Doctors Without Borders–“Afghanistan: MSF Opens Maternity Hospital in Khost”

http://doctorswithoutborders.org/press/release.cfm?id=5805&cat=press-release

UN meets Millennium Development Goal on drinking water

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-17270014

Happy Leap Year!

Triple Play

Capitol Hill in Pictures

by James Levin

Global Trivia

Which country should you venture to if you desire to see over 4o different species of lemur?

 

Submit answers as comments  (include your name)!

 

The winner will receive a prize. Kind of.

Global Halloween Party

Taken by James Levin

Taken by James Levin

Taken by James Levin

Taken by Mondona McCann

Capitol Hill by Joy Penaso

On October 21, 2011, Global Communities was able to take part in the fabulous opportunity to visit Capitol Hill. A metonym for the building that actually houses the legislature of the United States, Capitol Hill is two square miles of hill, majestically rising in the center of DC. The visit was comprised of a grand scale tour of the building, showing the beautiful design and architecture that took two centuries to finalize. Learning what E Pluribis Unum means (do you know?), getting a quick look-see of the rooms within the U.S. Capitol, and finding quirky secret spots were just a few of the many highlights of this trip. The most insightful part of the visit would have to be the briefing from a coordinator of Foreign Relations from Senator Cardin’s committee. Not only did he give a description of how work on “the Hill” is, he also gave information on offered internships and just what the heck briefs are. When asked if the overall trip was beneficial, first-year attendee, Maya Dawit claimed, “Yes, I learned all about the different opportunities that are offered in the DMV!” Taking one glance back to the monumental building, Lady Freedom, is just the “cherry on top” to the federal government’s symbolic home.

Fun Halloween Costume Ideas!

Crazy Halloween Ideas:

1)    Lost and Found Box: Cut a hole in the bottom of a large cardboard box just big enough so you can wear it around you. Fill the empty space of the box around you with coats, glasses, wallets and other random objects. Write “Lost and Found” on the front of the box and go around asking people “Are these your glasses?”

2)    Chick Magnet: Attach Barbie dolls all over yourself. 

3)    Orbit Gum Girl: Wear white clothes, a colorful scarf around your neck, and a white pith helmet. Carry a pack of Orbit Gum and say things like, “Fabulous” and “For a good clean feeling.” 

4)    American Idol Contestant: Make a small sign that says “American Idol Contestant # (whatever)” and pin it to your clothes. Dress wacky, carry an inflatable microphone and sing badly.  

5)    Red Bull Give You Wings: Wear wings and carry a Red Bull.  

6)    Cupcake: To make the bottom of the cupcake, find some corrugated cardboard (the kind with the ridges). Cut a piece and form it into a circle, big enough to fit around your hips. Paint it the color of your choice and attach it to some straps so it can hang over your shoulders. For the frosting, create a big poof of pink chiffon fabric. Attach it around your upper chest. Sprinkle some glitter on top or make fake sprinkles out of felt. Optional: make a cherry hat but turning a red plastic bowl upside down and adding a fake stem.

7)    Dr. Pepper: Get a white lab coat or some surgical scrubs, and pin some chili peppers all over yourself.  

8)    Tornado: Dress all in black, paint your face black, wear a black stocking cap and black gloves. Find a bunch of “miniatures” — barnyard animals, hotwheel cars, tractors, houses, etc. Attach all of your accumulated stuff to black yarn or string, and fasten to your clothing with glue or pins. When someone dares to ask what you are, spin crazily around the room making a roaring noise!

9)    Rapunzel: Find a cardboard box (or use a round plastic clothes basket) that will sit upside down over your head to form a “castle tower.” Cut the front so two pieces swing out like windows (this is where your face will show through). Cover the basket with brown craft paper, and decorate it to look like a stone tower (you can add fake ivy, flowers, birds, etc.). Attach brown fabric along the bottom of the box, so it hangs down and covers your body. Wear a long braided wig that hangs down out the window. Attach a small action figure, so it looks like he is climbing up your hair.

10) Three-Legged Man: Wear a long trench coat. To make the extra leg, cut one leg off a pair of pants that match what you will be wearing (jeans are easiest) and slip it over an L-shaped stick. Add a matching shoe. Pin one sleeve of the trench coat in your pocket so it looks like your hand is in your pocket, and hold the stick leg inside the coat with your free hand. Make sure to do lots of cool dance moves!

-By Susan Shen and Song Yu

On a more conventional note:

For Girls:

• Katy Perry in “Last Friday Night”
• Nicki Minaj
• The Black Swan
• Angels and Demons
• Marilyn Monroe
• Fairy
• Britney Spears
• Pin Up Girl

For Guys:

• Charlie Sheen
• James Bond
• Cowboy
• Austin Powers
• Elvis
• Caveman
• Flava Flav

Dress up with your friends too!

• The cast of ”Glee”
• The Smurfs
• The cast of “Jersey Shore”
• Angry Birds
• Mario and Luigi
• The Disney Princesses
• Harry Potter characters
• The Incredibles
• Ghostbusters
• The Flintsones
• The Power Rangers
• Sesame Street

-By Joyce Yu

Exchange Student Interview

Name: Tasuku
Year: Third
Major: Tourism (in Japan)

Have you ever visited the United States before you began your studies here?
Yes I have been to New York City and San Francisco on vacations.

What is your favorite part of the University of Maryland?
The people are nice and i have made many friends.

What is your least favorite part of the University of Maryland?
I don’t like the food from the dining hall.  I miss Japanese food.

What is your favorite Japanese dish?
My favorite is Natto which is made from soybeans and is very healthy.

Are there any differences between school here and school in Japan?
Here, I take a variety of different classes such as a communications class, a music class, and an American studies class.  In Japan, my classes were less varied.

Interview by Courtney Hoff