Monday, February 2, 2009
week 3
Your newly created holidays were so detailed and creative. It was a pleasure to see what you care about and how you would celebrate it! By the end of this week, you will be writing a paragraph using clear, descriptive language. I would like for you to practice a narrative paragraph by telling us about your first 2 or 3 days in the United States. Remember to use chronological ordering.
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November 23,2007 was my first visiting to US. It was just for vacation in that time for 10 days. There was no one who pick me up, when I arrived at SFO 9:30am. Originally, there was someone who is supposed to be my cousin or his wife to pick me up. So I called to them. and then I figured out something that they were coming from LA. I was so embarrassed. Two hours later, My cousin's wife who is my friend, her sister came to pick me up. When I got at my friend's sister's home, I was so sleepy from time different. So I took a nap. But when I open my eyes, there was no one at home. I tried to find her, then I find a memo. She went to shopping with her boyfriend for christmas gift. I was waiting for them with reading my book. After they came back, they took me a hamburger restaurant called "Kirt's Burger" It was a good but also, It was salty. Anyway after a dinner, my cousin came for picking me up. It was almost 8:30 pm. Finally I could get my cousin's home, we ate dinner. And then, I fell a sleep right away. It was too long day for me. Tomorrow morning, we went to Monterey where they got marriage. We visited their wedding place, reception hall, etc same as their wedding order. At lunch time, I ordered clamp chowder. It was salty, too. Anyway after lunch, they took me '17mile drive'. It was so beautiful. Before leave, we took a lot of pictures for good memory. And then, we came back to home. Of course I had 7 more days after those two days. It was very fun and good vacation. Although in first day, I felt everything seems like going wrong, but it was wrong. This one became one of my favorite vacation.
ReplyDeleteThere were lots of things waiting for me when I arrived in California with my family. At first, I ran to DMV in Redwood City for taking writing test as soon as unloading the packages. The next thing was visiting bank, and it took about two hours to open my account and deposit some money in the bank. It was the first sort of culture shock in the U.S. because it usually takes ten to fifteen minutes in my country. Then I should go to small market instead of whole sale market for some necessities such as foods, toaster, tissue papers, and so on. The last thing on the day was having great dinner with my family in a fancy restaurant for celebrating the new life by ourselves. Next morning, first of all, I had to buy a car because I knew it’s impossible to do my works quickly without a car in the U.S. Then, I could go to the School District for my children by my car. It was the first driving experience in U.S. Next, I went shopping again for real shopping. I bought over six carts of foods and things in Costco. As a result, I had to go home and return twice. On the third day of my U.S. life, I cleaned my new home all the morning while my wife and children went to summer camp. After lunch, I drove around home to learn the road. For a half hour driving, I could find many places where I should go every week, for example, Piazza’s grocery, In N Out Burger, Peet’s Coffee, and the beautiful golf course of Palo Alto City. I did so many things for the first three days with both hope and anxiety about my new life. However, it was great experience that I will never forget.
ReplyDeleteThe first time i arrived in USA was 2007.I came to Los Angeles Airport in the afternoon and my first surprise is parking car place.I have not ever seen the parking car with 4 floors in my country because motorbike is the essential vehicle in my country.The second is the transport system such as you want to turn right,you must get in the last right lane to turn and turn left must get in the last left lane.In my country,everyone use motorbike for moving and also must take the driver lisence,but when they drive on the street,they don't drive as the law showed.Sometimes they are driving on the road and they turn left or turn right suddenly that don't care about other drivers.That is very dangerous.Tomorrow,my uncle took my dad,me and my younger brother to Disney Land.That was a exciting trip in spite of it was very hot.I went to the haunted house in Disney Land.Everyone felt fear and screamed when a shadow of ghost or a human's body without head appeared suddenly.After those, i still feel miss my mom,my family and my life in VietNam.Those was i experienced in my first time to USA.
ReplyDeleteI arrived in America on July 3, 2008 for the first time in my life. When I departed from Korea for America. I had many worries and expectations at the same time. It didn't take a long time until I realized that my worries was a useless thought. When I arrived in the San francisco airport, Lee jin who would help me in my first America visiting was waiting for me. As soon as he saw me, he sways his hands in giving me a joyous welcome. He took me to his company in driving along 101 high way. I am very impressed that most buildings are built in one- storied in that there is not almost one-storied buildings in Korea because Korea territories is very small in comparison with population.
ReplyDeleteAfter a little while, we arrived in T-Max company which is a branch of Korea company, he took office in that company. He told me waiting for a little while because he must settle a work in a hurry. During waiting for finishing his works, he introduce me his staff, engineer who is a korean, but born, and grow up in America. I talked a lot about America's life with him. He also introduced appartment which I live in with my family, my wife, my son. Then after, I had a supper with lee jin, his staff. After we aparted, I went to the Inn, Friendship inn to sleep. The second day, Lee jin took me San francisco, San jose, Standford university and so on. and made me sightseeing around Bay area. Especially, he showed me Stanford University in detail because he graduated from Stanford university, Ph. D. At that night, he also introduced a man who is a American lawyer at the Starbucks, so I consult many legal issue on oncoming my America's residence
The third day, he called me in the early morning and asked me to go playing golf together. Therefore, we together went to play golf in Santa Clara Tennis and golf Club. There, I was introduced a man who is in contact with me till now. Moreover, Amazingly, in America, far from Korea, I came across a man who is our client in Korea, That night, we all together had a supper with alcoholic drink until late at night. My first America visiting is joyous and wonderful with the help of my friend, Lee jin.
September 21, 2008 was my first time to U.S.. I came from Taiwan with my uncle's family. It was a cloudless day when I arrived at the airport of San Francisco. The weather was totally different from Taiwan. I was dressed in a T-shirt because it's was 86 degrees of Fahrenheit in Taiwan. The cold wind was blowing coldly that made me who came from the tropical climate was shivering. On the other hand, the warm sunshine made the climate very comfortable. When I sat on the bench and watched the passenger in the airport lobby the white people's proportion was higher than in my hometown. I started to realize that I was abroad not my hometown. I saw outside the window in car on the way from airport to home. I noticed that there were many low houses, which it was not over two-floor in the U.S.. It was also different from my hometown. I lived at the foot of the mountain in Milpitas. The brown and low mountain I could see for miles, at first I thought that there were deserts in California. Finally, in fact, I found that the shortage of the moisture let the grass on the mountain be withered. Trees couldn't grow on the mountain because of lacking of precipitation and the climate conditions. It made the mountain to look like a desert. By contrast, every household garden had green sod and tall trees because of water systems. It caused very great vision difference.
ReplyDeleteSecond day, I had to study in the Silicon Valley University. And I met the first friendly American speaking with me, my teacher Mrs. Wood, in the Silicon Valley University. She knew this was my first time to U.S., so she listened to my wrong expression in patient and taught me how to use the right form. After school, it was interesting thing I found that cars would stop to let pedestrians pass when I tried to across the street even though the car had high speed and approached me. In fact, I was used to letting the car passing through first in my hometown. This is another cultural difference to me.
I arrived in the US in September 24th 2008 at 7 pm, and of course it was the first time I went to US. I remember clearly the first surprise when I put the first step in San Francisco airport was the weather. The weather was great, it was cool. I fefl a little bit confusing and interesting, because the weather in Vietnam is always hot. It made me more comfortable. The second surprise was cars. I saw many, many cars at the parking, on the roads and freeway, because in my country people usually drive motorbike, not too much cars as here. When my uncle’s family picked up me, I sat in the car and overlooking the scene. I saw too many lights on the roads and from the houses. It was wonderful. It looked like heaven. After that, I went to my uncle’s house ate dinner, and I went to bed early. I almost couldn’t sleep. I tried to sleep anyway, and finally I took a little nap.
ReplyDeleteThe second day, I waked up late. Then I went outside for breakfast with my grandparents. This was the first time I saw the scene in the morning. It was still wonderful as last night.
Everything was clean, the air was so fresh, but I felf very hot, not cool as last night. I surprised and asked my grandpa and he said the weather always change in here. After ate breakfast, we went to the supermarket and bought something for my new life. Then we went back home and I cleaned my room.
The third day was really a shopping day. I went outside from the early morning to the evening. My aunt picked up me to went Macy’s for shopping. And the next surprise was the shopping centre was so big. It was really big. In Vietnam we have many shopping centers but not big like that. Everything was luxury. She bought many things for me. Then we went to bookstore to bought something for my study. Everything is prefect in here.
Last july 22th, I arrived at San Francisco airport at 11 a.m.. I was very tired because I had to sit on my seat for 11 hours. After getting off an airplane, I was nervous forgetting tired because I heard from some friends that America entry formalities is very stric, I could not speak English, but nothing happend for me. Then, I started to go to entry gate. While I was going to entry gate, I felt the way is too long because my friend was waiting for me. He left for America five years ago. Althought we have kept in touch with phone, we could not meet for five years. So, I looked for meeting with him more than my America life. When I had passed entry gate, I could see him, his wife, his son. I already kwen that he got married three years ago, and he has a son. However, when I met his family, it was some differen feel. After we took my luggage in his car, we began to go to his younger brother's home. While we were going home, we were talking a lot, and we stopped by cloth store which my friend works by manager. After we just looked around store, we arrived at home. Then, my friend left for store. After my left, I was hungry, so I ate instant ramen. I had no choice, there is nothing in refrigerator. After eating, I slept. About two hours later, I got up, and turned my laptop on. I called my parent with Internet phon, and then I spent time until 8:30 p.m.. on 8:30 p.m., my friend came to pick me up because we were going to have dinner together. 30 min later, we arrived at Korean restaurant. We had dinner together after five years' absence, and then I went back home. I went to bed at 12:00 a.m.. The next day, I just slept for 4 hours. I got up at 4:00 a.m.. I didn't do anything. I just sit up, and I spent time until raising Sun. On 7 o'clock, I called my Japanese friend, and then I ate breakfast. After breakfast, I took a shower, and I was witing for my friend. He was going to pick me up until 12 p.m.. about 3 hours later, I and my friend arrived his store, and then we ate luanch together. I spent all day at the store because I was going to work in there from the next day. On july 24th, this moring, my friend moved into new house because he lent new house which has more rooms for me, so I helped him a little. After moving, we had late luanch, and we went to the store. After work, we stopped by Wal Mart for buying my necessary stuffs such as towels, desk, and bed. When we arrived at home, we ate dinner which his wife cooked, and then we drunk beer talking. Then I felt comfortable for the first time in U.S..
ReplyDeleteMy first time to come to America was during my last summer vacation in university. It was about 3 years ago. When I arrived at SFO airport, my friend was already there. Our first stop was to have a dinner with my friend's sister and other Taiwanese friends in SFO downtown. My first meal in America was still Taiwanese food. That night, I didn't sleep well and waked up really early because of the jet lag. The second day, I didn't have too much impressions because my only impression is I slept all day until the dusk. However, the third day is the most unforgetable day in America. I went to Napa Valley with four friends. It was a really hot day that the temperature over 100 degrees Fahrenheit because of the hot wave. The car door is too hot to open. I thought the car hood was hot enough to make a egg well-down. Nevertheless, the hotwave didn't be influenced our moods to enjoy the trip. We still had a lot of fun in Napa Valley.
ReplyDeletewhen I was 19 in summer, I went to Guam for a vacation with my father and my father's friends. I have stayed there for 4 days. The first day, we have taken a tour bus in the morning. The bus have gone to traditional place, such as temple, secreat base, grave. I was so impress with these thins because there was a war beteen Japan and the US. I didn't know about that exactly, so I could feel real things. After tour bus, we went to restrunt to have a dinner. We have eaten thai food. It was so hot for me, my father and my father's friends to eat except him who recommend thai food. I ordered not spicy food, but it was still hot or spicy for me.When I came back from that restrant, I ate humburger, for I could not eat a lot. The sencond day, we went to ocean from 10am to 4pm. Local pepole said this ocean is the most beautiful in the world. I saw the ocean, and I was surprised by it. It was pretty beautiful. I could see in the ocean clearly from beach. In the ocean, there are a lot of fishes. I got a food to give fishes. when I gave the food, fishes came so soon to eat food. It was so amazing. after that, we went to shopping mall. we did shoppiing individually. I went to some store by myself. I tried to speak English, but I didn't have to use English because they could speak Japanse a little bit. I thohght nowdays Japanse can go there easily, so they learned Japanse.as a result, when I spent 4days in the Guam, the ocean was the best memory in my mind.
ReplyDeleteI've never forgotten that day, January 2nd, I arrived in San Francisco airport at 8:00 a.m, which is the my first time to visit the United States. It is a place which is very strange to me. Because the flight reached the destination early, i couldn't find my sister anywhere. I just waited alone in San Francisco airport, In additional, I couldn't use my chinese cellphone to contact with my sister and I didn't know anyone. Until 9:00 a.m, I courage myself to borrow a cellphone of a lady who looks like Chinese and then I left a voice mail to my sister to tell her some information about me. However, I still waited for my sister until 10:00 a.m. So that I lacked of a lot of exciting about U.S.A, and I just felt tired and hungry. At first, my sister took me to go to her appartment to rest for a while, and then we went to a Chinese restaurant to have dinner. That's all about my first day in U.S.A. The next day, I went to SAL office to register with my sister,and to handle some formalities about health insurance and to got some information about IPT TOEFL Test. The third day, we went to the Chinese church,and my sister introduced a lot of her friends to me. So that's a nice day to me. The follow days, I just stayed at home to prepare for my IPT TOEFL Test. Actually, during those days, I was always very busy, so that i didn't miss my family and friends so much. Nevertheless, nowaday, everything are stable and normal in U.S.A, i miss everything in China more and more strong, especially, my family and friends. Although, my sister always accompany me, I also feel lonely.
ReplyDeleteHi everyone. I've been in U.S. more less four months. I don't remember exactly what I've been doing during those first days. However, if I fib a little, please forgive me. The only thing that I remember from my first day in the U.S. was that I was exhausted after arrival. I could only keep myself awake through the diner and the next thing i remember was next day afternoon. I looked at my brother and I realized that he really changed indeed since we met last time. He was about thirty pounds heavier as well as thirty percent of his hairs migrated from his head to his back; however, he says that life after thirty is still fun. We went that night to night club, where i was first exposed to the strange substance that Americans call beer. That was a real shock, we agreed to stick to vodka in the future. On the third day we went to Santa Cruz. It was a sunny day and the wind was mild. I felt in love with sandy beaches and powerful waves that make me forget who am I and what I was doing there. I became a part of the landscape.
ReplyDeleteOn May 29, 2008 at 11:30am, I arrived to America the second time in my life. I was waiting for my parent’s friend to pick me up to take me to their house in Fremont. It was the same as it was two years ago when I last visited here. When I got to the house, I unpacked and set up my room. Then I slept early because I had to go to the SAL office early the next day. On the second day, my parent’s friend’s son, David, took me to the SAL office. At the SAL office they interviewed me, but it was all in English. I was a bit shy because I didn’t really understand, but I felt that I would understand everything perfectly one day. And then after, I went home, so I could do some research on the bus routes to school. Since everything was in English, I had a hard time understanding everything. Long time later, David helped me and I understood what buses I needed to take to go to school. On the third day, I went down to San Jose to my parent’s friend’s restaurant, and they dropped me off at the bus stop. Since it was the weekend the bus time wasn’t the same as the weekday’s schedule. The bus finally arrived, and I wasn’t sure how to pay for the bus. However, I watched other people pay, and I learned how to pay. It took 30 minutes to go from Santa Clara to San Jose downtown. While I was on the bus I checked my memo because I jotted down all the street names so I would remember. Before I reached my destination, I asked the bus driver “Excuse me. I'm going to San Jose State University. Please let me know when I should get off.” Then the bus driver told me when I needed to get off, and I got off the bus. Then, I used the map that the SAL office gave me and went to look at all the buildings ahead of time, so I could be prepared to know which building I needed to go to. After that, I took the bus again back to Santa Clara. When I arrived, I felt relieved that I had the time and experience to know that I was able to take the bus to school. And I felt that I was proud and I wanted to tell my friends that I had this fun experience.
ReplyDeleteAug 13, 2008, was an exciting day for me. I was very nervous, when I had arrived SF airport. I didn’t have any friends and relations in the U.S.A. I knew that any homestay’s family picked me up, but I had not seen them. When I saw them, they held a board of my name. Next, we went to home by car. At that time, I was thinking a lot of things about my country and new life in America. I could see different buildings and people from out of the window. It was fresh and strange to me. I had adventure to explore the new life. When I arrived home, I had loved the house. Everything was perfect for me. Unfortunately, I don’t know why I really missed my family and friends. I stared to write down my mixed feeling at diary.
ReplyDeleteOn the second day, I cleaned my room and unpacked my luggage. I took a walk in the neighborhood. The place was very clean and quiet, so I had liked everything near the house. However, I still had missed my family, so I tried to contact them. I called them, and they encouraged me to be a brave person. Moreover, I could get more energy from them to face every day.
Now, I am used to different culture and nationality. I don’t have homesick anymore, and I have some good friends in here. I am satisfied about my life. When I recall I came here first time, I think it’s funny and interesting experiences. In addition, I am proud of myself because I don’t rely on my family. One day, I will stick to my dream and achieve it.
Last July 21th, I arrived at San Francisco Airport. Before I left in Korea, My father said San Francisco is very hot weather. However that day's weather was cold. In San Francisco Airport, I met my father's friend at first. When I went my father friend house, I really missed Korea and my mother. After I arrived at his house, I ate dinner, and I fell a sleep. Second day in U.S, I went sightseeing in San Jose down town and San Jose State University. I thought U.S has many big building and many people walk in footpath, but my prediction was miles out.
ReplyDeleteSan Jose has many low building and people usually used their car. When I arrived in San Jose State University, I was surprised. Because University is very big, and has many beautiful building. It was very happy that I was studies at this university. I went SAL office and I had an interview with teacher. Next day, I visited Cache Creek Casino Resort with father and father's friends. When I went Casino, dealer gave me bonus card, so I played slot machine and I got some money. I was very happy and pleased.
When I was arrived in U.S, I was very nervous and missed In Korea. However I had a lot of enjoyed experiences.
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ReplyDeleteI arrived in America on August 15, 2008 at SFO with my friend. I was really exhausted and tired because of Long flight. Also I was really expected about California’s warm weather. However, San Francisco was very cold even summer. First, I need to check in to dormitory, but I was late. The office was closed, so I can't check in that day. After I leave dorm I had to make a new bank account. It was very nervous. I couldn't say anything and just freeze and when manager said something I was just smile. After leave the bank I needed looking for the hotel, but all hotels was full so I couldn't stay in San Jose. My friend and I decided to stay in his fried's home. His friend was didn't mind we stay in her home so I was rest comfortable. At that night, I cried a lot. I didn't realize about my family and all of about my country things when I was busy, but I realized suddenly in the bed. I was really sad and depress. I fall a sleep and my mom came to my dream.
ReplyDeleteNext day I had a huge headache. I took a pill and I bought many things. Then I went to the Union square and China Town. It was fun and joyful. At the dinner my friend wanted to treat nice dinner for me. We went the Japanese restaurant and we ate sushi. Then I bought my new cell phone. I was happy that I can call my parents. After that I went the Korean market and I bought Korean food. Then I came back to home.
The third day, I came back to San Jose. Early the next morning I had to take IPT. I need to wake up early so I decided to stay in hotel. I looked around down town and campus. At that night, I couldn’t sleep that night. I slept at 5:00.
My first day in America was July 06, 2007. When I arrived in San francisco airport, one of the school teachers was wating for me. He took some paper that had my name on, so I could find him easily. After we introduced ourselves, we went to Mauntain View to take a look at my homestay house. However, I had to go to the other one since there was no one there. After I unpacked my things, we went to Santana Row and ate lunch. That was my first lunch in America but I wasn't really hungry because I ate something two hours ago.
ReplyDeleteAfter that we went shopping and went to San Jose State University, NASA, and Yahoo Company. Then I fall asleep soon after I came back home.
The next day, I woke up early because I wasn't able to sleep properly. After eating breakfast, I went to my school at Menio Park. At the school, I had to take a test to decide what class I should take. In my class, I was the only Korean, so I was scared because I couldn't even speak a simple sentence in English. When I came back to my house, the phone started ringing. I answered the phone and he said I need to move back to the first homestay house. So I packed my things again and moved. After I moved, I ate dinner with new homestay family and went to bed. I was very tired on my first and second day in America.