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
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)