Glimpse of a Polluted Future

Where are the birds that used to dot the sky?
They're not here anymore, and I have to wonder why.

Where are the fish that used to swim in this stream?
I can't see them anymore. What does that mean?

Where are the frogs that used to croak around this lake?
I can't hear them anymore. There must be some mistake.

I wish there was a clock whose hands I could rewind.
We might have saved these creatures if we'd just had more time.

Time to make people see how we're damaging our Earth,
Time to realize what it all was truly worth.

But the animals are disappearing at an alarming rate.
If we don't finally band together, it may really be too late.

26 “A Squirrel named forrest.”

Forrest.We first met him in the spring.
He had a cute little face, he was a furry little thing.
He came by in the summer and played all day.
He was fun to watch he really made our day.
The Fall has come and we see him now and then.
When the winter comes will we ever see him again.
I will never forget our pleasant little friend.
I hope to see you next Spring my little furry friend.

Christmas

The weathers getting colder,

as fireplaces roar

and Christmas is getting closer

it's knocking on the door.

Families all decorating,

their houses and a tree

getting ready for the holiday

and other family they will see.

Meals being planned ahead,

making sure there is enough

make sure you get all you need

and a turkey you can stuff.

Countries

So many countries all over the world,

So many people and life-tales told!

Different cities, languages, poems,

Amazing traditions, legends, stories.

We travel East, we travel West,

To know so much is the best,

If South is warm, North is cold,

We start our trip and off we go.

29 Multicultural Day
People of many Nations of black and white and brown
They celebrate their cultures in the big park in the town
Migrants and children of migrants from places near and far away
Their cultures are celebrating on Multicultural Day

People of Australasia, Asia, Europe, the Middle East and the Americas the contrast it is great
They sing their songs and dance their dances and their cultures celebrate
Their costumes are so beautiful so flowery and so bright
A look into their cultures is an amazing sight.

Motherland

It’s my Motherland!
Crystal meadows and clear sky!
It’s my Motherland!
Here I was born and will die,

It’s my kingdom, my dear state
Here I will forever stay!
It’s my Motherland!
The country of spiritual wealth!

Каzakh customs and traditions

Kazakhs have always revered and highly valued their national customs and traditions. It is almost impossible to describe all the traditions followed by Kazakh people in one article, thus a brief introduction to Kazakh beliefs and customs is given below.

The main tradition of Kazakhs, which eventually transformed into a feature of national character, is hospitality. In the Kazakh society, there is an unofficial law voiced in ancient times, which says “Meet a guest as the God's messenger”.
Hospitality is considered a sacred duty in the Kazakh society. At all times, the steppe inhabitants did their best to please their guest. Therefore, each traveller knew that he or she would be welcomed anywhere in the Kazakh land. Respect for the elderly is another positive feature of Kazakhs. Traditionally, a child from early childhood is taught to be moderate and honest when dealing with older, wiser and life experienced people.
However, the above mentioned national identities that served as a basis for the occurrence of generalized rules and principles of public relations (tradition), fortunately, are confined not only to representatives of the Kazakh people. Therefore, we offer to your attention a list of basic and authentic customs, which are widespread in the Kazakh society.

At koyu

Giving names. Kazakhs attach a great importance to this solemn ceremony. They try to give the baby a beautiful name, or a name of a famous person, in order for the child to become like that famous person. This custom is entrusted to be performed to respected people, who give the newly-born baby their blessing (bata) right away. However, parents avoid to give their children names of chief and sainted people. In old times babies often were given names depending on a situation at which they were born. For example, if he was born in Nauryz month, he was named Nauryzbai, if during ait, then Aitbai, during the haymaking time Shoptibai. If there were born girls only, they were given such names as Ulbolsyn, Ultugan, Ulmeken (ul means a boy), hoping that next child is going to be an heir. In order not to put the evil eye on children, their parents gave them such funny names as Bashai (the little toe), Koskulan (the duplicated kulan), Itemgen (suckled by the dog's milk), Kushik (the puppy), etc. Nowadays one frequently hears names of very respected people: Bauyrzhan, Abai, Olzhas, Saken, Abylai, Fariza.

Tymakka salu

If the baby was born prematurely, he needed very much warmth, therefore such a baby at first was kept in a big winter cap, trimmed with fox fur. It covers ears and a chin, and is called 'tymak'. And the baby was lying there as much time as his mother should have fully borne him (e.g., if the baby is born seven months, he will he in tymak for two months). Only after it made fuh nine months, the baby could leave this peculiar incubator.

Tusaukeser

The cutting of fetters. This ceremony is performed when the baby makes his first steps. His legs are tied with the thin colorful string, which is entrusted to be cut to an energetic man having many children. This custom is accompanied by songs and wishes for a baby to stand firmly on his feet and go along his life confidently. The ceremony is followed by the feast. In old times after 'tusaukeser' the child was presented with a horse and saddle. The colorful string means that in life there happen to be not only white, but also black periods, and the future zhigit must be able to overcome difficulties.

Sundet toiy

When a boy is 3, 5 or 7 years of age (odd years), he must go through the custom of circumcision. This custom is regarded as religious, though not only Muslims follow it. Kazakh parents treat it as a family holiday. They invite guests, cook food, the hero of the occasion is gifted a horse and very many other presents.

Ashamaiga mingizu

This ceremonial custom has the great educational meaning and declares the new period in a boy's life. When he is six or seven years of age, he is gifted a horse, kamcha (the lash) is solemnly put into his hands, he is seated on the tamed and saddled horse and is announced to be a zhigit since that moment. It promotes the child, and he begins to feel responsible. Then he is engaged in work. At such a solemn moment called 'Ashamaiga mingizu' the child's grandpa gives his blessing to his grandson, and his grandma gladly strews him with shashu. Elder children perform baiga (races), and grown-ups make a little party.

Tilashar

Boys of 7 years of age were sent to medrese (Muslim school) to get the education. It was a significant and memorable day of his Ufe. The first day of classes the child was dressed especially smartly, given school accouterment, and a little party was made. This toi was called 'tilashar'. The adults gave their blessings to their children: "Be a scholar", "Be akyn (sldiful singer)", etc.

This custom helped the child to feel that certain hopes are cherished in his regard, that he is already big, and a new big world is opened before him.

REFERENCES

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