Journal 12: Your First Source

Tacoma Narrows Bridge. (2010). In Encyclopædia Britannica. Retrieved March 27, 2010, from Encyclopædia Britannica Online: http://search.eb.com.lib-proxy.fullerton.edu/eb/article-9070874

I read about Tacoma narrows bridge from Encyclopedia. I was looking for a research about the example of bridge collapsing. Tacoma narrows bridge collapsing is one of the bridge destructions. It was suspension bridge and completed in July 1940. However, unfortunately four months later, the bridge collapsed because of winds. It was replaced in 1950 by the different method of constructions. This site gave me useful information including the video which showed me the real situation. The video allowed me to comprehend easily. Moreover, I felt that I have to study harder not to happen anymore as one of the civil engineers. In conclusion, the cause of this bridge was winds, so I can use it as a one of the cause of collapsing. I will find another case of collapsing and damages of it.

Journal #10: Advice

I typically solve my problems by myself. However, my friends or my family have been my adviser whenever I seek advices. They are very momentous and special to me and always be there for me. I probably have never been here without them. They've given many advice to me if it is serious or not.

The best advice I was given is choosing a university after I took an exam to attend it. Actually, I was not able to go to university that was what I wanted to go. Therefore, I was concerned about that and had to make a decision whether I have to study a year more or just enter the university that is what I'm attending now in Korea. It was one of big problems in my whole life so I was seriously worried about it and there was nothing to do. It seemed the end of my life. At that time, my parents gave me some advices. They said going to a good university is important to everyone but you would know you don't have to be depressed. There are so many failures and difficulties worse than now in lives. You have to learn how to overcome it and seek other methods. This is merely a small problem in my whole life. Their advices was true so that was the best advices to me. Ralph Waldo Emerson said "With the past, I have nothing to do; nor with the future. I live now". They probably tended to talk about this quote. Whenever I have a problem like that, I think about my parents' advices. It is very helpful and relieve my stress.

Giving or being given advices are very great. However, the important thing is that you must not just follow other's advices. You are necessay to have enough time to think and make decision on your own because advices are not the solutions.


I read Quynh and wendy's posts.

Journal 11: Research Question

- Golden gate bridge

My topic of research is a bridge collapsing. It seems to be sad but I really love my major, CIVIL ENGINEERING!!! Especially, I'm interested in diverse kinds of bridge and the types of construction. Actually, one of dreams in my life is looking around bridges that is worth to seeing all over the world. Thus, this research would definitely be useful to accomplish my big dream.

Today, I knew so much about more specific and detail information of bridge like causes, damages, and types of construction on Wikipedia. The most interesting thing was causes of collapse since we have to avoid accidents and damages as knowing the reason why are bridges destroyed. I could not choose my research question yet, but I just started to think about the causes and damages of bridge collapse. It would be a interesting topic to me as well as you guys who are not in my major.

I read Quynh and Leah's posts.

Journal 4: Weather

In Korea, we have 4 seasons : spring,summer,fall and winter. We can enjoy different atmosphere every year, but I don't like winter. I can't stand the cold and I just want to stay in a warm house in winter.

I really really really love bright,mild and warm weather. My name 'Bomi' means spring in Korea. My father gave the name since I was born in spring. That is one of the reasons I like spring most. Whenever spring comes, I feel like making a boyfriend and hanging out with friends. What a beautiful day! I go to a picnic with some foods and climb moutains on weekend. In fact, my feelings of the day generally depend on weather. If it is sunny day, I tend to more active and energetic. In addition, I also like summer because I'm able to enjoy diverse leisures in water. In summer, we can go beach and swim in water. It is super fantastic but too hot. Thus, California is the best place to live to me.

Last month, I went to San francisco. The weather was totally different from California. It was hazy and foggy, but better than rain. Whenever it is raining, it is so bothersome to bring my umbrella and too cold outside. However, smog makes San francisco more beautiful. Like this, I like foggy weather from time to time but I don't want to live in a city where I can't enjoy a sunshine.
I love California too much ♥

Journal 3: Old Fears

Most people definitely have fears and I'm also afraid of speaking in front of people. Whenever I speak in front of many persons, I feel so nervous. It is hard to overcome to me. For example, if I had a presentation in my class, I could not explain very well despite I had prepared enough. In front of people, my hands get wet and my voice waver. Moreover, I can't remember what I have to speak and make an eyecontact with audiences. Eyecontact is one of important points in communications. Besides, I think I make people take a nap sometimes. A good speaker is who has a sense of humor and ability to make a strong and high voice. However, whenever I'm getting nervous, my voice is very low.

To overcome my fears, I tend to imagine the presentation over and over before I'm in front of audiences. It is one of effective methods to get over my fears. I'm suppose to have a presentation and practice to do my best. Sometimes I've practiced for my test like music or presentation in front of my mom. My mom really enjoyed it and she gives me a lot of advices and let me feel more comfortable in a real situation. And I took a communication skills class to overcome it. It allows me to know a variety of information about specific speaking skills.

Furthermore, one famous person I admire is Oprah winfrey. There are many things to learn from her like talking with others very well, so I read a book that is written by her in Korea. Reading books was also good way to promote my ability. Even I still have that fear, it gets better than before. As drinking much water and taking deep breath, I will be able to concentrate more and do my good job. I'm trying to face my fears and just enjoy it.

Journal 2: Your New Year Resolution

Every new year, I've made some new year's resolutions. That is something that I want to change or accomplish. Honestly, I couldn't decided on a specific new year's resolution since I was very busy to prepare to come here. Of course, I can't accomlish all of my resolutions, but it always makes me keep trying. If I have no new year's resolution, it is hard to plan what I have to do.

In this year, I hpoe to improve my English ability and get a good score. That is the most important resolution to me. I want to work in a company where I need to speak with foreigners fluently. It is my dream and I believe it will come true someday. To accomplish it, I struggle to not only learn English here but also understand other country's culture. This semester is very good chance to attain my resolution.

In addition, I decided to go to gym at least twice a week. Without exercising, I'm getting lazy and not in the mood to do anything from time to time. Working out gives me feel better and reduce my stress level. Thus, I determine that I go to the gym and enjoy my life more lively. It helps me lose weight as well as feel happy. Honestly, exercising is a little boring and somewhat bothering. However, I'm trying and I rarely skip it. I can get lot of benefits from exercising.

Most people has their own resolution if it is difficult to achieve or not. I think the results are not important thing. I mean if you enjoy the process, it is not a failure. In conclusion, I'm going to enjoy everything even though my resolution is difficult to me. Go girl ~

Journal 1: Introductions

Hi! Everyone^^ I'm Bomi and from South Korea. I think it is too late to introduce myself. Sorry. Actually I'm not a ALP student and I just take this class in this semester. I want to talk a lot with you guys and study hard. I don't have to take TOEFL test but I just try and do my best. This semester is the first time to visit America, so it was a little hard to adapt like foods, cultures and so on. I live with my homestay family and they are so kind and friendly. Now, I'm so happy to stay in here but I have to go back to Korea in summer. I know it is very short time to learn English, but I have to prepare to get a job like some tests about my major. Though Sean gives me lots of homework, it allows me to improve my writing skills. If I can not avoid, just enjoy it. Just do it !

American food

Hamburger is the most popular food in America. Actually I said to my homestay mom, "Let's go eat American." Then we enjoyed eating hamburgers. There is so many American foods such as hamburgers, pizza, hotdog and so on.

We can see people eat their food anywhere even walking on the street. I'm able to save lot of time as eating in short time. That is why I like American food so much. We called American food as fastfood. This is very affordable to me whenever I have no enough time to eat,especially cram for my test in Korea. Foods are generally reflected by our eating habit. I think Americans prefer to eat very fast. However, people spend much more time to eat in Korea. We talk with family or friends as eating foods. It makes us feel comfortable. And Americans usually eat out or take out and they hardly cook in their home compared to Korea. Eating out is very suitable to person who usally get up so early to go to work and rarely find time to cook or eat at home. As a result, foods that I mentioned above was caused by American's eating habit I think.

On the other hand, American food is the best way to gain weight. I mean it has chemical seasoning and fat so much. In Korea, moms really don't want kids to eat fastfood since that is not good for their health. And Koreans eat lots of vegetables and less meat. American foods have a high caloric value and very salty. We also have American food however, it is a little bit different from America.

I really like American foods but I'm afraid gaining weight these days. Even though I have to go to the gym almost everyday, I love American food ♥