Interview- Harris Kuo

Teacher Kuo Xingzhi also named Harris Kuo is known as a married English teacher with two daughters by students who teaches at the department of applied foreign languages of Lunghwa University of Science and Technology. He has been teaching English for over 30 years since now. At first, he was just a part-time teacher then he became a full-time teacher in August of 1986. Mr. Kuo was born in Taipei, and graduated from Fu Jen Catholic University in 1977. The reason why he decided to dedicate himself in teaching is because of his father who had been a teacher for 45 years and had pupils everywhere that influenced him the most. The other reason was when he worked at the trading company, he did not get used to doing business and dealing with business people. He also did not think he was good at it, plus he had chances to tutor his co-works in English; therefore, it inspired him to be an English teacher. There are several unforgettable things for him at LHU. One of them is that when he taught at weekends classes, a student made mistakes of English grammar which was uncomplicated. He asked him,” Who was your English teacher at college? He answered,” It was you, Sir.” It made a deep impression for him.

Teacher Kuo sometimes mentioned about his hobbies and favorite activities during our class, so we also asked him more information by this interview. He told us that he is a regular and methodical person who reads three kinds of newspapers and get up at 7:00 and go to bed at 12:00 every day. He loves reading, writing in both Chinese and English and singing during his spare time. About his hobbies: he prefers to drink a nice cup of coffee or some wine with good friends. Regarding with reading, military novels are his favorite and he also likes to watch movies related to military. It is because when he was in junior high school, he was fascinated by TV series “ Combat & 12’ o Clock High” especially, he enjoyed reading about Jet fighters and battleships, also liked to make models of them with his fellow classmates. His dad was a reader of “TIMES” magazine; he followed all the articles about Vietnam War. As his English improved he became addicted more to books and movies regards with marital affairs. He even has a full set of Tom Clancy novel.

At the end of the interview, we asked teacher Kuo if he was not a teacher what he will want to be. He replied us several answers. He wanted to be a civil engineer when he was in elementary school and junior high school. After went to high school, he once wanted to study at Naval School. In college he wanted to play band and be a guitar player; after watching Tom Cruise’s movie ,“Top Gun”, he wanted to be a pilot. About his retirement, he wants to travel with his wife to China and Europe, especially go to England and Norway. He also hopes to stay at those places for a long while; he wants to teach English to local kids who are from poor families. After the interview, we asked teacher “are there anything that he wants to tell his students (our class)”. At first, he said” He feels like a famous person with a spotlight, ha ha.” He also answered he wanted to tell us that we will accomplish our study in less than 80 days; it was not easy to endure till now. Don’t ever stop learning English after graduation. Don’t study just for tests; pick up books we like and read. Keep reading and writing it’s the only way to improve English.

If I were Single

If I were single, I will keep studying for a Master degree in America after graduation from LHU. Then I will look for a job in U.S.A. and experience different life in this foreign country. I would travel the whole America during my spare time. Actually I had traveled to USA for 3 months in 2000. I did have a great time there. I supposed to stay and get a job there but my boyfriend warned me not to stay there otherwise he would brake up with me. So I had to come back to Taiwan and then we got married in 1 year. I can’t keep moving on my career plan after all. Although sometimes I feel tried when I have argue with my husband, I don’t feel regret for this decision.

Regarding my marriage plan, I will keep my body in a nice shape by doing regular exercises and become a woman have pretty face but charming figure. Any one will be attracted by me and I can dating with any men I like. Probably I will married a rich foreigner and have 2 lovely kids.

To sum up, everyone has dreams and each dream is unique. Nobody can go back again and start a new beginning, but you could make a good ending. If you set your goal and just start your dream today. I believe your dream will come true.

Happy Mother’s Day

May 7th, 2011 is Mother’s Day. I received cards and gifts from two daughters. The carnation and pen with flower are from Molly, and the card and keychain are from Iren. She wrote mom I love you in the card by Chinese phonetic notation. I love this bracelet made by Molly especially and I wear it everyday. The octopus keychain made by Iren and me at the kindergarten. This is the first gift I have from Iren. Actually since Molly studied at school, I would receive cards or little gifts from her. Unfortunately I never keep them or take photos for recording and I will take photos for the cards or gifts they make from now on.

When I’m writing this essay, I just think that my husband has never sent me any gift or greeting for Mother’s Day although we married for 10 years. The worse thing is he never forgets to celebrate with her mother. I just don’t understand why most of men ignore their wives’ feeling but never neglect their mom. Are we not their children’s mother? He also didn’t propose before we marry. Sometimes I feel regret why I married a man has no romance but that’s real him. I think I just like the way he is, but I still hope he could become a little more romantic one day.

P.S. I forget to mention that Molly also made cards for two grandmothers. How sweet she is!!!!

Shopping on the Internet and in Stores

Have you ever bought any products via the Internet? Through the years consumers have been able to purchase anything on the Internet. It is hard to hear someone who has not done it. The online shopping is a trend; however, there are still some benefits of shopping in a store that cannot be replaced. Both similarities and differences around us are time and the risks when people shop online and in stores.

The first difference is time. Shopping from a website will take less time than shopping in stores. People don’t need to go to a physical store and don’t have to walk around and spend lots of time on finding stores and comparing the prices. For example, once I look for shoes I like, I will consider whether it is suitable for me or if it can match well with my other clothes. Sometimes, I will go to other stores to see if I could find better shoes with reasonable prices. I spend at least three hours on finding better shoes and all these processes would take me a lot of time. It may sound ridiculous for a man, but it is really an enjoyment for a woman. Unlike shopping in stores, it takes only a few clicks and I can compare the prices and find similar goods in a short time. It’s convenient for you can surf several online shops at home and it will save much time on shopping. The most important is online stores are open for 24 hours a day with unlimited time and people can do the shopping anytime.

Another difference is the risk. Shopping online has some risks than shopping in stores. Some online sellers may take professional photos of products and you may feel how perfect the goods are. Are your sure that their products are the same as what they described on the Websites? Without seeing and touching the products in person, there will be some controversies after receiving the goods. People may find the products don’t match the quality as they see earlier from the Internet. In addition, the payment has to be transferred right away after ordering. If the seller is a fake, you have to take it at your own risk. In contrast, when you shopping in stores, you can touch or try on the merchandise you suppose to buy. You don’t have to worry about the quality of the products. Even you find out faults after coming home and you can get a refund or exchange the new products.

With so many online shops recently, shoppers can choose between the convenience of ordering merchandise online or purchasing it in stores. Some people choose online ordering because they like shopping during the time the physical store is closed, and they would save lot of time. Other people prefer shopping in stores in order to try on merchandise and get a feel for the item. Also they take the less risk on buying fault merchandises than shopping online. While these choices are the reason for both store shopping and internet shopping, in the long run, I believe consumers will find the best way for shopping.