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. 

Jargon

         Jargon is commonly used in the story “Into Thin Air.” For example, short-ropes, sahib, corniced fin, the Balcony, etc. Normal people like us would not know the meaning unless we find out what these terms specifically refer to. Short-rope in climbing means assist a weak or injured climber by hauling him or her. Sahib is the term used by Sherpas to refer to the paying members of the expedition. The Balcony particularly refers to a small platform in the height of 8400m on Everest Mountain.

         People who watch the TV show “Glee” know the fans are being called the “Gleeks.” It is a word combined of glee and geek, which means a person who is devoted to this show and watch it every Tuesday. Another example is “Monsters” which is referred to Lady Gaga’s fans. Nowadays “Twitter” has been very popular in social network. When people post something on the website, we use the word “tweet” instead of the word post. Some words teenagers use in messengers or text message would be “idk”, “ttyl”, “lol”, and “brb.” Idk means “I don't know”; “ttyl” means “talk to you later”; “lol” means “laugh out loud”; and “brb” means “be right back.” A jargon commonly used in my old school is “seafood” and it is referred to the people who ruled our school. It is called seafood because it sounds like the word in Chinese.

Risk For a Reason

        In reality, most people wouldn’t take a risk to save a stranger’s life. It would put themselves into danger and at the same time, it might not work as well. In this modern society, people would just call 911 if anything happens. However, it still depends on the situation whether to save a stranger or not. If it is not a lethal situation it might probably work. Contrarily, if it is a plight, then it is meaningless to jeopardize ourselves into it.

        

         Some people risk their own life to save other people probably because they are just and kind who really want to help people when they see someone verging to the end of life. Some people consider themselves first because they are probably afraid of death or they think their life doesn't worth to save a stranger. Stay alive in this world might contribute more to this society. In my opinion, I think I will not take risks to save any strangers life. First of all, I cannot actually do anything to save anyone. Second of all, it would be faster to call 911 or ask for other help. Lastly, I think I would dedicate more if I stay longer in this world.

Why Take Risks?

Krakauer described climbing mountains as an acting that will never be safe, predictable, rule-bond enterprise. Like other risks, you will never know what exactly will happen during the process. You might surprisingly learn an important lesson that you have never expected to have. Or the challenge could be harder than you think it would be. Taking risks resembles reaching the probability that you may achieve. For instance, you want to have more money in order to live a better life. Most people would simply do this by stocking. Your choices, your decisions on which company and how much to invest change your fate. You whether might lose or win. It is definitely not safe, especially when one invests more money, the more possibility of failure it has.

         A risk that I have taken is to spend the night before exam doing nothing but having fun. When I was reviewing, I met some problems. I asked my friend and then we ended up with joking each other and chatting. The night has passed and I still had not done anything or put any efforts into the exam tomorrow. My thought was: “Who cares? I have put all of my efforts into studies. Tonight is my chance to relax.” And the next day came, the test was actually not as hard as I expected. But I got few mistakes that I should not have if I have done the review. Thus, my GPA got lower. Who knows if it is going to influence me in the future when sending applications? Yes. It is not safe at all. I kind of regret after this because I should have done what I am suppose to do before exams and relax after exams. One night of fun, to me, doesn't worth a lower grade when I know I could get a better one.

Cause And Effect

         Jon Krakauer participated in this reaching Everest Summit expedition since a magazine company paid him to take a role as an observer and report everything he saw. He spent months preparing and finally reached to the summit – nevertheless, only for five minutes. The thin air and the lack of oxygen had taken away part of his consciousness and other climbers’ as well. When going down, Jon asked his friend Harris to turn it off. Ironically, he felt fresh, and suddenly, started suffocating. Instead of turning off, Harris, in his hypoxically impaired state, turned on the valve and drained all the oxygen left. The lack of oxygen caused confusion, which then caused Harris to turn the wrong side of the bottle. Fortunately, they made it successfully.

         While most people in the team were back safely into the camp, Hall and Hansen were still reaching for the summit. For some reasons, Hall didn't turn Hansen around and waited for him at the summit for more than an hour. They went down together with nearly no oxygen. They were struggling from the lack of oxygen. Hansen was the first one to die. Hall then died after few hours since his foot was frostbite. If he didn't insist to climb the summit on that day and waited for Hansen, it would definitely be different. If they choose a better weather and condition, they wouldn't end up with drained oxygen bottles and dying down the way to the camp.

Compare Disasters

The story, Into Thin Air, is a story that is full with tragic. Some of the members died because of their misfortune. Hall, for instance, was stuck and without any oxygen bottles. All of these actually come from bad luck. This reminds me of a movie called “Just My Luck”. This movie is about a girl who is extremely lucky. She got all of the opportunities and adoration. Her life couldn't be better until she kissed a boy who is extremely unlucky.

The similarity between Into Thin Air and Just My Luck is that the characters in both stories want to reach their own summits. They all work hard and do everything to achieve their goals. Even though the girl in Just My Luck has all the opportunities, she worked really hard as well. They guy in the movie worked actually harder, but he just couldn't succeed. Is life fair? Why there are always people who got the opportunities and achieve their objectives? Some members in Into Thin Air have also survived too, but why others lost their lives? I think there are reasons behind it rather than just putting efforts. In my opinion, this is a good question to ponder.

Participation

I think a journalist should report an event with details and some people’s thinking and opinion. Also, capturing pictures and videos are important. I think it doesn't matter if a journalist put his emotion into it. But putting an emotion that is appropriate and will not offend anyone is the most crucial part. If a journalist participates in an event, then apparently he or she is also a participant who actually understands the situation and what other participants think. It is actually impossible to pay a journalist to join an event and be an observer because he or she has to participate to observe. As a journalist participates in an event, he will not just report plainly. Instead, the journalist would report with his emotions and his understanding toward the event deeply and emotionally.

To report a disaster without emotionally involved is barely possible. While interviewing the victims, a journalist, if he is still a hearted human, must feel sympathy for them. Seeing people loss home, loss family, catch cold, and have nothing to eat, I believe a journalist cannot simply hide his emotions. I think the only way to hide the emotions is to accumulate experience and let one’s mind go numb.  But that would be a cold-blooded thing to do – to destroy a person’s heart completely. Hence, I think adding emotions in a relevant time and place would be the best a journalist can do.

Risk

People take risks to challenge themselves or to get a better chance in life. Sometimes taking risks or adventures can lead us to precious experiences that we could never be able to undergo again. And these accumulated experiences can help us in our future as a guide. Danger is somehow attractive because the solutions are always unexpected and more than just satisfied. If you failed, you will learn lessons throughout the process. I would like to take chances since they give me experiences and lessons that lead me to a better level and make my life more splendid.

I think an adventure that I have taken is to join the international class in my old school. It was risky because I didn’t have a strong English background and I had never taken lessons in English. Also, it was our school’s first time so the lack of experience was making me nervous. However, my scores and performance in classes were getting better which gave me confidence. Now I can handle most works and assignment. This adventure made me stronger and intensified my internal potential. A risk that I would like to take in the future is to pilot a plane. It seems fun for me because it probably feels like flying. To hover in the sky has been my dream since I was a child.

Free Writing - Computer as a tool? Or as a toy?

Technology has become a big part of our life in the 21^st century. However, problems has emerged along with its flourishing. From illegally downloading to Internet crime, these problems haven’t stopped. Nevertheless, technology has brought advantages to us either. It really depends on how a person uses it.

My problem, frankly, is none about these crimes. My problem is that I don’t know how to discriminate my laptop as a tool or as a toy. It has entertained me and became a big part of my life before it became a tool of learning. At first, when I use the computer to do my assignment, I just couldn’t help my self from unceasingly surfing the Internet. Websites like Youtube, Facebook, Twitter, etc., has become my biggest distraction and obstacles toward my learning.

These weeks, I’ve tried to practice to ignore the distractions, and it actually got better. I gave myself a little time every day to surf the Internet. And when I am studying, I would not have to think that much about other things. The method has help me improved my situation on concentrating. Now I finally feel technology is more than just an entertainer. It definitely is a tool that can help me learn more.

A Challenge

I enjoy challenges because they always make me a stronger and a more experienced person. I think challenges can intensify the potential inside a person. I enjoy mental challenge more because physical always seem to be harder for me. Running marathon, doing push-ups, etc., always challenges me and it is not enjoyable at all. However, I like mental challenges because it requires thinking. Mental challenges include handling pressure, dealing with troubles, works, and solving problems. Sometimes it is emotional, and sometimes it is troublesome. But I think that’s what arouses our abilities.

A challenge that I faced is being over-working under an inhuman schedule at school. In my old school, I had to get up at 6:30 and the last period lasts until 17:15, which is total 8 periods a day. After that, I was supposed to go take a class for my standardized test. Later, I had to take a shower and finish my dinner within 40 minutes. And then I only got two periods for night study because I must to go practice for a competition until 10. After 10, I had to go back to the dorm and settle down to finish the rest of my work. However, the dorm was pretty noisy and the teachers were being despotic about the noise. And I had to take the pressure that our class would be scold anytime at school. I survived the first semester. But I couldn’t make it through the second one, which is why I transferred to here. Nevertheless I learned a lot and knew how tough life could be. 

Highwayman

 The similarity between the highwayman and Frankie is that they both liked to be with a girl they met and were expecting something from them. However, they both felt lost because of losing the girl that they like and care about. I agree with Seamus’s conclusion that they have similar experiences because the girl, Bess, in the highwayman died with no call, which is the same as Patricia who died suddenly in the lavatory.

           

            Frankie’s situation may be compared to a romantic story because the way they connect and communicate is really special and is full with emotion. And how Frankie waits for Patricia’s poems is similar to lovers waiting and thinking about each other everyday. Also, the wall between them somehow symbolizes the distance between them. It feels like they are far away from each other and have to talk on a phone everyday. Furthermore, every time they talk or laugh, the Sister will always stop them from doing that. It can be compared to a forbidden love, which is often used in romantic stories. Nonetheless, there are still some differences between a romantic story and the Typhoid Fever. The two characters were too young to know about love and romance. Also, there was no affection between two of them. 

Humor's Role

In the story, Typhoid Fever, Francis was laughing hard because his friend Patricia was mimicking the words from Sister Rita. But what’s the real meaning behind this anecdote? From different perspectives, we can reflect different meaning of it. In one way, the reader was trying to make the sad story not too sorrow. The whole story is about losing and being sick. If the author didn’t create any happiness in the atmosphere, then it would be hard for readers to continue reading. On the other hand, from seeing the two kids having fun to one of them died, readers would feel depressed for such a tragedy. It would intensify the readers’ responses toward this story.

            So what does “catharsis” have to do with humor’s role? Catharsis means the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions. It has a function of purifying readers’ minds and let them neglect the sadness. In other words, the author created funny moments because he didn’t want to affect the reader’s mood too much. Also, it would have a bad effect on the appraisal of the story if the author created a heavy atmosphere. Thus, having catharsis in writing helps readers to take a break, clean up their minds, and continue reading. 

Sick (JE #82)

There was a period when I was really sick. It was about 8 years ago.  I remember that hospital was a place that I have to visit every week. I didn’t like hospitals, but I disliked the school even more. Maybe that was the reason why I was so sick, for not being happy and cheerful. “Mom, I feel dizzy.” “Mom, I have an headache.” “Mom, I feel…” She had nearly gone mad. It was abstruse for her to understand why a kid can be so ailing for such a long time and never recovered.

I had been living in Taoyuan for 10 years. Whether at school or at home, I was not feeling well. I felt like there was something deep inside of me was struggling and disturbing my life. Everything I saw or heard gave me a strange and unfamiliar feeling. The only thing I wanted to do was to return to where I belong. Back at the time, my mom occasionally drove me to big hospitals in Taoyuan and Taipei. It was sad to see my mom dropping her job to take care of me. I feel sorry but helpless to deal with the situation. I was just hoping that I could be cured and go back to my normal life. 

Perspective (Journal Entry #81)

Perspective decides the angle of a person’s understanding and comprehending toward an event. Our perspective can also change the meaning of and event due to our different background. Our perspectives come from distinct and accumulated life experiences. Thus, everyone has a different perspective and comments for different events.

A writer, when writing a true story, describes things emotionally and honestly. He usually tells what he thinks of a person, a place, or an event. A writer’s connection and relationship to the people or places in the story are specifically important because they decide readers’ perspectives through the way things are described and characterized.

A memoir is based on personal observations and inward knowledge. Unlike a biography or a history account that bases the writing on external achievements of a person or an event. Memoir is mostly about the writer’s feeling and perspective toward an event. It does not simply state the truth, but with emotions and deeper feelings.

When reading books, readers see an event through the writer’s perspective. It is always a good experience to see the world in a different angle. Perspective has an effect on readers to understand other’s feelings and thoughts in a different interpretation and attitude.

Writing in a Style

It’s so sad to see the mess in the sofa area. Garbage strewed all over the place and students were still laughing and fighting. No one attempted to clean up the mess. I even heard someone saying, “ It doesn’t matter! The cleaner is going to clean it up anyway.” As a teacher, I am completely disappointed about this event.

Wow! Did anyone spend the last night partying in the sofa area? That is totally cool! They should have invited me. Did they just party all night long? They must be drunk or else it wouldn’t be such a horrified mess. Incredible! Whoever did that should be in a big trouble and talking to the principal right now!

It is totally exaggerated how can anyone create such a mess in the sofa area! Shame on them! I am going to call their parents right after I find out the truth. Sofa area is a cozy place for every teacher and students to rest. Everyone in the school should respect this area and use it properly. What exactly happened to our next generation? Where is the molarity? I decided that next week, I am going to call up a meeting to discuss ways to improve our students’ behavior.

Two Styles

     1.     What was a major component of Lahiri’s growing identity as an American?

The major component of Lahiri’s growing identity as an American is how she is able to speak English without an accent and comprehended well.

     2.     How were the experiences of Lahiri’s parents and other immigrants different from those of subsequent generations?

The subsequent generations have to learn how to fit in the local people and most of them would keep identities like Lahiri who lived two different lives at home and at school. However, some of them might just abandon their original culture and fully adopt the local culture.

     3.      In what ways is Lahiri’s experience equivalent to that of other children of immigrants?

Lahiri and other children of immigrants’ endured intense pressure to have two identities. They would never be easily regarded as Native Americans because their different appearance. All of them might experience the ironic situation of living in two different lifestyles. They may feel confused about their lives in their childhood.

     4.     Is the use of figurative language an effective technique in this essay? Explain.

      Yes. The author used simile, personification and other kinds of figurative languages. For instance, she described her mother’s clothes as outmoded currency. She also described the back-and-forth life as an anchor that will drop.