One Hundred!

         Numerally, it is the 100^th journal entry, but this one is actually the 26^th one for me. I actually felt incredible that I’ve done so many already, shortly in these two months. Even though my journal entries were only one-fourth of other classmates’, I feel that the process was substantial and I have improved a lot. By digesting the material we covered in class to organizing it into our own words and adding our own thoughts, it is really a good practice. I feel now I have more confident in writing. I also feel that I have become a better thinker and analyzer.

         I gradually realized that this was plainly more than homework assignment, but this is more like a reflection on my own life. By thinking about the connections in the text with my life, I somehow understand more about the story and the author’s motivation of writing the stories. I think this is a good habit that can improve my English skills. Whether it is related to school or not, I would like to continue this habit. However, it will be hard to write anything without a topic. But I believe if I keep writing the journals, I am going improve a lot. I feel lucky to join this class and it has really carried me to another level. 

Final Exam

         [Before Exam]

         I feel pretty unsure about the literature final exam because I have never taken Mr. McCool’s exam before so I don’t know about the directions and the type. And to be honest, I am not good at understanding the details in the stories so if there’s anything on the test about details, I would probably not be able to answer all of it. I am confident on the vocabulary and the short answer questions. I have always been good at the vocabulary and expressing my idea through answering questions. But the teacher’s words before he handed out the test would made me want to kill him if it is not easy.

         [After Exam]

         I am the last one to hand out my exam paper because I had few questions that I was so unsure and wanted to get it right. Since I’ve never read the story Titanic and discuss with the class, I tried to comprehend by myself and it didn't work a lot. Literature to me is not about details or analysis; it is about learning something from other’s experiences and practicing them in my life to make me better. However, literary analysis and details cannot be ignored in this subject as well. If I get an A, I would definitely be happy with the teacher, or else… I only have myself to blame, I guess. 

Group Work

         Group work, to me, is not only an experience of learning how to cooperate with others, accepting people’s opinion, and giving up some of my thoughts, it is actually about social skills and leadership. Sometimes I prefer working alone, when I’m confident to the subject and feel like I can do it perfectly, since there are always people who just want to sit there and take advantages from conscientious people. But for subjects that I’m not familiar with, I would like to work with others and learn something from them. No matter if I am used to the topic or not, I’m always the big contributor and works really hard. I actually don't care about the sloppy people who are not trying to work because they are going to mess it up anyway. I just think it is not fair to give every member a same grade.  

        

         As regards to why teacher always give us group project, I think they are really trying to help us. If they were too lazy to grade the homework, then they can just simply don't give us homework. Thus, I think there should be more meaning in this. From a short-term perspective, I would definitely help if we go to colleges. And for a long-term perspective, we will be working with other people in a company. It is crucial to understand how to communicate with other people and compromising when there are too many opinions. By that time, I think I would be grateful for all teachers training me to be a sociable person. And most importantly, these experiences might help us be the leaders.

Strangers Together

         In this modern society, teamwork is very important because that’s where magic is created. When you’re alone, you only have a limited strength and ability to accomplish a goal. But with many people working efficiently, things would definitely be different. In the story “102 minutes,” the strangers work together because they want to survive in the disaster. By putting efforts on saving each other’s lives, it would be more effectual with more meaning. When working alone, you might not be able to think of the best solution and absolutely has less chance to survive in the predicament.

         One example that I remember working with other strangers, though not involved with fatality, is that we work together to benefit ourselves from wasting money. One day, I went to Cold Stone with my friends, and there was a special premium that the person who buys the new flavor can also choose another flavor but paying the same price. I bought the new flavor and asked my friend what do they want. Unexpectedly, they didn't want any. The person behind suddenly asked me if we could buy it together and divide up the money. I said yes because it really can save my money. I will never forget this unusual experience.  

Project Reflection

        This project has given me a special experience on planning and doing works. I learned about planning the whole project in outline form is important for doing the project. By planning it, I will understand what part I need do research on to make it more detailed and perfect. Also, time schedule is one of the most important things in doing the project. It is always the worse to rush the work before the due day. To manage time of doing this project within such a tight schedule is not an easy thing. In addition, the report has to be prove-read for many times before sending it.

I would say I didn't put all of my efforts into reading the book. I only spent few hours to finish it. However, I did spend a lot of effort on thinking about the story and analyzing it. I feel my analysis is worthwhile because I learned something from the story that has connections to my life. It is actually a good experience for me because I realized every literary element have its use on symbolizing something and presenting something in our real lives. I think literature is about putting our life experiences into the works and show them in an abstract way. My participation and effort definitely have an effect on the value of the project from my passion on doing this work. I feel proud of my project since I’ve put a lot of efforts into it and spending a long time doing it. 

911

        On September 11, 2001, the Twin Towers were destroyed by the al-Qaeda. It is one of the most serious tragedy ever happened in the United Sates. I think 911 has had a huge effect on economies and government. Moreover, it caused the insecurity in every American citizen’s heart. The Twin Towers controlled a big part of US economy, which then connected to the world. After 911, most things had inflated and many companies were strongly influenced. However, it united all Westerners to protect themselves.

         The United States responded that the “War on Terrorism” would go on. The government even went on trial with many people from the Middle East. The next month, FBI even confirmed the circular orders for the arrest of the terrorists. I think their respond was appropriate because they promise the war was not going to end, which had given some justice to those who family members has lost in the event. Although Osama Bin Laden’s death has extinguished many people’s hatred, I do feel that confirming his death is not a good idea because it obviously is provoking to those terrorists. This means that the United States might get attack again and the world would probably fell under panics.

Buried Alive

        I believe there are three general ways to die. First is to die peacefully in a dream, which I think is the best of all. Second is to die quickly without any pain. Third is to suffer and to die brutally and slowly. I think the third one is the worst of all because you have to struggle for a long time and cannot die peacefully. Being buried alive is an example of this. Right before you die, you will reflect your own life and maybe find some regrets. You are not able to talk to anyone close to you, you cannot lie down in a cozy bed, and you will eventually die from suffocating.

         If I were in this kind of situation, I would convince myself that I have lived a meaningful life and probably start to pray. But I know, inside my heart, I would be very apprehensive and try my best to get out of the plight. If I couldn't make it, the only choice left for me is to reach equanimity and try to die with peace.  Even so, I would still like to send a message to my parents and some friends telling them that I love them and for being such nice and important people in my life. I think the one thing that I would want to change about my life is that I would try to enjoy my life more rather than working so hard and pushing myself into limits.