Monday, October 19, 2015
Journal Question #4
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About Me
- TGriffin
- I have been a language teacher (ESL/ELL, French) for 30 years. I have taught in public and private schools, immersion programs, refugee programs, adult/continuing education, elementary, middle, and high school as well as university. Currently I teach ELL at a high school somewhere in New England.
I think humans wear costumes and masks because they want to have fun and enjoy looking at the costumes of others. Many people enjoy enjoy painting their faces and choosing a terrifying disguise. Perhaps they want to revive their childhood. I don't love dressing up, but I enjoy it because all my friends do it, and I say: " Why not?" We have fun, and I don't think we pretend to be another person. We just disguise like something else for one night and sometimes act like another person or think. It is funny. Yes I am planning to wear Saw's costume, but I am not sure. It is difficult to find that costume. I only can paint my face like Saw's dwarf. Maybe I won't do that . Who knows! I want to disguise like that because it's Halloween. You have to dress up to scare people and have fun not to be cute. In my opinion with my dress and my painted face, I can scare almost all my friends.
ReplyDeleteIn United States, people are going to celebrate Halloween very soon. Mr. Griffin asked me if there is a holiday similar to Halloween in China. Here are the answer.
ReplyDeleteWe do have a traditional festival linked with dead people called 'Qingming'. It's on April fifth every year. However we celebrate it in totally different ways. At that day, the whole family come to the cemeteries and we stay in there for half or even a full day. We burn some 'Mingbi', a kind of imitation paper money and the old people will stand for us talking with the dead family members who rest in these graveyards. Some western anthropologists believe these activities are the short version of spiritism like what native Americans do but I think it rely to a much deeper culture. We actually believe in our ancestors.
The China's most important and oldest believing or religion is not Christianity, not Buddhism, even not the Confucianism. It's a ancestor worship which means we seem our ancestors as gods. The elders talk with ancestors on 'Qingming ' wishing they will bless and protect us in the future.
As we have a totally different view about the death world, the Halloween is rarely celebrated in China although China has been deeply influenced by American culture.
People planned to dress because they had the spirit to celebrate something like cheerleaders cheering for the trojans on the football field, in Hong Kong we have halloween but we don't have trick or treats, because most people from Hong Kong lives in a apartment building instead of a house like people do in america. in the mainland they don't have halloween as a holiday but in the modern chinese culture, they had ghosts too but some ghosts were meant to insult people like the imperial japanese army known as japanese invaders or devils and also manchu people of the qing dynasty. and it is part of racism in china.
ReplyDeleteI think that we wear costumes because when dress up we usually have fun with friends and we enjoy when we have to choose what costume are we going to wear and also is so entertaining to paint the face of your friends . I think that when you dress up your are not pretending to be someone else you only want to be different for one day because is an special day and you want to have fun is like when you are a kid and you do truck or treat . I think that Halloween is a funny fest that you can scare people and have a good time with your friends . I don't know yet what i'm going to wear but I'm sure that I'm going to dress up of something scare because is the funny thing of this day if your costume is so cute yo can scare anyone!:)
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion people wear costumes and masks for fun. For example these days people organize different concepts parties. Costumes and masks are the part of the these kind of concepts parties. Another example is “Halloween”. Halloween is a tradition for many people. In my country Halloween is not popular as US. I like to wear costumes and mask. Also I like to celebrate Halloween. My family and their friends organize a small Haloween party every year. But this year I’m here and I have no idea and plan for Halloween.
ReplyDeleteOliver He
ReplyDeleteHumans believe that witches will gather together and ghosts roam the world on Halloween. So they dress up untidily and look very ugly in order to let the ghosts not be willing to close to them. We don't celebrate Halloween in China. I knew Halloween from a book when I was a child and this year will be my first time to celebrate it. Although I don't know much about it, I will dress up. I just bought a very cute costume in the store. Its name is Ted Bear. I will go to different houses and say "trick or treat" with my homestay parents' son so that I can get some candies to eat and toys to play. If they don't give me treats, I might play a trick(mischief or prank) on the owners of the house. I think that this coming Saturday will be very enjoyable, funny and memorable. (๑╹∀╹๑)
In the past, people used to wear masks to scare evil spirits during October, but now in Halloween, people wear a mask for fun. On October 31th, all the kids in the town will wear a mask and dress up, and they totally become someone else. They go to every house and " trick-or-treat." Everybody enjoys this special festival. As for me, I don't want to dress up because I don't want to sacred someone and I do t want to be something else except me. I am who I am. So, of course I will not dress up for this Halloween. If I have to dress up to be some one, I will dress up as a Batman. Because, Batman is my favorite character that I ever watch. And also, he is my hero because he always beats the enemy with his friends.
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ReplyDeleteI hear that Halloween is originated form ‘All Hallows Eve’. It that day, people think that day, all souls and spirits are survives again. And people wear the mask and wear costume to surprise them. Now days, the meaning of this event has changed. People are make up and dress up just for fun. Many children visit the house and said ‘Trick or Treat’ and get some candies. Many adult and older student have a Halloween party with their friends. I really want to join in Halloween but I don’t have any costume. I hope to buy a costume on this weekend before Halloween. If I bought a costume before halloween, I really want to join halloween If I can.
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ReplyDeleteActually, last week, our golden age topic is about Halloween. So I got many information from this discussion. People dress because they think there are some guests. The next day like Chinese national festival, Qinming.The death person will come out and find people. They dress up and look like strange, then the guests will leave. Later, people found there are many fun during they dress up to scared people. Can go friends' home, It's a good way to meet people and communicate.Also is a good chance to make money from customs. I really like to dress up look strange and make people cry, I think it's so funny. I'd like dress like a tiger, and eat people. Also I can eat candy, try to feel U.S culture. We never have Halloween costume in China. It's the first time, I really excited about that.
ReplyDeleteI heard that Hallow is from Halwen. In some places, people still call All Hallow Mas, which means commemorate all of hallows by mass in that day. At first, people wear costumes and masks for scaring “ghost”, but for today, people dress up for fun. Usually, parents bring their children to neighborhood to have sugar. We called that trick or treat. I like to dress up and make up because I think we have a lot of fun for Halloween. I remember that I went to a park, and there were some people who look fearsome tried to scare us in China. I was afraid of them. Last week, I went to hunted walk, and it is similar activity in China that I had. I was still scared. However, I had fun for that.
ReplyDeleteWhy do people wear costumes?In my opinion Halloween celebration is celebrated because people want to be someone another for a day.They can act with another behavior.Also if they are not satisfied with themselves they can use Halloween costumes
ReplyDeletelike a protection against society.They can use some mask for their face so you dont know their identity.I am not really into this celebration I dont know why.Maybe it is because I cant find some deep meaning of Halloween.But if I need to choose some costume I probably will be someone very scary.Most of the people wear Halloween costumes to frighten another people.So that is the reason why I would chose something scary.I would enjoy frightening people just for a night.Also I went to the Halloween dance some people there wear costumes but mostly there wasn't any connection with Halloween.It was just regular dance party.
asha Sabirova
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ELL Journal
M. Griffin
October 29, 2015
I think that people from old times were looking for something in what they can believe. They made some days with special celebrations. What about Halloween, people can celebrate what ever they want. It's give them fun, so why not? I think people want to have something to believe. They always need something to explain some situation, some strange things. Halloween is celebration about ghosts. People think that if they will dress as ghosts or some other evil character real evil will go away because people will scare them. I have never celebrate Halloween. In Ukraine it's not very popular. I think that inly in US people are very serious about it. I think it will be funny to dear something scary on my face. I like that pep,e in America make some decoration on their houses. It's wonderful and a bit scary.
People who wear masks because they are try protend some thing or someone else. People always wear masks or dress up not normally in the holiday or dance for fun or celebration. For my own opinion, I don't really like wear makes or special dress up, because I don't fell enough comfortable on that. I think it's strength thing to wear. For this Halloween I will dress up nicely, not some thing else.
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ReplyDeleteThe Halloween tradition begins in Europe. at 10/31 night, people believe ghosts will come out. People put lots of food out of the gate. Ghosts will think people treat them and they will not come into the house. People wear customs like ghosts. People believe in that way they can led ghosts go back. Now, people use pumpkins and cut a face on the pumpkins, people wear customs to scared other people. Kids wear customs to do trick or treat. Some people also wear masks. It's a tradition of every Halloween. I think there is no festival has a tradition that people wear some customs or masks to celebrate festival. Before, people always buy new red clothes and wear new clothes on spring festival. I think I will wear a custom or a mask and do trick or treat. I did last year that was very fun. I wear a scary mask, and I also got lots of candy! I will do trick or treat with friends.
ReplyDeleteJack Zhao
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ELL Journal
Mr. Griffin
October 29, 2015
I think people wear customs and masks, because they may celebrate for a traditional holiday in the America and Europe and people are also l having fun with dressing up. I like pretending some famous movie players, like Spider Man, Iron Man and so on, because I think these players are so cool, and most of people like these. Although I didn't always wear customs before, I will dress up for this Halloween though. My friend told me that they were having so much fun at last Halloween, they dressed up and walked on the street. Then asked for candy and said " trick or treat". When I was walking in the street, I saw so many house has been decorated. I saw a lot of people put zombie and big spider in their garden, that is actually so scared. I feel the Halloween atmosphere is so great, so I don't want to miss the Halloween this time!
In my opinion people wear masks in halloween for pretend like someone else. They want to hide their own faces. Just for a day people do this for fun. And it is like a dance party. Because of you do not know people around you, it is more scary to be there. Looking at so many scary faces when you are dancing might be fun. But Halloween is not for me. Also we do not celebrate Halloween in my own country. It is going to be my my first halloween. I am kinda excited but I do not think that I am going to wear costume.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, a lot of individuals like wear masks or costumes. Because they think it is fun and feast the festival and make its have a good atmosphere. It is respectful for the festival. Even people who make up a ghost or vampire and so on. They sometimes paint on the face to make fun for everybody. They also scare for someone. For me, I don't like dress up or pretend someone or something else, but I just want to play. I am so enjoyable. And I even don't like wear masks, because I don't want scare someone and sometimes my friends know who I am, it is boring, I want to enjoy someone scare our, it is pretty good.
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ReplyDeleteHalloween is a western traditional festival, which is on October 31th every year. People always wear costumes, masks and use some pumpkins. In my opinion, most of people think that this day is that the dead returned to ghosts and looked for people to get new life. People were very afraid of these ghosts. Humans needed to save themselves, so humans should dress up some horrible face and pretend them to scare ghosts away. In 19 century, people started to trick or treat. People would feel funny and interested to do it. However I don’t want to dress up costumes. I think that it is very inconvenient because it’s hard to buy some clothes and I need to spend too much time making up faces. It is also uncomfortable to make face painting. In addition, I believe that some sellers will increase high prices to sell some costumes and masks to customers, so it is not very cost-effective for me.
In my opinion Halloween is really good day. I love how people wear costumes and masks. It's really cool. I think it's tradition that people pretend that they are somebody else. For us in Czech and Slovak Republic Halloween is like honor for dead people. We believe that their souls are alive on that day. I think that people really enjoy that day , cause they can be somebody else for few hours. I had costume last Saturday as Morticia from Adam's family.I'm glad that I could take a costume cause we don't do that in Czech Republic. This going to be my first Halloween in the United States and I can't wait!!!!
ReplyDeleteHalloween is a famous holiday in America and Europe. When Halloween coming people put some food in front the door, they afraid ghost comes into their house. Why the Human always dress up. They afraid something, so they always dresses up what they afraid. I want to pretend a strong guy. That is my dream. I don't want to dress up, but that's all fake. Sometimes we can have a party on holiday.
ReplyDeleteIf we look back to history Halloween is the day when the deads come alive again and people was dressing costumes to not show that they are humans. In our days I think most of the people dress costumes just for fan. It's just a day when you can be everyone. I mean you can dress in costum of Superman or vampire. I like this event only for one reason, because there are many good parties.
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ReplyDeleteI think humans wear costumes and masks because so they can express themselves and enjoy Halloween with friends. A few days ago I heard the official reason why people used to wear costumes and masks. They put it on order to avoid being recognized by any soul that might be seeking such vengeance, people wear masks or costume to disguise their identities. When I was a child, I used to dress up as a witch, and also I used to say trick or treat in the houses of my neighborhood. It was funny because I was with my friends and we were having fun dressing as someone else. For three years I didn't dress up for Halloween because I didn't like it that much any more.
Maybe I am going to wear a unicorn mask just for fun and because in America more people celebrate Halloween than in my country.
I think that people wearing masks and costumes because of the tradition of the "Halloween". You have to dress scary clothes. Since I was 7 years old I don't like "Halloween", I don't even know why. I guess because I don't understand the meaning of this celebration, for me it's kind of stupid. But a lot of people like this celebration, they enjoying watching other people wearing scary clothes and masks. In United States and Europe is very popular. But I don't like "Halloween".
ReplyDeleteHalloween is coming. Halloween is a holiday celebrated on the night of October 31. On Halloween day, many people will dress up and wear masks. Why do humans wear costumes or mosques? Let's talk some history about Halloween first. Halloween is the eve of All Saints Day. Halloween is from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain. The last of day of October is the beginning of winter. During this day, the spirits of the dead wandered around looking for bodies to inhabit. Since living did not want to be possessed by spirits, they dressed up in costumes to ward off roaming ghosts.
ReplyDeleteFor Halloween, I plan to dress up and pretend a witch. I think a witch has power to to ward off roaming ghosts.
from Charles:
ReplyDeleteFrom the internet I know that people wear mask in Halloween is they don't want to see the ghosts and the dead people, so people often wear masks to protect themselves. I usually wear a mask in Beijing because of the bad weather, but I don't like it, it's very uncomfortable, and I haven't worn a mask in Halloween, because it's uncomfortable.
I think people wear costume and masks because people have tradition. This tradition might come from people who from long time ago, and people keep this tradition every year. It just like people have Chinese New Year in China, and Christmas Day in America. People should do for every year. In my opinion, I think dress up and pretend to someone is a really interesting thing. People cannot recognize him even they are friend. And people can scare them and prank them when you dress up. I think it is a really happy thing for everyone to do during Halloween. I think I will dress up as vampire. I really scare for vampire when I am kid. So I want to scare other people during the Halloween.
ReplyDeleteI think people wear customs and mask because they want to become different people. Also, some people son't want others know who they are so they wear masks and dress up. I don't like to dress up and become another person. I like to be myself. Halloween is a very interesting festival. Many people wear scary mask and dress like ghosts. I don't wear customs on Halloween but I like scary stories and hunted walk. I don't want to dress up because it is hard. I don't want act like someone else.
ReplyDeleteIn the past,I think the people liked to wear the masks for scared.But now,I think wear the masks just for fun.I think dressing up for Halloween can let other people have fun and feel good .Because I become a new human or new thing,like scared monster.Maybe I can let them feel happy,maybe they afraid of me.But it's still fun.I think in China,we have a festival for died people.And we have many rules for this festival.In my city,when we arrive in front of the died people's tombstone.We will set the firecrackers on their tombstone,because we want to our relatives are save in the death wrold.And take the other bad guys away from there,maybe it's just a joke,we still believe this.Also these rules are very different,either we miss them.Happy Halloween!
ReplyDeleteHalloween is one of important festival in United States which is the time when ghost and witches can be seen. However, whether wearing custom or mask has been a habit for most kids, I don’t want to hide myself behind a mask even for fun because I have been truly who I am for 16 years. I’m afraid to experience the feeling of evil me. But some time, I dream to wear an invisible suite and go anywhere I want enjoying the freedom which must feel brilliant ever. In this Halloween, I don’t prepare to wear mask because none of horror moster can’t disturb me.
ReplyDeletePeople dress up and wear masks for fun. They are pretending something else for tradition. Obviously, I'm not interested on it because I don't dress up. But I like to guess who are the people wearing the masks or costume. I won't costume myself when is Halloween. I just want to find out what is everyone pretending. I don want to pretend anything else. I just want to be myself.
ReplyDeleteHalloween is a day that like the spirit festival in China, but we don't dress up to celebrate. In my mind, spirit festival is the day that dead people come back, so, I never celebrate for that day, even Halloween which is not very popular in China. Even now, I still don't understand why do people celebrate for that day. Before I came here, I only knew that by reading the book. This Halloween is my first time to touch it really. I am not sure that if I will dress up for someone or something because I really don't like to do that. Anyway, there are lots of interesting parties and activities on that day. It's really funny.
ReplyDeleteThe children wear costumes and masks of all kinds in Halloween party, the wall around the Halloween Dance often are hanged the Papier witches, black cats, ghosts and skeletons of the, window and door are hanged pumpkin lanterns.In China we don't wear Halloween costumes and masks during Halloween. But I want to try it because most of the people in America do this. I think it will be a good experience for me.
ReplyDeleteHalloween is always on October 31st which is last Saturday. I went trick or treat with Chris and Charles last Saturday night. I dressed up as a ninja turtle, and Chris dressed up as a creepy person, and Charles dressed up as a giant gorilla. We met up at the boys dorm and went some neighborhoods around TA. The original plan was finding a family who do not give people candy. Then we could trick them. However every house in the neighborhoods were giving us candy all the time. Some of old people were sitting in front of their house and waiting people came trick or treat. Some of them could barely walk or open the door in front of them. I felt so impressed at that night. I realized Halloween is not only for people who wants to have fun. It mean more to those old people who wants to see people around and visit. We could talk to a person without knowing each other face on face. Halloween is not only for kids, it is for old people too.
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