Nadia = How did you find SocioTown?

Ohgee = I found Sociotown through a games forum. They had posted a list of games to check out, so I did. Also, a group of my friends also joined Sociotown at that time.

N = What group was that? Are you talking about the Disney game?

O = The Dis boards is a forum based on Disney. I used to play a game called VMK that made you feel as if you were in Disneyland.

N = What happened to VMK game now?

O = Sadly, it closed 3 years ago. That is when a group of us came to Sociotown and found new friends.

N = Is “Ohgee” your real name?

O = No, the name “Ohgee” comes from an old cartoon character. She was the little girl in the cartoon Magilla Gorilla who used to say “ohgee” in a cute voice. I just liked the way she used to say it.

N = Is that true that you like to go to the shooting range?

O = Yes, I’m a very good markswoman but I haven’t gone in a little while. I also rode motorcycles.

N = Interesting…I heard you are a teacher?

O = Yes, I teach computer skills in an elementary school in NYC.

N = What kind of computer skill? The software?

O = In the lower grades we teach basic computer skills such as typing, word processing, creating graphics and researching on the Internet. We use various programs such as Powerpoint to create slideshows/books, Kidspiration to create story maps, and other programs for various projects.

In the upper grades I also have my students create podcasts, vodcasts,  contribute to a wiki and a blog and even create their own web pages. I am really proud of how far they have come over the years.

N = Wow…do you make the students to type with 10 fingers too?

O = I try to have them type with all 10 fingers. We do practice proper finger placement but the younger students need lots of practice. They don’t mind practicing when they see that they are able to type faster the more they do it.

N = With bad economy right now, does your state have school budget cut as well as California (where I live)?

O = Yes, they are cutting school budgets all over the country. It is very sad that they will be taking away those good programs that really help the students. It seems like they always cut art and music programs in the schools first to save money. I hope that they will be able to increase our budgets in the coming school years.

N = Do they lay off a lot of teachers as well as in California?

O = They said they would have to lay off a large group of teachers because of budget cuts. I know that one of the teachers in my school did get notice that they may not have a job in September. It’s a shame because this will create larger class sizes. Smaller classes are always best.

N = How would the government know which teacher need to be laid off? Are they using pull-a-straw system?

O = Right now in NYC the lay offs are based on seniority. The person who has taught the shortest amount of time is the first to be laid off.

N = So what would became of those who got laid off? Find another job title?

O = Some are able to find a job in another school, some people substitute in schools until a position opens up and then some may have to find job in another field.

N = How long have you been a teacher?

O = I’ve been teaching for a while.

N = Have you always been teaching computer?

O = I was also a classroom teacher. I have taught first, second, third and fifth grades.

N = Have you ever taught middle school or high school?

O = No I haven’t. My teaching license allows me to teach Pre-Kindergarten through 6th grade.

N - They have different license for that??? I’ve never know that. Have you ever taught kindergarten?

O = Each state has their own set of requirements. You usually need to have a college BA degree in teaching and a specialize in a particular subject (math, science, etc.). You also have to take state test.

N = When you were young, were your goal to be a teacher?

O = When I first went to college, I had planned on becoming a CPA (Certified Public Accountant). At the end of my sophomore year, I realized that I really wanted to become a teacher. I changed my major going into my junior year.

N = Are you planning to teach high school kids anytime in the future?

O = No, I don’t think so. I enjoy teaching the students on the elementary level.

N = What the kind of things you enjoys the most about them?

O = When you see the light bulb go on in their eyes when they learn something new, THAT is the reason I became a teacher. The students’ natural curiosity and willingness to try new things makes it all worthwhile.

O = I hope there are many more people out there who want to become teachers and help teach for our future.

Nadia = What does “Fufu55″ mean?

Fufu55 = Well, I created this name when I was returning to my house from football practice when I heard this cat that was making a cute voice that sounded like fufu and 55 is just my lucky number.

N = How did you find SocioTown?

F = I searched on Google for browser based games and SocioTown was first on the list so I thought I would give it a try.

N = What activities in SocioTown do you like best?

F = Well, I like working in Burger Despot and shopping

N = Where are you from?

F = I am from Palestine. But right now I live in Abu Dhabi, UAE (United Arab Emirate) (***note: Abu Dhabi is the capital city of UAE). I go there during vacations.

N = How old are you?

F = Well, I’m 13.

N = How old were you when you moved to UAE?

F = I guess I moved when I was 3 years old, but I’m not sure. It was a very long time ago.

N = Which country do you like best?

F = In my opinion it’s Egypt that I enjoyed best because they have great weather and the country is full of ancient artifacts such as the pyramids.

N = Are you into Egypt’s ancient history?

F = I used to learn about Ancient Egypt as the subject of English Social Studies when I was in primary school and I really excelled in it because I really liked the subject which made me eager to go there personally and experience it.

N = Who is your favorite pharaoh?

F = Tutankhamun because he was the most clever leader and a fair ruler. He did not let his kindness affect his courage out on the battlefield.

N = But wasn’t he became a pharaoh when he was a kid (*** note: Tutankhamun ascended to the throne at the age of 10), and he was pretty much a puppet king? And he died at young age. (*** note: Tutankhamun’s death estimated at the age of18)

F = Yes. But he was certainly an admired leader back in his time.

N = I want to make sure, do you admire him because he was found with the most treasure or because of his charisma alone?

F = I liked him because he had a perfect personality. He was kind and clever, but in the time of need, he did not let his kindness affect his ruthlessness on the enemy.

N = Can you read Egypt’s ancient language?

F = Of course not, I’m not a hieroglyphic reader, but I try as hard as possible.

N = Can I assumed you will move to Egypt when you are of legal age?

F = No…not exactly. My real passion isn’t really in English social studies or hieroglyphics, but in biology.

N = Biology??? Are you planning to be in medical?

F = Yes, biology is really a great subject that is needed in the world.  I want to become a known brain surgeon.

N =  A very heavy stuff! What classes have you taken to get you to this goal?

F = Yes I know, that’s why I’m really going to study and study and study in college.

N = what grade are you in?

F = I’m going to 9th grade.

N = what did you like about being in 8th grade?

F = Well it was the beginning of the difficulty that I’m going to face in later grade, which made me realize that I have to study harder next year.

N = How often do you study?

F = Well, I study 3-4 hours on normal school days and approximately 4-6 hours on exam days and no less.

N = Do you play any sport? School sport team?

F = Yes, I do as a matter of fact. I play football, basketball, tennis, swimming, and American football sometimes.

N = There is an American football in UAE? Is as a school sport?

F = Yes. we do plays American football but as a hobby.  I like to play it at the sport’s clubs.

Nadia = Why your username is “Pindown”?

Pindown = Well…. my friend told me about this game, so I just put this as it. I thought it was kind of funny.

N = Where do you live?

P = Florida, USA.

N = Do you like to live there?

P = Yes. I lived in Boston, Massachusetts before. But I like to live in Florida better because it’s very hot and I also have lots of friends here.

N = How old were you when you moved to Florida?

P = I was 9 years old.

N = What grade are you now?

P = 10th grade.

N = Which subject is your favorite?

P = Spanish.

N = How many years have you studied “Spanish”?

P = About 1 year. But I would grade my Spanish at 80%.

N = Do you speak Spanish outside school?

P = Not really, because I don’t feel comfortable speaking it outside of school and I’m not all that good at it.

N = How many more years do you need to perfect your Spanish?

P = I don’t think I need years of it. I’m guessing I just need 3 months.

N = Do you speak other languages than Spanish and English?

P = Yes. I can speak 6 different languages. Haitian, Spanish, Arabic, English, Chinese, and Dutch.

N = Which one of those languages that you are fluent in?

P = English, lol.

N = Do you have a Haitians background?

P = Yes. Both my parents are Haitians.

N = Have you been there?

P = Yes. I went there when I was about 10 years old. It was summer time and it was very hot down there. Somewhat, I don’t like seeing people suffer; makes you feel that bad. People can’t afford real toilet and most have disease.

N = Disease from what?

P = They got it from other people, randomly.

N = If they can’t afford toilet, then what did they use?

P = There was this built-in-hole and they used that. Sad to hear poverty in some part of the world, hopefully some people could join together to do something good and rewarding.

And maybe Pindown can make some difference in his future for the Haitians people.

Nadia = Hey Mamoor, Where do you live?

Mammor = I live in Birmingham, England.

N = Do you go to school or work?

M = At the moment, I’m in my 2nd year in college. I will, though, transfer to a univesity next year.

N = What are you studying?

M = Lots of stuff e.g Triple Science, Chemistry, Maths, Biology, Physics, ICT and Islamic Studies.

N = What are you planning to do?

M = Become a footballer, pilot or astronautcommercial pilot.

N = What kind of pilot?

M = Commercial ones. I hate fighting and wars.

N = So we won’t be counting on you for joining the military then?

M = Yep! But count on me to discover planets

N = Why are you studying Islamic Study?

M = Because I’m a Muslim.

N = Sunni or Shia?

M = Sunni.

N = Please tell us the different between those two.

M = Umm… Sunni people have a different prayer then Shia. And Shia have an event

called Matam in which they hit themselves with chains - which Sunni don’t do.

N = Where were you born?

M = Pakistan.

N = How old were you when you moved to England?

M = When I was about 6 or 7 years old. I can’t remember. I think it was 7.

N = How old are you now?

M = 20

N = And you’ve been living in England ever since?

M = I’ve been going to Pakistan for holidays.

N = Why did you move?

M = I was really young and I’d never really asked but I presumed it was for business reasons. It’s my dad who does the ambassador sort of thing. i don’t really know.

N = Was he ‘the’ ambassador, or work in embassy?

M = I dunno, but I think it’s one of them. I think it was ambassador.

N = Do you like living in England?

M = Yep!

N = Do you prefer living in England or Pakistan?

M = Both, really. I like the peaceful of mountainious parts of Pakistan, and I like the coldness of England.

N = When you first moved to England, did you experience a culture shock?

M = Not really. Just the cold weather and the change of people, that’s all.

N = Where and when did you learn English?

M = I learnt it in England fully when I was about 7 and a half or something. Well… not fully but understandable.

N = After you finish the school, what would you do?

M = I’m thinking of living in Qatar, Dubai, Switzerland, Pakistan, France.

N = So many places. Can you tell me why these places?

M = Well it’s simple really…. they are beautiful. I would prefer Canada too.

N = Have you been to these places?

M = Some of them but they sound good.

N = Which activities do you like best?

M = I like swimming and cricket and football and laptop and drinking chocolate milkshake and doing archery and playing tennis and playing on my PS3.

N = Cricket??? Isn’t that old people sport?

N = I don’t think that. I love cricket, probably because I’m good at bowling.

M = Yeah you love cricket. admit it If I’m not mistaken cricket is royalty’s game. Correct me if I’m wrong.

M = It is and I do like cricket.

N = What kind of PS3 games do you play?

M = Wars and football and car adventure games. Games like Grand Theft Auto.

N = How did you find SocioTown?

M = My brother told me about it. It was in 2007 when my brother joined and I told him it was stupid because I didn’t know. But once when I was bored, I went online and found that it was really good, so I play and I play in happily ever after