The last blog by Zhang Mengchu(Judy)

This is the last blog I'm writing in this quarter, so I'm going to discuss some comfy topics with you. We all are international students here for study, maybe this is the first time to come to another country for you just like me, remember before we were leaving, what were on our mind? Our parents would worry about our life and study in the future, they also care about our health when we were going to another country. The most important thing my parents care about is my dietary problems, because there are a lot of differences between Chinese food and American food. I'm also a picked girl who only like Chinese food. However, I'm not a cheif to cook. So my grandma decided to teach me how to cook before I came here. This picture is what I cooked, it's not a awesome meal, but at least it's a Chinese meal cooked by myself. Actually, it tasted a litter weird, however, I ate it all at that day.
Just like my said, coming US for studying is really big challenge to us, no matter what trouble we met, we have to face them and solve them. So our stomaches are very important to us, because when we got in trouble, the common thing we would do is missing home, at that time, if we still can't eat our countries food, that would frustrated our mood and mind.
I believe that most of you can cook so well, just give you a hint, at least learn one dish to cook, even you are not good at cooking like me, because this is the best way for you when you have homesick in another country. Come try it, I hope some day our whole class can get together and cook every counties food.

My First Thanksgaving by Charlene

I have never celebrated Thanksgiving in Taiwan so far but this year I went to my conversation partner's home to celebrate Thanksgiving. It was an amazing night. All of her family are so friendly. Her mother is really good at cooking. She prepared the turkey, corn, smashed potato, bread and pine for us. They are really delicioius. During the dinner, we talked to each other about our family and tradition in Taiwan. After dinner, we played the game called Gengang. It is my first time to play it. It is really funny and exciting but unfortunately I was the first person to fall those down, but it is ok since I still had a lots fun there. In Taiwan, we never celebrated Thanksgiving but I think it is really good holiday since usually eveyone is busy their own life and on Thannksgiving, all family get together to have dinner and play some games. It is really nice.

A Big Holiday, Thanksgiving

By Rebecca

Today, I would like to share my first experience of Thanksgiving in the US. I was invited by two families to join Thanksgiving holiday, and one is the Christian and the other is the Catholic. There are certain traditional dishes I ate such as mashed potatoes, stuffing, pumpkin pie, sweet homemade cookies or jelly, and baked or roasted turkey, which is the most feature dish on Thanksgiving. Although they had the different approaches to cook food, the taste was delicious and my stomach seemed a boundless hole. Therefore, I overate and I felt my pants a little tight on these two days.

As I knew, Thanksgiving is a religious holiday following by “Black Friday.” Additionally, Thanksgiving is a four-day or five-day weekend vacation for schools and colleges, so students can return to their hometowns to reunite with friends and family. Then some of them will go traveling during Thanksgiving weekend. With regards to “Black Friday,” you can get the greatest deals in stores on this day, so it’s not surprising to see the number of people line up after midnight. Compared to Taiwan, it just might happen on the eve of a concert which a famous superstar held.

Before eating abundant meals, it is a custom to begin by giving praise and grace. The Christian circled around the table by hands and prayed. Afterwards, we ate and chat with food and a daily life. One of families that I visited firstly is Lisa and Brain, and they introduced their family members and expressed their ethnic background. I was extremely interested in this kind of topics, for I like history; the other is Linda’s family, my conversation partner, and I’ve already been familiar with her and others.

After dinner, we played table hockey with Lisa’s niece, and she was an excellent player. At the same time, she told me some American jokes and games. However, in Linda’s house, we talk a chat and played with the one-year-old nephew, Nicky. He is so cute and innocent full of his eyes. I had a wonderful time during Thanksgiving, and my weight can proof that as well. How about your Thanksgiving holiday? I hope you have better experience than me.

Beaujolais Nouveau

By Wataru Ito

I will introduce a specific and strange Japanese event of wine, “Beaujolais Nouveau.”

Do you know “Beaujolais Nouveau”? It means one of French wine, and its release day or the season has become one of event which attracts Japanese people to enjoy it every year. I also enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau every year, and I looked for it in Riverside. Because it is said that the 2009 harvest in Beaujolais is the best vintage in 50 years, I looked forward to taste it. But I’m sorry to say I couldn’t find it in spite of looking around six supermarkets.

First, let me introduce about Beaujolais Nouveau briefly. Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine which made in “Beaujolais Region” of France. Nouveau means “new wine” in French, so Beaujolais Nouveau is a wine which produced in the year. The wine features a very smooth, fruity flavor, so it is easy to drink because of short ripening period. It is decided that Beaujolais Nouveau must be released on the third Thursday of November all over the world by the French Law; therefore, many Japanese fans are eagerly waiting for the opening day every year and it is fixed as a seasonal event.

There are many evaluations for Beaujolais Nouveau, and it is praised for its vintage every year especially by retailer’s advertisements. For example, it was valued as “the best product in the last ten years” in 2001, but the evaluation in 2002 was “the quality is much better than 2001” and the praise for 2003 was “the best product in a century.” It sounds strange somehow its vintage is the best each year and I have never heard bad expressions and it raises consumer’s expectations. Anyway, it seems that there is less concern for Beaujolais Nouveau in U.S, but in Japan, it has taken root as foreign cultures like Christmas.

Many people enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau; however, there are also many negative comments from wine fans. They state its bad points such as a higher price, less flavor, too commercialism, and some people criticize that it is silly of Japanese to thank the poor wine. Actually, it is only few moments event and it will be paid no notice in few weeks since its release. But I think it is good event to enjoy a seasonal taste.

I’m not an expert of wine, but I just enjoy it. How about your home country? Do you enjoy Beaujolais Nouveau as Japan?

The Three Ways To Invest

Investment is a channel of financial opportunity that allows investors to put in their capital for a certain period of time and get them back with more profits. The investment is useful for each family and everyone who looks to improve his live and live comfortable. Currently, there are many types of investments structured by highly qualified people and published by many financial institutions or banks. The investment includes many types like the following: real estate, stocks, and low risk investments.
The first type of investment is real estate funds. Real estate funds are funds that invest in real estate sector by buying real estate properties and developing them by lighting, utilities ,and general services. When the development is done, the fund’s manager sells the propprties again to the public for a good margin. The fund’s period starts approximately from one year to three and it depens from one bank to another. At the end of period , the manager gives the capital profits back to the investors and gets his commission. Conditions for real estate funds are generaly the same and have the following characteristics: closed fund, which means the investor can not get his money back until the end of period and fund’s profit, which is high in this sector.
The second investment is investment in the stock market funds. This type of fund is very common for the most investors and is considered as a flexible fund based on flexibilty of entry and exit. The nature of this fund is basically defined by by investment in the companies which are listed in the market. Every manager has his own strategy and his plan to invest the capital of fund which was gathered by many investors and placed his profit and fund’s bonus based on that. The fund’s period is classified into three categories: short term, medium term, and long term. The term of any fund is determined by the fund’s manager. In general, there is a positive relationship between the fund’s period and the fund’s profit. When the period is long, the profit for the fund will be high and reverse. There are some conditions having the same nature for stock’s fund like period term, profit rates, redemption fee, manager’s profit. The conditions are determined at the fund’s launch. This type of investment is open to all invetors and approachable by any capital.


The third type of invetsment is low risk investments or bonds. These investments are generally published by government organizations or ministries of finance for any country. The risk in this investment is always low and garuanteed by government. Also, the profits rate comes low and related to the period of bond’s period. The conditions on these investments are accessible for the public and have a special markets which allow the investors to buy and sell the bond quickly and easily. The common period for government’s bonds is from 1-7 years.
In conclusion, as I mentioned previously , the investment concept is a critical matter for most of us and for our futures. Each type of investment has its own conditions and its requirements. But in my opinion, the investment in real estate is good for the investors who have big capital and are patient. For the people who have good income, the investment in low risk bonds is a good choice due to the rate of risk. Finally,my recommendation is to invest in stock funds is for people who have no idea about the market and are looking for quick profits.


Prepared by:

Munif

The Happiest Place on Earth~Disney!!~~from Greta

what come to your mind when you hear the word "Disney"? I went to Disneyland last week on Halloween. I have never been Disneyland in any other countries before. Everyone knows Mikey Mouse, sleeping beauty etc..., someone might think dislandland is for kids; however, I quite enjoy there and don't want to come back.I wonder what make me prefer staying there, why so many people came from different countries just for Disneyland, why disney is so successful, the disney goods are so expensive but I still want to purchase....
When I was there, the Disney animated cartoon turely came to my life; it was the dream when i was a little girl. I think the Disney stories and cartoon do influence most people childhood. When we are there, it seems let us go back to be child. Without doubt, there ia less trouble in childhood; that might be a reason that adult (me) want to stay here. Moreover, Disney make some good movies (such as the Indiana Jones) which also attract adult, and the characters are famous around the world. Recently, there is a well-known "the pirates of caribbean", it is clear that Disney continually create new successful and attractive thing for everyone; it might be the main reason Disney would contines to be successful.
There is a kingdom of fantasy and imagination place where we can venture up jungle rivers, pirates and interact with the Disney animated cartoon. Disneyland is truely "the happiest place on earth". have you been Disneyland and what do you think of Disneyland?
The following video was the fireworks of Disneyland, it is relating to Halloween. Even it was recorded by my mobile phone, it was really great. Suggest you turn on your speakers and enjoy it!!

St. Andrew Catholic Newman Center

Every Sunday morning, I usually go to Catholic Church with Edmund and Rica. Do you know who they are? Both of them are RA in Extension center. I received baptism 6 years ago. Actually, I was an atheist. However, 6 years ago, at that time was so hard time to me. When I was walking on the street, I saw a Catholic Church that I used to go with my mom in my childhood. Waking up early in the morning is very hard for me. Especially, Sunday morning is huge hard to wake up. However, the atmosphere of Church makes me comfortable, so I can wake up very fresh. The first day, I was little bit nervous, because everything was new for me. It’s a real American Church, not Korean Church. I had a hard time, because of trouble with the language. But soon, I felt easy, because the ceremony was very similar to Korean Church’s. The only different thing is the holy bread. American Church’s holy bread is bigger than Korean’s. I think everything is bigger than my country, even the holy bread. Edmund taught me some words for me, so I could make a greeting to other people during the ceremony. I can’t remember the whole prayer yet. I hope I can memory it perfectly as soon as possible. If you want to feel peace of mind, join us!

http://newman.unlv.edu/
http://newmancenter92507.parishworld.net/

By Mira Oh

ice princess -by Zhang Mengchu(Judy)

Now I'm going to introduce an old movie which is called ice princess. Cathy is a girl who is the best student in the class, she is very good at physics and chemistry. All the time she thought her dream is going to Harvard University until she found that skating is the only thing she loves and insist in. However, her mother doesn't like this sport, because she thinks that skating is just a sport show girls' pretty and grace. Cathy used the chance she studied for her physics program to practice skating every day. At last, she found that she has already loved skating and can't stop do that.
All the movie is talking about that this girl and how she get her own dream, it was really a big challenge for her, when you have to decide what you are going to do without any friends and parents have agreements with you. During the process to go to successed, Cathy met every kinds of troubles like she didn't have money to buy ice skates and clothes, and she can't tell anyone about this thing. When she almost wanted to give up her dream, her inner heart told her not to give up and keep doing that. I really appreciate her courage and perseverance. Sometimes we met a lot of setbacks, at that time we always want to give up, so just think about Cathy, she told her coach she can do that because she believe that only keep her perseverance can make her dream come true.
After watching this movie, I really want to be that way like Cathy did, finding my own dream, and try my best to make my dream come true. Maybe that is a hard way to me, but if you want to get the successed, that is the only way to do.

My Opinion

by Kodai
I once belonged to consumers a group. Before I decide on which power plant I prefer- solar or nuclear power- I have to think about which power plant is better for consumers.
I would prefer to build a solar power plant because it is safer than a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plants are insecure and difficult to keep safe. If something went wrong, it would do damage to people and creatures’ health who are around nuclear power plant. Moreover, it needs a lot of land and it cost a lot when we throw away waste. Nuclear power plants cannot be used for a long time because they become too old too soon.
Solar power plants are safer. Because they use only solar energy, it does not have waist, and it is easy to keep safe. Consumers would only need to place solar panels on top of their houses. We need to pay a lot of money for equipment, but solar power plants can be used for a long time. Moreover, if you make too much electric power, you can sell superfluous power. You can get more profit than what you paid for the equipment.
Furthermore, you can keep the electric power for days when the sun does not shine. If it becomes wet during winter, and you cannot promise to make power, you can use power which you have saved. In conclusion, we consumers expect that they should build a solar power plant.

My Opinion

By Munif


There is a discussion about launching a new Power Co. in one city. The proposal of this company was on table to be reviewed by four parties. These parties include company management, city official people, residents, and finally consumers. Every party has his own point of view and it is looking by different angle.

I was acting as one of the city official people in the proposal. I considered many different points and conditions in my study and I came up with a lot of ideas which should be covered and written between the company and the city official people before the beginning.


Here is my suggestion about the technology which must be used to run this power company. I recommended solar energy as a source for this company. With looking to bad effects of the using of solar energy comparing to others on environment and health of human, we can recommend solar energy strongly. For sure, the setting up a new power company with solar system or solar energy need big amount of money and big land to be built on as well as sunny area to get the energy smoothly. As official person I will recommend this technology and people who live near will be more comfortable with this proposal more than other sources like nuclear or coal.


From the company point view, it is cost a lot of money to launch new power with solar energy. The financial part is so important for any company and profit for the company is the main reason to start a new business.

Power Co. Debate—Consumers

By Rebecca

As for consumers, we would like to get the most remarkable benefits and cost the less. So what we concerned is the consistency and the stability of the electricity. Furthermore, the crisis of unexceptional situations is also a significant issue to manage. The power company describes that it will build up plants either the nuclear energy or the solar energy. I choose to establish the solar power plant. Then, I care about how much I must pay and what benefits I get from other people who don’t use this form of energy. If I take advantage of it for a long time, do I need to afford extra fares such as the cost of the transmission? How the company can guarantee to generate electricity continuing even if there is in bad weather?

On the other hand, the company expresses the work can not only make the city wealthy but also raise the citizens‘job opportunities. In my opinion, the interactions can promote the economy of the local city as well as the income of residents here. Thus, I agree completely that the solar plant sets up here. As I mention above, on the basis of energy consumption, I prefer to emphasize on the cost along with the sustenance of the electricity and it ought to be reasonable and rational.

City hall meeting

Nearby Residents

I agree that a solar power plant maybe gives some advantages for us, but rather than that I think it brings more dangerous things. First of all, solar power energy plant can’t generate energy at night of cloud day. That is weather has a huge influence on generating energy. But I think the government over look the fact. They didn’t mention about that during discussion. And also, this is a clear fact that construct materials are expensive. It maybe wastes our tax, because as I mentioned previously, it depends on weather. So it has huge risk. Next, a case of nuclear energy plant’s construct fee is more expensive than solar power energy’s construct fee, because of nuclear energy plant are must built accurately. We cannot even think about appropriating a sum to your project. About this problem, the energy company said, giving some money to us as compensation. Also, the government said to us reducing the burden of taxation about 20%. But I think it is unfair to solve our problem by money. It is huge dangerous because of radiation effects. It might destruct water, because we know when the plant generating nuclear power, it generate heat. Then the plant needs water in our hometown, in the process, nuclear maybe exposed in the water. Also, dispose of waste materials are serious problem to our soil. It makes us get into danger. Nevertheless; you didn’t mentioned about our safety and environment. As you know, we can’t change our life to money. So I can’t accept your suggestion.

By, Mira Oh

My idea for nuclear powe plant

By Wataru Ito

I was belonged the group representing Energy Co, so I will write my opinion for building a power plant.

My idea is building nuclear power plant. The merit of nuclear power is “we can provide cheaper electricity” and “it gives people job”. Of course there are some risks as explosion trouble. I had idea for indemnity for residence; “build plant far from residence area” and “protect noxious industrial wastes with thick concrete”.

There are some important comment from the group representing residents and consumers. Their concerns are “the cost for building and transmitting electricity from far plant become enormous” and “the fear for safety”.
Their care is natural, of course the running cost becomes huge. And I know there are still some risks for nuclear energy and no one prefer to live nearby power plant. So I would like to introduce my opinion for these risks.

First, if we build nuclear power plant, we can get enormous electricity. Selling the electricity, it makes large profit for us. And thinking the production in long –term, we can expect the benefit exceed the cost. Moreover, there are ripple effects for the local society, for example, employment is effect for people. And when company becomes rich, the city official gets enough tax. The raising tax revenue can be used for social welfare, so nuclear power plant brings us many shapes of merit.

Second, the profit can be used for compensation in case troubles harm residents. I’m sorry to say, I cannot take away risks completely. But we can prepare for supposed accidents. In addition, the technology of nuclear power is incomplete, but we can expect technological innovation for the next decades.

It is required that shift the energy source. We insist it is appropriate way and stage now.

City Hall Meeting
I, Karen Maciel, representing City officers, had against idea about install a power company in our city. First of all, I tough that this city doesn’t need this and build a big company could give us some financial and/or environmental problems.At the city hall meeting occurred last Friday, November 6, some ideas were showed by different points of view, such as the power company, the consumers, population who lives near to the area where is suppose to be build the company and us, the City Officers. The company gave us a choice between built a solar or nuclear power company. The population was against with these ideas because the solar could be expensive and it needs a large area to be built; also, the nuclear idea was against because the company couldn’t give us a clear solution for the contaminate garbage produced.After all this discussion and balance about advantages and disadvantages, The City Officers get a conclusion that maybe the solar power could be a good idea for our city, because in the summer we have a good solar radiation that can give us enough energy for the whole year. Thus, our bills were be reduced 20% (amount combined in contract) given us decrease in our spending.On the other hand, the nuclear power is definitely a bed idea. If it were building, could cause risks to our population because we live in a place where many earthquakes occur and also cause risks with the radioactive garbage produced by this kind of company.

Consumer

By Liang
We are the consumers. I don't support the power company to build a nuclear plant. Building a nuclear plant is worse than making a bomb. It is dangerous to build a nuclear plant at anywhere in California. If there is a earthquake, it is likely to cause an explosion. In addition, the equipment must be very expensive and it will completely pollute the land. I don't think we can offard that.
Although using solar to make electricity is clean and safe, the transmittion rate of a solar plant is very low. If they want to make a large amount of electricity, they will need a large piece of area. If the residents don't mind it and the prize is acceptable, we will agree them to build a solar plant in Riverside. And also, the company must promise to keep providing the electricity. We expect that they can solve these problem as soon as possible and give us a acceptable prize.

By Grace

Nearby Residents

I didn’t agree that solar power plant has some advantages for us, I think it will be a big problem. First of all, solar power plant will make a lot of noise at night, the people like me living around there will not sleep very well. Second, is it will make huge air pollution. The air will be worse and we will feel so uncomfortable, because of the bad air some people will get some dieses, such like fewer and nose dieses, it is very bad for our health. Next, the solar power plant also makes water pollution. When the “dirty” power pull into the river, it likes a poison and the “dirty” power will kill the fish that in this river, and the other worse thing is when people drink the “poison” water, maybe they will change themselves’ DNA. So when the people who change the DNA get married, the new baby will have a lot of born dieses. Or maybe some people who drink the “poison” water will be die. Of course, no one wants to see these things happen, we need to stop the bad thing before it begin. Then, the government said to us reducing the burden of taxation about 20 percent

By Jason

Power Co. Debate

We don’t like Power Company near by our house. First, the Nuclear Energy is expensive to build. Also, the Radio active materials are not good for our health. If the Nuclear Energy excretes, we need about more than 100 years to clean that. So we don’t like that near to our place. The power company told us if we get the sick. They could pay the cost but we thought our healths are more important. We disagree that near our house. Second thing, the Solar Energy right now can’t replace much energy. We don’t have lot of area to get solar energy. The cost is too high. If the whether is rain, that’s will not work. The power company told us if they build the solar energy building, they could give us cheaper cost. But we thought about that if they build our place we had to move other place. They said they can help us to find the cheaper place. We lived our hometown many years. We have so many recollections. So in this case we disagree. In my opinion, we spent a lot of energy. The company wants to help us but some people disagree their ideas. In fact, they should give us better ideas.

Power company Debate (the city Hall meeting from the resident ~Greta)

I represent the resident of this town where you are considering building the new power plant. We don't want to have the instrument nearby our houses:" NIMBY".
Here are some feedbacks to you.
1. For energy company:
Even though you said nuclear power source cost inexpensive and the nuclear waste can be stored in the ground, it is still the potential dangerous because no body can make sure it won’t come out. In addition, its radioactive substance can extend very big area and won’t disappear. It is certainly clear that the result can not be counted by money.
Moreover, there is another option, which is the solar energy. It is nonpolluting energy but it is not cheap, it is hard to grasp the solar energy and different to maintain. In other words, it does not have economic effects; it will waste people’s money.

2. For energy consumer:
In fact, we all are the consumers; it is better to think about how to decrease our billing for daily electric cost. Therefore, we should consider the electrical appliances that can really economize the use of energy. To choosing which new power plant isn’t helpful for us, it doesn’t matter what we choose because the energy still make money.

3.For government officer:
> 20% off for our tax, it is not enough. We require tax is free, and we should get the pension back.
>We don’t want the simple health check; we require free insurance and cover all health care; because no one knows how serious the power plants influence our health.
>we really don’t want to live with such huge building; we suggest that it is better to examine which place the big consumer is for electric power; if is not here, so don’t build here.
>It is government’s responsible to make the policies in order limit energy wasting.

the cityhall meeting

hassan

i represent the company
My first opinion was that the soler enrgy is the best enrgy for the pwoer plant because hare in riverside we don't have much enrgy to use like: geothermal energy, hydroelectric, tidal power,wind power and biomass fuels. Also, we can't use fossil fuel because it's too expensive and make a lot of pollution and we have not to forget that we need to build it neer the city. the city hall meeting said " the soler energy is too expensive and not enough for the hole year". Also, they reject the nuclear idea which is wrong. We the company put the wrong idea of nuclear energy to support the soler power so they think about the soler power. The soler energy is expensive if we whant to build it but as benfit we are going to have a clean energy. Has no pollution and have no waste. The citizen said " we whant an energy that is clean and have no pollution " we gived what they whant but they refused it because it's going to be expensive. We searched for other options and we that the soler energy is the cheapest for what they require. They asked us how much we have to buy for building it. The goverment offered us 20% from the tax and we acceptaed the offer so i think it is the company porblem not the citizens.