My Personal Achievement

In this world, most people work hard to achieve their dreams. That's why they study hard to get a high academic degree in school, or even compete with others to achieve what they want in their career life. However, some people give up easily when they fail something in their first trial. I am kind of person who never gives up easily when I cope with something difficult in my life, because I know that failure gives me a good lesson to move forward. I have achieved several things since I graduated from Saint Joseph High School: getting a scholarship, improving Korean language skill, and getting acquainted with Korean culture. 

First of all, I got a scholarship from Korean government. When I was in elementary school, I dreamed of traveling abroad and wanted to see the modern world which was portrayed in movies and books. After several years, finally I graduated from high school. At that time my teacher made my dream come true. He recommended me to take a test for Korean scholarship. Finally, I passed the test. I considered this one as my greatest achievement in my life, and I am thankful to my teacher for his support. 

Secondly, I improved Korean language skill. After I came to Korea, I had a lot of work to do. Adapting to a new place and circumstance is not that easy as I thought before, especially when we learned that country's language for the first time. Everything seemed new to me. I learned Korean language for 6 months, and I think that was not enough time for me to be fluent in Korean language. However, I was quite happy because after 6 months of intensive Korean course I was able to communicate with Korean people, even though just in simple worlds. I did work hard on it though.

Lastly, I got acquainted with Korean culture. Korean culture is very different from my country's culture, from simple courtesy to how to treat each other. As I mentioned above, it is hard to adapt to another country's culture. Sometimes we do not understand the local people because of the difference culture that we have. However, there are things that I did to adapt well to his new circumstances, I need to learn their native language, meet new people and places. The very first difference that I noticed was the ways people great other people, and their food which taste different from food in our home country.

It always happens that when you have achieved your goal for the first time, you want to try another dream that you have. However, some things are impossible, but the only way you find out is do your best. I think it is important to dream and hope for the best. It is extremely important to try to make those dreams come true. We shouldn't be afraid to try because of failure. Failure is a part of life and unfortunately it is also a way to learn and understand who you are. One's said that if you never fail in your life, it means that you never try. Therefore, try first before you recognize that you will fail, because with that experiences there will be less failure in the next trial.

My Low-Tech Life Style

As the unveiling of the devices every time these days, people become more attracted to these products. They never mind whether these are expensive or not because of the flawless advertisement through TV and other medias. People become influenced and finally they want to have those things. We all recognized that high-tech devices progress rapidly and make people's lives more convenient. However, some people still stick to their low-tech lifestyle. I also prefer to live a low-tech life because of some reasons.

The first reason is the newest devices are always expensive. A company always gains more profits from their first launch of their new product because they know that their new product will be accessible by more people, for instance IPod, Smartphone, Ipad, etc. I know that these devices are not the primary necessity for me. I prefer to use what I have before and not to buy the newest devices. My mom used to tell me to spend money for something that I really need. Once, when I was a high school student, I persuaded my mom to get me a digital camera. However, she said to me, "If you use that camera until everlasting, then I will get you one". That time I realized that I can use my phone for taking pictures instead spending money just for getting a digital camera.

The second reason is that I am the one who can only spend money for something that I really need, or for my basic need. For me, having the latest and greatest, the coolest and hottest, the most bells, whistles and flashing lights are never that important. In many ways replaced hours we would have spent with others. Today, as in fact many teenagers sit in front of their computer screen and contact others by via Facebook, Twitter, Hi5, and whatever the next big new thing in social media will be. There is almost no time to just hang out with friends. I would rather pick up the phone and talk, or actually hang out with friends. It seems like computer screen and LCD occupies a big space in these days.

The third reason is I am happy with my present devices: a cellphone and a laptop. I do not need to get brand new things. Imagine I have my laptop and I buy again the new brand one. Where will I put the other? How inconvenient it is to have two laptops with the new brand and the old brand! I do not want to replace my cell phone with the newest one, when I know that my cellphone is still working as usual, unless it is no longer to use.

Because of these three reasons above, I prefer to live my low-tech life, no matter how many jokes my friend crack and how shocked people are when I tell them that I don't have an mp4 or mp3. I'm sure I'll eventually own all these tecthy stuffs someday when the things I have now become dinosaurs as they will. That may appear to put me behind the curve, but it is okay. I know what's hot and new, but I simply choose not to have it.