It was very cold and there was few people in the street. I was going home after jogging last night while I sensed something following me. Felt a little frightened, I was quickened my pace hoping to get home as early as possible. Just at that moment, I heard a strange noise, that made my heart beat wild. I looked around only to find the little dog walking behind myself. It scared me so much that I hold my breath. Shaking with cold, the little dog looked so pitiful. So I decided to take it home in case it was frozen death.

Yesterday I read a story about a group of explorer who got lost in a desert. The sun was burning hot and everyone quickly ran out water. Later, the group’s leader took out the water bottle and said, “I found a bottle of water in my bag. But until we pass through the desert, anybody is allowed to drink it.” The bottle was passing around the members of the team; it felt heavier. Finally, the explorers made it out of the desert. With tears of joy run down their faces, they had opened the bottle, but out poured sand. Was it a bottle of sand which really saved them in the desert? The answer was no. Their deep faith in the hope of survival, like a seed, had taken root and grown in their hearts. That was how led them out of the terrible situation in the end.

I lived abroad last year. Thank to technology, I could create a home away from home. I chatted with my family online and have them with me on my adventures. Their year abroad was an amazing journey. It taught me so much, not only about other cultures and about myself. There is no doubt if language learning is hard but it is worthwhile. At the first, I found listening and speaking German all the time exhausting. Therefore, the more I did, the less tiredly I became. It is the most satisfied feeling to understand and take part in a conversation.