Kindergarten in Changsha

Whether or not I can post on the blog is mostly due to the time I begin to post. I find that I can post more easily (which is not all that easy) at 6:00am each morning. So I treat the next morning as if it belongs to the day it followed. So if you come to China remember that a million people on the internet at the same moment sure slows things down. It's difficult to get pictures out to anyone much less to my blog...that's why I only have one picture with each journal entry sometimes. I have taken numerous pictures and videos.

Karen has bonded easily and firmly to David and Bryan. She and I still need more time. There are moments when she looks at me with glee and love, then other moments when she has a look of horror...the look which says oh no, you're still here why don't you go away. I'm ok with it for the most part. She and I both need to adjust to each other. I didn't expect to have such a baby-baby. She is the youngest in our group. These babies are all very young. Karen is 7 months old and will be 8 months on the 22 of this month.

It's funny but you'd think that being a seasoned mom would have prepared me for Karen's arrival. Well allow me to dispel that notion right now. I had forgotten that babies cry...a lot...for no reason sometimes! I had forgotten that babies get fussy...a lot...for no reason sometimes! I had forgotten that babies have strong will and personalities which may clash with her parents...a lot...for no reason sometimes! I didn't have my hopes set on anything in particular and so whatever happens between Karen and me is left to God's will. Time will help me and her both.

Early in the day we went to a kindergarten school named the White Crane. The children were from ages 3 to about 5 or 6. This school is famous in Changsha for teaching little children gymnastics, ballet, singing and dance. The children were brilliant. They performed for us and it was a wonderful sight to behold. Our whole group enjoyed visiting the school. Later we went to eat dim sum dinner and then swimming at the hotel. Here is where I tell my embarrassing story. It is very slick at the pool and well my feet began to dance on the tiles, before I knew what was happening my feet went airborne, my butt decided to drop like a lead weight and my mind screamed fall into the water its cushion. So yes, I slipped and fell into the water in all my beauty and grace. It scared everyone except me. I was too busy gasping for air after nearly drinking the pool. The good thing is that my mind knew enough during the one hour slow dance and fall (ok it was only a few minutes) to save me from a concussion. I didn't get hurt, except my pride. So if my prides is the only thing hurt I am truly blessed and now we can all laugh. It did terrify Karen who screamed and cried in her daddy's arms. After I got out and coughed for a little bit she stopped crying as I told her momma's ok. She came into my arms and patted my face and shoulders. There are beautiful moments between us...then she wanted her daddy back. Oh and might I add here that this next morning I have to face my group mates who were privy to my dance of the dazzling water duck. Its a nasty way to become famous so if you go to the pools please be extra careful and more graceful on the swim team than I have been.

Take care and love from the
Dazzling Water-Duck

P.S. I can write and post pictures to the blog; however I can't view the blog so I have no way of knowing if the pictures are there or how many it placed or even if the blog made to the site at all. Hopefully my brother is checking it for me, but remember he is a university professor and often very busy. So just go with it like I do and life is good.