LA BEFANA

Italy is one of my favourite countries. Beauty and harmony are the best features of the language, art and culture of this country. That is why looking for articles on Italy and learning different things make me happy.

Nowadays Christians are celebrating Christmas. Next week we are going to celebrate the New Year. So, I have found an interesting belief to share with you. It is called La Befana. La Befana is known mostly in Italy. Befana is an old and ugly witch who delivers gifts and sweets to children in Christmas just like Santa Claus. Do not be afraid of her as she is a witch. Actually, she is a kind witch because it is believed that she cleans the houses that she enters before leaving. She does not frighten children. However, she gives coal, which is made of black sugar, to bad children. You know that Santa Claus has reindeer. He flies with his sledge. Italian’s lovely witch, on the other hand, flies on her stick and wears a black shawl. She enters the houses through the chimneys like Santa Claus does.

There are some stories and legends about La Befana in Italy. One of them tells that Befana got lost while she was following the wise men in the Bible. She has been visiting children since she got lost. According to another legend, Befana’s child dies one day and she mourns for her child. She gets the news of Jesus’ birth and wants to see him. She finds the baby Jesus and she makes him happy with the presents that she brings. Then, Jesus regards Befana as the mother of every child in Italy.

La Befana is still as popular as Christmas itself in Italy. The Italians remember the mother Befana every year with the festivals. Many women are prepared to seem like Befana and they sweep the streets during the festivals as a tradition. Children want to be the good one to be loved by Befana and to get the most delicious candies. In short, the Italians love and respect La Befana even if it is just an old custom.

VIDEO REFLECTION: A Great Presentation of La Befana’s Story

This video was shot in Italy for the tourists. You see a woman who is telling the story and she is acting as if she were La Befana. However, I can say that she is very good at her job. The way she tells the story is very effective. In addition, it is very informative for those who do not know La Befana. Moreover, it is told so entertainingly that children may like it. The place that the video was shot is beautiful. Actually, I like all the places in Italy. In addition, the actress or the tourist guide in the video amazed me in many aspects. She is very talented. I liked her smiling face. I hope you also like this video and learn more about La Befana.

THE MESSAGE IN THE DIARY

Do we really empathize with our parents when they get old? This is the question that comes to my mind after watching this video. I watch this kind of videos to remember the importance of family because I am afraid that I am not emotional enough to show my love and care to those that I love. I do not want to hide the things that I want to say. I know that they are aware of my affection but I just do not want to be late for them and for the things we could share together. So, I like this video because it makes me question myself. I consider about my attitudes towards my family and my friends.

The video is very striking for me. The son gets angry as his father keeps on asking questions. What the father is looking for is not the answer but love according to me. He wants his son to speak with him. Old people are like children. They are delicate. However, the father gives a great message even if he is broken after his son shouts at him. He brings his diary and asks his son to read the page that he chooses. We learn that he was much more patient when his son asked questions to him in the past. He used to hug his son after each question. He is a good father. Actually he is a real dad because they say that every man can be a father but a few can become a dad.

The end of the video is also very touching. I hardly bear looking at the father’s face because he is so sad. He is sad but he is next to his son. It is really nice because it reminds me that we have no one or nothing but our families. We need them when we are happy and sad. We need to feel their sincerity. I hope I will never turn out to be a bad child and upset my family. I hope we can be there when they need us.

SUMMERHILL SCHOOL

Summerhill is one of the most amazing schools in the world. It was founded by a great philosopher, A. S. Neill. I think it must be a model school for most of the schools today and everyone should read Neill’s works in order to understand him. He knows how to deal with children because he knows children’s nature and interests. For this reason, anyone who wants to be an effective and successful teacher or a self-dependent student should start thinking about education after meeting with Neill’s ideas. Summerhill School is the living proof of possibility that the opinions such as Neill’s can bring success and happiness.

There are classes for the age groups from 5 to 15 in Summerhill. However, there is no obligation to attend these classes. In addition, there are no class examinations. If a student wants to play, he or she plays instead of going to classes. If he or she wants to see what is going on in the classes, he or she attends the class without wearing a school uniform. Everyone is totally free. Both teachers and students have equal rights. No one can interfere with the others’ free zones. If you are a student of Summerhill, you are responsible for yourself because you take the responsibility of your choices. If you do not attend the classes, it is your decision. On the other hand, it is a truth that the child will eventually feel bored of playing games and be curious about the classes. This is the policy of Summerhill. They let children be children when they are children. They make the school fit the child. Hence, children have a much more healthy process of growing and learning. They learn what the freedom means, what the democracy is and how to be themselves.

Teachers in Summerhill do not steal the joy of life, discovery and dealing with problems from children. They do not help them all the time. Instead, they expect children to find solutions on their own. They create a kingdom of children. Nothing is more important than them. They respect children’s individuality and personality. They believe in children and are always on their sides.

After all these, it is not hard to guess that Summerhill School is the happiest school in the world. I hope it will be there for a long time to make more children happy and free. You can watch the short documentary of Summerhill above and see happy faces. I really like this video because it shows me my dreamland. All in all, Summerhill School and A. S. Neill still affect education and educational theories.

AGE OF AQUARIUS

As we get closer to 21 December, fear and suspense within people are increasing because there are many negative comments on this day. Most of the people believe that it is the end of the world and life. Doomsday is coming. As a proof, they show us the Mayan Calendar because their calendar ends up on 21 December 2012.  Hence, this must be the end of the world, they say. However, what I suggest is a different attitude towards this day. I think every end is actually a new start. From this point, 21 December is the day of a new age. Astrologists call it ‘’Age of Aquarius’’ and some call it ‘’New Age’’ or ‘’the Millennium’’. And if you want me to show you a proof, I can find one and disprove the claim of catastrophic end of the world put forward by the others.

The picture on the left is taken from an ancient Mayan book known as Dresden Codex. This image depicts the winter solstice of 2012 and the end of time. There is a mythical water bearer in the middle and he announces the end of the age but also the starting of a new age. Water bearer is the symbol of Aquarius in astrology, so this new age called Aquarius was known by the Mayans.

Astrologists expect this new age to bring peace, happiness and success for people. Moreover, people themselves will feel the difference in their lives. They will improve themselves.

In last, you can have many sources related to this subject. Some are bad and some are good. Some are pessimistic and some are optimistic. If you are lucky, you can get even some realistic approaches. I strongly advise you to be optimistic and realistic as much as possible because it is your life and your philosophy of life influences it mostly. I believe that what you think and feel comes to you finally. I do not say that after 21 December, we will pass an old age and start to experience a new life or the world will die. I am not an expert in astrology. I just want to go on my life in a better way and that is why I appreciate the Age of Aquarius.

You can also listen to this song by Hair with lyrics and learn more about Age of Aquarius. Here is the link:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=37s6nPeclX0

 

 

MAMALUNGA: BEST of MACEDONIA

Hi dear visitors, especially the Mexicans, 

Mamalunga is a traditional meal from Macedonian cuisine. It is originally served with molasses but we will give you recipes of four different sauces as we know you like trying new tastes. We also suggest you to find many other dips to eat with Mamalunga. Use your creativity to dress it. You will enjoy both preparing and eating this meal. It is easy and practical.

Mamalunga is cheap both if you want to cook it at home and eat at our restaurants. A portion of Mamalunga with whichever sauce you choose is only 2.50 Euro.  

We present you not only spicy sauces but also sweet ones because Mamalunga is a special meal and it can be eaten in several ways and with varied ingredients.

 
1. Mamalunga with Peppery Sauce

You need: 4 cloves of minced garlic, 1 cup of diced red onion, 3 cups of diced tomatoes, 3 tablespoons of virgin olive oil, 2 medium chilli peppers, 4 habanero peppers, 1 cup of distilled white vinegar, 2 teaspoons of salt, and 2 teaspoons of white sugar

Over medium heat in a large saucepan, heat oil and add the onion, chilli peppers, habanero peppers and garlic. Cook the mixture for 3 to 4 minutes or until the onions begin to brown. Stir continuously. Reduce heat. Add vinegar, tomatoes, salt and sugar. Stir until the tomatoes break down, roughly 6 minutes. Place mixture in blender and blend until a puree is formed. Pour the mixture through a fine mesh sieve. Let the mixture cool for an hour.

 
2. For the second optional sauce, ingredients are:

2 cups of tomatoes(seeded and diced), 5 cloves of garlic(peeled and chopped), 4 pickled jalapenos(canned or jarred) chopped, 1/4 cup of olive oil, 5 green olives (coarsely chopped), 1 tablespoon of oregano, 1 tablespoon of capers, 1/4 cup of water

Warm the oil in a medium saucepan. Saute the garlic briefly to release the flavours. Add the tomatoes and cook over low heat until the tomatoes soften, about 20 minutes. Add the remaining ingredients and add salt to taste. Simmer for an additional 20 minutes.

 
3. For a sweet and sour sauce:

3/4 cup of white sugar, 1/3 cup of white vinegar, 2/3 cup of water, 1/4 cup of soy sauce, 1 tablespoon of ketchup, 2 tablespoons of cornstarch

Place the sugar, vinegar, water, soy sauce, ketchup and cornstarch in a medium saucepan, and bring to a boil. Stir continuously until the mixture has thickened.

 
4. For another sweet and sour sauce:

2 cups of water, 2/3 cup of distilled white vinegar, 1/2 cup of white sugar, 1 (6 ounce) can of tomato paste, 1 (8 ounce) can of pineapple

In a medium saucepan over medium heat, mix together water, distilled white vinegar, white sugar, tomato paste, pineapple tidbits and cornstarch. Cook, stirring occasionally, 15 minutes or until mixture reaches desired colour and consistency.

 
Group Members: Emel Çelik, Hateme Aysel Çalışkan, Tuğçe Aslan, Buse Çalışkan, Arzu Akkaya

ERROR ANALYSIS WORKSHEET

1. The characteristics of an ideal university are to have opportunities for quality education, settlement, free transportation, low-cost living conditions, employment opportunity after graduation, potential for social life and to be free-barrier campus.

Edited Version:

The characteristics of an ideal university can be summed up in a few headlines. One of them is the educational quality of university. Additionally, an ideal university should offer good facilities such as dormitories, social activities and free transportation between the faculties. Life conditions should be reasonable for students in financial terms and the campus should be without barriers. Lastly, an ideal university should be prestigious and famous so that graduate students can find jobs easily.

 

 2. i am happy because being a student at Metü means learning to stand on its own feet as an individual since Metü gives its students a sense of responsibility in every field by forcing them to make everything by themselves such as registration, taking courses or following assignments. Everybody learns being responsible for the things they do themselves from the courses they take to various activities they engage in.

Edited Version:

I am happy to be a student at METU because it means learning to stand on your own feet as a free individual. METU gives the sense of responsibility in every field by encouraging us to make everything by ourselves such as course registrations, attending the lessons and dealing with assignments. Everybody learns how to take responsibility this way and with other activities they do on their own.