February 2010
It could be Cholesterol -
my wife -
t e T
n o i t i d e
It has been more than two months since the last time we met and the magazine group is thrilled at bringing you a very special issue. This publication marks the transition from Year of the Ox to Year of the Tiger, which is just around the corner. And much to many people’s anticipation, the Lunar New Year also coincides with the Valentine’s Day, which doubles the happiness of anyone who has been magically touched by Cupid the God of Love. As usual, this issue is going to keep you up-to-date with many interesting projects that will occur both online and offline. Just to name a few, there are fundamental changes in the way speaking conferences are organised and operated. Radio Online team is rolling out some amazing products to celebrate the dual New Year – Valentine event. You also learn about the second Wata workshop that will happen soon in Hochiminh City. In this special issue, the magazine is introducing two new columns, Short Story and Health and Nutrition. They are within the team’s effort to diversify the magazine content, to provide you with more useful information and, especially, to present more opportunities for your writing skill. We hope you will enjoy these columns as well. Striving for the better is always the aim of the magazine team. However, every publication will not be possible without your support. If you are interested in writing for a column, editing articles or designing the magazine, or just have a comment, please feel free to contact us at WT.Contact@gmail.com. We are looking forward to your contributions. Lastly, we would like to wish you and family health, prosperity and happiness in the coming year. We also wish you lots of gifts and laughter in the Valentine’s Day no matter which stage of a relationship you are in.
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Contributors
Editors
Photographer
Model
Chau Nguyen Gary Sampson Hannibal Ngoc Dung Robert Pecci Yue Ming
Bambie Chau Nguyen Hannibal
Naru
Mai Hoa
Music corner Home Singer : Draughtry
4
Watavn’s activities Ÿ Changes to Walkie Talkie speaking conference Ÿ Radio Online program - Yue Ming
5 -
Hannibal
Blogging Section My wife - Robert Pecci
8
Crossword Valentine
11
IT tips Speed up your computer by Windows tool -
12 Ngoc Dung
Health and Nutrition Decipher the cholesterol codes - Hannibal
14
Short story Love and Time -
16 collected by Chau Nguyen
Essay Understanding education with reference to learning English in Vietnam - Gary Sampson
17
Poem It could be -
18 Chau Nguyen
3
home I'm staring out into the night, Trying to hide the pain. I'm going to the place where love And feeling good don't ever cost a thing. And the pain you feel's a different kind of pain. Chorus:
The miles are getting longer, it seems, The closer I get to you. I've not always been the best man or friend for you. But your love remains true. And I don't know why. You always seem to give me another try.
Be careful what you wish for, 'Cause you just might get it all. You just might get it all, And then some you don't want. Be careful what you wish for, 'Cause you just might get it all. You just might get it all, yeah.
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Watavn’s activities
The host group firstly would like to
Before January 2010, speaking con- Changes take into account bene-
thank you for the support, through
ferences were held on multiple days
attendance and learning, you have
of a week – Monday, Wednesday, Important features of the new con-
given to our speaking conferences
Friday, Saturday and Sunday. Con- ferences are as follow.
for the last year. We hope you find
ferences of each day were usually
Speaking conferences will only
them helpful and at the same time
managed by one or two hosts. That
be held on Fridays and Sundays
enjoyable.
limited the number of attendants as
of a week
You may notice there have been some changes to the speaking conferences for the last few weeks. Some conferences are no longer available while the others become more frequent. As there is not an official announcement in the forum, it is time for the host group to keep you up-to-date with what changes have
fits of members as well as hosts.
each class could only accept five people for the sake of quality. On the other hand, cancellation of a conference was not uncommon when there were not enough joiners. Moreover, a better approach to differentiate members’ speaking levels has been
Friday conferences are for members with a beginning to preintermediate speaking level. Sunday conferences are for those who speak English at the intermediate or above level.
constantly suggested by both mem- There are different classes on each hosting day. Each class is bers and hosts.
taken place and how Wata speaking
Facing such challenges, the host
conferences are operating now.
group decides to change the way it will run the speaking conferences.
managed by a host who decides starting time and admits members. Usually classes start from 9.00pm and last for 1 to 1.5 hours. 5
Watavn’s activities
Friday conferences will be hosted
His/her name will be honoured in
tion, actions have to be initiated
by Andy, ND1 and Nam Hai. Sun- that class and in forum.
from both sides to keep thing go-
day conferences will be hosted by
If you are not sure about confer-
ing well. The hosts have done our
Christine, ND1 and BBC. Heart and
ence timetable, hosts’ availability
Raven will also host if they can
etc. and need to find a contact person,
(Note: BBC’s conferences will more
Hoalam is the one you can ask
focus on debating skills for those
(However, please try to limit any last
part of the deal in offering what we can, it is now your opportunity to take advantage of and make the most out of it.
who love to horn your “quarrelling” minute questions and allow time for skill). her to get back to you)
If you have any questions about
At the end of each class, joiners
in joining the host group, please
With all of these changes, the host
and hosts can work together in nomi- group really hope that conferences nating the best speaker of that class. will run more smoothly and be more helpful for you. Like any coopera-
the changes, or you are interested
do not hesitate to contact us – Hannibal, Christine or any of your hosts.
Our regular listing of forthcoming activities Type
Day/Program
Host/Story
Date
Speaking
Friday Sunday Friday Sunday
Andy/ ND/ Nam Hai Cris/ ND/ BBC Andy/ ND/ Nam Hai Cris/ ND/ BBC
05 Feb 2010 07 Feb 2010 19 Feb 2010 21 Feb 2010
Andy/ ND/ Nam Hai Cris/ ND/ BBC Andy/ ND/ Nam Hai Cris/ ND/ BBC Andy/ ND/ Nam Hai Cris/ ND/ BBC Valentine’s present Happy Lunar New Year Valentine’s day in AUS
26 Feb 2010 28 Feb 2010 05 Mar 2010 07 Mar 2010 12 Mar 2010 14 Mar 2010 13 Feb 2010
Radio Online
Friday Sunday Friday Sunday Friday Sunday Message at night News Program News Program
Radio Online
Interview Program
28 Feb 2010
Radio Online
Interview Program
Guest: Ms Le Uyen Vy Topic: Study abroad Guest: Mr Bien Nguyen Topic: Martial art (Present for girls)
Speaking Speaking Speaking Speaking Radio Online
14 Feb 2010
08 Mar 2010
6
Watavn’s activities
Radio
Online
Tet holiday and Valentine’s day
After Tet holiday, there’ll be 2
tial art which is the most suitable
are coming. On this occasion, RO interview programs.
for girl. It is about helping you
team would like to give you all
1. If you’d like to study abroad
exercise week by week, defend
some special presents. They are
and you really want to get some
an M.A.N with some sweet mes-
information about it such as: How
sages, a love story for everyone
to get a scholarship? How to live
happy. :D
who you truly love; They are a
and study in a foreign country?
Hope you will enjoy them.
yourself when you’re out or simply just help you get funny and
News Program which shows you
Or which major should you study The details of Speaking conferhow people in our country, and in in some countries? Watch it and ence and Radio Online Program will be updated in wata forum China greet Tet holiday. And take your own answer. (http://watavn.org/forumvbb/index about Valentine’s day in Australia, .php) Enjoy it, every one. 2. Martial art is an very interestThanks and regards It’d be a cool present from our ing sport, especially for boys. But broadcaster, Vivian. on this program, we’d like to introduce to you all a special mar7
Illiustrated picture
“Ôi, trời ơi”, at once Mommy Lan started speaking in Vietnamese so fast and my eyes became so big. As I told Huong before "I will not marry you unless your mother agrees", I was very worried this would be a great shock to her mother: Her daughter was going to be married to an Italian-American. I met Huong, my wife, seven years ago in Hochiminh City. We were friends then but I was not in a rush to get married as I was enjoying a very good life and was very careful at deciding such an important matter. I used to think that Vietnamese girls nowadays were more open than their parents’ generations so that they would take the initial step to be close to me; however, I personally wanted to meet a traditional Vietnamese girl who was raised by her parents to be responsible, follow the traditional ways of a great country like Vietnam. She had to be kind, had a soft, gentle voice and be very loyal to the man she was married. As time passed, I kept in touch with Huong and we were good friends. I soon noticed she had all the characteristics my ideal wife should have so after one year I
my wife
asked her to be my girlfriend. During that year, I had asked her many questions and listened very carefully to all she said. I liked all her answers and the way she thought. During the time we were friends and the one year we were dating, I never touched her, nor kissed her, nor had any naughty actions as I believed that she was so special and traditional that it would not even be correct to kiss her hand. After one year of dating, I felt very happy to be with her so I followed Vietnamese tradition for asking a girl’s hand. I returned to Vietnam bringing with me an engagement ring, a wedding ring, a gold necklace and a pair of diamond earrings. I invited her mom (as her father had passed away in 2000) and all of her brothers and sisters
to the best and most romantic restaurant I knew and enjoyed a wonderful dinner together. I waited till the dinner was finished before I asked her mom, Mommy Lan as I called her, if I might speak to her. Mommy Lan said yes so I told her that I was deeply in love with her daughter and only with her permission, I would like to marry Huong. “Oh troi oi”, at once Mommy Lan started speaking in Vietnamese so fast and my eyes became so big. As I told Huong before "I will not marry you unless your mother agrees", I was very worried this would be a great shock to her mother: Her daughter was going to be married to an Italian/American. I listened and did not speak. I let Huong, Mommy Lan and the oldest brother, anh An, talk about this. I felt so helpless but I knew it was best to be 8
unless your mother agrees", I was very worried this would be a great shock to her mother: Her daughter was going to be married to an Italian/American. I listened and did not speak. I let Huong, Mommy Lan and the oldest brother, anh An, talk about this. I felt so helpless but I knew it was best to be silent and allow her family to discuss and make the final decision. After about five minutes, they stopped talking, and Mommy Lan turned to me and asked me if I would promise to always love and care for her daughter. I said “I promise you. She will be loved and will be my Queen of my heart. I own a house in America and it will be ours. I will work hard to always care for her in the best way”. After I said that, she deeply thought for a moment and agreed at my proposal. Right away I reached into my suit pocket and placed on her finger the diamo nd en-
ga gement and wedding rings, the gold necklace and the diamond earrings. We were officially engaged on that day and planned the wedding for a few months later. I told her she could go back to Hochiminh City to buy her wedding ‘Ao dai’ and find the
best studio to take our pictures to welcome guests at our wedding in Quang Ngai, her hometown. Again even we had already been engaged, I still never touched her even once out of respect. I felt after we were married, the time would be right for this closeness. At last it was our wedding day. I trusted and knew Huong so well that I was not nervous at all. There was a knock on my hotel room door. When I opened it, about ten of her relatives poured in with many things in their hands like three red metal containers, fruits, wine and leaves from a tree. This was strange to me as I did not know what those things were for. I was later told that they were the traditional gift to Huong's mom and then the oldest woman started to put in the red metal containers the leaves first followed by the fruits and wine on top of the leaves. I noticed that she was so careful at putting things together. I believed it had to be so important that it was done correctly. After the leaves were done, she covered them all with a red cloth and then others gave me flowers to give to Huong's mom. We went out of the hotel and one man started to take photos while another was filming us. I was put in a large, nicely decorated car; the others got into other large cars and we drove to Mommy Lan's house. I was interested to see all the decorations in and outside the house. In the main room, there was a table on which a giant wedding cake and red candles had been beautifully arranged. It was a tradition to have both
parents of the bride and the groom to attend the wedding ceremony. However, since my parents were very old, it was impossible for them to come to Vietnam for our day. Hence, Huong’s uncle spoke for my parents and as he spoke, I noticed mommy Lan was carefully listening to all his words. I knew my soon-to-be wife’sfamily followed Buddhism so I was looking for a Buddhist Priest to marry us. However, to my shock the wedding started without a priest attending. I was thinking "How can be we are married if no religious man marries us? Is this legal?”. Nevertheless, I just followed and did as I was told during the wedding. Huong and I bowed three times to honor and ask her past ancestors to bless us. When that ceremony ended, I was told we were now husband and wife so I put all the jewelry on my wife. After the formality was done at my wife’s house, we went to the best restaurant in Quang Ngai for a wedding party. On that night, hundreds of people came to celebrate with us. During the party, music was played and people came to sing. In fact, I took this chance to perform a very romantic Vietnamese song. Although it had taken me many weeks to learn that song, I really wanted to sing to make my new family happy and welcome all our guests. I could not remember the title of the song but there were a part for the man and a part for the woman to sing so I asked Huong to come on the stage and sing it with me. The music started, I looked at my new bride with such a passion love and started to sing, then her 9
part came and she sang so beautifully too. I could see that many people were shocked to see a westerner sing in Vietnamese and gave us many flowers as signs of their compliments. Every time I was about to get up, the guests asked me to sit at the table with them. For so many times I desperately looked for Huong and, surprisingly, every time I saw her, she had a new dress on. After the party was over, Mommy Lan and sister Diep were busy counting all the gift money, writing down the names as well as how much each guest gave. I found it very different and could not help smiling because in America, we never gave money because it meant that we do not want to spend time on finding a meaningful gift. After the money was counted, Mommy Lan told us the amount, it was not much, just a few hundred dollars. I told her to keep it as a token of my love and respect for her. Huong told me that because I was westerner. the guests may have felt I was rich so they did not give much. To me I did not pay much attention to it, I was on the nine cloud to have the love of my life, my greatest treasure and my Queen and that was all I cared about. That night Huong and I stayed together at the hotel. We were very tired after a long day so we just talked then went to sleep. I still did not touch or kiss her till I knew in my heart the time was perfect. Three days later, I invited my new family to come to the beach with us. We had so much fun and when the night came, my heart told me this was the most perfect time and place. I asked her to walk with me down the beach. I reached out and
took her soft hand in mine. I started to sing to her a very romantic love song we both loved. We were so happy walking together hand in hand and she listened to me sing softly from my heart to her. Then I stopped, turned to her and with all the courage of my heart, with all my love, I placed my strong but gentle hands on her face and gave her the most romantic kiss that a man on earth could give his beloved woman. Before that night, Huong had never had a boyfriend or ever been kissed by a man so I was honored to be the first to do so. We sat under the night sky, holding each other closely in arms and next to the water, we just fell deeper in love. Quickly came our honey moon and I felt in my heart it would be nice to have her family to join us. I, therefore, invited her family to our honey moon paradise, Phu Quoc Island. In the hotel we stayed, I was recommended by the hotel manager that the President suite was the best so I took it for us. The suite was really big, it had two rooms and in the center, there was a large area for us to sit and enjoy the view of the sea. Her family stayed in one room and Huong and I in the other. We stayed in Phu Quoc one week then I told Huong that I would like us to have another honeymoon. So we decided to go to Hoi An. We stayed in a very beautiful hotel there. It was quite costly but I cared the least for the money because I wanted us to have the best for our honeymoon.
up and enjoy in bed. About 20 minutes Later, a knock on the door woke Huong up. I answered the door and let a room waitress come in with the nice foods and special fruit drinks I ordered. As everything happened so fast, as the girl came in, she had her eyes only on me and did not watch where she was walking and she dropped the drinks all over the floor. I was so shocked because this was a 5 star hotel and I expected the best service. Nevertheless, I saw the waitress was very worried so I told her "It's OK, please just bring us new drinks". Starting a day with such a funny note, we just relaxed in our room and had breakfast in bed as I always loved to pamper my wife. And even after the honeymoon was over, I still woke up early in the morning, prepare the food my wife loved and brought it on a wooded tray made for a bed for her.
Next edition
“
When Huong came to America, I told her she could do three things. One, she could stay at home and do what she likes. Two, she could go to school and continue to learn as she loves to study. Or three, she could find a job...
”
The next morning I woke up first, I went into the bathroom and used the telephone in the bathroom to order my bride a breakfast to wake 10
Crossword
Across 2. Many people give or send one to friends on Valentine's Day. 4. Another term for sweets that are given on Valentine's Day. 9. Sometimes on Valentine's Day, a secret ________ will give you an anonymous present. 11. If you don't get any Valentines, you might do this into your pillow. 12. Herseys is one kind of this type of candy. 15. Roses, carnations, and daisies are these. 17. When you really, really like someone, you ____ them. Also you ______ your parents. 19. If you give someone a treat on Valentine's Day, it usually is this. This word is also used in the expression "______ Heart", a nickname husbands and wives call each other. 20. This expression is often said on Valentine's Day: "___ Mine"
Down 1. The color of hearts on Valentine's Day. 2. The fictional character that shoots arrows at people. 3. These flowers come in many colors, but usually red ones are given on Valentine's Day. 5. What cupid shoots at some poor unsuspecting person, that makes them fall in love. 6. If you want to give a friend roses, you would give them this color. 7. The name of this holiday! 8. Doilies are usually made out of this material. 10. Moms and Dads may want to get away for a _________ dinner or weekend.(mushy, mushy, mushy) 13.One of the shapes used often on Valentine's Day is ______ (plural). 14. These are made out of paper or material that are lacy. 15. The abbreviation for the month that Valentine's is in. 16. The man that this holiday is named after is, _______ Valentine. 18. If you get flowers for Valentine's Day, you will want to have one of these to keep them Answer key page 18 11
i
SPEED UP your computer For computer (PC) users, having slow PCs is a problem as it often blocks or slows their work down. If you use your computers fairly frequently, you would probably have faced this problem before. You possibly ask why your PCs operate slower and slower day by day. You wish your computers ran as fast as the day you purchased them. Fortunately, it is not errors of hardware. In most cases, your PCs are slowed down due to changes of applications or files. These common problems are computer storage and unnecessary applications (Apps) at Startup
1. Computer storage: Files are moved, copied, pasted or deleted, which causes fragmentation. The files are broken up into many pieces that are not arranged in order. This makes your PCs access files become inefficient. You can use Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup to resolve the problem. Choose them by clicking Star > Accessories > System tools - Disk Cleanup: This program finds temporary files and unnecessary stuff; then deletes them. Running it one per month will clean storage space of your hard disk (HDD). First, choose the disk needed cleaning. Next, select files to delete and click OK. Note: if the recycle bin has important files, they are accounted for deleting. (Figure 1)
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1. Computer storage: Files are moved, copied, pasted or deleted, which causes fragmentation. The files are broken up into many pieces that are not arranged in order. This makes your PCs access files become inefficient. You can use Disk Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup to resolve the problem. Choose them by clicking Star > Accessories > System tools - Disk Cleanup: This program finds temporary files and unnecessary stuff; then deletes them. Running it one per month will clean storage space of your
2. Unnecessary Apps at Startup: Configuring some applications that run immediately after Windows OS starts - they make your PCs slower. To deal with them, click Star > Run (or window key + R). The Run dialog box will appear. Typing “msconfig” and then clicking OK. You will be surprised as you see System Configuration Utility tool. The tool includes some awesome settings for configuring your system as well as has 5 tabs (or 6 tabs). Choose “Startup” tab. You will see a list of the applications including the name of software, the location, etc…From here, you can deselect the box to stop the app from running on next startups. Note: you only deselect the apps when you know it clearly. For instance: It’s not necessary to select “iTunesHelper” running form the startup, so I don’t select it. By doing that, my computer starts faster. Once PCs run slower than they did, you should try one of these ways. They will improve the speed of your PCs. What are you waiting for if your PC is now slow? Let’s give it a go!
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decipher the
Cholesterol codes
Cholesterol … You may hear people talking about it everyday. People may keep telling you how notorious it is to your life or how terrible the diseases it can lead to. Regardless all the bad notes, you see it, taste it and even swallow it everyday. Cholesterol is probably one of many compounds in human diet that earns both negative and positive reputations although the balance is unfavourably tipped to the former side. After all the doubts and myths, what is cholesterol? Is it really bad? What diseases does it actually cause? And how can you avoid them? This article will help you decipher the code hidden inside this tiny molecule.
sorption of vitamin D is enhanced by cholesterol.
Cholesterol is fat but our body needs it More exactly, cholesterol is a type of fat commonly found in all animal cells. In human body, it possesses essential roles in forming membranes and maintaining integrity of cells. Cholesterol also participates in production of many important hormones and bile. Moreover, ab-
High blood cholesterol and heart diseases Cholesterol is produced in liver and transported throughout the body via blood system. It is, therefore, common to find cholesterol in blood. One only needs to be alarmed when level of cholesterol in blood exceeds a certain level, which is 240 mg/dL recommended by Vietnam
Because of its roles in human body, cholesterol is critical and absolutely needed for life and health. Our body is genetically capable of synthesising about 80% of the cholesterol we need. Unfortunately, it is challenging to maintain a good 20% cholesterol intake from the diet as health status, genetics, eating habit and living style all contribute in some ways or another. In general, the risk of having high cholesterol in blood increases with factors like overweight, obesity, drinking, smoking, lacking of exercises, eating too much meat and fat etc.
Ministry of Health. High cholesterol levels increase the risk of heart diseases, particularly heart attack, stroke and angina, by two to three folds. Indeed, the statistics presented by WHO and the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention support a cold and hard fact: every year, 17 million people die of heart diseases, of which a third is caused by high cholesterol in blood.
Good cholesterol vs. bad cholesterol Based on what cholesterol can do to our health, the situation looks quite gloomy for cholesterol, doesn’t it? Actually, it is a bit unfair to deem cholesterol the bad guy. In fact, 14
there are both “good” and “bad” cholesterols in our blood stream that are fighting for a balance. The liver produces cholesterol but also excretes unneeded one out of the body. The “bad” cholesterol is transported everywhere in the body. If there is excessive cholesterol in blood, it will deposit in the arteries and accumulate with time. The deposited cholesterol gradually builds up, blocks the blood vessels, restricts the blood flow back to the heart and eventually leads to heart diseases as we know. On the other hand, the “good” cholesterol goes back to the liver for excretion and therefore, relieves our body from this excessive fat. The balance of the “good” and the “bad” is easily compromised by many factors so cholesterol is generally dubbed the “bad” one.
ml) a day is recommended as it of thumb, animal and fish based helps boost the immune system and foods contains varying amount of actually reduces risk of heart discholesterol and food from plants ease. Thirty minute brisk exercises contains none. Foods high in choles- like jogging, swimming or playing terol include egg yolks, eggs, ani- sports every day also help to reduce mal organs and meats with visible the cholesterol level. fats like skin, marble. Fish and dairy products like milk and margarine contain cholesterol but also essential nutrients such as vitamins, good fats and calcium. Some nuts are rich in oil like peanuts, soya, seeds which however contain high omega 3 and good fats.
Learn about our foods – As a rule
Doctors are friends – It sounds
Eat a healthy diet – A good diet has less than 300 mg of cholesterol per day and fat should contribute 15 to 20% of your daily energy intake at most. You should increase proportions of low cholesterol foods like lean meat, vegetables, fish and grains in the diet. Fatty meats, full cream dairy products, fast foods, cakes, biscuits etc. should be limited to once a week.
weird, doesn’t it? I don’t mean you must make friend with doctors. It is advisable that you should see a doctor and have your blood checked for cholesterol, fats as well as other parameters every 5 years if you are above 20 and every year if you are older than 50.
How do you feel now? We have deciphered some hidden codes of Ways to control cholesterol level cholesterol and learnt about its imin body and stay healthy pacts on our life. People may loathe As cholesterol exists in our daily it but as you see, cholesterol is a meals, everything said so far seems part of our body and not too bad as to remind us of an old saying about long as we keep an eye on it. I hope healthy eating “You are what you you have gained more awareness on eat”. It is amazing to know that we the topic and who knows someday can modulate cholesterol and its you will share your knowledge with A ctive lifestyle – Living an active, impact on our body by well managyour friends as I do now. Please ing our daily diet in a surprisingly healthy lifestyle may be easy for take care and remember to LEAD. some and difficult for the others simple way called LEAD: Learn – who already have habits. Smoking Eat – Active – Doctors. and drinking are not recommended (Acknowledgement: the article usas they increase cholesterol level. es statistics from MOH, WHO, Drinking a glass of red wines (100 UCDCP) 15
love Once upon a time, there was an When the island had almost she did not even hear island where all the feelings sunk, Love decided to ask for help. when Love called her. lived: Happiness, Sadness, Knowledge, and all of Richness was passing by Love in Suddenly, there was a voice, "Come, Love, I will take you." It the others, including Love. One a grand boat. Love said, day it was announced to the feel- "Richness, can you take me with was an elder. So blessed and overjoyed, Love even forgot to ings that the island would sink, so you?" all constructed boats and left. Ex- Richness answered, "No, I can't. ask the elder where they were There is a lot of gold and silver in going. When they arrived at cept for Love. my boat. There is no place here dry land, the elder went her own way. Realizing how much Love was the only one who for you." was owed the elder, stayed. Love wanted to hold out Love decided to ask Vanity who until the last possible moment. was also passing by in a beautiful Love asked Knowledge, anothvessel. "Vanity, please help me!" er elder, "Who Helped me?" "I can't help you, Love. You are all "It was Time," Knowledge anwet and might damage my boat," swered. "Time?" asked Love. "But why Vanity answered. did Time help me?" Sadness was close by Knowledge smiled with deep and answered, so Love asked, "Sadness, let wisdom "Because only Time is capable me go with you." understanding how "Oh . . . Love, I am so sad that of valuable Love is." I need to be by myself!" Happiness passed by Love, too, but she was so happy that
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Understanding education with reference to learning English in Vietnam An essay by Gary Sampson I have been teaching English in Vietnam for two years now, and for the same period of time I have been aware of the advantages English language can offer to Vietnamese learners. Nowadays, studying English as a foreign language is obviously an essential part of education in Vietnam. And from my own experience, English is indeed a great asset in one’s education.
well-being of the earth. Holding an M.A. in Biology, I am now able to lead discussions in my classes on topics such as Global Warming, Ozone Depletion, Pollution, etc.
Recently, The World Economic Forum in Davos Switzerland, held after the U.N. Climate Change Talk in Copenhagen - Denmark, prompted the earth environLet’s begin by looking at the word “Education” itself. ment as the top issue. Climate Change and the question Education is a noun, and is defined generally as: “The of what steps governments, corporations, and activists act or process of imparting or acquiring general Knowl- can take to work together – is a key discussion at this edge, of developing the powers of Reasoning and Judg- year’s annual meeting. To discuss something that matment, and generally of preparing oneself or others ters to the whole world, leaders from different counintellectually for mature life.” Education is derived tries that speak in different tongues including Vietnam from the verb “Educate,” which is defined as: “To need a common language, and that languge is English. develop the faculties and powers of a person by teaching, instruction, or schooling. Also, “To educate a Certainly, there is more to education than this. John person or group, for example: A television program Stuart Mill’s Utilitarianism considers “the pleasure of that educates can also entertain.” These two related the intellect” an indication of happiness. In other words originate from Latin: E/ex = out of + duco = to words, education can help one enjoy life better and in lead. I.e. Education generally leads out of a certain state different aspects. Being educated in English allows a or condition, and into another state or condition. One Vietnamese to be entertained by the billion-dollar of the synonyms of “Educate” is another verb “Teach: showbiz and publishing industries in which the domito impart knowledge of or skill; give instruction,” and a nating language is again English. In addition to having person who can do these things is called a “Teacher” or an M.A. in Biology, I also am 6 units short of a 2nd Thay Giao/Co Giao. M.A. in Sociology, which allows me to appreciate the human and sociological aspects of life; and that, to me, What are the purposes of becoming educated in the is “the pleasure of the intellect”, of being educated. English language? I ask this question in my class, and students often give many different answers, including: Education has many facets and dimensions and im“In order to get a better education outside of Vietnam; so proving it is still one of the main concerns in Vietnam I can get a better job and help my family more.” In today. In my opinion, it will be the for-profit private general, learning English can be very valuable for the sector of education in Vietnam that will lead the way, Vietnamese since it is the key to global economy and followed by the public sector in order to bring the academics where English is regarded as the internation- quality of education Vietnam closer to international al language. With a strong command in English, Viet- standard. namese students can pursue a college or post-graduate degree in developed English-speaking countries such as England, the US, Australia and contribute their knowledge to the development of their country, as well as the 17
It could be sunset It could be sunrise One could be so loved One could be so blind Just how can you tell apart Love and another heartbreak's disguise? It could be a light It could be a train At the tunnel's end Sorrows will remain What other choices do you have? Stand in the dark or escape while you can It could be paradise It could be misery Your heart may never lie But your mind wants to be free
Just how can I put into words? The way I'm falling wholeheartedly
Well,
How about...
This heart sure has loved and been hurt before But with everything it has got, it is now completely
Do I love you because you're beautiful, Or are you beautiful because I love you? ~Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein II, Cinderella
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