2014-09-01

【Aiden in English】

        Having a friend over is incredible. You can relax, chat, and have fun. Having a friend over is even better today since it is Labor Day.

        That means tomorrow is the first day of school in the fall. So my friend Robbie and I had a good long talk about school. After getting that over with, we went straight to Minecraft, Pokémon, and Street Fighter IV video games. Ahhh... there's nothing better than having a fri

2014-08-31

【Aiden in English】

        Bowling is a fun game. It shows your muscle skills and accuracy. But something unexpected happened today when Dad and I went to Facenda Whitaker Bowling Lanes, PA, for Labor Day Weekend holiday joy.

        It turned out that there was a glitch in the sensors because the last pin on the bowler's left had a few problems. For one, if it's still standing, the computer reads like the pin was knocked over. That's

2014-08-30

【Aiden in English】

        Parties are the best way to meet friends, have fun, and show off your skills. So today, when Dad took me to a holiday party at his friend's house, I brought my Chinese Yo-Yo from GHCS Summer Camp and a book of Classics for the Developing Pianist.

        Everyone was fascinated by my Chinese Yo-Yo skills. I did tricks and even taught some adults the secret of the Yo-Yo (there isn't one). After about 5 seconds of

2014-08-29

【Aiden in English】

        At last, the tragic day arrives! Just as I began to get used to the vacation and no responsibility, it winds down from my 9-week-long summer camps. Now, the school awaits in four short days. So, at that very moment, the GHCS Summer Camp went out with a bang. Since today is Friday (Woohoo!) before Labor Day weekend, there will be a tournament for a whole day.

        The tournament was two teams competing for points

2014-08-28

【Aiden in English】

        Spoons is a fun card game that kids can enjoy. Although it may get a little rough, I love it. Except at GHCS Summer Camp, we tweaked it up a little bit.

        Around one this afternoon, just after lunch, my friends Kevin, Michelle, and I were playing Spoons when suddenly someone turned on the fan. The fan blew the cards everywhere. Kevin shouted: "Which Nincompoop turned on the fan?!" As I heard th

2014-08-27

【Aiden in English】

        Today, I just acquired a broad new hobby. It's not like I haven't done it before, but today is the day I truly look into it. And so my new hobby is… origami.

        It all started with an Origami class at GHCS Summer Camp, where I was taught how to make an inflatable paper ball. Not that I already knew how to. But then, I saw my friend Kevin make paper dice without glue or tape. So I copied him. He wasn't s

2014-08-26

【Aiden in English】

        Today, I discovered a whole new level of Chinese Yo-Yo at the Guanghua Chinese School (GHCS) Summer Camp. Previously, I was focused only on spinning it. But now, I can toss and catch it. As much as you learn how to manage to lift and drop motion with two sticks, you'll make significant progress and enjoy playing it over and over again. Some kids didn't even know how to spin Yo-Yo this morning. Next thing you know, they're turn

2014-08-25

【Aiden in English】

        Today begins my last week of a nine-week summer camp. It was a massive change for me. No more games or sports, just learning and that kind of… junk. I know! There is learning in the summer. No way. But that's what we're doing at Guanghua Chinese School (GHCS) Summer Camp.

        As much as it sounds terrible, it's… worse. From today on, the Montgomery County Community College we used to go to was take

2014-08-24

【Aiden in English】

        Ten years ago, at my first-ever birthday party in my house, Auntie Hongli and Uncle Henry came over to see me along with their two little daughters, Lynna, 7, and Jennifer, 4. A decade has passed, and we can finally have a reunion back in NJ from PA. This is more about Mom than me. Can you remember anything at the age of 12 months? Heck, I don't even recall most of my kindergarten friends.

2014-08-22

【Aiden in English】

        Sadly, today is my final day at the YMCA for summer camp. Time goes by and hardly lasts long. And as much as today is a sad day, it probably becomes the best day of my whole summer (excluding my vacation in the Mesoamerican Biological Corridor)!

        We watched a fantastic movie called Big Fat Liar. It was jam-packed with humor, little curse words, and non-violent. I won't tell you about it because it would ruin

2014-08-21

【Aiden in English】

        Dodgeball has many cool versions. For one, there's Everyman. This version is the craziest game of all. The name should explain a lot about the game. It's every man/woman for himself/herself. If you're hit, you sit down. When you're sitting down, you may not move. To reenter the game, you must hit someone who's standing up. The last one standing wins. And FYI, if you're standing up with a ball, you may not move.

&nbs

2014-08-20

【Aiden in English】

        I'm not the guy you pass to in soccer. Why? I have slow reflexes like dirt and am not the strongest kicker. However, a miracle happened today.

        We were down by one in a scrimmage against another team. I was put up in midfield for three short minutes. Wow, you could say the shot was a fluke, or it's a bad goalie. But I think of it as a fair and square goal.

        So the goalie had the

2014-08-19

【Aiden in English】

        Dodgeball isn't just throwing balls around. No. There are many types of dodgeballs. That's what I like about this game.

        So, my favorite version of dodgeball would be a nightmare. This version is straightforward. Once you get out, the person who got you out must also get out so you can get back in. Sounds confusing? Let me put it this way. For you to come back in, the team must eliminate the one who you g

2014-08-18

【Aiden in English】

        I love dodgeball. I know that I love a lot of sports. But in dodgeball, I'm helpful. In football, I'm good, but not a one-shot wonder. Neither am I in basketball.

        Today in my dodgeball camp, whichever team I was on, 99% of the time, won. Why? It was not because I was fast or pegged people in the face (partially) but for my skills in catching the ball. That's what made me my team's best. In regula

2014-08-16

【Aiden in English】

        Every August, the Saint Stan's Summer Festival is held at the Mater Dei Catholic High School in Lansdale, PA. It's not a huge carnival, but there's a good festivity.

        The games look great, and the food tastes fabulous. However, I go on rides every year. When you think of a local festival, you don't believe in spinning at 50 miles per hour. The tornado became my favorite. What happens is that you a

2014-08-15

【Aiden in English】

        My team for the 2014 Fall Rec. Soccer 5^th-6^th Grade Division sounds extremely weird in MUSC. First off, 75% of the team comes from my elementary school. Yes! 75% of my team's fellow members are from my elementary school. Is it wild, huh? But it's not as wild to hear that 75% of the team was from my last year. Exactly! I know everyone except for three of 12 people, and I know all my team's strengths and weaknesses.

  &

2014-08-14

【Aiden in English】

        Staying at home with no video games stinks. This time, it's not because of a fever. The camp was on a field trip to a lake that I wasn't excited about. I feel like not going is a mistake now since I'm stacked with Chinese homework, and the only companion I've got is my grandma, who isn't exactly into conversations.

        "Hey, Grandma, can I go outside?"

        "L

2014-08-13

【Aiden in English】

        I'm not a team leader. No way in sports. So when I was appointed as the team captain of a flag football in my summer camp, I felt one of the other kids should have been chosen. For one, I'm not the fastest kid in the world. The other three team captains seemed as quick as lightning, not to mention their background football knowledge. Three, an experienced player was sitting beside me on my team. So now, after I've said all tha

2014-08-12

【Aiden in English】

        Plague Inc. is the most addicting free game on the app store. The plot is simple. Kill everyone by viruses, bacteria, fungi, or contagious diseases. I know it sounds gross, but it's fantastic. You learn a ton about how outbreaks spread. The best part is watching a virus take over the world is fun. However, you don't just watch and wait. You mutate the virus, and it gets much more powerful. Soon, the virus can travel through air pa

2014-08-11

【Aiden in English】

        Have you ever played the Bullet Game? Well, if you wonder what in the world I am talking about, the Bullet Game is when you line up, and whoever can catch the pass thrown by the QB can stay in. If you drop it, you have to say goodbye. Once you see the ball, you step back in line at the end. The final person standing wins.

        We played the Bullet Game in our flag football camp for a while. And the QB, our couns

2014-08-10

【Aiden in English】

        I have never seen a true friend leave my life so far. Sure, classmates moved, and acquaintances left, but never friends. And today, a girl named Crystal said her goodbyes.

        Crystal and I became best buds at the Bright Horizon Child Learning Center, PA preschool, shortly after she moved from CA and I was relocated from NJ. Day in and day out, we enjoyed playing together and had fun as time went by. We barely inter

2014-08-09

【Aiden in English】

        What better way to finish a summer trip to the Everglades NP of Florida? So when our bags got packed, we left our Glory Carnival to revisit some world-famous Everglade Alligators.

        Please remember that alligators eat humans, but only for a reason.

                1. They're hungry. Very, very hungry.

      &

2014-08-08

【Aiden in English】

        I love comedies. They're funny and entertaining; what's not to like about them? And what show is better than the famous Punchliner？ The show is a combination of the best entertainers across America. George Lopez started it and decided to work with Carnival Cruise Lines. I bolted to the next performance when I heard about the Punchliner Show on board.

        The Punchliner became the best comedy ever. Unfortuna

2014-08-07

【Aiden in English】

        At school, we were taught that stingrays were deadly killers of the sea and had poisonous stingers that could instantly kill you. I disagree, especially after seeing the stingrays when Mom and I sailed Allura Catamaran to the Sandbar in Stingray City, Grand Cayman.

        First of all, stingray stingers are not poisonous. They are just there for protection from danger. To them, we aren't considered too much of a th

2014-08-06

【Aiden in English】

        Dolphins are substantial and intellectual animals. They act as the masters of the seas, and their ability to move in water so quickly and gracefully makes me intrigued by these intelligent beings.

        After saying all, today was the day that I could finally interact with dolphins up close at Anthony's Key Resort of Sandy Bay, Roátan. Not just swim, but snorkel.

        The experience was beyon

2014-08-05

【Aiden in English】

        Belize is probably one of the best places for snorkeling. The Barrier Reef is the second largest coral reef on earth, stretching 186 miles in the West Caribbean, and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

        Today, after hearing all about the Barrier Reef of Water Caye to the east of Belize City, the old capital, Mom and I came to see offshore atolls, sand cays, coastal lagoons, estuaries, and mangrove forests for o

2014-08-04

【Aiden in English】

        I have always loved snorkeling. You'll know that by now if you've read about my adventures in the Galapagos Islands. Yet today, in Cozumel Mexico, the snorkeling experience wasn't as fascinating as I hoped.

        We were unprepared. Mom bought me a snorkeling set back in the US. However, it was far too large. Water leaked through the plastic and into my eyes. My mouth had many cuts because m

2014-08-03

【Aiden in English】

        Have you ever tried finding a needle in a haystack? Nobody is insane enough actually to do it. Have you ever tried to find a group of specific cruise staff members in a sea of people for a scavenger hunt? Sure, they are wearing bright T-shirts. However, we're talking about a cruise ship the size of the Titanic (maybe) with 15 floors, hundreds of rooms, and over 4,000 people on board. That's just like finding a needle in a haystack

2014-08-02 Chinese Valentine's Day

【Aiden in English】

        The Mesoamerican Biological Corridor, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is the place to be for the summer. There is nothing like a paradise for relaxing because of its beautiful barrier reefs, white beaches, open blue skies, and abundant marine creatures. So, my family booked a flight from US Airways and packed our bags from Philadelphia, PA, to Miami, FL, where Carnival Glory waited to take us to the heavenly

2014-08-01

【Aiden in English】

        After being sick at home for two days, I was finally back in action, even though my fever wasn't gone. With medication, there was no problem. But without those horrible pills, my temperature would spike. So, today, I took a risk, and after eating an Advil pill, I left for LC.

        During B-Ball Camp, the class played a 90-minute game. The score wasn't pretty. We, the guest team, got demolished 61-72. Not

2014-07-31

【Aiden in English】

        The Renaissance Fair reflects the medieval cultures in Mount Hope, PA. Women wore dresses that trailed behind them, while men did flashy suits in about any color with cool, fluffy (stiff) collars, as I expected. But I had no idea that there was a Mud Comedy Show. It was all about the gross and disgustingness of a mixture of two essential ingredients: soil and H2O.

        It turned out that there was a lot more than hav

2014-07-30

【Aiden in English】

        If you are sick, you can get away with it or stay home from school. Being home during mid-summer is the worst, especially when it turns to the second time after treatment. I had to go through an ordeal because of the same fever yesterday.

        The fever didn't sound too bad; however, it was just bad enough to prevent me from attending summer camp. I missed the sports at Lansdale Catholic High, even though it

2014-07-29

【Aiden in English】

        Staying home during mid-summer isn't a holiday retreat but the definition of boredom. There are no activities in summer camp, no fun with friends, and limited time for video games. I had no companion except for Grandma, so the house sounded very quiet. Not to mention that I had a fever.

        Everything seemed dull while you were suffering from a fever. There was nothing you could do but read a book, Google online

2014-07-28

【Aiden in English】

        Basketball might be my favorite sport. It's pretty simple and easy to catch on, no matter how old you are. The only issue is that I'm not very offensive. You see, today, the best player in the Basketball Camp wasn't me, but a 3rd grader two years younger than me. Why? Because he drove and blasted through the opponent's defense.

        I don't have much driving ability to run and dribble to the

2014-07-25

【Aiden in English】

        Ahh... there's nothing like a cool swim in the pool during an extremely hot day, is there? Let me tweak that sentence a bit. First, today wasn't extremely hot, and the pool was more incredible than extraordinary. Away cooler, you could say freezing, too. The instant I bit the water, it seemed like I hit a brick wall. The feeling was that bad. After 10 seconds in the pool, my feet and hands were numb. Tiny needles seemed to jab int

2014-07-24

【Aiden in English】

        You can't come to the Sports Summer Camp and don't want to play football. That's how it is, whether there is a two-hand touch, flag, or tackle (hopefully not). Football is everywhere. So today, I played flag football for two hours straight.

        First, flag football is about pulling the belt off the person's waist. No injuries, except for pulled muscles and cramps, should happen, and no blitzes or QB

2014-07-23 Great Heat

【Aiden in English】

        Pokémon is so famous that every kid at the summer camp has been absorbed into the video game. They are intelligent animals that populate the world, and the player may catch one with a PokéBall. Once caught, it may be used to battle other Pokémon and trainers. Pokémon have levels, too. Each time a Pokémon defeats another one, an XP (experience points) is given to the winner after collecting the required amount of XP to

2014-07-22

【Aiden in English】

        Nightmares come from the mind. Our imaginations create these horrifying scenes from the unknown. Ghosts are commonly in nightmares due to their mystery and being used to scare. Darkness is also the main feature that makes a nightmare terrifying. If you have nightmares like this often as I do, the video game Eyes is probably not a good one for you.

        Like a nightmare, Eyes is an iPhone's first-person perspectiv

2014-07-21

【Aiden in English】

        Finally, I returned to the sports camp at LCHS. Without hesitation, I left the learning, singing, and dancing behind. Now, sports are on the menu, and I don't have time for those things the girls love the most.

        At the Chinese school's summer camp, boys had fewer activities. Reading or learning was number one, and having fun always came second. In contrast, other than not dehydrating, fun became the most

2014-07-20

【Aiden in English】

        Summer pool parties are the best. The friendly and cool water with the hot temperatures is accompanied by a BBQ of filet mignon, pork sirloin steak, cracker barrel chicken tenders/diced shrimps, grilled jumbo shrimps, marinated lamb chops, and home garden veggies. There were many more things to do than swimming, but relaxing in the water was exclusive.

        That is until I started going on the diving boards. The boar

2014-07-18

【Aiden in English】

        Chess is tough. It uses knowledge for battle strategies and predicts the opponent's moves. Chinese chess requires the same skills but with a few different pieces. There is one general/marshal (king/queen), two advisors/guards, two horses (knights), two elephants/ministers (bishops), two chariots (rooks), two cannons, five pawns/soldiers (8 pawns) in black and red pieces of Chinese Chess over its counterpart. I didn

2014-07-17

【Aiden in English】

        Shading is one of the most frustrating techniques of sketch drawing. It captures the light, so every stroke counts. The darkness of each line is crucial to illustrate your own idea. And if the shading is done correctly, the outcome will look spectacular.

        Today, I learned that shading isn't as frustrating as I expected @ the Summer Camp of Guanghua Chinese School. When shading large areas, I could just take a

2014-07-16

【Aiden in English】

        I used to think that Yo-Yo didn't need skills until today. I learned them @ Guang Hua Chinese Summer Camp. Boy, it is so wrong. The Chinese Yo-Yo is probably even more complex than any Yo-Yo you've ever experienced.

        First, the Chinese Yo-Yo has two discs connected with a smooth, thick bar in the center. The idea is to spin the Yo-Yo by pulling a rope hooked up with two sticks used for the handle. This co

2014-07-15

【Aiden in English】

        The body parts of a boy are not the best topic during a conversation. That wasn't the case today.

        While the campers were peacefully drawing in the art session, I drew my name in a fancy version with a huge "D." When I finished my name, my friend walked over and said: "Wow, that's a big D." It caused a chain reaction throughout 4 to 5 kids. Naturally, if kids talk about a "D,"

2014-07-14

【Aiden in English】

        When I arrived at the summer camp @ Guanghua Chinese School in PA, my first impression was: OH BOY! There were books and books and books. Last time I checked, the school will start in two months.

        As I sat down, a teacher handed me a book in Chinese to read. She said I should read the first four chapters to catch up since I wasn't here for the first session. The chapters were long, and I wasn't the fastes

2014-07-13

【Aiden in English】

        The 2014 World Cup is ending with Argentina playing against Germany. These two teams played in back-to-back World Cup Finals in 1986 and 1990. Both have won once against each other and today, it looks like the tiebreaker for them.

        As soon as the game began, Germany attacked Argentina aggressively. Argentina responded with decisive lightning strikes. Both teams had their momentums in the 1st half, but no goa

2014-07-12

【Aiden in English】

        The beach becomes one of the best places to be during the summer. The cool water is perfect for a hot day. However, that was not the case when Dad and I visited the Ocean City, NJ beach. The water was freezing! It seemed like swimming in the Arctic Ocean. I didn't stay long since I was afraid to catch a cold, and today wasn't hot enough to swim in the Atlantic Ocean.

        We went to the boardwalk instead. Eve

2014-07-11

【Aiden in English】

        The 4^th Street Pool in Lansdale is probably among the best community pools ever. Last time, I couldn't go on the best slide there because no one would offer the qualified test. Today, a counselor gave me the test, which was easier than easy. I swam around 50 yards/45.7 meters, then treading water for two minutes. As soon as I passed, I bolted for the blue slide.

        The blue slide drops

2014-07-10

【Aiden in English】

        Our world is populated with many bugs. These tiny creatures are everywhere. To them, the world is a gigantic place, and they thrive in an extremely dangerous habitat with many predators. How do bugs manage that? We learned it today when Jon the BUGMAN came to our Soccer Camp and taught us a valuable lesson about bugs.

        Bugs might be minor, but they can also be quite harmful. They are poisonous; usually, if the in

2014-07-09

【Aiden in English】

        The Netherlands has always played amazingly well, but it is just not good enough. They have never won the World Cup title. However, would today be their chance to advance to the finals? Or will their opponent, Argentina, go on and face the awaiting Germans? It all came down to this game.

        As soon as the game began, I knew there would be extra time. Both sides were pushing each other, but neither budged. Two teams

2014-07-08

【Aiden in English】

        Brazil has never lost a game at home and has beaten or tied every game since 1971. But that's all about to change. In this semifinal match against Germany, Brazil's pure confidence will be turned into a dark defeat in the World Cup.

        The first 30 minutes became a nightmare for Brazil. Every few minutes, Germany pounded a ball into the goal. The Germans seemed to be running around the Brazilian defenders l

2014-07-07 Minor Heat

【Aiden in English】

        The 2014 World Cup is entering the final stages, and the world is on the edge of its seats. Back at Lansdale Catholic HS, another soccer showdown is beginning...

        Today was the first day of Soccer Camp. Surprisingly, I would have to say that I was probably the best player in the group regarding accurate shots, speed, foot & eye coordination, precise passes, and strong foot. The only problem wa

2014-07-05

【Aiden in English】

        In the USA, the 4^th of July is probably the most celebrated holiday every year, whether it's going to the beach, staying at Grandma's house, or watching fireworks locally. Dad and I traditionally celebrated the Day of Independence with a spectacular show of fireworks. Unfortunately, it was July 5^th, but at least Wissahickon High School in greater Philadelphia postponed the events to today.

        The begin

2014-07-04 Independence Day

【Aiden in English】

        When people think of parties, they think of delicious food, incredible drinks, colorful Piñata, and outdoor games. Only the first few items on the list were applied at today's party. The adults were having a long conversation (boring) and drinking beers and wines (not cool), which forced the kids (Lynden, the hosts' son, me, and my little sis) downstairs and limited to the Wii in the basement.

  &nbs

2014-07-03

【Aiden in English】

        To me, Sports Summer Camp is supposed to be all about fun. No talent or skill, just fun. But it's not so fun that kids get hurt if you ignore basic techniques. That happened at today's 4^th, 5^th, and 6^th-grade soccer.

        No one cared about scoring except for the counselors. At one time, the 4^th-grade counselor came flying toward our goal. I stepped in the way of his sh

2014-07-02

【Aiden in English】

        Today, we did what everyone at Basketball Camp was waiting for. We had a 90-minute 5-on-5 game with subs.

        To put it simply, it was chaotic. Fouls were called every few minutes, primarily half-court violations, since the younger kids were afraid to go to the basket. There were also a lot of offensive fouls that probably resulted from kids who didn't have enough skill to dribble around othe

2014-07-01

【Aiden in English】

        The USA soccer team has never made it to the World Cup. This year, a miracle happened in Brazil. The USA passed the qualification rounds and entered the Round of 16 unexpectedly.

        As lucky as the USA gets, their fortune couldn't last forever. This knockout game against Belgium proved that the USA couldn't compete at this level.

        The game started fine. In fact, at one point,