One Suggestion for Quality Sleeping

Last Saturday I read about suggestions for quality sleeping.
It said that many people like to read, watch TV, eat and even work in bed. Those activities will affect people’s subconscious*. These activities create the wrong associations of the bed in people’s minds. These associations will affect the quality of sleeping.

So, one of the suggestions is that people should realize that the only function of a bed is for sleeping.
This article reminds us that the bed is primarily for sleeping.

* Subconscious means: the part of your mind that contains feelings that you are not aware of.

Hi everybody after a long time!!!!!!!!

Hi teacher Richard and hi everybody at Oakland Adult School!
My name is Zonia, I hope you remember me yet. I think my whole class passed to the next level a long time ago, but I always remember all of you.

For many reasons, I had to leave school. Now, I'm working as a Spanish Teacher at a private school in Lafayette and started studying at the Phoenix University to make my dreams come true.

I love my new job, I enjoy it more than any other thing, specially for the kind of students I have in the classroom. Everyday, they make the best while trying to learn a new language, Spanish. That is the moment when I remember my best moments at Adult School, when I was trying to learn a new language, and when I got that great support from my teachers.

At this point of my life, I feel very proud of the great ESL teachers I have had at Oakland Adult School, and I feel really happy because I discovered I can write in this blog yet.

I am always thinking about all of you and I miss this school as my first school in the United States. The school that helped me to think in to grow and to defeat all the obstacles we find here as immigrants.

Next time I will post some pictures of my students, those little ones that make a big effort to learn Spanish while having fun at the classroom.

And in the future, I hope to teach Spanish at Oakland Adult School (That is one of my big challenges).

Hoping you read my post, and hoping to write more to Room101.

Truly,

Zonia Lopez.

Learning From Life

New immigrants always have many difficulties with language.
Generally, when people go shopping, they need not say any words. They just need to pay. That is enough.

I read a story about difficulties with language in a newspaper recently.
A woman who was an immigrant wanted to buy new clothes for her daughter. In a department store, she found an article of clothing. She was quite satisfied with it. But she wasn’t sure if it was for girls or boys. While she was hesitating, a handsome young clerk passed by.

The shopper asked him, "Is this for boys or girls?" The young man replied, "Unisex."

The shopper heard, "You need sex?"

She was surprised.

The young man thought she hadn’t heard him clearly, so he repeated, "Unisex."

The woman felt that this was sexual harassment, so she complained to a manager.

The manager listened very carefully to explanations from both sides - from the woman and from his clerk. The manager knew what had happened and he explained patiently to the woman.

He told her that "Unisex" means one type which can be used by both males or females. After this explanation, the shopper understood the mistake she had made. Then she said she was sorry to the young man.

Actually, I never knew the word "Unisex" until I read this story.

Hi, Classmates!

I will write a story soon!

My First Three Teachers in the U.S.A.

By Ysaura Richie

When I began to study English in Oakland I went to school at the Fruitvale Center’s Spanish Speaking Unity Council. I met Susan and Carolyn, two teachers with different personalities.

Each day of class was a good experience. I enjoyed each class a lot. Every student felt the same way because they were participating and asking a lot of questions. I know they enjoyed my funny comments because sometimes the teacher and the class would laugh.

I remember Susan who was my teacher of English Speaking and Reading II. She is an American woman. She is very confident and strict with students. She always gave lots of homework at the end of each class and the next day it would be the first thing we would review.

Everybody in the class felt a lot of pressure to do our homework each day. If some student didn’t do their homework she would ask “Why didn’t you do your homework?”

She would tell them how important it was for them to practice in their homes. She would always recommend that we read magazines, books, newspapers and the internet. She encouraged us to listen English on the radio or watch TV in English.

I learned a lot of English with Susan. We had a good relationship with each other. I would share my problems with her. I trusted her. I would talk to her about the procedure to bring my son, Sebastian, to the USA. I felt that she was my teacher and my friend because of the talks we had and the interest she showed in me.

I learned a lot from Carolyn, too. She taught Grammar II and Writing I. She was stricter than Susan. She almost never smiled. She had a different style of teaching English than Susan. Some of the students told me that they didn’t like her. When she asked English questions to the students in the classroom, she would look directly into their eyes. She made them feel like she was a judge, and they were the criminals. Before we finished the semester, she knew who would be going on to Grammar II. She recommended that students repeat the class if they did not do well.

I couldn’t continue my English the next semester. I had to travel to Venezuela to bring my son to America. When I was in Venezuela I had to wait three months before I could bring my son back with me. It was a very long process to complete my son’s visa. It was a round trip for me and a one way ticket for him to California.

Right now I am going to Adult School, and that is where I met my teacher, Richard. I really like this class. The relationship between the teacher and students is special. It makes many of the students want to do well in class. I can learn more English here than in my house. I like his way of teaching every student. He is so friendly and very smart. He knows a lot about many things. He makes the students understand by explaining their mistakes to them clearly. He is very energetic and enthusiastic. He comes to work even when he is sick. He motivates each student to participate in the class. In this class I am learning more about speaking, writing and reading English, I am also learning more about Grammar. I am very happy and proud to belong to this class in Room 101 at 8:30 AM in the morning.

The Myth of Rahu & The Lunar Eclipse

*

The Myth of Rahu & The Lunar Eclipse

*

The deities went in search of “Amarit”, the elixir of life or ambrosia. Amarit is made by churning the Sea of Milk, using Mount Mandara as a pivot. Amarit, the elixir of life, is difficult to obtain. The deities and demons had to call a temporary truce and work together to obtain the elixir. The demon named “Rahu” heard about the Amarit. He snuck over to the site where the elixir was being produced and awaited the opportunity to drink it.
The demons thought that they should have been able to drink the elixir. After the Amarit was successfully made, the demons immediately made a grab for the elixir. The deities tried to prevent them from doing so. Narai (The God of Hindus) transformed himself into a beautiful woman to distract the demons. While the demons focussed their attention on the beautiful woman, the deities quickly drank the elixir. Then the demons lost the fight.

During all this time, Rahu had been standing by waiting to snatch the elixir. As the demons and deities battled it out, Rahu seized the elixir and drank it. The Moon and the Sun spotted Rahu drinking the elixir and reported this to Narai.
Narai threw his crystal chakra disk at the demon, cutting the demon’s body in half. However as Rahu had drunk some of the elixir, he did not die.

*Rahu spends his eternity floating around in the sky. He swears vengeance on the Moon and Sun and whenever he sees either of the two, he tries to swallow it. This, according to ancient folk belief, is the mythological cause of the lunar and solar eclipses.

Thai legend says that when the lunar Eclipse happens that means Rahu is trying to swallow the Sun or the Moon. Because of this, Thai people make noise, so Rahu will be scared and cough the Moon or the Sun up.

* http://www.tatnews.org/tourism_news/2837.asp

Eclipse Lunar...

By
Alberto Ortega Servin

On February 20, 2008 we saw total Moon eclipse, it could be seen in Mexico, America, Africa and Europe; it will be visible at first.
I remember different histories about that Eclipse Lunar my grandfathers, uncles, friends, grandmother, mother, father, and seniors told me. They said the eclipses lunar are bad for animals and for women too.
It is bad women who are pregnant because it is possible their fetus, they will become deformed. I think so it is possible because when I was studying in the University during lecture about genetics my teacher explained about of this deformation in plants and animals.
Many deformations are good for evolution in plants and animals. Lunar Eclipses emits gamma ray and ultraviolet rage of different longitude wave. It is good production that makes deformation in animals and plants. Some times these deformations are good others are bad for animals and plants.
Many cultures spoke about the Lunar Eclipse as dead moon, earth and sun, but other many cultures, celebrate this phenomenon. For a long time, many cultures thought that the goddess was fighting with another goddess.
But in El Tecuan, Michoacán, Mexico, when my family spoke about this phenomenon, they believed, it influenced our lives. For example people put a red bow on tails cows, mares, a kids. They did these animals because they thought lunar eclipse happens and the animals are pregnant, it is possible for the animal to abort or to suffer a loss of the babies. Whether people not put bows on the tail of the animal, they abort still.
Also people put bows in fruit, and other crops because they believe the influence of this phenomenon is dangers for their crops because there will be a reduction in their harvest. But the solar eclipses are the most bad that the lunar eclipse because radiations are more powerful. I will explain this topic in another occasion.

Hi,teacher and classmates!

How are you guys doing?

The Valentine's Day

Saint Valentines Day

By Mei Mei

For lots of people in Western countries, the 14th of February is Valentine’s Day. It is the special holiday of year when couples or friends get together and celebrate love. Now Eastern countries also like that!

According to tradition, on this day, couples express their love for each other by sending Valentine cards, presenting flowers and chocolates. The day is the exciting for married couples and courting couples. They spend money or do something to prepare presents that their lovers want most.

If you have fallen for someone or have a crush on someone whom doesn’t know, this holiday is a chance to express your love with a Valentine’s present. Or we could celebrate with friends and family. Love is found around the world.

Today, a substitute teacher asked us what we knew about this holiday. I told a story about me.

I studied in Taipei, Taiwan and lived a apartment with some students from the university. My landlord was a young man whose father bought the apartment building for him while he was studying in Taipei. He was a student at the university, too.

The apartment had four rooms, he lived in a room and rented the others to us. We were all girls, but we lived peacefully with him. One day, I wanted to go back to my hometown by train. He gave me a book and told me, “ Don’t open it before you arrive at your home!” When I arrived at my home, then I opened the book. On a page under the front cover some sentences were written for me , and the date was written as “Valentine’s Day”. I didn’t know the word’s meaning, so I looked in the dictionary. Oh! Suddenly I realized that he had feelings for me.

Unfortunately, I had a boyfriend who studied abroad in Japan.

After, the teacher asked Celline. She said that she wanted to carve some fruit for teacher Richarl today. Chariya immediately took two pictures of carving fruits, they are very colorful. I also saved some pictures on my computer. They were taken from the Watermelon Festival of Tainan in Taiwan. I hope you appreciate them!

Biography from Alberto Ortega Servin

By
Alberto Ortega Servin

My name is Alberto Ortega Servin, I was born in El Tecuan, Michoacán México. I was born on July 22, 1968. I was studying Elementary School, a part in El Tecuan, and another part in San Jose; these small towns are near de Penjamillo, Michoacán. During the years from 1975 to 1981, I was studying Middle & High School in Penjamillo, Michoacan, Mexico; during the years from 1981 to 1984 after this I was studying High School in Uruapan, Michoacán, Mexico in the years 1984 to 1986. In the Michoacán University I was finished of the High School, I was study in the same University my career in Agriculture Degree. during the years 1986 to 1993. On April 30, 1994 I was graduated in Agriculture Degree. My graduation is more important goal in my live because when I was student I didn’t well student. But I was graduated in my career. In the Facultad Agrobiología Presidente “Juarez” It is dependent of the Universidad Michoacana de San Nicolas de Hidalgo.
On September 1, 1994 I was beginning to work for over 7 years experience as a Laboratory Instructor in the Eduardo Ruiz High School of the Michoacán University in the Uruapan, Michoacán Mexico. I am experienced in preparing and maintaining laboratory tools and testing equipment in the laboratory. I am skilled in chemistry and science laboratory instruction and safety in the laboratory I am Detail oriented, organized and efficient in completing tasks in the laboratory I am reliable, dependable and honest worker.
On November 16, 2003 I was studying English and Computer literate in Microsoft Word, Excel and Internet and ESL Courses in the Neighborhood Adult School, Oakland, CA.
On October 16, 2007, I was studying in the English Center for International Women, Mills College and Intensive English Program that included English, computer and career preparation and Office Service Workplace Preparedness and Low Beginning Level proficiency.
I was beginning to work in the Metro Furniture in the Oakland, CA. In the year 2007, there to work for 9 month I was different activities as Upholsterer and Data Entry. Now I am studying English in the ESL Courses in the Neighborhood Adult School. I will look for job in different areas.

Wedding Day Be a Witness

Hi, Richard and classmates.

Last Wednesday, my friend and he is my coworker, too, wanted me to go to his wedding and be his witness. I felt happy to be in his wedding. I had heard about his girlfriend for a while. He told me to go to 12^th Street and Broadway the following day at 8:30 am. The name of the building was called the Alameda County Superior Court House.

The next day, I went there at 8:30 am, but I couldn’t find that building, so I asked some people. Then I learned it was not on 12 St. and Broadway, but actually it’s on Madison and 12^th St. I think my friend misunderstood.

Then we met each other at 10.30 am. He made me get a little bit mad for having to wait, but it was all right for his wedding day and his first time getting married. I looked at him and his bride from the Philippines. No one came with them. He said everyone was busy. After the wedding, the bride told me that my friend had asked her to marry him yesterday night. Oh my God! What t… h… was my friend thinking? I gave a bunch of flowers to the bride. I called my friend “Deth” in case they need two people to be the witnesses.

When we arrived, the person who worked there told us that we just needed one person be the witness, but that person had to be older than 28 years old. I helped my friend to fill out the forms.

It’s not difficult to get married. It is very easy. I took their pictures. After that we went to eat Japanese food and went to the bride’s house to talk a little bit.

Round Trip

Hi class mates, hi Richard. I'd like to be there, and I know that I didn't said good bye to everyone. But I'll be back (I promise it) I'll be there in a month. I'm shure that I'm going to miss all you, and my class of course.

But I'll be writtin on the blog. Just something incredible happened me today.
I'm in Phoenix, Arizona. I'm writing from the Sheraton Hotel. why I'm here??? this is what happened.

I just flu from Oakland to Phoenix, Arizona to transfer the plane. I'm going to my country (Mexico). But when I was here (Phoenix), traying to get into the airplane, the people from the airline saids:

"We need a volunteer to state tonight here in Arizona, because the airplane is full, So, we are going to give him accomodations, a seat in first class to fly tomorrow at the same destination, and free miles to travel in our airline"

So, when a listened that she said free miles, I run to her and I said her "I want to do it".

I wasn't shure about how many miles she was talking about, but the offert was very tempting.
That's what I'm sitting here, in the Sheraton Hotel, with a beatifull room, and with a round trip to travel to any part of the American Continent, any day of the year. Free!!!!!!!

Alex

My Secret is Out!

Hi! teacher, classmates. I'M BACK.

I got a driver's license a few year ago but I didn't drive. Do you know why? Because I was scared of driving, so I quit.

After a year , I decided to drive again for many reasons. But you know, I just drove around in Oakland, and I never drove on the freeway not even one time.

A couple of months ago, I took all my courage that I had in me. I started to drive on the freeway. I thought, if other people can do it, why can't I.

Two of my friends asked me to drive them to the Great Mall in Milpitas where they never been before. Then I agreed.

I drove them on the 880 Freeway. For the first few minutes, I was a little nervous. My hands got wet. I had to change lanes very slowly. Then I only took two right lanes to Milpitas where we needed to go.

"Are we almost there yet?" my friend asked.

" Not yet, maybe it will take about 15 more minutes," I answered.

At that time, my driving was better, so I drove faster, then I passed the exit to Great Mall.

"What can we do? " my friends said.

"That's OK! Don't worry. I will find the exit to come back," I said.

I said that, but I felt the same way they did because I had already driven a little far from there. Then I took the exit into a strange city, and I saw an old man who was sweeping in front of a building.

I asked him the way to the freeway north to Oakland. He said that it was far away, about 7 miles. He told me to turn left then keep going that way.

So I took this road for about 10 minutes, but I saw that the street ended. I didn't know what street I had to take next, and around there it was very quiet.

Fortunately, I saw a car driving close to my car. I lowered my car window, then I told the man who was driving this car that I was lost and I was trying to find the way to Oakland." Are you Vietnamese? " he asked. He said that because he heard my friends talk in Vietnamese.

"Yes," I said.

He spoke in Vietnamese to me. He explained that the city didn't have an exit to the freeway North 880. I needed to transfer to the other freeway that was called 287, and I needed to get in the right lane when I saw the exit for South 101.

So I drove back on the freeway, and I kept in the right lane, but this time I paid attention when I saw the exit north to Oakland and I took it.

I thanked him and I remembered what he said. And thank God!, I found the Great Mall!. We spent 2 hours there. Then I found the way back to Oakland. You know, sometimes you get messed up and then you have more experiences.

Exercise is a good habit

Exercise is a Good Habit

By Mei Mei

Exercise is a good habit for everyone’s health. We will preserve our body if we exercise twice or more every week. When we exercise we need to sweat heavily.

Don’t forget that doctors always advise us, “Don’t eat too much and don’t be too lazy. You need to take more exercise.” If you don’t follow this advice, you will become fat soon. Too much fat will bring sickness, so paying attention to your weight and keeping in shape is very important.

Now almost people like to drive or take the bus when they go out. But taking a walk is better for you. Exercise is especially good for older people. You can do it anywhere and anytime.

Usually, I wake up early, about six o’clock in the morning. Then I take a walk in the park or the area around my house. On the weekend, I often make a date with my friends to walk together in a park. There is a park near my house. It is just a five minute drive. There, the air is fresh and the trees are green. There is a circle at the center of the park. We like to walk and talk. We go around the circle several times.

Last Sunday, we heard some bad news from other people that often walk in the park. They said a few day ago, there was a woman who lived near here. She was going out her house to drive to work. Someone suddenly ran to her and grabbed her handbag. She was robbed! The neighbors heard her shouts. They went out quickly to help her and they called the police.

Everyone was scared by this crime. A lot of older people live near the park. It is very easy to be robbed there. So now we are very careful when walking.

It can be dangerous outside. One day, I was chatting with my older sister in the kitchen of our house. We were sitting by the window near the front door when suddenly we heard someone shout outside. We quickly opened the curtain and saw that my mother had fallen down on the ground by our front of door. A young guy who looked like he was about eighteen to twenty years old had knocked my mother down and taken her handbag from her arm. My mother was hurt. When he ran away, he also turned his head to look at us. At that moment, a black woman drove passed us. She tried to follow the robber by car and called the police. Neighbors helped us by translating our answers to the policeman’s questions because we don’t speak English fluently. Until now, we don’t know whether the guy has been caught

Most Chinese or Asia people don’t like to call the police when they have been robbed. The reason is “Don’t understand English”. But now the police say that they will find a translator for you no matter what language you speak. You can help the police to catch the robbers.

My mother has been robbed seven times. Let’s work together and put the bad guys into prison!

Tsunami Hit Thailand 2004

Last week, one classmate told her story when she was in Thailand. When the Tsunami attacked Phuket Island. That it made me depressing. My memory start to remember “where was I? what was I doing? When Tsunami came to hit Phuket Island. That Time I had been in San Francisco for 3 months. While I was preparing to go to New York City for celebrated new year .MY friend called me to true on T.V. I wasn’t believe what I sew on the T.V.I tried to call to my Family first, but line was very busy all the time. My family called me after one day . They are fine, and They wanted me to came back for awhile, so after I went to New York City. I catch the plane to Bangkok right away. My mind thought of my family and my friends. I got many call many messages form classmates, friends and teachers. They were worried about my family. When I arrived In Bangkok .I heard many story about Tsunami hit Thailand .I felt good when I know my family and my friends were ok, but I felt sorry and sad when I heard form my friend about one girl whom I know her got lost, I don’t remember her name. I know she like to set in that table in bar I usually went to hug out with friends. She often came with her Drawing board and few friends. She likes to draw land scope and tree. I think about that girl when some one ask me about the Tsunami hit Thailand in 2004. May be I feel bad because of she likes to draw thing like me. I tried to think she might be not got hurt. May be she went some where else. When I came back Bangkok I had a meeting in that bar I always look at the table and think of how beautiful on the beach killed many people that time.

My Special Two Sons:

I have two sons, the older one is eight years old and a baby is seven months old. Each one was born in different countries and under different circumstances. When I had my first son, Sebastian, I was very excited. It was my first time giving birth and a very difficult moment in my life. I was not working at the time nor was the father of my child. It was also difficult because of the expenses for a baby even in Venezuela. I wanted my Son to have everything he needed for him to have a good life. All of my family and friends gave him some gifts. A very close friend of the family was very supportive, their support allowed me to get through difficult times and to buy the things I needed for Sebastian until I found a job.
My focus with Sebastian had always been to teach him good things, I was trying to prepare him for this life that is very difficult and dangerous. I wanted him to learn to defend himself in this world. I wanted him to be able to make good decisions in his life. I know I am doing a good job with Sebastian, because he is very good boy, adorable, sweet, smart and he learns quickly. When other people meet him they tell me that he is a very special boy. Since Sebastian was born he has been very lucky in his life. Though Sebastian’s biological father is in Venezuela, he has found a very special father and friend here in the USA in my husband Bill. They love each other very much and they have a good father and son relationship. Sebastian does not like to be without Bill, when Bill is gone without Sebastian, he worries for his father until he returns.
My little baby William is special too; he is the fruit of the beautiful love between my husband and me. He is so cute, adorable and spoiled. When I had William at the hospital in Oakland I compared the different conditions the two babies were born in. With Sebastian’s birth I had very little material things to offer him, but with William born in the USA, I got more than enough.

We didn’t have to buy anything for him because everything was given as presents from my husband’s friends and family at a baby shower. We received many gifts at the baby shower; clothing of different sizes and months, from one month to twenty-four months, bed covers, towels, bathrobe, socks, baby’s winter clothes, walker, playard, stroller, baby’s car seats, highchair, baby stroller, baby’s swing, baby monitor, baby toys, and more. He is very blessed because he is born into a family who will give him so much love.

Sebastian is a very good big brother he plays and talks with his little brother daily. We are good parents and we will protect them from any harm and prepare them for the difficult world ahead in their lives.

Live Search Images: angel falls

Live Search Images: angel falls

Teacher's Birthday-2008

Surprise Party

By Mei Mei

Last Friday, I heard laughing voices coming from our room 101 before I entered the classroom. In the classroom, our teacher was holding a big birthday cake with Ha To. The other students were standing around them. What was happening? I didn’t have any idea because I hadn’t gone to school yesterday. Oh! Now it was a celebration for Teacher’s birthday.

The whiteboard showed a birthday card with a sing song that was sent by email from Seema. She is an officer of our school. Yolanda gave an oil painting as a present to Teacher. All of the students signed their name on the back of painting and wished him a long life. We hope he will continue to teach us.

Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with Teacher and classmates. Everyone was very happy at the party. Yesterday Teacher showed these pictures to us on the computer. He said Kai Yan is a professional photographer. We all agreed about that.

Those pictures showed all of us with a “camera face”. Teacher used his humorous tone to explain about our cake eating pictures. We enjoyed seeing those funny pictures that our classmates made.

We hope Teacher will celebrate his birthday for many years.

Teacher's Birthday

Last Friday, I heard laughing voice around our 101 classroom from outside before I entered the classroom. In classroom Teacher was holding a big birthday cake with Ho To. The other students were standing around them. What’s the matter? I didn’t have any idea because I didn’t go to school yesterday. Oh! Now it was a celebrating for Teacher’s birthday.

The whiteboard showed a birthday card with a sing song that was sent by email from Seema. She is a officer of our school. Yalanda gave an oil painting as a present to Teacher. All of the students signed their name on the back of painting and wished him have a long life and continue to teach us.

Everyone enjoyed taking pictures with Teacher and classmates. Everyone was very happy at the party. Yesterday Teacher showed these pictures to us from the computer. He said Kai Yan is a professional photographer, we all agreed about that. Those pictures were showing all of us have a camera face. Teacher used his humorous tone to explain about our eating cake pictures. We enjoyed to seeing those funning pictures that our classmates made.

We know Teacher is sick now, but we also wish he could get well soon and could celebrate his birthday every year.

My Wonderful Honeymoon in my life

I had a wonderful honeymoon with my husband in December, 2005 before we got married. We enjoyed it in Venezuela, specificly in Canaima and on Margarita Island.

Canaima is a beautiful and natural place. Canaima is the name of a little town and also the name of a big river that is there. Also, Canaima has the highest and one of the most beautiful falls in all the world, "Angel Falls". When we went to visit it, we felt that we were in a nature paradise. When my husband and I went to Angel Falls, we paddled in dugout canoes with an out board motor. The river current was very rough. It was a difficult boat ride upstream. At times it seemed we would roll over, the current was that difficult. It was also a beautiful ride and a life time experience.

We also went to Margarita Island, one of the better islands in Venezuela. It is very famous for it's beaches and wonderful weather. It has been visited by a lot of tourists for many years. Many American and European people go to Margarita Island to practice different sports like wind surfing and kite surfing.

We'll never forget all these experiences, and we will remember this trip forever as our only honeymoon.