Yes, this is SHE. by EDITH ^.~ | English, baby! Blogs

Online Community

EDITH ^.~ — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:44:06 GMT

Online Community

Before moving to the States, I used to ask for advice from people who are more experienced and knowledgeable than I am, like my parents, teachers, friends, or even friends of friends. Back in the old days, word of mouth was the most popular method of getting information and advice, which implies that the most efficient way of getting information is to know the right person or the right circle of people. For instance, you want to buy a new computer, but your computer knowledge is basically next to zero. What will you do to make sure you will make the best choice? Before internet came to the earth, people would either ask around for advice, or choose to take the salesmen’s recommendation. Fortunately, today you don’t have to be a computer freak or a friend of a computer genius in order to make an informed decision, because you can always do research and get advice online. My first experience in asking advice online happened when I was preparing to buy a laptop for my graphic design classes half a year ago. Given a limited budget, I struggled between buying a Mac book, which is reliable yet extremely costly, and a PC, which is more affordable but less popular in the design industry. I had always preferred getting advice from people I know, but at that moment I decided to give getting advice online a shot because nobody I knew was able to help me. Surprisingly, in just one day, I got over 50 responses from professional graphic designers in Washington State through Creative Profession Online Community. The responses were very helpful, some of which even outlined in detail about the pros and cons of a Mac and a PC. That is the beauty of an online community. Simply by connecting to the internet, you can get advice from people all over the world 24/7.

“It is not what you know, but whom you know.” Joining a community can be difficult if you don’t meet specific requirements or don’t know somebody already in the group. However, everybody is equal when it comes to an online community. You don’t need to be an executive of a big company, a professional, or a stunning young single girl in order to join an online community. Of course there are always exceptions out there, but most cases, everybody is welcome to participate and get advice. People always say that law is only for rich people who can afford a lawyer. In reality, I have no way to afford legal advice because I don’t have the money and I don’t know any lawyer either. However, through an online community, I am benefit from getting free legal advice from professional lawyers who are charging $300 per hour for a consultation.

Another reason I like getting advice from online communities is that the advice is always less subjective. The people I have met online don’t know me in person, hence there is no conflict of interest involved and their advice is always honest and straight forward. A conflict of interest can affect what advice you are going to get from somebody you know. I experienced a situation where my friend recommended me to visit a horrible dentist just for a 25-dollar referral gift card. Isn’t it sad?

Today, word of mouth is no longer my first choice of getting advice. Whenever I encounter a new problem that is out of my knowledge, I will do research online and make sure I get all the necessary information to make the most appropriate decision. Thanks to the evolution of online community, a girl like me who is starting a new life in a foreign country will not feel helpless and panic when facing new problems.

Start Doing It Today!

EDITH ^.~ — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 16:42:19 GMT

Start Doing It Today!

“You may have a task to complete, a plan to fulfill, or a dream to pursue, whatever it is, start doing it today!” An American, who has lost a lot of weight, said that on a NBS TV morning show when she was asked about the secret of successfully losing half of her body weight quickly. She continued to explain that people always procrastinate in taking the first step, and eventually, it never happens

Like many other people, procrastination is my greatest enemy. I have made many resolutions and good plans about my life and career, but I always find myself having difficulties in taking the first step to do them. I am either too lazy or the task needs too much dedication. Eventually, those good plans become my mind’s burden by piling up in my schedule and nagging in my mind. As I got to know myself better, I realized that procrastinating was eating up my energy. I didn’t feel good about myself and I always worried about those incomplete tasks and unfulfilled plans.

What the weight the American said on the TV show has greatly inspired me. Therefore, on 09/09/2009, which was a very special day, I decided that I should stop procrastinating and starting doing things today. So far I have done quite well in moving from procrastination to action. I have started working out with Sushi in the morning, reviewing designing computer programs, applying for jobs, and studying English. Actually, I found that I enjoy doing those things after I started doing them. I feel good about myself and I am more energetic now.

How Far Can You Go When You Are Walking With Your Hands? - Feb 27, 2009

EDITH ^.~ — Sun, 01 Mar 2009 12:52:44 GMT

How Far Can You Go When You Are Walking With Your Hands? - Feb 27, 2009

When it comes to learning a new language, many people find it frustrating. As if when you are walking with your hands versus your feet, you can’t walk fast, you can’t walk steadily, sometimes you can’t even stand up on your own, because you are rewiring your brain and forcing different muscles to do something differently.

I always assume that all people are equally capable to acquire a language. Take a look at how well and fast a baby can learn to speak the first language just by listening and mimicking. However, my own experience tells me that it’s not true. I started learning English since I was 4. Not to mention about the accuracy of grammar, until today I have difficulties in pronouncing some sounds correctly like “th”, “own/oun”, “g”, etc.

Research shows that people start learning a second language late in life is less likely to acquire a native-like accent. When a baby begins to learn a first language, his/her brain (neurons) started formulating certain patterns to recognize different sounds. However, the brain becomes fixed during puberty and loses the adaptability to re-structure for a new language after a certain age. This explains why it is so hard for me to pronounce the “oun” sound, because my brain has been programmed to function for Cantonese, which is my mother language, as early as I was an infant. Cantonese doesn’t distinguish the “oun” sound; therefore it is hard for me to say it right.

Given the fact that the neurons of our brains are basically programmed for the first language we learned, does that mean we can never achieve fluency of a foreign language? For that question I have done some research on the internet. Then I found out that a Language is produced by the Sound Generator (vocal chords) and Sound Chambers (throat, nose cavity, and mouth). For example, “bounce” is a hard word for me. If I want to say it right, I need to know the phonics of the letters and how to use different chambers to generate the sound. Let’s try to say “b-oun-ce”, first use the lips and the throat to generate the “b”, then utter the “oun” by using the soft palate and the nose, at last finish the sound by using the teeth and the tongue.

But knowing how to produce sounds is not good enough. In addition to pronunciation, a language is also composed by words, which are like symbols, and grammar, which is like formulas. Given the conflict with your mother language, acquiring a foreign language is pretty much rewiring your neurons and using your muscles differently. It would be as hard as walking with your hands and typing with your feet.

If learning a second language is hand walking, then living in a foreign country is running a marathon with your hands. I have a co-worker who migrated from Hong Kong to the States 6 years ago, but she is still hanging out with Chinese people and reluctant to make friends with Americans until now. Many more examples can be found when you go to the China towns in Ameica. Many young people have chosen to limit themselves in Chinese groups rather than embrace American culture. I don’t blame them, as living in a foreign country can be stressful, especially during this economic downturn. The competition of the job market is extremely fierce, as if there is no room for non-native English speakers at all.

Practice makes perfect. Some people argue that a fluent level of foreign language can be achieved after years of practicing regardless of age. In fact many people master multi-languages and work across different countries successfully. Maybe some people are cut out for acquiring languages. Maybe how well you can acquire a new language depends on to what extent you can rewire your brain.

I don’t know how far I can go walking with my hands, but I do know that I have to be at least 100% dedicated in order to move forward.

The Perfect Crepes - November 19, 2008

EDITH ^.~ — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:49:10 GMT

The Perfect Crepes - November 19, 2008

When I was a young child, I was always delighted to stand in front of the Creperie of the Yaohan Mall, seeing how the crepes were cooked and staring at those colorful displays of various flavors of crepes.

Today, I don't have to watch the crepes being cooked in front of a crepes stall, because Cynthia has bought a professional Crepe Maker and invited Chile and I to make crepes at her place after lunch.

Traditionally, the most difficult part of cooking crepes is to spread the batter evenly. Thanks to the well-equipped Crepe Maker, even though all of us are beginners, we were able to make the crepes in perfect shapes. The crepes were even, round and as thin as paper! It was fun to use the batter spreader, flip the pancakes, and prepare different fillings.

Spreading the batter on the stove evenly with the wooden scraper

The sweet crepe opened up with bananas and chocolate on it

The amazing thing about crepes is its compatibility with different fillings. It can be filled with meat, vegetable, cheese, eggs etc. as a main meal or filled with fruit, nuts, ice cream, jam etc. as a dessert. You can use your creativity to cook different crepes for different occasions. Today we made 2 flavors of sweet crepes for our dessert, one filled with bananas and chocolate, the other one filled with a mixture of sugar, sesames, peanuts and coconuts. They tasted as good as expected. We all think that we should cook some new Asian style crepes next time.

The Cougar Mountain Zoo - October 19, 2008

EDITH ^.~ — Thu, 15 Jan 2009 10:42:34 GMT

The Cougar Mountain Zoo - October 19, 2008

Seattle is well-known for its rainy weather. The rainy season is from fall all the way until summer, so you almost have to be prepared with an umbrella every single day. If you can't handle the everlasting rain, mist and gray sky, Seattle is probably not a place for you to live.

After living in Seattle for one year, I have learned to enjoy the sunshine whenever I can. Though fall is already here, we were so lucky to have a beautiful sunny weekend, so Mason and I decided to visit the Cougar Mountain Zoo.

Cougar is a super star in this zoo. We attempted for a more close up picture of the cougar but this super star was way too proud to greet us. How rude!

This White Tiger is one of my favourite animals in the Zoo. I would hardly move my eyes away from its beautiful blue eyes and amazing pattern of vertical brown stripes overlaying its snowy white fur.

"Oh Deer!" cried a voice from a little boy beside me. Yes, oh "dear", this baby deer is as adorable and as gentle as the deers in the "Snow White and the Seven Dwarves" cartoon! I can't believe that I could pet a baby deer. I have already started missing her.

Crown Cranes earn its name by its yellowish feathers on the back of their heads.

I was amazed to see how well the parrots spoke to me, and they also performed tricks well.

After today, both Mason and I think we should visit the North West Wildlife Park, where you can see and experience wildlife more closely by tram touring in their natural habitat.