The Cricket in Times Square

In Literature Circles time, we have just begun a new book- 'The Cricket in Times Square'. It is about a cricket named Chester who has found his way to Times Square subway station and befriends Tucker Mouse, Harry Cat and Mario Bellini, a young boy. I wrote a short description for Tucker Mouse-here it is:

A mouse was looking at Mario.

The mouse's name was Tucker, and he was sitting at the mouth of an abandoned drainpipe in the subway station at Times Square. A chubby ball of fur with a wide-eyed expression. A curious mouse, quite absent-minded. A cheerful but slightly impatient creature, always a bundle of fun. Tucker is best friends with Harry Cat and Chester Cricket. Tucker spends most of his time sleeping, eating and watching the different people go by his 'home', the drainpipe. During his leftover spare time, (which he doesn't have much of) he spends it on going 'scrounging'-looking for things to eat or objects and jewellery that people leave behind.

Five Stones

Five Stones or sandbags are a common game for children in Asia. Carin gave a packet of them to me as a Christmas present. In sandy, ditch areas, children source little stones or bring sandbags to play this game. About 3~5 children sit in a circle and take turns tossing the stones or sandbags into the air, catching them with each hand in a variety of patterns. My aunt says that she used to play this as a child and said that it needs a lot of concentration to play the game. You also need quick hands!

Taipei 101~ 跨年

Last night I went to the road outside my house with my family to see the welcoming of the new year 2008. Every year, the Taipei 101 Tower, the tallest building in the world, sets off fireworks along its walls to celebrate the new year. This year's fireworks were totally AMAZING!!! Before the countdown to 2008, outside 101 Tower there was a huge concert with all the most popular Taiwanese rock stars. Concerts were happening all over Taiwan at the same time with different stars that traveled to each concert. We watched the different concerts on the news at home. The crowds were like seas of people. Then there was the countdown at 11:59:50 pm. The whole tower went pitch-black. Suddenly, each level gradually lit up. 10. 9. 8. 7. 6. 5. 4. 3. 2. 1!!! The building looked as if it had been blasted apart. Colours exploded from it's sides. Taipei 101 exploded with colour for 188 seconds. When the smoke disappeared, it revealed the words:

2008

Love (heart) Taiwan

The message made me feel proud, because the whole world would be able to see the wonderful display that was made to welcome 2008.