Peng's Family
Lucinda's 2013 Newsletter
This year has been the year of the college applications. Like any high school senior would tell you, they suck. But this year has also been the year of new perspectives. The college apps have given me a new perspective about these annual newsletters. Although I do not look forward to writing them any more than I used to, I have developed an appreciation for them, as they have given me better writing skills. So, as you can see, we are late once again, but it’s my fault this time; college apps are not fun… have I mentioned that already? Oops. Some of the prompts were nice in making me remember all that I have done in high school, but what killed me was the word limit. One hundred words to describe my life? I didn’t know where to start, so if this seems long, it’s because I’m relishing in the fact that I can write as much as I want now that my college essays are over.
I traveled to the all four corners of the US this year: Arizona, Alaska, the New England area, and of course back to Florida. On top of that, I had my last season of cross-country, took a class at the University of Florida (UF) over the summer, and did research at the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute.
Lucinda loves running - at home FL
Lucinda college touring - Boston, MA
Lucinda at Phoenix, Arizona for ISEF
Lucinda reached the glacier -- Crow Pass Trail, AK
Research is my life
During junior year, I did a research project, “Foot Strike Patterns During Running”, comparing lower body joint loads between rearfoot and forefoot running, and their implications for probability of injury. From the regional science fair, I earned many awards, but the biggest honor was getting selected for the Intel International Science and Engineering Fair (ISEF). In May, I got to spend a week in Phoenix, Arizona for ISEF. It was one of the best weeks of my life. There were finalists from literally all over the world: Germany, Brazil, China, Australia, the list goes on. I was able to meet one of my friends’ friends from Wisconsin, learn a little Portuguese, and review capacitors (for my AP Physics C test the following week) from those in the physics section around me. I met many people from around the USA, and still talk to them to this day.
During our time there, we got to listen to four Nobel Laureates speak, go to the mountains, and discover the many exciting opportunities for the future of science. I attended my first baseball game since moving from Wisconsin and had a blast at the mixer. By the end of the week there, I had no desire to leave. It was such an honor to meet with so many intelligent, curious people. From twinning with my best friend, Jessica, to getting to talk to hundreds of runners and judges, it was truly a week to remember.
Then, this summer, I got to work with Dr. Heather Vincent on a research paper about the metabolic costs of running with and without lower extremity injury. The paper will hopefully be published in the Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation Journal (it is now at the stage of revision and resubmission). It was a great experience to be able to work in the group setting in the Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Institute's Human Performance Lab.
Lucinda got fourth place at the State Science Fair
A remarkable week at ISEF to remember
Cross-Country
During junior year, I noticed a pattern with my running injuries: the odd years, freshman and junior, I got injured, and the even, sophomore year, I ran injury-free. I hoped that It would hold true for senior year, that I could run my last season injury-free, get a new personal record, and have the best last year ever. But before the season even officially started, my shins started hurting again. I was out for more than a month, but fortunately I was allowed to run, at a very slow pace, starting the second meet.
My focus changed dramatically when our season started in August. As I was running my first 5-km race back from injury, at fourteen minutes slower than my usual pace, I realized that I might not be fast enough to run varsity this year, my last year. As a captain of the team, I knew that I could help my JV teammates while slowly increasing my pace and distance. I realized that there are many things that matter more in life than setting a new personal record. I knew that I could run fast from my previous success, and that I could look forward to working toward my personal time goals after the season was over, but what was more important to me this season was convincing my fellow teammates that they could achieve their goals too. Even though I had accepted not having the season I had always dreamed of, I was still determined to finish as strong as I could, be the competitor I am and fight for a spot on varsity.
The first race that I was allowed to go full speed, I placed 4th in the JV race with a 22:14. I realized that cross-country is mostly mental, thinking I was fast enough allowed me to run as if I had never stopped training. My coach, being the smart guy he is, had me run part of the track work out with varsity the Wednesday before this meet, and I realized that I could still keep up. I went into that meet with the track workout in mind, and that made all the difference. From there, I kept getting better, placing third at districts, and 13th at regionals. For the second consecutive year, my team placed top ten at States, but that was not what I valued most from this season.
What I learned was this: it does not matter how fast you can run, or how long you can run, as long as you are having fun, that’s the only thing that matters. It’s truly a blessing to be able to run and do what I love most. Over the past four years, this team has grown, and it will only continue to grow because once you’re part of it, you can’t ever let it go. This is the reason senior year is hard; college apps seem like a piece of cake compared to realizing that this is the last year that I am part of the greatest team Eastside has. I can’t wait for all the opportunities college has in store, but nothing will ever replace the best cross-country team. Thanks for an wonderful season. <3
First race back to full speed
Lucinda's last regionals meet
Lucinda & Naomi both placed at Buchholz cross-country meet
District Champions!!!
Freaky Freshmen, Super Sophomores, Jumping Juniors, Sexy Seniors <3
EHS varsity girls 9th place at State!
Alaska
Take a deep breath. I am surrounded by gorgeous snow-capped mountains; the air feels lighter, cooler, cleaner. The sun never sets here in the summer. I couldn’t believe that I was actually in Alaska, and it was as perfect as I imagined it. We hiked almost every day that we were there, up the mountains, through the woods. The silence and serenity was so relaxing. We went to Anchorage, Seward, and Denali during our week in paradise.
The most memorable experience from my entire time in Alaska was running through the snow in shorts and a short-sleeve shirt. We decided to take a hike on the way back to Anchorage, so we started climbing a mountain on the Girdwood Trail. The shop owner who suggested it to us said that there was a glacier viewpoint at the top, if we were willing to hike more than 12 miles (or 20 km). My dad and I wanted to get there, but weren’t sure if Naomi and my mom would be fast enough to make it there and back in time to meet friends for dinner, so we sped up, trampling through the snow, feeling like we were making our own trail because the late April snowstorm had left so much snow that in June the path was still buried by the snow. As we ran through the thick snow, it almost felt like skiing. The path wound around a waterfall created by the snowmelt, caverns cut by the river that ran from the waterfall down the mountainside. The fields of white snow were beautiful, leading all the way up to the glacier. My dad and I braved the trip, and after much sliding and climbing, we reached the glacier. We tested each step to make sure we wouldn’t go crashing down, using the trails left by animals as our guide. I felt so alive and happy on this trip up the mountain and glacers. I didn’t want to leave behind the steep slopes for the flat landscape of Florida.
Glacier waterfall
Strong Daddy -- we made it to the glacier!
We hiked all the way to the top of the snowy mountain!
What a wonderful world!
Besides visiting Fjords Nations Park, we also went to see Portage Glacier, where we saw many cool-shaped ice floats, and blue glaciers. Walking along the perimeter of Portage Lake, we saw tons of ice floats that had broken off the glacier, and since the ice was melting, they made interesting shapes, like mushrooms, birds, and bridges. The freezing cold lake reminded me of the cold pool, so always the (injured) runner I am, I stuck my leg in there as an ice bath, with the only difference being I was surrounded by the natural Alaskan beauty of snow-covered mountains and glaciers instead of in the tiny cold pool at the gym.
Portage Lake Icebergs
Portage Glacier Lake was beautiful!
While traveling to Seward on Father’s Day, we went by Turnagain Arm Drive, the most scenic part of the Seward Highway. With the bay reflecting the mountains of the far shore, the drive was as beautiful as promised. We stopped so many times for pictures that the drive took more than an hour longer than it was supposed to. We also stopped by the Alaska Wildlife Conservation Center to see the rescued bears, caribou, musk oxen, and porcupines. It was interesting to learn about the animals and the conditions in which some were found. Despite the delay in plans, and thanks to Alaska’s never-ending summer daylight, we were still able to fully enjoy the day.
Father's day at shorelines of Turnagain Arm
Tranquility
Turning into the Turnagain Arm
Alaskan Moose
Alaskan Black Bear
In Denali, we saw all sorts of wildlife: caribou, grizzly bears, Dall sheep, and elk. We also joined a club twice that most people hope to join just once. Denali decided to show its peak two days when we were there. I appreciated its beauty, but all of the hiking up the mountains was by far the best part. Luckily, my family is pretty athletic, so we were able to cover many trails each day. I would love to be able to go backpacking there, like the many backpackers we met.
Gorgeous Mt McKinley
Peace at Denali National Park
Marvelous view after hiking up to the top of the mountain in the Eielson visitor center
New England College Tours
In addition to going to Alaska, doing research, and taking Applied Human Anatomy at UF, I also went to the New England area by myself for a college tour. I stayed with Ye Zi Jiejie at her apartment on MIT campus, but went to tour Yale, Harvard, MIT, and Brown by myself. All of the campuses were beautifully designed, with great information sessions and tours. I loved staying with Ye Zi Jiejie, playing tennis with her friends, learning how to cook lobster, going to dim sum in China town. I would love to call the wonderful area of New England my home.
It was great to get out of Florida for a few days and experience the freedom that college will offer me. Cambridge was an fantastic city to stay in, with the Charles River, MIT and Harvard, and the subway system. I woke up early to go for a run, and then walked the Freedom Trail with Ye Zi and her friends.
Relaxing at downtown Boston
Enjoying the time with Ye Zi Jiejie
My daily life
I’ve been dual enrolling at the University of Florida for classes since the summer after sophomore year, but this year is the first year that I will have had classes there throughout the summer and academic year. I took Applied Human Anatomy over the summer, and then decided to double up, taking Elementary Differential Equations and the Biomechanical Basis of Movement in the fall semester. In the spring semester, I will be taking Calculus 3.
Of course, I still take violin with the amazing Kim, and play in the Alachua County Youth Orchestra, but this year I did a little extra with music. I recorded the Mendelssohn violin concerto, and accompanied ACYO playing Phantom of the Opera on piano, reminding me of way back in elementary school when I still played piano.
Lucinda was the piano accompanist for ACYO
Lucinda played the Mendelssohn violin concerto
For Chinese New Year, the Chinese Club that I started performed a play full of jokes. My friend Holly and I also did another duet, but this year, I played violin while she danced. My Chinese dance group also performed another beautiful dance -春江花月夜 (Spring River Flower Moon Night) and a small group of us were selected dancing our old piece from 俏花旦 （the Beijing Opera Girls） for Spotlight on Youth, a competitive talent show and performed at Gainesville Jest Fest as well.
Lucinda and Holly - 梁祝 (Butterfly Lovers)
Lucinda wrote and performed a play
- EHS students learning Chinese
Beijing Opera Girls for Spotlight on Youth
春江花月夜 (Spring River Flower Moon Night)
This year there were two surprise birthday parties: mine and my mom’s. My lovely friends planned a surprise birthday party for me at Shaleen’s house. I had been there literally an hour before for a school project. Yet my beloved friends managed to get everything ready in that short span of time with my mom’s help. Then later that year, I planned my mom’s surprise birthday: lunch with her friends. Mrs. Ginny also guessed right about her birthdate, and we went to Do Art and dinner with them that evening. Since only Mommy and I were at home on her birthday, I made a very nice breakfast for her. On my birthday, my family went to Universal Studios, visiting Harry Potter World and all of the rides. During spring break, we went to Fort De Soto to spend some family time at the beach.
Surprise birthday party for Lucinda
Surprise Birthday Party for Mom
Breakfast and gift for mommy's birthday
With Ginny's family at Do Art
Fort De Soto - spring break
Lucinda's birthday at Universal Studios
Mommy's Bday
Harry Potter World
My dad is always busy with his research projects and publications, travelling a lot between China and Florida. But amazingly he hardly has jet lag. I think it's because he exercises a lot, biking 40 minutes each way to UF almost every day!! Even though Daddy is very busy, he still tries to hang out with us and has been able to join several cross country meets. In the unusually cold Thanksgiving morning, my dad and I ran the Turkey Trot 10K together. I was our first time running a race since moving from Wisconsin... And I beat him :D first time that happened too. I ran a 46 minute 10K, placing first in my age group.
Mom is the CEO of our house, making sure everything runs smoothly. She continues to volunteer at our school and ACYO. Between my cross country meets and Naomi’s diving meets, her car added quite a bit of mileage. She enjoys her awesome tennis team and games.
Daddy bikes home
JV Championships Cross-country meet -- breast cancer awareness
Running with daddy at Turkey Trot
Mommy's tennis team
We have also spent almost every major holiday this year with our dear friends, Ginny, Markus, Emma, and Anneliese at the lake house: New Year’s, July 4th, and Christmas.
It’s been a great year, full of wonderful memories that will last a lifetime. 2013 had many significant events, like ISEF, the end of cross-country, and college apps, but 2014 is the beginning of a huge change, graduation, starting college. Don’t worry though, my dad has already decreed that I have to continue writing these until I’m married and have kids, or until I’m 35, whichever comes first.
Fishing with Emma and Anneliese
Lucinda and Naomi at Winter Violin recital
Christmas day at Ginny's lake house
After Stop! Children’s Cancer Concert
Happy (late) New Year!
新年快乐,马年吉祥,万事如意,合家幸福！
Lucinda Peng