still
the dark side in that mirror will never go away
you dreamt of a wonderful land
grasses....moon.....starry sky.....
you wished upon the shooting star
it actually was tearing them apart and eating as it was supposed to be
Vocabulary:
vocabulary:
Gosh! i scalded my hand!!!
vocabulary:
Learning from conversation.
Vocabulary:
vocabulary:
vocabulary and phrases:
expressions:
When I listen to some gothic music, it always gets me thinking about you, my dear friend.
I miss you.
after moving to windsor, i saved lots of time on commute to work. However, i didn't manage my time better. that's a huge problem. I've got to change it! there are several things i need to sort out.
vocabulary:
vocabulary learnt from shopping!
Vocabulary learnt from hiking:
 |
| Windmill |
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| Wind Turbine |
Keep studying.
How can there be so many "get on" to get on with.......?
http://dictionary.cambridge.org/search/british/?q=get+on
collocation:
To compensate yesterdays missed study, i've got to do more tonight!
Vocabulary:
Today's vocabulary:
I've found that there is an obvious improvement since I've been trying to spend 2 hours everyday studying english. Although you just study by yourself, as long as you concentrate in a period of time to organise your mind and really look up every vocabulary you've learnt or heard everyday, trying to absorb those vocabulary and their usage, it really makes you can learn it by heart. don't be greedy to learn too many words at one time. that usually results in learning nothing. everyday a little bit, it really feels great that you find yourself can remember the new vocabulary when you are trying to write down something or during the conversation with others.
I don't like the feeling of hesitation.
That wastes my time and mind. however, if i want to get rid of it, i've got to train myself to make decision quicker! I've got to prioritise values in my mind.
vocabulary and phrases:
It's actually very important and useful to learn collocations and phrases when you are learning new vocabulary or listening to a conversation. It helps you know how to use the words correctly. on top of that, once you learn them by heart, they can help you speak more fluently.
Collocations and phrase:
hu.....i've got a long list of new vocabulary since I came here but i haven't really take a good look at it. And I realised i didn't spend enough quality time learning and absorbing new vocabulary which is really not helpful to improve my english at all. so it's time to do that.
Vocabulary:
Sometimes I just forgot how fun learning English is. Just like I learned French, i did it because I enjoy it. I put too much pressure on myself to speak good english rather than enjoy the learning process.
the first month, I was preparing for all the document i'd need for living and working in the UK whilst i was getting familiar with the environment and going sightseeing as a tourist. I'd got my NI number and bank account as expected at the end of March.
Today is 29th July. I've been living here for about 5 months, from the coldest and longest winter to the hottest summer. I just finished a job in a restaurant where i had worked for about 4 months. Now I am anxiously waiting for my new job in Windsor. It's gonna be a new adventure and challenge for me.
During this 5 months, loads of things happened. Some of them brought me laughter, and some of them brought me tears. But one thing for sure is they all became my unforgettable memories.
Although in this trip i made many decisions and tried many things i hand't tried before, I still feel that I am more like a thinker rather than a doer. (So maybe being a hacker is never part of my nature. :P )
To give up everything I had in Taiwan and head off, there were actually several questions I had to ask myself. Of course one of the must-ask is why I want to go. It's actually also the hardest one to me. I spent about 5 months thinking, reflecting and clarifying my mind to help myself not making an regrettable decision.
There are three goals. first is to experience the life in the UK. I know it sounds vague, but actually this one was all i could tell other people. It's vague just because of it's unknown. I didn't know what I should expect or what experience I would get. But it just gave the undeniable reason to start. the second is I want to learning English. living in the environment surrounded the language you want to learn is the best way to learn it. I didn't have chance to live abroad or study oversea. Now I've got the opportunity, haven't I? The third goal of mine is working oversea. to be honest, when I was in the primary school, i always imagined working around the world and speaking various language. When I 'm getting older, I realise how hard it can be. Now the working holiday VISA opens a door to it. I should try, although everyone around me told me not to expect too much in case I feel too bad to enjoy my adventure.
After living here for a while, I start to think that maybe I am the kind of person needing regular travels. I've found that I fall to settle down easily and get bored easily. Yes, I've got to admit it that I think it also reflects on my work life and relationships I had. If that is me, i've got to find the suitable life style to fit it. Now what I can think of is travelling, exploring the unknown regularly and inspiring me new thought and refreshing my feelings.
As to language, I still feel a bit depressed. I don't feel I make a great improvement on my English, especially the speaking. I've found that it may because I live a life too independent. I feel great to be independent. I enjoy going to the cinema alone, walking alone, exploring new places alone. I didn't think too much about having friends is a must. I just consider it as a plus. However, now I reckon it is a must if i wanna improve my english. I also realise that what is important is actually enjoying communication, knowing people and being interested in the world, not the language itself. only when I bear it in mind, I can really start to make progress.
The most different thing here is i can plan my life for only one month. If you ask me the things beyond one month, I really can't give any answer firmly. Life is full of uncertainty. Although i can't have specific plan of my time, i have certain mindset that can lead me through my whole adventure. It's just like building your long trip by small pieces of short term goals.
Balance. the longer i live in London by myself, the more important of balance i realise. I think the balance varies by people. Maybe someone needs more work but less travelling, and someone needs more sleep but less social life. It doesn't matter the percentages, as long as you feel your life well-balanced. I think that is what I've been seeking for.
Something in my mind that i just cant let it go
have to dig in to know the root
have to think through
have to fix it once and for all............
tomorrow......let's have a cleaning day!
Before I start my new job, i reckon i can do something, like write something about my working holidays down. two days ago, i met one of my professor. he really encouraged me to share my adventure and experience via words. Actually i've wanted to do this since i decided to come to London. but it's easier said than done. Just like writing an essay, I'm not really sure how to start and make it right!
But I think if i dont do it right away, i may not make it in the end. so, let's do it!
Yesterday I went to Westfileds in the Straford City to buy a pair of shoes and some shorts for this summer. I cant wear my water-proof boots in the summer. it's way too hot.
But, when i was trying to communicate with the staff, I'd found that i'd got too few words to express myself. It's good that it wasn't too busy in the shop and the staff were quite nice and patient.
So, now I've done some homework and here are some vocabulary you might need in a shoes stores.
回頭想想
也覺得自己滿佩服自己的
i've been to London for about 4 months. Actually many people i met were surprised that i came to London alone without any friends here and told me that i was really brave. Frankly speaking, i didn't think I was that brave, because I believe there are loads of people out there are just like me.
However, now when i look back these days, i suddenly reckon, yeah, actually I was quite brave! It's not because I came to London alone and live alone, instead, because I chose to gave up many things I'd already got and pushed myself into an unknown adventure. I'd got a nicely paid job that was interesting and new to me, I'd earned some money, although it's definitely not much. I'd lived with my family and a cute new born baby (of course not mine). I'd got my own comfy room with a double bed. I'd got my friends to hang out with when I was bored, sad, or happy. I'd got my own life in Taiwan. Ya. but I chose leave it and head off for working holidays that I was even not sure what could I gain or learn from it. What I only knew was I would need to get a job to support my living in London. It might be highly physical demanding, very tiring, with minimum wages, or so.
How brave I was! I'm certain that not everyone would like to do that, because I was the one who hesitated for a long time! Now I'm glad the decision I finally made, because I somewhat feel proud of myself. (I hope the feeling can stay with me even I go back to Taiwan in the future.)
Enjoy every moment.
hmmm....after almost two weeks without doing anything special, it's time to pick up the original plan and head off.
as a reminder, I list several things down now.
first of all, learn english, focusing on speaking and listening. I think my listening has been improving a bit, since I've found myself understanding people more often even they spoke a bit fast. However, my spoken English hasn't made any tangible improvement. What is my goal? speak fluently and speak with the accent i like. Although the objective is quite high, I still love to take on the challenge to see how far i can go for. Don't forget that now is the best time to do what i've wanted to do for ages -- fully concentrate on learning english. Never waste the chance. I heard an interesting hypothesis from a podcast that if you choose a person you like to sound like, and learn and mimic the sound and rhythm he or she speaks, after a while, you'll be sound like that person. I quite agree this idea since I had the similar experience before. Thus, I started wondering whom shall I choose as my "English language" role modle? "Ah! that girl works at the Bar!". that's the first thought came across my mind. but it's a bit hard to listen to her speaking very often and repeat as many times as I want. Recently, i've just got the idea -- Jamie Oliver. I reckon I'd love to sound like him. When I heard of he's speaking at the first time, his English impressed me a lot and it sounded really nice and interesting to me. Yes, I've made the decision. He's got loads of videos online that i may find the learning materials without hassles.
Next, keep studying Android and iOS. it was a shame that I didn't continue my study on Android that I'd learnt it when it was in very early stage. Now, I've got plenty of time to do so. But, sometimes one thought haunted me that "Hey, you're in the UK! why do u spend your time doing the thing you can also do in Taiwan?" Well, I will figure it out.
Finally, experiencing and exploring as much as possible here. (TBD. i've got to sleep now. )
after very quick review of my days of June, I have to reset my mind again and prepare myself well to move on. dont be lazy and never forget what I want and what is the goal.
damn... have to let it go.
free my mind.
I always have this kind of problems but in the end they all turn out to be tragedies.
Stop and free yourself.
You have much more important goals to reach.
You have much interesting things to experience.
You have much more freedom to own.
You have much more fun to have.
You can't ruin yourself and your trip at this point.
Changes have to be made now.
Vocabulary and phrase:
I quite enjoy the life here, not just because I am living in a foreign country, but also the attitude I have here.
Yes, almost everything I did alone--- flying to here, looking for accommodation, seeking for a part-time job and full-time job, going sightseeing, exploring unknown areas, shops, stores, and everything, being turned down by the manager, walking to home in the late night, etc. What I really enjoy is being independent. I didn't know it is incredibly enjoyable to me. I am responsible for my own life, physically and mentally. No one I shall complain about. Every choice is made by my own thought and consideration. I have to balance the reality, my desire and my goals. I am getting to know myself better. I always know that I am quite mentally independent, since I have asked for myself when I was really young. But I also know that I am totally not physically independent due to lacking of some life skills, such as cooking!
the more I have been through, the more confidence I gain, no matter it's happy or sad.
So far, everything went quite smoothly and followed my original plan. in the first month, I focused on getting myself ready for work in the next month and exploring the city as more as possible. All the document like National Insurance Number and bank account got ready by time and I started to apply part-time job so that I could have some money to support my life here. I was lucky that I've really got a part-time job in the restaurant. The second month, one of my best friend visited me. Although it was not in my plan, of course, I still enjoy different kind of exploration. Sharing happiness with friend is definitely different kind of joy. after my friend had gone back to Taiwan, my third month was coming. I have started proactively seeking for a full-time job. It is one of my goal for this trip to the UK. I spent less time go sightseeing. I have found a balance between work, live, study and looking for a job, although I think it still has room to improve my time management.
my forth month is coming soon. my plan has a bit changed because I wanna put more efforts on learning English whilst looking for a job. I decided to give myself 2 more moths to do so since what I have earned from the part-time job allows me to extend my time staying in London.
today's english lesson of 6 minute english from bbclearningenglish.com
no time to make all of my thoughts as an articles. Time is money, especially when I am living in London. Some simple quick thoughts flashed in my mind:
Today's lesson from BBC's The English We Speak.
Vocabulary:
就這樣匆匆忙忙的來到英國了
什麼事情都做得非常的趕
不過總是把該準備的弄好
形隻影單的飛到異地來探索一下
every time i see those people talking about what they are busy for, i feel implicitly depressed. it is so obvious and inevitable. i think they do love and enjoy what they do and lead them become professional. to me, that is what should be called for "job". i think the choice to go to UK should bring me something that i can't really predict now, which also might inspire me.
Vocabulary:
