Friday, November 30, 2012

Semester Reflection, American Culture

           In American Culture class this semester, we learned about several aspects of American society. One of the things that I really enjoyed is the American music. I really like the American music especially classic and soft rock. Also listening to music with its lyrics and practicing to pronounce it is very helpful in learning English. Moreover, I liked that we learned a lot about the Presidential Election. We learned about different political parties and the religious sects involved with it. I also participated in a debate and I was on Romney's side. I had to defend Romney's positions while I disagree with him more than Obama! Furthermore, we learned about American different kinds of Art; and the most thing I liked is photography. It's a very beautiful art when you take shots of amazing nature. I liked the work of Ansel Adams, but one thing that I didn't like in his work that he took pictures of naked bodies and I don't think is related to art!
              In American Culture class we did different activities. Such as, debate, discussion, writing on blog, listening to lectures or music, watching documentaries and interviews. I think all of them were interesting and helpful in learning the English language. However, the most interesting part to me was the debate competition we did on Romney and Obama. Although, that I was on Romney's group, but Obama group won and surprisingly that was like how the elections results ended! At last, I thank miss Louise for all her efforts and for this great class.

Friday, November 9, 2012

American Culture Class: My Three Heroes

          There should be people in everyone's life who they look up to or consider heroes. I believe there are three persons who I consider to be heroes: Our Prophet, peace be upon him, prophet Jesus peace be upon him, and my mother. 
        Our Prophet, peace be upon him, is the first one I look up to because of his great qualities and noble mission. In my opinion, prophet Mohammed sacrificed and dedicated much for his religion and for mankind; to show them the true path and guide through darkness to the light. In addition, his great attributes such as kindness, honesty and loyalty. Therefor, every Muslim wants to take him as an example for a perfect true believer.
      Prophet Jesus, peace be upon him, is the second person I believe is a hero. He sacrificed a lot for his religion and devoted to show them the truth. Moreover, he came with miracles and supernatural powers such as healing sick people and reviving the dead by the will of God.
       My mother is the third person I consider as a hero; because she sacrificed a lot for her children to raise us up and push us to success. Also she is a caring and loving person; she cares and worries about us much to be happy and successful. I thank God for giving me a great mother!
       Ultimately, we should have someone in our life that we look up to and follow as a guide or an example for us to reach our goals and success. Prophet Mohammed, Jesus and My Mother are perfect examples of heroes who have done many things that served others.

Friday, November 2, 2012

American Culture Class: Superheroes


          In American Culture Class we discussed the American idea of superheroes. We watched some ad movie clips of famous superheros in the American Culture such as Batman, Superman and Spiderman. We read an expert from the book "Superheroes and Philosophy" by Jeph Loeb and Tom Morris. Many writers and artists who create the stories of superheroes believe that these characters embody our deepest hopes and fears. They feel that superheros represent  our highest ambitions and help us deal with our worst nightmares. Superheros are extraordinarily powerful people who have both strengths and weakness. They typically have superpowers or at least normal human abilities that they have developed to a superhuman level. Plato, the Greek philosopher, believed that good is inherently attractive. What is good will pull us in it's direction as long as we are not blocked from seeing it and appreciating it. Superhero stories have been popular for so long because they speak to our hopes. We all aspire to make a difference, to have a positive impact on the world, and to be acknowledged for that impact. When we confront adversity in our lives, we are often inclined to just give up and find an easier path; but superheroes show us that nothing worth doing is easy. They don't accept defeat, and they won't ever give up. Superheroes can teach us some good lessons, for example, Batman can inspire us to use our lives for something good and noble.

Friday, October 19, 2012

Twentieth Century American Art: A Comparative Study

          In American Culture Class we learned about three famous artists: Ansel Adams, Louise Nevelson and Jackson Pollock. In my opinion, I prefer Ansel Adams' work because it's very creative to know how to reveal the nature beauty of the universe. Not everyone who has the sense of art talent can note the beauty in our lives and display it in a wonderful picture that it is worthy to be called a piece of art. Moreover, I like the type of art that focuses on nature and exhibits it as it is, because I think that the nature of God is the most beautiful art that we don't need to edit or add upon. Unlike Jackson Pollock for instance, rarely that we can figure out the meaning beyond his painting or understand it's purpose. Also it's not often that we like his work and feel that we want to own his paintings. At last, I enjoyed learning about different kind of arts but for me photography is the most beautiful art!
This is an amazing shot for the famous photographer Ansel Adams

Friday, October 12, 2012

The Debate about the American Presidential Elections

           In American Culture class, we held a debate last week about Romney and Obama; how they are different in some certain matters. My group was selected to stand for Romney opinions. Romney has a different view regarding abortion, gun own and in his plans for economy and health care. First, Romney is in favor of ending abortion. Me and my group argued that he has a good point to preserve lives and increase the American population. Secondly, Romney allows citizens of USA to own guns, which is good for self-defense. Thirdly, He offers good plans for American economy and health care. He also will provide more job opportunities. Ultimately, that debate was helpful to learn about the American presidential Election. What if you were an American citizen? Whom will you vote for and why? 

         The leader of my country, Saudi Arabia,  is King Abdullah bin AbdulAziz Al Saud. In my country we have the monarchy system, where authority is inherited. The leader of my country believes in global peace. He leads by the Islamic Sunni rules. In the time King Abdullah has been leader he has done many good things. He provided better education and job opportunities for Saudi Citizens. Made many new projects to raise the economy of the country. In my country, Saudi Arabia it's different from USA because, the main religion and some cultures is not the same, as in KSA people are more conservative. In conclusion, Saudi Arabia is considered the most important country for Muslims around the world, because it's the center of Islam religion. In addition, Islam religion is mostly guiding the Saudi culture.

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Deep in my ocean..

I was moving forward to an answer my whole life..
And I discovered the answer inside my heart..
I was looking for a change in my whole world..
But I discovered the change in my mind..
I was pushing and trying my best ..
I've won few things and failed many times..
But now it created the person who I am..
And after all, I'm still safe and calm..
I will follow the light through the dark..
Angels of the Lord will guard me to the heaven park.. 
Obstacles that kept me from being who I want to be..
Will help me now to see the future that I agree..
I will never leave my self lost again..
I will never leave my self alone in pain..
I will keep my eyes aiming on the goal..
I'll be who I'am with more faith..
and appreciation to grace..
because deep in my ocean there's a plant of bliss!
my heart full of life and hopefulness..



Friday, September 28, 2012

Religion Race


       Everyone has their own beliefs, thinking, religion, cultures and traditions. God said in holy Quran 2:256: " There is no compulsion in religion for the right way is clearly from the wrong way." I believe that everyone has the right to practice their own beliefs and religion, as long as these beliefs will not cause any harm to others and people are not imposing their beliefs on others.

           Firstly, everyone can practice their own beliefs as long as it causing no harm to other people, who are sharing the same country or community. In my religion for example, some Muslims are misunderstanding the religion. Also because of the lack of knowledge, so they think they have the right to kill any sinner or a non-Muslim. This is totally wrong, as Muslims only ordered to resist against those who are attacking them, and defend their beliefs. Pastor Martin Niemoller. wrote a poem about intolerance. Here is a quote from this poem: “ Then they came for me.. And there was no one left to speak out for me”.

           Secondly, everyone can practice their own beliefs as long as they are not imposing their religion on others. For instance, what’s happening in Burma, the extremists Buddhists are killing Muslims there only because they are Muslims and want to have freedom to practice their religion. Furthermore, I read an article in class about a Jew who is abused only because he is a Jew. This is wrong! We have to never treat someone bad because of his/her religion or because of the community he/she is belonging to. In Quran God taught us, that no one carries the sins of another one. Therefor, everyone is responsible for their own deeds.

           Ultimately, racism is always a bad thing that we must get rid off from our communities and ourselves. People can live together in peace with more tolerance to other beliefs and respecting others' right to have their own way in life.  

Friday, September 21, 2012

Amercan Culture & Holidays Compared to My Country

          
        In the American culture when women bring a child, friends give a baby shower for expectant mother and people send flowers to the mother in hospital and they send greeting cards. In my Saudi Arabian culture, people send gifts and visit the mother in the hospital. The mother make a small party for the baby. In birthdays, for Americans they celebrate with families and usually have a cake with candles, children receive prizes, play games, eat cakes and ice creams. In my home country some people prefer to not celebrate their birthdays and some people do. Me myself I don't care to celebrate my birthday but for my younger sister she like to make a small party and invite her friends and family and receive gifts.


         The wedding, engagement American culture and ceremonies.  Fiance gives his future wife a ring usually with a diamond. Friends of the bride give her some gifts and friends of the groom give him a stage party. In Saudi Arabia, they have a period of time called 'Melka'; spouses get to know each other better like an engagement period, actually they are married but still not living in the same house. The groom give the pride an amount of money called 'Maher' and he give her a ring and gold, silver or diamond set. Also they give set of perfumes. For the wedding ceremonies in the American culture guests attend if they are invited,  they give gifts to the couples, things they need or money. In Saudi Arabia, we have separated parties for men and women not mixed together. And they bring a singer to sing, ladies dance the Gulfy dance. And some people let the groom inter with his bride some only let the bride walk down the aisle. With special music or sounds of drums. She cuts her wedding's cake and sit in the stage. A special photographer will talk shots for her in her special day while she's wearing a white, gold or beige dress.


          In American's Culture they wear black and bring flowers. In Saudi Arabian traditions they wash the dead person and cover him with white cloth. Then his Muslim family and friends make a special prayer for him. Then they put him in his grave under the sand and bury him. The funeral will be in his house for three days. His close family and relatives wear white, and the visitors wear dark colored clothes.


Friday, September 14, 2012

The Song 'Bread & Roses'

           

          The Song 'Bread and Roses' became a popular anthem for the American Labor Movement. The reason for this song is the fire happened in Triangle Shirtwaist Factory. The main idea it talks about; is that workers of any kind of company or organization need to have some fun beside gaining money from their monthly salary or minimum wage. Workers need to raise their spirit and ability of working by encouraging them and give them the right kind of treatment and give them some time to enjoy and having a break by eating meals or sitting and chatting with other colleagues. Moreover, if they only work five times a week and for 6-8 hours a day with a high salary that will push them to hard work and achieving better outcomes for the company. The song say in an interesting quote:

" Small art and love and beauty their trudging spirits knew

Yes, it is bread we. fight for, but we fight for roses, too"

          In my country Saudi Arabia there are laws for governmental companies & organization to work only 5 days a week and 6-8 hours a day but some times there is no break and it provides higher salary. On the other hand privet companies give lower salary with about 8-10 hours and 6 days a week of working duty! Some people complain about this by doing some strikes or speaking up and making short videos on youtube to express how they feel towards this matter. However strikes in general in my country are not allowd and can cause many troubles to the indiviual and the society if they started. In my opinion it can cause some kind of chaos and some harm to people who strikes; they may lose their lives.

You can read more about the song here on this link.
http://chawedrosin.wordpress.com/2008/05/09/bread-and-roses-by-james-oppenheim/

Friday, September 7, 2012

If I was a music critic..



          If I was a music critic.. I will choose the song: This Land is Your Land by Pete Seeger to tell my opinion about it.. It’s a nice song in general and I like the type of songs which discuss serious problems like poverty and society standers of living when government is not giving each citizen fair opportunities or donate poor starving people as it was in the period of time called the great depression 1929-1940.. He said:
“ Nobody living can make me turn back
This land was made for you and me
Maybe you’ve been working as hard as you’re able
But you’ve just got crumbs from the rich man’s table”
       Also I like to give my opinion about pink’s song Dear Mr. President which was about president George bush, it was a good way to protest about what’s happening from bad leadership that lead to war in Iraq and unjust society levels that some workers really work hard but have minimum wage and they spent it on rebuilding their houses after wars, and homeless people.. She said:
“ What do you feel when you see all the homeless on the street?
Who do you pray for at night before you go to sleep?
What do you feel when you look in the mirror?
Are you proud? “
        The Song by Bob Dylan The Times They Are A-Changin’ was a great song with powerful lyrics which he arrested for later he was threatening the government to stop the Vietnam War.. It’s a good action that he took as this war was causing a lot of damage and it has no use, The government wanted to stop communism and most of elder people agreed with it while younger people protested against it.. He said:
“Come senators, congressmen
Please heed the call
Don’t stand in the doorway
Don’t block up the hall”
And Bob said in his other song; which was a beautiful one; Also to stop Vietnam War/Blowin’ in the wind:
“How many seas must a white dove sail
Before she sleeps in the sand?
Yes, how many times must the cannon balls fly
Before there are forever banned
The answer my friend is blowin’ in the wind"

Friday, August 31, 2012

John Lennon


John Lennon
             John Lennon was an English singer and a song writer. He was a founder member of the Beatles one of the most popular bands. He was born and raised in Liverpool. He produced iconic songs such as ‘Give Peace a Chance’ and ‘Imagine’;
“Imagine no possessions..    I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger.. A brotherhood of man”
This is a quote from his song Imagine. After his marriage to Yoko Ono in 1969, he changed his name to John Ono Lennon because he was calling for women rights. He quit music business in 1975 to give time to raising his son, but he returned back with Ono in 1980 with a new album, and got killed three weeks after. He’s got an independent personality and had many problems with the American Government and they wanted to deport him; such as calling for peace. Maybe because of this he got murdered by orders from the government.