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!

Let's sing a song, dance, and enjoy!

My favorite movie genre is a musical film. I love to listen to all sorts of music. I am inspired by a good music, so I often try to listen to music for refreshment. The best way to feel impression is watching an original musical, but a musical film also gives me various emotions. Whenever I watch that kind of movie, I want to dance and sing a song like performers in the movie. Although there are some sad scenes, they make those scenes artistic. When I watched “Moulin Rouge” in Korea, my heart was full for words. After arriving in Iowa City, I have ever seen “Hair Spray”. All of the performers in the movie were talented, and a scenario and the framework of a story were also amazing. At that time, I felt illusion, so I wanted to enter the screen. If you want to experience something special, I recommend you watch a musical movie. During that time, music and performance will be in harmony perfectly, so you will be fascinated by the movie.

Here is Chicago!

Students and teachers of IIEP arrived in Chicago! I and members of my group were continuously excited because that was the first time to Chicago. Most scenery in there made us curious, so we took a lot of pictures. On the both sides of Michigan Avenue, there were many artistic buildings. Those buildings were departments, libraries, or hotel, but those looked like museums. In lunchtime, we were looking for a restaurant because we were hungry, and eating some foods was also a kind of valuable experiences. A few minutes later, we found a pizza restaurant, and we got in there. I could not remember the restaurant’s name exactly because the name was written in Italian. The pizza in there was really delicious and impressive. After lunch, we went to the Chinatown. This town was old but traditional, so I thought that there was real China. If I did not have a lunch, I would go to a Chinese restaurant in the Chinatown. It was also interesting to take a train. A train was different from a subway because we went up the stairs for getting in a train, and I could cast a glance around Chicago. Lincoln Park was memorable. There were some unique sculptures and a gorgeous fountain in Lincoln Park, so we took a lot of pictures. We wanted to go to other buildings in Chicago, but we had not enough time. I said to myself, “I will come to Chicago again!”

Iowa City's Freedom!

On a coin of Iowa City, there is a word, 'LIBERTY'. I really understand the meaning. It is my first time to abroad, so I do not know Iowan culture or rules well. However, I am sure that most Iowan people, especially students, are free citizens. Whenever I talk with some Iowan students, I think that they know how to say their opinions clearly. Korean students also think about something wisely, but they prefer to listen to what other people say rather than express their ideas. Iowan students sit and study wherever they want: a coffee shop, a bench in a park, even the ground. In Korea, most students usually study in a library: there is extremely silent. In Iowa City, most people are comfortable and kind, and many institutions are open to every people. I often feel freedom for some things like those. It is not a big deal, but it is real!

Party? Party!

It is my first time to abroad, so everything in Iowa city makes me curious. When I was in Korea, there were just few meetings and parties for students. While I have been staying in Iowa city, I knew that many students were used to gathering together for various purposes. Among those meetings, a homecoming party attracted my attention. A homecoming party is a kind of a dancing party for every student, and entries for the party need to wear dresses. When I went to a mall with my aunt and niece because my niece wanted to buy a special dress, I was surprised that many young people were choosing suitable dresses. They looked really excited and happy, so I also wanted to feel like that. A homecoming party is only three weeks off. Now I am singing for joy because I will be able to go there!

My Introduction!

Nice to meet you!

As you know, my name is Linda. I'm from Korea. My family members are six. I have a big and valuable family! I like soft beams of sunlight, so I often go outside. I want to make many friends in the world, and I plan to do whatever I can. I'm a friendly and passionary person, so I always prepare to welcome you.