The Early Bird Gets the Worm

If you wake up earlier than before, you can have a longer day. Also, if you do something early, you can get more chances than other people. If so, you are the early bird. Many things around me often make me lazy. In winter, I do not want to go outside from my worm and comfortable bed. Preparation for test is sometimes terrible. However, if you prepare and try to do some things in advance, you must be happy. Please be diligent! After arriving in Iowa City, I have been trying to get up early everyday. I usually get up at 6:00 and take a bus at 6:30. Then, I arrive at the Main library at 7:00. At that time, my heart is so full because I can do anything by using my extra time in the morning. The crisp air makes my heart light, and the calm atmosphere makes me comfortable. I usually get my energy in the morning. I always do something early. Sometimes this is really difficult. However, when I overcome my laziness, I feel so good. My life as an early bird will be desirable.

My Dream to Travel

Before arriving in Iowa City, everything about American was too exotic and strange to me. However, now they and their culture are familiar to me. Some of their cultures are worthy to follow, and I think the world of today is really globalized. Various ethnic people around the world are not different from me anymore, I think. Recently, I have a new dream for my future. I want to travel abroad as much as possible. During the time, I will be able to meet many people who have different appearances and culture. In some situations, I may not speak their languages or have some troubles because of strange environments. However, these kinds of situations will make me mature and brave. I am ready to accept and overcome all!

The Korean Thanksgiving Day:)

My favorite holiday in Korea is Chuseok, the Korean Thanksgiving Day. Some Korean people also call this holiday as the Full Moon Festival or the Harvest Moon Day. The reason why they call this holiday like that is a rise of a full moon. On the evening of Chuseok, we can see the bright full moon, which is so attractive and beautiful. We have more than three days for Chuseok, so many people in Korea plan to do something memorable. In my case, many kinds of special foods on Chuseok are the most joyful part of Chuseok. During the days, all family members and relatives gather and make some traditional foods together. We also visit our grandparents and great-grandparents that live in countryside, and it is a meaningful experience especially for our children who are already accustomed to their urban lives. Chuseok is one of holidays in Korea, but I think that this holiday has a lot of functions in our lives.

What a great place!

I had been Olive Garden restaurant with my neighbor. It was my first time to a restaurant in Iowa, so it was the most memorable experience to go there. The building was also beautiful. However, that was totally different from my expectation because I thought that Olive Garden restaurant building might be huge and fancy in comparison with Korea. Anyway, the building suited my taste. My neighbor and I had a great dinner like an American style. Some foods had oily and strong flavors, but I was okay; some foods are better than Korean! These were delicious; especially, cream pasta was gorgeous. After going back to home, I really wanted to go there again. I will not forget the memory in there. Food is an important part of the culture, I think.

Fall in the fall!

I prefer spring to fall because I like warm temperature. In fall, some women are in the blues. I do not know the certain reason, but fallen leaves and chilly weather make them feel loss, I think. However, I am impressed when I see some gorgeous sceneries of fall. Fallen leaves give me a lot of feelings. Those show me various vivid colors-red, yellow, orange, etc. A high blue sky is one of the main beauties in fall, too. In Korea, there is fall, and the scenery is noticeable and impressive. During that season, many people go on picnics to see those sceneries. My hometown, Daejeon, is small in comparison with Iowa City, but our fall is as beautiful as the fall in Iowa City. The fall in my hometown continues for about two months, so it is enough to enjoy that. I like both falls in my hometown and Iowa City.

Don’t Hurry, But Don’t Be Late.

My father is a high school teacher. He is both a friendly father and a reliable instructor. “Don’t hurry, but don’t be late.” My father often mentions this sentence to me. I think that there is an absolute truth in what he says. Whenever I make some mistakes, I am embarrassed and confused. At that time, it is difficult to control my reaction, so I often hurry and make more mistakes. If I make preparations in advance, my situation will get better. However, if I become lazy, my situation will be worse. What a true words! I am nineteen years old, but I am not a real adult yet, I think. I need to listen to good mentions from seniors and memorize their words sincerely. My father’s words evoke my sympathy, so I usually follow his advice. My father’s word will be inscribed in my heart forever.

Difference? It does not matter!

Iowa City gives me a lot of chances. People are so kind, and many types of scenery make me impressed. I like here, but sometimes I get some stress. In Korea, I had never talked with native speakers speaking English. I sometimes talked with my Korean friends in English, but they were different from native speakers. After arriving here, I have been getting many chances to talk with native speakers. When I had a conversation with a native speaker at first, I was embarrassed and confused. At that time, I could not look up into her face because of her deep blue eyes and blond hair; these were totally different from Korean’s. Different appearances between Korean and American were stressful to me because it was difficult to accept those differences naturally. Since I decided to get rid of my stress, I have been trying to think that all the people in the world are the same. Now I do not get a stress anymore even if I see someone who has extremely strange appearance . I will be able to control myself. The opener, the better!