It was a big day I took an exam last Saturday. It was not easy to take a test for more than three hours. I was so exhausted after the test that I was sick on Sunday. I have two weeks for holiday from now on. I am goring to get some rest and have fun !

Too hot and humid summer It is such a hot and sticky summer in Korea this year. I was busy for a while for preparing an exam. I haven't visited any museum or theater this summer. This seems stuck in limbo, but it'll end next weekend. I'm going to a museum in Seoul next week. It must be great!

Which species of animal do you think might disappear in the next fifty years? That was a topic in my last English class. My answer to the question is giant pandas. They give birth only one baby at a time, and to survive they have to eat so many bamboos that they might not be able to get in their surrounding areas. Also, polar bears could be endangered due to the man's excessive hunting and the polar icecaps melting. I saw several pictures on the Internet news this morning. A mother bear and two baby bears were looking for food, wandering icecaps. It made me feel warm and a little bit sad somehow. I really want them to be safe and have good lives.

A friend of mine in the US One of my friends is visiting the US. Her uncle lives in Denver, she decided to visit her uncle and take a trip around American southwest. It's been almost a month since she left. From time to time, she sent me a email, and made a comment about her trip. After my trip last year, I haven't been to anywhere. Besides, I can't go abroad until next year because of my study. I used to go abroad almost every year, so this is definitely not pleasant, but sometimes I need to learn to give up something for the future. I'm expecting a different experience next year.

To be a pilot This morning, I talked with my classmates about something we were doing these days. One of classmates said that he was learning how to operate plane. It was quite impressive. I've never imagined that I might be able to meet a man who can operate plane in person. Actually, he looked a little bit calm, so I couldn't imagine it like that. There are so many interesting people in the world. It sure is, isn't it?

A TV show I watched a Korean TV show named "Real Man" yesterday. The show was a reality television series about the military service in South Korea. Most men in Korea have an obligation to serve in the military for 21 months. It is compulsory duty except for an only child or a man who has a physical or mental disability. It seemed so hard to put up with military training there, but the soldiers have been dealing with the training quite well. It was quite impressive and their daily lives were pretty shocking to me. It seemed too dangerous and arduous. I hope for peace in Korea in the future.

The heartthrob of Athens This afternoon, I learned about Alcibiades who lived in Athens and was famous for the relationship with Socrates, a number of scandals, eloquent speech, good looking, brilliant intelligence and military successes. He seemed like a superstar in Athens. In some stories, he was very talented, so smart and so handsome that Socrates fell in love with him. He brought Athens glory and disgrace together. According to a history book,, Athens was able to win the war with Melos, and was defeated by Sparta later because of him. He definitely seemed to be an idol and a target of hatred at the same time, like an Homme Fatale. He seduced even a Spartan queen and his son was born. His story was quite interesting and I got very curious how he was handsome and smart. Anyway, I had fun today.

The English class of the summer season has begun I had the first English class this morning. We met a new English teacher who came from Manchester in the UK. He was very kind and didn't use English accents, so I could perfectly understand what he said. It was amazing and made me a little bit comfortable. Some people speak too fast to catch what they are saying, but the teacher was nice, fortunately. Of course,I know that I need to practice listening and speaking. Anyway, the teacher seemed to try to ease the tension in the first class. I met some French girls who came from Paris, isn't it cool? They want to study English as well, and we talked each other for a while. The first English class was fun.

I need the rain According to the news, rainy season has begun, but we have been without rain for several weeks. I am disappointed of this weather. I was looking forward to monsoon rain. We have been dried for a long time, so we need the rain. Besides, isn't it natural that it rains when it is monsoon season? I know that sometimes the raining would be annoying, but rain, snow, fog.. are all natural phenomena. I am afraid that this is another example of the effects of global warming. I miss the rain.