Coulibaly, Mexicans usually dress? I who is from Senegal. He is a Muslim, said, “Mexicans and he used to pray five times per dress just like you do.” She day. During Ramadan, he could not told me that she thought that eat the right food when he finished Mexicans usually wear big hats the fasting period because it is not and boots. When I heard that I felt a little available and if it is, if is so expensive. Also disappointed, but then I explained to her that Oumar could not find a right place to slaughter just like here in the U.S in some places like the goat necessary for the final sacrifice. Texas people wear a hat and boots but that Muslims, like my friend Oumar, cannot kill a doesn’t mean that all Mexicans wear them. In goat like the Muslim religion requires them to my hometown, people dress like city people. I do because most of them live in tiny also told her that in Mexico there are a variety apartments and their landlords will not allow of people: city people, indigenous people and them to do so, whereas they could do this in ranchers. I didn’t want to be mean to her their home country. because I also used to think that all Americans Meanwhile, this is the case of another usually wore tennis shoes, long shorts and t- ESL student I had interviewed too. Her name is shirts. It is easy to stereotype other cultures or Martha Ramirez. She came to the US when countries from what you see in movies, 2 magazines, TV and books. Stereotypes can be part of a family because some Hispanics help to make a picture of other countries even think that the concept of family is very if you have never been there because can help important and if you decide to get married, it is you to understand other cultures. because you can take care of it, and it is part Ayako Hirai, my classmate who is from of the beliefs of the culture. Monica said that it Japan, had some experiences about dress will be hard to change this stereotype that stereotypes with a friend of hers other people think about Hispanic girls, but it is who is an American. This North not impossible. The times are changing, so the American girl asked her if she stereotypes will change with the time. used to wear the “kimono” when Sarah Powell, a North America girl who is she went to school. Ayako told a student in Black Hawk College, told me that me that at first she laughed. she heard that other cultures stereotype the The American girl thought USA like a rude country. For example, she that Japanese people usually dressed in the heard that North American people kimono and the samurai which are traditional do not care about elderly people. Japanese clothing. Ayako explained to the Sarah thinks that it is not because American girl that Japanese only wear those they do not care, but it is because clothes on special celebrations like when they are trained to be Ayako wore for the coming of age ceremony. independent. The older people However like me, Ayako didn’t feel bad about usually do not like others to help them because the comment of the American girl because they will feel useless. In addition, when the Ayako said that she used to think in older people feel that they will need help, they stereotypes about other cultures. Besides, prefer to go to a nursing home because they Ayako thought that Africans do not want to bother their family. Sarah’s usually do not wear any grandmother is living in the house with her clothes in their daily lives. She family, but her grandmother is a person who thought that Africans lived in can do everything by herself and maybe in the tribes, and they hunted animals future if her grandmother gets sick, Sarah for survival. Just like her thinks that her grandmother will prefer to go to American friend, Ayako was a home. It is because she wants to. It will be brave and asked an African friend about her her grandmother’s decision. Sarah told me that doubts. Ayako used to think that about Africa she would not like to be put in a nursing home, because she saw a program on TV about this but she does not know what will happen in the country. She said, “It is easy to believe in what future. you see on TV and in the theaters.” In conclusion, I think people should not To know more about cultural stereotypes, judge others by what they see or I interviewed Monica Salas, who is from hear. Even if we make stereotypes of Ecuador. She had other experiences about other cultures, we should look and how other people think that Hispanic girls inform ourselves about what is prepare for the future when they grow up and true and what is not because we became adults. She remembers a North can be wrong and offend other people. American lady who told her that Hispanic girls Each country is different, and I think this is usually do not go to school because they just what this life is about. Making stereotypes expect to grow up and get married, have many about other cultures is not bad when you do children and then wait for the husbands to pay not offend others. What stereotypes do you the bills. When Monica heard that she felt have about other cultures? If they are not true, disappointed and angry. She thought that it try to find out the truth! was normal that other people think in that way You will be fascinated! about Hispanic girls; however, she explained to the American lady that Hispanic girls used to think like that a long time ago, but now there are many Hispanics that want to be independent and pay their own bills. In addition, Hispanic girls are educated to 3 the "hijab" necessary. "Hijab" is the word used for covering, not only the headscarves (as many people may think) but also wearing loose clothes that are not too bright. By covering themselves, Muslim women try to be modest, but it is not a sign of oppression. In fact, oes slam ppress oman? Christian nuns cover their heads out of D I O W modesty. Also when we see frequent pictures by: Oumar Coulibaly Recently, I have read an article from a of the Virgin Mary, she is covering her head local newspaper in which Muslim women have out of modesty. Therefore, Muslim are doing been depicted as if they were brutally the exact same thing as righteous Christian oppressed in Islamic countries in general. At women. In the Holy Bible, in his first epistle to the end of my reading, I felt a shock because the Corinthians, the apostle, Paul, writes in so many fallacies have been written about our 11:6-10: “For if a woman is not covered, let her mothers, sisters, wives and daughters. As a also be shorn. But if it is shameful for a woman young Muslim man, I found it necessary to to be shorn or shaved, let her be covered. For grab a pen and a piece of paper to enlighten this reason, the woman ought to have a sign of some minds that still do not understand the authority on her head part women play in Islamic societies. I would because of the angels.” like, therefore, to request the readers for the These two verses also shake of fairness and objectivity as they show how important it is for approach this article to try to clear their mind of true believers whether they any preconceptions they may have about are Muslims or Christians to Muslim women and Islam. have their heads covered. In addition, it is also said that there is unequal treatment between men and women in Muslim countries. This statement is also wrong. In Islamic belief it is openly declared that the souls of men and The media often shows or makes us women are equal. They will be bestowed the believe that in the Islamic faith women are same obligations as well as the same rewards. oppressed, and people start linking three If in spirituality men and women are equal, in words: Islam, woman and oppression. They fact, physically males and females are think that Islam commands oppressing women. different. And according to the apostle Paul, In fact, Islam condemns oppression of any kind women have been created by God to please towards women. The first reference the article man, not the reverse. From that point, men are mentioned as a sign of oppression is the veil to lead women. Men are the head of women. Muslim women wear. It is wrong to think that And for example, let us see what the Holy the veil is a sign of oppression. By covering Bible says about that. In his first epistle to the their head, Muslim women try to fulfill a Corinthians, the apostle Paul writes in 11:3 religious commandment dictated by our Lord :”But I want you to know that the head of every and Creator. The Qur’an is the sacred book by man is Christ, the head of woman is man, and which Muslims live. This book was revealed the head of Christ is God.” My choices of these fourteen centuries ago to Muhammad, a man, quotes from the Holy Bible can be explained who would later become the prophet of Islam. by the fact that many people do not believe the In its surah (Arabic for chapter) thirty three, Holy Qur’ an to be revealed by God to prophet entitled “Al Ahzab” (Arabic for the Clans), on of Islam. Like men, women get economic verse fifty-nine it says: “O prophet, tell your independence. The money they bring into wives and your daughters and the women of marriage is theirs as well as the money they the believers to draw cloaks all over their earn. In Islam, a woman has the right to be bodies. That will be better as they shall be educated, contrary to what the contemporary known (as free respectable women) and will world might think. They also have the right to not be annoyed and Allah (God) is Ever Oft- vote for the choice of the leader of their Forgiving, Most-Merciful.” This verse of the nations. If Islam allowed women to vote Holy Qur’an shows that Islam makes wearing fourteen hundred years ago, it is only recently in 1920 that the US women started to vote. 4 Muslim women got rights before Western Chicago. I also miss my family, my friends and women got any. Islam is a religion that holds Japanese food. woman in high regard. I think that sometimes First, I miss my parents, my older brother people fail to distinguish between culture and and my younger sister a lot. My family is a religion; two things that are completely very cheerful and joyful family. My father is different. Long ago in Arabia, in the birth place 168cm tall and has black hair and a brown of Islam, when baby boys complexion that gets suntan when he plays were born, they brought great softball every Sunday. My mom has long dark joy to the family. Girls brought brown hair, and she is slender. She likes less and occasionally none. shopping and playing softball as well; Actually, girls were hated so moreover, the best thing about my mom is that much that they were sometimes buried alive. she is really good at cooking. My older brother Islam was always against this female is 178cm tall and is kind of big guy. Although infanticide. People also fail to distinguish he likes to fish and to play sports on between politics and Islam. As I have already weekends, he never gets suntan, so he has a mentioned above, women have the right to be white complexion and brown eyes. In contrast, educated and to practice a profession. But in my younger sister has a really dark brown some Muslim countries like Afghanistan, when complexion like my dad due to running outside the Taliban was leading, they forbade females every after school. She joined in the field and to leave their homes for work. Islam did not track team at her junior high school. command the Taliban to treat women like they Sometimes we practice softball together in the did; in fact, they were only oppressing women park because everybody in my family has in the name of their political way of ruling. played it. Islam is a religion that honors women. Having a tight relationship, my family Covering their heads is not a sign of tends to stay together a lot. oppression, but it is a divine obligation they When I came home from respect. Oppression is condemned in this faith, school, my mom was always and there is no room for masculine favoritism. at home in the kitchen that was filled with fantastic enticing aromas as she was preparing for supper. Even if vv I came home first, I could soon find my mom or my brother, who came home from What I Miss about Home shopping or work, but here in the U.S, I always by: Ai Gohda come home to an empty house with no enticing I was an exchange student almost three aromas. I’m used to it, but sometimes I feel years ago in Davenport, IA. From that really lonely. experience, I had great time, appreciated Mealtime was always a special time in staying there and loved to stay there, but my family. I always ate breakfast and dinner because of staying in the U.S, I have learned with them. While we were eating, we usually lots of things about Japan such as how talked about what we are going to important my family and my friend are for me, do for the day, and how the day and how much I love Japanese food. was. My sister always talked Since I came to the U.S, it has been 7 about her club, track and field. months. During this time, many people have She loves to run, so she asked me, “Don’t you miss your country?” always talked about that. I Each time I say, “Of usually talked about what I did course, yes.” I miss at school and with friends. Because my hometown, of these times, we could know each other more Osaka, Japan, which and more. is always crowded On the other hand, in the U.S, I eat by with people and cars; myself, and there is nobody to talk to about there are lots of tall what I’m going to do or how I did at school. buildings like in There are only my plate and I in the living room. I feel sad especially when I don’t feel 5 good. Unfortunately, mealtime is not a special mail or letters to my family and my friends, and time in the U.S. it doesn’t cost much, but I can’t eat authentic Secondly, I miss my friends, especially Japanese food that I really want to eat. In my best friend, Mami. Three years ago, we Iowa and Illinois, the Japanese restaurants, do met at a part-time job that we worked at as not serve real Japanese food. waitresses in the My family can send me some Japanese restaurant that is food via plane, but it costs a lot, and I located near her don’t think anybody can house. She is older bring food that my mom than I am, has a white cooked for me. That is complexion and has a why I miss Japanese food long brown hair that she the most. curls everyday. She is Japanese food has rich and fashionable and friendly; she likes to varied tastes. We eat many kinds of wear black or pastel color clothes and jeans or vegetables, not just tomatoes, lettuce, onions black pants; moreover, she decorates her nails and carrots like in the U.S.; besides those neatly. She smiles a lot and always cares vegetables, we always eat spinach, pumpkin, about others; she hates any kind of sports but eggplant, lotus root, cucumber and cabbage. loves shopping. We also eat meats, seafood (squid, I can tell her everything about me, and octopus, shrimp, fish and clams) fruit, rice and she tells me about her. If each of us was noodles everyday. Foreign food like Chinese happy about something we shared our food and Italian food are also available. Their happiness, for example, when I had a really taste is much better in Japan than in the U.S. good day, I saw a really nice looking guy or I because they are not oily and greasy. got extra money, I always told her about it. We Japanese noodles are my favorite food. I shared everything. If each of us was angry miss “udon,” “ra-men” and “soba.” “Udon” is about something, such as about family, friends, white, flat and round. The noodles aren’t thin work or boyfriend, we talked about it and got like pasta. We dip them in special soup when rid of our stress. If each of us had a problem, we eat them cold, and but we can also eat we talked about it and gave advice to each them with hot soup. other to try to solve problems. “Ra-mem” has yellow color like pasta and For instance, one day when I picked up has many kinds of taste: soy sauce, salt, miso the telephone, I heard her angry voice. She and soup from pork bone. said, “My boss was really mean to me today. We usually put the noodles He was mad at me even though I didn’t do in the hot soup with anything bad. I think he just took out his anger seaweed, boiled egg and on me because he wasn’t feeling good today. leek. In summer, we That really annoys me!!” I sometimes put them in listened to all her story and cold soup. gave her some advice, “Soba” is gray and “Bosses are humans, thin; it is made from and sometimes they can’t buckwheat flour. We dip them in a special cold control their emotions. What or hot soup. he did to you was really bad And also I miss the food that my mom and I’m sure you don’t feel good makes. She is really good at cooking; because about that, but why don’t you of this, I don’t like to go out to eat. She cooks forgive him this time.” Then she many kinds of food like Japanese food, calmed down and got rid of her anger. Beyond Chinese food, Italian food and desserts such that, we went shopping together and went out as puddings and cream puffs. She always to eat a lot. We like to go to an ice cream cares if the food has variety of colors, if it looks store, which is called 31(thirty one), which has appropriate and if the plates’ colors and many kinds of ice cream like Whitey’s shapes go with food. Her cooking is perfect Thirdly, I miss Japanese food the most. not only the tastes but also decoration and People may ask why I’m missing Japanese look. food more than my family and my friends. The reason is I can talk on the phone or send e- 6 I’m having a great time in the U.S, like they wanted me to go to the party, so I decided when I was an exchange to go there. My American friends taught me student. I like my new how to dance, and they introduced me to their friends who are from other friends. I could make a lot of American friends countries and good food like at this time. Also many Americans are kind; for pizza and hamburgers. example, most American men open doors for However, when I stay at home by myself, I women. They think of ladies first. Sometimes think about my family and my friends in Japan. women also hold the door for me. This I miss them so much. behavior is a good example for me to follow because it is not usual to open and hold the door for someone in Japan. Secondly, speaking English will help my communication between international people and me. When I was high school, I could not talk with American teachers in my school even

though I wanted to know American culture, so I always asked my friend who can speak English what did the American teacher say. It was not good for me, and it was regrettable that I could by: Masako Yoshizawa not speak English. Now, I am in the United My American life has had a great States, so I must speak English everyday, and influence on me because it has changed my I always study hard with English because if I personality little by little every year. I have can not speak and understand English, I can been the U.S. for almost three years, and I not do anything here, and it will be the same have made a lot of American friends; for this situation as in my high school. Fortunately, I reason, I have leaned about their cultures, can understand and speak English little by behaviors, and experiences. This information little, so I have got new information from my has helped me to develop a strong personality. international friends such as food style and When I was in Japan, I always got up six culture. For example, sometimes I go to my o’clock in the morning and traveled Taiwanese friend’s home to study. to school by train for two hours. At She makes some delicious school, I stayed together with Taiwanese food for me. I had the same friends and lived never tried these foods before, with the same school style life. so I wanted to know how to My usual life was not exciting make them. I always pay because my school, which is from kindergarten attention when she makes food and sometimes to high school, was a high level private school, I help her by cutting fruit, washing dishes, and so our teachers only wanted us to study. It was cleaning the dining table. I enjoy spending boring, and I became a negative thinker. I did every time with her, and English keeps our not develop a strong personality, and I did not communication, and it is necessary for my life. have a dream, so I decided to go to America Thirdly, living in the United States gives because I wanted to stay in a completely me a strong personality. When I was in Japan, different country and find my dream. I could live very easily because my parents did Fortunately, my life has changed for the everything for my brother and me such as better. I can make a lot of American friends making some food, paying utilities, and here, so I have learned about American cleaning our home except when they were culture. For example, busy. Now, I am living alone, and I do every my American friends thing by myself. Sometimes I have problems have parties in with my accounts, so I have to go the company someone’s home every and ask some questions of the shop weekend. They like assistants. Their words are dancing, drinking beer, and talking a lot with difficult to hear because it is music. The first time, when I was at Marycrest difficult for me to understand their fast International University, I did not want to go to replies, so I try to ask again and the parties with my American friends because I again. This American life is completely new for was shy, and I did not know how to dance, but me; for this reason, I take everything seriously. 7 In conclusion, I can get a lot of good in the U.S., so I would like you to visit the old the United States, and I am really exhilarated Japanese temples, Kinkakuji and Ryoanji. to meet my international friends every day. Let’s go to Kinkakuji, the real name is Actually, I have no regrets over this study Rokuonji, first. In 1397, Kinkaku, the most abroad. famous building in the Kinkakuji, was built by Yoshimitsu Ashikaga, who was the then general; also, it was declared a world heritage ÞßàÞßàÞßà building in 1994. I am looking forward to seeing your face The Imaginary Trip to Japan when you finish by: Naomi Iizuka passing through “Seeing is believing.” When I came to the lane to the U.S. first, I really realized this proverb’s Kinkaku. I know meaning. I thought I had enough information people will be surprised and gasp at the about America, but I did not understand the elegant scene when they look at the golden true American life. After starting to live in this building, Kinkaku. Since Kinkaku is reflecting country, I got a lot of new knowledge of the on the surface of the pond which is at the side U.S., and I felt it is better to visit the country of the building, the water is also sparkling in once than to read many guidebooks. Although gold. I will give you enough time to gaze with you would like to travel to foreign countries, rapture, so you can enjoy Kinkaku sufficiently. you are too busy to go to other countries so After enjoying the gorgeous temple, I often. It is too sad for you to give up visiting would like to take you to another temple, other countries, so I would like to invite you to Ryoanji. Of course this building is excellent, my country, Japan, with your imagination. but the garden is the most famous in the Have you ever enjoyed an imaginary trip? Ryoanji. When you go to see the famous Even if it is the first time, you can travel to garden which is called Sekitei, another surprise Japan very easily because you just need to is waiting for you as there are no trees and read my information and imagine. flowers, unlike Before going to my country, let’s learn American about Japan a little. Japan, which is located in gardens. East Asia, is an arc-shaped archipelago that Ryoanji has a stretches a long way from northwest to dry landscape southwest, and it has the four main islands: garden which Hokkaido, Honshu, Shikoku, and Kyushu. is a typical Even though the total area of Japan is the style of Japanese garden. The garden same as the area of California, around 120 expresses landscapes without water and million people are living in the small country. flowers, only rocks and sand. The rock Except for the southwestern islands, most of construction expresses hills and waterfalls, and Japan belongs to the temperate zone; also, the white sand expresses rivers. The white Japan has clearly four seasons, like the Quad sand has lines spread with bamboo brooms to Cities. I think my country has two characters depict flowing water. The area of Sekitei is since people have different lives in the urban 250 square meters, and the three walls side and the country side. I can not choose surround the rectangular garden, so we can only one side, so I would like you to enjoy both see it from only one side on the porch. Don’t sides of Japan. Why don’t you go the urban fall down from the porch! You will break the side with me first? precise line of the sand. This garden looks Now, we are in one of the most famous very humble; however, it is the best place cities, Kyoto. Kyoto was the past capital city of when you would like to be absorbed in your Japan, so there are a lot of old temples and thought. The simple scene of the garden must buildings. Although there are many old give you the “unlooked-for” idea. Well, I would buildings, there are also a lot of high buildings like to enjoy the urban side of Japan more, but similar to Tokyo, the present capital city of it is the time to go the country side. Let’s move Japan. I think the high buildings are not rare in to the country side of Japan. Welcome to Gunma! Upon looking around, you can see mountains everywhere. 8 By the way, please raise your hand if you feel of international students who know good tired. Oh, most of you are tired! I would like to places of their own countries, so if you would take you to Kusatsu hot springs to relax. like to go to foreign countries, you should ask Kusatsu is one of the most famous hot springs them to take you on the imaginary trip. Whose in Japan, and the water of the hot spring is country would you like to go to next? effective for diabetes, neuralgia, bruises, and so on. Many people come to Kusatsu to bathe in the hot spring; however, the water is so hot that you must follow tradition before you enter the hot springs. There are women who cool down the hot water with long boards in the Kusatsu; also, by: Ayako Hirai they stir the hot January 15, 2004, became the most water to cool it. While cooling the water, they unforgettable day in my life. I had already felt sing a song. Can you hear the lively melody? different when I woke up at five o’clock in the The women are singing, “Kusatsu is a good morning. In the dark, I went to a beauty salon place. Come to take the hot springs at least near my house with my mother. When I got once.” I think not only the hot spring water but there, there were many girls my age, and beauticians were putting up their hair, and also this women’s song will remove your putting on their makeup. I sat down, and told a fatigue. beautician with a smile, “I’d like to stand out Then, I would like to take you the from everything else.” She set my hair, and put Agatsuma Gorge. This is my favorite place; a comb in it with two big yellow lilies. While I thus, I really recommend that you visit this was making myself up, my mother was taking picturesque gorge. The Agatsuma Gorge is many pictures. After I had got my hair done, 3.5 km long, and there is a 1.8 km hiking road two elderly ladies put a beautiful purple “furisode”. a kimono with long sleeves, with along the river. Let’s walk on the hiking road. cherry blossoms on me. Even though my The murmurs of the river and leaves make you furisode was made from cotton, and it was not relaxed, don’t they? You can enjoy the young expensive, I felt special like a beautiful woman green leaves in the spring and see colorful who is the most well-dressed in the world. I’d fiery leaves in the fall. Please look at the play been preparing for everything for almost five of sunlight through the trees. You cannot see hours, and finally I was ready to go. such soft natural art in the urban museum, can My friends and I went to large hall in my town, Nara. A large number of people were you? Unfortunately, we will not be able to see outside of the hall. Almost all of the girls were the fantastic scene after a few years because wearing brightly of a dam. My friend, Mr. Sano, who is a colored Japanese “furisodes” and a painter said, shawl, which “Japanese were pink, blue and black to people have to reflect their keep the scenic tastes. Almost all nature of the of the boys were country side wearing suits. I couldn’t hear any because even announcements above their delighted if the scene of the urban side, like the night conversation. We all were excited to talk to view in Tokyo, is beautiful, it is just artificial.” friends because we hadn’t seen each other for a long time; therefore, it is said that the How was Japan? I hope you enjoyed this ceremony is similar to a reunion. We were part imaginary trip. I love my country, so I am glad of “Seijinshiki,” which is the ceremony of that you visited with me. Most of you must be Coming-of-Age-Day, an annual Japanese busy now, and you do not have enough time to event. On the second Monday of January, the travel by plane; however, you have a chance to ceremony is held by the municipal government travel to other countries with your imagination. in every town. That day, Japanese people who Please look around you in BHC. There are lots have reached twenty years old attend the 9 ceremony with their friends. “Seijinshiki” is a wonderful traditional Japanese event for every Persian Weddings new adult and their families. That day, I also by: Reza Khalajabady realized that I had become an adult, and the When I was 14 years old, my older sister ceremony encouraged me to become more got married. Those days were some of the independent and make-up my mind more best days of my life. Why? Because I had responsibly. During the ceremony, we listen to never been so involved with a wedding event congratulatory speeches and many kinds of until my sister's wedding. music from popular music and traditional music My house has three floors, and we inside the hall. These speeches provided two rooms for that wedding. We and music provided one room for encourage us to about 20 guests who be members of were the close family society. of the groom and Because bride. Also, we young people are considered adults provided one room after the ceremony, they are permitted to drink, which had a special smoke and vote. Besides these rights, they decoration for the groom and bride. I was in should become self-reliant as members of the guest room when my cousin said," Come society. They should be responsible in their on up, Reza. The bride came from beauty opinions and actions; therefore, the ceremony salon," so I ran upstairs to the decoration is a big turning point in our lives in Japan. My room, which is another interesting custom of friend, Yoko said, “I feel more stress to be adult because I have to have responsibility in weddings. The decoration room is adorned every action.” Another friend, Yoshiko said, with many colored balloons, colored lamps, “I’m very excited to become an adult because I colored letters which say, "Happy Wedding to can drink and smoke.” the Groom and Bride," and a fancy sign with The ceremony comes from an event for hearts and kisses. Moreover, they set one boys between thirteen to sixteen in the Nara table, and they put a wedding cake, many period (710-784) called “Genpuku.” and also different candies, some color candles, some from “Mogi” for girls between twelve and sixteen in the Heian period(794-1194). Young color bonbons, water, honey, some flowers, men and women changed their outfits, name the Holy Book, the gifts of the groom and and hairstyles to be treated as adult. The most bride's parents and the wedding rings . Some important part was that no one was allowed to of these items have significance. For example, get married before the ceremony at that time. the water and mirror mean brightness for the Thus, the ceremony of “Genpuku” and “Mogi” wedding, and the honey is after the groom and were the foundation for the Seijinshiki today. Today, only unmarried women dress in bride wear the rings, they should taste the traditional clothes with long sleeves are called honey with their finger before they kiss each “Furisode." Women wear “kimono,” and men other. The Holy Book is important because it wear “hakama,” which is a traditional men’s has the letters of God in it. The Justice of the outfit rarely seen on the street. Traditional Peace comes to the decoration room and clothes are worn only on special ceremonial pronounces the groom and the bride as occasions, in traditional restaurants and by husband and wife, and that's why I ran fast not women who teach people in the traditional arts such as Japanese dance and tea ceremony; to miss this ceremony. therefore, the coming age of ceremony is a After this ceremony the groom and bride good opportunity to wear “kimono” and went with other guests to the hall for a bigger “hakama.” celebration. In fact, we invited two hundred “Seijinshiki” is the most important event people which were the extended family of the because it ties modern groom and the bride to the hall. Japanese society to its Like Americans, Iranians spend time past events. We celebrate adulthood today. dating each other, and they get this agreement Hopefully, future Japanese to get married. But the boy should talk about young people will feel the this decision to his parents, and his family must same excitement that I felt call the girl's parents to get permission to go to on January, 15, 2004. visit them. Before the engagement, the boy's parents must visit girl's parents. They must

10 approve of the boy by considering his job and education. ◊◊◊◊◊◊ After the engagement, both families determine the date of the wedding. From the engagement party until the wedding day, the American Schools girl's parents have time to collect all the with furniture for a furnished house for their daughter. On the other Junk Foods by: Dede Kuegah hand, the boy's parents must Today, many American schools provide promise one gift such as new food through vending machines and snack car, an apartment or about 500 bars. Some school cafeterias, including the coins of gold for the bride. In fact, one at Black Hawk College, serve strange the groom gives this gift in one of rectangular pizzas, mashed potatoes with rich the anniversaries of their married life. gravy, soggy French fries, jello with some sort On the wedding day, both families invite of salad with rich ranch dressing. What will everyone they want and all charges are paid parents say when their kids come home and by the groom. Most people make very big say, “Mom, we had pizza and French fries for weddings to save their reputation among the lunch at school today?” The parent says, “I families. In fact, if the groom's family plans a told you not to eat fatty food because it is not big wedding in the garden of a big hotel, their good for your health.” A least that’s what my reputation is enhanced. mom said whenever I told her what I ate for Weddings take about six hours in lunch at school. At Black Hawk College, some general, and people start their weddings at 7 or students spend most of their time on the 8 p.m. until midnight, but some people start campus. How can those students stay healthy their weddings in the afternoon until midnight. I by eating in the campus cafeteria? Why are experienced a wedding in the north part of my our schools allowing junk foods and vending country. People there celebrate weddings for machines in the school building? three days. They start late in the morning until And what has been done evening, and on the third day, The Justice of about it. These parents the Peace unites a man and woman in and students must address marriage, but in my own custom in the center the issue of junk food for of my country, weddings are one day, and the the well-being of the youth couple gets married on that day. of America. Americans bring their gifts on the According to David wedding day, but Iranians bring their gifts one Nakamura in his article, “Schools Peddling day after the wedding day into the new groom Junk Food to Kids,” the appearance of vending and bride's house. Moreover, one night after machines, selling everything from candies to the wedding, the bride's mother must cook chips to soda is not a new development. They some special food with chicken, fish and rice have been around since the early 1980s. and send it to the new couples' house. Almost every school in the United States has There are some special customs. For vending machines in the school buildings. example, some families have the tradition to However, schools allow vending machines and give money as gift to the bride or the groom in junk foods in the schools because of the weddings. One custom is compensation from the vendors. Some that when someone dances schools need money to fix some things or to in front of the groom or the buy some books missing in the school, so they bride, the groom or his negotiate with the soda or snack bars family gives money as gift to companies in order to get the money to fix show appreciation for person those things. For examples, Gary Koeller, the who dances at the wedding. After the principal of Moline High School said, “Last wedding is finished, the groom or bride may year, the Pepsi Company offered the school take the honeymoon. After they come back, thirty thousand dollars if I allowed Pepsi each extended family member should invite the vending machine in the school instead of Coca groom, bride and their parents for dinner and Cola vending machine, and I accepted the show them respect. offer because the school needs money to buy

11 books for some classes.” He also said that he school organized extra activities like concerts is not the only one accepting offers from the and theater productions that students do to get vendors. “ Most principals, locally and across extra money for the school. Parents, students the country, negotiate with vendors, for and school principals should think of more exclusive use of a product; in return, the creative solutions. If parents are really worried companies pay the schools cash or buy about children’s development of life-long eating equipment and goods.” Are the cash and the habits, they have to ban vending machines and goods worth the health of us, the students? junk food sales in the schools. The parents Students take health class, and in the can start by telling the students to leave classroom, they are taught about good nutrition campus during lunch and go buy themselves and the value of healthy food choices. some good nutritional foods. As for the young However, in the lunchroom, they are kids, parents can make them some nutritious surrounded with junk food and vending food that they can bring from home. Students machines. When students come to school in can also eat breakfast at home, so they will be the morning, they usually full in the morning. Nadine Larson, a parent head to the vending and a teacher at Moline High School said, “We machine to get bag of are continuing to feel that the health of our chips or candy bars with young people is at risk because of the eating soda. Mrs. Stephanie environment at our schools.” Our schools Jordan, an ESL teacher should replace all the soda and snack bars by at Moline High School said, yogurts and fruit bars and also water. “Some students come in a 7:30 in the morning Therefore, our schools are allowing junk eating bag of Doritos and drinking Mountain foods in the schools building because the need Dew. As a parent of two kids, I would not like extra money. The schools can still make extra to see my children with soda and chips in the money by selling healthy food. In morning.” Most parents feel the same way. school, we are thought to eat That’s why some of the parents pack lunch for healthy everyday but how can we their children. Even though, the junk food that eat healthy while our schools are our schools sell causes many diseases to the serving unhealthy food. Students and parents students, the students still buy food from the need to find a way to help schools raise money cafeteria. Some of the foods produce cavities, for extra stuff, so that they can stop accepting malnutrition, obesity and stomach upsets and vendor’s offers. make students more vulnerable to diabetes and other chronic degenerative diseases. My last year biology teacher at Moline High School, Diane Anderson, said, “Most snack bars have too much sugar, and almost every doctor says that foods high in sugar can cause tooth decay, diabetes and a lot of sugar transforms to fat in our body.” Sugary and fatty foods can cause students many health Introducing Filipino Cuisine problems later in life. Some of us, students, by: Mary Jo Perez who are a little overweight can’t seem to lose “Sophisticated and exotic” are words weight while we are in school because all we used when describing Filipino foods by the eat is vending machine food and cafeteria New York food critic, Barbara Costikyan. For food. me, Filipino dishes are indeed unique and In order to stop selling junk foods to simple. Our ways of cooking vary from other students, our schools can add extra activities countries, and our dishes are usually easy to and serve healthy foods in the prepare or cook. Filipinos have adapted schools. Instead of getting to the different cultures, and money from the vendors, the this is evident in the style of schools can make money by cooking. The Philippines is offering healthy and appealing located in the heart of foods at affordable prices, which should be Southeast Asia, an available in the cafeteria. When I used to go to archipelago composed of a private school in my country, Togo, the 12 7,107 islands and surrounded by the Pacific Directions: Ocean, the South China Sea and Celebes Heat oil in a pan (or wok if possible). Sautee Sea. The many races that have influenced the garlic and onion slices until the onion is different traditions of the Filipinos are transparent. Add chicken and pork. Cook until Indonesian, Malays, Spanish, Japanese, pork is brown. Add half of the chicken stock. American cultures and other neighboring Boil for about three minutes. Sprinkle some ground black pepper. Simmer for about another countries in Asia have left their mark on the three minutes. Add shrimp, mushrooms, carrots way Filipinos eat. and other ingredients except the noodles The Chinese influence can be seen in themselves. Simmer for another 3 minutes or noodle dishes; the most popular one is called so (covered). Add the remaining stock. Adjust “pancit.” Pancit Molo is an adaptation of the taste with salt, pepper, patis and soy sauce. wanton soup. There are many variations in Add the noodles. Mix thoroughly until noodles noodles. The difference lies in the type of the are soft. noodle used and the garnishing and flavoring. Garnish with sliced green onions and sliced However, of all the variations of pancit, pancit lemon. Serve with lemon. bihon (sticky rice) is my favorite. I can still recall that every time my mom cooked it, she Bicol cuisine tastes great and is used to bring some to her work and share it distinctive among the spicy foods that I’ve with her American co-workers because they tasted before. The people of this liked the taste. Since my mom’s co-workers region are fans of all liked it, and it is my favorite recipe, I decided to known spices. But unlike share the pancit bihon recipe because the Japan, Korea, Taiwan readers might like it, too. The recipe is so easy and other Asian to prepare, and I know whoever wants to try neighbors of the cooking it will probably have few difficulties. Philippines, most Filipinos do not like chili- hot Pancit Bihon dishes; however, dishes from the Bicol region are distinguished by their use of chili and Ingredients: coconut milk, similar to Indonesian, Malay, and 1 whole chicken cut into pieces, boiled in a big Thai foods. “Bicol Express,” for example, is a casserole with one medium sized onion, 2 dish of pork strips sautéed in garlic, onions, stalks of celery and pepper corns. Cover ginger, and turmeric, mixed with bagoong chicken with enough water. Remove meat alamang (salted and fermented shrimp sauce), from bone and don’t forget to save the coconut cream, chopped chilies and hot green stock! and red peppers. The Bicolanos ways of 1 lb sliced thin strips pork cooking are sometimes imitated in the other 1 cup cooked, deveined and unshelled shrimps parts of the country but only with fewer spices 1 can straw mushrooms While on the other part of the country, the 1 can water chestnuts ½ head sliced into julien strips bok choy Muslims (living in the Mindanao, the southern (pechay) part of the Philippines) retain more of a 1 piece julienned carrot Malaysian flavor in cooking. The dishes used A few pieces of snow pea pods are coconut milk, chilies, cassava, and rice. ½ lb mussels or scallops (optional) They are similar to Bicol but only vary in the Soy sauce to taste way they prepare. Patis (fish sauce) to taste Filipino cooking, like other Oriental Salt to taste preparations, involves a lot of chopping and 2 cloves crushed garlic labor-intensive preparation. We flavor the 1 medium sliced sized onion foods with dipping sauces (sawsawan) Ground black pepper (fresh if you can) Oil for frying according to individual taste. Patis and 1 or 2 packages of pancit canton or a package bagoong (fermented fish or shrimp sauce), of vermicelli or angel hair pasta. If you similar to those produced by Vietnamese and really can’t find pancit, try egg noodles – Thais, are also used when cooking. Other although they may be soft, or spaghetti if dippings used by Filipinos are vinegar, soy you’re desperate!!! sauce, ketchup and chilies, a squeeze of 4 or 5 green onions calamansi (Philippine lemon) in the soy sauce 1 lemon or patis, a touch of mustard, and even mince 13 garlic in vinegar that creates new flavor. Filipinos also use sour sauce as Traditional Adobo accompaniments to foods, such as chopped green mangoes mixed with shrimp bagoong, or Ingredients: pickled shredded papaya (achara). Many of my 1½ lb cut into ½” cubes, pork shoulder or butt friends in America, as they visit Philippines, 1/3 C vinegar told me those mangoes in the country taste 2 tbs. soy sauce better than in other countries. It made me now 1 tsp. salt realize that I must be proud of the many foods 3 cloves minced garlic 1 small bay leaf or dishes in my country. ¼ tsp. pepper Many Philippine desserts, especially 1 tbs. sugar those made of rice and coconut are similar to ½ C water those of Indonesia and 2 tbs. cooking oil Malaysia. Examples are biko and suman, sticky Directions: rice cooked with Combine all ingredients except cooking oil in a coconut milk and pot and let stand for at least 30 minutes. sugar and wrapped in Simmer covered for 1 hour or until meat is banana or pandan tender. Drain and reserve the sauce. Heat leaves; puto and kutsinta, cooking oil in a skillet. Brown meat on all sides. Transfer to a serving dish. Pour off which are different types of cooked cakes; and all remaining oil from skillet. Add reserved bukayo, a crunchy sweet made of grated sauce and cook for a minute or two coconut cooked in molasses and pressed into scraping all browned bits sticking to pan. bars. For tourists our desserts are too sweet. I Pour sauce over meat and serve. guess its indeed true because diabetes is one Variations: of the dominant diseases of many Filipinos. May be done with chicken or a combination of The names of dishes in Filipino foods chicken and pork. Beef or chicken livers often suggest how they are prepared. “Prito” may be added too if desired. means fried; “gisa”, “ginisa” or “gisado” means sautéed; “ihaw” or “inihaw” means grilled or Filipino ways of cooking are reflections of boiled; “adobo” means to sauté in vinegar and the evolution in Filipino’s culture and lifestyle. garlic; “paksiw” means stew in sour fruit like The ancestors have handed down these mango, or vinegar. “Ginataan” is anything traditional recipes which have survived over cooked in coconut milk. To create a thin sauce, the centuries from one generation to another. “sinigang,” add some acidic fruit like tamarind In fact, even I inherited many cooking recipes or small green kamias. from my parents and grandparents. The tastes To those visiting the country, “adobo” is of these recipes are the combination of the worth trying. It is a dish showing Spanish and countries that colonized the Philippines in the Mexican influences but with regional variations. past. The cooking techniques, preparations Pork, or chicken (sometimes vegetables or and local innovations distinguish this cuisine seafood), are stewed in a mixture of vinegar, from the rest of the Asian countries. The flavor bay leaf, peppercorn and garlic over a slow is enchanting to taste and must be tried. Sad to fire. Here in America, Filipinos still cook adobo. say, Filipino cooking has not gained much The ingredients are easy to find in attention in mainstream USA. Perhaps this supermarkets and the steps are trouble-free. It cuisine is just waiting patiently to be is also one of my favorite dishes because of discovered, and hope that moment will start the sour taste. The smell of the cooked today. vinegar, soy sauce and garlic are so tempting to me. Since this is the most famous Filipino dish, I want to include the recipe.

14 The Traditional Polish Food During made only for this holiday. It is a “beet” soup Holidays with eggs, Polish sausage, bread, beef, and by: Marcin Kozicki spices. This is definitely my favorite meal of all. Every country all over the world has its I remember I was always very excited waiting own eating habits. There are specific meals or for it. I wish we could have Easter beet soup kinds of food that characterize countries’ more often than once a year. After breakfast culture. For example, there are types of food there is a special traditional dessert, a pie, eaten during holidays in the United States like which is called “mazurek,” in English. It is very green bean casserole and turkey on unique because it has to be made a month Thanksgiving Day, or the three meals like before baking it. Like beet soup, “mazurka” is breakfast, lunch, and dinner that is also made only for Easter. common in the U.S. In Poland, The second holiday with Polish traditional there are also specific kinds food is Christmas. It is very original because of food that characterize every Polish Christmas Eve table has twelve Christmas and Easter. The different kinds of food. They also typical Polish Christmas Eve have to be made in a special table has twelve different dishes which are way. I remember my mom made in a special traditional way. Easter has making the dishes for two days special Polish food too, but only one meal with because they take a lot of effort tons of ingredients. During holidays there also and time. The twelve kinds of food are divided must be a specific dessert with different kinds into eight courses, dessert with three kinds of of pies, cakes, and drinks. As a Polish person, cake, and a special Christmas drink made from I would like to show you the eating customs in dried plums. According to the tradition, every Poland and variety of food during the holidays. table has to have beet soup with a special kind To begin with, the Polish day has only of pasta called “ears” stuffed with mushrooms, three meals: breakfast, dinner, and supper. fried carp, herrings marinated in oil and honey Breakfast usually starts at eight o’clock, and it sauce, dumplings stuffed with sour kraut, a has different kinds of sandwiches with turkey, “Greek” fish which is a fish in tomato sauce, a ham, and other kinds of daily meat. In my fish in jelly sauce, a special kind of ranch with family we had sandwiches for pickles and mushrooms, and a vegetarian breakfast everyday. It was salad. The Christmas Eve dinner starts at five a little boring because I o’clock, with all members of the family. First, ate the same thing every there is a traditional Christmas prayer. After morning. Dinner, which is dinner, there is a dessert with three kinds of the most important, is cake: baked cheese cake, a cold cheese cake usually around one o’clock. It contains two made from jelly and yogurt, and a poppy – separate courses. The first is always a seed cake called “makowiec." With all that traditional soup like tomato, sour kraut, “beet” food, Christmas Eve table is the richest of all soup, sour pickles, and chicken noodle. The Polish holidays. The interesting thing is that I second dinner meal is different. It is a real have never been able to try all twelve courses meal with mashed potatoes, vegetables, and during the dinner. I was done after the first meat like fried chicken breast, meatballs, three. Believe it or not, it is really hard to at steak, ribs, cooked chicken, and stuffed least sample all of the meals. chicken breast with butter and cheese. Supper, As you can see, the holidays like the last meal, is usually at seven o’clock, and it Christmas and Easter have to have traditional has sandwiches just like breakfast. This is how Polish food. Because of the custom, it has to Polish daily meals are, but holidays are be different from daily food. Every type of food different. characterizes the specific holiday. For The first interesting Polish holiday meal is example, all kids in Poland know that fried during Easter. This is the only time when golden carp is for Christmas, and eggs with breakfast is the most important beet soup are made only for Easter. Of all the meal. It starts usually around nine holidays, the Christmas Eve table is the o’clock right before the church richest, and this is what Poland is known for in ceremony. The Easter Europe. breakfast is a traditional meal ≈≈≈≈≈≈ 15 What’s going on with BHC? 2,586,034 and this year was 2,271.475. This by: Oscar Garcia has brought changes to our school. Many things are going on and no one The school is thinking of increasing knows anything about them. Can anyone tuition. I personally think that it’s not a good imagine what might happen if BHC doesn’t idea because if tuition is too have any money? You can have an idea about expensive many students what will happen. BHC is going through many won’t want to attend BHC. changes right now because our budget is Students in BHC will probably getting cut. transfer to another college BHC is losing money and that is affecting that will provide better classes the entire school. Let me inform you about the and programs for their major. things that are going on around our school. We Just like Anne Bollati, the ESL Coordinator, are facing a budget deficit. This budget cut has mentioned “Really now the legislature should been going on for about be careful on how they spent our money.” a year and might last To prevent this from happening again another year. These cuts and to let everyone know about BHC, the have many effects on students should be informed so that they can the staff, faculty and give their opinion about all this. Maybe they students. can come up with ways to help lessen the In order to balance the school budget, effects on the school. A good way for students the administration began to cut jobs. To inform to become involved is to join committees to the staff and faculty about the possibilities of discuss the issues with administrators. For being cut, the administration sends a pink slip example, the administrators could get the in their pay checks. That warns the staff that opinion of the students, so that we can get BHC has the right to cut the job if needed. together, and discuss how can we help to BHC needs more money and so the result was avoid this happening again. Really everyone is to cut jobs. Not everyone gets a slip, mostly worried about this because students might not workers with less experience and fewer years have the best education that they need. of service. But all of this has brought many The reaction of the staff and faculty people insecurity about maintaining their knowing that their jobs are positions and jobs. at risk really brings rumors Budget cuts affect the school in many and madness. Many are ways. If there is less staff and more students basically mad at all this then that will cause over-crowded classes and and scared because it is more frustration to the teachers and students. something to be mad and Teachers will need to teach more than one scared of. Losing jobs section of class, and they will need to have a means that some people lot of patience with lives are threatened. It also means students the numbers of might not have the right education and students that they will attention that we need. “The best thing right have. The reason now is to stick together” was said by Dr why some teachers Fitzgerald, Dean of Instruction Services. will teach other classes is because of bumping. For example, if a teacher has less experience and years working in BHC then they can be bumped by someone that has been here for longer time and with more experience. When teachers are bumped, no one can do anything. Another effect is that some programs might be cancelled, and students won’t have programs to attend. The students service effects were stated on the budget booklet, and it read that the student service was cut by $ 55,778.00 dollars. Last years budget for students was

16 Naomi Iizuka is a twenty-two-year old Japanese exchange student. She is from Gunma, a suburb of

by: Sassou Koffi Akakpo Tokyo. Her spare time Hobbies are activities people are likely to is spent watching do often in order to relax themselves in their movies. She started spare time. Thus, people have different “kendo,” a martial art hobbies, habits and interests in life. The ESL here in the Quad Cities students have a variety of experiences and because she never had desires in life too. Indeed some of them are the opportunity to learn it before in Japan. She very busy. also likes to go to a café with friends during the For instance, Dede Kuegah, a Togolese weekend. ESL student is a fan Another ESL student is Lillian Lara, who of soccer. As a result, is a twenty-one-year-old she played soccer in Mexican-American lady high school, and she who is a happy mom of a enjoys every single two year old baby. One of soccer tournament her several hobbies she can see on her includes caring for her television. Moreover, little Renata. Indeed she she likes to watch enjoys spending much of movies, go outside her time with her little girl. with friends. Like every teenager, she loves to Lillian likes Spanish and dance and listen to music also. rock music. She sometimes goes to the As for Masako cinema. Most of her spare time is spent in front Yoshizawa, a twenty- of the television. one-year-old Japanese Ayako Hirai is a twenty-year-old international student, who Japanese international student. She is from is from Kanagawa, she Nara. Her dream is to become a famous prefers to listen to music hairdresser. This hobby leads her to do her and talk with friends. Her own hair and her own hobbies also include make-up at home driving her car and during her free time. shopping. She is looking forward Mary Jo Perez is to finishing her ESL twenty-one years old classes and to register and is from the for the style classes. Philippines. She was She prefers to read born on October 8, 1982 magazines related to under the zodiac sign of her passion where she can learn new fashion Libra. She likes and design. Moreover, she likes to listen to listening to music, music and go shopping with friends. She also reading poems, and learns the Japanese martial art, “kendo.” surfing the internet. Therefore, she is a practitioner of kendo, which Juan Gomez, a twenty- is a technique of self defense enabling year-old ESL student from someone to defend him/herself against Mexico, is concerned about adversity. During the interview, she told me his hobbies which are driving that she spent one year in Davenport as an his car, and listening to rap exchange student before she transferred to music. He also likes spiky Black Hawk College. Thus, she is in her hair. In addition, he works second year at school in the USA. She wishes part-time with FedEx as a to find a job related to her hobby, which is in package handler. the field of beauty. If she can choose, she wants to stay in the US more than three years.

Marcin Kozicki is a twenty-two-year-old Oscar Garciá is a young Hispanic who ESL student who registered was born in Chicago but in the ESL program more raised in Cicero, Illinois. than one year and half ago He loves dancing, music because he wanted to and cars. He will receive improve his English. He is his associate’s degree at from Krackovi, a small and BHC and will then beautiful town in Poland transfer to the University (Europe) where Pope John of Illinois for landscape Paul II is also from. He likes design. to listen to music and watch television during his spare time. In addition, he likes to work on Reza Khalajabady his computer, drive his car and go dancing in is a twenty-seven year old night club with friends. Some of his hobbies student from Iran. He has include also martial arts like “kiokushin” and been living in the U.S.A watching DVD’s. He said that it is a real for four years. His pleasure for him to work with Happy Joes as a hobbies are watching delivery driver for pizzas. NASCAR racing, camping Oumar Coulibaly is and fishing. from Senegal in West Africa. He has been at Black Hawk College for two Karen Hindhede is a teacher at Black years. His dream is to Hawk College who will adopt a baby and care complete his education. His for her because she has too much love to give hobbies are reading and to children, even if she is waiting for her own playing soccer. child. She likes her students to come to class Another student is Sassou K. Akakpo prepared and ready to participate fully in the who came to the USA with his small family one class activities. She expects them to respect year ago due to the fact that each other and he won the diversity visa. He to be friends. is from Togo, West Africa. He One of her is a permanent resident of the hobbies is to United States of America and read, to help is grateful for the opportunity students with the American government their homework gave him in order to immigrate and to give full and work here in the States. He started the commitment to ESL program in order to communicate with her teaching. Americans very easily. His hobbies include Moreover, she listening to music, driving his car and looking at hopes to study Spanish in order to travel to DVD’s. central and South America. Ai Ghoda is a nineteen-year-old-student from Japan. She likes to play softball and likes We would like to thank Sheryl Gragg for baton twirling; now she her cheerful patience in helping us prepare this has just started to learn newsletter! judo in the United States.