Reading Journal 6: Wild Weather: UK is the world "tornado alley"

          In the article, the writer - Dr Sylvia Knight, Head of Education, Royal Meteorological Society - gave some information about the place where most tornadoes happen: the U.K. Normally, many people think the U.S is the country which most of tornadoes occur, because there are over 1.000 tornadoes every year. Although the tornadoes in US occur over a mile wide, the U.K or the Netherlands is the place where has more tornadoes than anywhere on the world, of course, almost them are weak. The writer explained the tornado form when the the warm, moist air meets the cold, dry air and begins rotating. Almost tornadoes do not move very fast, but few of them move very quick, up to 300 miles per hour.

         After reading this article, I think nature is very harsh. Although tornado do not damage as much as earthquake or tsunami, it is still a disaster. It influences to people lives, and damages the human's properties, even loss of the lives. Comparing to nature, human are too small, we can not avoid the damage of nature.

        Things I learned through the reading: :"tornado alley", "whereas", "swirl", "gust", "swathe", "lamppost", "cumulonimbus"

          Some pictures about tornadoes:

Tornado

Reading Journal 5: Japan Earthquake: Huge Relief Mission Launched

          In the article "Japan Earthquake: Huge Relief Mission Launched", the writer described about one of the most terrible earthquake on the world occurred in Japan in 2011. According to the police, there were about 500 people who have died and lots of people have missed in a 9,2 richer at Honshu island - north east of Tokyo. It made lots of people lost their homes and it made at least five nuclear reactors in emergency, but the government said that there was not lead to a serious disaster. One of the most damaged nuclear reactor was the Fukushima. Many countries sent their rescue teams to Japan to help the citizens overcome this disaster. This earthquake damaged many things like houses, factories, railroad, building, dam, fields, and the port of Sendai city. This earthquake give many alert about tsunami to many countries in Asia,  Pacific, North and South America.

         After reading this article, I condole with Japanese. I think earthquake and tsunami is the most terrible disaster which people have ever known. I remember on the day this disaster occurred in Japan, I was eating dinner with my parents, and I watched the news on TV, I could not believe in my eyes. The tsunami washed away many big, very big ship into the coast. It was so terrible. I wished God save their soul. One year from that date, I know that the Japanese are overcoming the damage of disaster, and I admire their spirit. They are never give up. That's a very good characteristic which I need to learn from Japanese.

         Things I learned from the reading: "mammoth", "meltdown", "devastate", "worst-hit", "prefecture".

       

          Link of article: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12720489

Reading Journal 4: Land of Fire and Ice

              In the article "Land of Fire and Ice", the author described about Iceland, a part of Atlantic Ocean, wells up through the rifts along the ridge. This is a city of culture because its capital has been known with colorful and stylish architecture. The weather in here is so awesome, it is about 4 degrees in winter and it gets 22 hours of daylight in summer. That's so great to enjoy the outside activities. Over one third of Iceland's 40,000 square miles is volcanically active and load with lava fields. Magma too far below the surface to create volcanoes heats the rocks above, sending the heat groundwater to the surface in the form of "hot springs". The most famous hot springs is Blue Lagoon which receives more than 300,000 visitors a year. Besides this, Iceland is popular in caves like Vatnajokull - a vast layer of ice cave - and monsters huge rock. Finally, Golden Circle is a destination of trip to Iceland. This a place which is a pathway connects Golden Waterfall, hot springs Geysir, and Thingvellir National Park. 

            After reading this article, I know that Iceland is far enough north so that it should be entirely covered by ice and snow. The heat generated by the ridge; however, keeps the country in a constant stage of thaw, distinguishing it as the land of Fire and Ice. Besides, I know more about a very beautiful place in the world. I wish I can visit this place in the future. 

            Things I learned through the reading: "tension" , "thermal", "glacier", "fault".

Reading Journal 3: Rhino Killing Soar for "Healing" Horn

          In the article, the author said that people have believed that rhino horn can heal, and some people think it use to cure cancer, but no one has proven this. The price of a pound crushed horn is so expensive up to $25,000. It is nearly the price of cocaine in U.S. The rhinos have endangered because lots of people ready pay so much money for rhino horn. That is the reason why many poachers are hunting for rhinos. They use chain saws to rip off the rhino horns. If they cut rhino horn carefully, it can grow back in two years. But almost rhino die. There may not be any rhinos left after 10 to 15 years, so people need to protect them to extinct. 

          After reading this article, I have two different thinking. Why do people so wicked? They kill a big, endangered animal just for a small horn? For money???? I agree that anyone need money for their lives, but how they feel when they kill animal? They have no feeling sorry for their actions.  The other side, The poachers must kill rhino to sell its horn to have money to take care their family or they need the rhino horn to cure the illness. In my opinion, I don't believe that rhino horn can cure cancer. But for a long time ago, my father had a rhino horn. This was a gift when he was in military. My father said that if you keep the rhino horn in the house, snake will leave far away from your house. One thing he said that if a poisonous snake bites you, you grinds a small piece of rhino horn with a little water and drink it, you will be safe. Unfortunately, my father lost the rhino few years ago :((

          Things I learned about English through reading: 

• The meaning of words: "grind", "rumored", "poacher", "nub", "rip off". 

Reading Journal 2: Saving the Panda

          In the article "Saving the Panda", the author said that among the animal have endangered,  pandas are one of the most endangered animals. There are about 1,800 of black-and-white survive around the world, mostly in their native China. Because giant pandas are extremely rare, so when a new panda was born in a zoo in Washington, D.C, visits to this zoo increased by 50 percent after three months..However, caring for pandas is very expensive. Looking after an adult panda need over $2.5 million per year, because a panda eats about 40 pounds of bamboo shoots everyday. Besides, it needs the best doctors and keepers, tastiest food, and toys to play. So the zoos must sale the ticket and gift shop to tourist for their revenue. Although looking after pandas are too expensive, zoos around the world are successful to increase the population of this pandas. Today, a lot of pandas are learning to be more independent of their human keepers. Every country is helping to protect and increase this endangered animal.

          After reading this article, i am very interesting because when i was a little child, i really like panda. I have never seen a real panda, I has just watch on TV and cartoon. I dreamed I have an own panda ^o^. Panda is so cute, so I love the movie Kungfu Panda with Po, a fat and greedy panda, and I use a case for my Iphone with a picture of Po. Reading this article, I know an amazing information about the cost to look after a panda, it is too expensive, and I admire people who spent lots of time and money to protect this animal.

          Things I learned about English through reading:

• The meaning of words: "infant", "offset", "revenue", "hesitate", "eliminate".
• Word combination: self-sustaining.

          A clip for panda:

                                                                    Happy birthday

                                                                      So cute

                                                                     Fat and greedy Po

Reading Journal #1: Planet Football

          In the article "Planet Football", the author said that football or soccer in the U.S emerged in 2.500 B.C at China, but until 1840s, England's Football Association had established the rules. In the 6 continents, Europe has the largest number of soccer players, some major clubs are owned by foreign businessmen. In two recent decades, soccer is very popular in Asia, especially in Japan, South Korea, China, and Middle East. Soccer makes people more friendly, and it helps to promote peace. Although soccer is not popular than others sports in Australia, now it is developing and result is Australia was one of the 32 teams appearance at the World Cup in 2006. In Africa, they always have a number of talented players and they have been developing this sport few years recent. Among the teams, Brazil is the most famous team in the world and South America have lots of countries which have good background like Argentina, Uruguay, Paraguay, etc. Although men's soccer in North America is not developed as South America's, women's soccer in here is the most developed area in the world. Soccer increasingly connects people around the world and it is always the king of sports.

          After reading this article, I think it is very exciting because soccer is my favorite sport. Through the article, i know clearly about the history and the popularity of soccer around the world. Besides, I know new information about woman's soccer. Now i know that Mia Hamm is a very famous player of woman's soccer. It's so great to improve my knowledge.

           Things I learned about English through reading: 

               _ Different between "immigrant" and "emigrant".

               _ The meaning of words "prominent" and "prospect".

               _ Name of a sport: table football or foosball.

               _ Word combinations: hand-eye coordination

          List of funny pictures about soccer:

  

                                                Habits of the professional soccer player

                                                              ooh noooo, my neck.......

                                                                      OMG, please........

                                                                            Sorry guy

                                                           It's not my false. I don't know...

                                                               No comment.....

                                                                      Knock out

Myself

Hi. My name is Toan. My English name is Tom. I was born in Vietnam. I lived in Ho Chi Minh city with my parents. I have a younger brother who has been stydying in San Francisco. I graduated in university of economics HCMC. My major was banking. I have been living in U.S for five months. I am studying English in ALP to improve my English skills to apply for the Master Program in CSU, Fulerton. I think CSUF is a very good university for business. I intend to study MBA about finance. After that, I will come back to my country to find a job and live near my parents. I like to watching soccer, travelling, swimming, jogging, and judo. Sometime I play game online with my friends. Nice to meet you. (^o^).