International Eelpout Festival

O.K., I have to admit that there are some strange festivals in Austria. But none can compare with the International Eelpout Festival in Walker, Minnesota this weekend. Don't know what an eelpout is? Take a look at the website!

http://www.eelpoutfestival.com/

A Zulu Krewe Mardi Gras

Check out this slide show!
http://www.nytimes.com/slideshow/2009/02/13/travel/escapes/0213-zulu_index.html

And the article from the New York Times:
http://travel.nytimes.com/2009/02/13/travel/escapes/13Zulu.html

Krispy Kreme Challenge

Krispy Kreme is a brand of doughnuts in the U.S. Check out this unusual race/eating competition!

http://www.examiner.com/x-260-Seattle-Parenting-Examiner~y2009m2d7-Krispy-Kreme-challenge--Could-you-run-eat-a-dozen-donuts-and-then-run-back

Recipe has 5000 calories and 500 grams of fat!

If anyone wants to make this, please invite me!

http://www.bbqaddicts.com/bacon-explosion.html

We're off to see the Wizard!

If you REALLY want to understand American culture, then you have to see the WIZARD OF OZ. The IMDB lists over 900 popular culture references to this classic (including 23 references in the Simpsons!).

The English Film Series resumes in 2009. Please join us on

Wednesday, February 4 at 3:45 pm

in the Media Room.

Tell Joey if you want to order pizza!

Obama's Inaugural Speech (January 20, 2009)

The full text: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/20/obama.politics/index.html
Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VjnygQ02aW4

I Have a Dream - Martin Luther King Jr.

http://www.americanrhetoric.com/speeches/mlkihaveadream.htm
See the video, hear the speech and read the text!

NEW! Listening Comprehension Links!

http://www.world-english.org/listening_exercises.htm

http://www.eslgold.com/listening.html (you can choose your own level)

http://www.elllo.org/

English Film Series begins December 3!

The 8B welcomes members of the 6th, 7th, and 8th forms to the first two movies in the English Film Series.

December 3, 4:00 pm

Ferris Bueller's Day Off

December 17, 4:00 pm

A Christmas Story

Both films will be shown in the Media Room (second floor) of BG/BRG Stainach.

An American Supermarket

One of the big differences between the United States and Austria is the CHOICE or SELECTION of things to buy. A good example is the local supermarket. This one is in my hometown of Iowa City, and is about 8 times bigger than Billa in Irdning! I have included photos of sections in this store that should blow your mind!

First up, the apple section! This is just part of the PRODUCE (fruits and vegetables) section -- the whole section is nearly half the size of Billa!

Then we have your MILK/DAIRY section. Notice that our milk comes in different fat contents (skim, 1/2%, 1%, 2%, whole, half & half, light cream, heavy cream, lactose free) and in different flavors (chocolate, strawberry, eggnog). Milk is also is sold in 1 gallon (4 liter) plastic jugs because American children grow up drinking at least three glasses of milk a day! There's also an ORGANIC (Bio) milk section, but it is much more expensive than the milk made with bovine growth hormone (BGH):

Then we've got your SNACK aisle with potato chips, tortilla chips, cheese dip and salsa. This entire aisle is chips, folks!
This is our SALAD DRESSING aisle, with at least 50 different flavors (French, ranch, Caesar, blue cheese, raspberry vinaigrette, honey mustard, green goddess, just to name a few)! Because Americans are often overweight (and who wouldn't be overweight with all the chips!?) one of the popular diet foods is salad. Of course, a bowl of lettuce (aka rabbit food) wouldn't be complete without SALAD DRESSING which is 100% fat! So much for your slim line!


This is the PHARMACEUTICAL aisle of the local supermarket. Here you can buy aspirin and other pain medications, cold medicines, antacids, and diet pills. In Austria, you would have to go to an Apotheke to obtain these things, but in the U.S. you can buy aspirin and cold medicine at every gas station!And that, my friends, is your tour of an American supermarket. I'll be interested to read your responses in the COMMENT section!