After much anticipation...photos from the seasonal kimono lecture

Two kimono displayed on the stage where the lecture was held. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

The Earl Burns Miller Japanese Garden held a lecture Feb. 26 at the Daniel Recital Hall on campus.

Alison Redfoot-Deliddo addressed the influence seasons and weather have on the designs of kimono.

Redfoot-Deliddo had attended a kimono-sewing classes in Japan, and obtained a master's degree in Japanese art history.

She shared some of the knowledge she obtained while studying the kimono and Japanese culture.

She explained the difference colors, patterns and fabrics make when making and wearing kimono in different seasons of the year and of one's life.

For example, while a lighter fabric with red, white or blue patterns would be more appropriate for summer, a heavier fabric with pictures of snow or pine would work better in winter, she said.

Also, she explained that a girl wears the sleeves of her kimono long until she gets married. Then she cuts the sleeves short.

While she had much information to share, she stressed that studying the kimono is a life-long journey.

These kimono might be better for one particular season (of the year and of a kimono wearer's life) than for another, based on their colors, patterns, types of fabric and cuts.

CSU students in Chile unharmed after quake

Wired.com's article: Concepcion moved 10 feet to the west after earthquake.

Students participating in the International Program in Chile are unharmed by the 8.8 magnitude earthquake that hit Concepcion Feb. 27, according to the Daily 49er.

Twenty-nine CSU students were studying at the Pontifica Universidad Católica de Chile in Santiago, according to Leo Van Cleve, CSU director of International Programs.

The earthquake's epicenter was 70 miles from Concepcion, but 200 miles from Santiago.

"Everyone is accounted for and everybody is OK," Van Cleve said, "There was damage in Santiago, but not nearly as extensive as Concepcion."

The year-long program in Chile was on semester break during the earthquake, but started the next semester only five days after the originally planned date (March 8 instead of March 3).

The Daily 49er's article can be found here.

Funding for CSULB Mandarin Chinese Program

CSULB is to receive $2.88 million appropriation as a result of a recently approved defense spending bill and as part of the Strategic Language Initiative.

"The defense funding will further the development of critical foreign language programs that will help meet America’s national security needs." a release from Sen. Barbara Boxer's office said, "The initiative will help graduate more professionals with language skills and cultural knowledge in Arabic, Mandarin, Korean, Persian and Russian.”

Each CSU campus will focus on one of those languages, and CSULB is to focus on Mandarin Chinese.

Other CSU campuses participating are Cal State Fullerton (Persian), Cal State L.A. (Korean), Cal State Northridge (Russian), Cal State San Bernadino (Arabic), San Francisco State (Mandarin Chinese) and San Jose State (Arabic).

The Daily 49er's article can be found here.

Missing CSULB International Student

Nineteen year-old Majid Khalid Shuhail, an international student from CSULB's American Language Institute, went missing Feb. 15, the Daily 49er said.

CSULB did not find out until Feb. 19.

Lynne Richmond, director of the American Language Institute, said that Shuhail, who is from the United Arab Emirates, went missing after going to airport but not boarding his flight.

Shuhail's father has flown to the United States to search for his son.

In the Daily 49er article, Richmond said that "Nobody knows much."

The article from CSULB's Daily 49er can be found here.

***UPDATE***

Shuhail was found in Los Angeles, the Daily 49er said March 6.

Shuhail and his father will go by the United Arab Emirates Embassy in Washington D.C. before returning to UAE, an article published by the Emirates News Agency March 1 said.

A news Web site from UAE said that Shuhail had previously informed the UAE Embassy that he did not wish to study in the U.S.

Shuhail is no longer enrolled in the American Language Institute at CSULB.

The Daily 49er's article can be found here.