1430 student

!!! CARLOS VIVES !!!

2006-01-25T13:16:00.000-08:00

CARLOS VIVES nominated to Prize Planet

By Ingrid Corner

CARLOS VIVES has been nominated to the prizes World Music Awards of BBC in the Planet Prize category. This it is one of the most quoted prizes in the musical environment since not only the winner is selected thanks to the votes of all the lovers of the music around the planet, but besides is an unique privilege so that our local music be exposed and celebrated internationally.

CARLOS VIVES competes in this category with the American guitarist Ry Cooder, the Brazilian singer-songwriter Seu Jorge and the Cuban pianist Omar Dull. Some of the other recognitions that will be done in this delivery they include: Better new band, Better Album of the Year, Prize al I generate eclectic (by crossing musical borders) and the prize Global Club (by fusion of traditional rhythms and electronic music).

The rewards will bring itself to light in a concert April 7 in Brixton Academy in the city of London.

To support to one of our greater Colombian prides, they can register their vote through the page http://www.bbc.co.uk/ before January 31. (FG).

The execution number one thousand

2005-12-13T15:08:00.000-08:00

The United States carried out yesterday the execution number thousand since the capital punishment was restored in 1976. They applied a lethal injection to a man who murdered his wife and his father-in-law in 1988.
The execution was done in the presence of witnesses including one of his daughters-in-law. Mr. Kenneth Lee Boyd, asked her “to take care of his son and his grandchildren”
The death or penalty is a very difficult and controversial issue to talk about, but I think that if someone takes someone else’s lives, he/she needs to pay the price. In this case Mr. Boyd paid the price with his life. (FG).

Christmas Time

2005-12-13T14:49:00.000-08:00

I like this blog about Christmas tree. At home we put and decorate our Christmas tree as we always do. The day after Thanksgiving. We put adorns and lights on the windows and around our homes. And we share the holidays exchanging gifts and favorite dishes with our family. It is nice to see the streets and homes with Christmas decorations and it is better when we see the snow falling. I think that Natallia is right, I agree with her. I like Winter too. For me it is one of the best seasons of the year not only because almost all members of the family and friends get together to celebrate Christmas’s Eve and New Years' Eve, but also because it is the best moment to reflect and not to think of fighting or arguing in our homes, works, or schools, etc. This is an epoch of marvel, pleasure, generosity and peace. This is a time to share together with others in need, because there are many people in the world that have nothing to share but poverty and hunger. I think that we should help the churches and other institutions that always ask for donations such as clothes, shoes, can food and money. In this way we all can contribute a little bit for those people who need us in this very special time of the year. (FG)

Yonder Damien Reyes

2005-12-06T15:02:00.000-08:00

Last week, was a very sad week for the school of St. Mary of the Assumption, in Elizabeth, NJ, where my wife teaches and my son studies. On Monday the principal of the school, called all seniors to a meeting and with tears in her eyes, she told them that one of their peers passed away. This news was terrible for all of them. Most of them cried because they did not want to believe it. The classes for that day for the seniors students were canceled. Yonder Damien Reyes (rests in peace), was an 18 years old senior student. He was killed in a car accident and his girlfriend was severely injured. Yonder was a baseball start in New Jersey with a prominent future according to the “Start Ledger.” (from Monday 28, 2005)
We all attended to his funeral and viewing between Saturday and Sunday and it was very sad. His family is devastated. No words that came from us could comfort them. But I can say that he will be missed and he will be always remembered. Our prayers go to him,his mom, dad, and the rest of his family. (FG)

Helping others

2005-12-06T14:41:00.000-08:00

I think this person is correct when she talks about helping others. And also when she mentions that “there are many ways to help people” In my case I like to help my relatives of members of my family or even persons that I do not have any relationship with them, but for some reasons we get to know each other, then we start a conversation. If they let me, I advice them always with positive thoughts, especially when they face some problems that seem to have not solution. Being positive is a good way to get rid of the problems or at least it helps us to accept the things like they are. On the contrary being negative, makes us sick and probably we never find the solution to our matters. (FG)

Black Friday

2005-11-29T15:38:00.000-08:00

I agreed with Mariela when she says that black Friday is the official day for people to buy Christmas gifts. It is the busiest retail shopping day in the country. Many people consider this day, as the beginning of the holiday season and for this reason the open hours for most of the retailers change. They stay open until late every day.

Although a lot of people do not like the tumults and prefer to stay home watching TV, or just enjoying the leftovers from Thanksgiving Day, sharing with their relatives that have not seen in a long time, also a lot of people go out and shop, so they can benefit from this day. I have been doing my Christmas shopping on black Friday for three years in a roll and I can say that it is a ! Good business... For example this year I saved around $300.00 that I will use for something else. I did not even have to get up to early; 6:30 in the morning is fine in order to get to the stores around 7:30 and still find good items because the sales are available until 11:00 a.m. or noon. It is true that the customer traffic is very high but it is something that with patience is easy to handle. When I get home and make comparisons with prices without a sale, I can see the difference. At least I feel glad, I feel that I made a good deal. (FG).

Cassius Clay

2005-11-29T15:29:00.000-08:00

I read an article about Muhammad Ali, this morning in one of the local newspaper from Union county, called “Panorama”. It is a very sad article. It says that Ali “has a few months to live”. I remember him as a Cassius Clay, “the greater.” He was one of my heroes when I was a little kid. He was spectacular in the ring; he used to jog all the time during a fight because of his good physical condition and made fun of his opponents. My father used to tell me that the greatest boxer of all times was Joe Louis, but I did not know him, I was not born yet when he was champion.
Now according to “Panorama” Howard Bingham, a friend of Ali’s family says that “Ali’s health is deteriorating rapidly and has a few months to live only.” I think that Ali is loosing his worst fight against his illness, the Parkinson decease. Other great personalities such as Pope Juan Pablo II died this year from Parkinson decease and actor Michael Fox is also affected by this illness. I hope the research can find a cure to this terrible infirmity, but in the mean time all my blessings go to Cassius Clay and his family. (FG)

Thanksgiving

2005-11-24T12:14:00.000-08:00

Thanksgiving
Perhaps this day is the beginning of Christmas commercials season or just for watching football on TV, it is the most American of all traditional holidays. Thanksgiving is one of the most important celebrations in the United States. All families get together and thank God for each thing they received in life.
A brief story about this celebration started when people came from Europe to America looking for freedom of religion. They arrived in Massachusetts, where they started a new life. For them, this country was another world and together with Native Americans, they learned how to survive in this continent.
In the 1700 century, President George Washington declared the “Thanksgiving Day” as a national holiday and many years later, in 1863 president Abraham Lincoln declared the fourth Thursday of each November as an official holiday in the United States. For me I think that this holiday should be universal, because it is important to meet with our families and relatives, hug them and kiss them and share a good time. We all should meditate about our lives and say, thanks God for all we have especially for our existence.

Sancocho de Gallina

2005-11-24T12:09:00.000-08:00

! Wow … What a wonderful recipe. It opened my appetite. This is the season where we enjoy eating different kinds of dishes in our homes. even though we gain a few pounds, this does not matter; the most important part here is that we share with our family and friends having a good time and remembering old memories. A typical soup from Colombia “ Sancocho de Gallina” Takes the meaning of chicken soup to another level. This hearty soup contains chicken, good green plantains, yucca, potatoes, corn, red beans and plenty of other tasty ingredients such as onions, tomatoes, garlic, and parsley. You will not want to miss out this chicken soup and I though it was very appropriate to tell you something about food in this special season of the year. ! Enjoy it! (FG).

Misspelled words

2005-11-15T05:38:00.000-08:00

I understand that this page has been created for people to write whatever they want to write. Here the most important quote as the professor Nelson says is “who cares” I also understand that when we read a Blog, we are not supposed to criticize grammar, spelling, vocabulary or punctuation. Or we can do it in a way that the writer does not feel offended. This blog (comments on AA's blog)refers to a critic about grammar, vocabulary and misspelling words. However the first sentence on this blog does not make any sense and the words grammar and comments are misspelled. When we write something, our minds are faster than our hands. This is one of the reasons why we have to be very careful, checking everything before we post it. Microsoft Word has a great spelling check tool that can help us a lot to fix these mistakes. (FG)

English Language and the Immigrants

2005-11-15T04:46:00.000-08:00

Learning to speak English is the most important goal that immigrants have to achieve when they came to the United States of America, Europe and other lands in the world, because English is a universal language.
I believe that I can compare people who do not speak English with the illiterate ones, because they need someone to translate the words, phrases, sentences and conversations. This is very sad and frustrating. Without this essential language, it is very difficult to do the basic things such as: going to the doctor, dentist, bank, supermarket, to find a job, etc.
People that are living in this situation may feel margined, ignored and even discriminated. That is why it is very relevant to learn to speak English; and when we achieve this goal, we feel more confident in ourselves and prepare with the most important tool to face new goals. However it is very sad to see immigrants that are living in this country for many years and do not make the minimum effort to learn to speak English.

I am still learning myself; I try to improve my English every day. My major is education. In the future I would like to do a Master degree in ESL so in this way I would like to help the immigrants to achieve this goal. (FG)

On top of the mountain

2005-11-08T05:10:00.000-08:00

Lake Placid is a wonderful town that is located in New York. This picturesque place has a beautiful landscape and is well known in the country because the Winter Olympic Games from 1932 and 1980 were celebrated there.
I went to ski there on December with my wife, my son and our dear friend Mike. I have gone to ski to different places a couple of times before, but this place is bigger and much better. Mike has been skiing for thirty years; he has a lot of experience in this sport. We bought a package that included our equipment, the lift ticket, the lessons and the instructor for five days.
After we learned some techniques, we were able to go up to the mountain, slide and ski. When we were on top of the mountain named “White Face,” we could see everything covered with snow. We also rode on the ski lift many times and had lots of fun.
In our way back home we stopped on the winery store and tried some wines. This was nice too because people that pass by that store can try six different kinds of wine for $3.00 and they can keep the glass. We did that and also bought some good bottles of wine from that part of New York.
After this amazing adventure we decided to go back there every year because this sport is very fascinating and it is for all ages also. So in less than two months, I will be on top of the mountain again. (FG)

Check Engine Light

2005-11-08T05:04:00.000-08:00

The check engine light is a common problem in today’s cars that is complicated to fix. This small imperfection could cost us a few bucks or in the contrary sometimes a lot of money. Diego tells us in his blog about a recent problem he faced with a car that he bought and a few days after he drove it the check engine light appeared.
Most of the time it is good to have a second opinion and Diego made the right decision asking his cousin who is a mechanic to help him to solve this problem that cost him only $3.99.
This blog called my attention because a few months ago the checked engine light appeared in my truck, so I took it to a mechanic that I trust. After some time he called me and told me that he had to change two parts; the canister vacuum and one of the sensors. He charged me $500.00 and gave one year guarantee. To my surprise one day after I picked my truck the light came on again. Besides money this small inconveniences waste your time, in my case I had to bring my truck to the shop and live it there for a couple of days.
Seven months had passed and the problem has not been solved yet. The engine check light still appears and I keep bringing my truck to the same place because of the guarantee. I am not sure about this mechanic’s honesty anymore and I am thinking to bring my truck to the dealer, they may be able to fix this matter. (FG)

Autism

2005-11-01T07:57:00.000-08:00

I chose this topic because this neurogical disorder called my attention. This disorder has been increasing in this country year after year. The developmental disability appears during the first year of a baby’s life. Researchers have been conducted; Scientifics are finding that autism has multiple causes.
Another reason is because this disability touched me very close in my life. One of my wife’s nephews is autistic and he inspired me to do this writing. I have found many articles about autism, but there is not any light on the way to find a solution to this rare illness because it is still a mysterious disorder that attacks children without consideration.

Many families in this country suffer this problem because their children are autistic. They spent a lot of time looking for immediate solutions such as; therapies, music therapies, free chest, vitamins, anti-anxiety pills and steroids. These families just want to see their children improve their lives. In the six decades since autism was identified. Modern medicine has exploded like: antibiotics cure infections, organ transplant and many other diseases that the researchers finally found a solution. But still autism brain disorder has not been resolved yet.

Autism is a very complex developmental disability that typically appears during the first three years of life. The results of this neurological disorder affect the functioning of the brain. Children and adults with autism typically have difficulties in verbal and non-verbal communication, social interactions and communication skills. It is the third most common developmental disability in the United States, more than Down’s syndrome. In this rare disease it is very important to know who can help. Professional people like, psychiatrists, or psychologists are able to observe and analyze the children. The pediatricians can recognize healths problems in children with developmental delays, but the psychiatrics can help in an initial diagnose and prescribed medications to provide help in behavior. The Occupational therapist is focused on practical, self-help skills that will aid in daily living as dressing, much work in sensory integration of movements. The Physical therapist helps to improve the uses of bones, muscles, joints and nerves. Other important professional is the speech language therapist, who is involved in the improving of communication skills, including speech and language and finally social workers provide counseling services.
Another very important point in the autism’s life is education. The education for patients with autism ends at the age of 18. The Individual with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) requires that the transition planning begin at the age of 14, becoming part of the Student’s Individualized Education Program (IEP), which involves the students and parents to work together in order to help the individuals. The students receive a set of activities from school to post-school, including post-secondary education, vocational training, integrated employment, continuing and adult education, adult services, independent living and community start participation. It is important that schools and families start planning the transition early for the individuals with autism and in this way increase success in adult’s life. (FG)

Sexual Orientation

2005-10-25T03:40:00.000-07:00

To talk about homosexuality is a deeply and delicate theme. Those persons with this inclination have been suffering all the time a series of discrimination, and sometimes this kind of discrimination has been fatal.
In my opinion, I give them my respect. They are human beings with rights as any heterosexuals. They are getting out of the closet little by little. Maybe with fearful because they have to face their reality with their family, friends and society.
In many cases for the families it is cruel and hard to accept that orientation in their sons or daughters. This behavior is shameful to some parents and they do not accept it. I know a family that has a homosexual son. His mother never accepted his inclination and she never understood that this orientation is genetic. He was born with it. She tried to find girlfriends for him; she wanted to change his mind. Her son kept a relationship with a friend of his mother for one year, until one night he took the decision that changed his life forever. He met all his family where he introduced his boyfriend; it impacted everybody. He was rejected by his mother. His parents divorced a few months later. His mother one day took a wrong decision; she committed suicide in her own house. She washed down with gasoline and put fire in her clothes. She died in her desperate conviction, but the truth is that behind her death she destroyed her son’s life, and the rest of the family. And her son felt guilty for her death.

For years this sexual inclination has been a big problem in the society. Depending on the culture is why some people accept the homosexuality or not. The religion does not accept this inclination at all etc. These negatives changes have reverberated in the world for many years. If I go back to the XX century specifically in 1935, when the Civil War in Spain exploded. In that time a celebrity named: Federico Garcia Lorca was killed, because he was homosexual. This brilliant writer was one of the best in the Spain and Europe. This person died because someone assumed that he was gay. This act is still unforgettable and repudiated.
In October 10, 2005 in “Time” magazine appeared an interesting article titled
“The Battle Over Gay Teens” which is about an important meting in Manhattan, with David Steward a former president of TV Guide and a long time friend of former president Bill Clinton, and his partner Pierre Friedrich; who got together to raise money for gay students, specially for young kids.
Such as this foundation, there are more guys’ groups that fight for a place in the society. I agreed with them because they are human beings like everybody else in the world and they need to realize their lives. However they do not have to hurt nobody and themselves.

I don't think this is racism

2005-10-20T19:03:00.000-07:00

I read this blog the other day about what happened to my classmate and her coworker in their job. I was trying to analyze this problem with care even though there is not enough details, in which she said, she was treated with racism. Racism is a delicate judgment, it is a way to despise someone, physically or verbally and who does it is an ignorant person without education. If there are more associates in the Anglo and Afro-Americans departments, than in the Spanish department; I don't think that is racism. I look at it in the opposite point of view and I think that the employees in the Spanish department are very efficient. Even though racism exists in the world, I think that it is created from people according to their points of view and believes. How they feel about themselves. I think that People have to be proud of their roots and respect the customs from the country they they live and learn its culture. The self-esteem has to prevail and never has to faint. Every day people need to strive themselves, they need to get more education and they need to obtain the goals proposed.

GANGS

2005-10-18T06:06:00.000-07:00

In our society exits some kind of negative groups which have been proliferating in North America. These groups are integrated by people that grow up under the influence of violence in their homes or in conflicts in their original countries. These young kids that belong to those negatives groups are the product of wars, poverty, lack of opportunities, no cooperation of the government etc, etc; and if it wasn’t enough, they are rejected by the rest of the society.

These gangs have become in a real problem to our schools because they manage the business of drugs and crimes and it is getting worse as the time passes. This is a matter that is very hard to face and solve to our authorities.

In our society there are also some good people that give everything to make a difference working for these kids in order to help them, taken them out of the gangs and help them to become someone important in life. I read a book titled “The Miracle of St. Anthony,” written by Adrian Wojnarowski, who is a sports columnist for The Record of New Jersey and a regular contributor to ESPN. He has twice been voted the “Associated Press Sports’ Editors’ Number-One” in the nation.

The Miracle of St. Anthony is a book that I recommend everybody to read. It is about a high school with the same name, located in Jersey City (NJ), its basketball team and a devoted basketball couch with a great heart that has dedicated his life to help the kids from the projects of Jersey City. He has taken out of the streets many kids through his program since 1972, he has sent hundreds of players to full basketball scholarships to college and five went to the NBA.

I am sure there many people like Bob Hurley, the coach of St. Anthony High School in the world that want to help, but he government should be more involved working together with these angels and giving more funds for these young people and their education. At the same time, parents also need to be more involved with their children spending quality time with them and the most important give them a good education, because the education is the key that will help to change the society. (FG)

Elizabeth, a very young writer

2005-10-02T19:40:00.000-07:00

I passed by a bakery this morning and I took a free newspaper that was on the counter for the customers, it is called "The immigrant Times". I always read these free newspapers because they have interesting subjects such as the one that I read today. It was about Elizabeth a 17 year old girl, who is a talented writer. I saw a TV report about her a few years ago when she was living in Colombia, she started to write poems when she was 9 years old, she won all competitions for that age and she was giving the title of the "youngest poet in America". She traveled to Europe and Unites States were she won many awards, she is also well known in Mexico and Canada. About four or five years ago she moved to Florida where she founded a radio station program about culture and poems for kids and adults, which it was a total success and now she lives in New Jersey. Elizabeth is a student of Kean University, her major is communications. She has plans to start a cultural program in a radio station in New York, she has created her own cultural company were her mother is the president and Elizabeth is the vice-president.
I am really proud of this gifted and talented kid, she is an example for the youth and we are lucky to have her at Kean. If someone is interesting in her story, here is her web-page: www.poet.oflight.com (FG)

Introductory Field Experience

2005-09-27T16:51:00.000-07:00

I am taking 2801 class, which is an introductory field experience in education. Yesterday I had my first experience to be on the field. I was assigned to go to Rawhay Middle School to observe a class and to see what positive and negatives things I could find. In order to complete and be successfully in this class, I have to go to the schools and observe how the teachers manage their classes and how the students behave. From now to the end of the semester I have to work with some schools in Rawhay and Woodbridge. My first experience was great, the teacher was very cooperative and I learned a few new things, I could see that to be and educator is a big responsibility. (FG)

GAS

2005-09-22T18:37:00.000-07:00

The followings are the titles of the three blogs that I read: FAIR PRICE, RUN OUT OF GAS and IT DOES MATTER. They all are different articles but talking about the same issue: (GAS). "Run out of gas" is a very funny article and it can happened to anybody, however this lady new that she was running out of gas and continue to drive until her car died. At least she recognized that she was stupid, and she was lucky to find three angels that gave her ride until the next gas station. I found some spelling and some grammar errors on her blog writing. "It doesn't matter" talks about avoiding gas stations in the Unites States that belong to Saudi Arabia or at least have something to do with that country; those gas stations are: Shell, Texaco, Exxon, Mobil, Marathon and Speedway. It mentions something like: "Nothing is more frustrating than the feeling that every time We fill-up the tank, we are sending our money to people who are trying to kill us, our families, our fiends etc." According to this blog, the companies that we are supposed by gas from are: Citgo, Sunoco, Conoco, Sinclair, BP, Phillips, Hess; beause they do not import gas from the Middle East. And the last article " a fair price" taks about the price rise for the gas and the autor of this blog mentions that the the reason for which the price is going up is because without this rise, there is not enough gasoline to go around.

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(FG)

NICE CALL

2005-09-20T17:43:00.000-07:00

Last Saturday I was at home having lunch with my family and the phone rang like it usually does a few times a day. The caller ID showed no name, it was an unavailable name; I usually do not answer these kinds of calls because I know they are advertisers and telemarketers, trying to sell something or doing some polls. However this time I answered that call and a very polite woman was there from C100FM (radio station). She asked me if I like the radio to pay my bills, I said to her “it could be great” she told me that the only thing I had to do was to go to C100FM.COM and register my name in that page; then I should listen to the radio station all day long and when I hear they mention my name, I should call the station to the 800 number she told me and they will give me US $500.00 to pay my bills of the month.
! Well ! I have not tried this yet ……. (FG)

VERY IMPORTANT CLASS

2005-09-08T17:33:00.000-07:00

I believe that English 1430 is a very important class that will help me to improve my writing skills and for me that is the main purpose. In order to achieve these skills I would have to read all my assignments before my class starts and I have to understant the lectures and be prepare to discuss them in class. I know that I have a full time job and a family to attend, but I will make a promise to myself and spend my free time to study everything about this class. (FG)