我的小天地

Summer Break
Hi Wendy.Hi,Svan.Only two more weeks of classes.Eight school days actually,then exams start.Yes,I will be glad when exams are over.I get panicky and very stressed at exam time.I find myself eating constantly and I don't seem to find any time to exercise.Exams don't bother me that much.This year most of the marks for my courses were based on assignments and research projects.I only have two exams.You are lucky,I have five.I also need to get good marks over eighty percent, or I won't be able to keep my scholarship.What are you doing for summer break.I would like to go to Italy and  work at a restaurant in Florence.My uncle owns a resterant specializing in seafood and he has offered me a job for the summer.In Italy, there are lots of English speaking tourists.So he would like to have someone fluent in English.It woukd also be an excellent opportunity for me to practice my Italian.I hope to be a translator one day,so I need to be fluent in some languages.That would be a woundful summer.Yes,I know.I really want to go.The problem is my father had a heart attack three weeks ago.He is out of the hospital now and not in too much danger.But he can not do much around the house.My brother is overseas with the Air Force.So I am the only one to help my mother around the house.It is such a dilemma.I do not know what to do.Yes,I could see that would be a very difficult decision.You are only one young once,though,and a chance to go to Florence for the summer,sounds like the opportunity of a lifetime.I am leaning towards going to Italy,but I just feel so guilty.What about you Svan?What are your plans for the summer? Well,I have a dilemma too.I would love to go to Nepal and volunteer with an NGO that could use me to instruct local residents in engineering skills.It would be a chance to share I already know and I think it would be really interesting to spend four months in the Nepal.However,I don't find out whether or not I have been accepted into the programme.If I do get accepted,I won't be making any money.And I need money to return to university to my final year in September.If you don't go to Nepal,where would you work?I don't know,I have had some interviews with some construction companies.There are a lot of new high-rises and hotels going up on the south side of the city.There were three companies that thought they would have a place for me to do mannual labor and the pay is good.None of the three companies are unionized,but they all pay the union wages.I would prefer an office job where I could use the engineering skills I have already acquired.I have applied to several companies for inside work,but only two ever responded to my applications and neither seemed promising.It would look much better on my resume after I graduate if I have work experience in my field.Also,many engineering students get hired after graduate by the company they worked for the previous summer.I can see you problem.If I get the opportunity to go to Nepal,I would probably go.Can't you borrow money from the financial aid for your final year? Probably,but I hate to start off with a lot debt.Engineering fees are risen by 10% next year.It is not an inexpensive faculty to be in.No,but if you have the opportunity to go to an intereting job in Naple, and be of service.I think that would be wonderful.You are probably right.I appreciate your advice.