the bird on fire

The Bird is the Word: Sophisticated Schoolyard Shenanigans

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Lost in Translation

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–by Amber Zheng

image14Words get funny when people put them into translators. We see a lot of this kind of “funny” translation in restaurants. 

 

 

 

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This actually means very spicy pork.

 

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This one is actually pepper and beef.

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This should read Yunan-style pepper and chicken breasts.

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Literally, it means homemade fried camel meat.

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The right version should be: “sixi” steamed gluten.

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Can you believe that the real name of this one is actually “Whatever”!? It doesn’t say anything about the ingredients.

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It should simply read “German-style pork.”

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The dish is a kind of vegetable stir fry, but the menu maker, clearly, couldn’t find the name of that vegetable on Google translator.

Da Luo Han

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–by Zhenzhou Hu

“Da Luo Han” is my hometown festival that celebrates our ancester Zhe Hu who was an incorruptible and intelligent Northern Song Dynasty official. During this holiday, people will not only wear traditional costumes to dance and perform Kung fu, but they will also talk about folk literature and art. In this way, people can promote friendship with each other.

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In ancient China, people hold flags similar to totems that serve as emblems of a village.

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People of my town carry a sculpture of the ancient Northern Song Dynasty official Zhe Hu. 80% of the people in my town are named “Hu.”

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Different tribes of my big village dance the ceremonial dances of their tribes. Many carry and move to a waist drum. Many of these dances are called “Waist Drum Dance.”

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My little brother, Lai Hu, this year participated in the festival. He dressed in the costume of Zilong Zhao, a military general who lived in the late Eastern Han dynasty and early Three Kingdoms period. The costume is stylized after that found in the Beijing Opera.

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Unlike my brother, I never performed. I was too shy—-Zhenzhou Hu.

 

 

Jim’s Funny Camp: If it Walks Like a Goose

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On this Friday of Spirit Week, we bring you one of Jim’s many jokes collected in his travels.

–by Jim Wang

Franz Wilhelm was a short and ugly painter. When someone laughed at him, he would be outraged. Once, he was sitting in a restaurant, and a beautiful woman came in the restaurant and sat next to Franz. Meanwhile, she looked at Franz laughing. Franz’s face flushed like a red door, but he said nothing and instead took out his sketchbook and sketched while gazing at the woman’s eyes. The woman felt uncomfortable while Franz was sketching her, so she walked toward Franz and said, “Sir, I don’t allow you to draw me.”

“Oh, is this a woman?”

Franz handed the sketchbook to her, and the woman apologized to Franz. Franz was sketching a goose in his book. It seemed she didn’t know that goose means stupid woman in German.

Trey’s Take on Technology: The Epic Rivalry Continues

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–by Trey Lucatero

The ultimate rivalry continues: Samsung v. Apple. The yearly upgrades cause us to ask the same question every year: which should we purchase? Hopefully, with this article, you will be more informed to make your final conclusions.

Apple: iPhone 6s:
Apple has introduced many new features that have allowed for many intelligent and much needed improvements. Their most advertised new feature is the next generation “Multi-Touch.” The iPhone-6S-Mini-1iPhone will now sense how much pressure you apply to the screen, allowing for a multitude of new options that come with this technology. In addition to this new feature, Apple has introduced what it calls “Peek and Pop.” With the slight touch of your finger, you are able to view emails without actually having to open them and mark them as read (and perhaps lose track of them). In addition, you can “peek” at websites before you actually enter them, just giving you a snippet of what is to come.
In addition to this “Peek and Pop” feature, Apple has yet again revolutionized how photography will be handled through your hand-held device. In the iPhone 6s, Apple has introduced iSight, a new camera that captures sharp and detailed photos; allows for 4K HD videos; and a new and improved “Selfie Cam” which takes 5 megapixel pictures, allowing for those crystal-clear selfie shots.

Samsung: Galaxy S6 Edge:
Samsung has always been the front runner between the two phones in complexity and customizability, and the Galaxy 6 Edge is no exception. With the new and improved S Voice, you are able to make commands right away with the sound of your voice, opening apps within seconds. Samsung has also introduced and refined two new charging methods. With their new and improved Fast Charging, you are able to full charge your phone within 1-2 hours. If the swift charging isn’t your cup of tea, Samsung’s newly introduced Wireless Charging Pad surely is. As referenced in my previous Trey’s Take on Technology, this charger is revolutionary in our new era of laziness. All you have to do is drop the phone on the charger.

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Still not sure? Maybe pricing will help.

The iPhone 6s is $650 for 16GB; $750 for 64GB.

The Samsung GS6 Edge is $672 for 32GB; and $768 for 64GB. *

*Verizon prices.

 

**”I just sold myself,” said Trey when proofing this article. Guess which one he chose?

Meet International Student Rosa Gillet

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–by Gaven Li

Rosa has been a Firebird for a month now. She hails from Germany, near Frankfort, and she’s with us for a semester. Here’s her unique German perspective on life at PVS.

Q: Simply introduce yourself please, Rosa.
A: My name is Rosa Gillet. I’m 15 years old, and I’m from Germany, near Frankfort, and I’m here for only one semester…..ah….I have two older siblings? (Laughing)

Q: So, is this your first time coming to America?
A: As an exchange student, yes. But, I was here four times with my family for vacations.

Q: Oh. How do you feel here?
A: I don’t know. At first I was very excited, and then it was like… Okay, I’m here. And,…most of the people here are very nice. So, that’s good.

Q: I heard that you’re living with the other exchange student Nick. How is it? I mean, your new life, your host family and everything…?
A: My host family is nice, but sometimes they forget everything. (Laughing) That’s alright…And with Nick, everything is good cause it’s really cool to talk to him sometimes.

Q: Do you prefer German food or American food?
A: American food! Because in Germany, the food depends on the region. And the food in the region where I live is like…I don’t like it. And I like fast food!

Q: Are you on any team?
A: Yeah, I’m on volleyball (team).

Q: How’s it going?
A: Um…..First, I wasn’t very good. But, I’m getting better I think… I hope so.

Q: You will! How about the school? What’s the difference between Palm Valley and the school in Germany?
A: Everything! In Germany, we don’t need to walk to different classrooms every class. We just stay in the same classroom and have the same classmates everyday. Also our grades are like 1,2,3 instead of A,B,C. There are more teachers [in Germany] and…the campus too! We don’t have a big campus; we only have two buildings and two gyms.

Q: Okay. What’s your favorite class? And the class you find difficult?
A: I love P.E. And English! Algebra is…not difficult, but I can’t understand the expressions because they are much different from in Germany.

Gaven: I think this is it! Thank you so much, Rosa.
Rosa: You’re welcome!

THE RE-VISIT

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–by Gaige Griffintumblr_nuslfzOz4I1u3yl0jo1_500

I unfortunately have to write this article. It pains me to even type these words. But it has to be said…I was wrong. I went into The Visit thinking it was going to be a cinematic abomination, but I was completely wrong. Shyamalan went back to his roots, and for the first time in a while his twist made sense. The only time where I wasn’t able to follow along was during the loud, girly screaming of David Kocen. One thing that I didn’t like, however, was the fact that the movie for the most part relied heavily on jumpscares, and when a movie continually uses jumpscares, it starts to become a rhythmic pattern (I even began counting down to when jumpscares were about to pop up.) On the plus side though, the cinematography was done beautifully. The movie was supposed to be filmed as if it were a documentary made by a high-schooler, and it had the sense that it was actually filmed by a student who aspired to go into film but lacked the traditional professionalism that comes with 1st-party production studios. The Visit had humor to keep you laughing, jumpscares to keep the weak willed scared, and the underlying creepiness you’d expect from a 1st-party thriller. All in all, I find that no words describe this movie as well as those of David Kocen: 11/10 . . . it was okay.

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Totally Talkative Typography

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Art reveals students’ talents responding to various subjects and temperaments. Our art class, led by Ms. McGrew, has just finished the first project of the year— a piece on typography. Typography is the aesthetic combination of arts and letters. The assignment was to find a song, a poem, or a quote and incorporate it into an image.

This project presents us the creativity of our students Gaven Li, Ashley Zhou, Amelie Wang, Karey Graves, and Chloé Katz.

–by Ashley Zhou

 

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Artist Gaven Li (Junior) incorporated the song “Empire State of Mind.”

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Artis Ashley Zhou (Senior) was inspired by  William Yeats’ poem “When You Are Old.”

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Artist Amelie Wang (Junior) used the Beatles’ song “She Loves You.”

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Artist Karey Graves (Junior) demonstrated Fetty Wap’s “My Way” in her piece.

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Artist Chloé Katz (Sophomore) captured “The Great Escape” in her work.

European Schools vs. American Schools

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–by Anna Kleckerova

How does European education differ from American? Like American students, we go to preschool, kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, high school and college. Our high schools separate students based on their intelligence, whether they’re public or private, and by length. High school can last 4, 6, or 8 years.

The big difference between these two continents educationally is that in Europe, we have to take every single subject every year without any electives; students take biology, cEurope Schoolhemistry, physics, geography, math, their native language, English, a second foreign language, history, social science, and art. In America, students have a choice over their classes and have the option of electives. On one hand, this sounds more democratic, and it is awesome that you can choose classes that you really need for your life, but, on the another hand, you can have some big spaces in your knowledge. No system is perfect.

What do I like about the American education system? Studying is more of a game. It is interactive, and you discuss everything. There is a space for everyone to say their opinion, and it gives students opportunity to actually think. They don’t have to jEurope School 2ust listen to the teacher, take notes and then take exams. They are not like robots, and they can really understand the main idea. School provides sports for students, so they can rest their heads from studying at least for a little bit.

Also, here you get more homework every day, unlike Europe, where you get a homework assignment once a week. You can go study by yourself, and it makes you actually do something, build something, create something original. Plus, you don’t get grades only from tests, but  your homework counts as well. This can greatly improve your final grade.

In summary, American students are more involved in choosing their own classes and studying outside of school. In Europe, students have to take every class every year.

How do you “really” feel about Jane Eyre?

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image-2by Zhenzhou Hu

 

The European Literature class was assigned to read the classic novel Jane Eyre over the summer. We decided to interview both the teacher, Ms. Permar, and her students on how they “really” feel about Jane Eyre.

Question 1: Jane Eyre is the first novel we read this year in European Literature. Why is this book special? What do you like about it？

“Jane Eyre presents a sassy young heroine who must navigate her need for individual liberty through the challenges of 19th-century English society. Despite growing up an orphan, suffering the death of her only friend, and falling in love with her boss, who, coincidentally has a crazy woman locked in his attic, Jane maintains a surprising amount of composure. Also, there’s MAGIC.” –Ms. Permar

Question 2: Did you find Jane Eyre to be interesting or boring?

It is an umfangreich [enormous] book [that] helps us get to know the background information and society during [The] Victorian Age–Anonymous

“I am . . . not a big fan . . . . In my opinion, this ‘gothic’ novel did not take me off of my seat. It mainly consisted of what my grandpa says, spoiled drama.” –Brian Sadler

“Jane Eyre’s life proves that Suffering breeds success.”–Zhenzhou Hu

“I like the book because it shows a story that you can never predict. Everything is a mystery, and it keeps my attention.”–Anonymous

“The book was a little slow in my opinion. It had points that were interesting and parts I enjoyed, but it definitely was not one I would willingly read again.”–Gaige Griffin.

“It depicts the growth of Jane Eyre and the series of things that happen to her. They are very meaningful.”–Jim Wang

“Most importantly the movie of Jane Eyre is really good.”–Edward

“[T]he book was okay, [but] it was just a bit too long. It had an interesting plot with strong character development.”–Jacob Langlois

“I think the story is good, but it is boring . . . . The coming of age style of [the] story is helpful for learning but overused.”–Elliot

“It is . . . unlike many books written in the 18th century. It really set a foundation for gender equality, and that is why it is important.”–Emily

“It shows an independent woman chasing her life. Although she had a poor childhood, she met a lot of nice people during that time and became a strong independent woman. It encourages me to be an independent person.”–Anonymous

“[In] this book . . . we can see that if we are strong and go through horrible things, we can still [have] success in our life. [We] just need courage and a strong mind.”–Anna Kleckerova

“Jane Eyre, in the book, showed a new type of love, which is a love stronger than anything.”–Anonymous

“It was really boring and tiring to read the whole book. Their lines were too long and symbolic to easily understand, and the characters all spoke like they were in a Shakespeare play.”–Anonymous

“Yes, it was interesting because you followed Jane growing up, and it emphasized gender equality” -Karey G

“It is really just not my cup of tea. I prefer more interesting books such as Macbeth.”–Trey