Community College - Tuesday

Dearest Friends,

This is the place you can post your writing stuff here. We talked about "Sandy who didn't prepare for the exam today." Please leave your compositions here!

Here are some of the sample sentences of "Noun Clauses"

1. What are you talking about? -- A Question.
- Can you tell me what you are talking about? -- Noun Clause

2. Where do you live?
- I don't know where you live.

3. Who are you talking with?
- I wonder who you are talking with.

4. Do you want to go shopping with me this weekend?
- I want to know if you want to go shopping with me this weekend.


Dear All,
I will post more usages whenever I have time. Please post your homework or the composition for Writing Practice 4 here.


Julie ^^

Community College - Monday

My dearest friends,

I am really sorry that I post what we have been doing so late because I have been tied up with my work. I am truly sorry!

For the past few weeks, we have talked about the usages of past tense. We use past tense to talk about something happen in the past. We also did crossword of irregular verbs.

November 5th
We practiced the usage of past tense and did "time-saver activity." We also learned the song, "Just When I Needed You Most."

November 19th
We talked about agree or disagree with the statements listed on the text book. We also talked about some common usages such as

I can't help it. -- Means that you can't stop doing or not doing something.
I can't hold it. -- Means you really really want to go to the bathroom.
I can't stop wondering that ......... -- Means that there is something you really want to know or something is bugging you and you are trying to find out the answer.

November 26th
We finished Unit 6, and practiced how to make information questions in past tense.
EX:
Who - Who did you go to the concert with?
What- What did you do last night?
Where-Where did you go last weekend?
When-When did you get up this morning?
Which-Which dress did you wear yesterday, the blue or the red one?
Why-Why didn't you come to class last week?
How-1. How did you go to the party last night?
2. How did I look on the play yesterday?



(I will post the following lessons later!!)

Community College - Monday Class

The "Free Response" on page 97

1. "Americans are very friendly."

Well, I think most of the people I've met here are friendly. No matter what races they are. Some of the students think that some of the foreigners are racialists. But what I think is we Taiwanese have racism.

2. "You need friends more than money."

I agree with that. But I have to say that money is also important. Sometimes, when you don't have money, your friends will leave you, too.

3. "Most people like their jobs."

According to the survey we did in class, only very few of them like their jobs. Most of the people work just for a living. They don't like what they are doing currently; and some of them think that they are not put in the right position. Luckliy, I am the one who enjoys my job. Teaching for me is not only a job, but it's also my career.
"There is always a choice about the way you do your work; even there is no choice about the work itself."

4. Candy is good for you."

I disagree with that. Candy will cause you cavity, over-weight, and other problems due to over-weight.

5. "English is easy."

I agree with that. Honestly speaking, everything is easy if you are interested in it. Once you start learning it, never give it up. You will find that it is easy for you.

6. "Most TV programs are boring."

I agree with that. I think that is because of the cable we have. We can adopt whatever we want to watch 24/7. Therefore, everything is boring if you watch it all the time. Especially news.

7. "Homework is fun."

Well, I am the teacher, what else can I say. Yes, I think homework is fun.

8. "Public transportation is terrible."

I disagree with it. I think it depends on different cities. In TPE, it is convenient to take public transportation to go wherever you want to go. The signs are easy to read and to understand. But in Taoyuan, it's not really that convenient; or maybe I just don't take it since I have my own transportation there.

9. "Most teenagers are good drivers."

I think it depends on different people. However, teenagers under 18 are banned to drive or ride.

Frustration 2

I can feel that Josh has been struggling as I have sometimes. I really do like him. Whenever I see him around, or when he is beside me, I feel happy and safe. I know there is someone who cares about me or my feeling more than others, even more than myself. Yesterday, when he read what I posted the other day, he thought that I regretted that decision I made and he is part of the "wrong decision". I really want to tell him that he is not. I know what I did is correct. Just sometimes, when I take the pressure from my folks or others, I really don't know how to talk about this with him.

I can feel that he is trying to accept all this, accept that I have a daughter, I once had a marriage. Whenever I talk about Allie, he has some opinions about it. Not like before, he had no response. I am really happy about it. I know he is trying hard. I am trying hard to prove that I am living better now. I word harder than before, I take all the job opportunities, I work about 12 hours everyday; and I am trying to save money. It just whenever I got my salary, I need to pay Allie's tuition for her painting class, or some daily supply. I will spend less, and I will work harder. I will make it. "Attitude means EVERYTHING!!"

And about Allie's dad, I really need to find a chance to tell him.--> (Why I always think about the way to fight back afterward..... ) He said that he has given up a lot of opportunities and he has wasted the work that he has done for the past 11 years. I really want to tell him, if he wants to be a dad, that is what he needs to compromise. He has wasted 11-year work, I wasted 11 years of my time. But I really appreciate that. He makes me know that there is nothing I can accomplish. I am really sorry that he can't appreciate that. He has no fortune to see or feel how good a woman I am. Sorry for him, but that is what he deserves. All I want now is he can really take good care of Allie, educate her well. Don't treat her like what he did to me. Teach her how to love and make her feel beloved, and be appreciated. Don't make her a stuck-up person. Teach her how to be humble. I think that is all I want my daughter to be like.

The Road Not Taken - Robert Frost

Few weeks ago, I taught my students in community college the poem written by Robert Frost, "The Road Not Taken". It makes me think of every decision I've made during and after the marriage. When I decided to marry him, I knew that he was the kind of person who would abuse me or make me sorrow someday. I still married him. I hated myself more than I hated him, honestly speaking, I don't have any feeling on him now, not caring, loving or not even hating him. I hated myself for putting myself into that kind of situation, I hated myself for letting my daughter having the fear to her own dad. Moreover, I don't understand why my parents didn't stand out for me when they heard that I was abused.

So, I decided to run away; I wanted to run away from him, from my parents, from that hell. I just couldn't stand that anymore. I left without taking my daughter because I didn't want her to live in an unstable environment. I left with nothing. It was very difficult for me because I missed my daughter so much then. (I miss her all the time still.)

However, he still caught me back to the place he called "home". My life was okay in the beginning, but he became more like a control freak, even than before. I ran away again and told him that I would never go back unless he wanted to sign the paper. Finally, he said "yes".

I decided to divorce him without taking anything, not even the custody of my daughter. He said that is impossible for him to "give" me my daughter. He started treating her like his own property ever since then, I think.

The decision had made me a life that I didn't know how to deal with, I still don't know most of the time. When my parents told me how an irresponsible mother I am, I didn't know how to reply. When my ex-husband told me how much he has given up for our daughter just because he can't find anybody to take care of her, I didn't know how to reply.

Just like the poem, "Two roads diverged in a wood, and I - I took the one less traveled by, and that has made all the difference."

Getting divorced is not an easy decision to make in this traditional family or society. After over 2 years of divorced, I still believe that I made the "right" choice. It does make a big difference in my life; but it's sometimes too big for me to handle. I am tired of that.

Personality Will Never Change

I went out with Allie and her dad today. On the way back home, I told him that I went to Linkin Park's concert Friday night. I told him that my student bought the ticket for me, but I didn't go with him since he is kind of bothering now. I was trying to start a short conversation but he just replied that relationship is the only thing I am worrying about. He said I have no idea how depressed he is because he gave up an opportunity for being a manager with very high salary because he can't find anyone to take care of Allie. When I heard that, I just kept silent. I didn't know how to reply and I can't talk about this with neither my parents or Josh. I know what I will hear.

I want to have Allie with me aside for sure, but he doesn't want me to take care of her. I think he doesn't want to lose anything or anyone. Too bad that he is still the man I know, personality will never change.

Frustration 1

Lately, I have been feeling a bit frustrated about the current situation I have. I have been working too long hours and giving myself a lot of pressure on work. That makes my health condition getting worse. My cold has never been healed and I always feel tired. Last week, I couldn't even speak a word. I really want a break sometimes.

Two weeks ago, I didn't go back to Taoyuan because I was too sick and tired. I called Allie, and told her that I was too ill and wanted a break. But afterward, I felt quilty about it. I spent whole day alone; I went to the beef noodles, bookstore, did the laundry and watched TV all day. I enjoyed the time I had but couldn't stop feeling quilty at the same time. I felt that I am not a good mother, I miss Allie everyday but I really need to have my own time once awhile. I start questioning myself if I made the right choice or not. I want to talk about this with Josh, but I am afraid that may give him more pressure.

Trip to Angkor Wat - 1

I took a 5 days trip to Angkor Wat last week. It was the first time I paid for my own trip; I was very excited about it.

There were 10 people in the group. Two sisters, a couple, two school teachers, two men who are co-workers and us, Josh and I.

The tour guide is very interesting and educating. He used to be a history teacher therefore he knows a lot of things about the sculpture and the story about Angkor Wat kingdom. I learned a lot and took a lot of note.

However, on the forth day, one of the two sisters started to talk about what the other group had but we didn't. In the beginning, I listened and shared my opinion about the tour and the tour guide. They felt the tour guide only wanted to make money from us, but I didn't really think that way, so I said something different. However, they didn't listen. Josh told me to stop and only listened. I found that the two sisters only care about what we didn't have but they didn't really care about what we had but others didn't.

That was annoying; the worst part was the tour guide heard what we thought about him and started feeling bad about this. I felt very sorry because I said something about the same to him before I really knew him.

I always feel that I speak too much and listen less sometimes, and I hurt other people before I even notice it but I really don't mean to hurt anybody. I have to remind myself. Don't jump into conclusion before I know everything.

Feel so bad ~ ~

Linkin Park - What I've Done

What I've Done Lyrics

Dear Blog 2

Last Monday morning, when my daddy was driving me to the train station, he asked me if Johnny said something to me. I didn't get it, so I asked my dad what he was trying to say. My daddy replied, "You know, did he ask you to get back to him or what?" I was pretty surprised when I heard that. I just simply said no and told him that if Johnny really did ask, I will never go back to him. After all, the wounds that he caused on me are not that easy to be eased. I forgive him but it doesn't mean I forget it.

Then, daddy said, "I just don't think divorced is the right thing, it's not normal. It's not like what everybody does." "You did something really bad to Allie." When I heard that, it was like giving me another wound. "Your daughters were not born to be beaten, Dad." I replied. But daddy said something I really didn't know how to reply. "That's because you are both young, you need time to 修." Just like your mom and I, we've had disagreements all the time, but we've overcome it." (WHAT !!!) "You just need time, maybe he thinks in different way now." I wanted to say "修到我被逼死或打死的那一天嗎" But, I didn't. I don't want to say such a thing to my parents. So, I just told him that he didn't do it for once, and it would have happened again and again if I hadn't left."

Daddy said, "You know, I can still pretend that there is nothing happen and smile at you when you are back. But, I just couldn't smile when I see you." That is really cruel, (But not that cruel than what he said to me when he saw my bruise on my waist.) I didn't say a word and we were in train station. I said goodbye to my dad and told him to drive carefully.

On my way back to Taipei, I couldn't stop thinking what daddy said to me. I am the one who can't make my daddy happy. No matter how happy I am, how well I can do on my job, or whatever, they don't really care. Actually, I don't know what they care now. Maybe face, maybe ... I don't know. I want to tell Josh about this, but I think he will not like it. I don't want to see him being bothered by this.

All I want is to have them on my side, support me when I need. It was hard enough to fight with him without any supporting. I really don't want to do this alone. I want to be loved...

Dear Blog

Mother's Day is coming this Sunday. I still have no idea what my mom wants or what is the best choice for gifts. There are 4 different ideas in mind.

The first choice is a very nice pot which I saw it on a TV program whose host is 于美人. Maybe some of you have seen the program already. It is even better than 義大利樂鍋。 However, the price is very expensive.

The second choice is the shoes of a brand named "Born" which I found it last weekend when I went to see "Spiderman 3" in Mira Max Cinema. The shoes are really comfortable when I tried them on. Besides, they are not as expensive as the pot.

The third choice is a wonderful thing that I can use it too. (Hahahaha..) ---> The massage machine for your legs from Osim. The price is about the same as the pot.

The forth choice is going out for a nice dinner with my family. However, when I called my mom earlier today, I was told that we ARE planning to go out for dinner that evening already.

So, which one is the best choice for my mom?????????

The Class on May 7th, 2007

Dear All,

After a week break, we are going to start our class tomorrow. I am wondering if you are all ready for it. I guess you do. ^^

The activity we are going to do tomorrow here. Please take sometime preview it and see you all tomorrow.

Pair Work – Ask and answer questions using the verbs listed below. Begin your questions with what, when or where.

Ex:

eat

Q: What do you usually eat for breakfast?

A: I usually eat bread and coffee for breakfast.

1. live

2. work

3. play

4. get up

5. eat

6. go

7. study

8. watch

9. listen to

10. drink

11. read

12. meet

Pair Work – ask and answer questions using the verb “need”.

EX:

flowers

A: What do flowers need?

B: They need water, sun shine and fresh air.

1. cars

2. tires

3. a tired person

4. a sick person

5. you

6. your family

7. this school

8. this class

9. Taipei city

10. people in Taipei city

11. the politics in Taiwan

My Favorite Place to Eat

There is an restaurant called 巷子. It is located on the intersection of 民生 E. Rd and 三民 Rd. They sell spaghetti and pasta. I like the spaghetti there. I like the noodles they cooked because they are not too soft, not like the others I've eaten. Usually, I go there once a month. Even there are different branches in Taipei city, but I like this one the most. The quality and the taste are stable. I've eaten in the other branch near by the place I live, but it doesn't taste the same every time I went.

I always order "Curry with sea food". I like it a lot. I've tried almost every dish they have, and I like "Curry with sea food" the most. I always go there with my friends and we order differently, so that we can all have different taste. My friends and I like to eat in that restaurant, they play lounge music, and they have hand-made pudding for dessert. The prices are reasonable and the service is very good.

The only problem is that there is always crowded and you need to make a reservation before you go there, especially on the weekends.

I like to eat there and always enjoy the food and the atmosphere. Hope you like it as well.

April Fools' Day

April Fools' Day

If you like to play tricks on people, then you'll love April Fools' Day. It's a fun day for millions of people around the world.

On this day, people try to trick each other. For example, you could tell your friends that all classes have been canceled. Or you could put a plastic insect in somebody's drink!

Some people play bigger tricks, though. In 1957, a British TV show told a story about spaghetti trees. After this, hundreds of people thought that it was possible to grow spaghetti on trees!

April Fools' Day began in France five centuries ago. Back then, the New Year began on April 1st. The king moved the New YEar to January, but many people didn't know this.

Years later, some people still celebrated the New Year on April 1st. These people were called "April fools." People often played tricks on these "fools" to make them look sillier.

Today, April 1st is still a day for tricks. Some people won't believe any interesting news that's broadcast on April 1st. After all, nobody wants to be a fool!


Words you might need to know.....

1. cancel (v.) 取消
2. drink (n.) 飲料
3. spaghetti (n.) 義大利麵
4. possible (adj.) 可能的
5. century (n.) 世紀
6. celetrate (v.) 慶祝
7. broadcast (v.) 廣播
8. back then 回溯以往; 在當時

Adjective Clause I

35 fu06g487Adjective Clause:

1. If we use a sentence like:

(The police have found the boy.) It may not be clear which boy.

We can make it clear like this:

->The police have found the boy who disappeared last week.

2. When we talk about people, we use “who” or “that”:

- > He talk to the girl who (or that) won the game.

3. When we talk about things or animals, we use “which” or “that”.

- > I like the car which (or that) won the race.

4. We use “whose in place of his, her, their, etc.

We only use it with people, countries and organizations, not things.

It has a possessive meaning. Here is another example.

(The man didn’t apologize. His dog bit me.)

--> The man whose dog bit me didn’t apologize.

Exercise:

1. (I went to see a doctor. She helped my mother.)

2. A dog bit me. It belonged to Mrs. Jones.)

3. The bus crashed. It was twenty-three years old.)

4. (A woman wrote to me. She wanted my advice.)

5. Ann talked to a man. He just won a lot of money.)

______________________________________________________________________________

6. (Mary was wearing the red dress. She wears it for parties.)

7. He’s an architect. He designed the new city library.)

The Last Class in K9

Dear all,

Our last class during winter break was at K9. I am really lucky to meet all of you. I remember that I told you the reason why you are in my class is just because I happen to know something you want to learn. In fact, I have been learning a lot from you since the class started.

I enjoyed the time that I have spent with you guys. At the night in the KTV, I had a lot of fun and I was happy that most of you sang the songs that we have learned. So, now, since we have to tell school what we did that day for record, it is so much better if you can tell me how you feel that day and I will just write down what you said.

Please post your comments for that class in K9 here as comments.

Again, we are here to learn English, so, speak up, speak loud, and have fun!!!



Love,
Julie

The class for March 5, 2007 in Community College

March 5, 2007

I. Self – Introduction
- Where are you from?
- What’s your job?
- What do you like to do in your free time?
- Why do you want to learn English?
- How long have you been learning English? (I have been learning English for …………years.)
- How long have you been in this class? (I have been in this class for ………. months.)
- What is your weakness in learning English?
- What do you want to learn (get) in this class?
- What do you like about Julie?
- What do you like the most about yourself? Why?

II. Talk about your trip on Chinese New Year vacation

EX:
I went to 飛牛牧場 with my family on the third day of Chinese New Year vacation. We went there by car. It was a very big field with a lot of flowers and funny stuff to see. We saw cows, sheep, horses, and rabbits there. We saw the staff feeding baby calf with a very big milk bottle. That was very interesting.
For the following days, we went to different relatives homes for dinners. That is a traditional routine for my family. Normally, there are about 20 to 30 people in the house at once. This year was the same. Some of my aunts and uncles played MahJong with Chinese chess. Some of them sang. The forth generation of my family ran around the house. It was very crowded and filled the atmosphere of New Year.
I like spending time with my family during Chinese New Year. Even we, the third generation didn’t really do something but only talked and watched TV, but, that is the time for all of the family members gathering together.

Now, try to write your own Chinese New Year by the questions below. You can add more sentences.

Where – Where did you go during Chinese New Year?
How – How did you get there?
Who – Who did you go with?
When – When did you go?
What – What did you see there? What did you do there?
Are there any special things you do on your Chinese New Year? What are they?

The Lyrics of Wherever You Will Go - by The Calling

WHEREVER YOU WILL GO      The Calling

So lately, I've been wondering   Who will be there to take my place

When I'm gone, you'll need love   To light the shadows on your face

If a great wave shall fall   It would fall upon us all

And between the sand and stone   Could you make it on your own

[chorus:]

If I could, then I would   I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low   I'll go wherever you will go

And maybe, I'll find out   The way to make it back someday

To watch you, to guide you   Through the darkest of your days

If a great wave shall fall   It would fall upon us all

Well I hope there's someone out there   Who can bring me back to you

[chorus]

If I could, then I would   I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low   I'll go wherever you will go

Runaway with my heart   Runaway with my hope  Runaway with my love

I know now, just quite how  My life and love might still go on

In your heart and your mind  I'll stay with you for all of time

[chorus]

If I could, then I would  I'll go wherever you will go

Way up high or down low  I'll go wherever you will go

If I could turn back time   I'll go wherever you will go

If I could make you mine   I'll go wherever you will go

I'll go wherever you will go

My Chinese New Year

This is the third Chinese New Year I've had since divorced. The first Chinese New Year as I remember, my mom asked me to hide in my room in case my grandmother found me alone at home; the second Chinese New Year, I had a big argument with my uncle who thinks he knows everything and always tries to give someone a lesson. (I have learned a lot about humanity from him.) This year, I was alone again on the Chinese New Year's Eve.

Two of my co-workers invited me to have the family dinner with them but it was not a good idea for me to spend time with others on this special holiday. I don't blame my parents for this, but I wonder how long they need to take the truth that they have a daughter who is divorced with her husband because domestic violence. If my own parents cannot admit it, I don't know how to face it myself.

Josh called me that day and told me that I need to take care of myself first before they change their mind. I need to show them how much I have changed after divorced. I need to prove that I am so much better than before. I know it and that is what I am working on; however, sometimes, I don't feel that my parents give it a damn about it.

Few years ago, when my dad saw the wound that my ex caused me, he just said, if he were my ex, he would have kicked me out of the family. Then, I ran away and they found that I called the school to talk to Allie. So, they waited there for my call and my mom said something really cruel that I will never forget.

Finally, I got divorced. My parents just don't want to admit it to the other relatives. After divorced, I get a very nice job teaching English in different schools. I've even been a translator. When I showed something I did to them, in a catalog, they didn't seem to be happy or proud of me. When I started my first class in Community College, I didn't feel that either.

I don't know why they could see their daughter being abused but they wouldn't want to see her living a better life. I can't stop wondering if I don't deserve a better life or I haven't worked harder enough to make them proud. Or, just simply because I don't give them enough money.

They don't need money, they even give me some whenever they feel I might need it. It is really hard to please them sometimes. Whenever she is talking to other relatives, all you can hear is my sister, how well she can take care of the family, how much money she has given to my mom, how well she is behaved, every good thing is like my mom, all the good qualities my sisters have are taken from my mom... None of those with my name.

I wonder who I get the bad qualities from...