Personal narrative essay- The nightmare of June

 On June 9th, 2013, I took the very important test. It was the mathematics competition hosted by KMLA. People usually think that if someone writes essay about the competition or contest, maybe the writer recorded great score or at least had good results. Not for me, I totally screwed up this test. However, this is the most precious experience in my 17 years life.

 On May, 2013, I studied a lot for the test. I studied mathematics until break time and even reduce sleeping time to study. Because mathematics is not the subject which can raise in a short time, it was hard to offset the time I have never studied. Anyway, even though I couldn't get the higher score than other students, I maintained the average score. However, two weeks before the test, new students took the class of my academy. I don't know the exact reason, maybe because they are all from gangnam, but all they were good at mathematics. The KMLA mathematics competition takes relative evaluation, so my grade on the model tests became lower and lower. 

 I considered it crisis and I studied much harder than before. For example, I reviewed all th e stuff that I had studied. But, as I mentioned before, Mathematics is not an easy subject. My score didn't get higher. Even it became lower because I felt too nervous at that time. Any how, the time past, and there was just one day between the day and the test date. And the academy offered the last model test. The problems were too hard for me to solve but I tried my best and succeeded to solve some questions. However, my friends got much higher score and they said it was really easy. I felt so nervous that I thought I would get the lowest score. 

 Finally, on June 9th, I took the test. I failed to demonstrate my usual ability and I totally screwed up. It's quite natural that I was depressed so much. I usually overcome it in a day, but this remained quite long. The more serious thing was that I took the English listening test during that time. I always had gotten perfect on the test, but there were three incorrect questions on my test paper. This exacerbated my frustration. It was the nightmare of June.

 I think my mom had a hard time as me. My mom always tried to console me even though it was not helpful. At last, she said "There are a lot of alternatives and you can give up KMLA. KMLA is not the only route." Currently, I think the consolation was nice but I at that time didn't agree with. The words spurred me. I didn't want to lose by KMLA.

 The only left strategy to win KMLA is the school final exam. Final exam was so important to me. Therefore, I studied really hard. It is still unbelievable that I studied that much. For example, my mom admonished me to stop studying when I studied for 17 hours a day. Anyway, I studied like that and I got almost perfect score on the test.

 It is much more meaningful than I got great score. I gained the experience of overcoming  the deep slump which seems to be no end. After it, when I have some troubles or hard time, I reminded this experience and I become confidential. Maybe the nightmare of June is the most valuable things. 

Read More

Monthly TOEFL Essay #1 : the teachings of Confucius

   

Describe a custom from your country that you would like people from other countries to adopt. Explain your choice, using specific reasons and examples.

 

      A Memorial ceremony is a special ceremony in Korea which is known that Confucius practiced first. Traditionally, Koreans have honored their ancestors on special days like Lunar new year's day , Chuseok or the anniversary of their ancestors' death. Today, many people criticized this custom because this ceremony is too extravagant and empty formalities and vanity. And also, some Christians refuse this ceremony because they believe it is an idol worship. Maybe, they are not completely wrong. It was too luxury and Christian can consider the ceremony as an idol worship. However, in spite of these, a memorial ceremony is so beneficial that I want to recommend this to foreigners.

 First, a memorial ceremony enable the members of family who live in different cities or even countries as a result of the development of society congregate. This is very important for people who live in modern society. Modern society makes people too busy to meet and have time with their family. In fact, nowadays many people meet their cousins once a year or a few years even never. The meaning of family has become weaker and weaker. However, Korea is different. In the Korean society, most of offices and workplace release their workers from heavy tasks if workers should take part in their family's memorial ceremony. Therefore, all the Korean can have joyful time with their missing families. In other words, memorial ceremony offer precious time to all the Koreans. So, it will also be able to provide the time for foreigners who have become isolated by modern society too.

 Next, a memorial ceremony is beneficial for children's social ability. Because of the ceremony, children should meet many older families. It enable children to learn how to communicate well with older people. They also learn manners. We couldn't say a memorial ceremony is the only reason why Korean children are more polite, but it is obvious that it affects a lot. To be polite and communication skills with an older person are very valuable unless child will live in mountains for 70years.

 Lastly, family members can share the memory of ancestors. People can also share the memory by a lamentation in front of the dead' tomb. However, a memorial ceremony usually needs some space that family can talk with. Therefore, after the end of the memorial ceremony, family can easily talk about the dead and miss him or her. For example, my grandfather passed away four years ago. Four years is a quite long time. However, my family always talk about him after a ceremony, so I can conserve the memory about him. Vanishing from family's memory is really heartbroken, isn't it?

 In conclusion, it is still fact that a memorial ceremony has some shortages even though it has a lot of merits which are priceless. However, the flaws of a memorial ceremony has been fixed for many decades. Ancestral rites table and procedures of the ceremony have simplified which reduce burdens of it. Hence, a memorial ceremony is no more just burdensome and luxurious formality only for aristocrats. It is a ceremony which can create and conserve a lot of values and help understanding the Korean culture. So, I want to recommend an ancestral rites for people from other countries.

Read More

Self introduction

This is Kim Minkyom
And my English name is Jeremy
I'm frosh of KMLA
I will write a lot of essays to improve my ability.

Read More