Yuchen+Zhang

Jan,13,2011

Today is Thursday, the biggest day for me. My class was starting at 12PM until 6PM and theses classes are Math, Che E, Chem lab, and OP. I realized that most students study very hard at the beginning of this quarter and I can see that from the amount of students studying at the library. I go to the Alden library every weekday this quarter since the mood there force me have to study. Sometimes I go to there alone, and sometimes with my friends. I usually stay at the library until ten thirty but if I am tired I go back to my dorm earlier. This quarter seems like a busy quarter for me because this is my first time to take more than two academic classes. I hope everything goes well and get a high GPA finally!:)

Jan,14,2011

I am going to a houseparty tonight! This is my first time to go to a houseparty! My friend invited me to go to a houseparty at the library this afternoon and I am so excited! I think the American students parties are usually crazy because some movies expressed me that boys and girls danced and drunk at party. And perhaps people would be over drunk. To be honest, I want to hang out more with American students to make more native friends, improve my English and also try to understand local culture. However, I realize that some of American students don`t like to talk with international students. The reason may be they are not familiar with each other, so they prefer to be silent. But anyway, try their best to be friendly is good for builing friendship and being happy.

Jan,15,2011

Today is kind of boring since nothing much happened. This weekend is supposed to be along weekend cause we have 3 days no classes or homework. I also have to work at Nelson for my shifts which is washing dishes. It is tiring especially weekend becuase the Nelson is the only one dining hall opening on weekend. Almost students come to Nelson and we have to wash all the dishes after the students enjoying their meal. But whatever, I am going to drop all of my shifts for I dont have enough time to do my own business. I will have a relaxing weekend next week! Love it!

Jan,16,2011

My parents are going to come this Feburary to come to see me. This is extremely exciting to me.They got their visa last week then my mom called me they got their visa and they could come and see me soon. Since my aunt lives in New York City, my family might go to there not Athens. This is a too tiny city I have no idea if my parents would do nothing here. It is their first time to come to the U.S. I hope they enjoy the tour in a typical American city like New York City but not Athens. I will be with them for 2 days even though I wish could be longer at my aunt`s home. Her places is located at Flushing where has many Asian People. Living there is very convenient to both my parents and aunt. They dont have to speak English to buy the supplies. They could go everywhere they want to go by subway,taxi,bus or private car.I am looking forward their come.

Jan,20,2011

If I had a hundred dollars, I would give it to a beggar.Because beggars are poor, they would not to be a beggar if they could make money to buy supplies and have a comfortable lives. I wish the beggar could use the hundred dollars to have a satisfying diner, taking a great shower, and then having a good sleeping on a soft bed. It is a dream for the beggar to exprience our daily life so I wish him would have an opportunity to live like the average people even mere one day. In fact, not only the beggar is waiting for our help there are more people need help and only a hundred dollars are not enough. So I think we should help them as we can when we see beggars sitting on the ground or handing a help sign.

Jan,21,2011

This weekend was really freezing cold. Actually, I planned to Cedar Point this Saturday, yet something happened that made my dream busted. My friends and I had to go to the Baker Center to get on the bus which took us to Cedar Point at 7am at Saturday morning. It is so exciting that I had prepared it for a long time. However, my alarm didn`t work at that day. I realized I missed the bus when I got up at 7:40am. Immediately, I called my friends and they told me the bus just left Baker. Oh, what a weird day! Jan,22,2011

My routine is eating breakfast every morning, because this habit is good for my health. I usually eat cookies, bread and drink milk to make me full of energy every day. I have followed this routine when I was in the kindergarten. Since I was the most tiny girl in my class at that time, my parents hoped me to be stronger and healthier. However, I found it was hard to me to eat breakfast every day when I grew up. I had to get up very early to go to high school so that I did not have time to eat breakfast. Jan,23, 2011 I have to say Toefl is coming quietly. I have taken it at least 3 times, since I went to the Ohio University. To be honest, taking Toefl here is much easier than in China. The reason is lots of students want to go abroad no matter how old they are. Some of them are really young, like elementary student; or some of them are not “young” like 30 something years old. If they plan to study in the U.S, they have to take Toefl before them come here. According to this big group, Toefl Test is much harder to pass than other countries for American university to absorb better talented person. Therefore, Toefl Test is much easier to take in the U.S.

Jan,27,2011

My mum is a really kind person liking give help to others. When I was in high school, I had a friend lost her wallet after school, so she did not have any cash to take a bus to go back to her home. Therefore, my mum decided to take her to her home. The weather was freezing, I wanted go back home as soon as possible, so I said we could give her some money and she could go back by herself. My mum was angry with what I said, she told me we should help her, we could not let her along. At least, my friend went home safely with my mum and me. After a few years, when I thought of this case, I really appreciated how a nice mum.

Jan,28,2011

My job is doing washing and transporter in dining hall. I need to work in the dining hall for eight hours per week. I work in the dish room two days and do transporter one day. Working in the dish room is easy, because I just washing dishes or tray in the back of kitchen, but compare with transporter, I think doing transporter is much challenge. First, some of name of the cookbook I am unfamiliar. Like when a student asked me to introduce a kind of pasta, I didn’t know how to answer because I really had no idea of what were the materials of the pasta. Or they wanted Garden Burger but I gave them Beef Burger, then I felt embarrassed from their confusing face. In fact, I think the reason is I am weak of vocabulary. In another word, I have to absorb as much words as I can from any ways. At least, I hope I can get my goal here. Jan,29,2011

This Saturday I went to Columbus with my friends and bought several stuff. We went to two malls, one is the Easton Mall and other one is the Polaris. I have to say Columbus is really much better than Athens, the reason is we have chance to do real shopping. At the Easton Mall, I got one shirt, two T-shirts and one clutch within one and a half hour! Since I had to go to work at the dining hall at five o`clock, we did not have enough time to do window shopping actually. Then we spent thirty minutes arrived the Polaris Mall continue our shopping. Although we were timed also, we still got several “booties”, like I bought two makeup, one is for face another is for body, and my friends got one pair of boots, one makeup and some other stuff. That was a nice shopping time even though we did not have enough time to stroll for all we wanted, we still “finished” it efficiently. Jan,30,2011  Since I have been studying in OU for one year I found that Chinese students and American students have different methods to learn knowledge. Chinese students usually focus on knowledge and comprehension, for example, when Chinese study mathematics, we usually memorize formulas and then use them. However, American students pay more attention to synthesis and evaluation. For instance, they study why we use this formula and why this formula is correct. I think the reason is our educational systems are different so that we emphasize different methods to study.

Feb. 03.2011 Mom and dad are at New York where I am going to this weekend.I have not seen them in personal for half an year,so I cant wait to see them! Actually, their visa issue were not as simple as I thought. When my parents went to embassy to interview, the embassy gave them both a blue tip and a white letter. In general, a color tip means gaining a visa consequently,but my parents also got a white letter, which means they still have to be investigated at least two weeks. The investigation includes their personal information, where they working, and their relationship with me. Fortunately, their visa issues were solved in one month so that I could meet them in the U.S. It is like a dream to me.

Feb.04.2011 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 0pt;">Today is Friday, a wired day. I did not do well on my first math midterm. I really got a low grade make me so upset. I have learned series, almost students don`t like it at all., either do me. The midterm is the series including ratio test,alternative test, comparison test and so many other tests about improving a series either convergent or divergent which we have learned so far. Since I was confused by these so many methods to improve ,<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"> I used wrong way to solve almost every question, we only have five questions on the first midterm, which means I merely got sixty something percents of total. That sucks. It reminding I have to study hard from right now or I would got a B even C on the math. That is really sad.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">Feb.05.2011

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">For most students, they have already been educated liberal arts when they were young. In high school, students learn mathematics to make their thought logical and <span style="color: windowtext; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; text-decoration: none;">[|rational] <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> from solving mathematics problems and calculus; they study history to know how the world is changing and get a big picture of how the world will become in the future; they also learn second language to communicate with others no matter what language it is. This tells us clearly that the liberal arts education cannot be out of the general education, it is a part of general education. Students are supposed to study liberal arts to be a normal human being not a “logical robot”. The reason is liberal arts develop students` comprehensive development. For instance, liberal arts do not teach us anything about how to be a good accounting which is a career that the purpose is to live in the society not develop us. Actually, the students who graduate from liberal arts college usually work for government or other high class job, like philosopher and psychologist. <span style="display: block; font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%; margin: 0cm 0cm 10pt; text-align: justify;">Feb.06.2011 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Today I am going back to Athens. It was a too short time to stay with my parents! I wish time would stop. We went to statue of Liberty yesterday, the weather was not good, cold and rainy. We bought three ship tickets to go to the Eill`s Island where the statue of Liberty is at. The statue is a green huge goddess.She hold a book in her left hand and uphold a torch in her right hand. She is so gorgeous that everyone hold his breath when they see her. This is mom and dad`s first time to come to the U.S, they were so excited to see the sign of the country and they took many pictures with the statue of Liberty.

Feb.10.11

Good study atmosphere is all students` dream. In China, the study atmosphere of university is not as good as in the United States. Since the different education system, the quality of Chinese university is worst than its high school. For example, Chinese students usually have homework every day, and they have to get up and go to school very early because classes begin at 7:30AM each working day in high school. However, students don`t need to do their homework daily and hand in them in university because no one requires students. In other hands, Chinese students have opportunities to study with American students in a good atmosphere in the U.S because professors give them homework and push students hand homework in on time. If students don`t study hard in university, they probably get “Fail” on their course.

Feb.11.11

Athens vs my hometown.The environment is the most significant point that is different from Tianjin and Athens. Because of the pollution, when people look up the sky they will find that it is gray most time. My home is an apartment on the 25th floor, the windows always become vague and brown after raining. Besides, children get cough much easily than before. However, it is so excellent air that Athens has. There is a little dust in the air and because of the forest surround Athens, residents can breathe fresh air every day. For instance, people don`t have to wipe floor every day since there isn`t too much dust on the floor in Athens,, but my mom has to wipe the floor almost each day because of dust which on the floor is so easy to realize in Tianjin.

Feb.12.11 “The Homework Revolution” argued that too much homework was bad to everyone. For students, especially for the elementary school students, too much homework made them unhappy even sick. For example, “Kids are developing more school-related stomachaches, headaches, sleep problems, and depression than ever before.”(William Crain, Ph.D.) Furthermore, students did not get high score from doing much homework. Actually, they did not learn anything when they did homework in a wrong way several times. Like, “if a student does a math worksheet with 50 problems but completes them incorrectly, he will likely fail the test.” (SpaceKing800) After talking about the negative influence for students, teacher and parents should be our next focuses. In the article, the author told us that some teachers did not extremely know how much homework they should assign to students. The reason was they were pressured to help students to get high score to enter a good university by students and parents, and they had to work hard to avoid firing by the school, teachers had to give a lot of homework to students to ensure them remember what they learnt. However, in author`s opinion, teachers were not supposed to do this, because they should teach students scientifically. After that, the desire from parents was another factor that why students have too much homework. Parents hope their children be the best; therefore, they want their children did very well in their study. According to the desire, students got more homework from their teachers, although both students and teachers dislike too much homework. Finally, the author said assigning little homework to students would help them get high score and healthy life indeed, not only good for students` physical health and psychological health, but also good for teachers`.

Feb.13.11

This Friday was the Fluorescent Stick Day and there were several parties about it. I attended one of the celebrations was at the Union which several people had an amazing party there. When my friends and I arrived there, there was a long long line in front of us, but we didn`t care it since we were so excited! In the line of people, most of them ware white shirts because they were look like fluorescent below the light of the bar. Inside of the bar, the dance floor was full of the people who were dancing and enjoying a relaxing festival. All boys and girls danced with rock-and -roll made them felt high and happy even crazy! Of course, my friends and I enjoyed the party also, we danced, laughed and played. The atmosphere was definitely fantastic, smoke and music were surround the people, and they were like dancing star in everywhere. We enjoyed the prom until two o`clock, when we left the bar, we realized that our shirt were almost sweated! While I got to my dorm, there were some fluorescent paint still on my face. Hope I can have another awesome time soon!

Feb.16.2011

This is week 7, almost this quarter finish up. I feel this quarter pass away so fast and just realize.The super bowl was hold on last weekend and it was a big event to everyone here.

Feb.17.2011

A surprise I had was I got a lot candy from my dad costumed Santa! That was a Christmas Eve, my mom was cooking in our kitchen and I was talking with her. Then my dad came in and asked me if I receive any Christmas gift.I laughed and ask my dad,do we have Santa in China? Dad said,well, you had better check.He confused me, so I went back to my room and tried to find out something differ from before. Then I found. A big circle shape candies were under my bed! I did not realize at all,but that was a so big surprise to me! I was so happy and ask my mom, was Santa come before? And mom told me yes! After a few years later, the fact was found out. That was my dad did,he gave me a sweet dream and a nice present ever ever. And I am so touched and still keep the secret until now.

Feb.18.2011

A couple of Chinese advertisements like a hypnotist that hypnosis youth to smoke, also make them feel they smoke like adults. Several cigarette companies tend to hire famous movie star to publicize how fantastic their cigarettes in China. One of the biggest cigarettes producers, Zhong Hua Cigarette Company, has hired at least three famous movie stars to publicize their cigarettes to public. Similarly, teens have become victims again. Everybody has an idol on heart, especially, teens. Most teenagers buy the cigarettes that their idols publicize. The reason is they love and respect their “hero”, so they have been willing to buy anything that their hero publicized. Consequently, teens smoke just because of their idols commercial behavior.

Feb.19.2011 This Friday was the Fluorescent Stick Day and there were several parties about it. I attended one of the celebrations was at the Union which several people had an amazing party there. When my friends and I arrived there, there was a long long line in front of us, but we didn`t care it since we were so excited! In the line of people, most of them ware white shirts because they were look like fluorescent below the light of the bar. Inside of the bar, the dance floor was full of the people who were dancing and enjoying a relaxing festival. All boys and girls danced with rock-and -roll made them felt high and happy even crazy! Of course, my friends and I enjoyed the party also, we danced, laughed and played. The atmosphere was definitely fantastic, smoke and music were surround the people, and they were like dancing star in everywhere. We enjoyed the prom until two o`clock, when we left the bar, we realized that our shirt were almost sweated! While I got to my dorm, there were some fluorescent paint still on my face. Hope I can have another awesome time soon!

Feb.22.2011 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Before I came here, I did not know why my dad advised me to study abroad at first. Since I was a hard working student in my high school and my capability allowed me to enter a famous university in China. I could not understand my father`s idea even more. However, when I saw some friends who studied abroad and got many big achievements, I decided to go abroad to give me an opportunity to develop myself.<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Actually, I did not know which university was the best for me since I had no idea about any American university. But at that time, one of my cousins who has already studied in the U.S. told me that if I want to learn the field of engineering, Ohio University would be my best choice. He said that this university has the excellent equipment for students do researching and the environment is good for student to study. Also, I got some information about Ohio University by myself, and I knew this school is beautiful. Therefore, I choose it.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">﻿ Feb.23.2011

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">﻿<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Nowadays, people are living longer and longer. In our daily life, we have seen many senior citizens are over 100 years old. Because of a stable society, medical insurance, and an optimistic attitude, people can live longer than in the past. First, a stable society is a extremely important reason for people living longer. If we live in a country which has a war, we cannot get enough food or even have our own place. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Second, almost all countries have provided medical insurance to their people. Depending on medical insurance, people can get treatment in time. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">oreover, I deem having an optimistic attitude to let people have a longer life. Keeping an optimistic attitude and make us have a happy life, and it also can keep us physically healthy in some cases. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">﻿ Feb.24.2011 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">﻿ <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 10.5pt;">Chinese people always say that if they have an opportunity to study aboard, they will go definitely. The reason is we can learn different culture and different knowledge from another country, and these are benefit for expanding our view. Since I came to Ohio University, I have found the main difference between Chinese students and American students. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Because of culture, Chinese students say something euphemistical, especially during dinner. For example, we always give a negative answer when someone gives us food first time, although we want it. But different from Chinese, American students often tell people what they want clearly, not only during dinner time but also others time. If we ask their opinion about something, they will tell you faithful.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">Feb.25.2011 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif';">This week 9,this quarter almost finish u p. Last weekends were crazy and full of fun. Since no exams and a little homework on week 8, OU students held parties everywhere. I went two of them and all of them were held by Theta Tau, a fraternity chapter, we played games and chat with other people. Actually, this is my first time to join an American students group, I am so excited. All the pledges have to remember the purpose of the chapter and motto and members` names and if we could not, we will be marked a demerit on our notebooks which recorded all individual interviews with old members. That might be serious if we did not do well, we would be kicked out.But anyway, I enjoy talking will my bro and making friends with them.

Journal 1

Toefl is coming! I believe every student is nervous in OPIE because it is fairly and only way to out of OP. Most students are Chinese students in OP since many Chinese study abroad intermediaries recommend Ohio University in China, and their English abilities are not good enough to take full time academic class, these students have to study English first. Academic classes are so differ with English classes, in fact, English Classes are pretty easier than academic classes. For example, I have to know several names of different chemical bonds in Chemistry class, like covalent bonds. Moreover, I have to memorize what single element valence is and seven main group, eight periods. Students study English in OPIE do not need to know them at all, their risks are studying English. In contrast, spending time on studying English is not a big deal. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Journal 2 <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">What is friendship? I try to definite this special and common relationship among people. Friend is someone who encourage me when I am in the depth, friend is someone who helps me when I am get in trouble, friend is someone who loves me and me love her. I have a friend, and we know each for 8 years. Sometimes she knows what I am thinking even without I speak it out.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Journal 3

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">The purpose of the academic class is to teach us professional knowledge and know how they use. In the geography class, we study the globalization and how it influent our world. For instance, we have studied the three biggest economic organizations in the world which are WTO, IMF, and GATT. At the class, we knew that these three organizations not only solve trade problems between countries, but also make contribution for our world peace through economy. In fact, economy is the most efficient tool to connect the entire world. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;">Journal 4

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt; line-height: 200%;"> <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">Some people say that children who live in the country can have more life experiences than in the city, because the country is poor. However, this opinion is incorrect. In fact, poverty definitely is not a reason why children can get more life experiences in an advantaged place—city. Children have more free time in the city.They do not need to work at the farm to help their parents in the city. Instead, children can do anything they interested in. City has a colorful social life. For instance, children have to build companionship with many kinds of people, and this makes them have more social experiences than children who just live in the country. In summary, getting more life experiences is most important for our children. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman','serif'; font-size: 12pt;">