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Life of an International Student

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Anna Kleckerova is an international student from the Czech Republic. Her first year in America was her junior year, and she is currently planning on spending her college life here in the states.–Editor, Trey Lucatero

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–by Anna Kleckerova
How does all of this start? What leads students to decide to leave home, uproot themselves, and move to the other side of the planet? It can start many different ways. Pressure from parents, a desire for adventure or the need for learning a new language are all true reasons. Once you decide on this huge step and your parents pay for it, your life will turn about 180 degrees. You will come to a totally different country full of strange people who stare at you because you are the weird one. Americans are more open. They can scare those who aren’t used to the American openness. In Europe, people don’t ask “How are you doing?!” on the sidewalk. In a new country, you will not understand the language, habits, or the system at all. You will be bored by new rules just as you were bored by the old ones in your country. You might love the change or hate it the rest of your life. Conditions will not always be perfect.

Everything depends on what we make of it. You can look just at the bad things and stay annoyed, but you have also another option. That option is to fall in love with your new life. I’ve grown to love the optimistic view of Americans.
This new change will limit rights and privileges you previously enjoyed in your life. You can’t go anywhere by yourself. There’s no public transportation. You can’t drive a car. You have to learn a new currency. You will get a new family that does not always have to be nice to you, and your parents will be too far away from you to offer help. You will have to stand on your own and make your own decisions. Your mom won’t always be there to tell you to wear a jacket when it is cold outside. Your dad won’t be waiting for you after school wearing his strict look while he is peering at your grades. You will have new people who will take care of you. Your host parents should be there every day for you, but you still might think that they are not nice and you will never accept them as your real parents, but they are the only ones who can actually help you here somehow. 12138328_1038955329482501_7304170434932291271_o (1)
As an international student, I realized how much I love my own country and my family. When I left the Czech Republic, I was so excited to get into popular, huge America. But with time I have seen how Americans are proud of their country and I started being proud of mine too. I love the envmatousironment, the nature, the forests everywhere, the public transportation of the Czech Republic. But, some international students, really latch on to their new world. A friend of mine, Matouš Prokopec, was an international student in Canada, and he said: “I liked my host family more than my real one.” He absolutely fell in love with everything in that country as well as falling in love with his host family. This year, a wonderful person, Rosa Gillet, came to our school. She answered the question regarding what she likes about this program, with, “I like being in a new family because it allows me to get to know others’ life and culture.”

Being a part of something like this leaves a huge change in people’s personality. It can make them happy, effervescent, enthusiastic, passionate about their own country, but also sad, frustrated, disappointed and exhausted over missing home. I think that something like this makes the student powerful. Being an international student abroad makes you an adult, making life decisions on your own. International students deserve everyone’s admiration.

Show Off Your CREATIVE MIND

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–by Zhenzhou Hu

This year at Palm Valley, we’re offering a new course, Physics by Design. Our blog correspondent Zhenzhou Hu interviewed the teacher, Mrs. Sackett, asking about the class and what it’s all about.–Editor Gaige Griffin

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Zhenzhou: This is a new class at Palm Valley School, so students are not as familiar with this class as they would be with others. What do your students do in Physics by Design, and what do you think they can learn from this class?

Mrs. Sackett: This is a project-based class in which students learn by doing. They are asked to be creative, to design and build, to collaborate and think for themselves. I don’t do much lecturing. I provide the resources they need to learn more independently.

Zhenzhou: I noticed that students are designing something in this class–much like we did last year in AP Physics where we designed mousetrap cars. (Which was really fun!) Can you give me the details of what is going on?

Mrs. Sackett: The project involves using electronic components called LittleBits. These components are easily linked magnetically and can be combined in different ways to create a variety of devices that use electricity. IMG_0906

Zhenzhou: Do you have fun teaching this class?

Mrs. Sackett: I really enjoy working with students in this class. They need encouragement sometimes to work and create. I try to offer open-ended instructions.

Zhenzhou: I saw a 3-D printer and the “sand.” Can you explain this to us? I’ve never seen that before, and it looks awesome!

Mrs. Sackett: The interactive sandbox is very cool. It projects contour lines as seen on topographic maps onto the sand. As students move the sand to create mountains, rivers, or valleys, the contour lines automatically adjust. Water can be added as well as lava. Students made it rain in the mountains the other day and were able to see the water rush into the valley and make the connection with what happens in our valley. IMG_0928

Zhenzhou: Does the class involve physics? I mean does it use something like torque or acceleration like we did in AP Physics?

Mrs. Sackett: Yes, we have spent most of first quarter working with circuits. Students started with easy battery and bulb circuits and progressed to soldering their own components onto a circuit board to create flashing LED’s. IMG_0909

Zhenzhou: Are they any other things you’d like to add about this class?

Mrs. Sackett: There is something very satisfying about creating a new course. We are definitely learning by doing. Occasionally, we hit road blocks. For instance, we are waiting on a new extruder to get our 3-D printer up and running again. Students have been designing objects using a web-based CAD Program, and they are anxious to see their designs come to fruition.

What can $100 buy?

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–Watercolor by Amelie Wang.

As senior Jim Wang prepares for college next year, he considers how far a dollar will stretch.

 

–by Jim Wang
Let’s take 100 bucks and go shopping! Imagine, you are an International Student at an American college. You live here by yourself, and you need supplies to last, say, for two weeks. You need your daily necessities. How much will $100 get you at a big box store like CostCo?
Firstly, I would grab my favorite fruits: oranges, lemons, and grapes. Four oranges might cost me $2; three lemons, $1; and one bag of grapes weighing 3 pounds might cost me nearly $9.
Secondly, let’s look to vegetables and meat. Vegetables cost a lot in America; meat is cheap. I personally don’t like vegetables, so I would just choose a head of cabbage (because it’s good for me), and that costs like $6. Eight pieces in a box of pork chops cost $7.22, and a package of hot dogs costs $3. You can cook the hot dogs for a simple meal at home, and it makes life easier when you are busy. Then, I would get some eggs for breakfast. There are several kinds of eggs–regular medium and large eggs and cage-free eggs or organic eggs (these two cost more money). A dozen of normal medium-sized eggs cost $2.
On average, dairy products are much more expensive in China than in America. Let’s take Haagen-Dazs for example. In an American market, a carton of 414 ml of Haagen-Dazs costs $3, but the prices in China are insane. The same box would be $30 in China.  (I guess that’s why people consider America like heaven!)

Below are the all things we can buy with $100.
These items should be enough food for two people to eat for two weeks along with the daily necessities which can be used for almost three months!

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The World According to Henry: American-Chinese(?) Food????

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–by Henry Huang

 

The Chinese have immigrated to the United States for many years. They brought with them their own food customs to the “land of the free and home of the brave.” Out of Chinese immigration to the United States formed a miracle—American-Chinese food.

Well, the reason I call it a “miracle” is that Chinese people insist that these American-Chinese dishes are really trashy and not indicative of authentic Chinese food. These American dishes don’t contain any traditional Chinese-food values.

Some of the foods, even the most famous ones, are not even from China! In this case, an example would be General Tso’s Chicken (otherwise known as Orange Chicken). I swear to buddha that there is nothing called General Tso’s Chicken (or Orange Chicken) in China. In fact, General Tso is a real person in Chinese History. The only reason that this dish exists is that a chef from China invented it in America. So why do we still not call it an authentic Chinese dish? He created it according to American people’s tastes and did not put any Chinese elements into this dish–elements such as Chinese spices, seasonings, and chicken with the bone in it. He had a restaurant on East 44th street in NYC. When Henry Kissinger was there, he loved the dish. Since Kissinger loved it so so so much, it became popular. However, General Tso’s Chicken has NOTHING to do with real Chinese food.

The next thing is ingredients. Unfortunately, some dishes are not using real Chinese materials. When Chinese arrived fresh off the boat over a century and a half ago, it was hard for them to find the right ingredients to make Chinese food. Chinese immigrants were then forced to seek new ingredients. Therefore, things as “weird” as beef and broccoli were invented. Again, broccoli is not something that Chinese cooks would put in their dishes since it didn’t exist in China until about the 1900s.

Now, we shall talk about flavors. This is the worst element in American-Chinese food. The problem is that American-Chinese food is just too sweet. “It’s too sweet, and it makes me thirsty–especially Orange Chicken,” said senior Hugh Hu. Well, we all know Americans love sweet food. That is why my mother hates American candies and desserts as they taste like pure sugar. However, I can’t accept that Americans put so much sugar in Chinese food. Nobody in China would have that obsession with sweet flavors. I can’t understand why Americans put sweet and chili sauce on their Spring Rolls. What is even worse is the sauce. No self-respecting Chinese man or woman would put any sauce as thick as American dressings in their Chinese dishes. In China, we want to keep the original flavor of the dishes, so we believe that the best flavors come from the food itself and that sauce only serves to enhance the food’s original tastes.

Well, the only thing I need to tell Americans is–Not everything that is stir fried in a wok is Chinese food. However, no matter how much I discredit American-Chinese food, I am still in love with Panda Express. However, not everyone agrees. While I was writing this blog, I found an American who detests Panda Express! Isn’t this rare? This person is Trey Lucatero: ” I don’t like Panda because it tastes old, dry, gross, and it’s not real Chinese.” Trey’s words express the true thoughts of many Chinese students in America.

–edited by Amber Zheng

European food vs. American food

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European Correspondent Anna Kleckerova has compared American and European educational systems, culture, social moires. Now, she looks to FOOD! Anna comes to PVS from the Czech Republic.

–by Anna Kleckerova

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Which pizza is American? Which is European?

Like every article I post, I would like to start with Europe. Let’s start with Italy where we can taste delicious pizza. This pizza is not like American pizza, where it is one big, thick cloud full of pepperoni and cheese. But, if you are a gourmet like me, you will appreciate more than just these two ingredients, and Italy comes with wide-spread, thin pizza where you can add whatever you want to it. Also, pasta is very typical for this beautiful country. We can find all kinds of differimage3ent pasta there, for example: spaghetti, bucatini, macaroni, penne, rigatoni and very popular in America, my lovely fettuccine. France loves to make meat in every possible way; it is the same with sea food and French wines. You will taste French wine just one time (the drinking age in France is 18), aimage2-2nd you will never want any other. It doesn’t matter if it is red, white or pink, all of them have spectacular taste. When we talk about gourmets, we must not forget Germany. It is well known for schnitzel (fried chicken breast), different kinds of sausages, and beer. Speaking of beer, the Czech Republic is a big distributor of this golden drink and not just that. Czech cuisine is known for Svíčková na smetaně served with dumplings, whipped cream and cranberries, roast pork with dumplings and sauerkraut, and roasted duck with potato dumplings and braised red cabbage. If you still don’t have enough good European food, you can go to Holland and try some of their cheeses, and in Switzerland your heart can be melted by delicious chocolate.

America, on the other hand, is a home to all kinds of meals from different countries. And, it is a country of fast foods. Mexican food is very popular in America. Everyone likes tacos, burritos and quesadillas. California is well know for the fast food joint called In-n-Out. People from the whole country are coming here to enjoy these fresh and tasty burgers. You can even hold the cheese on your cheeseburger, says senior Hugh Hu when ordering, “No cheese.” A lovely thing in American restaurants is that you can get free refills anywhere. In Europe, you have to buy every single drink again and again (the ice, too!), so if you are very thirsty, your lunch can be relatively expensive. Chinese cuisine also completes the American food menu –along with Italian, French, and German. You can find all these influences in America’s Panda Express, Subway, french fries, and hot dogs!

–edited by Trey Lucatero, big, big fan of In-N-Out

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The moment I walk into that marvelous place and find a seat in the crowded sea of hungry customers, I begin to smell the dream-invoking scent of the freshly shipped burgers waiting to be devoured by me. I love the perfection of the meat, coupled with the amazing cheese and tasty sauce. It takes but mere seconds before the burger is completely engulfed by my unquenchable hunger for this delicious burger.

Turkey Is Not Turkey In Turkey

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–by Amber Zheng

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Thanksgiving is coming. Grandma is buying her turkey for the onslaught of visiting family. Watch out. Food Correspondent Amber Zheng finds Turkey isn’t always Turkey.
Turkey is an extremely common food source and even has its own holiday in the U.S. However, this majestic bird is also an enigmatic creature. Depending on what country you are in, the turkey has many different names.

In Turkey, it’s called Hindi, which means North Indian.
In India, it’s called Peru.

In Arabia, it’s called Greek Chicken.
In Greece, it’s called French Chicken.
In France, it’s called Indian Chicken.
In Xinjiang, it’s called Afghanistan Chicken.

In Afghanistan, it’s called Elephant Chicken.

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These are just a few of the plethora of turkey names. If you are interested in looking at others, please check out an article called “List of Names for Turkeys” at https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_names_for_turkeys#From_geographic_names.IMG_1888

And, don’t stop with turkeys. Check out the side dishes. Peas are called Dutch Peas in China, but in Holland they are called Chinese Peas. And, sweet potatoes . . . .

 

–edited by Chloe Sweeney

A Talk Show in China Ponders Ethics

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–by Ashley Zhou

In China, there is a breakout show on the Internet: Qipa Talk. It is a show that debates hypothetical ethical and practical problems. Ashley was intrigued. Here is a sample of her favorite episode. 

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“There are two boats trapped in the ocean–Boat A containing you and 99 other people and Boat B containing only one person. There’s a button on Boat A, and if anyone presses it, this boat would be safe, but Boat B would explode. If no one presses the button, twenty minutes later, Boat A and 100 people would be buried at sea. Would you press the button to blow up Boat B and save the 100 people?” This is one of the many debate questions discussed in the Chinese talk show Qipa Talk. In this show, debaters on each team try to persuade 100 audience members to side with them within three rounds of debating.

The above is one of my favorite questions; the question is a paradox. Debaters have given very interesting and sharp points answering this topic. In the show regarding this question, in Round #1, the initial voting was 63 to 37, which means 63 people chose to press the button. The affirmative held several central arguments: they argued human history wouldn’t have been written without sacrifice of the minority. If no one takes an action to save the 100 people, those who took no action have to take the blame. And, nobody wants the blame. It’s very necessary for man to sacrifice.

The negative side responded in rebuttal: the value of life should not be counted depending on quantity. The minority doesn’t always have to compromise for the majority; Humans cannot be sacrificed. Nobody wants the responsibility of killing.

The best part in the show is when the two coaches on each side express their ideas and points. They usually jump out of the box of the topic itself and go on to better incorporations of it. They try to argue from the perspective of the whole human race. They want the audience to understand that beyond the debating skills they want to convey healthy outlooks and values of life.

In this case, in the final vote, 72 out of 100 people voted to NOT push the button–thereby refusing to sacrifice the one life to save the many. The debaters for the negative won over 35 voters. The voters decided the best action is to do nothing. Most accepted that they may die with the majority and chose not to kill to save themselves and others.

–edited by Gaven Li

 

 

Chicago Cubs: The Curse of the Billy Goat

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It’s World Series time, and Blog Editor/Correspondent Chloe Sweeney is interested in the Curses of Baseball. Here is the first story in a three-part sequence–starting with the eternally doomed Chicago Cubs.

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–by Chloe Sweeney
Last Wednesday we watched as the Chicago Cubs were once again defeated in the playoffs. There was collective sorrow as a dedicated fan base was again denied the ultimate titleIMG_1249 in baseball. Sadly, this will not be the year that the Cubs break the Curse of the Billy Goat.

 

The curse began on October 7, 1945, when a fan, Billy Sianis, was asked to leave a World Series game because the odor of his pet billy goat was disturbing other fans. As he was escorted out, he uttered the infamous words, “Them Cubs, they ain’t gonna win no more.” 1945 was subsequently the last time the Chicago Cubs played in a World Series. The last time they won the World Series was in 1908. Generations of fans were never able to see their beloved team win. Many thought this year would be the end to the longest drought in baseball.

 

In the past, there have been numerous attempts to break the curse but to no avail. The nephew of Billy Sianis, Sam Sianis, was brought out to Wrigley Field with a goat in 1984, 1989, 1994, and 1989. They have brought priests to sprinkle holy water and bless the field; they have hung severed goat heads, and even started a charity, Reverse the Curse, that donates goats to impoverished families in third world countries. With so much futile effort put into lifting the curse, some wonder if the Cubs will ever win again.

 

JON L. HENDRICKS | THE TIMES The Rev. Jim Greanias of St. Iakovos Church in Valparaiso is a Greek Orthodox priest and Cubs fan who blessed the Cubs dugout before the first game of the National League Division Series.

The Rev. Jim Greanias is a Greek Orthodox priest and Cubs fan who blessed the Cubs dugout before the first game of the National League Division Series.

Mr. Krause, Social Sciences teacher here at Palm Valley, is a die-hard Cubs fan. After the Cubs’ devastating loss, he said: “As the season ended on a frustrating note, I had to remind myself how well the 2015 Chicago Cubs played all season. They surpassed, far and FullSizeRender-5above, many expectations, from baseball experts to the die-hard Cubs fan. I’m excited for what the future holds for the Cubs, as they return almost all of their starters and hold a lot of potential in their young, talented team. Just another reason why the Chicago Cubs will soon be the World Champions in the coming years.”

 

Some of their younger fans are obviously still in denial! Do you know where Mr. Krause is right now? Sitting in an empty Wrigley Field, waiting for his . . . Cubs.

 

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–Edited by Trey Lucatero

The Interview: Jade Edition

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Processed with VSCOcam with t1 preset–by Ashley Zhou

Ashley Zhou, our Arts Correspondent, sat down with one of PVS’s most respected artists, Jade Yoon. Says AP Art Teacher Ms. Raphael McGrew of her pupil, “Jade is a very talented artist, always finding herself through her art. Jade is a very prolific creator. Painting, drawing or molding a new piece of art daily. She’s not afraid to experiment with different mediums and styles. Her daily mood is reflected in her images created, which makes interesting, inviting and random art.”

Today I am going to interview an artist in our school. She always impresses everyone with her amazing works and professional drawing technics. She is quite modest, but her works are not. She is Jade Yoon. Let’s find out about her art career.

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The theme of this piece is children in the holocaust. It is very depressing and gloomy. She approaches this art by using mostly dark and plain colors–white, black, grey. Oil painting and water color make the painting more realistic and complete. Understanding this piece, we have a broader vision of her style–not only technics but also expressions

Ashley: So, Jade, when did you find yourself interested in art?
Jade:Well, I actually started drawing or doodling when I was 3. Then I considered being an artist when I was in elementary school, but I kind of gave up in middle school. It’s hard to be successful as an artist. Then I came to Palm Valley, and, you know, we have actual art classes. I picked up my drawing again and realized this is what I like and what I should do.
A: It’s very nice to hear that you stick with it. So, are your parents also interested in art?
J: My mom is not a professional artist but she really enjoys drawing. So, I guess she influences me in some way.
A: What kind of art are you best at?
J: I like all kinds of arts. I paint lots of oil paintings now because my skills are improving.
A: Will you consider art as a career in the future also?
J: I am definitely going to art schools and will major in art in college. I kinda want to work in somewhere like Universal Studios or Disneyland. I am also interested in computer graphics like digital arts.
A: That’s very nice. So who is your favorite artist?
J: My favorite artist is Modigliani. He is an Italian painter. I really like his style.

A: Very nice to talk to you! Do you have any suggestions for students who enjoy art and are interested in improving?
J: I think you just need to practice a lot and keep drawing all the time.
A: Thank you Jade. Nice talking to you.

 

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This painting is a portrait of Jade’s friend, Karey. Jade uses red, black and white for this one. The colors complement each other. This piece looks very soothing because it reveals the figure’s personality. The girl in the portrait is what she is in reality.

Jade has many other amazing works, and we are not introducing them all today. Her artworks represent her ways of thinking. As a person who loves art, I really enjoy looking at her paintings and getting to know her efforts put into those works. It’s nice to talk to Jade, and I hope everyone gets to know a little bit more about this artist.