Peng's Family
Lucinda Peng
January 2, 2011
Hello everybody! This is Lucinda. This year has been a year filled with ups and downs, literally! For our traveling part of the year, we got to explore Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Capital Reef. I was lucky enough to go back and visit my old friends in Wisconsin. We also went to the Harry Potter World in Universal Studios at Orlando. My American grandparents also came down to Florida to visit us. As for other activities, I graduated from Lincoln, and now I’m a happy freshman at Eastside High School, and was on the varsity cross-country team, but that’s what led to my one big downer of the year. Towards the end of the season, I was put in a cast due to a stress fracture from cross country (that is NOT an excuse not to run!). I still play violin with Kim as my teacher. Other than that, my year has been great!
Traveling and Visiting
Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Capital Reef are all beautiful places in their own way. Grand Teton is mountainous, Yellowstone has amazing geysers, and Capital Reef has stunning sandstone cliffs. Harry Potter World was what I’ve always dreamed of, Hogwarts came to life, Hogsmeade became a real place, and even Hagrid’s hut was there. It was very close to perfect. Grandma Ele and Grandpa Ted’s visit was wonderful. I thoroughly enjoyed their visit. I also got to go to Wisconsin to visit my old friends there. I spent a week there, but it didn’t seem any longer than a day. I loved traveling to all these places, and visiting my lovely American grandparents.
Yellowstone / Grand Teton / Capital Reef
This summer in July, my family and I went to Yellowstone, Grand Teton, and Capital Reef for about a week. In Grand Teton, we stayed at a town called Jackson Hole. We went white water rafting down the Snake River, through many rapids, and a couple of calm spots where I swam. The water was 40 to 50 degrees, but it felt really nice. On one of the rapids, Naomi got to sit in the front seat, where it’s easiest to fall in. She stayed on for the first wave, but just after she turned around to smile at us, the second wave pulled her into the water. Naomi went in with a huge smile on her face, and she started laughing in the water. I was laughing too. We were all relaxed, except for my mom. She was really worried. She looked as if she was going to jump in the water to try to help save her, even though she can’t even swim as well as Naomi. Even in the pool at home, my mom doesn’t put her head under water, how would she survive the rushing river?! We got Naomi back, and she said that falling in was actually really fun! We saw a lot of birds, and enjoyed nature. For dinner that night, we had a real treat (sorry to all you vegetarian people!). We went to a really nice restaurant that used to be a museum. It was called Gun Barrel Steak and Game House. We saw a real (but thankfully not alive) bison right as we walked in the door. I got bison ribs, which are much better than regular pork ribs. My dad had a bison sirloin, my mom had an elk chop, Naomi had a steak. Everything was delicious!
Whitewater rafting down the Snake River
Lucinda at the Gun Barrel Steak and Game House
We went to Jenny Lake in Grand Teton National Park. The morning air was cool and refreshing. It had a crisp, dry feeling that you only can find in the north during autumn. We saw a few bison, and many different kinds of birds. At Jenny Lake, we hiked 2.5 miles half way around the lake, and then another mile up to the Inspiration Point. On the way to the Inspiration Point, we stopped at a beautiful waterfall, called Hidden Falls. The water sent out a fine mist, cooling the air in the vicinity. We continued upward, and at each switchback, the view became increasingly more spectacular. When we finally reached the top, the lake and mountains were breathtaking. We rested there, just enjoying the tranquility and the picturesque view. When we got back to the parking lot, we met up with Shaleen’s family. We chatted for a bit, and then my family decided to go to Jackson Lake, while Shaleen’s family hiked to the Hidden Falls. Jackson Lake was significantly bigger than Jenny Lake. There was a dam spanning the lake, so from afar it looked as though it was a bridge. Downstream from the dam, some people were fly fishing. We didn’t stay long at Jackson Lake, because we were going to go on a scenic drive, where at the top, you could see plains, little “potholes”, and mountains surrounding you. “Potholes” are pools of water made by glacier melt. It was very peaceful looking down at the rolling plains and tall mountains.
Inspiration Point at Jenny Lake
Grand Teton Mountain Range
With Shaleen’s family by Jenny Lake
Perfect reflection of Teton Range
The next morning, we went through Grand Teton to Yellowstone, where we were meeting Shaleen’s family at Old Faithful. We got to see it erupt three times! The first time we saw it, was just five minutes after we parked our car. The steam and water shot up around 150 feet high in the air. We then walked around to see the more spasmodic geysers surrounding the Old Faithful area. Some of those geysers could erupt 400 feet into the air, but they weren’t as predictable, and were much less famous than Old Faithful.
Hidden Falls
Sona, Shaleen, and Lucinda at Old Faithful
Mammoth Hot Springs is a wonderful place. The springs had a mineral in the water that caused the ground where they flowed to turn white or different shades of orange. The minerals had collected over the years, forming the terraces, making the springs get taller and taller. The white one, at first glance, looked like snow covered steps. There is barely enough water to coat the entire surface. It looks as if it is just a glossy coat with tiny ripples in it. One of the springs was called Minerva Terrace, named after the Roman goddess of wisdom (I’m guessing the same Minerva that McGonagall was named after). With all the springs there, I was starting to get used to a lot of water, but the next place, Capital Reef National Park, we went was just the opposite.
Mammoth Hot Springs
Artist’s Point
Capitol Reef National Park is in a desert in the state of Utah. It was where the Mormon settlers first settled down. There were many cool rock formations surrounding us. They were made of sedimentary rocks, most likely sandstone. We hiked down a 2 mile path to Hickman’s Bridge when the temperature was over 100 degrees! Hickman’s Bridge was fascinating, and the view along the way was spectacular. The desert’s beauty lies in the shape of the land, not just the animals and vegetation, although the few flowers we saw were really pretty. We went on the scenic drive through Capitol Reef as well. The wind and rain had made the landscape unique, sculpting faces and animals. They were easy to see with just a little imagination.
Capitol Reef National Park
Hickman’s Bridge
Throughout our entire Yellowstone/ Grand Teton/ Capital Reef trip we saw a lot of animals, wildflowers and geysers. There were bison, deer, birds, antelope, rabbits, pronghorn, llama, longhorns, elk, foxes, turtles, moose, bighorn sheep, mountain goats, and beavers. Naomi claims to have seen two bears, but I don’t believe either story. The first time, she thinks she saw one in the tree next to the road, but it was dark, so I doubt she could’ve actually seen anything. The second time, she even disproved her first sighting. She made us go back and look, say that she “wasn’t joking this time”. When we turned around the car to see it, all it looked like was a piece of wood. There was a woman riding her bike that had stopped too, we asked where she rode her bike from, and it turns out she and her husband had been riding their bikes all the way from the east coast, going through national parks and various lovely places. The bike trip had been her 65th birthday present. I thought that was amazing, especially at her age, and am now trying to convince my dad to let us do something like that over the summer. We also saw these cute little animals called pikas. They are squirrel-like animals that were so adorable, Naomi and I wished to take one home. One of the pikas came over to play with us, every time we raised a hand, it would stand on its back feet, as if begging for food. Even though there was a lot to see, we got to enjoy the little things that came up in the trip.
Moose
Pika
Grand Prismatic Spring Geyser
At Professor Wei Ye Hua’s house
Another good thing about this trip was that we got to visit friends as well. In Salt Lake City, we got to see Professor Wei Ye Hua’s family. Their daughter was so cute! She showed us around her house, running around, playing with toys as well. We also got to see Professor Chris and Monica. We seem to like to visit the places they’ve moved to, when they’re there. We first met them when I was a baby in Atlanta, GA, then we visited them near Washington DC, and now again in Salt Lake City. These were all places I dreamed about going to.
Harry Potter World
Speaking of visiting places I have always wished I could go to, I got to go to Harry Potter World! It was amazing! There was Hogwarts and Hogsmeade. In Hogsmeade, there were a few shops, like Olivander’s which were supposed to be in Diagon Alley, but there was also shops, like Zonko’s and Honey Dukes that were actually in Hogsmeade. The ATM machines were “Gringotts”, the bank for wizards. They even replicated Hagrid’s hut, and had Buckbeak (the hippogriff) in a nest by the hut. There was butterbeer, which the fizz of soda, but sweeter than soda. The Forbidden Journey (the ride through Hogwarts) was very unique. It took you through the Forbidden Forrest to Aragog (the giant spider), past dementors, and basically did a quick recap of all the exciting things Harry did in the books. Everything seemed so special that it made me feel like I was actually visiting Hogsmeade, on a weekend with the rest of the people at Hogwarts.
Hogwarts Express in Harry Potter World
In Hogsmeade, Harry Potter World
Grandma Ele and Grandpa Ted’s Visit
In May 2010, my American grandparents, Grandma Ele and Grandpa Ted, came down to Florida to visit us. When they came, we went to the St. Augustine beach with them, and went floating down the Ichetucknee River. Grandma Ele started me on the violin, so she went to one of our violin lessons, and helped Naomi and me at home with our pieces. She helped me with Meditation, my spring recital piece. Grandpa Ted plays tennis, so he came to one of my tennis lessons. I really liked spending time with Grandma Ele and Grandpa Ted. I always remember the time I flew by myself to Portland, Oregon to visit them in 2006; that was my first time fly alone.
At Fort Castillo, St Augustine
Grandma Ele and Grandpa Ted at Ichetucknee River
Eleanor and Ted with family at beach
Breakfast in the patio
Wisconsin Trip
Again, I also flew solo, in August 2010, to visit my friends in Wisconsin. I was super excited to see all my old friends again. At the airport, Aleksandra’s family picked me up, and that night held a welcome party for me in their new house. Before the party, since every time I go to Rachel and Alex’s house I get wet, Aleksandra and I decided to surprise attack them, I even wore my swim suit in preparation. We were going to get their hose and call them outside to ambush them, but before we got the hose ready, they came out. At the party, we ate, talked, and played on the wii. After that, I went to Rachel and Alex’s lake house. There, we went canoeing and swimming, played board games, read, and watched TV. I woke Alex and Rachel up much earlier than they were used to, so while they slept while attempting to read in the morning, I ended up half sleeping through the movies in the evening.
Aleksandra’s house for my welcome party
Rachel and Alex’s Lake
When we went back to the city, I went to Belle’s house. I got to see her sisters, Daria (who is Naomi’s friend) and Tilly (the one that wasn’t there when I lived in Wisconsin). We got stuff ready for the Disney party that night. I was Mulan, and Belle was Belle. We drew Disney villain pictures on the windows so we could shoot Nerf guns, which are guns that shoot suction cup darts, at the pictures. It was so funny to see everyone dressed up in their costumes. Belle’s mom did Belle and my hair, and it looked amazing. At her house, we also went running in the morning, played games during the day, and went to Six Flags Great America. I was happy, just to spend time with friends.
Mulan (Lucinda) and Belle (Isabelle)
Disney Party at Belle’s
I then went to Aleksandra’s house. Her family was happy to see me again, even after a few years apart, it didn’t feel awkward there. It’s the same people that I’ve grown up with, ever since Aleksandra and I met when we were babies at UWM (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee) Daycare. We played board games, watched A Very Potter Musical (a little), went to Brown Deer Pond, and played laser tag. As usual, during lunch we watched Shao Lin Showdown. We also got to go to the new Bayshore Town Center, what used to be the Bayshore Mall.
One morning, I went shopping at Mayfair Mall with Laura and Jeni. We first stayed at Jeni’s house just talking a little and then we left for the mall. I got to see her sister Liz, who was a tiny baby when I moved. I got a few shirts for school, now that we have the new dress code, and my new favorite sweater.
It was sad to leave, but the time came when I did. I have a bunch of happy memories about all that we did over the summer. I will never forget, but hope to build onto those memories with future visits. Thank you to all of the people who I spent time with, it was an amazing trip.
My School and Other Activities
If you didn’t know already, I don’t usually get to go on these amazing trips daily. My usual life consists of school, violin, cross-country, as well as a few other things. I’ve done well in all three of those things. Like the stereo-typical Asian, I get straight-A report cards. I practice violin a lot, and have caught up (almost) to other people my age, even though I started in the summer before 5th grade. I was the fastest girl in cross-country until I got my stress fracture, with a 22 minute 3 seconds personal record for my fastest 5k. I love my daily life, as well as those special trips I take yearly.
Graduation
Besides traveling, I want to share with you a few things about my school and other activities. I graduated from middle school this year. The 8th grade Lyceum had a banquet a few days before graduation, and had the graduation ceremony on the last day of school. At the banquet, the teachers had a slideshow of pictures of us from 6th grade to 8th grade. We enjoyed ourselves a lot on that last week of school, but it wasn’t always smooth going to get there. There were a lot of exciting stops along the way though. These included the overnight trip to NASA, where we go to sleep under a rocket, and running club’s camping trip with Mr. Conde.
Graduation Ceremony
Graduation Banquet Day
Graduation Ceremony
Running Club
Running Club with Mr. Conde was awesome. In May, Mr. Conde took us on a three day camping trip. After getting lost on the way there, we played capture the flag, man hunt, walked to the beach, and roasted s’mores. Those three days were a blast. It was a weekend of never-ending amusement. I also ran a 5k race, Run for Haven Hospice, one Saturday. I ran the 5 km in about 22.5 minutes, taking second place.
Lucinda at NASA
2nd place at Run for Haven Hospice
Cross Country
My running didn’t stop at the end of 8th grade though. I continued on to run cross country for my high school, Eastside. We had morning practice early in the mornings during the summer, and official practice started the first day after school. I really enjoy running, and I was the fastest girl on varsity. The only problem was, I got a stress fracture. At the time I didn’t know it, I thought it was just shin splints, so I continued running on it. I even still managed to bring my time down, placing 6th at the Menendez meet. Towards the end of the season, my mom took me to the doctor, and we found out it was a stress fracture. The doctor didn’t let me run for the districts and regional meets. I ended up in a cast, and am now doing physical therapy to start get back to running.
Ellen, Jasmine, Christine, Lucinda, and Ria at cross-country meet
Shaleen and Lucinda at International Day
Violin
It’s my 4th year playing violin, and I still love it. Kim is an amazing teacher. In ACYO (Alachua County Youth Orchestra), I was second chair in second violin. I’m hoping to get into first violin next year. We had our winter concert recently, and I enjoyed myself, spending the whole day at the Philips Center, hanging out with friends when not performing or rehearsing. With Kim, we had our spring and winter recitals this year. In the spring recital, where we all solo on a piece, I played Meditation.
Lucinda at Spring Recital
ACYO Spring Concert
Violin
I hope all of you read our Christmas letter next year. Who knows, maybe you’ll be hearing about our amazing bike trip sometime soon, not this summer (because we are going to China), but maybe the next So now you know what to expect in future Christmas letters from me, a trip to China, visits to Wisconsin (hopefully), and maybe a bike trip.
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!!!!!!!!!!!! :D