Meet the MLB player

My hostdad took Nick and me to visit his friend, Andy Benes. Andy is a famous baseball player. He used to play for the Padres, Cardinals, Diamondbacks, Mariners, and even in the American National team.



The basement in his house was filled with a lot of baseball stuff such as uniforms and pictures. He had many balls which were signed by the other famous baseball players, like A-Rod, Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Frank Thomas.



Andy also told us about his history of playing baseball, that was amazing. I 'm crazy about baseball, and Andy brought me into MLB world. Thank you Andy! Thanks Hostdad!



It's time to say goodbye now. We are going back to Taiwan. I wrote a Thank You Card (A card with Chinese 謝謝 on it.) to my host family to show my appreciation and thanks. I really had a wonderful time staying with them. I took some pictures with hostmom, hostdad, hostsister and even hostdogs. My hostdad drove me to the airport. I waved at them and walked away...I didn't feel sad, because I believe that we will get together someday in the future. When I said "See you!" to Nick at his house, I knew I will see him again for sure.

I would like to thank all the people who made my American trip came true. Teacher Marlisa, Teacher Vicky, Miss Moore, Mr. Mulvihill , my parents, all the other students' parents and my host famiy. Without you, I won't have such wonderful trip in the US.

Xanadu Auction

There was a public auction held in Priory today. Many people came to the gym and shopped here. They could get some food next door when they were hungry.



Nick and I volunteered to be the waiters. It was the first time for me to be a waiter and served for Americans. We served the delicious food for the guests. But we were not allowed to eat anything. I did a pretty good job, I think.



The feelings of serving people was great. It was a special experiance for me!

Hockey game

Nick took me to the hockey game on Friday night. It was crazy that the game started at 9:30 p.m. I think there won't be many people in the gym, but I was wrong. I saw 80% of our classmates there. Everyone loves to watch hockey game although it was late.



The players skated over the ice, and we cheered for them. Our voice was so powerful" Here we go Rebels, here we go!!!" When Priory scored, we yelled, hug with others, and knocked the glasses, that was pretty crazy. I never had a chance to do that in Taipei.


The fans which support the other team tried to provoke us, I didn't like their arrogant attitude. Then we shouted at them, "Get out of here!" Doing that makes me feel better. At last, we won the game, I think they should go home quietly.

I have finished the class in Priory

We can sleep longer at Thursday because we don't have to go to church today and the class starts at 9 o' clock. Today's Math class was interesting, it was the first time for me to understandd what they were talking about. We went to the lab for the Chemistry class. I helped Nick pour some liquid into some bottles. We did it the same in our school in Taipei.


I saw the final basketball game that Priory boys played today. The Priory boys are much shorter than the other team players. But the taller players didn't play as well as I thought. It was ridiculos that the taller players even played with the cleaners during the warm up time. Aren't they supposed to concentrate on their on game? Priory won the game easily.


Then, we went to a Mexican restaurant, the chips with the special sauce were awesome. We ate ice cream after dinner, there were many kinds of flavor, I ordered the mint flavor, it was different from Taiwan's. I ate a lot of ice cream here even it's winter time.

Farewell Dinner

We had a caligraphy class in this afternoon. We have to use the same side of the pen to write the words. Then the words will be very beautiful. I wasn't very good at this, but it was interesting. We always use the Chinese brush to do the caligraphy in Taiwan, and now we tried another way to write the words. I got a new experience today. I have many new experiences here every day.







Time flies. The farewell dinner party is coming. I felt a little sad. Three weeks aren't enough for us and we are going to leave here soon. I saw many pictures of us on the party. A lot of smiling faces on the pictures. We all had a great time here in Saint Louis. Every host family made a short speech on the party. My hostdad's speech really empressed me. He thinks I am the gift from the God and his family really enjoyed staying with me. He made me feel I'm special. It's unbelieveable that I was accepted by a foreign family. Thank you! Hostdad!

food bank

I had no idea what the food bank was, when we arrived at the place. I finally found out that we have to send some food out to help the poor people. Our job was to check if the food containers were broken and the food was in good condition and put those food in the boxes. It wasn't so interesting to do such a job, but we could help thousands of poor people. We should be proud of ourselves. We have won the honor!!!!




We worked until 12 o' clock, they gave us a paper which told us we had helped 5000 people, so cool!!! Then we ate some pizza for celebrating our merits.



Nick had a basketball game in the other school in the evening. I saw a trumpet team performing in the gym, and there was a cheer leader attracted me. Even they had a big vantage, but Priory still won the game!
I think Nick was the MVP of the game, he had free throw at the last 5 seconds, and got two points, and the team led 4 points ahead.

super ball

Super Ball Game!! I went to a party with some Priory boys. There was a paper with many grilles, we had to pay $2.5 for each person, and wrote down our names and put the numbers on top of the paper. Whoever got the final game points, he would win the money, so that was a small bet.



We went outside to play football first. It was difficult for me to play cause I didn't know the rules. Our team was strong enough to win the game! After the game, someone threw the snowballs to us and then we started playing snowballs. Americans' arms are very strong and powerful, they can throw very fast and so far away.



I love the game named "guitar hero". Four people played at the same time was really cool. After playing the "guitay hero", the ball game started. The Cardinals team is our favorite of course, but they lost points at the beginning. At the second part of the game, they transcended their opponent. At the last 35 seconds, they lost the ball again, so Cardinals lost. They were a little upset. My host brother won the money. I asked him wether it was legal or not. He said that it was OK. Such a crazy ball game, really excited!!!

The arch

We went downtown and saw the baseball court of Cardinals today. It was unbelievable!! I love MLB baseball, so I was really excited when I saw it.
Then, we saw city museum, football gym, and some big buildings. There were too many people in the restaurant, so we didn't eat lunch.



On the side walk, I saw Mississippi River (2,350 miles ), it was cleaner than Twiwan's river. The sun was on the top of the arch, I couldn't believe that it was real, it was just like a pitcure. There was a small gondola and we took it up. Wow, it was so high! The building was shaking because of the wind. I think I was in the heaven, and I could see everything here. Ha!! I am the God!!!

Then, we went to a vollyball game which Nick's sister was the referee of the game.
It was "noisy" there, girls always shouted when they got the point, they have to shout 22 times and finally won the game. "YA" "YES" "Oh", it was crazy but funny!



My host family took me to a Chinese restaurant at night. It was not easy to explain how to order the Chinese food, but it was easy to talk to the waitress. Because I speak Chinese to her even though she is from Mainland China. We had a great meal!! I like Chinese food better than American food.

go sledding

I was so tired and fell asleep in the class. The ball game after school also made me uncomfortable. Priory lost many points. Fortunately, Nick and I went sledding at night.



Three classmates went sledding with us at night. I asked Nick "Are we going to sled in the dark?" He said yes, and it was also his first time sledding at night. First, we went to a park, but there wasn't much snow. Some of us were hurt by the grass.



Then we went to Priory, I was afraid that we would caught by the police. But someone said " This is our school, why can't we sled in our own school?"
That's right! Let 's go! Brothers!! The slopes were long and precipitous, and the speed of our sleigh were as fast as wind. Nick wanted to compete with me, but his sleigh didn't work. I won the race!! Ha, it was fun. We also tried another game, five people sat together and went down at the same time, wow....cool.



I couldn't take pictures because it was too dark.



Then, we went to a restaurant, and saw another classmate there. We ordered some special kinds of milk shake. Mine was watermelon flavor. Someone even ordered cheese cake flavor!! I had never tried watermelon milk shake in my life before.

the trip to a university

All the students from Taiwan got together and went to a university today. Everyone seemed very happy because we haven't met each other for several days. When we arrived at the school, someone took pictures for all of us. I feel so confident that I am the member of this group.



First we saw some pillars, very huge pillars. They really vibrated my heart. There was a statue there, I think it is as vivid as life. The craftsman who built this stature might spend much time on it. The tiger symbolized this university. I saw two rock tigers in front of the gate. But I thought those were lions at first. Then, we went to eat some pizza . The pizza there was delicious. We also took some rest there. Some of the students felt a little tired.


In the afternoon, we went to a gym. The basketball court was beautiful. However, the three points line and the center line were too closed, it was difficult for the players to play. The swimming pool was marvelous. It was a 50-meter long and a standard formal pool. It could be used as a formal swimming competition. I was in a swimming team when I was in Juinor high. I know the swimming pool better than anyone else. After seeing the swimming pool, everyone went shopping. I bought a small football.



The party in the evening was crazy. We have to guess how many candies were there in the jar. I am not good at it. Later, we went to the basement. There were so many interesting things there. Some table tennis, billiards, video games etc. I love sports and video games better than guessing the candy. What a great day!

eight and nine

It snowed a lot, so we didn't have to go to school for two days. Because of the traffic, we couldn't go anywhere. Nick has to study for the tests. I went to the basement and played video games.



Hostmom took me to the mall where was not far away from their house. I didn't want to buy something here. Everything is so expensive. However, I told myself that I "should" buy something. Finally, I bought a baseball T-shirt for $20 dollars in a sports shop.


After shopping in the Mall, Nick took me to the MacDonald. The burgers here are bigger than the burgers in Taiwan. The fries are too salty, and the milk shake is awesome. That's all, my snow holidays...

The seventh day

School time!! We are going back to work after the weekend. Nick had a lot of homework and tests. I saw a lot of pressure on Nick. American students have their pressure, too.
We went to church before going to the class. I was surprised to see the monk crying during reading the Bible. There must be somthing really touched him. But I couldn't feel it at all.



Then we took Latin, Theology, Chemistry and Math. I fell asleep in the Math class. The lesson was about sin and cosin. I didn't understand because I haven't learned yet.


There was a Spanish class in the afternoon, I couldn't understand that. But the teacher was so interesting and humorous, I like him. I said "goodbye" in Spanish to him. This is the only Spanish I could say! It's quite cool!


Nick had a basketball practice after school, I watched them and learned some skills. There will be a basketball game after the winter vacation in my school. I asked the team players and the coach to teach me some skills.

The sixth day

My hostdad took Nick and me to the church. I felt a little boring because they always did the same thing.


Wow, it was snowing. The white world made me so exciting. I saw snow once in Japan last year. But it's different. It looked like a picture, an amazing picture.


Today is Chinese New Year. We went to Mr. Mulvihill's farm in the afternoon. All the students from Taiwan got together. I played the poker cards with them. Everyone was so happy.

I showed my host family the instant noodles that I brought from Taiwan. I ate the noodles for dinner. I miss the food back home. The taste of the noodles was so great. I ate instant noodles on Chinese New Year Day. What a poor boy I am! Mom, Dad and Irena are eating the big feast now. Happy New Year to you all!

The fifth day

I went to bed very late last night, so I got up at 12:45. When Nick said " Good morning" to me, I felt really embarrassed, because it was already in the afternoon. Nick also got up very late, so after the lunch, we went to the ball game. I'm so glad that I can watch basketball games every day, I love to play basketball and watch basketball games very much. Wow! Priory has won the ball game again. T his game was more exciting than last one. The scores between the two teams were very closed. After the game, Nick took his friend, Jesse, and I to a club and played basketball "again". That was really fun, I could play basketball with the members of the basketball team. Then we ordered some french fries and chicken fingers. I think those snacks are the cheapest and the most popular food in th U.S.



We had a party in the evening. My hostdad lent me his Tuxedo. This is my first wearing the formal dress. They said that I looked like an adult. If Mom saw me, she would srcreame loudly. The party was just like what I saw on the American movie. There were many boys and girls dancing and talking. Nick wasn't crazy about the dancing and I didn't dance, either. But I had a chance to see the special cluture of America.

The fourth day~ I went to Prioy

I woke up at 3 a.m. and couldn't sleep any more. After having my breakfast quickly at seven, I didn't see my hostmom and dad. Aren't they supposed to drive Nick and me to school? When I walked to the gorage, I found out that it was Nick, who is going to drive me to school. It was so cool! The boy who has the same age as me can drive here!! It won't happen in my country. I wish I could drive now, too.





Sanit Louis is a very beautiful city, just like a farm, and I saw many horses on my way to school. The air is so cool and fresh.



Priory is a small school. There are only 400 students in this school. The students here are so interesting, they fight (just playing) and make fun with each others. I see lots of energy on them.


When we arrived at school, we went to church and prayed. I was very exciting to see an Organ in the church. There are only three organs in Taiwan. One of my music teachers told me before. When the ceremony began, I could feel the holy atmosphere here. They sang, prayed an walked to the monk and took some "body of Christ". I followed Nick's step walking to the monk and told him that I'm not a Catholic. I didn't take the food and the water. But it is a totally new experience for me. I shall remember all the ceremony in my life.

Mr. Mulvihill showed us the campus of Priory. There are many geese on the campus. I am so surprised that they aren't afraid of people at all.



I had my first class. It was Theology. I didn't understand what the teacher was talking about. It was too difficult for me. Students and teachers have to pray before the class. Teachers there aren't very strict. They always "talk about" their lessons, not just teaching, teaching, and teaching in the class like the teachers in Taiwan. I think this is the better way to learn more efficiently than just reading the text books all the time.

Lunch time!! It is free for us with many kinds of food. I am surprised to see some rice here. I ate a lot of salad. I have to eat more vegetables here I told myself.


After school, Nick had a basketball game (He is in the basketball team). I was very "high" because the freshmen of Priory have won a lot of points. The basketball team had a big dinner and I had some pizza with them. Those boys are so active and I had a great time with them.

The third day, I met my host family

After a long flight, we finally arrived at Saint Louis. I saw many "foreigners" waving at us in the airport, I felt very excited and nervous. I have to speak English for two weeks from now on. Oh! My Goodness! It will make me crazy. However, when my host brother, Nick, and his mother showed their kindness to me, I forgot all the fears.




After having a big meal with the host families, we went home and took some rest. Wow, their house is so big. I think it's bigger than teacher Liu's house. There are four people and two cute dogs in my host family. I like them all. I have my own bedroom, it is really beautiful. My host family members are so happy to receive my gifts from Taiwan. They like the keychains with their names on the best. I went to bed early to get ready for the next day's classes. Ya, you know, we have to go to school early tomorrow.

The second day

We went to Disney Land today. Many fairy tales are in this theme park. At the beginning, I felt that it was too childish for me to go in, but after playing lots of roller coasters, I found out that I was wrong. It's a place for everyone.



After driving a car, going down through the water and playing some exciting roller coasters , I was so "high"! I also played" Guitar Hero" in a building.

We kept playing until 8 p.m. Everyone was so tired, but we had a fantastic day here.

First day in the US

I woke up at six a.m. The house was on a hill, so the scenery here was so beautiful. The fresh air made me forget the noises in Taipei City. I saw the sunrise and the joy of the life was full of my heart. I felt a little bit lonely, but the nature has cured all the disease in my body. The cold bread was my breakfast. Mom was right, American seldom eat hot food. I walked out of the house and saw some beautiful houses and gardens. There were some birds singing in the trees. Oh, an American said "Good morning" to me, he was so kind. I like here.







We went to Universal Studio today. I've been here when I was 10 years old with my family. However, I was here with my classmates this time. It's quite different. Everything is almost the same except I am a 16-year-old teenager now. I took pictures with the characters of the movie and played the roller coaster which was called "MUMMY". There were many shows in the studio. My favorite show was "THE WATER WORLD". In the evening, we went shopping in a place like night market. Wow, what a cool day.