I think I'll continue blogging nevertheless...if anyone actually reads other people's blogs. Bored at home. If anyone actually sees this, what did you do in class today?

Nevermind...I don't think I'm coming for the rest of the week....my mom went to call the Tangs'.

Comments for Class Day 2

The first half of classtime, reading comprehension, was slightly boring. I had already that story many times before, and it was kind of easy. I would suggest more advanced passages that we could study. Taken that we have a limited amount of time, short stories are probably more suitable; there are many out there that are quite fascinating.
Regarding public speaking: today's debate topic was one that was certainly very controversial among the students. I enjoyed listening to each person's presentation. It was a challenge coming up with a strong argument right off the bat, but I think I speak for many of us when I say that we all had a great time.

Comments for Class Day 1

Day 1 of the Reading, Writing, and Public Speaking Class:
So far, we have done writing and public speaking here. Writing was an enjoyable component of the classtime, as the exercise we did was pretty fun. I did several drafts, as the first one was not simple enough. I didn't even get to the point of the penguins yet...:). This time I posted onto Blogspot a completely different story, based upon the same idea. Listening to the other student's compositions was interesting, too.
About public speaking: we didn't really get to the speech part, but reading aloud our own works was a good start. I hope we get to do reading soon because I really enjoy reading (as well as many others here). Registering onto Blogspot took awhile, so that kind of occupied class. Tommorow we'll probably be able to get more done as we're set for the week (I think.).

The Penguin Story...

The arrivals of visitors were rare occasions in the small penguin community up in the Arctic circle. So when one unexpectedly turned up on a icy, frigid day, the villagers were pleasantly surprised, especially when this one came. He was decked in a fuzzy red cap and red hot water bags tied around him with a rope. Nevertheless, he looked as if he was expecting to die from hypothermia.
Staring in curiosity, one nudged his friend and whispered, "Dude, what the heck are those things on that guy?"
His friend replied awedly, "I don't know, man. Let's go say hi."
"You think he speaks Penguish?"
"Duh. All penguins do. Even if they are from...America." None of the penguins knew exactly what America was. One oft-told tale was that it was a faraway land, with no snow, and the penguins there were ruled by creatures called humans. In fact, a common scary story told by parents to their young was that if they didn't behave, the researchers would come and kidnap them. Then they would have the flashing lights shined on them, and be put in cages.
The two penguins cautiously approached the stranger. One raised his hand in the customary salute. "Good morning, friend," he said in Penguish. "My name is Nep."
"My name is Nuig," said the other slowly. "What is your name?"
The new penguin looked slightly dazed. "Me name Bob," he said in broken Penguish.
Nep and Nuig stifled a laugh. "Where do you come from?" asked Nep.
Bob looked genuinely confused. "From?"
"Yes, where, from?" said Nuig patiently.
Bob made a hand gesture. "Far far away. Big big machine. Toot toot. Float on water. Place was good. Much food. Here is cold." He pointed to the hot water bags.
Nuig and Nep exchanged a curious glance. "Um, Bob, what are those?" Nuig pointed to the red things strapped around him.
"Hot things. I get from Penny. Penny my friend. Teach me Penguish."
"You didn't know Penguish before?"
Bob struggled to use his limited vocabulary to answer the question. "No. Come from far away place. No speak with others. Live in place with big bars. Things come to see me and make bright flashes." Bob shuddered, relieving the horrible memory of the "bright flashes". "Big toot toot machine come take me away to here. Penny find me and help me."
Nep and Nuig were completely dumfounded. The place Bob had described seemed vaguely familiar, but they couldn't recall. Suddenly Nep cried, "Nuig! The stories our parents used to tell us! Remember the cages and the creatures called people that made bright flashes?"
Nuig shook his head. "Nep, those were stories."
However, Nep was convinced. Bob was from America, the hot faraway land with the strange creatures, cages, and bright flashes.