Tuesday, August 19, 2014

American Culture


 
There are so many things that you hear about and see in movies about how America is. Being a movie and the local gossip, you just assume that most of it isn’t true, don’t you? Well as surprising as it may be, a lot of it is!
 
The biggest, most identifiable aspect to America is the food!! Fast food is a huge industry in the States and so you cant miss it. The number of drive through and take out restaurants that are around is unimaginable! Imagine every five minutes of driving down the expressway seeing signs for a take out restaurant.  Talk about convenience! On top of that, the meals and drinks are HUMONGOUS. A small in America is equitant to a large in Australia, and it is half the price. So don’t worry too much about not getting enough for your money. Aside from the normal fast food places, there are lots of Starbucks in the area, and these are great when you are after a coffee with something nice to eat.
 
Sport is another massive industry in the States, like nowhere else in the world. Something you should defiantly make the effort to experience. This could mean either attending an EMU sporting event, or watching one of the professional team play – two totally different experiences, but both something to enjoy.
 
Fashion is simple in the United States – you can wear whatever you like! There is no pressure to fit into the fashion trends, and it is a really great opportunity to ‘be who you have always wanted to be’.
 
Nothing to stress over, but another difference that I experienced when coming to America was the testing system. A lot of the time the testing is multiple choices. This is there they will ask you a question, and you have 3-6 options to choose from for you answer. Coming from the testing system where you are always writing paragraphs, this is a lot of fun!
 
Coming to America will be a lot great memories and experiences :)

PS: Sororities and Fraternities actually do exist!
 
by Adele
 
 

Tuesday, August 12, 2014

Local road races

Well, it's almost the end of the summer, and school starts soon. What better way to soak up the last of the summer sun than with outdoor exercise? Road races are fun for all ages, and you don't have to train much to run one; you can even grab a couple of friends and just walk together! Here are a few notable races happening around Michigan that you might be interested in:


Run for the Hills
Date: August 16
Time: 8:30 am
Location: Farmington
Description (from the website):
"Welcome runners, walkers, sponsors, and volunteers to the 5th Annual Run for the Hills, created to offer an awesome even for everyone and generate money for the Special Olympics Athletes of Oakland County."



Run Between the Vines

Date: August 16
Time: 7:30 am
Location: Jackson
Description (from the website):
"Join us in the naturally calming and stunning landscape of Sandhill Crane Vineyards just 20 miles west of Ann Arbor. The half marathon will take you from the vineyard to rolling dirt back roads shaded by a tunnel of trees...the out and back Vineyard to Vineyard 5K is a friendly and fulfilling romp to the woods and back where the wine will be flowing!"

sign up: http://runvines.com/ (the registration for running is full, but you can still volunteer).


Glow in the Park
Date: August 16

Time: 8:50 pm
Location: Milford
Description (from the website): 
"The best way to light up the night! The ultimate party fun run! But most importantly, it's the freakin' awesome foam-pits-fluorescent-colors-blacklights-glowing-warpaint-dance-moves night you'll never forget!"



Montrose Blueberry Festival 5k and 8k Road Race
Date: August 17
Time: 7:30 am
Location: Montrose
Sign up: 



The Crim
Date: August 22
Time: 8:00 am
Location: Flint
Description (from the website): Don't miss out on one of the largest and most beloved races in the country!



And just in case you miss the first glow run....

Glow in the Night 5K
Date: August 22
Time: 8:00 pm
Location: Detroit
Description (from the website): 

"Come for the 5k, but stay for the glowing after party! Dance the night away under the black lights while getting covered in more glow dust. Enjoy yourself with family & friends as we throw more color in the air every 10 minutes! You won't want this fun one of a kind night to end!"

Sign up: 


A few tips to save money:

1. Volunteer to help at a race! You'll meet great people, have lots of fun, get a free T-Shirt, and it is FREE!
2. Sign up as a team for a discount on your entry fees!
3. Sign up early! There is usually a discount for joining a race in advance.



If you find you are addicted to racing after trying any of these, check out http://www.runmichigan.com for more! There are races all year round.

Happy Running!!
 
by Clarissa

Tuesday, August 5, 2014

U.S. Holidays

The US is a country filled with many different kinds of cultures and traditions so that means that there's also many kinds of holidays as well. Because there is just so many holidays that many people outside the US don't know about I wanted to make a little calendar list of all of the them for you guys.
September
Sept 1 Labor Day
Sept 6 Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day
Sept 7 National Grandparents Day
Sept 11 Patriot Day
Sept 17 Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
Sept 19 National POW/MIA Recognition Day
Sept 23 September equinox
Sept 28 Gold Star Mother's Day

October
Oct 6 Child Health Day
Oct 9 Leif Erikson Day
Oct 13 Columbus Day
Oct 15 White Cane Safety Day
Oct 16 Boss's Day
Oct 18 Sweetest Day
Oct 23 Diwali/Deepavali
Oct 31 Halloween
November
Nov 2 Daylight Saving Time ends
Nov 11 Veterans Day
Nov 27 Thanksgiving Day
DecemberDec 1 Cyber Monday
Dec 6 St Nicholas' Day
Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day
Dec 12 Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Dec 17 Pan American Aviation Day
Dec 17 Wright Brothers Day
Dec 21 December Solstice
Dec 24 Christmas Eve
Dec 25 Christmas Day
Dec 26 Kwanzaa
Dec 31 New Year's Eve
JanuaryJan 1 New Year's Day
Jan 13 Stephen Foster Memorial Day
Jan 19 Martin Luther King Day
FebruaryFeb 1 National Freedom Day
Feb 2 Groundhog Day
Feb 6 National Wear Red Day
Feb 14 Valentine's Day
Feb 16 Presidents' Day
Feb 17 Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras/Fat Tuesday
Feb 19 Chinese New Year
March
Mar 1 St. David's Day
Mar 2 Read Across America Day
Mar 8 Daylight Saving Time starts
Mar 17 St. Patrick's Day
Mar 20 March equinox
AprilApr 5 Easter Sunday
Apr 6 National Tartan Day
Apr 13 Thomas Jefferson's Birthday
Apr 15 Tax Day
Apr 21 National Library Workers' Day
Apr 22 Administrative Professionals Day
MayMay 1 Law Day/Loyalty Day
May 2 National Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Day
May 5 Cinco de Mayo
May 6 National Nurses Day
May 7 National Day of Prayer
May 10 Mothers' Day
May 15 Peace Officers Memorial Day/National Defense Transportation Day
May 16 Armed Forces Day
May 20 Emergency Medical Services for Children Day
May 22 National Maritime Day
May 25 Memorial Day/National Missing Children's Day
JuneJun 6 D-Day
Jun 14 Flag Day
Jun 21 June Solstice
Jun 21 Fathers' Day

July
Jul 4 Independence Day
Jul 26 Parents' Day
AugustAug 14 My Birthday!!! :P
Aug 19 National Aviation Day
Aug 21 Senior Citizens Day
These are just a few in the many number of holidays celebrated in the US and most I have never heard of before. But I do hope this list helps you to recognize or learn some of the holiday's that we celebrate or observe here. I hope you all have had a wonderful summer and I can't wait to meet you guys in the next few weeks!

by Kemia
For a list of holidays and breaks at EMU, visit http://www.emich.edu/registrar/calendars/.