Reflection at the end of the freshman year

This is the last essay I write before hanging out the assignment. How well the old saying goes, “time waits for no one.” At the very moment I met students in higher grade, they told me to cherish the happiest first two years in medical school, because life would be nothing but studying after third grade. When I look back to the first year of my university, fortunately, I can proudly say that there are things unforgettable to me. However, on the other hand, there is equal number of things that make me regret.
The most unforgettable thing is that my friends and I set up a band, called “blue bubbles”. I have had the honor to play as the “drummer” of the band. We performed in two activities of medical school. We didn’t do very well at the first one, but after more practice, we did a pretty good job at the second one. I have improved a lot, yet I know that I am far from my expectation. This summer, I have set up plans to practice as much as possible, for this may be my last chance to have so much spare time.
In addition to my band, I made some very closed friends in university. Unlike in high school, I lived with my new friends in the dorm. Therefore, we are getting familiar with each other in an amazingly short amount of time. I had to say that I was very homesick at the beginning of the first semester. I was not the kind of person who could get along with others as soon as we met. My roommate was much successful in social skill than me, and she often teased me on this issue. I felt lack of confidence and became more afraid of the new environment. However, I realized a very important thing one day, and suddenly all of my fear went away.
I don’t have to compare myself to anybody. I am unique and this fact has nothing to do with other people. You can be beautiful or smarter than me, but I can still remain my own uniqueness and feeling good about myself. After that very moment, I live much more happily. I dare to show myself in front of strangers, and they become interested in me. I grew up a lot during this year. I know now that I can depend on nobody. At the same time, nobody can tell me I can or can’t do something. I get to take full responsibility to my behavior. I am free now, but I should be more decent.
I admit that a small voice in my heart still long to be that little girl being cared by loved ones all the time. However, I have no choice to step forward. Therefore, why not step forward in a confident and delighted pace? After all, this is the most energetic and active period of time in my life!
While there are many things for me to be proud of, there are still many other things that I feel regret about. The first thing is that my academic performance is awful. I hate to use such strong description, but I am afraid that this is true. I put little attention on my study, and I forget all my good studying habit in high school. I believe that this is only an adjustment time for me to find the balance between experiencing new stuff and keeping the obligation of a student. I feel sorry to those who expect me to have great accomplishment in “serious stuff”. Moreover, I feel sorry to myself that I didn’t cherish the treasure opportunities to study. My parents always tell me that being a student is the happiest time in their life. I feel that I should devote myself more in academic performance in the future.
My goal is to be at least the top 50 students in my class! Go go Judy!!

Oh~by the way~I am going to New York this summer!!! Yes!!!

Ever after

A unique 16th century woman, Danielle possesses a love of books, and can easily quote from Sir Thomas More Utopia. An intriguing mix of tomboyish athleticism and physical beauty, she has more than enough charm to capture the heart of a prince ... after beaning him with an apple.
This spirited "Cinderella" is certainly no victim - against all odds, she stands up against a forceful and scheming stepmother, while honoring her late and beloved father.
With her keen intelligence and independence, Danielle definitely is not waiting around for the prince to rescue her; in fact, she often comes to his aid, offering him guidance, and even saving the prince's life by carrying him on her back.
When Danielle does receive help, it comes not from a "fairy godmother," but from one of history's most renowned figures, Leonardo da Vinci. And, while she does don a gorgeous pair of glass slippers, the words "magic pumpkin" are not in her vocabulary.
This is not your grandmother's Cinderella.
Twentieth Century Fox presents A Mireille Soria Production, An Andy Tennant Film, Drew Barrymore and Anjelica Huston in EVER AFTER. The film also stars Dougray Scott and Jeanne Moreau. It is directed by Andy Tennant from a screenplay by Susannah Grant and Andy Tennant & Rick Parks. The film is produced by Mireille Soria and Tracey Trench. The director of photography is Andrew Dunn, B.S.C., and the production designer is Michael Howells. It is edited by Roger Bondelli, A.C.E.. The co-producers are Kevin Reidy and Timothy M. Bourne. Jenny Beavan is the costume designer, and music is by George Fenton.
There are approximately 500 versions of the Cinderella story in circulation, making it the most famous tale in the world. The earliest apparently originated in China where the preoccupation with tiny feet found a highly satisfactory outcome in the search for someone who could wear an exquisite, small glass slipper. Over hundreds of years the story has been refined and reworked, whether as the French "Cendrillon" or as the Brothers Grimm "Cinderella." It has, however, been a story of a passive woman waiting for a strong, handsome (and nearly silent) prince to rescue her. Until now. "I wanted to tell a very different version of 'Cinderella' because I have two daughters," director and co-screenwriter Andy Tennant explains. "I did not want them growing up believing you have to marry a rich guy with a big house in order to live happily ever after."
Intent on turning the tale on its tail, Tennant puts a whole new spin on Cinderella's message. "Our story," the director explains, "says that Cinderella's magic comes from within, not from some fairy godmother." Tennant was never less than passionate about delivering a realistic, different "Cinderella" to the screen. "EVER AFTER," he insists, "is not a cartoon or fairytale - it's an adventure with a completely unexpected attitude." He also insisted on giving the tale a sense of logic, that there be specific reasons for certain actions and choices. "This 'Cinderella' isn't a victim," Tennant states. "She stays on in her father's house, after he dies, from choice. There are reasons given for stepmother Rodmilla's appalling behavior. We also tried to provide some realistic touches to the famous glass slippers and masked ball."
In his quest to reconceive myth and legend, Tennant brought together two stars who not only seem born to play their respective roles, but represent the uniting of two Hollywood dynasties. Drew Barrymore, the youngest member of the famed acting family (she's the granddaughter of John), plays Danielle, the orphan child who, in Tennant's film, is anything but the passive victim most often depicted in legend. Anjelica Huston, daughter of famed filmmaker John Huston and granddaughter of Walter Huston, portrays Rodmilla, Danielle's upwardly mobile stepmother.
Barrymore has been a star since Steven Spielberg cast her in "E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial." As an adult performer Barrymore has appeared in "The Wedding Singer," "Boys on the Side," "Everyone Says I Love You" and "Scream." She worked with director Andy Tennant previously on the telefilm "The Amy Fisher Story" as the headline making Long Island Lolita.
For Barrymore the role of Danielle offered an irresistible opportunity to play someone she sees as "a very positive role model for young women, someone classy and fun." Continues the actress: "She's athletic and protective of people. She's adventurous, very strong and a survivor. She's well read, too, because her father gave her wonderfully eloquent, elaborate literature."
"In short, she is a 'Cinderella' for a new generation," Barrymore adds. "She definitely is not a passive character."
With her character's strength and sensibilities, the mythic romance between Danielle/Cinderella and the prince seems almost, to Barrymore, like an afterthought. "Oh, yes," she adds with a laugh, "a prince falls in love with her!"
Anjelica Huston has become one of the most gifted talents of her generation and an Oscar® winner for "Prizzi's Honor," directed by her father John Huston. Her other credits include "The Addams Family," "Crimes and Misdemeanors" and "Manhattan Murder Mystery." She was Oscar®-nominated for her performances in "Enemies, A Love Story" and "The Grifters." Huston was Tennant's first choice for the stepmother; the part was in fact written with her in mind. "It's nice to be wanted," Huston says of Tennant tailoring the role for her. The story's positive values were another enticement. "It's good to be doing this kind of movie at a time when there are so many films being made about tough, evil subjects," she shares. "Being involved with something sweet and tender was a delight."
With Tennant and co-writers Susannah Grant and Rick Parks giving the stepmother some heretofore unseen quirky comedic twists, Huston found much to latch on to. She also sees the humor as adding some realism to the character. "Giving Rodmilla a light edge makes her more believable," she explains. Starring with these two formidable actors is relative newcomer Dougray Scott. The Welsh-born actor has his biggest role thus far as Prince Henry. But the film had attractions other than the size of his role. "EVER AFTER is unashamedly romantic, without being sentimental. The prince is such a famous character, but when I read the script I didn't see him as a 'fairy tale' figure. He's a realistic and flawed character who has a life, a history - and his own agenda."
Legendary actress Jeanne Moreau makes a special appearance as the Grand Dame of France, the only woman who knows the truth behind the Cinderella legend. The presence of such a formidable actor was initially intimidating for some cast members. But their fears were allayed. Moreau was totally accessible, volunteering to pose for pictures and taking time to chat with many members of the EVER AFTER production team.
Also having a brief, but key role in the film is noted international star Jeroen Krabbé ("Prince of Tides," "The Fugitive"). The Dutch actor plays Danielle's beloved father, whose death helps shape her ultimate destiny. While the beloved fairy tale has also pictured Cinderella's stepsisters as homely (or downright ugly), in EVER AFTER, they are attractive young women whose beauty, alas, is only skin deep. Megan Dodds, who makes her film debut, plays Marguerite and Melanie Lynskey, who made her film debut in "Heavenly Creatures," is Jacqueline.
Cinderella's godmother is no fantasy little old lady, but a flesh and blood Leonardo da Vinci (played by veteran character actor Patrick Godfrey), thus grafting a whole new element onto the Brothers Grimm tale. Also co-starring are distinguished British actors Timothy West and Judy Parfitt as the King and Queen of France, and Richard O'Brien ("The Rocky Horror Picture Show") as the odious and lascivious Pierre le Pieu.


http://www.foxmovies.com/everafter/themovie.html

Reflection
I agree completely with the spirit that this movie tries to deliver. Every child around the globe knows the story, “Cinderella”. However, this story seems out of fashion in the twenty-first century point of view. Women today are well-educated, and can accomplish as much as men can. Therefore, we should no longer wait for rich, noble prince from no where to rescue us. Instead, we should go for the man we want and if necessary, we have the ability to rescue him as well. We have our own dreams instead of supporting others’. Traditional boundary can stop us no more. As long as we have the ability and courage to make ourselves meaningful, we can win other people’s respect and thus improving our personal value. On the other hand, I think that it is high time for us to discard the attitude such as doing nothing instead of managing a house for a man, or neglecting the importance of gaining one’s knowledge. This movie taught me a lot, and reminds me of the obligation and attitude that a successful new-age woman should have!

America's next top model

America's Next Top Model (often shortened to Top Model or abbreviated as ANTM) is a reality television show in which a number of women compete for the title of America's Next Top Model and a chance to start their career in the modeling industry.
The show was created and is hosted by television personality, former supermodel and current talk-show host, Tyra Banks, who also serves as the lead judge and executive producer of the show. The first "cycle" premiered in May 2003 and was one of UPN's highest rated shows. The show's seventh cycle was the first of the shows among regular programming on UPN's successor network, The CW, and thus far is the network's highest rated series. The show will continue until at least the 2009-10 season. The opening theme is performed by Tyra Banks and is produced by Rodney "Darkchild" Jerkins. Banks co-produces the show with Ken Mok and Anthony Dominici. For the 2006-2007 television season, ANTM was the #1 show in average viewers on The CW.

I watched the tenth cycle of ANTM recently. I enjoyed this show so much because it is about the dream of every girl. It is not just about beauty, but also about showing yourself confidently, thinking positively and having good and healthy body shapes. Some fashion models are being criticized for being too thin. However, the competitors in this show weren’t always thin, some of them are plus size and they could still have some great performances.
In this season, one of the girls, Heather, has a disease called Asperger. The patients of this disease have difficulty communicate with others, and also, it is hard for them to focus. Heather, in this case, is extremely beautiful and has a unique, mysterious personal attitude which I think is very, very cool. However, because of her disease, she couldn’t get good performance when having a go-see with the fashion designers. Sadly, she got eliminated this week.Nevertheless, without this show, Heather would never have had a chance to show her ability. Disabilities people may be much more talented than we expected as long as we are willing to give them a shot.

Taiwan, China each agrees to set up offices

BEIJING - Taiwan and China agreed Thursday to set up permanent offices in each other's territory for the first time in nearly six decades of hostility, one of the biggest trust-building steps they've taken in their political rivalry.
There were few details and no time frame was given for establishing the offices, which could perform consular functions such as issuing travel documents.
Yet coming on the first day of formal talks between the sides in a decade, the agreement lends strong momentum toward efforts to build confidence and spur cooperation between the two sides, which divided amid civil war in 1949 and whose relationship has veered between strained to outright hostile.
Foundation Deputy Secretary-General Pong Jian-kuo said a consensus on exchanging offices was reached during morning talks, saying they would "facilitate people's exchanges and traveling across the Strait."
The unexpected announcement injected a touch of drama into an otherwise modest agenda that sought mainly to finalize agreements on charter flights and tourism.
"It's a very positive and healthy development in relations across the Taiwan Strait," said political scientist George Tsai of Taiwan's Chinese Culture University.
Tsai cautioned ,however, that the offices would be limited to dealing with administrative matters and would offer little direct help in dealing with core political differences such as China's threatening missile arsenal and Taiwan's desire for diplomatic recognition overseas.
Taiwan's 19-member negotiating team is being led by Chiang Pin-kung, chairman of the quasi-governmental Straits Exchange Foundation, and includes two vice Cabinet ministers — the highest-ranking Taiwanese officials ever to participate in bilateral talks.
Chiang told reporters in Beijing that the Chinese side had proposed the idea first during talks Thursday morning.
"Chairman Chen (Yunlin) proposed to have (a Chinese agency) to issue travel documents in Taiwan, and I agreed," he said. "I also hope there will be a similar Taiwanese agency serving Chinese people who plan to visit Taiwan."
Ahead of the talks, Chiang had said the negotiations would lay the foundation for "a long-term peaceful relationship between the two sides."
His counterpart, Chen Yunlin, head of Beijing's semiofficial Association for Relations Across the Taiwan Strait, said the public on both sides were counting on the talks to produce results and alter the often combative tone between the two governments.
"Whether cross-strait relations can improve, depends on whether our negotiations can proceed smoothly," Chen said.
Beijing's communist administration, which seized power on the mainland in 1949, considers Taiwan part of its territory and refuses to recognize the government in Taipei, which means that negotiations must be carried out by semiofficial bodies.
Taiwan's delegation also planned to discuss what additional help the island could provide for China's earthquake relief efforts. The talks are scheduled to run through Friday at a state guesthouse in western Beijing.
Both sides have periodically looked for ways to build trust between the governments amid soaring trade and investment, and they set up the dialogue mechanism in the early 1990s after briefly setting aside political differences. China withdrew from the exchanges in 1999 in anger over steps by Taiwan to shore up its independent identity. Beijing insists the island is Chinese territory to be reunified with the mainland, by force if necessary.
While most Taiwanese oppose political union, many favor closer economic cooperation with the mainland, which has already absorbed more than $100 billion in Taiwanese investment in the past 15 years.
Chiang's visit is seen as the first step toward fulfilling a pledge by newly elected Taiwanese President Ma Ying-jeou to reinvigorate Taiwan's economy, in part by hitching the island's wagon to China's economic juggernaut.
Foundation Secretary General Kao Koong-Lian said that the two sides also reached an agreement on expanded charter flights and tourism.
"On July 4, we will have the first large group of mainland tourists visiting Taiwan to coincide with the kickoff of weekend charter flights," he said.
The accord opens the way for 36 charter flights to cross the 100-mile-wide Taiwan Strait every weekend. Taiwan has banned direct scheduled flights since the 1949 division.
The expanded flights will be enough to shuttle several hundred thousand Chinese tourists to Taiwan every year — below Ma's target of 1 million, but far above the current level of about 80,000.
Charter flights are now limited to four annual Chinese holidays and are usually packed with Taiwanese residents on the mainland returning home to visit family. Ma wants to gradually expand the charter schedule and supplement it with regularly scheduled flights by summer 2009.
An agreement is expected to be signed Friday, after which Chiang was scheduled to meet with Chinese president and Communist Party leader Hu Jintao.
Also Thursday, Xinhua reported Chen had accepted Chiang's an invitation to visit Taiwan later this year. No specific date was mentioned.




*Personal Opinion towards this news:
After Mr. Ma was elected in March, I knew that the future political decisions are going to make a big turn. The new government swore to make a big progress in economy, and forget all about the differentces between political statements of Taiwan and China.
Indeed, the economic environment in Taiwan was facing a turning point. The percent of economic growth dropped 50%, and the stock market dropped at least one third. Taiwan needs different policies to bosom the low atmosphere in its economic environment.
However, we can't forget that there are something else worth considering about. Such as, new factories may mean greater working opportunities and income. Nevertheless, there may be serious ecological damage. Moreoever, there are still tens of thousands of missels set directly towards Taiwan in coastland of China! We can't by no means be "ture friends" with all these threatenings.
I hope that the new government can bring a brand new breakthourgh as it promised, giving its people more happiness.

New hair style

Before

After

I had a perm recently. My hair used to be very curly and hard, but now it is totally a typical “straight hair”. Many people compliment my new hair style, which of course, making me very happy. They said that I look much neater now.
To have a straight hair, there is no doubt that I have to pay some prize. I not only spent 3000 dollars to get my hair done, but also I couldn’t wash and tied my hair in three to four days. I was a torture for me, because I used to wash my hair everyday. Not to mention how hot it would be not to tie up my long hair. However, I guessed that there is no free lunch in this world. At least, I got long, straight hair shining with light, just like those girls’ in advertisements. Ha ha
To sum up, there is no ugly woman but lazy woman. As long as you are willing to make efforts, you can almost always get what you want!

interview questions

1. When do you start to wear glasses?
I started to wear glasses in fifth grade.(angel)

2. What kind of inconvenience that glasses bring to your life?
Sometimes I can't find my glasses, and I have to ask other people to find it back for me.(lilian)

3. Do you know what causes myopia?
Watching too much TV and playing computer games for too long.(Catherine)

4. Do you know how to prevent myopia?
Eating vitamin A and exercising your eyes can prevent myopia.(Eric)

5. What do you do to improve your eye health?
Looking at green things.(Janet)

6. If you are near-sighted, will you try eye surgery? Why or why not?
1.No, I won't.
2.I am afraid that the surgery fails.
(Bill)

7. When you have your children in the future, what would you do to improve your children’s eye health?
I won't let them watch too much TV and make sure that they take a rest every once in a while.
(Owen)

We are the champions

the picture of "queen"

Lyrics:
We are the champions by Queen





I've paid my dues time after time

I've done my sentence

But committed no crime

And bad mistakes I've made a few

I've had my share of sand kicked in my face

But I've come through



We are the champions - my friends

And we'll keep on fighting till the end

We are the champions We are the champions

No time for losers

'Cause we are the champions of the world





I've taken my bows and my curtain calls

You brought me fame and fortune

And everything that goes with it

I thank you all

But it's been no bed of roses

No pleasure cruise I consider it a challenge before the whole human race

And I ain't gonna lose


There is a popular TV show in Taiwan called “Star”. People from around the world attend this show to compete in singing. I enjoy it not only for the good music, but also for the touching partnership between each attendant. One of the attendants sang this song on the show last week, and I was very very moved. He said that he dedicated this song to all the partners in season 3 of “Star”. He wanted to tell every each of them that it doesn’t matter who win the competition in the future, what really matter is the unforgettable process. They had tears, and they had fun. They are all the champions!

How wonderful it is to have partners who can share all the ups and downs with! Luckily, after entering university, I make some friends, and we have already gone through so much together. I feel sorry that sometimes I take everything for granted and not being thoughtful enough. I think that I should cherish you guys more. After all, love is the most valuable thing in my life.





See the TV show on youtube http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z9zcuNBiBNc