English as a Second Language

I like ESL classes, because I am learning English.
When I moved from Honduras to USA, I started in level 1 and then moved to level 2, level 3, and level; four , and now I am in civic class. In civic class, I am learning about American culture and history. We also learn about American politics and its wars. There are also conversation classes where you can speak English.  When my ESL levels ended, I started GED classes to get my General Education Diploma. I am feeling good because my English is better.

Are you interesting in ESL classes?

These classes start on Monday June 11, 2012.

For more information-click here

http://www.durhamtech.edu/cgl/esl.htm

-Yimy

First time in the U.S.A.: Life in Puerto Rico

I arrived in Puerto Rico in December of 2006. It is a beautiful country. Over time I began to feel sad because it was the first time I lived outside my country, Panama, and more because I had no job.

But over time, I started working, and I got to know places and people. Puerto Rico is not so different from where I am from. They have more or less the same traditions of my country. They are very friendly. I
really liked living there except for that is a bit expensive.

Puerto Rico is a Spanish-speaking island. Legally it is bilingual, in the sense that both Spanish and English are official languages, Spanish being the native language spoken by the majority of the population.

Why Puerto Rico still is territory of United States?

During the Spanish American War between Spain and the United States, Spain wanted to end the war, and decided to cede Puerto Rico, Cuba, Santo Domingo, the Virgin Islands, Guam and other territories to this country.

Then the United States gave the opportunity to each of these territories to vote and decide if they wanted to be an American member of the union or remain independent.

Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands decided to be part of this country, and the others decided to be independent.

Puerto Rico maintains a territorial status within the constitution of the United States. The Supreme Court of the United States through the cases indicated that island belongs to Puerto Rico, but it is not part of the United States. So Puerto Rico is constituted as a territory of the United States to create the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico or the Commonwealth in English.
The debate over the political status of Puerto Rico has been a constant in many domestic areas (Puerto Rico), Federal (USA) and international (United Nations).

In the 2012 election, Puerto Rico will hold a national two-part referendum to decide whether its citizens want to remain a self-governing U.S. commonwealth, become independent, negotiate a new status with the U.S., or become the 51^st U.S. State.

Visiting Duke Gardens in Durham

Duke gardens is a beautiful place to have a good time no matter if you are alone or with your family including pets if you want. This place is good to relax and enjoy the environment.
The gardens are a beautiful place to see the most wonderful flowers and trees and there are interesting. If you go on weekends you can buy vegetables at the farmers market.
Is very important for the cities have a place for relaxation because its demonstrates if the people connect whit the environment the stress is out and the people can live a better life.
Spring is a time for growth and renewal in nature and enjoys the beautiful flowers this is also reflected in our body.
Sarah P. Duke Gardens provides a place where people of all backgrounds and ages come for beauty, education, horticulture, solitude, discovery, study, renewal and inspiration for more information you can visit this web site http://www.hr.duke.edu/dukegardens/education.htm

-Diana

Experiencing art in the United States

I have only visited a few states in this country; my first experience with art was when I had the pleasure of visiting Chicago for the first time. There were many places in this city that made me happy. I went to places like museums, Gardens, Zoos, and the Baha’i temple where people practice any religion, and Michigan Lake where you can walk by the breezy lakeside. In Chicago there is more culture diversity than in North Carolina. My first experience in Chicago was visiting at Art Museum, I had never seen pictures so old, and it was incredible!

When I was in New York I went to the Moma (Museum of modern art), it is a popular museum there, at that time the Van Gogh's exposition was there, and he is my favorite artist. I loved it. I imagined how he had painted a lot of work, because these pictures reflect all about his feelings. I didn't know about art until I met my husband, he is a sculptor, and every day he lives with it.

-Yirla

Why is the USA called AMERICA?

One of the most interesting things that I have experienced in the USA is people of the USA call their country 'AMERICA'. Just AMERICA! Not USA. The teacher in my ESL class often says 'America' or 'American people' to refer to the USA. Even the students from other countries just say 'America'. I wondered why. In my thoughts, America includes North and South and Central America as well. So, I asked the students from South American countries if they are not angry about that the USA hogs the 'America.' But, to be astonished, they showed no anger.

I read an article which a Korean man wrote. The man, who was a visiting scholar at a university of the USA, went on a field trip to Argentina. He needed to make an international call to his family in the USA. He entered a store, and asked the owner of the store if he could call 'America'. Then, the owner replied to him, "This is America!" He was embarrassed. He mentioned 'America' unconsciously as he did in the USA. The store owner's answer was quite right. Argentina is in the Americas, too.

Why do people of the USA call their country just 'America'? I think they do so because the USA is the superpower in the world. The USA has the dominant position politically and economically. They think they are the police of the world and they can dominate the world. So, they sometimes even start war in the name of world peace. Whatever they are doing, everything is JUSTICE. For that reason, they think they have a right to monopolize ‘America’. So, it is very natural they call their country America. And as far as I know, other countries in 'America' don't say anything.

I am uncomfortable when I hear people say just 'America'. And I don't know why they say just 'America'. If it comes from the arrogance which lies in the mind of USA people, I think they have to change the way of they call their nation. It is true that the USA is playing a very important role in the world to make a better world. And it is also true that no country must have a privilege in the world. The USA is a country which many European people built. Today, so many people from all over the world make up the USA. They have made today's USA. So, The USA has to try to cooperate with other countries in an equal position. If they have the pride that their country is the only superpower which deserves privilege, it is impossible to make a real good relationship with other countries at all. Isn't there any willingness to change their calling country 'AMERICA'?

-Kwangseok Yoo

St. Patrick's Day in the U.S.A.

Why do Americans celebrate an Irish holiday? How is St. Patrick's Day celebrated in the United States and in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina?

St. Patrick's Day is celebrated on March 17, the religious feast day of St. Patrick, and the anniversary of his death in the fifth century. The Irish have observed this day as a religious holiday for over 1,000 years. On St. Patrick's Day, which falls during the Christian season of Lent, Irish families would traditionally attend church in the morning and celebrate in the afternoon. Lenten prohibitions against the consumption of meat were waived and people would dance, drink and feast--on the traditional meal of Irish bacon and cabbage. St. Patrick's Day is celebrated worldwide by all the Irish and by people who have Irish ancestry.

Both Christians and non-Christians now celebrate the festival by dressing in green, enjoying Irish cuisine which includes cabbage and Irish drink and attending parades. Some establishments sell beer dyed green for the holiday. In the United States there are many people with Irish heritage, and they imported the tradition and Festival of St. Patrick's day to the United States. That's why Americans celebrate Saint Patrick's Day on March 17. Here in Raleigh-Durham, the celebration begins with decorated cars, parades, bands, bagpipes and everyone dresses in green and sings Irish songs and enjoy traditional food like smoked pork potatoes, cabbage and green beer.

-Yimy, Kirsa & Diana

St. Patrick's Day in Chicago (Illinois)

When I was in Chicago, I was invited by my friend to this celebration. In Chicago, Irish-Americans dye the Chicago River green, they decorate all cars with paper streamer, and they drink green dyed beer. I asked my friend why American people celebrate this day. She told me that this tradition comes from Ireland, she told a little history about it. St. Patrick was born at the end of the 4th century in Ireland. When he was 16 years old, he was kidnapped from his home by a group of Irish pirates and taken to Ireland. There he was sold as a slave, and when he was 22 years old he escaped to France and began to study the Bible. He returned to Ireland to convert the people to Christianity. People at this celebration wear green colored clothing and hats. People also wear shamrocks which are a symbol of Ireland.
-Yirla


Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade (Pictures of Raleigh's St. Patrick's Day Parade from the News and Observer)

(Below is a news story about an Irishman who moved to Toledo, Ohio and learned how St. Patrick's Day is celebrated differently in the United States)

We are the Internationalists

My name is Kirsa E De Portage. I’m from Panama. I moved to the U.S. in 2006. I have been in NC for one month. I moved here because my husband’s job. My interest is having a career, and I enjoy going to the movies and listening to music.

My name is Diana Henaon. I’m from Colombia. I moved to the United States in June of last year, so nine months ago.  I moved here because my husband works for Duke University.  I exercise, walk or stay in home watching T.V. and I go shopping, or to restaurants, walk the tobacco trail. My favorite place in Durham is Duke Gardens because it’s relaxing and always smells good. I can go there for a picnic.

My name is Yassine Boutkardin.  I'm from Morocco. I moved to the U.S in December 2011. I left my country to the U.S for a better life and better education. My interests are tennis, cinema, traveling, and manga movie.  My favorite place in Raleigh-Durham is Lake Crabtree in Morrisville.

My name is Yimy. I am from Honduras in Central America. I moved to the United States in October of 2003.I have been here for nine years. I moved here, because I want to live a better life and have a better education. I am interested in improving my English. My favorite places are church and school.

My name is Yirla Meza. I'm from Colombia. I arrived to Chicago, IL in November 2, 2010 and stayed there for seven months. I moved to Durham in June, 2011. I moved here because my husband and I wanted to live more quietly. Chicago is a crowded and expensive city.
My interest is to improve my English and speak it very well. My favorite things to do for fun and enjoyment are visiting museums, botanic gardens, testing many different foods in restaurants around this area, and experiencing the cultural diversity.
My favorite place or thing to do in Durham is walk, because I can breathe pure air, and the winter time is not so hard here. I don't know too much about Raleigh, but I was in Chapel Hill last year, I was enjoying with my husband the Halloween celebration. We saw many different and funny costumes. It was great!!!

 My name is Natasha, and I am from Japan. I moved to the United States in August 2011. I have lived here for 7 months. I moved here to study at Duke. I like doing sports, listening to music and watching movies. I often play golf in Durham.

I'm Joel Kalombo, and I'm from Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). I came in this country in November 2010 and I've been here for one year and 4 months. The reason what I came here is because my family lived here for a long time and they asked me to join them. I don't have any favorite place yet but I love nature I mean greenery.  I also like to sightsee. lol