My Student’s Life In Institute of Technology

Being the third grade student at junior high school, I thought that when I graduated I wanted to study at a senior high school. Things did not turn out the way one wish. My parents said if I had been a senior high school student, I should have gone to cram school to study Math because I wasn’t good at it. Therefore I chose to study at Institute of Technology, where my job as student was broadening my knowledge and trying to do my best. I wanted to major in English but my scores of entrance exam were was not good enough, so I majored in Business Administration. I wasn’t interested in the courses arranged there, especially in Accounting. It was too difficult to study. I heard students who were not interested their major, they could transfer to another major. How lucky I was, I transferred to the Department of Applied Foreign Languages.
When I majored in English, I was so happy. But on the other, I afraid my English wasn’t good enough. First of all, some professional subjects were difficult to me. When time went by I felt they were easier than before. Every student who studied at Department of Applied Foreign Languages, had to choose French or Japanese to be minor. I chose Japanese because it was popular and easy to learn than French.
I took much courses, my favorite is English teaching method. It was an interesting and a challenge to me. According to the policy of school, I had an opportunity to teach English at elementary school. At beginning, students were talkative and mischievous but with my and my classmates’ patient teaching they studied hard. To the end of semester, they sent us gifts; although the gifts were inexpensive, their behaviors made us feel moved. This course was very painstaking, but I still learn something not from textbooks.
Being a student at Institute of Technology, I had learned a lot of knowledge. They were not only from textbook but also from life experiences. I also had some good friends; the memory in the Institute of Technology will never be forgetten.

My Hometown

I am from Gangshan, a small city located in the southwest of Kaoshiung County. The weather in Gangshan is hot and warm during all year round. Gangshan is a city famous for its local craft of making the " Wicker Basket Market." It is a traditional practice that had a history of more than two hundred years since the Japanese ruled in Taiwan. It is held three times on the lunar calendar in every year. There is special commemoration significance in each time. We also have some famous products including honey, spicy bean sauce, and mutton. Gangshan has local folk color as well as historic and cultural custom. I love my city and I think you will, too. If you have free time, come to visit Gangshan.

Describing people - Myself

My name is Amanda. I am a young woman of average height and weight. I have hazel eyes and frequently tie my long wavy brown hair in a ponytail. I wear a black watch with leather on my wrist having some boring pimples and pocks on my chin. I like to wear T-shirts and jeans with a pair of sports shoes because I feel this style is comfortable and convenient to me.
I am an easygoing and a positive person. For instance, if you understand me, you know that I am easy to get along with. As the oldest child in my family, I developed independent personality to me. When I get into troubles I try and learn how to solve the problems and handle the situation. So that it is a good way to train me into a motivated and responsible person.

Superstitions

Purpose：Inform
Audience：Demos
Tone：Serious
Tentative main idea：Superstitions

Since a long time ago,people already have belief in supernatural powers. There are many questions about superstitions in every country and there are also many superstitions in Taiwan. Most people think some superstitions are bad and bring bad luck to you, but some can bless and protest you.
People believe some superstitions are about the ghost. When July 1st the door of ghost is opened, you had better not to go outside at night and when you feel strange and bad atmosphere you just run or you will see them. In the month of ghost, you can’t say anything about the ghost or you will be attracted; whistling at night attracts Ghosts. You can’t swim in the river and sea in lunar July or water ghost will catch you to be a scapegoat.
There are many taboos and superstitions in Taiwan. An expectant mother can’t take scissors to cut any thing because it’s believed to be bed to her. It is not to advised to give people clocks as gifts because “giving clocks” in Chinese sounds like “attending a funeral.” There is no fourth floor in the hospital and hotel because number four sounds like death. There are also many other superstitions. For example, it brings bad luck to open an umbrella in the house, and writing names with a red pen will shorten your life. There are indeed many taboos and superstitions in Taiwanese culture.
Some superstitions are about time and occasions. When you want to live in the room in the hotel first you must knock on the door, and say “sorry, I bother you. You cannot say goodbye at the hospital or the dead soul will be attracted. You fingers can’t point the moon otherwise your ear will be cut. When people want to hold a wedding ceremony or a funeral, they will choose a lucky day. When you at special occasion don’t talk through one’s hat or you will tout for misfortune. The Taiwanese think time is very important to give the wedding ceremony and funeral.
People always want to be protected and have good fortune from ancient times to the present. People are afraid of the evil spirit, they think the ghost is fearful. There are also some taboos about custom therefore people obey and respect them in Taiwanese culture.

Supersitions

There are many taboos and superstitions in Taiwan. An expectant mother can’t take scissors to cut any thing because it’s believed to be bed to her. It is advised to give people clocks as gifts because “giving clocks” in Chinese sounds like “attending a funeral.” There is no fourth floor in the hospital and hotel because number four sounds like death. There are also many other superstitions. For example, it brings bad luck to open an umbrella in the house, and writing names with a red pen will shorten your life. There are indeed many taboos and superstitions in Taiwanese culture.

A Dinner Party

Dear friends,

We have not got in touch for a long time since we graduated. After discussing on line, I have the honor to hold a dinner party this Saturday at 7:00 P.M. at my home. Here are the directions to get to my house. They will lead you from Gangshan Station by car. You can find your way there from your house if you know the location of Gangshan Station.
From the Gangshan Station, turn right and go straight on Jhongshan Road. When you drive on Jhongshan Road crossing two traffic lights and three blocks, there is a big intersection that can be very dangerous, be careful here. Also you have to wait the traffic light about 2 minuets; after crossing it, you are on Gangshan Road. You have to be through at least 4 traffic lights when you are near the 5th traffic light, turn left you will see there is a grocery store at the corner on Yutsai Road. You need to stay on it for about 2 meters, there is an elementary school in front of my house, and this is the place. Ring the bell and someone will let you in.
I hope that you will come. Bring something to eat or drink. If you don’t come, you might miss a good time. I sincerely welcome your coming.

Amanda

A letter to a friend

October 5, 2006

Dear Kay,
It is early evening and I am sitting in class after off duty. It was a sunny day and I felt happy. Because the Moon Festival is around the corner, we have couples of holidays to rest; do you have any plan to do? I am on the train on my way home and thinking of you.
It was a busy day to me; I rode a motorcycle to cram school in the afternoon. When I arrived, I started to clean the classroom before students reached the classroom then I told them to write their homework. While I was checking their homework, I asked them for writing some tests. Then we discussed the answers, which were right and wrong. I also taught them English, and they were interested in English. After going off duty, I was in hurry to catch the train to school. The train and station were crowded with people who were on their ways home and had several holidays to rest because of Moon Festival.
I am fine and I am studying at the college now. I know I can improve my English skill if I try to study hard. I also learn and take some different classes. Most of teachers and classmates are nice who look like friendly. I work five afternoons and study five evenings a week. I don’t have much free time but I like to be a student now.How is everything? I hope you are well and happy. How is your job? How is your English? Can you read my letter? Please write soon, I can’t wait for hearing your news.

You friend,
Amanda

Autobiography

My name is Amanda who was born in Kanshiung County, Kaoshiung. I live with my family; there are five people in my family. My father is a worker; my mother is a housewife with a temporary job. I have two sisters, one is graduating from vocational school, working at fruit store, and the other is a student. No one in my family ever go to college, even if my parents who don’t have degrees, never push and give us pressure to study. The say if you are willing to study at college, they support with all their strength to you. But if you don’t you can learn some specialties, the important thing is being able to support yourself and find a job you want to do in the future. There are several things inspiring me to return to school.
Watching my parents struggle to raise three children, the idea of going to college crossing my mind. My parents always get up early in the morning, my dad always drives his car on his way to work at six o’clock, and my mom always prepares breakfast for us and takes my sisters to school. However I want something better and have a good job in my future life, but I don’t want to work and labor, as they have to do.
The basic requirement in the job market is a college or university degree. The most important thing influencing me is my classmates graduating for university this year which shocks me. I start to be aware of the fact that my knowledge is not enough, if I don’t keep learning and studying, I have no abilities to compete with other people. Therefore I make a decision to go back to school and continue to study.
When I was a junior high school student, I was interested in English, History, and geography. Maybe it was because the teacher’s teaching method was interesting and that motivated me to learn more. It is also useful and interesting to learn geography, history, culture and language of another country.
Now as a student and majoring in English at an institute of technology, I got a part-time job as a cashier at a bakery. With this job, I could help my parents to share a little daily expense. The boss and co-workers were very kind, and I got along with them. From this experience of working, I learned how to serve consumers and the way one get along with people. After graduating, I work at a company as an administrative assistant; my skills had not use here. If I had no chance to practice and use them, they would be retrogressive little by little. After one and half years working as an assistant, I still like what I have learned before. I don’t want to be an assistant in the rest of my life. I wish I could be an English teacher; either way I need to better my competences and have a bachelor degree to make my dream come true.
Now I’m in the college, I know I can improve English if I try to study hard. I’m not good at writing and speaking; I hope I can improve them. I want to take some different courses, for example: French, and Japanese, etc. Learning English is not enough in the present society, I have to study some languages to enrich my knowledge. In my opinion, learning is endless.