The Journal

2024.05.15

It has been a while since I last updated this article. Time has been kind to me. I found an amazing way to wake myself up every morning, which is unimaginable if you know the real me. I was notorious for sleeping in, and this habit made me feel guilty and out of control, leading to constant procrastination. I have no excuses for it and feel bad for that part of me.

One day, an idea popped into my mind. Since I have been using NC for a while, and it has only brought me happiness, confidence, and a sense of accomplishment, I decided to book morning classes with new teachers. I knew I couldn't let unfamiliar people wait for me; I'm scared of leaving a bad first impression, especially on those who don't know me yet.

Guess what? The system works. I've been getting up at 7:30 a.m. every morning since then. It makes me feel that I'm in control of myself, rather than being controlled by laziness or guilt.

What's more, my sister Ariel has joined me on my English learning journey. I'm so lucky to have her to share my experiences and the interesting things happening here in NC. She is going to take Gabby's class today. I can't wait to hear them talk about each other!

PS Minh asked Ariel to use proper headphones during his class. Finally! I was wondering why Minh didn't ask her to do so before. Not until yesterday did I realize that Minh was observing Ariel and found a chance to address the issue. Interesting, I love that Ariel got corrections from a teacher I like. It's not easy for us to correct Ariel; she is the queen in this house. Thanks, Minh.

2024.03.06

Matt, Rachel, and Brenda already headed back to the States. We had a blast together, even though they're rocking their 50s or 60s, and I'm still cruising through my 20s. Despite the age gap, I'm thrilled to be hanging out with them. It's like Matt's bringing his crew and stories from his glory days in his 20s to the table.

They only stuck around for a week and a half. The time was long enough to get to know friends, yet too brief for spending sufficient moments together. Brenda and Rachel, though, really inspired me to believe in myself. They dubbed me a problem solver and straight-up said I wouldn't find true fulfillment if I go down the path of becoming a public servant. It's not just about the paycheck and benefits, they insisted – it's about chasing achievements and fulfillment.

Armed with my legal degree, they convinced me that passing the bar exam is totally doable, but only if I trust in myself. So what if things don't go as planned? I'll just tack on another year to the age count. No biggie. I've got nothing else to lose.

Within this week, there were several instances when I felt like our squad of four would forever be on the streets of Taipei, tackling missions together. The laughter would echo through the streets of Taipei for eternity.

When it was time to part, I cried miserably. Matt hugged me and comforted me in Chinese, saying, "All good things must come to an end," which only made my heartache even more. I'll miss us. We'll all miss us.

2024.02.19

Finally, I've got my driver's license. Even though family and friends around me aren't brave enough to sit in the shotgun when I'm behind the wheel.

I just finished a class with Connor, and it was delightful to chat with him. Since we're around the same age, our conversations feel like talking to a friend. He asked me about how the lunar calendar works, but I struggled to explain it clearly. I was trying to say that the lunar calendar is based on the moon phases and is commonly used in Asian countries like China, Korea, Vietnam, and more.

I mentioned that this year is the Year of the Dragon, and to my surprise, he claimed he was born in the Year of the Dragon too. It turns out he was born at the end of the Year of the Rabbit. Nevertheless, after he learned about the symbolic meaning of the dragon in Eastern culture, he insisted on being a dragon, which was quite amusing.

2024.02.18

It has become a daily routine to take a course with Gabby. Surprisingly, she shared her real name with me. I didn't expect that, and it's flattering to get to know the real her little by little.

Yesterday, I used TOKO to test my English level. I expected improvement in my pronunciation, but the results revealed more than that—I not only enhanced my pronunciation but also my fluency. It was surprising because I didn't anticipate such progress.

2024.02.15

I'd say it's been a great day today! This morning, I received an email from Native Camp, and to my surprise, they selected me to try the 'native speakers plan.' This means I can take unlimited classes with native speakers for free until the 26th of February. It's quite fortunate because, if you're familiar with this platform, classes with native speakers typically come at an extra cost.

Gabby really glammed up today. I noticed her eyes looked different the moment I entered the classroom. I asked if she had made any changes, and she mentioned using a darker eyeshadow. It suits her well, and I'm proud of myself for spotting the difference.

2024.02.14

I have already given a thought for a while, but not until today I start my English blogging journey.

Although I won't detail every aspect, I'll document my learning journey in a diary-like manner, such as listening to what English programs on YouTube, tuning into what specific podcasts, and discussing topics with my teacher in online classes.

Let's get started!

So, lately, I've been taking English online classes at Native Camp. It's a platform with lots of English teachers. Some are native speakers, and some are non-native but experienced tutors. The pro to learning at Native Camp is that, although we learn from non-native speakers, NC provides us 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, non-stop learning from English teachers. They are like friends to guide you in using the language with confidence.

I was taking class with Gabby yesterday. She asked me if the movie 'Argylle' is good. I couldn't answer her in details because my vocabulary is so limited. So today, I'm reading more articles and critics on the internet to see how native speakers describe this movie, hoping to adjust the way I talk about it and expand my vocabulary.

Also, it was only when I talked to Gabby that I found out I didn't know the title of the movie and the main actors' and actresses' names in English! So, I am also planning to learn how to pronounce and remember their names properly so that I can avoid the frustration of having something on my mind but feeling uneasy because I don't know how to get it across.