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Strange Rules on Planes

October 14, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

–by Amber Zheng

The holidays are coming. You’re making your plane reservations to see your family across the country. Many people complain about the strange rules of airlines. Undeniably, a lot of rules on airplanes do seem ridiculous. However, every one of these absurd rules is designed with the intent to save lives. Today, we are going to explain reasons behind some of these rules.

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The roof of this plane was ripped off at 23, 950 feet. Passengers survived . . . because they had their seat belts on. “Please move about the cabin with care.”

1. The flight attendant tells you: “All window shades have to be open on take-offs and landings.” You’ve been reading or sleeping and don’t want the blinding light of the sun coming up. Most airplane accidents happen on these two occasions–when taking off or landing. Open window shades make sure the lighting conditions inside the cabin are the same as the lighting conditions outside and give passengers visual access to the outside. If an emergency occurs, passengers are then adjusted to the lights outside and are aware of things that are happening outside so that the bailout can be more efficient. Moreover, rescuers are able to observe the situation inside through the windows so that they can conduct rescues better at accidents.

2. The loud speaker barks at you: “Luggage and other belongings have to be kept in designated places.” Your carry-on has to be stored in the overhead bin or tucked in to the seat in front of you. You want to get to your eyeglasses or gum or favorite book, and now it’s out of reach. Airlines tell us to tuck away carry-ons because doing so prevents luggage from flying crazily about the plane during emergencies. Flight attendants want to make sure nothing’s in the aisles so that people can move as quickly as possible at bailouts.

3. The airline safety video warns you, “Life jackets are not to be inflated before exiting the airplane.” You’re thinking, “Are you kidding me?! I don’t want to be flailing in the Atlantic Ocean trying to inflate a life jacket!” But, the Airlines tell us, if water enters the plane, inflated life jackets will keep people from diving down to escape from the plane. Besides, a person with an inflated life jacket on is very likely to block the emergency exit of the plane.

So, every strange rule . . . has its reason.

Filed Under: The World, Travel Tagged With: airlines, planes, rules, safety, Samuel L. Jackson

Immigration Wave in Europe

October 9, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

image2 –by Anna Kleckerova, European Correspondent

The situation with immigrants is getting worse with every day. These people are coming from Syria, Iraq, and Afghanistan, filling up all European countries. Many of them went to Greece first. They want to get to Germany, Austria and Great Britain because the economies are good and the migrants often speak the languages, but they are not always accepted. Germany is accepting many of them. The Germans are really trying to help them and show the whole world that they are a better country than what many remember from their past. Immigrants with valid ID cards have the greatest chance of getting accepted. Other countries usually don’t have much mercy for the immigrants and send them back to the country from which they came.

I want to show you how brutal ISIS is to get you to better understand how important it is to help the migrants. A life in Syria is horrible. ISIS totally took control of everything there. They are an extreme sect of Islam. News organizations report members of ISIS murder, arrest, rape, enslave, and terrorize people who believe in another religion or don’t keep to their rules, often using the Quran as justification.

Rashid Khalidi, a professor of modern Arab studies at Columbia University, disputes that the Quran offers any justification for [things such as] beheading. He cites the lines coming immediately after one of the two verses used to justify the act: “Therefore, when you meet the unbelievers, smite at their necks.” But the very next line, contained in Chapter 47, Verse 4: “At length, when ye have thoroughly subdued them, bind the captives firmly. Therefore is the time for either generosity or ransom.”

So basically, Khalidi said, there’s nothing about this passage that justifies the cutting off of heads.

“It just shows that they don’t know anything about Islam and they probably don’t know how to read this properly,” he said.—PBS NEWSHOUR

ISIS has been taking prisoners (soldiers, journalists) and cutting their heimage1ads off while they were recording the whole process. The Czech News reports many young Syrian men are coming to ISIS because it is an easy way to get women as slaves, and their violence is constantly increasing.
The European Union is trying to solve this huge problem. Countries that are members of this Union had a meeting in Brussels and were talking about this immigration crisis. Their final verdict was that European countries have to split 120,000 immigrants between each other. All European countries now must support the vote in Brussels. One of the theories is to provide an island for this mass of people and send them there. But Europe has to start doing something with this or it will have a horrible impact on the whole continent, and America should help, too, because Europe will never be able to accept so many new people who are coming there every single day.

 

*Anna Kleckerova was born and raised in the Czech Republic, most recently coming to us from Prague. She is now a senior at PVS.

Filed Under: Politics, The World Tagged With: Europe, help, immigrants, migrants

Lost in Translation

October 7, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

–by Amber Zheng

image14Words get funny when people put them into translators. We see a lot of this kind of “funny” translation in restaurants. 

 

 

 

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This actually means very spicy pork.

 

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This one is actually pepper and beef.

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This should read Yunan-style pepper and chicken breasts.

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Literally, it means homemade fried camel meat.

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The right version should be: “sixi” steamed gluten.

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Can you believe that the real name of this one is actually “Whatever”!? It doesn’t say anything about the ingredients.

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It should simply read “German-style pork.”

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The dish is a kind of vegetable stir fry, but the menu maker, clearly, couldn’t find the name of that vegetable on Google translator.

Filed Under: Humor, The World, Travel Tagged With: menu, restaurants, translations

Da Luo Han

October 7, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 1 Comment

–by Zhenzhou Hu

“Da Luo Han” is my hometown festival that celebrates our ancester Zhe Hu who was an incorruptible and intelligent Northern Song Dynasty official. During this holiday, people will not only wear traditional costumes to dance and perform Kung fu, but they will also talk about folk literature and art. In this way, people can promote friendship with each other.

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In ancient China, people hold flags similar to totems that serve as emblems of a village.

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People of my town carry a sculpture of the ancient Northern Song Dynasty official Zhe Hu. 80% of the people in my town are named “Hu.”

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Different tribes of my big village dance the ceremonial dances of their tribes. Many carry and move to a waist drum. Many of these dances are called “Waist Drum Dance.”

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My little brother, Lai Hu, this year participated in the festival. He dressed in the costume of Zilong Zhao, a military general who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period. The costume is stylized after that found in the Beijing Opera.

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Unlike my brother, I never performed. I was too shy—-Zhenzhou Hu.

 

 

Filed Under: The World Tagged With: Beijing Opera, Celebrations, Drama, Zhe Hu

Jim’s Funny Camp: If it Walks Like a Goose

October 2, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

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On this Friday of Spirit Week, we bring you one of Jim’s many jokes collected in his travels.

–by Jim Wang

Franz Wilhelm was a short and ugly painter. When someone laughed at him, he would be outraged. Once, he was sitting in a restaurant, and a beautiful woman came in the restaurant and sat next to Franz. Meanwhile, she looked at Franz laughing. Franz’s face flushed like a red door, but he said nothing and instead took out his sketchbook and sketched while gazing at the woman’s eyes. The woman felt uncomfortable while Franz was sketching her, so she walked toward Franz and said, “Sir, I don’t allow you to draw me.”

“Oh, is this a woman?”

Franz handed the sketchbook to her, and the woman apologized to Franz. Franz was sketching a goose in his book. It seemed she didn’t know that goose means stupid woman in German.

Filed Under: Humor Tagged With: German, goose, painting, stupid woman

Trey’s Take on Technology: The Epic Rivalry Continues

October 1, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

–by Trey Lucatero

The ultimate rivalry continues: Samsung v. Apple. The yearly upgrades cause us to ask the same question every year: which should we purchase? Hopefully, with this article, you will be more informed to make your final conclusions.

Apple: iPhone 6s:
Apple has introduced many new features that have allowed for many intelligent and much needed improvements. Their most advertised new feature is the next generation “Multi-Touch.” The iPhone-6S-Mini-1iPhone will now sense how much pressure you apply to the screen, allowing for a multitude of new options that come with this technology. In addition to this new feature, Apple has introduced what it calls “Peek and Pop.” With the slight touch of your finger, you are able to view emails without actually having to open them and mark them as read (and perhaps lose track of them). In addition, you can “peek” at websites before you actually enter them, just giving you a snippet of what is to come.
In addition to this “Peek and Pop” feature, Apple has yet again revolutionized how photography will be handled through your hand-held device. In the iPhone 6s, Apple has introduced iSight, a new camera that captures sharp and detailed photos; allows for 4K HD videos; and a new and improved “Selfie Cam” which takes 5 megapixel pictures, allowing for those crystal-clear selfie shots.

Samsung: Galaxy S6 Edge:
Samsung has always been the front runner between the two phones in complexity and customizability, and the Galaxy 6 Edge is no exception. With the new and improved S Voice, you are able to make commands right away with the sound of your voice, opening apps within seconds. Samsung has also introduced and refined two new charging methods. With their new and improved Fast Charging, you are able to full charge your phone within 1-2 hours. If the swift charging isn’t your cup of tea, Samsung’s newly introduced Wireless Charging Pad surely is. As referenced in my previous Trey’s Take on Technology, this charger is revolutionary in our new era of laziness. All you have to do is drop the phone on the charger.

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Still not sure? Maybe pricing will help.

The iPhone 6s is $650 for 16GB; $750 for 64GB.

The Samsung GS6 Edge is $672 for 32GB; and $768 for 64GB. *

*Verizon prices.

 

**”I just sold myself,” said Trey when proofing this article. Guess which one he chose?

Filed Under: Media Tagged With: Galaxy S6 Edge, iPhone 6s, Samsung

Meet International Student Rosa Gillet

September 30, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 5 Comments

–by Gaven Li

Rosa has been a Firebird for a month now. She hails from Germany, near Frankfort, and she’s with us for a semester. Here’s her unique German perspective on life at PVS.

Q: Simply introduce yourself please, Rosa.
A: My name is Rosa Gillet. I’m 15 years old, and I’m from Germany, near Frankfort, and I’m here for only one semester…..ah….I have two older siblings? (Laughing)

Q: So, is this your first time coming to America?
A: As an exchange student, yes. But, I was here four times with my family for vacations.

Q: Oh. How do you feel here?
A: I don’t know. At first I was very excited, and then it was like… Okay, I’m here. And,…most of the people here are very nice. So, that’s good.

Q: I heard that you’re living with the other exchange student Nick. How is it? I mean, your new life, your host family and everything…?
A: My host family is nice, but sometimes they forget everything. (Laughing) That’s alright…And with Nick, everything is good cause it’s really cool to talk to him sometimes.

Q: Do you prefer German food or American food?
A: American food! Because in Germany, the food depends on the region. And the food in the region where I live is like…I don’t like it. And I like fast food!

Q: Are you on any team?
A: Yeah, I’m on volleyball (team).

Q: How’s it going?
A: Um…..First, I wasn’t very good. But, I’m getting better I think… I hope so.

Q: You will! How about the school? What’s the difference between Palm Valley and the school in Germany?
A: Everything! In Germany, we don’t need to walk to different classrooms every class. We just stay in the same classroom and have the same classmates everyday. Also our grades are like 1,2,3 instead of A,B,C. There are more teachers [in Germany] and…the campus too! We don’t have a big campus; we only have two buildings and two gyms.

Q: Okay. What’s your favorite class? And the class you find difficult?
A: I love P.E. And English! Algebra is…not difficult, but I can’t understand the expressions because they are much different from in Germany.

Gaven: I think this is it! Thank you so much, Rosa.
Rosa: You’re welcome!

Filed Under: Interview, Set Up and Welcome Tagged With: Deutschland, Europe, Gaven Li, Germany, International Students, Rosa Gillet

THE RE-VISIT

September 30, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 3 Comments

–by Gaige Griffintumblr_nuslfzOz4I1u3yl0jo1_500

I unfortunately have to write this article. It pains me to even type these words. But it has to be said…I was wrong. I went into The Visit thinking it was going to be a cinematic abomination, but I was completely wrong. Shyamalan went back to his roots, and for the first time in a while his twist made sense. The only time where I wasn’t able to follow along was during the loud, girly screaming of David Kocen. One thing that I didn’t like, however, was the fact that the movie for the most part relied heavily on jumpscares, and when a movie continually uses jumpscares, it starts to become a rhythmic pattern (I even began counting down to when jumpscares were about to pop up.) On the plus side though, the cinematography was done beautifully. The movie was supposed to be filmed as if it were a documentary made by a high-schooler, and it had the sense that it was actually filmed by a student who aspired to go into film but lacked the traditional professionalism that comes with 1st-party production studios. The Visit had humor to keep you laughing, jumpscares to keep the weak willed scared, and the underlying creepiness you’d expect from a 1st-party thriller. All in all, I find that no words describe this movie as well as those of David Kocen: 11/10 . . . it was okay.

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Filed Under: Media Tagged With: Halloween, horror, M. Night Shyamalan, Scare, Scary, Terror, The Visit, thriller

Thank you, Subscribers!

September 28, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org 2 Comments

When we hit 50 subscribers, we were exuberant. We threw ourselves a party. Now, we’re closing in on 100. Join us. Input your email at thebirdonfire.org home page and you’ll receive an email with each blog post. What could be better?photo 3

Filed Under: Set Up and Welcome, Uncategorized Tagged With: boston creme pie, subscribers, thebirdonfire.org

Totally Talkative Typography

September 25, 2015 by szachik@pvs.org Leave a Comment

Art reveals students’ talents responding to various subjects and temperaments. Our art class, led by Ms. McGrew, has just finished the first project of the year— a piece on typography. Typography is the aesthetic combination of arts and letters. The assignment was to find a song, a poem, or a quote and incorporate it into an image.

This project presents us the creativity of our students Gaven Li, Ashley Zhou, Amelie Wang, Karey Graves, and Chloé Katz.

–by Ashley Zhou

 

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Artist Gaven Li (Junior) incorporated the song “Empire State of Mind.”

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Artis Ashley Zhou (Senior) was inspired by  William Yeats’ poem “When You Are Old.”

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Artist Amelie Wang (Junior) used the Beatles’ song “She Loves You.”

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Artist Karey Graves (Junior) demonstrated Fetty Wap’s “My Way” in her piece.

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Artist Chloé Katz (Sophomore) captured “The Great Escape” in her work.

Filed Under: Arts & Letters Awards, Visual Arts Tagged With: typography

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About

We are the Palm Valley Firebirds of Rancho Mirage, California. Join us in our endeavors. Venture through the school year with us, perusing the artwork of our students, community, and staff. Our goal is to share the poems, stories, drawings and photographs, essays and parodies that come out of our school. Welcome aboard!