Evaluation of my project

Evaluation

First off I am very proud of myself, because this is my longest project in my life. Fortunately, I finished this diary entries on time. Also In my opinion, I did my best job on this project, so I think I can have a higher grade on this project. On my diary my main character is created by myself. She has her own thoughts. She is an international student who from China, she met her friends and some interesting people in the Finch College. Also her family is the most important thing in her life. She never forget her family, even her life is busy and tried. 

On the diary I wrote a lot of details to describe her life and her family, such as her dream, letter from her father, her feelings about her friends. I used 5 senses to describe her life and her feeling. Through this long project I feel my English has improved, because I realized on the first draft I was made a lot of grammar mistakes. Then I spent a lot of time to work on my grammar and spellings. I wrote thirteen pages on this project. This reason why it is my longest project in my life.

Blog

Last week I went to the writing center to ask Ms. Swift to correct my diary entries. I am worried about my entry, because English is not my first language, so I always make many grammar mistakes when I write a paragraph or a sentence. That is the reason why I went to writing center to ask Ms. Swift to correct my grammar mistakes. Writing center is located on humanities second floor left side. It is a small room and has a long table in the room. That was my first time going to writing center. I was very nervous, because no one was there at first and I asked other students. They told me to wait for a while as she was away. I was very nervous also because the teacher who works in writing center I never heard about anything of her. When I went to the small room she was smiling to me. "Thanks god!" I thought "She is a friendly person." She said "Do you need help?" I am still nervous so I answered strangely "Yes, Ms. Guarino told me I should come here..." I had to wait for two other students to get their work done. Which took about 20 minutes until it is my turn. Then she let me signed up my name and showed my work to her. She let me read my work loudly, which made me nervous again. I don't like my work being read out loud in front of others like that. She made me realized when I writing a paragraph I always worried about to start writing the first sentence, and because of this I always use same worlds on the first sentence. Starting with the same world would always make my sentences very boring and hard to read. She gave me a lot of useful suggestions and even ideas to put into my writing to get better content and achieve a higher grade. Other than that my vocabulary is fine, except she told me to add more adjectives to objects. She is very patient to all of us students; she really teaches us grammar from her heart. She wanted us to earn a higher grade in every class that we take that involves writing papers. My diary has improved a lot after visiting the writing center; the writing center is very efficient at helping students to get their work done. I have never thought that the writing center can help me out so much because it made my diary smoother to read. Depends on my thinking, because I was a Chinese student before. I always think about my teachers can help me the best rather than the writer center's teacher who also could help me a lot. And her choice was very suited for me. When I finished my essay, I always thought it was perfect, but if I can read my essay loudly, I would find some mistakes in it. If I did not read it loudly and read it in my mind, I would not find any mistake in my essay, which I thought this habit was the best achievement I went to writing center. 

Definition and example

A comma splice is the use of a comma to join two independent clauses. For example: It is nearly half past five, so we must go to sport.

A run-on is a sentence in which two or more independent clauses are joined without an appropriate punctuation or conjunction. For example: It is nearly half past four, we need to go to sport

Fragments are incomplete sentences. Usually, fragments are pieces of sentences that have become disconnected from the main clause. Example: is four clock need to go to sport.

An independent clause (or main clause) is a clause that can stand by itself as a simple sentence. Example: we need to go to sports.

Dependent clause a provides an independent clause with additional information, but which cannot stand alone. Example: Since it is half past five.

Diary entry project

GDiary entry

9/5
Dear diary,

This weekend I wnt to shopping mall by school bus. I was so excited to go to shopping mall. The reason why I was so excited is this was my first time go to shopping mall by myself. I need brought some gifts for my classmate Jamesand my roommate Jack. On the bus it was the most hardest time for me, I couldn't sleep on the bus because of carsickness. When I went back to home I saw a big bear toy! That was the biggest toy I ever saw on my life. It is like two meters tall. In the end, I brought some tea for James. That is the most delicious tea I ever taste.

9/8
Dear diary
Today I went to school and did everything perfectly except history class. On this chapter I did not understand about feudalism. I was confused about why people were believe church so much. Unfortunately, I didn't found teacher to ask questions. My classmate John told me, she was sick so she went back home early. I was worried about my grade so much, I could not get low grade on each class because of the scholar ship. Hope I will not fail on next test.

9/10
Dear diary
Today James invited me to go to restaurant with her. I was so excited to go to restaurant with her. I said "OK, I will come with you." But today the scholar ship work are too hard, I worked at dining hall until James came to find me. He looked like angry, he said" Leo if you let me waiting for you one hour again I will not waiting you anymore!" Then we went to restaurant together. Until next day James still looks unhappy. I knowed that was my fault. If I did not forgot that what did james said he might be that angry.

9/20
Dear diary
If you ask me who is the most outgoing guy in the school, I might say “ My roommate Jack.” When I arrived America, I was tired to understand what people’s speaking. However, when I first time saw my roommate, he was so excited and hugged me. He is a popular and outgoing person. At first day of the school he introduced his friends to me, James is one of his friends. He usually teach me some grammar of english and some homework. He is the best roommate I have.

10/3

Dear diary

This weekend I went to the shopping mall by bus again. This is my second time to be in a shopping mall by myself, as I need to buy a birthday gift for my dad. This time I did not get any carsickness. I want to buy my dad either a watch or a wallet. I checked the watch store and saw a fancy looking watch. While I am deciding should I go check out the wallets as well, the sales assistant told me, the watch is on sale. I got my dad a watch as his birthday gift.

10/5

Dear diary

Today I am very happy again, because I achieved an A and I got a 100 in my math test. I am very happy because the test is challenging and I studied hard for it, and I am finally enjoying the result of hard working. I tell myself I will keep it up and achieve a 100 in my final exam this year, and get into honors class next year.  

10/12

Dear diary

Today is Monday and I am very tired for school as everybody is. I almost fell asleep in my math class because the teacher is teaching something that I already learned in China. It was the longest 65 minutes in my life. I could not wait until the end of class so I can went back to my room and rested, it is the last period of the day that I have. I slept and I forgot to eat dinner. When I awake up I feel hungry so much.

10/20

Dear diary

Today my roommate ordered Japanese sushi and ate with me. He is very generous and paid for the meal. We ordered so much that both of us couldn’t finish it, so we asked James to help us finish eating them all. I havn’t ate sushi since school started, this was the best food I had ever had since then.

11/1

Dear diary

Today is the first day of the November. I am tried because yesterday was Halloween. I was so excited, because that was my first Halloween in America. In our school we have a Halloween party, all the people were wearing special dress. During this party I saw a girl who called sookan, she is the only Korean in our school. That was my first time saw the Hanbok.

11/10

Dear diary

Thanksgiving break is coming. I'm so excited about the Black Friday. Jack told me that is a shopping day in American. Black Friday is not a official holiday, during the Black Friday the most major open very early and offer promotional sales. I am going to buy an new mouse and some clothes at Black Friday!

11/20

Dear diary

Thanks giving break arrived. I'm live in jack's house he invited me to came with him. That was my first time saw the American family. The parents are not take care of their children like chinese parents do. They give their children a lot of freedom and more personal spaces. Maybe we should learn something from American education.

11/30

Dear diary

On thanks giving I almost spent all the break with Jack, we did a lot of housework during the break. He is living in the Boston, there was very cold. According to this experence, I understood why people don’t need too big house. Because bigger house means has more housework need to do. Also you can’t remember where did you put things on.

12/1

Dear diary

After thanks giving, we came back school by school bus. I really dont want to come back because home is so comfortable, and I dont like school. On the way back I thought of the friends I met during the break and the happy time I had with them. Today is a really bad day because I have to come back to school.

12/7

Dear diary

Today is the second week of school after Thanksgiving, Im in the middle of the term and another week until Christmas, so school work is very busy and hard. I dont like this time of the year at all. It is hard and the weather is really cold. I have to wear a lot to go out every day.

12/17

Dear diary

Today my Christmas break starts, I will go home by plane again. I think of my parents and my sister on the way home. I cried on the plane because I missed them so much and I couldnt wait to see them again. I finally arrived home a day later, and I am very tired.

12/19

Dear diary

Diary entry

11/20/2015
Dear diary,
Today I went to Boston by school bus. I was so excited to go back home. The reason why I was so excited is I was missing my sister. Everytime when I go back to home she will cook many delicious foods for me. Also she will buy some gifts for me. On the bus it was the most hardest time for me, I couldn't sleep on the bus because of carsickness. When I went back to home I saw my sister's boyfriend! That is the biggest surprise on my life.

Thanksgiving break

In thanksgiving break, I went back to my sister's house. My sister were too busy to take care of me. So most of the times I must take care of myself. In the fall Boston's main colour is yellow, because of the fallen leaves I did a lot of works to clean them. The most interesting part of my break is Black Friday, I went to the downtown of Boston. I saw most people were lining to buy clothes or something. Also most of commodity had the lowest price. But I didn't buy anything. That is my thanksgiving break.

Peter Pan ending

In my opinion, the ending of Peter Pan is half happy and half bad ending. Because in the ending Peter Pan they overcome the Captain Hook and killed him by crocodile. This part made me feel that is a happy ending. However, Peter Pan must leave Wendy, in order to not be catch and become a man. But Peter Pan promise he will see Wendy once a year. That's the reason why I feel sad in the end. Because of these things made I feel the ending of Peter Pan is half and half. 

Peter Pan reviews

      Yesterday, I went to "The Black Box Theater" to watched drama of Peter Pan. I was very excited about that, because that is my first time to watch my friends acting. John Jiang he is one of my best friend in Cheshire academy, I think he is the best actor in this drama. He played the role of Mr. Darling and curly, his performance is the most attract me thing. His performance made me never forget, that is the best performance I have been watched.

       The plot of story is very interesting, every act is attracting me. This story is talk about an adventure of Wendy and Peter pan. Story happened at evening, on Mr. Darling and Mrs. Darling's house. Peter pan was listening Mrs. Darling's bed time story. One day he was found by Mrs. Darling, when he escaped from house he lost his shadow. Then he tried to get back the shadow, unfortunately when he looking for his shadow he awoke Wendy. However, Wendy helped him to repaired shadow. Peter pan found Wendy know many stories, so he invited Wendy to Joined the group of lost boys and be the mother of them. Wendy said yes, and her two brothers John and Michael must go to Neverland with them. When they arrived the Neverland, lostboys were artillery strike from the air because of fairy Tinker Bell's trick. Wendy was almost killed by a lost boy. They plan to build a small house for Wendy; in order to she can do rehabilitation. After Wendy awoke up, Wendy gets accustomed to the mother's role. Peter led Wendy and her brothers repeated adventure, but they were in danger when they going to saved Princess Lily. They fought with captain hook and they lost. Peter let Wendy fled in a kite, but he was waiting for death on the rocks. Fortunately, a bird gave Peter boat to return to the house. Because they saved Princess Lily, they got help of the Indians. At same time Wendy fell in love with Peter, Peter fell confused and agitated Wendy, also he hurt Wendy's feelings. Wendy wanted to go back home with her brothers. She decided to take John and Michael back to London. On the way, they were going back home captain hook caught them, and give peter a poison. Peter did not know these things happen. After he woke up, Tinker bell told him these. In order Wendy, Peter wants to drink his medicine. That is too late for Tinker bell tell Peter about the poison, so she drank the medicine instead of Peter. When she was on the verge of death, peter to those who still believe in the fairy of children's sympathy and save Tinker bell. In the end Peter used the crocodiles to killed captain hook and save the Wendy and her brothers.

       This is my first time watching the drama in school. This performance gives me a lot of surprise. I have never thought that a school can perform such a great drama performance.

Words

1. mannequin

A small, black velvet purse hung on the shoulder of the mannequin.

Life-sized model of a person which is used to display clothes.

2. second-hand

To save money, I had purchased second-hand textbooks from upperclassmen at a fraction of the original price, and I was careful not to use too many notebooks.

Something used or owned by another.

3. animatedly

Many of our classmates were there, with drinks in hand, talking animatedly.

Happy, exciting or looks like real.

4. faltered 

Flustered, I faltered, then hurriedly responded, "Yes, well, I had a good time, too.

speak haltingly

5. impulsive

She would acknowledge that I had done something impulsive, but would say that it was okay.

without forethought or thinking.

6. constrained

But maybe that was why I had wanted to leave home for a while; I had always felt constrained there.

not natural or not comfortable

7. Gregorian chant

A Gregorian chant program is scheduled for June, and students will be coming from around the world.

a liturgical chant of the Roman Catholic Church

8. pearl

The pearl necklace and wishbone pin would really stand out against the black velvet.

a smooth lustrous round structure inside the shell of a clam or oyster

9. elope

All I can think about is Kyle, and the life ahead of us. I just want to elope and get our lives started now!"

run away with one's beloved

10. taciturn

I would write to each of my taciturn brothers, even though they had never written to me.

person does not say very much and unfriendly.

11. sobbed

I sat, buried my face in my hands, and sobbed.

weeping

12. pouch

In a silk pouch that Mother had made was her thin, white gold wedding band.

A small size container for holding things.

13. listlessly

As I stared forward listlessly, little Sarah snuggled up against me, and whispered into my ear, "I love you, Sookan."

lacking zest or vivacity

14. hymn

I was comforted by their high-pitched hymns reverberating in the domed chapel.

a song of praise

15. fainted

She had fainted, and they found out it was a cerebral hemorrhage.
Weak and lost consciousness

Sookan's life

Leo Wang

English 2

Period C

Mrs. Guarino

Sookan's life

       The human is tiny under this sky; we are vulnerable. In the life we have many irresistible factors; even life is too hard to make same as our ideal. Also every people's life have some difficulties, Sookan is the main character of the gathering the pearl. She is the girl who come from Korea and study abroad at America. However, it is challenge for an international student study at a different language. Even though she is working very hard and trying to become better, also language is still a huge difficulty for her.

       In my opinion, her school life will become much better and better. Because the most difficult part for international students is to fit in a group of new environment. Also according to the story, "But I signed up for world literature, world religions, Greek and Roman culture, and early European history."(Page 18) Sookan is a student who works very hard and brave to face on the difficulties. That is the reason why I think her school life will become better and succeed in her U.S. college life.

       Ellen and Marci will become to her best friend, also their friendship will stay stronger and stronger. Because Sookan does not have any bad custom or mean other students, she will have more friends in the college. According to the book, "Marci, I'm sorry but I need to see Miss Mullen about something. Would you mind if I meet you at the dining hall later on? Would you please tell Ellen that I will see her later, too?"(Page 21) because of these sookan is talk to people politely and kindly. That will be really helpful to her makes new friends in the college.

       On the other hand, I think she will not return to Korea. Because her college life is become better and she join into the new group. She will have many friends like Ellen and Marci; also she will not feel lonely anymore. As her English ability increases she will slowly blend into American society. As the same time, she will enjoy the American life and does not too homesick anymore. According to the story, "I could make a big dinner and invite the Bennetts, Marci, and Ellen to a party at the dorm. There was a small kitchen on the first floor, and in the parlor, a decorated Christmas tree." I think she is going to have a good conversation with her friends and other people. That's why I think she will not return to Korea.

       In conclusion, Sookan has been a lot of things in America. We know that she is hard-working, polite and she really try her best to do everything. Sookan faced many irresistible factors in her life in America, but she become stronger and stronger at the same time. People always need to face terrible things in their life, it is better to face the problem with our wisdom and power like Sookan did in the book.

5 changes between Korea and US.

In Korea, people always wanted to become normal.

In US, American wants to be unique; they do not want to look similar with others.

In Korea, I always needed to help my mom to do the all the housework. My brothers do not need to do everything

In the US, I can see the men and women can work together, not only women work in the kitchen.

In Korea, the youngers should to pay the bills; elders do not need to pay that.

In the US, people think that they just need to pay their own money for orders.

In Korea, parents decided the marriage

In the US, people can talk and decide the marriage.

In Korea, I just needed to study hard and then I can get the high scores.

In the US, I need to translate Korean into English, then make a whole sentence, and finally speak. 

Compare with Sookan's experience

When I first time came to U.S. I afraid to talk with people, even waiter was asking me to water. I was  more anxious than Sookan.

Also my English are poor as Sookan, even I can not speak a full sentence in English. However  I am much lucky than Sookan. I have a older sister which study at American university for long time. She helps me a lot, and teach me a lot of things such as: grammar, speaking, spelling. Also my family is richer than Sookan, So I do not need to work for scholarship. Every international students in American school need to work harder than American student because of language problems. That's why every international students's life are not easy.

Questions

1. Where did Sookan go instead of having lunch with Marci,why she need to go there?

2. Why Sookan take so many difficult classes?

3.What kind of person is Marci? And who is Marci?

4. What job did Spokane get? Who gave her this job?

5. What kind of person Sookan's mother is? What did Sookan think after reading the letter from her mother?

Sook Nyul Choi

           Sook Nyul Choi is her Korean name. She is the author of Gathering Pearls. Her native language is Korean. She has expirenced the Korean War and she study at America. Her life is more special than normal people. She was born in North Korea and during the Korean War she filed to South korea, she emigrated to America to pursue higher education.

Experience essay

About Myself

       For my parents, they think I am a good boy who loves studying. For my friends, they think I am good at anything, never give up. But, for my teachers, they always think I am a smart student without endeavor. So these different personalities make up myself, the unique Leo.

       I do not like do anything that has the relation with studying, especially writing and reading, even I am a Chinese student studied in a Chinese primary school, there was one thing I hated the most, which was the reading explanation. Teachers always asked me to explain what the writers want to say. But I was very confused about it, because everyone has their own thinking; everyone is unique in this world, why should I analyze others' thinking way. So because of this reason, I always got lower points in reading. But I like reading, I like reading the story, whatever it is real or unreal, they both are attractive for me. I always think if there's no reading explanation part in school, it must be good. I like to compare their writing style with my style, then I could figure out what do I need to improve what should I practice.

       For me, I don't like the horror stories, I like reading narrative, especially a book that tell the past things, I wrote a story about myself, it's called memoir, I like this type of story the most, it likes the things happen in our daily life, the basic things are the most attractive things for me. In my memoir, I wrote about my life after I got offer of Cheshire Academy. Because that event is one of the most important events in my life, it changes my life so much even I can't rely on my parents for live anymore. However, I am still proud of my choice. I love the true story because of that can let people to get information or knowledge from the book or paragraph. However I hate the writing style of lab reports, I found its words boring and uninteresting. I like to write more about interesting things such as telling a true story of someone I know.

       In general I think my writing experience in the past is not good enough because I think the topic is uninteresting to me. The variety of types of writing such as lab reports, essays are very limited. I want to write less on analytic and write for some more original content. I hope to write more on topics that I think interesting in the future. 

My favorite color

My favorite color is black.