Weekly Journal #4 (Nov. 11- Nov. 16)

Global news:

Obama appears committed to Rice for secretary of State

With his fiery defense of his ambassador to the United Nations, President Obama appears to have committed himself to nominating Susan Rice to be secretary of State and making her confirmation fight a test of wills with Senate Republicans, congressional aides and Democratic strategists said Thursday.

Taiwan's news:  

HTC shares jump after settles patent issues with Apple

Shares of HTC Corp jumped by their permitted daily limit on Monday after the Taiwanese smartphone maker announced a global patent settlement and 10-year licensing agreement with Apple Inc, allowing the struggling company to focus on product development.

Weekly Journal #3 (Oct. 28- Nov. 3)

Global News: (New York,USA) Oct. 29 

Massive storm Sandy kills at least 8 as it roars ashore in East 

At least eight people were killed by massive storm Sandy as it moved inland after roaring ashore in New Jersey with 80 mph winds Monday night.
Floodwater swamped New York City, pouring into subway tunnels and filling the enormous construction site where the World Trade Center was destroyed in 2001. Much of Lower Manhattan was plunged into darkness after exploding transformers cast a rosy glow against the gloomy sky.

Taiwan's news: Taipei, Oct. 31 (CNA)
Taiwan celebrates on eve of entry to U.S. visa waiver program

Taiwan's government held a ceremony in Taipei on Wednesday to celebrate the country's inclusion in the U.S. Visa Waiver Program (VWP), which takes effect the following day.

U.S. Under Secretary of Commerce for International Trade Francisco Sanchez, who is visiting Taiwan to promote bilateral trade and investment, said at the ceremony that the VWP will strengthen understanding between the people on both sides.

Weekly Journal #2 (Oct. 21- Oct. 27)

Global news:

Italy's Silvio Berlusconi convicted of tax fraud
Former Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi was found guilty of tax fraud Friday and sentenced to four years in prison, a major setback for the media-mogul-turned-politician who has dominated Italy's political landscape for the last 20 years.

Taiwan's news:

Male patient detained after claiming to trigger lethal hospital fire
A terminally ill cancer patient has been taken into custody after confessing to having set a fire in a room in a government-run hospital in southern Taiwan Tuesday that left 13 dead and 60 others injured, prosecutors said Wednesday.

Weekly Journal #1 (Oct. 7- Oct.13)

Global news:  
In Venezuela, Hugo Chavez reelection raises unity questions

Venezuelan President  Hugo Chavez and his supporters on Monday celebrated his reelection, while many in the country wondered whether his victory could result in improved relations with opposition parties after a decade of bitterness and division.Chavez, who captured 55% of the vote Sunday to handily beat challenger and former Miranda state Gov. Henrique Capriles, who received 44%, indicated via Twitter that he'd had a good postelection talk with his opponent.

Taiwan news:
Taiwanese expats (expatriate) celebrate National Day overseas

Taiwanese expatriates around major U.S. cities and in Paris celebrated Taiwan's Double Ten National Day in advance on Saturday, with events ranging from a procession of Harley-Davidson motorcycles to a fair held in New York.

Assignment #4

How are you usually affected by price? Are you willing to pay a higher price for something you see as high quality? Trendy? Prestigious? Environmentally friendly? Or are you a bargain hunter who prefers to pay less whenever possible?

Assignment #3

Write about a recent purchase you made.  What did you buy? What products or brands did you consider before making your selection? What influenced your ultimate decision?

Assignment #2

Think about all the different people you interact with during the course of a typical week.  Do you act differently with certain people? What are some of the differences?

Assignment #1

Have you ever been in different conversational ball games?  What rules were you following? What rules was the other person following?  What happened in the conversation?