I attended the SJSU International House's Pancake Breakfast which took place on April 11th. They host this event twice a year. The International house is an SJSU dormitory which house 72 international and U.S residents. The Pancake Breakfast takes place once every Fall and Spring semester. The house is transformed into restaurant and they serve a buffet breakfast with cuisine from many countries. The residents take on different roles like cooks, waiters, and hosts. It is organized by the house's resident advisers with the help of the director and the office manager. This semester's attendance figure was a record.
I found this event to be relevant to this assignment because it involved people with different cultures and racial backgrounds. It's interesting to see individuals with distinct origins combine and work together as a team. The language barrier was quite apparent. I noticed that many of the Asian residents were not as adept at English as the others. However, they were making a genuine effort. They could understand and be understood, which ultimately is the goal of two way communication.
The residents were like a family. I guess that is natural when you are living under the same roof. There was a very positive feeling about this place though. Most of the residents spend a total of one year there since they are on exchange programs. That drives them to make the most of their time in the United States. They just seemed to me like a very close-knit group.
The event was very enjoyable. There was great food, entertainment, and plenty of happy people. The only negative thing was the weather; It was raining. What I liked most was that it was very multicultural. I even met someone from Mauritania.
The most important thing I took from this experience was that it was an example of a productive system. People usually put aside their differences when asked to work together. In this case, they embraced their differences and that made them special. It goes to show that different cultures and races can learn to live and work together peacefully and successfully.
Sunday, April 25, 2010
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
Word of the Week #10
1. Magisterial
2. "Lionel Messi turned in a magisterial performance against Arsenal."
3. Magisterial: (adj) 1. having or shown great authority; domineering, dictatorial.
4. The police office showed up at the crime scene and his leadership was nothing short of magisterial.
2. "Lionel Messi turned in a magisterial performance against Arsenal."
3. Magisterial: (adj) 1. having or shown great authority; domineering, dictatorial.
4. The police office showed up at the crime scene and his leadership was nothing short of magisterial.
Sunday, April 11, 2010
Blog #8 - IMHO #1
I decided to write my opinion piece on the War in Afghanistan and the War in Iraq. These wars have come to be known as the "War on Terror." The Afghanistan war started on October 7, 2001 and is still in progress. The intention was to apprehend the Al Qaeda, specifically Osama Bin Laden. The U.S government believed them to be behind the tragic September 11 attacks. My problem with this matter is how it expanded, and why it is still continuing today.
The reason for going into Afghanistan was legitimate. Every effort possible had to be made to arrest the terrorists behind the attacks. However, in March of 2003, the U.S focused its attention on Iraq. The government claimed that there were ties between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, and also that Iraq were in possession of weapons of mass destruction. This was proved incorrect after former U.N representative, Hans Blix, performed a check and found nothing. The U.S still proceeded with the attacks on Baghdad to capture Saddam Hussein. The world sat back and watched as the U.S, along with the coalition, occupied Iraq for near to no reason. To me, it just seemed too easy. Granted, Saddam Hussein was a psychotic dictator. Why is that the U.S's problem? Iraq posed absolutely no threat to U.S national security. What right did the U.S have to invade them and harm innocent people?
The idea of going into Afghanistan was to find Osama Bin Laden amongst others. The U.S government have come no closer to finding him since they set out to look for him nine years ago. Recently, President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Why stay in Afghanistan? To ensure security? What right does the U.S have to make predetermined decisions? Afghanistan is an independent country and should be treated as such. In my opinion, it is unfair and immoral for one country to bully another based on the belief that it is a potential threat to them.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_%282001%E2%80%93present%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1945182,00.html
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Obama_Troops_Afghanistan_strategy_announcement-78273987.html
The reason for going into Afghanistan was legitimate. Every effort possible had to be made to arrest the terrorists behind the attacks. However, in March of 2003, the U.S focused its attention on Iraq. The government claimed that there were ties between Saddam Hussein and Osama Bin Laden, and also that Iraq were in possession of weapons of mass destruction. This was proved incorrect after former U.N representative, Hans Blix, performed a check and found nothing. The U.S still proceeded with the attacks on Baghdad to capture Saddam Hussein. The world sat back and watched as the U.S, along with the coalition, occupied Iraq for near to no reason. To me, it just seemed too easy. Granted, Saddam Hussein was a psychotic dictator. Why is that the U.S's problem? Iraq posed absolutely no threat to U.S national security. What right did the U.S have to invade them and harm innocent people?
The idea of going into Afghanistan was to find Osama Bin Laden amongst others. The U.S government have come no closer to finding him since they set out to look for him nine years ago. Recently, President Barack Obama ordered the deployment of 30,000 troops to Afghanistan. Why stay in Afghanistan? To ensure security? What right does the U.S have to make predetermined decisions? Afghanistan is an independent country and should be treated as such. In my opinion, it is unfair and immoral for one country to bully another based on the belief that it is a potential threat to them.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/War_in_Afghanistan_%282001%E2%80%93present%29
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iraq_War
http://www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1945182,00.html
http://www1.voanews.com/english/news/Obama_Troops_Afghanistan_strategy_announcement-78273987.html
Tuesday, April 6, 2010
Word of the Week #9
1. Taboo
2. "It would be taboo to advertise condoms in certain countries."
3. Taboo: (noun) a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidden association with a particular person, place, or thing.
4. The transportation of alcohol in the United Arab Emirates is considered taboo unless you have a valid liquor license.
2. "It would be taboo to advertise condoms in certain countries."
3. Taboo: (noun) a social or religious custom prohibiting or restricting a particular practice or forbidden association with a particular person, place, or thing.
4. The transportation of alcohol in the United Arab Emirates is considered taboo unless you have a valid liquor license.
Monday, April 5, 2010
Word of the Week #8
1. Perfunctorily
2. "..., and she wagged her index finger perfunctorily, like a windshield wiper."
3. Perfunctorily: (adj) (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
4. I knew he was gifted because he carried out the most difficult tasks perfunctorily.
2. "..., and she wagged her index finger perfunctorily, like a windshield wiper."
3. Perfunctorily: (adj) (of an action or gesture) carried out with a minimum of effort or reflection.
4. I knew he was gifted because he carried out the most difficult tasks perfunctorily.
Blog 7 - Drinking Coffee Elsewhere
I analyzed the story "Brownies," which was the first one in the book. From the start, I noticed that Packer intended on being descriptive, witty, and sarcastic.
"they were white girls, their complexions a blend of ice cream: strawberry, vanilla."
I found this statement to be very bold and humorous. It set the tempo for the story. I immediately got the feeling that the writer wasn't afraid to push the limits.
Packer's style of description is unique. She describes things in unconventional ways that make it easy to imagine and understand.
"her voice was petite and tinkly, the voice one might expect from a shiny new earring."
This quote epitomizes the point I am trying to make about her style of description. An earring does not in fact have a voice. However, It is a tiny object and if it had a voice it would likely be a soft, high-pitched one.
I find it quite amazing that this story was written based on a group of fourth grade brownie camp girls. However, the content is explicit and mature. I don't find this to be inappropriate. On the contrary, I find it to be refreshing. Seeing a simple thing as a brownie camp through the eyes of a fourth grade girl as being a small war zone. In my opinion, it is mildly disturbing, which makes it all the more daring and creative. It adds another dimension to my perspective on creative writing.
"they were white girls, their complexions a blend of ice cream: strawberry, vanilla."
I found this statement to be very bold and humorous. It set the tempo for the story. I immediately got the feeling that the writer wasn't afraid to push the limits.
Packer's style of description is unique. She describes things in unconventional ways that make it easy to imagine and understand.
"her voice was petite and tinkly, the voice one might expect from a shiny new earring."
This quote epitomizes the point I am trying to make about her style of description. An earring does not in fact have a voice. However, It is a tiny object and if it had a voice it would likely be a soft, high-pitched one.
I find it quite amazing that this story was written based on a group of fourth grade brownie camp girls. However, the content is explicit and mature. I don't find this to be inappropriate. On the contrary, I find it to be refreshing. Seeing a simple thing as a brownie camp through the eyes of a fourth grade girl as being a small war zone. In my opinion, it is mildly disturbing, which makes it all the more daring and creative. It adds another dimension to my perspective on creative writing.
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