I am Andrea. Perhaps the word “average” can best describe me. I am of average height, average weight and of average complexion. I have a thin face, double-lid eyes and a pointed nose. My hair is black, short and straight. I have never worn my hair long. I look like both my mother and my father, but I have inherited their best parts.

　　I am a teacher, and I like my job. I believe a teacher can sometimes be taught by her or his students. Actually I have learnt a lot from my own teaching experience and my students. One particularly good thing about being a teacher is that I am learning something new each day and thus making progress each day. This is wonderful. Of course the income is modest, but on the other hand, quite stable. I keep growing all the time. I find great reward both monetarily and mentally.

　　I have many hobbies: reading books, raising pets, making dresses, etc. I like volleyball very much, but I can’t play it very often, because it is a team sport. It is difficult to get enough people to play volleyball with me. It’s a shame. I derive great pleasure out of my hobbies.

　　Generally speaking, I am open, honest and easygoing. I hate hypocrisy and injustice. Fairness is very important to me. I try to be fair in everything I do. I have great appreciation for physical and spiritual independence. I am a bit disorganized and impatient sometimes.

　　What can make me happy? Well, many things, a good book, a chat with a friend, a gift, a delicious meal, a new hair style, a lovely dress, a letter from a distant friend, bright sunshine in winter morning… What can make me upset? Err, being kept waiting, noisy surroundings, lies, rude remarks… long queues, unexpected visits…

　　My home is very important to me. I would do anything in my power to keep my family intact, happy, healthy and loving. My home is where I can get refreshed and relaxed.

　　I don’t have many friends, but I do have a few. I have both male and female friends. We do sports together, go shopping together; and we exchange our views and ideas and share happiness and sadness. Of course we help each other if necessary. My best friend is Gerald, as a matter of fact, he is my hero. He is sociable, artistic, generous and resourceful with a delight sense of humor and excellent taste. I admire him with good reasons. I always consider myself a lucky person. I am lucky in my family, I am lucky in my career, I am lucky in my friendship, I am lucky in many things. In one word, I am luck in life. I am really grateful for all these.

　　背景介绍：

　　在日常生活中，人们常常需要作自我介绍，口头上的或书面形式的。本文作者从自己的外貌、职业、爱好、性格、家庭以及朋友等方面进行了简洁而鲜活的自我刻画。语言简朴真实而个性鲜明突出，一个真实的“我”给人留下深刻印象。

　　参考译文：

　　自我介绍

　　我叫安德里亚。也许“平凡”一词最能形容我。我中等身材，不胖也不瘦，不白也不黑。我有一张瘦削的脸，双眼皮，翘鼻子，我乌黑的头发又短又直，我从未留过长发。我长得既像妈妈又像爸爸，不过我继承了他们的优点。

　　我现在是一名教师，我热爱我的工作。我认为，一个老师有时也能从他（她）的学生那儿学到知识。事实上，从我的教书经历，从我的学生们那里，我学到了许多许多。当老师的一件特别棒的事情就是我每天都在学习新的东西，并因此而每天取得进步。这真是棒极了。当然，收入并不高。然而换个角度看，收入却是相当稳定的。我一直都在不断进步成长，在金钱方面，在精神方面我都得到丰厚的回报。

　　我的兴趣爱好广泛，比如：读书，养宠物，制作服装，等等。虽然我非常喜欢打排球，但是由于这是一项团队运动，我不能经常去打。要找到足够多的人同我一起打排球是很难的。真遗憾！兴趣和爱好给我带来无穷的乐趣。

　　总的说来，我是一个外向、诚实而随和的人。我对任何虚伪和不公正都深恶痛绝。我极为珍视公平和公正，我所做的每一件事，我都尽力做到公允。我崇尚物质上和精神上的独立。不过，我有那么一点儿不善计划，有时还会急躁、无耐性。

　　有什么事情能让我高兴呢？嗯，很多事情，一本好书，与朋友的一次交谈，一份礼物，一顿美餐，一个新发型，一件漂亮的衣服，远方友人的一封来信，冬日清晨明媚的阳光……那么又有什么会让我心情沮丧呢？嗯，漫长的等候，嘈杂的环境，谎言，粗鲁的言辞，……排长队，不速之客……

　　我的家庭对我而言至关重要。为了使家庭完整和睦，幸福美满，家人健康友爱，我将尽我所能。家使我恢复精力、放松身心的港湾。

　　我朋友不多，却颇有几个相知好友，其中有男性也有女性。我和朋友们一起进行体育运动；一起逛街购物。我们交换各自的观点看法，共享欢乐，分担忧愁。当然，如若需要，我们必定相互帮助。杰拉尔德是我最好的朋友，事实上，他是我心中的英雄。他爱交朋友，极具艺术修养，慷慨大方，机智聪慧。他幽默开朗而不失高雅的品味。我有充分的理由崇拜他。我一直都觉得自己失一个幸运的人。在家庭方面，在事业上，在交友方面，在许许多多方面，我都是幸运的。总之，我的生活是幸运的，我真的非常感谢这一切的一切。