Journal 11: Research Question

  My research question is What Are The Proper Use of Euphemisms in English. I have got some information about the use of euphemisms in English so far. We often use euphemisms when we talk about disability&handicap, death&murder, warfare, in job titles and profanity.
  When I was an undergraduate, I've already known some euphemisms. For example, sanitation engineer refers to garbage man; thick-boned refers to fat; powder room refers to toilet; and call girl refers to prostitude. Because I know there are more euphemisms in our daily life, I want to learn as many as I can.

Journal 10: Advice

  One of my best friends went to Sydney before I left for the U.S. Her experience in Sydney help me prepare for the unknown life well. That was exactly a tough time for her living there. She experienced many things sad and unexpected. I can't imagine how sad they are and how depressed she would be. We always encourage each other.
  I always tell myself "Be brave". When I knew she had such a tough time, I give her my suggestion, "Plz be brave. Nobody will be brave for you but yourself, especially when you are far away from home. You can't lean on anybody except for yourself." Meanwhile I learned perseverance is much more important than anything else. That's her motto. She has been inspiring herself with it since she studied in the university. Now she gives her beloved words to me.
  Thanks to her advice, my life is full of sunshine.

Journal 9: American Food

  Definitely, hamburgers, chips, hotdogs, sandwiches, pizza, and other foods with ham, cheese, or butter are stereotypes connected with American food. As a matter of fact, it's true. In the first two weeks I just arrived here, I can't stand the smell coming out from fast-food restaurant. It smells so greasy. In China, there are millions fast-food restaurants, too. I don't know why I can't get used to it any more. In those days, I hardly went out for food. Inevitably,I need to hang out with my friends. After hanging out with friends for many times, I got used to the smell eventually. But the taste is ... still pending. Comparing with Chinese food, American food is much greasier, saltier, sweeter and sourer. 

  But they are just a portion of American food. Nowadays, more and more Americans pay more attention to their health and body figure. Thanks to them, many restaurants and food producers adapt themselves to meet consumers' demands. For instance, we can see lots of products in supermarkets divided into several categories by their content of sugar and fat. We always see "low sugar", "sugar-free", "low fat" , and "nonfat" on their pack. That's a good thing. In China, it's not easy to find a label written with how much calorie you are going to take in.

Journal 8: Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish

  I believe many people are very familiar with this quote from Steve Jobs's speech in Stanford University, "stay hungry, stay foolish". At the very beginning, you may not believe that a person who never graduated from university could made such significant contribution to the society. As far as I know, he is a legend of our generation.

  His words is simple but strong. It tells me time is limited. We should not waste it or live in others' lives instead of our own. Having the courage to follow your heart is not that much easy, but we should try. Because you know what you want and who you want to become. Other things are secondary.

  Meanwhile, it also reminds me that it's never too late to learn. There are too many resources we can make full use of. The one thing we need to do is to keep learning, maintain curiousity, and not to be satisfied what you've got. It will motivate you to work harder and efficiently. I think that's why he wish students could stay hungry, stay foolish.  

  Now, studying in the U.S is a new start for me. I wish that for myself.

Journal 7: Birds of a Feather

  Friends are important to me, especially three of them that make me feel so lucky to have them as my best friends. No doubt, we are similar to each other in many areas in our life - hobbies, likes&dislikes, even astrological signs.
  When it comes to hobbies, singing must be the first choice for us to kill time or relax. When we were students in senior high school, we went to KTV every week. It's common if we go there on weekends. How about skipping classes for KTV? I was a bad student. I admit that.
  All of us tend to go overboard on the arts, such as chinese, history, politics and geography. None of us like maths, chemistry, physics and biology. I think it has something to do with our personality to a large extent.
  The most interesting part of our similarity is the astrological signs. It seems I'm a little bit superstitious.  I'm Leo. They are Cancer, Taurus and Scorpio. If you know something about astrological sings, you must say we can't mesh perfectly. Conversely, we do. That's why I insist if I need a friend or a boyfriend, I will look for someone complementary to me instead of someone who is similar to me. It will help us know more about each other and find the best way to get along with each other.
  This journal makes me miss them so much... I need to chat with them now. See you on Wednesday.

Journal6: The Blind Side

  There is a comment from Chicago Sun Times,"The Blind Side knows its football, but it's even smarter about the priceless thing known as a family." Yes. The Blind Side is one of my favorite movies, which is based on a true story. 

  The main character, Michael Oher knows little about family, less about football. He lives in extreme poverty since he was a child. Well-to-do Leigh Anne Tuohy knows little about his life. Yet when she meets Michael, which is the most pivotal moment in Michael's life, he finds a home and his life begins to change. The Tuohys' life changes,too. They have a new family member, a beloved son and brother. Michael's natural talent and ability for football appears gradually. Finally, he beomes a blue-chip football star.

  This real-life story cheers me up with its inspirational and heartwarming emotion.

  Today reminds me of romantic movies. I love romantic movies,too. My roommate recommended a new movie to me yesterday, called Vows. It just came out on last Friday. I believe you can't watch it online right now. Even if you find it online, you may feel sorry for the quality of it. So... Take your boyfriends or girlfriends to theaters and watch it! Hahaha....

  Happy Valentine's Day!

Journal5: My Favorite Song

  My favorite song is Hero, sung by one of my favorite singers, Mariah Carey.

  I believe everyone is very familiar with this song. In my point of view, this song could be regarded as one of the most inspirational song. It decries the individual power lies inside every person and the ability to be our own hero. It tells us that even though we fell disappointed or down from time to time, as a matter of fact, we are still "heroes" if we look inside ourselves and see our own internal strength; in time, it will help us "find the way".

  In an interview, Carey decried the song's meaning to her and her fans:

  One person could say that "hero" is a schmaltzy piece of garbage, but another person can write to me a letter and say, 'I've considered committing suicide everyday of my life for the last ten years until i heard that song and I realized after I can be my own hero.' And that, that's an explainable feeling, like I've done something with my life, y'know?... It meant something to someone.

  Yes! It means something to someone.