Library Tour

This week our class had a library tour. The speaker gave an introduction to some electronic databases. I think that this introduction helps a lot when students are trying to do research on different topics.

Before I simply blindly use the electronic database; however, this time I learned there are so many different websites and various searching skills. For example, I feel that the website of Ebsco has a clear index. It provides different types of research, such as title, subject, picture and so on. Also, I learned a useful skill, that is, putting a limitation on “abstract” when looking for references. In this case, I can save time from picking what I need out of lots of information. Besides, the database users can also arrange their found article by relevance or date. Before, when I browsed some databases like Cambridge, which has complicated platform, I felt that it was hard to use them in an effective way or I simply didn’t know where to start. Being frustrated, I just used the simplest function. To my surprise, the library tour this time gave me a new chance to apply the database correctly and specifically. The speaker differentiated the different functions of various databases and demonstrated well. Also, the practice right after demonstration enhanced my memory and comprehension.

Though there are lots of databases and research skills to be learned, I am glad that I learn from a useful library class. It is especially useful when I need to prepare an essay, writing papers, or simply want to know and learn from more information. I look forward to more library tours in the future. I think that abundant library resources and nice promotion and introduction to appropriate application can really benefit students a lot.

Imperfect

Recently I listen to Keri Noble’s album. The songs in the album are full of vitality. The lyrics and the melody add to each other. The expression and the emotion flows through the music naturally with a graceful touch. I especially prefer one song, “Imperfect,” which make me think.

We human are imperfect, but unique; we are no one else, but just ourselves right here and right now. The lyrics say, “It’s just me/with every single little missing and mixed up piece/ I don’t know what you wanna see but I am/individually, imperfect/incredible me” Sometimes, we may imagine what if we were someone we want to be, what if we got all things we wish to have—talent, wealth, health, love, knowledge, luck, and so on— , and we wish we are someone different, better than our original selves. I had such thought before, too. However, if things changed, maybe we are not ourselves anymore. We may never be content with what we are and what we have. We may not still be someone we liked, though that’s us who ask for such a change. No one can make sure that when all things change, whether we can still experience what we cherished, whether we can still possess what we already have and treasure, or whether we can really enjoy the changed life and selves. The fact is shown before us. We must play the hand we are dealt. We have to play our cards right.

Imperfection can be beautiful. Some critics believe that no noble architecture is without imperfection. I would like to adopt this idea upon the individuals. Each of us is imperfect, and this imperfection might even do something good to us. We are like random and formless pieces having our unique color and shape. We all have weakness, but we might find others’ advantages and our strength in some aspects. Somehow different pieces of different people—strangers and close ones alike—fit each other and together become a new piece. It’s not a perfect circle, and it will never be. Nevertheless, it has its own unique and amazing shape sparkling with ever-changing color. Though defects exist still, the magnificence remains.

Imperfection may urge us to make more efforts, to cherish what we own, and to be humble and considerate about inadequacy of others and ourselves. Perfection might be an ideal, and to pursuit it makes us keep working hard. Imperfection may not fulfill all our wishes; however, it leaves a chink for the light to shine in.

Rock and Island

Recently I ‘ve heard some nice songs. The melody and the lyrics both draw my attention. I’d like to introduce one song here. Though it is from the oldies, the song still remains its power with tenderness and strength.

Among benighted snow, when a person dwells on his loneliness and depression, how does he feel, express, or act? In Simon and Garfunkel’s song, “I am a rock,” the narrator disguises and pretends himself as a rock, which is strong and emotionless. He tries to neglect his pain, stand still, and be strong. He wishes that he was an island, a solitary, isolated self. In the middle of the braod sea, he silently bears the sea waves and tries to keep calm and steady. A rock and an island are both parts of nature. Does it means that nature do not suffer from woe and watches the up and down of human beings with an cold eye? Or does it mean that nature has an unspeakable healing power for human? Or do human affair seem little when compared with the eternity of the sublime nature? That might leave a lot of room for explaination.

A good song can surround the listeners with its unique music in extreme delight. I feel that I can repeat listening to the song all day because its music is so charming to me. Actually, I didn’t notice what the lyrics said at first. After I found the lyrics, the song seemed to mean more and has more to say. Maybe it is hard to cast away the narrator’s loneliness. The narrator and his loneliness seems to be with no expression and has nothing to express. Through this song, his solitude stays silent in pain in the pretense of pain-free rock and island.

Movie

Next Wednesday is the due of another online essay, whose title is films. It reminds me of the film, island etude, which introduces a youth’s story of traveling around Taiwan. The movie is well-acted and inspiring.

Go cycling can be either relaxing or exhausting. When it is concerned about traveling around the island, it is definitely a tough task. However, when riding the bicycle, the protagonist seems to discover the beauty of the island, which people might neglect. Therefore, enjoyment, outlet, and gain, fill the whole journey. The movie shows self-challenge and self-discovery through exploring the island. It also includes observations of some problems in Taiwan. Besides, the movie depicts the beauty in the scenery of the island as well as the wonderful inscape of the minds.

After seeing this movie, I feel like seeing more films which introduce stories in different countries. Sometimes, I am packed with what are on TV channels, which might limit me to certain kinds of movies. Maybe it’s the time for me to search for different types of movies, to listen to various languages, to know different cultures, to get to know the unique beauty of people and landscapes from different corners of the world.

Movie is a visual and auditory connection to a place, a person, a culture, a tradition, or a fad. I would like to recommend the movie, etude, to my friends, and I look forward to see more Taiwanese movies which show concerns about this beautiful island.