My Country Haiti

Haiti is located in the Caribbean. It’s a tropical country. There are several good things that you can find in Haiti. I will explain to you in the following lines the best things using these categories. First off, we have a good Climate because it’s always sunny and warm all year. Except in December and January the weather cools off a little and it rains quite a bit in May. All the time you can wear light clothing. There are beautiful beaches; for example, ‘Labadie Beach, Port-Salut beach’ etc. Every weekend, the family, teenagers, anybody can go there and relax. Secondly, there are “ Haitians Customs”; the Haitians are very generous and welcoming among, themselves and with others for instance if a family has three children, when the oldest one finishes school and gets a job, their parents are unable to support the other children and provide for them a good education ; the oldest takes over. When the other ones are done, they do the same thing for the other family members, such as cousins, nephews, etc. The Haitians like to help them pursue their career and then it goes on and on. Even if they never go to school and do any job, they still do the same things. The Haitians like to share with strangers as well, when they need help. Finally, Haiti produces “Vetiver” and “Sugar cane”. With the sugar cane they can have other product such as brown sugar and alcohol; with the vetiver they can have energy for airplanes and perfume as well.

-By Rones Saint Louis

Writing Level 2

Running to Catch the Bus

I was serving a mission in the city of three hearts in Brazil. This was the city that I had more embarrassing moments in my life. I remember that day we had many people to visit during the day and at night we had to go to the home of a church member. After finishing the night, we looked at the clock and saw that we were going to miss the last bus. We left the house of our friends, ran, climbed a hill, and arrived at the corner. We could see five dogs running behind us; the dogs barked a lot. However, we were very afraid of being bitten and continued to run. My companion shouted to a man who was at the bus stop to talk to the driver and wait for us. We were almost on th ebus when the handle of my water bottle broke, but it did not stop me from continuing to run. My companion had a bottle of water and it hit the ground and burst, soaking her and me. We looked towards the bus and saw that the driver did not expect us. However, we continued to run to catch the bus at the next point. Finally, we arrived at the other stop and we entered the bus and run inside because of the dogs that were still chasing us. But the worst of everything was it was difficult having to hear the driver saying "we liked how you ran." He was watching us all the time chasing the bus! My partner and I laughed a lot and learned to pay attention to the time to not miss the last bus.

-By Geida Martins

Writing Level 2

Commentary on "You know what is happening with our children?"

I know that this commentary is a great cry for our attention. It is true that our children and young people spent a lot of time playing videos game, watching TV, and on the Internet, and this brings problems such as childhood obesity, lack of sociability, depression, etc., but we can change the future of our children.

To change the future of our children, we must understand the following. First, we live in a cruel society that promotes bad habits, and this is fed by the media. The media bombards us with consumer advertising, and they say it is right or wrong. Second, we don’t seize opportunities to be with our children and teach them correct principles.Third, some parents do not spend time talking with our children about our experiences and those of their ancestors. Finally, we often are too tired to put into practice our desires so we will not continue what we started. To change this I suggest the following. First, we must decide how we want to live, and how we will raise our children, but we must understand that these decisions directly affect them. For example, we decide if they spend time playing video games, which can lead to inactivity and obesity. We need to remember that obesity not only causes health problems, it also brings problems of low self-esteem, teasing and abuse by other children. Second, we need to find opportunities to play, do activities together outside or inside with them, and we must seize opportunities to teach correct principles. The teaching shouldn’t be mandatory only for the children, but parents should teach by example. The home is not a military barracks. Third, we must tell our children our good and bad experiences that contain principles that could serve as a guide. From my experience, you never forget a well told story. This allows children to understand that their parents are also like them. Finally, we must have courage and persistence to practice our desires and later continue with them. For me, this is the most difficult part; we can have this discipline gradually if we really strive. 

In conclusion, we can change the future of our children with love and persistence. It is not easy, but it is good for us and our children. The change is in our hands, and we decide what we do. It is very difficult, but it is worth the price.

 -By Alvaro Hidalgo
Writing Level 2           

Write something that remains

My father was born and raised in the countryside. In that time, boys were engaged in work, not study. Already large and providing military service was when my father could learn to read and write well. At that time, he met a man who watched his interest in learning and gave some advice to my father and said "every day write a little something, write so that something good stays." My dad finished his high school, and being married with children, he entered college to study law. 

Today my father is a lawyer in addition to a writer. I remember when I left high school and I started college, my father told me that I should write something good that would remain, but at that time, I was very dedicated to art and crafts, and there was no time to write. 

Now I'm studying English and I write often, either what's on my mind or these wise words, and I try to write not only to express any opinion or emotion, but also to explain a topic. I wish I could leave a nice, positive message to those who read it. And believe it; I discovered that I can be a creative writer. It is not easy, but it's possible. In conclusion, when you have time, write anything, even only three lines so that something good can stay.

-By Wilma Medina

Kelly Zirker's level 2 writing class

The Secret

Toward the end of 2004, Rhonda Byrne discovered a great secret; the hidden laws and principles of the universe.  Rhonda’s daughter gave her an old book.  This book helped the author, Rhonda, glimpse "The Secret".  What continued was a two month odyssey of investigation.  She incorporated almost every religion and field of the human achievement to compile and to create the book of "The Secret." 

I like the book “The Secret" because in it I find many interesting things that can help us overcome many of the afflictions we find in life.  The book “The Secret” contains the natural law of the universe that governs life on earth.  When it’s applied, we can change many aspects of our lives.  With this knowledge, we can experience the secret to obtain prosperity, health, relationships and happiness.  Here we find many examples of important people who at some time achieved big things when applying this powerful law.  We can see that, without exception, each human being has the ability to transform some weakness or suffering into strength, peace, health and abundance.  “The Secret” includes the main idea that we create our lives, with each thought every minute of every day.

In conclusion, I will finish with this thought.  The Secret is one of the most interesting books that I have known.  It can help us to overcome difficult moments in our lives.  I think that the Creator of life made life perfect.  Once you read this book, you will discover that life itself is perfect.  Then you will discover the tools of how to be successful.  You will know “The Secret.”

-By Erica Barker

 Kelly Zirker's Writing Level 2 Class

JeJu Island

Jeju Island is the most popular island in South Korea. Sometimes I went to JeJu to visit with my friends from school; that was so fun because it was like camping. When I was a child, I went to JeJu with my family, grandfather, and grandmother to play. My grandfather had a house in JeJu, but he lived in Songdo. We swam at the beach around the island and caught some crabs, fish and marine organisms. This island was an ancient jailhouse for misdemeanors. Now this island is one of dhe most visited islands in South Korea. This island is interesting because a native person spoke a little different language.

As I can see, that island was very close to the sea, but Utah is so far. When I went to the pet store in Utah, I saw pet crabs for three dollars. I didn't understand because in Korea we got crabs and frogs for free, and my friend was so surprise dbecause in Korea we can catch crabs and shrimp. JeJu island is also different from Korea because JeJu has many horses, but in Korea there are very few horses. When I went to JeJu, I tried to ride some horses. I love horses, so I want to ride a horse in Utah. I told to me friend this, so probably we will ride horses somday. JeJu has a big mountain called Halla. Compared to Utah, the mountain is so little, but Halla has many trees and lflowers. As far as I'm conserned, JeJu looks like Utah because JeJe has a lot of people and few buildings, but in Korea there are a lot of buildings.

If you want to visit a tourist attraction, you should come to JeJu.

-By Do Young Ro (Daniel)
Kelly Zirker's level 2 writing class

Barranquila Carnival

Fourty days before holy week, Barranquilla, capital of Atlantico Department, decks itself out for four revived nationals and foreign tourists who, attracted by the fame of this festival, join together with the city's inhabitants to enjoy four days of the country's most important folklore celebration. During this period, the carnival queen presides over the different festivities until Tuesday, when the symbolic burial of Joselito Carnaval brings the celebration to the end and announces the preparation for the next year's carnival.

Baranquilla's inhabitants, irrespective of race or creed, join together to make the carnival. For them, the most important thing is to dance and enjoy themselves for four days, and then prepare for the following years of celebrations.

The history has been passed from fathers to sons to keep their roots from being lost i nthe mists of time. It is said that the Spaniards brought with them the tradition of celebrating the European Carnival. The slaves in Barranquilla combined with their own traditions, taking to the streets, dressed in typical costumes, singing, dancing, and playing their instruments.

- By Liliana Auza
Kelly Zirker's level 2 writing class

You know what is happening with our children?

A few weeks ago I had the opportunity to read an article that caught my attention. He spoke of the importance of exercise in children and the problems that exist in to nutrition and obesity in children. Relating this problems with the technology with which we have today. Perhaps many of us think that it has nothing to do, but in reality is a real problem and alarming. Since technology such as computers and video games are replacing sports and outdoor activities, many of our children spend hours watching television, computers or video games forgetting to eat or eating what quickly found to continue the game or movie, most of the time passing without movement encouraging the children. The obesity in an adult is a serious health problem, but in a child's obesity is somewhat alarming since the health problems or rather diseases as early stage could cause problems more irreversible and very serious. The first lady Obama has launched a very important campaign to give a solution to this problem, through sports, improving recreation in to school and the preparation of good breakfast and nutritious meals. 

Another way to help is to improve communication between parents and children to establish rules for the use of technology as the Internet, television and video games and improve habits to nutrional food and thus avoiding the obesity problem our children, improving the quality of life. As regards the exercise not only in school in but the home too. The parents must be conscience of the importance the health and the good nutrition on the children.

-By Diana E. Garcia

Kelly Zirker's Level 2 Writing Class

The Most Embarassing Moment in my Life

The most embarrassing moment of my life happened when my husband's best friend graduated with her Master’s Degree. She celebrated her graduation in a luxurious restaurant.

That day my husband and I wore our best clothes. When we were entering, we saw that the guests were already enjoying their drinks and snacks. Then we started looking for a table where our friends were sitting; when at last we found the table, we greeted all our friends, and when I was about to sit, I did not look carefully. I slipped to the floor and I fell down. Then I tried to grab the table cloth, but everything in the table fall down, getting everybody who sat at the table wet and dirty.

My husband was so ashamed that he did not ask me how I was; he only covered his face. My husband’s best friend helped me get up and sort the mess than I made it.

When this incident happened, first I felt ashamed and I wanted the earth to swallow me, but later I thought "that can happen to anyone." After wards, I continued at the party as if nothing had happened.

Today when I remember the time I laugh a lot, but my husband is still ashamed of it and does not want to remember it any more.

-Cecilia Monterrosa
Kelly Zirker's Level 2 Writing Class

Galapagos Islands

These are the most famous islands in the word. They are located in South America in front of the cost of Ecuador; their official name is Colon’s archipelago. They are conformed by 19 islands and 107 very small islands. They are famous because when Charles Darwin traveled around the world, and visited them in 1835, he saw some animals like: birds, mammals, and turtles, that they were very similar to another of their species, but they had changed, he studied and wrote the book “On the origin of species”, and proposed the Darwin’s theory about the evolution of the species.

They are known by several names: Enchanted Islands because we found an amazing wildlife with flora and fauna unique in the world. They are also called Galapagos Island, its name is due to its famous giant turtles; and Colon’s Archipelago as recognized to Cristobal Colon, discover of America. They are located to 972 kilometers from the coast line of Ecuador. They are discovered by Tomas de Berlanga in 1535. In 1979, UNESCO declared Humanity's Natural Patrimony; in 1985 was declared Biosphere’ Reserve. In 2007 was declared Humanity’s Patrimony with environment risk and they are included in the list Humanity’s Patrimony in danger. 

They are visited by thousands of tourists each year. The most visited islands by tourists are: Baltra, where is located the airport; it was built by American Navy in the II World War. San Cristobal, where is located the main city called Puerto Baquerizo Moreno. Santa Cruz with its city Puerto Ayora, and the Galapagos National Park, and Isabela the greatest island of the archipelago. In these four islands can find hotels, restaurants, cruisers, ships, and some amazing touristic attractions.

Tourists can’t visit the entire island; just some of them like the named before can be visited; it is due to recommendations to preserve the species. Almost all of animals like: sea lions, iguanas, seals, penguins, and others animals can be touched by the persons, due they don’t have fear of the humans. I don’t need promote them; I just recommend you visit them if you want an amazing adventure.

-Oscar X. Quevedo
Kelly Zirker's Writing Level 2 class

An Embarrassing Moment

I had started working on a new job. My boss was my sister in law Michele. She was my girlfriend's older brother Hugo. Since I was new on the job, Michele invited me to lunch with her because she wanted to show me a good place for lunch. Maybe if I liked the place we could have lunch together every day. I worked in the city of Curitiba, in a place very populous called Gren Green, and it was lunch time when we arrived at the restaurant. There were many people in the place and lunch was served buffet style.

After we got our dishes, we found a place to sit. We found a seemingly good place. She sat down I went to get drinks. When I returned, she had already started eating. I left the drink on the table and when I sat in my chair it could not stand my weight and broke. I fell in front of Michele and everybody. I got up fast, the misguided attempt to try to disguise my fall, but it was too late. Everyone had seen it, and when they realized that I was fine, some began to laugh. I was so embarrassed, my face turned red, but I started laughing too, to show that everything was fine and in some ways because it was funny to me too. I tried another chair and continued to have lunch together and although I had this incident, I had lunch at that restaurant for many years to come. And of course I have tested every chair before sit in it.

A Journal Assignment by Fabio Dias, Writing Level 2