I should bring the lip balm, sun block, lotion, and umbrella for sunshine next time. Keep water with me all the time, since it's easy to feel thirsty. Also bring some special snacks, like seaweeds to share next time. It's a lot of fun to see the reactions of the kids. People should like rice cookies(旺旺) and instant noodles.
If it's hot in the daytime, and freezing at night as this time, just bring one big coat and that's enough, since I wouldn't go out at night. It's warm in the house and car.
Friends who I met besides the family:
1. Scott Moore-
I saw one guy look like Mr. Moore in military uniform, as soon as I got off the airplane at Sky Harbor airport. Not sure though, since I didn't have a chance to check.
2. Miss Bahe-
Met Miss Bahe at Walmart on 6/2. She said she was still teaching in Alchesay.
3. Lance-
Met in front of a store in Whiterive on 6/9. There were lots of tattoos around him. Didn't talk much, because we were about leaving.
Flights/Packages:
From Kaohsiung, Taipei, LAX(Los Angeles), to PHX(Phoenix)
Picked up my packages at LAX. I wrote $0 for question 15 on customs declaration form about
"Visitors -- the total value of all articles that will remain in the U.S., including commercial merchandises is:" I passed the customs with no problem, even with 2 large comforters. However, I pronounced "comforters" wrong, so the customs staff didn't understand what I say at first, and I needed to bring my packages through X-ray scanner again. Took the airport shuttle to terminal 1 to check my package again, but the staff said my packages were already checked to Phoenix, so I just brought the packages to where they loaded the packages on the plane. By the way, there was one more checkpoint before getting to the gate. It's more strict than in Taiwan, and I even needed to take off the shoes. Hard to believe Americans need to get through all of these even for domestic flights. People in Taiwan should already overthrow the government, if the government puts all of these on us.
On the way home:
Checked at the ticket counter, instead of the airport kiosks for self-service check-in at the airport, which couldn't find my reservation. I didn't know my packages were transferred to my flight directly, standing there for more than half an hour, before asking a staff to know this. Still required to change my tickets at China Airlines before boarding. There were so many people, even at midnight. Felt like waiting more than 30 minutes to get that done. It's the security checkpoint again. XD
By the way, the public phones suck at Sky Harbor airport, either broken, or volume too low to hear clearly.
Greyhound Bus:
Took city bus, route 13, outside door 22 or 21 on ticketing level at terminal 4 to Greyhound bus station, which cost $1.75. Got off at the first stop, 24th St, and the station was across the street. Seating is on a first-come, first- served basis, which sucks! People need to line up before the bus comes, and the east-bound or west-bound passengers can board the bus first. Almost couldn't get on the bus, because I didn't know that, and was thinking I should be the 6th or 7th on board and should have many seats left. There were many poor guys who couldn't get on the bus, because there was no seat. U-bus is much better and more comforatable.
June 18, 2011
My 2nd Home
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I visited my 2nd home in Whiteriver from 5/31 to 6/14. Everything seems the same, though you can always find the differences. The house looks the same, but Jeremy doesn't stay there anymore, and people stay at different rooms. Everyone has their babies, except Eli and Paul. Eli and Paul are taller than me, and look like a man now.
The roads, the streets, and the houses look the same, but it's hard to believe that I forget the trail that I used to run on and the one I walk to wait for the school bus. I know the directions where they are, but just feel strange when I walk on them again. Maybe It's just too long for 9 years.
The air is dry as usual. However, it's so dry that I get the chapped lips, and even need to buy the lip balm, which I don't think I ever do before.The sun rises around 5am and sets around 8pm. It's so hot in the daytime, and the sunshine is too strong to open my eyes. I got sunburned on the first day of the arrival. Also, there are so many fires going on in Arizona at the same time and people always talk about the fires. These are not matched with my memory.
I don't see the ants, rats or cockroaches inside the house, and the foods don't spoil, even though you don't put them into the fridge. I really love this. By the way, I see more spiders and bees this time.
The fried bread with beans and tortillas taste delicious as before. The burgers in US is bigger and better than in Taiwan, but it's more expensive for McDonald's and Burger King. I remember it usually costs less than $5 for the combo in McDonald's 9 years ago, but it costs me almost $10 for the combo of chicken sandwich now. Everything is getting more expensive.
I try some new things this time. I went fishing and caught a catfish and a trout, which seemed the first time ever to catch something with the fishing pole. I like the fish here, because it tastes sweet, and doesn't have many fish bones. Play a new game called "Horseshoe." Also jump into the water at Big Rock. The water is so cold that take away the heat as soon as you are in the water.
Award for Kid of the Year
Got to watch out for some kids this time as well. Isaiah used to be my favorite kid. Now it's Jeremiah and Chunky's daughter(Sorry, but I don't know how to spell her name). The boys are much wilder now. I don't think any kid is that wild by then. Good I don't need to babysit them. :p
A Trip with Reggie
With Apache Girls
Maybe the young girls will have their babies by the time I visit again. ^^
With Apache Boys
There are many missing in the pictures. We will make it up next time.
My Dearest Apache Family
My dearest family, you know how much I love you guys. Wish you the best, and hopefully we will meet very soon. By the way, Reggie is missing in the picture, and I should find a way to put him in the picture.
Lastly, there are so many people I should thank for: Grandmom, Debbie, Mona, Chat, Yoke, and many more. Thanks for being so nice to me, and treating like I am one of the family members. Miss you all and take care of yourselves. Look forward to meeting you again.
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