the Last Journal

How time flies! There is already near the end of the semester, which is also the end of my freshman year. Everyone seems like suffering the last midterm these days and so do I. This week is like the hardest week for me. First, three midterms comes. On Monday, I had a midterm of economics statistics. On Wednesday calculus comes and macroeconomics on the coming Thursday. Moreover, I have to finish my five pages research paper, which is the longest English paper I have written in my entire life! Also, like most of the student, I have to choose the classes for my next semester. I feel so stressful and feel that the time is so limited for me. However, I believe I can get over it.

This is the last journal for ESL114, so I want to talk about my opinions to this course so far. I still remember the first class of this course. Everyone, who from different countries and have different backgrounds, was getting together for reaching the same goal, which is to improve the skills of English. At first, I think this course will be boring, but when I walked into the classroom and said hello to the teacher, I realized that maybe I was wrong. The teacher is so cute and interesting. She also is a pretty nice person. She likes smiling and is so patient when waiting for some slow speakers reading in class with a really heavy accent. Sometimes, she brings us tasty cookies as energy and has classes outside on the quad. However, she is leaving this summer for her PhD degree in UCLA, if I remember that right. I think I will miss her and also congratulations to her.

Honestly, I get so much from this course, not only from the teacher, but also from the classmates. First of all, I learn a lot of writing skills. Like how to organize my ideas before writing a paper, how to make an outline and also the format of the research paper. These are all so helpful for my future study. Second, I make a lot of friends there. Now, we are not just saying “hi”. Instead of this, we always hang out together and give others advices on study and even on everyday life.

To sum up, I really enjoy this class the whole semester. It is really helpful for improving English skills. Moreover, the most important point is that I make so many friends in this class and really enjoy every time when we all getting together.

Ruler and minister

In Confucius’s view, a good ruler and a good minister should do what are right for the people and be chosen in the right way. Ruler and ministers are at the top of the hierarchy. What they do affects the society and the people. It is very important for them to be good in order to achieve harmony in society.

The Ruler, who is the son of heaven, has absolute power over everyone in the country. His actions and policies will affect the lives of everyone. A good ruler should not abuse his power. A good ruler leads people by virtue and restrains them with ritual.  The people will develop a sense of shame and a sense of participation. A good ruler is praised and supported by the people. He should not overwork the peasants; instead, he should give out tasks that are reasonable. The minister, who is a high government official, should not treat the people harshly. He should tolerate people’s actions, be generous to the poor and act fairly. Under the rule of a good ruler and good minister, the people should be happy and society should flourish and be peaceful. The world should be set to order.                                                         

Even though a ruler cannot be chosen by the public, the public still has the power to decide whether he is fit to rule. The public don’t have to follow a bad ruler. Under the rule of a good ruler, the people are happy and want to serve the ruler. A good minister should be chosen by knowledge of rites and music instead of being chosen by blood and royalty. A good understanding of knowledge of rites and music allows the minister to be resolute, sagacious and talented.                                                                    

Confucius views a good ruler and good minister as someone who keep people happy and society in order. They should behave in a way that they want their citizens to act. When this is done, they can win the heard of the people. A good ruler is someone that people want to follow. A good minister is someone chosen by knowledge of rites and music instead of blood and royalty. A ruler or minister that does what is right for the people and was chosen the right way is someone that Confucius consider good.  

GM food, saving the poor

Many third world countries in Africa, Asia and Latin America have problems feeding people. People from these countries don’t have access to all the necessary food to keep them healthy. The majority of them are unhealthy because there are not enough fresh vegetables to give them enough nutrients. A solution to the problem of hunger in the third world is the genetically modified food.

Genetically modified food, also called GM food, is genetically modified to grow in bad conditions and also to provide more nutrients. One example of genetically modified food is the golden rice. Golden rice is a kind of rice that is genetically engineered to provide beta-carotene, which is vitamin A. By giving third world countries the ability to grow golden rice, it would not only feed the population but also provide them with more nutrients. A license is made so that farmers making under $10,000 a year would be able to plant golden rice for free. This really benefits the farmers in the poor developing countries because they don’t have that much money to begin with. Some vegetables can also be grown in dry and cold places. This means that farmers don’t need as much water to grow these GM vegetables compared to normal vegetables. Even if the country has a drought, they should still be able to grow some GM vegetables to feed the population.

Another advantage of genetically modified food is that most of them are pesticide resistant. Examples are soybeans, corn, sugar cane and rapeseed. Genes are added or transferred to them so that pesticides won’t harm them. In places where there are lots of bugs, farmers will spray a lot of pesticides and insecticides. These will kill all the bugs but will also harm the normal food. When a person eats this food, they might get really sick and develop diseases. By using GM food, the pesticides won’t cause damage to the vegetable or plant because the GM food is resistant to it. People eating GM food can be sure that they are safe from the dangerous pesticides and insecticides.

All of these advantages of GM food should give a good reason for third world countries to grow it. It would be better for those people because GM food is easier to grow and provide them with the necessary nutrition. 

Movie at home

Nowadays, more and more people in all ages love watching movies. Some may go to the movie theater once a week or watching movie at home on every weekend. People may say that watching movie in the movie theater is so impressive. But even so, I usually watching movie at home. And there are some reasons that why I love watching movies at home than watching movies in the movie theater.

First, watching movie at home is so cozy. At home, one can watch movies in bed or even lie on a couch. And it is so sweet to sprawl out on a couch with a loved one, watching movie together. Also, people can eat whatever they like when watching at home, but in theater are not. For me, I often have a pint of strawberry ice cream, a bag of chocolate popcorn, some M&Ms and a glass of milk. That’s much better than the butter flavor popcorn with coke in theater. Moreover, in the theater, seats are uncomfortable. And sometimes when the good seats are taken by others, people can hardly find a prefect seat. I remember last month I went to see Avatar when it was right released, there was so many people waiting in front of the box office and I had spent a lot of time on finding a parking space. Due to this, I showed up late. So I did not get the best seat in the middle area. Instead, I end up with seating in the first row for nearly 3 hours, suffering the neck pain.

Second, there are no interruptions when watching movie at home. And in contrast, people may have lot interruptions in theater, because people will sit in a large room, with a large amount of people sitting besides. They may talk, eat with noise, or even answer the phone. While at home, people can go rewind the favorite part. For example, one will not interrupt by the phone calls while watching movie at home. Because if the phone rings, the movie will goes on pause and waits dutifully for he or she return. So, there is no need to worry about the missing parts.

Third, watching movie at home spends less than watching movie in theater. On the one hand, movie at home is convenient. People can watch movie whenever they want. And no need to go out. However, if one goes to the theater, it may cost a lot of time on the traffic, with suffering the bad weather. On the other hand, watching movie at home is much cheaper than watching movie in the movie theater. People can watch movie for free at home if they watch it online.

All in all, for these reasons, I really enjoy watching movie at home.

Censorship of films

Opinion: we should have censorship of films
Support 1: we already have censorship of films. (fact)
Support 2: censorship of films can avoid children watch the pornographic films and volent films, which could give them bad effects. (opinion)
Support 3: directors shouldn't be allowed to put every thing they want in the films, which have bad effects to society or have bad influences (opinion)

Home vs. Theater

There are many differences between watching movie at home and in theater.

1.      Watching movie at home is cozy. One can watch in bed or sprawl out on a couch with a loved one. While in theater, the seats are uncomfortable. And if someone shows up late, he or she may not get the best seat. Instead, he or she may end up with seating in the first row for nearly 2 hours, suffering the neck pain.

2.      The speaker in theater is really good. Also it has a big screen and all dark around, so people can really enjoy the special effects of the movie. Now, many theaters have imax and can play 3D movies, which is so impressive. But at home people just can watch movie through a small screen.

3.      People can eat whatever they like at home, but in theater are not.

4.      At home, there are no interruptions when watching movie. Also, people can go rewind the favorite part. And if the phone rings when someone watching movie at home, the movie will goes on pause and waits dutifully for he or she return. So, there is no need to worry about the missing part. In contrast, people may have lot interruptions in theater. Because people will sit in a large room, with a large amount of people. They may talk, eat with noise, or even answer the phone.

5.      Watching movie at home is more convenient than in theater. People can watch movie whenever they want. And no need to go out. It save a lot of time. However, if one goes to the theater, it may cost a lot of time on the traffic, also may suffering the bad weather.

6.      Watching movie at home is much cheaper than watching movie in the movie theater.

The movie in theater is new. But the movie at home is not. Because people cannot rent the new movies on DVD or VHS.

comparision

The similarities are that they are all clocks and flowing to the ground. Also they are both showing the same time. However, they also have many differences. First, the left one is a photo, while the right one is a picture. Moreover, the color of the left one is darker than the color of the right one. Besides, the left one is hanging on a branch, nevertheless, the right one is on a corner of table.

Friday's task- outline of the 2nd essay

High dropout rate in college

Thesis statement

There are many reasons for the high dropout rate in college, but the major reasons for the high dropout rate are as follows: (1) tuition problem (2) can’t fit in the college life (3) other attractions in the society.

1^st topic sentence

The most significant reason that is primarily responsible for the high dropout rate in college is that someone could not be able to afford the tuition fee.

Supporting details

1.       During the recession, the tuition fee goes up every year.

2.       Some family may not be able to afford the money. The reason for that may be the parents lose their job, or the family has to use the money on the other important things.

2^nd topic sentence

The second significant reason leads to the high dropout rate in college is due to the response to the difficulty for some student to fit in the college life.

Supporting details

1.       Pressure from study leading to lower the GPA. So, some people may lose the interest in study. Or some people don’t know how to balance their schedule, leading to an unhealthy life style.

2.       International students have language problem, some may afraid to communicate to others or may totally not be able to catch up with the professors’ words.

3.       Homesick. People may feel lonely, so that may affect their study or let them don’t want to go to college any more.

3^rd topic sentence

Last but not the least, the high dropout rate in college is the outcome of the diversely attractions in the society.

Supporting details

1.       The college is a place that has a mixed culture. All the people have different background. So when the student get into this society, they may curious to all the new things around them. Due to that, someone may spend too much time on something or even be addicted to that, which let them lost the interest in study.

2.       With getting to know more and more different people, someone may find their real aim in one’s life. Like travel over the world, be a singer or be a computer game player.

Distance causes the loneliness around

Loneliness is a general feeling for people. Everyone may have a lot of time to feel lonely in his or her life, even one can feel that way when surrounded by friends or even he or she is really an upbeat person. Nowadays, loneliness is spreading everywhere around the city. And the main reason to cause this feeling occur will be the difference between people. The Distance can be divided into two aspects, psychological and geographical. For example, using more and more digital communication and having real geographical distance between people.

Firstly, digital communication makes people feel lonely, such as facebook, msn and cell phone. It causes the inside distance between people alienated. Many people will be more willing to talk to others online or through text, even if they are very close. It less the time for people to have real communication that means face to face talk. Due to this, people will feel lonely when he or she turn down the computer or switch off the phone. Also, things like facebook may give people the false impression, which let people feel they have a lot of friends around.

Secondly, because of work or study, families or friends may live separately in different cities or different countries, so people will feel lonely when they can’t fit in the new place, also when they miss each other. Like international students, they study abroad, far away from their families. So when they come to a totally strange place, they will always be homesick, especially at night when they are alone. They miss their family, their friends and all the happiness things at home, so they become to feel lonely. And of course, these isolated individuals will feel most acutely alone on holidays, when most people are surrounded by family and friends.

To sum up, distance is the real thing that causes people feel lonely. So in order to overcome the loneliness, first, we should communicate with people more. Not through the computer or the cell phone, but rather to have face to face communication. Or if people are far away from home, they should call their family often and also not stop to make new friends wherever they go.

Save the Earth, save the home

With thousands of tons of greenhouse gas and the unlimited refrigerants floating wantonly in the air every day, the environment around us gets worse and worse. And the hole of the ozone layer above the South Pole increases day after day, which may lead to the globe warming. Also, the number of people in these areas who suffer from skin cancer is exceptionally high. However, the economy there is usually not very well developed, and people’s living standard is lower than other areas. And people there do not possess numerous cars, air conditioners or chemical plants. In the matter of fact, the pollution mainly comes from the industrial cities or developing countries where citizens enjoy the higher living standard and the fruitful results of industrial development without considering the environment and the whole ecosystem.

Like in Beijing, there are so many traffics stuck on the road. So, lots of toxic gas emissions from vehicles, which harm the plants as well as people. With the development of the technology, the city builds more and more factories, which also led to the air and water pollution. In some other parts of China, there are high chimneys emitting black smoke everywhere, which directly harm the environment and damage the ozone layer. Moreover, the citizens there still not aware the pollution problem and keep an abominable habit— burning stalks. This behavior is widely adapted by farmers. Because when the weather getting cold, to protect crops from becoming freeze to death, numerous farmers choose to burn stalks to produce heat and carbon dioxide. Therefore, a great amount of carbon dioxide floats into the atmosphere.

As far as I am concerned, it is our duty for we college students to accumulate scientific and cultural knowledge. Only when we build up a solid foundation, we would be able to protect our environment more scientifically and systematically. Moreover, we should do something to let more and more people aware the importance of environmental protection and to live a better live, healthier life.

For example, we can organize a group to publicize the importance of environmental protection and discuss some environmental issues. Also, as for some stubborn companies, we can report them to the governmental agencies and make mass media to report the terrible facts. We can also promote environmental protection in activities regularly held in the community to accentuate more citizens’ sense of it. At the same time, we can also call on people to decrease the use of disposable items and using public transportation more frequently.

All in all, we only have one earth. We should protect it. And I think if we all work together to protect the environment, we will live a better life.

US and China, one, two, three~

We all know that there are many differences between countries, but not everyone can tell what the difference exactly is. I used to be like that, until I came to America. At first, when I was in China, my impression of America is full of tall buildings, modern style, lots of traffic and junk foods. Also has better environment with fresh air and green trees. However, I was wrong. When I really set foot on America, I found there are so many differences between Champaign and Beijing. These differences can be seen through the urban landscape, the environment and food.

When you come to a different country, what you noted at the first glance must be the landscape. So, that is the first difference I felt. When I was taking off from O'Hare, sitting on the LEX, looking outside the window, instead of high buildings and crowded streets like in Beijing, what displayed in front of me is a quiet and cozy small village with less people and fewer cars. The houses here is not that high, but really pretty and neat, has their own style.

The environment here is much better than Beijing, which really impressed me. The sky is so blue and clear, which I have never seen in Beijing. In Beijing, most of the days are cloudy and serious pollution makes the sky gray, full of dust and smog. For the first time in my life, I saw so many stars and constellations in the sky at night in extreme clarity. There are not many plants like trees and green grass in Beijing. At UIUC, I can see different types of trees anywhere I go. On the quad, there is a big field of grass people can relax and play on. These types of activities are not allowed in China due to the lack of fresh grass. Another big difference is that there are many animals here in UIUC like lovely squirrels and cute bunnies that are not afraid of humans. It’s very rare to see these animals in streets of Beijing.

The foods and table manners between China and America are also very different. The most obvious difference is that Chinese people use chopsticks while eating and America people use fork and knife. Also in America, everyone has their own plate of food, but in China the dishes are all placed on the table and everybody shares. And Chinese food is much healthier than American food. In American restaurants there are many fried stuff, which some Chinese people will never eat. While Chinese people eat more vegetables, Americans eat more meat.

All in all, there are many differences between America and China. Landscape, environment and food are the three parts of differences I’ve found. However, differences are not only existed in these areas. So far, I have been in the US for nearly half of a year and have been adapted to most of the American style. In my opinion, all these specific object are derived from culture diversity and life style, and they do provide us one perspective of the typical US society.

abt me

Hi,

i'm Shuang, a econ major student in uiuc. and this is my second semester in my college life.

i come from Beijing, the capital city of China. i love travel, so i have been to many cities in China. and now i'm in USA, so i plan to travel to all the big cities in the next 4 years~ my dream is living in Europe, especially Germany. so, maybe i'll study abroad there in my 3rd year. but it is just a immature plan. lol~

i love watching movies and listening to music. playing pool, bowling and badminton as well.

i live in IT now, but actually i hv already kinda sick of the food there.
Chinese food is my favorite, and also sushi and ice cream~

i really like my college life. coz there are so many friends here, lots of fun. and i also wanna make friends with you guys~