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Dec

Life Lessons in Holiday Spirit

by Meredith Mullins on December 20, 2012

Life lessons on holiday spirit with the Galeries Lafayette Christmas tree

Galeries Lafayette Holiday Tree
© Meredith Mullins

Top 10 Quotes for the Holidays

It is hard to celebrate the holidays when so much seems to be going wrong. Flags are at half mast, politicians are acting their shoe size not their age, hurricane victims are still displaced, and missiles are flying over the Middle East, claiming the lives of innocents who just want to get on with their lives. The tragedy of Newtown, the fiscal cliff, hurricane devastation, and all out warfare in several countries have dimmed the sparkling lights. Read more...

Meredith Mullins 4 Comments

Life Lessons/Quotes of Note

Dec

Teaching in Japan: A Cultural Encounter with Language

by Janine Boylan on December 3, 2012

The letter J symbolizing a cultural encounter with language while teaching in Japan (Image courtesy of Thinkstock)

What sound does the letter J make?

This Lesson Brought to U by the Letter J

After over a dozen years of formal “foreign language” instruction, I should be able to communicate in a language besides English with ease. But I can’t.

Sure, I have managed enough language to have ridiculous conversations like trying to explain, in Russian, why some Americans drink green beer on St. Patrick’s Day. And I’ve been able to ask, in Japanese, where to find baking soda in a grocery store. Unfortunately, those may be my greatest language accomplishments. Read more...

Janine Boylan 2 Comments

Cultural Encounters/Japan/Language & Culture

Oct

Crossing Cultures Over an Artichoke

by Janine Boylan on October 22, 2012

Artichoke, illustrating a food known by some only when crossing cultures

Food for Thought: What’s in a Name?

I saw this artichoke today at a local farm stand, and it provided some food for thought on crossing cultures.

I grew up eating artichokes. In fact, they have always been one of my favorite foods. Now I am fortunate to live near acres of artichoke fields. And I have learned that artichokes are delicious served marinated, barbecued, and, of course, deep fried. But my favorite is still simply steamed.

So when my friend and her husband came to visit from Australia, I had to cook artichokes. I thought of it as a bit of a cultural encounter. Read more...

Janine Boylan Comments

Crossing Cultures/Language & Culture

World Views: