It was quite a cold day yesterday. We left the hotel at about half past seven. We had rice as our breakfast in a nearby restaurant before we headed to the DisneySea.
Tokyo DisneySea is next to Tokyo Disneyland. The amusement park consists of seven theme ports: Port Discovery, Lost River Delta, Mermaid Lagoon, Arabian Coast, Mediterranean Harbor, Mysterious Island, and American Waterfront. They present the stories of the ocean for the guests.
We arrived there at half past nine. The first program was "Meet & Smile". We met the main park characters near the entrance area. We then watched the four entertainment shows: Mystic Rhythms at Lost River Delta, Big Band Beat at American Waterfront, Over the Waves at Arabian Coast, and Disney's Aladdin at the Magic Lamp Theatre.
Mystic Rhythms was performed at Lost River Delta. The show was performed by a group of dancers. The Hanger Stage presented the depth of the mysterious jungle. Animals, insects, spirits, and humans were interacting with one another that brought the ever-changing rhythm of life to the audience.
Big Band Beat was a live band show performed by experienced singers and dancers. It highlighted a dazzling revue featuring lively singing and dancing with swing jazz. At the end of the show, both Mickey and Mini appeared and created a cheerful atmosphere to the audience.
Both the shows: Over the Waves and Disney's Aladdin were performed at Arabian Coast. The first show was a joyful boat ride for family. It staged a "dream cruise" with some unexpected adventure. Disney's Aladdin was shown in the Magic Lamp Theatre. We had to wait for a whole hour. There were illusions combining live actors, magic, music, and the 3D movie.
At around 3 o'clock, we had a ride known as Jouney to the Centre of the Earth at Mysterious Island. It was really scary at the beginning. Carol wanted to withdraw at the last minutes. She scared me and said something like, "People are lining up for their death". Frank insisted that we finished the ride and comforted that it was just a mild ride. Well, I dared not to say anything. It was in fact a mild ride with an exciting bit at the end of the ride. We managed to survive and felt excited.
The day was spent leisurely. It was not as excited as we expected. We talked a lot and recalled the time we had at the Disneyland in Los Angeles in 2003. Anyway, the family bond gets tighter through the new experience we encounted in the park!
12/29/2009
Meiji Jingu 明治神宮
We visited Meiji Jingu on 27 December, 2007. We went there via the JR train.
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Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is called Japan's ancient original religion, and it is deeply rooted in the way of Japanese life. Shinto has no founder, no holy book, and not even the concept of religious conversion, but Shinto values for example harmony with nature and virtues such as "Magokoro (sincere heart)". In Shinto, some divinity is found as Kami (divine spirit), or it may be said that there is an unlimited number of Kami. You can see Kami in mythology, in nature, and in human beings. From ancient times, Japanese people have felt awe and gratitude towards such Kami and dedicated shrines to many of them.
This shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken (their tombs are in Kyoto).
Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914. After their demise, people wished to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever. So they donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and from overseas, and they worked voluntarily to create this forest. Thus, thanks to the sincere heart of the people, this shrine was established on November 1, 1920.
Waka Poetry by Emperor Meiji
When we are grown
And at last can stand alone
It is the blessing
Of having caring parents
That should not be forgotten.
Even after we are grown up and independent,
We should not forget the great blessing we received by having parents who raised and cared for us.
Waka Poetry by Empress Shoken
Although deep and dark
And path can be followed
If, as in all things,
One can clearly distinguish
The beginning from the end.
If one understands the sequence that exists between the beginning and the end of everything, then any deep and difficult path of learning can be fully mastered.
Extracted from http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/about/1.html
-------------
Meiji Jingu is a Shinto shrine. Shinto is called Japan's ancient original religion, and it is deeply rooted in the way of Japanese life. Shinto has no founder, no holy book, and not even the concept of religious conversion, but Shinto values for example harmony with nature and virtues such as "Magokoro (sincere heart)". In Shinto, some divinity is found as Kami (divine spirit), or it may be said that there is an unlimited number of Kami. You can see Kami in mythology, in nature, and in human beings. From ancient times, Japanese people have felt awe and gratitude towards such Kami and dedicated shrines to many of them.
This shrine is dedicated to the divine souls of Emperor Meiji and his consort Empress Shoken (their tombs are in Kyoto).
Emperor Meiji passed away in 1912 and Empress Shoken in 1914. After their demise, people wished to commemorate their virtues and to venerate them forever. So they donated 100,000 trees from all over Japan and from overseas, and they worked voluntarily to create this forest. Thus, thanks to the sincere heart of the people, this shrine was established on November 1, 1920.
Waka Poetry by Emperor Meiji
When we are grown
And at last can stand alone
It is the blessing
Of having caring parents
That should not be forgotten.
Even after we are grown up and independent,
We should not forget the great blessing we received by having parents who raised and cared for us.
Waka Poetry by Empress Shoken
Although deep and dark
And path can be followed
If, as in all things,
One can clearly distinguish
The beginning from the end.
If one understands the sequence that exists between the beginning and the end of everything, then any deep and difficult path of learning can be fully mastered.
Extracted from http://www.meijijingu.or.jp/english/about/1.html
12/28/2009
Arrived Tokyo
Terri and her family arrived Tokyo on 27 December, 2009 as the plane was delayed and we couldn't manage to catch the transit plane to Tokyo on 26th December in Beijing. We were arranged to spend a night at a hotel in Beijing. It was really cold in Beijing. We had't got a chance to go out for a look at Beijing but we could feel the coldness of Beijing. It was -7ºC. We left Beijing this morning at half past nine. We can smoothly arrived Tokyo we booked a month ago.
We were impressed by the big department store, called Atre. There are a great variety of foods and different types of things.
Here is some information regarding Tokyo I extracted from the Internet:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
Tokyo is Japan's capital and the country's largest city.
Tokyo is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, but is called a metropolis (to) rather than a prefecture (ken). The metropolis of Tokyo consists of 23 city wards (ku), 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages, including the Izu and Ogasawara Islands, several small Pacific Islands in the south of Japan's main island Honshu.
The 23 city wards (ku) are the center of Tokyo and make up about one third of the metropolis' area, while housing roughly eight of Tokyo's approximately twelve million residents.
Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A small castle town in the 16th century, Edo became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world's most populous cities.
Population of Tokyo itself is 12 million, out of which 8 million gather in the wards, but these numbers don't really show the size of the metropolis.
We were impressed by the big department store, called Atre. There are a great variety of foods and different types of things.
Here is some information regarding Tokyo I extracted from the Internet:
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2164.html
Tokyo is Japan's capital and the country's largest city.
Tokyo is also one of Japan's 47 prefectures, but is called a metropolis (to) rather than a prefecture (ken). The metropolis of Tokyo consists of 23 city wards (ku), 26 cities, 5 towns and 8 villages, including the Izu and Ogasawara Islands, several small Pacific Islands in the south of Japan's main island Honshu.
The 23 city wards (ku) are the center of Tokyo and make up about one third of the metropolis' area, while housing roughly eight of Tokyo's approximately twelve million residents.
Prior to 1868, Tokyo was known as Edo. A small castle town in the 16th century, Edo became Japan's political center in 1603 when Tokugawa Ieyasu established his feudal government there. A few decades later, Edo had grown into one of the world's most populous cities.
Population of Tokyo itself is 12 million, out of which 8 million gather in the wards, but these numbers don't really show the size of the metropolis.
12/25/2009
Merry Christmas & Happy New Year
I'd like to share with that God is love. For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
Christmas is the time God shows His love to us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Enjoy the video!
Terri
-----
Give Love On Christmas Day
people making lists, buying special gifts,
It's a time to be kind to one and all
It's that time of year when good friends are dear
And you wish you could give more
Than just presents from a store
Why don't you give love on christmas day (on christmas day)
Oh even the man who has everything
Would be so happy if you would bring
Him love on christmas day (on christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
People you don't know smiling out hello
Everywhere there's an air of christmas joy
It's that once a year, when the world's sincere
And you'd like to find a way
To show the things that words can't say
Why don't you give love on christmas day (on christmas day)
The man on the street and the couple upstairs
All need to know that there's one cares
Give love on christmas day (christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
What the world needs is love
Yes the world needs your love
Why don't you give love on christmas day (on christmas day)
Oh every little child on santa's knee
Has room for your love underneath his tree
Give love on christmas day (christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
What the world needs is love
Yes the world needs your love
Give love on christmas day (christmas day) ...
(fade)
Christmas is the time God shows His love to us through his Son, Jesus Christ.
I wish you all a Merry Christmas and Happy Holidays!
Enjoy the video!
Terri
-----
Give Love On Christmas Day
people making lists, buying special gifts,
It's a time to be kind to one and all
It's that time of year when good friends are dear
And you wish you could give more
Than just presents from a store
Why don't you give love on christmas day (on christmas day)
Oh even the man who has everything
Would be so happy if you would bring
Him love on christmas day (on christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
People you don't know smiling out hello
Everywhere there's an air of christmas joy
It's that once a year, when the world's sincere
And you'd like to find a way
To show the things that words can't say
Why don't you give love on christmas day (on christmas day)
The man on the street and the couple upstairs
All need to know that there's one cares
Give love on christmas day (christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
What the world needs is love
Yes the world needs your love
Why don't you give love on christmas day (on christmas day)
Oh every little child on santa's knee
Has room for your love underneath his tree
Give love on christmas day (christmas day)
No greater gift is there than love
What the world needs is love
Yes the world needs your love
Give love on christmas day (christmas day) ...
(fade)
12/24/2009
4 Important Keys To Effective Communication
The article, "4 Important Keys To Effective Communication" by Robb Thompson contains a lot of good ideas to enhance your communication skill.
There are four aspects of effective communication. Remember, not all communication is verbal言語. Actions行動, facial expressions面部表情, and posture姿勢 all communicate a message. Some people unknowingly send the wrong message.
1. Discretion謹慎.
The dictionary defines discretion as being careful about what one says or does, or the ability to keep silent; regulated by one’s own choice. Discretion is a choice. It is a quality that you develop and master, becoming more discrete as you practice. Keeping quiet is the best way to practice. Talking too much is very destructive. High achievers have learned to guard their conversation carefully, knowing when to speak and when not to speak, what to say and what not to say.
2. Active Listening.
It is nearly always more profitable to listen than it is to speak. A good listener may hear something that will add to his collection of knowledge. Be attentive to what others say. You practice active listening by mentally repeating what the other party says a moment after he says it. You will stay alert and grasp the details of the conversation. This takes practice, but soon it will become a part of your everyday conversation.
3. Clarity簡明.
Be clear with your words. Whenever you attempt to present an idea or the progress of a project, prepare what you say. Be clear, concise, and candid in every conversation. Allow your boss’s questions to carry on the conversation rather than your presentation.
4. Gain Understanding.
Don’t leave the conversation until you understand what is expected of you. Don’t feel unprofessional for asking your boss to explain what he wants from you. Write it down. This shows him that you are interested in doing what he says. Gaining a deeper and more clear understand will greatly enhance the final product.
Learning to communicate is crucial in the workplace environment. These are just four main aspects of effective communication. There are many more, but the point is to know with whom you are communicating. Everyone needs to be communicated with differently. Always ask yourself: How will they receive what I am trying to say? Step into their shoes, then make the decision to communicate or not.
Also, your body language consists of nearly 70% of all communication. How you posture greatly determines how yours words are received. This is a skill you must learn if you want to communicate effectively.
http://robbthompson.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/4-important-keys-of-effective-communication/
There are four aspects of effective communication. Remember, not all communication is verbal言語. Actions行動, facial expressions面部表情, and posture姿勢 all communicate a message. Some people unknowingly send the wrong message.
1. Discretion謹慎.
The dictionary defines discretion as being careful about what one says or does, or the ability to keep silent; regulated by one’s own choice. Discretion is a choice. It is a quality that you develop and master, becoming more discrete as you practice. Keeping quiet is the best way to practice. Talking too much is very destructive. High achievers have learned to guard their conversation carefully, knowing when to speak and when not to speak, what to say and what not to say.
2. Active Listening.
It is nearly always more profitable to listen than it is to speak. A good listener may hear something that will add to his collection of knowledge. Be attentive to what others say. You practice active listening by mentally repeating what the other party says a moment after he says it. You will stay alert and grasp the details of the conversation. This takes practice, but soon it will become a part of your everyday conversation.
3. Clarity簡明.
Be clear with your words. Whenever you attempt to present an idea or the progress of a project, prepare what you say. Be clear, concise, and candid in every conversation. Allow your boss’s questions to carry on the conversation rather than your presentation.
4. Gain Understanding.
Don’t leave the conversation until you understand what is expected of you. Don’t feel unprofessional for asking your boss to explain what he wants from you. Write it down. This shows him that you are interested in doing what he says. Gaining a deeper and more clear understand will greatly enhance the final product.
Learning to communicate is crucial in the workplace environment. These are just four main aspects of effective communication. There are many more, but the point is to know with whom you are communicating. Everyone needs to be communicated with differently. Always ask yourself: How will they receive what I am trying to say? Step into their shoes, then make the decision to communicate or not.
Also, your body language consists of nearly 70% of all communication. How you posture greatly determines how yours words are received. This is a skill you must learn if you want to communicate effectively.
http://robbthompson.wordpress.com/2009/11/13/4-important-keys-of-effective-communication/
12/23/2009
Holistic Approach of Learning 宏觀的學習方法
Read the following article and learn how the holistic learning can help you learn better.
Best Wishes
Terri
-----------------
Holistic Learning
Smart people don’t just learn better. They learn differently. While many students get caught up in memorizing facts, intelligent learners know to seek the bigger picture and connect the facts together. This form of learning I call holistic learning.
Holistic learning is basically the opposite of rote memorization. Instead of reciting lists of facts, rules or formulas, you seek to connect ideas together. Instead of having separate boxes in your head for geometry, algebra or ancient India, you deliberately link facts together, so they form a bigger picture.
Excessive studying shows you aren’t learning holistically. It shows that you didn’t learn the material the first time. If you properly link ideas together to see the bigger picture, studying should only be a brief refresher.
How to Boost Your Study Habits
Holistic learning isn’t like a brainstorming technique or mind-mapping. It is fundamentally changing how you look at the process of learning and how you absorb information. As such, there isn’t an easy ten step program to master it.
There are some tools that can help you shift your learning habits so they become more holistic:
Visceralize 感官和動作集中學習- You’ve probably heard of visualizing, right? Visceralizing means taking all of your senses and connecting it to information. Studies have shown that people remember more vividly information that comes to us in an emotionally aroused state. Linking feelings, senses and imagery to bland ideas makes them more real. You probably counted on your fingers when learning numbers, why can’t you do the same when you are learning now?
Metaphor隱喻 - The heart of holistic learning is relating things together. Metaphors are literary devices that link two things that normally don’t go together. Come up with metaphors to describe more complicated ideas in simpler terms.
Ten-Year-Old Rule十歲法則 - Explain ideas to yourself as you would to a ten year old. Sure, this isn’t always possible in your last years of a medical degree or learning how to apply neural networks to computer AI. But the idea is that you should be able to “dumb down” an idea enough so it seems obvious to yourself.
Trace Back 引用 - Put away your books and start with a random fact or concept. Then relate that idea to another concept in your subject. Keep doing this tracing pattern until you’ve linked many ideas together. The Gupta Dynasty reminds you of ancient Greece which reminds you of Socrates, reminding you of Confucius…
Refresher Scan 快速復習 - Scan through information in your text book. Notice whenever you encounter information that you either don’t remember or weren’t 100% sure about. Quickly link that information back to existing ideas through viscerlization and metaphor. If your refresher scan is turning up more than a few points per chapter, you haven’t learned it thoroughly enough.
Compress Information壓縮信息 - Not all information works well for holistic learning. A common point cited to me is learning anatomy for first year medical students. Anatomy involves learning arbitrary Latin names for hundreds of different elements of your body. There often aren’t clear patterns and constructs, just a dry list of facts. When encountering information such as this, your goal should be to compress it. Find ways to group information into smaller chunks of memory through pictures or mnemonics.
Write寫下有關聯想 - Take a piece of paper and write out the connections in the information. Reorganize the information into different patterns. The key here is the writing, not the final product. So don’t waste your time making a pretty picture. Scribble and use abbreviations to link the ideas together.
Best Wishes
Terri
-----------------
Holistic Learning
Smart people don’t just learn better. They learn differently. While many students get caught up in memorizing facts, intelligent learners know to seek the bigger picture and connect the facts together. This form of learning I call holistic learning.
Holistic learning is basically the opposite of rote memorization. Instead of reciting lists of facts, rules or formulas, you seek to connect ideas together. Instead of having separate boxes in your head for geometry, algebra or ancient India, you deliberately link facts together, so they form a bigger picture.
Excessive studying shows you aren’t learning holistically. It shows that you didn’t learn the material the first time. If you properly link ideas together to see the bigger picture, studying should only be a brief refresher.
How to Boost Your Study Habits
Holistic learning isn’t like a brainstorming technique or mind-mapping. It is fundamentally changing how you look at the process of learning and how you absorb information. As such, there isn’t an easy ten step program to master it.
There are some tools that can help you shift your learning habits so they become more holistic:
Visceralize 感官和動作集中學習- You’ve probably heard of visualizing, right? Visceralizing means taking all of your senses and connecting it to information. Studies have shown that people remember more vividly information that comes to us in an emotionally aroused state. Linking feelings, senses and imagery to bland ideas makes them more real. You probably counted on your fingers when learning numbers, why can’t you do the same when you are learning now?
Metaphor隱喻 - The heart of holistic learning is relating things together. Metaphors are literary devices that link two things that normally don’t go together. Come up with metaphors to describe more complicated ideas in simpler terms.
Ten-Year-Old Rule十歲法則 - Explain ideas to yourself as you would to a ten year old. Sure, this isn’t always possible in your last years of a medical degree or learning how to apply neural networks to computer AI. But the idea is that you should be able to “dumb down” an idea enough so it seems obvious to yourself.
Trace Back 引用 - Put away your books and start with a random fact or concept. Then relate that idea to another concept in your subject. Keep doing this tracing pattern until you’ve linked many ideas together. The Gupta Dynasty reminds you of ancient Greece which reminds you of Socrates, reminding you of Confucius…
Refresher Scan 快速復習 - Scan through information in your text book. Notice whenever you encounter information that you either don’t remember or weren’t 100% sure about. Quickly link that information back to existing ideas through viscerlization and metaphor. If your refresher scan is turning up more than a few points per chapter, you haven’t learned it thoroughly enough.
Compress Information壓縮信息 - Not all information works well for holistic learning. A common point cited to me is learning anatomy for first year medical students. Anatomy involves learning arbitrary Latin names for hundreds of different elements of your body. There often aren’t clear patterns and constructs, just a dry list of facts. When encountering information such as this, your goal should be to compress it. Find ways to group information into smaller chunks of memory through pictures or mnemonics.
Write寫下有關聯想 - Take a piece of paper and write out the connections in the information. Reorganize the information into different patterns. The key here is the writing, not the final product. So don’t waste your time making a pretty picture. Scribble and use abbreviations to link the ideas together.
12/19/2009
How to remember what you read
param name="movie" value="http://www.youtube.com/v/aVrGNn6IBu4&hl=en_US&fs=1&">">
Examination Techniques
This video is full of useful tips on exam technique. It's targeted at GCSE (General Certificate of Secondary Education)but it is also applicable to any exams you might be taking.
Revision Preparation
-get practice aids
-get flash cards
-get big paper for wall
Exam Preparation
-get organised and avoid cramming at the last minutes
-get a quiet place to reivise
-get more practice by doing presentation
Mental Preparation
-drink enough water
-eat healthy food
-get enough sleep
-exercise
-first twenty minutes
Eam Techniques
-read and follow the instructions
-read and plan your answers
-write and address the questions
-show that you understand the questions
-give points clearly
-demonstrate the originality of your answers
">
Revision Preparation
-get practice aids
-get flash cards
-get big paper for wall
Exam Preparation
-get organised and avoid cramming at the last minutes
-get a quiet place to reivise
-get more practice by doing presentation
Mental Preparation
-drink enough water
-eat healthy food
-get enough sleep
-exercise
-first twenty minutes
Eam Techniques
-read and follow the instructions
-read and plan your answers
-write and address the questions
-show that you understand the questions
-give points clearly
-demonstrate the originality of your answers
">
12/18/2009
Confusing Words - Borrow, Lend, Rent, Use
The video clip below can help you learn and remember how to use the words: borrow, lend, and rent, use. I like the quote the video starts with, "Neither a borrower nor a lender be.不做債主，也不做借貸人。"
The quote "Neither a borrower, nor a lender be" means not to lend [money] to other people and not to borrow from other people. When we lend something we risk losing both the thing we lend and the friendship with that other person.
The quote originated from Hamlet by William Shakespeare; Polonius spoke,"Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend"
Example
Your friend: "Could you lend me twenty dollars?"
You: "Sorry,neither a borrower nor a lender be."
You tell your friend that you value the friendship and you don't want to risk hurting the friendship with a loan.
Is it right to say, "Can I borrow your toilet?" ?
Watch the video and get the answer!
Watch and enjoy!
The quote "Neither a borrower, nor a lender be" means not to lend [money] to other people and not to borrow from other people. When we lend something we risk losing both the thing we lend and the friendship with that other person.
The quote originated from Hamlet by William Shakespeare; Polonius spoke,"Neither a borrower, nor a lender be; For loan oft loses both itself and friend"
Example
Your friend: "Could you lend me twenty dollars?"
You: "Sorry,neither a borrower nor a lender be."
You tell your friend that you value the friendship and you don't want to risk hurting the friendship with a loan.
Is it right to say, "Can I borrow your toilet?" ?
Watch the video and get the answer!
Watch and enjoy!
12/16/2009
Ways to Improve Reading Comprehension
The video is cool. It gives you a clear guideline to the startegies that help you know how to understand or take message in the process of your reading. I think the three tips can help you read better and faster.
Enjoy it! Here are some notes.
Steps to improve reading comprehension
1. Read quickly and underline the words you don't know.
2. Read again with the help of dictionary and summarise the main points of each paragraphs.
3. Read for the third time, read the whole article and summarise everything in the article.
Read and practise your reading as much as you can. By reading over and over again, you'll read faster, learn terms and phrases, and take in more information, i.e. remember the reading better.
Enjoy it! Here are some notes.
Steps to improve reading comprehension
1. Read quickly and underline the words you don't know.
2. Read again with the help of dictionary and summarise the main points of each paragraphs.
3. Read for the third time, read the whole article and summarise everything in the article.
Read and practise your reading as much as you can. By reading over and over again, you'll read faster, learn terms and phrases, and take in more information, i.e. remember the reading better.
12/15/2009
Love Letter
My Child,
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139.1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139.2)
I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139.3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10.29-31)
For you were made in my image (Genesis 1.27)
In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17.28)
For you are my offspring (Acts 17.28)
I knew you even before you were conceived Jeremiah (1.4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1.11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139.15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17.26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139.14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139.13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71.6)
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8.41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4.16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3.1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3.1)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7.11)
For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5.48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1.17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6.31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29.11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31.3)
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore... (Psalms 139.17-18)
And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3.17)
I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32.40)
For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19.5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul Jeremiah (32.41)
And I want to show you great and marvellous things (Jeremiah 33.3)
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4.29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37.4)
For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2.13)
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3.20)
For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2.16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1.3-4)
When you are broken-hearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34.18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40.11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21.3-4)
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21.3-4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17.23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17.26)
He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1.3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8.31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5.18-19)
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5.18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4.10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8.31-32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2.23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8.38-39)
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15.7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3.14-15)
My question is “Will you be my child?” (John 1.12-13)
I am waiting for you (Luke 15.11-32)
Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God
A ppt-version of the text can be seen at:
http://www.lookingforgod.com/?/1/the-fathers-love-letter.html
You may not know me, but I know everything about you (Psalm 139.1)
I know when you sit down and when you rise up (Psalm 139.2)
I am familiar with all your ways (Psalm 139.3)
Even the very hairs on your head are numbered (Matthew 10.29-31)
For you were made in my image (Genesis 1.27)
In me you live and move and have your being (Acts 17.28)
For you are my offspring (Acts 17.28)
I knew you even before you were conceived Jeremiah (1.4-5)
I chose you when I planned creation (Ephesians 1.11-12)
You were not a mistake, for all your days are written in my book (Psalm 139.15-16)
I determined the exact time of your birth and where you would live (Acts 17.26)
You are fearfully and wonderfully made (Psalm 139.14)
I knit you together in your mother's womb (Psalm 139.13)
And brought you forth on the day you were born (Psalm 71.6)
I have been misrepresented by those who don't know me (John 8.41-44)
I am not distant and angry, but am the complete expression of love (1 John 4.16)
And it is my desire to lavish my love on you (1 John 3.1)
Simply because you are my child and I am your Father (1 John 3.1)
I offer you more than your earthly father ever could (Matthew 7.11)
For I am the perfect father (Matthew 5.48)
Every good gift that you receive comes from my hand (James 1.17)
For I am your provider and I meet all your needs (Matthew 6.31-33)
My plan for your future has always been filled with hope (Jeremiah 29.11)
Because I love you with an everlasting love (Jeremiah 31.3)
My thoughts toward you are countless as the sand on the seashore... (Psalms 139.17-18)
And I rejoice over you with singing (Zephaniah 3.17)
I will never stop doing good to you (Jeremiah 32.40)
For you are my treasured possession (Exodus 19.5)
I desire to establish you with all my heart and all my soul Jeremiah (32.41)
And I want to show you great and marvellous things (Jeremiah 33.3)
If you seek me with all your heart, you will find me (Deuteronomy 4.29)
Delight in me and I will give you the desires of your heart (Psalm 37.4)
For it is I who gave you those desires (Philippians 2.13)
I am able to do more for you than you could possibly imagine (Ephesians 3.20)
For I am your greatest encourager (2 Thessalonians 2.16-17)
I am also the Father who comforts you in all your troubles (2 Corinthians 1.3-4)
When you are broken-hearted, I am close to you (Psalm 34.18)
As a shepherd carries a lamb, I have carried you close to my heart (Isaiah 40.11)
One day I will wipe away every tear from your eyes (Revelation 21.3-4)
And I'll take away all the pain you have suffered on this earth (Revelation 21.3-4)
I am your Father, and I love you even as I love my son, Jesus (John 17.23)
For in Jesus, my love for you is revealed (John 17.26)
He is the exact representation of my being (Hebrews 1.3)
He came to demonstrate that I am for you, not against you (Romans 8.31)
And to tell you that I am not counting your sins (2 Corinthians 5.18-19)
Jesus died so that you and I could be reconciled (2 Corinthians 5.18-19)
His death was the ultimate expression of my love for you (1 John 4.10)
I gave up everything I loved that I might gain your love (Romans 8.31-32)
If you receive the gift of my son Jesus, you receive me (1 John 2.23)
And nothing will ever separate you from my love again (Romans 8.38-39)
Come home and I'll throw the biggest party heaven has ever seen (Luke 15.7)
I have always been Father, and will always be Father (Ephesians 3.14-15)
My question is “Will you be my child?” (John 1.12-13)
I am waiting for you (Luke 15.11-32)
Love, Your Dad.
Almighty God
A ppt-version of the text can be seen at:
http://www.lookingforgod.com/?/1/the-fathers-love-letter.html
12/14/2009
UTOPIA
Utopia is a name for an ideal community or society, taken from the title of a book written in 1516 by Sir Thomas More describing a fictional island in the Atlantic Ocean, possessing a seemingly perfect socio-politico-legal system.
烏托邦(Sir Thomas More所著書名的簡稱,指理想中的最美好社會)
http://www.bookrags.com/notes/uto/QUO.htm
Subject: Utopia
Occasion: Dissatisfied with the current situation, many people are leaving their current societies
Audience: People who are seeking a new home
Purpose: To attract new citizens to your utopia in order to help it survive
12/11/2009
10 ACTIVITIES TO IMPROVE YOUR READING
- Open your eyes(多觀察)- Try to boost your awareness of the reading you do all around you. Pay attention to English on billboards, advertisements, leaflets, food packages, etc.
- Identify your reading problems by writing a summary (寫撮要解難題)- Find a short newspaper article which interests you and read it once quickly to get the main ideas. Then cover it up and try to write a brief summary of the main points. Finally, compare the summary with the article to see how many main points you have got. If you find the result unsatisfactory, try to identify your problem. Do you have problems with sentence structures, vocabulary, etc ? If you can identify your reading problem, focus on it.
- Time your reading(閱讀須計時)- Look for the main ideas of an article for a limited time. Don’t bother about the details. This is a method to enhance your speed of reading. Keep a log of the amount of time it takes. If the time decreases, then you should be getting more information more quickly.
- Make cloze exercises(設計閱讀理解習題)- Make a cloze exercise, either for yourself or a friend. Photocopy the text and use correction fluid to white out some words. You can focus on any aspect of language you wish, for example, nouns, verbs, prepositions, or whatever you find difficult. Fill in the blanks. Check your answer with the original texts. Think about the words you used and the words in the original text. This method can enhance your awareness of using different terms in different contexts.
- Read the Chinese version in advance (先閱中文版本)- Read texts in Chinese first before you read the English texts. After getting the main ideas from Chinese materials, reading the English ones becomes easier. You will realise how some Chinese expressions are expressed in English.
- Follow the instructions for various reading materials (透過閱指南增強閱讀能力)- Try to follow the instructions of manuals or guidebooks for any electrical appliance, e.g. computer, mini hi-fi, recording machines. Does the machine perform the function you wish? If not, try to decide what went wrong in your reading. Alternatively, you can read a cook book and test your comprehension by preparing the food correctly.
- Guess meaning from context (從文章脈絡猜出字意) - While reading, people are usually discouraged by unfamiliar words or phrases. An inefficient reader looks up every unknown word/phrase in a dictionary but an efficient one doesn’t. Why ? Because the efficient reader guesses meaning from the context of the text. When you come across new words from an article, don’t check the dictionary immediately! Try to guess the meaning of the words first. A more interesting way of doing this is to try to get one or two friends to read the same article. If there are any common unknown words/phrases, compete with your friends to guess the correct meaning. Look the words/phrases up in the dictionary for the correct definition. The one who gets the closest meaning wins.
- Match reading speed to the materials (閱讀速度要依據文章種類) - You can divide items into several categories such as manual, advertisement, blog article, letter, newspaper article, academic essay, story or novel. Know what you are reading. Read the title, the subtitles, and the section headings to get the gist. Academic reading require closer, slower reading whereas leisure reading moves faster. Be sure you also get the information in graphic aids and illustration.
- Read for pleasure (享受閱讀)- Research has shown that reading consistently for pleasure boosts comprehension and vocabulary. Try popular books, comics, books about the films you have seen. It is NOT necessary to understand every word, just keep reading.
- Read with a grammar focus (以閱讀加強用文法能力) - Look at a reading passage and see how the grammatical structures are used. Try to classify them under different headings like relative clauses, present tense, passive voice etc. Being able to identify different grammatical structures of a passage boosts your reading speed. If you have trouble classifying the grammatical structures, you may have to consult a grammar book or teacher.
______________________________
For your refreshment and review on some of my suggested ideas, enjoy the video:
12/10/2009
12/09/2009
The 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics
News from Hong Kong Standard - Nobel wife tells of Kao persistence
Mary Ann Benitez
Wednesday, December 09, 2009
If it were not for the persistence(Noun 堅持) of Charles Kao Kuen the telecommunications電信 revolution改革 may not have occurred(happened).
Kao, co-winner of the 2009 Nobel Prize in Physics, pioneered the use of fiber optics (光纖)in telephony nearly 50 years ago despite the doubts of others.
This was revealed yesterday by his wife, Gwen Kao Wong May-wan, in a Nobel Week lecture演講 in Sweden.
Kao, 76, a former vice chancellor of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, will receive his award tomorrow at the Stockholm Concert Hall.
Charles Kao, who suffers from Alzheimer's disease, is also in the city with children Simon and Amanda.
In her lecture, Sand From Centuries Past; Send Future Voices Fast, Gwen said it was sad that her husband was unable to give the lecture himself. She said fiber-optic cables have changed the world despite many, in 1960, thinking they were "a non-starter." But Charles was convinced they had potential even though there were many hurdles障礙 to overcome.
Gwen recalled how she and the children would wait for him to come home and get annoyed at the long hours he was putting in. Charles, excited at what he was doing, would say: "It will shake the world one day." To this, his wife would reply: "Really, so you will get the Nobel Prize, won't you?"
Gwen said yesterday: "He was right - it has revolutionized telecommunications."
Charles joined Standard Telecommunications Laboratories, a subsidiary of ITT, at Harlow, near London, in 1960. He was first under the optical waveguide group led by Antoni Karbowiak. When Karbowiak decided to emigrate to Australia, Kao took over as project leader.
"They were all novices in the physics and chemistry of materials and in tackling new electromagnetic wave problems," Gwen said. Her husband zeroed in on glass as a possible material for transmitting data, because it is made of silica - "sand from centuries past that is plentiful and cheap." Finally his team wrote the paper that was to change the world, which was published in the Proceedings of the Institute of Electrical Engineers in July 1966.
Optical communications have since brought about incredible changes in society, including the birth of the internet.
http://www.thestandard.com.hk/news_detail.asp?pp_cat=30&art_id=91660&sid=26356850&con_type=1
12/07/2009
Five Love Languages by Gary Chapman
Chapman's five love languages are:
Words of Affirmation: In this language, people need to hear compliments; to be affirmed by the words of others.
Quality Time: People who hear love by quality time with undivided attention know they are loved when people spend time with them—listening, walking, talking, going on trips.
Receiving Gifts: people who speak this love language need to receive thoughtful and personal gifts—not necessarily expensive, but individual.
Acts of Service: With this love language, people hear love through others giving them acts of service—making the bed, cleaning the bathroom, doing a chore that they dislike.
Physical Touch: People who hear love in this way need to be touched; hugged, sitting close together, back rubs, etc.
Words of Affirmation: In this language, people need to hear compliments; to be affirmed by the words of others.
Quality Time: People who hear love by quality time with undivided attention know they are loved when people spend time with them—listening, walking, talking, going on trips.
Receiving Gifts: people who speak this love language need to receive thoughtful and personal gifts—not necessarily expensive, but individual.
Acts of Service: With this love language, people hear love through others giving them acts of service—making the bed, cleaning the bathroom, doing a chore that they dislike.
Physical Touch: People who hear love in this way need to be touched; hugged, sitting close together, back rubs, etc.
12/03/2009
What are the Biblical guidelines for dating relationships交友戀愛?
What are the Biblical guidelines聖經指引 for dating约會 relationships交友?
God wants the best for us in every area of our lives. This includes relationships with boyfriends or girlfriends. We should date for fun, friendship, personality development品格建立 and selection of a mate伴侶, not to be popular or for security安全感. Don't allow peer pressure朋輩壓力 to force you into dating situations that are not appropriate. Realize that over 50% of girls and over 40% of guys never date in high school. The Bible gives us some very clear principles to guide us in making decisions about dating.
- Guard保守 your heart.
The Bible tells us to be very careful about giving our affections愛, because our heart influences everything else in our life.
Above all else, guard your heart, for it is the wellspring of life (Proverbs 4:23). 你 要 保 守 你 心 ， 勝 過 保 守 一 切 ， 因 為 一 生 的 果 效 是 由 心 發 出 。 - You are known by the company you keep.
We also tend to become like the company we keep. This principle is closely related to the first one and is just as important in friendships as in dating.
Do not be misled: Bad company corrupts good character (1 Corinthians 15:33).你 們 不 要 自 欺 ； 濫 交 是 敗 壞 善 行 。 - Christians should only date other Christians.
Although it is fine for Christians to have non-Christian friends, those who are especially close to our heart should be mature believers who are seeking to follow Christ with their lives.
Do not be yoked together with unbelievers. For what do righteousness and wickedness have in common? Or what fellowship can light have with darkness? (2 Corinthians 6:14).你 們 和 不 信 的 原 不 相 配 ， 不 要 同 負 一 軛 。 義 和 不 義 有 甚 麼 相 交 呢 ？ 光 明 和 黑 暗 有 甚 麼 相 通 呢 ？ - Is it really love?
1 Corinthians 13:4-7 defines real love. "Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." 愛 是 恆 久 忍 耐 ， 又 有 恩 慈 ； 愛 是 不 嫉 妒 ； 愛 是 不 自 誇 ， 不 張 狂 ，不 做 害 羞 的 事 ， 不 求 自 己 的 益 處 ， 不 輕 易 發 怒 ， 不 計 算 人 的 惡 ，不 喜 歡 不 義 ， 只 喜 歡 真 理 ；凡 事 包 容 ， 凡 事 相 信 ， 凡 事 盼 望 ， 凡 事 忍 耐 。
Ask yourself these questions:
■Are you patient 忍 耐 with each other?
■Are you kind恩 慈to each other?
■Are you never envious嫉 妒 of each other?
■Do you never boast不 自 誇 to or about each other?
■Is your relationship characterized by humility謙遜(不 張 狂)?
■Are you never rude粗暴 to each other?
■Are you not self-seeking不 求 自 己 的 益 處?
■Are you not easily angered with each other不 輕 易 發 怒?
■Do you keep no record of wrongs不 計 算 人 的 惡?
■Are you truthful信賴 with each other?
■Do you protect保護(包容) each other?
■Do you trust each other凡 事 相 信?
If you answered “yes” to the above questions, then 1 Corinthians 13 says that you truly have a loving relationship. If you answered “no” to any of the above questions, then maybe you should discuss those issues with your boyfriend or girlfriend.
Extracted from http://www.christiananswers.net/q-dml/dml-y006.html
Now, enjoy the song, Who Am I?
Who am I? - Casting Crowns
Who am I?
我是誰？
That the Lord of all the earth,
讓那個全地球的主，
Would care to know my name,
會在乎知道我的名字，
Would care to feel my hurt.
會在乎了解我所受的傷。
Who am I?
我是誰？
That the bright and morning star,
那個明亮的晨星，
Would choose to light the way, For my ever wondering heart.
會選擇為我疑惑徬徨的心點亮道路
Not because of who I am,
不是因為我是誰
But because of what you’ve done
而是因為祢的作為
Not because of what I’ve done
不是因為我的作為
But because of who you are
乃是因為祢是誰
I am a flower quickly fading
我是即將凋謝的花朵
Here today and gone tomorrow
現在今天和過去明天
A wave tossed in the ocean
洋中被翻動的海浪
A vapor in the wind.
風中的水汽
Still you hear me when I’m calling
祢仍在在我呼求的時候傾聽我的聲音
Lord you catch me when I’m falling,
當我墜落時主祢接住我
And you told me who I am
並且告訴我我是誰
I am yours
我是祢的(孩子)
I am yours
我是祢的 (孩子)
Who am I?
我是誰？
That the eyes that see my sin
讓那位眼睛可視我罪的
Would look on me with love
願意看著我並愛我
And watch me rise again
並且將我再次升高
Who am I?
我是誰？
That the voice that calm the sea
讓那位聲音可以平靜海洋的
Would call out through the rain,
會通過風雨呼喚
And calm the storm in me.
並平靜我內心的暴風
Whom shall I fear?
我還會懼怕誰呢？
Whom shall I fear?
我還會懼怕誰呢？
Cause I am yours
因為我是祢的(孩子)
I am yours
我是祢的(孩子)
12/02/2009
Conditional Sentences - Type 0, I, II & III
Conditional Sentences - Type 0
Type 0 conditionals are used to express a general truth or a scientific fact. In this type of conditional we can use when instead of if.
General Conditional (if/when +present simple present simple)
1. If you _heat__ (heat) the water to 100 degree, it _boils__ (boil)
2. If you _________(cut) your finger, it _________ (bleed).
3. If the temperature ___________ (drop) to zero degree, you _________ (feel) cold.
Conditional Sentences Type I are used to express a real or very probable situation in the present or future.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I (if + present simple future simple, imperative, can/must/may/etc +bare infinitive).
1. If you (go)__go___________ out with your friends tonight, I ___will watch______(watch)the football match on TV.
2. I __________(earn) a lot of money if I __________(get) that job.
3. If she _____________ (hurry / not), we __________ (miss) the bus.
Conditional Sentences Type II are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to facts in the present, and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present or the future. We can use either were or was for the 1st and 3rd person singular in the if-clause. We can also use the structure if I were you, to give advice.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type II (If + past simple/past continuous . would/could/might + bare present infinitive)
1. If I ___were________ (be) you, I ____would buy________ (buy) the shoes.
2. If he ________ (try) harder, he __________(reach) his goals.
3. I _________ (buy) these shoes if they ___________(fit).
4. It ____________(surprise / not) me if he ___________ (know / not) the answer.
Conditional Sentences Type III are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to facts in the past. They are also used to express regrets or criticism.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type III (If + past perfect/past perfect continuous would/could/might +have+ past participle).
1. If we ___had listened_______(listen) to the radio, we __would have heard_____(hear) the news.
2. If you __________(switch) on the lights, you ____________(fall / not) over the chair.
3. She ____________ (come) to our party if she ______________(be / not) on holiday.
Type 0 conditionals are used to express a general truth or a scientific fact. In this type of conditional we can use when instead of if.
General Conditional (if/when +present simple present simple)
1. If you _heat__ (heat) the water to 100 degree, it _boils__ (boil)
2. If you _________(cut) your finger, it _________ (bleed).
3. If the temperature ___________ (drop) to zero degree, you _________ (feel) cold.
Conditional Sentences Type I are used to express a real or very probable situation in the present or future.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type I (if + present simple future simple, imperative, can/must/may/etc +bare infinitive).
1. If you (go)__go___________ out with your friends tonight, I ___will watch______(watch)the football match on TV.
2. I __________(earn) a lot of money if I __________(get) that job.
3. If she _____________ (hurry / not), we __________ (miss) the bus.
Conditional Sentences Type II are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to facts in the present, and, therefore, are unlikely to happen in the present or the future. We can use either were or was for the 1st and 3rd person singular in the if-clause. We can also use the structure if I were you, to give advice.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type II (If + past simple/past continuous . would/could/might + bare present infinitive)
1. If I ___were________ (be) you, I ____would buy________ (buy) the shoes.
2. If he ________ (try) harder, he __________(reach) his goals.
3. I _________ (buy) these shoes if they ___________(fit).
4. It ____________(surprise / not) me if he ___________ (know / not) the answer.
Conditional Sentences Type III are used to express imaginary situations which are contrary to facts in the past. They are also used to express regrets or criticism.
Complete the Conditional Sentences Type III (If + past perfect/past perfect continuous would/could/might +have+ past participle).
1. If we ___had listened_______(listen) to the radio, we __would have heard_____(hear) the news.
2. If you __________(switch) on the lights, you ____________(fall / not) over the chair.
3. She ____________ (come) to our party if she ______________(be / not) on holiday.
12/01/2009
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe Radio Theatre Drama - Part 1 of 16
Four siblings -- Edmund (Skandar Keynes), Lucy (Georgie Henley), Peter (William Moseley), and Susan (Anna Popplewell) -- are sent from their London home to the country estate of an eccentric professor in order to ensure their safety during World War II.
The house is very dull, except for a large, ornate wardrobe discovered by young Lucy during a game of hide-and-seek. Venturing inside of it in the hopes of finding a hiding place, Lucy is transported to a snowy alternate universe: a magical world called Narnia.
The land is populated by talking animals and ruled over by the benevolent lion god Aslan (voiced by Liam Neeson), but sadly, the world is also in a state of perpetual winter. The white witch Jadis (Tilda Swinton), lustful for power and governed by narcissism, has cursed Narnia with a tyrannical decree that it will always be winter but never Christmas.
Now, the children must fight alongside Aslan for the salvation of Narnia, but one of them, seduced by the charisma of the white witch, may choose to fight on the wrong side.
Extracted from:
http://www.answers.com/topic/the-chronicles-of-narnia-the-lion-the-witch-and-the-wardrobe-film-1
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