JE41 Leaders in the Making

To choose a leader in the real world, a perfect choice for me would be Steve Jobs. There’s no doubt that he did a great job on managing his career and the company. However, I would advise him to take a good care of himself instead of over-working. I would strongly advise him to give some responsibilities to other people in the company. If he was advised to do that, he might still be alive right now and people could still enjoy the products from him. To everyone, it was a big loss to lose such a legendary man in modern history. On the other hand, I would also advise him to try to invent some other technologic products such as camera and speaker.

            I would probably also choose a leader from the fictional world: President Snow from the novel The Hunger Games. He is a cruel president who made people in other districts rather than the Capitol suffer. I would strongly suggest him to stop the controversial hunger games or else people would still want to protest. After the Hunger Games was over, I would advise him not to put the two winners back into the games again because it would only causes more sparks of protesting. The best was try to pretend nothing happen and to calm the citizens down. 

JE40 Spring Break

            I spent few days of my spring break relaxing and watching movies and TVs. For the rest of the spring break, I was studying for the APs that are going to be tested in May. I did get what I want to do for fun, especially watching the movie “Hunger Games” with my friend. The movie was pretty good and portrays the book well. I also spent more time sleeping, which reenergized my body and condition. However, I regret for not studying more AP materials during the break. I don't know why but I could not really focus on my work at home. I should have come to Hsinchu for three days so I can efficiently study for my AP exams. In addition, I should have done some community services in the library when I had time so I can save later weekends doing something else. I feel pretty glad to come back to school because seeing everyone reminds me that I should work harder on my goals. These days I am back on track and more concentrated when studying. Next time if I have a break, I decide that I am not going to stay at home for the whole break.

JE39 Lucky You

            If I have won ten billion US dollars, I would first buy a mansion and shop for everything I want in the stores that normal people could not even afford to walk in. I would go to different, high-level restaurants for every meal. I would take limo to the streets I want to go. I would take private jet to travel around the world. I would hang out with celebrities and be their friends. However, besides having anything I want, I would actually want to work. I think I wouldn’t want to waste my life just having fun. I would also like to do something meaningful, such as helping poor people and investing in some companies. Owning ten billion dollars does not really make me special, but making contributions to the world and having advanced skills in special fields do. I don't want to be a lazy rich person who does nothing and just lay at home all day. Being a boss of a company would probably satisfy my desire on business achievements. What I am never going to do again is to live in a poor life. Generally, poor people tend to have pessimistic attitudes and are afraid to do big things. Rich people generally are more optimistic and have positive attitudes are things they do. I want to live a happy and meaningful life. 

JE39 Lucky You

            If I have won ten billion US dollars, I would first buy a mansion and shop for everything I want in the stores that normal people could not even afford to walk in. I would go to different, high-level restaurants for every meal. I would take limo to the streets I want to go. I would take private jet to travel around the world. I would hang out with celebrities and be their friends. However, besides having anything I want, I would actually want to work. I think I wouldn’t want to waste my life just having fun. I would also like to do something meaningful, such as helping poor people and investing in some companies. Owning ten billion dollars does not really make me special, but making contributions to the world and having advanced skills in special fields do. I don't want to be a lazy rich person who does nothing and just lay at home all day. Being a boss of a company would probably satisfy my desire on business achievements. What I am never going to do again is to live in a poor life. Generally, poor people tend to have pessimistic attitudes and are afraid to do big things. Rich people generally are more optimistic and have positive attitudes are things they do. I want to live a happy and meaningful life. 

JE38 Opportunity Cost

            Time management is definitely an important skill to learn in academic life. Sometimes we slack off because we are too tired and just want to relax. However, we usually regret after we learned how many things are left to do. The way I manage my time is to make a schedule chart for the night and fill in what I plan to do in each time period. In this case, I would have a clear idea of the amount of the work for the day. Therefore, even if I slack off during one period, I can easily pick up the work without occupying other time period for other works because the schedule is flexible. I try to set at least 3 hours a day to prepare for my AP exams and SAT. I don't think preparing for the standardized tests is an opportunity cost because a big part of my future depends on it. My opportunity cost would probably be my dinnertime because it takes an hour of the whole night. Also, during 7 to 9, I would feel sleepy so I could not work efficiently. But after I take shower until 1 in the morning, I could work efficiently without being sleepy. And then I could not fall asleep that easily. I am trying to fix the problem. However it is not a easy thing to do because it has to do with my biological clock. 

JE37 Test Prep Effect on Writing

            I do not necessarily think students with good grades are those who cannot write good essays. Writing a good essay requires a lot of thinking process and organizing ideas. I do agree that students were drilled into writing in a formulaic manner when they were young. We are always told that essay is best if it is five paragraphs. The first one is introduction, the next three paragraphs are body with supporting details, and the last one is conclusion. Although it is a constructive way to show and organize ideas, I do not necessarily think it is the only way to write a good essay. A good essay might not need to persuade you explicitly, but the choice of words and the tone could change your point of view on the issue.

           

            I do not think I am a good writer yet. My choice of words is simple and my sentence structures are not varied enough. However, I do not fill in the blanks or just simply follow the formula. I think I would always organize my ideas and try to express them in a good way. I think one good way to improve writing is to read a lot. Also, keeping a journal can also be a good practice of organizing ideas.