#Fieldtrip Friday

     Last week was full of unpredictable quizzes and tests which I was definitely not prepared for, shadowing my week with a miserable loom of desperation and exhaustion. I devoted all my free time to studying, but the grades on Renweb weren't very impressive. I was going to have a massive history test over two chapters and an English pop quiz over the book we have been reading, Their Eyes Were Watching God, on Friday, so this field trip could not appear at a better time. Without worrying about the school work, I boldly squandered my Thursday evening on Neflix followed by a wonderful slumber.
     The next morning was splendid. I was in such a good mood mainly because I didn't have to go to school. After having a typical breakfast, we embarked on the journey to Chattanooga to visit the Tennessee Aquarium. It took us an hour and half to get there. Everybody was asleep or immersed in their own music on the way there, trying to get time to pass by faster.
     After arriving there, we spent a few hours in the aquarium. Everybody was totally amazed by those incredible creatures which most of us have neglected for a long time. One thing that stunned me was that most of us were spending more time taking selfies instead of observing. I mean, those filtered photos would only help you get a few more followers on Instagram. What did we really get from this field trip besides these? It confused me that we would rather brag what we did than to learn from what we were given. The aquarium was amazing. It was like a vivid biological library with infinite knowledge that can fulfill our ignorance. After that, we rode Duck Boat with a humorous old capital, and I wondered how many of us actually learned something from that experience.
     On our way back, we had ice cream. To some of us, that might be the best moment of the day.

Birthday Weekend

     I had such a splendid weekend with my friends. It might have been one of the most unforgettable experiences I've ever had here at the the Webb School. On Friday, I started my day with a World History I class which included a massive lecture and a brief quiz, and it was sort of tedious and redundant. After that, some of my friends made a well-written chapel announcement to wish me a happy birthday which proved the value of friendship and the warmth of their company. Despite that, it was a long day, which was filled with stressful quizzes and tests. My friends made it one of my favorite days of the year, so far. Anderson invited me to his house to spend a wonderful night with him, and Joseph's mom made a delicious cookie cake that turned into my breakfast for the following day. After arriving at Anderson's house, I was served  a delectable dinner. I sat in the birthday boy chair with a bunch of balloons under a colorful Happy Birthday banner. I spent my whole weekend watching TV shows and playing video games with Anderson, which might seem to be a waste of time in some people's eyes. In my opinion, we were building memories that will last, reinforcing our friendship to last after he goes to a different school next year. On the way back to the dorm, I fell into a contemplation. Life without friends is meaningless, like a bleak paper. But life is also full of changes, and that is a very significant constant in life.

Magic Bunny Gives You Money

     It was a splendid day. The sun sank until slanted bronze rays struck the horizon, and the soothing breeze flowed through the city with the flagrance of the wild flowers. Everything was so placid without any disturbance. I was lying in my bed, snuggling with my pillows, and trying to take a nap. Suddenly there was a knock on the door. I reluctantly dragged myself out of the bed and opened the door. There was a magician hat with a bunny in it.
     "Hello, my new master. How is your day?" the bunny started talking. Without letting me respond, it kept talking:"I'm the new Aladdin! I can make your three wishes come true. I'm the magic bunny."
     I could believe this mischievous bunny, so I shut the door and went back to sleep. I did this because I believed that we have to rely on ourselves to achieve the things we desired the most. There wasn't, and also will never be, a magic bunny that gives you money.

TOEFL writing practice

     The human race is a huge, complicated, and multifarious community which consists of an excessive amount of capricious and unexpected elements. Since there is no perfect human on earth, it it is not always our fault when we make sophomoric mistakes or regrettable decisions, and what makes some people more honorable and respectable is that they know how to restrain their desire and live with strict principles. Conformity is one of the inevitable defects that we have, and ,as a mortal, I do believe that people intend to conform with others ideas.

     Conformists are neither cowards nor surrenderers. We can't really give them a clear definition, and it also depends upon diversified situation. Sometimes, it's a gesture of compromise in order to save the unnecessary and inefficient argument. Sometimes, it's an action of showing support and expressing agreement. Sometimes, it's just a way to maintain a conversation or to establish a relationship. 

     Nonconformists, to be honest, are only a small portion of society, which makes them more valuable and precious because they bring original ideas. They are the people who inspire and enlighten others. They are the people who bring revolution and innovation. They are the fresh blood of our society. But sometimes, they are not very welcome because wherever they go, there will always be fierce argument. Just look at Winston in 1984. These kind of people are so precious that they are dangerous, but also vulnerable. 

     It's not our fault when we are conformists because it's a part of what we are. Things could change. Humanity is something that nobody can truly define. 

     

      

      Randy Pausch, a suave and slender figure, was an influential professor who had a huge impact on the education of youth. It's hard to believe that he was struggling with cancer, eventually dying from it in 2008. He left us lots of brilliant, immortal advice through his notable speech, "The Last Lecture," an eloquent lecture about bringing a dream into reality, achieving one's goal, and completing one's life. This lecture revealed many details of Randy's life, cogently illustrating his opinions and ideas on the subject. 

       He mentioned the Brick Wall several times in his lecture and emphasized its deep meaning. "A Brick Wall is there to let us know our dedication," he said. I couldn't agree more. A Brick Wall is there to show how badly we want the thing behind it. It's a challenge, a difficulty, or even an ordeal, but on the other hand, it's also a test, an opportunity, and a stepping-stone. "Be good at something, because it makes you valuable," as he said. I agree with this statement as well because only by bringing value to the table, you will make yourself more welcome. Last but not the least, "Don't bail because the best gold is always at the bottom of barrels of crap." This was my favorite part of the whole lecture. It was so vivid and humorous that it just made my day. If we say it in a more proper and polite way, it would be, "Never give up, and always work harder." We have to stop complaining and instead start devoting every piece of ourselves to pursuing our dreams.  

       I felt so inspired and enlightened after watching this incredible piece of art because what I learnt from it was so valuable that could serve me a lifetime.  

New Year's Resolutions

     The first day of 2015 was vilely freezing. The wind was like an air blade which penetrated right through me, howling and tearing everything apart. It was refreshing, but also seemed bleak. How time flies! It's another new year,  and I'm not prepared for it. At this very special moment, as usual, I make my resolutions for the new year. 

     Firstly, I'm going to use my time more efficiently. In that way, I will be able to both have things done and as well as have enough time for sleep. To achieve this goal, I have to learn to make more comprehensive plans and to live a more organized life. Using time more efficiently is easily said and hardly done because there are so many distraction in our daily lives. But I will do my best to accomplish it. 

     Second of all, I'm going to treat my parents nicer. They always support me and always are there for me. They bring me comfort and excitement. However, sometimes, as I'm growing up, the gap between us seems to become larger. Sometimes, it's just too easy for us to lose our temper and side against each other. 

     Last but not the least, I'm going to read more books this year. Reading can enlarge my vocabulary and expand my knowledge. It can bring us to a higher spiritual level. It inspires me, fulfills me and completes me. I have already finished 1984 and Mockingjay during the Christmas break. It's a good start, isn't it? 

Book 2

      Things fall Apart, wrote by Chinua Achebe, is a book that a great man with high status and reputation faces the struggle and the conflict between the shadow of his family member’s weakness and the approval and applause for his own courage and strength. As the protagonist of the book, Okonkwo, the son of lazy, effeminate and notorious Unoka, was a glorious and unbeatable warrior and was also one of the leaders of the strongest clan, Umuofia. He blamed himself for the death of Ikemefuna, a boy who has become a part of his family and earned his fondness and affection as a true clansman. Then, he was exiled to his mother’s kinsmen in Mbanta. Seven years passed, with the support of his friend, Okonkwo was about to return and regain his influence and power, but his beloved clan has changed enormously and was full of sorrow and conflicts.

       The book is like a fragile container which is filled with unbelievable emotions, conflicts between expectations and realities, changes and traditions, struggles between different cultures, races and beliefs. It will bring you to another incredible and amazing society to experience its fascinating culture, unique language and divine religion. The compact plot and complex figures will totally drag you into this book. I highly recommend this book to all of you.