Student Talk / How to study in America? [6]

I know there are tons of international students here, so I would like to get some insight informations on how to study in America? The country of origin is China.

I would like to know both about on how high school students and college students can study in American (from China).

Thank You.

Writing Feedback / Semester Paper Intro (what we did throughout the course of year) [2]

Feedback please.

Throughout the course of year, we have read many different literature, most of them are just sad. Perhaps it is through sadness that we can really understand and start to appreciate the true meaning of life. We might never appreciate something we had in the first place until we lose it since we would think it is rightfully ours. These things can be from our everyday normal object such as phone, computer, and even pencils to abstract things such as our relationships. Hey, who would care about a "stupid" pencil. But what do you when you no longer have it? The same concept goes to our everyday relationship with people that are around us. Though with relationships, the concept is more abstract, and hard to get just as literature is. Nevertheless, one would not argue with that companionship dominates literature in every way, since no story revolves around one individual. No themes can have nothing to do with companionship. Take Frankenstein for example, what is it in the entire world that the monster desires the most? A companion. All he wishes for is someone he can talk to, does not matter if she is being created or not. It takes two person to lie. One to lie and one to listen.

These recurring themes are dominant in Oliver Kitteridge as well, though maybe in somewhat different forms. Olive Kitteridge explores the dark realities we are afraid to face, secrets we are afraid to share, and fundamentally the unknown - the inside of a house (family matters), the human conditions and interactions, the progression of life over time, and the suddenness of life. Though, these might appears to be a lot to deal with; they are actually interrelated. Life can be sweet, but there are moments which are just sad, but that doesn't necessary mean we want to share those moments, thus it creates secrets, which in turn creates loneliness. And yet perhaps sometimes it is loneliness that creates secrets. We, people, are social beings. We need interactions with other people to survive. Pretty much, Olive Kitteridge centers around the theme that we, humans, are "companion beings," who can't survive alone and yet at the same time we won't admit it. Whether it is because of pride or self-pity, we don't know, but we know one thing for sure, that it is a universal truth yet at the same time a universal secret - we can't survive alone, and one doesn't make a pack. "Loneliness can kill people - in different ways can actually make you die". (Strout 68).

Writing Feedback / Daddy's Little Princess - analytical essay [2]

A analytical essay of Pocahontas. Wishing for your feedbacks, please.

Daddy's Little Princess

"You think that only because you don't know any better" says John Smith in the Disney movie Pocahontas. Though John Smith says it for what he means to say, ironically, I find it to become the central message of the movie. Through out the movie, Disney clearly shows Pocahontas as a rebellious princess - she runs off all the time - that represents our everyday teenagers, who doesn't know any better for most of the time according to the parents. Though the rebellious part is not the only thing that Pocahontas has in common with modern teenagers; she is starting out her life journey just like the majority of teens, who will from time to time find to be lost, and perhaps will never really understand what their life goals are, but the journey has to continue. Pocahontas starts out as a lovely and lively girl, but as the suddenness of life struck, she slowly becomes lost. When she was pointing to a "right" path, her rebellious nature doubted it, thus leads her on to the quest of uncertainty, which will eventually become her life journey. Come on DADDY! Tell you little girl she thinks that only because she doesn't know any better!

One can tear apart Pocahontas in several different ways, but one should not miss the rebellious nature that it represents. Pocahontas is just like our everyday teenager who disobeys his or her parents, which makes the parents think he or she doesn't any better, at least initially. The river water represents as both the path of life and the inner nature of us - smooth on the surface, but underneath, it is not steady at all. A great storm is brewing inside, waiting. Several incidences through out the movie support this such as when she would runs off on her own, jumps off the cliff, and of course be friend with John Smith. All of these example shows how rebellious she is. She does all this even after her father specifically told her not to. Also when Pocahontas is presented with two path: one smoothest possible and one full with obstacles, she chooses the unsteady path. According to the movie's ending her choice is "right", why would she choose that particular path in the first place though? If it's not the rebellious nature then what is it? She is psychic? Despite the part of she being right, and despite that she could be the a "very wise and understanding" seven year old - yes, a seven year old - rebellious must be a factor of why she chooses that path.

The other link Pocahontas shares with modern teenagers is the quest of life's uncertainties. As mentioned above that the river also represents the path of life. Just like the poem of Robert Frost, The Road Not Taken , divergence around the river bend represents uncertainties. How many of us really know where we want to go in life yet? Some might think they do but the truth is they don't. Even though Pocahontas in the movie is an animated character, she shares the same fate as us or perhaps she is "us" in the mirror. Again, several incidences in the movie support this, as well, such as when she asks grandmother Willow for advice. The advice is simply following your heart. Though it appears really easy in the movie - she can just listen to the spirits around her - it would not have been so easy in real life, nevertheless, Pocahontas can not find her way as the suddenness of life struck again. Kocoum is killed by Thomas and Smith has taken the blame. Now she faces another divergence of life as if it is all fate. She is lost. Our lives are just the same, times from times when we thought we have found the right path, a simple change as small as moving could change everything.

As the song Just around the River Bend in Pocahontas suggests: "you can't step into the water twice, since water is always changing". Thing are the same in life; the passing period never stops just like the river will always flow, and we will always change. Though we might appear as steady as the beating drum, but like the beating drum, we tend to give out loud beats of sounds, which calls out for our inner-self. Pocahontas is simply just like a everyday teenager, who has a rebellious nature and who is always lost, eagering to find the right path. Though for every decision we make maybe it's because we don't know any better but we can't be sure, since in life the only thing one can be sure is that nothing is for sure.

Research Papers / How do I make a general outline for a 12-15 pages paper. [3]

Assignment: Focus on a critical issue related to the novel, research the issue, and write a 12-15 page essay voicing your opinion in the critical conversation. Narrow down your argument to a thesis. To prove your argument/thesis, you will need to use support from the novel itself and from your secondary sources.

I'm trying to write this paper now, but I find it hard to write without an outline. Unlike a short paper, I can't just write an introduction, then 2-3 points of interest, and end the paper with a conclusion.

Grammar, Usage / Do you need to cite a mere summary of a novel's scene? [4]

Do you need to cite a mere summary of a novel's scene?

such as

"In the novel Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth rejects Mr. Collins proposal."

That would be from my memory after reading the book, and certain events/actions happen over a course of few pages, though if we have to do "(Austen page #)" then how would I do events took over the course of few chapters?

Book Reports / Olive Kitteridge semester paper thesis. [4]

Assignment: Focus on a critical issue related to the novel, research the issue, and write a 12-15 page essay voicing your opinion in the critical conversation. Narrow down your argument to a thesis. To prove your argument/thesis, you will need to use support from the novel itself and from your secondary sources.

Olive Kitteridge explores the dark realities we are afraid to face, secrets we are afraid to share, and fundamentally the unknown - the inside of a house (family matters), the future, the reasonings behind the "acts", the human conditions and interactions, the "changes" over time and the suddenness of life. When Henry and Olive were captivated by drug seekers in a local hospital, with thoughts of death been near, they shared with each their secret opinions of their son's leaving. Later having survived, Henry assured those tirades originated from fear,though Olive know their relationship has been changed. Human life is so fragile, so delicate; our souls, our hearts is just like a finely polished glasses - crystal when handled with care - though one day it's destined to shattered.

Grammar, Usage / General Grammar Questions. Let's perfect (if possible) Grammars! [4]

Give these old coats to ____________ seems to need them most.

whoever or whomever?

The answer I got from other website says it's whomever but according to their rules (him+he use whoever), so I'm confused.

I will have a lot more grammar questions keep coming. :]

Does anyone have more who vs whom quizzes? I need more practice(s). lol

practices or practice?

Poetry / Shinigami - Death God [9]

Death God

If death is what I sought
Perhaps I won't get what I desire
Since my will will surpass the kill
It will be the one ending up dead
Then I will have to fled
Since I really hate the red.

or this is better?

Death God
If death is what you sought
Then you won't get what you desire
Since my will
will surpass the kill
You will be the one ending up dead
Then I will have to fled
Since I really hate the red.

Poetry / I will get what I desire. [7]

I will get what I desire
For I'm reaching for the higher
Though, times, I lost sights of the stair
Nevertheless I still acquire
If you think I'm looking for fire
Then you are calling me a liar.
I will get what I desire.

or

I will get what I desire
For I'm reaching for the higher
Though, times, I lost sights of the stair
Nevertheless I still sought
If you think I'm looking for fire
Please lose that thought
I will get what I desire.

Poetry / Limericks or poems. Started to like poetry... maybe [2]

Angel's Decision (Seeking Death)

Shall I compare you to light or fire?
For I'm the petrified moth in desire.
Light? Is that you? Unlikely,
Fire? Is that you? Likely...
Though I still search, for my straits are dire.

Shark

I saw a man reaching for the red moon.
Forty years later, I saw him again at noon.
I was a curious little boy,
Confronted the man with "why?"
"Why not," the man replied, a sharp harpoon.

well I wrote these for college but I couldn't get much comments from the essay thread so I decided to post here.

tell me what you think

Undergraduate / A Conversation between a granddady and his beloved grakid. UPenn Community Essay [5]

Prompt:Which of the academic communities and social communities that now comprise the University of Pennsylvania are most interesting to you and how will you contribute to them and to the larger Penn community?

I might have missed some of comments you guys made... Well this is my newest version, please read it and feedbacks please!!

Thank you, I will read yours back.

Empty Promising?

*Digging*
"Grandpa, just let the workers do the work, let's go play" my nine year old granddaughter said.
"So, you don't know why I brought you here, Pan (granddaughter)?" I said.
"Nooo" Rolling eyes (shrugs).
*Sigh* "I love Wharton." I told her, eyes closed (reminiscence).
"Ok...?" Pan said in a monotone.
"Hey, guys! I will come back in a minute" I yelled over to the workers.
"No Problem!" The workers responded.
"You know, Pan, this is not the first time I have dug ditches." I told Pan as I led her through the wonderful campus of UPenn.

"I know, Dad told me you actually did the physical work! You were stupid, no you are still stupid." Eyes rolling, finger pointing at me.

(Laugh) "Did your dad and mom tell you why they attend Wharton then?" I asked.
"I don't remember." Pan danced around freely with two arms stretched out.
"You remember Grandpa Meisel?" (2003 Wharton grad).
"Ari Meisel?" Pan asked.
"Correction, Grandpa Meisel." I corrected her.
"What about him?" Pan asked in sarcastic tone.
"It was him, who taught me how to build my own company. No matter what business you are in, you have to understand - by actually doing it - what it takes to do the lowest-level jobs involved in it. People will respect you for knowing what they do on daily basis. This time is a little different though, I want to build this new School of Foreign Languages(diversities) for UPenn with these very two hands." Hands extended out.

"I don't understand."
"Oh, you will when you attend UPenn." I said as we finished our tour around the campus.
Amongst the many contributions I will make, such as diversity of culture and ideas, I believe the most valuable is my enthusiasm for the Wharton School. I will definitely use what I will learn at Wharton to make a difference in society, spreading my knowledge and love for Penn to future generations. As an Asian American, I will fit very well into VPUL's Pan-Asian American Community House(PAACH), a community centers on leadership development. I honestly believe Wharton together with PAACH will shape me into one of the world's top leaders in business. Perhaps when the day come, I will give speeches of inspiration to the larger Penn Community, then when I retire, I will teach Chinese at the newfound School of Foreign Languages.

Inspired by Why Wharton: What is business? Business is Building Your Own Company - Ari Meisel Interview.