Practice is the key to perfection, a principle that extends beyond music and can be applied to various aspects of life. An intriguing observation arose during the initial segment of the recent semester's final exam, which involved recording a video in response to a question about a video assigned for viewing. The chosen video was from Prager University, and the task for the students was as follows:
You have to record around a one-minute video clip in WeChat answering the following:
1- If the decision they made was fair
2- Tell why you think the decision was fair or not.
PS: The video has to show your face while you are speaking. Also needs to be delivered until TODAY 22:00 hs PM”
While this assignment ostensibly gauged the students' comprehension of the video content, my primary focus was on evaluating their pronunciation skills rather than the content of their responses. What I found intriguing was that some students, who were not proficient English speakers, demonstrated significant improvement in their pronunciation. This improvement could only be attributed to dedicated practice, as they had approximately six hours to prepare for the assignment, and some seized the opportunity to hone their skills.
This observation reaffirms two points I've emphasized previously: first, that effort and practice yield improvement, a principle for which I've provided numerous exercises, but unfortunately they only did practice before the exam for the exam - not on a regular bases for improve their overall language skill and become better. It was for the sole purpose of just having better grades only.
Second, the significance of grades is downplayed, as I've previously asserted that employers won't hire based on grades alone, actually in the case of language skills the employer don´t care at all about the student grades, they do care if they can speak well. Ironically, several students seem focused solely on improving their grades rather than enhancing their overall English pronunciation.
The repercussions of prioritizing grades over comprehensive language skills may become apparent to these students sooner than later. Definitely when they start looking for a job. It underscores the importance of investing time and effort into holistic language improvement rather than fixating solely on academic achievements.
Article by Marcelo Gameiro
Published 02 Jan 2024
Saturday, November 30, 2024
Giving
Spending Christmas alone is no fun.
That is the price you pay when you are abroad in a country far away from any family members, but maybe instead of complaining and feel miserable you can stop thinking of yourself and start thinking of others, on how can you make the life of others better - that is true spirit of Christmas, giving (not receiving) and that is what I am going to do today = December 25 2023.
Embracing the True Spirit of Christmas: The Joy of Giving
Today is Christmas, there is a magical atmosphere in the air that transcends a normal day. Christmas is a time of warmth, love, and joy, and at the heart of it all lies a beautiful sentiment — the spirit of giving. In a world often focused on materialism and consumerism, Christmas serves as a powerful reminder that the true essence of the season is found in selfless acts of generosity and kindness (and most of all the celebration of the birth of Jesus Crist).
The Culture of Giving:
In many cultures around the world, Christmas is synonymous with the act of giving. It is a time when people come together to share their love, time, and resources with others. The tradition of gift-giving symbolizes the spirit of goodwill and fosters a sense of connection among individuals, families, and communities. Contrary to the popular notion of Christmas being a time to receive presents, the real magic lies in the joy one experiences when giving. The act of choosing a thoughtful gift, wrapping it with care, and seeing the joy on the recipient's face creates a profound sense of fulfillment. It's a powerful reminder that true happiness comes not from what we accumulate but from the positive impact we have on others.
The Power of Selflessness:
The true spirit of Christmas is reflected in acts of selflessness, compassion, and empathy. Whether it's volunteering at a local charity, helping a neighbor in need, or simply spending quality time with loved ones, the holiday season encourages us to look beyond ourselves and embrace the needs of others. This selflessness not only strengthens the bonds within our communities but also enriches our own lives in ways that material possessions cannot.
Teaching Values to the Next Generation:
Christmas provides a valuable opportunity to instill important values in the younger generation. By emphasizing the joy of giving over receiving, parents, educators, and community leaders can cultivate a sense of empathy and social responsibility in children. Teaching them that the true magic of Christmas lies in acts of kindness and generosity sets the foundation for a more compassionate and interconnected society.
Finding Meaning in Simplicity:
In a world often driven by consumer culture, the simplicity of the Christmas spirit serves as a refreshing reminder of what truly matters. It encourages us to reflect on the importance of relationships, gratitude, and the intangible gifts that money cannot buy. By embracing the spirit of giving, individuals can find profound joy in making a positive impact on the lives of others.
Conclusion:
As the holiday season unfolds, let us be inspired by the true spirit of Christmas — the spirit of giving. In a world that sometimes seems focused on material gain, the genuine joy derived from selfless acts of kindness and generosity can illuminate the darkest corners of our hearts. May this Christmas be a celebration of love, compassion, and the boundless joy that comes from giving to others.
While dumplings are more commonly associated with Chinese New Year, the Winter Solstice Festival, also known as Dongzhi Festival, is indeed a significant occasion for Chinese people, and certain regions celebrate it by consuming dumplings. The festival usually falls around December 21st or 22nd in the Northern Hemisphere, marking the shortest day and longest night of the year.
It is always nice to show up when the students are doing some kind of activity, today i was lucky to get them celebrating winter solstice making dumplings - so I got to participate preparing just one dumpling, but I got more than one to eat…. very nice
Here are several reasons why Chinese people may celebrate the Winter Solstice by eating dumplings:
Symbolism of Unity and Reunion: Dumplings are often shaped like crescent moons, which symbolize unity and completeness. The round shape of dumplings is associated with family reunion and harmony, emphasizing the importance of coming together during the festival. Sharing a meal of dumplings is seen as a way to strengthen family bonds.
Harmony with Nature: The Winter Solstice is a time when the days start getting longer, symbolizing the return of light and warmth. Eating dumplings during this festival is believed to bring good luck and positive energy for the coming year. It is a way of harmonizing with the changing seasons and expressing optimism for the future.
Connection to Traditional Chinese Medicine: In traditional Chinese medicine, the balance of yin and yang is essential for maintaining good health. The Winter Solstice is considered a time when the yang energy begins to increase. Foods, such as dumplings, are chosen for their warming properties to help balance the body's energies during the colder months.
Historical and Cultural Significance: Dumplings have a long history in Chinese culture and have been a staple food for centuries. The act of making and sharing dumplings during the Winter Solstice has become a cultural tradition that connects people to their heritage and reinforces a sense of cultural identity.
Agricultural Roots: Historically, the Winter Solstice was also a time to celebrate the end of the harvest season. Dumplings might be made using ingredients harvested earlier in the year, providing a connection between the festival and the agricultural cycle.
It's important to note that customs and traditions can vary across different regions of China, and not every Chinese family celebrates the Winter Solstice in the same way. While dumplings are a popular choice for many, other foods and customs associated with the festival may vary.
Next day when I went to the canteen I found more students making dumplings , so I join them again.
Volunteer service offers numerous benefits, both for the individuals providing their time and skills and for the communities and organizations receiving support. Here are some key benefits of volunteer service:
Personal Growth:
Skill Development: Volunteers often acquire new skills or enhance existing ones through their experiences. This can include leadership, communication, problem-solving, and technical skills.
Self-Discovery: Volunteering provides an opportunity for individuals to discover their strengths, interests, and passions.
Community Engagement:
Social Connection: Volunteers build connections with other like-minded individuals, fostering a sense of community and belonging.
Civic Responsibility: Volunteering promotes a sense of responsibility and engagement in one's community, contributing to the overall well-being of society.
Career Benefits:
Networking: Volunteering can expand social and professional networks, potentially leading to job opportunities or career advancements.
Resume Building: Employers often value volunteer experience, as it demonstrates a commitment to community and a willingness to contribute beyond professional obligations.
Emotional Well-being:
Sense of Purpose: Volunteering can provide a sense of purpose and fulfillment, contributing to overall mental and emotional well-being.
Stress Reduction: Helping others and engaging in meaningful activities can reduce stress and improve mental health.
Philanthropy and Social Impact:
Making a Difference: Volunteers have the opportunity to make a positive impact on the lives of others, contributing to the betterment of society.
Global Awareness: Volunteering can increase awareness of social issues and encourage a sense of global citizenship.
Learning and Exposure:
Cultural Exposure: Volunteering in diverse environments exposes individuals to different cultures, perspectives, and ways of life.
Educational Opportunities: Some volunteer roles provide opportunities for continued learning and personal development.
Building Compassion and Empathy:
Understanding Others: Volunteering often involves working with diverse groups of people, fostering empathy and a deeper understanding of different backgrounds and perspectives.
Health Benefits:
Physical Activity: Some volunteer activities involve physical work, contributing to overall health and well-being.
Longevity: Studies suggest that volunteering may be associated with increased life satisfaction and even a longer life.
Encouraging Social Responsibility:
Setting an Example: Volunteer service sets an example for others, encouraging a culture of giving back and social responsibility.
In summary, volunteer service is a mutually beneficial activity that not only positively impacts communities and organizations but also enriches the lives of individuals involved.
President John F. Kennedy said it well: For of those to whom much is given, much is required. And when at some future date the high court of history sits in judgment on each of us, recording whether in our brief span of service we fulfilled our responsibilities to the state, our success or failure, in whatever office we hold, will be measured by the answers to four questions:
- First, were we truly men of courage.
- Second, were we truly men of judgment.
- Third, were we truly men of integrity. . . .
- Finally, were we truly men of dedication? [John F. Kennedy, speech to the Massachusetts state legislature (9 January 1961)]
In his State of the Union speech on January 29, 2002, President George W. Bush set forth a challenge to every American: In the sacrifice of soldiers, the fierce brotherhood of firefighters, and the bravery and generosity of ordinary citizens, we have glimpsed what a new culture of responsibility could look like. We want to be a nation that serves goals larger than self. We’ve been offered a unique opportunity, and we must not let this moment pass.[At whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/01/20020129-11.html] He offered a specific challenge to all of us: “My call tonight is for every American to commit at least two years—4,000 hours over the rest of your lifetime—to the service of your neighbors and your nation” (at whitehouse.gov).
To build a character of oneself is not that easy, it requires work and dedication, many believe we are born as good as it can get, if so, why a parent has to say to its own kids a thousand times “dont forget to say THANK YOU”. So am proud that my soon Bernardo decides to fulfill an LDS mission (that will take 2 years to complete - from March 2024 to March 2026),That volunteer service is about preaching the gospel of Jesus Christ and also helping his fellow citizens in any way he can. It will demand sacrifice of his time and means, but ultimately, he will learn a lot from such a service and become a much better person for providing this volunteer service, I sure he will also develop many of the skills I did talk in the beginning of this article.
From Richard J. Maynes (“Shape Your Life Through Service to Others”) we read: “Ernest L. Wilkinson, a past president of Brigham Young University, adopted the slogan for the university in 1966. For more than fifty years now the slogan has greeted students and faculty, parents and visitors, and ambassadors and dignitaries from across the globe.
While speaking here in 2003, President Gordon B. Hinckley urged every student to make “Enter to learn; go forth to serve” his or her personal motto. President Hinckley said at that time:
Mediocrity will never do. You are capable of something better. . . . Walk the high road of charity, respect, and love for others and particularly those who are less fortunate.
Please remember, my young friends, that being the best at something doesn’t make you a good person. You can be number one in your academic field, you can be an accomplished musician or artist, or you can be an all - American athlete, but none of these accomplishments make you a good person. What you actually do to bless others with your knowledge and talents is what makes you a good person.
I often hoped that my father’s mantra was true, but I was never quite sure I believed it. Over the years I learned to admire the dedication that my father had to his mantra. But I must say that I never saw it “come around” until years later when we took a trip to Flaming Gorge Reservoir. I remember this trip clearly because it was Friday the thirteenth. Since I was the only child left in the house, I knew it would be a great getaway with my parents. We loved to fish at Flaming Gorge.
This happened while I was in high school—which, according to my kids, was shortly after the earth cooled and most likely during the Jurassic period.
We owned a small cabin cruiser that was about fourteen to fifteen feet in length. It was big enough to sleep three if someone was willing to sleep on the floor—and that was always me. We put our boat in at Sheep Creek Marina. Our goal was to go as far north as possible, spend the weekend in our little boat, and fish until we had our limit.
As I remember, we joked that it was Friday the thirteenth. What followed later that weekend etched that date forever in my mind.
On Friday, heading toward the Wyoming side of the reservoir, we traveled some distance before we began to fish. Frankly, the fishing wasn’t very good, but we loved being out on the boat together in such a beautiful place.
I remember my father saying, “Look, there’s a man on the far shore who’s waving at us.”
I looked up but could barely see anyone. Still, I knew that it was time to pull in the lines. We fired up the motor and went toward the other side of the reservoir, where the man was still waving at us. It seemed odd to me that this man was standing on a barren hillside with no other boat in sight, but when he saw that we were coming, he motioned for us to go around a bend into a small hidden cove. When we came around the hill I was shocked to see a beautiful big yacht pulled onto the shore. It was easily twice the length and width of our little boat.
The man thanked us profusely for coming to his assistance. His battery was dead, and he wondered if we could help him. We did, and soon his big motor roared back to life. The man and his family were very grateful. We lost an hour of fishing, but we were soon back out on the reservoir.
The next day the fishing didn’t improve. As a matter of fact, it was terrible, so we decided to call it quits and go back to the marina. We were about two miles from the marina where we had launched our boat when we found ourselves fighting a blustering headwind that slowed our progress. The waves were kicking up, and suddenly our engine decided to quit. We tried in vain to get it running, but it simply wouldn’t start. My dad was a do-it-yourself kind of guy, and he had built our cabin cruiser from a basic hull. He could always keep our cars and our boat motors running, but not this time.
In the midst of trying to pull-start our outboard motor, much to our surprise, the fellow in the big yacht pulled up and asked if he could be of assistance. I had never been so pleased to see someone! Flaming Gorge is a very big reservoir, and we had been out there for two days. I was amazed that of all the people on the reservoir, he would be the person to show up to give us aid. He offered to tow us back to the marina, even though we were still quite a distance out. We happily accepted his kind offer.
All was going well, and we went at a nice and even slow click for some time, being pulled behind this monstrosity of a boat. We could actually see the marina in the distance when suddenly the motor on the yacht died. We checked the gas lines, the fuel filter—everything. But the motor wouldn’t start. It was Friday-the-thirteenth-weekend kind of luck. We tried his little trolling motor, but it wouldn’t start.
In the meantime, the wind had kicked up into a gale-force wind and was blowing us farther and farther away from the marina. I could barely see the marina in the distance as my dad and Mr. Yacht Guy worked on the engines. Three motors, and not a single one of them would start. What luck!
Out of the blue a little old man and his wife puttered up to us in a little twelve-foot, open-bow, aluminum fishing boat. I remember being shocked to see his wife sitting there all done up pretty with pancake makeup plastered on her windblown face.
I thought, “What in the world are these two doing out here in this tiny boat amid all of these winds and waves?”
The old gentleman offered to tow us in. Quite frankly, I looked at him in disbelief. He hooked a line to the big yacht, and with his little twenty-five horsepower outboard motor, he puttered away like a tugboat with a battleship. Soon he and the big yacht faded out of sight as they went toward the marina.
Meanwhile, we were being blown ever farther away from our destination. We were still in a pickle. But forty-five minutes later the little old man and his wife came back out to us, tossed us a line, and proceeded to tow us back to the dock. I was amazed that these folks were so willing to go so far out of their way to help us. Their kindness and willingness to give so much time and effort to assist total strangers was a gift that I will never forget.
By now we were fast friends—made so by the events of the day and the weekend. We helped the rich fellow get his yacht loaded onto his trailer, and next we helped load the little aluminum boat. As fate would have it, the old gentleman had left the lights on in his car, so his car battery was dead. My dad pulled out his jumper cables and got the car running. We all helped to get the little boat and ours safely secured onto our trailers.
We laughed all the way home about the adventures of that weekend. What goes around really does comes around. I finally had a chance to witness my father’s mantra in action. I may be a little slow, but this was a lesson of a lifetime that I couldn’t ignore.
Thanks, Dad, for being such a great example to me.
Yesterday, I had an incredibly enjoyable experience engaging in a lively snow fight with the students at Henan University of Engineering (HUE). As they frolicked in the snow, I approached them with a suggestion to relocate to another area where pristine, fluffy snow awaited, and we even extended the invitation to some girls to join in the fun.
Amidst the spirited snow battle, I found myself on the receiving end of a few well-aimed snowballs, hitting me squarely in the face and ears. However, the most crucial aspect was that I was thoroughly immersed in the joy of the moment.
Anticipating the remainder of the semester, I sincerely hope that we are blessed with more snowfall. There's an undeniable desire within me to partake in additional snow-filled adventures.
For those seeking tips on how to make the most of snow fighting:
Choose the Right Location: Select an area with ample, untouched snow for a more enjoyable and immersive experience.
Invite Others to Join: Encourage friends and even strangers to partake in the excitement, fostering a sense of camaraderie.
Stay Active and Agile: Keep moving to avoid becoming an easy target, and be quick on your feet to dodge incoming snowballs.
Create Snow Forts: Elevate the challenge by constructing forts or barriers, adding a strategic element to the snow fight.
Incorporate Team Tactics: Coordinate with teammates for synchronized attacks or strategic maneuvers, enhancing the overall experience.
Dress Appropriately: Wear layered, water-resistant clothing to stay warm and dry during extended play.
Capture the Moment: Take photos or videos to immortalize the laughter, joy, and memorable moments shared during the snow fight.
Introduction: In the hush of a winter's day, there's a certain enchantment that blankets the world when snowflakes gently descend from the sky. This magical transformation not only turns landscapes into a winter wonderland but also brings people together in a celebration of togetherness. Much like the spirit of Christmas, the love for snow goes beyond its visual appeal, creating moments that stand still in time, allowing us to revel in the glory of the day with those we hold dear.
A Winter Wonderland that Freezes Time: Picture this – a landscape painted in pristine white, where time seems to stand still. The world takes a collective breath, and for a moment, everything is wrapped in a peaceful serenity. This frozen moment becomes the canvas for shared experiences, a backdrop against which relationships are nurtured and memories are made.
The Nostalgic Echo of Christmas: The connection between the love for snow and the joy of Christmas resonates deeply. Christmas, a time associated with warmth, love, and joy, finds a counterpart in the gentle snowfall that invites us to come out of our homes and embrace the enchantment of winter. The nostalgic echoes of Christmas enhance the magic of the snowy landscape, making it a season of shared joy and collective celebration.
Romance in the Snow: As the snow blankets the streets, cozy couples lazily meander, hand in hand, through the winter wonderland. The chill in the air becomes an excuse to share warmth, whether through a shared glance, a cup of hot cocoa, or simply the comfort of being close. In the midst of the snow's hushed beauty, romance blossoms, and the day unfolds as a testament to the timeless connection between two hearts.
Childhood Joy Unleashed: For children, the snow is a playground of endless possibilities. With sleds in tow and snowballs in hand, they trudge through the winter landscape with unbridled enthusiasm. The day unfolds in a symphony of laughter and playfulness, as they sled down snowy hills and engage in spirited snowball fights. The absence of rush in their movements signifies a collective decision to savor the simple joys of childhood against the backdrop of a snow-kissed world.
Conclusion: In the embrace of snow, we find more than just a seasonal change. It becomes a medium through which we connect with one another, creating moments that linger in our hearts long after the snow has melted. Like the magic of Christmas, the love for snow freezes time, allowing us to appreciate the beauty of the moment, cherish shared experiences, and create memories that endure, much like the winter landscape itself. So, as the snowflakes dance down from the sky, let's step into the enchanting winter symphony, hand in hand, and savor the magic that unfolds when time stands still in the company of those we love.
