Nooner!!!

Last Wednesday I absented my elective class, because of my club activity I had to attend Nooner. I’m a member of UCR UNICEF club. Do you know what the UNICEF is? UNICEF is a kind of nonprofit organization. They provide emergency food and healthcare to children in countries. I became a member of this organization when I took a plane for traveling few years ago. So I already know their activities. I was glad when I noticed UCR has UNICEF club. Because of that, I joined the club without hesitation. These days, I attend every Wednesday for general meeting. Yesterday, UNICEF club collected some money for childrens. For collecting money, we made some games. One thing was pumpkin bowling and other thing was I’m not sure the name of that, but we put something inside black box and then let people guess what it is. Playing fee was collected as a fund. However, do you know what the Nooner is? Nooner is a kind of event. It holds every Wednesday in UCR main campus. We called that the Nooner. Because it opens around at noon. Its’ name comes from that. You can see and enjoy many things over there. Such as, some clubs make event or performance. There are so many people. Yesterday, I saw some students were fought against school for registration fee. It was kind of rally, but it was a very peaceful rally. One students dressed like Jesus and pretended the Almighty. Other students pretended to dead as instructed by the student who wearing like Jesus. Every students were lay at full length around bell tower. Other students who are from Palestine held a street demonstration for peace in there country. They conduct a funeral for the victims of war. All of them wore a black suit, and hold a parade holding a coffins.

Is it interesting? You can go and enjoy it! Every Wednesday 10 a.m. – 2 p.m. under the Bell tower.

http://welcomeevents.ucr.edu/pictures.htm

Happy Halloween and see you next week~

by Mira

About friends

I think everyone has more than one friend,exactly, but for the best friends may only has one or tow. Let us think in that way, one person who can come into our heart and live in there as long as we can keep, how wonderful it is. For friends, I'd like to take care of them and I never want to lose them, because I think a good friend is the best present that is given from God. We need to thank lord and all the friends that are with us. My best friend, she is living in my heart since 12 years ago. Actually, we knew each other from our elementrary school, but we were in the different classes, so at that time we didn't know each other a lot. When we stared our junior high school, we found out we were in the same class, it was a good chance to know each other clearly,and also we were living in the same area, everyday we were going to school and going back home together that I will never forget this commemorable period. For high school, I was going to Tianjing to continue my study, she just left alone in our city, I missed her so much during that time. She is a very kind and virtuous person, no matter what others do to do, what others to say, even though one of her sister turned on her, she will never choose to retaliate them. The only thing that she could do is telling me what happened and cry. I don't like others to see my tears, I think it means not brave, but she is opposite of me, I think this is one of the reasons why we are the best friends, because a lot of people like to find out someone who is different form themselves. I was so happy about even thouhg we didn't see each other for a long long time,but we still best friends. What is friend, what is the best friend, someone who never care others say something bad to you, no matter what others say, the one will always stand in you way and trust you, no matter what happened, the first time you want to tell them to let them know and they will encourage you and support you, no matter what, the one who is always waiting for you. I really want to say thank you to all of my friends who always help, encourage, and support me, you know because of your guys' love, I will be more brave and never be afriad to anything. These are all I want to say.

From Grace

The Mexico in California

It's from Greta~~~


I would like to continue the topic from Wataro~ "Food" because eating is the most important for people. And we are just new here, I think all of us should have some feelings about the food in America, probably you are shocked, or interested, or disappointed even happy about the food here. For me, before I came to American, I supposed there are various international cuisines here; yes! there are. But I quite surprised to find out that it is so common to hear people speaking Spanish in California and so many Mexican food and restaurants around here.


Two weeks ago, I want to Big saver which is a big supermarket, and I tried to interview some customers there. It is an amazing that five persons refused me because they are not English speakers. I was so shocked and confused where I am; then suddenly I realized Mexico is so near America. Fortunately, I like spicy food and happy to see many Mexican food here. So every time I go out, I always choose Mexican food.


Here, I would like to share some Mexican food and candy that I had tried.




It called Baja Style Shrimp Tacos $7.34

There are two sofe corn tortilla tacos; shrimps was fried well and a little hot. I like it! If there were more cheeses, it will be much better.
The restaurant also offers more than 7,8 types salsas, and I took 5 different salsas. All of it was fantastic, and the best one was the spiciest one. hot+ hot+hot=good!








I Also bought a hot Mexican sauce from San Diego.

~ see the sign: use it, you want to suicide.

Very very good!!!

The left side are Mexican candy. It looks very horrible, but there are really candies. I guess it might be because it is nearly Halloween, the candies were made in the human skull shape.

The right side is another weird candy; its outside is red color. It got very very interesting taste. There are three tastes: sweet, sour and spicy. Can you image the three tastes come together? I know it sounded quite strange, but I enjoyed it because I like the spicy food and I prefer to try anything new. How about you? Please share with me and let’s have an adventure.

Chinese Spring Festival

(by Zhang Mengchu-Judy)

Hi~everyone, I'm going to introduce Chinese Spring Festival. As you know,It's a traditional festival for Chinese people, it's still very popular until now.

Red is Chinese colour, so you can see everyone 's houses are decorated with different kind of red stuffs. Remember every year when we spent the Spring Festival, our whole family would get together and kept chatting all day. Now I'll introduce you some customs. Actually,every region has their own customs, I'm from Hui Bei province, we have to visit a grave to cherish the memory of the dead in the morning at the New Year's Eve. First I felt kind of scary because this day is a good day, why we were going to burying ground?? Then my father told me that we must celebrate this festive day with our dead ancestores and some of our relatives who were dead too. There are not alive now, however, we need to memorize them and we need to share these joys with them. Except this one, I think our other Spring Festival customs are as the same as other

regions in China. In the morning, parents would take their children visit their relatives, I have to admit these are good way to get more red bags. Then children would like to squibbing firecrackers in front of their house, which are not allow to do today. Children also could get the red bag from parents or other relatives, I still remember I got most money in 2007's, which make me laugh all day. When it trun 7:00pm or later, we always have a big meal with all family's members, there're every kinds of dishs like dumpling, rice, noodle and spring roll. At night, adults always like play Mah-Jong while children like play game.

This is our Chinese Spring Festival,I think the most essential part is the whole family could get together, because in our lives, family is the most important thing to us. By the way, I can't come back to China this Spring Festival, I felt a little disappointed, but I can spend Chrismas here, which is good to me too.

Halloween

by Karen

Nest week, October 31 is going to be cerebrate the Halloween. This holyday is a typical American party. How is known, none of us is American, so I decide to research something about it. Such as I found, has different origins to this holyday.
History of Halloween, like any other festival's history is inspired through traditions that have transpired through ages from one generation to another. Actually it’s a mix between two traditional cultures, has roots in the Gaelic festival of Samhain and the Christian holy day of All Saints. It is largely a secular celebration but some have expressed strong feelings about perceived religious overtones. Irish immigrants carried versions of the tradition to North America during Ireland's Great Famine of the 1840s.
Originally, Halloween was not related to witches. It was a festival of Ireland's Celtic calendar, the festival of Samhain, celebrated between October 30 and November 2 and marked the end of summer (Samhain literally means "end of summer" in the Celtic language).
The day is often associated with orange and black, and is strongly associated with symbols like the jack-o'-lantern. Halloween activities include trick-or-treating, wearing costumes and attending costume parties, ghost tours, bonfires, visiting haunted attractions, pranks, reading scary stories, and watching horror films.
Because the holiday comes in the wake of the annual apple harvest, candy apples are a common. Other food are common in this holyday such as: Apple cider (unfiltered apple juice) Candy apple, Candy corn, Caramel apple, Caramel corn, Popcorn, Pumpkin, pumpkin pie, pumpkin bread, Roasted pumpkin seeds, Roasted sweet corn, Soul cakes, Novelty candy shaped like skulls, pumpkins, bats, worms, etc.

Chinese restaurants

(From Wataru Ito)

Hello, this time, I introduce Chinese restaurants around Extension.

I often go for Chinese restaurant with my Taiwanese roommate. The restaurant we usually use is “BOBA CAFE” and “University Cafe”. I will show their differences briefly. However, please note that this is not for deciding superior or inferior. I just want to talk about some features of them.

First, I compare them as a point of locations and structures. BOBA CAFE stands in University Village so it is easier to go from Extension. But it is small restaurant like narrow frontage, less seats and dim. On the other hand, University Cafe, we have to walk few minutes for University Avenue westward. So it is a little farther than BOBA CAFE though its space is wider.

Then, about price, I would like to compare with a combo; main dish, rice, accompaniments and drink. BOBA CAFE serves us hearty amount and two vegetable accompaniments. The ordinary price (about $5.99) is cheaper than University Cafe (about $6.45) and if you use a meal card, you can get a combo by $5. University Cafe, on the contrary, is average size, and accompaniments are boiled cabbage and egg. Besides, there might be no meal card as far as I know.

Finally, I mention about taste. The idea for this subject might be different for each preference, so this is just my roommate’s and my taste. My roommate says that the taste of BOBA CAFE is arranged for U.S, so he likes University Cafe as for taste. Actually menus at BOBA CAFE are more like Japanese food than Chinese, in honesty I prefer BOBA CAFE. University Cafe seems more like Chinese food in my feeling because they use Chinese seasonings and stuffs. For example, the dish I ordered last night had so strong flavor as to shudder my hand…

It depends on each taste which restaurant is better. As mentioned above, this is not aimed evaluating them. Both restaurants I like and recommend you. If you want to eat Chinese food, please try them. And if you have never tasted Chinese food, how about try the restaurants?

p.s. I also have tried them for only a month, so if there are any mistakes, please let me know in comment.

2010 World Expo Exhibition

2010 World Expo Oct. 19 2009
By Liang
The 2010 World Expo will be held in Shanghai, China. I think this is one the most exciting things that happened in China. Shanghai was preparing it since 2002. It makes citizens have great interest in learning English and helps construction companies run well. That's why most of construction companies don't have big effect by the financial crisis. But when I talk to my host family, they even don't know anything about it. And I suddenly don't know how to explain it to them. I think maybe it's useful to write something to help them understand what i said.

World Expo, it takes place every 5 years, is a communication among countries and international organizations, shows achievements in social, culture, economic, science and technology. More and more countries around the world start paying attention to it. There is more than one hundred countries and 48 international organizations join the 2010 World Expo, 51 in Africa, 34 in America, 45 in Europe, 45 in Asia and 16 in Oceanica.

Since 1851 London held the first World Expo exhibition, many inventions became global business. It promotes national common progress and helps people know other countries better. Then developed countries import unprocessed materials from developing countries and export goods to developing countries. It makes trade cooperation much easier.

Countries started building their pavilion since 2003, now most of them are finished. Here are some designsketch of pavilions:

Brazilian pavilion:













Saudi pavilion:













Korean pavilion:














Japanese paviion:











Taiwan pavilion:












Chinese pavilion:

A Brave or Ridiculous Decision?

By Rebecca

Last weekend I found interesting news on the internet and preferred to share with you. The title of the report was “Australian teen sailor starts round-the-world bid”, described a 16-year-old Australian, Jessica Watson, sailed her yacht called Ella’s Pink Lady out of Sydney Harbor round-the-world on October, 18th to be the youngest sailor independently without assistance. The term of "Without assistance" means her craft couldn’t have outside help or embark on board any resources. In other words, she must make any repairs by herself without outside equipment during voyage. It is worth to mention that the significant unassisted feature was held by another Australian of 18 years, Jesse Martin in 1999. It is a controversial issue in terms of her age as well as her action.

She planned to make a 23,600-mile (38,000-kilometer) journey from Sydney, passing through the Line Island, the Everest of ocean (dividing the South Pacific with the South Atlantic), South America, South Africa, and got from Western Australia to her home port of Sydney. She said that her route was similar to Kay Cottee’s in 1988. In order to be a successful sailor, she must study the subjects of navigation, electronics and maritime safety procedures and made a lot of preparation. When going sailing, she had a stronger backup to support her, including her family and her team, even Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard concerned via Nine Network television. The first day was under gray skies and slightly choppy conditions, and she started her voyage with a smile and wishes of people who showed up on the harbor and down to the marina. It’s expected to last about eight months in this non-stop trip.

It sounds like an impossible mission for me. When I was at the age of 16, I spent much time playing with my friends and fooling around. I never thought about my ambition and dream in the future. Actually, I was a good follower whom my parents already arranged everything and lived without any attempt. Until graduated from the university, I had made my own decision where to work. Thus, I admired guts of Jessica, planning what she would do and prepared herself automatically. What do you think about? Do you have the similar feeling to mine? If you’d like to know more as the following:
The original news: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20091018/ap_on_re_au_an/as_australia_young_sailor
The blog of Jessica: http://www.jessicawatson.com.au/

My Favorite Korean Girl Group 'Girl's Generation'

Hi! Everyone! My name is Harry. As you Know, I came from South Korea. I like Korean Pop Song(K-POP) which is bright and cheerful like dance music. One of them is Girl's Generation that is the most popular gril group in Korea. From now, I will introduce them and please enjoy it.

Girls’ Generation a South Korean nine-member girl group formed by SM Entertainment in 2007. Its members include Yoona, Tiffany, Yuri, Hyoyeon, Sooyoung, Seohyun, Taeyeon, Jessica, and Sunny. International Girls’ Generation fans usually refer to the group as SNSD, the acronym of the group’s Korean name So Nyeo Shi Dae. Many of the members had already pursued entertainment careers before the group’s debut through music videos, commercials, and others.

Each member was professionally trained in singing and dancing, but some were also selected to be trained in acting and modeling. Many of the members already had made names for themselves in the Korean entertainment industry through their participation in magazine ads, television commercials, and small television appearances.

Girls’ Generation had its spectacular success in the first half of this year with 'Gee'; it released in the first half 2009. 'Gee'ranked first for the ninth consecutive week at 'Music Bank'; the Korean music program, while sweeping album sales, downloads and mobiles in the first half. Girls' Generation has been shining in the local music market since its debut in 2007 with a string of success: `Into the World', 'Kissing You', 'Baby Baby' and 'Tell me your wish'

If you Know more information about 'Girl's generation',
Click this
http://girlsgeneration.smtown.com/

writer : Harry(Kwangil Kim)

Jason Yang

My name is Jason. I come from a beautiful island,Taiwan. I live in the main city of Taiwan which is Taipei. The famous structure in Taipei is 101 Bulding which is the tallest building in Taiwan. There is a river in Taipei names Danshui. You can go fishin and swimming in that river. And also many Taiwan movie take there. If you come to Taipai you must go out at night. You can't imagine how lively is at night. There are many snack and food on the street. The most attract thing is the cheap cloth, and the style is very fasion. I live in an apartment. There is a mountain behind my home. Every weekend I will clim with my parents. It's very comfortable to arrive the top. The wind is cool. The people in Taiwan is very friendly. If you want to visit Taiwan I am sure that you will fall in love with Taiwan.

Something about Me

Hi!I'am Grace.I wanna introduce myself in my frist bolg. I am come from China,my hometown is in the northeast of China,there is very cold in winter,if you like snow or skee maybe you could come here to visit.My hobby is listening to music,rock'n'roll is my favor,I'd like to take my ipod with me everywhere.These days i was so busy,becuase i had a lot of plans in my mind and i needed to achieve all my goals.I wanna go to rcc first,so i will buy a car after i pass the driving test.I wanna buy a motorcycle also,but i need to give up.Because it is toooooo dangerous to drive a motorbike in the U.S.I think they are crazy drivers,cause they are driving tooooooo fast!Maybe first time when you meet me,you would think i am not easy to contact,but it is not true,so please don't believe your eyes when you see me~^^.Last quarter i really liked to listen korean music and watch korean dramas,but this quarter i changed.I am nuts about watching japanese dramas,like my junior high school i loved it soooo much.Almost japanese dramas encourage people after you watched you would have a lot of enthusiasm to continue your study or work,you would be very serious,hopeful,and passional to do your jobs.After this quarter i wil come back to China again,i say again because of 20days ago i just came back from China,but i still so happy to back home.Actually,this winter i wanna go to korea and japan,but for some reasons i can not go there,so i changed my plan to go to hongkong,i have never been there before,it sounds unbelievable,but it is truth lol.Right now i am dieting,i need to lose more 20 pounds.And i wanna get a new haircut and a boyfriend also.A lots of my friends can not believe i don't have a boyfriend,but i promise i don't!!= =...|||
Ok,this is Grace,a confused Grace.

From Grace Zhou

About me - who is she?

By Mira Oh

Hi, everyone~ I was really impressed you guy’s stories last week. Today, I want to tell you about me. Actually, I’m a little bit lazy person. Here is an interesting story how I am lazy. Naturally, I had to born in April someday. But my mom says, I never moved very little from her belly. So, my birthday June 6th now, it’s two months behind time. Maybe since then, my laziness has begun. Now I'll tell you about something what I like. First of all, I like cooking. Since my mother has became an university student, I begun to cook. Her major is psychology art therapy, so she usually study on weekdays. And also she goes to some welfare facilities such as orphanages or old people’s center on weekend as a volunteer. She is very busy, so I have to cook myself for survival. But I always want to support her study. I’m proud of her. Also I like watching movies, especially independent movies or documentaries. If someone interested in independent movies call me~ Next thing I like is musical. 'Hedwig and Angry Inch' and ‘Rent’ were very impressive! I’m really want to go to the Broadway. Lastly, I like traveling. Two years ago, I went to Australia alone for one month. It is one of the unforgettable memory in my life. I want to travel all around America(with you). Thank you for reading.

The funny story about me

by Zhang Mengchu(Judy)

When I was a child ,I always want to learn every kinds of skills like riding a bike or something. During my learning time, there were a lot of stories happened and now I’ll tell you some funny stories about me how to learn riding a bike.

That was a sunshine day ,my dad told me that we can went outside and he would teach me ride the bike if I want. Without any doubts, I said yes and felt so excitied about that.That bike is my first bike,which has a white basket on the front and its colour is blue. Everyone know that the hardest thing is how to keep balanced. The first time when I got it, I fall down heavily, then I got up and kept doing that, the lucky thing is that I didn’t lose my patient and didn’t give up.

After fall down many times, finally I can keep balance on my bike, dad felt happy for me too.Then I got on bike again because I was ready to ride in the next downhill.However, I didn’t know how to slow down when I met some urgency. So something terrible just happened, when I got down that downhill with fast speed, I didn’t realize that I should slow down ,because on the front there was a big trash can. “Ahhhhhhh~~~……” , with that shouting, I knocked into that trash can and fall down on the grass heavily. What about that trash can? I let all the trash out of the can and smelt so horrible.My dad laughed so loudly and said: “You should learn everything well before you want to do it!”

This was my first time to ride the bike, it make me felt hurt and know that when you want to do something, you should prepare everything before that.Ha~Is that funny??Although it's so funny, it's the best memorble for me,because I not only gain the experience,but the happiness.

My Unforgettable Memory

By Greta

It is the best memory in my life. when I chose the picture, I looked over all of our picyures and I started missing them again. We have been together since 2004, there were 52 girls in this family; however, some could not continue their study with us due to their family financial crisis, some could not suffer from the stressful study and even someone got a baby. At least, the family remained 40 girls and we just graduated and said good bye this year. Initially, our relationship was started from a kind of distrust, and nobody tried to improve the situation and everyone maintained the relationship without any attention. It can be said we detested each others; we often argued and fought. Be honestly, I have thought that I want to leave the family; nevertheless, our emotion had be linked. There were some problems which forced us have to solve together, such someone has traffic accident, someone has been forsaken by their parents, and someone was broken with her boyfriend, someone want to suicide…; our relationships has been established through struggling every single problem. During the years, they taught me a lot. I know how to be more patient, how to listen to them, and how to pretend be tender even though I really freaked out. In fact, what I got are more than I gave. It seems liked that we just made a move recording my best five years. I want to say I didn’t regret staying with them. At present, it is fate that we come from different countries and study together; hopefully, we also can develop good friendships in the class even we go back our countries.

Leaving Home

By Munif

Have you ever felt sorry about leaving home? My decision to leave home was made on October 2008. It was not easy to decide leaving my home. Sometimes, people come up with some decisions which can affect their whole life. I consider my decision as one of these decisions. My purpose behind leaving home was studying for my second master’s degree in finance. After I made decision to leave, my research for English centers started and some friend told me about UCR-Extension. There are 3 steps that had to be taken before my leaving home.
Applying for a scholarship was the first step in my preparation. Our government had announced on a program for the scholarchip on the media channels and my apply was through the internet. The government has placed some conditions and requirements for the candidates in the acceptance process. Based on my background and my qualification, I was accepted for the program. The acceptance process took me around five months. One of the conditions was that the nominee shouldn’t have worked to any organization. At that time, I was working for a bank and based on the program requirements, I had to quit my job. Quitting my job was the second step to get the final approval for the scholarship. My problem was about my financial liabilities to two banks. I had worked hard for 4 months to allow my self to settle my dues before leaving. Also, I called my father to tell him about my liabilities to get his help. My father discussed my issue with my other brothers ,and they decided to pay half of the liabilities to support me and make me happy. After the clearance of loans, I decided to inform my manager about my plan to quit my job ,and I told him about the reason behind that. My manager met me with another manager from my department ,and they gave me the support and assisted my decision with a promise to welcome me back when I finish my study. My bank was so cooperative in the process of my ending of service ,and it took me only one week. The third step was the preparation to leave. During the acceptance process for the scholarship, I chose the U.S.A as the first option to study in ,and I got approval for my request. As it is known, a visa is the main issue for the students who are planning to study in the U.S.A. Subsequently, I applied for the visa and I got it within 3 days. After the visa, I started preparing my self, getting stuff, reading about the U.S.A and starting research about a city and university. My friendship with some one guided me to UCR-Extension.
In conclusion, my experience can be considered as a short experience because I arrived in U.S.A 2 months ago. I am feeling really good ,and I am excited to get into the university. In addition, my friendship with some American people has granted me a lot of help and pushed me to make more progress in different aspects of my experience. I am not feeling sorry about leaving home at all.

My Personality

by Charlene Chung

Everybody was born with different characteristics. Some people were born to be active; others were born to be passive. That's why everybody is unique. For me,I am an outgoing and easy-going person. I like to make new friends and it is not difficult for me. For example, when I came here in this January, I was alone and had no friends, but after around two weeks,I made lots of friends, such as Koreans, Japanese, Frenches, Brazilians, since I am always the person who talk and smile to people firstly. I don't feel shy to do that and I joined many activies in Extension Center. It is really easy for me to build a common topic with other people.

Secondly,I am also stubborn person. Once I decide to do something, I will insist on it and do my best to finish it even though some people don't support me. I am not the person who give up something easily if I think it is right and good for me. For instance, before I decided to came to America to study, my old brother didn't agree with me. He thinks it wastes money and my time but I still did it. It turns out that my decision is right since I have learned many things after caming here. Thirdly, one of my personality characteristics is imperturbable, especially when I meet some trouble or difficulty. Some people are easy to become panic when they meet trouble or problem, but for me,I am totally opposite. Everytime when I get the problem, the first thing I tell myself is to stay calm, not to be panic, because only you stay cool and then you can really think of the solutions. Instead of yelling, I choose to calm down and figure out the solutions as soon as possible.

In conclusion, I am an easy-going, stubborn and imperturbable person. I am good at socializing and I always do my best to achieve something that I really want to do and also a problem-solving person when I got the problem.

My Hometown

By Kodai Mikami

I'm going to introduce my hometown.
My hometown is Ibaraki, Japan. There are a lot of mountains and the beautiful sea, and people is kind and funny, maybe.Natto is a special product of this district but some people don't like it.I don't know why they don't like it. It's delicious food, kind of ...

There are a lot attractive things in Ibaraki. In spring, you can see a lot of sakura:cherry trees. In summer, you can go hiking to the mountain, and you can go camping any mountains that have camping village. You also can go to the beach. In fall,you can go to the mountains to enjoy the autumn leaves. It's really beautiful.In winter, you can enjoy to go to watch soccer game, if you could get a ticket. It should be exciting. I have been there every year if I'm free.^^

If you have a chance that visit to Japan, please come my hometown Ibaraki.^^

My Hometown

by: Hassan al-Hakeem

Hi,you all probably know my name and where am from(Saud Arabia)well i will tell you were do i live there . I live in a small city named Saihat located in the eastren of Saudi arabia neer the Arabin gullf . saihat weather is too hot,humed in summer and cold,rainy in winter. it used to be named Afan 200years ago but when the portuges tradeship went there to rest they named it (sea hat). after 100 years it tarned to the carent name (saihat).saihat population is 70000.it had a wonderfull sea shore it length is around 10 mile and you can see from there a butyfull viwe at the sunset of more then 600 fishingboat looking all the same made out from wood we call it in arabic (lang). pepole there love to play football and fishing at all times. there is also a sport clup is from the oldest clup in Saudi arabia named (alkhaleej). it had many strong teems im alot of sports like:football,basketball,hand ball.vallyball,Heptathlons,Sprinters,diveing and alot .
well this alittle information abou my city hope you like it

My Favourite Band----Mayday

By Rebecca (Wan-Ju Huang)

I enjoy music, and listen it everywhere especially when I study. Now, I’d like to introduce the hot band in Taiwan and I hope you like it. The rock band, Mayday, consists of five people, including a lead vocal-Ashin, two guitarists-Stone and Monster, a bassist-Masa, and a drummer-Ming. They met with each other in the same high school except Ming and had played a band since 1997. The name of Mayday origins from the code of Masa on the internet, besides that, it has another meaning: S.O.S.. The members of Mayday felt it cool, so they decided to use it. Personally, I think they make concerts for a living. As long as their new album is released, they will hold tour concerts to advertise their music. They have released seven new albums as well as several live ones. Be proud of them, they won a lot of prizes in Taiwan, China and Japan. You can find them on TV, internet, advertisement and broadcast. They exist everywhere whether to go.

As for their songs, Ashin almost made the words and the melody by himself, but other members tried to publish works in the recent albums. Because of Beatles, the group makes sure that the rock music has a power to change the world. Their songs are expressed the belief regarding love and peace. In addition, every member has a variety of ability. Take Ashin for example, he is good at art and design. He is an owner of STAY REAL, which is a brand of fashion clothes. Moreover, he is also a writer, publishing books about travel and the implication of songs.

Their latest album has released since 2008, but they don’t take the rest. The new tour concerts have been started in Hong Kong on May in 2009. The tickets were sore out, and the fans were crazy about it. The media reported a lot. From then on, the concerts keep going and I wish I were on the scene. If you like rock music, I promise you will be addicted as long as you experience once. There are some information of them and some pieces of the newest live concert which is called DNA, I hope you are captivated.

The official website：http://www.imayday.com/
The fashion dress designed by Ashin：http://www.istayreal.com/
Some pieces of live show：
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j8OHG1OtaQ8&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-QiIK8pkPpo&feature=related
(solo of instrument skills)http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeBJ7N4X5H0

City of Sendai, my hometown

By Wataru Ito

Hello, today I introduce my hometown Sendai.

Do you know Sendai? Sendai is located about 350 km north of Tokyo and it takes about 2 hours from Tokyo by bullet train. It is called “City of Trees” because there is beautiful greenery. Then, I will introduce 3 parts of its attractions.

First, Sendai is a moderate climate I like the best. Summer is not so hot and winter is not so cold, it is very comfortable to live. The comfortable environment is popular for business person, so Sendai is given high scores on many surveys.

Second, there are various tourist spots, and leisure activities. Because Sendai has diverse nature from seashores to mountains, you can enjoy sea bathing, skiing, hot spring and so on. But my favorite leisure is “Outdoor Soup Party” that is held at riverside like BBQ just in fall season. I really like and miss it!

Finally, Sendai has developed economically and is convenient to spend a fun time. It is the largest city of northeastern Japan with about one million people. Having a big commercial market is one of attraction for residents and tourists. So, it offers enough entertainment, fashion and food.

There are many attractions of Sendai that I cannot introduce. Please come and see my hometown Sendai!
(Also please check below URL.)
SENDAI City Official homepage
(http://www.city.sendai.jp/index-e.html)
SENDAI traveling information
(http://www.sentabi.jp/1000/10000000.html)

Something about me

By Karen Wolf Maciel

Hi classmates...

In this first post I will write about me. I think that introduce our selves will be normal in this first post for the most part of our classmates, and I think that will be great, because we can through this posts know each other better.

First of all, my name is Karen Wolf Maciel, I am 22 years old. I am Biologist, I was graduate last year in an University near my hometown. I am from Brazil, in South America, probably you know my country because of the soccer or Rio de Janeiro. Anyway Brazil will be really famous now because the 2016 Olympics games will be in Rio de Janeiro. My hometown is a little city near São Paulo, named Indaiatuba, its a realy good place to live, have a nice weather and friendly people. Oh... I miss my city, my family, and my friends. Is so hard stay so far away from my country and the persons who I like. I think that I am kind of homesick this days!!

By the way, I am here, in Riverside, since last March so is my third quarter in Extension Center. Also I work in a voluntary scientist research in a laboratory on UCR main campus. It is a hard work because I should go there every day after class, sometimes before the class starts, but I am really glad to do this research here, it is helping my Biologist and English improvement.

If you are intersted in know more about my country there are some video links:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0j9Hl0qThw&NR=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Dq7vta1e4WY&feature=related
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EQ3GOVycA7M&feature=related

Essay

By Liang
Monday, 5th Oct. 2009

It is my first time to write an essay and I really don't know what to write.Let's talk about the weather. Actually, I don't like the weather here. It changes a lot. There are great differences between the weather here and it in Shanghai.
Although I have lived in Shanghai for more than 10 years, I don't like the weather there at all. It is wet all the time. Sometimes you even can't breathe in summer. People there always feel stressed because of busy works and the weather.
When I arrived at Riverside, I felt really relaxed because of the fresh air and good temperature. It is a really good place for studying and enjoying life,quiet and clean, just like a small village. At first I just felt a little cold in the morning and at midnight, but it is suit for doing exercises. A few days later, the weather got hotter in the afternoon. Luckily, there is a swimming pool in my host family. I spent most of the afternoons in the water. Recently, the weather is getting colder. Especially in the morning. I have to stop doing exercises and lie on the bed. I have never thought it could be such cold a weather before getting here. I hope it would be better.
I don't feel comfortable about the weather. How about you?

WELCOME!

Welcome to the blog for the students in Fall 2009, Writing 500 (section 521) class!

I hope you will all have a wonderful quarter, filled with fun and learning, new friends and new adventures.

On this blog, you will be posting your thoughts, ideas, meanderings and things that are of interest to you. While you are encouraged to contribute your thoughts and interests to this class blog, please make sure not to use rude language!-))

Remember, what you write about can tell us not only a lot about you but also your country, your town, and your family traditions. So, be generous about sharing your interests, and this way we will all learn a lot!