blog8：I‘ll be there

Do you notice that there is a phrase appearing in an English song so frequently? Yes, it is ‘I'll be there'. I have been hearing numerous English songs. Gradually, I found this interesting phenomenon. Following are some of the songs which ‘I'll be there’ appears in.

‘Just call my name and I'll be there.' ‘If he doesn't and I'll be there.' ‘Whenever you need me. I'll be there.' (I'll be there, Michael Jackson)

‘And girl you know that I'll be there. I'll be there. You are not alone.' (You are not alone, Michael Jackson)

‘I'll be there for you if you should need me. You don't have to change a thing. I love you just the way you are.' (Nothing' gonna change my love for you, Westlife)

‘Now that the spring is in the air, pretty girls are everywhere. Think of me and I'll be there.' (Seasons in the sun, Westlife)

... ...

Maybe some of you can take some more examples about it. If more carefully, we can easily find that ‘I’ll be there’ usually appears in some love songs. It is used by a man to express his determination and care to his girlfriend. Whenever and wherever you need me, I will be there. Do not be afraid for ever, because I will be there. This sentence fully expresses how a man wants to give his girl safety and a harbour to berth. Also, every girls want such a man who you never feel afraid as long as he lives in the same world as you do. 

This sentence also reminds me of something happening in Beijing Love Story(a Chinese TV series). Boy told his girl who has left him and hurt his heart badly, 'If one day in the future, you fall in love me again and want to be with me. I will be there for waiting for you.' 

I have ever seen this sentence,' It is so easy to say 'I love you', everyone can do that. However, how many nerves saying 'I wait for you' needs?' 

'I'll be there' is a beautiful sentence and it is one of the symbols of true love. May every girl can find a man who can always be there for you and every boy can be there for his girl.

Ps: I cannot find a good topic to write a blog, just groan without sickness. 

Blog 8 Appreciate that we have no chance to regret

Last Saturday, I
saw a movie called ‘Butterfly Effect’. I was deeply subdued by the ingenious
design of the plot and the philosophical theory. Though the category of the
movie is thriller, I think it is literally a psychological crux movie just like
‘Black Swan’. Until now, I cannot feel relieved. I struggle to escape from the ending
scene of the movie, but I failed. However, by all means, ridding the depressing
impact, the conception of the movie is very intellectual. After watching it, I
totally understand the theory of ‘Butterfly Effect’; meanwhile, I have some new
reflections about the life.
The movie tells a
story that a man with some congenital mental disorder tried his best to return
to his past and changed something to avoid his girlfriend’s suicide.
Unfortunately, though he has tried his best to change the beginning, what he
gained was always the worse consequence. When he tried many times and still
cannot change to a better outcome, he chose to return to his fetus stage and
strangled himself with umbilical cord. Without the beginning, then it is
certainly without the consequence. Though the end is very sad and depressed, it
demonstrates a very true theory to us: even if we have chance to remedy what we
regret, the change we make may not necessarily lead a better consequence. That
means what we change is only the beginning; due to the unknowable of the life
processing, it is impossible to guide the track of life as what we want. Actually,
the ‘Butterfly Effect’ reminds me another movie ‘Tong Meng Qi Yuan’ in 2005
acted by Liu Dehua. There is a motto in it inspired me for a long period of
time: “The life is lamentable because we have no chance to live again,
meanwhile, it is why the life is gratifying”. In my opinion, nowadays, the
reason why people feel unhappy mostly is that they always keep their eyes on
their past, they want to find chance to change but doesn’t succeed. As a
result, they foster an increasing emotion of remorse and cannot relieve from it.
However, in my view, we should appreciate that we have no chance to regret. On
account of that, every choice we made is always the only and the best choice,
what we need to do is insisting our choice. The life is simple, we ought not to
complicate it, if you feel regretful, it only proves you haven’t exerted
yourself wholeheartedly. Moreover, the things we feel regretful is also a valuable
experience for us to live better.
On the other hand,
another very positive effect the movie shows me is that even a simple thing we
do now can make a great change to our future. Sometimes, we succumb the current
situation and do not want to make a change just by doing some simple things.
However, just like the theory of ‘Butterfly Effect’ tells us, even putting a
simple thing into effect can make a great change to the future. So every effort
we don’t spare isn’t in vain.
That’s all the
reflection the movie inspired me, though the review I made is not well-organized
and superficial to some extent. I truly want to show my appreciation for I have
no chance to live again. I sincerely recommend this movie to you. The design of
it and the theory will truly benefit you.

Blog 8: My Reflections on Genetic Selection

This week we have discussed about whether genetic selection should be allowed. There is a situation like this: the male members of a person’s family often suffer from a rare and unpleasant disease. That person would therefore like to make sure she has a baby girl. Personally, I think it is reasonable for her to conduct a genetic selection if the modern technology allowed her to do so.

First of all, it is different from knowing the baby’s gender through test. This case assumes that she can choose the gender. Therefore, there is nothing to do with abortion which people sometimes do when they do not get their babies of preferred gender.

Secondly, people want a girl or a boy for certain reasons. If parents want a girl only because they think a girl is quieter, the reason is surely not strong enough. However, in this case, genetic selection is for medical rather than for social. Surely there are people who can accept this kind of disease. I admit this is a very noble thought and I appreciate them, but we cannot require everybody to be noble. Wanting a healthy baby is not an immoral demand but a reasonable request. And if we can have one without hurting anyone else, why cannot we accept it?

People who disagree may argue that genetic selection goes against nature. I am not sure whether this is right, but I want to compare genetic selection with the law that does not allowed close relatives get married. This is common sense that close relatives cannot get married so that people can avoid some diseases. And most of us accept and follow this idea. Similarly, the purpose of genetic selection is also to avoid inherited diseases. To some extent, avoiding marriage between close relatives is just a kind of genetic selection. This law does not allow people to select directly, but it encourages people to exclude some genes combination. Now I want to ask, does this ban go against nature?

In conclusion, I think genetic selection should be allowed in the above situation.

Blog 7: Kindness

Last Sunday, I went to my host family’s house and then went out to fly kites on the Marina Barrage, went to the Botanic Garden to have a picnic and went to eat dessert and ice-cream on Orchard Road. I was glad that I successfully flew a kite and learnt to control it. I was also satisfied with the delicious dessert and ice-cream. However, what impressed most was the kind heart of Singaporeans. When we went to the Marina Barrage by taxi, we had to put our small handcart into the back trunk of the taxi. However, when we arrived, none of us remembered to take the handcart out before the taxi went away. After we realized it, we found that we knew nothing about the taxi and could not contact with the taxi driver. When we were all in desperation, the taxi came back and the driver returned the handcart to us. Without a word, the driver drove away with a wave and a smile. Another scene that impressed me a lot was the altruistic behavior of the hostess of my host family. When we went to the Botanic Garden by bus, it was raining. When waiting for the passengers getting off the bus, my hostess initiatively went forward and helped the people getting off block the rain by opening her umbrella between the bus and the bus stop. I was deeply impressed because this scene could only be seen in the movie for me before. What she received was a lot of “Thanks!” which I thought was the most valuable thing. What I gained was not only the great impression on my heart, but also the selfless spirit to others. I have been in Singapore for around five months and I have received a lot of help from many Singaporeans during this time. I might not familiar with some of them, but they still gave me a hand without asking for reward selflessly when I was in trouble. Because of their positive effects, I have learnt to be a kind-hearted and selfless man in the daily life. I think what I should do is not expect to receive but to give. I will try my best to do useful things to requite Singaporean’s kindness and love from now on.

Blog 8: Slow Down

This Thursday (26^th May), Jiangze showed the whole class a video clip of a Korean movie called Wedding Dress in his oral report. It was a very moving and touching movie. I admitted that at that time, I wept quietly reclining in my chair. Some plots of the movie just exactly touched my heart and then I realized the pace of my life was too fast that I almost lost the ability to enjoy and appreciate the beauty of life.

As a student, I have borne, and will continue bearing the duty to deal with all sorts of assignments since the day when I stepped into the campus of my primary school. These days, I am busy with my research report, and after that come blog, essay, reading comprehension practice, preparation for the coming debate, Mathematics homework and revision, GIVE Programme... I have already been drown in by all those things. At times I wonder if I live just for them, but the answer is obviously: “No.”

Thinking that I have spent little time outdoors, I went for a walk with my classmates in a park for relaxation- i.e. to slow down the pace of my life. I really enjoyed throwing myself into the embrace of nature. I could hear the brook babbling over rocks, keeping telling stories one after another. I could smell the aroma of a mixture of grass and mud, which I regarded as the freshest. I could even catch the movement of an iridescent butterfly fluttering past the bushes towards the sky. She must be the best dancer in the world. I was so glad that I was able to discover the joy around me which I usually ignored in daily life.

I also found that I had not talked with my families for quite a long time. With regret that I spent little time chatting with my parents, I phoned home. Believe it or not, the feeling I got when I first recognized my mother’s voice was so great that words fail to describe it. It was a close sense of intimacy between parents and child which cannot be substitute by any other feeling. I felt as if I were leaning on my mother’s shoulder, quietly hearing her instructions on how to take care of myself in daily life. It was only after I left her did I find that mother’s preachment was the most euphonious melody in the world.

Although modern life is monotonous and full of annoying stuff that must be solved before deadline, we should learn how to reduce our pressure a little bit. That is to slow down the pace of our lives. We are used to move very fast, without knowing that how magnificent the sights along the path are. Just put away the heavy task for a while, spend time appreciating the beauty of nature, appreciating families and friends. That’s where the joy of life locates.

Blog 8:The summary of the reading comprehension 3

The summary of the reading comprehension 3 The benefits of canoeing include the canoeists being able to go to the places where the motorized machines cannot reach. At that kind of places, we can get rid of the stress and anxiety in the modern world and get to a place where we can get a lot of physical , mental and spiritual freedom. Besides, canoeing is also a healthy and harmonious way of life. By canoeing, if you can operate in the right way, you will relax your body and release your mind, thinking whatever you like and then get the best freedom and range. By canoeing, you can also experience the feelings flying through the heavens and get the greatest relief from everyday cares. Another benefit is that it can slow the pace of the world for its human-powered motion. In addition,it can give you lots of new activities from which you can search new experiences. WORD : 150

Blog 7：Does Marriage Make Couples More Alike?

Just as I was searching the Internet for my topic of this blog, I found a piece of news quite interesting. It is about whether marriage can make couples more alike.

In fact, I have been thinking about this question for quite a period of time. Some people may find that many couples, especially the couples who have been married for a long time, look quite similar to each other. I have also discovered this phenomenon, which has confused me for a long time. In my opinion, it might be caused by the environmental influences. As the husband and the wife did not look alike when they were newlyweds, they must have different genetic constitutions. Therefore, this kind of similarity should be caused by genetic influences.

Nevertheless, in the report, there are more explanations about this phenomenon. To begin with, the couples have lived together for so many years. The same life experiences that they have shared may have some physical influences in their bodies. For instance, people who often smile or laugh may develop their muscles on face more than others. As for people who live together, they may often smile or laugh together, which leads to the same changes on their faces. Despite of this, interestingly, it is said that genes are also related to the similar appearances of the couples. In the report, the reporter has brought out an idea that genetically similar couples have a better marriage that can last for a long time. Besides, some researchers have found that many people tend to choose genetically similar people as their partners. I have to admit that it is out of my expectation. I have never considered that genes have a role to play in this issue. However, according to the study, it seems that the similar appearance can also be caused by similar genetic constitutions.

In conclusion, the similarity of appearance of couples is not only caused by environmental influences but also caused by genetic influences. After all, there are many interesting topics in the science area, if you are interested in them, you could find many fantastic reports or news in the newspaper or on the internet!

Reference:

Why do old couples look alike?

http://science.howstuffworks.com/environmental/life/genetic/old-couples.htm

blog 8：The story of Assassin's Creed (chapter one)

  Background: Assassin’s Creed is a famous ACT (Action-adventure) video game produced by Ubisoft (one of the TOP3 game companies in the world). Although I use singular to describe this game, in fact, “Assassin’s Creed” is the common name of a series of games, which contains Assassin’s Creed I, Assassin’s Creed II, Assassin’s Creed: Brotherhood, Assassin’s Creed: Revelations and Assassin’s Creed III( release on October 30, 2012). In order to show my respect for this series of games, I will tell you a story that involves all the plots in these games. Wishing you could enjoy it!

 

  Desmond Miles is the descendant of an assassin’s clan. This clan’s creed is to fight against Knights Templar（圣殿骑士）, a dark group that wants to control this world. Because of Desmond’ special and unique status, since he was a naive child, he had had to receive a series of cruel training. As Desmond grew up, he gradually became tired of such a monotonous life, so, by coincidence, he escaped from this clan and changed his name, deciding to lead a new life. However, a corporation called Abstergo finally found his true identity and caught him. Why did this company do so? Actually, Abstergo is a company controlled by Knights Templar. On the surface, this is a pharmaceutical company. In reality, this company confidentially produces a kind of machinery named “Animus”. “Animus” is a cutting-edge device that could let a person experience his ancestral memories and records the experience. In this way, the company could know what happened in the past. Of course, a person could not return to his ancestors’ age, otherwise, if what he does is different from his ancestor ever did, the history may be changed. What “Animus” does is just using descendants’ DNA to stimulate a piece of ancestors’ memories, and replays scenes experienced by his ancestors. Ok, let us come back to the business. In the past, Knights Templar wanted to find sacred artifacts—“Pieces of Eden”(伊甸碎片). These artifacts have immeasurable power that could easily control this world.  However, Desmond’s ancestors collected these artifacts before Knights Templar found them and hided them in the different places of the world. In order to point out these places, Knights Templar invented this machinery and try their best to find this clan’s descendant. Thus, after catching Desmond, without any hesitation, the company put Desmond into a “Animus”,

  First, Desmond “came back” to the age of Crusade(十字军东征). The corresponded ancestor called Altair. Then an exciting adventure began!

                           Chapter one: The End (欲知后事如何，且听下回分解)          

 

blog 8： Western Values in The Most Successful Fantasy Movies

I just finished watching The Lord of The Rings trilogy, which is one of the most famous western fantasy films. However, I found a lot of plots and characters that are very similar to those in another very successful fantasy film-- Harry Potter. I do not think it may be a kind of plagiarize, so the only reason for it is that: The similarities are Western Values which the society treasures a lot.

Now I will list a few of the similarities and do a little of analysis. 

l There are more than one leading roles. Different from Super Man and Spider Man or whatever Man, Harry Potter and The Lord of The Rings have many leading roles and everyone is necessary, which means victory needs the strength of unity rather than someone's super power.

l Long live the friendship. That is easy to find. Ron and Hermione support Harry unconditionally just like Sam does to Frodo. 

l The devil has a matchless army and an immortal body. Evil cannot be head-on destroyed.

l But the devil will die with the ruin of certain items. I think the items represent certain kind of appetites. There will be no darkness if only humans can defeat these appetites.

l Females can do even better than males. 

l The most intelligent character must be a greybeard.

l Go to the dangers or go back? "I cannot go back!

l Humans will defeat the evil. After all, no matter how powerful the evil is, humans will win. That is a belief. 

    With knowing these, you may guess the ending and plots correctly when you see a western fantasy film next time. 

  

Blogger 8：the cost of growing up

       this wednesday, we visited the science centre of singapore after the english progress test.after watching an imax film about the history of arabia，we wandered in the exhibition hall by ourselves. in fact, most of the things on display were not so attractive to us because we all have learnt about the principles of these basic science. therefore, most of us felt bored about the science show.

       when we were wandering aimlessly in the science centre, a group of primary school students rushed in noisily and messly. they were so excited that they kept running in the hall, touching anything that was within their reach. some of them found a set mirrors standing against wall forming a triangle， and they looked into the mirrors and saw so many figures that were doing exactly the same with what they are doing. when these pupils observed the amazing scene, they could not help screaming and laughing out, which made other pupils ran to the mirrors. one of my classmates saw this, and he just shaked his head slightly, signing：they are so naive and innocent that they should get excited about simple phenominon of reflection of light.
  
        his explanation was absolutely right according to what we have learnt in physics class, however, i felt somewhat at a loss when hearing it. i still remember that when i was 9 years old, my mother took me to nanjing science and technology museum. that trip gave me the first chance to see so many intereting and amazing things and it really impressed a lot. during the whole trip, i did not feel tired though i never stopped running and climbing, and everything was so attractive to me. it has been ten years since that trip, and now, i can hardly get curious about the things around me. if i have learnt about one.thong, i explain it. if i have not learnt it, most of the time, i just ignore it because the knowledge is not included in the text, and there is no need for me to learn it.

       i feel a little restless and even ashamed of my too proud thinking. in a famous book,
sophie's world, it is said that the fundamental element for becoming a philosopher is curiosity, that is to say if we want to learn and find more, we must keep curious about new things. unfortunately, we have grown up, and many a time in our daily life, we take all this as granted. when i was a pupil, i admire those university students, but when i have really become a university student, i have lost many things which i once have when i was a pupil.

       we cannot blame that the education we have received because the progress and process growing should be learning knowledge, perhaps, what we should do is to keep the curiosity we had when we were young, and i think that is the inner motivation to push us move forward.

Blog 8: A Separation to Come

These days, when I hear my classmates discuss their choices of the majors and halls, I gradually realize that a separation is forthcoming.

110 days ago, our great class--- Group one began its journey in the English bridging course. I could still remember the unfamiliar feeling when all of us meet with each other. At that time, we didn't speak much to each other. Strangely, at the same time we wanted to get known to each other. At the time when Hanxu's hairstyle was still the exploding one, everything seemed interesting and new to us within the group.

As time went by, strangers in the past gradually became best friends of each other. In this exotic land, our group fellows are the most close brothers and sisters. Now, we know each other well, study happily together and live satisfied with each other's company.
How I wish this situation can last for a long enough time for us to become the life friends of each other!

However, everything will come to an end. In the foreseeable time, close friends at present will set off for their own career in NUS. What a pity that we will be in different majors, in different halls and in different classes at the same time! Every time I came to this thought, a feeling of melancholy would squeeze my heart. How hard could it be for us to maintain our friendship!

I can't vow solemnly that I will never forget our friendship or will never let the gloss of it fade even a little bit. What I can do is just try to remember it and if possible let the friendships go on. Maybe some of us will be better friends after the separation or to the contrary gradually lose touch of each other, but I hope at least we could remember the happy time we spent with each other's company and the funny, interesting, stupid, boring, wonderful things we did together.

blog 8:Reflections on "Front of the Class"

I watched the movie <Front of the Class> two weeks ago. It is a 2008 American drama film based on the book by Brad Cohen, Front of the Class: How Tourette syndromeMade Me the Teacher I Never Had, co-authored by Lisa Wysocky.Brad Cohen's story starts as a young boy who had Tourette syndrome.With his mother's help and the support of his school principal, Brad eventually becomes an award-winning teacher.Although my tears fell down so many times when watching it, the movie actually conveyed a quite positive attitude. It makes me believe in love and hope.  

My tears first fell down when Brad’s father finally believed that the reason why Bradalways had frequent and loud vocal tics and barking is that he had Tourette syndrome but notthat he is naughty. At first, almost everyone including his father considered Brad as an extremely naughty boy. His father treated him very rude and indifferent, or in Brad’s words—he lost temper because he thought my behaviour is insufferable, I used up his patience. Brad and his father’s relationship was not good even what Brad grew up, because Brad thought his father didn't believe that he can fulfil his dream of becoming a teacher. However, we can see that his father continuallyhelped himwhen he was in need. That wasthe true meaning of a family. Although sometimes a certain family member may look like that he or she do not love you any more, the truth is that no matter what happens, love among family members can never be changed.

The movie also teaches me never lose hope. Although Brad had been examined by lots of doctors, none of them could make the right diagnosis, leaving himmisunderstood by people around him for a long time. Fortunately, his mother believed that he didn't make those strange sounds deliberately. After all the doctors gave up, it was his mother whofound the real cause for his abnormal behaviour by reading books about mental disorder on her own.There was no cure for Tourette syndrome, both Brad and his mother knew that, but they never give up living life to it’s fullest. Life is always full of obstacles, especially for people like Brad. His way to dream was always difficult. Almost all the schools rejected him, regardless of his outstanding academic and internship performance. Nevertheless, he still continued to find a school that was willing to accept him as a teacher. Nearly all of us have encountereda time when we find however hard we work, things still cannot be better.What should we do at those moments? After watching the movie, my answer is “keep on working”. 

The action“keep on moving”is not easy to follow; it requires a person to be optimistic. We should believe in lives, believe in our dreams, and most importantly, we should believe in ourselves. Therefore self-confidence is probably another factor that makes a person stick on his or her goal.Just like Brad and his mother, they have strong willing that life can be better in the future, so they never stopped making efforts to fight against their destiny and they finally succeeded.Hence, we should never give up hope just as what a poem says:

If by life you were deceived,

Don't be dismal, don't be wild!

In the day of grief, be mild

Merry days will come, believe.

Heart is living in tomorrow;

Present is dejected here;

In a moment, passes sorrow;

That which passes will be dear

The movie is quite good and it can motivate audience to pursuit their dreams, so I sincerely recommend it to all of youJ

Blog8: To Be or Not To Be

         Today we read an article Medical Technology and Bioethics. The problems of medical technology come into the picture and some moral and philosophical problems are brought up.

As the development of human society, the average life time of human beings extend to be much longer than just little more than twenties. Even if our ancestors live in the most environmental friendly circumstance, we still live longer now.

Perhaps this phenomenon is because of evolution but it is not important. Here comes another point in which we have modern medical technology to make us live healthier. The time of expend human life even longer is around the corner and we have the hope to keep longer life with the help of medical technology. In the way of living longer, matters like clone and maybe euthanasia (end life with medicine legally with the help of physician) appears. These issues were discussed among our group. Whether one have the right to decide when to end his or her life in the situation of one is suffering from serious disease which is hardly to be cured.

How long we expect to live is another issue we think about. In my view I do not want to live to long like hundreds of years or even more because I think it is too boring while Miss Waheeda came up with a new point that the living condition affected. This is the key element which influences the result that I draw. I regard long life is boring because that when I am old and useless, life does not make too much sense.

It is really good thing to think about it, only think can lead to improvement.

Blog7: I and Debate (including debate tips)

  I like and dislike debate at the same time. The first time when I came across debate was in my grade three, primary school. Although debate is not a formal one, I still find the happiness in it. Gone are the days. When I meet debate again is in the college.

  Debate is a kind of art in form of language, logic and team work. One must have the ability of logical thinking and is able to react in a short time. During the debate the debater should combines what he has prepared and what the opposite debaters say, finds out the weakest part of the opposite side, gives a heavy strike on the other side and then achieve the final success. I enjoy the logical thinking in it and prefer to defend and attack in language. The process of finding weak points is similar to solve a puzzle. The happiness is in it. A brilliant debater can not only win the debate but also give an excellent performance in the debate. He may use vivid analogy, site the history or story of famous people and persuade you in an invisible way.

  As I mentioned in the forward, debate is an art but there are something can ruin the art. The origin of my dislike is the topic itself or the debate. The topic of the debate must be a controversial one or there will be no sense to debate on it. Unfortunately I have the personal tendency to one side of the topic some time or even the majority agrees with one side. In this case, it is not interesting. Another point is that the debate does not have success or fail on the topic because the topic is debatable. There always be the case that one side does find the weak point of the other one and has given a fatal blow but the opposite side does not want to die because they have to insist. When things like this happen, the debate becomes bland. The third point is that debate is not a quarrel. It is much more like a hot discussion. It is a sad to debate with someone who is not polite as if he wants to eat you. These are the reason why I dislike debate.

  After all debate is a fascinating activity, hope everyone enjoy it. Meanwhile I will enjoy watching it.

  Here are my reflections on the class debate. (Personal opinion)

1.      In the statement affirm your point firmly without so many questions is better.

2.      It is a helpful way to take down note on what everyone says.

3.      Do not ignore opinions from opposite side, they will show you their weak point.

4.      The time when you do not have to speak anymore is not the end of your task. Write down helpful information including powerful ideas to fight back and opponent’s mistakes and pass down to your teammate, this will help.

5.      Summarizing is to take an overlook of the whole situation including contradict opposite side and confirm your stand. In this occasion, examples are not powerful enough and take much time.

6.      Langue is your weapon not the gesture. Show respect to your opponent.

7.      How to speak is important. Speed, tone should be proper.

Blog6 Personality Development

Most people hold the idea that one’s personality is determined once he was born, emphasizing stability over fluctuation. However, in my opinion, personality is “plastic” across situation, mood and time. Besides, I also believe that human personalities are built within a long time and strongly influenced by personal experiences.

Take children whose parents are divorced for an example. Most of them grew up in families lacking of harmony and happiness. As a result, these children have a much larger possibility to have distorted personality and a higher chance to commit a crime. Thus, the environment where a person grew up is a considerable factor contributing to his personality development.

Furthermore, I believe that people are able to be the ones they want to be; and in most cases they do. In that sense, personalities can be determined by ourselves. That is why we found that many people’s personalities were even changed to meet some requirements with the development of society. Take myself for an instance, my mother told me that when I was in the kindergarten I was so quiet and shy that I hardly speak to others, however, I tend to be talkative as I grew up. Maybe that is one of the changes in my personality that I have ever made consciously to adapt myself to social life and gain benefits.

In conclusion, I assert that personality can be changed; besides, it should be changed once we find it can benefit us.

blog 7: PEN

The pen shop located at the second intersection on the left side of the street. It was the central area of this old long street. Without any signboards, the shop had two glazed doors as shop front. The line pen shop was hiding in a corner beside the door written in small size. It seemed that the doors had been rarely used. It took me one year’s time to open it.
Nevertheless, it was not accessible unless you had an introduction letter. As a customer, you had to spend much time and much money. It deserved your cost if you could get a pen which was perfectly suitable for you. I was there, as a result.
The shopkeeper was probably as his sixties. He felt like a big bird resting deep in the forest.
“Give me your hand.” The big bird said.
He measured the length and width of each finger. After confirming the proportion of fat in my skin, he began to examine rigidity if my fingernail. After all, he took down the information of all the scars on my hand.
“Please take off your clothes.” He said briefly.
Although I was confused about the situation, I slowly took off my shirt. When I was about to take off my pants, the shopkeeper stopped me, “No need. It’s enough.”
He used his finger to press every part of my vertebra from top to bottom. “You know? Actually, people use their vertebra to think and write,” He said, “that is why I must make a perfect pen for every customer.”
Then, he inquired me about my age, job and my income. Finally, he asked me what I wanted to write with this pen.
After three months, my pen was made. It was a perfect pen. However, it did not mean that the passages I wrote with this perfect pen must be perfect.
If I wanted to buy my perfect passages, I should have taken off not only my shirt.

Blog 7: When Work As a Group

Blog 7 how to work efficiently in a team In our daily life,we are often asked to work in a team,and sometimes we cannot finish a program ourselves. So,to some extent,the efficiency of the teamwork plays a decisive role in our career. For that reason, it is necessary for us to learn to work efficiently in a team. When you and your teammates share with similar characters,you are very lucky. You can work efficiently with each other relatively easily. However,because that we are randomly divided into several groups, it is possible that the characters of members are totally different from each other in a team. When this happens, it will be a frustrating thing for each member of the group and also if not dealt properly, the teamwork will became low efficient. However,we have to confront this problem and actually,we have the ability to solve this. So,how to solve it? In my opinion,at this time,we need to conform to the rules strictly. Because we are all friends, we cannot obey the rules strictly. We need to attend to other's personal feelings. We need to get along with others after the work. But when the characters of the members in one group are quite different, we must obey the rules strictly,for the sake of efficiency. It means that we need to have a specific hierarchy. The leader of the group is supposed to organize the work coherently. He or she should give members specific works so all the members need to do is the given work. If they have any idea, they should talk with the leader personally but not talk with other members. Whether the leader will take the ideas is the leader's right. The members are not expected to interfere. I think everyone can understand this kind of action. It is good for a group to work efficiently.

Blog 6 Should I Forgive Him?

I heard people sometimes said:” I will never forgive him for…”

 I am not interested in the reason why people will not forgive somebody. However, I am more fascinated by the word “forgive” itself, because “never” is such a powerful word to describe “Forgive”.  So, I ask myself: what is forgiveness? 

I remembered that a girl had cheated in an exam in my high school. Unfortunately, after having seen that scene I thought very bad of her and used her as a typical dishonest example in many of my essays. Every time I saw her, in my mind her face was labeled as a dishonest person, and this conception was too difficult to be eliminated.

 After a long time I rethought and asked myself some questions: why can’t I forgive her behavior? Is it so important for me that I should even not forgive her? What if now she has already changed into another person who has known what she did was wrong? So then is there any reason and meaning for me to not forgive here? I find no reason and no meaning in not forgiving her if she has corrected her misbehavior. And so this is it, the inside of forgiveness.

In my opinion, forgiveness is a reaction responding to changes, or in other words, corrections for mistakes. People are quite innocent when they do something wrong but have no idea why and how the thing goes wrong. If a person knows it is wrong just because other people regard it as a wrong behavior, we should not forgive him because he is neither aware of his fault nor does he make any change to correct it. If a person realizes his fault and then sincerely makes changes to correct it, others can say that they forgive him.

Newton discovered the laws of nature after an apple dropping from a tree hit him. Before that unique moment, I think Newton even did not have any perception what gravity is. Edison failed more than one thousand times in the exploration of finding the exact material to make a bulb, he just kept trying. The only thing he knew was that he was only a child in front of sea of truth, and the only way he could grow up was through making mistakes and learning from them.

These examples reveal how ignorant people are when they face the unknown and indicated how they responded to it. Actually, we are all as ignorant and helpless as young little children when we are exploring in our lives. When little children do something wrong, people can easily forgive children’s fault without hesitation. So it is the same in the case when adults do something wrong. For unknown, adults are equally ignorant as children, because they even have no concept of what they have never experienced. Adults are on the same way with children to make mistakes. The difference is just distinguished by people's ages, but how old they are cannot represent how far they have gone to understand the routine in our society. Both children and adults can only learn by making mistakes, or the mistakes made by human’s ancestors. 

Some people may argue that those who do great damage to someone or to the society cannot be forgiven forever. No, it is not true. The one who does so can be forgiven if he has learned his mistake, but this does not imply that he can get rid of punishment. It is laws that ensure the whole society to keep in order. Besides, our morality also plays an essential role. And forgiveness is a part of it. Learn to forgive is an art. People should leave room for others to make corrections. People will never expect worse from a person when they are really considering the situation, because it is not human nature. So therein our history exists people’s imagination of Utopia; all human expect peace and love from the bottom of their hearts, rather than negative emotions . Forgiveness gives us the chance to expect better for others. It is a positive and magic power that helps create a better world. 

The next time when you want to say, “I will never forgive someone”, please tell yourself: forgiveness is beautiful, I am doing something brilliantly good to someone, and I am creating a better world!

blog7: My "girlfriend"

In this blog, I would like to tell you a true story about a girl and I.

Once upon a time, there was a girl named A in my senior school. She had beautiful eyes with short straight hair. She was not tall, but she always stood gracefully. She was easygoing, whenever she talked to other people, her face would wear a sweet smile. In conclusion, what the first impression she left on me was sunny, outgoing and warm-hearted. Of course, her merits could not be restricted to only such superficial things. More importantly, she worked very hard and as a result, she always got the first place in my class. To be honest, I really admired her. In my opinion, when a girl can be best characterized by beauty, goodness and diligence, no one could begrudge her his genuine praise. I liked talking with her. I thought we had many interests in common. Once we started talking with each other, regardless of how boring the topic was, we always found it hard stopping. We talked about study, showing our anger about a difficult math exam. We talked about our teachers, laughing at their funny behavior. We talked about our failure, giving our sincere encouragement to each other. We talked about the future, imagining a beautiful scene in our mind. Because of her, I never dare to be slack about my study. With her help, I was smoothly over the hump after one and another adversity.

She was my best girl friend, but I knew that we all did not want to combine those two words together. In our relationship, there was a boundary. Although it was vague and fragile, we just stood beside and never intended to transcend it. Sometimes my classmates would gossip about us, but we did not care about it. We meticulously took care of our pure friendship, regarding it as a small tree that needed us to water and give it sunshine.

Some people tend to say if a girl is suitable for you, you should pursue her without any hesitation; otherwise, you may be regretful. However, I think, in our lifetime, some girls can be your girlfriends, but some girls, even at the depth of heart, there is a voice tells you that she is the person you are looking for, you should bury that emotion in your mind. When I recalled the time spent with her, I always wondered if one of us finally said that phrase, then what would happen. Maybe we will get together. Maybe, conversely, we will be apart forever. I feel lucky, for neither of us decides to transform this flourishing tree into a rose, even though it probably can be more beautiful. A girlfriend is difficult to find, even so, a real female bosom friend who can listen carefully to your complaint, give you advice without any vicious purposes, motivate you to overcome every difficulty in the life and console you when you feel sad is more worthy of cherishing!

Blog 7: I Want to Travel lone

I want to travel alone.

Firstly, I prefer traveling by train. Traveling by train is my favorite way of traveling. Why do I love traveling by train but other vehicles? There are three reasons. The first reason is that it takes less money to take a train relatively. The second reason is I enjoy the scenery out of the window. When I travel by train, what I like best is viewing the scenery out of the window. When I left Changsha for Zhengzhou last year, it was late autumn. The trees which were in subtropics zone were still covered by green leaves, meanwhile, the plants which were in warm temperate zone had put on their yellow coat or even only left their bald trunk. Interestingly, when the train ran, the scenery out of the window switch constantly, which was just like I enjoyed the process of the transition of seasons within hours. The third reason is that I can talk with all kind of people. They have different careers, backgrounds and experiences; come from different regions and class; contact different people in their daily life. I always learn a lot from them.

Personally, I do not have interest in those famous scenic spots in which there are always a mass of crowds there, such as, Hangzhou West Lake, Mountain Huang, the Forbidden City and so on. I prefer to walk in immense forests and snowfield of Greater Khingan Mountains, see the aurora in Arctic Village, walk in the Gobi Desert of Hexi Corridor or experience the cruelty of nature in Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. If I go to the south of China, I will wonder in a small ancient town of Jiangnan holding an oil-paper umbrella, hoping to encounter a girl like a bouquet of lilacs with anxiety and resentment or go to Yunnan to experience cultures of minorities. 

In accordance with my plan, I will be wondering along a road in the side of the Wusuli River.

Blog7 Nobody can reach the acme of perfection

Yesterday when I
browse the RenRen, the motto transmitted by others also resonate me in some
extent though the motto has been told since I was a child. The motto is
something like this “The life is too short, why do we always make the
featherweight influences our important mood.” “We care about others’ views so
much that we don’t have the courage to do what we like, to chase the one we
love. We are totally immerged into others’ embroidered stories and comments and
then lose ourselves. But actually nobody has the energy to think what you’re
thinking about; we ought not to overestimate the status that we are in others’
mind. It doesn’t matter to be talked or to be misunderstood by others. The more
you live in others’ eyes, the more you lose in your way.” I have a great
reflection on this feeling.

Take myself as a
example, sometimes I think my life is always in a hurry. I am busying at getting
along with others, finishing the assignments in advance, comparing myself with
others, studying hard to live up to parents’ expectation, to avoid myself being
behind others. It seems that everything deviate my goals is useless and no profit
to get so I shouldn’t spend my time on it. I tried myself to do as much as possible
to study and to get along with others. But actually, I am really tired to be
like that. For I want to show the most perfect part of myself to others, I
tried to be talkative, tried to show myself as another person and hide what I
like in my heart so I live a very exhausting and unhappy life for a long time.
Even now I don’t know what I have learnt and what kind of person I want to be as
if all my work is for nothing and I am getting nowhere. The situation is very
real to me and I wants to escape, but has no idea how to do so or how to even
approach the situation rationally.

It is until last
week I do the color quiz, I realize this kind of emotion is severe. "Tension
and stress is brought on by trying to cope with conditions which are out of her
control, using up all her strength and leaving her feeling inadequate. she
wishes to escape into a more peaceful and problem-free environment, in which
she will no longer have to assert herself or deal with so much pressure."
Maybe now I have the awareness to make a difference. Though it is not a good
character to be quiet but I do like this feeling of not being disturbing and
live peacefully. I want to be what I really want to be though others may not
like it.

In addition, our
energy is limited, if we always want to reach the acme of perfection, we cannot
even finish a simple thing well. And as time passes, when you find whatever you
want to achieve cannot be achieved in a short period of time and cannot be
changed for your inability and indecisiveness, you will put a large amount of
stress on your shoulder and live unhappily and tired. That is my true feeling
and it makes me uncomfortable and constrained. Though I haven’t find a good
solution, at least I find the problem and try to change.

Yesterday I
watched a movie in cinema called “Street Dance 2”. The hero in the story cared
too much about his opponent’s view and escape out of the shadow of failure. He
dared not to show his real passion in dancing, which limited his development
and made him desperate. But at least he realized what is the priority in his
life and showed himself freely and unconstraintly in the final competition. He
both gained success and love.

I hope everyone
who saw this blog can express himself freely and show the real character to
others without caring others’ view too much in the daily life. Just laugh
whenever you want and just keep silence whenever you like. We live for
ourselves. We cannot reach the acme of perfection and make everyone satisfied.
Even others don’t appreciate you; at least you are enjoying yourself. Though
you may not have a large amount of friends, at least you have a few friends who
can understand you and deserve you to treasure. Though you are not the best,
you must have some glimmers which can be found by others. It’s good to strive
for excellence, it is more important to do things according your ability and
don’t lose yourself all the time. I hope everyone can live happy.

Blog 7: Sociable or Sincere

Although I do not use my English name now, I do have one which have accompanied me for over five years. I have chosen Vera as my English name for it symbolizes sincerity. This is the character which I attach most importance to. Moreover, I used to think that sociability was always to the contrary. As a result, I found it hard to choose majors that are closely related to sociability.

I still remember that Xiaoxu once did an oral report about high EQ. At that time, I asked her a question whether it is good for people with high EQ to hide their true feelings and opinions. I always thought that these people, to some extent, were hypocritical. In my view, I thought they led a tiring life wearing their masks. However, the answer from Ms Waheeda and Xiaoxu changed my opinion. They said that sociable people do not hide their feelings but express them skillfully and gently. This is totally true.

Now I am on the crossroad of my life. I do not know to choose Faculty of Science which is more relevant to doing researches or other faculties which focus more on practical skills. I am still confusing. However, the fear of being sociable is not a block in my way anymore. I know that sociability and sincerity are not opposite. People who are sociable are just showing their sincerity to keep friendship.

Be the man you want to be

Nobody can be perfect. In other words, everyone has disadvantages and shortcomings. Recently, after comparing myself with others, I found that there is a long distance for me to improve. As a consequence, I want to change some habits or even certain personalities to become the man I want to be.

Here I would like to list some of my disadvantages. In the following days, I will try my best to turn them into my strengths.

1.I am too lazy. I do not like studying, cleaning room, and laundry.

2.I am a little careless. I may spend hours finding something because sometimes I can easily forget where they are.

3.I have no resistance to games and that kind of temptation.

4.I am not very sociable.

5.My ambition cannot exist long enough.

6.I do not have the ability to laugh while facing cameras.

......

There are other problems that I dare not write down, and this is another disadvantage.

Fortunately, I have at least one advantage: I have the courage to face the fact and change the situation. With this, I believe the list above can become my motivation rather than the obstacle. As I mentioned in my oral presentation, it is actually the earliest time when you think it’s too late to change something.

The reason why I choose this as my topic is as followed: Recently one of my friends in Singapore always told me that he was very boring. He could hardly tell the reason when I asked why, and everything even play could no longer attract him. Without his words, I am not sure what is bothering him. However, if he is upset about his behaviors and his personalities, I hope this blog can help him to find the courage to face his own disadvantages.

What is gone is gone. Feeling regret for the past is meaningless, and it is the future that makes sense. If you are not satisfied with yourself, list your advantages and try to change yourself. Follow your heart and be the person who you want to be.

blogger 7: One Person Can Really Change the World------iGenius, How Steve Jobs Change the World

     Today,I watched a documentary called "iGenius,How Steve Jobs Change the World". It is a comprehensive review on the short lifetime of one of the greatest man in the world--Steve Jobs, and the title of the passage is a comment on him which has really impressed me a lot. After watching it, I really feel inspired and motivated by his splendid experiences.
     At first, I just thought that Steve Jobs was only a successful businessman whose company has designed many popular products. Perhaps, it is also a coincidence that the research topic of our group is "the popularity of Apple products". However,the program has told me that Steve Jobs is definitely not only a businessman but also a genius who has changed the world in his own unique way. His success is based on his character besides the fashion of computers. He is described as "focused, intense, driven", and some even say "mean", but his aesthetic view point has spread throughout the world--simple.
    The most impressive description of him is "he cannot tolerate mediocrity"; I love this phrase"cannot tolerate mediocrity" because it explains why Steve Jobs pushed his team to the edge and beyond, and that also really motivated me. I learnt that I should never compromise with laziness and excuse; all I need to do is to spur myself up to keep looking for what I really love and insist on my dreams.  Just as he said on the graduating ceremony of Stanford University: "As with all matters of the heart, you will know when you find it". If one wants to be outstanding, he must say no to mediocrity.
     Another inspiring spot is his words: Stay hungry, stay foolish. Here, "hungry" does not mean the feel of one's stomach; it refers to the desire to learn knowledge as one is hungry. "stay foolish" also asks us to "stay humble", to learn from others. It is a fact that Jobs did not invent computer or MP3 player, but it is he who has managed to make the device more user-friendly, and this is the revolution of computer all about--touching people. By learning from others, he got the idea of promoting mouse and the pattern of listening to music. When he knew the serious disease in his body, he knew the limitation of his life, so he put more effort in designing and developing new products.
         Now he has left us but every time when we use iPhone, iPod, iPad and Mac, we should pay our respect to the iGenius--Steve Jobs, a genius who has changed the world by his own. Everyone can learn from his inspiring story; not tolerate mediocrity, stay hungry, stay foolish.
         

Blog 7: Little Self-portrait

Since the topic of this week is Personality and Values, I would like to analyze my personality a little bit. Although someone may doubt if it is necessary to do so, in my opinion, it is the top priority for every person to get along with each other. Knowing your friends personality traits, especially his or her preference and temperament is of great importance, for it can prevent you from offending your friend even if you have no intention to do so. You just don’t know why he or she loses his or her temper. In my opinion, friends should be open to each other, and by doing so, we can avoid unnecessary friction in our life.

Well, classmates that may not know me well may think that I am quite easygoing and have totally no temper. I have to say that the statement is partly correct. Yes, I am easygoing most of the time. I am indeed the follower of peace and harmony- in other words, I feel extremely sorry for all kinds of conflicts, deceptions, disasters and, especially wars. Usually I will be deep in thought and sorrow after I watch an unfortunate event happening to people. For example, after watching the movie Schindler’s list, I spent hours to draw myself from meditation. To some extent, I think I am sentimental: my mood is easily conditioned by the environment- the things around me. That is why I love peace and most of the time, I prefer listen to others’ opinion than to insist my own one. I do not mean that I deny my opinion; I just feel that it is good to accept others’ views if they are reasonable and rational. Whoever is courteous to me, I will double respect him or her.

However, I don’t know why but there is one kind of character of others that I do not so appreciate: a manner that is too dominant and aggressive. The one with this kind of manner may suppress other people and ignore others’ feelings more or less, even though the fellow himself does not sense that his words and tone have actually given others that kind of sense. Confronted with this fellow, I may be like a rubber ball: the more pressure I receive, the high I bounce. Even though I know he has a good intention, I may become a bit firm and tough but I will try to control my temper. But as you know, when air is continuously pumped into a balloon, the balloon is sure to explode one day. I do not mean to hurt someone but I just cannot control.

There do exist some shortcomings in my personalities and I promise that I will change them little by little. I will learn to control my temper better than now. However, I also believe the idiom “It takes two to tango”. What I want to say is that, to be friends, two people must be open and understand each other’s situation; only by doing this can friendship exist for good.

Blog 6: As long as you are good enough

As long as you are good enough

Yang Liping, the great and famous Chinese dancer . Especially after the 2012 CCTV Spring Festival Gala Evening, We can easily find many praises to her in the Internet.When reporters asked her if dance is the reason why she does not want a baby. She replied that" Different people have different aims to life. Some are continuing their clan; some are enjoying; some are asking for. While I am a watcher. The reason why I come to this world is watching how trees are growing; how rivers are flowing; how clouds are fluttering and how dews are freezing.

I still remember a sentence Yang said in the TV program" A Date With Lu Yu" , which moved me very much. Yang birthed in a remote mountain in Yunnan Province.So she can always get inspirations from flowers; birds; fishes; insects; fluttering clouds and flowing watter in the nature. When she joined the Chinese central national dancing and singing troupe, she thought the traditional training methods were totally different from her intuitions for dancing. Therefore she refused the collective training and insisted her own methods. She got many criticisms even leaders canceled her subsidies. Lu Yu asked her is it may cause that her leader would reduce her opportunities to perform. Yang replied that "As along as you are good enough, they must employ you."

This earthy sentence moved me very much. Because it told out a truth which is always ignored by people who are always saying that they are ambitious but nobody can know and dig them up. The truth is that sometimes we do not achieve our ideals or lose our dreams is not other people's responsibilities. It is just because we are not good enough. The reason why this sentence moved me is neither encouraging nor comforting. On the contrary, it is a kind of warning. Because "As along as you are good enough" is a pretty hard condition which need you dig out all your potential abilities and sagacities; take all your responsibilities; bear all the foolish, mistakes and fails, face your hesitations and weaknesses directly.

Faced with the frustrations, somebody are easily to turn to two kinds of people. One kind is kicker. The other kind is rageful people. All of them will push their disappointments to the world. Through the angry and rage, they absolve their responsibilities. At the same time they give up their possibilities to improve.

Yang Liping followed troupe to cross the forests in Yunnan Province when she was 11 years old. Strode the elephant's excrements and suffered the vipers, many of her teammates complained this kind miserable life and left. However, in Yang's eyes all of these are beautiful, wonderful and enjoyable. The experiences in the troupe are too tough for others, but Yang overcame all the trouble. When Lu Yu ask her how did these problems influence her. She just replied that" You just know what is your behaviors' value. Then you will bear all your grievances." With this kind of attitude, Yang keeps training after others' train every night. Finally she created the famous dance "Que Zhi Ling" and got many prizes just because of that sentence" as long as you are good enough, they must employ you."

When you complain you are not successful, please considerate that do you think you are facing more problems than Yang? Some people think she had more chances at her age. But I cannot agree. Every people will have some chances, only once or twice is enough. Just they have not prepared enough. Please remember" As long as you are good enough".