Cindy's Life in U.S.

Short trip in New York and DC

2007-04-14T23:09:00.001-04:00

Last weekend I went to New York with Tiffany, Hsing Hong and Scott. We went there by car and we spent four hours to get there. That was my third time went to New York in my life but it was first time for this year. There are so many people in New York and everybody is hurrying. I don’t understand why they are so hurrying and what they are hurrying; therefore, I was so curious about that and that was also my first impression for New York.

We went to Brinkley Bridge, Chinatown, World Trade Center, Time Square and Outlet that nearby New York. When I went to World Trade Center, I felt so sad. There were so many pictures in there and one guy was playing so sad music. I couldn’t image if I were in the Twin Tower on 911 I did not now what I would do. I think 911 was a really sad disaster for USA especially for people who live in New York. Another impression for New York is the subway is so dirty; I think the reason for it is because the subway has built for long time. Besides, New York still is a good place for trip.

Today, I went to DC to see parade with Tiffany, Jennifer, her son and her husband. This was my first time went to Cherry Blossom Festival in DC and saw parade of USA. There were so many people watching parade; therefore it was so crowd. The parade in USA is so different from Taiwan. I can not compare which one is better because each one have their characteristic.

I love these two trips because they are new experiences for me during I live in USA. ^^

Single or Couple?

2007-03-05T17:36:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I like to be single,
but sometimes I want to be in love with someone.
I think I am not a good person to be a girlfriend or a wife right now,
because I'm still learning how to be a good girlfriend or wife. ^^
Recently, I'm thinking about "love".

Love someone is hard.
Why?
Because many couples divorce and many bad news about marriage happen on each single day.
Like a couple cheating or fighting to each other.
How long will we love each other?
You have been in love with someone for a long time,
even there is no love in between, but you are still together.
That is because you are used to do things with each other, not love.
To this kind of couple, love does not exist.
On the other hand, "be used to" is very awful thing for a couple.

I really want to be a housewife. (This is a my dream ^^)
I want to let my husband and children feel that they have a good family,
and they can relax when they come home.
I really want to get married, but I'm afraid.
Because sometimes a small thing happen can cause a couple divorces.
Therefore, love is really hard to find and learn in my life.

Anyway, I am just telling what I think and feel about "love."
You don't need to agree with me.
If you have different opinion from mine, welcome to leave comment.
I am glade to see different opinions and I will respect it. ^^

PS. I really wish I will have a good marriage. QQ

Prize

2007-03-01T17:23:00.001-05:00

Yesterday, I got the prize, chocolate bar, from Nina who was my last semester GWR teacher. The chocolate bar was a gift for finding out where the helicopter is on campus. Few days ago, I visited Nina’s blog, the new post said the first person to identify its location and then he/she would win a candy bar. I was the first person found where it is therefore I got the prize. Actually, I didn’t care about the prize; I just did that for fun. ^^ It is easy to find it for me because my morning class is beside it. Ha! Ha! Anyway, thank you for your chocolate bar, Nina. ^^

Happy Time

2007-02-25T18:15:00.000-05:00

Recently, I have a lot of good time with my friends.

First: I have a lot of opportunities to practice English
Recently, I am very happy because I have a lot of opportunities to practice English. Actually I like learning English, especially speaking. This week, my friends who were my most close friends in the UM were absent a lot. Therefore, I ate lunch with another classmate who is also Korean but she is a professor of English in Korea. I really enjoy talking to her because I’m not only can practice speaking but also can learn grammar and vocabulary from her. So, recently I’m really really really happy. ^^

Second: I had a good time with Tiffany and Kevin
Yesterday, I had a dinner with Tiffany and Kevin. That was my first time hang out with them. I have known Tiffany for six months but I have known Kevin only for three weeks. They are very nice person and good friends. I really enjoy having a dinner and shopping with them.We went to Chinese restaurant because Kevin didn’t know a lot of Chinese restaurants in Rockville. We ate a lot of foods but the bill is not expensive. ^^ After dinner, we went to Montgomery mall because he said he had never been there. That’s why we decided to go there. We didn’t buy any stuff but we really had a good time for shopping and talking in the mall.

Anyway, I just wanna say “today, I really had a good time with you guys” ^^

My first snowman

2007-02-15T00:18:00.000-05:00

I am so happy that we don’t have class today. This is the first time I do not class because the snow in my life. In Taiwan, we don’t have snow therefore we don’t have this kind of reason for no class. I love snow because it make world seems very beautiful as white world.

This afternoon, my aunt, cousin, and I cleaned the snow. That was my first time cleaned the snow and I was very exciting. ^^ It’s also a good exercise because it’s a very hard work. After we cleaned the snow, my cousin and I made a snowman. That was also my first time made snowman. Although it looks not very good (maybe a little funny), I still had a lot of fun to make it. ^^

Challenge

2007-02-11T00:31:00.000-05:00

This semester is a challenge for me, especially writing and discussion. In this semester, I have to write five paragraphs in each essay. It’s really hard for me but it also good for me. Sometimes challenge is good way to push me study harder and harder. I also have a lot of discussions in the both classes. Sometimes I’m really afraid in discussion because I don’t know what I should say. I love my listening and speaking class a lot because Amy (my L/S teacher) always gives us very tight schedule in the class. Therefore, I have learned a lot in L/S class. Anyway, I hope I will improve a lot when the semester ends. ^^

New Semester

2007-01-21T13:07:00.000-05:00

I’m so happy that I can stay at UM this semester. Before the semester started, my aunt did not decide that I should go back to Taiwan or stay in the USA. She has changed her mind many times. Therefore, I really had no idea about my future plan before she made any decisions. Eventually, she decided let me stay at UM. So I took MEIPE on Jan. 17 and I met new classmates on Jan. 19. Half of classmates are old students and half of classmates are new students in my class. I wish I will have a good class as last semester. ^^

wherever you are, you will be my good firend forever

2006-12-13T22:36:00.000-05:00

Today is ceremony and it’s a last day in the semester. We were in the Maryland Room in Marie Mount Hall to celebrate our accomplishment and got certificate. After ceremony I went to eat lunch with Sunghy, Hyosung, Seyoung, Joonmee, and other two 004C students who are Korean too in Adele’s. Maybe today is the last day I can meet all of them because maybe I will transfer to another school. After we ate lunch Sunghye had to go home first because she hasn’t finished her packing. Therefore when Sunghye saied good bye to me she was crying and she made me cried. That time we were so sad. I wish when she come back USA we will meet again. ><

My favorite Korean song

2006-12-10T20:55:00.000-05:00

I knew this song five years ago. The name of the song is “Because I’m a girl.” The music video is a little sad. When I saw it first time I cried. This website I founded form Chinese website. I would like to share with you. ^^

http://www2u.homeip.net/kiss/mtvkiss.htm

Lyric in English:
i just cant understand the hearts of men
they tell you they want you and then they leave you

this is the first time, you're special
i believed those words and i was so happy

[chorus]
you should have told me you didn't like me any more
but i couldn't see that and you just rushed me
although i will curse you i'll still miss you
because i am a girl, to whom love is everything

i heard that if you give up things too easily
to a man, he will get bored with you
i don't think this is wrong

a girl says that she will never be fooled again
but she will fall in love again
[chorus]

[narration]
we parted today
you said you wanted me to be happy and find a better person than you
you're just like every other man
didn't you tell me you loved me?
actually, i don't want you to be happy
what if you find a girl who's prettier than me and live happily with her
what it makes you forget me
when im hurting so much, so much i want to die
when i still love you so much...

don't take advantage of a girl's willingness to do anything for love
and her caring instinct

i didn't know that to be born as a girl and to be loved was so hard

although i will curse you i'll still miss you
because i am a girl, to whom love is everything

although i will curse you i'll still miss you
because i am a girl, to whom love is everything

Good Bye

2006-12-08T00:36:00.000-05:00

Today is the last day of the class in this semester. After class we went to restaurant in the Stamp Union. I can’t believe the classes have already ended. I was very glad that I had a good class in this semester. Maybe some of classmates will transfer to another school and some of classmates will go back their country. I will miss everybody and study with you guys.
GOOD BYE AND GOOD LUCK FOR EVERYBODY.

Thanksgiving

2006-11-30T19:35:00.000-05:00

Last Thursday was Thanksgiving. This was my second Thanksgiving in the USA. Totally about 22 people were in my house. My uncle cooked Thanksgiving dinner. He prepared for dinner started from morning to evening. We had a lot of great foods in the dinner because he is a good cook. ^^ I was so full at that night because after dinner we ate apple pie and my birthday cake that my cousin bought for me. Everybody sang birthday song for me. I was so happy many people celebrated my birthday.

My cousin's family came from NY and they stayed in my house three days. Her daughter and son are very cute. This is my fist time somebody called me “aunt”. That is very interesting for me. ^^ Therefore, I spent a lot of time played with my niece and nephew. Unfortunately, three day passed so fast. I really enjoyed with all relatives in Thanksgiving. Hope I can see my niece and nephew as soon as possible. I miss them so much. T.T

Multicultural Fair

2006-11-20T18:05:00.000-05:00

Friday we had a multicultural fair in HZF. Each country did very good job. I got a lot of information about other countries culture. In my group, Taiwan group, we prepared a lot of food that were Bubble tea, mochi, rice noodle, and tea egg and some traditional stuff. I am very happy that many people said our food so delicious. I’m proud of my country. I had a good time with all MEI teachers and students and thank you all of visitors. ^^

The semester is almost over

2006-11-17T11:27:00.000-05:00

Time is going so fast. The semester is almost over. I improve my reading comprehension a lot but others are so so. This semester is not very tough for me except writing and reading. I have already applied Graduate School of Delaware University for spring 2007. If they accepted my admission, I will move to there. If they don’t, I will study in MEI one more semester and then continue to apply other school for fall 2007. So far, one thing I can do is just waiting.

Home Schooling

2006-11-10T11:33:00.000-05:00

This week we read of Home Schooling in NS. Therefore, Nina invites her friend to come to our class to give us a presentation about Home Schooling. Michelle is home schooling her children whose age are 6, 9 and 11. Home Schooling means parents teach their child at home instead of regular school. We asked a lot of questions about her experience of home schooling. It was very interesting for me because this is my first time to know what the home schooling is. In Taiwan, we can not choose to home schooling our children. Everyone has to go to regular school. It is illegal for parents don’t send their children to school. If parents don’t send their children to school, they will get some problems. For instance, they will go to jail or something like that. Anyway, after I listen to the presentation, in my opinion, I think regular school is better than Home Schooling. What do you think?

The Five People You Meet in Heaven

2006-11-01T14:10:00.000-05:00

Actually, this is not my first time read novel in English. I read children novels four years ago, at that time it was very hard for me even though it was children novel because my English was very poor. Now, my English is better than before, therefore, this novel is not very hard for me. The beginning of reading novel I’m not really enjoying it because the beginning is a little hard to understand what happen in the story. When I read more and more then I’m enjoy reading it now and the handout helps me to understand the story a lot. I’m not really enjoying listening to the story because the video sound is not very interesting. If I have time, I would like to read other novel because it can improve my reading a lot.

James' birthday party

2006-10-30T19:44:00.000-05:00

Oct, 29th was James' birthday; therefore we had a birthday party two days for James in Hsing-hong’s house. Hyosung didn’t go because he was sick. That’s too bad. :( Young made bulgogi which is Korean food for dinner. That was my first time ate bulgogi, and it was so delicious. (Thanks Young ^^) We ate a lot of food and drank a lot of beer. That was my first time drank a lot of beer but they think I didn’t drink a lot. (Oh my god!!) We played poker game called One Card. Winner can hit loser’s forehead. That really hurt especially hit from James. We had a great time on these two days and HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES. ^^

Class Field Trip

2006-10-20T21:28:00.000-04:00

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Yesterday, Oct. 19, 003 and 004 classes had a Field Trip. We met at the Shuttle bus stop that in front of Stamp Union. I arrived at school at 7:10am as usual. I waited in the Stamp Union until 8:30. Today only three teachers took us on the Field Trip. We went to the Library of Congress and the National Building Museum.

The Library of Congress was established by an act of Congress in 1800. It is the nation's oldest federal cultural institution and serves as the research arm of Congress. It is also the largest library in the world, with more than 130 million items on approximately 530 miles of bookshelves. The collections include more than 29 million books and other printed materials, 2.7 million recordings, 12 million photographs, 4.8 million maps, and 58 million manuscripts.

We went to see The Green House. The Green House demonstrates that stylish architecture, comfortable interior design, and environmental responsibility are not mutually exclusive, but in fact can be mutually reinforcing. The home is where the movement to “go green” begins—where we as individuals have the power to set a new course for a more sustainable future.

After we saw Library of Congress and Nation Building Museum we went to Chinatown for our lunch. We ate Chinese food. I didn’t order but I think it was delicious, wasn’t it? After lunch we went back to College Park. I liked Library of Congress because it not only has a lot of books but is also a very beautiful building. I like this kind of old building a lot. It’s really beautiful.

Turtles

2006-10-19T18:23:00.000-04:00

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Yesterday, after class I went to see the turtle with Nana, Candy, Jimmy, Jennifer, Jennifer’s husband, Jennifer’s son, and my speaking partner whose name is Tiffany. There are a lot of turtles in the Alumni Center. Some are beautiful abut some are awful. I took some pictures with turtle. After I saw it, I went to coffee hour with Jimmy and Tiffany. We went to there to drink and eat some cookies. We chatted about thirty minutes and then go tome. Actually, I am not a turtle fan but I’m still so sad about the school sale the turtles. Because the turtle is a symbol of school therefore I think they should not sale them. So I really don’t understand why they do that.

Field Trip to Harpers Ferry

2006-10-12T21:33:00.000-04:00

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Harpers Ferry is a town in Jefferson County, easternmost West Virginia, at the confluence of the Shenandoah and Potomac rivers. It was incorporated as a town in 1763. Harpers Ferry is a tourist attraction, known for its history and its scenic be beauty. Here is a website, if you want to know more about it click it you will get it.
http://www.nps.gov/hafe

Today, we went to Harpers Ferry for field trip with all MEI students. This was my first time to go toWest Virginia. It took one and a half hours to get to Harpers Ferry National Historical Park and then we have to take Harpers Ferry shuttle to get Harpers Ferry. The buildings there are really old but I like to see it because I can know what were they doing in the past century and what kind of life they led. Therefore, I am really happy I visited here.

Weekend of Oct. 7-8

2006-10-09T20:14:00.000-04:00

The picture is Firework on Double Tenth Celebration in Taiwan (10/10/06)

Actually, during Oct. 6-10 was a big holiday in Taiwan. Friday, Oct. 6 was a moon Festival, and every family would has a Barbecue at home. On Friday, my friend had invited me to join their Barbecue, but his house was too far from my house; therefore, I didn't go. I just watched Chinese Drama at home and relaxed and I also chatted with my friends in internet.

The weekend of Oct. 7-8, I studied for TOEFL test whole day. I didn't go anywhere; I just studied and studied. Maybe you will think it is a very boring. It is. But I will take it in November, so I have to study it a lot. I hope I can get good score on it. I don't want to take it again. ><

Tomorrow, Oct. 10 is a Double Tenth Celebration; it's National Day in Taiwan. In the morning we will have a parade and at night we will have fireworks. I like firework a lot becasue they are very beautiful. Unfortunately, this year I can't see it.

Impressions of one month

2006-10-07T19:40:00.000-04:00

Time is going so fast. I have already been studying in MEI for four weeks. In the class I like Rate Builders and Power Builders a lot. Recently, I found I have improved my reading. Yesterday I did TOEFL practice exercise, I found I could read fast and get more then half of correct answers. It is really helpful for my reading. Keep reading I think I can improve a lot in my reading. Now, classmates are getting closer. I also got some good friends in the class. These days we eat lunch together and I really enjoying eating lunch with them. ^^

Too bad

2006-10-01T23:39:00.000-04:00

Friday, me, Tomoko, Hyosung, Candy, Hyosung’s brother and two 002 students whose name I don’t know went to the CRC to play Ping-Pong. Unfortunately, when we got there and then show our IDs, they said our IDs was not vaild. In the end, we couldn't play it. That’s too bad. :-(

Coffee Hour

2006-09-27T21:24:00.000-04:00

Today, I had a great coffee hour. I played table tennis with Tomoko, who is MEI 004 student, and Amer. I like table tennis a lot, but I don’t play very well. :-( When the coffee hour was over, Tomoko asked me to play table tennis on Friday after three o’clock. I was very happy she asked me that because I also want to play it after class at sometime. If anybody wants to play it too, you are welcome to join us. ^^

My speaking partner

2006-09-25T12:08:00.000-04:00

On sep. 21 we met our partners at 2:00 to 3:30. This is a really good program for me. Actually, I didn’t meet my partner because in the partner program paper said that she can not attend. So I just knew her name--Tiffany and e-mail address. Then I went to lab and sent her an e-mail to her. She seems very nice. She replied very soon and we've rescheduled the time. We will meet tomorrow at 3:30 in Stamp Student Union. I hope we will have a good time in all semester.

The First Look Fair

2006-09-22T21:51:00.000-04:00

On Sep. 20, I saw a lot of balloons when I walked near to the HZF. I didn’t know what’s happened. I just thought maybe had a special Fair in there. At 10 clocks Harriet took us to see “The First Look Fair”. When I saw it, I was very surprised. There were more than 400 student clubs and organizations. Though, they had a lot of clubs and organizations and no one interesting me. But I liked “Traveling Terps” tiny stuff that was global key chain. It was so cute. Anyway, this was a special experience for me.

The Food Coop

2006-09-18T14:33:00.000-04:00

Today, we went to the Food Coop which is located in the Stamp Student Union for our lunch with Nina and classmates. I think the food there is really healthy, but I don’t like it because most of the food there is American food, and actually I don’t like American food so much. American food makes me fat weight. I don’t know why. So, if you like American food or healthy food, I think you can go to the Food Coop for your lunch or dinner. It will be a good place for you.

Impressions of MEI

2006-09-15T11:56:00.000-04:00

This is my second time to learn English in the U.S. But this is my first time to attend MEI. Before the MEI class started, I came to the school to see the environment, and my first impression was that the school is very big.

Now, we have had classes for about one week. All of the teachers are very nice, and they have a lot of programs to help us to improve our English. I think this is very good for us. And the classmates are nice, too. But it’s a little hard to make friends from other places. Maybe after a few weeks, we know each other more and more. Then I think I can make friends more easier.

Memory&Lonely

2006-09-14T17:52:00.000-04:00

Yesterday I took Metro to go home, and I got off at Shady Grove station.
When I got off the Metro, around of scenes became so familiar.
a lot of scenes went through my brain......

Suddenly, I miss my friends who I made at Montgomery College so much.
Becasuse, it is so hard to make friend in MEI
I dont know why..... (is it my problem?)
So I feel so lonely >O<

Actually, I really want to make other friends in our class.
but I dont know how to start.....(am I shy?? maybe QQ )
I will cheer up to make some friends.
Cheer up!!Cheer up!! ~~Cindy~~ Cheer up!!Cheer up!!

Lunch with classmates and Nina on Sep. 12

2006-09-13T14:32:00.000-04:00

Today, I went to the Dairy for lunch with Nina, Jennifer, a Taiwanese boy, and three Korean boys. I ate fried noodles that Jennifer’s husband made. It was delicious. This is the first time I ate lunch with classmates and Nina, and I thought it would be a great lunch. That’s why I went to the Dairy. Nina took a picture of Jennifer and me. The picture looks a little funny. It was a great lunch.

Who I Am and Why I Am Here

2006-09-11T14:22:00.000-04:00

My name is Chun-Yu Lin, and you can call me Cindy. I come from Taiwan. There are three people in my family. My mother is working in an accounting office, my brother is a salesman (he sells Suzuki cars), and I just graduated from Tamg Kang University in June. My major is Computer Science. I am very interested in travel. When I was a university student, I always took trips with my friends in the summer. Actually, nothing makes me special and different from other people. I’m a very ordinary person. I came to the United States because I want to apply to graduate school at the University of Maryland. But now my English is not good enough to apply, so I came here to study English first. I hope my English can improve quickly so I can go to graduate school at the University of Maryland. I think MEI has a test like the TOEFL, and if I pass that, I can begin my studies at UM. I think I will take it, but I don’t know when. I hope MEI can give us this kind of information, and I think I can achieve my dream.

Welcome to my Blog

2006-09-08T12:07:00.000-04:00

This is my first blog
I just created in MEI class.

Welcome to my blog ^^