People Go to Hawaii to Study???

I thought I'd briefly describe the classes I'm taking and how they're going.

First, remember my MA program is Second Language Studies (SLS) which does NOT mean learning a second language, but refers to the field of applied linguistics which incorporates areas like:
-Language teaching/pedagogy
-Language use (in various contexts)
-Multilingualism
-Language testing, assessment, program evaluation/development
-Literacy acquisitition (reading/writing in second languages)
-Language planning and politics
-Second Language Acquisition (psycholinguistics)

Also remember the term we use for second language is L2...first language is L1 for short. Notice a pattern?

I'm taking three classes:

Language Concepts for SLS:

• This is more or less a foundational linguistics class. We talk about the major areas of linguistic grammar: phonetics (sounds), phonology (rules behind sound combinations), morphology (words), syntax (sentences), and semantics (meaning). This class is taken by some undergraduates as well and so we have quizzes and homework exercise problems and tests. I actually really like the subject though and so sometimes I read the test for fun and I participate a lot in class. We have three tests and I got a 102% on my first test (thanks to a few extra credit points)!
• We also have to do an analysis of the grammar of a language we don't know. That should be fun...
  
• I got a bunch of the quotes that I used in previous entries from this class. You should really check out the book The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker if you can.

Introduction to SLS:

• This class is an introduction to the field. We begin by talking about the program at UH and the resources available and defining the field of applied linguistics (distinguishing it from linguistics). We then did some analysis of different university SLS programs and some of the main issues of SLS research and controversy. We had to do a presentation on a subfield of applied linguistics to practice research skills and familiarize ourselves with journals, professional organizations, and conferences in the field.
• Exciting topics still to come: types of research and research methods and exploration of the four major domains of SLS (L2 learning, L2 use, L2 analysis, and L2 pedagogy).
• We also have to do a research article critique and a position paper with a literature review which will probably be the most involved writing task this semester.
• The professor has some interesting anecdotes, but the class is mostly free-form small group discussion.

Second Language Writing:

• This is my favorite class. It is really interesting (probably because it isn't an introductory class) and I participate a lot in this class too (although I'm trying to shut myself up). People think (based on my comments) that I have a lot more experience than I do (and also that I'm a lot older than I am). But I'm okay with people thinking I'm smart. As long as my comments are appreciated, I guess I shouldn't feel to bad about giving them.
• We talk about all sorts of interesting topics: how to give feedback, peer review, use of technology in writing, comparing rhetorics across cultures, cultural impact on L2 writing, how the L1 influences L2 writing, what is "good writing," writing for audiences, plagiarism, politics of L2 writing, etc.
• The second half of the class we decide as a class what we will do. We will decide what topics to address, types of activities to do, or whether we want to read more articles.
• Everyone gets an A as long as they complete the assignments!
• We write a short, free-response paper to the readings once a week and get peer and teacher feedback on our writing (focusing on content) which kinda puts into use the concepts we talk about.
• Fun Fun Fun!
  

Reasons for Taking TheBus

After another bus adventure, I came up with three good reasons for taking TheBus in O'ahu:

1. It is very enjoyable to see grown people, dressed in suits (or at least as suit-like as you can get in Hawai'i) or dresses (or mumus) or street clothes, sprinting across the street and down the sidewalk as they desperately try to catch the bus (Hawaiians are often running late after all). They look so silly and then so relieved when they finally get on the bus.
2. TheBus drivers are so nice! They will often ask how you're doing, help you when you're lost, and give you a mahalo as you leave. I love those people!
3. It is called TheBus (http://www.thebus.org) which is almost as good as my mom's cousin Sheryl's pizza place called A Pizza Place.

I took the bus to go downtown and get a Hawaiian ID card. Yay for ID so I don't have to carry around my passport!! I decided that in Hawaii I will be 6'0'' (i.e. six feet tall) and that is kind of a lie, but I've always wanted to say I was six foot (not 5'11") this was my chance. Maybe I should be admitting to such a crime in a public space, but why not! I'm proud to finally be six feet tall!

Anniversary

I understand a month does not make an anniversary, but I've been in Hawaii for over a month now. My classes are over 1/4 done! And I'm so happy. I've found a home...finally. I've even adopted calling this new home Hawai'i instead of Hawaii. (I know, you're thinking "WHAT?")

I miss people for sure. I miss Shahla's hugs. I miss making fun of Shirley. I miss my grandma doting on me. I wish I could share this wonderful island with everyone. Things have changed a lot from my perspective when I first arrived here. But when I think about how much has changed since a year ago, it scares me.

September 10 was the anniversary of my mom's passing. Before that I had two parents, a girlfriend, a somewhat sheltered outlook on life, and a lot of innocence. I've lost, I've struggled, and I've grown since. I'm stronger now. I'm happier now. I bring with me the wisdom gained from loss and suffering, the perspective of facing death, and the eyes of an adult. I've bounced around a lot, from home to home, job to job, country to country, but I've landed. I've landed on both feet. I stand tall again.

A month later, I can appreciate life again. I can wake up every morning, thankful to be alive and have another day ahead of me.

I appreciate it now.

Happiness

I know I should be doing homework right now, but I am just overwhelmed with happiness! I am practically giddy for no reason in particular other than the fact that I love it here and I haven't encountered any more big spiders or centipedes.

I love the people- I've met so many amazing people and made friends and that makes me happy.

I love the program- I love my program and classes and now I know why it is so well-respected!

I love Hawai'i- It is so beautiful and friendly and the weather is perfect (at least for me, some people actually think it is too hot)

I'm really happy. The prospects for things getting better are also high, so yay!

Adapting: Okay, so two things Hawaii is lacking that could make me sad (besides the aforementioned sidewalks) are donut shops and country music stations. I love going to a donut shop, especially a 24 hour shop late at night after saving my coins for a month. Adaptation: I've discovered a malasada (i.e. Portuguese donut) shop that makes yummy malasadas (i.e. lump of fried dough with sugar sprinkled on top) that satisfies, although lacks the diversity of choices that the typical donut shop has. And it is run by people from Macau! How perfect is that. And then my country music needs are quenched by my discovery of the Yahoo! country radio station and the fact they play country songs on the local soft rock/mix96 type station, which means I hear it when I go into the grocery stores and stuff. Plus, they have TWO Hawaiian music stations to make up for it. I love that stuff.

Now I just need to find a luau!!

Ukes and Toshibas

This weekend I really got to be a tourist! I went into the touristy part of Waikiki and saw all the fancy hotels and strip malls and people taking pictures and sunbathing. It was fun. I went with Ellie's daughter and her daughter's husband and 3 year-old son. We watched the Duke's Ukes festival for a while where different people competed for best 'ukulele player at all levels, including these elementary school kids, and they also had some 'ukulele building fun and lots of cool Hawaiian music. Then we strolled along the beach. I wasn't prepared to swim, but her husband and son were. After they were swimming in the ocean for a while she realized that they had forgot the son's floaties and she couldn't get their attention. I was coerced into sacrificing my shorts for the good of the cause and jump in. It was so SALTY! The cool thing was that the beach was in a cove and after you swim out a bit from the shore you reach another huge pile of sand created by all these waves coming at you from every direction. They crash into each other and the sand just piles up as if there is a second beach out in the middle of the cove.

The other excitement for the weekend was that my computer died. Just started going really slow until finally it wouldn't go at all. So, I bought a new computer. It is really cool and I got a good deal on it at CompUSA. It is a Toshiba Satellite and I'm really happy with it and the price (even though I was not in the market for spending that kind of money). I guess I really do need to find myself a job!

Auditioning for Streetcar

On Sunday, September 3rd, I had a callback audition for a play being done at UH, A Streetcar Named Desire. I was called back in the final group reading for the main roles and I could tell right away that the director had some favorites that she knew and were in the theater program at the school. She didn't know me and I realized "Who am I to waltz in out of nowhere, without a really strong resume, and try to steal a lead role in one of the most anticipated shows done here in years?" Well, I wasn't surprised that I didn't get one of the two lead roles, but I was excited that I got cast!! I debated for a while whether I should accept or not, given the small role and time commitment, but I finally decided it would be a great experience. Now I found it that it really is some big production. There is a website devoted to it and apparently there are teacher materials created for the production, promotional readings being performed out in the public, and pre-show chats. Definitely much different than the smaller scale, intimate theater I'm used to. Well, see how it goes. Here are the links:

http://www.hawaii.edu/theatre/stage/pagetostage/Directory%20Page.html

A Sweet Retreat

From September 2-3:

This weekend I was whisked away to frolic and mingle with students and faculty in the Second Language Studies (SLS) program at a secluded hideaway on the other side of the island. It was the furthest I've ventured on O'ahu since I arrived. I guess I should start by explaing what SLS means because people ask me about it all the time. It is really another name for applied linguistics that focuses in on second language (L2) learning instead of first language (L1) learning. This field covers a range of interdisciplinary concepts such as second language acquisition, second language (L2) teaching/learning/pedagogy, L2 program/curriculum development, L2 testing and research, social and political concerns of language learning, foriegn language (language not used in host country) vs. second language (language of host country), bilingualism/multilingualism, and I'm sure there are other things. So, when I say my program is in SLS, "Oh, what language are you studying?" would not be an appropriate response.

That said, the retreat is so much fun. I think I've learned a lot by being in Summerbridge about how to conduct myself in situations such as this. I tried to be friendly and talk to most of the people there (I think nearly everyone knows who I am) and I also tried to participate in everything and help out whenever I could. Basically, just like in Summerbridge, there wasn't an idle moment (or when there was, I felt bad- like there is someone I should be helping or talking to). It was really nice to hang out with all these people and I can tell there are a whole bunch of cool people I'd like to spend more time with. Plus, spending more time with all the Korean and Japanese girls helped me to be able to distinguish them a little better!

Although most of the time was unstructured hang out time, there were a lot of activities as well. I played ultimate frisbee for the first time and found out that there really is an emphasis on the ultimate part. I remember frisbee being a really chill thing to do in a park on a nice day, but this game is brutal and competitive and I don't know if I'm sold on it. I also played some basketball and successfully completed my first ally-oop (wow! what a fun word to attempt to spell!). I was guarding one of our professors (a rather short and aged man) and shutting him down until he, dripping with sweat, gained the advantage by taking off his shirt street-style which made give him a lot more space. Fun! I also got to teach some of the Korean and Japanese the art of S'more making. A couple of girls had never seen a marshmallow before and were mesmorized by its texture.

The highlight, though, was this auction we had. I've never been to an auction, but even if I had, I'm sure this would have been my favorite auction ever. The selling point was the auctioneer who was hysterical and he had to where this bright yellow and orange mumu the entire time! Many of the auction items were services like I'll teach you how to surf or I'll serenade someone for you with my cello, but others were themed parties or trips. I bought two things: a hike to Manoa Falls with a baguette and wine picnic at the top ($15) and a Chinese New Year Festival party with food of all sorts, games, traditions, and more! ($47). The crazy thing is that I also offered a party. I will be hosting a Salsa Fiesta where I teach the guests how to make some Mexican dishes (like enchiladas, Mexican rice, salsa, I don't know), teach them a few Spanish phrases, and also teach them to salsa dance. I don't know what I'm doing. Feel free to send me some recipes. I guess I should also learn to dance too. The party is for six, tickets went for $27, and 2 professors (including one from Spain!) will be attending. I don't even have a place to host it yet. Luckily, these can all be worked out later.

Anyways, the trip was fun and I posted some pictures on Flickr from it. Enjoy!
http://www.flickr.com/photos/matespi

Paradise and Drinking

Tonight I attempted my first bar outing since I've been here. I also realized another drawback for having lost my wallet. I went all the way down to Waikiki to the Ala Moana Center and didn't have any ID!! I don't have a driver's license now and who the hell carries around a passport everywhere? Well, I think I need to get some form of Hawaiian ID for security reasons and because carrying around my passport is just plain inconvenient and losing that would be tragic. So, we had to go back to my house and ended up a bar close by. I witnessed a few wacky incidents. First of all, this huge Samoan guy came up to one of my friend's German boyfriend and unbuttoned his shirt because he said he looked too uptight for Hawaii. I wish I could get hit on like that. Then there was a fight on the street outside the bar that involved people getting out of a car, punching and kicking this other group (the way real men were meant to fight) and a lot of hollering. It ended with the guys getting back into the car, reversing to try and run over this other guy, and then the other guy trying to kick the car only to fall on his booty. Because the bar is not enclosed and everyone is out on the patio, there was a running commentary throughout the fight and everyone there (and there were a lot of people) was cheering them one and there was a lot of whistling and whooping as the fight came to a conclusion. Finally, on my way this moped drives by and then suddenly the muffler drops off. Crazy.

By the way, Hawaii is beautiful. I don't know if there are many who would disagree. Still, when I walk to school and see the ocean and the mountains and the city and the beautiful flowers, it really is invigorating. I really like the mountains here; they look different, much more tropical than the mountains on the mainland. I told someone that I feel like I'm in Jurassic Park when I look at the mountains (just what I needed, right? to be scared of dinosaurs on top of all the bugs) and then, randomly, I was reading a travel article on Hawaii and found out Jurassic Park was filmed here! How appropriate my simile. I do miss sidewalks though. While I'm hiking up my hill to get home, there is always the threat of being run over. Most people just walk on people's lawn, but I haven't morally brought myself to do that (unless the lawn is ugly) and sometimes that isn't even an option. Besides nearly dying everyday, I really like living here. It is paradise after all! I would really like to get a car and explore it more. Hmmm....

No Such Thing as Bad English

The general concept is that any language spoken has a set of built-in rules that aren't broken by it's speakers and give structure to the language. Even so-called "dialects" of English have rules that govern the language of its speakers. There is a trade-off with any dialect or language, while some aspects may seem less efficient or clear or sensible compared to Standard American English (SAE), other aspects are actually more efficient or descriptive. Often they are accomplishing the same thing, just in a different way. Here are some examples:

From Black English Vernacular (BEV):

"Where SAE uses there as a meaningless dummy subject for the copula, BEV uses it as a meaningless dummy subject for the copula (compare SAE's There's really a God with Larry's It's really a God). Larry's negative concord (You ain't goin' to no heaven) is seen in many languages, such as French (ne ... pas)."

"BEV allows its speakers the option of deleting copulas (If you bad); this is not random laziness but a systematicv rule that is virtually identical to the contraction rule in SAE that reduces He is
to He's..."

Still no SAE speaker would try changing Yes he is! to Yes he's! and no BEV speaker would change Yes he is! to Yes he!

"BEV speakers use the full forms of certain auxiliaries (I have seen), whereas SAE speakers usually contract them (I've seen) ... He be working means that he generally works, perhaps that he has a regular job; He working means only that he is working at the moment that the sentence is uttered. In SAE, He is working fails to make that distinction."

From the South:

"The same bumpkins who are derided for dropping g's in Nothin' doin' are likely to enunciate vowels in pó-lice and accidént that pointy-headed intellectuals reduce to a neutral "uh" sound."

From Boston:

"Bostonians who pahk their cah in Hahvahd Yahd name their daughters Sheiler and Linder. In 1992 an ordinance was proposed that would have banned the hiring of any immigrant teacher who "speaks with an accent" in - I am not making this up - Westfield, Massachusetts. An incredulous woman wrote to the Boston Globe recalling how her native New England teacher defined "homonym" [two words with different meanings that sound the same] using the example orphan and often. Another amused reader remembered incurring the teacher's wrath when spelled "cuh-rée-uh" as Korea and "cuh-rée-ur" as career and not vice versa as intended by the teacher."

Linguistics for Dummies

I've been reading this great book written for laymen (like you!) about language called The Language Instinct by Steven Pinker. It has some really interesting examples that I thought I'd share for your general edification.

"Most educated people already have opinions about language. They know that it is man's most important cultural invention, the quitessential example of his capacity to use symbols, and a biologically unprecedented event irrevocably separating him from other animals. They know that language pervades thought, with different languages causing their speakers to construe reality in different ways. They know that children learn to talk from role models and caregivers. They know that grammatical sophistication used to be nurtured in the schools, but sagging educational standards and the debasements of popular culture have led to a frightening decline in the ability of the average person to construct a grammatical sentence. They also know that English is a zany, logic-defying tongue, in which one drives on a parkway and parks in a driveway, plays at a recital and recites at a play. They know that English spelling takes such wackiness to even greater heights- George Bernard Shaw complained that fish could just as sensibly be spelled ghoti (gh as in tough, o as in women, ti as in nation)- and that only institutional inertia prevents the adoption of a more rational, spell-it-like-it-sounds system."

If you believe these, get annoyed by people speaking "Bad English," and could not understand the Ebonics use in Oakland schools not long ago, perhaps I can help to change your perspective on language and its use.

Creature Feature

I found a centipede in the shower today. I've also killed a large cockroach a day for the past four days. As long as I don't find any more big spiders or find anything in my bed, I think I'll be okay. I enter tentatively into the bathroom and thoroughly examine everywhere I walk in my room, carefully shaking out my shoes before putting them on.