Rainy Day

Today is a rainy day. When I went out to work I got completely wet. Besides, there was blowing wind, so it was a tough task to hold my umbrella steadily, and it was a little bit cold. It is said that the rainy weather will stay several days. I hate rain very much. First of all, rainy weather makes people in a bad mood. Then raining cause a lot of trouble for going out. I had a sad experience last Friday before Easter holiday which was also rain. After I finish one class I felt extremely uncomfortable because the wet clothes and shoes. I can’t stand to the last class in that day, so I skipped the statistics class. You know what? I can’t imagine that I never skipped class since I was at st. john’s and actually this class is the most important class I ever had which the teacher give a lot of important information about our 3rd exam. Because of my absence I cannot catch anything in the exam. I felt regretful and, mostly, I hate the rain of that day.

Don't Lie

We have a bedroom available to rent and it has been a long time for us to look for a roommate. Last Thursday, after having a look at our house, a Chinese girl, Miss J, called me and expressed that she was willing to be our roommate and wanted to move in the next evening. Three of us were extremely happy because we eventually resolve this big problem. Next day, we cleaned up the house completely and waiting for Miss J’s moving in. In the afternoon, Miss J called saying that she couldn’t find a car for bringing her furniture, so she couldn’t move in tonight, and she told us once she found a car she would move in. In reality, we never know what others are thinking about. Today morning, I went to the supermarket nearby my house to buy something. It was a big surprise to come across Miss J and she was buying a heap of necessities. I felt very strange why she came here to buy thing because she was living in Manhattan. Suddenly, a thought occurred my mind that she has moving into another place instead of our house. Nobody can imagine how angry I was at that time. I never expected that all about this is just a lie. I don’t know why she had to lie. Nobody will blame her although she told the truth that her do not want move in our house. It is very simple: if you want, move in and if you don’t, just tell us. NO LIES. Indeed, nobody likes lies, especially being told a lie.

Michael Scofield

I like Michael Scofield, the main character in Prison Break. “Most men should to anything to get out… But Michael Scofield will do anything he can to get in….” In order to rescue his older brother, Lincoln Burrows, from his death sentence, Michael does everything he can think out including rob a bank in order to get into the prison where his brother is being hold. Usually, it is on broadcast on FOX 5 everyday Monday night. The whole process of breaking prison is extremely adventurous. In every episode of the series, Michael is handsome and features very gifted, generous…In a word, Michael is a perfect character. A lot of my friends are crazy about him for his distinctive features. Prison Break was on broadcast two years ago. In China it is ridiculous to keep watch a drama in such a long time, but Michael has such a charm that he can capture all fans’ attention for two years or ever more. I do not the reason why Prison Break will not broadcast until fall reason and it is a tough time for its fans to wait.

Lakers VS Rockets

Yesterday the basketball match between the Rockets and the Lakers was extremely drastic. Eventually, the Rockets beat the rockets 107-104 in overtime. Yao Ming had 39 points and Tracy McGrady added 30, enough to overcome Kobe Bryant's 53 point. Kobe’s 53 points is not enough to pull out the win of the Lakers. Basketball match is not an event of any single person but the whole team. From the viewpoint of basketball fans, the Lakers is just Kobe’s Lakers. Kobe does well, so do the Lakers, while Kobe does bad and the Lakes bad. We can say that the fate of whole Lakers is controlled by Kobe. In contrast, Yao and McGrady are the perfect partners in the Rockets. If the Rockets get the victory the only reason is the perfect cooperation between Yao and McGrady. The cooperation principle is not just applied for match, but in many other fields. In workplaces, not a single person, even the leader, can control the whole group's fate. The leader just conceives the ideas and programs which need all workers' mutual performance to implement the programs. Not a single step can control the direction of the whole unit. The development and progress of a group needs everyone's efforts.

Happiness

Today is the happiest day because I just booked the ticket coming back to china. I can't wait for another minutes to book the tickets after i know my next semester's schedule. I can leave here on May 10th by taking express airline from JFK to shanghai. The time that I have to spend on board is just more than 15 hours and then I can meet my boyfriend and my best friends who I have not meet for 7 months. I will spend 6 days in shanghai before I come back Guangzhou. Since I booked the tickets I have been imaging the things after arriving in shanghai. Going shopping is the first thing I want to do because shopping in shanghai is much cheaper than in New York. And then I will go back home and see my beloved parents. I have 40 days to stay in China. I get a idea that I want to have a trip to Shenzhen, Beijing and other famous cities with my boyfriend because when I was in China I never have a long trip. This time is the best chance to fulfill my dream. I am looking forward to 41 days later.

My Best Friend

Two-day staying at home alone makes me think of my best friend, who is studying in China now. I met her in the first class of the fifth semester of High School. I remembered clearly that when we were listening to the teacher saying the things about new semester, suddenly a girl came to the classroom with a lot of books in her hands. She knew she was late and said sorry to us with a nice smile. Her smile was so nice that we all forgave her sudden interruption. Then she walked straight to the desk which was behind me. After class she said hello to me and we introduced each other. From her words, I felt she was very kind and optimistic. I thought we could be friends. In fact, we have been the best friends from that day. First of all, we have the similar personalities and interests, so we have a lot of topics to talk. We talked about our families, ambitions and studies. Every time we enjoyed our talks very much. As the time passed, we knew each other better and better and our affection got deeper and deeper. We trusted each other and there was no secret between us. We could share intimate aspects of our personal lives and feelings. Most importantly, we could share good and bad news. When I had happy things, I would tell her the first time. On the other hand, when I came across some troubles and difficulties, I would turn to her for help. And she would give me some suggestions and helped me deal with them. When I was in bad mood, I also talked with her and told her my thoughts and feelings. After talking with her, I would felt relaxed and my mood would get better. The living of the last year of high school was very intense and we studied for a long time every day, so sometimes we felt very boring and didn't want to study. At this time, we encouraged each other .I had difficulty in math, and she was very good at it, so she usually tutored my math. Under his help, my math improved a lot. In that year, we shared a lot of happiness and difficulties together. Unfortunately, we went to the different university in different cities after graduating from high school, but we usually called each other and talked about our studies and lives. Even now I am in New York, I also usually call her. Last Sunday morning I talked with her about one and half hours in the phone. Because it was a long time that we hadn't talked. She is a senior student and she was preparing for the graduation entrance exam during last semester. She was very busy and had little free time to talk with me. And there is 12 hours' time difference between New York and China, so it is not very convenient for us to call each other. So every time I called her, we just talked for a short time. We promised that we were going to have a long talk after she take the exam. Last week she took the exam, so I called her at once and asked about her exam .We talked our lives and studies during the past 5 months and our plans in the new year. We were very happy hearing each other' news. I am very proud that I have such a good friend and I will cherish our friendship forever.

Chinese Tea Culture

There are three major beverages in the world: tea, coffee and coke. And tea is consumed by the largest number of people. When I came here, I brought a small bag of green tea from China. China is the homeland of tea. Chinese people like tea just like American people like coffee. China had tea tree as early as five to six thousand years ago. All tea trees all over the world have their origin directly or indirectly from China. In the past one thousand years, tea always is one of the most important exports in China. Chinese tea is classified into five categories: green tea, oolong tea, scented tea, black tea and compressed tea. Green tea is the most popular tea in China. Green tea stays the original color of fresh tea leaves. There are three most common kinds of green teas: dragon well tea, maofeng tea and biluochun tea. Scented tea is a mixture of flower with green tea, black tea or compressed tea. Jasmine is the most typically scented tea. Usually, scented tea is a little bit sweet and good-looking. Lot of Chinese people like to have an after-meal cup of tea because tea-drinking has many advantages. In summer or hot climate, tea-drinking can dispel heat and make instant cooling. Additionally, it have some medical functions: anti-inflammatory and promote digestion. Besides, tea-drinking can beautify the features.

Happy Friday

This Friday, I was very happy because the severe weather we had one day off. In the morning we didn’t expect that bad weather will be an excuse for off class. My roommate went to school as usual, and then she called back saying nobody is in school and the campus and all building gates are closed. Actually, I don’t think it was necessary to cancel the class just because the weather like Friday. Of course, we always are happy if we do have to go to school even thought there is no good reason. However, this phenomenon will never happen in china. I told this to my friend in China, and all of them feel strange. It is ridiculous if one of student is absent just because the bad weather and it is 100 percent that he will be disciplined for his behavior. I attended my studies from elementary school to university in china for more that 14 years, and this situation never happened, never. Maybe this is the culture difference between china and USA. It is a very joyous thing attending school in USA because there are a lot of holiday except the summer and winter holiday. Further more the summer and winter holiday is much longer that in china. Ever thought it is not a good student always thinking about holiday, I think, the more holiday the better.

An Sudden Attack

I have been worrying about my macroeconomics this whole week. On Monday we had the midterm unexpectedly. Before that, nobody told us that we will have macroeconomics midterm on the first day after spring break. After nine days playing with abandon, I almost had forgotten the name of the course, not to mention the details concerning the exam. Everybody have no idea that the professor will give us a sudden attack. It was funny that when the teacher handed out the papers, one of classmates stood out and said: “I am wondering if here anybody knows the answers of these questions? I never heard that before.” All classmates roared for his words, because maybe it was true that just few persons know how to answer the three questions. I glanced all the questions, and I toughly remember that the teacher did go over these questions, but I can’t memorize the answer at all. I searched my memories for all information about macroeconomics, but it did not work. Finally, I mostly handed in a blank paper that was just written several poor words. The results did come out by now. I was so worried that i am insomnia and lose appetite. I just hope the professor will not give me the lowest grades.

My Spring Break

On the first day, because it was the first day in my new home, I have to buy some food and necessities, meat, vegetable, fruits. I was sad because they cost me a lot of money again after buying the furniture.
The second day, I went to work in a Chinese restaurant for my friend because she went to California for her holiday.
The third day, I stayed at home, watching TV, surfing on the internet, and sleeping. It was a comfortable day.
4th day, I went to take part the food show. It was enjoyable.
5th day, I was supposed to Washington. After I woke up, it was snowing. I was extremely disappointed that my schedule was ruined by this bad weather.
6th day, stay at home again and do the same thing. I found it was a little boring.
7th day, I tried to go to Washington, but I could order the ticket.
8th day, I invited my friends to my home to have dinner celebrating my new moving. I made several homemade dishes. I was very glad my friends like them very much.
The last day, I went to do the part –time job for my friend again. I am a lit tired now.
That is it. I think I waste my spring break completely and I even did not do little study. I do not know how to deal with the midterm of macroeconomics after this holiday. The most regretful thing is I did not go to Washington successfully.

Foodsevice Show

Yesterday one of my friends invited my roommate and me to take part in a foodservice show, international restaurant & foodservice show in New York. It is fabulous because I saw and tasted a large number of foods that I have never seen in China. My friend went there just to showcase his Chinese food, Dim sum, like dumpling and sumei… There are almost one hundred kinds. Everything that is available in China was on show. Additionally, Japanese foods were also on exhibition, such as sea food, sushi and noodles. The soup is my favorites. However, western foods were still place a leading position. I like ice cream, cheese cake and beef. There are many other kinds of foods that I even do not know their names. It doesn’t matter, even thought I do not know their names but I can try anything kind of foods if I want. All of the exhibitors were with great enthusiasm. Besides the foods, there were some kitchen equipment and furniture on show. Each piece of them is delicate and luxurious. I had an impulse to take all of them home if I have enough money. But I can not, because all of them are expensive. Hahah…It’s just a dream.

New Home

This is the second time to change my living place. The previous twice I just rent a bedroom in a private house. This kind of live style made me considerably uncomfortable because I like freedom and living in other’s house makes me feel that I do not have any private space. I was not permitted to take my friends home and make any noise in order not to interrupt the landlord, also parties are not allowed. Therefore, this time I rent an apartment with my friend. I like it very much and I was almost glad to crazy because I eventually have my own home which I described as my little heaven. It is such a tough time for preparing for moving into my new home. There is not a piece of furniture in the new house, so I have to buy all the furniture piece by piece, couch, TV table, bed, desk…I am happy about that I picked up the furniture all of them are my favorites. After that I have to make an appointment to install the TV and internet cable. Fortunately, everything goes smoothly, and now I am writing blog in my new home.

Hear of...

Since I came here leaving my hometown that I have lived for twenty one years, seemingly I have completely isolated from eastern global, everything that I can do now is restricted in this western nation. The exclusive approach of getting information about my home is just rely on hearing of …

I heard of that the house my family bough recently is extremely beautiful and gorgeous: Its acreage is almost two hundred square meters, and it’s very spacious. In addition to four bedrooms, one studying room, one living room and one dinning room, it has an outdoor balcony which is my favorite.

I heard of my high school classmates’ party. “It’s fabulous!” everybody told me like that. I feel upset because I have missed three consecutive parties. I am missing them so much because I have not seen them for a very long time. It is said that majority of these guys already have boyfriend or girlfriend who participated our party too.

I also heard of grandmother’s funeral three months ago, my brother espousal ceremony in last month, father’s birthday party several days ago, and my friends’ experience including enjoyable or distressed…all of these sometimes make happy and excited and sometimes make me sorrowful and worried, but, no matter how, I like it, and that is why I have to be on phone more that two hours everyday.

To Dad

Happy birthday,dad! Today is dad's forty-five year birthday.
Dad, sometimes, is a annoying guy. He has a lot of small bad hobbies: everyday he will not get up until 900am, and sometimes he is wallowing in playing cards and nobody are allowed to interrupt him. But in reality dad is a typical good man: good temper,responsible, confidence and self-reliance. Absolutely, dad plays a more important role in my life than my mom does. When I confront some problems, no matter they come from life or study, dad is my faithdul fan. He support me and help me conquest them. Grandmother always says to us with smile: “your dad, when he was ten years old he had known how to earn money, just ten years old while other boys just know playing.” Yes, father has a little talent on dealing with business and that is why he can operate our home business successfully now. The most important thing is he want to be self-reliance even thought he was just a little boy at that time. He always tell us the recipe for success is confidence and tough. In a word, dad is not only a good father but also a best friend.

Happy New Year

Today is the first day of 2007 in Chinese calendar. There are many things I have to say.

First, I want to give my heartfelt wishes to my beloved grandparents, parents and brother: heath, happiness, prosperity. Especially, I hope God can deliver all of these wishes to heaven to my grandmother. I have been regretful that I didn’t see her for the last time when she was gone because I was in New York at that time. I want her know that I love her and I will miss her all the time. And then send wishes to my relatives and friends, this years is pig year, I hope all of they live like a happy pig.

Then, this is the first spring festival I spend outside home. In the morning, such a strong feeling of desolation attacked me that I can’t help crying. I called back home knowing about that they were playing cards and watching TV, what I used to do in this moment. I began to complaint with my mom why they send me here. I am missing my family, my friends and the atmosphere of Chinese New Year. Mom said a series of words to console me. “You can come back anytime in your free time,” mom said. Yes, I can come back anytime, maybe just less than three months later. Why not deal with it optimistically? Nothing is impossible, spending three or at most four years abroad is not a big deal. I am sure I can go through it. Happy New Year, everybody!

Valentine's Day

—“Happy Valentine’s Day” is the first word on this special day. I hope myself happy, and hope all people whether in love or not happy too—


It is undoubted that everyone is familiar with western Valentine's Day, so in the following part I would like to tell you something about Chinese traditional Valentine’s Day.

Chinese Valentine’s Day is on lunar-day July 7th. There are always some beautiful fables coming with traditional customs in China. It is came down that July 7th is the date day, the only one in each year, between Altair and Vega, who was the princess in the heavenly palace. Vega violated the heaven’s rule because she fell in love with Altair—a mortal. In order to punish Vega’s mistake, the emperor, Vega’s father, separated Altair and Vega using the Milky Way and permitted them to meet on July 7th every year. On that day all of the magpies will carry branches to bridge on the Milky Way for Altair and Vega. Therefore, Chinese Valentine’s Day was derived from this fable. On that day, the lovers always exchange presents one another in order to express their love, such as roses, jewelry, chocolate or something else, which is same with western. Additionally, some few couples preferred to hold their wedding on this day.

Alone but Free

“…Alone is lonely, but also can be free…”is the word of a sentimental song, whose singer is Gigi Luang, my favorite female singer in China. I think it is very lucid if cite the word to describe my New York life.

Since I came here alone, I have found many differences between USA and China. First, there is not too much interaction between people, which means you have to get accustomed to do your own things alone and do not need to care about how others think about you. Unlike China, one-person event usually involves a group of irrelevant people, some of who help and tell you how to solve the problem while others criticize what you have done. There are too many things you have to think and care about.

There is another important aspect. America is a free nation, where all people have freedom to do everything they want as long as they do not violate the law or do harm to others. Politically, you can make any public comments about government’s policies and actions as long as all you said are valid. Similar phenomenon maybe can not exist neither in China nor other countries(maybe), or everyone will consider you as a vicious person. Regarding to trivia, as a student, you can choose to change your major even transfer to another school(about this aspect, I have my own experience: last semester I changed my major very easily). In China students rarely have opportunity to change their schools because the high requirements.

I am alone, which means I need do everything myself, and sometimes is a kind of lonely. However, I really love the feeling of freedom—It seems like: one day after raining in spring, I weave my way aimlessly and freely through garden, which is filled with colorful fresh air and covered by colorful flowers. Without any restriction…

Smart Elevators

I watched a video on New York Times’ webpage, which is about the brand-new elevators in Mahattan. It’s very interesting.

These elevators were first installed in Marriott Marquis hotel in Times Square, which is the busiest hotel in Mahattan and five thousands persons come here to have a deal or convention everyday.

These new brand elevators—miconic 10—are different to regular elevators. Instead of a button outside the elevator to call the elevator to stop, there is a keypad by which you can enter the information about which floor you want to go and the screen on the keypad will display which elevator you should enter. Therefore, you can find a organized group which want to go the same or nearby floors. In this way, you can get you destination directly. In traditional elevators, if ten persons go to different floors, the elevator have to stop, stop, and stop all the time. So these smart elevators are more efficient and faster—on average of 50 percent faster.

There is also some problem. Because there is not buttons inside the elevator, you can not control it and stop it when you get the wrong floor. Besides, some few people feel uncomfortable because of the high-speeding.

In the next few years, all new building in Mahattan will install this kind of smart elevators. So we have to get accustomed to use them.

An Old Song

Country Road

Almost heaven, West Virginia,
Blue Ridge Mountains, Shenandoah River.
Life is old there, older than the trees,
Younger than the mountains, blowing like a breeze.
Country road, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia, mountain momma,
Take me home, country road.
All my mem'ries gather 'round her,
Miner's lady, stranger to blue water.
Dark and dusty, painted on the sky,
Misty taste of moonshine, tear-drop in my eye.
Country road, take me home To the place I belong,
West Virginia, mountain momma,
Take me home, country road.
I hear her voice, in the morning hours she calls me,
The radio reminds me of my home far away.
And driving down the road I get the feeling
that I should have been home yesterday, yesterday.
Country road, take me home
To the place I belong,
West Virginia, mountain momma,
Take me home, country road.
Take me home, country road.

This is an American song--such an old country song .I have been loving it since I first time listened to it on the radio ,althought at that time I couldn't understand the singer--John Denver--at all.I had been wondering that was what a feeling if you leaving you hometown for many years where you had been living since you was born and cann't hear one word from your beloved father and mother.Of course ,I couldn't understand at that time because it was impossible for me to have such a similar experience with John Denver.

There is another person who told me he also liked this song very much.It's my English teacher who spended eight years in American because of study .He listened to this song over and over again during the eight years."Yes,I understand .I can understand that is what a feeling ."he said when talked about this song which was related to his experiences in American.

Several years later,when I listened to this song again after leaving hometown for NewYork,"yes,I can "is the first words came to my mind .I am sure I have understood John Denver completely now.Sometimes ,I was dreaming I am driving in my country road and can get my home soon...The river ,the mountain,the tree...everything is beautiful...

The Hardest Beginning

As time flies away,I have been in NewYork for almost five months. Actually ,this is the first time for me to leave my comfortable home for such a long distance without anything and anybody to depend on .Normally,I have confronted a series of difficulties that I never faced before.I think this period may be the handest times in my life.

Althought this is my second semester at St.Johns,I have little understanding about the entrance procedure of American universities.Because last semester I was studying IPE.In this case ,I didn't need to register and add or drop classes on line just following the advisor's instructions.But this semester the situation changes ,I have to handle all of this promble by myself .So in the past one week,I was almost walking from TCB office to the registration office ,and then from registration office to the office of Bursar,and then TCB office again,over and over again.I was almost lost all my patience .Fortunately,I have dealt with all problem by now.

Additionally,the biggest challenge is the language .English isn't my mother language ,and my English level is not high enough to understand all of what the teachers said.Especially in law classes and macroeconomics classes, I always confront a lot of words and terms whose meaningsI did know at all.In this case,I couldn't understand the professor completely,no to mention taking notes .

However ,I'm confident that I can conquest all handicaps if I make great efforts to try.