A chatterer's guide to easing anxiety

Name: Jane Liu (49712038)
Reaction Article#9
Date: 12/05/2008
From: International Herald Tribune

A chatterer's guide to easing anxiety
(http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/27/travel/25flier.php)

My Reactions:
I think maybe it is an interesting way to talk to a stranger who sat around you. When the author traveled around, he met many kinds of people. To make his journeys more interesting, he always tries to make a conversation to who sits next to him. By so doing, he can acquaint with more people and know more different stories from others’ lives. Also, almost everyone made a conversation with the author, one became happier or felt more relaxed. So, the author can both make others and himself happier.

In western society, maybe these situations won’t be thought weird. However, in our eastern society, it may be thought strange to talk to a stranger at random. Maybe some people will think you are weird or you just want to sell them some products they are not willing to buy. I think most western people are passionate so you can just make a friendly conversation with them, but in Taiwan, I think it will be harder to find a stranger who really wants to talk to you friendly.

The differences may differ from areas. For example, people live in southern Taiwan are more passionate than those who live in northern Taiwan, and people live in southern Taiwan most are friendly. When you ask them for directions, they will tell you kindly. However, in northern Taiwan, some people will not be willing to tell you anything, even not to talk to you.

After I read this article, I realized the differences from country to country. If I have the chance to travel around, I must try to talk to people sit next to me just as the author always does.(300 words)

What happy people don't do

Name: Jane Liu (49712038)
Reaction Article#8
Date: 11/28/2008
From: International Herald Tribune

What happy people don't do
(http://www.iht.com/articles/2008/11/20/healthscience/20happy.php)

My Reactions:
According to this research, it seems that people who are happier spend less time on TV than those who are less happy do. By doing so, people who are happier have more time to socialize with other people, and by socializing with others, people will become happier during their conversations and their participation in many kinds of activities.

Maybe people feel happy when being with a lot of people having fun. If one just stays home all day watching TV then he will lose much time to make new friends or get along with his family members and friends. The research says that “Watching TV” is a single activity. It means that one can watch TV alone without anyone being around. Perhaps people become happier when they have friends around them.

If you want to feel happy, you should make yourself walk outside and enjoy yourself in the beauty of nature, my father tells me that. So when I feel depressed or sad, I always take a walk in the park or just run at the playground for a while, and I will feel better. If I feel unhappy and still make myself stay inside, I will feel I am almost suffocated. So, I have to go out and make myself inhale some fresh air then I feel delight.

So, I always think if people keep staying indoors for a long time, they will soon become unhappy, and all they should do is to go outside and try to feel the power of the beautiful nature.(276 words)

The thrift guide: How to stop shopping

Name: Jane Liu (49712038)
Reaction Article#7
Date: 11/21/2008
From: Guardian

The thrift guide: How to stop shopping
(http://www.guardian.co.uk/lifeandstyle/2008/nov/02/fashion)

My Reactions:
When I saw through the news titles on the Internet, this article soon caught my eye. I was always called “shopaholic” by anyone knew about me because I like to buy anything I want, whether it is really useful to me or not. I think maybe I just like the feeling when going shopping. So when I saw this article, I felt happy because I thought maybe it could teach me how to get rid of my desire to shop.
This article provides some tips for the readers to follow and by doing so, maybe the tips can help some people become more thrift and let them know how to save money. So after I read this article, I got more tips about how to stop myself from going shopping and I learned that even if I had to spend money, how I spend it more properly.
The article mentioned that if I want to save my money, I should not browse the online shopping website. It is very easy to stop online and the article ask me stop clicking or I will buy things again. It really corresponds with my recent situation because recently I bought many stuffs from Internet. And after I paid for what I bought, I found I would run out of my money! So, after that, I think I really have to learn how to use my money properly and learn hoe to save money.(260 words)

Warm Your Hands, Warm Your Outlook?

Name: Jane Liu (49712038)
Reaction Article#6
Date: 11/07/2008
From: National Geographic News

Warm Your Hands, Warm Your Outlook?
(http://news.nationalgeographic.com/news/2008/10/081023-warmth-coffee.html)
My Reactions:
According to this article, when people talk with others with some hot drinks in their hands, people are more friendly to get along with. I think the article is right. When I have some hot drinks in my hands, I feel warmer and I can make friends with stranger easily. I consider maybe it’s because that the hot drinks not only warm my hands but also warm my heart.
When I feel tired, my father always tells me drink or to eat something hot, and it can make me feel refreshed. When I feel upset or lonely, I seek something hot, because I think the hot feeling can really warm my heart, just like someone beside me.
I think that the feeling of heat makes people feel great is because the hot feelings are like people’s temperatures, and the hot feelings make people feel like someone is giving them a big hug or someone is with them and is giving them comfort. Many girls give each other a big hug when meeting some obstacles and something frustrating or unhappy. A warm hug really can cheer people up and can give people courage to face every challenge.
So, when there is no one can accompany you, you can just have a cup of hot tea or coffee, and I think it will make you feel much better.(247 Words)