2012年5月21日星期一

The Story of My Leadership Journey


When we had our first retreat in Westin Hotel, I could never forget the passion and the unity that 2013 batch showed to us. Now, 2014 batch finally made it! Before this semester’s Honors College course, being classmates with each other doesn’t actually brings out my belongings and love about this group. In this class, there are silent and shy students that we rarely talk with or listen to them. There are also active Macao local students talking in Cantonese which we feel difficult to join in. To some extent, we are labeled as 2014 batch Honors College student while separate into several independent groups with diverse identity. With no difference to other classes, we could still cooperate and communicate with each other in order to finish a project or other assignments. It is very strange that there is something missing. The connections between us disappear after the class and after the semester end. Now, this connection is becoming so strong that even though we are not in the same city, we still miss each other from heart.
   Life begins when your comfort zone ends. Our journey of leadership starts when we are standing at the highest place of Macao Tower. With the freezing weather and the very challenging place, walking and doing some creative pose seems difficult for some of us because of height phobia. At that time, encouragement and comfort is especially useful and important in order to cultivate unity for a group. Fear and scare could be eliminated though even one word and one hand from other people. From that moment on, we are not independent individuals. On the edge of the Macao Tower, we transfer warmth and bravery to each other. All at a sudden, everyone is correlated with each other. Care about others’ feeling is the most important lesson that I learnt from the beginning of the journey. To be a good leader and communicator, instead of being a dictator, you have to care whether other people are comfortable with your decisions or tasks. It is vital that we should be aware that we are a group which is also the purpose of arranging this Macao Tower Activity as our first outdoor activity. If one person in the group can’t move on, others have to help him or her to go over his or hers fear and concern. 
Discovering new and potential talent and utilize them wisely have always been the theme of the Honors College 2014. The audience from the talent show, the participants in the workshop and the classmates who perform in the class are all observers for our growth all along with the journey. I believe that all of our HC 2014 classmates believe that this class is a happy and relax class. It is known to everyone that Google is famous for its relax and creative environment so that their engineers could develop that much software. The classroom in J-building could also be regarded as the cradle that breeds our talents. Everyone plays both the role of performer and audience. There will never be any judgment for your performance. Eyes are for appreciation and enjoyment which exploits more opportunities for us to enjoy those hiding talents behind everyone. Some people could be good singer, dancer, actor or even composer. Other people could be a stage designer, controller of the light and screen and even the event planner. Talent show had been a mission impossible for everyone because of the tight schedule and intense attack of exams. Fortunately, everyone sacrifice their sleep time, spare time and revision time in exchange for a big and successful show. We grow up in the process of comprise, sacrifice and teamwork. Our cooperation is successful not only because our organization and planning but also should be attribute to our strong friendship of caring each other. I would say that talent show is a milestone for everyone. Compared with Talent show, the “Live to Serve” workshop seems not to be that difficult and challenging while it still needs everyone’s effort for contribution and promotion. This workshop rekindles everyone’s memory of applying for the Honors College. I remembered that I was attracted by the ideology of Honors College because of the touching and fabulous workshop held by the 2013 batch. Being a good role model with enough confident and passion is the image that we want to spread in that workshop. There is one old saying goes, today I am proud of being a member of the Honors College. Honors College will be proud of me in the future. 
   Sharing has been the tradition and culture in our HC 2014’s family. Writing blogs and chatting on Facebook HONR202 group are two main channels for us to know what happens in everyone’s life. For me, writing blogs could be a method to release pressure while it could also be a way to improve my writing skills. It is also very beneficial for my classmates to know about my life as an accounting student. Reading other people’s life story could create more topics and connections between each other. It could also be a proof that there are friends around you that sharing your happiness and sadness. Although HC 2014 has class every week, for the majority of time in the campus, we are still separate with each other. Showing that we are there is important. Sometimes, Dr. UDani will post some videos, or a sentence for us to fill such as “Friday is a day___?” You will see our lovely classmates’ comments like“Friday is a day for thanks! “ Those response and “like” icon at least could be an evidence that everyone is not far away from this family. Because of this sharing tradition, our social network is enlarged and more interesting activities are open to us. As one of our classmates writes in her blog about the “misconception about students in Honors College”, those outdoor activities and the lovely LEAP activity we designed for the whole campus could totally change their wrong perception about us. Because of the new flat of communicating, we are invited to dragon boat with the Dragon Boat Team of our university. We are also invited to participate in each group’s LEAP project such as “speaking out your wishes” or “Hot Chocolate” and “Sweet Postman”. I believe that every HC member had been asked such a question: What is leadership?” Dr. Udani told us that leadership is about influence. The journey of leadership tell me that sharing could be the most effective way to bring influence to other people. 
  Caring, Showing and Sharing are three key elements I got from this leadership journey with HC 2014 family. There is a song that we sing under the Macao Tower and the talent show as well. The lyrics are so good and suitable to sum up for my story. You raise me up to more than I can be. The journey of being a leader will never end. Every shoulder and hand in this long way could be our motivation and driving force to move on and be stronger.   
  HC 2014 will become a legend for everyone! We are on fire every minute and everywhere! 

2012年4月27日星期五

Can we be a student for life?

        Last Sunday was the time for taking the graduation photo. Last Wednesday, Honors College held the First Undergraduate Honours Project Symposium. Seeing senior students took photo with every one at every corner of the campus activily and happliy, I suddenly felt that our time of being a university student will ultimately end some day in the future. On the other hand, when I listened to the Symposium, seeing students wearing business suit, confidently presenting their reseasrch project, I could feel that they are ready for leaving the university to be an adult fighting in the complicated society.
        I suddenly realize that the time of being a student is limited. Looking back to 19 years in my life, at least, I spent 13 years in the campus staying with teachers and classmates without a concern of how to live a life on my own. After entering the unversity, the problem that I used to escape finally comes in front of me forcing me to face it. I realize that I need to think about how to plan for my future. What kind of job and career do I want to take?  Lots of senior students have good results either in continuing academic study abroad or getting the offer from international firms with quite good salary. There must lots of efforts and tears hiding behind those shining smiles. In this world,  there is one golden rule. "No pains, No gains." In the long run, besides projects, assignments and exams, there are other activities in the campus or off-campus that are worhtwhile for our attention and participation. Be aware of the goal of the life and have a clear image for our own life are necessary for an university student.
         I really cherish the time of being with lovely professors. From primary school, middle school to high school, interaction with teachers are too easy. We could alwasy cry to our teacher because of low score or high burden and pressure on study. In the university, we go to different classes and listen to lectures. Some students don't even know the name of the lecturer while some professors are indifferent to their students. There is hardly no interaction between most of students. To some extent, this would give students freedom to learn on themselves and face their own difficulties. Unfortunately, on the other hand, the motivation for both parties is decreased. In the last lecturer, one of my professor told me that my exam was good in terms of the structure and language. This comment made my feel so happy. I felt more motived and confident in learning that course. In comparision, I did bad in the exam in another course. When I came to the professor of that course, I receive no suggestions and encouragement. Although I will also try hard to compensate for my own mistakes, the driving force to learn that course maybe a little bit less. Professors sometimes give the same lecturers for too many times so that they may feel boring. In that circumstances, their passion to teach more new things maybe inspired by students who actively respond to his or hers questions.
        The time of being a university student could be our last chance to hide behind the wings of our parents. Some people always say that unveristy is the ivory tower. Other people perceive Honors College as "cage". Who could help them to change those sterotype? It is us to change their attitude. For us, university is the period that we transmit to an adult. And in Honors College, we are not only adult, we are also the future leaders who carrys different missions for our future!

2012年4月19日星期四

One Year Anniversay HC2014

    April 18th is the birthday of my mother while it is also the one year old anniversary for Honors College 2014. The classroom in J-building suddenly become the a place with our best memory here.
     At this last class, we have lunch gathering with pizzas and beverages. At this last class, we sit together enjoying the video we made for our lovely professor Dr.Udani. At this class, we have a small birthday celebration for classmates born in April.  Every moment of this class is special to every Honors College members. If learning could be a pleasant process, then everyone would be willing to participate because of inner motives instead of passive pressure from outside. However, most of our university courses seems to use scores to differentiate students and motive students to learn. I should say that every time I go to the classroom, I feel relax and happy. We could decide how we should sit to make us feel comfortable. We could raise our questions freely and speak out our own opinion. We could also enjoy snacks and candies brought by our classmates. We could also embrace surprises and performances out of our expectations. Although we have a textbook, we never use it. Surprisingly, we could understand well about the theory taught in the textbook. Because experience is the best teacher.



     In the picture, you could see everyone's shinning smile. In the video, you could see everyone show their sincere appreciation to our professor Dr.Udani. We appreciate him because he grants us with more autonomy to decide what we should do. We appreciate him becuase those values we should uplift in life. We appreciate him because he makes lots of effort to make us more united as a family instead of classmates.
     All good things come to an end. But don't worry, we still have a gathering in May after the final exam! Can't wait!

2012年4月14日星期六

The life of accounting student

     What is your impression of an accounting student? My parents persuade me to choose this major for my bachelor degree because it will bring me a stable job after I graduate. My classmates and friends dislike accounting courses since they need to recite lots of regulations. The most worst thing  is that those nuermous regulations seldom have a reason for making such regulations. Before this semester, it seems that accounting courses doesn't inspire my passion and interest to love it compared to other interesting courses like finance or Business Law. Fortunately, through my experience this semester, my perception of accounting as a boring course is generally fading away. Instead, a more interesting side of accounting is trying to jump out of the veil.
    This semester, I participated in two accounting competition and got quiet good results. The first one is ACCA job hunting competition HK region in which I was selected as the top 60 candidates entering into the Stage 2 compeition. The job hunting competition simulate the same process when accounting students are applying for a job in big four accounting firms. Starting from the online application, aptitude test, group interview, partner interview and finally the offer. It is such a pity I could go futher in this process mainly because I don't have much experience in doing the aptitude test. Aptitude test of the KPMG developing center gives you two test, one is numerical test while the other is the verbal test. For numerical test, you have 24 minutes to do 24 analytical problems. You have 30 minutes to judge the logical link of 30 statements in the verbal test with information provided. The company is trying to test your ablity of analyzing under pressure. Accuracy and speed are both required in this test. The second competition is much easier than the first one which is the accounting competition held by the accounting society with MUST and the IPM participating as well. Our team "Devil's Kettle" fortunately got the champion of this competition. Comparing two competition, job hunting aims at assessing applicants' capability of thinking and solving problems while the competition held by students focus more on the knowledge on books.
     Recently, one of my friend is now working for a CPA firm in Hong Kong while continuing her master degree in accounting. She posted on Facebook that she has countless work to do without knowing how to do them. People in accounting firms are all busy so that no one is able to take time to instruct and teach her those accounting works. After seeing her status, I suddenly recognized that there is a gap bewteen the textbook and the application of accounting knowledge in reality. Insufficient training and experience about the real working content make the current accounting students difficult to integrate well after they find their first job. When I was waiting in the building for the competition, the smell of fierce competition suddenly comes out in my mind. Everyone seems to be well prepared for the competition with their smart suit and the confident attitude.
     Until now it is still hard for me to learn things by heart such as remembering the journal entries. Fortunately, instead of passively driven by the exam and score, accounting starts to get my attention of analyzing. In the Enron Company case, accounting tricks could distorts the fact and deceive those innocent investors. There are lots of accounting scandals continously happening in recent years even for those well-known and trust worthy accounting firms. I still remember that when I was having the mock interview with Dr.Udani, one of the question is that what is most important characteristic for being a leader. Integrity is the word that I learnt for being a leader. In this industry, I felt that integrity should be the golden rule for every accountants. Too many distractions are trying to trap accountants into the dark side of the world. If all the financial statements of the listed company are found out to be fake, there would be no trust between the investors and the markets.
     As a second year accounting students, I am still exploring the world of how to become a outstanding accountants. I believe I will finally fall in love with this promising career! Let's see!

2012年4月7日星期六

HC Talent Show----A show to remember

   

      Sitting in front of the computer, open my blog, I start to write my feelings about the Honors College Talent show. I see words appearing on the screen with the sound of typing. However, until now I am still not satisfied with the experssion that I used. I always think those words I chose are not suitable and can't let my readers involve in that night I descirbed. Honors College Talent Show encourage us to make a difference in our university. I want to appreciate three things that this show brings to me in my life. New identity, friendship and time management.
       Mar 28th of 2012 is a day that should be deposited into our memory bank account forever. I am still in the period of recovering for those exhausted days in preparing the performance mixing with intensive exams and reports. About talent show, lots of people have different feelings for this new born baby. From tired to happy, from argue to agreement, from relax to busy, from individual to group, this process is only known by those people who are involved and who experienced it.
    First, Talent show empowers me with everyone a new Identity. None of us are 100% confident about the result of their performance before the show. "How is it? Do you think our performance is good? " These questions are frequently asked during the period that we were preparing those performances. Diverse concerns and worries filled in our mind. Everything and every detail can't satisfy ourselves' standard and expectations. I have two performances in the talent show. One is the dancing Waltz with Esther while the other is playing the piano duet with Charlotte. Both performances brings me new challenges in my university life. In this university, I played lots of roles, as a debater, as a student, as research assistant, as organzier. This time, I was called as a pianist and a dancer. Talent show enables everyone to discover more than new role. When we are too comfortable with our traditional role as a student, this show indeed help us to make a difference.
     Second, Talent show brings us the new meaning of our friendship. Before, our conversations mainly happened during class time. In order to pratice, the talent show gives us more opportunities to stay with each other. During practices, we encouraged each other and helped each other with their steps. At the begining of preparing the dance, no one has any idea about how to practice and which piece should we dance. No one in Waltz group has the experience of dancing. Suprisingly, listening the music and imitateing the action in the video, we made it in our first time for tying. For the second and the third time of practicing, we only need to remember those gestures and add more smiles and emotions into our performances. For the piano practices, to me, it is a time of torture. We practiced everyday from 7am to 9am. Since I almost have mid term everyday in those two weeks, I need to review for the exam until 1 or 2am. Everday, I could only sleep for 5 hours. Piano duet is not easy since four hands have to cooperate well to play a beautiful piece for the audience to enjoy. Without practice, the song could be noise. Fortunately, we made it. Thanks for my friends accompanying me to finish those performances!
    Third, Talent Show inspires us to manage our time efficiently and effectively. When I had a interview for applying the East Asia College, the dean asked me that question: Could you please tell me how many times that you spend on your study and extracurricular activity? Talent show immediately comes out in my mind. I told the professor that the allocation of my time could be very flexible. It all depends on how you use your time. If everyone could efficiently use every minute in their life, every day could be a coloful day. Last semester, when we tried so hardly to find the secret of time management, we could not get a result. This time, the answer is right there.
     Honors college leaves us with too many memories. I could not spill it out all in this blog. But I am sure that this memory will never be written off.
        
 

2012年3月11日星期日

To be or not to be

  To be or not to be. That is a question.---Shakespeare.
   Almost two years ago, I made the decision to come to Macau to continue my tertiary education. One year ago, I made the decision to apply for the Honors College. During these two years, I made lots of decisions on my own. Judging those decisions in terms of results and process, some of them are good while others are bad. Fortunately, I never regret any decision that I made because every time I touches a new field or walks on a new journey.  When we are looking for the meaning of trying different life experience, the answer is already there. Experiences accumulated day by day will help you cultivate your confidence, your courage and own charming personality. 
       Recently Honors College class are trying to inspire us to be that confident and charming people in front of our friends. I should say that this semester's class is the happiest one in my life. In a typical class in mainland China, you could see students sleeping, chatting or reading novels. The content and ways for being mind-absented in class changes a little bit during the university classes. Nerds are writing notes crazily and asking questions while other students are playing with their  Apple products. However, in Honors College class, we have role playing. We also have mini concerts with beautiful singers and funny dancers. In this class, despite the knowledge learning from the power point, you could always find something that inspire you to plan your future and life. After the class, you could always feel that you don't want to leave the classroom because you are still addicted to the warmth and enjoyable moment being with you HC friends and professor. As I known, lots of m y professors don't use Facebook to interact with their students. It is likely that this is the main reason that we felt like there is a gap between professors and students. Fortunately, in Honors Class, we have a professor who would like to use the way that we are comfortable with to understand our interest and concerns in daily life. In this class, you will never need to worry that you have some distance in communication. Because you will always have the opportunity to comment on your friends post or read their blogs. Life in Honors College is definitely busy. Although our life full of ups and downs, the best thing is that when you are in Honors College, you are not along conquering those obstacles in life and you won't be alone to share your success and happiness.
         Apply to the Honors College is a good decision. But what about other decision we will make in the future? In the past, I used to list all the negative consequences in my mind before I start to do it. It is my inner fear of bad result that block me out from those good chances. Sometimes leaders catch good chances to be successful because of well-prepared while others get them because of courage and risk-taking spirit. It is very obvious that my way of thinking is changing now. Instead of being conservative, I would like to take more challenges and changes on my future journey no matter how bad the result will become. Although being rationale makes your life more smooth, those unexpected surprise or friendship will never occur or fall in your life. 
        Next week I am going to perform in the Honors College class. After enjoying good performance from my classmates, the performances eventually comes to me. Maybe the performance will not be perfect but it is a good try to me. Ups and downs of grinding, we can burst out of bright light than the diamond, hold on to your ideals, it will shake the world.
    

2012年3月6日星期二

Lead your life

    Last week when we saw other groups create so many happiness around the campus, we came up with the idea of sweet postman. In fact, we stole the idea of writing the thank you note from Dr.Udani. I remembered that in one of the Honors Class, we should write the thank-you note to our friends. Everyday, we live our life with friends around us. A smile from your friends wake you up in the morning when you are sleepy for the early class. A prompt reply from your professor encourage you to go further in the subject. There are lots times we should say thank you to them, but we always forget to do so since we always think that there will be a chance to say it some day in the future. However, sometimes, opportunities gone when you finally aware of the importance of saying thank you.
       Since this is a really rush plan, we only have one day to prepare everything. Vanessa used one night making the poster. Charlotte and I decorated the thank you cards until 2 O'clock in the morning for the next day.  During the week, I was quite stressful with only 6 hours sleep per night because of mid terms and assignments. I was quite afraid that there would not be enough people coming and participate in our events. But I am convinced that the only thing that keep me going  is that I love what I did. Seeing lots of beautiful designed card piled up on my table, those positive energy that I lost have been back. 
        The activity was quite successful with lots of students holding their pen writing the words they want to express to their beloved one.And surprisingly we found out that one professors even received 5 thank you notes from their students. When we delivered those thank you notes to the office, you can't even imagine that how happy those professors are. 
      "Sometimes life hits you in the head with a brick. Don't lose faith. I'm convinced that the only thing that kept me going was that I loved what I did. You've got to find what you love. And that is as true for your work as it is for your lovers. Your work is going to fill a large part of your life, and the only way to be truly satisfied is to do what you believe is great work. And the only way to do great work is to love what you do. If you haven't found it yet, keep looking. Don't settle. As with all matters of the heart, you'll know when you find it. And, like any great relationship, it just gets better and better as the years roll on. So keep looking until you find it. Don't settle." This is the words from the Steve Jobs at the commencement in the Stanford University 2005.
       I believe everyone's life is not always easy to walk on. Always remind yourself that you have the support from the rest of the world! Lead you life with a grateful heart and a positive attitude! 




     

2012年2月25日星期六

Live to serve

      Starting from this semester, variety of projects and workshops we are doing and trying to do help us to construct a sense of serving the society and people in the world. Previously, i thought that helping others starts from the attitude regardless of the method and influence. Generally, the method of contribution really plays an important role in utilizing the power of influencing the public.
       Leadership is not limited in its definition and should not be imposed on some body's mind. It should be inspired from one's heart sincerely without force and unwillingness. We should be able to spill that spirit over into every area of life. Recently, my classmates infused great passion and persistence in promoting their LEAP project. Hot choloate, cantonese workshop, CV workshop, write your wishes. We can feel the smile and warmth expressed from staffs and students working and studying in this cold winter. Compared to their ideas, our group's LEAP projet seems to process more secretly instead of calling the attention from the campus. We did go to the Library everyweek to help the librarian put those books to their proper place on the shelf. We also indeed went the Eskimo to help the waitress to clean the table to decrease their workload. Although we really have a good time in working with our group members, others are not aware of that and these secretly contributions are not able to influence others to follow our steps. It is quite ineffective to contribute only through the minority group. From my point of view, the function of leader is to build and construct a relationship web in the society which connect and gather the rest of the society together to achieve the same goal that would benefit each other. It is such a pity that our group fails to build such connections among students.
    As a consequence, we shift our focus of our project. "Sweet Postman" will start from this week. In this cold winter, to express our love and apprectiation to those people we are grateful. We want to play the role of the sweet postmand deliver your best wishes to the people you want to thank for. Students may want to say thank you to their professor but lack channel to express their love. Faculty fellows may even also want to say thank you to their colleagues but lack of time to do so. Do you still remember the thank you note activity in Dr. Udani's Class? It is really a brilliant day when I received so many thank you notes from my friends. You could never image even a subtle behavior or action can leave a warm message in other people's heart. This is the way to cultivate a kind, caring and loving heart. 
     Hope our next week's LEAP project could be a successful one!



    

2012年2月18日星期六

Days with Honors College 2014

   This afternoon we talked with Professor Udani with our current state staying with the our classmates. From my point of view, I felt like that 2014 class is just like a cake with beautiful decoration outside and special and suprising taste inside. Every time you ate the cake, you would explore totally different cooking style. With more ingredients involved in making the cake, it will become more delicious.
    We still remebered that our first retreat when we first meet each other. Everyone is too shy to talk on the table. Although everyone expressed their happiness through their big smile, it is still far enough to get to know each other well. Professor Doris Mok said that we are the most quiet class. I should say that is because at that time, our friendship has not been built yet. Trust among our class is insufficient. We are afraid that other students will look down ourselves if our speech is not good or fluent. Now the situation has been reversed. Everyone want to have a chance to show their talents and share their happiness and sorrowness with the whole class. The origin of the courage is from our support and encouragement. Have you ever image that David would be standing in front of us and start dancing Hippop? Have you ever thought that Jane would showing us her beautiful voice singing Titanic? Have you ever thought that Gui is able to play the guitar?  
      Those amazing talents are discovered and discouraged by the eyes of audience. When I am so worried that I can't play the piano well in the talent show, Charlotte's words inspired me. She said, no one is the gifted pianist and no one is a perfessional dance. The purpose of the talent show is not to give the audience a performance without flaws. Compared to the perfect perfomance, the effort you made to achieve to the goal would be more valuable to the audience.  Real friends should be like that encourage and support you when you are embrassed or hestitate to try. Things become difficult because hesitation to start the first step.
     Spring is walking on its way while winter is passing away. We are still that group of young people full of passion to continue our life. Differently, during this long long journey, we become more experienced and mature day by day.
      We are still walking on the way of being a good leader in the future. We will also keep pursuing our initial dream as we swear in the X-hall that we would try our best to make effort to the society.

2012年2月16日星期四

Theme of Spring Festival----Always Family

     Although some students choose to stay in Macau for Spring Festival due to lots of reasons, it is the strong willingness to stay with my family and the tradition which we will go to the Lama(Yong hegong) temple together that drag me back to Beijing.  
    My mother believes in Tibetan Buddhism and its theory deeply which can be considered kind of religious belief. So it is a tradition that our family goes to the Lama Temple in order to make our wishing for the new year on the first day of the Chinese Lunar New Year. This tradition has been kept in our family for almost 10 years. It's also a Chinese tradition to burn joss sticks and pray for good fortune on the first and 15th day of every lunar month, especially the first of the year.No cars or buses were allowed on the road. And the subway didn't stop at the Yonghegong station. So we have to walk 1000 meters to the temple from the nearest station. You can't even image that how many Chinese people are generated in the Lama Temple on that day. It was reported that this year there were 70,000 people went there on that day. To avoid chaos and the stampede, Governmeint sends hundreds of Police force to maintain the order outside the temple to make thousands people keep in the line.  Outside, 1,200 police and Dongcheng district government workers maintained order, while 740 Yonghegong employees did the same inside. Those restricted policy and extremely cold weather are not able to stop the desires they offer the incense.  Here I don't mean that Chinese people are superstitious. Instead of believing the Santa Claus and Jesus, Chinese people also would like to send their wishes to the Buddha. Most of them are making wishes for their families, asking for good health for their parents while asking for a good academic performance for their children. Some people came here without knowing anything about Buddha. However, in here, you can feel the strong atmosphere about the Spring Festival. People are here with the same aim and purpose which is pursuing beautiful things. Many people also believe that Buddha will take special care of person burn incense on the first day of the Lunar New Year. Waiting in the line in other words can be regarded as waiting for opportunities and luck. 
       I still remembered that when I was a little girl, my parents would keep me in the middle of them to protect me from the being pushed by other people. Times passes so quick without consciousness. I already become a big girl who should take the obligation and responsibility of my family. It is such a pity that next year I would not be able to accompany with my mother to go the Lama temple. When I was young, my parents worried about me everyday. However, now I feel that my concern for their health is increasing dramatically. Family is always playing the most important place in every people's heart. I still remembered the interesting game designed by Professor Doris Mok. Everyone has 5000 investment fund to buy things are important to you through auction. Everyone in the class set high price for "family". Some people would like to use all their money to get the item "family". Our family is irreplaceable. 
     There is always a discussion between my friends and I. Sometimes, we would like to wonder that where we will be in 10 years. Well, life is full of surprises and uncertainties. One thing I am 100% sure is that I would always be with my family. 
      Wish every family in the world can always be together and happy! 
     

2012年2月8日星期三

Discover myself in HC tutor's class

     After registered as a tutor in Honors College tutor program,  I was appointed by a student in my first class today. When I was not prepared to be a tutor, I already have my first student in life. The experience of being a tutor finally make me understand the joy of helping others to improve.
          Studying under the pressure of the mainland education system, lots of students may have the mindset that teachers are the most powerful people in the campus. When we have hundreds of assignment or exam papers to finish in certain subject, we may feel unhappy about it. But actually, I think it is another way for the teachers to get the feedback from students in order to confirm whether students have absorb the knowledge well. Teaching needs the involvement of both teachers and students. From my own perspective, teachers are not so confidence about their method of education. Good teachers get positive feedback from students to help them reinforce their teaching content and method. And seeing the improvement of students, teachers can feel the true happiness from the inner heart. 
          The night before the tutor class, it is very complicated to describe what I feel or expect for next day's class. I was worried about whether I can use easy words to answer questions from my students. On the other hand, I also was excited to achieve the dream when I was a childhood which is being a teacher. My first student is a boy who also want to apply for the Honors College. He felt anxious about his accounting course. The problem he asked mainly are some fundamental issues that the professor should have been mentioned in the class. During the process of explaining those basic concepts, I found that the main problem was that he was not dedicated and patient enough to study accounting. Instead telling him the answer directly, I try to guide him to tell me the answer by giving some hints. When he can answer all my small questions, he surprisingly found that accounting was not such a boring and difficult course. Witnessing the improvement and the lovely smile from him, the sense of achievement was moving around me. 
          Keep talking continuously for almost 1.5 hour, I didn't even feel thirsty and exhausted. Instead, more energy filled in my body with the process of the course. The previous nervous was removed and I felt more comfortable and fluent in defining those terminologies integrated with my own experience in exercises and the real world. When he told me that he suddenly acquire the skill to learn accounting, the inner happiness makes me feel energetic and encouraging. 
         The main concept we learnt from the Honors College is that we should grasp every opportunity to try to influence others. I never thought that there are actually considerable chances in my life that I am able to catch to influence others. Influence is not a word that is abstract and vogue. Influence can be everything. Cheering others up, being a tutor and even writing thank-note to others can be a way of involving in the society and the world. We are not the lost generation. On the contrary, we are the generation that helping more and more lost people to  pursue their dreams. Money makes you happy is a lie. True happiness can not be exchanged through money. 
        To all the teachers in the world, you are the best leaders in every student's memory. Thank you all for your effort to share with us your knowledge and your life experience. 
         Hope there will be more surprises in the journey of being a tutor!
     


        
           
           

2012年2月2日星期四

Never regret the addiction to debate

    When lots of students try their best to make their Spring Festival Holiday longer in order to accompany with their family, debate workshop in Macau force me to say goodbye to my family on the second day of the Spring Festival. It is kind of cruel when celebrations in Beijing are still in the beginning. I even didn't watched the Chinese New Year Gala from other TV channel. I even didn't enjoyed the tradition of making dumplings on the fifth day of the Spring Festival. When I arrived in Macau, listening the sound of the fireworks, walking into the dormitory with few people, taking out the box with home made beef, the feeling of regret was about to burst out. My mother had asked several times that if the workshop was necessary. She would like to change the date of the flight so that I can stay longer in the home. But I insisted to participate the workshop and implement my promise to the English Debate Team. I really feel sorry to my family because next year I may spent my spring festival in other countries. 
        During the four days in the winter workshop and tournament, Shipping and I as Super Junior broke into the grand final with the 1st position in every round. In total, there were 5 rounds. Although we didn't get the champion in the end, both of us achieved the 1st best speaker in this mini tournament. This is the second time that I stand on the stage with that piece of certificate, standing in the limelight. Ultimately, I found that I did achieve something no matter how big it is. The memory of the past year has just opened 
       Lots of students admire debaters charms when they are give us an organized, logical and fluent speech. I was used to be one of the followers among them. After I participated in the whole training process, I realized that those charms are cultivated through numerous practices and widely reading. Not everyone is able to be persistent and determinant along the way to pursue this confidence. Passion would fade away gradually when debate brings you lots of burden and stress. Twice general meeting and almost 8 hours practice a week make people feel tired of debate especially during those exam intensive weeks. As a committee member, I also has to  handle those administrative things related to money. Debate has been taken away lots of time for academic and other enjoyable events in life. Because of debate, I gave up concerts, time for revision, dinner and squash with my friends. Therefore, when I came across the fact that I didn't get the chance to go to the tournament that I should have gone, I was really upset and disappointed. But those disappointed moment in my memory has been removed by this achievement in the mini tournament. Maybe this certificate is not official and may not play key role in my CV. Yet this piece of paper and those congratulations indeed help me to find the courage, confidence and passion to go on the way of being a great debater which is the everyone's dream initially. 
      I am really thankful to my friends and mentors who accompany with me along the way of finding myself. The advantage of being in the English Debate Team is that you would never find yourself alone. In here you can always find people who are more eager than you to analyze the logical link hiding inside those excellent arguments. In here group of people are talking about political theory and disputes happening in those middle east countries. In here, the equality of the human rights, the freedom of choice and body autonomy are the principles we are following.  
     Although I have lots of sadness and happiness during the process of being a great debater, I would like to say that I would never regret that I choose to be part of this crazy team. Yes, we are crazy. We forget ourselves when we are giving our argument to the judges. At that time, we really feel that we are those politicians in those movies struggling for more right and benefit for our citizens. 

     Continue to be a great debater! And Never regret the addiction to debate! 
     
      

2012年1月27日星期五

Bertania Elderly Home Visit Reflection

    When the date of going home for Spring Festival is approaching soon, it is so hard for us to be dedicated to academic and team activities. Every day, I can see many students go to the airport with their heavy packages. Everyone has warm smiles and greet each other with a sweet " Happy New Year!" But today, the time when I stepped into the gate of the elderly home. My heart is not that happy and excited anymore. That does not mean that the event is not cheerful. Indeed, those exercises, gifts and songs are well prepared. I was just so sad to see some many aged people there living lonely without their family while we have a chance to stay with our family to watch the show and have a big dinner together. 
    Some of them are not able to hear us. Some of them are not be able to talk. Some of them have children who would visit them and take them out for dinner sometimes while some of them has been staying in this place for 30 years without a home to go. Esther and I chatted with a 73 years old man who were sitting in the wheelchair. He is such a nice gentleman who would like to talk about himself. Although he explained to us that he can't live with their sons because there is not lift in their apartment, I still see the disappointment in his eyes. When we tried to talk to another two aged man sitting besides him, he told us they can't hear us. And he is that nice and he even say "Hello" to Gui to show his welcome to us. The whole event went well with all people clapped their hands and even sang with us. 
   I believe that the elderly people home has organized lots of events for them. I also believe that they can eat and sleep well here. There is one thing I am not quite sure is that whether they are always as happy as today when they see us. I will never forget that their eyes are lit up when they saw us playing with them. At that second, I finally understand that why my grandmother is so happy that she hold my hands tightly and doesn't want me to leave her every time I visit her. 
   Compared to the experience of visiting the orphanage home, the elderly people home made the feeling of being responsible for the society stronger. Those children are growing up while these aged people are becoming older. In the future, those children will enjoy the life and the beautiful world while these aged people will be far away from this colorful world gradually. When we were ready to go, there was an aged man asked me what would be the next time for the visiting. I said maybe next week even though I knew that I could not make it next week. The reason that I made such a promise because I don't want let them down for such a group of kind aged people. They suppose to  be stay with their family. They suppose to hear the song from their grandchildren instead of us. 
    I am sorry that I made the article became a quite serious one. However, this event reminds me again that H&E is an organization we must run since we need more young people to join us. Spread the hope and happiness for those elderly man. Really appreciate my classmates who bought those gifts and organized the whole events. It is memorable and meaningful to everyone!


    
   

2012年1月7日星期六

The adventure of Honors College in Macau Tower

Today is a cold day. Everyone wears lots of clothes to keep warm yet when we walked outside, the weather is still freezing. Luckily, the interesting and exciting games completed with shouting and yelling, the warmth and the passion were raising from the heart of everyone. 


             Activity 1--- Design your own team poster
   Using one word or two word to describe each person's contributions to the group.
We are group A. In our poster,there is a heart with wings which symbolize freedom and love. Above the heart, there is a tree which cultivated by the nutrition of the heart. The fruits of the tree are six angels. 
Vivian- Happy Angel 
Debbie-Wise Angel
Charlotte- Diligent Angel
Oliver-Brave Angel
Vanessa- Color Angel
Katy---passionate Angel
I am just so glad that this activity let us find the shining point and talent of each our  group member. The four things we are going to do for the 2014 Honors College Batch would be Support and care others, share happiness and sadness with others. "The beauty of sharing is when you share happiness, you multiply it. And when you share sadness, you divide it." -Zen Udani. 
Activity 2-- The sky walk on Macau Tower
After we were all equipped with ropes and orange T-shirt, we were all excited about what was going to happen outside. When you look down from the highest place in Macau, you will found that everything is so tiny in your eyes. Automatically, with nothing concrete around you, you would feel the smell of scare. One of the Cecilia was extremely scared and cried. But other girls and professor Udani were all trying to encourage her and gave her big huge. Gradually, she can stand up to take a good shoot of the photo. Eventually, she could even run and slide on the way. It is a pity that I didn't grasp the skill of doing the sliding thus I was not able to slide on the way. Admire those people who successfully flying on the way of the sky.
I really appreciate the bravery of other my classmates. They conquered the fear from their heart. Walking on the 388 meters has no difference with walking on the ground. When I was grasping the rope tightly, other teammates encouraged me to release my hand. After struggling for a long time, I finally release my hand. The feeling of freeing your body in the sky was so nice that I would like to try again. 

Shipping--- So brave