2010年1月31日 星期日
巧遇狐狸與Amish文化之旅
基督教安曼派(Amish)是在十七世紀基督教新教中瑞士孟諾派(Mennonites)所創,於十八世紀從德國、瑞士及其他歐洲國家移居到美國,主要居住於賓州一帶。他們提倡節儉、正直及過著簡樸的生活,直到現在兩百多年了,還是保持著傳統,過著簡樸的生活。在伊利諾州,離香檳城只有約40英哩的Archur,有一個取名為Amish的城鎮,就是住著安曼派人。
去年11月,我們途經這個城鎮,覺得非常特別,但因另有旅途目的,而沒有太多時間拜訪。昨天下午我們特地開車到Amish遊玩,因為一月底的伊利諾已是白雪覆蓋,外面的氣溫非常低,不能久待。我們大概以坐車的方式遊玩。在田野途中,因為玉米田已收割完,一大片的白雪,少有屏障物,因此有什麼動物或鳥類在田間活動,很容易肉眼就看到。我們就很幸運,在途中巧遇一隻狐狸外出在田間覓食,這次遇到的是灰黃色的狐狸。它看到我們車子接近,先是停一下,看我們準備停車,就拔腿快溜。我趕忙拿出相機,想捕捉它的身影,只可惜身手太慢,它跑的距離有點遠,拍的不是那麼清楚。
這也是我們在美國第二次看到狐狸,上一次是在丁老師家。他家旁邊就是美麗的高爾夫球場,在冬雪的季節,從落地窗向外望去,非常漂亮。那天剛到他家,我遠遠看到一隻很像貓,但又不像,因為尾巴實在是比貓長太多了。結果那隻紅色的狐狸竟然慢慢的往老師家走近。丁老師一看,哇!竟然是紅狐狸。他說:「他在那兒住那麼久,看了很多動物在他的後院走動,但看到狐狸還是第一遭!」,那天我們全家都覺得好幸運哦~結果事隔不到一個月,我們又很幸運的看到第二隻!小孩們都好興奮,也讓我們這一年的美國行,更添豐富的色彩!
在Amish城鎮,他們的交通工具就是馬車,因此幾乎家家戶戶都有農牧場,主要圈養牛和馬,馬則是做為交通工具。也因為這樣,柏油路兩旁,都留有約3到4呎寬的『馬路』,真的是馬車跑的。許多農戶的信箱,上面還有馬的圖像。他們生活簡樸,拒絕文明,因此幾乎沒有電視,全村莊也只有兩具電話!他們的家俱,也大都是用木頭,簡易製成。他們生活在文明先進的美國,要保持這麼傳統特別的生活,實屬不易,也因此份外的吸引觀光客駐足!雖然我們要過著像他們這樣的簡樸生活方式,著實有點困難,但至少應該喚起重視地球永續生存的基本憂患意識吧~
2010年1月28日 星期四
短篇故事---Best day at school
我在ESL課程寫的故事,很精彩哦!
Best day at school
Best day at school
by Selina Chiu
Kyoko was sitting at her desk. She was writing her English homework. But she was not really thinking about her homework, because there was nothing about English on her mind. She was thinking about her Japanese friends. In her mind, they were playing tag, drawing pictures, reading books or dancing together back in Japan. “Hmm, I wish I were in Japan now.’’ Kyoko always said.
Kyoko was sitting at her desk. She was writing her English homework. But she was not really thinking about her homework, because there was nothing about English on her mind. She was thinking about her Japanese friends. In her mind, they were playing tag, drawing pictures, reading books or dancing together back in Japan. “Hmm, I wish I were in Japan now.’’ Kyoko always said.
Japan was her favorite country because she thought it was the most beautiful in the whole world. But something was wrong for Kyoko. Now, she wasn’t living in Japan. She couldn’t believe she was in America. Before she came to America, she had a lot of friends, and she was a great student. She could answer all the questions that the teacher asked her. But, Kyoko was in America now and it was different. She didn’t know how to speak English or anything about American culture. “What is the word for apple, mom?” “What is sun in English, dad?” Kyoko asked in Japanese. She didn’t even know what was “yes” or “no” in English. “I’m not a good student anymore, and I don’t have any friends in United States.” Kyoko said in a sad voice. “I hate my classmates, I hate English. I hate America!”
She hoped that she were back in Japan now. “My silly dad, I still don’t understand why he had this kind of crazy idea to come to America. See! If I were in Japan now, I could play with my friends. My stupid dad always said that America was wonderful. But I don’t think it is great here. My dad spent $900 on my airplane tickets to let me come to America. $900 and America? He didn’t need to buy that expensive ticket.
AUGH! I would have preferred to stay in Japan.” To get her mind off her problems, Kyoko drew a picture of Japan and imagined herself playing with her Japanese friends. Then, she walked downstairs, and turned on the TV. She took out a can of soda from the refrigerator and she drank soda as she watched TV……. Suddenly, she yelled “what! What did they say, BO---HO---N-A ? ” She turned off the TV because she couldn’t understand what the movie was about, and she thought it was boring. In anger, Kyoko threw the soda can on the floor. She jumped on it and stepped on it. “AUGH ! why don’t Americans speak Japanese. Japanese is better than English.” Kyoko yelled again and again. Suddenly, her mother came to the living room. “Stop Kyoko, stop yelling, pick up the soda can and go write your English homework. I mean right now.” Kyoko was so angry and yelled at her mom. “I wish everyone in the whole wide world could speak Japanese.” Kyoko yelled to her mom.
Feeling very frustrated, Kyoko, walked upstairs and jumped into her chair. “My silly mom. She doesn’t understand me. Doesn’t she think America is strange?” Kyoko said as she took out her homework. She looked at the worksheet. “Oh! No! I have a lot of work to do and it is too difficult.” Kyoko looked at the clock. “WHAT? It’s already 9:00 pm! I’m not done with my homework yet! And I didn’t answer half of the questions !” Kyoko sat in front her desk for a long time. She put her hand on her long black hair and pulled it gently. She would do this when she was thinking or trying to remember something. Kyoko was trying to figure out what the questions meant. She stared at the worksheet for 15 minutes, but she still didn’t know the answer. Kyoko turned around and looked at the clock again. “What? What happened to the clock! Was it broken? It was 9:25 PM!” Kyoko was surprised, and she had done practically no work. “I need to hurry.” Kyoko decided to randomly answer the questions. When she finished, it was almost 10:00 pm. “Kyoko do you finished you homework?” Kyoko’s mother asked very loudly. Kyoko was surprised. “Yes mommy, I’ve done my homework already. I am so tired. Can I go to sleep now? I have being working so hard.” Kyoko lied to her mom. “Great! You could go to sleep!” Kyoko’s mom said.
Kyoko was so happy that she could now go to sleep. “Bye! My little terrible homework, so glad NOT to see you again.” Kyoko said as she put the homework in her bookbag. Kyoko was so tired, because she had spent the whole night working on her homework. Kyoko jumped into her bed, and put her down on the pillow. Kyoko was so tired that she fell asleep.
The next day, Kyoko woke up early and went to school. She was the first person who came in Mrs. Belly’s classroom. Mrs. Belly was Kyoko’s teacher. She was kind to everyone. “Good morning, Kyoko. How are you honey?’’ She heard in loud voice. Kyoko already knew it was Mrs. Belly, because she had a loud sharp voice. “Hhh……..Hi.” Kyoko said. “Kyoko, can you put your homework on my desk?” Mrs. Belly told Kyoko. Kyoko stared at Mrs. Belly for a moment. Mrs. Belly knew Kyoko didn’t know the meaning of what she was saying. So she pointed to her desk and then pointed to the homework. Kyoko knew what the meaning was now. And she just forgot about homework. She thought “Oh no! I just randomly did my homework. If my classmate knew what I did, they will never want to be my friend.” Kyoko thought for a moment. At last, Kyoko decided to put her homework on teacher’s desk.
Kyoko’s classmate came in the classroom one by one. Finally, all of her classmate was there. “Ok, students. I think we will work on about animals, foods and plants for the next three weeks.” Mrs. Belly told to her class. “Can anybody tell me one kind of animal?” Mrs. Belly asked the class. “lion!” One of the classmate yelled. “Elephant!” “Rabbit!” “Pig” “Zebra!” Kyoko’s classmates shouted without raising their hand. It is too noisy in the classroom. “Shh! Be quiet guys. Please raise your hand if you want to talk. But you did know lots of animals. Can you compare and contrast different?” Mrs. Belly asked. One of Kyoko classmate raised his hand. Mrs. Belly called on that person. “What did you think?” Mrs. Belly asked. The person who raised his hand said “Some make lots of sound, some could move and breath.” “Good job!” Teacher said. And, they kept learning about animals on that day. But that day Kyoko understood nothing. Instead she played with her finger the while teacher talked.
When Kyoko went home, her mother asked “How are you doing in the school, darling?” “It’s fine, but a little bit boring, because I don’t understand anything.” Kyoko answered. Her mom kept saying “Your teacher called me on the phone this afternoon. She said that you didn’t do your homework carefully. Did you just randomly answer the question?” Kyoko was surprised, she was being quiet for a moment. “How did you know, mom?” Kyoko thought her mom would be mad at her. Kyoko’s mom said in a soft voice “Next time, I will help you your homework. And I will teach you some English. Okay?” “Okay mommy.” Kyoko said. She was happy that her mom didn’t feel angry at her and she was glad that her mom was going to teach Kyoko a little bit English. Kyoko’s mom couldn’t speak English very well. But she was going to help Kyoko any way. At first, Kyoko doesn’t want her parent know that she couldn’t understood anything at school. She thought thar if her mom knew what’s going on, she would tell her teacher, and teacher would tell to the whole class. And then, her classmates would never ever want to be her friend. Kyoko thought “Friends” were the most important people in the school.
“Kyoko let’s go upstairs and I’ll do your homework with you.” Her mom said. They walked upstairs, and sat at Kyoko’s desk. Kyoko’s mom taught Kyoko English. And told her how to said each kind of animals in English.
After a few weeks, Kyoko’s mom taught Kyoko lots of English. During this few. Kyoko felt uncomfortable, because she needed to remember lots of new words. “Animals could move, breathe and make lots of sounds. Plants need water, air and sunshine. It could breathe too, but it couldn’t move. Kyoko are getting this in her mind, because Mrs. Belly was going to ask some questions the next day. Kyoko thought that if she answer the questions right, maybe some of her classmates would ask her to be their friends.
“Ding, dong, ding, dong…….” The school bell rang. Mrs. Belly walked inside the classroom. “Be quiet student, remember? Today I’m going to ask you what your favorite animal or plants or food. Who want to be first?” “Me…….”All of Kyoko’s classmate raised their hand. “Monica, what’s your favorite plant?” Mrs. Belly asked. “I like roses, because they was pretty.” Monica answered. “Great job, sweety!” The teacher said. Monica was a smart girl, Kyoko wished she could be her friend. “Okay, how about you David. What’s your favorite animal?” Mrs. Belly asked. David said “Monkeys! Because they are cute!” “Okay David.” David was a little bit naughty. He always teased Kyoko, because he knew she couldn’t speak English. The teacher always tried to stop him, but David didn’t mind. He kept teasing Kyoko.
“OK. Let see who wasn’t being up yet. Oh! Kyoko, I forget about her. Kyoko, what is your favorite food?” Kyoko was surprised. She studied very hard at home, but she still couldn’t remember everything. Kyoko put her hand on her long black hair. She just forget what was food. She was mixed up. “My favorite food is a Koala.” Kyoko said it is very soft. “Koala?” Mrs. Belly asked. Kyoko nodded her head. Everyone in class laughed. “Kyoko loved to eat koala’s meat. So did everyone in Japan eat koala too? Hah, Hah…….” David said. Kyoko’s classmates laughed again. “Be quiet, please. That is rude, David. Stop laughing.” Mrs. Belly said. Kyoko felt very sad. “Kyoko, I’m asking what your favorite FOOD is, not ANIMAL. I know koala was nice, But the question is what is your favorite FOOD.” Mrs. Belly said in a nice voice.
At recess, Kyoko sat on the swing and watched other people playing. “I wish I had lots of friends to play with.” Kyoko said. Suddenly, David and some of his friends walked by. “Hi Kyoko, the koala eater.” They said as they threw trash at Kyoko. “Oh! Nasty girl.” David said. They laughed at Kyoko for a long time. Then, they walked away. Kyoko was terrible angry at them, but she was afraid to tell Mrs. Belly because she was too shy.
When Kyoko went home, Kyoko’s mom said “How are you today? Did you feel better at school?” Kyoko was too angry, so she shouted “You don’t need to care about it!” “My little darling. Actually, who has come from country doesn’t feel good at first. But soon, you will feel better than before.” Kyoko’s mommy told Kyoko. Kyoko felt a little bit better.
Kyoko and her mom went upstairs to Kyoko’s room. Her mother taught Kyoko more English. Now, Kyoko’s English was much better than before. She worked really hard. Kyoko knew more letters too. One month passed and Kyoko could understand more of what her teacher was saying. But she still had a problem. She had no friend, because she was too shy. She had no courage to ask others to be her friend. She even had no courage to talk with others. She was bored everyday at school because she felt lonely. She could do nothing, but look at other classmates playing together, drawing together, reading together or dancing together. Everyone had friends to play with, except Kyoko.
At recess, Kyoko sat on the swing again. She was watching other kids playing around. “Ouch!” Kyoko heard someone crying. She looked around the playground. Kyoko saw Monica falling on the ground. Kyoko forget that she was shy, and ran over as fast as she could. “Are you all right?” Kyoko asked Monica. Monica said “I’m fine” as she looked up. Monica was so surprised. “Did you just talk to me, Kyoko?” “Yes. But that’s not important. Did you need to go to the office?” Kyoko said. “No thanks. I’m just fine. Thank you for helping me. Why were you so quiet before? You need to speak up because you have a nice voice!” They played together for the rest of the recess. This was the first time that Kyoko played with one ofher classmate. Kyoko had lots of fun at the recess that day.
Kyoko sang the song as she walked home. That was the best day that Kyoko had at school. “Hi! Mommy, Hi! Daddy.” Kyoko said to her parents. “What made you feel so happy?” Kyoko’s mom asked Kyoko. Kyoko told her mommy what happened at recess. “Good for you, Kyoko. I already told you that you need to speak up. So others will know that you could speak English and your classmates will know how you are feeling. Remember, always try your best. Even if you can’t speak English very well.” Kyoko was so glad she had a friend. She went upstairs, and did her homework. She tried even harder than before. Kyoko decided to speak up the next day, and raise her hand. She wanted to try her best and she also want to help others because Kyoko knew if she did that, she could make more friends.
The next day, Kyoko woke up early and went to school. When she went in the classroom, she saw that Monica and Mrs. Belly were already there. They were smiling at Kyoko. Mrs. Belly said “Monica told me what happened yesterday. She said that you were not that shy.” “Yes, you are so kind!” Monica said. “Yes, of course I’m not shy anymore.” Kyoko said. That day, she tried really hard at school. She raised her hand very often. She felt proud of herself.
After that day, Kyoko and Monica became best friends. They played together, drew together, read together or danced together. Kyoko worked hard every day. A Few weeks after, Kyoko had lots of friends. And her English was getting better and better.
One day Kyoko talked to her classmates about what it felt like to be from other country and not to speak English. She said “If you are from another country, and have a problem just like me. It is okay, you will feel better after some time. You need to try harder than other people if you are from another country. I promise you will make friends if you try your best. Trust me.” Kyoko said. “At first, I didn’t like being in this country. But now I love my classmates, I love English, I love America!”
2010年1月24日 星期日
圖書館才藝表演
Urbana Free Library的小孩子圖書館每個星期六下午都會安排活動。有時候是說故事,有時候是美勞課程教學,有時候是介紹各國的文化及音樂。上個星期六則是安排才藝表演,邀請小朋友上台秀出自已的才藝。因為我們是圖書館的常客,幾乎每個星期六都會參加它們的活動,並上圖書館借DVD影片和各式書籍。所以早在一個月前他們就問Selina是否有任何才藝 ,可以上台表演。我們好不容易從台灣扛了柳琴來美國,樂得有這個機會可以在外國登台。Selina欣然答應,我們也樂見她因登台,而會多花些時間練習。
當天表演的才藝有:跳舞、唱歌、彈鋼琴和吉他、拉小提琴等。因為我們帶去的是中國樂器,外國人鮮少看過柳琴。主持人特別向觀眾特別介紹了柳琴,並說連她在美國待了那麼久,也是第一次在這裏見到這種樂器。
Selina第一首演奏了「蒙古舞曲」,因剛上台有點緊張,但演奏完還是得到許多的掌聲。隨後她又演奏了「多年以前」、「外婆的澎湖灣」和「金蛇狂舞」,共四首曲子,有愈來愈好的表現,也因此得到熱烈掌聲。才藝表演完後,許多觀眾都說Selina表演的很不錯。這是她第一次在國外表演,相信會是一個很值得回憶的經驗~
2010年1月23日 星期六
攀岩體驗
印第安那波里斯兒童博物館四樓的攀岩場是小孩子們到那裏遊玩的最愛,不僅會教導他們攀岩的技巧,也可以親自體驗攀岩的樂趣。
攀岩依程度分為初級、中級和高級。初級適合於8歲以下;9歲以上則可挑戰中級和高級,但難度明顯增加許多。由於每30分鐘每個等級只能有二位小朋友參加,因此每天可接受報名的人數非常有限。我們因辦了博物館的家庭會員,一年內可不限次數參訪博物館。我們一共去了兩次,每次一到博物館都先到四樓攀岩場預約報名,晚到者只能向隅而歸。
攀岩除了好玩刺激外,也可以訓練小孩子遇到困難時如何因應,是放棄呢?還是臨危不亂,想好下一對策!我問了三個小孩當你們爬不上去時,那時頭腦在想什麼?老大說,找個脚可以撐住的地方休息一下,再繼續看往那邊爬,絕不輕易放棄,要挑戰成功!老二說,他沒力時會想放棄,但放棄就不能玩了,因此只好頭腦冷靜,努力想辦法往上爬,快要到頂時,她覺得他會成功!老三說,不會啊,掉下來繩子綁住,在那裏晃來晃去很好玩,很像猴子!難怪,他在那裏盪來盪去時,手裏還比著勝利的手勢~
攀岩依程度分為初級、中級和高級。初級適合於8歲以下;9歲以上則可挑戰中級和高級,但難度明顯增加許多。由於每30分鐘每個等級只能有二位小朋友參加,因此每天可接受報名的人數非常有限。我們因辦了博物館的家庭會員,一年內可不限次數參訪博物館。我們一共去了兩次,每次一到博物館都先到四樓攀岩場預約報名,晚到者只能向隅而歸。
攀岩除了好玩刺激外,也可以訓練小孩子遇到困難時如何因應,是放棄呢?還是臨危不亂,想好下一對策!我問了三個小孩當你們爬不上去時,那時頭腦在想什麼?老大說,找個脚可以撐住的地方休息一下,再繼續看往那邊爬,絕不輕易放棄,要挑戰成功!老二說,他沒力時會想放棄,但放棄就不能玩了,因此只好頭腦冷靜,努力想辦法往上爬,快要到頂時,她覺得他會成功!老三說,不會啊,掉下來繩子綁住,在那裏晃來晃去很好玩,很像猴子!難怪,他在那裏盪來盪去時,手裏還比著勝利的手勢~
2010年1月15日 星期五
馬丁路德金恩紀念日
小孩子們就讀的國小Martin Luther King Jr. School,簡稱King school。以前一直沒有去注意取這個名字的來由及用意,直到最近因下星期一為美國國定假日,才去深入瞭解其來龍去脈。
馬丁路德金恩博士生於1929年1月15日,遇刺身亡,卒於1968年4月4日,享年39歲。美國國定假日中,迄今為止,只有三個以個人紀念日為國定假日,分別為林肯,華盛頓和馬丁路德金恩紀念日。除了馬丁路德金恩,其它二位都是美國總統。
馬丁路德金恩是一個牧師,他是美國民權運動中著名的領袖人物,為了所有人的公平權利而努力,他以非暴力抗議來對抗不公平的待遇而成名。著名的包括入座運動,他們進入拒絕為黑人服務的地方(餐廳、飯店),禮貌性地提出要求,得不到服務就不離開,就坐在那裡寫功課、讀書。他同時也竭盡所能讓人們瞭解「人生而平等」的真諦。
1963年金恩組織了爭取黑人工作機會和自由權的華盛頓遊行,並進行演講"I Have a Dream",成為日後著名的演說。因為他的卓越功績,1964年時榮獲諾貝爾和平獎 ,也是獲此殊榮的最年輕得主。
1986年美國總統雷根簽署法令,規定每年一月份的第三個星期一為美國的馬丁路德金恩博士紀念日,紀念這位偉人。
滑雪樂
2010年1月7日 星期四
暴風雪停課
今天一大早6點16分手機忽然響起,也吵醒了熟睡的我!原來是自動語音播放,由Urbana school district #116發出:「因暴風雪襲撃,Urbana區域國小今天關閉停課一天」。
我趕忙拉開窗簾,往窗外望去,大地已覆蓋上一片雪白,陽台的積雪應該超過5英吋以上。小孩前些天在陽台堆積的雪人,已被這場大雪覆蓋住一大半。持續下了一夜的大雪,已分不出那裏是道路,那裏是人行道了!樹枝及屋頂也都染上一片雪白,頗有雪國的味道!
看氣象網站,這場大雪應會持續到明天!中午白天溫度約零下9度C;午夜時氣溫甚至下探到約零下20度C。這場雪所累積的量,也足够讓我們可以到小山坡滑雪,玩好一陣子了!
趁著今天停課,我們在家拉開窗簾,盡情欣賞這場暴風雪。小孩們在客廰閱讀著圖書館借回來的書,愜意自在,頗為詩情畫意。但希望這場暴風雪不會對香檳造成太大的災難,如此第一次的暴風雪體驗,就非常完美,令人永生難忘。
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