Easter Story - March 23, 2008

Easter is an important holiday because it celebrates the Crucifixion, burial, and most importantly the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

To share the reason of my celebration, I have selected images taken on my trip to Israel and combined them with portions from the Bible.

"Finally Pilate handed him over to them to be crucified. So the soldiers took charge of Jesus. Carrying his own cross, he went out to the place of the Skull (which in Aramaic is called Golgotha).Here they crucified him, and with him two others–one on each side and Jesus in the middle." John 19:16-18 NIV

"At the place where Jesus was crucified, there was a garden, and in the garden a new tomb, in which no one had ever been laid." John 19:41 NIV

"But when they looked up, they saw that the stone, which was very large, had been rolled away." Mark 16:4 NIV

"As they entered the tomb, they saw a young man dressed in a white robe sitting on the right side, and they were alarmed." Mark 16:5 NIV

"'Don't be alarmed,' he said. 'You are looking for Jesus the Nazarene, who was crucified. He has risen! He is not here. See the place where they laid him.'" Mark 16:16 NIV

"and declared to be the Son of God with power according to the Spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead." Romans 1:4 NKJV

Through the Resurrection story I can have hope in Jesus Christ for my life.

White Christmas

Each year around Christmas time the radio stations play an old song, “I’m Dreaming of a White Christmas”. Since i was a child I have heard the the crooner sing this song. As I listened I would also try to croon and hope for a White Christmas. Yet each year it didn't happen. This year was different. About mid-morning on Christmas day, it start snowing. The snow covered the ground like a white blanket. Well, a very thin white blanket. Yet, this was the first White Christmas for me in 17 years.

The area where I live doesn’t snow much in the winter, but when it does snow even a little bit can cause almost everyone to be snowed in. Schools, some businesses, and other planned events, are cancelled because traveling becomes unsafe. One year we had a severe ice storm that didn‘t melt for almost a week. I couldn’t go to work and other activities were cancelled. After a few days of having to stay home I got cabin fever.

So now that I am older I am more aware of how a little snow can become an inconvenience. I silently prayed that it would only stay long enough to be enjoyed without causing any difficulties later. By evening the weather had warmed and the snow melted. Even though it didn't last long it was beautiful! I was glad to finally see a White Christmas once again!

Tis' the Season to be jolly....Fa la la la la

These are words from a classic Christmas Songs.

Since christmas is a time of gift-giving, stores capitalize on this and so there is a lot of advertising this time of year. Advertisers will use the words and themes, and sometimes even the melodies of Christmas songs. Sometimes advertisers will take a very popular Christmas song and use the melody but change the words.

Here are some words to songs i noticed most popular for advertising.

The song, "Twelve days of Christmas", goes like this, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me...". The song continues like this until each of the twelve days of christmas are sung. The words from this song are often changed in advertising. For example a department store could use this song by changing the words like this, "On the first day of Christmas my true love gave to me a scarf and gloves to go with my new fur coat..."

"Deck the Halls with boughs of Holly"

"Jingle Bells"

"A few of my Favourite Things"

There is also a poem that is popular in advertising its words also can be changed. The poem is called, "Twas the night before Christmas"

I prefer the songs that really convey the true meaning of Christmas and generally these songs are not used for advertising. Songs like "Silent Night", "Joy to the World", "Away in a Manager" talk about the true meaning of Christmas, the birth of Jesus.




So if these songs sound interesting try searching these titles on the internet for them. Also see if you can find any advertising that uses them.

I would be interested in your comments and findings. What phrases do you notice most frequently used in Christmas advertising? Have you heard of these songs before? Are any of them translated in your first language? Also apart from all the advertising what does Christmas mean to you?

Thanksgiving

“Have a Happy Turkey Day“, my co-worked said to me as she was leaving the office to start her Thanksgiving holiday.

Thanksgiving day is one of my favorite holidays. It is a time of gathering with my family for a big feast. Yum! Our Thanksgiving dinner is a cornucopia of wonderful tasting dishes. Our family's traditional dinner consists of mashed potatoes and gravy, green beans in a special sauce of cream and mushrooms with slivers of almonds, corn prepared in special way, and of course turkey. Dessert following dinner is Pumpkin Pie with a dollop of whip cream, or my Aunt’s coconut cream pie. When the meal is over we sit around and talk and laugh.

Thanksgiving is also a time to think about what we are thankful for. At my church, my youth leader asked us to share what we were thankful for. The young people mentioned they were grateful for freedom to Worship God, being an American, God’s protection, the Bible, and Family. I also agree that I am thankful for these blessings.

Thanksgiving is also the kick off for the holiday season, with Christmas and New Year's Day soon approaching. Once Thanksgiving is over the rush for Christmas preparations and shopping begin which is also accompanied by a flurry of holiday parties.

What are your favorite Thanksgiving memories? I would be interested in your comments of your thanksgiving experiences and what you are grateful for.

Library of Celsus

The library was built around 135 A.D.








A college singing group from the United States did an impromptu performance in front of the library.

Why the name, “English Babbling”?

I realized that the name of this site may seem odd. So I thought an explanation might be helpful.

I can be a very talkative person, most of the time, only to myself. Since, English is the only language I know my babbling, or much talking, is in English. That is where I got the idea for the name of this site, “English Babbling.”

The idea and its name, has been kind of percolating in my noggin for awhile. Most people know me as being shy. Some people know me somewhere between shy and friendly (I hope). A few (a very few) know me as really talkative, so to them I have nicknamed myself as “Babbling Brook” or Brook for short.

I have a lot of ideas and opinions, so I sometimes I talk and talk and talk…. Most of the time I just talk to myself, while I am getting ready for my day. Sometimes I am so absorbed into my thoughts that when I leave my apartment, I catch myself whispering. This is really embarrassing, if my neighbors are nearby.

I have made dear friends whose second language is English and I enjoy our discussions of sharing culture, country, and language. I admire my friends, who are learning English. To those friends learning a second language, I say “Kudos!" Many Americans only know one language, so someone who is knows two, is really admirable to me.

Through these friendships, I got the idea of making a site for those studying English.

I would like to share my language, culture and beliefs on this site through written text and hopefully audio (if I can figure out how that part works).

If you would like to join in. I would love to have you be a part of my site. I would like for this site to be interactive, so if you are interested, email me with your ideas, your interests, and topics that we could discuss on this site.

As of this writing, I realize that my comments have been brief. This is due to recent time limits.

My reason for sharing pictures from my traveling, is that it corresponds to topics that I would like to share more on this site. Right now, it hasn’t really developed into that yet, but if you are interested keep watching….

Landscape of Turkey

By request, I skipped to the end of my vacation, to Turkey.

When we went to Turkey it rained. It was the only time that it rained, during the day, while we were our vacation. Really, the rain wasn't too bad, it was like a light mist.

These are pictures taken from the bus, on our way to the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus.

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Ephesus

Ephesus

Our Cruise Ship docked in Kusadasi, Turkey. From the port a bus took us to the ruins of the ancient city of Ephesus. Ephesus in its day, was a major city. Today it is one of the best places to see archaeological ruins.
























A public bathroom.

United Nations

Central Park

Statue of Liberty and Surrounding Area

There she is! My first view of the Statue of Liberty

911 Tributes

Tribute at a Firestation to Firemen who died in 911 Attack

Origami Cranes that were on display in the 911 memorial center

Columbia Circle

This picture was taken in New York at Columbia Circle, which is near Central Park.

New York - Israel Parade

We arrived in New York early in the morning. After storing our bags at our hotel, we hit the streets, to find a place to eat breakfast. As we walked down the street we came upon this Parade. Every cultural group in New York had a day for their own parade. The day we arrived in New York was the day for the Israel Parade. It was ironic, because we were on our way to Israel.

Summer Vacation 2007

I travelled with my parents for 2 1/2 weeks to New York, Israel, & Greece, and one short day in Turkey. I hope you enjoy my photos!