Chinese Thanksgiving Day 5 ...and then there were two

A winter storm warning was in effect for Sunday, the day the
kids were due to fly home.  The early departures got out ahead
of the storm, but Tianchen's flight was delayed.  He was heading
to Boston. Not knowing when it was best to leave for the airport,
we stuck close to home with the last two and just relaxed. I love
that he fished in the squatty potty position- it's the Chinese Way!

Both Tianchen and Ginger did some homework,
and Tianchen spent several hours in the afternoon
fishing off our dock.  He didn't catch anything,
but he said he was completely satisfied- he just
enjoys fishing, whether he catches or not!

Ginger made me some beautiful origami baskets, while I
did some school work to get myself ready for the upcoming week.


By late afternoon, it seemed as if
Tianchen's flight was 'a go', so we
decided to go to Ft. Myers early and
enjoy a traditional Chinese meal. The
kids both said they miss Chinese food,
and I know this restaurant is not
'American-Chinese'.  I meant to get
Ginger's photo in front of the restaurant,
but in our haste to get to the airport, I forgot :(

And with that, Tianchen took off and only Ginger remained.  I had to teach the next morning, and she chose to stay home and work on an essay for her German class.  Here you have a Chinese girl, going to college in the United States, taking an advanced level German composition class- THESE KIDS! It truly was a delight to be their teacher, as they are such dedicated, motivated, and disciplined students.  They motivated ME to give my best self in the classroom :)

When I returned from class at FSW, it was time to take Ginger to the airport to bid a tearful good bye.  This girl stole my heart in my very first year in Beijing, and there is a tender place in my heart for her to this day.  Truthfully, it is how I feel about all of my Chinese babies.  I was their teacher during some of the most challenging times of my life, yet, I feel like we all grew as people...they matured as individuals, and also in their thirst for knowledge and understanding of psychology. I did my own fair share of 'growing up', too. Aren't we all a work in progress?  I can think of no finer people, and no better setting than my colleagues and students at Beijing National Day School, and the country and culture of China to spread my wings and challenge myself, both personally and professionally.  I will always look back on my time in China with genuine fondness.

Thank you, China.  Thank you, BNDS. 
and Thank you, my Chinese babies.
My love and admiration for you all runs deep.

G'nite, y'all!


Comments

  1. Rachel X PengDecember 6, 2018 at 6:06 PM

    This comment has been removed by the author.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Rachel X PengDecember 6, 2018 at 6:09 PM

    Your words are genuine and motivating! I am so glad to have you as my teacher and friend :)

    ReplyDelete

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