Journal #18 Reaction - Writing

I heard usually American like crow. They think that kind of bird mean bring good luck. However in Asia the crow is thought definitely opposite meaning as death or brings bad luck. In this poem, the crow looks like used as bad meaning. The author might be saying about sorrow for the lost Lenore. This poem’s whole atmosphere is dark and gloomy. Many dim words show me the author’s emotion. He heard some sounds as like tapping, rapping, beating, entreating thing. He might leave while he pondered weak and weary between thrill and fantastic terror situation.

Journal #17 Anticipating your Parents’ Objections

Topic: Marry the “Wrong Guy”

Situation: I’m going to marry one guy who is younger than me. My parents don’t want my marriage with him.

Dear. My parents

I’m so sorry to make worry your. I know what you worry about me well. He is too young and not perfect guy who your have been imaged to my future husband. I might face on some problems with him from his young age for troubles examples like age gap, financial thing and so on. However as like you love me he also loves me deeply. I also love him. If we face on some troubles, we could overcome as our love. You used to say to me “The love is the first one between family members.” I believe your saying. And actually his age is young but he is maturity. He has a job which has salary that we could live bring it. For that reason don’t worry a lot of me. I will show you my succeed marriage.

Sincerely,

Sammy Kim

Chay, Laura

Journal #16 Confucius Quote

Find a job that you love doing and you will never have to work a day in your life.
-Confucius

Did you ever heard about this kind of words? “ Genius can’t chat a person who enjoy their own work.” How do you think about it? Someone choose his or her job just for payment but that sentence is important reason why we choose a job appropriate to our aptitude. Our life is like continuously tests. Through them we are made stronger and stronger. Do you want to waste your life during an unfit job? In the middle of society life, the most scared competitors are persons who work that he want thing.

I also had confused about my future job and I always had questions myself which one fit me or not. Confucius quote could be my questions right answer. I have to find what my love doing and I will never have to work a day in my life. Whatever we find our job, we don’t put our goal on money.

Journal #13 Summary/Paraphrase Practice

Bush Struggles to Be Heard in Economic Crisis

As you know, U.S.A. financial situation is so serious now. President Bush is working to make convince the nation financial situation however it is looks like not much effectually. Still, Economy is so terrible and financial crisis is getting fast moving now. About this situation, the New York Times said, “Mr. Bush is doing plenty of talking, Americans do not appear to be taking much reassurance from his words.”

Newyork Times ;

http://www.nytimes.com/2008/10/18/us/politics/w18memo.html?_r=1&hp&oref=slogin

Journal #11 Advice

I like to hear advice from other person to me. Nevertheless I can’t choose the best advice because advice is different to according as my situation. I’m growing up internal and I need suitable advice at my time of the life necessarily. Now I need advice about my future job and my dream.
I usually get advices from older people, my parents, teachers, and senior end so on. They have more experience than me and they already know me so they gave really suitable advice with me. However, when I feel very serious myself and I don’t want to talk with anyone, I seek for advice from books or someone’s declaration. It make me feel calm and think deeply. This is likens, “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.” How about it to you? What could you feel? I hope that you also feel brave as like me.

“If you don’t know where you are going, any road will get you there.”
-Lewis Carroll-

Prissy and Laura

Journal #10 American Food

When I said to my friends, “I‘m going to go to America.”, my friends replied to me like, “Oh!! You’ll have to eat balanced meals if you do not, you might be fat. Don’t be fat.” However, sadly I already got weight for 8months in America. What the……!! >_<;; Why people usually think as my friends?

It is hard to distinguish which one could call American food or not. Nevertheless if I have to tell American food, I could tell every western style food. Do you think it is too much all-inclusive? It could be. But I used to call every western style food to American food, because almost western style food that I ate frequently in my country is this kinds of food, hamburgers, hotdogs, steak, pizza, spaghetti and so on. Isn’t it looks like American foods? Hahaha^-^ Even tough, some of them are not from America but we just thought as American food. There are some reasons. In America, many culture are mixed together like a salad bowl, so sometimes we are confused which one is really American culture. In this condition, many American family restaurants and fast food companies like T.G.I Friday’s, Dennys, Mc Donald, Pizza Hut etc. became to have abroad branches. (kind of Grobalization ?!) Of course, we thought every that kinds of restaurants are American.

If my opinion is not making a sense, it is absolutely true that is right American eat more meat. I’m surprise that they ate meat everyday each meals. In my country, I did not eat meat each meals. We usually eat when we feel to taste special thing. I think, an enough meal of meat and fat make me fatter. Nonetheless, my appetite is fitting for American food. Oh..No way…. it’s my big problem now days. Look at the top of the picture! Don't you feel hungry??

Jupiter and Saud

Journal #9 Optimistic Quote

I am not perfectly optimistic person to speak of. Because, when I encounter some trouble while one lives I think sometimes negative thinking but I pursuit optimistic thinking. I want to be an optimistic thinking person like my father.

Few days ago, I had a phone call from my father in Korea. It was a long speaking with father after a long separation. I stated to talk to my father about my feeling what I learn as I leave now. I said, “Father… I think I had been lived without my own decisions. I always used to following the public opinion or someone’s saying. And I felt that I don’t have my own knowledge. I don’t have anything”. My father said, “I’m happy to be heard your saying. You just had been living about 20 years and you might live 60 years more to your future. Don’t look back upon the past. And from now on, you live with your own decisions and make your life yourself”.

Yes, he is right. I am just 21 years old. For all that I have the glass half full, I look only the glass half empty. Power of optimistic is really amazing. In spite of same situation, it could be different result how to think about it. I believe power of optimistic and as my blog-title, Carpe Diem, I’ll look at the bright sight and enjoy my wonderful life.

Prissy & Chay

Journal # 8 My Best Friends and Me

:) ← Min-A, Sammy, Su-mi
← at last winter with my friends:)

“Friendship is like wine – the older the better.” Do you ever hear this one? This is from Poland. As like this, I have been friendship with two my lovely friends, Su-mi and Min-A for more 10years. I met them in our elementary school. We were hanging out every classes and everyday after school. Graduated elementary school, we went to same middle school and we also were together 3 years. Although after then we went to different high school but we are keeping in touch still now.

If someone looks us, they used to say, “ You are looked similar.” I think so too, we are similar. I think that is why we are hanging out everyday and we share same thing and same thinking. I heard that if you are together with someone for longtime, it could be similar each person. Every we have a sunny disposition and we enjoyed humor and jokey. We like handwriting letter still now, so we used to send handwriting letter even each house is near from others. In my collect-boxes, there are filled with their letters.

However, we have different characters. During play with them, we became to have each part, Su-mi and Min-A are extremely self-assertive so their part is usually talking a lot but I am usually listening part to them. We performed our part most effectively. Even if we choose different major and future job, we could talk really well about each having problems. Is that exactly friends?

We could not meet often because we live different places, Su-mi is living in Seoul, Min-A is living in Daejeon, and I am living in U.S but we satisfied the fact that we are friends. Even their beings make inspire me. We are going to get older together after married and become grandmothers. I hope our friendship to be keeping forever without any pains. I love my friends. See you soon. I really miss your♥

Leslie, Laura

Journal #7 Heroes

Superpower Heroes?! When I heard this word I think my favorite heroes, Sailor Moon, at a first. I met Sailor Moon on TV program in my country when I was about 10years old at that time, Sailor Moon affected to whole my ages.
Middle of many superpower heroes the reason why I choose them, Sailor Moons, because of Sailor Moons’ some advantages better than other heroes.
First of all, Sailor Moons have beautiful appearance among another heroes. Usually they are just normal schoolgirl but if some problems happened they changed their job (?!) and then they became fighter who fight with an evil group. Although they are looks frail woman, they really fight well and protect the world and us. Every they have nice body shape and each member has each charming characters.
And always near Sailor Moon, there are Tuxedo Mask, Sailor Moon’s handsome fiancé, and Sailor Moon’s many good friends.
And also, originally they lived on the Moon and their each planet so they could live without air and go to the space anytime. They protect not only the earth but also every planet. And they could flight with some laser powers.
If I could Sailor Moon member, I would protect my own planet and make peace of space. Today I hope to dream to be a Sailor Moon. “Moon Crystal Power”

I commented Jamie and Leslie.

Journal #6 Doctor Dolittle

Golden Retriever

Animals could talk?! Wow… it is going to confusing to me. But it might be interesting. First of all, I’ll go to pet shop and then I will buy one my favorite kinds pet that could be yellow color cat or Golden Retriever. And the pet could be own my English conversation partner!!! What a nice! During I stay with my pet, I can practice my English skill because my pet has lived only in U.S so they could talk only English. But, it is careful if my pet’s x-owner was Korean they talk only Korean. Hahaha.

However if I image that every animals talk to me, it might be stress. Think about this situation. When we go to market with them, they also assert their rights what they want to buy thing, food, clothes and so on. If they can’t talk, I don’t have to think their opinion but, they could talk to me I couldn't’t ignore their opinion. They might be like a baby to me. Oh…. My!! Although if they can talk, they are going to bother me nevertheless I want to they can be taking to me. I want to know why they bark sometimes without reasons and why they take a shit everywhere. I’ll make a understanding with them.

Journal #5 Music

click here.... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u8R9PQsPpvA
99 RED BALLOONS

-Goldfinger-

Genre: Punk Rock

I’m going to introduce a song “99 red balloons”. I think, this one might be familiar with you. First time when I heard this music was on an advertisement’s background music in my country. Beating rhythm impressed to me.

Originally, this song is from German but it also has an English version too. Nena is this song’s singer. Nena, the lead singer of the eponymous German rock group, got world fame in 1984 with the new German wave song “99 Luftballons”. 99 Luftballons became a number one hit in Germany 1983, and went to major international chart success the following year, an English version hitting number one in the UK and the original German version hitting number two in the US. It was also a huge hit in many other countries, and to this day it is still one of the most well-known German rock songs in many parts of the world.

And in 2004, Goldfinger, is an American punk band, re-record Nena’s hit song “99 Luftballons”. When they re-record, they put German language words in middle of this song just like Nena’s lyrics. These fortise sound give us more interested. I personally like Goldfinger better.
This song has negative view point of war between U.S.A and Soviet Union during the Cold War. In this song’s lyrics, 99 red balloons is the symbol of myriad nuclear missiles or weapons. And “buy a bag of balloons with the money we’ve got” mean that 99 each countries leaders decision a policy of the war.

Looking the most recently the war of Russia and Georgia, I think this song again. I am really against any of war and I hope the war is not going to be happened.

Journal #4 Weather

My country, Korea, have clearly 4seasons, spring, summer, fall, winter.
Usually, from March to May is spring. In spring we enjoy going to see the Japanese tree, Sakura. Sakura have white flowers and it is brighter at night so people could see and enjoy flower viewing with their family of their pair.
From June horrible Korean summer is started. Korea’s summer is similar with eastern weather of U.S. It’s so hot and extremely humid. As this reasons, I hate summer. Different with California summer, in Korean people are in a sweat though they don’t nothing to do.
From September my favorite weather, fall, is started. The cool breeze get my fair disheveled softly. I like this feeling. And every girl’s out fit on the street is changed more moody and dark. When it become in fall every schools and University students go to field trip or camp. Taking walk over the fallen leaves and making a bonfire at fall night are my favorite things to do. But for greenhouse effect Korea’s fall is getting shorter than before. Now fall could enjoy just for 1month from October to early November. I really can feel serious problem of greenhouse effect.
And from lately November to February, it is winter. I know, some countries couldn’t see snow. So, I thanks for having 4season in my country.Now, even in California I could aware coming fall by degree. I’m excited how to do in California’s fall. Let’s enjoy together California’s fall. It’s going to nice days.

I've commend to Sun, Jamie and Esteban.

Journal #3 Old Fears

If someone said to me like this. "If you don't touch the reptiles, I'll kill you". I think, I'm not going to touch. Likewise, I am extremely scare of the reptiles kind of Comodos, Flags, Lizards, Snakes. Reptiles have skin covered in scales and their skin usually moisture, and they have strange and long tongue. Watching TV program about the reptiles and even looking photos of the reptiles make me feel sick stomach. Once, while I visited in Indonesia, I went to a safari where lived horrible Comodos. The moment I standed facing it, I was almost fall down. I don't want to think about that time again. And in U.S.A on the way to home, I could frequently met many lizards. They are so quick and then vanished into ambushers making sound. So, that noise get on my nerves. When I look them what attached on the wall, I make a wry face. Many people try to overcome their fears but I think in my case, it look so impossible.

Journal#2 Getting around

If i compare with Korea and U.S about transportation system, I could say like this. "It's totally different." California state is bigger than even my whole country, Korea. But, my country have really good transportation system. I thought its reason that Korea is small because it's flexible to fix transportation system. However, having good transportation system is not mean good order system. My mean is that my country's transportation system is too complicated. The other hand, America's transportation system is good ordered. So, if you are beginner's driver, it will be hard to find way in Korea but you could find way easily in U.S.A.
Look my case, i enjoyed using public transportation in my country. Not only me but also every my country people use every ways of transportation, Subway,Bus,Taxi,Own car, Train. Almost every Koreans time of movement that more from their home to office is not over one hour. That's absolutely right. Its true make very annoying me. Because, I doesn't have a car now. So, if I want to go somewhere, I have to get a bus or someone have to ride me. It's like a person who don't have legs in California. Waiting for bus make me exhausted and loose my value time. In Korea, I didn't have think about this situation. Until now, my parent couldn't understand my situation. hahahahahaha :( As soon as possible I want to take a drive license. I already passed writing test and now driving test is waiting for me. When I get a own my drive license I'll let me know you.

I've commented on blog of Lesily, Jamie, and Prissy.

Journal #1 Introductions

Hello~ every my composition friends :-)
As you know, my name is Sammy and i am from Korea. Blog is my second time method as composition's journal. before a time, i failed to write whole journal but, i hope to be achieved this composition class's journal mission. as like this case, lack of patience is my weak point. I'm awarding of my own weakness but, it's not easy to remedy my defects.
i have been lived in U.S.A for 6months separated my home family and stayed in my aunt's house with her family. they are really good but, sometimes i felt missing my family. aren't you?
my major was Business Management in Korea. However, that was not coincident with me. so, during 6months i thought my future and then i choose a future job appropriate to my aptitude and capability. it's rightly Nurse. Of course, I'm going to focus my efforts on English for this year. But, next year I'll start study of nursing. i want to be nurse, even though it take a long time. I'm not sure if i could come back to U.S next year. nevertheless, i think studying in U.S.A is better. finally, I'm happy to meet you guys. and let's do good activity together in ALP.

Journal #10 Free Journal

Look back on my short 5months abroad student's life. I felt that time is as swift as an arrow.

Compare now my English with it when i just came to U.S.A. I wonder if it is really going grow up.

If there are something change, that will be that I get weight (-_-) and I became to be known my family's love. Before I came to U.S.A, my father said, "You ought to attain the age of discretion while live alone in U.S.A". Well.... now, I could get it what is my father's meaning. I had been a girl. But, I am no longer a girl. (Really? :D hahaha)

Actually, I am lacking person in challenge. I know that is bad, but that is hard to improve. However, I will try everything. I really hope to be a challenging person. I'll keep in mind these two idioms, GIVE IT MY BEST SHOT and IF AT FIRST TIME, TRY,TRY, AGAIN.

When I start to write my journal, I felt homesick and blue, but meanwhile I was writing my journal, I forgot bad emotions. Instead, I took heart my self. Although, I am not good now, I will not be discouraged. (I say the magic words to me.)

Journal #9

Last year, I experienced exchange student in Indonesia. At that time, as international student, I thought, I need to more broaden my views. So I told to my parents about study abroad. My parents also have optimistic think about that. And then few days later, I confused that vary from English country. Where country can I go? My father recommend to go U.S.A. to me, because, my aunt who is my father’s cousin is living in California. She also said to me, “Semi~ come to U.S.A. That might be a good chance your future.”
So I came in U.S.A, and choose this ALP program follow my aunt’s recommend. I think my choice is really good. I met a lot of good friends and got experience from my kindly teachers. If my friend come to U.S.A, without a doubt I will recommend California and ALP program.

Journal #8

Different of daily life between Korea and United State

First, in the U.S.A, people can hardly go anywhere without a car to the stage that cars can be considered as their feet. Even in Korea, people use car frequently but more students are commuting by using public transportation like bus or subway and even by simple walk.
Second, in the U.S.A. people greet to each other with cheerful and bright manner even to the stranger as if they had known each other for a long time but in Korea, they have a lot of suspicion toward any stranger and they are considerably sober. Third, in the U.S.A. they have party once a week and they are used to with parties but party culture in Korea is not widely opened in our daily life and we are not accustomed to parties. Finally, in the U.S.A. the Dutch Pay is very popular but in Korea, normally one-person pay for the dinner and the others buy the next time.

Journal #7 Free topic

Welcome to San Francisco

Meanwhile, my holiday vacation, I went to trip to San Francisco with my aunt’s family. It was my first trip in America. We took by a car, and that took almost 6 hours from L.A. to San Francisco. After just arrived there, we went to San Francisco Pier. In every Independence Day, American had firework in every beach. We also wanted to enjoy that. As I was expected, there are a lot of people who wait to see firework. Getting dark, the firework was started, but San Francisco is usually so foggy, thereby we could not see firework well.
Next first day, we visited University of California, Berkeley and Stanford University. Their architectures are an archaic style. I could feel as if I am in a huge museum. There are a lot of visitors but almost there are Chinese, and I could be known about Chinese passion of study.
Also, I experienced hippies culture because hippies culture is started from San Francisco. San Franciscan’s fashion is different from L.A. I thought like this, “ Is that because of different weather?”
This San Francisco trip was supplemented in my good recollection.

Journal #6 Daeboreum

Nuts Geuybulnori Breakfast in the Daeboreum
The 1st of January by the lunar calender.

Daeboreum is a Korean holiday that celebrates the first full moon of the new year of the lunar Korean calendar. This holiday is accompanied by many traditions.

One familiar custom is to crack nuts with one’s teeth. It is believed that this practice will help keep one’s teeth healthy for the year. Thereby, my grandmother always waked me up in the Daeboreum morning for that reason. Historically, people played the traditional game named Geuybulnori the night before Daeboreum. They burned the dry grass on ridges between rice fields while children whirled around cans full of holes, through which charcoal fire blazed. These cans fertilized the fields and got rid of harmful worms that destroyed the new crops. But, nowadays it is played only in the countryside.

Most interesting event is food. For breakfast on Daeboreum, Ogokbap, a five-grain rice consisting of rice, millet, Indian millet, beans, and red beans is served. This is eaten with various dried herbs, Namool. So, some children who don’t like bean and herbs hate Daeboreum breakfast.

At the Daeboreum night, we usually pray to Moon. Because our ancestor believed that full moon might grant a request.

Journal #5 Knott's Berry Farm

Knott's Berry Farm Field Trip

-

I heared about that Knott's Berry Farm is very famous for their fried chicken restaurant and also the invention of the "boysenberry." Yes! Knott's Berry Farm had many great things to offer us. I think Knott's Berry Farm is a great amusement park that show a lot of American culture. Especially, I could feel at Ghost Town that is an 18880's California Boom Town with cowboys, gunfights, etc. Authentic in every detail. Ghost Town was like a real buildings transported from mining towns throughout the old west.
I rode almost whole thing. The most interested one was Xcelerator. That's really exciting. That looks like to take just 1 minute. But, my several friends (guys) avoid playing that ride. Viewed in this time, women is more stronger than men. :) Hahahaha
Some ride made to soak us nonetheless we were so fun.
The weather was also good and there are not crowded. Every thing was perfect.
After the our field trip, I had a dinner with my friends. And I could feel more closed them.

Journal #4 Spice Chicken Stew

Dack-do-li-tang (Spice Chicken Stew)

Actually, this food is my mother's best item. It is exceptionally missing my mother's food today. ;P This dish could be a good main menu and take with alcoholic drinks. Dackdolitang is good served as is or over rice. Dackdolitang recipe is simple for its taste delicious.

@Recipe ( 5 servings per one head of chicken)

-one chicken

-15cc alcohol

-two potatoes

-one sweet potato

-one onion

-two leeks

-two red peppers

-45cc oil

-1L water

-some black pepper

@Sauce
each 30cc minced garlic & red pepper flour
each 15cc minced leek & soy sauce & alcohol & powdered sesame mixed with salt & sugar & Korean red pepper paste
8cc sesame oil

@Method
1. Prepare chopped chicken. And wash chicken with cold water after then dip chicken in the cold water for 15min. (remove oiliness and blood of chicken)
2. Drain chicken. Then, black pepper and alcohol chicken.
3. Every vegetables are cleaned and chop
4. Make sauce (mix well)
5. Now we are ready to start cooking. Pour the oil in a relatively large saucepan and heat the oil to temperature. Next sear the chicken on all sides and add about half of the sauce we made previously.
6. Using tongs coat the chicken evenly on all sides. Immediately after, stir in the chop vegetables and add the rest the sauce. Pour in the water and bring to a boil to finalize. Then lower temperature, and let the stew simmer for an hour.
7. Enjoy! :)

Journal #3 One of popular KPOP Group

BigBang

Each of country has idol-star which singer, model, actor, actress, and so on. Today, I want to introduce the most popular idol-group in Korea for my classmates.

That group is BigBang.

They are five group members, Daesung, G-Dragon, Taeyang, Seoglee, and T.O.P. (look at the picture of the upper part) Many girls like T.O.P. But actually, all of them are popular. They are also famous to Chinese and Japanese. Yesterday, when I was watching BigBang's music video, Henry who seat next to me had known about them. At that time, I really felt that their power of popular.

Their musics were raised the top rank for almost 2months. Not only their musics but also their fashion items became to popular. Especially, T.O.P used to put on his eye-liner(makeup), thereby some Korea men are initiated to put their eye-liner.

Journal #2 Best gift.

Today, I'm so delighted, because I received some gifts from my friends. Actually, that is not gift. That is letters from Korea. Of course, expensive and quality goods are good for gift, but I think that the heartfelt letter is the best gift.
I have been lived almost 4 months in America. Nowadays, I seems like to got a homesickness. Although, I have lived with my kindly relatives, but they couldn't soothe my empty heart. I miss my home country . However, my friends letters gave me a pat on the back.
I know that writing letter is not easy work. Especially, handwriting letter is needed more effort and taking times. So, that's why I like handwriting letters better than typewriting letters. Since I was a little girl, I liked gathering letters what I received it from someone else. In my house, I have 3-4 boxes by full of letters. Nowadays, we don't have to writing letter with hand for we already have convenient communication methods, e-mail, blog, and as like MSN. But, I want to recommend writing heartfelt letter as best gift.

- Letter is like a piece of memory. -

About photo
My friends make letter paper up themself. And they send also some books (with Korean) and character things.
I like panda. hahaha that's soooooooooooooooooooooooooo cute!! isn't it?!

Journal #1 About me :D

I'm happy to start my first journal with my classmates. My name is Semi. This name is Korean. Some Korean name is hard to pronouce. But fortunately, pronoucing my name is easy to foriner. So, I have been using my name same in Korea. My age is 21 in U.S.A but, in my country i'm 22. (Korean have a different system about counting age.) That made me confusing at firstime. But, i'm getting to know in U.S.A that it dosen't matter ages. Ages is just a number.
My major is Business Management. However, I want to change my major with Nursing. I know that is hard work but I'll do challenge. "In at frist time you don't succed, Try, Try, Again." I belive this one. I'll persevere untill I reach my goal. Many my firends are going to transper colledge or university. But I don't know yet... because, actually I had a plan studing Engish just 1year in U.S.A. This one is my troubleting nowdays. If you have a some solution, please tell me how can do I. I love talking with you, although my speaking is awful -_-;;. Could you understand me?? hahaha I'll do more traning my English.

About photo
Occasionally, I wear my black glasses.
I like that styles' glasses.