King of the Mountain
Olympic snowboarder Shaun White gives TFK the scoop on his new videogame
By Vickie An
With Shaun White Snowboarding: World Stage, you can learn to board like the Olympic gold medalist himself and be him, too. The new videogame, created exclusively for the Nintendo Way, takes players on a snowboarding road trip around the world. You'll be able to play as Shaun White or as one of his crew. Each level and competition leads up to the big World Stage event, where you'll compete for the championship title.
American Shaun White competes in the men's snowboard half pipe during day five of the Winter Games NZ on August 26, 2009, in Wanaka, New Zealand.
TFK chatted with White about the game, how he's preparing for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics and his new clothing line.
TFK: How is the new game different from the first one?
SHAUN WHITE: This time, the game focuses mostly on tricks. We've added more obstacles in the course. So instead of just jumps, rails and halfpipes, we have actual runs. Also, the new game pulls you in more because you get to make up your own tricks.
TFK: This game is only for the Wii. Is there a reason for that?
WHITE: We wanted to take advantage of the Wii motion plus adapter. The Wii platform definitely brings you into the game because you're physically doing stuff. I really enjoyed that. When I played the game, the first thing I did was lean forward. That's what I naturally do to go faster. Then the character tucked and started speeding. I was really impressed by how it worked.
TFK: Is it weird seeing other people play you?
WHITE: Oh, it's super weird. What's weirder is hearing my voice. I'll go in to do sound stuff and it's just me in a booth shouting things like, "Okay, you just hit a tree!" And I'm like, "Ah! Oh!" I've got to make these awful noises. Then they put them in the game.
TFK: How do they go about putting you into the game? Take me through the process a bit.
WHITE: It's definitely difficult. You can't really do motion-capture for snowboarding. It's on too large of a scale. So we did motion-capture of me skateboarding. I had on this black spandex suit that was covered in shiny silver balls; I looked like an awkward Christmas tree.
TFK: If this game does well, would you do a third?
WHITE: Oh yeah, I'd love to do another game. It's definitely fun having the snowboard game out, especially since the Olympics are next year.
TFK: Have you started training for the Olympics yet?
WHITE: Most of my training is actually riding. I was up in Mount Hood doing some stuff; there's a glacier in Oregon. And then I [went to] New Zealand. They have opposite snowboard seasons, or winters, from us. So we go down there and practice.
TFK: Do you feel any pressure to win another gold medal?
WHITE: No, it's funny. There's no more pressure than I'd normally put on myself. I could win the event and then lose to my friends playing cards and I'll be just as mad.
TFK: You also do competitive skateboarding. Which is the more challenging sport for you?
WHITE: I'd say skateboarding. There's something about having your board not attached to your feet that just adds this ridiculous element of difficulty.
TFK: You're also a designer in between all of this other stuff you do. Can you talk about your line for Target?
WHITE: Designing is definitely something I didn't think I would be into, but I like it. My brother and I started making snowboard clothing years ago and it did really well. So when the Target line came about, it was really exciting. It's nice to design quality stuff that's affordable. I trash my clothes by skating in them all the time, and so do my friends. They don't have the luxury of buying $100 jeans and skating in them.
TFK: Where do you get inspiration for your designs?
WHITE: From all over the place. I went shopping in New York and found this plaid button-up shirt that I really liked. So we took that and designed something similar with a little twist. And my brother's really creative. We'll just sit and brainstorm. We had this photo of my dog wearing sunglasses, so that is on a shirt now. He's a French bulldog; he's awesome.
I know Shaun White can play his skateboard very well, and get a few medals in the Winter Olympics. But I really didn’t know he can also make video games for like XBOX 360, PSP, PS2, PS3, and Wii. This article tells about Shaun’s new video game, which you have to do some stunts with your skateboard in the snowy winter. Different from the first one, this time you need to have your own tricks to succeed. But only Wii plays this game, because they wanted to take advantage of the Wii motion plus adapter. Instead of his new video game, he also competes for the 2010 Olympic Games in Vancouver. He is definitely sure to have another medal in snowboarding.
2009/12/27
2009/12/26
Thoughts of the Movie “2012”
Thoughts of the Movie “2012”
By Max
I think the day of the end of the world is too early. My life hasn’t been long enough, and I want to live another 60 years or something. But this thing didn’t change. Maybe it will really happen to our lives. Maybe after 3 years, human civilization will really come to an end.
When I saw the movie, I saw the technology was getting better in these years, like putting infrared rays into our lives, making the fake Mona Lisa picture, and even some little TV that you can take it anywhere you like. But when technology develops, scientists also saw that Earth’s core is getting hotter and other things. It got worser and worser, and finally at December 21st, 2012, a sudden and strong earthquake started. Houses collapse, highways break into two halves, and buildings fall. And the whole crust started to sink. Also, volcanoes burst, and broke the city of California. At this time, everybody had nothing to eat and drink, and many people started to snatch the remaining food. Many famous buildings collapsed, too. People were forced to leave their homes, and soon, tsunamis started to destroy our world the second time. But people were astonished, because only China survived in these two attacks. Then, people got in the very big boats that China made, but many people died too, because they all wanted to go on the ship. After getting in, the people survived in tsunamis, and the attack was over. They finally can go home now.
I think this is a good movie to watch, because it had a lot of funny scenes, but also scary and excited. And this movie also tells us to protect the Earth, and win the end of the world.
By Max
I think the day of the end of the world is too early. My life hasn’t been long enough, and I want to live another 60 years or something. But this thing didn’t change. Maybe it will really happen to our lives. Maybe after 3 years, human civilization will really come to an end.
When I saw the movie, I saw the technology was getting better in these years, like putting infrared rays into our lives, making the fake Mona Lisa picture, and even some little TV that you can take it anywhere you like. But when technology develops, scientists also saw that Earth’s core is getting hotter and other things. It got worser and worser, and finally at December 21st, 2012, a sudden and strong earthquake started. Houses collapse, highways break into two halves, and buildings fall. And the whole crust started to sink. Also, volcanoes burst, and broke the city of California. At this time, everybody had nothing to eat and drink, and many people started to snatch the remaining food. Many famous buildings collapsed, too. People were forced to leave their homes, and soon, tsunamis started to destroy our world the second time. But people were astonished, because only China survived in these two attacks. Then, people got in the very big boats that China made, but many people died too, because they all wanted to go on the ship. After getting in, the people survived in tsunamis, and the attack was over. They finally can go home now.
I think this is a good movie to watch, because it had a lot of funny scenes, but also scary and excited. And this movie also tells us to protect the Earth, and win the end of the world.
2009/12/08
Winter Celebrations
Winter Celebrations
Learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays that occur around the world during December and January.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this celebration. The color gold is said to bring wealth, and the color red is considered especially lucky. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and includes fish, noodles, and dumplings.
Christmas
Christmas is celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver gifts; in Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat; in Australia, the jolly man arrives on water skis; and In Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar (In 2008, it fell on December 8) to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for God. Today, Muslims sacrifice an animal—usually a goat or a sheep—as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and are served with applesauce and sour cream.
Kwanzaa
On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar on January 1. There are often fireworks at midnight to celebrate the new year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year, greens (usually collards) bring wealth, and pork because pigs root forward.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.
In December, people were ready to celebrate Christmas and have a happy new year! Maybe, people will have a big feast, decorate the Christmas tree, and wait until Santa gives us the presents! As you know, we all know Christmas and New Year’s Day, but there are still a lot of holidays in the end of December to the New Year! Like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holidays that we don’t celebrate, are holidays that other countries celebrate their own Christmas! In Chinese New Year, Chinese people will have a big feast, see the fireworks and shows, eat Tang Yuan, and our parents will give red bags to us! There are many holidays at this time, but I wish everyone in the world will have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Learn about unique traditions, celebrations, and holidays that occur around the world during December and January.
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It falls on different dates each year, between January 21 and February 20. Visits to friends and family take place during this celebration. The color gold is said to bring wealth, and the color red is considered especially lucky. The New Year's Eve dinner is very large and includes fish, noodles, and dumplings.
Christmas
Christmas is celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ. Christmas in the United States brings together many customs from other countries and cultures. Around the world, family members help to decorate the tree and home with bright lights, wreaths, candles, holly, mistletoe, and ornaments. On Christmas Eve, many people go to church. Also on Christmas Eve, Santa comes from the North Pole in a sleigh to deliver gifts; in Hawaii, it is said he arrives by boat; in Australia, the jolly man arrives on water skis; and In Ghana, he comes out of the jungle.
Eid Al Adha, the Festival of the Sacrifice
Eid Al Adha is celebrated by Muslims on the 10th day of the month of the lunar calendar (In 2008, it fell on December 8) to commemorate the willingness of the prophet Ibrahim (or Abraham) to sacrifice his son for God. Today, Muslims sacrifice an animal—usually a goat or a sheep—as a reminder of Ibrahim's obedience to God. The meat is shared with family, friends Muslims or non-Muslims, as well as the poor members of the community.
Hanukkah
Jewish people celebrate Hanukkah, a holiday honoring the Maccabees victory over King Antiochus, who forbid Jews to practice their religion. For eight nights, Hanukkah is celebrated with prayer, the lighting of the menorah, and food. A menorah has nine candles, a candle for every night, plus a helper candle. Children play games, sing songs, and exchange gifts. Potato pancakes, known as latkes in Yiddish, are traditionally associated with Hanukkah and are served with applesauce and sour cream.
Kwanzaa
On December 26, Kwanzaa is celebrated. It is a holiday to commemorate African heritage. Kwanzaa lasts a week during which participants gather with family and friends to exchange gifts and to light a series of black, red, and green candles, which symbolize the seven basic values of African American family life that are unity, self-determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith.
New Year's Day
New Year's Day is the first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar on January 1. There are often fireworks at midnight to celebrate the new year. Commonly served in the southern part of the United States, black-eyed peas are thought to bring luck and prosperity for the new year, greens (usually collards) bring wealth, and pork because pigs root forward.
Three Kings Day
At the end of the Twelve Days of Christmas comes a day called the Epiphany, or Three Kings Day. This holiday is celebrated as the day the three wise men first saw baby Jesus and brought him gifts. On this day in Spain, many children get their Christmas presents. In Puerto Rico, before children go to sleep on January 5, they leave a box with hay under their beds so the kings will leave good presents. In France, a delicious King cake is baked. Bakers will hide a coin, jewel or little toy inside it.
Winter Solstice
The Winter Solstice occurs around December 21st. It is the shortest day of the year. People all over the world participate in festivals and celebrations. Long ago, people celebrated by lighting bonfires and candles to coax back the sun.
In December, people were ready to celebrate Christmas and have a happy new year! Maybe, people will have a big feast, decorate the Christmas tree, and wait until Santa gives us the presents! As you know, we all know Christmas and New Year’s Day, but there are still a lot of holidays in the end of December to the New Year! Like Hanukkah and Kwanzaa, holidays that we don’t celebrate, are holidays that other countries celebrate their own Christmas! In Chinese New Year, Chinese people will have a big feast, see the fireworks and shows, eat Tang Yuan, and our parents will give red bags to us! There are many holidays at this time, but I wish everyone in the world will have a good Christmas and a Happy New Year!
2009/12/07
Water World
Water World
Scientists discover more than 17,000 species deep below the surface of the world's oceans
By Andrea Delbanco
An international team of scientists has discovered 17,650 species living more than 656 feet beneath the surface of the world's oceans. That is the point where sunlight can no longer be seen. These species survive in the pitch-black by feeding on matter that falls down to their depth including sunken whale bones, oil and methane gas.
The findings are part of the global Census of Marine Life, which will be completed by October 2010. Oceanographers believe thousands more species are yet to be discovered.
Under the Sea
More than 2,000 scientists from 80 countries are working together on the census. It's an expensive and difficult process. Research using cameras, sonar and remotely operated vehicles can cost as much as $50,000 a day.
Discoveries include more than 40 new species of coral found on deep-sea mountains along with cities of brittle undersea stars and anemone gardens. Other bottom dwellers include tentacled transparent sea cucumbers and tubeworms that feed on oil deposits.
There are many kinds of marine animals in the ocean. We can eat many marine species, and it is very good. Japanese people catch many fish to kill and eat sashimi, make miso soup, and many other kinds of food. But now we like to look for new kinds of marine animals, and study it. We now can dive into the deep sea because of technology. We can also find some new marine animals in there. We know that these species are peculiar and strange, but we must not kill it, but we need to save it. We also need to protect every fish in the ocean, and let the species grow. When we do that, we finally have a colorful water world.
Scientists discover more than 17,000 species deep below the surface of the world's oceans
By Andrea Delbanco
An international team of scientists has discovered 17,650 species living more than 656 feet beneath the surface of the world's oceans. That is the point where sunlight can no longer be seen. These species survive in the pitch-black by feeding on matter that falls down to their depth including sunken whale bones, oil and methane gas.
The findings are part of the global Census of Marine Life, which will be completed by October 2010. Oceanographers believe thousands more species are yet to be discovered.
Under the Sea
More than 2,000 scientists from 80 countries are working together on the census. It's an expensive and difficult process. Research using cameras, sonar and remotely operated vehicles can cost as much as $50,000 a day.
Discoveries include more than 40 new species of coral found on deep-sea mountains along with cities of brittle undersea stars and anemone gardens. Other bottom dwellers include tentacled transparent sea cucumbers and tubeworms that feed on oil deposits.
There are many kinds of marine animals in the ocean. We can eat many marine species, and it is very good. Japanese people catch many fish to kill and eat sashimi, make miso soup, and many other kinds of food. But now we like to look for new kinds of marine animals, and study it. We now can dive into the deep sea because of technology. We can also find some new marine animals in there. We know that these species are peculiar and strange, but we must not kill it, but we need to save it. We also need to protect every fish in the ocean, and let the species grow. When we do that, we finally have a colorful water world.
2009/11/16
Death Driveway
By Max
It was a sunny morning in July 1996. The New York Driveway was just built in May, and it was testing the driveway to August. At 9:00 am, Bob and his friends, Sally, Julie, Mark, Amy and Joe went to the beach to have a party. Unluckily, there was an accident. Somebody was dead.
It was 8:30 am. The people were still packing their things. They brought beach balls, swimsuits, umbrellas, food and other things. Then they drove on the New York Driveway. Suddenly, a jeep came, and drove at a high speed. The jeep just crashed into their car! But suddenly, as a mob took Mark out of their car, he was squashed by the jeep. They quickly ran away. Bob called the police to come instantly. The police quickly searched the crime scene, and found this disgusting dog poop, and there was a badge on top of it! They identified that this is the badge of the scary Black Mob Crew! Finally, they took this poop to the observatory. After the police left, the accident scene attracted a crowd. The background of the crime scene was contaminated by blood. Amy cried and cried, and Bob said: “Come on, Amy! Mark’s death is irreversible and you can’t change it.” Amy said: “Mark has a sports car, and he has a luxurious villa, and he is rich! What if the property was stolen? I still need to protect his property even if I am not his sister!” So the five of them walked back home sadly. The next day, the police called Bob. They told him that they searched the whole crew, and they found out the leader of the team was Jimmy. So they knew that he did it on purpose. Bob shrugged and was shocked, because he knew he was Mark’s brother and lived a secluded life in New York. He even took the whole crew to commit 9 robberies, kidnapped 7 people, and killed 35 people! Julie sneered and said: “If I caught Jimmy, I would tell him accusingly that you are the murder, who killed Mark! I also want to kill him too, if I had a gun!” After that, the FBI called the five of them to the police station because they caught Jimmy. They stared at Jimmy rancorously, and they got an award for helping capture the leader of the Black Crew. Jimmy needed to go to jail for 25 years, and pay 200 thousand U.S. dollars for Mark’s previous murder.
2009/11/07
The Remote Controls
The Remote Controls
Children are watching way too much TV. How much? The answer may surprise you.
By Jonathan Rosenbloom
Kids are watching more TV than ever, says a recent study of 6,700 young people. The study, conducted by Nielsen Company, finds that kids from ages 2 to 11 are watching the tube for a total of more than one day a week. TV's youngest viewers, children from 2 to 5 watch, on average, more than 32 hours a week. Kids 6 to 11 watch more than 28 hours. The reason for fewer hours for the older group: They are in school while preschoolers are often home during the day. The number of viewing hours is at an eight-year high.
Why So Much TV?
How many hours a day do you spend in front of the TV?
What's the reason for the increased tube watching? According to Patricia McDonough, a Nielsen senior vice president, more and more shows are aimed at kids. McDonough points out that video-on-demand is very popular among the youngest kids who watch their favorite shows over and over.
The report says kids are mostly watching live TV, but they're also watching taped shows on DVRs and programs on DVDs. Also, kids ages 6 to 11 play video games on a TV for an average of nearly two and a half hours each week.
What does all this viewing mean? Sitting in front of the tube could lead to weight gain since viewers could--and should--be doing something active instead. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics--a group made up of doctors who treat children--recommends that kids under 2 should not watch TV at all. And kids older than 2 should limit their TV time to less than two hours a day.
Max-I know that there are many ways to avoid watching too much television. Many people’s eyes will get worse after they watch television, and even get blind. So you may go out to the playground to play some basketball, soccer and running. This will get you interested in outdoor sports and you may want to go out everyday. You also need to avoid watching television programs that you don’t like. You may plan a schedule about when do you watch TV. You also can find more ways to avoid watching too much television. If you do that, you may want to watch television every day. Many children like to watch TV as a hobby, but those teenagers who need to take tests, shouldn’t watch TV.
Children are watching way too much TV. How much? The answer may surprise you.
By Jonathan Rosenbloom
Kids are watching more TV than ever, says a recent study of 6,700 young people. The study, conducted by Nielsen Company, finds that kids from ages 2 to 11 are watching the tube for a total of more than one day a week. TV's youngest viewers, children from 2 to 5 watch, on average, more than 32 hours a week. Kids 6 to 11 watch more than 28 hours. The reason for fewer hours for the older group: They are in school while preschoolers are often home during the day. The number of viewing hours is at an eight-year high.
Why So Much TV?
How many hours a day do you spend in front of the TV?
What's the reason for the increased tube watching? According to Patricia McDonough, a Nielsen senior vice president, more and more shows are aimed at kids. McDonough points out that video-on-demand is very popular among the youngest kids who watch their favorite shows over and over.
The report says kids are mostly watching live TV, but they're also watching taped shows on DVRs and programs on DVDs. Also, kids ages 6 to 11 play video games on a TV for an average of nearly two and a half hours each week.
What does all this viewing mean? Sitting in front of the tube could lead to weight gain since viewers could--and should--be doing something active instead. In fact, the American Academy of Pediatrics--a group made up of doctors who treat children--recommends that kids under 2 should not watch TV at all. And kids older than 2 should limit their TV time to less than two hours a day.
Max-I know that there are many ways to avoid watching too much television. Many people’s eyes will get worse after they watch television, and even get blind. So you may go out to the playground to play some basketball, soccer and running. This will get you interested in outdoor sports and you may want to go out everyday. You also need to avoid watching television programs that you don’t like. You may plan a schedule about when do you watch TV. You also can find more ways to avoid watching too much television. If you do that, you may want to watch television every day. Many children like to watch TV as a hobby, but those teenagers who need to take tests, shouldn’t watch TV.
2009/10/26
Here Comes Astro Boy!
Here Comes Astro Boy!
Actor Freddie Highmore voices the famous boy robot in a new animated adventure, in theaters now
By Vickie An
Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a . . . flying boy? Yes, but not just any boy -- Astro Boy. The famous Japanese cartoon character soars into movie theaters in an all-new animated tale, now playing.
KELVIN JONES
Actor Freddie Highmore gets animated as the voice of Astro Boy.
The movie is based on the popular Japanese manga, or comic books, created by the legendary Osamu Tezuka in the 1950s. The futuristic series followed the adventures of a crime-fighting robot named Astro Boy, built by scientist Dr. Tenma to replace his lost son, Tobio. Tenma packed Astro's body with amazing abilities, like super strength and super speed, to name a few. Yet, he still experiences human emotions.The manga was an instant hit, and was later made into a string of TV cartoon series (called anime in Japan) in the 1960s, the 1980s and in 2003, all of which aired around the world. Astro Boy creator Tezuka is often credited as the "Father of Anime," and the little robot himself is known as the Mickey Mouse of Japan.
Now, Astro Boy has been reinvented again for the big screen. Actor Freddie Highmore, of The Spiderwick Chronicles, gives voice to the robotic wonder. TFK chatted with the young star about what it's like to play such an iconic character.
TFK:
Were you familiar with Astro Boy before you got the part?
Freddie:
I became most familiar with him at the time that I was asked to do the role. We were doing a promotional tour in Japan, and just riding in from the airport, we passed Astro Boy stores and murals of him. One subway station was covered in this massive Astro Boy picture, which was amazing. At that moment, I saw how much excitement there is for the character.
TFK:
Did you do anything to prepare for the part?
Freddie:
I read a few of the manga comic strips. I never got to see the 1960s cartoon of Astro Boy--obviously, since I wasn't born yet! But I think what we've done with Astro Boy is we've brought him up to date in terms of his look and where he lives, Metro City. It's still an incredibly modern place, but modern for today's society rather than for back then. The animation is sleek and slick.
TFK:
What similarities, if any, do you think you share with your character?
Freddie:
I think everyone has something in common with Astro Boy, and I think that's why it's been so successful in the past. Everyone knows the feeling of being different. Astro is obviously human, but stuck inside a robot body. Everyone can relate to wanting to be accepted. The Astro Boy story reminds me a little bit of Pinocchio in that way. Pinocchio thinks like a human, but he's made of wood and he just wants to be like every other kid.
TFK:
Except that Astro has super strength, x-ray vision and can fly . . .
COURTESY SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Astro stands tall with his new robot friend Zog.
Freddie:
[Laughs] Yeah. He thinks like everyone else, but he is a true super hero. He can fly and drill his way through solid rock. He's powered by this blue core of pure positive energy, so he just wants what's best for the world. He doesn't have any rottenness in him.
TFK:
What do you think makes a hero?
Freddie:
It's important for a hero to be someone who is realistic. I think Astro is a hero because people can relate to him and the fact that he's just got goodness in him. He wants to make the world a better place and to achieve that through non-violence. That's really admirable.
TFK:
Who's your hero?
Freddie:
I think in terms of acting, Johnny Depp would be my hero. I'm incredibly lucky [to have worked with him] and he's become a great friend as well. I look up to him, and I think he's a fantastic guy and a fantastic actor.
TFK:
What's your favorite Astro Boy power?
Freddie:
I'd love to be able to fly. I'm not sure I could use the butt machine guns that he has to the same effect that he does in the film! I think flying is the one that everyone would choose, just to be able to go wherever you want without a car and avoiding all the traffic jams.
TFK:
If you could build a robot, what would its abilities be?
Freddie:
If it could only have one, I'd love it to be able to transport me around the world. Then I wouldn't need to fly. You know, if it could just grab hold of you and fly a million miles around the world, it would be fantastic. No more long airline flights from London to Los Angeles. You would be there in a matter of seconds and you could be home by evening. It would be great.
TFK:
What would you like audiences to take away from the film?
Freddie:
I hope that it raises the question as to what makes us human beings. Is Astro human even though he has these amazing abilities that only a robot can have? I think it's quite a deep question. But I think everyone who sees it will have that going over his or her mind. Also, I just hope that everyone gets something out of it. There's humor, action and emotion. You laugh one moment and then you cry the next. It's really a rollercoaster.
TFK:
Do you feel the film lives up to the vision of Astro Boy that Osamu Tezuka created?
Freddie:
Definitely. There's so much Astro Boy material that we couldn't use everything, but I think we've done it justice.
Max-I definitely don’t like to watch Astro Boy, but this time in October, The new Astro Boy movie came out in America. I think it is a good movie, but I still can’t watch it now!
I know that Astro Boy is made by Japan, and he and his friends go to fight crime. I have an Astro Boy pencil case, and I know that there are three friends to help him. But there is also some changes in the original and movie edition! I know that he is half naked in the original, and he didn’t wear any shirts. And I don’t know a fun thing in the original, he can shoot laser out from his bottom! He also has many new friends, like Zog the big robot etc. But why does the movie come out from America? I don’t know, but never mind. Let’s enjoy the movie of Astro Boy!
Actor Freddie Highmore voices the famous boy robot in a new animated adventure, in theaters now
By Vickie An
Look, up in the sky! It's a bird, it's a plane, it's a . . . flying boy? Yes, but not just any boy -- Astro Boy. The famous Japanese cartoon character soars into movie theaters in an all-new animated tale, now playing.
KELVIN JONES
Actor Freddie Highmore gets animated as the voice of Astro Boy.
The movie is based on the popular Japanese manga, or comic books, created by the legendary Osamu Tezuka in the 1950s. The futuristic series followed the adventures of a crime-fighting robot named Astro Boy, built by scientist Dr. Tenma to replace his lost son, Tobio. Tenma packed Astro's body with amazing abilities, like super strength and super speed, to name a few. Yet, he still experiences human emotions.The manga was an instant hit, and was later made into a string of TV cartoon series (called anime in Japan) in the 1960s, the 1980s and in 2003, all of which aired around the world. Astro Boy creator Tezuka is often credited as the "Father of Anime," and the little robot himself is known as the Mickey Mouse of Japan.
Now, Astro Boy has been reinvented again for the big screen. Actor Freddie Highmore, of The Spiderwick Chronicles, gives voice to the robotic wonder. TFK chatted with the young star about what it's like to play such an iconic character.
TFK:
Were you familiar with Astro Boy before you got the part?
Freddie:
I became most familiar with him at the time that I was asked to do the role. We were doing a promotional tour in Japan, and just riding in from the airport, we passed Astro Boy stores and murals of him. One subway station was covered in this massive Astro Boy picture, which was amazing. At that moment, I saw how much excitement there is for the character.
TFK:
Did you do anything to prepare for the part?
Freddie:
I read a few of the manga comic strips. I never got to see the 1960s cartoon of Astro Boy--obviously, since I wasn't born yet! But I think what we've done with Astro Boy is we've brought him up to date in terms of his look and where he lives, Metro City. It's still an incredibly modern place, but modern for today's society rather than for back then. The animation is sleek and slick.
TFK:
What similarities, if any, do you think you share with your character?
Freddie:
I think everyone has something in common with Astro Boy, and I think that's why it's been so successful in the past. Everyone knows the feeling of being different. Astro is obviously human, but stuck inside a robot body. Everyone can relate to wanting to be accepted. The Astro Boy story reminds me a little bit of Pinocchio in that way. Pinocchio thinks like a human, but he's made of wood and he just wants to be like every other kid.
TFK:
Except that Astro has super strength, x-ray vision and can fly . . .
COURTESY SUMMIT ENTERTAINMENT
Astro stands tall with his new robot friend Zog.
Freddie:
[Laughs] Yeah. He thinks like everyone else, but he is a true super hero. He can fly and drill his way through solid rock. He's powered by this blue core of pure positive energy, so he just wants what's best for the world. He doesn't have any rottenness in him.
TFK:
What do you think makes a hero?
Freddie:
It's important for a hero to be someone who is realistic. I think Astro is a hero because people can relate to him and the fact that he's just got goodness in him. He wants to make the world a better place and to achieve that through non-violence. That's really admirable.
TFK:
Who's your hero?
Freddie:
I think in terms of acting, Johnny Depp would be my hero. I'm incredibly lucky [to have worked with him] and he's become a great friend as well. I look up to him, and I think he's a fantastic guy and a fantastic actor.
TFK:
What's your favorite Astro Boy power?
Freddie:
I'd love to be able to fly. I'm not sure I could use the butt machine guns that he has to the same effect that he does in the film! I think flying is the one that everyone would choose, just to be able to go wherever you want without a car and avoiding all the traffic jams.
TFK:
If you could build a robot, what would its abilities be?
Freddie:
If it could only have one, I'd love it to be able to transport me around the world. Then I wouldn't need to fly. You know, if it could just grab hold of you and fly a million miles around the world, it would be fantastic. No more long airline flights from London to Los Angeles. You would be there in a matter of seconds and you could be home by evening. It would be great.
TFK:
What would you like audiences to take away from the film?
Freddie:
I hope that it raises the question as to what makes us human beings. Is Astro human even though he has these amazing abilities that only a robot can have? I think it's quite a deep question. But I think everyone who sees it will have that going over his or her mind. Also, I just hope that everyone gets something out of it. There's humor, action and emotion. You laugh one moment and then you cry the next. It's really a rollercoaster.
TFK:
Do you feel the film lives up to the vision of Astro Boy that Osamu Tezuka created?
Freddie:
Definitely. There's so much Astro Boy material that we couldn't use everything, but I think we've done it justice.
Max-I definitely don’t like to watch Astro Boy, but this time in October, The new Astro Boy movie came out in America. I think it is a good movie, but I still can’t watch it now!
I know that Astro Boy is made by Japan, and he and his friends go to fight crime. I have an Astro Boy pencil case, and I know that there are three friends to help him. But there is also some changes in the original and movie edition! I know that he is half naked in the original, and he didn’t wear any shirts. And I don’t know a fun thing in the original, he can shoot laser out from his bottom! He also has many new friends, like Zog the big robot etc. But why does the movie come out from America? I don’t know, but never mind. Let’s enjoy the movie of Astro Boy!
2009/10/07
Saturn's Super-Sized Ring
October 7, 2009
Saturn's Super-Sized Ring
NASA scientists discover a huge new ring around Saturn
By Suzanne Zimbler
When you think of Saturn, you probably picture a planet surrounded by colorful rings. For years, Saturn was known to have seven main rings. But on Tuesday, NASA scientists announced that they had spotted an eighth.
NASA/PA/AP
Saturn's never-before-seen ring is the largest in the solar system.
This never-before-seen ring is not only Saturn's biggest. It is also the largest in our solar system. "This is one super-sized ring," said Anne Verbiscer, one of the astronomers who worked on the study. According to scientists, the ring is so huge that it would take one billion Earths to fill it.
Seeing Rings
Four hundred years ago, Galileo got the first glimpse of Saturn's rings using his telescope. NASA scientists also used a telescope to spot the new ring. The Spitzer telescope, launched in 2003, orbits the sun while taking pictures of faraway objects in space.
The new ring is almost invisible to the human eye. But the Spitzer telescope can detect the glow of extremely cold objects, such as the giant ring, which is minus 316ºF. "By focusing on the glow of the ring's cool dust, Spitzer made it easy to find," said Verbiscer.
Made of Moondust
NASA Scientists think the giant ring is made up of dust from Saturn's moon Phoebe.
The colossal hoop circles Saturn from a distance of eight million miles. It is 50 times farther away from Saturn than the planet's other rings. It also has a completely different tilt.
The giant ring is made up of a thin layer of dust. Scientists think the dust comes from Saturn's moon Phoebe. Why? Phoebe orbits within the ring. Its dents and marks make it clear that Phoebe has been hit many times by space rocks and clumps of ice. Each time Phoebe is hit, dust flies into space and goes into orbit, adding particles to the giant ring.
Moon-Made Mystery
The discovery of the new ring may also provide scientists with an answer to a mystery. Another of Saturn's moons, lapetus, has a bright side and a very dark side. Scientists have long wondered why. With the discovery of the new ring, they now believe that dust from the giant ring is moving toward Saturn and slamming into lapetus.
"Astronomers have long suspected that there is a connection between Phoebe and the dark material on lapetus," said scientist Douglas Hamilton. "This new ring provides convincing evidence of that relationship.
Max-I know that many planets have very big rings, and all of them are made of gas. But when now the scientists discovered another huge ring on Saturn, I felt very interested in this discovery.
I knew that there are 8 planets in the solar system, when Pluto was renamed as a dwarf planet in August 2006. I also know that planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are made of gas and it has rings. And I know that the temperature in the planets, some are hot (like Venus), and some are cold (such as the planets far away). I also know that in Mars, Olympus Mons is three times the height as Mount Everest, and it has many red spots too. But this time I was very excited to know there was a very big ring on Saturn!
Saturn's Super-Sized Ring
NASA scientists discover a huge new ring around Saturn
By Suzanne Zimbler
When you think of Saturn, you probably picture a planet surrounded by colorful rings. For years, Saturn was known to have seven main rings. But on Tuesday, NASA scientists announced that they had spotted an eighth.
NASA/PA/AP
Saturn's never-before-seen ring is the largest in the solar system.
This never-before-seen ring is not only Saturn's biggest. It is also the largest in our solar system. "This is one super-sized ring," said Anne Verbiscer, one of the astronomers who worked on the study. According to scientists, the ring is so huge that it would take one billion Earths to fill it.
Seeing Rings
Four hundred years ago, Galileo got the first glimpse of Saturn's rings using his telescope. NASA scientists also used a telescope to spot the new ring. The Spitzer telescope, launched in 2003, orbits the sun while taking pictures of faraway objects in space.
The new ring is almost invisible to the human eye. But the Spitzer telescope can detect the glow of extremely cold objects, such as the giant ring, which is minus 316ºF. "By focusing on the glow of the ring's cool dust, Spitzer made it easy to find," said Verbiscer.
Made of Moondust
NASA Scientists think the giant ring is made up of dust from Saturn's moon Phoebe.
The colossal hoop circles Saturn from a distance of eight million miles. It is 50 times farther away from Saturn than the planet's other rings. It also has a completely different tilt.
The giant ring is made up of a thin layer of dust. Scientists think the dust comes from Saturn's moon Phoebe. Why? Phoebe orbits within the ring. Its dents and marks make it clear that Phoebe has been hit many times by space rocks and clumps of ice. Each time Phoebe is hit, dust flies into space and goes into orbit, adding particles to the giant ring.
Moon-Made Mystery
The discovery of the new ring may also provide scientists with an answer to a mystery. Another of Saturn's moons, lapetus, has a bright side and a very dark side. Scientists have long wondered why. With the discovery of the new ring, they now believe that dust from the giant ring is moving toward Saturn and slamming into lapetus.
"Astronomers have long suspected that there is a connection between Phoebe and the dark material on lapetus," said scientist Douglas Hamilton. "This new ring provides convincing evidence of that relationship.
Max-I know that many planets have very big rings, and all of them are made of gas. But when now the scientists discovered another huge ring on Saturn, I felt very interested in this discovery.
I knew that there are 8 planets in the solar system, when Pluto was renamed as a dwarf planet in August 2006. I also know that planets like Jupiter, Saturn, Neptune and Uranus are made of gas and it has rings. And I know that the temperature in the planets, some are hot (like Venus), and some are cold (such as the planets far away). I also know that in Mars, Olympus Mons is three times the height as Mount Everest, and it has many red spots too. But this time I was very excited to know there was a very big ring on Saturn!
2009/10/03
Chien-Ming Wang
October 3, 2009
Chien-Ming Wang
By Max
Chien-Ming Wang is a great pitcher in America’s Baseball League, and many fans like him very much. But I know that in 2009, he was badly hurt, and he can’t throw now. The team coach maybe will not sign the contract, and kick him out of his team.
Chien-Ming Wang was a good baseball player when he was little, and he played well in his elementary baseball team. When he grew up, he played for many teams in Taiwan, and he got better than before. The American Baseball League saw him doing well, and wanted to sign a contract. Wang chose the Yankees because he can get several million NT dollars a year. He started playing in 2005, and got many wins in 2005-2007. But he was injured in 2008 and 2009, one time each year, and he can’t play. I wish he wouldn’t been kicked out of the team because he was a excellent pitcher.
Chien-Ming Wang
By Max
Chien-Ming Wang is a great pitcher in America’s Baseball League, and many fans like him very much. But I know that in 2009, he was badly hurt, and he can’t throw now. The team coach maybe will not sign the contract, and kick him out of his team.
Chien-Ming Wang was a good baseball player when he was little, and he played well in his elementary baseball team. When he grew up, he played for many teams in Taiwan, and he got better than before. The American Baseball League saw him doing well, and wanted to sign a contract. Wang chose the Yankees because he can get several million NT dollars a year. He started playing in 2005, and got many wins in 2005-2007. But he was injured in 2008 and 2009, one time each year, and he can’t play. I wish he wouldn’t been kicked out of the team because he was a excellent pitcher.
2009/10/02
A National Hero
October 2, 2009
A National Hero
By Max
I know that there are many people getting cancer and dying, or maybe they lose their parts of body. But when a young teenager, Terry Fox, gets cancer and saw a lot of people getting cancer, he decided to run to raise money.
Terry Fox was a healthy kid when he was little, but when he was a teenager, his knee was hurting and it never stopped. Terry went to the doctor and was known to get cancer. He was shocked and the doctors cut his right leg. He saw a lot of people getting cancer, and he thought of an idea to raise money. He wanted to run a long, long marathon, and he wanted to run over Canada. He started to run in 1980, but after a hundred and forty days later, he had to stop because his cancer came back. After a few months, he died, but many people raised money to the people who got cancer.
Terry Fox was a great teenager since he got cancer, and cutting his right leg, but not planning to give up. He wanted to help the people who got cancer, but not helping himself. He is a special man, so we need to bless him.
A National Hero
By Max
I know that there are many people getting cancer and dying, or maybe they lose their parts of body. But when a young teenager, Terry Fox, gets cancer and saw a lot of people getting cancer, he decided to run to raise money.
Terry Fox was a healthy kid when he was little, but when he was a teenager, his knee was hurting and it never stopped. Terry went to the doctor and was known to get cancer. He was shocked and the doctors cut his right leg. He saw a lot of people getting cancer, and he thought of an idea to raise money. He wanted to run a long, long marathon, and he wanted to run over Canada. He started to run in 1980, but after a hundred and forty days later, he had to stop because his cancer came back. After a few months, he died, but many people raised money to the people who got cancer.
Terry Fox was a great teenager since he got cancer, and cutting his right leg, but not planning to give up. He wanted to help the people who got cancer, but not helping himself. He is a special man, so we need to bless him.
2009/09/26
Chewing Gum
September 26, 2009
Chewing Gum
By Max
Today many people eat chewing gum and bubble gum, and there are many different companies making gum. There are many flavors too. Archaeologists knew people before ate tree resin, and they knew this material is very good for the body. So they started to make chewing gum in the mid-19th century. It wasn’t popular at the start, but after someone made fruit chewing gum, it became popular. Then after the invention of chewing gum, someone also invented bubble gum the can blow bubbles. But the bubble gum was too sticky and can stick on anything. Finally in 1928 the bubble gum we chew today was invented.
I like bubble gum, but I haven’t eaten it for years. But I remember when I was young, when I go to see the doctor, he will give me 2 pieces of chewing gum! I really want to eat chewing gum now.
Chewing Gum
By Max
Today many people eat chewing gum and bubble gum, and there are many different companies making gum. There are many flavors too. Archaeologists knew people before ate tree resin, and they knew this material is very good for the body. So they started to make chewing gum in the mid-19th century. It wasn’t popular at the start, but after someone made fruit chewing gum, it became popular. Then after the invention of chewing gum, someone also invented bubble gum the can blow bubbles. But the bubble gum was too sticky and can stick on anything. Finally in 1928 the bubble gum we chew today was invented.
I like bubble gum, but I haven’t eaten it for years. But I remember when I was young, when I go to see the doctor, he will give me 2 pieces of chewing gum! I really want to eat chewing gum now.
Sato and the Elephants
September 26, 2009
Sato and the Elephants
By Max
Sato’s dad was good at carving white ivory, and he taught Sato these skills. Unfortunately, his dad died very early, and Sato started to carve ivory himself. When he made an ivory figure, he took it to a shop, which they can help him sell it out. Sato’s figures are very beautiful, so he got a lot of money, which he can buy another piece of ivory. But one week, when he wanted to buy some ivory, the shop doesn’t have any. After a few weeks, he finally got a piece of ivory, and he wanted to carve some animal. He was confused, and worked for many days and nights. Finally he slept, and he dreamed of many elephants beside him, and they were angry. They almost stepped on Sato, and that’s when Sato woke up. He finally made an elephant figure, but he didn’t sell it. He started to use some pieces of stone to carve his figures.
I think Sato shouldn’t use ivory for his figures. Ivory is cut of by elephants’ tusks, and is it worth to kill many elephants to make some figures. So I think that people before were too greedy, and kill many animals. Now we need to do most is to save our animals!
Sato and the Elephants
By Max
Sato’s dad was good at carving white ivory, and he taught Sato these skills. Unfortunately, his dad died very early, and Sato started to carve ivory himself. When he made an ivory figure, he took it to a shop, which they can help him sell it out. Sato’s figures are very beautiful, so he got a lot of money, which he can buy another piece of ivory. But one week, when he wanted to buy some ivory, the shop doesn’t have any. After a few weeks, he finally got a piece of ivory, and he wanted to carve some animal. He was confused, and worked for many days and nights. Finally he slept, and he dreamed of many elephants beside him, and they were angry. They almost stepped on Sato, and that’s when Sato woke up. He finally made an elephant figure, but he didn’t sell it. He started to use some pieces of stone to carve his figures.
I think Sato shouldn’t use ivory for his figures. Ivory is cut of by elephants’ tusks, and is it worth to kill many elephants to make some figures. So I think that people before were too greedy, and kill many animals. Now we need to do most is to save our animals!
2009/09/25
Greenwich Mean Time
September 25, 2009
Greenwich Mean Time
By Max
Greenwich Mean Time is made by 1884, and because the people confused their own time in their own countries, and they may don’t know what time is it. But when I am studying history in 5th grade, I knew that Greenwich Mean Time is zero meridians because about two thirds of the boats that were sailing were sailing across Greenwich.
Now we know what our time is, that is because we have a Greenwich Mean Time (also called GMT). And I know that our time in Taiwan is GMT+8 hours.
Greenwich Mean Time
By Max
Greenwich Mean Time is made by 1884, and because the people confused their own time in their own countries, and they may don’t know what time is it. But when I am studying history in 5th grade, I knew that Greenwich Mean Time is zero meridians because about two thirds of the boats that were sailing were sailing across Greenwich.
Now we know what our time is, that is because we have a Greenwich Mean Time (also called GMT). And I know that our time in Taiwan is GMT+8 hours.
2009/09/23
Fireworks
September 23, 2009
Fireworks
By Max
I know that gunpowder is one of the four inventions in China, but I never thought of fireworks are made by gunpowder as a material. I know that fireworks are a kind of explosions in the sky, and it is beautiful. But mostly it produces too much smoke after a lot of fireworks. Eventually, fireworks are made of potassium nitrate and a lot of other things, and are made of like gunpowder balls. It shoots out using a cannon and it bursts in the sky. And when the ball is bigger, the explosion is bigger too. So if you see a firework, you know that what it is made!
Fireworks
By Max
I know that gunpowder is one of the four inventions in China, but I never thought of fireworks are made by gunpowder as a material. I know that fireworks are a kind of explosions in the sky, and it is beautiful. But mostly it produces too much smoke after a lot of fireworks. Eventually, fireworks are made of potassium nitrate and a lot of other things, and are made of like gunpowder balls. It shoots out using a cannon and it bursts in the sky. And when the ball is bigger, the explosion is bigger too. So if you see a firework, you know that what it is made!
2009/09/22
Chewing Gum
September 22, 2009
Chewing Gum
By Max
Today many people eat chewing gum and bubble gum, and there are many different companies making gum. There are many flavors too. Archaeologists knew people before ate tree resin, and they knew this material is very good for the body. So they started to make chewing gum in the mid-19th century. It wasn’t popular at the start, but after someone made fruit chewing gum, it became popular. Then after the invention of chewing gum, someone also invented bubble gum that can blow bubbles. But the bubble gum was too sticky and can stick on anything. Finally in 1928 the bubble gum we chew today was invented.
I like bubble gum, but I haven’t eaten it for years. But I remember when I was young, when I go to see the doctor, he will give me 2 pieces of chewing gum! I really want to eat chewing gum now.
Chewing Gum
By Max
Today many people eat chewing gum and bubble gum, and there are many different companies making gum. There are many flavors too. Archaeologists knew people before ate tree resin, and they knew this material is very good for the body. So they started to make chewing gum in the mid-19th century. It wasn’t popular at the start, but after someone made fruit chewing gum, it became popular. Then after the invention of chewing gum, someone also invented bubble gum that can blow bubbles. But the bubble gum was too sticky and can stick on anything. Finally in 1928 the bubble gum we chew today was invented.
I like bubble gum, but I haven’t eaten it for years. But I remember when I was young, when I go to see the doctor, he will give me 2 pieces of chewing gum! I really want to eat chewing gum now.
2009/09/20
Broomsticks and Witches
Broomsticks and Witches
By Max
Today, we have many stories and movies of broomsticks, including the game in Harry Potter. But most people don’t know where flying broomsticks were discovered.
Some people know that broomsticks were discovered by some maids’ servants a long time ago. They were poor, and they have to work for the maids. So they went to a place and asked the Devil to help them. The Devil gave then a cream that can let broomsticks fly. They sat on the flying broomsticks and had meeting of hurting people with other witches.
By Max
Today, we have many stories and movies of broomsticks, including the game in Harry Potter. But most people don’t know where flying broomsticks were discovered.
Some people know that broomsticks were discovered by some maids’ servants a long time ago. They were poor, and they have to work for the maids. So they went to a place and asked the Devil to help them. The Devil gave then a cream that can let broomsticks fly. They sat on the flying broomsticks and had meeting of hurting people with other witches.
2009/09/19
Making a Fast Elevator
Making a Fast Elevator
By Max
When elevators were invented, many people took the elevator and thought it was fun. But after many tall buildings were built, many people complained elevators were very slow, because sometimes many men can’t go to work on time (I don’t really know). So an engineer thought of an idea. He installed mirrors instead of faster motors. This can let people look at themselves when in the elevator. After they looked at their clothes in the elevators, they stopped complaining of the slow elevators.
By Max
When elevators were invented, many people took the elevator and thought it was fun. But after many tall buildings were built, many people complained elevators were very slow, because sometimes many men can’t go to work on time (I don’t really know). So an engineer thought of an idea. He installed mirrors instead of faster motors. This can let people look at themselves when in the elevator. After they looked at their clothes in the elevators, they stopped complaining of the slow elevators.
2009/09/18
A Cute Tree Bear
A Cute Tree Bear
By Max
In Australia, many animals were mascots, including koalas and kangaroos. But koalas were very famous animals. When Europeans first went to Australia, they saw a kind of bear and named it “Koala”. Now many people call it koala bear, but it isn’t really a bear.
Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves for their only food for their lives. These leaves have some water and some things good for koalas. Unfortunately, they are poisonous, so other animals or people can’t eat it or they will die.
Koalas have many more fun facts like their hands are alike humans, so scientists use a microscope to find out!
By Max
In Australia, many animals were mascots, including koalas and kangaroos. But koalas were very famous animals. When Europeans first went to Australia, they saw a kind of bear and named it “Koala”. Now many people call it koala bear, but it isn’t really a bear.
Koalas eat eucalyptus leaves for their only food for their lives. These leaves have some water and some things good for koalas. Unfortunately, they are poisonous, so other animals or people can’t eat it or they will die.
Koalas have many more fun facts like their hands are alike humans, so scientists use a microscope to find out!
2009/09/09
Dogs of the World
September 9, 2009
Dogs of the World
By Max
Dogs are good pets, and many people take care of them. But even many people take care of them; there are still many wild dogs in the world.
Dogs have many kinds of species, big and small, handsome and cute, and other kinds. Now we can put two different dogs together and they can give birth to a different kind of dog, combining his father and mother’s characteristics. Sometimes many strong dogs can train to be a police dog or dogs for blind people. Sometimes people think small dogs are very cute, so they treat them nicely, and they will let her wear some beautiful outfits and wash her fur. Some dogs are very angry and have many bad habits, so the people who take care of them treat them badly. But I think it is not important to choose which kind of dog, because they have their own abilities.
Dogs of the World
By Max
Dogs are good pets, and many people take care of them. But even many people take care of them; there are still many wild dogs in the world.
Dogs have many kinds of species, big and small, handsome and cute, and other kinds. Now we can put two different dogs together and they can give birth to a different kind of dog, combining his father and mother’s characteristics. Sometimes many strong dogs can train to be a police dog or dogs for blind people. Sometimes people think small dogs are very cute, so they treat them nicely, and they will let her wear some beautiful outfits and wash her fur. Some dogs are very angry and have many bad habits, so the people who take care of them treat them badly. But I think it is not important to choose which kind of dog, because they have their own abilities.
What's a Riddle
September 9, 2009
What’s a Riddle?
By Max
Riddles are very funny when you get the answer sometimes. I have heard of the popular Knock Knock jokes, and it is very funny. But sometimes I don’t get it because I don’t know the meaning very much.
I am also not good at making riddles; because it is not funny, and other people hear it often even it is very funny. Sometimes I hear other people talking jokes about 三個外國人,一加一等於多少, and many more that are very funny. The funniest joke I have heard is two people went to an island, and the men said they need to put 100 of any fruit into the penis. The first man took 100 cherries, and he stuffed the cherries one by one. When he stuffed to the 99th cherry, he suddenly laughed. Because he saw the second man took 100 durians back!
What’s a Riddle?
By Max
Riddles are very funny when you get the answer sometimes. I have heard of the popular Knock Knock jokes, and it is very funny. But sometimes I don’t get it because I don’t know the meaning very much.
I am also not good at making riddles; because it is not funny, and other people hear it often even it is very funny. Sometimes I hear other people talking jokes about 三個外國人,一加一等於多少, and many more that are very funny. The funniest joke I have heard is two people went to an island, and the men said they need to put 100 of any fruit into the penis. The first man took 100 cherries, and he stuffed the cherries one by one. When he stuffed to the 99th cherry, he suddenly laughed. Because he saw the second man took 100 durians back!
2009/09/06
Fireflies
September 6, 2009
Fireflies
By Max
There was once a village that everyone can skate. Fireflies flew to the village at May, and stopped the freezing winter. But one year, the fireflies didn’t return during May. The entire things freeze, but the children liked it because they can skate all year. But a boy called Jackie didn’t like that, because he can’t skate at all. He practiced and practiced, but he still can’t skate. One day, when he fell down during skating, some bullies came to laugh at him. He was sad and afraid and ran to the mountains. He slept outside and he met a bear. But he met a wolf and named it Shadow. He spent a few days trying to find the road back home, and found his mother and father. Someone also gave him a blue badge for courage! After, they won’t mind when Jackie fell down when skiing.
I think Jackie can not mind what others say, because he can’t ski, but he maybe has other advantages than others. So don’t laugh at other people, because maybe you don’t have the advantages he has.
Fireflies
By Max
There was once a village that everyone can skate. Fireflies flew to the village at May, and stopped the freezing winter. But one year, the fireflies didn’t return during May. The entire things freeze, but the children liked it because they can skate all year. But a boy called Jackie didn’t like that, because he can’t skate at all. He practiced and practiced, but he still can’t skate. One day, when he fell down during skating, some bullies came to laugh at him. He was sad and afraid and ran to the mountains. He slept outside and he met a bear. But he met a wolf and named it Shadow. He spent a few days trying to find the road back home, and found his mother and father. Someone also gave him a blue badge for courage! After, they won’t mind when Jackie fell down when skiing.
I think Jackie can not mind what others say, because he can’t ski, but he maybe has other advantages than others. So don’t laugh at other people, because maybe you don’t have the advantages he has.
2009/09/04
Paint the Town Red with Tomatoes
September 4, 2009
Paint the Town Red with Tomatoes
By Max
Bunol, a small town in Spain, has a tomato fight in the last Wednesday in August. In other countries, when a war starts, we use guns, bombs, grenades and knives to defend ourselves and kill the enemies. But in Bunol, the tomato war consisted tomatoes as weapons. They first deliver trucks full of tomatoes to the town, and after that they start the war. They throw tomatoes at each other for two hours. I think they will be exhausted after the war! After the war, they go home with tomato juice and tomato putty on their clothes, hands and feet. So if you go to Bunol, why don’t you go the last Tuesday in August and watch the tomato fight tomorrow? You will think it is so fun and exciting to see the dirty men in the street and see the tomatoes flying around!
Paint the Town Red with Tomatoes
By Max
Bunol, a small town in Spain, has a tomato fight in the last Wednesday in August. In other countries, when a war starts, we use guns, bombs, grenades and knives to defend ourselves and kill the enemies. But in Bunol, the tomato war consisted tomatoes as weapons. They first deliver trucks full of tomatoes to the town, and after that they start the war. They throw tomatoes at each other for two hours. I think they will be exhausted after the war! After the war, they go home with tomato juice and tomato putty on their clothes, hands and feet. So if you go to Bunol, why don’t you go the last Tuesday in August and watch the tomato fight tomorrow? You will think it is so fun and exciting to see the dirty men in the street and see the tomatoes flying around!
2009/09/03
The Umbrella Thief
September 3, 2009
The Umbrella Thief
By Max
Kiri Mama is a great person because he knew that he people in the village used banana or yam leaves for umbrellas. So he used his time to the city, and he saw many people holding umbrellas with beautiful patterns. He went to the umbrella shop and bought one too. After he went home, he didn’t tell his secret to the other villagers, and he went to the shop owner to drink some coffee. After he went home, he found out his umbrella is gone. Then he bought many umbrellas from town, and finally he found the umbrella thief is a monkey. Kiri Mama opened an umbrella shop and selled the umbrellas to the villagers.
I think Kiri Mama can let the umbrella thief, which is a monkey, let him free and don’t hate him. I know the monkey stole the umbrellas because of curiosity. Kiri Mama is also a good man too.
The Umbrella Thief
By Max
Kiri Mama is a great person because he knew that he people in the village used banana or yam leaves for umbrellas. So he used his time to the city, and he saw many people holding umbrellas with beautiful patterns. He went to the umbrella shop and bought one too. After he went home, he didn’t tell his secret to the other villagers, and he went to the shop owner to drink some coffee. After he went home, he found out his umbrella is gone. Then he bought many umbrellas from town, and finally he found the umbrella thief is a monkey. Kiri Mama opened an umbrella shop and selled the umbrellas to the villagers.
I think Kiri Mama can let the umbrella thief, which is a monkey, let him free and don’t hate him. I know the monkey stole the umbrellas because of curiosity. Kiri Mama is also a good man too.
My Favorite Things
September 3, 2009
My Favorite Things
By Max
I have a lot of favorite things that I don’t really know myself. But I really like my hobbies now.
One hobby I like is to collect some magnets with beautiful pictures. I started this hobby from kindergarten when there is an activity is to collect some Hello Kitty magnets and exchange to other students. I was excited about the activity but I don’t have any magnets to exchange with. So my mom took me to 7-11 to buy something to get a magnet. After many weeks, I have about 8 different kinds of Hello Kitty Magnets, but my aunt and neighbor gave me the rest of them and now I have them all. Now I want is a Hello Kitty magnet board which my grandma’s house has one. I also have Doraemon magnets, but my aunt gave them all. I think this is my best hobby!
My Favorite Things
By Max
I have a lot of favorite things that I don’t really know myself. But I really like my hobbies now.
One hobby I like is to collect some magnets with beautiful pictures. I started this hobby from kindergarten when there is an activity is to collect some Hello Kitty magnets and exchange to other students. I was excited about the activity but I don’t have any magnets to exchange with. So my mom took me to 7-11 to buy something to get a magnet. After many weeks, I have about 8 different kinds of Hello Kitty Magnets, but my aunt and neighbor gave me the rest of them and now I have them all. Now I want is a Hello Kitty magnet board which my grandma’s house has one. I also have Doraemon magnets, but my aunt gave them all. I think this is my best hobby!
2009/09/01
Food Firsts
September 1st, 2009
Food Firsts
By Max
Many foods always have stories of when it is introduced and invented. There is also history on the foods we eat.
Like the drink we most like to drink is Coca-Cola, it is actually used as medicine in the past. Then, cola is made into many flavors, and has opened a company now. The Coca-Cola Company has made Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. I think our company in Taiwan has made Hey-Song Sarpasilla.
And I know the history about the donuts we eat today (I’m not really sure; I read it in the book). The donut is made by Hanson Gregory. When he was 15, his mother made some fried bread, but Hanson said he didn’t want the middle of the bread. Now the donut came out with a hole in the middle, and it was very popular. Some companies even started to sell “Donuts without holes”.
The foods we eat today are always invented by someone. If they didn’t invent it, we maybe can’t eat the things we eat now!
Food Firsts
By Max
Many foods always have stories of when it is introduced and invented. There is also history on the foods we eat.
Like the drink we most like to drink is Coca-Cola, it is actually used as medicine in the past. Then, cola is made into many flavors, and has opened a company now. The Coca-Cola Company has made Coca-Cola, Sprite, and Fanta. I think our company in Taiwan has made Hey-Song Sarpasilla.
And I know the history about the donuts we eat today (I’m not really sure; I read it in the book). The donut is made by Hanson Gregory. When he was 15, his mother made some fried bread, but Hanson said he didn’t want the middle of the bread. Now the donut came out with a hole in the middle, and it was very popular. Some companies even started to sell “Donuts without holes”.
The foods we eat today are always invented by someone. If they didn’t invent it, we maybe can’t eat the things we eat now!
2009/08/31
A Prayer for the Earth-The Story of Naamah, Noah's Wife
August 31, 2009
A Prayer for the Earth
The Story of Naamah, Noah’s Wife
By Max
Naamah, who was Noah’s wife, did a very great job of planting flowers’ seeds. God told Noah to build an ark, and find two of each animal in the ark. He also told Naamah to get two of each flowers’ and trees’ seeds, and fruit in the ark to harvest. Then the very heavy rain started and flooded the whole earth. They send birds to throw olive seeds, and the flood stopped. God planted an olive tree for them! Noah took the animals back to their homes, and Naamah planted the seeds and became a big garden full of flowers and trees.
I think we need to plant more trees and flowers and trees to stop global warming. Even Naamah is dead; her garden still grows when we plant the flowers and trees. She is the Mother of Seeds!
"At last, we learn the secret of how plants recovered from the Great Flood. In this nurturing story, Naamah.....inspires us all to carry onher tradition as stewards of Earth's garden."
Michael J. Caduto, coauthor, The Keeper of the Earth@ books
A Prayer for the Earth
The Story of Naamah, Noah’s Wife
By Max
Naamah, who was Noah’s wife, did a very great job of planting flowers’ seeds. God told Noah to build an ark, and find two of each animal in the ark. He also told Naamah to get two of each flowers’ and trees’ seeds, and fruit in the ark to harvest. Then the very heavy rain started and flooded the whole earth. They send birds to throw olive seeds, and the flood stopped. God planted an olive tree for them! Noah took the animals back to their homes, and Naamah planted the seeds and became a big garden full of flowers and trees.
I think we need to plant more trees and flowers and trees to stop global warming. Even Naamah is dead; her garden still grows when we plant the flowers and trees. She is the Mother of Seeds!
"At last, we learn the secret of how plants recovered from the Great Flood. In this nurturing story, Naamah.....inspires us all to carry onher tradition as stewards of Earth's garden."
Michael J. Caduto, coauthor, The Keeper of the Earth@ books
2009/08/28
The Cellist named Ma Yo-Yo
The Cellist named Ma Yo-Yo
Ma Yo-Yo is a great cellist of the world. He can play the cello very well, and he had many cello performances in the world. People say he is the best cello player.
Ma Yo-Yo is born in 1955 in France, but his parents are Chinese because they stayed in France for a long time. He had a talent for playing musical instruments, so his mom and dad wanted him to try to play the instruments. After he failed in piano and violin lessons, his dad finally wanted him to learn how to play the cello. After he played the cello very well, he started to perform to people. But as I know, Ma Yo-Yo gave up playing the cello once when he was in university, and he studied as a human body scientist. But he really didn’t give up, because he started playing the cello after university. After that, he started practicing the cello and soon he was a great cello player of the world.
I think Ma Yo-Yo is a great cello player, so I wish he would make some songs himself and play it to everyone in the world.
Ma Yo-Yo is a great cellist of the world. He can play the cello very well, and he had many cello performances in the world. People say he is the best cello player.
Ma Yo-Yo is born in 1955 in France, but his parents are Chinese because they stayed in France for a long time. He had a talent for playing musical instruments, so his mom and dad wanted him to try to play the instruments. After he failed in piano and violin lessons, his dad finally wanted him to learn how to play the cello. After he played the cello very well, he started to perform to people. But as I know, Ma Yo-Yo gave up playing the cello once when he was in university, and he studied as a human body scientist. But he really didn’t give up, because he started playing the cello after university. After that, he started practicing the cello and soon he was a great cello player of the world.
I think Ma Yo-Yo is a great cello player, so I wish he would make some songs himself and play it to everyone in the world.
2009/08/27
Life in the Outback
Life in the Outback
Caleb is a sad boy when he lives in the ranch. He doesn’t like the old ranch, because it isn’t convenient. He always likes his own home before and it has many stores and schools and restaurants, and Caleb is bored there because he had no friends. But I think Caleb doesn’t need to be very convenient in his life, so he needs to stay in the poor countries to know the people live their poor lives. And Caleb’s dad did a bad thing because he killed the dingo that Caleb liked. He is very bad, but why did he kill Caleb’s dingo? And if he can shoot dingoes in the outback, why didn’t he kill other dingoes?
I know this is illegal, because you can’t shoot extinct animals!I really think that staying in the outback is bad for Caleb, so I wish they can go back to their own home.
Caleb is a sad boy when he lives in the ranch. He doesn’t like the old ranch, because it isn’t convenient. He always likes his own home before and it has many stores and schools and restaurants, and Caleb is bored there because he had no friends. But I think Caleb doesn’t need to be very convenient in his life, so he needs to stay in the poor countries to know the people live their poor lives. And Caleb’s dad did a bad thing because he killed the dingo that Caleb liked. He is very bad, but why did he kill Caleb’s dingo? And if he can shoot dingoes in the outback, why didn’t he kill other dingoes?
I know this is illegal, because you can’t shoot extinct animals!I really think that staying in the outback is bad for Caleb, so I wish they can go back to their own home.
2009/08/26
Philanthropy
Hurricane Katrina was a very strong hurricane in 2005. It ruined New Orleans in America. Because of the levees are broken, the water flooded to the city. A boy called Zach Bonner wanted to save the victims of the hurricane. So he took many kinds of supplies, like food, hygiene supplies and more from his community. He put in many backpacks and delivered it. He is a good person that will help save lives.
Zach Bonner is a young philanthropist, but he loves to save many other people and he respects their lives. Not like Zach, other people are willing the victims to die, and even other older philanthropists wouldn’t like to save people very much.
Zach Bonner is a young philanthropist, but he loves to save many other people and he respects their lives. Not like Zach, other people are willing the victims to die, and even other older philanthropists wouldn’t like to save people very much.
2009/08/24
Respect for Life
Ask anyone on the street what he would like to be. It is not suprising that the answer you hear might be like these: a movie star, a lawyer or a doctor. Pride is one of the reasons and money could be another. Don’t forget, money talks. A lot of us work day and night, not because we cannot take our eyes of our job but because work means more money. Moreover, one stands higher on the social ladder if one is a doctor and lawyer. However, you might be very surprised to hear that for one famous person, money and fame meant nothing. He said “no” to both of them; instead, he became a missionary, whose job was to spread God’s word. He was Albert Schweitzer.
Dr. Schweitzer had a talent for music and could have practiced as a doctor in Germany, where he was born. Like most of us, great people have a dream. The difference lies in the fact that they make their dreams come true. Dr. Schweitzer decided that “reverence for life” was what our world needed and he put his belief into practice. He found a place where he thought he was most needed: he went to Lambarene, Gabon in Africa. There he set up a hospital where he took care of sick people with love. He asked for nothing in return. He was simply doing what he believed: showing respect for life.
Buddhism teaches us to “let go.” However, taking it easy is easier said than done. For many people, money and fame mean everything and they are even willing to die for them. Are they happy? Dr. Schweitzer didn’t have lots of fortune and fame, but it seems he was quite happy with his life.
Max-Getting more money doesn’t mean your life is better. Many people work only because of getting more money, but don’t respect their lives. Many people want to do many dangerous things for money, and there lives could be worthless to them. Albert is a famous person, but he said money and fame are worthless. He knows that you need to respect for life. In his life, he helped many poor people in many poor countries, and open a hospital to help them. He didn’t want any money for them to pay for him, and he knows they are poor and needs more help and love.
Albert’s life is very happy, and he knows not to let lives worthless, and even other people too. So we need to think and help for others, not only thinking for ourselves.
Dr. Schweitzer had a talent for music and could have practiced as a doctor in Germany, where he was born. Like most of us, great people have a dream. The difference lies in the fact that they make their dreams come true. Dr. Schweitzer decided that “reverence for life” was what our world needed and he put his belief into practice. He found a place where he thought he was most needed: he went to Lambarene, Gabon in Africa. There he set up a hospital where he took care of sick people with love. He asked for nothing in return. He was simply doing what he believed: showing respect for life.
Buddhism teaches us to “let go.” However, taking it easy is easier said than done. For many people, money and fame mean everything and they are even willing to die for them. Are they happy? Dr. Schweitzer didn’t have lots of fortune and fame, but it seems he was quite happy with his life.
Max-Getting more money doesn’t mean your life is better. Many people work only because of getting more money, but don’t respect their lives. Many people want to do many dangerous things for money, and there lives could be worthless to them. Albert is a famous person, but he said money and fame are worthless. He knows that you need to respect for life. In his life, he helped many poor people in many poor countries, and open a hospital to help them. He didn’t want any money for them to pay for him, and he knows they are poor and needs more help and love.
Albert’s life is very happy, and he knows not to let lives worthless, and even other people too. So we need to think and help for others, not only thinking for ourselves.
2009/08/22
The Amazing Race
The Amazing Race: Comments
1, How to start an Amazing Race:
Teams stand at the starting line and when the host says “Go”; teams get their clues and backpacks and get into one of the marked cars. Fun is coming when you have to beat the other teams. At each leg the clues tell that you must fly to another country. But you don’t worry about money problems, because that the start of each leg, the host will give you some money. The clues lead you to another clue box and get the next clue. Your clue sometimes will show a Detour, a Road Block, or a Fast Forward. Some clue boxes have Yield signs or Intersection signs. When you get to the Pit Stop, the host will tell you what place you are, and the host will take a person to the Pit Stop. The first team to arrive will get something special. The last team to arrive, I’m sorry, you will be eliminated from the race, or you will have bad news (just like no money on the next leg or no clothes, except you are wearing) but you are not eliminated. After teams get to the pit stop, they will have 12 hours of rest. Race continues until only three teams left, and the first team to arrive to the finish line, the team wins the race and gets
$1000000 dollars!
2, How to start a Amazing Race (myself)
I would do that but I need to use a Monopoly set. Before I start, I need to take out the checkers. I will also make a chart to keep track what place the checkers are. The race starts when the checkers go one by one. The target is to go around one lap on the board, and to beat the other checkers. There can’t possibly be any Detour or Road Blocks, even there aren’t any Yield and Intersection and, there even aren’t any clue boxes! The last checker arrives the go sign on the board will be eliminated or not eliminated from the race. Race continues until only three checkers left, and the first checker to arrive to the finish line, the checker wins the race! This race probably will take 10 days to finish the race.
3, Questions about the Amazing Race
What’s a Detour?
A detour is 2 tasks that teams will to decide which task the teams do.
The team will do what the task says and when the team had done your task, the team will receive the next clue.
What’s a Road Block?
A Road Block is a task but only one person per team could do. The player needs to do exactly the same as the task says and get the next clue.
What’s a Fast Forward?
A Fast Forward could only occur twice in an Amazing Race game. The first team to get the Fast Forward clue will get to challenge. The team will do some dangerous things. And when they succeed, the team will skip all tasks and go to the pit stop!
What’s a Yield?
A Yield is players decide if they want or not want to yield. If they want to yield, they need to choose a team’s picture. The team that arrives and the picture is the same, they have to stop 1 hour.
What’s an Intersection?
An Intersection is to work with another team. The teams work until a clue says separate.
4, other things
1. If you didn’t do a Detour or a Road Block correctly, you will have a penalty (30 minutes). If you didn’t get a clue, the host will let you take the clue, then check in the pit stop. You will get a 4-hour penalty if you failed to do a Road Block!
2. The number of teams on every season is different. Just like Seasons 3&4 has 12 teams on the race, and season 8 has 10 teams. The other seasons have 11 teams.
3. Penalties when you come last on the non-elimination were different. Some seasons are no money and no clothes (except you are wearing). Others are like if the next pit stop you didn’t get in first; you will have a penalty (30 minutes).
5, Common websites:
Summary:
The Amazing Race
http://www.tv.com/the-amazing-race/show/6686/episode_guide.html?season=0&tag=season_dropdown;dropdown;12
Videos:
Amazing Race 9 Finale
http://tw.youtube.com/results?search_query=The+Amazing+Race&search_type
2009/08/18
Bowling
August 18, 2009
Bowling
By Max
At August 16th, I, my brother and my mom and dad went to play bowling at Shoushan bowling center. For the first time I play bowling in Shoushan bowling center, I learned a lot of things at bowling.
Bowling is a kind of ball sport, and tests your skill, and you need to do the right position to master it.
First, if you want to play bowling, you need to pay 50 dollars for each game. Ex: We play 4 games first, so we pay 200 dollars. Also, the people will tell you which lane you can play.
Then, because you need to wear bowling shoes to play, so you need to know your foot size, and someone will give you that size of shoes. Then you can play! I know that Dexter shoes are the best because they can slide and it’s beautiful! Forget about the old rental shoes.
You need to pick the right ball for bowling. If the ball is too heavy, it can hurt you. The bowling balls are 8-16 pounds heavy. This time, I get the 8 pound ball (about 3.6 kg).
I grip the ball with the thumb, index finger and middle finger. But I think my bowling ball grip is wrong, after I noticed that guy at the video grips his ball with the thumb, middle finger and ring finger. I also know the grip for a spinning ball is with the middle finger and the ring finger, but not the THUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At the bowling lane, you can see 7 arrows and 10 dots. I also know that one arrow equals 5 boards, so it goes 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 for right-handers, and the opposite for left-handers. For right-handers, you aim the bowling ball to the second arrow from the right, and you need to hit the 1 and 3 pin to get a strike. Left-handers aim the second arrow from the left, and hit the 1 pin and 2 pin to get a strike.
I also know how to score for bowling. Here’s the scoring.
l If you didn’t hit all ten pins after two balls, you get depending with how many pins you hit. Ex: If you hit 8 pins, you score 8 points.
If you get a spare (means hit all ten pins after two balls), you get 11+how many pins you hit after the first ball. Ex: If you hit 7 pins at the first ball, you get 18 points when you get a spare.
l If you get a strike, you get 30 points.
l There are 3 balls at the tenth round, but only you get a strike at the first ball. If you didn’t get a strike, you can only throw 2 balls.
l The highest point in bowling is 300 points, but only you get twelve strikes at a row.
I think bowling is fun, because it only takes 20-30 minutes to play, and I am happy to see the pins being hit. So I wish to play again.
Bowling
By Max
At August 16th, I, my brother and my mom and dad went to play bowling at Shoushan bowling center. For the first time I play bowling in Shoushan bowling center, I learned a lot of things at bowling.
Bowling is a kind of ball sport, and tests your skill, and you need to do the right position to master it.
First, if you want to play bowling, you need to pay 50 dollars for each game. Ex: We play 4 games first, so we pay 200 dollars. Also, the people will tell you which lane you can play.
Then, because you need to wear bowling shoes to play, so you need to know your foot size, and someone will give you that size of shoes. Then you can play! I know that Dexter shoes are the best because they can slide and it’s beautiful! Forget about the old rental shoes.
You need to pick the right ball for bowling. If the ball is too heavy, it can hurt you. The bowling balls are 8-16 pounds heavy. This time, I get the 8 pound ball (about 3.6 kg).
I grip the ball with the thumb, index finger and middle finger. But I think my bowling ball grip is wrong, after I noticed that guy at the video grips his ball with the thumb, middle finger and ring finger. I also know the grip for a spinning ball is with the middle finger and the ring finger, but not the THUMB!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
At the bowling lane, you can see 7 arrows and 10 dots. I also know that one arrow equals 5 boards, so it goes 5, 10, 15, 20, 25, 30, 35, 40 for right-handers, and the opposite for left-handers. For right-handers, you aim the bowling ball to the second arrow from the right, and you need to hit the 1 and 3 pin to get a strike. Left-handers aim the second arrow from the left, and hit the 1 pin and 2 pin to get a strike.
I also know how to score for bowling. Here’s the scoring.
l If you didn’t hit all ten pins after two balls, you get depending with how many pins you hit. Ex: If you hit 8 pins, you score 8 points.
If you get a spare (means hit all ten pins after two balls), you get 11+how many pins you hit after the first ball. Ex: If you hit 7 pins at the first ball, you get 18 points when you get a spare.
l If you get a strike, you get 30 points.
l There are 3 balls at the tenth round, but only you get a strike at the first ball. If you didn’t get a strike, you can only throw 2 balls.
l The highest point in bowling is 300 points, but only you get twelve strikes at a row.
I think bowling is fun, because it only takes 20-30 minutes to play, and I am happy to see the pins being hit. So I wish to play again.
2009/08/15
Leonardo da Vinci
August 15, 2009
Leonardo da Vinci
By Max
Leonardo da Vinci is a famous person in about 550 years ago. When he was born, he is a genius for many things whenever he tried it. But he was the best to draw and paint. He drew many beautiful pictures, and some of them were still kept in the museums in France. He also was an inventor but he didn’t invent any things. He drew many kinds of things that take people, but he didn’t make it real, so someone invented it after Leonardo’s death.
Leonardo did many jobs during his life, and he is a master of many things. I hope many people now can thank Leonardo for his beautiful paintings.
Leonardo da Vinci
By Max
Leonardo da Vinci is a famous person in about 550 years ago. When he was born, he is a genius for many things whenever he tried it. But he was the best to draw and paint. He drew many beautiful pictures, and some of them were still kept in the museums in France. He also was an inventor but he didn’t invent any things. He drew many kinds of things that take people, but he didn’t make it real, so someone invented it after Leonardo’s death.
Leonardo did many jobs during his life, and he is a master of many things. I hope many people now can thank Leonardo for his beautiful paintings.
2009/08/14
Baseball
August 14, 2009
Baseball
By Max
Baseball is a good sport to play with a bat and a ball. Even it is not as widely popular as soccer, many Americans and some other countries still like to play it.
Baseball, which is introduced in the 19th century, only a few players can play at a time. But now since it was been known by many countries, they start to play it too. Now many teams play in their countries baseball league, but many people still don’t know how to play. After baseball became popular, they also introduced softball and amateur ball, which girls and kids and teenagers play, and let baseball more popular.
I hope that many more people can love baseball, and see the professional players hit the ball very hard, and we can cheer when getting a home run!
Baseball
By Max
Baseball is a good sport to play with a bat and a ball. Even it is not as widely popular as soccer, many Americans and some other countries still like to play it.
Baseball, which is introduced in the 19th century, only a few players can play at a time. But now since it was been known by many countries, they start to play it too. Now many teams play in their countries baseball league, but many people still don’t know how to play. After baseball became popular, they also introduced softball and amateur ball, which girls and kids and teenagers play, and let baseball more popular.
I hope that many more people can love baseball, and see the professional players hit the ball very hard, and we can cheer when getting a home run!
Math
August 14, 2009
Math
By Max
After I see this article, I wonder why many people hates math the most. Solving math problems is very interesting, but why many people want to be as lazy to use calculators to solve problems?
Math is a good subject at school, but why many people hate it? I know their feelings, but math classes cannot be cancelled. Math can help you get smarter, and you can think logically when you answer math problems. But with the people who don’t learn math? They will get low scores, and without math they couldn’t go to a good school. So even if you hate math, you still must answer math questions, because without math, you can’t be a smart person when you get older!
Math
By Max
After I see this article, I wonder why many people hates math the most. Solving math problems is very interesting, but why many people want to be as lazy to use calculators to solve problems?
Math is a good subject at school, but why many people hate it? I know their feelings, but math classes cannot be cancelled. Math can help you get smarter, and you can think logically when you answer math problems. But with the people who don’t learn math? They will get low scores, and without math they couldn’t go to a good school. So even if you hate math, you still must answer math questions, because without math, you can’t be a smart person when you get older!
2009/08/13
The Korean War
August 13, 2009
Korean War
By Max
The Korean War happened at 1950 and many people died in the war. The North and South were fighting. Many countries help the South, and the Chinese helped the North. After this war, the north and south of Korea were separated. I hope that North and South Korea can help each other in peace. I hope that the people in the North and South will work together so there will be no war anymore for Korea.
Korean War
By Max
The Korean War happened at 1950 and many people died in the war. The North and South were fighting. Many countries help the South, and the Chinese helped the North. After this war, the north and south of Korea were separated. I hope that North and South Korea can help each other in peace. I hope that the people in the North and South will work together so there will be no war anymore for Korea.
Christmas
August 13, 2009
Christmas
By Max
Christmas is a great holiday in the end of the year. At Christmas, people make pine trees with bright lights, and other decorations. Then they have a great feast with many good foods. At night, the hang their stockings and may sing a song. When they sleep, there is always a Santa Claus (who doesn’t really exist) to put presents in the stockings, and under the pine tree. At the next day, people were happy because they got their things that they want. So that’s why it is a great holiday. I wish to get presents at Christmas too!
Christmas
By Max
Christmas is a great holiday in the end of the year. At Christmas, people make pine trees with bright lights, and other decorations. Then they have a great feast with many good foods. At night, the hang their stockings and may sing a song. When they sleep, there is always a Santa Claus (who doesn’t really exist) to put presents in the stockings, and under the pine tree. At the next day, people were happy because they got their things that they want. So that’s why it is a great holiday. I wish to get presents at Christmas too!
2009/08/12
Typhoon Morakot
August 12, 2009
Typhoon Morakot
By Max
Typhoon Morakot is a very strong typhoon, even after the typhoon leaves; many places still have serious disasters. This typhoon is the strongest typhoon for the past few years!
Typhoon Morakot caused a lot of floods, some are more than a story high; ruined many farms and ruined many crops and let many domestic animals die. At this typhoon, there are many bridges broken and damaged the highway and the south-bound railroad! It may take a few days to a few months to rebuild it. Many buildings were destroyed, there is even a hotel and a 3 story building fell in the rivers! Many homes had a power failure, but almost every home’s electric power is been fixed. Many mudslides happened and it let the water more dirty. Some places stopped water supply because the water is so dirty. At this typhoon, some places rained non-stop for three days and flooded. We lost about 9 thousand million in vegetables and fruits, and lost 1,500 million in fish. I think the typhoon is very horrible because it let many people die, hurt and missing.
Many people drove rubber boats, water motorcycles and armor cars to save people from floods. Also, they drove helicopters to save people stuck in high mountains. Our people who are saving people did it very well and saved many people. But some people died too.
Typhoon Morakot is the worst disaster in 50 years, and it caused many damage. God bless us don’t die, and don’t happen any disasters as worse as this.
Typhoon Morakot
By Max
Typhoon Morakot is a very strong typhoon, even after the typhoon leaves; many places still have serious disasters. This typhoon is the strongest typhoon for the past few years!
Typhoon Morakot caused a lot of floods, some are more than a story high; ruined many farms and ruined many crops and let many domestic animals die. At this typhoon, there are many bridges broken and damaged the highway and the south-bound railroad! It may take a few days to a few months to rebuild it. Many buildings were destroyed, there is even a hotel and a 3 story building fell in the rivers! Many homes had a power failure, but almost every home’s electric power is been fixed. Many mudslides happened and it let the water more dirty. Some places stopped water supply because the water is so dirty. At this typhoon, some places rained non-stop for three days and flooded. We lost about 9 thousand million in vegetables and fruits, and lost 1,500 million in fish. I think the typhoon is very horrible because it let many people die, hurt and missing.
Many people drove rubber boats, water motorcycles and armor cars to save people from floods. Also, they drove helicopters to save people stuck in high mountains. Our people who are saving people did it very well and saved many people. But some people died too.
Typhoon Morakot is the worst disaster in 50 years, and it caused many damage. God bless us don’t die, and don’t happen any disasters as worse as this.
2009/08/09
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Diary of a Wimpy Kid
Jeff Kinney
By Max
Not as other books, which they are boring and not funny, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an interesting and funny novel and you can learn some words in the book. Many people like to read it, even those who don’t like to read this.
There are 5 books of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and now they published 3 books in Taiwan. There is also a Do-it yourself book that you can write your own diary.
At the first book of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it is talking about Greg’s first year in middle school. In middle school, many funny things happened, At September, first it was the Cheese in the basketball field, and cause the Cheese Touch when someone touches it, and no one will even get near you. The only way to get rid of it is to pass it to someone else. Then, Greg said even he can play pranks at his friend Rowley, but he couldn’t play pranks with his younger brother. Because when he was little, he couldn’t say brother, so he started to call him “Bubby” (This is a very funny name for Greg!). He still called him that right now, and sometimes he almost let other people know he was Bubby! And one time when his brother Rodrick bought a heavy metal CD, Greg wants to sneak it out to school because his mom and dad don’t let him listen. But it was worthless when he took it to school to listen; Rowley didn’t put batteries in his CD player. Then that night, when Greg tried the CD when everyone was sleeping, he was been caught red-handed by Dad because he didn’t plug the headphones.
At October, Greg, Rowley and Mom went to Crossland High School’s haunted house. In the haunted house, first it was a cashier without a body, and many vampires and people with no heads made them afraid. But the worst part is Chainsaw Alley, which a person with a real chainsaw chases them and even tries to kill them! But the chainsaw affect was been stopped by Mom. After the Haunted House was over, Greg wanted to make a haunted house by himself. But Mom won’t let him make the haunted house in his house, so he called Rowley to make it at his house. When they put the posters, it was already 2:30 and the haunted house needed to be started at 3:00. So they cut some corners in the plan, and the admission price changed from 50 cents to two dollars. When the first kid called Shane tried out the haunted house, (continue......)
Jeff Kinney
By Max
Not as other books, which they are boring and not funny, Diary of a Wimpy Kid is an interesting and funny novel and you can learn some words in the book. Many people like to read it, even those who don’t like to read this.
There are 5 books of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, and now they published 3 books in Taiwan. There is also a Do-it yourself book that you can write your own diary.
At the first book of Diary of a Wimpy Kid, it is talking about Greg’s first year in middle school. In middle school, many funny things happened, At September, first it was the Cheese in the basketball field, and cause the Cheese Touch when someone touches it, and no one will even get near you. The only way to get rid of it is to pass it to someone else. Then, Greg said even he can play pranks at his friend Rowley, but he couldn’t play pranks with his younger brother. Because when he was little, he couldn’t say brother, so he started to call him “Bubby” (This is a very funny name for Greg!). He still called him that right now, and sometimes he almost let other people know he was Bubby! And one time when his brother Rodrick bought a heavy metal CD, Greg wants to sneak it out to school because his mom and dad don’t let him listen. But it was worthless when he took it to school to listen; Rowley didn’t put batteries in his CD player. Then that night, when Greg tried the CD when everyone was sleeping, he was been caught red-handed by Dad because he didn’t plug the headphones.
At October, Greg, Rowley and Mom went to Crossland High School’s haunted house. In the haunted house, first it was a cashier without a body, and many vampires and people with no heads made them afraid. But the worst part is Chainsaw Alley, which a person with a real chainsaw chases them and even tries to kill them! But the chainsaw affect was been stopped by Mom. After the Haunted House was over, Greg wanted to make a haunted house by himself. But Mom won’t let him make the haunted house in his house, so he called Rowley to make it at his house. When they put the posters, it was already 2:30 and the haunted house needed to be started at 3:00. So they cut some corners in the plan, and the admission price changed from 50 cents to two dollars. When the first kid called Shane tried out the haunted house, (continue......)
2009/08/07
Century's Longest Solar Eclipse
Century's Longest Solar Eclipse
For almost seven minutes, parts of Earth were in the shadow of the moon
By Joyce C. Tang
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1912174,00.html
As the sun rose over Asia on Wednesday morning, the sky turned from light to dark. It was the longest solar eclipse that will happen during this century. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon's path crosses directly in front of the sun. The glow of the sun's light creates a brilliant ring around the moon.
"The sky turned dark like in the dead of the night. The air turned cooler and cicadas stopped singing. Everything was so exciting and moving," said Seiichiro Fukumitsu, an official from Akuseki, a small island of Japan. The total eclipse was visible from India, China, Japan and other parts of Asia. At its longest, over the Pacific Ocean, the eclipse lasted 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
An Exciting Event or a Sign of Bad Luck?
While millions turned out to gaze at the eclipse, some made sure to stay indoors. To many Hindus in India and Buddhists in China, an eclipse can represent bad luck. But for the most part, people celebrated. In China, there were fireworks. In Japan, the eclipse was greeted with cheers and applause. Even the early morning clouds and rain couldn't keep viewers away.
Because looking directly at the sun can be dangerous, people use sunglasses, masks and other special devices to enjoy the eclipse.
Last century's longest eclipse lasted 6 minutes and 53 seconds and took place on July 11, 1991. A total solar eclipse is rare. The next one won't be seen until July 2010.
Max-I think the solar eclipse happening yesterday is a beautiful sight and lets many people excited. But I think that staring at eclipses will let your eyes blind because it is the same as staring at the sun. Some people say the eclipse is bad luck but many people still celebrated the eclipse. Although we don’t know if it is bad luck or good luck, we should be surprised to see the eclipse.
For almost seven minutes, parts of Earth were in the shadow of the moon
By Joyce C. Tang
http://www.timeforkids.com/TFK/kids/news/story/0,28277,1912174,00.html
As the sun rose over Asia on Wednesday morning, the sky turned from light to dark. It was the longest solar eclipse that will happen during this century. A solar eclipse occurs when the moon's path crosses directly in front of the sun. The glow of the sun's light creates a brilliant ring around the moon.
"The sky turned dark like in the dead of the night. The air turned cooler and cicadas stopped singing. Everything was so exciting and moving," said Seiichiro Fukumitsu, an official from Akuseki, a small island of Japan. The total eclipse was visible from India, China, Japan and other parts of Asia. At its longest, over the Pacific Ocean, the eclipse lasted 6 minutes and 39 seconds.
An Exciting Event or a Sign of Bad Luck?
While millions turned out to gaze at the eclipse, some made sure to stay indoors. To many Hindus in India and Buddhists in China, an eclipse can represent bad luck. But for the most part, people celebrated. In China, there were fireworks. In Japan, the eclipse was greeted with cheers and applause. Even the early morning clouds and rain couldn't keep viewers away.
Because looking directly at the sun can be dangerous, people use sunglasses, masks and other special devices to enjoy the eclipse.
Last century's longest eclipse lasted 6 minutes and 53 seconds and took place on July 11, 1991. A total solar eclipse is rare. The next one won't be seen until July 2010.
Max-I think the solar eclipse happening yesterday is a beautiful sight and lets many people excited. But I think that staring at eclipses will let your eyes blind because it is the same as staring at the sun. Some people say the eclipse is bad luck but many people still celebrated the eclipse. Although we don’t know if it is bad luck or good luck, we should be surprised to see the eclipse.
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