Sunday, November 4, 2007
Saturday, October 20, 2007
My experience for the cop recruit tests in the first part
I have had a dream that I could join the police since I was a boy. Yet I haven't had this opportunity because I went to university when I was 19, and I had been working in China and Hong Kong for 20 years. I am very glad to learn form a lecture at Unitec that I still have chance to become a cop if I can pass all the tests set for cop recruit.
I admit that it's a big challenge for me the pass the physical tests, especially the running for 2.4 kilometers within 12.15 seconds. In order to pass the test, I have been practicing running almost everyday for the past 4 months started from 14 Jun.,2007.
The police tests consist of a lot of items. The first part is the academic and physical test. These tests will have to be done within the same day. After a candidate has passed these tests, he/she will have to do a PCT test, which consists of 10 main items. Finally, he/she must pass the word speed typing assessment, basic computer skills test, pre-course reading test. After all of the above tests have successfully done, he/she then can go to the police college for a 10-month further study.
As already booked, I went to attend the first part test which consists of verbal reasoning test, numeric reasoning test, abstract test, running 2.4km, jump up at least 45cm, push-up 15 times, grip an object. The test started at 9am on 16 Oct., 2007. I passed all of the tests except the verbal reasoning test! There were 35 questions for verbal reasoning test. Questions had to be answered within 8 minutes. I reckon that I didn't use the strategy very well. I meant I had spent too much time on some questions, and when the police officer said “stop”, I had only answered less than half of those questions. I will have another chance to resit for the test, and I will have to focus on the timing and strategy next time.
I will keep on going for the tests. I love challenges.
Followings are some examples of the questions:-
1. Regret is to apology as guilt is to
Denial feat confession investigation sentence
2. habour is to hour and bar as breath is to bath and
Stick red length read width
3. island is to water as one of the following words is to perimeter
Centre hypotenuse diagonal without arc
4. accelerate is to acknowledge as retard is to
disdain repudiate disown disavow
5. race is to fatigue as fast is to
Hunger run quick nourishment anorexia
6. purity is to evil as suavity is to
Outrageousness bluntness boorishness sophistication darkness
7. circle is to arc as square is to
Right angle perimeter point line area
8. perseverance is to determination as daring is to
Persistence courage bravado hero
9. bigotry is to hatred as fanaticism is to
Justice arbitration violence opinionated intolerance
11. assist is to save as request is to
Affirmative command ask agree aggressive
12. control is to order as anarchy is to
Discipline government chaos stability power
13. delusion is to mirage as specter is to
Diabolic apparition spy heresy spiritualism
14. Insult is to invulnerable as assault is to
Regulation democracy rights government monarchy
I admit that it's a big challenge for me the pass the physical tests, especially the running for 2.4 kilometers within 12.15 seconds. In order to pass the test, I have been practicing running almost everyday for the past 4 months started from 14 Jun.,2007.
The police tests consist of a lot of items. The first part is the academic and physical test. These tests will have to be done within the same day. After a candidate has passed these tests, he/she will have to do a PCT test, which consists of 10 main items. Finally, he/she must pass the word speed typing assessment, basic computer skills test, pre-course reading test. After all of the above tests have successfully done, he/she then can go to the police college for a 10-month further study.
As already booked, I went to attend the first part test which consists of verbal reasoning test, numeric reasoning test, abstract test, running 2.4km, jump up at least 45cm, push-up 15 times, grip an object. The test started at 9am on 16 Oct., 2007. I passed all of the tests except the verbal reasoning test! There were 35 questions for verbal reasoning test. Questions had to be answered within 8 minutes. I reckon that I didn't use the strategy very well. I meant I had spent too much time on some questions, and when the police officer said “stop”, I had only answered less than half of those questions. I will have another chance to resit for the test, and I will have to focus on the timing and strategy next time.
I will keep on going for the tests. I love challenges.
Followings are some examples of the questions:-
1. Regret is to apology as guilt is to
Denial feat confession investigation sentence
2. habour is to hour and bar as breath is to bath and
Stick red length read width
3. island is to water as one of the following words is to perimeter
Centre hypotenuse diagonal without arc
4. accelerate is to acknowledge as retard is to
disdain repudiate disown disavow
5. race is to fatigue as fast is to
Hunger run quick nourishment anorexia
6. purity is to evil as suavity is to
Outrageousness bluntness boorishness sophistication darkness
7. circle is to arc as square is to
Right angle perimeter point line area
8. perseverance is to determination as daring is to
Persistence courage bravado hero
9. bigotry is to hatred as fanaticism is to
Justice arbitration violence opinionated intolerance
11. assist is to save as request is to
Affirmative command ask agree aggressive
12. control is to order as anarchy is to
Discipline government chaos stability power
13. delusion is to mirage as specter is to
Diabolic apparition spy heresy spiritualism
14. Insult is to invulnerable as assault is to
Regulation democracy rights government monarchy
Sunday, August 19, 2007
Tears in Heaven
I like the song Tears in Heaven by Eric Clapton . Clapton wrote this about his 4-year-old son Conor, who died when he fell out of a 53rd floor window in the apartment where his mother was staying in New York City. The song told how he felt about the death.
Lyrics for: Tears In Heaven
would you know my name
if i saw you in heaven
would it be the same
if i saw you in heaven
i must be strong and carry on
'cause i know i don't belong here in heaven
would you hold my hand
if i saw you in heaven
would you help me stand
if i saw you in heaven
i'll find my way through night and day
cause i know i just can't stay here in heaven
beyond the door there's peace i'm sure
but i know there'll be no more tears in heaven
time can bring you down
time can bend your knees
time can break your heart
have you beggin please beggin please
would you know my name
if i saw you in heaven
would it be the same
if i saw you in heaven
beyond the door
there's peace i'm sure
but i know there'll be no moretears in heaven
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Matariki
On 29 Jun, 2007, we had a wonderful semester conference at Unitec. The conference theme was matariki which meant a new beginning. All students from different countries and Unitec lecturers came to our conference in the morning.
The ceremony started at 9am. Firstly, our guest speaker Veronica Whaita, an Academic Development Lecturer in Maia at Unitec, made an excellent speech about martariki. After that, some of our students from different countires delivered their greetings to the audience with wheir own languages. Finally, all the students sang a Maori song with beautiful melody lead by our American lecturer Ron with his guitar.
On 29 Jun, 2007, we had a wonderful semester conference at Unitec. The conference theme was matariki which meant a new beginning. All students from different countries and Unitec lecturers came to our conference in the morning.
The ceremony started at 9am. Firstly, our guest speaker Veronica Whaita, an Academic Development Lecturer in Maia at Unitec, made an excellent speech about martariki. After that, some of our students from different countires delivered their greetings to the audience with wheir own languages. Finally, all the students sang a Maori song with beautiful melody lead by our American lecturer Ron with his guitar.
Stress in New Zealand
According to a survey made by New Zealand Now in 2004, 14 percent of New Zealanders were always stressed, and 3 percent were absolutely isolated or lonely. This means that in 2004 there were more than 560,000 people who were stressed and 120,000 were isolated respectively in New Zealand.
What is a stress? Everyone has stress. For example, when people go to an interview, they probably feel stressed. The stress comes from their potential employers. When students are taking an exam, they are stressed because they concern about the failure of it. Stress exists almost everywhere in our routine lives.
How stress comes to us? Stress mainly comes from workplaces, because all adults need to work hardly. Some stress comes from broken or separated families, other stress comes from examinations, interviews, etc. Generally, stress widely exists on every different level.
There two main symptoms of stress. Physically, when people are stressed, they will be feeling like sweating, trembling, or get a stomachache or dizziness, etc. Mentally, people will feel that they do not want to work; their lives are hopeless or meaningless. They feel they are very ill. Stress could lead to a very serious consequence, however, it can be overcome. Following are 12 ways to reduce stress retrieved from Yahoo Health:-
Do exercise
Eat real fresh food
Notice
Talk to people
Keep sense of humor
Stay grateful- saying thank you
Have some fun
Take a deep breath
Keep it simple
Turn off the TV
Sleep
Drink water
Personally, I think massage is also a good way to reduce the stress. Some of my friends suggested that sexual activity was also a good way to help. Basically I agree with their idea, yet among those stressed people, many of them are single. Hence, I would like to say that the best way to reduce our stress is to forgive, understand and support each other.
According to a survey made by New Zealand Now in 2004, 14 percent of New Zealanders were always stressed, and 3 percent were absolutely isolated or lonely. This means that in 2004 there were more than 560,000 people who were stressed and 120,000 were isolated respectively in New Zealand.
What is a stress? Everyone has stress. For example, when people go to an interview, they probably feel stressed. The stress comes from their potential employers. When students are taking an exam, they are stressed because they concern about the failure of it. Stress exists almost everywhere in our routine lives.
How stress comes to us? Stress mainly comes from workplaces, because all adults need to work hardly. Some stress comes from broken or separated families, other stress comes from examinations, interviews, etc. Generally, stress widely exists on every different level.
There two main symptoms of stress. Physically, when people are stressed, they will be feeling like sweating, trembling, or get a stomachache or dizziness, etc. Mentally, people will feel that they do not want to work; their lives are hopeless or meaningless. They feel they are very ill. Stress could lead to a very serious consequence, however, it can be overcome. Following are 12 ways to reduce stress retrieved from Yahoo Health:-
Do exercise
Eat real fresh food
Notice
Talk to people
Keep sense of humor
Stay grateful- saying thank you
Have some fun
Take a deep breath
Keep it simple
Turn off the TV
Sleep
Drink water
Personally, I think massage is also a good way to reduce the stress. Some of my friends suggested that sexual activity was also a good way to help. Basically I agree with their idea, yet among those stressed people, many of them are single. Hence, I would like to say that the best way to reduce our stress is to forgive, understand and support each other.
Sunday, July 8, 2007
Thursday, June 7, 2007
Barden-Barden, a beautiful small town I have visited
Over the past 20 years, I have visited many countries around the world. Although so many years have past, I am still missing a small town named Barden-Barden in the southern Germany. The memory of this town seems to be becoming clearer and clearer in my mind. All buildings and streets in the town remain the classical Roman architectural style. It is said that in the ancient times, the Roman 
Empire occupied this area. Thats why the whole town keeps the Roman styles so far. There are only around a few thousands of people in this small town. Each year, a large number of people go there for visiting. If you go there, please don't forget to visit the spring fountain. It is an indoor fountain. Men and women share the faountain together. All people are required to remove their clothes off. I mean all pe
ople will have to get naked.
Should Matariki Become a New Zealand Public Holiday?
By BuchaoIt is only in the recent years that Matariki has been becoming known by more and more New Zealand people. Nowadays, people are paying more and more attention to Matariki. Matariki is not only mentioned in people's routine lives, but also described in many books and magazines. This essay is going to outline the Maori history, iwi and culture, and argure that Matariki should become a New Zealand public holiday.
.
What is Marariki? Matariki is the Maori name of Pleiades or the Seven Sisters in the Taurus constellation in the sky. Every year, in the last days of May or early June, it rises on the low North-East horizon of New Zealand, just before dawn. It heralds the Maori New Year (Tai Tokerau Tourism (MRTO),page 1).
Some people say that Matariki is only Mario's New Year, and it does not belong to all New Zealanders. They also argue that if Matariki becomes New Zealand's public holiday, then other country's new year, for example, Chinese Spring Festival, can also become New Zealand's public holiday. Firstly, these people have ignored or do not want to accept a fact that in the New Zealand history Maori people were the first people who moved to New Zealand. “The Maori were the first settlers in New Zealand and first came from Polynesia about 1,000 years ago. They occupied almost every area of New Zealand long before Pakeha (European)” (An introduction to the Maori History and Culture, page 1). In Maori language, “Maori” originally meant “local people” (New Zealand in History, page 3). It was only in year 1642 that an European sailor named Tasman found New Zealand, and only after the Treaty of Waitangi was signed in 1840, British Government declared sovereignty over New Zealand (New Zealand in History, page 2). Secondly, we should show our respect to the first settlers - Maori people. Maori people are very intelligent and brave people. When they first came to New Zealand, their voyage tools were only canoes. In that time, Matariki was their navigator. Thirdly, New Zealand has 11 public holidays, however, none is related to Maori people. Therefore, why not put a memorial stone for Maori people - commemorate Matariki, and let the Matariki become a New Zealand's public holiday?
Some people argue that in New Zealand the Europeans are the most majority, and the European cultures should dominate our society. However, these people do not realize that Maori culture is one of the most important cultural heritages in New Zealand. Firstly, Maori iwi are the largest social units with unique culture background. “They still have a very strong culture of their own with many traditions which flourish today” (An introduction to the Maori History and Culture, page 1). In the ancient society of Maori history, when Matariki rose each year before dawn, Maori New Years began with so many activities related to their own culture. Matariki was celebrated with education, remembrance and the planting, gathering, weaving, carving, signaling new beginnings. Secondly, Matariki has already become a symbol of Maori culture, and more and more New Zealanders are becoming attracted by its unique culture. Broadcaster and documentary-maker Hakaraia (2004) stated that “Matariki is becoming more profiled around the motu [country], and so it should because it is something unique to our country". Therefore, why not let the Maori culture sparkle in New Zealand, just like the Matariki shinning in the sky? The best way to keep Maori culture sparkling is to make the Matariki become a New Zealand public holiday!
In conclusion, today's Matariki does not only mean the ancient Maori activities which were related to harvest, planting, gathering, weaving, carving or remembering their ancestry, but also more significantly mean that all New Zealand people are celebrating the unique place where we live on, and giving respect to the land we live. In the long Maori history, Maori iwi have made great efforts to contribute themselves to this country. Today, we are sharing the unique Maori culture together with Maori people in this multi-cultural country. It is strongly suggested that Matariki should become a New Zealand's public holiday.
References
An Introduction to the Maori History and Culture. (n.d.). Retrieved
May24, 2007, from
http://www.uniquelynz.com/maori_intro.htm
Hakaraia, L. (2004, June 17). New Zealanders rediscover Marori New
Year. New Zealand Herald . Retrieved May 24, 2007, from
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/topic/story.cfm?c_id=350&objectid=3573084
Tai Tokerau Tourism (MRTO), (n.d.), Retrieved May 24, 2007
from
http://www.taitokerau.co.nz/matariki.htm
Wednesday, June 6, 2007
夜-蟋蟀-灯火（有感）
夜，十点，
独自走在Titirangi山区的小路上。
独自走在Titirangi山区的小路上。
看不见任何的行人，
唯有路灯下拖长的身影。
除了偶尔一闪而过的汽车，
只有蟋蟀们在草丛中热情地歌唱。
奥克兰，
万家灯火早已点燃。
（写于 2004年2月)
My unique experiences in New Zealand
I haven't lived in NZ for a long time. Before I came to this country, I could hardly imagine what this country would be.
Soon after I arrived here, I experienced two events which left me very deep impression. The first event took place in Papatoetoe when I went to a fast cash machine to withdraw some cash. I was thinking of something else while I was operating the machine, and I left the machine after I only
got my cash flow card back. Then someone said from my back, "I think you have forgotten to take back your money, Sir!". I turned around, and saw a lady standing there, just in front of the cash machine, with her finger pointing onto the cash! Oh, my gosh! I forgot to take back my money! I was so surprised that the lady did not take the money away with her. Then later I realized that I was living in New Zealand now.
The other event took place in a midnight when I lost my way in Henderson. It was raining heavily that night, and I completely lost my way home. I was looking at my map at a petrol station when a voice came into my ears, "Can I help you, Sir?". I found a pretty Maori young lady standing about one metre away from me with a sweet smile. The basic instinct told me that I should say "no", because it was in the midnight, and anything could happen. Very soon(about 5 seconds), I found that I was sorry for what I had been worried, because I was in NZ now! Then I answered, "yes, please". The young lady asked me "where are you going?". I said, "I am going to West Harbour". She smiled, and said "Just follow me, I'll show you the way". She left till she had led me to my home!
I was really touched by the NZ people. NZ is a multi-cutural country with so many different ethnic groups. The experiences in NZ are totaly different from what I had suffered or learned in my own country. It is time for Chinese people to reconsider how to behave ourselves. Our society will have to focus on the moral education that makes our people respectable.
Soon after I arrived here, I experienced two events which left me very deep impression. The first event took place in Papatoetoe when I went to a fast cash machine to withdraw some cash. I was thinking of something else while I was operating the machine, and I left the machine after I only
got my cash flow card back. Then someone said from my back, "I think you have forgotten to take back your money, Sir!". I turned around, and saw a lady standing there, just in front of the cash machine, with her finger pointing onto the cash! Oh, my gosh! I forgot to take back my money! I was so surprised that the lady did not take the money away with her. Then later I realized that I was living in New Zealand now.
The other event took place in a midnight when I lost my way in Henderson. It was raining heavily that night, and I completely lost my way home. I was looking at my map at a petrol station when a voice came into my ears, "Can I help you, Sir?". I found a pretty Maori young lady standing about one metre away from me with a sweet smile. The basic instinct told me that I should say "no", because it was in the midnight, and anything could happen. Very soon(about 5 seconds), I found that I was sorry for what I had been worried, because I was in NZ now! Then I answered, "yes, please". The young lady asked me "where are you going?". I said, "I am going to West Harbour". She smiled, and said "Just follow me, I'll show you the way". She left till she had led me to my home!
I was really touched by the NZ people. NZ is a multi-cutural country with so many different ethnic groups. The experiences in NZ are totaly different from what I had suffered or learned in my own country. It is time for Chinese people to reconsider how to behave ourselves. Our society will have to focus on the moral education that makes our people respectable.
Tuesday, May 29, 2007
Lecture Summary-Safety-Oral Based Skill 2(week 12)
Last Tuesday(22 May, 2007), Ms. Juliet Huang from ACC delivered a lecture about safety when driving a car. Many cases showed that speeding was the main reason that caused people being killed in traffic accidents. Every year, there are around 1,000 New Zealand people who die of different sort of accidents, and half of people among them, i.e. 500, die of road accidents. Among the 500 death toll, one third are directly killed due to speeding. Higher speeding leads to more crashes, becasue its hard for the drivers to keep enough distance, and it is very easy to misjudge the situation. Speeding driving is absolutely the same with drinking driving. Hence, to avoid the accidents, reducing our speed is the key to keep safe. We cannot afford to beat the Law of Physics.
Thursday, May 24, 2007
Summary-Text Based Skill 2 (week 11)
The chart shows the trend how people spent winnings in charity, travel, home, cars, other transport, living expenses and luxury items between the year 1992 and 2001.
It can be seen from the chart that the largest percentage which people spent winnings were cars and luxury items. People spent almost one third (30%) of the winnings on cars in 1992. The percentage almost remained the same in 1997 and 2001, i.e. 28% and 27% respectively. Very similarly, another large percentage was luxury items, the percentage only slightly declined from 25% in 1992 to 24% in 1997, and then increased to 30% in 2001. It reflects that people had always been attracted by cars and luxury items for the past 9 years.
The charity sharply dropped two third from 15% in 1992 to a bottom of 5% in 1997, and then tripled to 13% in 2001. This reflects people had different attitude towards charity or donation in different periods.
People spent 14% of winnings on extended travel and holidays in 1992, the percentage stably increased to 20% in 1997, and then dramatically dropped to 5% in 2001. The reason was probably because people spent more winnings on second home. For more evidence to support this idea, we can see from the chart that people only spent 8% on second home in 1992, but the percentage significantly increased from 11% in 1997 to 20% in 2001. It is thought that people were more and more involved into buying houses in 1997-2001.
People only spent a low percentage on other transport. In other words, people only spend 2% on it. The percentages almost remained unchanged during the period from 1992 to 2001. It is very interesting to find that people spent 6% of their winning on living expenses in 1992, and the percentage slightly increased to 10% in 1997, and then, with a big surprise, the percentage dramatically dropped four out of five to 2% in 2001. It is considered that very probably people needed to save money for their second homes.
Over the past 9 years, people had always been interested in cars and luxury items, such as jewelry, designer clothes, TVs, etc. It reflects that people’s lifestyle kept the same. However, it is very interesting to see that people were very much involved into property investment- buying their second homes.
It can be seen from the chart that the largest percentage which people spent winnings were cars and luxury items. People spent almost one third (30%) of the winnings on cars in 1992. The percentage almost remained the same in 1997 and 2001, i.e. 28% and 27% respectively. Very similarly, another large percentage was luxury items, the percentage only slightly declined from 25% in 1992 to 24% in 1997, and then increased to 30% in 2001. It reflects that people had always been attracted by cars and luxury items for the past 9 years.
The charity sharply dropped two third from 15% in 1992 to a bottom of 5% in 1997, and then tripled to 13% in 2001. This reflects people had different attitude towards charity or donation in different periods.
People spent 14% of winnings on extended travel and holidays in 1992, the percentage stably increased to 20% in 1997, and then dramatically dropped to 5% in 2001. The reason was probably because people spent more winnings on second home. For more evidence to support this idea, we can see from the chart that people only spent 8% on second home in 1992, but the percentage significantly increased from 11% in 1997 to 20% in 2001. It is thought that people were more and more involved into buying houses in 1997-2001.
People only spent a low percentage on other transport. In other words, people only spend 2% on it. The percentages almost remained unchanged during the period from 1992 to 2001. It is very interesting to find that people spent 6% of their winning on living expenses in 1992, and the percentage slightly increased to 10% in 1997, and then, with a big surprise, the percentage dramatically dropped four out of five to 2% in 2001. It is considered that very probably people needed to save money for their second homes.
Over the past 9 years, people had always been interested in cars and luxury items, such as jewelry, designer clothes, TVs, etc. It reflects that people’s lifestyle kept the same. However, it is very interesting to see that people were very much involved into property investment- buying their second homes.
Friday, May 18, 2007
Movie Review- -Oral Based Skill(Week 5)
Today, I watched a wonderful movie named <<Forest Gump>> 
events between 1950’s and 1980’s. He met three presidents of the United States, and he joined the army during the period of the Vietnam War. He became a famous Ping Pang ball athlete after he quit the army. He bought a boat to catch shrimp, because his army colleague Bubbe who was killed in Vietnam had a dream to own a shrimp boat. He did very well in the shrimp business and made a lot of money. He finally married his loved girl Jenny. (166 words)
Tuesday, May 15, 2007
An article about my country in the international news-Text Based Skill 2(Week 10)
Wow, my pig has died....wooo........
I am very much concerned about the invisible viruses which infect people and make people sick or even die. The SARS in 2003 that was firstly found in Guangdong Province in China, and then spread over Hong Kong left people a deep impression. This is a link to an article in the Washington Post. According to the report on the 10th of May, China's Agriculture Ministry has warned that a pig disease could spread over China in hot summer. So far, the so-called "blue ear" disease has killed at least 3,000 pigs. The blue ear disease was firstly found in the United States in 1987, and spread to China in the mid-1990s. There is no statistic which shows the total number of infected pigs in China, because many pigs are raised on small farms or by individual farmers. However, according to the Hong Kong media, about 1,300 pigs were believed to be infected by the disease. Fortunately, the disease does not affect people.(163 words)
Monday, May 14, 2007
Lecture Summary-Police -Oral Based Skill 2(Week 10)
Policeman Rohan Stace delivered a lecture regarding the police on Mt Abert campus yesterday( 15 May, 2007). He outlined a wide range of things which were related to the police. He mentioned about how to communicate with the police, including people's rights, what are the police expecting from people, and how to deal with burglars. ect. For example, if people are in danger, dial "111" and the police will come. People are suggested not to be involved with the first crime situation, and they should better leave immediately from there and dial "111" to the police, or directly go to the police station to report the situation. Self-defence is legal in New Zealand, but it is not encouraged, because very probably people would be seriously injured. Domestic violence is a serious crime in New Zealand. By law, children under 14 years should not be left at home alone, and they must be fastened in a car on 
the road.Gernerally, if peoplw are in an emergency, feel free to dial "111" for help. For more information, please go to visit the police website www.police.govt.nz
Friday, May 11, 2007
Diploma Trip-Text Based Skill`2 (Week Nine, Posted on 11 May)
We had a wonderful Diploma Trip on the 1st of May, 2007. I got up early in the morning that day, and went to Unitec to pick up my classmate Flint and Tarik. Around 9:30 in the morning, we arrived at Titirangi Village centre to meet the other classmates. We had our breakfasts at a coffee shop, and started to go to the Cornwallis Beach around 10:30 in the morning.
On the way to Cornwallis Beach, Cindy drove with a car and she followed my car all the time. In case we might lost somewhere in the Titirangi mountains, Flint brought two interphones, and we kept talking on the interphones while driving on the road. Anita, who was sitting in Cindy’s car, was so excited that she started to sing a lovely song, and Flint, who was sitting in my car, sang another classical song after Anita finished her singing.
As you can see from the picture above, the weather was very good when we arrived at the Cornwallis Wharf at 11 o'clock in the morning, and started to fish. Cindy and Anita brought with them so many delicious foods, including Chinese dumplings, and we shared the lunch on the wharf. We spent the whole afternoon there fishing. We talked about where and how we could catch big fish at New Zealand fishing point. Although we only caught some small fish, everybody was still very happy, because we took it as our Diploma Trip. It is really a good idea to have a break or relax after the busy study. I am hoping that we can have more activities like this Diploma Trip later.
On the way to Cornwallis Beach, Cindy drove with a car and she followed my car all the time. In case we might lost somewhere in the Titirangi mountains, Flint brought two interphones, and we kept talking on the interphones while driving on the road. Anita, who was sitting in Cindy’s car, was so excited that she started to sing a lovely song, and Flint, who was sitting in my car, sang another classical song after Anita finished her singing.
As you can see from the picture above, the weather was very good when we arrived at the Cornwallis Wharf at 11 o'clock in the morning, and started to fish. Cindy and Anita brought with them so many delicious foods, including Chinese dumplings, and we shared the lunch on the wharf. We spent the whole afternoon there fishing. We talked about where and how we could catch big fish at New Zealand fishing point. Although we only caught some small fish, everybody was still very happy, because we took it as our Diploma Trip. It is really a good idea to have a break or relax after the busy study. I am hoping that we can have more activities like this Diploma Trip later.
Tuesday, May 8, 2007
Comparison of two pitctures-Oral Based skill 2(7th May,Week 9)
The two pictures are all related to the class. The first picture shows that students are questioning each other and giving their own ideas or comments. The teacher is only sitting there, and from time to time he/she gives some suggestions or ideas which may help the students to resovle their problems. On this way, students not only need to do brain storms, but also need to find out the answers with their own unique ways or methods.
The second piture shows a traditional way that the teacher asks the questions, and students need to answer the questions by putting up their hands. On this way, students will have to follow the teacher's way of thinking, and answer the related questions required by the teachers.
I prefer to teaching method in the first picture, becasue students possibly will be much more involved with the critical thinking, and find out reasonable answers with their own ways. (168 words)
The second piture shows a traditional way that the teacher asks the questions, and students need to answer the questions by putting up their hands. On this way, students will have to follow the teacher's way of thinking, and answer the related questions required by the teachers.
I prefer to teaching method in the first picture, becasue students possibly will be much more involved with the critical thinking, and find out reasonable answers with their own ways. (168 words)
Thursday, May 3, 2007
Domestic News Headlines-Text Based Skill 2- Summary(3th May, week 8)
I have chosen “Climate Changes” from the New Zealand Herald as my BLOG assignment. Regarding how to stop global warming, the climate change experts and the enviromentalists have different ideas about the usage of more nuclear power and using the modified biofuel products. Nuclear reactors are dangerous, and land clearance and chemical pesticides and fertilisers used to grow plants could possibly cause huge environmental damage. Hence, simply replacing the old technologies with new technologies will not work. In addition, the mixes of existing policies related to energy efficiency, renewable energy, etc., are also needed to be taken into consideration. Australia has started to use nuclear power and reduced export of mineral products. However, some countries, such as India and China need to do more for our planet. Overall, to completely prevent our planet from heating up so rapidly, it is strongly suggested that our fundamental lifestyles need to be changed.
28 verb forms are in active voice, 6 are in passive voice. Details as follows:-
1. Active voice
1).to fight 2).using 3).boost 4).outline
5).to save 6).come 7).commits 8).to remove
9).insists 10).to stabilize 11).to pay 12)transforming
13).estimates 14).stabilizing 15).avoiding 16).sets
17).mixes 18).can control 19).to pay 20).said
21).had considered 22).replacing 23).wont work 24).to grow 25).could cause 26).criticized 27).said 28).should provide
2. Passive voice
5 Present simple passive as follows:-
1).Modified 2).needed 3).considered 4).envisaged
5).are prepared
1 simple past passive
Were needed
28 verb forms are in active voice, 6 are in passive voice. Details as follows:-
1. Active voice
1).to fight 2).using 3).boost 4).outline
5).to save 6).come 7).commits 8).to remove
9).insists 10).to stabilize 11).to pay 12)transforming
13).estimates 14).stabilizing 15).avoiding 16).sets
17).mixes 18).can control 19).to pay 20).said
21).had considered 22).replacing 23).wont work 24).to grow 25).could cause 26).criticized 27).said 28).should provide
2. Passive voice
5 Present simple passive as follows:-
1).Modified 2).needed 3).considered 4).envisaged
5).are prepared
1 simple past passive
Were needed
Wednesday, May 2, 2007
Domestic news headlines-Oral Based Skill 2 (3th May, Week 8)
There are 6 front page stories on the radio - 2 stories from the New Zealand Herald, 2 stories from the Dominion Post, 1 story from the Press, 1 story from the Otago Daily Times. I choose “Climate Changes” from the NZ Herald as my BLOG assignment. The story tells about the new methods to stop global warming - using more nuclear power and modified biofuel products.
Three pronunciations from the story:-
1. weak form-schwa------------ to/∂ / fight
2. consonant to vowel linking---------- clash /∂ /over
3. sounds disappear------------ fight/g/ global
Three pronunciations from the story:-
1. weak form-schwa------------ to/∂ / fight
2. consonant to vowel linking---------- clash /∂ /over
3. sounds disappear------------ fight/g/ global
The different manners in my country and New Zealand
Different countries or regions have different manners. Usually, most of the manners of human being are almost the same or very similar. For example, people say “Thank you” if they receive help or benefit from someone else. However, some manners are different. Some manners in your own country could offend people in another country. For instance, in New Zealand, a male could hug or even kiss a female, yet it is definitely embarrassing if he does it in China. Usually kissing a female is a “sex” signal in China, but in New Zealand, kissing on the cheeks is a common manner which means “I respect you”. In New Zealand, it is treated as rude manner if people speak loudly in public areas, such as at a restaurant, where they are enjoying the delicious food. But unfortunately, Chinese people very often speak loudly at a restaurant when they are eating. I think it is partly because Chinese people always want to make sure that the others are listening to them speaking. The other reason why Chinese people speak so loudly is probably because there are always too many people at restaurants.
comparison of two pictures
The two pictures are all related to the people’s lifestyle. The first one shows a rural village which is very quiet for a living. Usually the old or retired people like to live there. Of course, farmers who have to look after their cows and sheep usually stay there. The second picture is an urban one that shows tall buildings, streets and so many crowds. Usually, young people and business people like to stay in cities.
I have got used to the life style in the busy and crowded city. After I came to New Zealand, I noted the whole country looked like rural countryside. There are almost no tall buildings in the country. Of course, I finally found some “tall” buildings in the Auckland city centre, yet they looked really small comparing with the huge buildings in Hong Kong. Although there are almost no tall buildings in New Zealand, it does not mean I do not like the country, on the contrary, I really enjoy the rural life style in New Zealand. People are so nice to me, and I love to communicate and make friends with them.
I have got used to the life style in the busy and crowded city. After I came to New Zealand, I noted the whole country looked like rural countryside. There are almost no tall buildings in the country. Of course, I finally found some “tall” buildings in the Auckland city centre, yet they looked really small comparing with the huge buildings in Hong Kong. Although there are almost no tall buildings in New Zealand, it does not mean I do not like the country, on the contrary, I really enjoy the rural life style in New Zealand. People are so nice to me, and I love to communicate and make friends with them.
Friday, April 27, 2007
Globlization
With the development of globalization, our planet is getting smaller and smaller. The high technology makes the steps of globalization move even quicker and quicker. Globalization has been impacting our lives in so many different levels. For example,a few decades ago, it usually took more than one month to get to Vancouver, Canada from Hong Kong by vessels, now it takes only 13 hours by flight. The economic connections among different countries or regions which rely on each other are getting stronger than ever before. The recent fall in Chinese stock market that caused the worldwide stock makets to drop in a huge volume explained how globalization influences the different economic systems. Ten years ago, I could hardly hear European or American people speak Chinese, now, many of them have started to learn and speak Chinese. Some Chinese, such as "drink tea", have become their own oral words. "Drink tea" orginally comes from the Cantonese language "Yiung Ca", which means "take morning tea" or breakfirst. In the meantime, many Chinese people, including myself, are so much involved with English. English is widely used in my routine life. Globalization brings us so many benifits, yet we should also observe that it brings some negative effects as well. The rich are getting richer because of their hunge capital which enables them to control the resources, and the poor are getting poorer since they are unable to compete with those strong competitors.
Thursday, April 26, 2007
Book Review - Great Expectation
Pip's parents died when he was a baby. He was very poor when he was young. One day he met an escaped convict who was very hungry, and he stole some foods from his sister's house and delivered the food to the convict. He forgot all of this afterwards. At that time, he had no expectation at all when he stayed together with his sister who brought him up since their parents died. Until one day he went to visit Ms. Havinsham, a rich lady in the village, where he met a pretty girl named Estella who was very proud and looked down upon him. Ms. Havinsham was so nice to him that he anxiously expected he would get some of her fortune. The lucky day finally came to him when he received a message from the lawyer, Mr. Joggers, who imformed him that somebody had sponsored him to have a good education in London. He thought it was Ms. Havinsham who supported him to have the education because he had been expecting the fortune from her. But finally he realized it was the escaped convict who Pip gave food a long time ago. He also expected to marry Estella, but unfortunitely she married another stupid and rude guy.
Monday, April 23, 2007
Text Based Skill 2- Grammar
Reported by New Zealand Herald, a mother is going to face a jail term because she assaulted her 7 years old son with a wooden spoon, and left him 4cm welts. Here is a link to this article. The case has become a political argument between the National Party and Green Party. Most of the verbs in the article are past simple forms that describe the past affairs. There is an example of present perfect simple passive form, i.e. “He has been removed from the home”, to mean something has been done over a period of time. There is an example of past perfect simple form “she had taken on too much and realized she needed help”, to mean it had happened in the past. An example of future simple passive form, “She will be sentenced in the Napier District Court on May 3”. An example of past continuous form, “he was taking too long to get ready for tee-ball”. An example of present continuous form, “the mother is trying to regain custody”.
Monday, April 2, 2007
Lecture Summary 2-Unions in New Zealand
Lecture Summary- Unions in New Zealand
Lecturer: Sarah Hardman
Date: 3 April, 2007
Ms. Sarah Harman, the Unitec lecturer and Branch Chairman of the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education (ASTE), gave a lecture about unions in New Zealand on the Mt Abert campus at Unitec on 3 April, 2007. In the lecture, Sarah described the concept and functions of a union. According to her lecture, a union is an organization with some members joining in it, and workers organise into a voluntary association, or union to further their mutual benefits with respect to wages, working hours, working conditions and other matters of interest, such as equality of opportunities, etc. For instance, a union can bargain on their member’s behalf with their employers for pay, holidays or wages and so on. Unions also handle the strikes if they fail to achieve the reasonable negotiation with the employers. The research made by New Zealand government shows that there are 333,000 union members in New Zealand, and 51.50 percent among them are females. Any workers can join the unions to protect their own benefits.
Lecturer: Sarah Hardman
Date: 3 April, 2007
Ms. Sarah Harman, the Unitec lecturer and Branch Chairman of the Association of Staff in Tertiary Education (ASTE), gave a lecture about unions in New Zealand on the Mt Abert campus at Unitec on 3 April, 2007. In the lecture, Sarah described the concept and functions of a union. According to her lecture, a union is an organization with some members joining in it, and workers organise into a voluntary association, or union to further their mutual benefits with respect to wages, working hours, working conditions and other matters of interest, such as equality of opportunities, etc. For instance, a union can bargain on their member’s behalf with their employers for pay, holidays or wages and so on. Unions also handle the strikes if they fail to achieve the reasonable negotiation with the employers. The research made by New Zealand government shows that there are 333,000 union members in New Zealand, and 51.50 percent among them are females. Any workers can join the unions to protect their own benefits.
Sunday, April 1, 2007
Lecture Summary 1- EAP- Student Services/Funding
Lecture Summary 1- EAP- Student Services/Funding
Lecturer: Annette
Date: 27 March, 2007
Annette from the Student Services/Funding Centre(SSFC) of Unitec delivered a lecture on 27 March, 2007, regarding the issues related to student's study career on campus. It brings benefits if students learn how to use different kinds of services. There are some optional ways to choose if students need help, however, it is mainly offered by SSFC that provides a wide range of sevices connected with student loans and allowances , job research, budget, financial advice, tips to student's expenses and incomes, award scholarships and grants, etc. To succeed their targets, students should learn to use all these facilities which definitely help them to work out their problems. Contact with SSFC for advice at any time if neccessary.
Lecturer: Annette
Date: 27 March, 2007
Annette from the Student Services/Funding Centre(SSFC) of Unitec delivered a lecture on 27 March, 2007, regarding the issues related to student's study career on campus. It brings benefits if students learn how to use different kinds of services. There are some optional ways to choose if students need help, however, it is mainly offered by SSFC that provides a wide range of sevices connected with student loans and allowances , job research, budget, financial advice, tips to student's expenses and incomes, award scholarships and grants, etc. To succeed their targets, students should learn to use all these facilities which definitely help them to work out their problems. Contact with SSFC for advice at any time if neccessary.
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