sabrina

S A B R I N A

I created a website two years ago. If you would like to visit, the address is:

www.arts4fun.com

My name is Sabrina Chen. I live in Huntsville, Alabama. I am in the 6th grade. I was born in Jacksonville, Florida, and we moved to Alabama in 1999. I love to read classic novels and write poetry. My favorite book is __Pride and Prejudice__, by Jane Austen. It is a romance about the relationship between a man and a woman from very different classes in society. Reading literature isn't the only activity I enjoy; I have an innate passion for traveling around the world and being a part of many diverse cultures. I have visited Paris, France, Rome, Italy, Beijing, China, Vancouver, Canada, and Dublin, Ireland. We are traveling to Egypt in December, too.

I have been playing the piano since I was 7 years old. I am currently learning Bach's Partita No. 1, and I played one of Mozart's sonatas last year. With music, you can soar through the sky and leave all your troubles behind.

I am also interested in math. I go to tournaments every month, and on Dec. 13, I have a competition in Birmingham.

__ITALY - December 15, 2008__

I am definitely looking forward to covering Europe this year. If I had to choose one country that I want to study about, it would be Italy. I visited Italy in 2nd grade and was facinated by the museums and the history. I thoroughly enjoyed visiting many of the ancient ruins and the trip to the Colosseum was extremely memorable. I believe it awe-inspiring how all these buildings survived for such a long period of time. However, to me, unleashing lions into the Colosseum stadium to fight the Romans is a very strange amusement for the citizens. I am interested in the artists of Italy as well as the architecture. Michelangelo's __Pieta__ statue was amazing. I was so impressed at the details and the realism that Michelangelo was able to put into his marble statue. Lastly, I would love to study the building and the idea behind the Aqueduct. I got to drink out of the fountain from the Aqueduct during my trip to Italy, and the water was the purest I have ever tasted. It is amazing how there is still a flow of water coming from the archaic structure. I am eagerly awaiting our study of Europe!

Map of Italy, Statue of Romulus and Remus

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  Family Immigration : Maternal Line  My mother immigrated here in a serendipitous pull factor. She was born in Taiwan, but lived in many countries around the world including Thailand and the Netherlands. Her father was a diplomat from Taiwan, and was the ambassador to many countries, including Australia. She came to the U.S. by plane with her father when he was at the Embassy in Washington, D.C., and stayed on to continue a college degree at Smith College in Northampton, Massachusetts. It was there that my mother, a college student, met a young man from Johns Hopkins. They fell in love and got married. She then decided to stay here and live in the United States.

__Taiwan__ Languages: Mandarin Chinese, Taiwanese Continent: Asia; island in the Pacific Ocean Capital: Taipei Major Cities: Gao Shong, Tai Nan Government: Democracy Current President: Ma Ying Jyo  Population: 23 million Area: 35,980 sq. km. Terrain: Island Eastern Taiwan: Mountainous Western Taiwan: Gently sloping plains Climate: Subtropical, hot, humid, with cool winters Religions: Buddhism, Confucianism, Taoism, Christian, Roman Catholic

Holidays: Chinese Lunar New Year, Dragon Boat Race, Moon Festival The Taiwanese Flag <span style="color: rgb(255,0,0);">: <span style="color: rgb(0,0,128);">( having trouble uploading; red background, with a white 12-point-sun at the upper-left-hand corner on top of a small blue rectangle) <span style="color: rgb(9,9,251);">//Sun: symbol of progress 12 points on the sun: 1 point for every traditional hour of the day (1 traditional hour = 2 conventional hours)//

<span style="font-size: 120%; color: rgb(255,0,0);"> Fun Facts: - Yellow taxi cabs everywhere on the street - Pouring rain every day during Summer Monsoon Season - Earthquakes and typhoons yearly - Fast, clean underground subway in Taipei - Taipei 101 is the tallest building in the world with 101 stories and an antenna. It contains a shopping mall, restaurants, bookshops, offices, banks, etc... - There is a 7-11 on every corner - The Taiwan government was one of the five representatives on the Security Council of the United Nations after WWII with the power to veto decisions. It was asked to vacate its position when the People's Republic of China was asked to join the United Nations in 1971.

<span style="background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"> <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"> <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);"> <span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);">Map of Taiwan <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 90%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive; background-color: rgb(255,255,255);">, Taiwanese Flag

Dragon Boat Race, Moon Cake ( Moon Festival)

Dim Sum- popular Chinese luncheon, Taipei 101-tallest building in the world, Sun-Yat-Sen Memorial Hall

Chinese New Year Dragon Dance

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<span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;">__//** <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">CHEN TRAVEL AGENCY: **//__<span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> __COLON, PANAMA__ <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"> <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;"> Colon, Panama, is a Caribbean port found at the northern end of the Panama Canal. Tourists visit here for its endless shopping, unbeatable scuba diving, and hours of quiet birdwatching. The Spot-Crowned Woodkeeper, Yellow-Green Tyrannulet, and Yellow Bellied Elaenia are among the many types of birds you will spot here. If you are an outdoor person, then this is the place to be. There are beaches for you to lounge in, water sports for you to enjoy, and infinite national parks and gardens. This is truly a nature-lover’s paradise.

Flight Information: Huntsville, Alabama to Panama City, Panama Continental, from $662 Northwest, from $789 Copa, from $1036
 * 1-Stop:** Delta, from $560

Continental, from $1033 Aeromexico, from $1024
 * 2-or-more-Stops:** Delta, from $1919

Recommended Hotels: **Melia Panama Canal**: 4 Stars, rates from $90
 * Sierra Liorona Panama Eco-Lodge**: 3 Stars, rates from $95
 * Four Points Colon**: 3 Stars**,** rates from $105
 * Gamboa Rainforest Resort**: 4 Stars, rates from $275 (right)

Points of Interest: in 1595. It is located on the Chagres River. (below)
 * Fort San Lorenzo:** This fort was ordered to be built by King Phillip II

house, and Sir Francis Drake’s burial site. This historic park also has scubadiving activities.
 * Portabelo National Park:** This is a beautiful bayside village featuring the ruins of five Spanish forts, a treasure

scenic trails, and fun water sports for your whole family to enjoy. (below)
 * Isla Grande:** Located inside Portabelo National Park, this island features vast beaches,

Restaurants: **Restaurante Concolon:** 4 stars; this is a contemporary restaurant serving mainly seafood. //Price Range: $20 - $75//


 * Club Union Arabe:** 4 stars; this is a rather fancy restaurant, where many people hold business meetings and parties. It serves Lebanese and other international food. //Price Range: $25 - $100//


 * Cafe Iguana**: *3 stars; this is another restaurant with an international cuisine, specializing in Lebanese and Mediterranean food. //Price Range: $25 - $100//

Colon, Panama: <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="color: rgb(253,241,250);">- Rainy season: May - January <span style="color: rgb(253,241,250);">- Short, dry season: January to May <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="color: rgb(253,241,250);">--- Exchange Rate: 1 PAB = 0.99 USD <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-size: 130%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS', cursive;">
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Languages: Spanish, English
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Climate: Tropical Maritime
 * <span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;"><span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Currency: Balboa (PAB), U.S. Dollar (USD)

Caution:
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Water here is not 100% safe to drink. It is better to drink bottled water.
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">The middle of the city is the prime spot for muggers and crimes. Stay near tourist attractions and hotels.
 * <span style="font-size: 110%; font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif;"><span style="font-family: 'Comic Sans MS',cursive;">Smoking is not allowed in any restaurants in Panama

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