Writing Sample - a Nursing Major Freshman From Chang-Gung University (長庚大學)

Dear grandaunt:

            My roommate from Taichung helped me dye my hair on Monday with the “foam hair dye.”  It was the first time to dye my hair, and the reason is that I want to try something new. 

            Summer is around the corner, thus, it has been raining a lot these days.  I don’t like rainy days since I cannot plan any outdoor activities.  The weather in Taiwan seems to be showery every year before the summer arrives, and we call it “monsoon season.”  We also call this kind of rain “plum rain”, because it is the growing season of plums.  “Plum rain” is one of the major water resources in Taiwan. 

            This summer may probably become the last vacation of my college life, since I will have to go to the hospital to have practical training for the rest of my summer.  I am looking forward to the internship though I still feel a bit nervous sometime.  After all, it was an absolutely new experience for me to work in the hospital.  I want to be a great nurse one day, and I want to save people. 

            I will have to prepare my biochemistry tomorrow because I am going to have another exam on next Tuesday.

Love,

Eunice

Writing Sample - My Student's Sincere Appreciation to All the People Around Her

Dear grandaunt:

            I went to see the orthodontist this morning, and she took off my braces.  I remember that when I put on the braces at the beginning, it hurt so much that I could hardly eat anything.  I even could not experience the adjustment to it at first.  However, after wearing the braces for three years, I have already been used to it.  I thought that wearing the braces was cute and I was even proud of it.  Sometimes we are very self-centered without knowing who are the one that make me proud.  It's my parents that I have to thank for.  Now, I need to get used to my mouth again- with no braces on it.

            By the way, we went to see the cadaver at the lab on Wednesday during our anatomy class.  I thought that I would probably be terrified at the beginning, but when I saw the cadaver, I found that instead of being afraid, I felt full of respect for them.  We called those dead bodies “Cadaver Teachers" because they donated their body after they passed away.  They provided so many students with the opportunity to have an understanding of human bodies.  The experience builds more than learning the professional knowledge.  It’s the personal relationship involved in caring for patients.  Their bodies can save more lives.  Those “Cadaver Teachers" are very great and benevolent.  We should appreciate them and grasp the chance to learn from them, since not everybody has a chance like us.

            I have to give thanks and look like I’m the grateful student getting help from these “Benevolent Teachers."

Love,

Eunice

Proud Moment of My Student, Mary Wang, at “Annual Celebration of Student Voices” Reading

Proud Moment of My Student, Mary Wang, at

“Annual Celebration of Student Voices” Reading

Background

Mary, 62-year-old Chinese immigrant from China, finished her elementary school in 1960.  She vowed to learn good English after working at Magruder Grocery Store in Rockville, Maryland for 25 years. 

She was tested as a Laubach Level II student in July, 2014 when Literacy Council placed her under my tutelage.  She moved steadily up to Level III after a successful “Skill Level Test” within 7 months.

The following is her speech at Award Ceremony, Literacy Council of Montgomery County on 5/21/2015:

I can’t believe I can still learn at my age at 62.

If Janice were not my teacher, I’d probably quit already.

I am saying this “from the bottom of my heart.”

If I want to be good in English, I have to study hard.

My goal is to help others.  Either volunteering or being able to get a job with my good English.

I wish my dream would come true – to help older students at CASSA, Chinese American Senior Services Association.

I know their levels are lower than mine. They need help.

I appreciate that the Literacy Council has this program for me.

Two Writing Samples from an Inspiring Nursing Major Student in College

#1 - Contribution - Sharing My Life After High School With the Juniors

Dear grandaunt:

I was having my midterm last week, and the test finally finished on Friday.  I think I will get good grades since I really made efforts on my exam.  To be honest, I do care a lot of my score most of the time, I always make a goal for myself and I will do my best to reach it, however, sometimes I don’t like my friends to compare with me.  I know that comparing with others may sometimes make ones be better, but it does not make me feel comfortable to compare with friends, especially if I did better than my friend and she became unhappy. 

By the way, I went back to Wesley Girls'  High School yesterday after my exam.  I talked with my teachers and have a very wonderful time.  I miss the time when I was in Wesley for the past three years.  I used to tell my mom that if I have a daughter in the future, I might want her to study in Wesley.  I love my teacher so much and I also really appreciate her a lot.  My teacher not only gave me knowledge from text books, she also taught us lots of her thoughts on life.  We all call our teacher Judith.  One year ago Judith was our teacher, and now she is our friend.

Though I probably will become a nurse, I still hope that I can do something for Wesley.  Thus, I wish one day I can be a school nurse or have a speech in Wesley.

Love,

Eunice

#2 - Spring Picnic With My College Friends 

 April is here.  It’s spring!  But, it feels like summer today.

My monthly period came this morning, no wonder that I was so tired yesterday.  However, I have promised my high school friends to have a picnic this afternoon.  We have missed each other so much since we bid our farewell at the graduation.  Though I felt a little uncomfortable, I still looked forward to seeing my friends.

  Nothing was better than spending the lovely weather under a shady tree with the best friends.  We chose a big tree to sit under and started to picnic.  This is our second time to picnic.  I remember that we forgot to bring a blanket last time.  We did this time a big rectangle bed sheet we brought.  We have four people today, one brought salad from Costco, one brought cookies and candies from the market, one brought soda and juice from Seven-Eleven, and I brought fruits from my home.  I love picnic so much, because it does not need to spend too much money, and it is fun.

 I feel that my friends in Wesley are a little different from all my college friends.  We used to live together in the dorm.  We tend to encourage each other while we were sad or disappointed about the school life or everything.  The most precious is we would not hide our secrets at all.  I also live harmoniously and amiably with my college friends, but, something is definitely missing.  I hope my relationship with my college friends will eventually develop as time goes.  I am very sure it will grow into the same deep bondings as my high school friends.

Love,
Eunice