Human interest story

Dora, the main character in the unbelievably popular TV show "Dora the Explorer", is a young girl who embarks on a trip in every episode in order to find something or help somebody. She asks the viewers at home to help her find new ways to reach places with the help of her friend Map. She also teaches viewers Spanish, introducing them to short words and phrases.

Dora has a positive view of the characters she meets, failing even to hold a grudge against the mischievous fox, Swiper, who continually attempts to steal items from her party. She acts against villains only when it seems that compromise is impossible, and even in these cases, fails to display actual anger. She gives others a chance to try their hands at tasks even when she herself might have an easier time with them. Dora values her family, whom she loves openly, though she spends little time indoors at home with them. She tries to introduce her traditions and customs, subtly and without compulsion, to those who are not familiar with them.






http://www.doratheexplorertvshow.com/images/dora_explorer_show.jpg
http://jeffandnatasha.com/wp-content/uploads/2009/09/dora_the_explorer-5238.jpg
http://www.easy-cake-ideas.com/image-files/dora-the-explorer-cake.jpg

Perfil en Will Smith

Nombre completo:  Willard Christopher "Will" Smith, Jr.
Nacido:  September 25, 1968
Apodo:   El Príncipe Fresco
Ocupación: actor 
                  rapero 
                  productor


Smith began his acting career as Will "The Fresh Prince" Smith in the popular 1990's sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air".  That career took off with Smith's starring role in Bad Boys - a movie that grossed over 140 million dollars worldwide in 1995. Will Smith has appeared in 19 movies and grossed over 8 billion dollars globally.  




http://www.wildsound-filmmaking-feedback-events.com/images/will_smith_buff.jpg

John Q.

Summary:  A national health care crisis in the United States yields this tense drama from director Nick Cassavetes, who experienced a real-life dilemma with his daughter's congenital heart disease that mirrors the one in this film. Denzel Washington stars as John Q. Archibald, a factory worker facing financial hardship as a result of reduced hours in his workplace. When his young son, Michael, is stricken during a baseball game, John and his wife, Denise, discover that their child is in need of an emergency heart transplant. Although the Archibalds have health insurance, they are informed by hospital administrator Rebecca Payne that their policy doesn't cover such an expensive procedure. Unable to raise the money himself, John persuades the hospital's compassionate cardiac surgeon, Dr. Raymond Turner, to waive his lofty fee, but is still left with too much of a financial burden to bear. With no recourse but to take his son home to die, John snaps and holds the staff and patients of the hospital's emergency room hostage at gunpoint. John is soon a media hero, the focus of intense news coverage, even as police chief Gus Monroe and hostage negotiator Frank Grimes try to resolve the situation before it leads to bloodshed.
Analysis:  I like it.

Poobiddy-Boobiddy

1.  What differences do you encounter when invited to a Turkish home as apposed to a house in your country?
Sam:  There are many differences really.  For one, the invitation itself is different - as Turks prefer to know you personally before inviting you to their home, an act of true friendship.  In the states, being invited to a house can be much more impersonal, a way to get to know someone.
Jason:  The greeting at the door is certainly a difference.  Here in Turkey, kissing on the cheeks is tradition and completely normal - whereas in the states, if someone tried to kiss you, they would back off!  The idea of an american tradition of greeting at the door is a firm handshake, a slap on the back, and a trip to the fridge to grab some diet cokes.
Haylee:  Perhaps the biggest difference is what happens after you get through the door, which can require lots of time and effort in the first place.  Turkish tradition is to offer the guest chai, cookies and even a good size meal before any real talking occurs.  Also, these 'brief visits' can end up stretching to the wee hours of the morning!  In the states however, visits are more impersonal and you end up just talking small talk.


2.  What would you see on the streets of Turkey that would be unheard of in the states?
Sam:  It's interesting, lots of things happen on the streets of Turkey that americans would scoff or even freak out about.  One thing in particular is the taxi drivers.  I've seen them get out after some dude cuts them off and talk smack to the other driver, even getting into fist fights with them!  In the states, this would be crazy and the two might be sent to jail, but in Turkey, there isn't anything odd about it.
Jason:  One thing that struck me as funny in Turkey was how men here carry the load of groceries between them.  From an american perspective, its hilarious to watch two grown men with a tiny bag of lettuce between them, as if the load was too much for one person.  I guess thats just tradition.
Haylee:  The road rage in Turkey certainly was an impact on me that you just don't see in the states.  In Turkey, its totally normal for a 3 lane road to become a 6 lane highway.  Its normal for impossible turns for CARS to be completely possible for BUSES.  Whereas in america, drivers like that would be labeled as maniacs and be hauled off to some jail.


3.  What kind of culinary differences do you like/dislike about Turkey and America?
Sam:  I guess I have just gotten used to the food here in Turkey, but I like it.  I mean, obviously the choices are limited in terms of variety, but it doesn't bother me too much.  As I see it, the states have their cheeseburgers, hotdogs and beer when Turkey has perfectly good doners, corba, and ayran.
Jason:  I have to admit, going back to the states and eating the awesome food there is excellent.  Who doesn't like an all-american cheeseburger from Whataburger?  But Turkish food isn't so bad, even if it is limited.  Doners, chai, all the traditional Turkish foods and drinks are still delicious.
Haylee:  Turkish food can get a bit boring after a while.  The traditional Turk breakfast consists of tomatoes, olives and bread every. single. day.  But hey, once you get over the shock of not have Captain Crunch and poptarts everyday, it really isn't too bad.  And the other traditional foods are quite a supplement for the calorie-heavy snacks in the states.  I know I can gain weight in the states twice as fast as I can in Turkey.

Eye wood lather...

I would rather
 survive a nuclear war only to become the podiatrist to a race of mutants, or
 smell the cheese?
I would rather
 be mechanically induced to scream at the top of your lungs for an hour, or
 have your eyes glued shut for a day?
I would rather
 be forced to preface everything you say with the phrase "Tuck it in" under threat of being slapped, or
 have a magnetic head?
I would rather
 be born with a refrigerator on your back, or
 have an elephant as a close, personal friend?
Would you rather
 have 15 nails hammered into your tongue, or
 have your saliva permanently transmuted to urine?
I would rather
 have needles for leg hair, or
 have flares shoot out of your nose every time you say the word "the" (ouch).
I would rather
 have eyes that always smile, or
 or a voice that makes people calm?
I would rather
 be able to fly, or
 have the ability to read people's minds?
I would rather
 lose your keys three days in a row, or
 have your dog eat your birthday cake?
I would rather
 have the power of invisibility, or
 be able to produce sparks from your fingertips?
I would rather
 be able to fortell the future, or
 have all the money you will every need?
I would rather
 be able to stop time while you slept, or
 never need to do laundry?
I would rather
 be able to bring about a lasting world peace, or
 eliminate all hunger and disease?

The Ugly, Murderous Duckling

A long time ago, in a galaxy much like this one actually, there was a duck.

This duck was ugly.  

In fact, the duck (who police later learned its name was Carlos) was so ugly, that all the woodland creatures who looked upon its grotesque face were disgusted - having no choice but to run away in sheer terror.

Carlos had a very rough childhood, rejection being his closest acquaintance.  His mother nor his brothers or sisters could bear looking upon his face, so he fled in shame - deep into the forest.  Here the shame and rejection built up in the ugly duckling to the point of raw malice - which he took out on all the creatures in the forest.  Chipmunks were found beheaded and partially eaten, squirrels were found armless, legless and tailess on the sides of the roads, telling of a monstrous beast who tore through the forest in a revenging rage.

The authorities could not locate Carlos until 6 days into his murderous frenzy - in which he had claimed the lives of 8 woodland creatures, Bambie, and even an unknown farmer.  We think his name was Pete.

Up till now, Carlos had been under the watchful eye of the police, restricted to any activity other than sleeping for fear of him escaping and eating another dozen innocent victims.  However, a visit from Carlos' family yesterday seemed to provide an alternative to this deadly solution - plastic surgery to correct Carlos' frightful face.  As far as we know it, the surgery was a success.  Carlos was allowed to leave the jail after promising to not eat any more people.  What did it was the inclusion of Carlos back into the family, which raised spirits all around and made me cry a little.

It was quite the scene.  

Happy endings are simply wonderful.

Except for farmer Pete (the funeral is on Saturday).

You shnews you lews, you jews with bews that have flews

Bias
Just yesterday, a student at school was permenently injured due to a shove from another student.  Sources say that "The altercation was obviously meant to bring physical harm to the student.  Apparently, the one who caused the accident, student X we will call him, attempted to break both arms of the other student, student Y."  The accident proved quite disastrous - breaking the right shoulder of student Y cleanly and fracturing 3 ribs.  Upon questioning of student X, he reported that he "in no way intended such damage", but an eye-witness - the students brother - recalls the event with a contrasting account, saying "the shove was obviously intentional, it's a wonder that the student is still living at all."


Unbias
An accident occured at the school just yesterday involving two students.  One student accidentally shoved the other into a pillar in the multipurpose room which knocked his breath out and hurt his shoulder.  After a trip to the x-ray to see the extent of the damage, the doctors verifyed that the student had a small fracture in his shoulder, and perhaps cracked his rib - but was in no life-threatening danger.  Eyewitnesses say that the event was an "obvious accident", and the student will "be up in no time".