Wednesday, October 2, 2013

My Life in Riverside

I am staying in Riverside, CA.
I met a really nice home stay family.
I am enjoying my days here.







I walked around near my home stay house the other day.
The houses looked just AWESOME!!









And we had a great chicken party!! I met a gentleman from Switzerland who lives next door.
He told us many interesting stories and I really enjoyed them.

Now I think I overcame jet lag. I really love the clear skies in California.

Friday, September 13, 2013

Quotes

Albert Einstein Quotes:
 
“Imagination is more important than knowledge. Knowledge is limited.”
 
“Anyone who has never made a mistake has never tried anything new.”
 
“In the middle of difficulty lies opportunity.”
 
“I think and think for months and years. Ninety-nine times, the conclusion is false. The hundredth time I am right.”
 
“The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.”
 
“The whole of science is nothing more than a refinement of everyday thinking.”
 
“Education is what remains after one has forgotten everything he learned in school.”
 
“The important thing is not to stop questioning. Curiosity has its own reason for existing.”
 
“Do not worry about your difficulties in Mathematics. I can assure you mine are still greater.”
 
 
Thomas Edison Quotes (invented the light bulb):
 
“Many of life’s failures are people who did not realize how close they were to success when they gave up.”
 
“I am not discouraged, because every wrong attempt discarded is another step forward.”
 

Benjamin Franklin Quotes (discovered electricity):
 
“He that is good for making excuses is seldom good for anything else”
 
“Do not fear mistakes. You will know failure. Continue to reach out.”
 
“By failing to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”

Tuesday, September 10, 2013

The Strangest Dream



Last night I had the strangest dream,
I'd never dreamed before.
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.

I dreamed I saw a mighty room,
An the room was filled with men.
And the paper they were signing said
They'd never fight again.

And when the paper was all signed,
And a million copies made,
They all joined hands and bowed their heads,
And grateful prayers were prayed.

And the people in the streets below
Were dancing 'round and 'round,
And guns and swords and uniforms
Were scattered on the ground.

Last night I had the strangest dream,
I'd never dreamed before.
I dreamed the world had all agreed
To put an end to war.



I am deeply touched by this song.
What a beautiful message delivered by a beautiful voice.
This melody has been sung by many artists,
but I think this one is the best.
The crowds gathered to protest the Vietnam war
inspire me a lot.

Wednesday, August 28, 2013

Everybody loves Raymond

I found some interesting expressions from
Everybody loves Raymond Season 2 Episode 1.






Complete this form and submit the answers!!

Monday, August 26, 2013

The Rosebud by Dongwoo Kim

Mars was shocked. He dropped the vase. It was broken and the fragments were everywhere. His heart, and his love, are also scattered everywhere. People stepped on the flowers that Mars made for three days. What happened to him?
It was a cold snowy day in December. A good-looking boy who was in a high school uniform was walking down the street. He looked nervous but there was a smile on his face at the same time. He got on a bus. It was a blue PNU shuttle bus.
His name is Mars Kim. He is a smart boy and likes English. He likes to be an English teacher, so he applied PNU as English Education major. It was his interview day.
Although he was a little bit anxious about the interview, he was confident. He was a prepared student. He got really good scores on his test in his high school, and he could speak English very fluently. There seems no reason for him to be failed. ‘Hey, Mars! You can do it. Believe in yourself. You are the one who will make it,’ Mars said to himself.
He was looking outside on the bus. Everything that caught his eyes made him excited and happy. He was dreaming about his fantastic campus life. He was very happy. The bus announcement told him he got there, so he took off the bus.
Then, something happened. While climbing the hill to the building, he passed by a girl. He could not believe what he saw. He couldn’t breathe. I could not stand still. The image of the unknown girl struck Mars. She was just perfect to him. He fell in love with her at his first sight. He could not help thinking of her even during the interview. Her beautiful, white, and sexy face did not leave Mars alone for weeks. He met her in his dreams almost every day.
Mars was a bookworm. He did not show any interest in girls. He had never dated with a girl. A lot of girls liked him because of his good looking appearance and suave personality, but these girls could not interest him. He liked studying more than dating girls.
Mars felt this kind of feeling for the first time. Her face was always around his head. He really wanted to see her and talk to her, but he did not know how. He could not eat well. His mom, worried, asked Mars what is going on.
“Hey, honey. What troubles you? You look not good these days.”
“Nothing, mom,” said Mars. “I’m just a little bit tired these days preparing for university entrance. I’m just fine.”
“Honey, I really worry about your health. You have to eat well, or you might come down with the swine flu.”
“Okay, mom. Don’t worry. I’ll follow your advice.”
Mars did not like to disappoint his mom. He was such a good boy.
As time goes by, Mars started to forget about her. He focused on study and finally he entered PNU with full scholarship for four years. His family and teachers are really proud of him. Like this, it seemed that he forgot the girl of dream.
It was a sunny day in late February. Mars was quickening his pace. He was fully dressed up and looking good. There was a greeting party for all freshmen in English education major, so he was going there. Mars said to himself,
‘It’s going to be really exciting. Who am I going to meet tonight? I really want to see my classmates. I hope they are good.’
He finally got there. Lots of people were already there. The party was held in a classroom. It was decorated with balloons and pictures, and greeting messages from senior students filled the blackboard. Many seniors talked to Mars nicely and warmly. Mars didn’t expect this hospitality. He thought he made a right choice. People inside the room, freshmen and senior students, had a great time. Seniors gave freshmen useful information on university life. Freshmen asked lots of questions and seniors answered. They played games together and got close to one other.
Suddenly, the door opened. A girl came inside of the classroom. Everyone in that room lost their words. Her long brown hairs looked smooth and silky, as if anything on it would slide. Her big eyes would reflect the world like a mirror. Her skin was as white as snow and her lips were as red as a cherry. Her ivory cashmere coat was elegant, and her skirts were short but not loud. She had aura around her. She was so beautiful. Again, Mars could not breathe. He could not say anything. Yes. She was the girl Mars met the other day!
“Hi, everyone. Sorry for being late. It is great to see you guys here. Welcome to English Education Department. My name is Choi Hyosun, also known as Rosebud. I am the student reader of this department of this year, so please feel free to ask anything you want to know about our department. Have a great time tonight. Thank you!”
Mars felt dizziness because of her sweet voice. His heart beat so fast that he could not calm down. As she approached Mars, his heart beat faster and faster. She seated next to Mars. Mars was about to pass out.
“Hi, what’s your name?” said she,
“My… n…n…name is Mars. Mars Kim.”
“You are so cute. Welcome. Whenever you have something to ask me, call me!”
“Ye…yes. Thank you very much.”
“It’s my pleasure.”
This short conversation made him frozen. When he came home and went to bed, he could not sleep. He thought about nothing but her. ‘Is this love? I’ve never had this kind of feeling. I cannot do anything but thinking of her. Oh… What should I do?’ he sighed.
Two weeks left before the new semester. Just two weeks were like a year to Mars. For these 2 weeks, he dreamed about her everyday. He wanted to see her again. He wanted to talk to Hyosun again. He wanted to be her boyfriend. So, he made plans.
He decided to write a letter to Hyosun. He thought about what to write over and over again. After throwing away tens of letter papers, he wrote the lyrics of the song that could reflect his state of mind.

Why do birds suddenly appear every time you are near
Just like me, they long to be close to you
Why do stars fall down from the sky every time you walk by
Just like me, they long to be close to you

On the day that you were born
And the angels got together
And decided to create a dream come true
So they sprinkled moon dust In your hair of gold
And starlight in your eyes of blue

That is why all the girls in town follow you all around
Just like me, they long to be close to you

He elaborated. He did his best to decorate the letter beautifully. He wrote sincerely with his true heart. It was true love.
He slept on the way to give this letter to her. Next day, he put the letter into her book cabinet. He waited until Hyosun came. He waited for about an hour. Finally she came. Mars pretended that he was looking for his books. Hyosun opened the cabinet.
“Wow. A beautiful letter,” said Hyosun.
“Who gave it to you? I envy you,” her friend asked.
“I don’t know. There’s no name on it. Wow, look at this. It’s a love song. HAHAHA.”
“How do you feel? Surprised? Are you curious about who sent this?”
“Not really,” Hyosun replied. “There’s nothing to be surprised. It happens all the time. HAHAHA. Look at this song. I think he is a novice. Using a 1980s pop song on a letter!! It’s so childish! HAHAHA.”
Mars, listening to this conversation, was a little bit disappointed at her. He thought she is a very kind and nice girl who cares about other people’s feeling. However, his love towards her had not changed at all.
This time, he made his mind to make paper roses for her because her nickname was a rose bud. A rose bud, a rose bloomed yet. It must be a symbol of unstained, pure, immaculate innocence. For three days, he made 100 roses in full bloom. Even though it was not an easy process, he did that happily thinking of her. After done with roses, he went out to buy a glass vase to put the flowers. Thinking of Hyosun’s beautiful smile, he smiled. He went to the store. He took the flowers to the store with him to find out the right vase. He put the flowers to several vases and chose a great transparent glass vase. He was coming back home holding the vase containing the paper flowers in his hands. He could not help smiling. He was so happy.
On the half way home, Mars saw Hyosun walking down the street. Tonight she looked different from normal days. She was in a strange dress. It was so loud. Her skirt was so short that someone could see her underwear. Her makeup was something like that of a street girl. Mars had never expected that moment.
Mars followed Hyosun. Hyosun stubbed her toes. She looked drunk already, but she entered a night club. Mars followed.
It was a totally dark place. He could hardly see someone right in front of him. The place was so crowded. Only thing he could hear was the loud music. Everybody was dancing. Some were rubbing each other. Some were kissing each other. Mars did not feel well in the place. He wanted to get out right that moment, but he soon stated search for Hyosun.
Mars kept his eyes on Hyosun as he hold the vase with flowers in his hand. His hands were shaking. He didn’t know why. He felt something inside of his heart. Fear, or anger? He didn’t know what it was. He was looking down from the second floor. Hyosun was dancing on the stage. Her moves were sexy. Mars could not believe that woman on the stage was Hyosun, the rosebud. He kept looking at her. Out of nowhere, a guy came near to her and danced together. After a while, the guy started to feel up her body, but she showed no sign of resistance. Suddenly, Hyosun grabbed the guy’s hand and they got out of the stage. They went to the corner where no one could see them clearly. There, they started deep kisses.
Mars was shocked. He dropped the vase. It was broken and the fragments were everywhere. His heart, and his love, are also scattered everywhere. People stepped on the flowers that Mars made for three days. She is a rose bud, the symbol of innocence. She is not supposed to do that! Mars started to run. Tears ran down on his face. He kept running and running until his heart was about to explode. He was crying. His body was shaking with agony. He remembered the first day he saw her. He recalled the conversation he had with her. He looked back on the letter he wrote for her. He thought of the roses. He cried.
He cried for an hour. Suddenly, he felt some strange feelings. He stood up and walked along the street. He could not feel any anger any more. He felt his heart purified. It looked like he realized something.
“Love is…,” said Mars.

Wednesday, August 14, 2013

Interesting videos

1. Maurice Williamson's Marriage Bill Speech.



Even though he speaks really fast and uses lots of unfamiliar expressions,
His wits and sense of humor are just amazing.

I wish I could give a speech just like that!!!
Plz anyone explain to me the expressions and background knowledge on the speech. :-)

2. Fake lie detector

Soooooooooooooo Cute!

Friday, August 9, 2013

My school is on a newspaper!

Click here and read if you are interested!

This program is what I planned.

It was very tough to prepare, but it was very rewarding when I saw the smiles on my students' faces.

Wednesday, July 31, 2013

The important things in life

A philosophy professor stood before his class with some items on the table in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a very large and empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks, about 2 inches in diameter.
He then asked the students if the jar was full. They agreed that it was.
So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly. The pebbles, of course, rolled into the open areas between the rocks.
He then asked the students again if the jar was full. They agreed it was.
The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. Of course, the sand filled up the remaining open areas of the jar.
He then asked once more if the jar was full. The students responded with a unanimous “Yes.”
“Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar represents your life. The rocks are the important things – your family, your partner, your health, your children – things that if everything else was lost and only they remained, your life would still be full. The pebbles are the other things that matter – like your job, your house, your car. The sand is everything else, the small stuff.”
“If you put the sand into the jar first,” he continued, “there is no room for the pebbles or the rocks. The same goes for your life. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are important to you. Pay attention to the things that are critical to your happiness. Play with your children. Take your partner out dancing. There will always be time to go to work, clean the house, give a dinner party, or fix the disposal.”
“Take care of the rocks first – the things that really matter. Set your priorities. The rest is just sand.”

Sunday, July 28, 2013

What happened to me this week

I have been a little bit busy recently because the work I had had before TTP started.
My school signed on sister school agreement with Yong-Ping high school in Taiwan.
Though it was very tough to prepare the whole program,
it was very rewarding experience as I saw the smiles on my students' faces.

All program is over by today, so from tomorrow, I'm going to focus on TTP and work hard!


Week#1 Assignment

Week#1 Assignment:
Write a short blog post (about 1 paragraph) about our Week#1 'acquaintance jigsaw' TLS activity. What did you think as a participant?  How could you adapt the structure of this activity to your teaching context?

I realized that the jigsaw activity is a very good way to make learners participate in class. There is information that must be shared, and this forces students to speak and listen. Especially this acquaintance jigsaw has good points. Through the activity, participants not only speak in English to each other, but also get to know each other. When we try this activity in our classes, I think it is also a good idea to let our students make questions that they want to ask before they start this activities. That questions might be easier for the students and more interesting.

Wednesday, July 24, 2013

My first blog

I'm so glad to have my own blog!
I wish this is going to be a good start of my journey to become a CALL master!!