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Learning from Mice — Giving
Myself More Confidence
Mice often scare me. I am usually yelling and running away when I see a mouse. I even shout aloud and stamp heavily to avoid to seeing mice.
I scare mice too. Mice will run away as fast as they can when I am approaching them. Mice never dare to stay around me.
When I meet mice, the scene should be: mice and I run away in opposite direction right away. Actually, we are scared by each other.
However, mice will never know they scare me, and they never understand that my yelling means that I am scared. Imagine if there is one day, mice know I am scared by them. Then, what would happen? They probably would run after me.
Sometimes I am a “mouse”. When I have excellent competitors, I don’t have enough confidence to beat them, so I usually fail. However, the fact is the competitors usually are not better than me. Maybe they think I am a threat to them. Therefore, I learn from mice that I should give myself more confidence when I meet another “mouse”.
But, the most important thing is that I should make sure that the one I meet is a “mouse” not a “tiger”, or I will definitely “die”!
—208 words
Vancouver and Submarines for Russia
I am more than sure that very few denizens of Vancouver know the following. During the First World War (1914) submarines for Russia have been assembled. It was an extremely secret project, so no one knew about it. The territory under construction was huge, protected by wires and patrolled. On that site about four hundred and sixty men were working continuously twenty four hours a day. It was a secret construction of five submarines for Russia.
The very famous manager James Paterson formed “British Pacific Construction and Engineering Company” renting two hundred and fifty meters of water front property at Barnet. The Canadian government was not informed of the plans. The contract called for the construction of five steel hulls. The American Electric Boat Company delivered by rail to Barnet all necessary materials. The submarines were forty six meters long and five meters wide, with three hundred horsepower electric motors. By March 1916 all five hulls and engine parts had been constructed, knocked down and shipped in crates to Vladivostok city (Russia), and the site at Barnet was dismantled.
Just for Fun
A Tricky Expression
Learning a new language is like visiting a new world. I often like to explore
something interesting and out of the ordinary. In my experience of studying English, I figured out that some English expressions have a pretty amusing background.
During a long period of time the expression “OK” was always a puzzle for me. I have never known how this frequently usable expression came to be. Recently, I found out that some linguists supposed that it was the initials of two words. But which ones?
A professor of the English language in the Columbia University was inclined to an idea that they were the initials of name, Orrin Kendall, – producer of biscuits, supplied to the soldiers during the civil war in the U.S.A. Then he found “OK” in some newspapers issued before the war. In one of them it was the abbreviation from “Oll Korrect” where the words were written incorrectly. Several scientists doubt these theories, and they think that the origin of “OK” comes from the Indian word “Okeh”, used as the affirmative reply. It turns out that many English words have mysterious backgrounds that make you study this language over and over again.
196 words
My first scenic adventure was the picturesque North Cascades. At that time, both my daughter and I were merely new drivers and months in Canada.
We took Hwy 2 at Everett and drove excitely through the lush forest,soon after, the road climbed up steeply straight to the Stevens Pass.
Then,we arrived at Wenatchee and strolled in its enchanting Ohme Garden. Apparently there were an abundance of growing apples hanging heavily in the thick clusters.We were later learned and then amazed by Wenatchee areas' 4500 apple growers who produce more than seven billion apples annually, that is close to half of all the fresh apples grown in the U.S.
Driving toward the North Cascades, it seemed to be tranquil everywhere, freedom, peace, and hope were all theirs. Then, we passed the familiar Dole plantation. Hours later, we arrived at Lake Chelan, which is the deepest on Earth. Moreover, it has a dramatic dark blue colour which thrusts nearly 60 miles into the Cascades. Adding in its majestic snowcapped mountains' surroundings,we were awed by the splendour.
My first trip was not only a great pleasure but has also become a passion and confidence to me, for I've taken many more fascinating scenic adventures afterwards.
My Desire to Drive
I wanted to drive a car before I came to Canada. Although I got a driver’s license in China, I never had the chance to use it. My husband chauffeured me around if we needed to go out.
“When will I get the chance to drive?” I asked my husband.
“Not until I buy a tank for you,” he replied.
As a back seat driver, I desired to touch the steering wheel and feel the controlling of the car. On the other hand, I shared my husband’s driving frestrations day-in and day-out. Some drivers use the wrong magic turning light, some will cross the the double line, and others will cut into your lane without a signal. The worst drivers shoot out from stop sign or their parking spots without looking, then they give you the finger as a sign of defiance. After I’ve seen so many of the unpredictable drivers, I decided to give up the desire to drive.
A Long Wait for Blooms
“ If you want to make friends, you had better have time and money, ” said my new girl friend. “Damn it! Neither of them I have.” I talked to myself. Two young children prevent me from a tea with people. Limited budget cannot afford the luxurious cookware as those new friends own. Suddenly, I realized what caused my depression in the first year in Canada, but it only took me five seconds to regret.
I thought about how many intimate friends I left in my hometown—in fact quiet a few, yet it took me more than thirty years. How could I expect to make the same result in one year? It is a mission impossible. Lowering down my expectation, I learn to cherish every moment of sharing with acquaintances, and give a hand to them whenever they need it. Since my deficiency of time and money is obvious, I don’t need to worry about wine-and-meat friends. Also the opportunity of making an intimate friend goes up. Friendship grows slowly, but it would thrive one day.
177 words
Ignorant Shoppers
I feel frustrated shopping at the grocery stores because some people can be so ignorant and uconsidered to look at their behaviors. For instance, leaving their shopping carts wherever they like.
Do they think they are the only customers in the stores? There are many people whom carts need to be yeilded the space to get through. First thing that I see is some abandone their shopping carts in the middle of the aisles that block others' passing ways. They can shop around for the stuffs as long as they can, but should leave aside or the cars at the corner.
Another thing is they bent down to look for stuffs or their eyes lure on stuffs passionatedly without noticing other people are approaching from behind or in front of them. Let people have to wait and wait until for he or she to aware. Look back, I see another cart comes and it makes me upset. I feel like being stuck in the traffic jam. And another thing is while pushing the cart half way, they realize that they have fogotten something and then abandone their carts again to run back.
As I can see how thoughless they are. Shopping foods isn't a fun errand for me,and when I see some unconsidered shoppers then it makes my shopping day even more unpleasant.
Music We Like
Eternal Romantic Movements by Schumann
Sitting in Hollywood Bowl and watching the stars to wait for so-called "Symphonies Under The Twinkling Stars" in the summer night, I'm relaxed and carefree. At eight o'clock, the music starts with Schumann's Spring Symphony by the American National Orchestra. In a flash, the whole Hollywood Bowl is submerged into the musical flow. Unconsciously, all tension, tiredness and unhappiness vanished into thin air. I was shocked by Schumann's attractive melodies and profound philosophic thoughts. That's a perfect combination between conspicuous performance and eminent composition. I'm soaking in a romantic sentiment until my soul is completely purified.
"Florestan" and "Eusebius"
In most of Schumann's compositions, there are two opposite themes which show two cinflicting personalities in Schumann's inner world. The one which is introverted and weak is called "Eusebius", and another one which is heroic and passionate is called "Florestan". Schumann develops his music based on both of this romantic confliction.
The music had ceased, I stepped out of the Hollywood Bowl with a pure soul. The Hollywood Bowl is a green field in the big desert and a good choice for music enthusiasts from June 25th to September 10th during every summer.
-200 words
My Driving Story
I didn’t like cars, but, in order to go to our choir in 67Ave every Monday evening, I decided to learn driving. Luckily, I passed my road test at the first time.
It passed two weeks after I got my drive license (7th level). Our choir would have a performance in Richmond. I glanced at a map and decided to go there along Westminster Hwy. I passed through Queensborough Bridge, but I didn’t turn out at once. I was so nervous when I found I was driving on 91Hwy, because I never drove on expressway and never drove a car over 70km/h before. I left from 6Rd Exit. Later, I found Westminster Hwy, but I turned to wrong direction. I didn’t know how I drove on a large high and very long bridge. All the cars ran at very high speed. I was scared. I had to speed up and said to myself, “Calm down.” As I stopped my car, I asked a man where I located. He told me it was Delta. My God! I turned back and passed the horror bridge again. When I arrived the spot of the performance, I had spent one and a half hour!
(200 words)
Young In Park's Article
A Terrible Experience
When I went shopping in a large mall, I had a very terrible experience in the washroom. I was shopping at the time. Suddenly, I felt abdominal pains, so I ran to the washroom. Many people were lined up in front of the washroom. The pains were that I couldn't stand it. Finally, I entered the washroom and solved my problem. Maybe you know this feeling. I felt like a new person. When I started to leave, I tried to find the toilet flush to clean up the toilet, but I couldn't find it. Many people were waiting outside of the washroom for their turn. Sweat was running down my face, and my face was getting red. The smell was terrible and "Phew". I was not able to leave the washroom because it was so dirty. However I had to go out eventually. I opened the washroom's door with an embarassed face. At that moment, there was a huge sound of water that flushed the toilet. It was an automatic washroom. Now, I am no longer worried, if there is no handle or button to clean up the toilet in the washroom.
The Mistake
That new comers make linguistic mistakes is not surprised. I have never forgotten the mistake made by the time I first came to Canada.
On the second day after I arrived here, my husband was out of home. When hearing the phone ringing, I was so reluctant to get it since I knew how poor my English was. After friendly greeting, the caller, my husband's boss, said, "Can I leave a message for Rui?" "No, No, you can't because my telephone's answering machine doesn't work now," I hastened to explain. Laughing was at the other side. Shame flushed my face as I realized my mistake. As far as I knew at the time, a message was able to be left only on an answering machine.
The mistake disappeared in a twinkling of an eye, but the memory of it has been imprinted forever on my mind.
( 151 words )
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