Blog 10

You have been in the United States now for 2 months or more, so you are starting to become pretty familiar with American culture.  For this weeks blog, think about American customs and tell us about one custom that you really dislike and one that you really like.  For example, I really dislike the amount of bad, rude and insulting language I hear (on TV, in the political campaign, and just walking across campus).  Sometimes I see T-shirts or bumper stickers (on cars) that I find offensive, stupid and insulting. On the other hand, I like the custom of helping strangers. I see a lot of cases where a person has an accident, gets lost, doesn't know what to do or just generally needs some help, and it seems like strangers are usually kind and willing to help them.  What customs have you noticed that annoy/impress you?

Blog 9

Whew!  I saw so many of you working hard on the TOEFL today!  Take a break from blogging and have a nice weekend.

Blog 8

Today is the end of week 8, which puts us exactly halfway through the semester.  In fact, during the next few weeks, there are several holidays so the semester will be over before you know it!  This would be a good time to reflect on what you have been learning since you arrived at UM - both in your classes and out of your classes!  It is also a good time to reassess goals.  What would you like to accomplish by the time ELI fall semester ends (December 7) - be realistic!  Write about what you have achieved so far this semester and what you hope to achieve before the semester's end.  200-300 words is great!  

Blog 7

Hi everyone - Well, here it is Sunday afternoon, and I'm looking out the window at a sunny, blue sky day.  The air is a little chilly and it feels fresh, and I see the leaves in the maple trees are starting to turn yellow and fall to the ground.  Fall has come to Missoula!  In this blog, please think about your favorite season (spring, summer, fall or winter) and describe for us what that season is like in your hometown.  Besides telling us about the seasonal sights, you can also describe special sounds or smells that come at that time of year, or even the tastes of foods you like to eat.

Because I did not get this posted by Friday, lets say your comment is due by Wednesday 5pm this week.  Cheers!

Blog 6

When I was young, it seemed like all adults smoked cigarettes.  There were advertisements and ashtrays everywhere, and it was just a really common habit.  Over the years, though, Americans have been smoking less and less.  In recent years, many public places in the US, such as restaurants, waiting rooms, even parks, have been declared smoke-free zones.  Last year, the whole University of Montana campus became a smoke-free zone.  This was a somewhat controversial decision (which means people could see both good and bad points to such a move).  What is your opinion about the fact that smoking is prohibited on the University of Montana campus?  Can you give at least one example to support your opinion?  Remember - 200-300 words.

Blog 5

Hi everyone!  I really enjoyed reading your scary stories!  They got me in the mood for HALLOWEEN, which is coming next month!  I think you 've been working pretty hard lately, so this week you can take a break from the blog.  NO BLOG this week!  Have a nice weekend!

Blog 4

After reading all of your delicious food memories, I really want to go home and EAT now!   The food entries were some good descriptive writing about a subject everyone enjoys!

On Thursday, we read a short narrative about an earthquake.  I used to live in California, where there are many earthquakes, but I remember one really big one I experienced in 1989.  It was called the Loma Prieta Earthquake, and it registered 6.9 on the richter scale.  When it struck, I was standing in the library at San Francisco State University looking through the card catalogue.  There was a girl near me doing the same thing.  Gradually, I noticed the ground shaking and at first I thought maybe a big truck was driving by or something.  Then I realized that the library was in the middle of campus, far from any roads.  I looked up and at the same time the girl near me looked up and our eyes met....  Suddenly, there was a big bang, and the whole building felt like someone had picked it up and dropped it.  Then it started to shake and sway back and forth in a sickening way.  Bookshelves were falling down, and light fixtures stared dropping from the ceiling.  Then the lights went out and only a little light came in through the windows.  There was a deep low rumbling noise and the building felt like it was rolling down a hill.  Then it stopped and things were quiet for a few seconds, but quickly everyone hurried to the stairs to get down and out of the building.  The stairwells were completely dark, but they were crowded with frightened people trying to get out of the library as quickly as possible.  People tried not to push, but it was very dangerous and terrifying....

In your next blog entry, tell us about a frightening experience you have had.  Remember 200-300 words.

PS:  Some people are doing a good job on their blog comments, but forgetting to post replies (See blogs 1, 2 & 3 for examples).  Remember:  comments are due every Tuesday at 5:00 and replies are due every Friday at 5:00.  Replies should be about 100-150 words.

Have a nice weekend -