BC Traveling

By Hon Kei (Macau, China)

I’m an international student, and I never traveled to another country before I came to Canada. This summer I traveled in BC from Fort St. John to Vancouver by driving. We stopped at many places, took a lot of pictures, and visited many people. I am lucky to have this experience, and thank my host family. It’s not often a host family will take their students on a holiday, especially a long holiday. I appreciate what they do for me. Now I point out three unforgettable places.

1.Chetwynd─ carvings all over the town

Chetwynd. building in Chetwynd.

There are over 60 wooden carvings in town for celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Alaska Highway. In this town, you can see sculptures everywhere. Each sculpture is very real. They carved it very carefully. I can tell each carver spent a lot of time on their sculpture. Not only are there many sculptures, but they also painted the buildings. I think it is more like an artist’s town. Even though we stopped there just few minutes for taking pictures, it also is one of my unforgettable experiences.

2.Barkerville─ used to be a gold mine town, but now it is a park.

Barkerville. Hiking in beside the town.
In this town, you can try gold panning, see the big water wheel, go to an old China town, learn at that time the building style, and hear about the gold rush history. Everyday there will be a tour guide to introduce every thing in the town, and there are some people who act like the residents to tell us about all about the gold rush history. In Barkerville, I suggest you should try gold panning. It is just $7.00. After that you can get some tiny pieces of gold for souvenir. In Barkerville, I learned one thing. When we hear “God Save Our Queen”, we are supposed to reply “God Save Our Queen.” So I agree with an old Chinese saying, “Study ten thousand books, cannot do better than travel ten thousand miles.” It means traveling also is a kind of study.

Mountain Rocks─ Jasper National Park and Banff National Park

Jasper National Park. Peyto Lake

When we went back to Fort St John, we went through Jasper National Park─ Rocky Mountains. We stayed in Jasper one day, July 19. We got up at 7:00. We went to Peyto Lake. Because it was dawn, there are just few people, and it was foggy, cold, and a little ice covered the ground. However if you see the picture, you will think it is worth it. And then we went to Athabasca Glacier, Athabasca Falls, and down town. The water in Athabasca Falls comes from Columbia Icefield to Arctic Ocean. The water fall is about 23 meters high. When I stood in front of it, I can see the water fall, I can hear the water drop, I can smell the water, and I can feel the spray. The other thing you can see in the Rocky Mountains is animals. In Jasper Park, it is quite often you can see wild animals, for example, elk, caribou, moose, mule deer, white-tailed deer, mountain goat, bighorn sheep, and grizzly bear. I saw some sheep, elk, and a black bear.

Three weeks later, we went back to Fort St John. I wasn't in school for three weeks, but I think what I learned is more than I would have learned in school. Not only did I learn English, but also learned more about the culture in different places.

Movie Review : FACTORY GIRL (2006)

by Nuhi Polatoglu (Turkey)

GENRE
Biography – Drama

CAST
Sienna Miller – Edie Segdwick
Guy Pearce – Andy Warhol
Hayden Christensen – Billy Quinn

SUMMARY

In 1943, Edie Segdwick was born to a wealthy and socially prominent family, and she grew up with beauty and money. As a beautiful wealthy young girl, she dropped out of art school in Cambridge in 1965 and she moved to New York City, when she was 21. She always wanted to be a star. When she met a hungry young artist named Andy Warhol, he promised to make her a star. Then Edie and Andy became friends. Afterwards he used her as a model for his photographs and in his films. She fell into the media spotlight. Also she was using drugs. At that time Andy fell in love with her. They started to hang out in New York and Paris, but he became the bitter gay boyfriend that he so pitifully portrays behind the period sunglasses he wears on his pale face. Also she trusted him too much. However Edie had an affair with the famous singer named Billy Quinn. Billy attempted to persuade her that Andy was just using her to boost his own career. She battled to keep her friendship with Andy and her new relationship with Billy. Unfortunately she became torn between her two lovers and she was rejected by both men. Edie`s drug addiction increased. She was getting poor. She used more and more drugs and alcohol. Moreover she started therapy. At the end Edie died of a drug overdose in her hometown a year after she left therapy at the age of 28.

COMMENT
First of all, the filmmaker has done a great job. I think this movie made me feel content with the movie as a drama. All performances are done well. Andy Warhol was portrayed beautifully by Guy Pearce. Sienna Miller did a wonderful job as a fabulous girl. Her performance was excellent.
In addition, I can recommend this film to those people who enjoy drugs for some reason. Moreover they can educate themselves with this movie because it`s about destruction of a life by drugs.
Actually when I like a movie, I can watch it repeatedly. Do I want to see this again? I`m sure my answer is yes. This movie was around 90 minutes long. If you want a tragic love story about a good girl who chooses the wrong guy, watch Factory Girl.

Once, When I was a Kid . . .

by Jai-Sung (Korea)

When I was 12 and a senior in Elementary school, we held an exhibition of student works to celebrate the end of the school year, I had prepared a chorus day by day. And I had struggled to finish that with my classmates. Other grades prepared a play, traditional Korean dancing, and many things, but we wanted be the best because we were seniors. The day was getting closer and our preparation was getting better!

Ultimately, the exhibition of student performances was held. According to my memory, I didn’t sleep well the night before because of dread. Our turn was second part after noon so we were waiting for our turn and we didn’t do anything except staying in class room. But it was too long and boring for us. For that reason we decided to do “a milk competition” which meant how many cartons of milk can you drink in a limited time. At that time, my elementary school gave every student a milk every day so we could have lots of milk. Three friends and I began drinking to be the winner. One more….One more….One more…. I drank at least 10 milks and every one else gave up. I became the winner at the competition. It was the reason of the disaster. When I went to the stage for singing, I got a really, really serious stomachache.

Oh! I had to sing in front of a large audience, my parents, and my friends. So much bright lighting and silent atmosphere! I had never said to my teacher, “ I wanna go to the wash room right now. I must hurry! Hurry!” And I could see my parents. They looked like they had big expectations. But my stomachache was getting worse. Probably that time is my worst time. My face color changed to white. If you saw my face at that time, you would think I looked like a Canadian. I had about 10 minutes until my turn finished. Suddenly imitation fog appeared for atmosphere. I must not miss this opportunity! I ran away from the stage. Nobody realized that I was gone because of the fog.

After the show finished, I ate supper with my family. They asked me about where I was. I told them, “You couldn’t find me because of the fog. That’s it.” They were a little disappointed about that.

Now, when I see milk, it reminds me of my old memory.

The 2008 Beijing Olympics

By Cathy Liu (China)


The Olympic Games and the Paralymic Games are held every four years, including Summer Olympic Games, Winter Olympic Games, Summer Paralympic Games and Winter Paralympic Games. Most of the time, the Paralympic Games are hosted after the Olympic Games.

The original Olympic Games were first recorded in 776 BC in Olympia, Greece, which is the reason we call them the "Olympics." The first modern Olympic Games were the 1896 Summer Olympics, held in Athens, Greece.

Olympic Symbols
Olympic Rings

The five Olympic rings were designed in 1913. The Olympic symbol expresses the activity of the Olympic Movement and the five continents of the globe, and the athletes from all over the world who take part in the Olympic Games.

Olympic Torch

The Olympic Torch is also called the Olympic Flame. Commemorating the theft of fire from the Greek god Zeus by Prometheus, it was kept burning throughout the ancient Olympics. The fire was reintroduced at the 1928 Summer Olympics in Amsterdam, and it has been part of the modern Olympic Games since that time. The Olympic Torch relay goes from the last host city to the next host city.

Olympic Motto
The Olympic motto is made up of three Latin words:"Citius, Altius, Fortius," which means "Faster, Higher, Stronger."

This motto encourages the athletes to give their best during the competition, and thinks that the effort is a victory of himself or herself.

Beijing 2008 Olympics


The Opening Ceremony will be hosted on August 8th, 2008, at 8 o'clock in the evening. The competitions will start on the next day. It will take place from August 8 to 24, 2008. The Games will include the 28 summer sports currently on the Olympic program. About 10,500 athletes will participate in the Games.

The Emblem and the Slogan
The Beijing 2008 Olympic Games emblem, "Chinese Seal, Dancing Beijing," is filled with Beijing's hospitality and hopes, and carries the city's commitment to the world.

"One World One Dream" expresses the common wishes of people all over the world, inspired by the Olympic ideals, to strive for a bright future of mankind. In spite of the differences in colors, languages and races, we share the charm and joy of the Olympic Games, and together we seek for the ideal of mankind for peace.



The Mascots

Fuwa (how Chinese call mascots in their language) express the natural characteristics of four of China's most popular animals -- the Fish, the Panda, the Tibetan Antelope, the Swallow -- and the Olympic Flame.

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games

The Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games will take place from September 6, 2008 to September 17, 2008, 12 days after the Olympic Games end on August 24. There are 20 sports in the Paralympic Games.
Those people with disabilities also have the right to attend their "Olympic Games." It expresses everybody is treated fairly in the Olympics.




Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympic Games

After the Beijing Summer Olympic Games, the Winter Olympic Games will be hosted in Vancouver. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic Games will take place from February 12-28, 2010. The Vancouver 2010 Winter Paralympic Games will start after the Winter Olympic games, from March 12-21, 2010. Twenty sports will be played in the Olympic Games and Paralympic Games.

Vincent Van Gogh

By Jin Ho Lee (Korea)
As you know, he is one of the famous painters in the world. But unfortunately, in his life time, he was not famous painter. So he was always troubled with indigence. He could barely maintain his life. But now, his works make up for his poor life……

“Sunflowers”


This work is my favorite one of his works. Sunflowers mean passion to reach the Sun. Gogh used a yellow color to give expression to the passion. And there is a statistics. Mad people tend to like a yellow color. If it’s true, I think his madness created this great painting.

“A Pair of Shoes”

This painting expresses his desire. He always wanted to be a pair. For example, with a friend, lover, and brother. He liked his coworker painter, Gauguin. So they stayed together for a couple of months. But after a big argument, they broke off relations each other. And in case of love, he chose always a hard person to love. For example, one way love or a prostitute. So he couldn’t be a pair. But even though he failed to be a pair with a friend and lover, he was very close with his brother. They used usually a letter to inquire after the welfare each other. And there are a lot of his thought and feelings about his paintings.

The Hague, 13 Dec 1872

“Dear Theo,

What good news I’ve just read in Father’s letter. I wish you luck with all my heart. I’m sure you will like it there, it’s such a fine firm. It will be quite a change for you. I’m so glad that both of us are now to be in the same firm. We must be sure to write to each other regularly. I hope that I’ll see you before you leave, we still have a lot of talk about. I believe that Brussels is a very pleasant city, but it’s bound to feel strange for you in the beginning. Write to me soon in any case. Well, goodbye for now, this is just a brief note dashed off in haste, but I had to tell you how delighted I am at the news. Best wishes, and believe me, always,

Your loving brother,

Vincent”

“Starry Night”



His works have very strong impressions. This painting had been completed before 13 months he died. he thought a night is brighter than a day. So even though it’s night time, we can see a lot of movements and lights in this painting.








”Self-portrait with Bandaged Ear”



After a big argument with Gauguin, he cursed his own ear for hearing harsh words from Gauguin. So he cut his ear and then drew this painting.

As I told you before, he had a mental problem. But his madness created masterpieces and we call him a genius painter. And probably his works will impress us forever.

Cliché: What Goes Around Comes Around

by Nuhi Polatoglu (Turkey)


Explanation: 1) You got what you deserved. 2) Justice was served.

“What Goes Around Comes Around” is about betrayal and forgiveness. Justin Timberlake revealed that the song was written for the experience his friend went through.

I think it is about Scarlett Johansson. She dated a friend of Justin Timberlake’s, and cheated on the friend. This wasn’t written about anything that happened directly to Justin.

It really tells a story with a lot of heart behind it.


Justin Timberlake - What Goes Around & Comes Around

Hey girl, is he everything you wanted in a man?
You know I gave you the world
You had me in the palm of your hand
So why your love went away
I just can't seem to understand
Thought it was me and you babe
Me and you until the end
But I guess I was wrong


CHORUS:
Don't wanna think about it
Don't wanna talk about it
I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way
Just so confused about it
Feeling the blues about it
I just can't do without ya
Tell me is this fair?

Is this the way it's really going down?
Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around
That you were gonna make me cry
It's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
That's okay baby 'cause in time you will find...

What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
***
Now girl, I remember everything that you claimed
You said that you were moving on now
And maybe I should do the same
Funny thing about that is
I was ready to give you my name
Thought it was me and you, babe
And now, it's all just a shame
And I guess I was wrong

CHORUS

What goes around comes around
Yeah
What goes around comes around
You should know that
What goes around comes around
Yeah
What goes around comes around
You should know that

Don't wanna think about it (no)
Don't wanna talk about it (hmm)
I'm just so sick about it
Can't believe it's ending this way
Just so confused about it(huh)
Feeling the blues about it (yeah)
I just can't do without ya
Tell me is this fair?

Is this the way things are going down?
Is this how we say goodbye?
Should've known better when you came around
(should've known better that you were gonna make me cry)
Now it's breaking my heart to watch you run around
'Cause I know that you're living a lie
But that's okay baby 'cause in time you will find

What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around
What goes around, goes around, goes around
Comes all the way back around

yup,yup,yup...

Let me paint (yup) this picture for you, baby

You spend your nights alone
And he never comes home
And every time you call him
All you get's a busy tone
I heard you found out
That he's doing to you
What you did to me
Ain't that the way it goes

You cheated girl
My heart bleeds girl
So it goes without saying that you left me feeling hurt
Just a classic case
A scenario
Tale as old as time
Girl you got what you deserved

And now you want somebody
To cure the lonely nights
You wish you had somebody
That could come and make it right

But girl I ain't somebody with a lot of sympathy
You'll see

(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey
(What goes around comes back around)
I thought I told ya, hey

[laughs]
See?
You should've listened to me, baby
Yeah, yeah, yeah, yeah
Because
(What goes around comes back around)
[laughs]

Movie Review: Big Fish

By Sophia Fang (Canadian Immigrant from China)

Title: Big Fish

Directed by: Tim Burton

Actors: Ewan McGregor, Albert Finney, Jessica Lange

In 'Big Fish' we meet Edward Bloom, an old man who prefers to tell of his experiences with imagination that he has built with tales in the past decades. He likes to tell these stories not only for entertaining his listeners, but also enjoys living in the fictional world he builds. His friends and his wife love to hear the magic stories but his son doesn’t like.

In the movie, one of the most interesting elements is the conflict between Edward and his son, William Bloom. William is a reporter and he likes to present the truth to the public. However, his father is extremely opposite. He thinks his father is telling lies to the mass and is always exaggerating. William wants to change his father’s mind but fails. Because Edward is unwilling to change the truth and he keeps retelling the fables as before. Actually, the plot in the film is very simple but why so many people are attracted? Most of us like William, when we are young children; we think that our parent figure is bigger than life itself. As years pass by, the imagination begins to fade and eventually, we learn the truth that they are not perfect as we think and we just want to be told the truth. In the film, William remembers every word of the stories he father tells, we can easy to understand why he is so angry at his father and the constant telling deprives him of the chance to know the real father.

Another thing that I like to talk about this movie is the fact that it left enough space for the possibility that Edward might tell the truth before he died. There's a chance he just might as grand as his fables might suggest but the idea is never confirmed nor denied. It leaves the decision to the audience to choose which side they prefer to be on. There are some stories with simple details which make people stop and think about how accurate Edward's stories are. We learn that some parts of Edward's stories are indeed true, but many of them are left unanswered which is the best way to leave things... allowing the audience to accept or reject them for their own reasons.

Dam Adventure!!!

by Viviana Rodriguez (Colombia)

Every time you turn on a light or you watch TV, or you listen to the radio, or do any activity that needs energy, millions of things are happening to make those activities possible. Hundreds of people worked and are working to bring electricity to your home. To visit W.A.C Bennett Dam & G.M. Shrum Generating Station could show you how this happens plus teach you lots of historical information about the animals that millions of years ago, roamed the earth and the place where the Dam is located. During the construction of Bennett Dam people had discovered a lot of dinosaur footprints. The Peace River Canyon has been an excellent place to find hadrosaur footprints, also known as duckbilled dinosaur, as well as the world’s earliest bird footprints. These footprints tell to the experts more about the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous creature habits and how they look. To know all of this information becomes really important for our civilization. Actually, it is very helpful for the climate and environmental investigations that our society has to figure out these days.

In the 1960’s, the power of the Peace River started to be used to generate electricity for all B.C; in fact, the powerhouse at the W.A.C Bennett Dam was the largest Dam in the world when it went into operation in 1968. This huge construction generates energy from 10 generators. We learned from Physics at school that “energy can be neither created nor destroyed, just transformed.” These turbine generators are responsible for making this possible and transforming the potential energy from the water of Williston Lake reservoir into electric energy. But, it doesn’t stop there. The switchgear station (where the electricity from the powerhouse directs the power into the transmission system of B.C.), the powerhouse and the control room, are also part of this incredible system.

Finally there is also another place you can check out before your “Dam Adventure” is over. Do you know where Peace River starts? Well, after the water from the Dam is used it goes to the Peace Canyon (reservoir) then to another Dam where this water becomes the Peace River. The Peace River Canyon Dam, as it is known, will also bring you to a lovely town named Hudson’s Hope, which probably isn’t that big in area or population, but is huge in kindness from its inhabitants. You will meet such a nice people who could tell you histories about the Dam, the Peace River, and in one word about this useful project.

Origami

by Chiharu Iishi (Japan)


Introduction
Origami is a Japanese traditional activity. Every Japanese person has played it at least 1 time. Origami is easy to make, and everybody can enjoy it. “Origami can be made by anyone, anywhere at anytime.” These words are given by Michael Shall (1995) who is an American origami promoter.

History of Origami

Unfortunately, it’s not clear when origami in Japan first originated. However, we have been using origami to wrap items and to fold letters since the 8th century.

Sometimes, origami was once made for the purpose of avoiding illnesses and misfortunes among us.

During the Meiji period (1868-1912), origami was used as a teaching tool in the kindergarten and the elementary school levels.

There are now origami associations in 20 different countries throughout the world. Each association is carrying out it own independent activities. Thanks to them, origami is familiar to people all over the world.

What kind of paper do we have?

We have a lot of kinds of paper, not only plain paper but also patterned paper. There are such beautiful patterns!

How to make

I’m not sure, but origami culture has more than 10,000 products.
First, I’m going to show you about how to make “A Bird”.



I’m going to tell you about one more origami. This is “A Yukata.” It is Japanese traditional wear. We usually wear it in summer at a festival.

Welcome to the PeacEzine! - Issue 1 - July 2008

Charlie Lake Memorial

by Pali Vasvari (Hungary)

On May 21, 2008, we went to Charlie Lake for a ceremony. It was a very windy and cold day. Many volunteers were helping with the ceremony. They gave us little Canadian flags. Afterwards we looked for a place near the monument. A little group of international students was there.



The ceremony was connected to the construction of Alaska Highway. At first, it was named The Alcan Highway. After the bombing of Pearl Harbour on December 7, 1941, President Franklin Roosevelt dreamed a plan to build an inland route from Canada to Alaska. The construction began in March 1942. 11,000 American soldiers and thousands of Canadians worked on the building. Many soldiers were stationed in the Fort St. John area in the beginning. In the morning on May 14, 1942, a pontoon boat left the south end coast of Charlie Lake. There were seventeen men and supplies. There was rough water and stronger headwinds with waves soon reaching two to three feet. The boat was about two thirds of the way and in the middle of the lake. A plug had come out the gas line of one of the motors and gasoline was draining out. The men discovered the flooding. That was the point when Major Turvey ordered a turn to the west shore. After the boat started to turn, two waves hit it and flooded the right pontoon. Too much water went to the pontoon and tipped the raft at a precarious angle. In less than two minutes the boat settled and went under.

A homesteader and trapper, Gustaf Albin Hedin was the eyewitness of the tragedy. Without delay he started to rescue the survivors. He did not care about himself. He rescued five persons but he could not help the other twelve.










The ceremony started on time. First, two Canadian military cadets brought the Canadian flag and the United States of America flag. Behind them, Scottish bagpipers came. That was the first time I heard Scottish bagpipes in real life. RCMP, firefighters, and Canadian military were there. The mayor of Fort St. John opened the ceremony with moving words. After him, the U.S. Ambassador and the native leader spoke. Next the priest prayed for their loss. It was an emotional moment. After, the family members put flowers near the monument. I could feel sympathy in the air.

After the ceremony we went to the Charlie Lake Community Church. Then the ceremony continued with a lunch and some other kind words, but it was friendlier and closer. We did not have enough time, so we could not eat. They told us they would open a guest book and those present could write in it comments and their names. We signed our names and put some comments in it. It was an honour for me.

Below, left to right, Chiharu, Pali, and MinGu at the reception.