Fluency journals_Won (Spring 2023) by https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4 en-us 2023-01-09 15:44:26 UTC 2023-04-21 15:04:05 UTC hello@padlet.com https://padlet.net/icons/png/1f47b.png Fluency journal #1 (01.09.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2438025692 The quote I like the most among those five is from Richard Branson, where he said “You don’t learn to walk by following the rules. You learn by doing and by falling over.” Unlike what my mother says all the time, I prefer to try every new things in the way I want to, not in the way those who’ve already done that before. Whatever I do, I should be the one who came up with any kind of trying something new to me. Unlike this, what I liked the least was the quote by Charles Darwin. I could hardly agree on the idea that improvising is the best option whenever we are handling the problem.
I would like to relate Richard Branson’s quote to explain how this is connected to my journey of learning English. In the aspect of learning a new language which is not my mother-tongue, I will definitely face numbers of difficulties understanding the very perfect version of it. But still, even from the failure, I’ll learn from that and keep try to learn more from that!
]]> 2023-01-09 16:10:20 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2438025692 Fluency journal #2 (01.11.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2440977870 This picture, A Sunday on La Grande Jatte, was drawn by a French artist named Georges Seurat. As the name explains, this picture depicts one Sunday at the park called La Grande Jatte, and what's amazing is that all the parts in this painting is only consist of dots. I could saw this art from The Art Institute of Chicago in Chicago, and what amazed me was that this drawing was actually really huge, almost the size of a blackboard. The reason why I chose this is because I still remember very vividly how impressive it was when I unexpetedely ran into this piece at the museum! Not knowing well about the museum I'm going to look for, I was just strolling around and wondering where are all the famous pieces. While turning around at a room, I could find this piece at the far distance. It was the first time I really get to see the famous paintings which I could only looked at the book. So, I wanted to share this piece with you!]]> 2023-01-11 15:19:49 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2440977870 Fluency journal #5 (01.23.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2453480782 After being an adult, I had to face many difficulties which I was asked to solve by myself. The most challenging was to sign all kind of contracts by my own. For example, when it comes to renewing my mobile phone or credit card, I had to read and understand all the informations on the contract form. At first, this was really scared process to me since all these contract signing was done by my father, who was my guardian, so there was no chance or need for me to do it. But, not to be dependent on my parents for the whole time in my life, I chose to face all the difficulties and to learn the ways to deal with each problem. From this, I could learn that all kinds of contracts were not as difficult as I expected! As soon as I gained confidence in myself about dealing all my problems by myself, there was no difficulty or fear I had.]]> 2023-01-23 16:09:54 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2453480782 Fluency journal #6 (01.30.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2461551782  I don’t agree on the idea that everyone is a procrastinator in some way, since this term can only be applied when someone is intended to delay some of their work. In my case, yes I am a procrastinator because I’m really bad at following what I planned. I always have the idea that I can finish whatever tasks in one very last day, such as duty from work, homework from school, etc. But, this is not for my mother. She puts her best effort in both planning and actually doing that plan. I think the word “procrastinator” is not the case for her, and that’s why I’m not agreeing on that statement.
 The only thing that stops me from procrastinating is when there is less that 24 hours before the deadline of any kind of duty. In such situation, I realize that there really is no more time for procrastinating, putting my best effort to finish the task I’m working on whether it’s result is good or not.
 However, I don’t think that it is always bad to be a procrastinator. For example, whenever I plan for a trip, there are many things that we have to do before the trip. Especially, in case I have to book a flight, it is sometimes good to be a procrastinator since some of the final deal offer comes out when we book at the very last minute. In such cases, I think that being procrastinate can also be a good thing.]]> 2023-01-30 15:06:41 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2461551782 Fluency journal #7 (02.03.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2467723281 I strongly believe that the climate change will affect the whole hummanity the most in the future. Unlike other hidden threats, such as nuclear war, climate is the one we can feel directly and quickly. As most of the people would know, the main reason for this situation happening may resulted from global warming, but unlike the term "warming", it is also affecting the winter season.
Personally, I'm a really weather-sensitive person, so I'm really weak at both extreme heat and extreme coldness. This personal trait made me really vulnerable for seasons such as winter and summer, since those two seasons are showing its trait more apparently these days.
To prevent this further happening, the global-scale effort might be needed, but I still think I also should be the one who's participating in this. So, I tend to choose many options that end up affecting the earth the least. For example, I choose to walk than riding vehicles, and even in riding vehicles, I choose to take the public transportation. Also, I always bring my supermarket bag with me so that I won't be using any plastic bags any time.]]> 2023-02-03 15:21:14 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2467723281 Fluency journal #8 (02.13.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2479749884 For me, love and respect seems like two similar things but with little difference. Because love is something more related to “affection”, this can also be said to be more related to caring some. These days, we see so many cases on the Internet regarding violent actions being taken in the name of love. But, I think there are also things going in the name of respect. To take example, I would like to talk about the North Korea. Since it is a communism society, all the population in this country thinks that their president is the only one who they should respect. Because of this, they intentionally cut themselves off from outside sources, such as news and Internet, to connect with other countries’ people.
I totally believe that all the people can run out of love at some point. When it comes to having a relationship with someone, we try our best to fit in to each other, understanding the differences in every aspects between two of them. However, when the things don’t go well between two even with such effort, we start to lessen our emotions to each other. This is what I think a person is running out of love, and I agree with this prompt.]]> 2023-02-13 15:21:44 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2479749884 Fluency journal #9 (02.15.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2483636603 Before coming to the United States, I had a really strong about Americans that they will look down on me directly if ever I mishear what they say. Related to this, I always thought that they speak too fast. Combining these two, it was kind of scary for me to leave for the United States. To talk about the result, it was never true that they neglect me whenever I couldn’t catch what they say at the first phrase. Rather, all the people were so nice and try to explain in more slower speed so that I can better understand them. About the one I expected they speak so fast, it was still yes. But I still think it helped me a lot on also speaking fast, just like the Americans do, so it is a lot helpful for me now!
There are so many stereotypes regarding my home country when foreigners come to think of us, and the biggest one is that all the Koreans would use Samsung mobile phone. Unlike the expectation, it’s almost half and half between Apple and Samsung. I was asked this question a lot when I was in Germany, and they always thought this weird. Also, it was the thing I didn’t expect, but many people naturally ask as if it’s North or South Korea. South Koreans think this question is really weird, because the country structure of North Korea wouldn’t let their population to travel abroad freely, and we know that. So it’s always feels strange to be asked whether I’m from North or South.
There can be many dangers in believing stereotypes, such as assessing someone by its nationality even before getting to know that person. It will narrow our perspective on looking at a person as he or she is. However, sometimes stereotypes can also work in a positive way. For example, one of the stereotypes that I have about Asian people is that they look younger than they actually aged. So, whenever I meet a new Asian person, I first try my best to be polite so that nothing rude can happen as a younger person.]]> 2023-02-15 15:23:25 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2483636603 Fluency journal #10 (02.17.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2486476697 I’ve never tried eating bugs, since it looks weird and disgusting to eat bugs. But this is not a new notion for me since my parents’ generation was used to eating bugs. One of the main bug they ate was grasshopper, which was easy to be find from the lawn.
I think it could be possible, only if their appearance or feature cannot be found from the ingredient form. For example, it can be dried up and grounded into powder so that people won’t feel disgusted about eating the insect. Whenever a food or ingredient is not good in its look and people are asked to eat it, there will be no people who would be willing to try it.]]> 2023-02-17 15:38:13 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2486476697 Fluency journal #11 (02.22.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2491307082 I want Lunar New Year holiday to be celebrated in the United States, since it can make additional holiday on the calendar sometime between end of January and beginning of February! In my home country, South Korea, we celebrate for 3 days when it comes to holiday. They are the day before holiday, the holiday day, and a day after the holiday. Also, when any one of this day is on the weekend, we even make one additional day off so that people can really enjoy the holiday rest. What we do on Lunar New Year’s day is eating rice cake soup.
From this holiday, Americans will get to learn that there are other countries who are celebrate New Year’s day in different time, especially on different day.
The day I was most amazed about US holiday was Thanksgiving day. In my country, there’s no holiday that we celebrate for week, if it’s not the special occasion such as a person make extra day off by himself or herself right after the end of holiday off. So it was really interesting to have a week off to celebrate this, and also during this period everything in the supermarket was all about pumpkin and turkey, so it was really interesting!]]> 2023-02-22 15:19:17 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2491307082 Fluency journal #12 (02.24.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2493989403 When it comes to hobby, there are so many things I want to talk about. First of all, my favorite hobby is making any kind of stuff! Whenever I have free time, I like to think of things that I can make, which can help me efficiently in my daily lives! For example, when I was in highschool, I thought a small book shelf on my table will help me organize my books better, so on the weekend I collected sticks of woods from the recycling bin at my place and made one with them.
Another hobby is to swim. Since I was from the beach town, I was always close with water and swimming. The moment I realized that I'm really into swimming was when I visited Hawaii, because I spend hours swimming at any kind of water, including the Waikiki beach and even the pool at the hotel.
Finally, I love listening to music. Wherever I go and whatever I'm doing, most of the times I'm always listening to music. The music I listen to is not only the Korean music, but also I love to hear all kinds of songs, even if I can't understand the meaning because I don't know the language of that song.]]> 2023-02-24 15:08:31 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2493989403 Fluency journal #13 (03.01.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2499691141 Enjoying her favorite hobby on the weekend, writing the weekly diary, she is enjoying the calm but peaceful mood around her. Usually this is done at her place, especially in the winter garden of her house. But guessing from her outfit, especially the leather boots, it seems like she’s enjoying her hobby at the tiny cafe near her place today. It’s used to be the place where she freely visited only with her slippers on, but you know, her today’s mood felt like she wanted to dress up nicely for visiting the cafe, even though she’ll focus on herself. The best part she likes about the cafe is an antique table, which is made from used carrier. On the top of the table, there sits Neo, the cafe owner’s cat.
She starts to think of what was special about this week. But its’ not only about the good memories, it’s also a writing of regret, apology, and also forgiving some. Immersed deeply into her writing world, she could hardly realize that someone was taking the picture of her and Neo together. “Hi, but if it’s not disturbing you, I wanted to show you the picture I just took on you. You look so gorgeous here!” Looking at the guy with the photograph, the lady couldn’t hide how happy she is about that. “Thanks a million! You just added another line in my diary!” After receiving the picture, she finished up writing her weekly diary, ending in what just happened to her.]]> 2023-03-01 15:11:16 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2499691141 Fluency journal #14 (03.10.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2511981344 There are many factors that make me feeling nervous when it comes to using foreign language, but the biggest one is when the native speaker didn’t catch what I say in the first time. I have never been scolded for speaking wrong, rather every time the opponent native speaker always said things such as “I’m sorry, but can you please say that again?” However, even by hearing that, I always think if my pronunciation was  terrible.
But, I think the biggest reason I feel nervous about this is because I want to be more like a native speakers, whose conversation mostly continues without asking what the opponent said previously. So, to combat this fear, I always try to remind myself that I am not wrong, and the more I practice to speak well, the less difficulty I will have later in the future.]]> 2023-03-10 15:16:15 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2511981344 Fluency journal #15 (03.20.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2523656069 Since the main food ingredient of my country has long been rice, Koreans were very sensitive about checking the beginning of each season for a long time. The beginning of the spring is called "Gyeong-chip", which means the time when the frogs wake up from the long winter sleep, and this changes every year since we follow Lunar calendar when it comes to choosing when it will be the beginning of each season. This year this day was on March 6th, but even we have this so-called day, we don't have any special tradition regarding this. But one thing Korea is really famous in springtime is cherry blossom. Everywhere in Korea, you can find roads full of cherry blossom in springtime. Since the cherry blossom begins to bloom from the northern part of our country, people even travel to other regions' to see the cherry blossom festival.
Similar to us, I heard that Japanese people also go out a lot for picnic when it comes to cherry blossom season. Even though we call it cherry blossom, the type of the tree in Japan is a little bit different from the one in my home country. So if possible, I would love to go and see what it feels like to enjoy springtime in Japan!]]> 2023-03-20 14:18:22 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2523656069 Fluency journal #16 (03.24.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2530488883 For a person or an idea to be "credible" or "valid", I think two main factors are needed: scientific result and power to have sympathy on people. If it's full of scientific research result but cannot come up with people's acknowledgement on the topic, even with the truth it is hart to be recognized as credible. Also, when a thing calls people's sympathy so well but doesn't have any scientific result, that can also not bring credibility from everyone. We have a tendency to believe more on words which are spoken by my close relationships, so we believe what our family members say that what my friends and peers say.
The word "bias" means "not to listen to the other side" to me, and I see this notion themes often from the people who think they know everything in the world. When encountered with this, I just react as if what they are saying are all correct, and try not to continue the conversation for a long time with that person.]]> 2023-03-24 14:09:54 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2530488883 Fluency journal #17 (03.29.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2536799934 Dear my Da-dae-po, 

It's been more than a year since I have visited you for the last time. Hope you are still well and crowded with lots of visitors visiting! Growing up there, you always gave me many unforgettable memories. I still can't forget visiting you while running away from night self study class at my high school!

Since I've known you for more than two decades, I've seen all your changes from the beginning to the present time, and I feel so proud of so many people getting to know about your beauty these days. Before the renovation, people only know you as a far distance town, but now they know you more as a tourist spot!

I'm going back to Korea so soon, so I'm thinking of visiting you as soon as possible. Nothing special is needed, just by visiting you I'll be so happy to shout out. Can't wait to see you soon, so please stay well until then and let's meet in the close future!


With love,
Won]]> 2023-03-29 14:12:22 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2536799934 Fluency journal #18 (04.03.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2542284768 For me, the one who inspires me the most is my mother. Before her marriage she had worked as a nurse in a university hospital, and she stopped working there once she got married. But after giving birth to me and my sister, she thought that she still wants to continue her career in the fields of nursing. Since then she had my sister and me, she thought becoming a professor might be the way she can both care us and continue her career. So in my younger times, I had much memories when my father brought me and my sister together to pick my mother up from the university in the night.
Grown up, I think  my mother is really awesome to continue her job. One of the main problem these days in Korea is that women are still expected to quit their job once they got married, but the case of my mother is not the same as it. She showed me that women can still continue their carrier even after giving birth to her children, and from that I was a lot inspired on what kind of mother I should be in the future.]]> 2023-04-03 14:10:09 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2542284768 Fluency journal #19 (04.09.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2547214133 1. The one I'm thinking of has tough history, including being a criminal at the law court.
2. This person acted as Charlie Chaplin, which is totally different image from what this character is like these days.
3. 
4. 
5. 
6. This person I'm explaining is also famous for its role as Dr. Dolittle.
7. This person I'm explaining is now acting one of the most beloved characters both by children and adults.
8. The most famous saying which is related to this person is "I love you 3,000".
9. This year, the person I'm thinking visited Austin for SXSW.
10. The character I'm saying loves cheese burger.]]> 2023-04-07 14:21:26 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2547214133 Fluency journal #20 (04.09.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2551676327 I had some people who were insulting me at the back, and what’s worse is that they are from the same country as mine so that I used to be close with them. Even though I’m the victim, I already knew that they’ll also continue their program this semster and that’s what made me feel bad about coming back to this school. However, I want to say that this experience made me stronger and that I got to befriends with many other friends from foreign countries. I learned that I now control myself well when it comes to get to know that someone hates me at the back. This will help me to be a more mature person so that I can develop myself as a real adult.
To choose the moment that was so impactful that changed me, it was to being the victim of violent racial discrimination crime at Portugal. My friends who were together with me was so terrified, and there I could be more calm and brave about facing the problem as it is.]]> 2023-04-12 14:04:26 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2551676327 Fluency journal #Final (04.21.2023) raphaelajeon https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2563351884 If I were the king of the world, I would...

put the world peace the first thing to achieve. Since so many innocent people who even have no relationship with the war are becoming the target, this kind of harming some should be banned. I would first categorize what kind of conflicts are going on around the world, and prioritize them according to the size of the impact it has on people.
Also, I would make national representatives' meeting more often so that we all can get to know each country well. These days the world is becoming more like a town, making people to become more familiar with other countries. Following this, all the presidents in the world should also have a chance to meet each other more often.
By doing all these things, people will be able to live in a more safe and familiar world, having less worry about meeting someone from different culture. Also, the action of trying to keeping people safe will make people to think of their effort to make the world a better place without the war.]]> 2023-04-21 15:04:05 UTC https://padlet.com/raphaelajeon/iok79g6jdbksv2i4/wish/2563351884