Peter’s Bloggie

Every school year, both students and faculty learn new skills, achieve new accomplishments, and exceed their old self. As a student, I have learned a lot of things as well.

At the beginning of the year, I learned to play the flute. Initially, I did not like the idea of having to learn an instrument for music class. The instrument and the lessons cost a lot, and I did not think that it was worth the money. However, the sense of accomplishment drove me to continue learning. Now, playing the flute has become a primary pastime at school and a valuable skill.

I also learned a copious amount of vocabulary from Mr. Porter and Mr. Murn. I learned vocabulary, grammar, and details of writing skills through a gradual process. The process often bored me, but the pestering adjustments turned out to become fortifications of my unstable writing skills.

Overall, my experiences during this school year have convinced me that annoying things often become important lessons in life. From this moment onward, I will treasure nuisances and squeeze all the lessons out of it.

Teachers often busy themselves with schoolwork. After a brief interview with Mr. John Murn, knowledge of the “busiest day of the week” can easily be grasped.

Upon arrival at school, Mr. Murn starts to plan things to do for classes for the day, pointing out that he has classes on every period on Tuesday:

The first two periods were 9th grade English. Mr. Murn started by introducing correct citations for essays, then gave the students class time to work on their final essay projects.

Students then prepared for their final examination in 7th grade English.

During breaks, he makes photocopies or preparation of homework and/or tests for the classes to come, which leaves him no room to rest in between the exhausting classes.

Just when we thought Mr. Murn could get a breath of fresh air at lunch, he continues working on the organization of his bike race - the Bin Lan Hustle. By himself, he put together the entire event that will take place this following weekend.

In the afternoon, the hard labor continues with peer editing in Creative Writing and a lecture on the fall of Rome in World History, ending with an unprepared period of PSAT.

The following is an interview directed at Kevin Chiu, who is  a Taiwanese student studying in Shanghai and a good friend of mine.

1. As a student, what would you consider as your motivation for excellence?
My perfection; my will of being perfect on everything.

2. What are you expecting to do when you graduate?
I want to be an office worker..

3. What would you do if you can’t graduate from college?
I’ll still try to be an office worker
(3) What if that doesn’t work, too?
Then I think I’ll find a job in 7-11 or some other convenient store.

4. Have you ever thought of what you would do if you don’t succeed like what we see in movies?
Naah.
(4) If so, what?

5. Would you say that you’re currently successful as a student?
Not really.
(5) Why?
I can’t make myself a straight A student.

6. What is your “dream” of a family when you grow up?
A house, a job, a beautiful wife, two children (one boy and one girl!), and enough money to make a living.
(6) What are you willing to do to protect that?
Working day and night to uphold my family’s welfare.