Hoho, my crazy debut in Canada ^0^

Yesterday, I attended a workshop focusing on presentation skills. In the end, the teacher assigned us a task and demanded us to accomplish it in class.

The background of the task was that you owned a company in Africa and it involved catching, killing and selling crocodiles. At long last, the teacher possessed a contract worthy of ＄10,000. Thus, our task referred to craft our company to her so as to gain the contract. We were divided into two groups at random, and each had four members. The teacher gave us ten minutes to conceive.

If you had been me, what would you have thought of your sales strategy? Will you feel worried and nervous?

However, I enjoy improvisation!! After several seconds, a good idea came out to my mind. Can I act as a crocodile? In other words, what about performing the whole process, that is, catching, killing and selling, to the consumer?

I introduced my idea to my group members. They liked it! Now that we had consensus, we divided roles of crocodile, catcher, killer and seller quickly.

After the above steps, we started to discuss about lines of each role. As far as we were concerned, a catcher needed to prove that the crocodile was in a good condition, in short, very fresh. Thereby, we designed a plot to swing my arms and kick me legs.

As to a killer, he’d better prove our company had advanced technology to kill the crocodile. “You can take off my coat. This action symbolizes the process of paring the scale of the crocodile!” I blurted out. “Nice! And I will open your mouth so as to pretend to pull out your teeth!” The actor of killer became excited.

With regard to a seller, we gave him two tactics. First, he should testify our company was legal and had a good reputation according the record of the past. Second, he might as well give the consumer a discount.

After such a heated discussion, we rehearsed simply.

Now, the act began!

Our group was No.2. To our disappointment, the first group was deadly boring. Nevertheless, I noticed they asked the teacher about her usage of the crocodiles. The teacher said she needed them to make cosmetics. This answer brought me an inspiration. I decided to create a prelude catering to this piece of information. Moreover, given that our display should be complete, I wanted to add an ending with a slogan of our company.

I looked around, and my glasses box caught my eye. Good! Then, I asked my group members for advice about the slogan. All of a sudden, I thought maybe I could imitate the sound of a crocodile! They all laughed.

“Next group!” The teacher said. We came to the stage.

“Nice to meet you!” I went into the auditorium and shook hands with the teacher. “Here is our latest type of fragment made by the best crocodiles!” I opened my glasses box. “Can you smell the sentiment?” The teacher and the audience burst into laughter. I went back to the centre of the stage, “Ok! We four are the represents of the Crocodile Slayers Company! We will demonstrate our whole process of catching, killing and selling. We guarantee you will go back satisfied!"

Next, I lay down as a crocodile and we acted as we had planned. It was beyond others’ expectations. In the end, I shouted “Waaoo!! Any crocodile? Come to us!”

At that time, I couldn’t keep laughing. The audience applauded. The teacher signed the contract with my group immediately. “You sacrificed a lot!!” She said. Oh, it doesn’t matter. The most important thing was that we won with fun!!!

This morning, two members of the other group bumped into me. “Crocodile!” They greeted me and dragged my coat. Hahaha! We burst out laughing. Since now, I have a new nick name! ^0^

Deductive 1: DIY a console table

My dear homestay mother bought a console table for my basement. How nice she is!! However, until now, it is still on the paper. : ( How to make it reality? I feel very excited!!

First, I checked every part and hardware of the table according to the illustration. In this case, there are six parts and five hardware in all. Try to be familiar with them! They are essential elements.


① Parts list:
A = top
B = leg
C = glider
D = drawer front
E = drawer back
F = drawer 2 side
G = drawer bottom


② Hardware list
1 = knob
2 = bolt for knob
3 = screw
4 = bolt and washer
5 = wrench



Second, it was high time to turn over the illustration pamphlet to obey the assembly steps.

① I assembled the bolt and washer and used the wrench to make four legs tight. Although this procedure needed strength, it was easy. I repeated such a process four times.


② I found the part C, in effect, a glider and manipulated two of screws to tighten it in the middle of the table top. At that time, I finished step1.


③ Now, I was caught with the most difficult task – setting up the drawer. This work needed four screws; however, it is hard to screw them correspond to the holes! They are easy to twist. Aside from this difficulty, I lacked helpers to hold the draw side. Thus, I had to try many times until two bubbles came out to my thumb and fist finger.

④ I inserted the bottom into the half-finished drawer and closed its back. All of the above work was step 2. Step 3 demanded me to screw the knob compatible to its bolt. It was another test for my acuteness. After trial and error, I made it!

Last but not least, I needed to put the drawer into the console table and made some decoration for it. Here it is!


The whole process looked like a deduction since the model, or the "conclusion" had been given at the beginning. : ) What I did was to follow the steps to "prove" it. En… it brought a sense of achievement to me. I enjoyed the deduction!

Lonely, Absolutely Lonely

1. An Unknown Lake

It is said there is a train station near my homestay family. Thus, I decided to look for it. I don’t have a map, and I don’t need a map. Stepping out of the home, I began to ask pedestrians “Excuse me, where is the nearby train station?” After bothering several nice strangers, I was close to the station.

All of a sudden, I noticed a “park” on my way, which is common in Canadian neighborhoods. I went into it by the path. Around three minutes later, an unknown lake came into being!!

At the dawning of the day, it appeared quite tranquil. My crossing a wooden bridge, some ducks caught my eye. I stopped and counted them. Seven in all! Five of them are cub, and an adult duck was leading them swimming across the lake. Fortunately, they stopped at a cluster of grass under the bridge. Perhaps it was their home.

These ducks made some ripples both on the surface of the lake and in my heart. I looked at them. But where is my peaceful life? I miss my parents. Now that my university doesn’t locate in my hometown, I have been separated from Daddy and Mummy for almost three years. During that time, who takes care of them? Although I never talk this idea with my parents, I’m worried about them in case of accidents. Sometimes, I consider whether I should pursue my study or not. If it is the case, my parents are going to face retiring, that is, their salary will be cut down sharply and I won’t find a job to support a family. : (

Given that I’m 21, I should take on the responsibility of making my parents live a rich and respectful living. Nevertheless, I am tooooo weak. I can’t control my future confidently. I hate myself!!

Harboring this self-critical feeling, I walked out of the park slowly and went to the train station.


2. The Train Station

At first sight, a train came by with vapor, and commuters took off. After this last train, no one stayed except me. I stretched out my arms, allowing wind to blow my hair and clothes.
If I can abandon all the troubles…

I stood for hours, watching the changeable clouds. However, in my mind, I was thinking of the experience of taking subway a few days ago.

I hadn’t expected to go to anywhere. I did just take on the subway. It took me around circle by circle. That experiece reminded me of IKARI ShINJI (碇シンジ, or 碇 真嗣), a famous Japanese manga figure of EVA (Evangelion). He is conceived of as the represent of “post-heroism”. They are weak, passive and lack of an existential sense. They think they are abandoned by the times; hence, they try to escape their “time mission” inflicted on by their parent’s generation. Even if they compromise to action in the end, they still feel reluctant in their heart in so as far as they know they are merely tools in the name of “mission”. Secretly, they often question themselves and human.

In the EVA, a famous episode of SHINJI is that he sits on a running Japanese subway, one circle after another, listening to his music. Each time I see this section, his loneliness comes out to my heart, and occupies it deeply. What’s my future? What should I do? Can I jump out of the present situation? Who can help me? What are others doing? Tiredness, helplessness and loneliness. We don’t believe so-called authorities, but is it possible for us to become new idols? We are devoid of strength and hope.

A desperate generation…