Houghton County Fair: August 28, 2009

HANCOCK -- And it's hey, ho, come to the Fair! Our first field trip this Fall semester was a visit to the Houghton County Fair in Hancock. The weather was a little damp, but the rain actually stopped for most of the time we were there. Thanks to Suzanne for driving the van!

Is that Ji, far left, ready to take photos of the jugglers? They were entertaining the kids in the 4-H exhibit hall. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by Michele and Gustavo Bourdieu)

That brave little kid volunteered to be in the middle!

These guys ride unicycles, too.

Leo, Ma and Ji admire the prize-winning roosters, hens and rabbits.

Here are some blue-ribbon winners showing off! Cock-a-doodle-doo! How would you like one of these as an alarm clock in the morning?

Ray takes a photo of a prize-winning bird. ESL tutor Pamela Kotila joined us for the trip to the Fair.

And it's on to the large-animal exhibit. This cow must be one of the largest ...

... along with the big work horse Ray and Gustavo are admiring.

The special exhibit this year was a visit by Australian animals. Kangaroo-watching, anyone?

Ji and Ma take a ride on the ferris wheel, a favorite ride at the County Fair!

And here they are again -- with the Queen of the Fair!

This ghostly piano player was a little early for Halloween!

Time for coffee and hot chocolate at the chalet before heading back to Finlandia Hall ... Everyone is here: Front table, from left, Gustavo, Suzanne, Ji and Ma; left, rear table, Airi, Lei and Pamela; center, rear table, Naoya, Ray and Leo.

Editor's Note: Students, if you have a favorite photo of the Fair you want me to post here, please email it to me.

Welcome, new ESL students!

In August 2009 we welcomed our new ESL students for Fall semester. Here are six of them in Michele's ESL Reading class the first week of the semester ...

Our new ESL students are, from left, Rei Hirakawa, Ryosuki Arai, Airi Natsumushi, Ji Zhou, Rui Pan and Yongjun Ma. Not pictured because he had already taken off for soccer practice is Naoya Matsuura. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo by Michele Bourdieu)

More memories: International Club party, April 2009

What do you know! More memories of Spring 2009 semester -- some photos of the International Club party on April 22 -- Earth Day!

Celebrating Earth Day with some healthy food are Kumiko Takahashi, second from right, and her friend Amanda Moyer, right, serving a Japanese dish. Click on photos for larger versions. (Photos by Michele)

Whatever that dish is, Kazuki seems to like it!

Kazuki, still eating, with Toshi, enjoying the fiesta.

Two students from Michele's English 103 class, Drew, left, and Paivi, join Sarah, foreground, one of Finlandia's best lifeguards!

Here's Salome, serving up a Tanzanian dish from her country ...

It's Kazuki in action -- digesting all that food with a game of ping pong.

Memories of last April: Pep Band concert

After hunting through some photo files, the ESL Blog editor found these memories of the Pep Band concert in Finlandia Hall April 9, 2009. Three of our international students participated: Toshi Mita on guitar, Kumiko Takahashi on keyboard and Kazuki Nishiyama on drums.

First, listen to a sample from our dedicated jazz musicians:

If anyone remembers the name of this piece, please post a comment and let us know! (Video and photos by Michele Bourdieu)

Toshi on guitar, and Kumiko on keyboard, with Kazuki, hidden in back, on drums join other Finlandia and Michigan Tech students for the concert.



The bandleader presents Toshi with a souvenir gift.


Kazuki and Kumiko also receive thanks and gifts from the bandleader.

International Club Dinner Dec. 5

Finlandia's International Club held a potluck dinner and activities on Dec. 5 in Finlandia Hall. Toshi, leave some of Gustavo's rice for Kumiko! Whoops! I mean, did Kumiko leave any of that rice for you? (Photos by Michele Bourdieu)

Desserts included some Finnish specialties: pannu kakku (Finnish pancake) and pulla bread along with Karen Johnson's excellent brownies! Here, from left, are Moto, Toshi, Justin (International Club president), Nick and Kazuki finishing up the last course.

A Faustian Bargain

By Kumiko Takahashi

A Faustian bargain originates an old story called "Faust." In the story, Faust, who is a main character of the story, makes a bargain with the Devil so he can do everything that he wants to do, even though he has to sell his soul to the Devil. Since he sells his soul to the nasty Devil, he is eaten by the Devil at the end. The story shows the situation in which something is gained, but also lost at the same time.

We are using many kinds of mass media to get lots of information today. Although mass media such as the Internet, radio and TV are really effective and convenient tools, they have many negative influences; and we may have to sacrifice something valuable if we become too dependent on these media.

Today, our world is based on mass media. We can watch many kinds of news and information with TV, or the Internet. In an emergency, we can listen to news or any information with the radio. The Internet is one of the most popular convenient tools to get tons of information right away, and it has become a necessity in today’s society. We can watch TV programs, read novels, buy clothes and listen to music with the Internet. Many companies have websites that help customers contact them or research information. Even though those information and communication technologies seem to be the greatest invention in human history, they also have negative points -- a price that we have to pay, as Faust had to pay in the end of the story.

Since forms of mass media are entertaining, people, especially in American society, are likely to get addicted to them. People stay in front of TV to watch programs, enjoy the gossip of famous actors, play video games all day rather than go outside and walk. Some people always listen to the radio even though they are in a public place. People play computer games online, meet new people and stay in front of the computer all day. They can’t live without mass media. It causes people’s lack of communication ability, and lack of exercise. Addiction to mass media has become the big issue in many countries, in terms of health, society and communication. In Japan, there are many people who don’t want to work, go to school or even get out of their room. They are called NEET (Not engaged in Employment, Education or Training). Neet usually keep living with their parents to make them take care of them. And they are likely to keep staying in their room and using the Internet all day and to talk to other people online. The lack of communication ability isolates them from the world and makes it difficult for them to get out of their room.

Because mass media have to keep people’s attention, they tend to make their programs funny, individual and interesting. In order to make them interesting, mass media are likely to seek gossip about famous people. Moreover, although freedom of expression is guaranteed by the law, excessive reports can violate people’s privacy. If you were Tom Cruise, your house would be surrounded by photographers waiting for you to get drunk and drive. People’s curiosity makes the media seek a more interesting story, but the media attention can make it worse.

Mass media are usually supported by advertisements of many kinds of businesses and companies. We are passively watching and listening to over 20 advertisements in a day even if we aren’t aware of it. Advertisements on TV cut the show into 10-minute pieces. Ads on the Internet make the web page heavy, so it takes a long time to open the page. Although ads are the most effective way to inform people about their product, too many ads would be irritating or annoying. Also, ads which use many bright colors task people’s eyesight.

The development and diffusion of mass media has brought us a very convenient information age. However, like the story of Faust, we have to pay with some sacrifices in order to gain something. We tend to look at only the good side of mass media, but they also have as many dangers as benefits. We have to be aware of these dangers and try not to be too influenced by the media.

Kazuki models in Fashion Show

Kazuki Nishiyama participated as a model in Pamela Kotila's SYR+ISM fashion performance presented before the Scarlet Masquerade Nov. 1 at the South Range Community Hall. Photographer Adam Johnson of Brockit.com captured this great view of Kazuki ...

Kazuki Nishiyama spreads his wings during Pamela Kotila's SYR+ISM fashion performance on Nov. 1 in South Range. Click on photo for larger version. (Photo by Adam Johnson of Brockit.com © 2008 Pamela Kotila. Reprinted with permission.)