Task 10: What did you learn and your feeling about this course?

Before I began to study this course, I have not expected a terminal goal. I thought we would learn how to write applications, essays, passages or whatever that use academic, difficult and formal words, however, it was not like this. Reading was alright. I have improved my reading skill and expanded my vocabularies. For writing course, although I wrote a lot writings, I did not know they were academic or not. I thought I used general words though the topics were academic.

I have doubted and confused about word “academic”. I studied Listening and Speaking for Academic Purposes, the teacher who taught this course said it related education, teaching and learning strategies. I was not sure the meaning of this word. It meant writing or speaking that use the difficult and formal languages, for example, using the word “adequate" or “sufficient” to replace the word “enough” or related education.

After finished this course, I have got many knowledge and experience, especially my reading skill. I acquired variety of vocabulary, synonyms and antonyms. I enjoyed writing weblogs because I could develop my thinking skill and share my opinions, ideas and experiences. I loved to think and write. I am not worry about my score. I wrote because I liked to do it. I would like to say “thank you very much” to my teacher that allow me to write by my heart and not limited time. However I thought there are too many topics. I would like to choose only five topics from ten that I like to create to publish on weblog. For my assignments, I did not like to create task 4, 5, 8 and 9. It made me unhappy to write. Finally, I would like to pay respects to my teacher and realize her gratefulness. Thank you very much, teacher.

Task 9: Global Issues

What do you concern about global issues?

There are many global issues or problems in the world. We have received much information about the global issues in many ways such as mass medias and the internet, especially the issues that my classmates presented to the class last month. I have been informed many problems, for instance, economy crisis, environment problems, population and terrorism. Some does not affect us directly, for example, racism although we should concern about its effects.

The most problem that affects us extremely and wide spread is the global warming. In Thailand, nowadays we have experienced drought condition that has been evident on diary newspapers and television. It influences on human, animals and plants. There is lack of drinking and consuming water and using in farming. Thailand is not only one that has faced the crisis. There are many developing and undeveloped countries also have experienced this condition.

I think we have concerned to attempt to protect and solve the problem. Global warming is a public problem so we have to do many ways as much as we can, like I said on task 8 Climate Change. If we ignore the natural warnings, the global impacts will be more extreme and longer.

Task 8: Global warming

I have heard and concerned about climate change for many years ago. Many people and public organizations concern about the global warming crisis. In Thailand, almost school have held campaigns to fight against the global warming. While most people become aware of the crisis, some does not worry about it yet.

The majority of scientists argue that recent investigations have produced much more reliable evidence of warming. They predict the world would flood densely populated coastal areas in 40-50 years later. Because of the global temperature is increasing. Glaciers are melting and sea level is rising. There is no doubt the flooding would occur earlier. Some scientists claim that the climate zones are shifting. This causes the changed seasons of the world. There is snow fall in the tropical countries. The deserts will be rain forest. If these events will happen, many creatures will become extinct.

We can save the earth by reducing the plastic bags, air conditioners, spray products and deforestation to reduce greenhouse effect gases like carbon dioxide (CO2), chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), and methane (CH4) in the earth’s atmosphere. If we do nothing, however, the impact of the warming and the ultimate costs of dealing with it will be much greater.

Task 7: New Year 2009

It was fifth New Year anniversary that I have studied here, Nakhon Pathom. My hometown is Sisaket. For five years ago I have got a scholarship to study here. I visited my hometown and celebrate New Year Day only once. Since 2006 my parents divorced, I have not gone to my home on this festival. My mother has got a job in Bangkok and also has not visited our home. I celebrated New Year Day with my boyfriend’s family. We cooked and had dinner together. His aunt’s family came to join us. Sometimes his neighbors also joined us. I would like my mother and my younger sister to have dinner with us but they could not. Because of their jobs were busy. I could not visit them because this reason.

For this New Year, I celebrated it like previous year. On December 31, 2008, we cooked and had dinner together and cooked for my dogs. There were my daughter, Soda and her kids, Namkheng, Tengsaam, Seagram and Hi-lo. They were pretty naughty. Soda joined with us while her kids enjoyed their food outside. I was happy. Food was delicious. I loved all members had dinner together. Today I got many SMS to say “Happy New Year” from my friends. I called my mother at midnight. She was unconscious because she was sleepy.

On January 2, 2009, my called me and talked about Santika Pub was fired. She worried about it because she thought I joined there. I told her that I never heard its name before I saw its news on TV. She was glad to hear that and said love me before hang up. I knew my mother love and worry about me and I also love her. I have tried to take care myself, study hard and do good things as possible as I can. Because of I want her to be very happy. “We have to celebrate next New Year Day at our home together. Please stand and wait for this chance. I promise you, mom”.

Task 6: Fashion

When you say a word “fashion”, what do you think about it?

I think it is not only clothes but there are many things that constitute fashion. For instance, there are attires, bags, watches, shoes, mobile phones and other accessories. Due to fashion is changeable and dramatic, there are many people who addict and be under the influence of fashion and finally, become its slave. They pay too much money to clothes and accessories. This constitutes a problem. If they are wealthy, they can purchase whatever that they like. If not, most of them attempt to find as much money as they can for responding their desires. Some make crime and become social problem like we see on news.

I am one who like and follow fashion but not addict it. I will decide to choose and purchase attires that suitable myself and I afford to buy. I think fashion does not depend on someone who decided but you can design and decide by yourselves. You can select something that appropriates you so that it makes you look well. Expensive and brand name is not important. Do not forget that fashion is dramatic change. If you do not like to be its slave, you should matters that are like you. Try to be yourself, not follow others.

Task 5: food

Some people claim that the dietary problems faced by modern societies have arisen because we no longer eat fresh ingredients from local farms. People in earlier times ate better because the food they bought was more nutritious than what most people now eat.
I agree in some point but I think it is not always true. In my opinion, you eat more nutritious or not, eat fresh ingredients or not, it depends on your decision. It is alright that people in earlier times ate lots of fresh food because could pants by themselves and there was not GMO plants like now. However people in modern societies can decide and choose the better diets for their own and their family as much as they can. Some eat fresh and healthy food such as organic produces and meats, fish and unsaturated fats. Some eat every thing that they can buy when they feel hungry and they do not concern its nutrition. There are many choices for a person who concern about their health. There are fresh produce, vegetable and fruits, ingredients and good nutritious that are sold in supermarkets. Moreover, there are opened farm businesses that costumers pay fee and harvest plants on limited time. Because of these reasons, modern people can choose the better and varieties of food than earlier people.

Task 4: ++ The Minnesota Starvation Experiment ++

After read a passage, I realized its usefulness and awfulness. This experiment could deal with starving people in areas of Europe and Asia ruined by the war, hunger people and militaries. Its effect on participants’ mind after progressing is terrible.

Although they were recovered, they remained hungry, dizzy, confused and irritable. Even if it is that, all of participants were willing to volunteer and were allowed by government.

When considered some advantages and drawbacks, I agree this experiment. It can help many people who suffered from war, hunger and disaster. It is helpful.