My thanksgiving holiday

By Renan Sales

       Thanksgiving is a specific American holiday that the American celebrate to give thanks for everything that they want. It Started a long time ago when the Pilgrims came to America and lived here. Then they try to give thanks for everything and celebrated it with the native American. The first celebration was in Plymouth, In present-day Massachusetts and in nowadays it is commemorated in everywhere in the last Thursday of November, which day was declared by the President Roosevelt. So now how was my thanksgiving? I will tell you what I did in that holiday. 

     For me that holiday began on Tuesday afternoon after the classes. I and the other Brazilians went to the Stop & Shop and bought foods, sneaks and soda to have a good holiday and don't feel  hungry because all of the dinner halls in the university were closed. On Tuesday night I watched a movie called The Hunger games, but I slept in the first 15 minutes.  On Wednesday, I did not do a lot of things. I woke up and finished to watch the movie. Then, I had lunch with some of the Brazilians. We cooked and ate together. And those foods remind me my Brazilians foods that I ate in my home. 

     On Thursday, In the Thanksgiving day, everything was different. First I had a delicious lunch and celebrated the thanksgiving and gave thanks to God for the foods and for the opportunity, that He gave for us. Then, at night I and my friends went to BestBuy and started our Black Friday( the day after the thanksgiving, that the economy get better). We arrived there at 5:30 PM and the Store Open at 6:00 PM so we waited at the line and it was crazy and fun, and I had never done that before did it here. 

The Old New Paltz

  In addition, in the other days, the end of the holiday. I went out to eat and walk around the old New paltz. On Friday night, I went to the main street to eat a fantastic Kalzone with some friends. On Saturday I went to a Turkey restaurant to have delicious lunch and those meals were amazing. Finally, after the lunch I and my friends walked around the Old New Paltz and saw the Old houses which owners have their names spread in SUNY. 

In conclusion, my thanksgiving was not exciting but it was good because I did simple things with my friends which made me feel better and relax. I really like my first American holiday at SUNY New Paltz. I hope in the next year, in the thanksgiving, I can do many things with my friends and travel with them.

My Thanksgiving by Kyung Jin

      Have you ever been to Woodbury Common Outlet on Black Friday?

   I’ve never shopped on Black Friday since I came in the U.S. But I did this time. Because my parents in law wanted to get some winter jackets and my husband wanted to buy an IPad mini. 

   First, I went to Walmart to buy an I-Pad mini for my husband. Because if I buy an IPad mini, I can get one hundred Walmart gift card. The sale started from 6 PM. at Thanksgiving day. Before I went there, I thought there were very crowed so I hesitated to go or not. But when I arrived at Walmart one hour early, there were not that many people than I expected. In addition, they attached stickers on customer’s wrist orderly. So after I waited for an hour, I could buy the iPad mini with $100 gift card. I was happy to save one hundred dollars.

  Next, I went to Woodbury Common Outlet to buy winter jackets for mother and father in-law. I went there with my friend and her husband. He drove to the outlet. We arrived there at around 11 PM. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot. We tried to find a parking space but we couldn’t find one. So my friend and I got off the car to shop. After he parked his car, we were going to meet him at the shop. First, we went into Saks Fifth Avenue off 5^th store. There were various brands’ clothes, bags, and accessories. My friend bought some clothes for his father. The clothes were 50% off, and it was buy one get one. So she saved a lot of money. Then, we went to the North face store. There were long line to enter the store, we waited on line for around 20 minutes. There were on big sale near 65% off. We also bought the clothes that we wanted to. I saved about $200. It was a great shopping.
 
  In sum, during this Thanksgiving, I shopped on Black Friday for the first time. It was a good chance to buy good things for good price. I saved about three hundred dollars. I will shop on next Black Friday too.

My first Thanksgiving!

by Yeon Soo

This was my first Thanksgiving in U.S.  This was very  special time to me beause my cousin visited U.S for me. So We went to the Florida. We planed to go Disney land, Universal studio and Sea world. When we met in the bus station we was so exciting!! We didn't worry about weather and other things. I just know Orlando is very warm so me and my cousin packed only sleves and short pants.

That was big mistake to us. Because Florida weather was very weird. When we arrived at the airport we was very cold. Next morning, we went to the Universal studio. We heard probably so many people will come so you will good buy expess tickets. That was so expensive, but we don't have choice because there has so many people behind us.

But when we inside the entrance, we could feel this express tickets not useful. there was not crowd and we didn't wait so much to ride rollercoster. But it was very exciting experience and I can't forget that time. :)

Tomorrow we went to the Disney land. Disney land had so many family and kids. So we need to wait 2 hours for riding rollercoster. So we just looking around the land. Although we just looking around time is not enough. At night we saw a big firework. That was so so beutiful.

This travel was so nice and I can't forget this moment. This trip like a dream to me :)
This trip make me to recharge my energy for studying.

 

Rozan Kahil

My First Thanksgiving

 

 



                    Does thanksgiving popular in your religion or not? When I came to America I knew, that Americans celebrate their thanksgiving and I been a part of the American thanksgiving. They told us that in the thanksgiving they meet with their family and have dinner. Moreover, the Haggerty English second language makes for us a big launch, that contains Turkey, mash potato, and vegetable salad it was very awesome, I really enjoyed it.  The day after, I went to the city, and I stayed there for three days.  I been to Woodbury common and I had had shopping with my friends on black Friday.  The prices were very low, so we enjoyed it.  Finally, I spend thanksgiving with my friend and family same as American do, it was really enjoyable.  

 

             

Thanksgiving trip :D

by DJ

Have you ever overwhelm some place before to go there? Probably yes and it happened with me, in this Thanksgiving, I could know two beautiful cities, Washington DC and Philadelphia. I thought that 5 days are many days to know these cities and it would be boring, but I was wrong, I could know how fantastic they are. Moreover it was my first trip which I just traveled with others international friends, then I needed to speak in English all the time. So I would like to talk, about my experiences in Washington DC and Philadelphia and also my first trip just talking in English.

The White House

The first city of this trip was Washington DC, the political capital of USA. If I had words to define this city, I used DREAM, some people cannot agree with me about it, but I have sure that they will overwhelm this city like one boring and political city like me before to arrive there. I changed completely my opinion when I know this city, I passed 3 days there and I could go to wonderful museums, Space and Air Museum where I saw the Apollo 11, the first spaceflight to the moon,  Natural Gallery where I had the pleasure to see one painting by Leonardo da Vinci, Holocaust Museum that have a descriptive timeline about the Jewish history, the Capitol where I seat in front of it for 30 minutes to appreciate this moment and a wonderful architecture, or better to resume, I was in a dream because I could see many famous places that since I was a child I saw in many movies and for me to stay there personally was unbelievable.

Capitol - Washington DC

After I went to Philadelphia, famous city for your gastronomy and classics buildings. I could find in this wonderful city one amazing gastronomy, in the center you have a huge market that you can choose food from different countries in the same place, I couldn't taste the famous Philly Cheesesteak that in all the USA, the people try to recreate the same flavor, but nobody can copy the original cheesesteak. But I could eat one delicious chicken and fish combined with amazing spices. In addition, the buildings are others famous points in Philadelphia, I was really shocked how beautiful the City Hall is and also I went to see one statue so famous there, a statue to honor Arnold Schawarzenegger when he interpreted Rocky in the cinema.

Rocky 

Furthermore this amazing trip hadn't been wonderful without my friends. In this thanksgiving, I wanted to travel with my international friends and I knew that it would be a challenge for me, because I had to speak in English all the time. But now after this I can say that it was wonderful, I could improve more my English and pass the Thanksgiving dinner with my new friends, this trip marked our friendship that we made this semester, probably will be so difficult to stay everybody together again, so it was one wonderful experience that never I want to forget.

My international friends (Ecuador, Spain, Australia, Egypt, Czech Republic)

Therefore, my holiday where I could know Washington DC and Philadelphia with my international friends was amazing. If I had chance to do everything again, I would make again unless I would remember to bring one comfort shoes, because I walked a lot and my foot are so sore. 

My First Thanksgiving

      How was your Thanksgiving? It is a big celebration in United States, when the americans eat turkey, mashed potatoes among other things. This is the only holliday that happen just in the US, because it started when the piligrims arrived here and received help from the native americans, so one day, they gave a big dinner to give thanks to them. My Thanksgiving break was very nice.

      I didn't do anything special, but I liked to be at the dorm just sleeping and talking with my friends. On Thursday, the effective Thanksgiving Day, some of my brazilian friends and I went to the Galeria Mall in Poughkeepsie, because it was the beggining of Black Friday. I didn't buy a lot of things, but I enjoyed to go there, because it is very different for me, in my country we don't have one day that a lot of people went out because all of the stores are cheaper than the normal.

      

     On friday, some friends and I went to the pizzeria to eat calzone, I hadn't eat it before, and I really liked! It was so cold, but we didn't mind about that, we talked a lot and had a great time together. After that, we went to dorm and watched a movie. I enjoyed this day!

     I couldn't see the tradicional Thanksgiving in America, with family together, a lot of food and things like that, but I had a goot time in the break, I really enjoyed and rested. I think everyone needs to give thanks for everything that have in their life and try to be happy! Now I am looking forward the winter break! ;)

My Wonderful Thanksgiving

By Yuka

     Have you ever met a multicultural family in the United States? During Thanksgiving Days, I visited at my suite mate's house in Long Island. This is my first time to spend the weekend with an American family. Her family is a multicultural family. Her father is a Jew, and her mother is a Greek. Therefore, they celebrate Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, which is Jewish event, every year. In the family, I spent very great Thanksgiving weekend. I would like to pick up some good memories in the weekend.

     First my good memory is that my suite mate, Sarah, drove me to see her home town. Her home town is located in Southold, so there are a lot of oceans and bays around the area. Unfortunately, the day was raining, so I could not see the bays clearly. However, she said I can see very beautiful bays in summer. Also, I went to the Orient Point of the Long Island. When I arrived at there, I saw the whole ocean. I became to like Long Island. I want to visit summer again.

     Next, I celebrated Thanksgiving and Hanukkah with her neighbors and relatives. I ate a lot of food such as a baked turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, and a pumpkin cheese pie. It was very delicious. I like Thanksgiving. Also, I decorated a sweets house. This is one of the Hanukkah events. Hanukkah color is blue and white, so I put some blue candies and white creams on my house. I thought my dream came true to make a sweets house. In addition, I learned how to celebrate Hanukkah. Her father took a Hanukia from a shelf, and he put two small candles on it. While they were praying, they lighted candles. After that, they said "Happy Hanukkah," and they hugged each other. They celebrate Hanukkah until Christmas. I had really fun Thanksgiving and Hanukkah.

     After the thanksgiving, I decorated a Christmas tree and her house with her family. There were a lot of Christmas decorations in her house. The tree was very big. I couldn't reach the top of the tree. I was very happy because I have not decorated Christmas in my home since I was a junior high school student. I was very excited to decorate her house. Also, Sarah made a little Christmas village on the table. When we finished the decoration, the house was very cute and beautiful.

     All in all, I really had great Thanksgiving weekend with Sarah's family. I was glad that Sarah invited me at her house. I got unforgettable experiences such as visiting Long Island, celebrating Thanksgiving and Hanukkah, and decorating a big Christmas tree. I love Long Island, her house, her family, and Sarah!!!

My Thanksgiving Break

Qiqi

Did you have a good Thanksgiving break? This was my second year to celebrate the Thanksgiving day in the United States. Compared to last year, I had a different experience this year, even thought I wasn’t going to ravel.  

First of all, on Thursday evening I with my sisters went to Wal-Mart, we were planning to buy a new and bigger television. Because this was our first time shopping on Black Friday, we didn’t know how to get a low price. Therefore, when we got there everything were sold out that we didn’t get a new television. We were so disappointed, so we went to the Galleria mall. Every store were open at midnight, and at front of store had a long line, even the store hadn’t open yet.   That was an awesome experience for me.

Secondly, on Friday I went to NYC. In New York City, everywhere can feel Christmas is coming soon, all over the street can hear a Christmas song, and the stores which in the Fifth Avenue, there’re showcase are decorated very fancy and classy. I like window shopping at Fifth Avenue. One of the thing was surprised me, I saw some homeless people sat on the street, but I didn’t see that before Thanksgiving day.

The last thing I did on the Thanksgiving break was spend time with my two puppies. Every day when I woke up, I like to put them on my bed, play with them. Actually they are love to eat everything, such as my homework, napkin, and my TOFEL CD. That’s make me crazy, I think I was very careful. Even they all the time makes me angry, but I really really love them. I like to spend time with them.

In sum, I had a great holiday, and I really enjoyed it. 

My Thanksgiving Weekend

By: Xin

       Time flies, the long weekend has gone already. Does anyone enjoy your Thanksgiving weekend? I spent an unusual weekend and did a lot of things during these days. Every holiday I have a same feeling which is even though the weekend had lots of fun but it was too tried. On this weekend, I went to New York City, had a party with my friends, and made an awesome dinner

       First of all, I went to NYC with my friends and sister. On the first day of Thanksgiving weekend, I didn’t catch some ‘Z’’s in the morning because we had to avoid the traffic jam of NYC. After 2 hours, we arrived NYC with our weary bodies. One thing that helped us to wake up is have a yummy breakfast. After that I went to China town and bought a laptop which had a good deal because that day was near Black Friday. Finally, we bought a cake for my friends’ birthday and went home.

       Next, I went to my friends’ birthday party on the second day night. I brought the birthday cake and came to his house. I ate some Chinese dish and turkey. After the nice dinner, we sat around and play games with beer and whiskey. After a while, some of my friends were drunk. We talked a lot of our past and secrets. I believe after that day, we knew each other more deeply and had more close friendship.

       Finally, I cooked some Chinese dishes and my sister baked a turkey on the third day. I was not good at cooking, but I wanted to cook for my sister on Thanksgiving Day because I’m very thankful my sister who is always takes care of me and help my studying and life. When I was cooking dinner, my sister decided to bake a turkey for us. Then, after one hour we finished. When my sister and I was eating dinner. We chatted with our parent on face time. We were thankful for our parents and said “we love you” to them. It was an unforgettable day because of the dinner and chatting.  

       In sum, I had a nice Thanksgiving weekend. I’m thankful for all people who are my relatives, friends, professor, and classmates. You all make my life more colorful. I love you all.

My Thanksgiving Break

By - Kuan-Wen

      I didn't go out to travel another city or do something else, actually. I stayed in my dorm, I was editing the video for end of the ceremony (AKB48 dance cover). It will be due for next week, so I have to hurry up!!! Most of the day, I was working on this.


     I had gone to my friend's house (Zhao Rui) to eat food for dinner. It was a delicious meal. Jing Wen and Zhao Rui cooked. I didn't cook just helped them finish the meals.


    I went to NYC this Friday for Black Friday. I went there with, Jing Wen, Boots, and Zhao Rui. We left school to take morning trailway bus (4:55) to go there. My shopping result is not good, I brought very few things. One jacket and One cloth, that's it. Because I went the stores didn't give discounts (only cross down tax) and sizes didn't fit me. I felt very bad.
   
   On Saturday, it was a day for nothing. Nothing special just for relaxing day. I didn't eat thing on that day. It can say I was dieting. However, some days I ate cup noodles for saving money to feed my stomach. I was spending time on sleeping, watching dramas, and studying TOEFL. Somehow boring and normal.

    Finally, I hope my next year can go more shopping and travel a lot. I was waiting to finish my editing work. I feel exciting to finish as soon as possible. This time is more challenge, especially I am inexperienced filmmaker. All I learned were from my own, I learned things were from online sources. I want to see the result what it is like. Looking forward for my final work. Good luck to me.

Thanksgiving by. Jiyoung Lee

Thanksgiving

 This thanksgiving is my first thanksgiving. It was very nice because a lot of my friends invited their home. Korea has holiday similar to Thanksgiving. However, America and Korea have different culture such as custom and food. So, my first thanksgiving was special to me.

First day, My friend and I made Korean food. And we went another friend’s home. There are a lot of peoples and food. I was really happy because I made a lot of new friends. Besides, I saw thanksgiving food that was so delicious. After that, we played billiard and table tennis. Also, we sang a song together. 

       Second day, I spent much time with my friend’s family. My friend’s mother made Korean foods. She looks like my mother. We talked about music and art because they had a lot of interests to art. And my friend’s major is music. So he will have concert, and  I saw his performance practice. It was very nice.

       Lastly, friend bought delicious foods to me. we went TGI. Besides, my father gave gift to me. It was so amazing. My father is the best father in the world!!!!!!!!!!. 

   

      I was really happy during Thanksgiving. And I experienced American custom. 

My First Thanksgiving

By Akari Kurihara

     How was your thanksgiving holiday? This week from November 27th to December 1st, there had a holiday to stay with family in America. It is called "Thanksgiving". We don't have that kinds of holiday in Japan, so that was first experience in my life. Actually, my boyfriend came to see me from Japan. We enjoyed sightseeing and shopping a lot. I will tell you about what did I do during the holiday.

     The first day, he missed the flight in Japan and couldn't take the plane because of the trouble with the company. I was surprised to hear that. I thought he never comes in America. I gave up to meet him, but he was desperately looking for another ticket to America. Then, he could get a new one!! On November 26th, I went to the JFK airport to meet him after school. It was very cold because of the snow. Also there was traffic jam and the bus was delayed for more than an hour. Finally, I could meet him after all this time. He gave me a lot of Japanese food and presents;)) I wanted to talk with him all day long, but he went to bed early because of the jet lag. 

     The next day, we went to New York City by Trailways. It was the first time for him to come to New York. When he saw the view of the Times Square, he looked very fascinated by a lot of tall buildings and bright panels. On thanksgiving day, we went to see the parade early in the morning. There were many kinds of big balloons with the music. We wanted to watch musical at Broadway, but we couldn't get any ticket. So we kept walking and walking a lot. When we got to Korean Town, we noticed that almost all the shops would open from 8 pm. It means that Black Friday start! We waited in the long line to go to Macy's and bought a lot of winter clothes.

     On Friday, we went to Sarabeth's to eat breakfast with also my friends. It was very very delicious that I have ever had. Then we went to 5th avenue to go shopping. There were a lot of people on the street having a big shopping bag. I love Kate Spade very much;) I could buy there that I wanted to buy. In Japan, November 29th have the meaning of "good meat", so we went to eat BBQ. Not only Americans but also people from all over the world are looking forward to coming Black Friday to buy a lot of things. It was surprised to me. The last day, we went to Times Square again to buy the tickets of The Phantom of Opera. We waited for more than an hour to get it. Finally, we could get it!!! We had a lot of time before the show, so we went to see the Statue of Liberty. It was s big that we could see from the ship. We also went to Brooklyn Bridge park to see night view. It was so beautiful that I never forget.
   
     I think that Thanksgiving is a good holiday to stay with family and to be able to be thankful for family. We need that holiday in Japan. I am very glad that I could experience this holiday. Also, thanks to my boyfriend I could study abroad without any difficulties. Only one month left until I go back to Japan. I would like to do my best at the rest of my studying abroad.

The Thanksgiving Story

What a fantastic video!! by Djalma, Gwen, Xin and Yeon Soo

Halloween

    Qiqi Lin    

       This Halloween is my second times in the United States to celebrate, it's still very interesting. On that day, everyone dressed up, even the pet is no exception. Can be a monster, a witch or movie character. This time the Halloween, my mood was very different with last year.

       That day was raining day. In the beginning the day I was so upset, I thought Halloween had become boring because of the rain, but obviously was wrong. I still had fun on that day. I went to the ESL Halloween’s party like last year, but I not only met different friends also saw different costume at the party. This gave me different feelings from last year. Like I saw a Harry Potter couple, Mickey and Minnie, Statue of Liberty, etc. And the most excited part is carve the pumpkin, this is my favorite thing to do on Halloween. After the ESL Halloween party, I followed the parade. I saw some amazing and stranger costume than ESL party, Even a little baby. Anyway I love celebrate Halloween in U.S. A.

Halloween Day 
 kyung jin

   This is the third Halloween day since I came here in the U.S. My family are not interested in
Halloween day but we have prepared chocolates for children who came to my home for "trick or treat." From little children to teenagers, around twenty children came to my home at this Halloween day. We enjoyed looking at their various custume such as angel, spider man, cinderella and skull mask with black cape, etc.

My First Holloween Day in U.S

By YeonSoo



Have you ever imagined to spend Halloween in New York? I've been always imagined spending Holloween in New York City.  So it was an opportunity of to spend Halloween in New York this time. I made a plan to spent Holloween in NYC one week ago. Our plan was we all wear a horse face mask and walking like a horse. I and my friend was so excited.


But when we arrived at NYC. The costum didn't have a lot of mask. There had only The president of Obama's mask and the shop was so crowded. We was little confused because that was not our plan and we are disappointed. But we changed our plan we all bought The president of Obama's mask.
And we all wore the mask and walking the NYC street!!! There was so crowded and most of people wear a costum. The everywhere of NYC was doing big party.


And our group was very popular in the street!! Many people want to take a picture with us.
We made very big memorize in NYC. But weather is not good so we are all cautch a cold.
It was unforgettable memorized to me. :) I recommend you should send Holloween in NYC one time in your life!!!!

 

Awesome Halloween Day

By:Xin

   Have you ever spent Halloween day in America? Can you image how fun it is? This is my first time to prepare and celebrate Halloween day.In that day, I went to the ESL Halloween party and parade.

   First of all, I went to ESL Halloween party and celebrate with my international friends and professors. Even though it was raining in that day, but it did not influence our mood at all. Most international students came to the party on time. We ate snacks and took picture with each other. There were many kinds of costumes, such as enchanter,angel，Mickey mouse and so on. Some students liked to walk around and showed their costumes, other students liked to carve the pumpkins. Before we finished the party, we had an award ceremony. Some students got award because they wore fantastic and charming costumes.
   Next,I went to the parade with my friends. It was really awesome.I have never seen this kind of parade in my country. I saw a lot of interesting and scare costumes.Before the parade starts, policeman blockaded a street for the parade. Even though people wore scare costumes,they did not make a mess. They walked and celebrate orderly. It was a nice scene which is still in my brain.
   In conclusion, I had an awesome Halloween day, I re
ally enjoyed it.

By Renan Sales

My First Halloween Party

   When I was in my hometown I have heard and I have searched on the Internet about the Halloween, but I have never experienced that holiday in my life. However in this year everything was different, I am in the United States, so I have been in a Halloween party and now I will tell you how was my Halloween day.

   Two days before that holiday, I talked with my friends and we decided to wore a unusual costume the Kiss Zombies costume , which meas do the band Kiss make-up  and look like a Zombie. It would be fun and different but we did not dress it.

  So what was happen with us? We bought the make-up and everything that we needed to did the costume, but when we started to did the make-up, we saw that special make-up was very hard to did. then we decided to change it to an skull costume. We only did the make-up but it was cool and scared.

The Brazilian scary Skulls

  Finally,  when we were ready, we went for the ESL Halloween party at the VH annex. There, we danced, drank soda, ate snacks , talked in English and took many many photos. I really enjoyed  my first Halloween party at SUNY New paltz and I hope to be in many typical American parties, holidays and festivals.

My first halloween party!:D

 By. Jiyoung Lee

    This halloween was my first halloween day. However, my country has no halloween. So, halloween is very unfamiliar to me. Therefore, I did not prepare anything. 

    When I arrived halloween party, most friend wore a variety of costumes such as Harry porter, elf, devil, robot and animals. It was so amazing.  I took a commemorative photo with my friends. I think it was great remembrance to me. 

   At night, in the main street, a lot of people paraded through the streets. There are also a lot of amazing costume. And I decided to were costume next halloween. 

by Nubia :)

       Halloween.. Can you imagine how I was waiting for this?
In Brazil, we don't celebrate Halloween. Some people go to the parties with costume, but it isn't usual. But, a lot of the movies that I have seen in my life show how important it is here in America, with pumpkins and costumes, trick or treat and things like that.
      My first Halloween here was very nice, but as nothing can be perfect, it was raining. My friends and I started to prepare the costumes early, a lot of them painted their faces, they became very scary. I didn't wear scary costume, because I was a magician, and I became proud because I maked the hat by myself, it wasn't so good, but I liked.

   So, my friends and I went to the ESL party and it was amazing. All of the international students wearing different costumes, some of them were scary, others were cute, but the important is that we could see the effort of them to enjoy the celebration.

    When it finished, we went to the dorm and await to the time to go to the parade at the main street. But it was raining so much and we decided don't go. We stayed awake for a long time just talking and looking to the costumes of those who passed by us. It was an awesome day!

Halloween Day!!!

By Yuka
    
     How was your Halloween day? My Halloween was very good! I enjoyed with everyone even though the day was raining and cold.

     For Halloween, I chose to be a ladybird. My suite mates decided my costume when I went to shopping with my suite mates. I didn't expect I become the ladybird. For the first time, I was really ashamed to wear the costume, but my suite mates really liked my costume of ladybird. Therefore, I had confidence to wear it, and I became to like the ladybird  costume.

     In Halloween day, I joined the ESL Halloween Party. I was surprised because everyone was wearing various kinds of costumes such as scary, cute, and funny. I liked everyone's costumes. I really enjoyed taking pictures and talking with everyone. 

    After the ESL Halloween Party, I went to see the big parade of New Paltz. There were many cute kids in the main street, and they were wearing many kinds of cute costumes such as anime characters and animals. The parade was started when some children began to playing the music with their instruments. After the children passed in front of me, I followed the children. Then I walked with the children in the main street. Not only I but also many children and adults were following to the children. I really had fun.

     Finally, I went to see the Pumpkin Contest (I don't know the real name of the contest.) The pumpkin contest was holding at the Bakery shop in the main street. There were many different pumpkin carvings. They were beautiful, minute patterns, and funny. I think the people who made the pumpkin carvings have very high skills of that. I really liked the contest. 

     

     It's fun to choose the costume and see everyone's costumes. Also. I like to see pumpkin carvings. Actually, I made it before the Halloween day. I hope next time I will make a very artistic pumpkin carving! Halloween became one of the very fun events for me. I can't wait next year's Halloween!!

My first halloween

by Djalma Oliveira

Do you know who the “bird green latern” is? No? Yeah, it is normal… My costume for my first halloween was this one. You can see it in this picture where one handsome guy is wearing it. I need to say that my experience was amazing, I could learn more about this famous party and so known here in America. When one time per year, all the students and professors choose and wear one. I think that it is amazing, because everybody is free to wear what want and no one gets shy.

The handsome guy :P

October 31th, it is the most expected date in October, the Halloween. The day was rainy, but the rain couldn’t disturb our happiness, I put my costume before the ESL party and started to walk inside of my Hall, in the first moment I was so embarrassed because it was my first time, but minutes later, the shame was over… I and my Brazilian friends went to the ESL party and I could see one wonderful decoration, many details, like typical pumpkins and ghosts. Moreover I can forget the wonderful costumes that my international friends and professors were wearing, the party was so funny. Thereafter I went to the streets to see the typical parade, it was nice to see many families together and enjoying the date. And for complete the night, I was still wearing my costume hahaha I, Qiqi and her sisters went to the Tokyo Sushi, delicious Japanese food with wonderful peoples.

I and Qiqi in the Tokyo Sushi

Therefore I really enjoyed a lot my first HALLOWEEN. I would like to do parties like this, when I will come back to Brazil, I know that everybody there will like. Living these experiences In America is so important for me, because in the future I will have a lot stories to talk :D

Halloween DAY

-BY KUAN-WEN , TAO

        Halloween ?  I had an experience in my high school year. My school had the Helloween dance party for each year. We celebrated at night to 10pm, atcually, everyone had to attend it. haha!! In past, I wore black dress. People were crazy at the party. They were shuting, dancing, jumping, go around the circle at the dark room AND with loud pop music.  We used auditorium as our party place. We all wore different kinds of costumes. Some people were very creatively.

        However, this year in US. I didn't go to ESL party and also main street. I was watcing my Korean drama and sleeping in my room. Also I was chatting with my Taiwanese friends. I felt lazy. Because of rain, I decided not to go out. I felt no interested to think about what I should dress about. Another reason, it was too late to think and decide to order the costume. By the way, I gave up early. Because of lazy, I gave me a day to relaxing.
 

        In fact, I am planning for next year Halloween. I will dress up for next time. I have an idea to do with my costume. Not sure will change or not. Just see you there next Halloween, I will be there with you guys unless you are still here in New Paltz.  Ha!!!!!!

My First Halloween in the U.S.

 

 

 

         Where is the best place in the world to celebrate Halloween? Definitely in the U.S. I came from

 

a country (Saudi Arabia) where Halloween is not a big holiday, I was insanely excited about

 

experiencing a proper Halloween in New York City. Me and my friend  carve a pumpkin at our

 

university I could not ask for a better activity. Carving a pumpkin actually involves some techniques

 

that I cannot wait to share with my non U.S. friends next year. It was very entertaining and satisfying

 

to find out how evil our pumpkin looked like once we put a candle in the middle. Most of my

 

American friends seemed to be over Halloween because they have been celebrate it so many times.

 

But I felt like a little child about to experience her first real Halloween ever. I like the children's when

 

they came and nock the door asking for candy a trick or a treat. But overall, this Halloween 2013 was

 

unbelievable and I am looking forward to sharing this experience with my friends back home.