Once a week for fifteen minutes-8

Since I was little, I have rarely left my family except last summer vacation in the state, the first and the only time I left my parents. My parents always keep me by their sides, not allowing me to leave 3 inches away from their sight, so I can proudly and exactly say that I have never experienced tumbling down the floor and getting a bruise on the skin. So far, I have lived at home and have commuted back and forth to the school everyday; therefore, I begin to feel like living in the dormitory, trying to live alone and deal with daily life problems on my own. Luckily, last week, my mother, who keeps a dominant position in my family, happened to leave Taipei, so I got a chance to experience the life without any help. I got to wake up 1 hour earlier than the normal day; I got to have every meal in the convenient store because I didn't know how to cook; I got to manage everything on time, for no one could race me to school within 10 minutes. I got to say I was bloody worn out!

Once a week for fifteen minutes-7

Sometimes, some students get novel ideas to invent activities in school. Normally, I won't participate in the events but just take a quick look when passing through their small booths. Recently, I notice a small activity called "Girl's Festival." As usual, I never think of getting involved in the activity until one of my friends tell me the instruction of the activity. Basically, it's for girls literally, which allows girls to make a wish and lets others, either boys or girls by drawing lots, help you make it come true if wishes are not ridiculous. That day, although I didn't get any idea, I just felt like to make a wish with a strong impulse and saw what would happen next. After referring to others' wishes, I simply wrote a flaky one that didn't make any sense. I wrote,'' Let's have a All-you-can-eat dinner without gaining weights." Actually, I don't look forward to receiving a reply from anyone whoever draw my lot, since it's unreasonable. To my surprise, on Saturday, my phone quaked and got a message from a guy. He was willing to make my wish come true.

Once a week for fifteen minutes-6

Time flies. Things keep changing without notice. Although it's not a bad thing to sense the changes, somehow it makes me feel a little bit sorrow. Everything from a postcard to a conversation can tug at the heartstrings. Few days ago, I received a postcard from my high school friend who is now living in Netherlands as an exchanged student. On the post card, she wrote, with time passing, it was farewell that taught her about the meaning of true affection. Her words let me associate with the period of time when we were all in high school. To be honest, we were not "exceptional good friend" at that time. I was indifferent to those passing days. However, years later, as we all grow up and separate from each other to different parts, strangely, we become even better and try to keep in touch either by sending messages or a postcard. Even a photo of scenery taken from her dormitory overlooking the window can grant me a chance to imagine how she is going these days. I can tell her slight smile radiates the joy of life and growth.

Once a week for fifteen minutes-5

Many times, I will bump into the situation in which people ask my hobby. Actually, I feel quite awkward whenever being asked since the first thing comes to my mind is "study." But I know it won't be a good answer, for people will expect the answers to be like dance, singing or somewhat not related to the "read." If any, the category must at least be the novel. Therefore, every time I just struggle before answering "Uh, yeah, I like to watch movies...." I would like to say that I really like to study, or to be more clear, to study textbooks. I like to fill myself with great amount of knowledge, which makes me thrilled and excited. But I have to confess that I do have the hard times once in a while, not willing to study anything, feeling like to tear the papers and just focusing on doing something unproductive. However, whenever I am in such circumstance, I will quickly warn my consciousness and find a motivation to recommence on my pursuing of knowledge. In fact , these day I don't pay any effort in Spanish courses and reluctantly start off browsing through until the due is near at hand. On no account can I find passion for Spanish. However, on Friday, I happened to meet a guy from Nicaragua. Of course, he speaks Spanish. I was quite excited and desired to talk with him in Spanish. I thought,"Come on, I major in Spanish. It won't be any problem to make a conversation, or just a small talk. That will be fine." To my stun, I was tongue-tied at the moment and even forgot how to say "What's your name?" in Spanish. I couldn't be too upset and frustrated I would say. At that time, I burned out the fire again, urging that I pick up Spanish books as soon as possible.      

Once a week for fifteen minutes-4

Among seven days, I like Friday the most. This semester, my class ends up at 12 p.m., moving on to the weekend fever. I like to feel free to stay in school's library. It would be much better without any classes following up later. I always try to find an individual seat along the window side. Oh, by the way, I forget to mention, I only go to the Social Sciences Library instead of the Main Library. Although it's quite smaller in comparison with Main Lab., I feel secure there. Those individual seats are quite popular among students. I think  that is a way to protect their personal space. Therefore, usually I have little chance to find one. Then, I turn to choose other table where one of two seats still has not yet been occupied by anyone. Still, I have my habitual rule. I always go further deeply in the library, the second floor, where people will be less likely to pass by, for I can totally be engaged  in my handy things without being disturbed. I have to say that even the change of air flow behind my back can make me feel creepy. Luckily, normally on Friday, I don't need to worry about finding my favorable seat because most students will hand out to celebrate their weekend. For me, finding a suitable seat, being alone and turning the music radio, American's top 100, happening to broadcast the song Crush by David Archuleta, in high volume can make me feel tranquil inside.  

Once a week for fifteen minutes-3

I haven't slept well since last Friday. Every day, I hit the bed at about 4 in the morning and 2 to 3 hours later, I wake up, starting off a day with great amounts of work. Although it sounds unbelievable and unbearable, I enjoy the tiredness I would say. It is because these day, I've found something meaningful and cheerful. That is, I am now an English tutor of two senior high school students. What is worth mentioning is that it is only in two days that I'm qualified for the job from two family. Of course, before officially being approved by students' parents, I had to have a pilot test first to see whether I am qualified for the position. To my excitement, within 30 minutes, I passed the test. It was kinda achievement and pleasure to make the expectations of the student and her parents. Actually, teaching high school's English was not a nerve-wracking ordeal to me due to the abundance of experience and preparation. Since I had been prepared the teaching materials all day long and asked my mom to give me feedback as if she were a student after listening to the course, I had to say that I was ready. So, the next day, I showed my confidence as usual to the other student. As I had expected, I got the case right away.

Once a week for fifteen minutes-2

I am looking forward to Wednesday's coming, for I will have the training course of school team at 7 p.m. Last time, I started to get excited at 4 but felt like sitting on pins and needles when the clock ticked to 7. I have stopped the practice for two years, so I am not quite sure about how well can I still perform. I do feel sort of disappointment since I've stopped it, for I think this sport is the only one and the only thing that I can boast about myself and that I can confidently say,"I am the kinda expert." But I do love people there. They are kind and nice. The thing that attracts me back to the field is the feeling of accomplishment, but I have to say I never think I can have a chance to pick it up again. Therefore, I cannot be too excited I would say. Although I couldn't do everything well as I used to do, I totally engaged myself in participation with joy. Besides this, it was a very cool experience to practice with those guys who were of my age. What's more interesting is that some guys are even foreigners, so I try to translate everything into English for them. It is very interesting I would say so.