Sharece Michelle Bunn

Vynnychenko 10, Ternopil, Ternopilska Oblast 46018, Ukraine

November 29, 2011

Santa Claus

Santa’s Workshop

The North Pole

Dear Santa,

I am writing to you to ask for a special present. I’m not asking for a pony, a large amount of chocolate, or an orange in my stocking. If I wanted those, I’d just ask my parents. I’d rather have TNPU officials crack down on truancy, more buses in Ternopil, and another Peace Corps volunteer in Ternopil.

I’m sure you’ve heard that there are a bunch of naughty students studying at TNPU. They don’t show up for lessons and tests and try to pay their way to finish. Many students receive diplomas from TNPU when they have done very little of the work required for such a degree. Please persuade the officials to deal with this issue. It is incredibly unpleasant to show up to class and only have four out of twelve students to work with. I would rather work with the entire group.

Secondly, buses in Ternopil are a nightmare. You only travel to Ternopil by sleigh so you wouldn’t know much about this. If you were to ride on a marshrutka, I think you’d speak with the mayor of Ternopil at once. Your chubby belly would barely fit with all of the people crammed in the bus. I imagine that you would sweat a bunch in your red costume. I’ll buy you a marshrutka ticket for Christmas so you can try it. If you don’t want to do it, please speak to the mayor. He’ll listen to jolly old St. Nick.

Lastly but most important of all is that I would like another Peace Corps volunteer to come to Ternopil. I’m sure you’ve heard my cries and complaints since my friend Amanda left a few weeks ago. If you can help get another Peace Corps volunteer in Ternopil, I might be able to be more active in clubs at the Window on America Center and I will have more help planning and carrying out extra activities here at TNPU.

I’d appreciate it if you could get me these things for Christmas. In case you forgot, I want the TNPU big wigs to crack down on truancy, more buses in Ternopil, and another Peace Corps volunteer in Ternopil. That’s not too much to ask, is it?

Thanks Santa. I’ll make sure to leave you some cookies and milk in my dorm room.

Merry Christmas.

Sincerely,

Sharece Michelle Bunn

Peace Corps Response Volunteer, 2011-2012

Ternopil National Pedagogical University (TNPU)

What should my descriptive assignment look like?

I’m glad you asked. Your descriptive assignment is much different from your narrative assignment. The descriptive piece is going to be more creative and melodic.

Your job is to describe a scene. You can write about a scene on a marshrutka, your roommate as he or she cooks, or the guards in front of TNPU. Use as much language as you can to get the picture across. I want your reader to be able to see the scene you saw.

Here’s an idea of what your descriptive piece could be organized like.

Intro – focus on the scene. Describe the place. Is it on the street, in a room, on a bus? What does it look like? Are there scratches on the wall? How many seats are there? How much space is in front of you?

Middle – focus on the person or subject of the scene. What does the person look like? What is he or she wearing? What does his or her body language tell you?

End – What sort of emotions do you feel after seeing this scene? What sort of conclusions can you make? Think of what you want the reader to remember and try to paint those conclusions in the ending of your descriptive piece.

Happy Writing!

 

Third & Fifth year students: Remember that your first assignment is due during your class period this week. If you don't turn it in that day, you will receive a zero. 

Fourth & Fifth year students: I will be having a SEED seminar next Friday, December 9th. We will learn about different activities and games to play and use with our students during lessons. Please e-mail me if this sounds interesting a