English 2

Five languages of love

2012-02-08T07:42:00.000-08:00

So I have just taken the quiz and my results are:

5 Words Of Affirmation
9 Quality Time
2 Receiving Gifts
3 Acts Of Service
11 Physical Touch

These results surprised me.I never knew I was THAT touchy.But it's kinda true, when I think about it, because whenever friends or just people I know comes into contact with me,to me it's like they trust me. I feel more secure and I know that I'm not a stranger. And it's true, I don't really care about gifts. Anyone can give a gift, but how do we know if they really wanted to, or it's just that they feel bad not giving? I think everyone feels the same way too. Just think, when you invite people to your birthday party, is it the gifts that matter or how many people showed up? It's definitely how many people showed up that affected you right? It also shows that people are willing to spend quality time with you, even though they have better things to do they will squeeze out even the tiniest bit of time in their schedule to be with you. That I think, is true love:)

my version of The Gift Of The Magi

2012-02-06T08:25:00.000-08:00

Sabrina Lin

A chilling gust of wind woke Thomas up. Shivering, he quickly got out of bed and

scurried to the window. Whoooosh. Another wind came directly at him, knocking his

nightcap off his head as he struggled to close the window. Then he hurried

back to bed where his wife, Martha, was sleeping, hugging her knees to her chest.

He tucked her up with the blanket and headed off to work.

It was Christmas Eve and the town was already crowded with people in the early

morning. Thomas was very happy as today he will be off from work earlier and have

time to spend time with his wife. He also wants to get a gift for her.

As he walked, he pondered what his wife would like.

Then he got an idea. Why not take her out for a romantic candlelight

dinner? She’ll be really moved, he thought with a smile. So he decided to look for a

nice restaurant right after his work.

So when he got out, he started walking down every street to find the

perfect restaurant. He looked all around, in every direction, every corner, walked into

every restaurant he could find and finally found the one. It was in a park close to the

beach. The mood was just right, quiet and peaceful, with the sound of gentle waves

rolling. He looked at his watch. 6.30. Perfect. He took out his phone and called his

wife. After a few rings she answered.

“Hello?

“Hey dear, it’s me! Guess what? I’ve reserved a restaurant just for the two of us. Go

get dressed and I’ll be in the car waiting for you downstairs in half an hour’s time alright?”

“Umm Thomas..I’ve made dinner already….”

“Huh? What do you mean?

“I prepared while you were at work and was just about to set the table up.”

“Oh no. Did you prepare a lot?”

“Well...There’s mushroom soup, ham, spaghetti, pie, and a whole chicken, some

tarts,

and cookies and champagne.”

“Wow, that’s a whole feast. Alright, guess I’ll come home instead.”

“I’m sorry Thomas.”

“Nah, your cooking probably tastes better anyways.”

“Aww you’re so sweet, honey,” Martha laughed.”I’ll see you in a bit then.”

Thomas parked his car and rang the doorbell. Martha came running to him.

“Merry Christmas Thomas dear,” Martha said, wrapping her arms around

him.”Merry Christmas to you my darling,” Thomas replied, giving her a kiss on the

head.”Now let’s go inside and enjoy our fabulous dinner.”So they went in and the

couple never could have felt more happier as they knew of their love for each other.

What does furniture mean if cave=no furniture,room=furniture?

2012-02-01T19:09:00.000-08:00

Furnitures are the main things in houses.When we step into one's home,we see a whole new landscape.A dim-lit room,with an ancient red carpet on the floor,a big couch and a tv sitting on a small wooden table.And when you look up,there's a pretty gold chandelier hanging from the ceiling.These are furnitures and they are the things that make a house a house.Without furniture,the house will just be a empty space.Every house's furniture is unique and they give a feeling.Like the one I just described,it sort of gives out this warm and cozy feeling.At least that's what I think.Furniture is also like art,as you give colours and design to your art piece.

Now let's look at another house,shall we?As you walk into it,you feel as if you've been
completely shut into darkness.There isn't a sound at all.You reach out your hands,trying to find a place to sit.As you ventured deeper,your nose suddenly feels a sharp pain and your eyes became watery.The smell of a deceased animal wafted into your lungs.You choke and immediately decide to get out.Why?Why don't you wanna stay?The reason is simple.That wasn't even a house at all.It's a cave,inhabited by the only being that could stand that kind of environment,a wild animal.Or even a wild person,like Tarzan as he basically grew up in the wild.

I guess it depends on the type of environment you grew up with.If you're a person who lives in luxury,then your standards of a house could be different from a person who doesn't need luxury.But,you still have to have furniture.Furniture defines home.

Can one be a human but not a person?or be a person but not a human?

2012-01-18T15:39:00.000-08:00

One can be a person but to be a human he or she must be humane, which means they must have the characteristics of a human being which is being normal. "person"can be used on anyone but the person may not necessarily be human. For example:a person who is downright evil,nand will do anything to get what he or she wants, even if it means sacrificing innocent lives, is not human as his/her actions are inhumanly. Another example is those "vegetables", the ones who are physically and mentally impaired. Though I have not enough information to say that they do not see or hear or feel, they are in a state that does not allow them to be normal so they too are not human.

In other words, in order to be classified as a human, a person must be able to feel, both physically and mentally.

Similarities between Pi and Big Fish

2011-12-11T07:29:00.000-08:00

This question was so absurd. I wondered how in the world can it be possible that these two could have something in common? There was nothing I could relate them to each other on. But I soon found out there was more to it than meets the eye with the help of your super student Betty. Here's what I found out:

In Life of Pi, the Indian boy found an island which he thought was a lifesaver for him now that he's got food and water. But it turned out to be a place that would have made Pi become its meal if Pi had not discovered the tree. In Big Fish, Edward discovered Spectra, a little happy town where everything was clean and green and the people wore big smiles on their faces. Although there wasn't anything dangerous or could threaten Edward's life, Edward knew that he must go on for he was an adventurous person and was not about to "end his life" there.

Second similarity is when Pi told his story of his days at sea to the Japanese, they didn't believe him. In Big fish, Edward told his son, Will, of his adventures but Will didn't believe him too.

The third similarity is in the end, when Pi told the Japanese of his second story, he referred himself to Richard Parker. Similarly,in Will's story to his dying father, Will referred his father to the big fish.

How is Big Fish similar to Life Of Pi?

2011-12-07T20:23:00.000-08:00

They are similar in quite a few places. The first similarity: They both find a place that is strange and out of out of the ordinary. Pi found the island and Edward found the island. The second similarity: Pi told his story to the Japanese but they didn't believe him. And Edward told his son his stories but they were not believed too. The third similarity: In the end, they find out that Edward is the big fish and Pi is the tiger.

On boat=with God On island=without God

2011-11-29T05:26:00.000-08:00

When Pi was on the boat, he was with God as he continually calls out to God in times of trouble and thanking him when a miracle happened. He always thought of God.

Then he reaches the island which has everything he needed to survive:food, shelter, and the company of meerkats. He didn't have any need for God anymore. He thanked God before he set foot on the ground then as he ventured deeper, he forgot about him. God was the last thing on his mind now that he is no longer hungry nor thirsty nor sad. The island was like a dream come true for the boy who hadn't touched solid ground for ages.

It's the same idea that we turn to our parents when we need something that we cannot get ourselves yet like money, protection, and shelter. When we have all those we are no longer needy for our parents and therefore we don't call for them as much anymore.

Leap Of Faith

2011-11-27T01:14:00.000-08:00

A leap of faith is to believe in something that is not yet proven to be true. In chapter 92 of Life of Pi, Pi encounters many things that seem too unbelievable like the freshwater ponds that turn acidic to devour fish, the tree that fed off a human and in such a way too! To have a complete set of teeth, each finely wrapped in leaves, and guarded by stems. All on a island that is made up of masses of algae. It's too strange and too terrifying to be true. And whoever heard of an island that has no insects,no bugs and no birds, only meerkats? Surely any kind of bird who was flying would have seen the island.

verb tenses

2011-11-23T22:29:00.000-08:00

2011-11-02T21:12:00.001-07:00

A hedonist is someone whose main goal of life is to be happy and tries to stay away from pain as much as possible. This relates to what we were talking about whether we would want to know when we will die, as unlike some people who live like everyday is their last day want everyday to be full packed, hedonists just want pleasure in everything they do. So they don't do things that will make them suffer so in other words they won't look for adventure,they just sit back and relax.

OJ= † Jesus= † OJ=Jesus

2011-10-27T21:31:00.000-07:00

I've re-read the part where Orange Juice was killed by the hyena a lot of times but I still don't get how she is similar to Jesus except that her dying position was same as when Christ died on the cross.Is it because she sacrificed herself to protect Pi like how Jesus sacrificed himself for our sins?But how is that related?

What would Pi do if he watched Man Woman Wild?

2011-10-24T21:01:00.000-07:00

Maybe if Pi watched this video,he would have learnt more survival skills like how to get fresh water easily without having to find it in the boat with Richard Parker around and how to make a rod to catch fish.But other than that I think Pi can manage to survive.

Zoos and Religion

2011-10-05T16:42:00.000-07:00

I agree with Pi that zoos and religion are similar to each other as both of them are like protection.The animals feel safe as there are no intruders that they should be aware of as it is in the wild.Religion sort of gives people this sense of security.I myself find it comforting that there is someone by the name of God that is watching over me so when I feel down I know at least someone cares.I think that is one of the reasons Christians put so much faith in God.

David and Sabrina's Skit

2011-10-02T07:25:00.000-07:00

In Tai-wan. In Taipei. A nice little family owned food store. Foreigner Dave and shop owner Sabrina.

David - hello, I am here for this delicious and might I say reasonably priced Pork Jerky.

Sabrina - ok just one moment please.

David - ok thank you

Sabrina - that would be 489 NT please.

David - What, but the price tag says 350! 350 I declare.

Sabrina - So sorry sir, price go up.

David - how does one price go up so soon? If I wasn't such a trusting person I'd say you were trying to cheat me!

Sabrina - Sir, please just buy it or don't, it's your misfortune if you have not enough money.

David - I have plenty of money, what I don't have is patience for people trying to cheat me out of my hard earned cash.

Sabrina - sir it's only 139 NT more, surely a man like you wont be bothered by a small rise in the price.

David - so you are raising the price exclusively for me.

Sabrina - I didn't say that.

David - listen, I've had a long day. I'm trying to be polite but right now I don't need any drama, I just want to go home, put my feet up on the table and watch television while eating this delicious pork jerky.

Sabrina - sir, if you don't pay then you'll watch television without pork jerky.

David - you're vile and greedy.

Sabrina - well you are cheap and all you care about is making a small profit at the cost of yours and other people's sanity.

David - I deserve to be treated just like anyone else.

Sabrina - sir, you buy, go, or I call the police.

Davis - go ahead and I'll call shenanigans.

Sabrina - Ok, ok. You've had a long day, I don't need to make it worse by having you arrested.

David - I am highly offended by your remark.

Sabrina - I don't care sir, just pay or leave.

David - I'm paying 350 and not any more.

Sabrina - you pay now!

David - I pay when you give me the right price.

Unbelievable True Story

2011-09-28T13:17:00.000-07:00

Ok, this happened just a few hours ago in the MRT. I got lost .It sounds like no biggie right? But put yourself in my shoes, a girl who has never rode an MRT alone in her whole life and depended on only her dad or driver to take her home. I thought I should start to be more independent so I decided to take the MRT instead. So I went, read the map which says which line to take, and for some reason my eyes mistook 'Jiannan' for 'Jiantan'. It looked pretty easy but it isn't.

I didn't realize I was going the wrong route until I saw that we were heading for DanShui and I started to panic. I quickly got off at some random station and looked at the map. Then when I was pretty sure I got it I paid for the ticket again, which had gone from just 25 to 40, which means I was even more farther from DaZhi. To make sure I asked the guard and he told me I should take the train from Jiantan instead as the route I am taking is difficult but the words he said after were really confusing words. I didn't know what he was talking about. I stepped into the overcrowded train again and guess what, it was the wrong way again.

It wasn't until the fourth train that was finally right. When I reached, I was so tired and my legs were practically shaking when I walked down the stairs. I rested in a small food store and walked home after that. I reached home at about 6-50ish, took a shower and just slumped onto my bed, hungry but not wanting to move anymore so I slept. When I woke up it was 1.30 and I started doing my homework and eating my dinner. Now it's 4.07 and this is the last homework I've got so I'm gonna go back to sleep after this. I think i really need to take the MRT more often if I want to learn how to depend on myself.

Winning Big Final Day

2011-09-15T08:07:00.000-07:00

I finally realized that all this time I have been neglecting the people that really cared about me and only cared about wanting to make my life as enjoyable as much as possible. I knew I had hurt my mum, dad, and my best friend. And it all started when I won that money. So I knew something had to be done.. get rid of it. It's gonna be hard.

As I drove to the condo, I thought to myself, "Was it worth it? Was being rich the only thing that is needed in order to have a good life? Even if it means losing the ones I love including myself? Can money provide everything?" I was ashamed of the way I had been acting, being selfish and proud of myself just because I had money. Yes, of course money adds to being able to be happy because I could live without worrying, but even if I could buy the world, I cannot buy friendship and love. And these two are the reasons why I am still alive and well aren't they?

2011-09-15T08:05:00.001-07:00

Winning Big Day 4

2011-09-14T08:49:00.000-07:00

I started making new friends, friends that were rich and experienced a whole new different life with them. I spent big amounts of money everyday partying, shopping, and flying to other countries. I was having the time of my life and didn't notice what was becoming of me until that one day when I had an argument with my best friend. She told me I was becoming a stuck-up brat. I retorted back, telling her that she was just jealous of my wealth. We started hurling insults at each other and I was so angry I told her to just get out of my life. She screamed"Fine!!" and hung up the phone. I threw the phone across the room and it shattered the vase my mum gave me. That was when I started missing my mum terribly and drove back home.

I rang the doorbell and when my mum opened the door, I dove straight at her, crying my eyes out. My mum sat me down and I told her what happened. She told me that my friend was right about the fact that I had changed into a snobbish person because of the sudden "miracle". She told me that I should reflect on the events that happened and figure it out myself because only I can help myself.

Winning Big Day 3

2011-09-13T09:47:00.000-07:00

I was up early today. I quickly brushed my teeth and rushed out of the door with a piece of toast in my mouth. I completely had forgotten to make breakfast for my mum and dad and went straight on to a crazy shopping spree. I went to buy a condominium , and furnished it with the finest quality of furnitures. It looked so beautiful I couldn't wait to show it off to my friends. So I called my friends over and we had a wonderful time.

This became my everyday life, and I didnt think about my parents that much anymore. I didnt even bother to make them breakfast as I had hired a maid to do the jobs. When my mum and dad asked why I don't come home anymore, I would just say that I was busy and sometimes even shouted at them because I was annoyed. I didn't want them to spoil the fun.

2011-09-12T21:13:00.000-07:00

Kino and Juana set off to the north. On the way they saw three men and quickly hid into the cave and waited for the night to attack as Kino would be harder to see. As Kino set off to kill them, he warned Juana to keep the baby quiet. Kino crept silently up to them but as he got nearer, the baby cried and the men heard it. They thought it was a coyote but still, one of them raised his gun to shoot. That moment, Kino sprang out, grabbed the man's rifle and shot them dead. But the baby got shot. Now Kino And Juana had nothing left. Their house , canoe , the baby..The pearl robbed them of everything they had. Kino finally knew that the pearl had to perish. So he threw it into the lake and he could hear the song of the pearl slowly fading away.

I think this story is really sad and it's really not fair to Kino's family. It's like their life was planned to be damned. They had a poor life and now that they got the pearl it's like a gift from God but it is like a gift from the devil.

Winning Big Day 2

2011-09-12T08:29:00.000-07:00

I was shopping for tonight's dinner and suddenly an idea popped into my head. Why don't I just try my luck on the lottery? I heard that one good friend of mine just won quite an amount a few days ago. So I called her and asked her how to get the lottery ticket. She said the next lottery is just a week away and wished me luck. So I went to buy the ticket. That night, I thought of all the things I could do with my money, all the stuff I could buy. Life would be perfect.

One week later, after an exhausting day, I returned home and checked the newspaper. I scanned the pages one by one and and saw the lottery numbers. It was hard to see as they were small and the numbers looked the same. I pulled out my ticket and matched the numbers, holding my breath as I matched the last two numbers..9..2.Oh my god. I can't believe my eyes. I looked again. Yep,it's the same. My eyes couldn't be tricking me."YESSSSS!!!!"I screamed at the top of my lungs and ran to my mum and dad and gave them a big hug and kiss. They looked at me bewildered. I laughed at their expressions and told them about it. Their eyes grew big and smiles formed on their lit up faces. Then I called my friend. She was happy for me. I wasted no time and went to buy a Bentely, and took my mum and dad out for a ride. We spent the whole afternoon buying top brands's clothes, bags, shoes, and everything that catches our eye. Our hands were full of shopping bags. Then we ate at a famous buffet restaurant. The food was so different from what we ate everyday! It was so yummy. As we drove home, I happily thought, being rich is absolutely the best thing in the world.

Winning Big Day 1

2011-09-11T08:56:00.000-07:00

My name is Alicia, just turned 24. I live with my parents. I am the only child. We live in Vancouver and life is pretty okay. Everyday is just the same, waking up at 7.00, making them breakfast, eating mine, then jumping on my bicycle, off to deliver newspapers, coming home, prepare dinner and off to bed at 10.

My father works in the tissue paper factory. He has been there for almost all his life. But my father is getting old so I'm thinking about taking over his business. Still I don't know because if i take this job,who's gonna care for my mother? She is too weak to move around much already. Oh what shall I do?

The Pearl Chapter 4

2011-09-08T19:44:00.000-07:00

So Kino decided to sell the pearl and off he goes to the pearl buyers. But a trap was set. The first pearl buyer thought that Kino was stupid so he told Kino the pearl wasn't so valuable. But Kino was smart. He knew his pearl was worth way more than the amount the buyer stated. Maybe the buyer knew this would happen that's why he had set the trap. Before Kino came, he and the other pearl buyers already set a plan to trick Kino to sell the pearl in just a small amount. So when Kino rejected him, he asked Kino to check with the other pearl buyers to see how much they would pay for the pearl. All of them said the pearl wasn't worth much. Kino was too smart to believe all those hogwash. Outraged, he stormed off and decided to go to the capital to give it a try there.

On his way there, he got attacked by an unknown person. Juana rushed to help him but he was already hurt. Bleeding and unconscious, he couldn't continue his journey. Juana thought it must be the works of the pearl. She told Kino to destroy the pearl as it was evil and it would eventually ruin their life. But Kino desperately wanted their life to be better. Of course, since finally there was a chance to send their son to school and to be able to have things they wanted who wouldn't want that? If it was me I would have done the same thing. I wouldn't let this chance slip away. So he told Juana that they would go together first thing in the morning.

Still, Juana was scared but Kino was determined. He assured her that he was a man and his voice was strong and fierce. At this, Juana quieted down and they went to sleep.

2011-09-05T21:14:00.000-07:00

We played this weird game where everyone one must choose to say yes or no and the total score must be 42.and Mr Webb tempts us with chocolates to say no and this whole game is sooo confusing everyone was telling me to say yes and no I don't know what do.

2011-09-01T09:50:00.000-07:00

Disasters. They happen so often, taking away billions of peoples's lives. When you watch the news,you see homes being destroyed and you know that under those bricks and wooden planks, lies the bodies of the residents who could not escape death. And those who survived, picture them crying as they could not find their families and the ones they love. Think about how they feel. When you watch the news, you usually only see people right?

Have you forgotten that we are not the only ones roaming this earth but animals too? That's why I wonder why I don't see animals being featured as part of the news. I think people are forgetting about the animals or don't think it is necessary to include them as they are just animals. For me, I think they are just equally as important as we are. They are alive and they are breathing. They also came into this world from the tummy of their mothers, and they have fathers, brothers and sisters too. That's a family right? Same goes to the owners and their pets. Even though humans and animals do not look alike, and we don't speak the same language, we don't do the same things except for eating and sleeping which is what all living things do, we do share a thing in common and that is love.

Love is from the heart and it is a bond that connects us to one another. And I think that most people, like myself, love their pets more than anything else in the world, even more than they love their parents. I'm not saying that I don't love my parents, it's just that I feel more close to them.It's a natural thing. So look at how close we are.If losing a family member breaks our heart, then what more if we lose our pet? Millions of them are also crushed under the fallen houses and I know their owners are desperately searching for them and it tears them apart if they found them dead. They would never be able to get over the pain.

So if I had a million dollars, I would donate it to all the organizations that help save animals that are hurt from the disasters like the Global Animal Foundation, a charity that does not profit.They are aiding animals from disasters like hurricane Katrina.

2011-08-29T05:31:00.000-07:00

he pearl Chap 2:Now that Kino got the pearl, the doctor suddenly became nice and even came to their house himself to cure the baby.We all know that it's been a long time already and the baby didn't show any signs of danger but the doctor said otherwise.He told them that Coyotito was getting worse and they were lucky that he arrived in time to save him.He then gave Coyotito a powder mixture and said he'll be back in an hour to check on him.

Kino was eating when Juana called for him.He went to her and saw that she was frightened.He looked at the baby and knew something was wrong for the baby was very sick.When the doctor came back, he gave Coyotito medicine which made Coyotito very uncomfortable.Kino began to be suspicious about the white powder.Then, the baby began to quiet down and soon fell asleep.The doctor told them that Coyotito was healed and asked for the payment.He knew about the pearl, that's why he was so nice with them cause he wants it.Still he pretended to be surprised that Kino has a pearl and even wants to help Kino keep the pearl.God knows what he'll do with it.

That night, someone broke into the house.Kino tried to fight but the person managed to escape.I think it was the doctor because he knew where Kino hid the pearl.Juana told Kino to get rid of the pearl as she think it brings bad luck.I agree that they should not keep it but at the same time I think that they should cause they'll be poor again unless they sold the pearl.But won't the bad luck transfer to the person they sold the pearl to?

2011-08-21T08:55:00.000-07:00

Summary of The Pearl:This story is about a poor family whose baby boy,Coyotito,has been stung by a scorpion and was rejected by the cruel doctor who wouldn't treat a patient without getting money.So they decided to find a pearl.They eventually found it but the baby was already cured because the mother,Juana,sucked the poison out.

I think the quote is kinda true.People hope for something too much,and sometimes it goes the other way and the result is not what they expected it to be.But I think it is ok to show your emotions..