Happy New Year! Taipei!

2008

Happy New Year!

I went to the Taipei city hall and saw fireworks at Taipei 101.

There were so many people that many friends told me not to see the firework in the presence, though, I went there to feel the steeming and cheerful atmosphere.

Especailly in such cold whether, it was great to stand in the crowds.

Breathing the freezing air let me know the winter has truely arrived, and people around me made me feel warm.

It was very strange in my mind when I standed at the middle of the road, and countdown with people.

I felt very excited after the fireworks vanished.

I was touched.

My friend and I hugged each other, screaming like crazy.

I used to count down at home, but this time was a really great experience for me.

Christmas Quiz

1. Why was December 25th chosen as the day to celebrate Christmas?
a. It is when Christmas trees are in season
b. It takes the place of an old pagan celebration.
c. It was the actual day that Jesus Christ was born.
d. It is one of the shortest days of the year.

2. Which country started the tradition of Christmas tree?
a. The United States
b. France
c. Germany
d. Sweden

3. Why do people put a star on top of their Christmas tree?
a. To symbolize the star of Bethlehem
b. To show that trees grow beneath the stars
c. To explain why Christmas is celebrated
d. To keep a pagan tradition alive

4. What country started the tradition of sending Christmas card?
a. Turkey
b. Italy
c. Great Britain
d. Finland

5. What plant do people kiss under during the Christmas season?
a. Pine
b. Holly
c. Poinsettia
d. Mistletoe

6. How many reindeer does Santa Claus have?
a. Three
b. Five
c. Seven
d. Nine

How much do you know about Christmas?


The answers are
B C A C D D

I only get one correct……= =

+Words Definition+

Pagan - heathen 異教徒

Sweden - 瑞典

Finland - 芬蘭

Holly - 冬青

Poinsetta - 聖誕紅

Misrletoe - 檞寄生

ALL+：LifeStraw

12/17 LifeStraw：A Portable Survival Tool

One product that was named one of the best inventions by Time magazine is called the LifeStraw. For a lot of people, it can be a lifesaver.
About the size of a large pen, the LifeStraw is a water filtration system that is simple,portable, and can be used by anyone to make water drinkable. Similar to a drinking straw, the LifeStraw uses a person’s sucking action to pull water through the filters. The filters contain iodine, which kills the bacteria that cause diseases such as typhoid and cholera, and a single LifeSttaw can filter 700 liters of water.
The size and portability of the LifeStraw make it a great solution for purifying drinking water, especially for poor people living in remote regions where dangerous waterborne bacteria thrive. …… For those who need an immediate, simple solution to get drinking water, the LifeStraw can be the answer.

The first sight of LifeStraw from the picture, it looked like a toy. I doubted whether it is useful. However, after finishing the article and the film, it seemed to utile and in serious need for people living regions where were filled with polluted water. How lucky I am to live in the city, drinking clean and tasty water！ Water is so important that we can’t live without it. You waste water till you know there are still many people worry about drinking water everyday. Next time when you are thirsty, don’t forget to drink gratefully：You need no LifeStraw.

In the paragraph, it mentioned these survival tools were send to regions struck by natural and man-made disasters by some nonprofit organizations, such as Rotary International. This organization is familiar to me because my father is one of the members. They have had branch offices over the world and also done many charities. I think the group is really great for helping people in the world, and I am proud of my father.

I found the film about lifeStraw from YouTube. It gives me a further knowledge about how lifeStraw use in people's life.

ALL+：A Christmas Carol

12/3~12/5
The stroy is about Christmas. It talks about a mean old man, Ebenezer Scrooge, who had bad temper and treated people grim, was hounted by three spirits：the Ghost of Christmas Past, the Ghost of Christmas Present, and the Ghost of Christmas Yet.

He fell asleep, experiencing his awful past, present, and future Christmas. Through these dreams, he saw his loneness, his pathetic, and how much he desire for happiness. Finally, he realise how greedy and miserly he was, and want to change.

Upon waking, he honored Christmas in his heart and vowed to make life better, not only his ,but all the people's around him.



The story insipred me a lot.I think it's a good story to make one ponder. It tells you to be always grateful to everyone you know, or you will be miserable.

The author is Charles Dickens, a famous British eminent writer.

Group Discussion：The Benefits of music

After our considerated dicussion, we have come up with five benefits of music.

The first one is encouraging.
When we feel depressed or upset, some songs can give us energy, and cheer us up.

The second one is adventural.
The fast and slow rythems in the music can be exciting and bring us a brand-new experience. When we listen to musics, we can imagine fantastic sceneries in our minds, just like we are traveling in the world.

The third benefit of music is solving problems.
Music can inspire us to overcome difficulties and frustrations. Although we can't find the way to get out of troubles from the music, it clams us so that we can figure out the methods easier.

Next is jauntiness.
Jauntiness means sprightliness and joy. Some melodies are stimulated and light, as the result, listening to these types of music make us happy and wanna move with the pleasant music.

Last but not the least, communicating.
Even you don't know how to speak foreign
language, you'll know others thoughts throughout th music. You don't even say a word. The way to enjoy musics is the same all over the world, no metter where you live or who you are.

Thank you！

Group members：Melissa, Wan-ying, and Esther

HW：The Role of Music in My life

Music is part of my life. Music can confort my mind when I was sad or upset. Music can release my presures when I was exhauted or tired. I listen to musics anytime anywhere. For example, some people like to study in a completely silence conditon, but for me, I have to study with music or I can't concentrate. Of course I mean those without lyrics. I can't imagine the life without musics. If musics are not exsit, the world will become despair and miserable.

Songs：Bad Day

"Bad Day" is a pop song written by Canadian singer Daniel Powter. It was released as the first single from his debut album Daniel Powter (2005) and reached number one on the Canadian Singles Chart. Soon it spread all over the world and became popular.

The melody is awesome. When I first heard it, I was totally attracted by the music. And his voice, which is both gentle and powerful, is really fascinating. The lyrics are cheerful and positive. Each time I listen to the song, I feel I can get through every frustrations. Just like the lyrics say “You work at a smile and you go for a ride” Forget those “bad day” and you’ll be better. I love the song because it always brings me the happiness and makes me in a good mood.
By the way, the music video was interesting, too. The interaction between two roles is great and sweet, especially the drawing part.

Where is the moment we needed the most
You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
They tell me your blue skies fade to grey
They tell me your passion's gone away
And I don't need no carryin' on

You stand in the line just to hit a new low
You're faking a smile with the coffee to go
You tell me your life's been way off line
You're falling to pieces everytime
And I don't need no carryin' on

*Cause you had a bad day
You're taking one down
You sing a sad song just to turn it around
You say you don't know
You tell me don't lie
You work at a smile and you go for a ride
You had a bad day
The camera don't lie
You're coming back down and you really don't mind
You had a bad day
You had a bad day

Well you need a blue sky holiday
The point is they laugh at what you say
And I don't need no carryin' on
(Repeat)

(Oh.. Holiday..)

Sometimes the system goes on the blink
And the whole thing turns out wrong
You might not make it back and you know
That you could be well oh that strong
And I'm not wrong

So where is the passion when you need it the most
Oh you and I You kick up the leaves and the magic is lost
(Repeat)

Had a bad day Had a bad day
Had a bad day Had a bad day