Journal 18

“Kka, Kka!” When you hear this sound in Korea, most of Koreans think some bad things are going to happen to them. They might be scared of their family members’ death. Here, the onomatopoeia is associated with ravens. The bird, raven, is a typical emblem of the death in Korea. We usually see ravens in funeral parlor and the sound of ravens horrifies us. Reading 'The Raven' written by Edgar Allan Poe, I feel that the author's sadness was reflected through the image of raven.

I think the name of ‘Lenore’ is related to the raven’s saying ‘Nevermore’. In the poem, the mourning narrator was desperately isolated at one night in his house. He was beaten by death of his wife, Lenore, whom he had loved so much and wanted to die to be with soon. While the narrator was missing her sorrowfully and repeating her name, ‘Lenore’, one raven visited him and said, “Nevermore.” It means for me because the narrator was remembering the precious time with her and desperately wanted to meet her again, the sound of ‘Lenore’ was spoken through the raven and turned to the sound of ‘Nevermore,’ which led him think that there is no more meaning to live without her – Never more without Lenore. Finally, the image of raven became the surroundings of his death and made his poet more blue and tearful.

Journal 17 Moving to America

Dear Mom & Dad,

I know home is the best place in this world, and if I leave home, my life would be hard. Mom and Dad, however, I want to go to the USA for graduate study. It will take about 2 years to get a master degree, and I hope to have career training after graduation. In California, I have some friends to help me when I arrive there. Although I will be far away from home, we can still keep in touch each others through email and phone. Also, we can see each other by using webcam system with internet.

I know you have two things concerned about America. First, you believe that America is dangerous place and many people carry guns. But, it is not true. The American government control guns to be used properly and the orange county where I will live is one of the safest places among the States according to research studies.

Second, you think that there would be more opportunities in Korea than in America. However, if I study in America, I can not only study my major but also improve my English. You know that English skill is essential in this global world. By the time when I graduate, my English must be excellent in every area - listening, speaking, reading and writing. Also, I will have internship opportunity during semester and Optional Practical Training after graduation.

What an awesome opportunity in my life! Mom & Dad, please encourage and support me to study abroad. I promise that I will do my best and complete my study successfully.

God bless you.

I will miss you so much!

Your love,

Yejin

Journal 16

There are a lot of job in this world, but there is only one job which make you be the happiest people and feel that you are doing "right" thing. Each everyone has different characters, personalities, talents and interests. Either they are innate or acquired. As you breathe and your eyes are open before sleeping, you just do work naturally and freely. As you cook to release hunger from your stomach, you just do work to satisfy your desire.

So, I agree with Confucius quote, "Find a job that you love doing and you will never have to work a day in your life." Sometimes I'm confused to decide which way I follow, the thing that I want to satisfy for myself or the thing that I have to satisfy for others' expectation. I wish to have strong opinion and taste about that like Confucius.

Here, I want to introduce my instructor, Ms. Sean Cochran. I can tell how much he loves to teach English to students whose native language is not English. He works so hard to make the lesson best and let them understand easily. It seems that he enjoy teaching as loving his wife. For me right now, my magic job is the student who are eager to explore the world through books and lecture.