HUDSON

Volume 13, Issue 1

Fall 2013
The ESL department
welcomes all ESL students

Diversity
to the Fall 2013 Diversity, a
collection of student work
from different levels of the
program. We want to thank
the instructors who have
taken the time to submit
their students work.

Level 0
Nipon Kutubuddin
Kitty Mazzarella
Johanna van Gendt

Level 1
Roberto Altamirano
Patrizia Barroero
Marilyn Martinez
Douglas Ramirez
Maria Schirta
Robyn Sklar

Level 2
Liliana Ameline
Normita Atienza
Shannonine M. Caruana
Elena Gorokhova
Linda Joy Miller
Johanna van Gendt
Bing Wang

Level 3
Carmen Rivera
Linda Stephenson

Level 4
Shannonine M. Caruana

Level 5
Jenny E. Bobea
Johanna van Gendt

We hope you enjoy this

issue and benefit from read-
ing and discussing the work
that ESL students are doing.

Publishers:
Shannonine Caruana,
Maria Schirta, and
Johanna van Gendt
Page 2

Fall Is Here!
Fall Weather
by Dahiana Hernandez, L 0 Prof. N. Kutubuddin

The weather now is cloudy and warm. It is typical for fall. Many people like this
season of year. Autumn is my favorite season of year. People like this season because it is
not very cold. The temperature is perfect. It is not cold or hot. The sky is cloudy.
Many people wear jackets and boots in many different colors. Fall starts in
September. There are some usual activities for fall. People go camping with their families.
Others go to the park to walk. Some people go to the woods to see many trees changing
color. The trees lose their leaves. The leaves change their colors. They are green, but in fall
they are orange, red, yellow, and brown. It is very pretty, I love it! People also celebrate
Halloween in the fall. Also, in the fall, people get
colds and allergies.
Fall is the most beautiful season of the year.
It is not cold or hot. There are not many rainy days.
Some people like fall and some dont. I love the fall.
Autumn is a
It is perfect for me. When fall ends, many people are
second spring sad because they know it is time for freezing cold
and snowy winter season.
when every leaf is
a flower. My Birthday
Albert Camus by Naglaa Zaki, L 0 Prof. J. van Gendt

I was born in Egypt. My birthday is in November. I am often sad because I miss

all my friends in Egypt. Every year, I usually celebrate my birthday with my family and my
best friends at home.
The day before my birthday, I clean and decorate my home. I invite my friends. I
prepare all things. I always make Egyptian food, and it is delicious. My husband usually
buys a cake and sweets. We always listen to Arabic music. Our children play and dance. I
enjoy singing, talking, eating, and laughing with my family and friends. We are always
happy. We have a good time together.
This day is my favorite. I always get a special gift from my husband, and I meet my
friends and spend wonderful time with them. I love everyone. I thank them all for giving
me a nice day.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 3

Our Schedules
My Daily Routine
by Samir Tadros, L 0 Prof. K. Mazzarella
A dream doesnt
I work at night in Manhattan. I usually get up at 5 p.m. I take a shower. At 5:30, I
have my meal. It is often vegetables and meat. I get dressed, and I leave my house at 6:30. become reality
I catch the Path train from Journal Square at 7 p.m. It arrives in Manhattan at 7:30. Then I
always take the subway at 7:45 to 59th Street. through magic; it
Work starts at 8 p.m. I have to change my clothes and start work in the deli. My
store is between 55th and 56th Street on 9th Avenue. I work as a deli man and cashier. I takes sweat,
prepare the salad, bacon, and cheese, and I cut tomatoes for breakfast. I finish at 6 a.m.
Usually, I walk to 34th Street and catch my Path train to Journal Square.
determination and
I arrive at my house at 7 a.m. and take a shower. I have my breakfast: eggs and
hard work.
cheese. I check my computer for any
news about my country. I must leave Colin Powell
home at 8:30 to go to HCCC for my
classes. After that, I go home and go
to sleep.

Shopping
by Nahed Karas, L 0 Prof. K. Mazzarella

Every Friday, I go shopping. My best place to shop is Shoprite in Bayonne. Two

months ago, I went with my daughters, but it was so hard for me because they were running
and jumping. I was afraid about them. Maybe they might fall down on the floor. Now I go Whoever said
alone, so shopping now is not hard for me.
I prepare a shopping list, and I go to the store and find a shopping cart. The first money cant buy
thing I buy is bananas because they are in the front of the store. Then I go to the vegetable
aisle to buy spinach, green onions, and peas, but not the same vegetables every week. I happiness didnt
change depending on what I plan to cook this week. After that, I go to the fruit aisle to buy
watermelon, oranges, apples and mangos. I go to the pancake aisle to buy cakes or sugar.
know where to go
Then I go to the important aisle for my kids to buy eggs, milk, and yogurt.
shopping.
Then I make sure I have everything on my shopping list. I go to the cashier to
check out. Bo Derek
Page 4

Our Friends Schedules

My Friends Job
by Jose Spraw, L 0 Prof. N. Kutubuddin

My best friends name is Jessy. Jessy is a baby sitter, and she also does different
things for the same family. She has a difficult job because she needs to mop the attic and
the second floor, too. She needs to make breakfast for the children, and take the children to
school. When she comes back to the house, she walks the dog. After that, she feeds the
dogs. Then she needs to vacuum the hallway. When she has time, she does her homework
for college.
Jessy does laundry too, and she irons the clothes after that. She also goes shopping
at the supermarket. Then she sweeps the leaves in front of the house. Then she takes the
garbage out. After that, she goes to pick up the children from school. Then she makes the
lunch. When the children are done with the food, she washes the dishes. She also cleans the
windows three times a week.
In conclusion, this is a very hard job because Jessy does a lot of things in her job. It
is difficult because she has many responsibilities. She goes home very tired because she
does a lot of exercises in her job. She is very responsible because she wants to keep her
job. Her job is very difficult and hard at the same time, but she does her best.

Bedtime Habits
by Michael Matta, L 0 Prof. J. van Gendt
To catch the reader's attention, place an

interesting sentence or quote from the story here.

I talk about my best friend. His name is Shenouda. He lives in Egypt. He always
goes to his bed at 12 oclock. Sometimes, he goes to his bed at 2 oclock on the weekend.
These times fit him. He gets almost eight hours sleep every day. He never sleeps four or five
hours.
He always watches Arabic movies before he goes to bed. Sometimes, he cooks
some food by himself before he goes to bed. Sometimes he sleeps seven hours on the
weekend because he brings some food to his mom. He helps his mom on the weekend. He
does the same thing every week. He always goes to church every Sunday.
These bedtime habits are healthy for him. He feels comfortable and relaxed because
he gets eight hours of sleep a night in a regular week.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 5

Our Cultural Heritage

The Pyramids of Egypt
by Merna Metry, L 1 Prof. P. Barroero

My country, Egypt, has one of Seven Wonders of the World. They are the three
pyramids Khufu, Khafre, and Me Kaur.
The Egyptian pharaoh kings built those great pyramids to be tombs for them. Giza's
pyramids are oriented to face the four cardinal directions: true North, South, East, and West.
Their entrances are all on the north side, and the temples of the pyramids are on the east side.
The Egyptian pharaoh Khufu took 20 years to construct his pyramid. Khufu is the
biggest one. It is 480 feet high with the sides each measuring about 755 feet long. There are
nearly 2.3 million blocks of stone.
The pyramids have a lot of secrets that surprised the scientists: for example, the
relationship between the measures of the Big Pyramid and the measures of the Earth. The
second thing that confused the scientists is how pharaohs could raise the huge stones to this
height. The weight of stones is 15 tons.
All in all, Giza's pyramids are amazing ancient relics. You will enjoy this place very
much. You can ride horses to make a trip and see the Sphinx, too.

Guayaquil Pacific Pearl

by Matha Lopez, L 1 Prof. R. Sklar
In the middle of the world, there is a country called Ecuador. This country has a big
and beautiful city called Guayaquil. This city was called just like that because in the past
Guayas and Quil were kings of the Incas. They were the first Incas in Ecuador. Guayaquil is
in the province of Guayas.
It is one of the important cities in Ecuador. Also, there are other cities like Quito,
Ambato, Cuenca and Esmeraldas. This city is very special because the people are very kind,
and they always have a friendly look on their faces.
The weather in Guayaquil is usually warm, but sometimes it is cold and a little bit
rainy. One of the reasons that people would like to go there is the typical food. The food is so
delicious. All the tourists from many countries enjoy eating the variety of dishes. The
principal ingredients are chicken and fish.
The second reason are the attractions. Guayaquil has many casinos. The malls are
always full for the tourist. In addition, one of the important attractions in Guayaquil is the
Malecom 2000.
In conclusion, Guayaquil has many places to visit. It is a beautiful city to live in.
Furthermore, the festivities are very fun.
Page 6

Taras Shevchenko
by Vladimir Dyachuk, L 1 Prof. M. Schirta
In my native country, Ukraine, there is a very famous monument, that is Taras
Shevchenkos monument. He was a public figure and famous writer. Also, he was a fighter
for the independence and freedom of Ukrainian people. Therefore, all Ukrainian people and
children know who Taras Shevchenko was.
All cities and villages have Taras Shevchenkos monuments. Most main streets and
parks of Ukraine are named Taras Shevchenko. In my city, where I lived before, the main
square bears the name of Shevchenko, too. There is a big monument of Taras Shevchenko.
A people without All people or tourists can get there easily by walking or by citys transportation.
Around the monument there is a big beautiful place. There are many kinds of flowers
the knowledge of and a big fountain, where children always play. Also there are many different stores and
cafeterias. Across the monument there is the City Hall. Over there, Ukrainians always
their past history, celebrate all national holidays and people sometimes celebrate weddings or other important
events.
origin and culture
I love this place and this person, too because I have wonderful memories about Taras
is like a tree Shevchenko. I can be proud that I am Ukrainian. I love my country, I love my history, and my
folklore, too. Welcome to Ukraine.
without roots.
Quito
Marcus Garvey
by Krystel Cuevas, L 1 Prof. R. Sklar

Quito is located in Ecuador which is in my country. This city has beautiful places and
attractive activities to do here. Quito is the capital of Ecuador, and it is a place for the tourists.
I'm sure a lot of people would like to visit this city.
In this place it is very cold every time, but some days it's hot. When I lived there, for
caution I always had an umbrella because you never know if the weather is cold or a little
hot.
However, in this city, you can find a lot of attractive activities. For example. you can
visit volcanoes, and you can camp there. Another place is Teleferico. I love it because at night
you can see the city and that is amazing, but at night it is cold. In addition, there are many
forests and thermal pools. These thermal pools are built by the nature as the years pass by.
This city is special because the people are generous, nice, and friendly. If you need
something, the people can help you. The people there are accustomed to receiving many
foreign people, and in some communities, perhaps many of the people can understand your
language.
I recommend visiting Quito because their food is delicious and their customs make it
a beautiful city.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 7

Our Family and Friends

Special Day with My Sister
by Reina Carballo, L 1 Prof. R. Sklar

Every year, I celebrate a special day with my family and friends. That day is
Thanksgiving Day that is always the last Thursday in November. Every year, my sister
comes from Texas to New Jersey with my three nieces. Usually, she comes two days
before Thanksgiving Day because we are a big family. That day, when my sister came to
New Jersey, I was so happy to see her and my nieces again.
First, we went shopping for that special day, and we had a list for what we needed
for that big cooking day. Also, we needed to make a menu for the kids because some of
them dont eat the same food like us. You dont
Second, we went shopping with my sister one day before Thanksgiving Day
choose your
because in every supermarket there are a lot of people. We have a list, and the first thing
we have to buy is a turkey. We cant forget it because without the turkey Thanksgiving family. They are
Day is not the same. It is like we are not celebrating Thanksgiving Day at all. We finish
with the shopping and we go home with my sister. Gods gift to you,
Third, it is Thanksgiving Day, and at 8:30 am, first we put the turkey in the oven
for about three or four hours, and we start to make the green salad, pies, fruit salad, and of as you are to
course, we cant forget the red wine Sangria.
Finally, when the food is ready, we put everything on the table. Family and friends
them.
begin to come to our house at 6:30 pm. We start to eat at 7:30 pm. Everyone is so
fascinated with all the food we prepared with my sister, and everyone starts to ask who
Desmond Tutu
made these plates. Of course, I always say my sister made them because she is a chef and
everything is perfectly cooked.
After all the
cooking with my sister, I
always want this special
day to come so bad
because I can see my
sister and be with her
once a year. After all, I
love my sister very much.
Page 8

My Personal Hero
by Juan J. Moquillaza, L 1 Prof. R. Altamirano

I would like start by saying that I have a beautiful family. They are my mother,
father, my wife and two daughters. My first daughters name is Adriana and the second one
is Bianca. But I would like to describe one of them. Her name is Adriana Moquillaza.
She is Adriana, my first beautiful daughter. She was born in Peru in normal
conditions, but after a couple of weeks she became sick. She was in the hospital for one
month fighting for her life. After that, Dr. Carlos Iglesias told my wife and me that in the
future she would have a sickness called epilepsy, and that it would affect her vision, too.
This happened when she was born. Now she is 18 years old, and she is in good health.
Despite her condition, she finished her high school as an honor student at Union City High
School, and she is going to study psychology at Montclair University.
My daughter is I just wanted to say that I am so proud of her because she is going forward with her
life. Also, I believe that she will succeed in all the goals that she has set in her life. She is
my greatest my personal hero because she has continued with her life, and it doesnt matter if she has
impaired vision. In conclusion, I can say thank you God for all the blessings that He has
inspiration.
given to my daughter.

Whitney
My Best Friend
Houston by Youstine Girgis, L 1 Prof. M. Martinez

I think that nobody can live without a friend. People have a lot of friends, but there
is just one best friend. Let me tell you about my beloved and best friend.
My best friends name is Eriny. She is my sister also. I love her so much. She looks
like me. She has green eyes, brown hair and round face. She is 5.5 feet tall. She is very
smart and very sensitive. She feels when I have any problem. She always tries to solve it
when she has time. She is helpful. She has a pleasant personality.
We always talk together on the phone every day in the morning before she goes to
work. Eriny lives in Canada. She cares for my mother who she lives with. Eriny loves my
children David, Jonathan, and Mark so much. Sometimes, she sends toys for them by mail.
My children love her so much, too. She is so close to me, too. She loves all people, and all
people love her.
Every day, after she finishes her work, she goes to the people who are in need of
help. She plans to move to the United States in the future, but I think that it will take a long
time. I wish she would to come to New Jersey.
That is my best friends description. I cant live without her. I love her so much. I
wish her a happy life and good health. I hope to see her soon.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 9

My Cousins
by Smita Patel, L 1 Prof. D. Ramirez

Pratiksha and Bhumi are my cousins. They are very different. They live
together, and they go to school together. They are good friends and good students. They
are going to be friends and sisters for a long time.
Pratiksha is 21 years old, and Bhumi is 25 years old. Pratiksha is about 4 feet, 11
inches tall, and Bhumi is about 5 feet, 3 inches tall. Pratiksha has a long-narrow face, but
Bhumi has a round wide face. Pratiksha has large-bright eyes, while Bhumi has small How wonderful
sorrowful eyes. Pratikshas eyes are black. However, Bhumis eyes are brown. Pratiksha
it is that nobody
has long curly brown hair. Bhumi, on the other hand, has a short-straight-black hair.
Pratiksha is short and thin. However, Bhumi is tall and thin. They both look very pretty. needs to wait a
Their personalities are different, too. Pratiksha is fairly outgoing, but Bhumi is
very reserved. Pratiksha likes to watch movies. However, Bhumi doesnt like to watch single moment
movies. Pratiksha likes to save money. On the other hand, Bhumi likes to spend money.
Pratiksha likes to wear jeans and buttoned-down shirts, but Bhumi likes to wear skirts and before starting to
shorts. Pratiksha doesnt like to wear glasses, but Bhumi likes to wear glasses. Pratiksha
is crazy about ice cream and chocolate, while Bhumi is crazy about Mexican food and
improve the
pizza.
world.
Pratikshas and Bhumis future plans are very different, too. Pratiksha is going to
study science and history. She wants to be a high school teacher. Bhumi is going to study
Anne Frank
mathematics and chemistry because she wants to be a scientist. Both are very good
students, and they get good grades. After that, I dont know what they will do. They are
both single. They both are very good friends and sisters.
They are very different, but they are very pleasant people. Their differences are
surprising and interesting. They are very smart students. They are very good friends and
sisters. They love each other very much.
Page 10

My Best Friends
Alexandra Rengifo Gamez, L 1 Prof. D. Ramirez

Julieth and Vanessa are my best friends. They are Colombians like me. We have
been friends since elementary school, and Vanessa and I went to the University together.
She is lawyer, too. We used to live together for a long time. They are very different. They
know all my family and I know all theirs. They are like sisters for me.
Julieth and Vanessa are not very different physically. Julieth is very thin, and
Vanessa is thin too. Julieth has dark brown eyes, but Vanessa has green eyes. Julieth has a
Friends they
long face and her skin is white like an angel. Vanessa has oval face and her skin is a little
cherish one bit dark. Their hair is very similar. They have long, dark brown curly hair.
Julieth and Vanessa have friendly personalities, but Vanessa is so disorganized,
anothers hopes. while Julieth is not. Vanessa likes to dance and sing in every single party. She is so
extroverted, but Julieth is introverted and very quiet. Vanessa has three boyfriends at the
They are kind to same time! She doesnt like long relationships. Julieth is married. She has an amazing
husband who is my friend, too. She loves him, and she is pregnant right now. Vanessa is
one anothers very smart, and has a very strong vocabulary because she is lawyer. Julieth loves numbers.
She is math teacher.
dreams.
I think that they are very happy with their lives now. Julieth has a stable life with
Henry David her husband and her baby. Vanessa is studying right now, and I think that her goal is to get
a degree in political science. I know that she does not want to be a wife or mother yet. I
Thoreau miss them, and I know they miss me, too. I hope to see them again soon.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 11

Its Your Life.

Relax and Enjoy!

My Favorite Place to Relax

by Ahmad Helali, L 1 Prof. M. Schirta

The sea is the only place where I can relax. Any place by the sea relaxes me and
makes me happy. The sea is my friend. Sitting in front of it or swimming relaxes me.
In my country, we have two seas: the Red Sea and the White or Mediterranean
Sea. I am from Alexandria which is located south of the White Sea. That means we have
many beaches. One of these beaches is called the North Coast. My family has a small
house there, so when I am in my country, I go to the beach every week whether it is
summer or winter. Most of our friends are our neighbors in this place. I spend all the day in
the sea, swimming or playing soccer. Then I spend all the night with my friends. However,
in the winter, the place is empty. I like to go to that place with my dog to spend one or two
nights. Actually, my dog likes the place more than me. It is a long beach. The sea is quite
blue. The place is very quiet, so you can relax.
In addition, in my country we have another place by the Red Sea called Sharm El
Shiekh. I go to this place once or twice a year because it is far from my city. If you want to
relax, you have to go to Sharm El Shiekh. It has both sea and mountains. Before sunrise, I
make a safari in the desert until sunrise. Also, in the morning, I make a safari in the sea,
diving in the Red Sea to see the corals under water. I do many activities during the day,
such as swimming, diving, and making relations with the people there because the place
has many tourists from different countries.
In conclusion, I go to one of above places when I need to relax. I go to the first
when I need to relax my mind and my body without any activities, just sitting and
swimming. I go to the
second when I need to
relax my mind only and
do many activities.
Page 12

My Favorite Place
by Adel Girges, L 1 Prof. M. Schirta

My favorite place to relax is in Egypt. It is Mary Mena Monastery. This monastery

is near my house. I go there by car. Sometimes, I go there with my friends and sometimes
alone.
This monastery is on top of the Abnoud Mountain in Asiut City. It is a thousand
years old. In addition to this old building, there are also new buildings for visitors who
come to pray. In my country there are no trees in the mountains, but here there are a lot of
trees. To get to this monastery you have to climb the mountain. Then, there are 130 stairs
between the rocks. On the top, there is a spectacular view. The houses look so small.
I usually go there to relax and pray. Sometimes I go with my family and stay all
day, eat together and spend a good time. I never stay there over night, but my friends
sometimes do. I would like to go there now, but it is too far from here.
In conclusion, when I go there I forget everything that makes me sad. I feel relaxed
and peaceful because my friends and my family who I love are with me. Everyone who
goes there feels the same.

A Busy Place
By Mary Guirguis, L 1 Prof. P. Barroero

The subway station is a busy place in every country. There are many subway
stations in the United States. The subway in New Jersey is called Path. There is a subway
station in Jersey City. It is in Journal Square, near the bus station.
The subway station in Jersey City is large. There are some shops. They provide
different services for the passengers. There is Bank of America and a small pharmacy on
your right when you enter the station. There is a small coffee place downstairs in the front.
There are many tracks in the station. Every subway has many passenger cars. There
are a few escalators. There are many posters on the walls. The platform looks clean and
nice. There are many workers, such as: the subway conductors, the cleaning staff, and the
people who sell tickets for passengers. There are also machines to sell tickets. There are
many turnstiles.
In the subway station, there are many passengers. First, passengers buy a ticket and
swipe it in the turnstile. Then, they go to the platform to wait for the train. In the subway
station, passengers hear the name of a station before the train stops. Passengers often look at
the weather-screen to know the weather of the day. Sometimes all the seats are full, so some
passengers stand.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 13

Special Occasions
Its More Fun in the Philippines: New Years Eve
by Julie Ann Gonzales, L 2 Prof. L. Ameline

Here in the United States, New Years Eve isnt that fun. That is just my opinion.
What Americans do is cook food, invite people over, and also make New Year resolutions.
Its very different in the Philippines. Its not just about the food, its not just about the
fireworks, and its not just about inviting people over. In the Philippines, its more about
People believe
resolutions, folk customs, and family reunions.

When the clock strikes 12, everybody says Happy New Year and hugs each that they have to
other. Some people make resolutions for themselves. Resolutions mean things that you
wear red or red and
want to change in your life, or set goals and promise that you are going to reach those
goals. white
Folk customs that old people in the Philippines embrace when this day comes are polka
something else! On New Years Eve, for example, people believe that they have to wear
red or red and white polka dots because the round shape means money. They believe that it dots.
will give them good fortune in life. People also believe that they have to open all the doors
in their houses, including drawers, cabinets, cupboards, and windows, so all the blessings
will come in. Peoples pockets are filled with coins, which they make a noise with to create
wealth. Children try to jump as high as they can because they believe it will make them
taller. My family believes that we should all go outside when the fireworks start to see how
wonderful life is.

When it comes to food, custom says that we should have certain kinds of food on
the table. There should be a ham, hotdogs with marshmallows, fruit salad, ice cream, cake,
lechon (a whole roast pig with an apple in its mouth), and more traditional food.

Of course, people in this world have many traditional ways to celebrate every
occasion. There are things that we still dont know about customs and traditions, and there
are things that we do know, but we just dont consider doing because we are different.
Americans, however, celebrate this day differently. They dont really have folk customs to
remember when this day comes. They just celebrate it like theyre celebrating an ordinary
holiday, like their birthday.
Page 14

Pride in Diversity
I Love Mi Pajon
by Leydi Ventura, L 2 Prof. J. van Gendt

I love Mi Pajon. It is a social group of women. It is about natural hair. The

purpose of this group is to talk about natural hair. We discuss how to care for it, and how
to comb it. We also discuss how to look radiant at the workplace and how to accept your
roots.

We are actually a sub-group of a large organization. Some groups are all around the
world with different names like Miss Rizos, AfroLatinas, Afro Roots, Go Natural
Being natural is
Caribe and others. All of these groups are connected to talking about the same things:
about being happy talking about hair.

with who you are, We chat on-line on the website. We sometimes have meetings where we talk and
provide different things about the natural hair. We post videos on YouTube, and we give
just the way you
advice about taking care of natural hair. We discuss what products are good to do some
are! hairstyles such as: box braids, twist outs, and yarn braids.

I had been relaxing my hair for 10 years, but four months ago I decided to cut it
all off. Now, I have a head full of natural, happy hair, just the way God intended it to be.
Being natural is about being happy with who you are, just the way you are! This was the
experience and words of a natural girl.

Some employers say that natural

hair (Afro) is informal, and we are
trying to change that wrong idea. Before
I felt ashamed of my type of hair, now I
feel great. I love Mi Pajon because it
gives me the strength to show the
essence of my natural hair.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 15

Two Cultures in the Same Class

by Valeria Villamarin, L 2 Prof. E. Gorokhova

When I was in high school, I met two siblings. They are Vidhi and Vedant. They
come from India which is a nation that has a culture completely different from mine.

First of all, their religion is different from mine in every single way. For instance,
in my country 92% of the population believes in God, but in India the majority of the
population believes in Buddha. Also, they believe in Karma. Karma means that if you do
something wrong to someone else, it would come back to you, but in a worse way than you
did.

Second, Vidhi and Vedant always say that their food is demanding for them,
because they have limitations in their nutrition. Basically, their diet is based on spices,
because they cannot eat meat. They say that if they kill a cow it means that they are against
their beliefs. Both siblings always say to me that many people including me, do not like
their food, because it tastes totally different from the food which we usually eat at home or
outside.

Another difference in their culture is how they represent their relationship status
with a little color dot on the front of their faces. Vidhi says that if I see a woman wearing a
red dot in their forehead it means that she is single, and if that woman is wearing a green
dot in their forehead it means that she is married. In my country, we do not have something
like that. Women just use make up to be younger and prettier, and, absolutely, we do not
use it as representation of our relationship status.

Fourth, Indians wear different clothes than I do. Generally, most of their clothes are
made from silk. Many of the women cover almost all their body with that garment. As in
Guayaquil, in Ecuador the weather is warm, and the majority of the population wears fresh
garments because the heat is unbearable for us. I know that in India the weather is similar
to Guayaquil, but their heritage forces them to use those clothes at that time. Vidhi says that
sometimes they feel comfortable with those garments, but she also says that she does not
like to wear clothes like the women in her country.

Sometimes different cultures cannot help us to understand people from different

places around the world. Many of us might say that they are abnormal because we think
that we are the only ones in the world. Perhaps, they say the same with respect to us.

To sum up, I can say that many people have different taboos, different heritages,
and obviously different cultures. Also, I can say that we are not ready to understand why
there are many cultures in the world, but we have to adjust to the reality of life.
Page 16

My Friend David and His Religion

by Eric Aliaga, L 2 Prof. E. Gorokhova

David is one of my friends from Peru. I studied with him in primary education.
Maybe we were born in the same country, Peru, but we dont have the same religion and
this makes our cultures different.

David is a very kind person. He is a hard worker. He loves his family. David is 24
years old, like me. Now, he is living in Spain with his wife and family. David and his
family are Evangelists. They are very strict with their religion. David believes in Jehovah,
the God of the Holy Bible. In this case, Im very different from him because my family is
Catholic, and in my family we can choose in what religion we believe. Im agnostic. I dont
believe in any religion because I think that religion is a tradition that you can choose to
I think that follow or not. Davids parents are Evangelists, and when you are born in an Evangelist
family, you have to follow the familys religion.
religion is a
I always discuss our beliefs with David. Our differences make me try to understand
tradition that a little more about my friends lifestyle. One thing David cannot do is celebrate his
birthdays. No members of his family do it. I cannot understand why. I feel a little upset
you can choose with him, but he is conscious about that and he takes it very quietly because his religion
doesnt allow it. Other things that he cannot do are celebrate Holidays like Christmas, New
to follow or
Year, Independence Day, and Halloween. My family and I can celebrate these days. David
not. has a congregation where he attends with his family every day. All of his Evangelist friends
attend, too. My family and I dont do that, only my parents go to church on weekends.
David is very strict with his religion. He cannot drink alcohol, go to parties, swear, smoke,
play games where you bet money, and there are more things that he cannot do. Every early
day, David and his Evangelist friends go to the houses to talk about Gods word.

David is a good friend. When I was a kid, I talked with him about the Holy Bible
and Jehovah. He always tried to convince me to be an Evangelist because he had the idea
that I could have a good life with his religion and congregation. But, I choose the way I
want to live, without religions. I think that its easier for me to live in this way. David and I
have different beliefs and religions. Now, I can understand him. David is happy with his
religion and congregation.

No matter what religion or beliefs we have, it is our decision to choose the way that
we want to live, and what makes us happy. Thats why David and I have different cultures.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 17

A Special Place
by Worraphon Ueadundecha, L 2 Prof. N. G. Atienza

Of all the places I have been in the United States, Chapel Church on Quincy
Avenue in Jersey City is my favorite. It is a church for Christians, and I am not one. I am a
Buddhist. However, it is very special, and I have been going there for three months.

Chapel Church has two floors. The first floor is an area for working together. At
the entrance, you will see a pin-pong table, some tables in the center, and a kitchen at the
back. The two restrooms are near the entrance and the Ping-Pong table. The men's restroom
is on the left side and the womens is on the right. Both are not big, but they are always I am Buddhist, and
kept clean. On the second floor, there is an area for prayers and Bible study. It has 25 seats
parallel to the walkway. In front, there are two pianos and behind them is a cross, the the people there are
biggest one in the church. Christians.
This church is very special to me. I am Buddhist, and the people there are However, they not
Christians. However, they not only teach members how to improve communication skills in
English, but also how to become a good person. I am learning what the Bible says, why we only teach members
need religion, and how we can follow the Bible teachings. Also, I can spend my time doing how to improve
several activities. The members are very kind. They help me do my homework. They do
not give me the answers. Instead, they give me clues to find the answers. Together, we communication
enjoy sharing stories and food. I cannot forget what I have learned about different cultures, skills in English, but
lifestyles, and native languages of the churchgoers.
also how to become
The members find it a very important place. Also, it is enjoyable for my husband
and I to join in the activities. They go on trips. Last year, I joined them in going to Six a good person.
Flags. There are about 30 members who meet every Friday. I only skip going there
whenever I have to work on Friday. Some live far, but they still come to the church. We all
enjoy each others company.

All in all, I consider this church a vital

They help me do my place for worship, education, and friendship. I
homework. They do always look forward for Friday to come, for I
will be meeting the people of this lovely place.
not give me the It is really a place where there is a time to pray,
answers. Instead, they share experiences, improve English
communication skills, relax, and have fun.
give me clues to find
the answers.
Page 18

Negative Experiences
A Frightening Experience
by Reema Talatiia, L 2 Prof. N. G. Atienza

When my husband and I were in India, we had a

frightening experience. It was a colorful day, the Kite-
Flying Festival (celebrated on February 14-15th), but it
turned out be a horrific incident.

Last year, I was newly married, and it was my first

time to celebrate the festival with my husband. On the 13th
Suddenly, a of February at 11:00 p.m., we went to a "kite market". We
man started to parked our car and walked for some time. Although it was
already late at night and dark, the place was still crowded.
snatch my purse.
Suddenly, a man started to snatch my purse. I tried to pull it
I tried to pull it back, but I failed. He was able to grab it from my hand and
he ran away, disappearing in the dark. I yelled, "Thief! Thief! Catch that thief!" Some
back, but I
people ran after him, got him, and beat him. My husband ran toward them and slammed the
failed. thief, who threw the purse and managed to run away again.

We went home without buying a kite. Our romantic mood had changed to fear. It
was my first experience to be in such a situation. This has affected me. Since then, I never
go outside late at night when I am alone. I always recall this incident, especially when I am
going to another place.

I know that if somebody experiences this incident of fear, he or she may say:
What a frightening experience it was!" I am trying to erase it from my memory. I hope
that God guides and protects me so that any type of terrible experiences will never be
repeated.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 19

My Irresponsible Neighbor
by Ginette St Georges, L 2 Prof. L. J. Miller

A neighbor is a person who lives in the same community or the same street as
another person. Sometimes a person can be lucky to live in a nice neighborhood. There is a
man who lives close to my house. He is my neighbor. He is tall, and his name is Erick. He
has a family with three children. Erick is an annoying person. He usually does things that
make him annoying to me in two ways, by making noise and doing bad behavior.
One thing that makes Erick annoying to me is the noise. In the afternoon, he
always stands in front of his house with a big radio to listen to loud music. When his
children come back from school, he always makes noise with them. For example, he makes
Good fences
them ride the bicycles and they go back and forth while yelling and screaming in front of
my house. He regularly stands with a group of friends to talk. He usually has a dispute make good
with a group of his friends. That noise annoys me because while I am doing my homework neighbors
at home, I need to concentrate. When that happens, I cant do homework or talk on the
Anonymous
phone.
The second way that makes Erick annoying to me is he doesnt behave. For Commonly attributed

example, sometimes, he leaves the front of his house, and he comes in front of my house to Robert Frost

with a group of friends to smoke. In the front of my house there is a small gate and stairs
with about five steps. He often comes to open the gate and smokes. Sometimes, I can smell
it. I dont think it is cigarettes because its too strong. It smells like drugs or something
else. He doesnt wear any shirt unless he is going somewhere. He usually says cursing
words. It is not a good view to see a neighbor like that. A man who is raising children
should be responsible. The way Erick behaves, in the future, his children will do the same
acts!
In conclusion, in my neighborhood, it is not easy to live with a person who annoys
other neighbors regularly. Living with noise and people who do not behave is something
difficult to handle.
Page 20

Teamwork

All for One Goal

by Zhor Elgoubi, L 2 Prof. L. J. Miller

Portabella is the name of the store where I work now with my coworkers.

Our objectives Portabella is a menswear store. It sells the clothes and shoes for men. The store is in
downtown Brooklyn. It is open everyday from 9:00 am to 7:30 pm. It doesnt close on
are to provide
holidays. There are five workers who collaborate with each other to reach the goals of the
the best customer store. Our objectives are to provide the best customer service and to achieve the total of

service and to money in the day fixed by the manager. That total changes from day to day.

achieve the total All the coworkers are immigrants. The managers name is Patrick. He is from
Barbados. He always comes early at 8:30 am. He opens the doors of the store and puts the
of money in the
radio on. The radio is playing while the others come. Patrick gives each of us a specific
day fixed by the
task. His goal is to perfectly manage the business. He can reduce the prices of the
manager. merchandise for a customer which no one else is able to do. The manager helps the cashier
if she is busy or she has any problem with the register. Patrick takes one day off in the
week. On his day off, his assistant replaces him.

Aziz is the assistant manager. He is from Tunisia. Aziz starts his work at 10:00
am. He has the keys of the store. He is responsible to close it at 7:30 pm. The assistant
manager brings the clothes from stock, fixes them nicely along the wall, and classifies them
by sizes on the racks. He makes sales like Ahmad.

Ahmad is the third person in the store. He is a salesperson. He is from my

country, Morocco. We are very close to each other. His job is to make a lot of sales.
Ahmad speaks three languages, English, Spanish and Arabic. That helps him to
communicate easily with customers. He has his way to convince the customers to buy many
things from the store. Ahmad is a good salesperson.

Continued on the next page.

 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 21

.Continued from previous page

The stock boys name is Morcus. He is Egyptian. He comes at 9:00am. He

always cleans the floor before he goes to the stock room. A stock room is a place where a
person can find a huge quantity of merchandise, suits, shirts, pants, shoes, and underwear.
Once a week, the manager receives new merchandise by UPS, FEDEX, or just the regular
mail. Morcus signs for the delivery. Then he takes it to the stock room. He does a spread
sheet for each kind of clothes. He selects the items and he fills out the spread sheet. He
writes the colors and sizes for each new item, and when he finishes, he gives them to the
cashier. The cashier faxes all the spreadsheets to the office in Manhattan. After the prices
are done, Morcus brings them to the store, and he sticks each price on the right item. After
he finishes, he sorts the new merchandise with the old one. He brings only a few to the
floor. The manager puts a new arrival sign for the new merchandise. Sometimes Morcus
I am supposed
helps the customers, too, especially during the busy time. to smile all day,
I am the cashier. I always come at 9:00am. My job is to ring sales at the register.
but its hard for
After my coworkers are done with the customers, they come to me. First, I have to put the
code for each salesperson because they get paid by commission. The more sales they make, me. Sometimes
the more money they get. Then I finish the sales. I take the money from customers and
when I have
give them the receipt with the change back. I put the clothes in the nice bag that has the
stores name. I am supposed to be smiling all day, but its hard for me. Sometimes when I problems, I
have problems, I cannot do it, and the manager gets angry because he says the customers
cannot do it, and
are first.
the manager gets
All the workers at Portabella tie their hands together and help each other to make the
store successful in order to stay open, stay working and get our checks every week. angry because

he says the

customers are

first.
Page 22

Working with My Coworkers

by Rachid Bouhouch, L 2 Prof. B. Wang

I started to work part time in a company named TEMCO Service Industries in the
beginning of this year. The company is located on Court Street in Brooklyn, New York.
My coworkers and I are responsible for cleaning all the building of the Department of
Education in Brooklyn, and we work very hard as a team to finish our work and do well
together.

I work with a few humble coworkers who are of different nationalities and
different ages. They are five men, David, Armando, Talal, Sidney and I, and two women,
Rosa and Maria. David is forty years old, and he is from Russia. He came with his family
to the USA when he was only ten years old. Armando is near his retirement age, and he is
Coming together from Colombia. He was a policeman there. Talal is a young man, and he was born in New
York City. His father was the boss in our company. Sidney, a fifty-year-old man, is from
is a beginning; Haiti. He speaks three languages, English, French, and Spanish. Both Rosa and Maria are
keeping together is from Mexico, and they usually speak Spanish at work. They are almost the same age.
progress; working Although we are from different countries, we are like a family, friendly and amiable with
each other.
together is
Although our work is so hard, my coworkers are able to do it on time because we
success. are a competent, cooperative, and friendly team. We work together to clean the whole
Henry Ford building, which has twenty floors. Every floor in the building has a lot of rooms and
offices. The boss and the supervisor always put a schedule on time for everyone to know
his or her role for that day. The men always have the same routine. Every cleaner has four
floors to do. We start our work from 5 p.m. to 12 a.m. We clean the offices and change
garbage bags. Also, we clean the carpets with heavy commercial vacuum cleaners for all
of the hallways of every floor. Thats why we are busy, but my coworkers have good
experience to do everything easily. In addition, Rosa and Maria always clean the restrooms
only. They always quickly finish their work early because they are hardworking girls, and
they always try to make the work look good. My coworkers are always very helpful and
work hard for the whole team. They usually advise me in everything. Sometimes at
lunchtime, we meet in the cafeteria to eat together with our supervisor. We discuss how the
work is going, and sometimes we talk about our life. We spend a joyful time together
chatting about things that we are interested in.

My coworkers and I are usually in close connection with our boss Paul and our
supervisor Chaif to know the best results for our cleaning work. Paul is Irish. He has
worked in the same company for a long time. He started as a cleaner and became the boss
because he had studied and worked hard. He is a very friendly and good person. Paul
usually leaves early because he always works from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. Thats why we can
only meet him for one hour. But he always knows everything we do and encourages us to
do better.

Continued on the next page...

 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 23

My Friend, Moumir
by Mohamed Amine Assaggoum, L 2 Prof. S. M. Caruana
He is now a famous player in the Spanish Soccer League. We have been friends
since childhood, and I know his dramatic life story that makes him special.

Moumir was born in a poor house in Marrakesh in 1984. His father was
handicapped, and his mother worked in low income jobs to support them. Although
Moumir had a poor childhood, he was a hard working student and a talented player. He
fought to get his high school degree in 2003 and to improve his soccer skills. Every day,
he had to walk 5 miles to school, and when he finished classes he had to walk 2 miles
more to his teams field before he came back to his home.

At the age of 18, the Moroccan Soccer Federation selected him the best player
under 19, and he signed his first contract in 2003 with the big team in Morocco, Raja.
After a few weeks, he was the best Moroccan player, and the Moroccan teams head coach
called him to play in the African cup. In the winter of 2004, he went to France to play
with the team of Paris for 5 years, and in 2009 Malagas team bought him for 40 million Champions
Euro, and he is with them right now.
keep playing
Now, he is happy, and he lives a better life with his family in Spain. When I look
at his story, I take a lot of lessons such as there will be morning after a dark night, and until they get
people must be strong to overcome the sad periods in their lives.
it right.
Right now, we are still friends, and we visit each other from time to time. He is a
good role model for me! Billie Jean King

Continued from previous page

After that, we always continue our work with our supervisor, Chaif, who is from Yemen,
and he is also a friendly and kind person. He always makes a great effort to make the work
easier for us. I like his personality because he is hardworking, honest, and helpful. He
always tells me the truth about how I look, and I like to listen to his words or praises.
When I have a lot of work to do, he often does it for me or helps me do it. He always likes
what I do and gives me compliments on my work.
In conclusion, I have learned a lot of things from my coworkers and my
supervisor. I always listen to them. They are good friends, and thats why all the members
of this group are very meaningful to me. I am glad to work with them, we will be friends
with each other forever.
Page 24

People We Admire
The Famous Anthony Bourdain
by Yuri Cabrera, L 2 Prof. S. M. Caruana

Anthony Bourdain has one of the best

Vocabulary: programs that the Travel Channel can have. No
Reservations with Anthony Bourdain is the name of this
Reservation: to program. It is very interesting because he shows the

call to keep a table audience every kind of international food and culture from
every country that he visits.
at a restaurant.
No Reservations with Anthony Bourdain has been on the Travel Channel for
more than 5 years. This show has a large audience because it is very engaging to learn
about cultures from other countries. For example, it was amazing to learn how tribes from
No Reservations:
Peru paint their body and do not use clothes. He explained in his show about this
to do something situation. He also explained why they have their own language. This is one of the reasons
why this show is captivating and educational at the same time because the audience can
without waiting or
learn the culture from other countries.
to do something
On the other hand, Anthony Bourdain shows on his program that he has the
without hesitation ability to taste and eat every kind of traditional food from each country that he visits.
People think this quality is what makes this show so popular. For example, in Lebanon,
he ate raw liver which is a traditional food from this country. In China, he explained how
the Chinese people make soups from snakes. Anthony Bourdain enjoys eating every kind
of bizarre food, and this reason makes his show fascinating.

In conclusion, Anthony Bourdain has

become famous because he has a great show
where people can learn about culture and
traditional food from different countries. These
reasons make this show popular.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 25

Education

Education in Haiti and the United States

by Semira Estime, L 3 Prof. L. Stephenson

Education is at the core of a civilized society. People should have the right to be
educated. School has to be available to everyone, and should not be considered a privilege.
It must be a right. The school system in Haiti is similar to the United States with a few
Education
differences in how it functions. is simply the
Like the United States, in Haiti, primary school is free and compulsory for all soul of a
children. However, sometimes, people prefer to send their children to private schools, and society as it
many American parents do the same thing. High school in Haiti, like in the United States,
is open to everyone because it is a right that people have according to the Constitution.
passes from
People need to be educated to serve their country better. According to the ideas of the one
legislators in both countries, education is very important to the people. generation to
On the other hand, the higher education systems have differences in how they another.
operate. The United States offers financial aid to people who want to go to colleges or
universities to continue their education. However, in Haiti, the government does not offer G. K.
financial aid. There are only a few colleges and universities that people can attend. The
government does not have funds to help those students who cannot pay for a private college
Chesterton
or university. The system is different when it comes to colleges and universities.
Compared to Haiti, the United States system is much better.

In conclusion, the two countries have similarities. They have the same system of
primary school and high school. Their difference is only in the level of colleges and
universities. People hope that one day Haitian students will have the same opportunities
that American students have.
Page 26

Goals
Steps for Achieving Students Goals
by Afnan Najam, L3 Prof. C. Rivera

Students always like to track their educational development, but there are certain
steps which a student can take to better achieve their goals. These steps can motivate
and benefit the student in and out of school. Responsibility is the most important thing
in life. After that, visualization and devotion are necessary, too.

First of all, for anything students want to do or achieve, the first step they have
to take is responsibility, which means a student should be on time to class. When a
Set your goals
professor is giving a lecture, a student pays attention to what the professor is explaining.
high, and don't Therefore, at the end, if the student has a question, he can ask the professor for help.

stop till you get Next, visualization is another step toward the achievement of a students goal
because when you visualize something, it helps you to explore or discover many new
there. ideas. As an example, I want to be an engineer in the future. As a result, Im visualizing

Bo Jackson it already, and every time I visualize something, it gives me more energy to explore more
things about my future. Visualization also can help a student to stay focused on his
goals.

The third step is devotion, and it is beneficial. It is also motivation for a student
because when a student has enough devotion to work on his goals, it will help him to
achieve them. Devotion is a mixture of three words: passion, energy and struggle, which
means if a student has passion for being something in life, energy to study, and struggles
to obtain that, he can achieve his goals more easily.

All in all, in life, if a student wants to be successful to achieve his goals, a

student should follow these important and simple rules: responsibility, visualization and
devotion. These steps will get you there.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 27

Importance of Exercising
by Camille Honrada, L 3 Prof. C. Rivera

Exercise is a physical activity that involves the whole human body to work
or to participate. This is a very good way to keep us fit and healthy although many people
rather avoid it. There are many ways to exercise, but there are three simple exercises that
we can do in order to prepare our body for the activity: stretching, walking, and jogging.

Stretching is one way of exercising. This is very usually done before anything or
before starting any kind of exercise. Stretching helps the muscles, the joints and the whole
body to prepare for the activity. It softens our muscles, allowing us to move comfortably.
However, without this, it can be very dangerous. We can easily pop some muscles and
tendons, which can be very painful. In some extreme cases, we can also end up with
muscle, tendon or tissue damage, or in the worst case, break a bone. As a result, we can
end up doing nothing, not even any exercise. Now, thats bad! What keeps

Secondly, walking is important, too. This is one of the easiest ways of exercising
me going is
that involves our muscles, but many people do not understand the benefits of it. Walking is goals.
also a very good way to start before going onto the next level of exercise, which may be a
little harder than just walking. This is also good for our mental wellness and health. It
enhances our learning ability, as well as our memory senses according to results of credible Muhammad Ali
studies and researches that have been recently made.

Still another way of good exercising other than walking is jogging. This is a little
harder than walking, as it not only involves the muscle, but our breathing and oxygen
exchange is affected too. Jogging may sound easy, but its not. We cant just simply jump
right into jogging, for we have to be prepared, physically and mentally for this challenge.
When people jog, especially if they are heavy set, they may easily get tired and experience
shortness of breath. As a result, they might give up. However, if we have motivation and
determination to do this, we will jog on. That is why preparation is essential for this kind
of exercise.

It is true that people who exercise are more active, more confident and more
comfortable in their careers and life. In contrast, people who dont do any kind of exercise
at all may tend to be lazy, and always tired, while some others may experience inferiority
complex because they know they arent fit. Although they may be too shy to go out and
socialize, if they consider exercise, this may all change.

In summary, exercising keeps us fit and healthy. It doesnt have to be an extreme

workout or exercise. As long as these steps are considered, even the simplest of exercises
can help. Therefore, exercising will be good enough for us to function well in our daily
life.
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 28

Wellness
Being Healthy: The New Tendency
by Freisy Cordero, L 4 Prof. S. M. Caruana

Many people want to be healthy. At the present time, this is trendy. Trendy means
that a way of doing something or a way of thinking is becoming fashionable. So, it is very
fashionable to eat healthy now. The effects that good quality nutrients and food have on
the health of a person could be both physical and psychological.

First, it is really difficult to take care of one`s health with many delicious fast food
choices around. However, some people have serious reasons to eat healthy. For example,
to combat a family tendency to be fat or to desire an attractive appearance. In addition,
people who like and practice sports have the habit of eating well. To conclude, it does not
matter the reasons for choosing a healthy diet, it is pretty good to have this tendency
because it has important effects.

To continue, one of the physical effects that people could have if they eat healthy
is a balanced nutrition. In others words, people would be consuming the substances that
the body needs to stay healthy and grow. Another effect is to have a lower risk of several
diseases. To illustrate, like the reading presents "people who consume higher amounts of
polyphenols have a 30 % chance of living longer. In addition, they have a lower risk of "People who
getting cancer and cardiovascular diseases. As a result, people get benefits by eating consume higher
healthy. amounts of
In the same way, the health of a person can have psychological effects by eating polyphenols
good quality nutrients. For instance, people who have a healthy life style get a nice have a 30 %
appearance, as a consequence that person feels great. That means, they will not suffer from chance of
depression. By definition, depression is a medical condition that makes a person feel living longer.
extremely unhappy, so it is difficult to live a normal life. Therefore, it is excellent to be
healthy because people can be happy.

In conclusion, it is necessary to eat in order to live, but eating well or healthy is

great for the body and mind. It is not really important what causes a person to be healthy
because the effects are amazing. Good appearance, a balanced and healthy body and
happiness are examples of those effects. So, let`s eat healthy!
 Volume 13, Issue 1
Page 29

A Healthy Diet: The Perfect Cure for Human Diseases!

By Pauriel Acosta, L 4 Prof. S. M. Caruana

Taking care of what we eat every day is an activity that most of the total
population of the world is actually doing. Nowadays, many people are suffering all over
the world from being fat because they are eating too much junk food. Consistently, they
are forcing their bodies to behave differently since they are allowing diseases to grow
inside of them. However, these traumatic situations can be avoided if we start to eat a
healthy and organic diet in order to have a healthier life. A healthy diet can contribute to a
person's well-being by improving his/her body functions and behavior.

One obvious cause of why a person must have a healthy diet to live longer, is
based on the proportion of nutrients that such a diet gives to him/her. The brain of a
person can work and think faster because of the nutrients that a healthy diet gives to it.
The body of an individual can be less prone to suffer from cardiovascular disease since a
well-balanced diet will help it by preventing the accumulation of fat in the veins. Thus, the
body of a person should function well as a result of controlled blood pressure and stronger
defenses by a healthy diet. The absence of nutrients in the human body is a problem that
only a healthy diet can cure.

Despite the causes of why a person needs a healthy diet to live longer, there are
many effects of a healthy diet that focus on the contributions to the personal life of an
individual.

The first effect of a healthy diet in a person is located in his/her body. The use of a
healthy diet results in the increase of defenses in the body of a person. Also, a healthy diet
helps to keep the blood pressure of a body stable. Furthermore, a healthy diet gives
carbohydrates to a person, and it makes him/her increase his/her muscle mass. A healthy
diet plays a huge role in the well-being of a person.

Moreover, the second effect of a healthy diet in a person is located in his/her

behavior. When a person eats a well-balanced diet, he/she tends to feel happy; in the same
way, a healthy diet makes a person be in a good mood at any time of the day. To explain,
a healthy diet makes a person feel happy, so that person can deal with everyday pressure
without losing his/her head. Also, a healthy diet gives a person a nice appearance, so that
person can look fitter because of it. The body of a person is a structure that relies on a
healthy diet in order to keep a person in a sane condition.

In conclusion, a person without a healthy diet can die because of poor nutrition. A
healthy diet supplies people with vitamins as a result of its vast presence of nutrients. A
healthy diet and a good body have to always be together at a balanced point since they can
make a person's life be longer in the future.
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Negative Effects of Social Media

By Godfrey Muyinda, L 5 Prof. J. van Gendt

Have you ever thought about how important the internet is? The internet has had

a great impact on peoples lives for the last three decades. It helps people to communicate

with each other through social media such as Facebook to reach each other globally.

However, Social media like Facebook has had negative effects on peoples lives due to

the distraction of class environment, destruction of face to face communication, and the

destruction of childrens behavior.

The first negative effect of Facebook is the distraction of class environment.

Facebook distracts the class environment through chatting. For instance, some students

tend to text while the class is going on. When other class members in the class see some

of their friends texting, they also start texting. This distracts them by not paying attention

to what the teacher is teaching. Hence, this causes them to perform poorly on their tests.

Additionally, some students fail to finish their homework because of Facebook. When
For instance,
they go on the computer to do homework, a friend sends an instant message. Instead of
some students
doing homework, they just start chatting. As a result, they end up not doing or finishing tend to text while
their homework. This causes them to get poor grades. Moreover, it does not only affects the class is going
students but also teachers because sometimes teachers do not cover what they are on.
supposed to cover for that particular lesson. This distracts the entire class including the

teacher because the teacher may be blamed for not teaching their students well if they get

poor results.

The second negative effect of Facebook is the destruction of face to face

communication.. Before these social media, people used to communicate with each other

face to face. People would meet and share ideas such as solving community or family

problems. Nowadays, people no longer meet each other face to face. They just chat on

Facebook.

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The final negative effect is the destruction of children's behavior. Facebook can
have a serious negative impact on children's lives especially teenagers. Some of these
teenagers have bad habits such as drugs and stealing. Therefore, they tend to influence
their friends they chat with on Facebook in these negative ideas by telling them how good
stealing and dealing in drugs are. That they can get money and buy those items their For instance,
parents cannot afford. Because some of them think that it is a good idea to get money and some students tend
buy things that they parents cannot buy for them, they end up picking up these habits.
to text while the
class is going on.
Some of these teenagers can rebel against their parents, if their parents try advise or warn
them about any danger they may get into after picking up drug habit. As result, their
relationships with their parents gets ruined.
In conclusion, social media such as Facebook are vital for people's lives because
Facebook connects them to the entire world. However, it can be harmful for people's
lives, so they must take care when using it.
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Positive Effects of Using Facebook

By Jatan Patel, L 5 Prof. J. van Gendt

Recently, Facebook has been increasingly popular to communicate with
other people. Nowadays, almost everyone is on Facebook. People even do advertisements

with it. Facebook is a social website where people can communicate in a very easy way.

There are many positive effects of using Facebook in daily life in terms of finding and

making new friends, sharing peoples feeling, and talking or video chatting with other

people.

The first effect is finding and making new friends. In fact, people can find their
old friends who got separated in childhood. For example, nowadays many people have to

migrate to different countries for some reasons. People get separated from society, friends, In short, using
and school and even from parents if they have to. People start forgetting their friends as Facebook can help
they are not in touch. When people are grown up and look for their old friends and fail to people to find or
find them for some reasons, people try to contact them using Facebook and hopefully find make new friends.
them. In addition, people can make new friends. For instance, all people have to have a
profile in order to use Facebook. People fill all their information such as their work place,

home town, and their interests, and even the phone numbers. If people like other peoples
profile, they can be friends just be sending a friend request. In short, using Facebook can

help people to find or make new friends.

The second effect is sharing peoples feeling. In fact, people can express their

feeling by uploading pictures. For example, I was using Facebook last night and saw

many pictures uploaded by people to express their feeling. One of the pictures was
expressing happiness of being a mother and other one was showing sadness of failing a

class.

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In addition, people can show their feeling toward someone they like. For instance,
one of my cousins liked a girl on the Facebook. He wanted to meet her although they were
not even friends in real life or on Facebook. They became friends on Facebook. After
expressing their feelings toward each other, they started to meet each other very often.
They were so happy of being with each other, so they got married. All in all, people can
share their feeling using Facebook.

The third and most important effect is talking or video chatting with other people.
In fact, people can talk to multiple people on Facebook. For example, there was an
announcement to be made in Samrajya society in Mumbai where I used to live. The
society management came up with a new idea and made a group on Facebook and made
an announcement on Facebook. It was so easy and quick. In addition, people can video
chat with their families. They dont have to worry about whether their relatives are in the
same country they live in or in different countries. Video chatting on Facebook is one of In short, using
the greatest features ever invented. For example, I live in the United States of America Facebook can help
and my parents live in India. I cant afford to spend money each and every day to talk to people to find or
my parents. I video chat with my parents almost every day on Facebook, and it is free of make new
cost. I can video chat from anywhere even though I am travelling, cooking or even friends.
working. We can see each other very clearly depending on our internet speed. After
sometime, I found out that it is not only me who is taking advantage of the feature video
chatting, there are many people who already been using it. In short, video chatting is one
of the best features on Facebook.

In conclusion, meeting new friends, expressing peoples feeling, and talking or

video chatting with other people or friends and family members are the three positive
outcomes of using Facebook. In daily life, communicating with other people has become
increasingly easier since people started using Facebook. I hope, people will take
advantage of Facebook and make their life much easier.
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Transition

Migration

by Dario Zapata, L 5 Prof. J. E. Bobea

Millions of people migrate throughout the world for many reasons. It is a
phenomenon that has existed throughout history. There are many causes that can be
debated to understand why people migrate in todays world. The most common of all is the
search for new opportunities. Nowadays, new reasons for human migration are arising such
as natural disasters, overpopulation and academic education.

For instance, in 2012 One cause why people migrate is natural disasters due to global warming. It has
gotten worse in the last few years. Events such as flooding and severe storms are one
Hurricane Sandy affected
reason why people migrate to other regions. To illustrate, in 2012 there were several weeks
several zones of New of constant rain in Colombia that created flooding in many areas. These floods affected

Jersey. As a result, over one million people. Many of them died and became homeless. This disaster forced
them to move to other regions of the country. Hurricanes are another factor of migration.
thousands of families had According to research, the hurricane seasons start in June and end in November. During
to leave. this period of the year, many people move because of this phenomenon. For instance, in
2012 Hurricane Sandy affected several zones of New Jersey. As a result, thousands of
families had to leave. It was declared a disaster zone. Climate changes are one of the
reasons why people migrate. It forces them to move into other zones to avoid dangerous
situations.

The second reason why people move is because of over-population. In recent

years, the populations of major cities around the world have grown tremendously.
Therefore, this has brought numerous issues. To demonstrate, Colombia has a population
of more than 46 million people. As a result, this country faces serious social and economic
problems. Some people dont get all they need such as proper education or a job to earn
money to afford their necessities. With more people in the country, there is more
competition for employment. This makes Colombians migrate to other countries, especially
the United States, to seek crucial resources. In other words, over-population affects the
lives of many people and forces them to move and seek elsewhere for their needs.
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Finally, academic education is another reason that encourages people to migrate.

For instance, in 2012 Academic education is a fabulous chance for those who have the possibility to travel.
Thus, a major number of students consider finding a college or university far from home.
Hurricane Sandy
Some universities where theyd like to go are located in the United States or in other
affected several zones of countries in Europe. To illustrate, a cousin of mine received the opportunity to come
temporarily to the U.S. to continue his higher education. At first, he studied ESL and he
New Jersey. As a result,
just recently finished. Now he is studying business administration. In fact, he recalls this
thousands of families experience as the best chance of his life. In conclusion, people migrate not only because

had to leave. of problems. There are also people encouraged to move for something good such as
furthering their education.

For these reasons, it is clear that migration is a movement of people from one
place in the world to another. People migrate for many reasons. These reasons could be
push or pull factors. Thus, people can either choose or be forced to move. Nowadays,
there are three significant causes of migration: natural disasters, over-population and
academic education. I believe that as long as people see better opportunities, they will
continue moving from one place to another.