The time of our lives!

German players celebrated their victory after today's match with their fantasitc coash Klinsmann. Time of our lives!

I nearly cried on the 12th mintue when Podolski kiched his second goal on the first half this morning. German Team was fantastic today. It only took them 12 minutes to secure their victory. The ball possession for German during the whole match was 63% and Sweden only got 37%. German players attacked crazily even though they already kicked two goals. I can not believe it is German Team in front of my eyes.

Podolski had two goals today, which helped Germany get their victory. But Behind his goals, one guy played a big role: Klose. He gave two best opportunities to Podolski. Klose was everywhere today. He really improved a lot: controlling the ball, kicking the ball, creating opportunities and even defending. I see a strong Klose in a confident German Team. Ballack slowly recovered, although he was still scoreless. German's wonderful performance beat Sweden to reach Quarter-final. If they could win over Argentina on Quarter-final, they will go to Semi-final and Berlin will not be far away from them.

I didn't expect this match to be so easy for Germany. Sweden is one of the top traditionally European sides and from their history, they always won over Germany. But Podolski's 2 goals were too quickly today, which made Swedish suddently shocked. Actually, Swedish still had chance even after losing 2 goals. A red card beat them, so they had to play with only 10 players. At the same time, German got hungrier and hungrier, they didn't give them any time to recover or even think about what was going on there. But German defender's mistake gave them a chance at 53rd minute. Sweden got a penalty kick. It was a great chance for them to recover, but God bless Germany today, Swedish missed their penalty kick. Great pressure beats Swedish.

"Berlin, Berlin, we're going to Berlin." My friend told me that the fans shouted during and afer today's match in Munich. Yes, they could and they also deserve Berlin's final. Just as Podolski and Klinsmann said "We've grown with WC." Today is the time of German players' lives, it is also the time of their fans lives, including me!

Germany's victory in Berlin!

Germany's strikers are alive today. With only one score last match, they shot Ecuador 3 goals. Now Germany gets top one in Group A with 9 points and 3 victories. That's awesome!

German Team's performance is great today. Their strikers are scoring and defenders are holding. Fans and mass media complained German's defenders after their kickoff match in Munich, but today they prove their abilities. Klose kicks two goals today, which is the same as he did in the first match vs. Costa Rica. His technique improves a lot, which is really impressive in today's match. Compared to his excellent performance, Podolski misses so many opportunities today but finally kicks one goal on the second half, which is the first goal for himself. Podolski needs more practice if he wants to become the best striker.

Ballack's performance is just ok. Except some useless kicks, sometimes, you even don't see him at all. I don't know what he is doing there. If Germany wants to move forward, captain Ballack should adjust himself and come alive as he was in 2002. There are two players pretty good in German team. They not only secure German's gate, but also create great opportunites for German's stikers: Schneider and Lahm. Schneider was the major player in 2002 World Cup. His performance is always stable. He doesn't have special technique, like Beckham's free kick, Ballack's strength, but he is a good defender. He is always there to protect German's gate and sometimes creates great opportunites for German's strikers. Lahm is the first time in World Cup. He is so young and wonderful. He is not only a good defender, but also a great striker. He always finds the problems of opponent's defending and help German Team to attack. Quite opposite to traditional German players, tall and strong, Lahm is not tall, but great technique. He lets us to see the great future for German Team.

England also finished its last Group match versus Sweden. They draw each other at the end, which is the best result for both of them. The worst thing for England after this match is that their major striker Michael Owen has to give up his World Cup journey. His foot hurts on the 4th minute during this match. I like him a lot after 1998 World Cup. He always works hard and tries to find opportunities for England. I feel so sorry for him, because I know he prepares 4 years for this event. I hope he could come back in 2010 World Cup.

Neuville saves Germany!

Germany gets his second victory today. It wins over Poland with one goal in injury time. The whole match is fantastic. Germany controlled the whole match, but Poland's goalkeeper Artur Boruc is excellent. Except Kahn's wonderful performance in 2002 World Cup, Boruc is the best goalkeeper I have even seen. Germany has so many chances today, but Boruc is impenetrable. Even though I am fond of Germany, but I still respect Poland's goalkeeper. I can not ignore his exellent performance today.

Ballack returned back to World Cup this time, and he had good performance, but his bad temper showed up again. On the second half, he nearly quarrelled with the judger, who later gave him a yellow card. I like Ballack a lot, but also hate his temper. Sometimes, he is so stupid and makes unnecessary mistakes. In 2002 World Cup, he accumulated 3 yellow cards, so he missed the final match with Brazil. If he could play in that final, Brazil may not easily get their final championship. After 4 years, he still repeated the same story. Moreover, his temper influenced the whole German Team. The first 20 minutes of the second half, German's performance was frustrated, but after getting 3 yellow cards, they finally recovered. Ballack had a great kick at 90th minute, and Klose had several chances, and one of them finally paid off, but it was not from both of them. Neuville kicked the only goal for Germany, also for the whole match. I actually don't quite like Neuville, because in 2002 World Cup, he was the major player, but he didn't play very well and made fans so disappointed. Today, he used his goal to tell every fans including me: "I am back and I improve my technique." Yes, he does. The same as Klose. In 2002, he only knew how to use his head to kick the ball, now he tells people he could use every part of his body (except hand, of course) to kick.

German's defenders are far more better than their opening match. I could see German Team's personality in this match: never give up! I am so happy to see Klinsmann's smile after this brilliant goal and after the whole match. I know how eagerly he waited for this goal. Congratulations, Germany! I hope I could see Klinsmann's smile in Berlin on July.9th.

Also, Spain got its opening victory this morning either. Spanish players are so young and excellent. They gave us a beautiful match this morning. Spain becomes really strong this time. I love Spanish Team before, not because of their strongness, but because of their crazy characteristic. This morning, I saw a strong Spain in front of me, I was astonished. The whole 90 minutes, they were awesome, from their goalkeeper, to their defenders, strikers. They deserved their victory.

Anyway, I am happy today because I see two different victories from my favorite teams. I nearly cried at 90th minute in Germany vs. Poland, but after a minute, I jumped from my chair and shouted for German's victory. It is a great match and it is World Cup! Always bring surprise to the fans.

World Cup, Woo ~ ~ ~

2006 World Cup, Germany

After 4 years waiting, 2006 World Cup finally kicked off in Munich on June.9th. Unfortunately, I had to work that day. I am fond of Germany National Team, although without Brazil's technique, without England's Beckham, without Italian's stronger defenders, they are still impressive in opening win over Costa Rica. Germany is stonger not because of specific person, but because of their spirit. They will never give up attacking until the last minute.

Compared to Germany, England's opening match was boring, only got an unconvincing 1-0 victory over Paraguay. Fortunately, they won at last, otherwise, I would be so disappointed, cause I got up at 6am on Saturday just for England's victory. It is so funny that England's captain David Beckham complains German's weather. He said that their team's bad performance was because of German's hot weather. Gosh, if German is hot, he would be died if he came to LA. Silly David, if you want to find an excuse, you should find a better one, like my leg is broken or our players catch cold and etc. Argentina and Portugal had pretty good opening victory. So until now, all my favorite teams get their opening victory. If Spain could win over Ukraine on Wednesday, the first round of WC will be perfect for me. Several pictures:

Ballack is always captain, even though he sits aside and misses the opening match.

Klinsmann is still handsome, even as a coach. You can always hear his voice during the match, who tells Germany to go ahead.

What a pity I am not in Germany, otherwise, I will stand outside stadium and shout for my favorite team's victory together with other fans. Germany, go ahead and conquer Berlin on July.9th, although other teams are excellent, World Cup has only one and hope this one belongs to Germany. Oh, well, I have to use Germany Time together with all the fans in this world within this month.

Season Finale

This is season finale's month, Prison Break, 24 Hours, OC, American Idol, House, Bones and etc. FOX spring season is end this week. Several comments:

Next year, Chinese government will not worry about terrorists, because Jack Bauer is controled by Chinese government. The big news is Chinese official language will not be Mandarin anymore, and it will change to Cantonese according to the director of 24 Hours. I strongly suggest the director of 24 Hours visit China before next season starts on January, 2007.

Which university will you want to apply for, UC Berkeley, Brown or Harvard? Why? Moreover, if you get admitted to Berkeley, will you accept this admission or just throw the admission letter into trash can? OC will tell you the answer.

Oscar+Grammy+American dream+Chinese "Super Girl"=American Idol

By the way, if you feel bored of drama, and will not want to join its next season, the best way is telling the director that you want to be killed in this season. What else? Oh, yeah, don't try to push yourself change your life style according to one of my silly friends' own experience.

One more real finale next month: World Cup, which is the real finale for soccer. Cheers! Good luck to my favorite National Team: Germany, Spain, England, Argentina, and Portugal.

Pasadena and hiking!

Last weekend was splendid for me. I went to Pasadena on Saturday afternoon. It is a small city near Los Angeles and a place with culture and history. When I walked around the city, I had a strong feeling that I was still in Portsmouth (NH). There are many different museums, good restaurants, shopping mall there. It is easy to find good Chinese food, Mexican food, Italian, and Indian food there, no junk food existed. You also can find traditional Taiwanese tea shop, serving different Taiwanese and Chinese tea. Couple of Gothic architecture in old part of Pasadena reminds people its history. Away from Holloywood's crowd and LA downtown's business, Pasadena is a good place for living.

I also went hiking with an environmental club (Sierra) in Mt. Baldy last Sunday. It is the last chance for hiking in this season before the weather gets hotter. Wild flowers, springs, animals are vivid and waiting for the coming summer. It is amazing that a lot of people go hiking with backpack during the weekend and stay in the mountain overnight, fully enjoy the nature. I thought most people would prefer staying at home and watching TV as I did before. I realize I need more exercise in future, because after only 4 miles hiking, my whole body got pains and it is still painful right now. Woo~ ~ ~

24 Hours

I am a faithful fan of drama 24 Hours, which is played in FOX every Monday from 9 to 10pm. This drama has 5 seasons now, and I watched all of them without missing any episode. The whole story is happened in LA, a place full of sunshire and warmth. Every episode is attractive, because you don't know what will happen next, but one thing will never change: Jack Bauer will never die and he will succeed finally.

Except Jack Bauer, there is another guy Tony in this drama is very attractive too. He is not handsome at all, but he has a good heart and he has clear mind of his responsibility. He could give up all his personal things if his job needs him to do that. He loves his job and the people he works with. Unfortunately, he died in last episode. I nearly stopped watching this drama after his death in last episode, but finally I still turned on TV and continued watching it. Watching this drama every Monday is becoming one of my fixed habits, just like I need a cup of black coffee every morning. I like people's way of thinking in this drama. Even though they know something may be impossible, they still work hard and try to make it, just as Adidas advertisement "Nothing is impossible".

Before I came to U.S, people always told me that American drama was boring and silly. Actually, it is not fair, maybe some of them are, but not all. Recently, one of my friends told me that "Friend" was really funny. If you calm down and watch those drama, you will feel that they represent American culture, their people's faith and their attitude towards their lives.

Farewell to Durham!

I will take tomorrow afternoon's plane to LA. It is really sad when i think about leaving here. I lived here for nearly two years and Durham gave me a feeling of home. I will miss this place a lot no matter where I am.

I stay here with Ben and Marsha for three weeks. These three weeks are awesome. I put on 5 pounds because I live happily and they treat me very well. They are like my parents here and I never meet so wonderful people like them. I learn a lot from them, and most important is that how to help people and kindness, which is most important in people life and more and more difficult to find in modern society. Nowadays, people become busier and busier, they forget to take care of others and lose many virtues as human being. It is really nice to meet this couple here and they treat me as their daughter. I will miss this place a lot, also miss Ben and Marsha a lot.

Real winter break in Maine!

The house I am now living in!

My own room in Kittery, Maine.

I am now living in Kittery, Maine with an American couple. They are very nice and funny. I have a beautiful room here, outside my window is Atlantic Ocean. I can see the sunrise and sunset everyday, listen to the birds singing, sometimes say hi to the big ship pass the house. When the weather is nice, I can see the downtown Portsmouth through my window. It is a small town near here and has a very long history. I love this town a lot when I studied at UNH, and now it is in front of my eyes. I fully enjoy my life here and hope my life could stop here and never move on.

The past one month lets me learn how to cherish my life and everything around me. I also realize the importance of freedom. No matter rich or poor, freedom could make your life beautiful. I enjoy everyday here now, it is really my winter break. I really appreciate one of my friends here, because she gives me a wonderful experience here. No matter how difficult my life is, I know I will be fine if she is around. I also appreciate some of my friends who support me whenever I need. Thanks for piggy and stupid Jing who always hear my complaining, thanks for Ivy always making fun with me, thanks for one stupid guy in Hong Kong, who gives me wonderful wishes and my driving instructors A. and D. You all are parts of my life.

Chinese Spring Festival

Jan.28 is the 2006 Chinese Spring Festival. I watched CCTV-4 for the Spring Festival Evening in the early morning here, which made me feel like that I was at home. I never paid attention on this Evening before, but now I like it, especially when I see Cui Yongyuan there this year. I like this guy, who has strong sense of humor. His previous Talkshow "Tell It As It Is" was very successful and popular in China at that time. That was my favourite TV program. I remembered it was alive every Sunday at 7am. I had to get up early to watch it, but I never missed it. After he stopped running this show because of his healthy, I didn't watch it anymore because it became boring. I was so excited when i saw him on TV that day.

Time flies. This year is my second year in U.S. Last Spring Festival, I was here alone preparing my first mid-term exam. I didn't have time to watch TV for this Evening. I felt so sad at that time because all my friends celebrated this tradtional festival with their family, but I had to study. Well, it is still nice to see the familar face, voice, and enjoy the popular songs, dancings and comic dialogue. This year, two comis dialogues are performed by people from my hometown, although I am not interested in their performance, I still like to see them there, especially their special Wuhan Mandarin.

I know many of my friends are the same as me, studying abroad and can not come back home. They may watch this Evening online, they may have no time to see it or busy for their part-time job, etc. Anyway, wish all my friends happy Spring Festival and when you feel lonely, look at the moon in the sky, because no matter where you are, you will see the same moon with everyone in this world. It is really a new year now! Year of Dog!

Econ Department at UNH

My friends always reminded me to update my blog, now I introduced all the graduate students from my department. Most of them were graduated last December. This picture was taken after last semester's seminar, when everyone was there.

First Row: Minghua, Aichatou, Celeste, Neonardo, Edinaldo, Matt, Tom

Second Row: Nevin, Ayse, Neshe, lovely Yin, Arpita, Edward, Sunil, Ricardo, Mike, Tim Page, Kelly, Andrea

Third Row: Dora, Dr. Collander, Scott, Tim Parker, Steve, David

Those are all the graduate students at UNH. Some of them are my classmates, and others are PH.D students in our department. We had a nice seminar with Professor Collander during the second semester. He is one of the most famous Economists in U.S. We enjoyed his speech at that seminar. His main field of interest is Macroeconomics, which is the field I like too.

Moving out from Babcock

I am finally moving out from Babcock this morning, which is the dormitory in our university. I lived here for one and half year. It is not a perfect place, because the room is so small and we have to share the kitchen and bathroom with other people. But for single person, it is enough. I have my own room and I can do whatever i want there. Moreover, my friends and classmates were all living there, so we can disturb each other and make fun with each other anytime. There were so many memories. I feel so sad when I move out right now. I realize that I am really graduated and will leave this place soon.

I caught a cold and then the fever came. I haven't had fever for nearly two years, and I even forgot how to take care of myself if I had a fever. I tried to use all ways my friends told me to make myself comfortable. I am now slowly recovering, but I still feel weak. My friends here were laughing at me. They said I was mental sick at the end of 2005, after my mental illness recovered, I was physically sick at the beginning of 2006. Now I don't have any illness. Finally, I am healthy. This is my first time suffering illness abroad. Now I survive and tomorrow is another day.

I am back to Durham!

I was finally coming back to Durham, a city of snow. I loved snowing here. I arrived in Boston yesterday afternoon. Boston was so cold, which made me freezing. I jumped from summer to winter. Today was sunny here, and the sky was so clear and nice. Someone made a snowman outside my room, which was huge. I felt so comfortable to be here because I was now becoming a country girl. I didn't like the crowd and noisy in the city, and I enjoyed the peace in countryside. I didn't know anything about fashion now, and I realized I was totally out of fashion after i came back from Los Angeles. My friends in China couldn't get on my blog at all, i didn't know why. What a pity. I really wanted them to share my happiness and sadness. Anyway, I knew there was a piggy somewhere could always get on this blog, which was awesome.

2006 New Year in New Hampshire!

Behind me was Hampton Beach, which was close to my university. Driving 30 minutes from campus, we can enjoy the view of Atlantic Ocean. I loved beach and ocean, enjoying swimming in the early morning in the sea and you would feel that the whole ocean belongs to you, which was really awesome. Unfortunately, it was too cold before the New Year, otherwise I would like to dig into the ocean. My friend Gianna had a romantic story here, so she wanted to take me here and shared her romantic story with her.

Right before the New Year of 2006, my friend Gianna took me to the downtown Portsmouth, which was an old and small town near our university. I loved this town so much, which always gave me a feeling of Europe. It was a town full of romantic. Having a cup of coffee Latee in the morning and enjoying the sun rising was my favorite moment here. The bridge behind me had more than 200 years, which still worked well now.

Celebration of my graduation!

My graduation party was right before Christmas, so we also celebrated our Christmas at the same time. My Greek friend Gianna was dressing traditional Japanese Kimono at that time!


My friends prepared a party to celebrate my graduation from my Master Degree in Economics. They made a small chocolate cake for me, which was really delicious. I ate the whole cake in this plate that day!

Thanksgiving!

Rika and I went to our American friend's Richard's house during Thanksgiving to have a traditional dinner. There was a big turkey behind me. We had salad first, and then turkey, which was really big and nice. After that, it was our favorite food: Pumpkin Pie! I love it!


The boat behind me was the May Flower Boat, which was the one the first British Immigrant used to come to U.S. in 18 Century. It was taken in Plymouth, Massachusetts. I was traveling there during this Thanksgiving!

Trip to North Carolina

The ocean behind me was Atlantic Ocean, the other side of this ocean was Europe. My friend Piggy and her potato were studying there. Maybe one day I could swim across this ocean and go to their animal zoo. I was in Atlantic Beach!

Celeste and I went to the Sarah P. Duke Garden, which would be more beautiful during the summer!

Last winter, I went to North Carolina with my friend Celeste. We went to the famous Duke University and the church behind me was the Chapel Hill in Duke!

Spring Break in Boston!

Last spring break, I went to Boston with my Japanese friend Rika, and she took this picture for me in Boston biggest shopping mall!

My pictures in New York city!

Standing with Status of Liberty!


My trip to New York city with my friend Jing, and Manhattan was behind me! It was summer 2005.

New Year in LA

I stayed in LA for 5 days. The weather here was nice and warm, which was the same as my hometown Wuhan in May. The smells in the street here were similar to the ones in Wuhan, smell of city. I felt familar with the environment here, but I still missed Durham. I loved the snowing there. I will take tomorrow's plane back to Durham, and now I am so excited. People's feeling was strange. Whenever they stayed in one place for a long time, they definitely had special feelings towards that place, no matter how they complained that place before. I complained Durham a lot when I first came to U.S. I disliked its quiet because I got used to the city life before; I disliked its cold and snow because I came from a warm place; I disliked the simple life there because my life was more colorful.

I spent my New Year's Day here with my friend. It was the same as New Year's Day in Wuhan. Young people went out together and stayed outside or in the bar, even it was raining outside. City was decorated and everywhere was crowded. It was totally different with the view in Durham, where people stayed at home with their family members and talked about their lives during the past year. To be exactly, life in Durham was more traditional, and life here was more modern. But maybe I am a tradtional person, I still like the traditional life style. I like the way American families celebrate their Christmas. All the family members came back home and had dinner together, they talked about their lives and news. You could feel the love between family members. They loved their families and families were their whole life.