Leaving my last week in AL

This Saturday and Sunday are my last weekend in Alabama. Since this is my "last" writing in the blog, I want to write how I came here and the things I'd learned here by studying abroad. I have been in here, Alabama since May to study abroad. Before coming to the U.S, I really worried about myself whether or not I can learn enough English fluently, moreover living alone without my family. Also, it costs a lot of money to study abroad in the U.S; for that, some of my friends usually go to Australia, Philiphine, or Canada- where it costs less than the U.S, so this fact-learning English in the U.S-was also a heavy burden on me. If I don't study hard, my parents would be dissapointed on me. Therefore, studying abroad was a "challenge" for me.

However, I've learned so much valuable things by studying abroad. I learned how to handle difficulties by myself; I always used to rely on my family or my friends although it was a easy thing to solve, and by living alone, I realized how my family and my friends are important for me. Also, of course, I learned how to study English effectively by learning in ELI which was well organized. Moreover, I got my dear life-partner who is going back to Korea with me;) From the first,both of us planned to go back to Korea on December;yet, now we're going back together ;)

After I go back to Korea, I will continue to study English. Learning in ELI was definitely a valuable time for me to study English effectively. I really appreciate all of the ELI teachers and classmates. When I first meet a person, it is little hard for me to speak friendly, however I got so many nice people and friends from all over the World. Let me know your e-mail to keep in touch with you! Thank you for everything ;)

Respond to the novel - Chap 20&21

The whole details of chapter 20&21 are about the combat between Iorek & Iofur and the truth of Dust told by Lord Asriel. While reading the chapter 20, which is the scene of the fight between Iorek&Iofur, I was also excited about the combat and I imagined the scene in my mind as well. As the book mentioned, I thought Iofur has lot of more advantages and conditions to defeat the combat rather than Iorek. However, Iorek became the king of the bear at last !

Reading the scene of the combat, I draw the picture in my mind how it will be described in the film , since we are going to watch the movie in a few days. Bloody althiometer, and the armor, and the most biggest fight of two bears !! I'm excited about watching the movie right after I've read the book. I believe it'll be more easy to understand the movie and more effective as well !

Reality of art in Korea

As I've mentioned previously, I had a quite big interest in arts since I was young. As, we're learning about the history about art in Renaissance, I also want to represent about art in my country, Korea. About the view and visions toward artists.

First of all, it's very hard to enter an Art University in Korea. I had learned art for about 3years. However, it wasn't enough, so I failed the first exam so I had to spend one more year to pass it after graduating high school. Also, even in small technical college's rate of competition is about 15:1. In other words, if you don't get an A or you aren't a top in class, you would definitly fail. Not only competitive rate but also there isn't enough support to them in colleges. Except only a few of colleges, most of students don't have enough support by college.

Also, they don't have enough place to work after college. Nowadays, even in small art industries see the beauty first rather that their personality. Also, they tend to have a nightshift all day long without any extra payment. For these compositive reasons, to be able to maintain as a artist in Korea, in my opinion, it's hard to get a job or to be sucessed. For that, some of them study abroad to improve English like in my case ( as English is a required subject to go to a major company in Korea), or else some of them enter in another country's college, get a new start, and study with enough support. However, as my major is art, I feel pity about this reality of these days.

English as my 2nd language

First of all, as I have left only a few weeks to go back to Korea, I wanted to write about why I came here and the my thoughts to leave the U.S. In my point of view, Studying another language is the most interesting thing. Actually every student in my country, Korea, study English as a 2nd language. Every schools are required to do that as a part of a class, and then there are another languages to choose such as Japanese, Chinese, French, German and so on. However, which I learn in my country is only the "text". For real, even though we start learning English in such a young age, whenever we collaspe with foreigners, most of the people get almost frozen and can't say anything.

That is one of the reason why I decided to come to the U.S to study English, get along with Americans and know about its culture as well. I've experienced so many things that I wouldn't forget for my entire life since May-which is the period of time I came here. Although it was pretty short time to learn English or to get a chance to get close with Americans, it was so precious time for me. For this reason, now when I think of the day that I should leave this place, I'm quiet sad and regretful.

Actually, at first I came here, I really missed my family, friends, and of course my dog;) Also, I had a quiet difficulty to get used to live alone, because it was my "first" time to live apart with my family. For that, I really missed all the things in Korea for several weeks. However, it's sad to leave here as I started to get along and used to the thing in the U.S. I know I have to go back to Korea, get a job, and live there, but it's kind of sad and hard to "say goodbye"to the U.S.

Respond to novel-chap16,17

First of all, as the chapter goes on, it is more interesting to read. Especially I loved these chapters. Probably it was almost the climax of the story. In this chapter, Lyra leads the children to run away. Unfortunately, some of the children died because of the seperation from their daemon. However, she ran away to find John Faa and other gypsians with the children. Also during the journey, whenever Lyra is in danger, Iorek bursts in and helps Lyra.

In here, I was wondering whether or not Lyra's feeling of Iorek is real. According to the book, Lyra keeps saying she loves him. I'm expecting how the relationship will be between Iorek and Lyra. Just for friendship and the blessing of finding him armor back ? or is there something related to Lord Asriel? Also, I'm expecting how these parts would be described in the film on December ;)

Respond to the essay -soccer

First of all, it was an interesting topic for me. I could see the american's point of view about the soccer. As it mentions in the essay, I also haven't seen playing soccer in mass media, unlike football or basketball, since I came here. I think they are more enthusiastic in basketball or the other sports, especially football, rather than soccer.Actually, in my country, Korea, soccer is one of the most famous and the most popular sports which people are enthusiastic about. Especially, the party of fans(& the cheer leaders) are the other new sight to see in the sports stadium.

In Korea, red color represents the soccer fans and it's also the color of the uniform, every fans wear red cloths and you can commonly see the red wave in the stadium. It's so fantastic ! For that reason, Korean soccer group of fans are called, "Red devil". (It similiar which we call "Roll tide"in here,AL). As you can see in the picture, whenever the soccer game comes, all people gather around in the middle of the city or the busiest quarters in the city, and ready to cheer the players with red clothes on it which is the symbol of Korea. Not only watching soccer but cheering with people also is another fun !

Art

Learning about the Art in this chapter made me exciting, because I'm interested in art(since I was a little child). Since I was a little child, I liked to draw and sketch things. Therefore, as soon as I entered in high school, I learned art in art academy and entered Art University in my country, Korea after all . I was proud of myself in learning art and doing what I want to do in college. However, I'm still learning one by one about my major.Moreover, sometimes I get into a slump, because I think of myself that I don't have enough knowledge to major it.

Even though I'm interested in it, I only know some of the famous artists such as Vincent Van Gogh, Picasso, Climt and so on. Not only lack of knowledge but I also didn't noticed about the whole history about art. Especially, I didn't even noticed about the ancient art as well (which is mentioned in the text book). Although it is quite short to learn about the whole history about art, this chapter really simulated and reminded me to study more about "Art".