I’ve never found her voice so sweet and charming until I listened to her album repeatedly this time. I’ve never found her song a twirling poetry until I read the lyrics along the melody this time. Memory tricks people. It makes you feel you remember all the things; however, the image blurs and the sound fades, and what you remember might not seem what it was. What’s more, time changes, more flood of new information invades, and nothing gold can stay. The thing might never be the same. In my memory, her sound is deep as the sea which draws me to ponder; this time, I feel that her voice is like a golden bell calling wide and far, and her voice is mellow and sweet like an overturned jar of honey. I enjoy it very much.
2008年10月15日 星期三
2008年10月5日 星期日
Writing
Writing
The Intriguing Magic of Words
Writing is an art. Though my writing is definitely not an art but a practice, writing still has its rewards for me. After the talk with my instructor, I thought over what my compositions (or blog or others) mean to me. My compositions might have a special and close relationship with me. Blog is like a certain space for sharing some personal view and emotion; composition hand-out seems more like projects and works. As to the gift which compositions give me, I would say the blog provides a space for me to share a piece of life and viewpoints of others, and my own writing inspires me to reorganize and elaborate my thought into visual words.
Sometimes, the writing can even amaze the author himself/herself. Unless the final draft turns out, no one knows what it will present or what the whole picture will be. Sometimes, it is even the writing, the story that leads the author’s thinking and develops the following paragraphs. Interesting, isn’t it?
Though my writing is still immature, uninformative, and sometimes even meaningless, I will still try to keep writing, as a way to improve the use of languages and a way to enjoy the benefits which writing brings to me. Whether I will still write on the website or just keep it in the notebooks, I will try to write continuously as possible. After all, writing is the best gift of itself. Enjoy it!
The Intriguing Magic of Words
Writing is an art. Though my writing is definitely not an art but a practice, writing still has its rewards for me. After the talk with my instructor, I thought over what my compositions (or blog or others) mean to me. My compositions might have a special and close relationship with me. Blog is like a certain space for sharing some personal view and emotion; composition hand-out seems more like projects and works. As to the gift which compositions give me, I would say the blog provides a space for me to share a piece of life and viewpoints of others, and my own writing inspires me to reorganize and elaborate my thought into visual words.
Sometimes, the writing can even amaze the author himself/herself. Unless the final draft turns out, no one knows what it will present or what the whole picture will be. Sometimes, it is even the writing, the story that leads the author’s thinking and develops the following paragraphs. Interesting, isn’t it?
Though my writing is still immature, uninformative, and sometimes even meaningless, I will still try to keep writing, as a way to improve the use of languages and a way to enjoy the benefits which writing brings to me. Whether I will still write on the website or just keep it in the notebooks, I will try to write continuously as possible. After all, writing is the best gift of itself. Enjoy it!
2008年9月21日 星期日
2008年6月10日 星期二
Essay 2 Revision
A Case against Cell Phone Use at Elementary Schools
In this modern era, cell phone use has become very popular among youngsters. The phenomenon soon stirs up a controversial issue, that is, whether students should use cell phones at elementary schools or not. Teachers, parents, and students hold different opinions based on different concerns. In my point of view, elementary schools should restrict cell phone use by students during school time for the sake of etiquette, learning efficiency, and health.
Cell phones are used improperly by many elementary students at school. Some students see cell phones as inevitable and fancy gadgets. They have fierce competition about the newest and the most fashionable mobile phones. They treat cell phones as a fad and a token of status. Some students even phone someone nearby, simply for fun. Students easily feel restless in class while expecting a phone call. Some might even have no resistance on sending text messages, making phone calls, or playing games during class. Mobile phones go off during class, distracting both teachers and students. The interruption could annoy all participants in class and contribute to poor study quality. In this case, such behaviors are improper and rude because they influence not only themselves but the whole class. What’s worse, some students might use cell phone to do illicit behaviors. Some school banned cell phones because they were associated with drug dealing or other improper behaviors. According to Vivian S. Toy’s article, in America, “schools across the region, including the New York City public schools, have banned pagers and cell phones. A 1996 New Jersey law bans pagers in schools, and many schools apply that to cell phones.”
Carrying cell phones to school could have other negative impacts on elementary students. First, they would not fully control themselves concerning making or receiving a call. As what is mentioned above, they turn distracted easily. What’s worse, some experts find the dependence on mobile phones even has bad impacts on health. Some adolescents use cell phones at bedtime, which interrupts their sleep and makes them tired. According to Deborah Rice, Clinical psychologist Andrew Fuller says, “They actually end up with disrupted sleep and poor social habits as a result of their addiction to their mobile phone.” Lack of sleep also contributes to low moods because of the improper time of using cell phones. Therefore, people could imagine that the same problem might occur when they use cell phones in class. The extreme dependence on mobile phone could lead to different levels of distraction and emotional unrest. The anxiety of making a phone call in class could interrupt learning and cause impatience and exhaustion. If students cannot control themselves but use cell phones in class (a more formal situation), how can they control themselves in their free time such as bedtime? The overall addiction to mobile phone makes them cranky and depressed, severely affecting their social habits and behaviors.
On the other hand, indeed, there are some legitimate reasons for students to carry cell phones: when they suddenly change schedules, become sick, or encounter some unexpected events, for example. Truly, cell phones could be associated with safety. However, the odds is rather low, and most of time, students can use regular phones. In emergency, students can still easily contact the school faculty to help them solve the problem. Some students might think cell phones are important devices to build connections. It could be true, especially when lots of people have cell phones. However, students can still be in touch with their friends on the phone after school. They could enjoy more time chatting instead of struggling between lectures and phones. Students can also learn to discipline themselves and learn to know what’s proper to do under certain circumstances. As to some special cases, school authorities could have the rights to lift the ban to help and protect specific students, such as students with severe disease or injuries.
To conclude, cell phones bring people great convenience, but the negative impacts should not be ignored. In my opinion, I support elementary schools to ban cell phone use by students. In this way, they can be focused and have better achievements on learning, instead of being attached to cell phones all day long. After all, sufficient time is left for them to talk on the phone-- right after school.
2008年6月5日 星期四
Another Saga
Recently, I heard a bit of news about 007. Ian Fleming is the author of James Bond’s story. Fleming died in 1964, and the new 007 thriller, Devil May Care, is written by Sebastian Faulks.
To many people, 007 is not simply a sequence of numbers, a code, a nickname, but a legendary symbol. James Bond has built unique personal styles in readers’ or audience’s minds; though, he is only a fictional character. His charisma, quick-wit, cool-headed judgment, and stunning actions impress people a lot. Bond is always with beauties and wines around, and with novel technologies—cars, weapons…etc. However, in Fleming’s story, Bond is left brainwashed. On the occasion of Fleming’s birth anniversary, the new book of 007 might bring a different light to this popular character and a new delight to readers.
It is quite a challenge to continue this popular and legendary story of James Bond. Nevertheless, Faulks reviews Fleming’s books and writes the story for only six weeks. The story is packed with dangers and actions. People might expect the excitement of the plot and indulge in the thrill with faster and faster heart beats.
007 is a legendary figure as similar as Superman and Batman…etc. Through decades, the mass still enjoy the exciting tactics, fighting, and rescuing in the stories of heroes. No matter how impossible the heroes might be, people can free themselves in limitless imagination. Those stories have become a part of memories of our past young ages, and they continue to survive and evolve in the years to come. To our gladness, James Bond is coming back. With a new hope, let’s wait for another saga of Bond and another vodka martinis “shaken, not stirred”.
2008年5月28日 星期三
Smart Packing
Recently I have listened to a piece of news about packing. When people go traveling, the first thing they encounter is how to pack all their things in one or two luggage. To make use of every space and to pack clothes and things in efficient way often bother us. The news, then, provides us some secrets to smart packing.
In order to start on the right foot to pack things, we need to make a list first. The list is useful, especially when we have to take great quantities of things with us. With the list, we will know what to pack and what is unnecessary. A good list makes us clear about things we need and spares us lots of time instead of hesitating on selecting things. If we write down the items we need, we can check them off before we depart. With this tip, we can make sure we prepare everything with us and go on our trip without worries.
Second, wrapping clothes in right way makes a great difference. The interviewer suggests us wrap the clothes in bundles when we are packing a bag. Bundle wrapping is a useful technique that can avoid clothes getting wrinkled. Moreover, it saves lots of space—the best to know for travelers. Bundle wrapping means that we overlap the sleeves of two shirts in opposite position, put pants in the center of them, and fold them into a bundle. This method is conceived better than just folding or rolling clothes individually.
Traveling is exciting, and a well-done preparation can make traveling more wonderful. This news teaches me a new way to pack luggage smart and fast. Next time, when I go on a trip, I will certainly try what the news suggests and see how this marvelous idea works.
In order to start on the right foot to pack things, we need to make a list first. The list is useful, especially when we have to take great quantities of things with us. With the list, we will know what to pack and what is unnecessary. A good list makes us clear about things we need and spares us lots of time instead of hesitating on selecting things. If we write down the items we need, we can check them off before we depart. With this tip, we can make sure we prepare everything with us and go on our trip without worries.
Second, wrapping clothes in right way makes a great difference. The interviewer suggests us wrap the clothes in bundles when we are packing a bag. Bundle wrapping is a useful technique that can avoid clothes getting wrinkled. Moreover, it saves lots of space—the best to know for travelers. Bundle wrapping means that we overlap the sleeves of two shirts in opposite position, put pants in the center of them, and fold them into a bundle. This method is conceived better than just folding or rolling clothes individually.
Traveling is exciting, and a well-done preparation can make traveling more wonderful. This news teaches me a new way to pack luggage smart and fast. Next time, when I go on a trip, I will certainly try what the news suggests and see how this marvelous idea works.
2008年5月23日 星期五
Garbage or Art
Recently I‘ve heard a piece of news about garbage and art. Don’t feel confused when you see these two words combined together. Right, garbage and art! Some irrelevant things—or even contrary—are connected in a creative way.
Gignac and Santora came up with brilliant ways of creating art. Originally, Gignac wanted to defend his opinion that package mattered a lot. Therefore he figured a way to convince people who thought packaging is not important, that is, packaging something which originally people wouldn’t like. Trash is just what he searched for. Accordingly, he picked trash to find his materials. Gignac put the trash in cubes and sealed them. In his artful taste and novel arrangement, the cubes turned out fancy art work. Before, it cost only 10 dollars. Now, the price rises up to 100 dollars, and the products appeal the multitude that they cannot take their eyes off the creative and experimental art work.
Art is subjective, and open-mindedness might help people close to the hall of art. Gignac and Santora keep trying new ideas and materials to explore art. They think this kind of exploration is a fun way doing art. They even sell paintings which cost the same prices as the items they draw. They test people’s notion of art, and try to change people’s preconceived idea upon things. People often neglect the extra possibilities of things, and their art work provides people to reconsider what is valuable, what is beautiful, or let’s say, what is art. The impression of things might be different to each person, and we judge things by different values. However, if we can expand our acceptance of things, we might be able to get out of the cage of our fixed notions.
Garbage or art? The difference might be subtle. The art work challenges our perspective on things. The novel, courageous, and creative experiment is a new frontier of creating and evaluating art. As for me, trying to be open-minded and trying to think outside of the box is what I need to learn from now on.
Gignac and Santora came up with brilliant ways of creating art. Originally, Gignac wanted to defend his opinion that package mattered a lot. Therefore he figured a way to convince people who thought packaging is not important, that is, packaging something which originally people wouldn’t like. Trash is just what he searched for. Accordingly, he picked trash to find his materials. Gignac put the trash in cubes and sealed them. In his artful taste and novel arrangement, the cubes turned out fancy art work. Before, it cost only 10 dollars. Now, the price rises up to 100 dollars, and the products appeal the multitude that they cannot take their eyes off the creative and experimental art work.
Art is subjective, and open-mindedness might help people close to the hall of art. Gignac and Santora keep trying new ideas and materials to explore art. They think this kind of exploration is a fun way doing art. They even sell paintings which cost the same prices as the items they draw. They test people’s notion of art, and try to change people’s preconceived idea upon things. People often neglect the extra possibilities of things, and their art work provides people to reconsider what is valuable, what is beautiful, or let’s say, what is art. The impression of things might be different to each person, and we judge things by different values. However, if we can expand our acceptance of things, we might be able to get out of the cage of our fixed notions.
Garbage or art? The difference might be subtle. The art work challenges our perspective on things. The novel, courageous, and creative experiment is a new frontier of creating and evaluating art. As for me, trying to be open-minded and trying to think outside of the box is what I need to learn from now on.
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