Be involved in your kid's life

It was the Alburtis Elementary School open house. Kai's school in US was having an open house and anyone could attend. Kai has been excited about it for the past few days.

When the day finally arrived, it rained and it was cold. A bit too freezing for us to go out. I suggested that we should just stay at home. Kai was visibly upset. Not wanting to disappoint the young man, I smsed hubby and told him that we should just go.

And we did the right thing. Parents, always put your kid's interest first. Take time out for them, for their activities, for things that meant nothing to you but a whole lot to them.

When we arrived at the school, there were already so many children with their parents there.


Entrance of the school


Children's masterpieces

Kai was so excited and he took great pride in showing his family around the school and the works he did.


Some of Kai's writings. He has always been good at it, creating stories through his imaginations.
We plan to publish his book, a collection of all his writings during his LONG summer vacation.


Lockers for the kids and Kai's very own locker.


Kai's classroom


Isn't it an interesting and colourful classroom. This is Kai's seat and notice all the books are kept under the table.
No need to carry heavy burden to school everyday. This, the school back home, can certainly learn from them.


Buffet bar. This is where the kids collect their food. Lunch is USD1.65 per day. Which includes a main dish, a packet of milk,
fruit juice and simple dessert. No fries and once a month, they have Domino pizza.


Notice those door-like rectangles on the wall? Those are not decorations...


They are actually tables and benches when open up. Yes, this is their cafeteria or our tuckshop.
Great space-saving idea. When not in used, the cafeteria can be turned into another hall.

Our tour came to an end. And we were most delighted that our tour guide was smiling all the way.

I remembered when Kai was going to his US school for the very first time, I was worried sick for him. I was worried that if he would be bullied, if he would feel left-out, if the teachers would pick on him....looking at the school, the teachers, the children and their parents, I know my child will be in good hands.

Thank God for this rare opportunity

As we were soaking in the wonders of the Niagara Falls, I told Kai, "you must thank God for this chance. Not many kids could experience this."

Yes, it dawned on me that this has been one huge of an experience!

It has been almost 3 months now that we have set foot on America. The fears, the worries and the uncertainities were all gone.

It was really an irony. When we were living the routine life, we wished for something different. When we were thrown into something different, it seemed frightening. I remembered crying on the plane, that I wasn't going on a holiday, I wasn't going home in a week's time or 3 weeks time. I was going to stay and live for a year, 12 LONG months!

Now, looking back, the initial months were really sharpening time. It was like the glass blowing process. We would never be able to see the beauty of the glassware if the craftsman did not put it into the hot furnance.

God has been good. You could never imagine how He works in such small and subtle ways.

The neighbourhood we are living in is a great place although quiet. The next door house was vacant when we shifted in. Many people have visited and viewed the house but none shifted in. We prayed for good neighbours, preferably one with kids. Not too long later, a family with, not one or two or three kids, shifted in. It was a family with six kids! It was really great to see these kid running around, playing and spraying water at each other. It was a great time just looking at them!

Well, didn't the Bible said when God gives, He gives abundantly, exceedingly above all that we could ever imagine.

GPS - God's Provision on the Street


This little talking machine is a great companion. It has brought us to many places where we would never be able to make it on our own!

First Road Trip (part VII)
Corning Museum of Glass

Our last and final part of our road trip brought us to this place call Corning Museum of Glass. I have always been quite fasinated by glass blowing. Documentaries on glass blowing always made me admire these artists. This is a chance to really see it first hand.


In front of the museum


This exhibit is also done by glass blowing. It's mind-blowing just looking at it.


Some activities for the kids to do while viewing the exhibits


Traditional stain glass


Modern stain glass


From this to...


...to this. Amazing!





Inside the furnance





Kai trying glass burning...the furnance is not real

What an adventure!

Our first road trip has finally ended. It has been one great adventure and a round of applause for 'hao hao nan ren'. He drove 95% of the time. A round of applause for the kids, they did great.

Guess, this adventure really knocked them out.

First Road Trip (part VI)
The Niagara Falls, the Canada side

Looking at the Niagara Falls, it is really beyond human understanding, how God could create something so awesome, so magnificent, so majestic.









In front of the Fall


This picture was captured by Kai. He is getting better with the camera


That's him!


Fireworks at the Fall

First Road Trip (part V)
Ontario, Canada

We couldn't believe ourselves, we actually drove from one country to another. We were heading for Oakville, Ontario to visit an aunt.


Heading towards Canada


Heading towards Ontario


Welcome to Ontario


Downtown Ontario


What does the sign say?


Now, who said that we are the only FINE city?