One of My Important Choices

  We would make many decisions in our life. Some were forced by your family because they want you to live a better life. But we can't be always sure because we have different personalities; perhaps I have that strong determination to persevere and choose the other one that our families think it's too hard for me. I would enjoy and live with passion because it's my choice.
  I remember when I struggled to choose which college I should apply. There were two schools that I hesitated. One is Soochow university, another is in Hsinchu which my mom used to study there. It's easily to guess and know that my mom preferred me to study there instead of Soochow university. But I chose to study in Soochow university, and there are two reasons. One is because this school is in Taipei, the capital of this country. I wanted to see this world more, the bright side and the dark side of people. I believed to learn something really fast would be to throw you into a total strange environment where the life style is really fast. If you don't work harder, you would be easily replaced by another one. And that will urge me, because I know I am a passive girl.
  The other reason is to prove I was wrong. I used to hear my friends saying how arrogant and selfish people who live in Taipei are. They are arrogant because our government put all their main constructions in Taipei, and that makes people who live in Taipei to think they are better than those in the south because they have a better quality in life. And they are selfish because they care their benefits more and would harm other people to get what they want. At first I was a little bit scared, because I am not that smart. And I hate being fooled. It needed lots of courage for me to leave the sweet home to a total strange place which many people warned me before. But as I got here, I fell in love with this city and people here. There are many protesting activities and here you can hear many different brave people expressing their feelings. You would learn to dare to be yourself because here nobody appreciates people with no personalities. This city is a city that dares to ask for freedom and democracy. And I have met many nice people who were born in Taipei. They overthrow the stereotype and the average impressions. They are hardworking people who move forward to their dreams. They aren't afraid to chase what they want.
  Actually there are many other reasons, but these two are the main reasons. I don't regret what I chose. Even though sometimes when I looked back to some other choices, I would wish that the time can just go back. But I choose to look forward because these choices are made of who I am today. All you can do is to change your mood and to choose more carefully next time. Most of all, don't be afraid to choose what you want, let your instinct leads you, don't fight it.

Kinds of Friends

In our growing process, we meet many people, and we make friends. Often we make friends from our schools. And why making friends is so important? Because we can share same values, and we can learn different experiences from each other’s various backgrounds. We help each other to ease the sadness, and make the sweet things sweeter.

In my life, I split my friends into three categories. “Very close friends”, who can tell and share the secrets; “good friends”, friends that we share some information and know each other but not closer than the very close friends. Finally, “just friends”, friends whom I only say hi and know a little about them.

I am very lucky to have many very close friends. And I met them in different levels of my life. Some I have known for years, some I just met at college. And no matter how long I have known these people, the reason why they become my very close friends are because they would stay with me and listen to me whenever I am sad or happy. They would listen to my problems and give me some good advices. And they would share with me their daily details, secrets, and diverse views. I learn many things through our chatting. And we have the strong feelings that we trust each other. Often we don’t need to say much and we know each other’s thoughts. They make me feel safe and happy.

If the very close friends are ten percent of my category, then good friends would be fifty percent. These friends are mostly nice to talk to, and we would also share some problems from our life, but we wouldn’t tell each other everything, mostly we just tell the happy things to make the atmosphere better. We still have our secrets. And we usually go out with a group of friend. We are just not as close as the very close friends.

Finally, just friends. I’m glad I only have a few of them. Usually people in this category are boys. I don’t know why I have this tendency, I usually get nervous when I talk to guys. In this section, we usually just say hi, have some jokes and talk a little bit about daily lives. It’s just a regular asking to update each other’s new information. There are some shallow aspects that we only want to maintain this awkward “relationship”. But there are some exceptions that I still have some good male friends.

Although there are classification in friends, but not all are so accurate. Nobody can be put into a category. Everyone is unique, and it’s because there are many special, different qualities that these friends are precious. My life’s rich part is part from my friends. And I will cherish them as my most cherished treasure.

 
 
 

Český Krumlov Known as the Most Beauteous Ancient Town in Europe

When people ask, “Where do you want to go in Europe?”, my friend, Ann, and I’s answer will be Český Krumlov. We love travelling and even make a list, the top ten places we must go in our lives. Český Krumlov is on our list beyond question. It is a small city in the South Bohemian Region of the Czech Republic. Vltava wanders through this city and it forms a beautiful scene. More importantly, fine architecture makes it become the most fascinating old town in Eurpoe.

    We can sum up the art of architecture in Český Krumlov in four categories. Gothic, renaissance, baroque and neoclassical. It seems very difficult to distinguish these architectural features so we are going to tell you some simple ways to tell them. Here are explanations:

The Gothic architecture is easy to distinguish by the tall and pointed arches. You can see that in the following picture.

Next is the renaissance-style. Renaissance was boosted in the 16th century and it happened in Florence, Italy. Some Czeches studied there. When they went back to their country, they brought the idea of Renaissance. The traits of the renaissance buildings were grace, symmetry and decoration. Then, they combined the renaissance-style with the local style and created a special “Bohemian Renaissance.” The most special feature of the renaissance-style they learned from Italy is to “scrape.” They use this skill on the facade of the building. It appears that there are a great number of envelopes on it.

How to distinguish the baroque-style? The easiest way to distinguish the baroque building is that when you see the symbol of “@” at the corner of the building, this building would be baroque. This special symbol was often used on the buildings in the Baroque age. “@” is like the identity of the baroque-style.

Lots of faux columns and rows of windows are the characteristics of the neoclassical building. The classical Greece and Roman architecture inspired the neoclassical architects so that was how they got their idea. The protruding windows on the facade of the building is also a characteristic of the neoclassical building.

    Český Krumlov is appealing on account of the art of architecture. That is also why this town attracts us a lot. How can we miss the chance to see its beauty with our own eyes? Someday, we will stand on the land of Czech Republic and gasp at the wonderful view. We deeply hope to visit the most beautiful ancient town in Europe at least once in our lifetime.

The Smiles (2)

  I joined some clubs this semester. So my schedule was always that full. And I had to go to the elementary school to stay there on weekend. Because the club decided that we would held an activity there. The school was in Taoyuan. Which means I had to go back to my home on Friday, and I could only stay with my family for one day.  

  I didn't argue with my parent when they complain that I joined too many clubs. Because I was too tired to fight with them. They asked what for? You only feel exhausted and you spend lots of time and money, but you get nothing.  I knew they were worrying about me, I understood that they just want me to take care of myself. And since I'm not the person who is good at taking care of myself, they usually help me to. But I just went to take a shower because I wanted to gain more sleeping time. When I was in the bathroom, something suddenly stroke my mind. I remembered that I didn't have a sleeping bag, then where am I supposed to sleep when I am in the elementary school? So I rushed out and asked my mom whether there was one at home. She pondered for a while, and said no. At that moment, I decided that I would sleep on the floor of that school and freeze to die. And I went back to take the shower again. When I came out, no one was there. I didn't think too much, I just wanted to go to bed and shut my eyes. 

  When I finally finished everything, I heard a sound. That was the sound of the gate of our basement. I knew my parent were out, but I didn't know what for, especially at ten o'clock in the evening. I thought they were having a walk along the street. But they came home with a sleeping bag.  I was shock at first, and then I asked them where did they get this. Of course they bought it, I asked a silly question, but the reason why I was shock was not because how they bought it, but when they bought it. It was really dark out side, and nearly there were no stores opening. But they kept searching the sleeping bag for me. 

  My dad put down the sleeping bag, with a smile but also a worried look. His lips rose a little bit, just a little bit but I could see all the details that he was truly happy because his daughter is not going to be frozen for sleeping on the floor. He felt satisfied, and his eyes also smiled. My mother smiled too. Her smile was really big, so big that her cheeks were so bright and round. Her eyes became so thin and slim when she smiled. Her teeth all came out to see me. It was the most beautiful scene I ever seen. And the vision became a little bit blur, for there was some tears rolling in my eyes. 

  It was just a simple movement, so simple and so little, but so warm. I smiled too. I didn't know how I look at then, but I'm sure that picture was beautiful. Because my heart was full of warmth and gratitude. I love my parent, and I appreciate what they have done for me. When we were little, we might not understand the hard-work they did for us. And we might even blame them for doing this. But now I understand some feeling of my parent. And I am really grateful. I know they really care about us. They love me and will continue to love me with all their hearts. 

The smiles

  There are many people around me. And the most important part of my life would be family, and then friends.
  I remembered last friday,when I finally was available to go home, I had another appointments on last saturday and sunday. There was an activity of the club, and we had to stay in the elementary school for two days. And when I got home, I realized I didn't have a sleeping bag. I asked my mothere whethere there is one at home, but there was none.
  Then I took the shower, I didn't think too much. When I finally finished it, my parent weren't there. And then they came home after a while. They took a sleeping bag, and I asked them where they bought it. They just smiled at me, and put the sleeping bag on the floor. They felt like they had finished something. They felt satisfied for I don't have to worry anything anymore. I couldn't get my eyes off them. Their smiles are still so vivid. My mother's mouth rose just a little bit, and her face was pale and there were some wrinkles when she smiled. Especialy around her eyes, there were so many. And when she smiled, her teeth would shine and her smile, people may thought ordinary and simple, but for me it is the most beautiful thing in the world. And my father, although he smiled, but with a little bit concern and worry. I know that look, he worried if I would be too tired. But he tried to hide so that I wouldn't worry about him. But devil is in the detail, and I know that we all know each other's thoughts. He turned his head. And I looked at another direction.
  There was nothing to explain, neverless I know what is the most important to me and I want to do my best to protect something I really care, my family.

Paragraphs p.47

Summary:
  Martin is the boyfriend of Hadley, the author of this article. He came from a broken family and became one of the members of the gang. Hadley was attracted to him because of his bad boy image and he brought excitement that she couldn't feel before. Before she met Martin, she was obedient and good.
  She started to ditch school, she lost her friends and made her family feel sad.  And one day at the party she had a breaking point. Some people came to their house to hunt Martin. And Martin's uncle was dead because of the gun shot. Since then, Hadley had more and more arguments with Martin. Martin was farther from her and closer to the gang. Now he's in the jail. And Hadley prayed every night hope that this will be the last time. She becomes sober and starts to contact with her family again and has an education.

Reaction: 
  "She is the dumbest girl I have ever seen". That was my first idea that just popped out of my brain when I finished the story. How can a girl leave her family and her friends to hang out with someone like that who is not being considerate and violate? I thought girls are smarter now and because of high education, we can "choose" our mates wisely. We don't have to be chosen by them. We have the "choice". And I got to say, that girl made a very bad choice. But you can't expect everyone's life just so smooth going. Someone must pass through some obstacles then he or she can finally realize the warmth from his or her family. 
   Like my sister, she doesn't appreciate what my parent have done for her. Sometimes she said some bad words and even hoped that she came from a family which there were no parent. And I just felt angry whenever she had that kind of thought. I wish one day she can understand that our parent are the two people who love us more than anyone in this world. 

The First Car Accident

  I got the driver license after the exam. I remember this happened in the summer. And my parent encouraged me to have the diving classes so that I could help them while they are busy. And I said yes because then I could drive my friends or my family to anywhere I want. And that's the beginning of the next following tragedy.
  When I got the driver license, I couldn't wait to drive the car on the "real" road. So the next day, I did. But I only tried this in the remote area because I was still a "fresh" driver. At first it all went well. The road was big, wide and only with few cars. The most important was that it was straight forward. I started to feel confident about it. So I drove the car on the roads which were in the downtown. And it all went quiet well  until I wanted to park the car in the garage. In front of our garage, there was our neighbor's garage. So the passage  between these garages were narrow. I tried first to turn, then I drove forward. But just when I drove forward, I didn't do well on measuring. So I bumped into the garage of our neighbor. And the sound was big and I was panic. I didn't know what to do. I only heard the footsteps of my whole family. They were first shocked. And my father just awkwardly helped me to drive the car into the garage. The neighbor wasn't home. Or if they heard of it, they would rush to run down to there to see what was happening.

  I went to see whether anything was broken and we should compensate them for their loss. Fortunately there wasn't any big  bad thing happened. I was safe and my parent told the neighbor the truth. And they didn't mind so we didn't pay any money. But since then, I fear sometimes that I might do this again. I was fear to drive the car into the garage. I was fear to park the car beside the road. I was even fear to let my family or friends to take a ride.  But my father encouraged me to practice more because he came through all this just like I did. I guess everything is hard to begin, all you need to do is to practice more to get familiar with it.