Here comes the winter break.

It is always so hard for people to realize how time flies. I can still recall the first day I took of the plane and stepped my feet on the land of the United States and all of a sudden when I woke up this morning, when I saw those notes in my notebook, when I saw these logs I have here. I found out it is already the Dec. 11st and after we finish our exam week which starts tomorrow, we are done of the fall semester.

My host family asked me to join them to the critter Christmas this Saturday but due to the make up day for Irene, I did not have the chance to enjoy their celebration. When I was lying in my bed surfing the Internet I received a message from them which said "Thinking about you while we are about to learn about Christmas in China at the church". How sweet they are. I cannot wait to finish my finals ASAP as get together with them to celebrate a real American Christmas.

Frankly speaking, university studying here is much more difficult than that of China. Papers, in-class quizes, presentations, debates, etc....Those work, though makes my life here tough sometiems, imparts me with skills and knowledge. Just wish there could be more time for me for me to read the books I borrowed from the library and those I downloaded from the Internet or maybe I am really a slow-reader. :)

Probably not going anywhere during the break unless I won the lottery...haha...But fun does not need to be purchased with money.. ;)

Hi

As the end is coming I would like to say thanks to Everybody I met this semester. Thanks People for making me happy wile I was studying in ELI. I am glad I met You. I will never forget You!!!

I hope every body will have a nice time during the winter brake and I hope to see You next semester!!!!!

Sincerely,
Biljana

P.S Good luck with the exams!

The last week

Hey guys. I am sorry that I didn't show up for a long time. I had a too happy time to do this. When I realize it suddenly, it is already the end of this semester. I would like say it again: Time fies.
These two weeks are really tough time to me, so so so many works to do! Homeworks and final exams are that kind of things you really can never finish them. I am so stupid that I didn't work on it until the deadline. I hate it:(
About the plans for winter break, I have heard a lot of wonderful, perfect plans, such as travel to Canada, going back to China, travel to Los Angeles. My friend and I want to spend our Chrismas in New York. That would be such a big fun! I can't wait to do it.
Wish all of you have a good winter break!

Kudos to Walmart

Yesterday,While I was cooking my meal ,I found that the indicating lights of my rice cooker wasn't on.At first I wasn't really care about that ,as I have my dishes on the fire, then.But after I finished my cooking and went to get the rice,I found the rice wasn't cooked at all!Then I thought there must be something to do with the lights!I took the cooker to my own room and plugged in, again,there was no sign of the light!My cooker stopped to work,I finally realized.

I started to worry about it--I have throwed away the receipts long before!They probably won't allow me to return or exchange it(definitely won't in China)!Then I looked up the return policy online, it says they will always let customers return their goods in spite of receipts!I was not sure about that,but I decided to have a try.So I wrapped up all the parts of the cooker ,heading towards Walmart on my bike.There was a old madam at the gate,I always see one of them standing there,sometimes they greeted to me,but I don't give a thought to why they standing there.She saw me ,with the cooker,and immediatelyshe asked if I wanted to return it.I said yes ,then she gave me a card and directed me to the Customer Service .I was quite nervous when I stepped in the service center.I said to the cashier that I want to change for a new one,brokenly.She said :"No problem,go and
get a new one."I was happy enough to drop the cooker and went on my way to the cooking section!I got a new one and returned,as she processed with my claim,she asked if I got a receipt.
"I'm sorry,I throwed it away."I said uneasily.
"Ok,that's fine,and I'll get you a new one!"
"a new one?"
"Yes, a new receipt!"said the girl gently.
"Thanks a lot!" I hurried out my word awkwardly.
"By the way,do you have an ID?
"An ID?No, I just stay here for one year,so..."
"No worry,you will be fine!" said the girl smilingly as I hurried to reach for my GullCard--!

So,that's it, I got my new cooker with no problem,and no receipt!They didn't even look through all the pieces of my old cooker,which is definitely one of the routines in China.And this is my happy shopping experience with Walmart!

Last week of Studies

Hello Everybody!

It is unbelievable that this week was the last week before finals. I remember myself complaining about a lot of homework which we did. And now it was last week. We will have finals and a long winter break. I am happy about that and at the same time sad. Times goes too fast.

Liza

A Christmas Story

I wander why I never heard of this film before since it is so popular around Amerian Christmas time. Maybe it's too old for Chinese medias to get interested in, but luckily not me~~

This is a typical potray of 1940s American life in Indiana. A boy named Ralph Parker makes a wish to get his perfect Christmas present: A Red Ryder BB Gun like a blue steel beauty turning him into a soilder to protect his family and friends. In order to realize that he fights for any chance to convince his mother, teacher and even the Santa of the town to support his idea. However, "You'll shoot your eyes out." is like a curse popping out of adults' mouth. On Christmas morning, he and his little brother have received bunch of gifts from relatives, but not one of them is perfect for Ralph. Oh wait, what's that behind the desk, that shining cuboid gift with rose color packing paper? What's in that?

This film reminds me of many tiny details during my childhood time. Luckily mine was not that boring with dozens of friends and a huge playground as our typical field. Instead of being the target of bullying in this film, I was the initiator of the evil. So calling me back from school, paying for the medical fee, and invited to the office of schoolmaster are the three things my mom used to do. Oh, still one more - punishing me... My family is also not belong to the rich circle. But I always firmly believe that those rich in materials may not be rich in happiness. In most of the time I couldn't get what I want for New Year becomes what I own, but this is life, isn't it?

final exam is coming ~

Next week I only have 4 days to work, and those days are for us to take our final exam. It's heavy , but after these 4 days , we will have our holidays. And I can finally come back home.That's the most wonderful part of it. Tomorrow, I will have activity with my host family. The little boy in my host family's birthday is tomorrow. I bet it will be a great fun and I can't wait for it~

Always Brainstorming

Recently, life for me is pretty hard with all the ending homework and exams all around. I just can feel my brain keeps woring on without any rest even sometimes I forgot to write in this cute blog to share my life with you guys.

Today, I want to introduce my best American friend whose name is Amanda, really really kind girl. I had enjoyed the Thanksgiving dinner and church-visiting with her before. All there wonderful experiences left me a good memory of America. Just as what I have said in the older blog, friends for me are the most precious treatures in my life. I would cherish every friend that has occourred to me. In order to well show Amanda about the Chinese traditional dishes. Charlie and me are going to make a simple Chinese meal at this Sunday noon. All of our three are so excited about it. Hope we can have fun on Sunday.

Last but not least, hope all of us easily pass the final exams~~~~~~

ORBC Church

"Do you want to go to the church with me on sunday?" "Why not!"Thanks to Sharon,the hostess of my host family,I got the chance to go to the biggest church in Salisbury !This was the second time I 've been to the ORBC ,we went to it last week, too.The most amazing part to me is that they got great music band before the study of the Bible!Before, I hold the stereotype that the music in the church is mostly the kind of boring Hallelujah or something like that!But to my surprise,they got rock band,they got really cool songs and they love God!And today they got a different band(actually, they get different band every time) ,when I was listening carefully,I heard a very familiar rhythm.That is the same rhythm as one of the most popular song a few years ago! When I talked about it to Sharon after the church,Sharon told me that is a very old song which dates back to 1920s and they changed some part of it and remade it into a church song. All I could say was WOW! What we considered a fashion was already there in American for 80 years!

Cool band ,Cool church ,see you soon!

Basketball Games

On Friday and Saturday, I went to watch basketball games with my friends in the Maggs Gym. The first game was between Jonh Jay and our school. At the beginning, our school led score, but we lost the game at last terribly. I used to think that American basketball perfer personal capacity to teamwork before I watched this game, but now I found that university basketball team attaches great importance to teamwork and tactical. That's really important, and I think Chinese basketball teams can learn a lot from them.

late payment fee

 I received a letter from my teacher in china, it was about the late payment fee. I was wondering if I had any bill that I did not pay for when I received the late fee letter. I went to the cash office, talked to the person. The result was that my check was returned by the bank, It meant that my check did not go through. So the school could not get the money from my bank account. I was so angry about that, because I had not received any emails about the returned check before I received the late payment fee.

An Interesting Picture Book

These days I read a interesting picture book called Cinder Edna, This is really an anti-Cinderella book, one part makes me so impressive is when the two heroine all got married with their lover, moreover, it’s their real and innermost decision. However, the two heroine has two different kind of life while Cinderella went to endless ceremonies and listened to dozens of speeches and at night she sat by the fire with nothing to look at but her husband’s perfect profile while he talked endlessly of troops, parade formations, and uniform buttons. It sounds that she achieved her dream, married with a handsome prince, lived royally and decently but lost the true meaning of happiness, Edna married with the other prince without good-looking but they have their common hobbies (they both like jokes and tuna recipes), at least, they lived happily ever after, The author tried to make a contrast to give us the picture that may be the happy life is not just like the traditional fairy tale style, Edna is happier than Cinderella with true happiness and soul couple.

But if I am an author, I won’t write on that way, this book is try to explain that different people pursue different life, may be your dreamed life is not the happy one that you want. The main heroine is cute, she know how to pursue her own life without any sympathy from others, but in some part of this book, I don’t like the illustrator always use eye-white to prove that the character is disdain for everything in Cinderella’s way, may be this is unique and individuality, but in my perspective, if I want to prove one is really independent, I won’t look down upon anyone, write bad word of Cinderella and his stupid prince and show how difference the other heroine are, Then at last said :Guess who lived happily ever after, if you want emphasize person need to live on their own rather than any stuff connect to money and status, it’s true but it’s not real, if Edna finally can find a happy ending by herself, why Cinderella is not? May be went to endless ceremonies and listened to dozens of speeches and at night she sat by the fire with nothing to look at but her husband’s perfect profile is Cinderella’s hobbies? I like Cinder Edna's part of this story but it wasn't necessary to be cruel about Cinderella part, to predict a miserable girl (may be she also try to live and try to study) use such mean word. It’s really jaundiced to be proud of Cinder Edna's triumphs.

Despite of that, this is a very good book for kids, especially girls, they can learn how to save themselves, how to live by their hands, eliminate the pendency from impossible fantasy, and also pursue a real and suitable love. It’s really like American way to be alive: easy, happy, efficiency, own style and far away from onerous manner, It embody a great spirit: freedom.

2011 Salisbury Parade for Christmas

Today I went to the Salisbury Parade for 2011 Christmas with my host family. In case that it would be cold outside, they even kindly brought me hot coco to stay warm.

The parade started at 2 o'clock with the leading of Wicomico council, during which I saw our mayor Jim Ireton again. After the Wicomico council and some other government cars passed, there came the team of school in Wicomico area. Also, the Salisbury zoo took part in the parade--they are my favorite part because they brought LAMA.

During the parade, the performers kept thowing candies to kids, which made those kids like little birds chasing after rice and corn= =

After the parade, we went to the Oak Tree church (if I did not remember it wrong) and sang some Christian songs. It was totally different from that I listened to in China. I was actually confused whether it was high school musical or a church choir!

The Coming of Final Exams

I've never expected that this day would come so quickly! It seems that yesterday I were hanging around the campus listening to some introduction of the university , but today I need to face so many tests and papers to finish within two weeks. When people settle down in one place and get used to their lives there, the time slips away without saying hello and goodbye~~

Facing the papers and books which fill my room is not the worst. Half of my American time has gone but the achievement on study is beneath my expectation. This is the thing I concern about. However, without drugs for regret and time machine to fly back, I must concentrate on present and make progress step by step. Yesterday is history; tomorrow is a mystery; today is a gift. That's why it is called present!

I have to say goodbye very soon...

        I have been counting the  days since I ordered the air ticket for flying back home.It's the end of this semester, I almost forgot I don't have to stay here for many days. However, I don't feel excited at all. I even wish the time could fly less  slowly, except for our classes. I want to see more of salisbury, I want to see more of the USA. Maybe I will miss the people here and the beautiful scenes.
      I have to say goodbye very soon...

Hey, guys! I think you must be very busy these weeks, because final exams are coming. I did nothing but homework this week. I made two PPTs, 10-pages research papers and a 7-pages  thesis. That almost make me mad. Next week I have to presentations, Oh, my god! I hate the end of the semester.

My host family

Today I went to my host family's house.It was really a good experience. At 5:30 pm Saturday Michael pick me up to their family, he is the father of this family. When I arrived at this family all of members were waiting for me , they were very friendly and prepared gift for me. We decorated the Christmas tree and ate pizza. everything was very nice. Then the kids wanted to know how to write their Chinese name so I taught them some Chinese. They were very clever and studied very quickly. What's more, the kids prepared a picture for me they told me they painted me , the parents sent a Christmas tree for me . It's really a good night.

Oh no. There are a lot of homework, I don't want to do them. But I can't, them must be finished. Oh, my god.

The lights in Ocean City!!!

Hi everybody!!

This Friday I went to see the lights in Ocean City.

On 125th street it’s a big park with a little lake and a big green area. People can see different shapes with lights on it. One of the people who work there told me that there is an 800 000 lights. The entrance fee is 5$. Nobody is allowed to walk, so you take a train. It’s approximately 12min ride. The train ticket it’s included in that 5$. I don’t know what time exactly the place open but I know that they close at 11:00pm.

I need to mention that is very cold so better wear something warm.

I felt the Christmas spirit =)

US Bar

Before I came here I hadn't noticed that US teenagers can't drink alchol. the first day when I arrived at my apartment , my roomates asked me if I am 21-year- old. I was confused about that for my teachers always told me westen people take age as their personal secrect. Finally I understand that it's the limit for drinking age. It's strange and may not work. My roomates drinks every Friday night enen they don't reach 21. As long as they don't go outside they can drink however they want. And they can buy the alchol by themselves, the sellers seldom check their ID. In China we don't have this limit , my father let me to drink alchol when I was 2 years old. But most of the time parents won't allow their children drink alchol. They think it may hurt children's brains and do harm to their bodies when they arae growing.

Yesterday I went to a bar with my friends, the atmosphere is quite different from what I ahve imagine. I have heard from my friends that China's bar is different from here. In China ,the bar usually very beautiful and have many different kinds. It also forms a bar-culture in China. But from what I have seen yeaterday ,it's quite boring. Poeple there were just drinking. And there aren't many people there. I think maybe the students are preparing for their final exams. but they told me we are so early ,the real bar time begeins at 11:30. then ,we may see crowded people dancing and drinking. The alchol is cheaper than that in China. But for me, no matter it cheap or not they don't have good tastes. I was just looking for some interesting things their.

Hello Everybody!

How are you doing? Hope everybody enjoys Thanksgiving holidays. As for me they were too long. I did not do any homework, may be just a little bit. I felt like I want to go to the university to study. It was nice to be back on Monday to see your classmates and listened to their stories about past holiday. Everybody seemed to be relax, probably they finally get enough sleep and at the same time lazy. Some people wish to be off more days. For me it was plenty.

Liza