Sunday, 27 October 2013

Analytical essay: "What will I major in"


What will I major in?

 

  A question came up in my mind two years ago and still stays inside nowadays. Since I studied in form 7, I have asked myself frequently “what am I going to study?” and then my mind always comes with an answer that is “biology”. In biological area, I am eager to be major in environmental science and management because of my interest in natural world, my aspiration in environment preservation and my previous learning experiences in biology.

 

  From my childhood, I have been fascinated by the amazement of natural world, developing great interest in it. Knowing from books and documentary programmes, a large variety of species of animals and plants have existed for millions years and they have developed unique body structures and behaviors to adapt to their living environment. All of them are associated in a close interactive relationship. These trigger my motivation in exploring this complicated ecosystem. Hence, I often join eco-tours and go hiking in weekends in order to study about species in Hong Kong. I really hope I can further my study in biology.  

 

  Besides, I have a great aspiration in preserving our natural world and biodiversity. Living in Hong Kong, I notice the rapid urban development is destroying our natural environment. On account of financial benefits, farmland, wetlands and streams are cleared and filled with cement and steel by the developers for housing and highways. Animals lose their habitats and some special species which only exist in Hong Kong may even extinct. Urban development also leads to serious pollution problems. Walking on the street, the air that I breathe in is mixed with exhaust gas from cars. Looking at the sea, I can see rubbish and layers of oil floating on the surface. They are all threatening to our health, and consequently, I have joined lots of environmental groups to be a volunteer and hope my little effort can help change the present situation. Major in environmental science and management can absolutely help me develop my career in environmental protection.

 

  However, there are many difficulties to overcome to get a place in major in environmental science and management. I am now studying in engineering department in college of engineering and science. I need to boost my GPA to the top 20% among all year 1 students as a basic requirement and attend an interview to switch major to science department. On the contrary, there are fewer competitions in most of the engineering subjects and so the requirement of GPA is lower. A greater effort I have to pay to achieve my target.

 

For my previous learning experiences, I have studied in biology for over six years. The biological knowledge learned in associate degree programme equipped me with a good knowledge base for the courses in major of environmental science and management. Also, I got level 5* in biology in DSE examination, truly revealing my ability in biological area. On the other hand, I am not interested in mathematics and I have not studied computer before. Calculus or programming is neither of my talent and interest and I only got level 4 in mathematics in DSE examination. I do not want to be major in engineering subjects, giving up my six years study in biology and wasting my time in secondary school and associate degree programme.

 

  In conclusion, major in environmental science and management can make a good use of my knowledge and previous effort in study. It also benefits to my career in the future since I hope I can be a member in an environmental group or get a job in environment bureau. Working in those departments can let me contribute to environmental protection and conservation of biodiversity, promoting a better city development plan.

Thursday, 3 October 2013

Descriptive essay: Dinner Buffet in Headland Hotel

Dinner Buffet in Headland Hotel

Seeing through the car window, I saw a plane taking off from the airport and flew up to the sky. Driving the car, my mum speeded up on the way to Headland Hotel where we had our dinner buffet to celebrate older sister’s birthday. I look forward to this buffet for a long time.

Stopping the car at the car park, we entered the hotel passing through a glass door. Running water sound flowed from a small waterfall into my left ear. Water spurted from the top of a two-floor height rectangular rod and then streamed down in a stair shape. Going up the stairs which surrounded the water fountain, cool droplets fell on my skin and cleaned up my mind, getting prepared for buffet in the restaurant on first floor.

A man in waiter’s dress, wearing a black shirt and trousers was standing at the reception of a restaurant offering seafood buffet. “This restaurant only reserves tables to people working in Cathay Pacific.” My sister, worked as a flight attendant, told us and confirmed the booking. Following the waiter, we walked on an orange carpet to our sofa seat, facing the full height glass panel with a garden view. High ceiling height, light color painted wall, soft piano music and an open garden view created a cozy place for our feast. Salad bar located at the center with tables of seafood in shell, dessert counter, sashimi keeping fresh on ice, meat in silver containers surrounding it.

I caught a dish and picked some salad vegetable like lettuce, spinach, arugula and a small tomato using a pair of pincers, followed by adding some salad vinegar and olive oil onto it. However, the sour salad made me feel thirsty and I regretted adding too much vinegar on it.

“Spider crab is the best food here!” my sister came back with a dish of spider crab legs with length, which were as long as my arm. Opening the shell with a pair of scissors, snow white crab meat exposed as a treasure and I could not resist eating it. Rich flavor of crab meat fully filled my mouth and I swallowed the meat smoothly through my throat. It was really the most delicious crab I had eaten.

After finishing the cold dishes, my favorite food, roast leg of lamb, became my next target. Soaked in mint gravy, dipping into Dijon mustard, I then put the meat into my mouth and the smell of sheep went round and round. Every bite on the lamb spread aroma, staying and squeezing through my teeth. This delicious enjoyment continued when, with chewing roast prime rib eye beef with my molars. Together with red wine sauce, beef gravy released from the crushed meat, going down and lubricating my throat.

Looking at my digital watch, a number “9” had just appeared at the left hand side of the colon. I hit slightly on my swelled tummy and waited my mum to pay the bill which was only $198 per head. We left the restaurant, went down stairs and got back to the car with a feeling of fullness.