tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866 2007-08-04T07:15:49Z Movable Type 3.34 tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.7404 2007-08-04T06:56:13Z 2007-08-04T07:15:49Z

Key Word: The Legacy of Canoeing Yesterday we finally went canoeing though without the promised stars in the sky because it's in the day.Because of the paper stuff, we had a awefully long morning and had to get a quick...

Key Word: The Legacy of Canoeing Yesterday we finally went canoeing though without the promised stars in the sky because it's in the day.Because of the paper stuff, we had a awefully long morning and had to get a quick meal. That's the biggest mistake I've made that day. I didn't know how long the canoeing is and how demanding it is. It was when we were already exhausted that they told us it's just 1-3 of the journey, which beat me instantly. I didn't know I was supposed to bring enough water and food to provide energy for the tiring journey, etc. There were so many "I didn't know"s, which left me totally unprepare, physically and mentally. The results include my right hand, which I used a lot during the canoeing, is still sore. I guess it will be a long time before I will ever be in a the kind of boat on which I have to count on myself to move it in the river. The total miles I've done that horrile afternoon must be more than the sum of the miles I'd done in several journeys. But, when I looked back, I really started to admire my self. One won't exactly know what it really feels like less they try it. And once one's made it, it not a big deal any more. I started to take pride in myself for accomplishing the mission impossilbe. This experience may seem boring to outsides, but the people involved, including me, can learn a lesson which will never be easily forgotten. Always keep doing. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.7200 2007-08-01T06:51:21Z 2007-08-04T06:27:40Z

Key Word: Jazz VCU is famous for its art department. It's such a great honor to attend these inspiring lectures and meet such passionate artists. Though I'm not a art student which means I have a vague idea about...

Key Word: Jazz VCU is famous for its art department. It's such a great honor to attend these inspiring lectures and meet such passionate artists. Though I'm not a art student which means I have a vague idea about what art is in the real essence and can't appreciate art very well, but I can tell how professional and dedicated they are. What impresses me most is the live jazz class. Actually, I've never been to a live Jazz concert. And this lecture seems to me as a mini concert. The professor and "his band" showed us how Jazz various and how it goes. They also displayed different styles of music like bossa nova, which is my favourite. I assumed Jazz is in a soothy, elegant and happy tone. Jazz is anything but anger. But refering to the professor, he thinks Jazz blends these emotions together. And I asked Billy how he thinks of the tone of Jazz, he thinks it's bouncing and swinging. Incisive. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.7156 2007-07-31T21:04:28Z 2007-08-01T20:49:31Z

Key Word: Dilemma How time flies. It is only a blink of eyes that we have stayed this long. I still remember how exciting I first came here and how I was amazed by every little beautiful house here. But...

Key Word: Dilemma How time flies. It is only a blink of eyes that we have stayed this long. I still remember how exciting I first came here and how I was amazed by every little beautiful house here. But now I am so used to there that I seldom lift my eyes to appreciate them. And the most dramatic change I find out about myself is that I start to love American styled food. I almost have the ambition to eat around the restaurants because there is little chance I might be here again in the foreseeable future. But on the other hand, I am more and more turned on by the fact we will go to New York soon. All of us start to plan our tour around New York by searching on the Internet and asking close friends, trying to tailor a perfect and most efficient plan which means wasting no single minute in New York city. How can two days ever be enough? There are so many things to see and so many things to figure out. Nobody is an expert at New York. I am a little bit worried about how things are gonna work out. A slightest mistake of timing might ruin a whole day's plan. And we have no traffic means other than our legs. I guess I can make up my hiking in New York... O.K.. Complaints time over. Back to my topic. These two emotions basically contradict. Magically, they coexist well in my mind. Who will beat the other? tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.7105 2007-07-31T05:33:39Z 2007-07-31T06:19:37Z

Key Word: Excursion to Monticello and Charlottesville. Finally, I learned how to pronounce the names of these two places after being there twice. I guess I still have a vague idea about most of the beauty of Charlottesville because I've...

Key Word: Excursion to Monticello and Charlottesville. Finally, I learned how to pronounce the names of these two places after being there twice. I guess I still have a vague idea about most of the beauty of Charlottesville because I've only seen several streets and UVA. But I'm quite impressed by Thomas Jefferson's residence in Monticello. He's such a diligent and smart person. He personified the slogan of never too old to learn. He taught himself so many things which would still very difficult even with a tutor, He has such an extensive hobbies and manages to do everthing well. He's good at learning from other cultures. Thus, there are so many thing to see in his house. The more I stayed there, the more I'm surprised by his visions and thoughts. Residence tells a lot about a person's interest and character. The house is so charming. So is his life. Everything there has a long story to tell. That's what history stands for----- things to remember and to learn. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.7104 2007-07-31T05:01:48Z 2007-07-31T05:45:33Z

Key Word : Feel of Home Though we have to miss the hiking trip, we still had a great time during our homevisit to Mr Reams' nice, cozy and comfortable big house. He so nice and humerous, as we have...

Key Word : Feel of Home Though we have to miss the hiking trip, we still had a great time during our homevisit to Mr Reams' nice, cozy and comfortable big house. He so nice and humerous, as we have found out before when he was giving us a tour of the library. Besides, he has such a harmonious and happy family. The doggy came to us as a big surprise. Everybody likes to be with her and fortunately, she seems to like us, too. The meals they served are so delicious that we like it better than anything we ate in the restaurant since we came here. I guess it's because there's a feel of home coming along with it. For how long haven't I eaten food my mother makes? At this point, I have to admit, I miss you very much, mum. I've always denied being a baby depending on her. O.K.. I am. It's until I'm thousands miles away from home when I realize how much I belong to that piece of land and how much I can't l am accustomed to the life there and how much I can't live without people far away on the other side of the planet. Back to the point, we have a long, further and nice conversation with Dan's family. They have such a hard-working and smart son and such a kind and caring mother and such a happy and interesting dad. I can imagine how many laughters and how much joy and fun they had and will have in that warm family. When the dad's reading and the mother's preparing food, the son is diligently solving assignments and dreaming a big dream. Though nothing fancy and nothing dramatic happen, the simplest form of family relations toughes me the deepest. On vocations and festivals, they will drive a long way, sometimes even in turn, to drive to holiday resorts to refresh themselves, which is very rare in a traditional family because both daughter or little sons and mothers can't drive, not to say have the mood of spending the holidays in a crowded, remote and strange tourist attraction. On weekends, they will do some community service or charitable and humanitarian activities to reward society. There are plenty of things to do, like taking care of the yard and the dog and cleaning the house and buying some groceries. They are so close to nature that they seldom feel alone and depressed. That's a kind of life we are longing for. But we have to be pretty rich to realize our dreams. Why the expensive things are considered luxury and ordinary people can't get access to is because if the goods are not so scare and pecious, they are not luxurious anymore. And people easily get it here in America as long as being a middle class. That's gap between the living standard, I suppose. But we are making steady progress. Someday somehow, we are gonna make it. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6971 2007-07-28T03:58:31Z 2007-07-30T03:57:03Z

Key Word: Lecture I've waited a long time for business-related lectures. Luckily, VCU invited many celebrities to give us lessons on commerce. I listened to their thoughts and come up with new ideas and perspectives. It's important to be...

Key Word: Lecture I've waited a long time for business-related lectures. Luckily, VCU invited many celebrities to give us lessons on commerce. I listened to their thoughts and come up with new ideas and perspectives. It's important to be open-minded and have international visions. The lecturers shared with us their experiences and outlook on life, even some suggestions for adaption of American culture. What does it take to be successful? You need luck, of course. But it's obviously not the most crucial thing. Always bear in mind you have to work hard. Then you must be rewarded in a way. Expect some ups and downs. You have to pay the price sometimes. Never ever give up your dreams because interest is the best teacher. Follow your heart to keep pursuing excellence. America offers great platform of individualism. Count on your self to clear all the barriers to promising future. There are plenty of romantic stories about how one change his life from scratch and all by his own efforts. There are so many heroes in American history. Maybe this principle applies to everywhere in the world. Don't be jealous of others. Keep working. There will be a day when thing will go your way. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6959 2007-07-27T22:35:53Z 2007-07-28T03:56:24Z

Key Word: We loved with a love that was more than love Our night activity today is to visit Allen Poe Museum. It’s much smaller than I’ve thought and I’m not an artistic person myself. So we take a...

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It’s so chilly early in the morning on the beach. No one else but us. The sea is quiet. The wind is gentle. The sand is soft. The sun has not showed up yet. It’s amazing how energetic we...

It’s so chilly early in the morning on the beach. No one else but us. The sea is quiet. The wind is gentle. The sand is soft. The sun has not showed up yet. It’s amazing how energetic we still are without getting any sleep even a nap in the night. When the sun climbs up in the sea, the sky is lighted by its brilliance. There are so many colours in the sky, some of which I can’t even tell its color. The scene is just spectacular and impressive, beyond any word. Finally, brightness beats darkness, dominates the world and also brings warmth. I started , playing in the water, chasing the waves and lefting my footprints on the sand, etc. It’s like I’m back to my childhood. So simple and troubleless. On such a vast and open field, my mind becomes broader and my heart is purified also. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6957 2007-07-27T22:31:28Z 2007-07-27T22:34:09Z

Key Word: Virginia Beach——Things to Remember Part I All the surprises started from the hotel room which can overlook the sea. All the rooms of our fellows are linked together. When I rushed to the balcony to make my...

Key Word: Virginia Beach——Things to Remember Part I All the surprises started from the hotel room which can overlook the sea. All the rooms of our fellows are linked together. When I rushed to the balcony to make my very first contact with the sea, I say all the other guys standing on the balcony like me. We waved to each other, which brought such warmth and sweetness to my heart. It’s good knowing you are not alone. My friends are living near you. The main street is crowded with people. The city seems to never sleep. I like the exotic atmosphere here. I like the freedom even idleness here. If you think you are talented and love music , just carry your guitar on the street and sing as if nobody is staring at you. If you are depressed or exhausted by your endless routine work, just plunge into the water and forget everything. I thought that’s all for today. But it turned out that night has just begun. I swear I will remember every single moment. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6956 2007-07-27T22:28:42Z 2007-07-27T22:30:47Z

Key Word: Walk The Line Though I didn’t get enough sleep to recharge myself, I am so turned on by the theme park. I assume I am brave in face of roller coasters as a girl, but my legs still...

Key Word: Walk The Line Though I didn’t get enough sleep to recharge myself, I am so turned on by the theme park. I assume I am brave in face of roller coasters as a girl, but my legs still trembled when I see Gbiffon. As we come nearer and nearer, my heart beats faster and faster. But all the other guys seem to be easy, they are chatting and laughing. Gbiffon goes back and forth above us like a million times, I know my scream will replace theirs in no time. Everybody says, the most scary part may be when you are going up, but you don’t know how far the way up is. To me, it’s when I am on the highest point and see the bottom. It’s like jumping off a cliff. I could do little to help except for screaming. When the adventure is over and I look back, nothing left but fragrant memories. I’m like the whole world is mine. Later in the day, everytime I pass Gbiffon, I could solemnly declare——I ’ve conquered you. Fear is an odd thing. What you are afraid of is nothing but fear itself. If you think you can make it, there is nothing in the world which can stop you. Just remember to walk the line. What do I love about America? People are friendly and always ready to help. Even I’m a foreigner here, I can say hello to everyone on the street if I’d like to. What’s more important is, they react to you. I don’t feel isolated, lonely and insecure. And people are direct and straight-forward. Relations may be simpler to deal with and less consuming. You don’t waste time figuring out what’s on in other people’s mind. Here comes my point: what I love most about America is the free and fun-loving attitude. See, the amusement park is full of people from all walks of life. Just throw away all the trouble and play hard. I am not sure if it is because I’m not at the very spot my troubles and pains take place or it is because I’m America. I just can concentrate my energy on playing and having fun. All the unhappy part of my life is gone, at least for the time being. I couldn’t have gone this far if I’m still fighting against the hot weather and puzzled by my intangible future in Shanghai. One thing I wanna restate is I love the weather here. I don’t sweat soooo much as I’m China and not so awkward and clumsy as usual. Thank you, Virginia. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6593 2007-07-21T05:25:39Z 2007-07-21T06:17:59Z

(I am kind of falling behind. So I will first wrote about today. Hopefully I will have time to write about yesterday and the day before yesterday.) Key Word:Let’s play fair. I spent a lot of money today, first on...

(I am kind of falling behind. So I will first wrote about today. Hopefully I will have time to write about yesterday and the day before yesterday.) Key Word:Let’s play fair. I spent a lot of money today, first on some books and a really good-looking photo album with reasonable price. The cover of the book is kind of torn so luckily I got a 10 percent discount. After I go back and tell the girls about the album, they all grabbed one after class. I guess I would make a great salesperson. Later I gave up seeing the stars because I can see them while canoeing. They will surely be there. Instead I went shopping and bought some cosmetics. The lady there sent me many samples, which made the girls jealous of me again. But the chicken wings we bought at Ukrops were nowhere to be found. God, who is out there is saying, Let’s play fair. He conveyed to me the message that don’t use up all the luck at one time. Whatmore, I went to the bookstore and cosmetics store all by my self. If you have companions, you have to wait for them until they’re done. I find my free-loving gene in my subconsciousness. Actually I love walk around all alone according to the will of only myself instead of the pace of other people’s lives. I don’t have to adjust and sacrifice anything. What’s more, I suppose the question part is an issue. Professors try to give as a detailed answer as they can, which occupies our meal time. Students who still have questions can’t put their them because they are afraid other students may have a problem with that. Let’s see if we can do something to alleviate this problem. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6503 2007-07-20T04:39:34Z 2007-07-21T06:17:45Z

KEY WORD : STUDY VS SHOPPING Kind of down this morning because I know I did so badly in one of my final examinations. They all say she is an easy-grader!!!! For God’s sake. I struggled to concentrate and...

KEY WORD : STUDY VS SHOPPING Kind of down this morning because I know I did so badly in one of my final examinations. They all say she is an easy-grader!!!! For God’s sake. I struggled to concentrate and have to keep persuading myself that I can’t have it all. I got to pick up the pieces and move on. Regrets will only ruin another day. I have sworn I would make the best of use of every minute here. I will live up to that. Fortunately, our first lecture is inspiring and impressive. I found a totally different atmosphere and teaching methods here though the second one is hard to comprehend. Then in writing workshop, we did the brainstorming thing. It felt good to let your imagination run wild. Finally, we went shopping. We started being women in the essence again, screaming at brands and carrying numerous shopping bags in hand, not students in the university who work very hard or porters in the airport who carry luggage around or cooks who make three meals and consider feeding others as routine work. And I met my intern. He took us everywhere in his car. If everybody in the USA owns a car, everybody in China owns a bicycle. Kidding. I really like every intern here, of course including the directors. They are always there for us. :) tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6498 2007-07-20T03:57:26Z 2007-07-21T06:17:14Z

KEY WORD: OFFICIAL FIRST DAY It’s my first day in VA today officially. Though I have no idea of what’s going on and can hardly locate where we live and study, I’m content with a new and exciting environment...

KEY WORD: OFFICIAL FIRST DAY It’s my first day in VA today officially. Though I have no idea of what’s going on and can hardly locate where we live and study, I’m content with a new and exciting environment alone. Bus tour around Richmond, that’s what got me further interests in this tranquil and peaceful city. People here don’t rush into anything. No hustles and bustles. The life pace is not that fast. Kind of far from earthly troubles. Having such long and enriched history, every tree and every river seem to be murmuring and telling stories of the past. And I can’t help but make this comparison: people treat historic sights as treasures here. But we Chinese, on the other side of the earth, keep forgetting the past and refuse to regard history as a mirror which can reflect the future. We take little effort to preserve our tranditions and historic relics. The ups-and-downs in the past kind of become our burdens instead of foundations. Anyway, from an very American perspective, the tour guide inside the Richmond Capitol offered us a journey through time. Everything is an feast for the eye. She showed us around, explained the structure of the building designed by Thomas Jefferson and give lots of details about every statue and every painting, trying to form an vivid picture in our mind. Sometimes whether history is profound is not simply measured by the length of time, but the time itself. Space may have a limit. Time does not. I will post here some highlights of the introduction. Probably along with the contents of the lectures, named like scholarly section as long as I have sorted out my thoughts. Actully I recorded them to remind myself. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6380 2007-07-19T01:37:18Z 2007-07-19T06:03:08Z

KEW WORD: ADVENTURE I've never thought it would be soooooo difficult to get somewhere as long as it's on the earth. But things happen. You never konw. Compared to geographic barriers, what's more dreadful are usually some man-made ones....

KEW WORD: ADVENTURE I've never thought it would be soooooo difficult to get somewhere as long as it's on the earth. But things happen. You never konw. Compared to geographic barriers, what's more dreadful are usually some man-made ones. But you got to be very determined to defend your justified rights. That't what we did. That's why we made it here today. I won't let it keep bothering me no more. God's gonna hand you a lot of stuff. You learn your little lessons and hopefully you grow. Just embrace the fact. tag:blog.vcu.edu,2007:/qint//866.6379 2007-07-19T01:24:18Z 2007-07-19T06:03:08Z

I arrived late. So kind of overwhelmed by so many new things to come. But I'll date back and separate my thoughts into several chapters....

I arrived late. So kind of overwhelmed by so many new things to come. But I'll date back and separate my thoughts into several chapters.