Discover Discovery

The school starts from today, but I can't help but keep remembering my wonderful, dreamy days in Bali. Discovery is the most famous, largest shopping mall in Bali. Discovery is as important as Taiwan's Sogo. The mall sells various accessories, clothes, and furniture. I love shopping bags and watches since they are cheap but exquisite, gorgeous, and awesome. I love bargaining and improve the skills. I love eating Pizza hot and KFC. I love the cheap SPA (hot stone SPA) in Kuta and I can bargain for the price. I miss all the wonderful days in Bali though we follow the tour and have to wake up early. However, I should concentrate in class since the break in over. I should focus in class and study hard because I don't want to waste money. It's a whole new semester and I will try my best and show efforts.

SHOPPING

The last day of Lunar New Year break, but the most awesome day with friends.
As the title reveals, my friends and I went shopping in Ximending. It was extremely interesting and fresh for me since I have never taken MRT before. I was really clumsy and acted as a bumpkin. Thanks to my friends' leading, I DIDN'T lose my way. haha. The most exciting part about shopping is bargaining. I have practiced and improved my bargaining skills in Bali and I could bring my skills into play again. I love bargaining because it's fun and I can pretend to be poor/ mature or yell at the salesman and blah blah blah. I bought accessories in which they are cheap and delicate. I find out I am deep into buying watches due to my beautiful experience in Bali. I can't stop buying gorgeous watches!!! Gosh! I really have to stop looking for watches now!!! I have a wonderful time with my awesome friends. One friend wasn't interested in shopping, but she still went with us (because we are friends). I am thankful for her patience to accompany us. She still bought something, but she doesn't want to show us!!! =3= Another friend shopped for a hat and sunglasses, in which she did fit for them and the prices were cheap. We all had a wonderful memory and great experience in Ximending.

Math and Spanish Final

January 20, the last day of final, is approaching rapidly. I couldn't help but keep imaging the wonderful future after Friday, which is Lunar New Year. My friends and I plan to finish science fair project and go shopping and perhaps watch a movie. However, I have to concentrate on my Math test and Spanish Final in order to show my efforts. I have spent great amounts of money for studying in an American school so I should show the outcome of what I learn this year. I don't want to waste my parents' money and learn nothing with terrible grades. The finals represent my knowledge toward the subjects. Although I might have to stay up late again in which my body almost collapse, my mind will support by providing the will power to overcome difficulties and obstacles. I believe in myself that I will face a bright future with cheerful smiles.

English Final

English Final, the hardest subject in which students have to study great amounts of stories, is half way through the end. I, Angela Wang, is honored to take the challenge, though the outcome isn't clear, I promise I will make my best efforts. haha. My tone sounds so formal, which is so unusual from my childish, innocent, high-pitch voice. However, I am regretful that I don't have enough time to think carefully about the Bonus questions and I realize that I should have read extra information from the Holt Literature so I might have a larger chance to get the question correctly. I shouldn't just read the stories because I am having the final; I should read the stories in my leisure as my hobbit. I used to love Chinese literature, although most people suffer in reading classical Chinese, but I am abnormal. I love classical Chinese because I have a right instinct which always helps me to get the content easily. I hope that I can love English literature as much as I love Chinese literature.

Biology Final

Honestly, I was insane last night. An explicable sense of confidence erupts in my heart and enlightens me that I can do the test really well. The confidence stood up for me in which I only spent 2 hours to study my Biology Final. The confidence made me feel "secure" even though I merely studied for 2 hours. Before I had Biology Final, I prayed that I would be familiar to all types of questions and persuaded myself to have faith in my ability. I love biology and would like to become an expert in genetic engineering. I will face more unknown difficulties in the future and thus I shouldn't be afraid of a simple Biology Final. I am going to face a more challenging difficulty-- English and Expository Writing Final so I should really work hard hard hard tonight.

History Final

Though I knew that I would have a History Final last night, I couldn't help but wonder if I could not take the exam. I knew that I was escaping from the problem/truth, but I was glad to re-experience the feeling when pressure engulfed my heart, my body, and my mind. I haven't embraced the feeling for a long time. Since I left local school, I haven't remembered the special feeling. I guessed that I hadn't faced difficulties which really kept my spirits up. I was a little bit excited that the final exams refreshed myself physically and mentally. Anyways, it doesn't mean that I can pass my finals safely. I still have to work hard and try my best because I want to have a renewed year and life.

Dislike

I dislike the type of people who cry, collapse, and complain that they don't get a perfect score or regret why don't they notice the minor mistakes while they have scored much more higher than others. It gives me a sense that they want to show off, though it might not be true. Anyways, it's just my personal opinion. If they complain and regret over minor mistakes, shouldn't all the other people commit suicide and jump off the building? Honestly, I used to be the one who regret over mistakes and even collapse and cry in elementary school since I felt that I SHOULD get much more higher. However, I find myself ridiculously funny and stupid because why do I waste my time by regretting the past instead of facing the future? Now, it's the opposite. A person does that but I never tell it because I don't want to hurt its feelings. The person might just hope that it can get much more higher but it doesn't know that bystanders usually don't feel well. I can understand that but not for everyone. I suddenly express my feelings since I hope that the person can get over the vexations and look forward to the future. Thanks that the person won't read my journal :p

Spanish

Spanish is always one of the hardest subject since it's my third language. However, I have a high interest and expectation in studying Spanish and am willing to become an expert. haha. I hope to communicate with the Spanish and visit Spain or Latin American countries one day. Though Spanish doesn't sound as graceful as French, it's useful and beneficial. Since Spain once colonized multiple countries, Spanish was one of the main language in the world. Spanish grammar is complicated, and honestly, even harder than that of English. When I learn Spanish, I am grateful that I understand English because the teacher teaches Spanish with English. Though Spanish is challenging for me, I am willing to face the unknown, conquer the new language, and eventually succeed it. 

Soccer Final

When winter engulfs and blows off all the flowers, the world becomes dark and gloomy. When clouds cover the sky, tears drip down from the heaven. The result of soccer final once beaten my confidence. I was strucked by the ending and all my teammates are disappointed. I saw tears rolling in their eyes and I hoped that I could change the past. However, it's the first time that I think that I didn't do my best and I was regretful. I didn't make enough efforts and contribute for my team. I should shoot in the two balls, yet I missed my chance. Although we are all beginners, my heart doesn't allow me to lose the game. Not only because my grade but also my spirit and my team, I LOVE them so much that I am reluctant to lose. Nobody wants to lose; everyone wants to gain victory. Though I know that we will always keep in touch with victory and loss, I still can't bear the result and couldn't help but sigh and ........

Baking Club

Baking desserts was one of my dreams. Since I love to enjoy dainty, delicate desserts, I hope to make bread, cake, muffin, pudding, cookies.....,etc. I love baking because it is a technique which helps fulfill my appetite whenever I am hungry. I love the fragrance of bread because they attract me. I love the fluffy, crunchy muffin top with frosting which gives me aftertaste. I love the beauty of the cake which proves my love and efforts. I love the flexibility of pudding which makes me enjoy playing with it. I love the aroma of cookies because they are the best afternoon tea desserts. Baking is extremely fun, and interesting!!! How can't we love it? We enjoy the "products" which we bake and are willing to share the happiness with each other. I hope everyone can enjoy the desserts I make and love them as I love baking club.

Soccer

Soccer is the most famous/popular international sport. Unlike basketball players, soccer players don't have the advantages of growing taller. All the players are equal besides their skills. We are a beginner team. Therefore, we don't really plan the strategies besides our only goal: shoot the ball and cheer. Soccer is hard because it requires great foot-dribbling skills, which is different from people's hobbits. Watching the FIFA World Cup, we cheer for our favorite soccer teams, but we rarely discover how much efforts did the soccer players make. Today, it's our last practice for soccer game (but only the second time). Anyways, all our teammates have tried their best even though we get bruises. We bore the pain and insisted to gain the victory. Yeah, we did succeed. I couldn't believe that we won the game after running 3 suicides. Though it was painstaking, I was glad that we have done our best and hope that we could grab the victory for final on Wednesday.

Realization

People often don't appreciate things until they lose them, so do I. My road through life is complicated and tortuous; however, I always recall the meandering which pasted long time ago. I keep remembering the past, grabbing it tightly, but it was unraveling and sliding away from my grasp. I know that I shouldn't live in the past, but I couldn't help but wonder what would happen if I didn't....... I shouldn't keep thinking that the past is more wonderful than the present, because I can't change the current predicament. I should treasure what I have right now...... But what does "treasure" mean exactly? We always say that we have to treasure time and everything we own, but how can we know whether we do treasure or not? I believe that the way to treasure is to fulfill a goal in a certain range of time. We have achieved a goal and reached another level of success is what "treasure" mean.

Spanish Club

I've joined Spanish Club for half of the year, so I hope to share my experiences. First of all, I have to enunciate an important fact about Spanish club: Students don't require to speak Spanish. Students often worried that they aren't able to speak Spanish and thus they can't join the club, but it's wrong. The teacher talks about Spanish culture and helps students to understand Spain in ENGLISH. Second, since the teacher is good at cooking, she recently asks us to make a prezi or PowerPoint and share one of the Latin American food. All the students will then vote for their favorite food. My group chooses Crema Catalana because it's simple and fun. Crema Catalana is a traditional Spanish food which represents the spirit of Spaniards. It is a baked custard which has a rich custard base make out of vanilla and tops with hard caramel. Its appearance is graceful and it looks like the queen of the dessert. Crema Catalana has various flavours, such as lemon, rosemary, and orange. It is extremely tasty and I strongly recommend people to make Crema Catalana at home and enjoy themselves.

Theme for Liberty and Exile

Julia Alvarez's Liberty:

-Subject: liberty

-Character: main character escapes to America in order to reach freedom. However, she must leave her dog, Liberty, behind.

-Conflict: main character struggles to leave Liberty behind because Liberty is her friend
-Theme: One must give up something in order to gain another thing
-Explanation: the main character leaves her dog, Liberty, behind (give up something) in order to migrate to America and reach freedom (gain another thing)


Julia Alvarez's Exile:
-Subject: freedom
-Character: main character is confused because she escapes her country hurriedly. She feels helpless for the future in New York City.
-Theme: One must give up something for change but one has to face the unknown future
-Explanation: the main character's family loves their country but they have to escape to America in order to reach the idealistic freedom. However, the main character and father are worried because they have to face the unknown future in an unfamiliar place, New York City, and try to adapt the new environment.

Cold Front

The cold front recently attacks Taiwan, thus the weather is extremely chilly in which students often wear down feather jacket/coat. However, the cold front won't discourage girl basketball spirits. We still continue practicing basic skills, such as bank shot. Since girls often have a great chance to score in free throw, the coach wishes us to practice free throw. Although I make efforts in practicing basketball, I still lack experience and practices. The wind is strong and my hands are freezing, I can't shoot accurately for the first few balls. Anyways, since we have to run suicide if we don't succeed in shooting, I make my mind to shoot into the hoop. Fortune is standing beside me. It gives me a chance to shoot inside the hoop and I couldn't stop but jump for joy. IT'S MY DAY!!!! Anyhow, since I am so excited that I miss my second ball. Never mind~(but I do mind in real game) We don't need to run suicide and that's enough for me to be joyful.

Nougat

The factory which cooperates with my father gave us 2 large boxes of nougats. (6 little packs) The nougats are delicious, in which the roasted nuts are crunchy and chewy. There are a great variety of flavours, such as milk, honey, coffee, and ground seaweed. Whenever I enjoy myself by watching TV shows, I grab the nougats one by one, and I can't stop my desire to eat nougats. Although I admit that I am greedy for food, I restrict myself so I won't allow all my efforts (playing basketball) end up in vain. The nougats are so chewy that the aftertaste ripples in my tongue. Nougats are famous in Taiwan and I wish to spread to the West (European countries and America) so the foreigners can enjoy Taiwanese sweets. Furthermore, we can improve and "breed'' new flavours which adapt to foreigners' appetites in order to earn their favor.

Christmas Gifts

My friends and I exchange belated Christmas gifts today. I am so excited and cheerful to receive Christmas presents. Although I have bought great amounts of scarves, (considering the fact that I am afraid of coldness), I am glad that my friend gives me a light brown scarf with white dots. The scarf is warm, which protects me from chilly winter and represents my friend's love and care. On the other hand, my friend gives me a cute pink purse, in which I love its appearance and material. It is soft and exquisite. The pink ribbon stands out from the surface. The pink purse will accompany me through rest of my life because it represents the steadfast friendship. Both Christmas gifts are symbolically important to me and I will treasure them forever, so do my trustworthy friends.

To 903- True Friends

New Year. New Wish. New Life. 
Watching the splendid fireworks, I smile heartily and make new wishes. That particular moment touches my heart deeply, because I know that I have a group of sincere friends and a perfect family who always support, encourage me. The guys' faces sparkle as the brightest stars at night, and I believe that they will maintain the innocence forever. My friends hold my hands tightly, transmitting warmth deep to my heart. Looking at my best friend's face, I have an impulse to embrace her. She always makes great efforts to connect me whenever we have activities. Because of her, I have a chance to spend my wonderful New Year with my dearest-ever classmates. She is indeed a genuine friend. I know that our friendship is true and will last forever. I love my class so much, especially my best friend. Though they try to leave me alone and trick me in the bookstore and mall, I ain't stupid, alright? They always plan to make fun of me but they will always stand up for me whenever I encounter difficulties. Even those mischievous guys, I love them because they treat me as their sister. We are a family. 903=family I beat a guy who brags that he won't lose me in Big Two. His expression is so funny that I burst into tears. However, my classmates shush at my high-pitch voice intentionally, in which I don't know whether to cry or to laugh. Though I often quarrel with those boys, the brawl is just for fun. Although they are extremely childish, I love to spend time to chat, chase, and fight against them. Haha. I kick a stupid guy and technically punch him because he used to bully me. (for revenge) He humiliates my another friend so I vent anger upon him. Furthermore, since my another friend likes that stupid dude, I persuade him to greet, chat with her by giving him a "lesson". I feel so proud of myself. haha. My heart is full of alacrity and my mind is refreshed. After all, it's an era of feminism, right? Girls will dominate the world :) 
Although I know that I shouldn't always remember how wonderful the past was, I couldn't help but wonder if I have a chance to change and rewrite our "history".