Everybody do become lazy after thanksgiving. DO not want to do homework. Do not want to go to class. Especially for me and friends around me;P This week were a week full of surprises. First of all, my music class TA ask me to rewrite my paper which i hand in in the beginning of this semester. and it final due MOnday. Secondly, got a email said we have to finish the homework online as soon as possible. What a surprise! i think i have never do that before. i think i need a list for homework now. Wish me a great week.

After a holiday, i become more lazy than before. didnt finish homework yet. Hope next three weeks can go fast, because i cant wait winter break without any homework and see my family and friends. i have been here too long to forget who i was. If say study here is a war, go back to home is taking a break, get more energy and supply. Be ready for a better fight! But, before the break, let fight final exam. good luck everyone.

My friend- J is taking air plane for home now. Hope she has a safe and happy tripe. We have been friends only few month which is a good time. Maybe shot time stay here, make less friends is better than long time. Is so hard to say good bye. As international students, we have be ready go to another place anytime.J is right, never say good bye. should be see you:)We will see each other again. Have a good Thanksgiving with your family, J. We all miss you.

i had an awsome week. Only had one class on Tuesday, another one was canceled. Even the only class is a test, it is better than write paper for me. I hate write papers at all, so i hate lingustic class!!! there is a holiday in this week too. NO school! Yeah~~ Thus, after the test on Tuesday, this week is down for me. hahah~ Next, i have to do the music test review. The worset thing for me are that the test on monday, probably cannot have a good weekend. Suggest professer can change it:P Get Math test and bio quize tmr. Math is a piece of cake for me. Only hope my bio lab quize can do better, cross finger~~ Alright, it is time to do bio quize review. byebye~

terrible debate

Today, we did the debate in Hed class. I feel terrible about the debate. I didnt say anything on the debate. Now i understand my English is so weak!!! I do want do something on the debate, but i cant. People talk so fast. before i understand what they ask, there are someone answer the question. Thats so terrible. If i talk to someone, probably they will say you will be fine. I know i will be, but still feel bad about myself. Sometimes i think hunman being are so complex and contradictory. Its intersting. Whatever, I hate debate now. Dont want to do it anymore in my life!!!

Creepy Halloween

creepy Halloween!!!!! Since last weekend, people become so crazy. They dressed up and get drunk all the time!! i was scared go outside at night. but i have to say, Halloween has so much fun. People wear customers, which is like a fashion show. Between friends, they will curious what you will be this year. Another reason why im scared Halloween is the horror movie. Before Halloween, all of the horror movie i have seen are repeating in my mind automatically. My brain is out off control. Haha. This year, i just have a very simple Halloween. For some reason, I didnt buy customers and go to any party. BUT, i expect next Halloween :D

went to st. Louis zoo on Saturday feels like i went back to childhood. Saw some animals i have never seen before. Learned few animals name in English that excited me,such as, hippo, bushdog, lizard. i was sleeping on the way to go to the zoo and the way back, which is like a old people. So i think i missed some funny part. We were stop for food. next to the restaurant is a country style store that i like so much. We had a great time in the restaurant.

yestoday we went to gaint city. We arrived gaint city at noon. My friends take me go to the office first. I was confuse why he bring me there. After i viewed the office, i found out how important to be there. In the office, several picture shows what kinds animals are in giant city and how to protect self during the trials. Then we went to the gaint city nature trail. The leaves are so pretty. My friend told me that it will be pretty too in winter and we planed came back later time. We took almost 200 pictures in the trail. It remainds me the fall i spent at home. Friends and family going to hang out in the beatuiful fall. Spent awesome time together. I think i get homesick now. lol It is a wonderful day. oh yeah~

just get up and surf the internet. Remembered have to write this blog. weather of today is so good that bring to me a good mood. Feel hungry now.hahah But dont have any food in my fridge. What time is now? adventure time~~ of course not, is time for shopping food! i like shopping, but my mom said that when im shopping, i look angry:( Every time when i am shopping i feel super sleepy. maybe that is why. Yesterday i bought a new hoodie, it was $25 without taxes. Because i am student here, using student id can get extra 20% off. Finally, i got it $22 with taxes. i am happy even saved only 3 dollars:) Happy is such a simple thing actually:D have a good day.

I was thinking this week cannot be worse than last week, but i totally wrong. God made a joke for me. I totally became a foolish. I dont know what is real? Who i can trust anymore. I hate myself right now. i was happily and friendly. i was always smile. I still can smile to people, but the painful who knows. I am lost. Dont know where is my way. Where am i? I dont know what can i do about my goal. Was thinking after go to university, everything will be fine. HOw about now?!!I hate myself like right now. Before i always look forward, but now I really really want everything go back. Tomorrow is another day, is that real? Maybe it will be worse than today.

Last week, i went a concert for my music class paper, had a good time. i met my GA there that help me understanding a lot. A organ is huge that is amazing me a lot. And this is my first time see a organ. when i saw the organ i thought a cartoon i watched. But, that was a bad ending maybe i shouldnt say here. i have never think our school has such a place. suddenly i think our school is so rich!haha~
Actually, i am upset this week. Everything went down. say something happy cheer me up. Right now, nothing is important for me except the plane tickets for home that is the most important for me. i want have someone really care about me, someone really like me. I want the time i dont need wear the happy mask. Be really happy. I like there very much, but be independence is not easy as we say. However, nothing can get me down. i wanna be strong inside. Cheer up~ Be a real strong person.

Stress!! Stress-full!!!!

Since last week, i am so busy!!! So many homework!!!! If i dont have the homework about recode 3 stress things for a week, i wont know how stress i am. The new pimples on my face also can show me that. i hate pimples, i hate pimples!! i have already two weeks didnt sleep well that made me always feel tired. Now i can understand why the first health problem in university is stress. Now i know why my friend said American students study hard and play hard. The Music test i got today was terrible!! That make me very stressful again. Even i reviewed it 3 hours on Sunday, it still terrible i think. Next week, there are 3 essays due. Music consent on this Friday which i have to go to complete my paper for the class. These two weeks are super busy weeks. I really want a break, and regret register 6 classes for first semester. One classmate said lets drop the music class together. But, we already took the first test. i wont let it wast. Right now, i should encourage myself, lets say you can do it! you can do it! Great~ it is the time you say you can do it:)

my short term goal!!!

i have set thousands and thousands times about this goal. Sometime i achived it, sometime not. Sometimes i got it, but it changed back later. You know what i am talking about? yes, you are right. it is lose weight! one of my homework is selecting a short term personal goal, so i choose this one again. i already have goal and the steps how to do this. Hopefully, i can do this this time. Also, this is a homework. Thus, i will success this time. Good luck~ lol~

Violinist in the Metro

A man sat at a metro station in Washington DC and started to play the violin; it was a cold January morning. He played six Bach pieces for about 45 minutes. During that time, since it was rush hour, it was calculated that thousands of people went through the station, most of them on their way to work.

Three minutes went by and a middle aged man noticed there was musician playing. He slowed his pace and stopped for a few seconds and then hurried up to meet his schedule.

A minute later, the violinist received his first dollar tip: a woman threw the money in the till and without stopping continued to walk.

A few minutes later, someone leaned against the wall to listen to him, but the man looked at his watch and started to walk again. Clearly he was late for work.

The one who paid the most attention was a 3 year old boy. His mother tagged him along, hurried but the kid stopped to look at the violinist.

Finally the mother pushed hard and the child continued to walk turning his head all the time. This action was repeated by several other children. All the parents, without exception, forced them to move on.

In the 45 minutes the musician played, only 6 people stopped and stayed for a while. About 20 gave him money but continued to walk their normal pace. He collected $32. When he finished playing and silence took over, no one noticed it. No one applauded, nor was there any recognition.

No one knew this but the violinist was Joshua Bell, one of the top musicians in the world. He played one of the most intricate pieces ever written,with a violin worth 3.5 million dollars.

Two days before his playing in the subway, Joshua Bell sold out at a theater in Boston and the seats average $100.

This is a real story. Joshua Bell playing incognito in the metro station
was organized by the Washington Post as part of a social experiment about perception, taste and priorities of people. The outlines were: in a commonplace environment at an inappropriate hour: Do we perceive beauty?
Do we stop to appreciate it? Do we recognize the talent in an unexpected context?

One of the possible conclusions from this experience could be: If we do not have a moment to stop and listen to one of the best musicians in the world playing the best music ever written, how many other things are we missing?


I read this story from a friend's blogger. He is working for Disney wonderland in Florida. He said this story is for their training. I think i have to think about how many beautiful things i was missing. Also, I learned from Bus class today. Dont let myself regret when i become old. Dont make self feel tons and tons things should do, but didnt do. We should have goals for our life.

First week of University life

As you know, i am a international student. In the past year i was in the English program. Still can see my older post which was my homework on this blog. When i was there, my dream is attend university. Or can say expect to go to university as soon as possible. Whatever, i am in university now. Actually, university life is not easy and relax that i thought. First day and second day were easy, because teacher just talked about syllabus. Wednesday music class made me confuse, lots of things and words i do not know, and those examples about American singer or musician definitely i do not know. Though, i learned read before class!!! Plant Biology exactly what i dislike and no interested in. Totally do not know what did the teacher say. People who did biology major is crazy for me. Probably my spirit is unhealthy. Probably that is why i took HED class. One more thing i cannot forget forever is about my math. Math is my proud. Maybe it was. I did first quiz at midnight yesterday or today morning. I was tired, but want it to be down. I have two years did not do any math that become stranger for me. Thus, i did terrible on the quiz. I swear to myself. I have to get back my proud. I swear!! Those are pretty much what happened in first four days. I just want to write it down to remember this sucks and wonderful week. This is a new life beginning. And it is important for me as a international student. I hope i can adapt the university study as soon as i can and become stronger and stronger. I believe i can do it:)

RRJ#5

Bixi Li
EPA1
May 5, 2010
Business
Why Goldman should overhaul its board
Reference:
Barr, C. (2010,April 20). Why Goldman should overhaul its board. Retrieved April 21, 2010, from CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/20/news/companies/goldman.board.fortune/index.htm
Summary:
In this article, the author mainly discussed the fact that Goldman is in a bad situation. Goldman disagrees with the allegation that they ripped off customers to get big profits, and they began to fix it from Goldman’s board and the tone of the firm's dealings with the public. The author compared Goldman and Citi, and says that Citi is doing better in dealing with public, but Goldman is not. Populists resent Goldman's giant pay packages and its ties to anywhere in Washington; this event is a good lesson for Goldman. Professionals said the board of Goldman is too cozy and very unprofessional, but people who pay money to Goldman agree with their ideas; they would not check on them. There are some scandals about Goldman and the board hided them. But someday it will blow up Goldman’s once glowing reputation if they work on this train. Blankfein still is Goldman’s CEO, even though independent board leadership has become obvious. However, the situation will become worse, if he does not follow Pandit’s way of redemption. The firm will take scrutiny; Goldman probably cannot control their agenda freely.
Reaction:
After reading this article, I think that a good reputation is very important for a company. Profits and a good reputation are complementary. To make the company have a good reputation requires a lot of efforts. Not only are products of the firm high quality, but also the service of the company is fulfilling. Those things can win people’s good opinion of the company. Beliefs from customers are a treasure and the key to doing a good business. On the other hand, a wise leader also is vital for a firm. But the wisdom means a person not only has a lot of professional knowledge, but also can keep a good relationship with employees. The leader knows how to make them work hard for him and be happy to be his staffs, and take care of them. A nice mood can improve the efficiency of a person. For example, the ex-CEO of Google, Kaifu Li, has a good relationship with his staff. From an interview of Google China, there are several rooms for employees to relax in their office, such as snack room, game room and bed room. Staff can use these rooms any time, and they also work hard. There is a restaurant, year round supply of seafood and staff can take seafood back to their family. After Kaifu Li left Google, many numbers were willing to follow him. The most important reason is they feel happy about working for Kaifu Li. Furthermore, those employees are personnel. Therefore, a good leader is the wealth of a company.


Vocabulary:
1. overhaul—an exam of a system, including repairs and changes.
2. board—a group of people have power to make decisions a company.
3. heresy—strongly disagree of a belief.
4. cue—information be implied.
5. Sin— a moral error.
6. Redemption—save something from evil; act of exchanging shares for money.
7. omnipresent—exist in anywhere.
8. outrage— very angry.
9. allegation— a public statement.
10. composition— something is organized.
11. drub— hit heavily.
12. savvy— knowledge, understanding of something.
13. scandals—bad behavior made public angry or shock.
14. reputation— the opinion that about do you like or not.
15. amend—correct the law, document, statement, etc.
16. claw back— the money that is paid back
17. scrutiny—careful and thorough examination
18. agenda—a list of items to be discussed at a meeting.

RRJ#4

April 15, 2010
Business
Google earnings soar 38%
Reference
Ellis, Blake (2010, April 15). Google earning soar 38%. Retrieved April 15, 2010, from CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/15/news/companies/google_earnings/index.htm


Summary:
Google made a great profit in the first quarter of 2010, which is beyond the budget of analysts. Advertising is the vital reason of lifted sales. Next, Google will force on innovation that is a basic function of increasing future business. Google has already increased hiring in the first quarter of 2010 and they are going to hire in the next three quarters. Google in mainland China moved to Hong Kong because of the dispute with Chinese government, but Google say that this is a correct decision and would not affect the future of Google in China. The mobile introduced by Google is a profitable business for them; thus, Google will continue research in this area. Buying AdMob provided display of advertise technology for mobile internet sites, which is another benefit to help Google make the achievement in the first quarter. The CEO of Google will not participate in the company’s earnings call. Although Google earnings soared a lot, shares of Google have been down. Yahoo and Apple, competitors of Google, will announce their first quarter earnings results soon.

Reference:
After I read this article, I thought IT is a never-declining industry. But innovation is the source of keeping going. If I were the leader of Google, I would invest heavily in the development of new projects and that would force to find and force the finding of creative talents. The mobile produced by Google took credit from people, which is a good example of innovation. Eric would not participate in the company’s earnings call, which makes me remember ex-CEO of Google in China—Kaifu Li. I recognized him two years ago from a TV program. He led his Google team to work very well, and gave them good treatment. Everyone is happy to work with him. I have wanted to be an employee of Google with Kaifu since that time. A giant company should have such a charming person to lead. On the other hand, China is a country with a large populations. There are many people who use the internet. Thus, Google should never give up developing in China. From personal view, I think Google is better than Baidu, which is a website similar to Google. Some sources of Baidu link with Google, and sources of Google are more comprehensive and truthful. Baidu has many personal opinions. As for Yahoo and Apple, I seldom use them in China, because their systems are not perfect in China.

Vocabulary
1. soar—rises very quickly
2. quarterly—three monthly
3. trump— to be better than anything else
4. revenue—income
5. surge—grow up dramatically
6. acquisition—pursue
7. committed—promise
8. investment— the act of investing money in something
9. innovation—creation
10. aggressively—not friendly
11. infrastructure—basic facility
12. dispute—argument
13. censorship—check by policy
14. disclose—tell some vital information
15. acknowledge—to accept that something is true

RRJ#3

Bixi Li
EAP1-RRJ#3
April 12, 2010
Business

China and the yuan: What's at stake?
Reference:
Isidore, Chris (2010, April 10), China and the yuan: What’s at stake. Retrieved April 11, 2010, from CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/2010/04/09/news/economy/yuan_dollar_revaluation/index.htm

Summary:
The yuan made goods more competitive with Chinese exports. The U.S and China want to make an agreement that the yuan is raised. The person who is a harsh critic of both the Bush and Obama administrations advocates threatening China with steep tax penalties to make China solve problems. Some economists agree with the yuan having a great space of appreciation and they suggest China and the U.S should pursue a smooth adjustment, because a dramatic change will cause another big financial problem out though the world. An overly undervalued yuan led to an asset bubble in China and a deficit in the U.S.
Some U.S manufacturers think a stronger yuan and a weaker dollar is good. Actually it is not. Labor cost is still lower in China. That means goods that are made in China will be more expensive than before for Americans. Thus, China does not need buy more U.S Treasury bonds, which would lead to higher interest rates on U.S Treasury, higher borrowing costs for people and a weak dollar which makes the price of imports from other countries increase.
Reaction:
I have read this article and watched the video from the website. Donald Trump, chmn.& pres. of Trump org, said China is the biggest manufacturing country; China takes money out and then loan money back; and Mr. Trump pays a lot of tax exporting from China. He feels very dissatisfied. From the American points of view, the U.S economy is heading for a downturn. As Mr. Trump said, they are suffering painfully. News form Chinese reports said that most of the enterprises get benefit from the appreciation of the yuan. Only the export rag trade will be affected slightly. And China’s economy is increasing strongly, and policy is proper. There would not be an asset bubble in China. Thus, everything has two sides. We should think critically. Personally, a rise of the yuan would be good for me, because I would spend less in the yuan exchange to the U.S dollar. I am happy about the yuan being appreciated.

Vocabulary:
1. currency—money
2. conference—meeting
3. strategist—a person who is good at planning activities
4. modest—not very important
5. dent—hurt, to damage
6. adjustment—a change made to something become better
7. an asset bubble—not a true situation about economy
8. recession—a difficult time for the economy of a country
9. steep—sudden and a big change
10. penalty—a punishment for breaking a law or rule
11. intensive—involving a lot of work done in a short time
12. massive—giant, very large, heavy and soild

RRJ#2

Bixi Li
EAP1
April 4, 2010
Business
Nissan Leaf electric car will cost $25,000

Reference:
Valdes Dapena, Peter, (2010, March 30). Nissan Leaf electric car will cost $25,000, retrieved March 30, 2010, from CNN.com
http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/30/autos/nissan_leaf_pricing/index.htm

Summary:
Nissan Company has introduced a new electric car, which costs about $25,280 after a tax credit, named Leaf. This price is cheaper than that of General Motors’ Chevrolet Volt, and the Volt will not compete with the Leaf on function. The Leaf will go on sale this December and will be more different from the leaf in the near future. Nissan’s director of product planning said that the Leaf still makes profit for Nissan even though it has a low sticker price, and vehicle’s batteries cost a lot. That is because they have been working on vehicle’s batteries for a long time; they have already paid for this technology. Many people are interested in the Leaf and they have already submitted deposits. These people will get some concessions. Furthermore, there are also benefits to buy the car by car loan. Some states have some policy on car loans to encourage buying an electric car. Nissan Company tries to keep the car cost at a low monthly price.
Reaction:
After I read this article, I thought of electric car as a new technology, which will tend to become normal. The most important thing for electric car is the vehicle’s batteries, which cost a lot of money and time to make. The Leaf just cost $25, 280, which is a really low price, and we charge the car at home that is very convenient and cheap. From the article, I know many people would like to buy an electric car. The economic crisis is hard now that is lead to the gas price increasing dramatically. Fewer and fewer people can afford the gas for a car. Thus, I think electric car will become popular in the near future. Protecting environment has been promoted by people for a long time, and electric cars are good for environment. Electric car will get a good evaluation. Although the profit of one electric car is low, a number of electric cars will make big profit. I will prefer to work at such a company, which has a potential project. I believe this project has a good future.
Vocabulary:
1. federal— a system of government in the individual states
2. considerably— much, a lot
3. version— from a form change to a similar form
4. lithium— a chemical element
5. ion— everything made by it( chemical)
6. competitive— things in same level and try to get which is better one
7. gasoline— gas
8. equip— facility
9. navigation— guide
10. connectivity— link
11. refundable— able to return
12. deposit— a sum of money paid before totally pay
13. incentive— encourage

RRJ1

Bixi Li

EAP1

March 27

Business

Reference:

Pepitone, J ( 2010, March 24). Summer job outlook is cloudy, Retrieved March 27, 2010, from CNN.com

http://money.cnn.com/2010/03/24/news/economy/summer_jobs/index.htm

Summary:

A summer job is hard to find this year. A survey from SnagAJob.com shows that seasonal workers will not be hired by 47% of hiring managers. Workers think this year it will be easier to get summer jobs than 2009 because of the economic recovery. Actually, the unemployment rate (9.7%) and the average salary for seasonal workers ($10.20 per hour) are the same as last year (9.7%). The good news for seasonal workers is that 53% of managers plan to hire for this season, and 29% of managers surveyed say they will hire the same number of people as last year. 47% of managers will not hire for this reason. However, employers have more choice in applicants; thus, for teens applying getting jobs will be harder.

53% of Surveys state that the majority of competition for seasonal workers will be amongst teens, while 29% state that competition will be amongst teens and adults. If teens want to get a job in summer, no matter what way, online, in stores, job fair, etc., they should search for it immediately. In such a grim situation, teens should pay more attention to interviews. Wearing a suit, having confidence, smiling and being polite are significant and basic for an interview. These tips will help teens gain a good impression in the interview; thus, increasing the probability of success in getting the job.

Reaction: After I read this article, I knew some information about the situation of finding a job this summer and how one can do better to get a job in an interview. It is also hard to find a job this year and the number of people who lost jobs is the same as in 2009, even though the economy is recovering. The situation is really bad for teens and college students, because most American teens use the money they earned in summer to pay their tuition for next year. If they cannot get a job in the summer, some of them cannot afford their tuition for next year; this means, they will not finish their school on time. More serious, this situation will lead to a shortage in the labor market. This news shows me that the U.S economic situation is not optimistic; thus, if someone wants to get a job this summer, they need to be well prepared. Dress up with a smile to show self-confidence, to tell interviewers that they are the best for this job. Not only answer their questions correctly, but also ask them some question. This is a good way to tell employers how much they want the job and they are ready for the job. And I have already told my friend who wants to work this summer this news. Let him find a job as soon as possible and be ready for interviews. This article is useful for me.

Vocabulary:

1. despite-- although (prep.)

2. recent—beginning to exist; not yet fully developed. (adj.)

3. recovery—the process of improving or becoming stronger again (noun)

4. aid—in the middle of or during sth ( prep.)

5. recession—a difficult time for the economy of a country, the economy become bad ( noun)

6. abate—decrease; to become less strong; to make sth less strong ( verb)

7. prospect—an idea of what might or will happen in the future ( noun)

8. versus— opposite of each other. ( prep)

9. climate—a situation ( noun)

10. gig—a job, especially a temporary one ( noun)

11. counterpart— a person or thing that has the same position or function as sb/sth else in different place or situation. (noun)