Merry Christmas!

Now, it is the Christmas Eve and the 86th day I am in the US. I am writing to you in a friend’s home in Truckee, California now.

I reached here last night at about 10:30 pm after visiting San Francisco and Oakland. Then I will go back to San Francisco on 26th, and fly back to Missouri on Dec 27, 2008 ? I am worrying about my lesson. I want to come back to the compos to learn something as much as possible.

Before I came here, I had no any idea about this little town. But, as soon as I got up this morning, I was attracted by the beautiful forest, the high and bright pines and California Redwoods that were covered by the thick snow, the long ice bar attached on the eaves and my friend’s dog in the snow… At about 10:30 am, Betty, my friend’s sister drove us to have a lunch in a very American restaurant. It is said this was a very famous Philadelphia restaurant in some truck in the history, but now it is common in California.

It was Christmas Eve, there were still many people inside, because, there are many tourists here for skiing and it is said that the winter Olympic Games is working here.

After having an American + French lunch, we went to visit the old downtown of Truckee. I am surprised and excited that in the little town, there are so many things with strong American historic and artistic breath. In most of stores, you can see something ancient, with some stories. An interesting thing is that the local people like bear as same as the people in Missouri. In our campus, there is a big statue of bear. It is also on the school uniform of us. Here, in the little town, you can see so many different bears everywhere. I was excited for I found so many artistic works in the local stores and in the local people’s life. No matter a small glass, a little knife, a simple cook tool or a bar of Chocolate, they are in the different colors and unique shapes, with much imagination they are giving me many inspirations, and wonderful art enjoyments. My feeling is that here, in the little place, there was much American culture, a long history and strong art atmosphere. Even a simple bench by the gate, it was made as the future of a cute pig… funny and cute.

After a good Christmas candle dinner, I attended a wonderful activity ? the first time, I knew how a typical American family send their Christmas presents. Every thing was covered in some beautiful boxes or colored paper, everything made people surprised and excited. With a big and lovely surprise, I got 5 Christmas gifts ? a beautiful fur coat, a couple of gloves, 2 couples of baboosh and an art works. It was not finished. For my hostess told me that I will get some new present tomorrow. What is that? I am not sure yet.

Even tough, it is 3:54 am already. I would still like to write down my feelings on my visiting here for today, for I will have some new feelings to write tomorrow, after we have a visiting on the famous Ski Resort tomorrow.

As far as my visiting in San Francisco and Oakland, I will let you know later.

How did you spend your Christmas Eve? Do you have anything special at the special time?
I am just a learner on that art of painting, music English and Chinese language, to work on the web site in my free time. I would really like to do a little bit things with what I have learned to make this little web site to be an Electronic Bridge of Culture Exchange, Language Learning & Friendship. To help the others while to improve myself.

I appreciate your understanding, directions and supports. I do hope to get your friendly help...

If you have any questions, comments or suggestions, you are welcome to write to shirley@ebridge.cn or shirleyz004@yahoo.com, or to publish your opinions in the forum.

Shirley Yiping Zhang
Thur, Dec 24, 2008 From USA