May I ask all the PREP students to vote for the poems please ?
Saturday, January 29, 2011
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Poetry Competition
Hello dear students!
Below are the candidates for the Poetry Competition. Please read through the poems and vote on one of the following poems in the vote box on the left.
STARS
Dilara Naz ÖREN
9 - C
NATURE’S WOE
Alper AHTAM
9 - C
LOVE HURTS
Hazal KARATOKA
9 - C
WHY?
İdil ARAT
9 - C
GIVE ME PEACE
Canberk TAŞKIN
9 - C
STARS AND THE SUN
Ecem KESKİN
9 - C
NATURE
Güney ARGUN
9 – C
A FRIEND
Kiraz TOSUN
9 - C
THE SEASIDE
Dilara IŞIK
9 - C
THE KITE
Kerem ÖRNEK
9 – C
CLOUDS ARE MY FRIENDS
Sena Hazal ÖKTEM
9 - C
EASY RIDE
Duygu COŞKUN
9 – C
WHY?
Alper ÖZ
9 - D
NOBODY
Mümtaz HACIPAŞAOĞLU
10 –E
NATURE
Ege KESKİN
9 – B
LOVE, ADORE, FEEL
İgal HAKİM
9 – B
NATURE
Sinan EL
9 – B
DON’T SPEAK
Can ÖZBALKAN
9 – B
WITH YOU
Ayşe Revna ALBULAK
9 – B
GREEN TREASURE
Deniz İNANICI
9 – B
I NEED YOU
Elifnas YALÇINKAYA
9 – B
Below are the candidates for the Poetry Competition. Please read through the poems and vote on one of the following poems in the vote box on the left.
STARS
Do you live in a big city
Where you cannot see the stars?
Because of the big city lights?
The stars cannot smile.
They cannot make you believe
In miracles which are around you
But if you are living in a big city
Do not forget
When it gets dark enough
You can see the stars inside you...
Dilara Naz ÖREN
9 - C
NATURE’S WOE
Feel the green in your heart
Living without the nature is hard
Look at the clouds, peer into the sky
Do not destroy the nature, soon you will cry!
Take a sip from your tea
And watch the waves of the sea
The nature is your fate
Can’t you see?
Alper AHTAM
9 - C
LOVE HURTS
When I see your face
I can’t stop myself from loving you
When you look me in the eye
I feel like I am in the sky
Flying like a G6.
You are my favourite song
When I hear your voice
I lose myself,
There’s no other noise.
Love hurts
Bites me everyday
Three words, eight letters
That’s all I want you to say...
Hazal KARATOKA
9 - C
WHY?
Why are you looking for the exception?
When your smile is an exception for me.
Why are you looking for another sun?
When it is already shining above your head.
Why are you dreaming about the one?
When one is looking inside your eyes.
Why are you wishing to hear a reason?
All I ask from you is the truth, not lies.
İdil ARAT
9 - C
GIVE ME PEACE
Give me peace
With your clean death
You can bury me,
You can burn me,*
You can run over me,
You can stiffle me,
You can do whatever,
I wouldn’t mind.
Just make me ready
For my destiny
And give me peace.
Make me scream,
Until my breath stops
Torment me, beat me up,
Turn me into despair
Make me feel all the sorrow.
Cause I know
Too much brings no tomorrow
Just don’t make me beg
For your mercy
Give me peace.
Canberk TAŞKIN
9 - C
STARS AND THE SUN
Hope is made up of stars
When it is dark enough
You can see them
When your belief is gone
Love is made up from the sun
Like the sun makes flowers bloom
Like love makes your heart beat faster
When you see the sun
Ecem KESKİN
9 - C
NATURE
Nature is mighty
Nature is strong
Nature is usually always right
Nature is rarely ever wrong
Nature is beauty
Nature is moody
Nature is smart
Nature always has the greater part
Nature is blue
Nature is green
Nature is every colour possibly seen
Nature is true
Nature is beaming
Nature is dreaming
Nature is in every place
Nature always moves with grace
Nature is you
Nature is me
NATURE will be forever FREE!
Güney ARGUN
9 – C
A FRIEND
When you are broken, you don’t need repair
When you are down, you just need is a shoulder
When you are happy, you need a smile
A friend’s smile
When you are bored, there should be someone to call
No matter what time it is
There should be someone you can knock on her door
Someone should understand you
Even if you don’t talk
Someone should tell your mistakes
Someone should tell your good ways
There should be or has to be someone to support you
You should find that person
It is more than love, anger, sadness, happiness
It’s friendship
Give all your love to her
Don’t waste it.
Just give it to someone who deserves it.
Give it to a friend.
Kiraz TOSUN
9 - C
THE SEASIDE
It had been raining for a long time
Nothing seemed so fine.
Walking slowly, not even wanting to move
Standing still, thinking about the things I’ve been through
The seaside is all I have, the only place I belong to
Everything is so far away from here, the things I will not turn to.
The only place I can hide, but surrounded by sunlight
I keep calling it day and night, but cannot find.
There is only the sound of waves, pulling me deep inside
I must find a way to get out or just be a part.
I want my memories to disappear with the sundown
That’s the only way I can see the sunlight.
I am even afraid of my own shadow
But again trying to walk away from my fate.
I see nothing has changed since I have been gone,
Everything is the same when I think about that gate.
Looking and turning around, hoping to find a miracle in the sky
But I see clouds all around the sun
Blocking away the meaning of my life
I struggle to go back to the seaside.
I am listening to the waves to pull me inside again
Starting to feel the warmth for the first time.
Behind the tears all I fear turns into sunlight
When I understand that the only place I belong to is the seaside.
Dilara IŞIK
9 - C
THE KITE
I find a kite when
I am riding my bike
I throw it into the air
The moment makes up my life.
The kite was free
Though I was not
The kite was flying
Over the rocks.
I was standing and
Watching the kite fly by
There was nothing to do
For me in my boring life.
Nights followed days, those went by
I tried hard to stand the pain
The kite was free, I wasn’t! Why?
I asked myself in vain.
Kerem ÖRNEK
9 – C
CLOUDS ARE MY FRIENDS
I am the sun
Shining and sparkling
Smiling and chuckling
In my sky.
I have a little heart
Beating and fighting
Through the struggles
Of my life.
Sena Hazal ÖKTEM
9 - C
EASY RIDE
Life is a cage
Sometimes it is a stage
Stars are our audience
Every person has their role.
You cannot hide your sadness behind your smile
Do not even try to forget
The stars are watching you
You cannot hide your heartache, yet.
Have you ever wanted to
Change your destiny?
I don’t want to have to fight
Because I wish for an easy ride.
Duygu COŞKUN
9 – C
WHY?
Why bother thinking about the world
When I have you in my arms?
Why think about other people
When I am with you?
Even if you don’t care about me
I will still be loving you.
I would do anything for you
But I know you wouldn’t.
Alper ÖZ
9 - D
NOBODY
‘I will do everything to start over!’
No, you won’t.
‘We can be the best couple!’
No, we won’t.
‘I will love you forever!’
No, you won’t.
‘We can forget what has happened.’
No, we can’t.
In the end, it doesn’t even matter
How hard you try
How strong was your love?
How many teardrops did you cry?
In the end no one will count
The days you spent
The nights you spent
The life you spent dreaming.
In the end nobody will feel
As betrayed,
As pathetic,
As demolished as you are..
But in the beginning
Nobody could convince you
Nobody could stop you
Cause nobody was more important
Than saying ‘I love you!’ ...
Mümtaz HACIPAŞAOĞLU
10 –E
NATURE
Flowers are calling the bees
In such a calm manner
Trees are walking with the wind
In the morning breeze
The very earth I’m stepping on
Seems to be calling me
Lay on me it says
Whenever I feel the earth’s softness
I become aware of life.
Ege KESKİN
9 – B
LOVE, ADORE, FEEL
You can think that
Saying ‘I love you’
Is simple
But it has a strong
Deep meaning; adoring something.
You can think that
Adoring someone
Is something
You do
When you love someone
Yes, you adore them.
You can think
Feeling something
Is simple
But it is deeper
It is special.
İgal HAKİM
9 – B
NATURE
Peaceful, lovely nature
The house of all creatures
Water falling and birds singing
Do we know its importance?
What a lovely, peaceful place
Full of mystery like deep space
The blueness of the sky
Green trees and the singing of the birds.
Sinan EL
9 – B
DON’T SPEAK
Don’t speak
I don’t need any reminder
About the day you went away
I could have been your hero
But you destroyed our love
How could you be so heartless?
You left me all alone
There is no getting over you.
Can ÖZBALKAN
9 – B
WITH YOU
The thing which binds us is love
The thing I find is you
The thing I feel is you
There is only love.
I see myself in your eyes,
And I know how it will rise.
I seem so quiet but,
I keep fighting to get you.
Even the sun goes down
When I can’t see you.
Even the stars don’t shine
When I am not with you.
Ayşe Revna ALBULAK
9 – B
GREEN TREASURE
When I first saw you
I understood
You were the true one.
When I looked into
Those emerald eyes
It was as though
I went through
The gates of the heaven.
When I look at you
I don’t care about anyone
No matter what they say
Or will say.
Maybe, you don’t think like me
But when I see your green eyes,
They do not lie....
Deniz İNANICI
9 – B
I NEED YOU
At times
When I am with you
I remember
How I love you
How I need you
I want to say ‘Don’t go!’
But I can’t.
At times
When you go
I lose myself
I feel like I am in an empty hole
I want to
Hold your hand
Kiss your lips
When I hug you
I want to feel you still
I am waiting for you
Elifnas YALÇINKAYA
9 – B
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
Does foreign aid work?
By simplest definition foreign aid means the act of donating money goods or service to a nation. However, these two little words have been a nightmare for the international community. For decades arguments about the efficiency of foreign aid has been going on. Most critics say that foreign aid has proven ineffective while others believe that it actually works. In my opinion, foreign aid can work under several conditions such as a well-planned policy, an established infrastructure for money control and no corrupt aims behind the donation.
First of all, the most important thing about foreign aid is to control track and utilize the money. For that reason, a donor country must have the skills and the capacity to build a good system serving those commissions. The aid is least effective and found risky in countries like Iraq and Afghanistan
Secondly, it is proven that depending on where and how the funds are spent we can observe a substantial reduction in poverty levels. To do that, the donor country must have a carefully planned policy. The priority must be health and education, the two areas that can reduce the poverty, and lead towards prosperity. Also, in order to make the foreign aid more effective the donor country must follow policies that contain human capital and remove strategic trade barriers.
Last but not least, it is the ‘aim’ that counts. If there are corrupt and incompetent officials whose aim is to line their own pockets, none of the policies will work no matter how developed the system is and what new approaches you use.
All in all, I believe that foreign aid will work if the conditions I bring out are followed and one day all the donating countries will become donors themselves only to help other countries in need.
Ilay Ghanbari
EVERY MINUTE THAT WE HAVE
Who can say: “I am who I am, time cannot change me”? Life is moving so fast. However, when we look back, we see a sequence of events which changes us. I was 12 but now I am 17, five years have changed lots of things in my life.
Five years ago I was a twelve year-old girl and did not know anything about life. Of course, I cannot say I know everything about life now. However, at least I am much better than that girl who was 12. Being at the age of 12 was the most difficult year of my life. I was at the most sensitive age, the blue age. I was easily affected by everything. I was questioning who I was and why I was there. In addition to this, I had to study for high school exams and there was a great pressure on my little shoulders. I could not find time for myself and it made me more aggressive. I had tons of dreams on my mind but I did not want to work to make them real. I was not a child anymore, and because of that I thought I knew lots of things about life. However, I did not even know exactly who I was.
Now I am seventeen and I think I am more mature than I was at twelve. I have just one year to reach the age of discretion. I have targets and I am working very hard to reach them. I am more understanding towards my parents and friends. I am more realistic in my expectations. At least I know what I am capable of and I am closer to the real world.
Everyday is a new experience for all of us and it affects our life sooner or later. 5 years is not a long time for a 70 years old man but a very long time for a 5-year old child. We should seize every minute that we have.
Elif Tahmiscioğlu 11 TM A 21
Bircem Özekici
Describing Places
HISTORICAL CITY VATICAN
Surrounded by historical traces,the city of Vatican has a religious atmosphere.A truly international city,Vatican attracts hundreds of thousands of visiters every year from all over the world. Especially,archaelogists come there to make researches about churches.
Vatican has many churches to see,like the historical beauty of St.Peters Square,which is very huge and has symbols of the 4 elements on its floor.Vatican has the smallest population and the smallest area in the world so they have got a small army.The most of the security services given by Italian soldiers and Swiss soldiers.There are huge walls which seems to me like prison surrounding Vatican.In diplomacy,Pope is both the president of the country and the head of religion.
Vatican is also well-known for its cathedrals.The St.Peters Basilica and Sistine Chapel is most popular of them.St.Peters Basilica has a breath-taking view and it has got gorgeous patterns.Even before you enter the basilica you can smell the odor of the stones.They have got some traditional clothes.The Swiss soldiers' wear orange and purple uniforms.
It was like living in 1940s in history.There is a film about Vatican called 'Angels and Demons'.I was very much influenced by this film so I wanted to write about Vatican.
Describing Places
HISTORICAL CITY VATICAN
Surrounded by historical traces,the city of Vatican has a religious atmosphere.A truly international city,Vatican attracts hundreds of thousands of visiters every year from all over the world. Especially,archaelogists come there to make researches about churches.
Vatican has many churches to see,like the historical beauty of St.Peters Square,which is very huge and has symbols of the 4 elements on its floor.Vatican has the smallest population and the smallest area in the world so they have got a small army.The most of the security services given by Italian soldiers and Swiss soldiers.There are huge walls which seems to me like prison surrounding Vatican.In diplomacy,Pope is both the president of the country and the head of religion.
Vatican is also well-known for its cathedrals.The St.Peters Basilica and Sistine Chapel is most popular of them.St.Peters Basilica has a breath-taking view and it has got gorgeous patterns.Even before you enter the basilica you can smell the odor of the stones.They have got some traditional clothes.The Swiss soldiers' wear orange and purple uniforms.
It was like living in 1940s in history.There is a film about Vatican called 'Angels and Demons'.I was very much influenced by this film so I wanted to write about Vatican.
AN AMAZING CITY,BEIJING
Set in the north of China, Beijing is an extremely important metropolis. Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. The city is described in Encyclopedia Britannica as “one of the world’s greatest cities”. Its art treasures made the city a centre of culture and art. A genuinely international and important city worldwide, Beijing is visited by millions of tourists every year. It is close to Tianjin and Shenyang on the map. I’ve chosen to write about this place because it is a modern, historical, enjoyable and interesting place. It is a little overpopulated. However, it is a well developed city.
There are so many places to see in Beijing that you should stay there more than a week if you want to see them all. First of all, I highly recommend you to visit the Forbidden City. It is a must if you go to the city Beijing. Everyone knows a little about the place but if you say that you have never heard of it, you should go there and see that gorgeous and amazing masterpiece. It is like a magical wonderland where you want to live forever if you like historical places. The moment you enter from the gigantic gates, you will see an extremely big area. It covers an area of 720.000m2 and has 980 separate buildings. Your feet will probably ache so make sure that you were comfortable footwear. In addition, there is a Starbucks Coffee in the complex. Another incredible place that dazzled me is the Great Wall which is one of the most well-known buildings in the world. It was not built all at once; it was built from the 5th to 16th centuries as a barrier against invaders from the North. Despite the common belief, the Great Wall can not actually be seen from the moon.
Beijing is also famous with other things apart from historical attractions. People usually go to operas which have existed for 200 years in China. If we have a look at restaurants, Peking Duck is the most delicious food Beijing can offer. With a population of over 12 million Beijing has a wide variety of shopping opportunities. You should buy silk and Chinese medicine. The streets are usually overcrowded. You hear car horns beeping, stallholders cheerfully shouting and you can smell the delicious Peking food. Best months to visit this city are April, May, September and October. January is the coldest and July is the warmest month. The basic money unit is Yuan.
Beijing is an amazing place, a genuinely modern and cool city that didn’t loose its traditions and the importance of historical places. You may be fed up of walking. However, you will then realize that it is worth it. I think Beijing is one of the most beautiful and amazing cities in the world. Even though I haven’t seen this city yet, I read the guide lines and information in magazines about the place. I hope I can visit Beijing one day.
KERİM SERTTÜRK
9A
Set in the north of China, Beijing is an extremely important metropolis. Beijing is the capital of the People’s Republic of China. The city is described in Encyclopedia Britannica as “one of the world’s greatest cities”. Its art treasures made the city a centre of culture and art. A genuinely international and important city worldwide, Beijing is visited by millions of tourists every year. It is close to Tianjin and Shenyang on the map. I’ve chosen to write about this place because it is a modern, historical, enjoyable and interesting place. It is a little overpopulated. However, it is a well developed city.
There are so many places to see in Beijing that you should stay there more than a week if you want to see them all. First of all, I highly recommend you to visit the Forbidden City. It is a must if you go to the city Beijing. Everyone knows a little about the place but if you say that you have never heard of it, you should go there and see that gorgeous and amazing masterpiece. It is like a magical wonderland where you want to live forever if you like historical places. The moment you enter from the gigantic gates, you will see an extremely big area. It covers an area of 720.000m2 and has 980 separate buildings. Your feet will probably ache so make sure that you were comfortable footwear. In addition, there is a Starbucks Coffee in the complex. Another incredible place that dazzled me is the Great Wall which is one of the most well-known buildings in the world. It was not built all at once; it was built from the 5th to 16th centuries as a barrier against invaders from the North. Despite the common belief, the Great Wall can not actually be seen from the moon.
Beijing is also famous with other things apart from historical attractions. People usually go to operas which have existed for 200 years in China. If we have a look at restaurants, Peking Duck is the most delicious food Beijing can offer. With a population of over 12 million Beijing has a wide variety of shopping opportunities. You should buy silk and Chinese medicine. The streets are usually overcrowded. You hear car horns beeping, stallholders cheerfully shouting and you can smell the delicious Peking food. Best months to visit this city are April, May, September and October. January is the coldest and July is the warmest month. The basic money unit is Yuan.
Beijing is an amazing place, a genuinely modern and cool city that didn’t loose its traditions and the importance of historical places. You may be fed up of walking. However, you will then realize that it is worth it. I think Beijing is one of the most beautiful and amazing cities in the world. Even though I haven’t seen this city yet, I read the guide lines and information in magazines about the place. I hope I can visit Beijing one day.
KERİM SERTTÜRK
9A
MY HERO
It has always been so hard for me to write about a person that I love but I am going to talk about the person that I love the most: Adnan Kop;who was my dad and my hero. Although;he died three years ago, he’s stil in my heart.
I find my dad quite handsome. He was tall and slim. Before he had cancer,he used to have a big belly which looked like a basketball.He was in his mid-forties when he died, nevertheless, he looked older as he was very sick.He had a round face with a dimple on his right cheek.He had slunting brown eyes and long eyelashes which made him look friendly.His lips were very thick and he had a big nose which could be recognized from anywhere.He had straight black hair but he usually preferred shaving off all his hair.He didn’t have to wear a uniform as he was a journalist and he liked wearing casual clothes.
I love my dad more than anything.However,I can say that he had a tough personality.He was very helpful,which was one of the best things about him.He had never rejected anyone who needed his help.He was persuasive and also patient.Even if you thought something was wrong,he would convince you to believe it was true and he would try to persuade you agree with him,he didn’t mind whether this took ages.In spite of the fact that he was cheerful,he was also short-tempered.He tended to be an angry man when you said something which he thought was stupid,it didn’t matter if you were joking.
My dad hated wasting time. He had always thought time was the most valuable thing in life.He was always busy doing something.He used to want to become a photographer so he had a professional camera and he spent most of his time taking photos, especially of mine.
All in all,my dad was the best father in the world.I’m not saying it just to write a lovely sentence,it comes straight from my heart. Since the day he died, I have been feeling like I am a shoe without laces. I admire him and I’ll always try to be a person that my father would like me to be.
İDİL KOP
9 - A
It has always been so hard for me to write about a person that I love but I am going to talk about the person that I love the most: Adnan Kop;who was my dad and my hero. Although;he died three years ago, he’s stil in my heart.
I find my dad quite handsome. He was tall and slim. Before he had cancer,he used to have a big belly which looked like a basketball.He was in his mid-forties when he died, nevertheless, he looked older as he was very sick.He had a round face with a dimple on his right cheek.He had slunting brown eyes and long eyelashes which made him look friendly.His lips were very thick and he had a big nose which could be recognized from anywhere.He had straight black hair but he usually preferred shaving off all his hair.He didn’t have to wear a uniform as he was a journalist and he liked wearing casual clothes.
I love my dad more than anything.However,I can say that he had a tough personality.He was very helpful,which was one of the best things about him.He had never rejected anyone who needed his help.He was persuasive and also patient.Even if you thought something was wrong,he would convince you to believe it was true and he would try to persuade you agree with him,he didn’t mind whether this took ages.In spite of the fact that he was cheerful,he was also short-tempered.He tended to be an angry man when you said something which he thought was stupid,it didn’t matter if you were joking.
My dad hated wasting time. He had always thought time was the most valuable thing in life.He was always busy doing something.He used to want to become a photographer so he had a professional camera and he spent most of his time taking photos, especially of mine.
All in all,my dad was the best father in the world.I’m not saying it just to write a lovely sentence,it comes straight from my heart. Since the day he died, I have been feeling like I am a shoe without laces. I admire him and I’ll always try to be a person that my father would like me to be.
İDİL KOP
9 - A
Log Riding Festival
I chose the Log Riding Festival(Onbashira) to write about. It takes place in Lake Suwa/Nabara/East of Tokyo/Japan and it is a very crowded and enjoyable festival. Although, lots of people get injured during the festival ,people don’t have hesitation of attending the festivals again and again. Basically, the festival is all about 6 men trying not to fall from the giant log going down the hill and other people cheering up.The festival is usually overcrowded because people like seeing that turmoil. The festival is extremely colourful and delightful.It takes place every six years. In addition,although it looks just for fun and new it is an ancient tradition. It lasts for two and a half months..The purpose and reason of this festival is to symbolically renew the Suwa Taisha or Suwa Grand Shrine(the oldest temple exists.It is over 1200 years old) The other name of the festival is “Onbashira” which you can find more resources by searching that word. The festival is one of Japan’s three most unique festivals.
It is a huge festival which over than 1.78 people attend.The festival happens once in every six years.However,locals sometimes say “once in seven years” because of the traditional Japanese custom of including the current year when counting a length of time.Suwa Taisha has four shrine buildings.For the festival,huge trees are cut from the forest.Each shrine building needs 4 pillars,one at each corner.So a 16 pillars are erected.The huge pillars are called “Onbashira”.The festival consists of two parts that take place over a two-month period: Yamadashi (pulling Onbashira trunks out of the mountains) and Satobiki (hauling the Onbashira trees to the shrine's grounds).
In the Yamadashi, which takes place at the beginning of April, 16 tree trunks are brought from the forest.”Yamadashi” literally means “coming out of the mountains”.They are cut from 200-year-old Japanese trees.cutting these trees with axes is called the Shinto ceremony.The logs are decorated in red and white which is the official and traditional colour of the festival,and ropes are attached. It takes 3 days for people to move the trunks a total of 10 kilometers.People who are hauling the trunks sing special songs In the Kiotoshi, a part of Yamadashi, people sit on the onbashira and slide down.This is the most exciting part of the festival where people risk their lives.Young men prove their bravery by riding the logs down the hill.Two ropes are wrapped around each onbashira and they are pulled into an upright position with young men sitting on them. The young men who remain at the top of the onbashira as it rises 16 meters above the ground,is successful. Satobiki" festival involves the symbolic placement of the new logs to support the foundation of the shrine buildings. The logs are raised by hand, with a ceremonial group of log bearers who ride the log as it is being raised and sing from the top of the log to announce the successful raising. This ceremony was performed as part of the opening ceremonies of the Nagano Olympics in 1998. After two festivals, there is an important event "Building of Hoden" which is not very well known. The end of this event marks the end of Onbashira.
To sum up,I would like to share my own ideas.I learnt a lot about festivals besides the wellknown ones like Thanksgiving or Christmas.While I was searching festivals around the world I saw few that makes you say “Woow”.There are lots of things to know and explore in the world and with this Homework I learnt more about celebrations and festivals.I think the Log Riding Festival (Onbashira) is a spectacular event.Over one and a half million people attend this which shows us that it is a very wellknown festival in Japan.It is a tradition that began 1.200 years ago which means there had been 200 Onbashira festivals since it had started.I think it is a very colourful,delightful, enjoyable,unique and wonderful festival that everybody should see.I highly recommend it.
KERİM SERTTURK 9A 171
I chose the Log Riding Festival(Onbashira) to write about. It takes place in Lake Suwa/Nabara/East of Tokyo/Japan and it is a very crowded and enjoyable festival. Although, lots of people get injured during the festival ,people don’t have hesitation of attending the festivals again and again. Basically, the festival is all about 6 men trying not to fall from the giant log going down the hill and other people cheering up.The festival is usually overcrowded because people like seeing that turmoil. The festival is extremely colourful and delightful.It takes place every six years. In addition,although it looks just for fun and new it is an ancient tradition. It lasts for two and a half months..The purpose and reason of this festival is to symbolically renew the Suwa Taisha or Suwa Grand Shrine(the oldest temple exists.It is over 1200 years old) The other name of the festival is “Onbashira” which you can find more resources by searching that word. The festival is one of Japan’s three most unique festivals.
It is a huge festival which over than 1.78 people attend.The festival happens once in every six years.However,locals sometimes say “once in seven years” because of the traditional Japanese custom of including the current year when counting a length of time.Suwa Taisha has four shrine buildings.For the festival,huge trees are cut from the forest.Each shrine building needs 4 pillars,one at each corner.So a 16 pillars are erected.The huge pillars are called “Onbashira”.The festival consists of two parts that take place over a two-month period: Yamadashi (pulling Onbashira trunks out of the mountains) and Satobiki (hauling the Onbashira trees to the shrine's grounds).
In the Yamadashi, which takes place at the beginning of April, 16 tree trunks are brought from the forest.”Yamadashi” literally means “coming out of the mountains”.They are cut from 200-year-old Japanese trees.cutting these trees with axes is called the Shinto ceremony.The logs are decorated in red and white which is the official and traditional colour of the festival,and ropes are attached. It takes 3 days for people to move the trunks a total of 10 kilometers.People who are hauling the trunks sing special songs In the Kiotoshi, a part of Yamadashi, people sit on the onbashira and slide down.This is the most exciting part of the festival where people risk their lives.Young men prove their bravery by riding the logs down the hill.Two ropes are wrapped around each onbashira and they are pulled into an upright position with young men sitting on them. The young men who remain at the top of the onbashira as it rises 16 meters above the ground,is successful. Satobiki" festival involves the symbolic placement of the new logs to support the foundation of the shrine buildings. The logs are raised by hand, with a ceremonial group of log bearers who ride the log as it is being raised and sing from the top of the log to announce the successful raising. This ceremony was performed as part of the opening ceremonies of the Nagano Olympics in 1998. After two festivals, there is an important event "Building of Hoden" which is not very well known. The end of this event marks the end of Onbashira.
To sum up,I would like to share my own ideas.I learnt a lot about festivals besides the wellknown ones like Thanksgiving or Christmas.While I was searching festivals around the world I saw few that makes you say “Woow”.There are lots of things to know and explore in the world and with this Homework I learnt more about celebrations and festivals.I think the Log Riding Festival (Onbashira) is a spectacular event.Over one and a half million people attend this which shows us that it is a very wellknown festival in Japan.It is a tradition that began 1.200 years ago which means there had been 200 Onbashira festivals since it had started.I think it is a very colourful,delightful, enjoyable,unique and wonderful festival that everybody should see.I highly recommend it.
KERİM SERTTURK 9A 171
NEPTUNE
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in our Solar System. It is the third-largest planet by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth. It has 13 known moons. It belongs to the class of gas giants. It is never visible to the naked eye. We can observe it by a telescope or strong binoculars. Also, a telescope will resolve Neptune as a small blue disk, similar in appearance to Uranus
Altough , Galileo's drawings show that he first observed Neptune on December 28, 1612, Neptune was discovered on September 23, 1846, by; Urbain Le Verrier, John Couch Adams and Johann Galle. Moreover, it was the first planet found by mathematical prediction.
In Roman mythology, Neptune was the god of the sea, identified with the Greek Poseidon. As Neptune was the Roman god of the sea, the planet's moons have been named after lesser sea gods. Its astronomical symbol is , a stylized version of the god Neptune's trident.
Sena Hazal Ökmen
9-C / 11
Neptune is the eighth and farthest planet from the Sun in our Solar System. It is the third-largest planet by mass. Neptune is 17 times the mass of Earth. It has 13 known moons. It belongs to the class of gas giants. It is never visible to the naked eye. We can observe it by a telescope or strong binoculars. Also, a telescope will resolve Neptune as a small blue disk, similar in appearance to Uranus
Altough , Galileo's drawings show that he first observed Neptune on December 28, 1612, Neptune was discovered on September 23, 1846, by; Urbain Le Verrier, John Couch Adams and Johann Galle. Moreover, it was the first planet found by mathematical prediction.
In Roman mythology, Neptune was the god of the sea, identified with the Greek Poseidon. As Neptune was the Roman god of the sea, the planet's moons have been named after lesser sea gods. Its astronomical symbol is , a stylized version of the god Neptune's trident.
Sena Hazal Ökmen
9-C / 11
MY LIFE
My name is Jack.I live in US in the 21st century and this is my life story.I can hardly remember about my mother.Last thing I can remember about her that she arguing with my father,whom she was extremely angry with.They were both doing the same things with no end:shouting and throwing things to flor.I tried hard not to hear them.However,there was such a terrible noise that could be heard from the other street.I said nothing not to maket hem angrier.I wasnt sure if it was about me so I prefered tos tay in my room and hold stil.Then I went outside to have a look.I saw my mother taking her bag and putting her coat on.She looked at me and I looked at her.Then I saw a teardrop running down from her cheek.That was the last time I saw my mother.
My father wasn’t a very good man indeed.He didn’t like me a lot and he was regretful that he had a son.After my mom vanished,he came home once in a week.He put a tiny amount of money on the dinner table every Monday.I lived like that for two years.However,he started coming home once a fortnight.He wasn’t working,I knew it.I didn’t care at all.One day I left home.He didnt call me or tried to find me.It was like he was waiting for me to die ar go away or something like that.
Anyway,I was 17 when I left home.I found a job in a restaurant.I didnt earn a lot but you know it was enough to survive.I had no aim.However,I realized what my dream job was and how valuable life was when I passed the main building of a company which was the best in computer business.I had always wanted to work with computers maybe it was bevause there was no one whom I could want a computer from.I wanted to work there a lot.At that moment it was my only aim.However,I learnt that to work in that company you should know at least three languages and must have graduated from a good university.So I decided to win a place at a university and learn Spanish and German.I studied a lot.I mean really a lot.After I came back from my part-time job I studied until midnight.I slept for 5 hours, which was terrible for human body but I didnt care at all because I had to work a lot if I wanted not to die as a poor,loser and an unsuccesfull man.I learnt all the boks by heart.I took the exam and I entered the world’s best university with a scholarship.I did a great job there and learnt three more languages.Then I went to the company to get the job.So I did.Iput my resume on the table,looked them in the eye and they understood how hardworking I was.I bought my first computer.After that a house and a nice car.In the company I never stopped working and complained.The director of the company saw that and after 5 years since I started to work in the company I became the manager of the whole place.
In my neighbourhood everyone told met hat I was going to be a poor man,drink a lot and be useless like my father.However,I didnt.I became one of the whealtiest men in the world.When I look at my pas I see just one man doing all of these.Myself.I had no help,no support,no family,no Money.I was alone but I won.When you look at my life you can say this “There is nothing you can’t do,if you want something very much.”
KERİM SERTTÜRK
9A 171
My name is Jack.I live in US in the 21st century and this is my life story.I can hardly remember about my mother.Last thing I can remember about her that she arguing with my father,whom she was extremely angry with.They were both doing the same things with no end:shouting and throwing things to flor.I tried hard not to hear them.However,there was such a terrible noise that could be heard from the other street.I said nothing not to maket hem angrier.I wasnt sure if it was about me so I prefered tos tay in my room and hold stil.Then I went outside to have a look.I saw my mother taking her bag and putting her coat on.She looked at me and I looked at her.Then I saw a teardrop running down from her cheek.That was the last time I saw my mother.
My father wasn’t a very good man indeed.He didn’t like me a lot and he was regretful that he had a son.After my mom vanished,he came home once in a week.He put a tiny amount of money on the dinner table every Monday.I lived like that for two years.However,he started coming home once a fortnight.He wasn’t working,I knew it.I didn’t care at all.One day I left home.He didnt call me or tried to find me.It was like he was waiting for me to die ar go away or something like that.
Anyway,I was 17 when I left home.I found a job in a restaurant.I didnt earn a lot but you know it was enough to survive.I had no aim.However,I realized what my dream job was and how valuable life was when I passed the main building of a company which was the best in computer business.I had always wanted to work with computers maybe it was bevause there was no one whom I could want a computer from.I wanted to work there a lot.At that moment it was my only aim.However,I learnt that to work in that company you should know at least three languages and must have graduated from a good university.So I decided to win a place at a university and learn Spanish and German.I studied a lot.I mean really a lot.After I came back from my part-time job I studied until midnight.I slept for 5 hours, which was terrible for human body but I didnt care at all because I had to work a lot if I wanted not to die as a poor,loser and an unsuccesfull man.I learnt all the boks by heart.I took the exam and I entered the world’s best university with a scholarship.I did a great job there and learnt three more languages.Then I went to the company to get the job.So I did.Iput my resume on the table,looked them in the eye and they understood how hardworking I was.I bought my first computer.After that a house and a nice car.In the company I never stopped working and complained.The director of the company saw that and after 5 years since I started to work in the company I became the manager of the whole place.
In my neighbourhood everyone told met hat I was going to be a poor man,drink a lot and be useless like my father.However,I didnt.I became one of the whealtiest men in the world.When I look at my pas I see just one man doing all of these.Myself.I had no help,no support,no family,no Money.I was alone but I won.When you look at my life you can say this “There is nothing you can’t do,if you want something very much.”
KERİM SERTTÜRK
9A 171
THE HOUSE THAT I CAN NEVER FORGET
Set in the heart of Emirgan , my childhood house is surrounded by luscious gren plants and other beautiful houses. We had owned the house since i was two and a half years old and untill i was ten. I have lots of good memories there that i can never forget.
My big, beautiful house had many amazing specialities to see, starting from beginning to the end. When you took a step inside the house, a marvellous Bosphorous view welcomed you that made you feel like you were inside the view. My room was on the attic floor where you could be on your own and have your spare time for your hobbies. Downstairs, there was a big living room and a beautiful kitchen connected to the dining room. On the third floor , there was one master bedroom and also my sister’s en suite . On the ground floor , there wasmy father’s study with our television place. There was also a tiny, lovely kitchennette , a bedroom for our guests, and a bedroom and a laundry on the ground floor.
The gigantic garden of the house was surrounded by lovely , green , colourful plants, flowers, and fruit trees. It had got three layers , the first layer was the living area with garden furniture and tall , wide palm trees , and ivies. The second layer was my playground, there was a conpact system with a slide and two swings. During the summers , we had a portable swimming pool that we had lots of fun while swimming in it. On the third layer there were fruit trees and also my mum had got her own vegetable garden. The very best part of it was that we had our own henhouse; there were five chickens , two ducks and a rooster in it. Every morning my mom took the fresh eggs for breakfast.
I have lots of good memories in this house and i think that , this house is my dream house. We moved to Canada , that’s why we had to sell the house , that’s a memory that i don’t want to remember but i am very happy as long as i am with my family.
ECE GÖKÇEK
9/A 235
Set in the heart of Emirgan , my childhood house is surrounded by luscious gren plants and other beautiful houses. We had owned the house since i was two and a half years old and untill i was ten. I have lots of good memories there that i can never forget.
My big, beautiful house had many amazing specialities to see, starting from beginning to the end. When you took a step inside the house, a marvellous Bosphorous view welcomed you that made you feel like you were inside the view. My room was on the attic floor where you could be on your own and have your spare time for your hobbies. Downstairs, there was a big living room and a beautiful kitchen connected to the dining room. On the third floor , there was one master bedroom and also my sister’s en suite . On the ground floor , there wasmy father’s study with our television place. There was also a tiny, lovely kitchennette , a bedroom for our guests, and a bedroom and a laundry on the ground floor.
The gigantic garden of the house was surrounded by lovely , green , colourful plants, flowers, and fruit trees. It had got three layers , the first layer was the living area with garden furniture and tall , wide palm trees , and ivies. The second layer was my playground, there was a conpact system with a slide and two swings. During the summers , we had a portable swimming pool that we had lots of fun while swimming in it. On the third layer there were fruit trees and also my mum had got her own vegetable garden. The very best part of it was that we had our own henhouse; there were five chickens , two ducks and a rooster in it. Every morning my mom took the fresh eggs for breakfast.
I have lots of good memories in this house and i think that , this house is my dream house. We moved to Canada , that’s why we had to sell the house , that’s a memory that i don’t want to remember but i am very happy as long as i am with my family.
ECE GÖKÇEK
9/A 235
A Horrible Story
I was jogging in the forest at 8:00.I love jogging because I’ve gained a lot of weight recently.My friend Jenas was also jogging with me.We ran for twenty kilometers.It took 2 hours and we were tired when we finished.Then,we decided to drink coffee and went to a cafe which was in the middle of the forest.We drank our coffees and started jogging again.While we were jogging,we heard a crackling sound.We looked at each other and thought about the same thing.We tried to identify it but we both felt scared while we were trying to discover what it was.
Afterwards,I realized that we could take a photo of it,so I told this to Jenas and he agreed with me.As soon as I grabbed my camera from my car,I ran to the place where the event had happened.Jenas told met open it and we walked slowly and quietly towards the sound.I’d read a lot of boks about this event so I felt more experienced than Jenas.
Afterwards,we heard another sound and we just stopped walking.Then,we went on walking but we were extremely scared.While we were walking we saw that it is an enormous monster!We looked at each other and I tried to take its photo.It was extremely gigantic.As soon as Jenas asked me if I could take its photo and I said yes.Then,he told me to run and we escaped from there.After,we looked its photo.In addition,we called the cops to come there.When they came,we showed its photo and they closed that area.They informed us that there was work about the monster and it’s forbidden to enter that area.
Two weeks later,they found the monster lifeless.All people were sad but we were happy because it could have killed us while were jogging in the forest.
The cops took its photo from us to examine its character,but thety couldn’t find it.Finally,I and Jenas didn’t go there for jogging again.Looking back at what happened I always feel a sense of scare and wonder.But then again,this is what life is all about,isn’t it?
Berk KAYA
9-D 107
I was jogging in the forest at 8:00.I love jogging because I’ve gained a lot of weight recently.My friend Jenas was also jogging with me.We ran for twenty kilometers.It took 2 hours and we were tired when we finished.Then,we decided to drink coffee and went to a cafe which was in the middle of the forest.We drank our coffees and started jogging again.While we were jogging,we heard a crackling sound.We looked at each other and thought about the same thing.We tried to identify it but we both felt scared while we were trying to discover what it was.
Afterwards,I realized that we could take a photo of it,so I told this to Jenas and he agreed with me.As soon as I grabbed my camera from my car,I ran to the place where the event had happened.Jenas told met open it and we walked slowly and quietly towards the sound.I’d read a lot of boks about this event so I felt more experienced than Jenas.
Afterwards,we heard another sound and we just stopped walking.Then,we went on walking but we were extremely scared.While we were walking we saw that it is an enormous monster!We looked at each other and I tried to take its photo.It was extremely gigantic.As soon as Jenas asked me if I could take its photo and I said yes.Then,he told me to run and we escaped from there.After,we looked its photo.In addition,we called the cops to come there.When they came,we showed its photo and they closed that area.They informed us that there was work about the monster and it’s forbidden to enter that area.
Two weeks later,they found the monster lifeless.All people were sad but we were happy because it could have killed us while were jogging in the forest.
The cops took its photo from us to examine its character,but thety couldn’t find it.Finally,I and Jenas didn’t go there for jogging again.Looking back at what happened I always feel a sense of scare and wonder.But then again,this is what life is all about,isn’t it?
Berk KAYA
9-D 107
An Unusual Love Story
Her voice was emotionless. “I don’t want to see you again, pack your stuff and go!” she shrieked. I obeyed her command and left the room. I was wandering and getting away from the conference room. Thoughts surrounded me, and there was nothing to stop my tears. While I was crying, I didn’t see the man who was standing in front of me and I bumped into him. I murmured an apology and went on my way.
Let me introduce myself, I’m Lucy Fields, the queen of Clumsyland. All of this happened because of my clumsiness. This appointment was so important for my career and I ruined everything. It was going so great… Then, boom! I was giving my presentation about the new product, Minitist Cherry Juice - I’m working for an advertising agency – I held the juice, I talked about it special design, taste etc. and I think I shook it too much and when I opened it, it was all over the papers and the table. I wanted to die at that moment but I couldn’t. Everything was covered in red cherry juice. Now I’m unemployed, I don’t have enough money and I’m abandoned. All the bad things are happening to me in one week. My boyfriend left me for not-so-my-best-friend-anymore. Maybe I should call my parents and borrow some money from them. I’ll pay them later. This is the best thing to do for now.
When I arrived home, I saw that I have four voicemails. The first one was from my bank manager. He was telling me that my debt was 748.43 $ and if I didn’t pay it in two weeks, I would be given an execution. Oh God, how can I find that money in two weeks? I’ll ask my brother, I’m sure he’ll help. Delete. Second message. It was from my mom, she was asking how I felt, what I did today, and blah blah blah. She was saying so but I knew that she was asking how I feel after my break-up. Delete this one too, I’ll call her later. The third message was from someone foreign. Her accent showed that she was Italian. She was babbling about an accident she had but she was calling a Miranda. Wrong number, I guess. And the last message, from my high school friend, Cammie. Her nervous and loud voice scared the hell out of me. I had never heard her worried or nervous before. She was always pretty optimistic about everything, just like Pollyanna. I called her immediately and the thing she said was ridiculous. She was telling me to wear my most gorgeous dress and make-up. “Okay, this is weird. You always told me that you were a fan of natural beauty. Where did this gorgeous dress and make-up thing come from?” She hesitated for a second and said, “Well, this is for my friend’s fashion night. She wanted me to come and I can’t go there alone, so I decided to take you with me.” There was something wrong with her words. Wait a minute; does she have a fashion designer friend? If she did, I would certainly know it but I didn’t say anything. “Alright, I’ll be there. Should I come to you first or go there directly?” She was yelling now, “No, no, NO. Come to my house and we’ll go there together.” “Done. See ya.”
After a couple of minutes worrying about why she overreacted, I made a coffee for myself to relax a bit. While I was sipping my coffee, I was thinking about what I could wear. The pink-flowered dress that my mom bought me last spring? No, it is so informal and it is not gorgeous at all. Maybe the red dress with laces? No, that would be inappropriate for a night like that. I’d found it! Of course I should wear the emerald green dress with my black high-heeled shoes. I didn’t have the right time to wear it but this must be the time. I put it on carefully and put on a green and black make-up and some perfume – I love the sweet scent of this perfume. I blow-dried my hair and I was ready to go out. I took a taxi to go to Cammie’s place. I really love her home. When I look from outside, I see the powder pink of the walls and pink flowers. All kinds of pink flowers; pink geraniums, pink roses, pink tulips, pink hyacinths and pink violets. You can easily understand that she is a pink lover. Inside, the first thing you can see is her living room. In her living room, the zebra-patterned wallpaper and our resting corner were in sync. The bright sun or lazy moonlight always came in from a big window. In front of the window, there were two pink armchairs and an end table with a pink orchid on it. I rang the bell. Inside, there was a crackling sound, and then an empty silence. This was weird; I knew that Cammie was punctual. I rang the bell again with insistence. I heard some foorsteps and then Cammie opened the door with a smile on her face. While she was inviting me in, she said “We have some more time, come in please.” I got in and directly went to the living room. When I opened the door, there were screams and singing voices and they were singing the Happy Birthday song. Wait a minute, whose birthday is this? Today is the 29th of November, and that means… today is my birthday! How did I forget it? I was so upset and worried about my ex-boyfriend Ed, then my presentation disaster came and I had forgotten about the day. Oh Cammie, I honestly love you. You’re the most perfect friend I have ever had. An hour later, I was dancing and talking to everybody at the party. I met a girl named Spencer, she is a lawyer. She is nice and talkative, is it the nature of the lawyers? I mean, being talkative? Not that I know a lot lawyers, but all the lawyers I know, they love talking. Whatever, after she left, a hand touched my shoulder. I turned around and saw him. And at that moment, time stopped. There was just me and him. His sparkling eyes met mine and he said “Hi Lucy, I’m Andrew.” I couldn’t talk for a second and I realized I looked so stupid and said “Hi, as I can see, you know my name.” and smiled. This is getting worse; I can’t wipe away that silly smile off my face. I don’t care if somebody says something; I think I’m in love with him. He is my soul mate. The way he talks, laughs, smiles and looks had a great effect on me. This was love at first sight. Then hours flew so fast and it was already 12 o’clock. The guests were leaving and Cammie and I were saying “Goodbye”, “See you”, “Call me later” to all of them. Finally, when the last guest left, I sat on the comfortable-but-noisy couch in her kitchen.
After a couple of minutes, I saw her dashing through the corridor with a funny smile on her face and she exclaimed, “I think he likes you too.” At that moment, my heart stopped and when I saw the note that she is holding, it started beating again. I quickly took the note and read it. “This is really cuteeee.”
Cammie’s meowing voice echoed in the kitchen. I looked at her and said, “I think soooooo.” I looked at the time and gasped. It was close to 01:00 a.m. I packed my stuff up and got into a cab. The next day, the hours didn’t pass until 7 o’clock, and then an hour flew so quickly, one hour wasn’t enough for me to be ready. I wore a sapphire blue blouse and jeans under it; it was suitable for the first meeting, right? Or was it too sloppy? I changed my jeans and wore a coal-black skirt. This skirt is uncomfortable and inappropriate; jeans were better, so I put on my jeans back again and left home. It was already quarter to eight, and fifteen minutes wasn’t enough to reach there. I knew that he had been waiting for at least half an hour but he was so kind and told me that he had just arrived there. A waitress came and I referred to her for my meal selection. She suggested me the Lilly’s pizza, with pepperoni, ground beef, ham, sausage, green pepper, mushrooms and black olives. Fifteen minutes later, my extremely hot pizza showed up. Yummy! Mmm, this is delicious but my eyes are on Andrew’s shrimps. And like a miracle, his phone rang and he went outside. I took one and popped it into my mouth. I looked for him outside and there he was, frustrated, yelling at someone. Was something wrong? He came in, almost bumping into the waitress, and stared at his plate. Then he gazed at me and smiled. “Just a friend” he said. I smiled back at him. After lots of talk and exploring each other’s likes and dislikes, he took me home.
The next morning, I woke up really early. Like hens crowing and crows flying. I did my routine work - washing face, having breakfast, etc. – and dressed up. I am going to visit my brother today, to borrow some money. Ahh, the roads are full of cars, so the traffic is getting worse in proportion to their number. After an hour seeming like a day to me, I arrived at his office. With soft sunlight coming in from the Venetian blinds, his desk was blinking at me with recently tidied piles of paper on it. He is the co-director of a private corporation. I knocked on the door and opened it slowly. He was talking on the phone. I gently sat on the black seat and waited for him to finish his talk. Five minutes passed and he finished his talk. He asked me what I would like to have but I wasn’t going to lengthen this conversation. I directly got in the subject and said, “I need some money, I promise I’ll pay it when I have the chance. I got fired and I am out of cash.” His looks were piercing. “Pleeeease.” I always say that my innocent cat-looks work but no one believes me. Of course they did work and I got the money. After a week , my life was almost in place. I got a job as a graphic artist and things with Andrew were going so good. Just one thing, during all of our meetings, someone kept calling him and I think he is keeping things from me. I mean, he might want some secrecy but not this way. Today is the best day to tell him this. We’re meeting tonight and I can tell about my feelings about this problem. Yes, this will work.
Hours later, at my meeting with Andrew, just when I was going to open this case, his cell started ringing. “Go on, answer it.” I said. He answered it and then came back. I started talking, “I know that all of us need some secrecy, but not this way. I mean, you just leave to talk and when you came back, you frown all night. I get it if you don’t want to share it but please, don’t bring your business to this table.” I smiled hopefully but his expression didn’t say so. “If you want you can leave.” No, no, no; this wasn’t the thing that I wanted. “Alright, I’m leaving”, oops, it’s too late now. Why did I say I’m leaving? I shouldn’t leave but I said that, so I have to leave. I put on my jacket and took my purse and left. Why did he react this way? He could have been more gentle but he just said “Then leave.” I can’t believe it! That night didn’t pass. I tossed and turned in bed. Then I turned on the TV and found a comedy and while I was watching it, I fell asleep. In the morning, with my body aching, I had a shower, then breakfast and started tidying the place up. I won’t forgive him; I was telling to myself, I won’t forgive him. Then the phone started ringing and I couldn’t find the strength to get up and answer it. It rang and rang and rang. Then the voicemail beeped. “Hi, I’m Andrew. Last night I didn’t mean to hurt you. My mood was down and when you said that, I just said “Leave”. If you didn’t tell me those things, I wouldn’t say it. I’m sorry.” Beep. How did he dare to leave a message like this? He told me that I was the one to blame. On that day, four other messages came from him. The first three messages’ were similar. Like I’m sorry, please forgive me, blah blah blah. But the fourth one was telling different things. He was saying, “If you are decisive about your choice, then tell it to my face.” Then the door bell rang. I opened it and found Andrew’s reddened face in front of me. He said “I know you have been listening to the messages I left. So you know that why I’m here. Tell me that you don’t want me anymore; tell me that you don’t want to see my face again.” I was so surprised and I couldn’t say anything. He started talking again, “I’ll be here until you make your choice.” I said “I don’t want you, leave, please.” He said “You’re lying. I know that you want me to stay.” I shook my head. It was over, he was leaving. His blurry eyes showed everything, he was going to cry and my inner voice got me and I said, “Please, don’t.” I was afraid, what if he said it was too late? What if he said I had lost my chance? He turned around and said, “What if, what if, just relax. I’m pretty sure that you were thinking about “what ifs”. Life is not settled on “what ifs”, for now it’s just you and me.” I couldn’t resist him; I couldn’t wipe my smile away and hugged him. And this is just the beginning of my story, but for you, it’s the end…
Dilay Altuğ
9-D / 348
Friday, January 14, 2011
Eccentric people
Decide on an eccentric character in one of your favourite books or films. Considering the certain situations state the character’s actions and the things you would/wouldn’t do, if you were that person. If you don't know any eccentric characters, then create your own character.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
Monday, January 10, 2011
UNICEF
UNICEF
If I were to become a volunteer for a charity I would volunteer for UNICEF, because I think it is one of the most important organizations. They help children in most countries. As a 14 year old child and I would like to help my friends.
UNICEF is very important for people because they help children. They save children, they give education to them, and they protect orphans and so on. In some countries girls are discriminated. The organization fights against it. It takes money from donors and they sell some cards and small things in some shops. They also have UNICEF TV and UNICEF radio. This way, we can learn news about UNICEF. Many countries are members. United States of America, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland, Czech Republic and Turkey are the donator countries for UNICEF.
I will help this charity by donating money and buying cards. I will also share it with my family and friends. When I go to shopping malls I will buy some cards. I want every child to be happy.
Artun Bakırcı - Prep D
If I were to become a volunteer for a charity I would volunteer for UNICEF, because I think it is one of the most important organizations. They help children in most countries. As a 14 year old child and I would like to help my friends.
UNICEF is very important for people because they help children. They save children, they give education to them, and they protect orphans and so on. In some countries girls are discriminated. The organization fights against it. It takes money from donors and they sell some cards and small things in some shops. They also have UNICEF TV and UNICEF radio. This way, we can learn news about UNICEF. Many countries are members. United States of America, United Kingdom, Greece, Portugal, Spain, Australia, Switzerland, Germany, France, Holland, Czech Republic and Turkey are the donator countries for UNICEF.
I will help this charity by donating money and buying cards. I will also share it with my family and friends. When I go to shopping malls I will buy some cards. I want every child to be happy.
Artun Bakırcı - Prep D
If I were the Mayor
I live in Istanbul Istanbul Istanbul
To begin with I would encourage people to use public transport instead of their cars, especially when commuting to work. With fewer cars on the roads, there would be fewer traffic jams.
Moreover if the chance was given to me I would demolish the slams and I would build more beautiful and more comfortable buildings. I would plant more trees and more flowers everywhere.
I would build more parks so that children could play, old people could rest and everyone could walk and do sports.
To prevent pollution, I would move the factories out of the city. I would put more litter bins in the streets to have cleaner streets.
If I were the mayor I would do lots of things. Istanbul is a very nice city and also a really good place to live but if changes are made Istanbul
SELİN TUHUYAN- Prep D
SELİN TUHUYAN- Prep D
HELPING CHARITIES
Charities are important for people who need help. Generally healthy people don’t know what to do when they see people who have an incurable disease. Some don’t care, others see them as monsters. However, some conscientious people help the charities. I would volunteer for the LOSEV which helps children with leukemia.
We care about our silly problems while some people really need help and they are desperate about their health. We have to raise awareness. We should make people understand that it is possible to cure them or at least relieve their pain. So as humans we have to help the people in need.
I would go to hospital, play with children who have leukemia, bring them some toys, crayons etc. I would talk with them and try to understand their needs. You can be sure that these little things make the children happy, so you feel happy too.
Helping people is really important. We are not alone in this world. We live together with the disabled, the poor, the sick, so we have to learn how to share this world with them.
Merve Kafar Prep D
RECYCLING
In the world today the rubbish is piling up. In Britain
Paper
Nearly a third of all our household rubbish is paper. And this paper that is thrown away is surprisingly difficult to break down; even in a warm damp environment it can take three months. In a dry environment the breakdown process of paper will take much longer. Newspapers thrown away in landfill sites can take years to break down. Recycling paper is becoming more popular, but as imported paper can be cheaper, the market for recycled paper may be limited. Meanwhile the world's forests are being reduced at the rate of a football pitch per second, since about 180 trees are needed for 1 ton of paper.
Metals
Some metals, such as tin, may eventually rust away, but this is a long process taking up to
ten years or more. Drinks cans are made of aluminum which will never rust or decay. Every year 135,000 tons of drinks cans are thrown away in England
Food Waste
Food remains can normally be broken down quite quickly. However, the environmental conditions have to be favorable for this breakdown. For instance, a lump of sugar would disappear quickly in most environments, but in the Arctic it would take considerably longer. Perhaps the best way of recycling food waste is to form a compost heap with it, allowing the remains to decompose and later using it as a natural fertilizer for the garden.
Plastics
Plastics are popular as they last a long time. This fact alone makes them difficult to break down. Hundreds of millions of tons of many different types of plastics are produced worldwide each year. Even though new types of recyclable plastic are being produced, plastic cannot break down completely. However, advancements are being made into recycling plastics to be used for building materials and the like.
Glass
Glass does not break down. Indeed archaeologists have found glass dating back to 2000 BC. The only way to get rid of glass is to recycle it. Making glass from sand uses little more energy than recycling does.
Summarize the passage trying to answer these questions. Try to use your own words. Add your comments.
1 What is recycling?
2 Why is recycling important today?
3 How long does paper take to break down?
4 How many trees are needed for 1 ton of paper?
5 Why do people recycle aluminum?
6 How long does it take for metals to break down?
7 Is food waste easy to recycle?
8 What is the best way of recycling food waste?
9 Why is plastic difficult to recycle?
10 Why is it necessary to recycle glass?
1 What is recycling?
2 Why is recycling important today?
3 How long does paper take to break down?
4 How many trees are needed for 1 ton of paper?
5 Why do people recycle aluminum?
6 How long does it take for metals to break down?
7 Is food waste easy to recycle?
8 What is the best way of recycling food waste?
9 Why is plastic difficult to recycle?
10 Why is it necessary to recycle glass?
Friday, January 7, 2011
Dear prep D students
Thank you for your comments. I love you all. However, I have a problem. Can you please help me? I try to teach you grammar, correct tense and other English structures, but you still have a lot of mistakes when you write. What can I do? Please give me some suggestions..
Love,
Mazal
Love,
Mazal
Thursday, January 6, 2011
GHOST
Yesterday, while my father and I were watching TV we heard a strange noise. My father turned the volume down and we started to listen to the voice and tried to understand where it was coming from.
Suddenly, the voice stopped and I went to my room to sleep. At night, I woke up to drink water, I went to the kitchen. While I was looking through the window I saw a girl who was wearing a white dress and who had long black hair. She was so scary that I was frightened. I ran to my father's room and woke him up. We went to the garden but the girl wasn't there! My father thought that I had a nightmare because of the voice that we heard in the evening but I was sure that I had seen a girl.
The next day I read in the newspaper a story that seemed to be related to what I had seen the night before. 10 years ago a girl called Mary was killed by a murderer in our garden and lots of people said that Mary's ghost was still hanging around there. I was very scared.
MERVE KAFAR
Prep D
Terrible Hurricane
Yesterday, one of the biggest Hurricanes happened in the Marmara Region. It was an unexpected hurricane and it was nearly the biggest one. The storm was turned into a hurricane. It was moving at a fast speed at 10 miles per hour towards North West direction. The maximum speed of the winds blowing was recorded as 75 miles per hour. The hurricane was declared as a minimal hurricane. The real track of the storm was difficult to keep. Many computers were trying to find its end but they were having difficulty. Many models of computer predict that the hurricane would disappear in the Aegean Sea or might be in the Black Sea. The Hurricane was likely to roam for several days. The Meteorology Centre also forecasted the same thing about the storm. There were chances that the Hurricane would miss. It can always head towards North East. It may enter parts of Istanbul and destroy it. Many warnings were issued regarding the hurricane. A hurricane warning for the coast for Bursa was issued. People from these areas were warned against the destruction caused by the hurricane. Even a warning for a tropical storm was issued by the official.
Tuğrul TEKDOĞAN Prep D
Tuğrul TEKDOĞAN Prep D
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