Through my website, I am able to connect with people from almost every continent. The US, the UK and Australia seem to send the most traffic, though I also get many hits from Malaysia.

I have a two and a half year-old cousin. She was brought from China to the States by my aunt and uncle in 2003. She is small compared to most American babies, but is super smart. She could handle a fork and spoon like an adult from the time I first knew her.

The violin I play was made in China. Eastman Strings handcrafted it, though I really don't know what that means. It probably came off an assembly line. I do know that it was a lot cheaper than a violin of the same quality made somewhere else. I guess that comes from being able to mass-produce them.

Last Christmas, my family took a trip to Great Britain. We went to four countries: England, Wales, Scotland, and France. While the entire trip was exceedingly delectable, I enjoyed Scotland the most. We went to see Craigmiller castle, which my mom's family had also visited some 20 years ago.

I have a Metrotune, a little gadget that helps me tune my violin and keep the right time. It was made in China as well. My former violin instructor and his wife are from Romania. My $30o dollar violin bow was made in France. French bows are famous for being the best quality.

My aunt and uncle live in France. They live in a house that is hundreds of years old. The wooden beams that hold up their second floor are older than America. They walls of their house are made of sandstone, and can almost be rubbed away. It is amazing to me that their house has survived for so many years.

I am reading Mere Christianity by C.S. Lewis, who is from England. He uses some British slang words from the 1950's that I do not understand. He also wrote "The Chronicles of Narnia" which my family is listening to.

Last weekend at the homeschool expo I played chess with Carlos. He is from Columbia, in South America. I played him twice, and he beat me both times. He could play five games of chess all at once, and still win every one of them. I don't think I have played a more exceptional chess player.

Mark Jones, a guy who went to Russia on mission trips, married and brought back a Russian girl. They now live in the States, and he is a math teacher. We went to church together for a while, though now we only occasionally see them.

The second most important ingredient I use to build model bridges or towers is made in Toronto, Canada. It is Weldbond, a very strong glue. It looks a lot like Elmer's white glue, but dries completely clear and is a whole lot stronger. It was the only glue I used to build my 2nd place tower at the Georgia Science Olympiad State Finals in 2005.

My aunt Tami was born in the Philippines. My grandfather was transferred there when he was in the military. He was a fighter pilot, and fought in the Vietnam War. My mom's family lived in many places overseas, including Germany.

My dad was born in Texas, which some people consider to be another country. My brother was born in Michigan, and I in California. Now my family resides in the very southern state of Georgia. We really don't talk like it though, as my mother wants us to sound "educated."

Everyday objects that I use come from many different countries. My cereal bowls are made in China, and the spoons are made in Taiwan. A Scottish calendar hangs on my wall. My favorite calculator was made in Thailand. My shoes where also made in China.

All these various people and events have helped to shape my life. I have been exposed to many different lifestyles and cultures. My goal is to be able to related to all of them, and show the love of Christ to everyone I meet.