Loading...Summer 2015

(Picture from here)

Time flies by so quickly, now that I’m already near the end of the chapters of my high school life. As I plan to continue on and adventure through post-secondary educations, I did a lot of research on which university I wanted to go for, and which university really has what I need. Through several months of planning and application process, I finally received acceptance from all the universities that I had applied for and decided to accept my offer of admission to University of British Columbia (UBC) in Vancouver. 

I had lived in Surrey, Canada for most of my life, so I guess going back to live in a place/country where I’m most familiar is the best. Most people would think that Canada is cold throughout the seasons; however I’d say that British Columbia, Canada is a place where the all four seasons are distinctly depicted.
Since this may be my last summer living in Taiwan, or should I say living with my family, I want to use this summer to really spend my time with them. Other than that, I want to get my driver’s license in Taiwan, although I have already acquired my driver’s license in Canada, it would be nice to have Taiwan’s.
After a bit of researching and conversations with teachers and advisers, I decided to start studying the LSAT and preview some of my courses that I will be taking this summer. I don’t know if I’m starting early or late, but these past months really prompt me to think more deeply on what I want to do in the future, and being a lawyer had always been on the top of the list. It has been so long since I have looked so clearly and wanted to achieve something so badly. I know that the process may be long and tedious, plus a whole lot of hard work, but at this moment of my life, being a lawyer is what I really want to do in the future. That is why I wish I can discipline myself to study something this summer and not just waste my time.

2015 Talent Show

I feel like it was just September and that the school year had just begun, yet it’s quite the opposite. Honestly, senior year flew by so fast, only a week left before I graduate. Back when I was an underclassman, I've always thought that senior year in high school will be the most relaxing year in high school, and boy was I wrong. I squeezed a bunch of classes in my schedule, resulting in the non-existence of study hall, however, this made all the times outside of class more precious than ever.

In the beginning of March, our school presented its annual talent show, and I was part of the whole process. Since this is my last year in high school, I didn't want anything to go wrong, and that rule also applied to the talent show this year. I wanted everything to be perfect, I wanted this last year in high school to be memorable, and it was. I am very grateful that I had this opportunity, and I learned that teamwork is more important than ever. We started out late this year with the planning of the talent show, but under intense teamwork and pressure, we were able to deliver a well rounded show, and I am very proud to say that I was a part of the 2015 Talent Show Crew.

You will always learn more than what you expect when attending big events and joining big collaborations. So always be open to whatever is available and catch those opportunities.

A little more about Sylvia Plath

(Picture from here.)

Lately in class, we have been doing researches and explorations regarding to an author that interests us or an author that we would like to know more about. I chose Sylvia Plath, a poet and a writer. I admire her style of writing, and the usage of her words in poems. Her poems inspired me, and I've gained insights on the power of imagery in her poems, especially the poem "Mad Girl's Love Song", that was appended in her only novel, "The Bell Jar". For more information regarding to Sylvia Plath, please check out my presentation on Prezi here.

"I think I made you up inside my head" ~Mad Girl's Love Song by Sylvia Plath 

A new chapter in life...

In the beginning of each school year, we are told by our teachers, our school administrators, our parents, our relatives, even ourselves, that this is a whole new beginning, a brand new page in our life, use it wisely. I've always thought that it was true for the first few days, until I start to struggle in subjects that I’m not naturally gifted, such as math and chemistry. Nobody really helps you with anything and you just have to try and grasp the materials on your own, and when we can’t understand the overloaded information being thrown at us, two scenarios happen. We either give up or keep fighting. But how do you keep holding on when all you want to do is quit?

Where there is people, there’s bound to be dramas, disputes and fall outs, and I feel like high school prepares us for that upcoming stage in our adulthood. I thought I had a lot of “friends” during high school but sometimes we underestimated what was beneath each person’s mask. Of all the friends that I've made in high school, I really only made a handful or less that are really dear. And this is where the magic comes in. You have to find a motivation or a goal in high school, or studying in general. For me, I found motivation through music and friends. Some people would say that listening to music when studying is the worst tip ever; however I believe that listening to music while studying works for different people. For me, listening to music while studying helps me retain things I have read, blocks out all other distractions, and helps motivate me to keep studying. Having a friend who has a similar goal, in this case studying, is also a good thing to acquire. Having a genuine friend that helps you reach your goal is also a friend that you should have in your life. This kind of friend can help motivate you study hard and break through tough times. Don’t involve yourself in relationship that weighs you down ad distract yourself from your goal, even if it means losing your reputation. Always remember, do things for you, work hard for you, and be happy for you. It’s your life to live, don’t let other people tell you how you should live your life.

By the end of your junior year, grade 11, people would start asking you if you want to continue on to post-secondary education, where you want to pursue your passion, and which university are you aiming for. If you want to continue on to post-secondary education, senior year, grade 12, is all about maintaining your grade and applying for your future university. To be prepared for that, I advise you gather all your need-to-know information before you start your senior year, especially the requirements. This will make applying to universities easier. Also, keep in mind that the deadlines are very important. Don’t ever miss the deadline and don’t wait until the very last minute to submit your information.

You should have a good idea on what your interests are. What are the things that you can study and won’t ever get tired of? What are your passions? When you are set on what you want to study in your post-secondary education, research the programs that some universities offer, and choose a good amount of universities to apply. Be aware, you applications may be covered by all other applications by other applicants, so always contact the admission office if you have any questions or you feel that something is wrong in your application.

There’s nothing like a smooth year. It is because of the ups and downs in life that helps you learn. So it is impossible to have a smooth senior year, but to get ready for what is coming. When you reach your senior year, you will be very surprised in how fast the time has passed and how little time you have left to start the new chapter of your life.

Honours American Literature Book List

(Picture from here)

As requirements for the Honours program in American Literature, I have been assigned to read an addition of four books this year. The books that I should finish before the end of the school year are:
1. Ender's Game by Orson Scott Card (Finished)----picture from here
2. The Fault in Our Stars by John Green (Finished)----picture from here
3. The Catcher in the Rye by J. D. Salinger----picture from here
4. Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë or Invisible man by Ralph Ellison (Choose one)----picture from here and here

The New York Times Editorial Contest: Does Suffering Make Us Stronger and Lead to Success?

(Picture is from http://www.nytimes-se.com/ )

               Everybody wants to succeed in life, whether it is spiritually, emotionally or financially, yet many people give up during the journey. Those who make it become successful and achieve their dreams, are held in the highest esteem and one may think that these prosperous people start out better than others, but in actuality some of these outstanding people embrace their disabilities and learn from their mistakes. Suffering may make success harder to achieve, but it makes us stronger once we emerge from it. An old saying correctly envisages suffering as “whatever doesn't kill you makes you stronger.”

               Suffering in one’s life can lead to new paths, a new way of looking at things, and success. Malala Yousafzai, a Pakistani woman, was shot by a Taliban gunman and miraculously survived. She suffered from the three bullets, which could very much end her life, but it didn't, and made her an internationally well-known public activist figure. She not only gained fame and won the Nobel Peace Prize, she took this as a sign that she should spread the importance of education. Had she not gone through this suffering, her voice may never have been heard.

               Someone who suffers from disabilities must learn to do things differently and gain success through hard work, dedication, strong beliefs and commitments. Woodrow Wilson suffered from dyslexia and strokes his entire life yet he was the 28th President of the United States, professor at Princeton University, and an author of a book on George Washington. Had he not overcome his disabilities, Wilson might never have become a President, a professor, or an author.

               It is inevitably true that suffering can cause some people to quit and become the opposite of successful, however I believe that suffering makes us stronger and leads us to success because the knowledge and skills that emerge after the suffering are beneficial to the growth of an individual. Everybody starts out differently and the tasks in life that are given are also different. Those who became successful also experience negative events; however they learn to take advantage of their disabilities and suffering. Suffering and success go hand in hand, because this dictates who you are as an individual and prepares you for what is to come. (373 words)

Works Cited:

1. Kantor, Jodi. "Malala Yousafzai, Youngest Nobel Peace Prize Winner, Adds to Her Achievements and Expectations." The New York Times. The New York Times, 10 Oct. 2014. Web. 8 Mar. 2015. <http://www.nytimes.com/2014/10/11/world/asia/malala-yousafzai-youngest-nobel-peace-prize-winner-adds-to-her-achievements-and-expectations.html>.

2. "William H. Calvin's THE THROWING MADONNA (Ch.12: The Woodrow Wilson Story )." William H. Calvin's THE THROWING MADONNA (Ch.12: The Woodrow Wilson Story ). Web. 8 Mar. 2015. <http://www.williamcalvin.com/bk2/bk2ch12.htm>.

Wanderlust (n.) Beitou, Taiwan

Wanderlust (n.) a strong desire or urge to wander 

or travel and explore the world

Beitou, located in the northernmost district of Taipei City, is renowned for its hots springs, lush green environment, and historical sites that can date all the way back over a hundred years ago. An interesting fact about the name Beitou is that it is originally called Kipatauw, meaning home of the witches, because many local rivers and ponds emit steams due to the geothermal warming of the hot springs.
Since the Qing Dynasty, Beitou has been well know for extraction sulphur, the main component in the hot springs in Beitou. These hot springs were developed during the Japanese Imperial Rule, because the Japanese loved hot springs and believed that the hot springs provided a way of healing diseases and pains. Today, Beitou features not only public hot springs but also a large variety of hot spring resorts and hotels. It has also become a popular place for not only the natives but also the tourists.

(One of the public hot springs in Beitou)