Be Sure To Slurp Your Soup in Japan

What do you know about basic etiquette? Whether attending a formal dinner or just as a matter of everyday courtesy, here are some basics:

Invitations....

• If you receive an invitation that says, "RSVP" -- you need to RESPOND. The host needs to know how many people to plan for. Courtesy means you let him or her know just as soon as you know whether you will attend the event.
• Notice how your invitation was addressed: If it does not say "and guest", then you shouldn't bring a guest. It will be addressed to the specific people who are invited.
• Putting the host on the spot by asking to bring a guest, or perhaps your children, makes things awkward.

   Mr. Grinberg and Ms. Berniker are invited. Their children, room mates, best friends, accountants, gurus, and dogs are not.

Courtesy......

• Gentlemen: remove your hat when you are in a building.
• Anyone should open a door for an elder as a sign of respect.
• It's never wrong to say 'please' and 'thank you' when appropriate.
• Gentlemen, open the door to a building for the ladies. Ladies, say 'Thank You.'
• Also open and shut the car door for a lady when getting in or out of the car. If it is a dressy event and especially if she's wearing high heels, offer your hand to help her exit the car.
• As a courtesy, gentlemen should walk on the 'outside' of a sidewalk and women on the 'inside'.
• Ladies and gents, conservative dress is always the best choice.
• Be on time!
• Be patient and do not interrupt someone who is speaking.
• When you finish a dance, thank your partner if you are then parting ways.
• It is always wise not to bring up topics of controversy such as religion or politics.
• Turn your cell phone ringer off, and put the phone away when you are in a group of people.
• Respect the personal space of others: don't stand too close, don't look over someone's shoulder unless asked to.
• Wait your turn.
• Say 'excuse me' if you sneeze, and cover your sneeze. And use hand sanitizer.
• If you are ill, call and cancel your attendance rather than expose others to your germs.
• When in doubt, just smile and nod.

And then....there's the matter of table manners: Does this strike fear into your heart?

                                   Why are there so many of everything, and which is mine??

The basic rule is, when you sit down at the table, you will eat to your left and drink to your right. That is, your plates are to your left, and your drinkware is to your right. Keep this in mind when the place settings are so close together that you can't tell. Start with the fork or spoon the farthest out and work your way towards the plate (for example, salad is served first, then dinner; or, soup and then dinner).

Here's a diagram of what it's all for:

Check this out for instruction:

http://www.onlinesterling.com/helpfulhints/formal-table-setting.htm  this doesn't work!!!!

How to behave yourself at a formal dinner:
http://whatscookingamerica.net/Menu/DiningEtiquetteGuide.htm

Basics at the table...

• Don't chew with your mouth open. Eat as quietly as possible.
• If you get something in your mouth you don't like, discreetly deposit it in your napkin--without a remark about how gross it was.
• No elbows on the table.
• Don't hunch over the table.
• Put your napkin in your lap.
• Grooming is done in a restroom or at home, not in public.
• When unsure, subtly look around you to see what others do.

Have you noticed the way people use their forks and knives in England? Check this out:

http://www.ehow.com/how_2040313_use-knife-fork-england.html

In some countries, eating with your hands is perfectly acceptable. In Asian countries, people use both chopsticks and forks, knives, and spoons as we do.

And what of the history of eating utensils?

http://askandyaboutclothes.com/lifestyle/the-history-of-dining-utensils

You may think the number of times you will need to know these rules, will be seldom. There are times, however, when a job interview may include a 'business lunch,' and knowing the right way to manage it will be helpful in relaxing a bit during the lunch. Your potential boss may be watching to see how you handle yourself in that situation.

Just for fun, Triogenius checked out  some etiquette rules in other countries....it was rather enlightening:


In England:
Wear a solid tie, rather than a pattern; tie shoes rather than slip-ons; and a shirt without pockets if possible.
Tap your nose if you are talking about something that should be confidential.

                                  Mr. Colbert missed the memo about the patterned tie.

 

Don't touch others in public, such as a touch on the arm or a pat on the shoulder, or to remove a piece of lint from someone's coat.
Discussing the cost of things, such as how much you paid for your trip or for an item of clothing, is considered in very bad taste.
If you find yourself in a waiting line, or a 'queue' as they call it, just wait---trying to get ahead in the line is very offensive in England.



In Japan:
Do slurp your noodles and soup to show you enjoy the food.

Don't tip your servers.
When you stay in someone's home, when taking a bath, don't drain the bathwater as others will use it. As the guest, though, you are likely to get the first bath. And, ...ew.
Do not stare into the eyes of someone who is speaking to you.
It may be considered impolite to introduce yourself; wait for someone to introduce you to the others.



In Australia:
Dress casually at almost any occasion.
Bring your own beer to a restaurant.

Sorry....couldn't resist...

 

In Argentina:
Don't wear a soccer jersey, and especially if it's not for an Argentine team. They take their football (they call it 'football') very seriously, and there are deep rivalries.  

Dress well; Argentina is considered a high-fashion country. Ragged clothes and flipflops are not recommended.
When you eat at a restaurant, cross your fork and knife on the table to indicate you're finished.



In Greece:
Don't start eating until your host starts.
Finish everything on your plate.
Join in when they dance.
Take your shoes off when you enter someone's home.

In Russia:
Don't leave the dinner table until you are invited.
Don't give a baby gift before the baby is born: it's considered bad luck.
Give only an odd number of flowers, an even number is only done for funerals.
Don't point with your finger, use your whole hand.

                                    Count these before you give them





In China:
Do not wear brightly colored clothing for a business meeting.
Don't give a clock as a gift.
Don't give a set of four of anything as a gift.
Do not wrap a gift in white paper, white indicates mourning.
Do not finish everything on your plate; otherwise, it looks like your host should have given you more.
Do not whistle.

                                Whistling=bad.

For a list of other countries and their etiquette customs:

http://www.vayama.com/etiquette/

and..... 

http://www.forbes.com/2008/07/31/international-travel-etiquette-forbeslife-cx_dp_0731travel_slide_2.html

Remember: Sit up straight, be polite, and no gift clocks. Now you're all set.

CSI: That One Strand of Hair.........

CSI programs have been on TV for a number of years. Do you watch them and think: I'd like to do that!?

Remember, what you see on TV is a dramatized account of how crimes are solved. Many are never solved, and they all take much more than an hour to figure out. Results from tests may take quite awhile. There are many different people and agencies that must work together, and that does not always happen smoothly. Not every town has the ability to hire enough help, and there is considerable paperwork involved when investigating a crime. For more comparisons, see:
http://www.crimemuseum.org/blog/is-forensic-science-in-real-life-really-like-the-show-csi/

The definition of 'Forensic' as an adjective refers to evidence used in courts to determine the facts of a crime, and also scientific research that proves or disproves a theory. Forensics is the study of arguments and debate. It comes from the Latin word 'forum'. The word was first used about 1659.

There are a number of different careers you might choose in order to work at crime scenes or with evidence. Job titles vary by location, but three names for someone who works at a crime scene are: Forensic, Crime Scene, or Evidence Technologist.

                                        Evidence is numbered at the crime scene.


A Forensic Technologist typically has a Bachelor's Degree in Forensic Science. This person collects evidence such as fingerprints, hair, fibers, clothing, and blood. He might also take pictures of the crime scene. He may testify at a trial as to his findings.

Keep in mind that the title "Tech" doesn't necessarily mean the job requires only a Technical School certificate, although there are some which require an Associate of Science. Some 'Tech' jobs involve a 4 year degree. The term is short for 'technologist.'

                                Types of fibers, microscopic view

• A Forensic Tech may specialize in fingerprint evidence.

                                 This car has been dusted for fingerprint evidence (what a mess!).

                    Here is a criminologist attempting to make a fingerprint match.

• Ballistics Experts are always in demand, to determine how bullets were fired and from what type of gun.

                          
                           
                                   All the bullets pictured above have been fired.





 Showing the size of a bullet cartridge. This is likely a mock crime scene.

• An Arson Investigator-Working closely with the fire department, this person would determine the origin and cause of a fire and whether it was deliberately set: What is the pattern of the burned area? Where did it start? Was it an accident, like an electrical fire, fallen cigarette, or a tipped candle, or did it start 'on purpose' with an accelerant, such as something like gasoline, lighter fluid, paint, or anything else that would catch fire quickly?

An arson investigator would be likely to have a 4 year degree plus added certification in Fire Science and Investigation. A major in Criminal Justice, Science, Engineering, or Chemistry would be an appropriate path towards ultimately being an arson investigator. Frequently, arson investigators have experience as firefighters, on a paid or voluntary basis, in order to become more familiar with fire investigation.

Here is a page describing fire investigation:
http://croberts.com/burn.htm

                                  How can you tell where this fire started?


You may be interested in doing DNA research as it pertains to crime: http://science.howstuffworks.com/life/genetic/dna-evidence.htm

A Criminalist would have a 4 year degree in Natural Science or Physical Science, with an emphasis on Chemistry as well.

                              A casting made of a shoe print found near a crime scene

                 A plane crash requires investigating: What happened, how, when, and why?

There are also criminologists who have a specialty such as Cyber Crime or Computer Crimes; a Digital Evidence Analyst, or a Computer Forensic Examiner. These crimes involve fraud or scams, identity theft, online stalking, pirating music, or 'simply' examining the hard drive of a computer to see what activity is on it. Demand for this specialty has been growing rapidly.

Here is the FBI site on Cyber Crimes:

http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/investigate/cyber/cyber

All of these specialties can be studied after you obtain a degree in Criminology, Law, Law Enforcement, the Court System, Corrections, or Corrections Policy.

Crime scene investigators of most types will work with coroners or Pathologists (M.D.s) to determine the cause of death of a person when a crime is suspected.

                

Coursework for a Bachelor of Science degree in Criminology would include:

• Biology
• Chemistry
• Anatomy & Physiology
• Crime Scene Evidence
• Crime Scene Law
• Violent Crime Scene Investigation
• Criminology Theory
• Research Methods

You may also need to study photography and death investigation to add to your knowledge as you do your work. With new methods and technology becoming available all the time, you will need to continue your education throughout your career.

Be aware that working in this field means you may work any time or any shift during a 24 hour period, in any kind of weather, inside or outside, and sometimes in unpleasant or unsafe environments. You need to have good communications skills, be good at writing, have good critical thinking skills, have solid computer skills and work well with others, and it will be helpful if you are physically fit.

There are a number of schools in Minnesota that offer Forensic Science degrees-again, make sure the school is accredited in order to be sure it is accepted by law enforcement agencies:

Metro State offers a 4 year degree in Computer Forensics, Criminal Justice, Human Services with an emphasis on Corrections, and Law Enforcement as well as a Masters Degree in Criminal Justice:

http://www.metrostate.edu/msweb/explore/cas/departments/csci/computer_forensics/index.html

 Hamline University offers a Bachelors in Criminal Justice; Brown College offers both an Associates and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice as well.  http://www.hamline.edu/cla/forensic-sciences/

Concordia College in St. Paul offers majors in Criminal Justice: http://www.csp.edu/academics/areas-of-study/criminal-justice/undergraduate-criminal-justice-majors-minors/criminal-justice-major/

Alexandria Tech offers both an Associates and a Bachelors Degree in Law Enforcement.

 Hibbing offers an Associates Degree in Law Enforcement; Inver Hills Community College offers an Associate Degrees in Law Enforcement, and in Criminal Justice.

Winona State offers Bachelors Degrees in Criminal Justice: http://www.winona.edu/criminaljustice/

MCTC offers an Associates Degree in: Computer Forensics, Criminal Justice, Homeland Security, and Law Enforcement.

 

http://www.mnscu.edu/collegesearch/index.php/program/profile/7265/0305/

Bemidji State offers both an Associates and a Bachelors Degree in Criminal Justice. http://www.bemidjistate.edu/academics/departments/criminal_justice/

Here is a link to the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension that may also give you some information on these careers: https://dps.mn.gov/divisions/bca/bca-divisions/forensic-science/Pages/forensic-programs-crime-scene.aspx

 

Think about becoming a crime scene investigator. Maybe you can find the answers!

Digging Up Dirt: A Career as an Archaeologist

Do you like learning about history? Why not consider a career in Archaeology?

An Archaeologist studies  past cultures based on artifacts, or relics, left behind by people who died many years ago. He might discover tools used by the people in the area, cooking vessels, weapons, or furniture, or even coins. He might find items that have words on them that need to be deciphered.

                      You can uncover the stories of ancient people through knowledge of their languages.

                       In ancient times, people made pottery that was functional and beautiful.

Archaeology is practiced on several levels: you might be an Academic Archaeologist, or a professor of archaeology; that career requires a PhD, or Doctorate degree. A Project Archaeologist would  write a proposal asking permission to do a dig, supervise the dig, and then would write a report afterwards describing what was found at the site. Project Archaeologists usually hold a Masters Degree and sometimes a PhD.

2,000 terra cotta (baked clay)warriors unearthed by farmers near Beijing, China. Learn more about them at:

http://beijingtoxian.com/xian-terracotta-warriors/

A Field Archaeologist would be one of many workers sifting through soil and excavating at a dig. This person would likely need a Bachelor of Science degree and would have less authority.

                           Ashkelon --an ancient city uncovered in Israel.

A Museum Archaeologist would receive artifacts to study in a museum, would catalog them into the collection, and be in charge of keeping them secure. This person would likely need a Masters degree as well.

   This is the bottom of a boat, uncovered near London before they hosted the Olympics in 2012.

To work in this field (!) you should be adaptable, tolerate different climates well, write well, enjoy collaborating with others, and have a sincere respect for other cultures. It is likely that you would travel to new places to participate in digs, whether in other states or on the other side of the world, so you would have to enjoy travel.

You may find one particular kind of relic more interesting and specialize in that: Do you like to be the one that 'dates' an object? Do you prefer working with metals? What about specific kinds of pottery? Tools? Particular cultures of people? Burial grounds and customs?

You can also work for the National Park Service, which preserves sites in the U.S:  http://www.nps.gov/efmo/forteachers/so-what-does-an-archeologist-do.htm .

               You may work with Archaeological Anthropologists when discovering human remains.

This is Machu Pichu in Peru. Have you ever heard of it?
Check it out:
               

http://travel.nationalgeographic.com/travel/peru/machu-picchu/

You might discover a treasure trove like these silver objects, found stashed in the bottom of a Viking ship in Sweden:

Mixed in this pile are armbands and coins; Learn more about it at:

http://popular-archaeology.com/issue/december-2011/article/archaeologists-return-to-investigate-viking-period-site-in-gotland

 

You can even 'dig' under the ocean; here are divers

 exploring a shipwreck:

 

Ancient ruins are present all over the world, and you can discover settlements, ancient burial grounds, Native American villages, even work with previously undiscovered graveyards, right here in the U.S. 

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:Archaeological_sites_in_the_United_States_by_state

                                                        Assorted Native American objects

                            Mesa Verda National Park, Colorado: a Cliff Palace

                         This is an old cemetery in Philadelphia: What could be learned here?


Archaeologists have been working at the site of the Jamestown settlement for some time, discovering how they lived, what they wore, what tools and cookware they used. Jamestown was the first permanent colony or settlement in Virginia. http://www.apva.org/rediscovery/page.php?page_id=1


Look at the stunning silver coffee pots and chocolate servers:
http://www.history.org/media/slideshows/coffeepot_slideshow/#images/6.jpg

Here is a longer video featuring several found objects:
http://www.history.org/media/videoplayer/index.cfm?cat=vodcast&file=ArtandScienceMeet 


How can you get started exploring the idea of Archaeology as a career?



 Find your State Archaeological Society: Here is Minnesota's Society:

http://mnarchsociety.org/

      A student showing pottery shards to her professor. They hope to carbon-date these pieces.

 

Here is an organization that sponsors volunteer archaeologists: The name is 'Passport In Time' or 'PIT.'    http://www.passportintime.com/
 

Here is a site that discusses archaeology as well:
http://www.digonsite.com/drdig/archaeologists/31.html

And check out the Archaeological Institute of America:

 http://www.archaeological.org/

Think about it: a career spent uncovering and solving ancient mysteries. Interested?

Little metal books about the size of a credit card, found recently Jordan, dated to about 1 A.D.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Do You Have Your Turnip Carved Yet?

Did you know this about Halloween?

• It's thought that the Irish were the ones to start the traditions we maintain today: Hallowmas was November 1, and All Hallow's Eve (shortened to 'Hallow Evening, or Halloween') was the night before, also called "Samhain." Someone with a fear of Halloween has 'Samhainophobia.'
• Jack O'Lantern, as Irish legend has it, was a man named Jack who was so stingy that when he died, he couldn't go to heaven, so he was doomed to wander around with a lantern trying to steer people to the right path.
• People originally carved turnips on Halloween.
• Owls were once thought of as witches.
• Orange indicates strength, Black indicates death-thus the idea of strength defeating death.
• People thought on Halloween, spirits roamed the streets looking for victims. Thus, people began dressing up in disguises to fool the spirits.
• It's thought that Halloween started about 4,000 years B.C. That's a lot of candy!
• Americans are far more 'into' Halloween than other countries.

Are you looking for something to do for Halloween this year?
Let's start with the events in Anoka, The Halloween Capitol of the World: You can still do a walking tour through this week. Find details at:

http://anokahalloween.com/

And to search for Haunted Houses you can visit:

http://www.hauntedhouse.com/search/Haunted_Attraction_Directory/_USA_,040All_50_States,041/Minnesota/

http://cdn.hauntedhouseonline.com/best_and_scariest_haunted_houses_in_minnesota/Freehaunt

http://www.minnesotahauntedhouses.com/

 

What about 'real' hauntings?

Here's a video of various haunted spots in Minnesota/with narration to read:

http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=haunted+houses+minnesota&FORM=VIRE8#view=detail&mid=63D5F80B8DEAF9AF294A63D5F80B8DEAF9AF294A

Check out these videos...they're creepy-good:

30 ghosts caught on tape (it's a long video but there are some creepy things here):
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bSXVQlg22dc

What about a lawn-mowing woman in a cemetery?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pdcZa8C-p18 
OK, it might be fake....but still clever.....

Happy Halloween!!

TRIO SSS Student of the Month: September 2013-Dennis Gilbert

Dennis is student of the month for September because of his dedication to school and his participation in Trio Student Support Services. 

This fall 2013, Dennis started back into school after years of being in the working world.  It is rare to award such a new student, the Trio SSS Student of the Month award, but in this case, it was appropriate. 

Dennis started off his college career by connecting with every resource on campus he could and continues to use those resources to keep his success going strong.  He is the type of student and person that wants to learn and grow while he is in school and get the most out of his education. Dennis is going to college to pursue a career in teaching. 

Congratulations, Dennis ,on being student of the month!

Columbus vs the United States of Henry

We 'celebrate' Columbus day on October 11 this year, a day supposed to honor the man who 'discovered America.' 

Really?

Consider more sensible days to be celebrated this month:

 Oct   1   World Vegetarian Day
          3   Techies Day
          5    Do Something Nice Day
          9    Moldy Cheese Day

        12    Moment of Frustration Day
        13   Skeptics Day
        21   Count Your Buttons Day
        24   Bologna Day
        27   Tell a Story Day
        31    Increase Your Psychic Powers Day

                                               Wait, what?

Because, really, we're not so sure that Columbus is someone to celebrate.

First, if we want to be completely accurate, it is believed that Native Americans were in the Americas about 14,000 years before Columbus was even born. It appears that Polynesian people traveled to South America before the Vikings arrived in what is now North America.

Second, if we're only discussing who traveled to  this side of the Atlantic first, we know that the Vikings, led by Leif Ericsson, probably established a town in the country of Newfoundland (appropriately named) in about the year 992, which was 500 years before Columbus arrived in the Bahamas. There are those who think explorers from Ireland may have crossed the Atlantic many years before 1492 as well.

Columbus wanted to try to navigate a better route to Asia. He first approached Portugal for funding, but Portugal rejected the idea. He then asked Italy, first in Genoa and later in Venice, and Italy also turned him down. Finally, he asked Spain, who also said no at first; they were at war and couldn't be distracted, but once the war was over, they began talks with Columbus again and eventually said they would fund his trip.

Columbus' date of birth was 10-31-1451. On his first trip, he arrived on 12-24-1492. We're not sure how the date of  'Columbus Day' was decided upon.

His ships were called the Pinta, which was a sailor's term for, shall we say, a disreputable woman; the Santa Clara, which was nicknamed the "Nina," and the La Gallega, nicknamed "Santa Maria." Columbus was on board the largest ship, Santa Maria. They set sail in August of 1492.

                     Leaving by rowboat to the big ship en route to Asia...or so he thought..

Third, when Columbus arrived in what is now called The Bahamas, he remarked on meeting native people there who were exceedingly friendly. He had allowed a younger sailor to take the helm, and the young one crashed the ship into a coral reef. These friendly natives came out to the wreck and helped get Columbus, his men, and their supplies to the island safely. At any rate, this reference clearly shows that there were people living there all along--he 'discovered' this area only according to him.

He called the native people "Indians" because he thought he had landed in India. Keep in mind that while he and many others were aware the world was round, a number of scientists at the time still thought it was flat.

He claimed the land he had found for Spain. We imagine the natives living there did not comprehend that claim (someone can come into your home and claim it as yours?). Columbus was so impressed with the kindness of the native people he figured they would make good slaves. He forced them to work for him, and if they fought it, he would see they were brutally tortured and killed. Within 2 years of his arrival, half of these indigenous people were eliminated. Within 50 years, all of them were gone.

Columbus traveled to the area several times. On his first trip, he explored what is now the Bahamas, Cuba, Haiti, and the Dominican Republic. Every time, he thought he was in Asia when he arrived.

             He never set foot in what is now known as the United States of America.

Side Note: America is named for Amerigo Vespucci, who was a navigator and who did, indeed, land in the United States. Amerigo's first name was placed on a map of the newly discovered area by a mapmaker.  It was suggested the entire land mass of South, Central, and North America be given the name. It was felt appropriate because Vespucci realized it was actually not Asia or India; he referred to it as "the New World." There is also some thought that it was given the name 'America' because when 'Amerigo' was translated to the Latin 'America', it would be another continent that started and ended with an "A" like Asia, Africa, and Australia. 

The name Amerigo is thought to be a form of "Enrico," or "Henry."  Better 'America' than the United States of Henry. Just our opinion.

http://www.todayifoundout.com/index.php/2012/01/why-america-was-named-america/

Columbus returned to the same area in 1493. Still assuming he was going to Asia, that time he brought 17 ships and 1500 men with him. The third time he ventured to the area he explored Venezuela. The last time he traveled to the area was in 1502, and by that time, the native people, or what was left of them, were so angry they would not give him and his men the food they needed to survive. He returned home and died in 1506 at the age of 55.

Most of Columbus' income came from slave trading (buying and selling the native people, then doing the same with Africans when he needed more). Columbus himself kept extensive diaries that told of his exploits.

Columbus and his crews brought these things to the western hemisphere:
Horses
Pigs
Cows
Dogs
Cats
Rats
Coffee
Wheat
Sugar Cane

As well as
Cowpox
Tuberculosis          
Influenza
Whooping Cough
Malaria

Thanks, Chris.

                    ...and we totally believe you. Bahamas is not the same as Virginia Beach.

To learn more about Christopher Columbus, check out:

http://www.history.com/topics/christopher-Columbus

http://people.umass.edu/hist383/class%20notes/european%20pathogens.htm

I'm getting ready for National Count Your Buttons Day. How about you?

 

 

 

What Are You Doing Here?

What would make someone leave his or her home, make a difficult journey, and start all over again in a strange land where he knows no one, has nothing, doesn't know where to go, and doesn't speak the same language?

I know of a man named John who felt that he would be better off moving to America from a country about 4300 miles away. Even though he had apprenticed at a craft-he was a tailor-and knew something about farming, there were not many jobs in his area, and he felt like he had nothing to lose. At age 22, he boarded a ship and came, alone, to the U.S.

I'm not sure how he could afford the ticket; it was very expensive to make the journey. Some people even came on a cargo ship to save money, and in some cases families came one person at a time. That person would get a job and send money home so the next person could join him.

Traveling to the U.S. wasn't much fun. You were likely stuck in the lowest part of the ship...with little ventilation, limited toilets and washing facilities, possibly having to provide your own food, and you get to share your space with a few hundred strangers...
                             
....for six weeks or more. Sign me up, right? 

                                             Super-crowded ship of hopeful immigrants


Once these folks got to America, they took up many jobs that others didn't want, because they needed the money. The pay wasn't great, but it was better than nothing; they worked long hours at physically demanding jobs, such as building roads, as farmhands, working in factories, clearing forests, and also as servants to the wealthy.

Sound familiar?

John was my great-grandfather, and he arrived in May 1854.

You see, there's really not much difference between someone who arrived here about 160 years ago and someone who arrived in 2013.

When you look around you and see someone who looks 'different,' do you wonder how that person came to be an American? Or do you just assume you have nothing in common?

Do you think: What are you doing here?

The recurring reasons are:

Political oppression: Other countries deciding they own their neighbors, for example.

Corruption of leaders/government

Land unsuitable for farming

Not enough land

Poverty: when you have nothing, you have nothing to lose.

Genocide: People within the same country killing each other

Anti-Semitism: As an example, in the 1800s, Russia drove out as many Jewish people as possible; they also would force them to serve in the military for tours of up to 15 years-this was incentive enough for some people to flee to other countries in Europe as well as to the U.S. In the 1930s, Hitler began his campaign of trying to create a perfect race by eliminating Jews and others he thought were undesirable.

Famine: The Potato Famine in the 1850s is a prime example. Potatoes were a major crop in Europe, especially in Ireland. The soil was ideal for growing them, and potatoes were grown and exported to other countries. A form of fungus or disease somehow invaded the crop and spread, making all of them inedible. Thousands of people were starving, not only in Ireland but in other European countries, and even though the British had food supplies stocked up, they would not share with the Irish---another form of genocide.  The 'potato famine' lasted well over 10 years. The Irish had few other choices but to move to the U.S. and Canada.

Religious Oppression: The freedom to practice whatever religion you chose was not an option for some countries, and still is not. Often, the rulers of a country decreed what religion the country was 'supposed' to be and placed taxes on everyone to support that one church.

What is it that the U.S. offers that other countries don't? The most prominent reasons people left their home countries and came here are summed up in the first article of the Bill of Rights: Freedom of Speech, the Press, and Religion:

• Freedom of the Press: We have the freedom to publish and to read whatever we choose, in many types of media such as newspapers, books, and online, as long as it doesn't infringe on someone else's freedom, that is, libel or spreading malicious information about someone is not permitted; obscene materials are at least restricted if not banned; and any publication that would incite rioting or treason, for example, would be illegal. It is also illegal to publish any form of government information that might risk our national security.
• Freedom of Religion:  We are free to practice any religion we choose with no persecution.
• Freedom of Assembly: We can meet with anyone for any reason, as long as it is peaceful. It brings with it the right to criticize our leaders and to hold a demonstration when we disagree with them.
• Freedom of Speech: We are free to express our opinions, including criticism of our government, without fear of retribution, as long as it is not done to incite violence.

Tianamen Square, 1989: What was happening here?

 

We enjoy the freedom to travel wherever we want without anyone stopping us and demanding an explanation. In theory, we also  have the right to decent medical care, basic education, and a safe place to live. Most of us can't imagine living somewhere that doesn't at least offer those basics.

The U.S. gives women rights they may not have in another country.

We value education. We have public schools for grades Kindergarten through 12th, and opportunities for people of every income level to go to college. In some countries, if you can't pay for your schooling--from early childhood on--then you aren't going to go to school.

With instruction, newcomers to the U.S. can become citizens of our country, giving them all the rights and protections of everyone else, including the right to vote.

With the exception of those African-Americans brought here as slaves, as well as Native Americans who were already here when the first settlers came from England, people who make up our country are those who came by choice from somewhere else in the world.

What is the story of your family and how it came to America?

If you aren't aware of your family's history, take some time and ask a parent or grandparent about it.

• Why did your family leave its homeland?
• Can you find the town they lived in, on a map?
• When did your family first arrive in the U.S.?
• What language did they speak? Can you speak it? Can you write it?
•  How did they get here?
• Where did they live at first?
• How did they make it work?
• What does your name mean (first and last)? Were you named for someone?
• What are naming traditions in your home country (such as, in Scandinavian countries, Johan's son is Eric Johanson or Johansen, and his daughter is Christine Johansdatter)?
• What is your family's story?

Remember, their story is your story.

Keep a journal of what you learn, either by writing or by recording your discussions. Some time in the future, you can revisit this valuable information so you can discover more.

Ask a friend of yours what his or her story is, and tell him yours. Ask each other questions about it: do you dress differently from each other? Why? Do you eat different foods? What are your parents like? Do you have any traditions in your family? See what you have in common. If you're not careful, you might learn something.

           *We live life forwards, but understand it backwards.*
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          Every time an old man dies, a library burns to the ground.
                                            -old African Proverb
                                             
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Here are stories of several groups who have immigrated to Minnesota, including Hmong, Asian Indian, Latino, and Somali people: http://education.mnhs.org/immigration/

Check out these interesting family histories: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/finding-your-roots/

A new series will begin in October: Many Rivers to Cross, about African-Americans and their stories: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/african-americans-many-rivers-to-cross/

For individual stories of immigrants:

 http://library.thinkquest.org/20619/Past.html

http://teacher.scholastic.com/activities/immigration/young_immigrants/  Stories of kids who recently came to America

http://weareamericastories.org/stories/audio-stories/

 Check out this really excellent site for more:  http://www.pbs.org/destinationamerica/usim_wn.html

Flag of Faces, Ellis Island

 

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*Do you have family that came to America many years ago? Check out these other resources: http://www.ellisisland.org/genealogy/ellis_island_history.asp

-not all immigrants passed through Ellis Island, but many thousands did-

 

https://familysearch.org/  (LDS site-search the records)

 

 http://www.mnhs.org/  (Minnesota History)

 

*Try an online search for your family name, using Bing or Google. Be specific and use a grandparent's full name; even 'unusual' last names are more common than you'd think-

 

 *Some families have Facebook pages that include family history: See if your family is one of them, and you may connect with relatives you haven't contacted for a long time, or meet new ones.

 

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This blog addresses immigrant experiences. To learn more about Native Americans, try these sites:

 

http://www.history.com/topics/native-american-cultures

hhttp://www.firstpeople.us/FP-Html-Legends/Legends-AB.htmlttp://www.pbs.org/circleofstories/

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