video reflection

FIRE OF ANATOLIA

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PkM2x_fXisE

Fire of Anatolia’s basic concept is the meeting  of civilizations. It aims to meet East and West. It is a dance portrait which gives international messages. It prsents a cultural feast by combining folk dances and ballet, modern dance. It takes its source from history of Anatolian. It is an original project that includes 3000 folk dance figure which is collected almost every region. The project which carries the signature of Mustafa Erdoğan intends to introduce Anatolian culture to all over the world. In 1999, Mustafa Erdoğan took the initiative. First he advertised to newspapers searching dancer. 90 young people were chosen among 750 applicant and  a hard working progress began. Costumes were prepared and music was completed. They worked together dieticians, massage specialists. Dancers taked courses which were related to anatolian rythm notation. In 2002 they went the world tour and  they danced in 85 countries to 20 million audience. It is the most magnificient project with our  national culture powerty. They were watched Eurovision 2004,  Formula 2005, Universiade 2005 by the world’s media. The group presented their show New York Madison Square Garden, in the USA, Chicago Theater, in Chicago, Bercy, in France, Kremin Palace, in Moskau. Leaders of countries such as Presidents, Prime Ministers, Kings stand ovation. World renowned dance group ‘Fire of Anatolia’ presents their show in their own show place ,Antalya Gloria Aspendos Arena, every year between April and November twicw a week. News about Fire of Anatolia is more than ten thousand. The group with 250 dancers presents a show at the same time in three different part of the world.

           

reflection

TURKISH TEA





We start our day not with coffee, absolutely with a glass of newly brewed tea which has a tempting and stimulating fragrance. Breakfast means tea for us. If there is no tea, it’s not a real breakfast for us as it lacks the main thing. If you don’t have time for breakfast at home, you can buy simit and have it with a glass of tea at work. Tea and simit are always perfect couple! We also have tea at various times in a day. A glass of newly brewed tea is the best solution if you are tired. People say that it removes your tiredness. It’s a way of renewing yourself and it gives the energy you need to continue your work. If a student feels sleepy, his or her mother brings a glass of tea with some cookies, which helps him/her continue studying. When you have unexpected guests, you are absolutely supposed to serve them tea as there is always tea in the pantry. So, we can say that tea as a drink is much more common in Turkey than coke. When waiting for your package at a fish market, don’t be surprised if the salesperson offers you tea. It is a way of welcoming your customer, which is a part of our culture. Tea is also served at meetings with colleagues or friends. There is also a seperate small kitchen like room at almost all workplaces and a person is charged there to brew tea and seerve it to the employees. As for its service , culturally we prefer drinking tea in a glass specially designed for Turkish tea. Serving them in cups doesn’t have a very long history in our culture. It has become popular for some years, but tea glass is still the most-preferred. A few sugar cubes are put near the glass at coffee houses, while sugar is served in a separate cup at home. There are certainly people who love their tea without sugar. Some prefer strong tea some love weak tea. Turkish tea is grown in Rize, in Black Sea region, and it is said that this tea has the highest quality all around the world. There are endless tea fields in this city and tea makes the main source of economy there. And everyone in Turkey owes a lot to the women of this region as they do the most of the work here. Women are the ones who work in these fields picking tea leaves.

reflection

THE TRADITION OF BIRTHDAY PARTIES

Birthday parties are always among the highlights of a child's year, but have you ever wondered how the tradition of birthday parties started?
The tradition of birthday parties started in Europe a long time ago. It was feared that evil spirits were particularly attracted to people on their birthdays. To protect them from harm, friends and family would come to be with the birthday person and bring good thoughts and wishes. Giving gifts brought even more good cheer to prevent from the evil spirits. This is how birthday parties began.
At first it was only kings who were recognized as important enough to have a birthday celebration. A formal ball was planned and announcements were sent through the land. As time went by, children became included in birthday celebrations. The first children's birthday parties occurred in Germany and were called Kinderfeste. As time went by, sending party invitations became more popular and now with the advent of the digital age you can even send photo party invitations with child’s photo on it.

Birthday traditions in some countries

China: The birthday child pays respect to his/her parents and receives a gift of money. Friends and relatives are invited to lunch and noodles are served to wish the birthday child a long life.

Germany: A member of the birthday person’s family wakes up at sunrise and lights the candles on the birthday cake. There are as many candles as the years of age of the birthday person plus one for good luck. The candles are left burning all day long. After dinner everyone sings the birthday song and the birthday person blows out the candles. If all of the candles are blown out in one try then the wish of the birthday person will come true. Presents are then opened and the party starts.

Japan: The birthday child wears entirely new clothes to mark the occasion. Certain birthdays are more important than others and these are celebrated with a visit to the local shrine.

Russia: Instead of a birthday cake, many Russian child receive a birthday pie with a birthday greeting carved into the crust.

United States: A cake is made, and candles are put on top based on how old the person is. Then everyone sings the "happy birthday" song, and at the end of the song, the birthday child blows out the candles. If they blow them all out with one blow, their birthday wishes will come true.

reflection

BEING AT METU

Ankara is  lovely city. I like it very much. I wanted to study in a university in Ankara, and that university was METU. Before the results of university entrance exam were announced i was very anxious whether i would study in METU or not. The results were announced and finally i was a member of METU family. :) Initially it came me different. I live in a small town. But Ankara is very big and crowded. I had a process to adapt to new friends, new environment, new school. It is getting easier day by day. That my brother and my sister is here is also a very big chance for me. Whenever i need something i can ask for help fromthem. Second advantage is that i stayed in a dormitory when i was in high school years. Thanks to this i can manage my time and cope with the things which i have to do. METU has a great campus. All of faculties are together. It is wonderful to see friends who are in the different deparments. It has lots of oppurtinities such as meals, student groups,sport center. There is a refectory and you can eat there by paying little. In addition to it another places are available. There are many different choices. Student groups are good to spend our spare time. We are free to choose whatever we want. Each fields such as music, sport, education, dancing have a group. We can do sport whenever we want. There is a sport center for this. On the other hand, i have seven lessons and i have to attend each classes. At the beginnig i am afraid of not being able to myself because education language is English but i have been adjusting this situation step by step. I  have a lot of things i have to do for each other. Sometimes they are very boring but there is nothing which can be done. My faculty is far way from my accomadation. It is a big problem especially i have a lesson in late hours. Because rings are not available after five and i have to walk. Besides it,ring drivers are very angry and rings are very crowded. Regardless of all these points education quality of metu is very good and i think this is the most important thing. I am a member of METU. I am very glad that i am here.

reflection

VALENTINE’S DAY

Every February 14th, candy, flowers, gifts are exchanged between lovers, all in the name of Saint Valentine. But, who is St. Valentine and why do we celebrate this day? There are some stories about it. One of them, which is the best known, began in Rome. At that time the emperor of Rome was Cladius 2. He was involved in many fighting bloody campaigns. He had difficult time getting soldiers to join his army. He believed that men did not want to leave their families and lovers, so he thought the reason was. Therefore, he cancelled all marriages and engagements in Rome. Saint Valentine was a priest in Rome in the year 269 A.D. He defied Cladius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers secretly. But, unfortunately, Valentine’s action was discovered and he was sent to the prison to be sentenced and to have his head cut off. He tried to stay cheerful and different things were happened. Many young people went to jail to visit him. They threw flowers and notes up to his window. They wanted him to know that they believed in love, too. One of these young people was the daughter of the prison guard. Her father allowed her to visit him in the cell. Sometimes they sit and talked for hours. She wanted to help him to keep his spirits keep up. She thought that Valentine did the right thing by ignoring the emperor’s law. On the day Valentine was to die he left her friend a little not thanking her for friendship and loyalty. He signed it: “Love from your Valentine.” It is believed that note started the custom of exchanging love messages on Valentine’s Day. It was written on the day he died, February 14, 269 A.D. Now every year people celebrate this day although most of them do not know the history. They think about love and friendship.

video reflection

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sjosViCuqvQ

HYPERTENSION

Hypertension or high blood pressure is a condition in which the blood pressure in the arteries is chronically elevated. With every heart beat, the heart pumps blood through the arteries to the rest of the body. Blood pressure is the force of blood that is pushing up against the walls of the blood vessels. If the pressure is too high, the heart has to work harder to pump, and this could lead to organ damage. The normal level for blood pressure is below 120/80. Blood pressure between 120/80 and 139/89 is called prehypertension (to denote increased risk of hypertension), and a blood pressure of 140/90 or above is considered hypertension. Smoking, obesity, diabetes, lack of physical activity, insufficient calcium potassium and magnesium consumption, High levels of alcohol consumption, stress, aging, genetics and a family history of hypertension are the causes of hypertension. Extremely high blood pressure may lead to some symptoms such as severe headaches, problems with vision, breathing problems, irregular heartbeat, blood in the urine, nausea. Hypertension may be diagnosed by a health professional who measures blood pressure with a device called a sphygmomanometer - the device with the arm cuff, dial, pump, and valve. The systolic and diastolic numbers will be recorded and compared to a chart of values. If the pressure is greater than 140/90, you will be considered to have hypertension. High blood pressure may be treated medically, by changing lifestyle factors, or a combination of the two. Important lifestyle changes include losing weight, quitting smoking, eating a healthful diet, reducing sodium intake, exercising regularly.

reflection

COLORS

Colors mean many different things to different people and cultures. We all have our own favourite colors. People like different colors like they like different foodsThis is because can affect our moods so we surround ourselves in the colors that have a positive impact on our mood. Color also represents feelings, people, countries, cultures, and color symbolism. Red can boost your energy, yellow often makes people feel happier, and blue is proven to bring down blood pressure and slow your heart rate which is why it is often associated with being relaxing. If you combine the happiness of yellow and the relaxing feel of blue you get green, a very pleasing color for many people. Mental health units are known to use pastel tones on their walls so that patients feel calm, happy, and relaxed. Walls that are beige with a pink tint combined with mint green floors are a popular combination as it is said to create a soothing, harmonious and calm area. At the other end of the spectrum, literally, schools tend to user bright colors that appeal to children.

How some colours affect us mentally and physically

Blue: Calming and sedate, cooling

Green:  Soothing, relaxing mentally as well as physically, helps alleviate depression, nervousness and anxiety, offers a sense of renewal, self-control and harmony

Yellow:  Mentally stimulating, stimulates the nervous system, activates memory, encourages communication

Purple: Uplifting, calming to mind and nerves, offers a sense of spirituality,  encourages creativity

Orange: Stimulates activity, stimulates appetite, encourages socialization

Red: Increases enthusiasm, stimulates energy, encourages action and confidence, a sense of protection from fears and anxiety

Brown: Feeling of wholesomeness, stability, connection with the earth, offers a sense orderliness

White: encourages us to clear clutter or obstacles, evokes purification of thoughts or actions, enables fresh beginnings

Gray: unsettling, expectant

Black: feeling inconspicuous, a restful emptiness, mysterious evoking a sense of potential and possibility