I declare I LOVE ENGLISH! It led me to get acquainted with Jane Austen, William Wordsworth,  Elizabeth Gaskell and Mark Twain, it made me fall in love with English Literature, culture, and Lake District, it adds color and interest to my life, AND IT BRINGS PROFIT! I won that contest I mentioned in the last entry(thanks to those of you who were so kind as to pray for me), and brought home honor and a BRAND NEW LAPTOP. Ha ha, it is the most expensive and useful prize I have ever got (well, perhaps not as good as the 5000 yuan I got for winning the International Skills Test).

 

 

 

    I guess it would be a crime if I keep on postponing my updating. "YOU are under arrest for your indolence!"

    Well, it is October and I have been a freshman for a month now. University is fun, except for the public bath, which is as dirty and disgusting as it can be; except for the classrooms, which are way too inferior to the ones at NFLS; except for the Listening course, which is stupid beyond measure; and except for missing all of you home and abroad, and my dearest parents sorely every day when I am free:P

   

     I bought the September issue of the Chinese Grammonphone, and was furious to find that it did not mention a word about Fritz Wunderlich. How could them do such a thing! He was the greatest tenor that has ever lived, as well as a great father, a great friend.

    

     Thought I would be free to really enjoy my tranquil college life after the Shanghai contest, but now know better. Have been enlisted to compete in the 21st Century Cup. Have to start from the very beginning(from school upwords). Is competing with students older and more experienced than I am. No amount of confidence and optimism can help me through this. I know I won't stand a chance. Unless I am really AMADEUS--beloved by God.

    Worst thing, contest will start on next Monday Oct. 16th. Please, those of you who still care a little about me, pray for me.

 

    The other day my dormmates were talking about their dream beaux(see, I have already sunk to this level, involved in this sort of stupid conversation!). I said I would not try to find one in NJU, because according to my observation, most of them in NJU are either Bookish fools or hooligans.

    I want someone as talented as Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart, as faithful as Major Dobbin, as handsome as Karlheinz Bohm, as rich as Mr. Fitzwilliam Darcy, as angel-voiced as Fritz Wunderlich, and as humorous and wise as my dearest Papa.

 

    I might as well forget the idea of ever finding such a man--and start worrying about my contest on Monday.

 

    Missing you all: Lion Mine in Shanghai, Lizzy Mine in Beijing, Suzie Mine in Nanjing, Mr. Butcherman in Canada, and Emm in Beijing. When will we ever meet again? Please make it sooner...(Damn it! I am becoming melancholy!!!)