The sky is not blue here.Only can I see some deadwood right their hands to the sky.Sometimes it’s white,but that kind of white is not clear.It is just a gloss beneath the smog.There are some gray buildings standing there and don’t move.Maybe they are affected by the sad world.It seems like that there is just some cold winter here.
What I miss is the transoceanic pure sky.Sometimes it is also white,but that kind of white is really clear and there definitely no impurity in it.
For America,the impressive thing is the blue sky.I believe that everyone can feel it because everyone has some photos about this beautiful sky.Everyone wants to keep beautiful things in there minds.
The first day in Los Angeles was a sunny day.Seems like we were really lucky that day because it rained yesterday.When we were sit in the car,we sill can see the blue sky through the window.We tried hard to let our cameras get closer to the windows so that we can get more beautiful scenary.Alough we were on freeway,diffrents kinds of cars still grabbed our attention.You could see some funny bubble cars passing by but they were used fot feighting.Some fashion cars also passed by.Maybe you could see a little peppy was looking outside by the window of the car.That’s fun!Different cars,different lifestyles.
There is a flourishing city under the endless blue sky,just like it is surrounded by a blue crystal ball.And peole live there very happy.
We would get to Louisville soon.I was really nervous and hopeful.Nervous for meeting my host family,hopeful for living there for 10 days.I just set aside these problems and open window of the aircraft.What I saw shocked myself.The sky was almost transparent blue,and this blue extended to the end of the warld..At the botton,continuous snow covered the ground.Both blue and white are my favorite colors.So when they got together and showed such a beautiful picture,I couldn’t look away.I think I ‘ll keep it in my mind forever.
Waking up naturally,I open the curtain.Surprisingly,I found it was snowing.I rushed out with Helen and Jackson excitedly.Then we had a snowfight and skiing.These small sleds were just like some small little boats.Though my first skiing was failed because we hit the tree,I was still happy.Staying with your family is such a satisfying thing.Their happy faces in my mind can always reminds me of that time.
Parting is better to meet.Though I really didn’t want to leave this school,my family and this city,I had to say goodbye.
I would remember everything they did for me,every words they said to me.Thank you is not enough,but I sill want to say thank you!
College is a beautiful dream and a bright future to people.So I could see blue sky in the colleges.
University of Louisville just like a town.Many main buildings were town hall,church and bank and so on.Students dormitories were the houses of people.Uner the blue sky’s watching,people lived peaceful and energetic.I noticed a glass-enclosed building.The blue sky was in the glass,so the people just like walking in the sky.They were birds,flying in the sky freely.
On the way back home,I saw some clouds in the sky.They liked wools because they were curly.Incidentally,some sheep were eating grass under their wools.Peaceful life here was really good.Mayve I want to choose to live here one day.
Do sill remember the Tear Square in the Stanford?That was a amazing place.When I saw it,my first touch was to rush to the grass and lie there forever.Of course,we did that.Though it was afternoon when we got Stanford,there was some water drops in the grass.Suddenly I felt my tears drop into the grass,togethered with these nature water.No one couldn’t be moved by this green grass.The blue sky was right over us.This sky whitnessed this school’s history.Without it,Stanford could not be so beautiful and successful.
Finally we should go home.I missed my family,my house and my bed,but I sill miss the blue sky of America.So I made a decision,I will come back to that place to achieve my dream.I miss the people that I care about there.And I believe that my dream will come true!
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Tuesday, March 5, 2013
Entry 9: My Time in Louisville by Zhong Weiyu (Jessica)
I just can’t describe my feeling right now.I missed Louisville all the time since I left this city.
I stayed in Louisville for one week.This week was just like the happiest dream that I do wanted to remember forever.
I knew the weather in Louisville is very cold,so I expected this city is always snowy so that I can make snowmen,have a snowball fight,hide behind a snowdrift,even lie on the snow.It must be very cool!
To my surprise,there was little snow that I couldn’t do the things I expected to do,and Louisville did not even snow while I visited,but there was blue sky,the colour was pretty pure ,so the sky was just like transparent crystal.It was too fantastic and amazing that made me feel that everything is not true,and there was also fresh air which made me feel really comfortable. You just need to look far into the distance from a high place and take a deep breathe,every problem will go away and you don’t feel unhappy at all,so you completely relax yourself!
I spent two days studying in the schools.One was called Noe Middle school,and my hostsister Mekenna was studying in this school.The other one called Assumption High School.I made a friend there who always smiles,her name was Katly.She was kind,friendly,elegant and polite,and I found that it’s interesting to talk to her about entertainment and knowledge.Everyone in the schools were very nice,I love them very much.
My favorite memory was to spend time with my hostfamily.My hostfather’s name was James,he was a very strong man, he was funny and affable,and he works in the government.What a pity I’m not good at politic.My hostmother Debbie was a teacher whose job is to teach little kids,she was smart,and she always takes part in some parties.My hostsister Cailin was 11,and she was really mischievous and cherubic,so I wished she can become my sister.The other hostsister,Mekenna,was a beauty,and she was cool,like a popular star.I thought there must be many boys who love her.
The day before we were gone,my hostfamily took me to a park,and we spent a half day playing in the park.I enjoyed playing on a swing.Rock climbing was my favorite sport.It was so excited!I never do this before,because in China,the majority of parents don’t want their children to do such dangerous sports. While we were playing,my hostmother and my hostfather were sitting in the woods ,hugging each other and whispering.These sights made me feel warm and made me have a feeling of home.Such feelings I’ll never forget.
The experience and the time in Louisville is the most precious thing in my childhood.I’ll keep it in my memory,my mind,and my heart,forever.
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I stayed in Louisville for one week.This week was just like the happiest dream that I do wanted to remember forever.
I knew the weather in Louisville is very cold,so I expected this city is always snowy so that I can make snowmen,have a snowball fight,hide behind a snowdrift,even lie on the snow.It must be very cool!
To my surprise,there was little snow that I couldn’t do the things I expected to do,and Louisville did not even snow while I visited,but there was blue sky,the colour was pretty pure ,so the sky was just like transparent crystal.It was too fantastic and amazing that made me feel that everything is not true,and there was also fresh air which made me feel really comfortable. You just need to look far into the distance from a high place and take a deep breathe,every problem will go away and you don’t feel unhappy at all,so you completely relax yourself!
I spent two days studying in the schools.One was called Noe Middle school,and my hostsister Mekenna was studying in this school.The other one called Assumption High School.I made a friend there who always smiles,her name was Katly.She was kind,friendly,elegant and polite,and I found that it’s interesting to talk to her about entertainment and knowledge.Everyone in the schools were very nice,I love them very much.
My favorite memory was to spend time with my hostfamily.My hostfather’s name was James,he was a very strong man, he was funny and affable,and he works in the government.What a pity I’m not good at politic.My hostmother Debbie was a teacher whose job is to teach little kids,she was smart,and she always takes part in some parties.My hostsister Cailin was 11,and she was really mischievous and cherubic,so I wished she can become my sister.The other hostsister,Mekenna,was a beauty,and she was cool,like a popular star.I thought there must be many boys who love her.
The day before we were gone,my hostfamily took me to a park,and we spent a half day playing in the park.I enjoyed playing on a swing.Rock climbing was my favorite sport.It was so excited!I never do this before,because in China,the majority of parents don’t want their children to do such dangerous sports. While we were playing,my hostmother and my hostfather were sitting in the woods ,hugging each other and whispering.These sights made me feel warm and made me have a feeling of home.Such feelings I’ll never forget.
The experience and the time in Louisville is the most precious thing in my childhood.I’ll keep it in my memory,my mind,and my heart,forever.
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Entry 11: The Trip to Louisville by Gao Shenghan (Rena)
This journey to Louisville was extremely wonderful and colorful . I lived in the local family , and went to the American school , joined their classes and so on . Now , I'd like to say something about this trip.
The thing I like best in Louisville is the American class . It is much easier, happier, and more relaxed than the Chinese class . Students can even sit on the floor during the class, you know , this is forbidden in a Chinese class . The relationship between the teachers and students is also extremely nice . They are just like friends all the time (not only after class) .
The students have plenty of questions in the class , much more than the Chinese students' . This is good for keeping children's creative abilities . Of course , I also made friends with the American students . They were all very kind to me when I was in their class. That was them who made feel like I was at home and show me the American warmth to the exchange students. I learnt a lot from them and we got along very well.
Before I went to the America , I thought that all the Americans like eating hamburgers , French fries, ....just like the food in McDonald's. But when I was with my homestay family , I saw that they always eat healthy food like spaghetti. This is very different from what the America was like in my mind before. But all the others are quite the same, like the big houses, the great classes, the nice place...
I told my Chinese friends that this trip was really wonderful , especially in Louisville. This little city is much smaller than Chengdu , but it is more beautiful and pleasant. There is even no traffic jam in Louisville. How nice it is! This city is a good place for study, too. Students here are more free, relaxes, creative and happier. I love this kind of study style so much !
This trip for me is just like a dream, but it is real. I will never forget this wonderful time in the America. And I will study much harder , for one day I can come to the America, the dreadful land!
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The thing I like best in Louisville is the American class . It is much easier, happier, and more relaxed than the Chinese class . Students can even sit on the floor during the class, you know , this is forbidden in a Chinese class . The relationship between the teachers and students is also extremely nice . They are just like friends all the time (not only after class) .
The students have plenty of questions in the class , much more than the Chinese students' . This is good for keeping children's creative abilities . Of course , I also made friends with the American students . They were all very kind to me when I was in their class. That was them who made feel like I was at home and show me the American warmth to the exchange students. I learnt a lot from them and we got along very well.
Before I went to the America , I thought that all the Americans like eating hamburgers , French fries, ....just like the food in McDonald's. But when I was with my homestay family , I saw that they always eat healthy food like spaghetti. This is very different from what the America was like in my mind before. But all the others are quite the same, like the big houses, the great classes, the nice place...
I told my Chinese friends that this trip was really wonderful , especially in Louisville. This little city is much smaller than Chengdu , but it is more beautiful and pleasant. There is even no traffic jam in Louisville. How nice it is! This city is a good place for study, too. Students here are more free, relaxes, creative and happier. I love this kind of study style so much !
This trip for me is just like a dream, but it is real. I will never forget this wonderful time in the America. And I will study much harder , for one day I can come to the America, the dreadful land!
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Entry 12: Wonderful Time in Louisville by Huang Feifei
This winter vocation is so special to me, which is unforgettable --- I went to Louisville. I have to say Louisville is really a good place. The sky is bright and blue, the people are hospitably and the food is so delicious.
I have two host families in Louisville and I have made a lot of friends in Collegiate. Andrea is my first host. I like her very much. She is nice, funny and outgoing. Then Carly, she is friendly and easy going. We do a lot of things together. also I have many other friends in Louisville, like Anna, Senth, Colleen, Austin, and so on.
February 4th is my birthday, I have my most beautiful memory there . My host and friends held a birthday party for me. I was so surprised and moved. They gave me lots of gifts. We had French fries, a big chocolate cake and ice cream. Carly was a little bit late because she herself made a brownie for me .There was "Happy Birthday" on it. The biggest surprise was that the words were in Chinese. We were happy that night.
The study is different from what I thought about. Before I went Louisville, I thought it must be very relaxing for them to study, no homework no exams, having fun in class and play after that, but it is not so. In Collegiate, they can sit causally and ask questions freely in class, which is different from what we do in China, but still they have to finish the assignment on time, and some of them are about social practice, which you have to spend a lot of time on. I remember one time I was having a literary lesson in Collegiate, we were talking about a novel we read , first we were divided into two groups, students in group one say what the novel is about and how they thought about it, group two took notes and spoke up their opinions then, we did these in turns and discussed warmly. Their after-class activities are rich and colorful , maybe what they are doing now is what they want to do in the future and they are very into the activities.
America is not as serious as some European countries, it is even a bit causal in my eyes, but I admire some principles of theirs and the friendship and respect between people is what we should learn from, I hope my dream will come true in America.
It is not easy for me to write about all my feelings about this wonderful experience, it has been part of my life and will make a big difference to me , America is an attractive and amazing country as China, I’d like to visit it once again.
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I have two host families in Louisville and I have made a lot of friends in Collegiate. Andrea is my first host. I like her very much. She is nice, funny and outgoing. Then Carly, she is friendly and easy going. We do a lot of things together. also I have many other friends in Louisville, like Anna, Senth, Colleen, Austin, and so on.
February 4th is my birthday, I have my most beautiful memory there . My host and friends held a birthday party for me. I was so surprised and moved. They gave me lots of gifts. We had French fries, a big chocolate cake and ice cream. Carly was a little bit late because she herself made a brownie for me .There was "Happy Birthday" on it. The biggest surprise was that the words were in Chinese. We were happy that night.
The study is different from what I thought about. Before I went Louisville, I thought it must be very relaxing for them to study, no homework no exams, having fun in class and play after that, but it is not so. In Collegiate, they can sit causally and ask questions freely in class, which is different from what we do in China, but still they have to finish the assignment on time, and some of them are about social practice, which you have to spend a lot of time on. I remember one time I was having a literary lesson in Collegiate, we were talking about a novel we read , first we were divided into two groups, students in group one say what the novel is about and how they thought about it, group two took notes and spoke up their opinions then, we did these in turns and discussed warmly. Their after-class activities are rich and colorful , maybe what they are doing now is what they want to do in the future and they are very into the activities.
America is not as serious as some European countries, it is even a bit causal in my eyes, but I admire some principles of theirs and the friendship and respect between people is what we should learn from, I hope my dream will come true in America.
It is not easy for me to write about all my feelings about this wonderful experience, it has been part of my life and will make a big difference to me , America is an attractive and amazing country as China, I’d like to visit it once again.
Entry 2: My Dreamlike Journey by Tina Lin
My dreamlike journey
-Tina lin
This journey is more like a dream than a trip for me. The blue sky, the shinning sun, children’s smile, people’s help all give me a great memory. This journey make me love this place successfully, I want to be back again when I grow up to study abroad at the university.
After I entered the airport in Louisville, my hosts: MRs Ghali Iman Georges came ande carried me home. They gave me some balloons to celebrate my arrival and provided me a brilliance bedroom. Then I give them back something in China as the gifts. That night was peace and quiet, and my hosts’ enthusiasm and sanguine give me a really good impression.
Then the second day I went to the school with Iman. That is really different from Chinese school and it’s also the most important things that I’d like to share with my friend in China. I think maybe American education da more care about children’s interest than Chinese’s. They have lots of interesting classes, and all the teachers are very nice. I think that’s not only a class but a family. They say hallo to everyone and talk with others play with others, not like the relationship between children and teacher in China.
Then I became friends with Iman lilian Gracie and so on. Such as the American girl in my memory, they are very cute and always smiling at me. We study together, eat behind a same table ande go shopping together, just had a wonderful time. And we still keep contact on Instagram now.
I have to say that I love the sun set in America so much, and certainly I took so many picture there. I think that’s my favorite memory.
I love this dreamlike journey so much. Wish I can back to America again in the future.
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-Tina lin
This journey is more like a dream than a trip for me. The blue sky, the shinning sun, children’s smile, people’s help all give me a great memory. This journey make me love this place successfully, I want to be back again when I grow up to study abroad at the university.
After I entered the airport in Louisville, my hosts: MRs Ghali Iman Georges came ande carried me home. They gave me some balloons to celebrate my arrival and provided me a brilliance bedroom. Then I give them back something in China as the gifts. That night was peace and quiet, and my hosts’ enthusiasm and sanguine give me a really good impression.
Then the second day I went to the school with Iman. That is really different from Chinese school and it’s also the most important things that I’d like to share with my friend in China. I think maybe American education da more care about children’s interest than Chinese’s. They have lots of interesting classes, and all the teachers are very nice. I think that’s not only a class but a family. They say hallo to everyone and talk with others play with others, not like the relationship between children and teacher in China.
Then I became friends with Iman lilian Gracie and so on. Such as the American girl in my memory, they are very cute and always smiling at me. We study together, eat behind a same table ande go shopping together, just had a wonderful time. And we still keep contact on Instagram now.
I have to say that I love the sun set in America so much, and certainly I took so many picture there. I think that’s my favorite memory.
I love this dreamlike journey so much. Wish I can back to America again in the future.
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Entry 1: My Time in Louisville by Wei Yinna (Joyce)
This winter holiday,I went to Louisville,America to be an exchange student for two weeks.It was a really memorable experience for me.
I lived with Rachel Rawlings, a teacher in KCD.She's a really kind person.I usually can't speak very well,and make some mistakes,but she didn't mind and was never impatient of that. She told me lots of things about America,like cultures,rules,habits and so on.She was always very careful to take care of me,just like my mother.I love her very much!
In Louisville,we studied with American students in KCD.Teachers and students there are friendly to us.The first day in KCD,Mr. Mahaffey took us on a walk around the school.They held a celebration for us. Students sang,played the piano and danced to the music.It was really exciting!After that,we went to a world history class,it was my first class there.Teacher arranged some classwork for American students,and gave us some students' homework about religions to read. Students found some introduce and pictures about five or six religions to make into the shape of the book.They are very beautiful.Actually,that's the first time I really felt the Americans creativity.
The second day,we went to Rachel's class. After we told students that our class begins at seven thirty,and ends at 10pm,they said"How can you survive?"with surprised.We heard that twice there.Actually,we also complain like that sometimes, because it's really tiring.
In KCD,I like ceramic class best. It was the first time that I saw the process of making ceramics, and it's really interesting to make a ceramic by myself!
The thing about America that surprised me most is we never heard a whistle.Maybe it's normal for American,but it's amazing for Chinese.The other thing that is amazing for Chinese is that high school students can bring their computers to classes,and they can use them. They can even leave their seat in classes.You know,in our classes,the only thing that we can do is look at teachers and listen to them .It's really boring,isn't it?
At the end,I want to say,I love America,I love Louisville,I love KCD,I'll be back!
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I lived with Rachel Rawlings, a teacher in KCD.She's a really kind person.I usually can't speak very well,and make some mistakes,but she didn't mind and was never impatient of that. She told me lots of things about America,like cultures,rules,habits and so on.She was always very careful to take care of me,just like my mother.I love her very much!
In Louisville,we studied with American students in KCD.Teachers and students there are friendly to us.The first day in KCD,Mr. Mahaffey took us on a walk around the school.They held a celebration for us. Students sang,played the piano and danced to the music.It was really exciting!After that,we went to a world history class,it was my first class there.Teacher arranged some classwork for American students,and gave us some students' homework about religions to read. Students found some introduce and pictures about five or six religions to make into the shape of the book.They are very beautiful.Actually,that's the first time I really felt the Americans creativity.
The second day,we went to Rachel's class. After we told students that our class begins at seven thirty,and ends at 10pm,they said"How can you survive?"with surprised.We heard that twice there.Actually,we also complain like that sometimes, because it's really tiring.
In KCD,I like ceramic class best. It was the first time that I saw the process of making ceramics, and it's really interesting to make a ceramic by myself!
The thing about America that surprised me most is we never heard a whistle.Maybe it's normal for American,but it's amazing for Chinese.The other thing that is amazing for Chinese is that high school students can bring their computers to classes,and they can use them. They can even leave their seat in classes.You know,in our classes,the only thing that we can do is look at teachers and listen to them .It's really boring,isn't it?
At the end,I want to say,I love America,I love Louisville,I love KCD,I'll be back!
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Entry 7: My story with the Nelsons by Wang Tianhe
My Story With The Nelsons
——Wang tianhe
In this winter holiday, as a member of Jiujiang teacher and student delegation, I attended a U.S.A. exchange program organized by the City Board of Education. This was also my first time to America. I feel lucky and grateful. The city for exchange is Louisville, Kentucky. We arrived the airport in Louisville in the evening of January 31stafter a long flight. Host families had already been waiting there. In the distance, noticing a lady and a handsome little boy holding a board with my name on it, I walked toward them excitedly. That’s how I met The Nelsons. It’s also the beginning of my story.
Mom, from my host family, drove us home. Hardly to see night view of the city in the car because of the snow, Mom caringly stopped the car and walked with me for a while. She pointed to the nearby Ohio River and introduced it is the only river in the city. Dense woods lay around it. Separated apartments are orderly arranged on each side of the road. My first impression of the town is...what a tranquil, natural and clean place!
Car finally stopped in front of a red apartment. That’s my host family, the Nelsons’ home. Although it was snowing outside, I felt very warm inside, especially with a fireplace burning. I only saw this kind of house design, maybe a European style in general, on TV. Mom guided me to my room, a large place with a big bed in it. The decoration warmed my heart. I felt home.
The Nelsons has four people. Mom is Tricia, Father is Jim, the bigger brother is Jamie, the younger one named Connor. The brothers are very adorable, especially Connor, lovely as a doll. They also raise a dog, Rocko and a cat, Dusty. Now, I am accepted as another member of the family. They are my American parents and brothers.
Because this was my first time ever being abroad and I was new to this family. At first, I was a little bit reserved, not knowing how to react or communicate. But all the family members were very enthusiastic; the two brothers always invited me to play with them. Gradually, I was influenced by their hospitality, involved in my new family and started to experience a new life whole-heartedly.
I’ll start with the food. Different from what we eat for breakfast in China, like crullers (“you tiao” in Chinese) and steamed buns (“baozi” in Chinese), every morning, Mom would make each of us a dessert, along with tomato sauce and a glass of milk. Jamie and I would have lunch in school cafeteria, normally it’s a buffet. At first I couldn’t get used to it, because vegetables there are eaten raw, not like everything in China are thoroughly cooked. However, I adapted myself to it. On weekends, we normally go outside to play and ate fast-food, like KFC. Compared with KFC chain stores in China, local KFC tasted better, but poor on products’ variety. KFC’s hometown is Kentucky; its headquarter locates in Louisville. At evenings, we usually ate at home. The family sit together. Dishes were served in order by Mom. Then we’d pass the course around, each spooned out the amount needed. We often talked while eating; I would tell them what had happened during the day. Communication brought us closer and added more and more intimacy among us. In three meals, dinner was always the most fancy one. My American parents would cook by themselves, serving soup, fried dishes and fruit salad.
Attending American classes was an important part of our exchange program. I was allocated to study in an independent school, KCD, equivalent to a domestic key school. Mom drove Jamie and I to school everyday. Father would take Connor to another school. On campus, while Jamie went to his own class, I would sit in on different classes of each grade with other Jiujiang students. Classroom arrangements are casual. Almost each subject has its own classroom, decorated in different styles. We had classes from history, art, music, physics to P.E. The room for art and craft lesson displays vivid clay sculptures. We made potteries with local students. There are various instruments in music room. Students sit together in a circle to learn. The platform in physical schoolroom is a standardized lab table, very convenient for teachers’ demonstration. I showed them the power-point I made and introduced Jiujiang’s scenery and history. There are only 19 students in each class, so they have lots of space to move around. Kids are divided into different groups. Same group members sit together around a desk. We as visitors can join whichever group we’d like and communicate with them. Each classroom has bookshelves. Students can leave seats to fetch whatever books they need in class without informing teachers. During P.E. Class and lunch breaks, they have various physical activities, some I had never seen in China. For ball games only, they play basketball, football, ping-pong and Cross. Besides, they play frisbees. In KCD, foreign language study has three main kinds, including French, Spanish and Latin. Children can choose one or two to learn. Classes start at 8:05 a.m. everyday and close at 15:05 p.m.. After school, while Jamie was finishing his homework on library’s computer, I would go online and waited Mom to pick us home. The library is large. Librarians here carefully fulfilled their duties, wrapping each book, sweeping the floor. Outside the library, there is a small fountain. The whole place looked clean and neat, showing a unity of standstill and movement.
Everyday, after school is our entertainment time. The Nelsons’ basement is specially designed for this purpose. Jamie, Connor and I would play ping-pong down there. The ping-pong table was put up with boards and battens, temporarily found by father. We would watch TV or practice basketball shots with a small ball. My two brothers really like slamming dunks. They usually became sweaty after practices. Speaking of basketball, I have a LOT to say. 11-year-old Jamie joined two basketball teams; 9-year-old Connor joined three. From these, you can see their passion about playing basketball. Sometimes, after school, we played in the open area just in front of the house. Occasionally, father would join us and gave instructions from time to time. We were devoted but also with great ease. Sometimes we lowered the basket and dunked, it felt so great! Jamie and Connor had trainings twice or three times a week. I often went to watch them. Players in training classes were small, including both boys and girls. Their bodies were only about twice as large as the ball. All the players were very devoted during the training, competing against each other. I once asked Connor, is attending three basketball teams tiring? His answer was NO, because he loved it. Through them, I can tell why America’s basketball leads the world. Besides regular training classes, on weekends, they had competitions to play now and then. I watched some of the matches. Despite players’ young age, they fought for scores aggressively. Audiences also played a vital role, full of passion. I remembered at the end of one competition, when a small player hit an amazing 3-point buzzer and sent the match into overtime, he won a standing ovation. What a wonderful shoot! Jamie and Connor had great performances too. They were the main players on the court. Jamie scored 6 points once. Connor gained 8 points in another game. However, they never cared much about the results. They thought it was even more important to eat good food after games. How lovely!
Compared to NBA, a name more familiar to us Chinese; Nelsons prefer NCAA, namely National Collegiate Athletic Association. They knew how I loved watching basketball games; so on a weekend, they drove me to KFC center for a female basketball game. It’s my first live game in a large stadium and it felt really different! All the cheering squad dancing, passionate young fans yelling were infectious and awesome! Sometimes the big screen flashed “MAKE SOME NOISE!” and waves of shouts and whistles erupted like crazy. We watched another male basketball game on TV at home, with guest team University of Louisville against home team University of Notre Dame. Just when we thought the game would end with University of Louisville’s sweeping victory, University of Notre Dame miraculously scored 12 points within the last 42 seconds, throwing the whole game into overtime. At both the second and fourth overtime, University of Notre Dame worked wonders and equaled the score at the last moment. Jamie, Connor and I applauded for the fifth overtime on our couch. Finally by the end of the fifth overtime, University of Louisville missed a three-point shot and lost the game. Fans for University of Notre Dame flooded into the filed, celebrating with players as if they’d won the National Champion. We watched the whole game till dawn. I’m so lucky to watch such a wonderful game with five overtimes during my short visit in Louisville. I’m going to share my excitement with my classmates in China.
I had a great time with the Nelsons. They took me shopping, watching horse racing, bowling and playing Ping-Pong. We even visited a Swiss man in his eighties and invited other children for party at home. Sometimes I taught Jamie and Connor simple Chinese characters and dialogues. All in all, every day is full of joy.
On the Eve of Chinese New year, Mom and I pasted spring festival couplets and paper-cuts to the door and windows, a perfect harmony between Chinese and western culture. I sent them some gifts with Chinese features, such as pens, chopsticks, cups and pencil vases made of porcelain, Peking opera facial masks and Chinese knots. The school held a delightful spring festival party for us and there I even had a long-lost taste of Chinese food.
How time flies! The exchange soon came to an end and I had to leave Louisville and the Nelsons. The evening before my departure, I lied in bed, replaying in my mind every moment with the Nelsons during those days. Sleep escaped me, so I went to my litter brothers’ room. Sensing my sadness, they didn’t say a word, just hugged me tightly.
In the morning of Feb. 11th, 2013 local time, we got up very early. Mom cooked my favorite food. This was the last time I had breakfast at the Nelsons, who knows when I can have another opportunity?
After breakfast, mom gave me a notebook with photos and letters from each member of the Nelsons. I clutched the notebook and hugged them again. All I could say was I love you! I also gave mom a notebook with my wishes for them in Chinese. My English wasn’t enough for my feeling, if only they could understand Chinese! I hope my small gifts from China can be a reminder of our time together.
Finally it’s time to say goodbye. After Mom led me and Jamie in the bus I waved goodbye to dad and Connor through the window glass. I was so sad that I just couldn’t spare them more glances. After the bus pulled up at school, I hugged mom and Jamie again. Mom was smiling, but there were tears in her eyes. I’m afraid I’m going to cry too, so I said “Mom I love you” and didn’t dare to look them in the eyes again.
I’m very grateful to Nelsons for their care and hospitality. The different culture and life style I experienced there have become one of my sweetest memories. I will always love my American mom, dad and little brothers as I love my own family.
Adieu, Louisville! Adieu, my dear Nelsons!
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——Wang tianhe
In this winter holiday, as a member of Jiujiang teacher and student delegation, I attended a U.S.A. exchange program organized by the City Board of Education. This was also my first time to America. I feel lucky and grateful. The city for exchange is Louisville, Kentucky. We arrived the airport in Louisville in the evening of January 31stafter a long flight. Host families had already been waiting there. In the distance, noticing a lady and a handsome little boy holding a board with my name on it, I walked toward them excitedly. That’s how I met The Nelsons. It’s also the beginning of my story.
Mom, from my host family, drove us home. Hardly to see night view of the city in the car because of the snow, Mom caringly stopped the car and walked with me for a while. She pointed to the nearby Ohio River and introduced it is the only river in the city. Dense woods lay around it. Separated apartments are orderly arranged on each side of the road. My first impression of the town is...what a tranquil, natural and clean place!
Car finally stopped in front of a red apartment. That’s my host family, the Nelsons’ home. Although it was snowing outside, I felt very warm inside, especially with a fireplace burning. I only saw this kind of house design, maybe a European style in general, on TV. Mom guided me to my room, a large place with a big bed in it. The decoration warmed my heart. I felt home.
The Nelsons has four people. Mom is Tricia, Father is Jim, the bigger brother is Jamie, the younger one named Connor. The brothers are very adorable, especially Connor, lovely as a doll. They also raise a dog, Rocko and a cat, Dusty. Now, I am accepted as another member of the family. They are my American parents and brothers.
Because this was my first time ever being abroad and I was new to this family. At first, I was a little bit reserved, not knowing how to react or communicate. But all the family members were very enthusiastic; the two brothers always invited me to play with them. Gradually, I was influenced by their hospitality, involved in my new family and started to experience a new life whole-heartedly.
I’ll start with the food. Different from what we eat for breakfast in China, like crullers (“you tiao” in Chinese) and steamed buns (“baozi” in Chinese), every morning, Mom would make each of us a dessert, along with tomato sauce and a glass of milk. Jamie and I would have lunch in school cafeteria, normally it’s a buffet. At first I couldn’t get used to it, because vegetables there are eaten raw, not like everything in China are thoroughly cooked. However, I adapted myself to it. On weekends, we normally go outside to play and ate fast-food, like KFC. Compared with KFC chain stores in China, local KFC tasted better, but poor on products’ variety. KFC’s hometown is Kentucky; its headquarter locates in Louisville. At evenings, we usually ate at home. The family sit together. Dishes were served in order by Mom. Then we’d pass the course around, each spooned out the amount needed. We often talked while eating; I would tell them what had happened during the day. Communication brought us closer and added more and more intimacy among us. In three meals, dinner was always the most fancy one. My American parents would cook by themselves, serving soup, fried dishes and fruit salad.
Attending American classes was an important part of our exchange program. I was allocated to study in an independent school, KCD, equivalent to a domestic key school. Mom drove Jamie and I to school everyday. Father would take Connor to another school. On campus, while Jamie went to his own class, I would sit in on different classes of each grade with other Jiujiang students. Classroom arrangements are casual. Almost each subject has its own classroom, decorated in different styles. We had classes from history, art, music, physics to P.E. The room for art and craft lesson displays vivid clay sculptures. We made potteries with local students. There are various instruments in music room. Students sit together in a circle to learn. The platform in physical schoolroom is a standardized lab table, very convenient for teachers’ demonstration. I showed them the power-point I made and introduced Jiujiang’s scenery and history. There are only 19 students in each class, so they have lots of space to move around. Kids are divided into different groups. Same group members sit together around a desk. We as visitors can join whichever group we’d like and communicate with them. Each classroom has bookshelves. Students can leave seats to fetch whatever books they need in class without informing teachers. During P.E. Class and lunch breaks, they have various physical activities, some I had never seen in China. For ball games only, they play basketball, football, ping-pong and Cross. Besides, they play frisbees. In KCD, foreign language study has three main kinds, including French, Spanish and Latin. Children can choose one or two to learn. Classes start at 8:05 a.m. everyday and close at 15:05 p.m.. After school, while Jamie was finishing his homework on library’s computer, I would go online and waited Mom to pick us home. The library is large. Librarians here carefully fulfilled their duties, wrapping each book, sweeping the floor. Outside the library, there is a small fountain. The whole place looked clean and neat, showing a unity of standstill and movement.
Everyday, after school is our entertainment time. The Nelsons’ basement is specially designed for this purpose. Jamie, Connor and I would play ping-pong down there. The ping-pong table was put up with boards and battens, temporarily found by father. We would watch TV or practice basketball shots with a small ball. My two brothers really like slamming dunks. They usually became sweaty after practices. Speaking of basketball, I have a LOT to say. 11-year-old Jamie joined two basketball teams; 9-year-old Connor joined three. From these, you can see their passion about playing basketball. Sometimes, after school, we played in the open area just in front of the house. Occasionally, father would join us and gave instructions from time to time. We were devoted but also with great ease. Sometimes we lowered the basket and dunked, it felt so great! Jamie and Connor had trainings twice or three times a week. I often went to watch them. Players in training classes were small, including both boys and girls. Their bodies were only about twice as large as the ball. All the players were very devoted during the training, competing against each other. I once asked Connor, is attending three basketball teams tiring? His answer was NO, because he loved it. Through them, I can tell why America’s basketball leads the world. Besides regular training classes, on weekends, they had competitions to play now and then. I watched some of the matches. Despite players’ young age, they fought for scores aggressively. Audiences also played a vital role, full of passion. I remembered at the end of one competition, when a small player hit an amazing 3-point buzzer and sent the match into overtime, he won a standing ovation. What a wonderful shoot! Jamie and Connor had great performances too. They were the main players on the court. Jamie scored 6 points once. Connor gained 8 points in another game. However, they never cared much about the results. They thought it was even more important to eat good food after games. How lovely!
Compared to NBA, a name more familiar to us Chinese; Nelsons prefer NCAA, namely National Collegiate Athletic Association. They knew how I loved watching basketball games; so on a weekend, they drove me to KFC center for a female basketball game. It’s my first live game in a large stadium and it felt really different! All the cheering squad dancing, passionate young fans yelling were infectious and awesome! Sometimes the big screen flashed “MAKE SOME NOISE!” and waves of shouts and whistles erupted like crazy. We watched another male basketball game on TV at home, with guest team University of Louisville against home team University of Notre Dame. Just when we thought the game would end with University of Louisville’s sweeping victory, University of Notre Dame miraculously scored 12 points within the last 42 seconds, throwing the whole game into overtime. At both the second and fourth overtime, University of Notre Dame worked wonders and equaled the score at the last moment. Jamie, Connor and I applauded for the fifth overtime on our couch. Finally by the end of the fifth overtime, University of Louisville missed a three-point shot and lost the game. Fans for University of Notre Dame flooded into the filed, celebrating with players as if they’d won the National Champion. We watched the whole game till dawn. I’m so lucky to watch such a wonderful game with five overtimes during my short visit in Louisville. I’m going to share my excitement with my classmates in China.
I had a great time with the Nelsons. They took me shopping, watching horse racing, bowling and playing Ping-Pong. We even visited a Swiss man in his eighties and invited other children for party at home. Sometimes I taught Jamie and Connor simple Chinese characters and dialogues. All in all, every day is full of joy.
On the Eve of Chinese New year, Mom and I pasted spring festival couplets and paper-cuts to the door and windows, a perfect harmony between Chinese and western culture. I sent them some gifts with Chinese features, such as pens, chopsticks, cups and pencil vases made of porcelain, Peking opera facial masks and Chinese knots. The school held a delightful spring festival party for us and there I even had a long-lost taste of Chinese food.
How time flies! The exchange soon came to an end and I had to leave Louisville and the Nelsons. The evening before my departure, I lied in bed, replaying in my mind every moment with the Nelsons during those days. Sleep escaped me, so I went to my litter brothers’ room. Sensing my sadness, they didn’t say a word, just hugged me tightly.
In the morning of Feb. 11th, 2013 local time, we got up very early. Mom cooked my favorite food. This was the last time I had breakfast at the Nelsons, who knows when I can have another opportunity?
After breakfast, mom gave me a notebook with photos and letters from each member of the Nelsons. I clutched the notebook and hugged them again. All I could say was I love you! I also gave mom a notebook with my wishes for them in Chinese. My English wasn’t enough for my feeling, if only they could understand Chinese! I hope my small gifts from China can be a reminder of our time together.
Finally it’s time to say goodbye. After Mom led me and Jamie in the bus I waved goodbye to dad and Connor through the window glass. I was so sad that I just couldn’t spare them more glances. After the bus pulled up at school, I hugged mom and Jamie again. Mom was smiling, but there were tears in her eyes. I’m afraid I’m going to cry too, so I said “Mom I love you” and didn’t dare to look them in the eyes again.
I’m very grateful to Nelsons for their care and hospitality. The different culture and life style I experienced there have become one of my sweetest memories. I will always love my American mom, dad and little brothers as I love my own family.
Adieu, Louisville! Adieu, my dear Nelsons!
CLICK HERE TO VOTE FOR Wang tianhe (copy and paste their name in the subject line)
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