It’s been seven years since I took my first Mandarin Chinese class at the Atlanta International Language Institute. I should be proud that I’m still studying Chinese, but I’m not. It pains me to think how much I should know right now. I should be able to breeze through a simple newspaper article or take […]
Yes, That’s How It Ends
The rains. They keep coming. Day after day. You’d think we lived in Seattle or England with the kind of rainfall we’ve gotten. I read somewhere that it’s rained more in the last couple of weeks than it did for all of 2012 and 2011. Friday afternoon was the first opportunity I’ve had to cut […]
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Little Busy Bee, Penelope, and Me
It’s difficult being an example of “how to sit still” when I can’t sit still. A small person is using me as a chair and a source of comfort. I’ve become a human shield, protecting Penelope from the unfamiliar people and new surroundings. Maybe even from the young Chinese woman sitting feet away and facing us. holding […]
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Let’s Get Learning
Penelope sat on my lap, sinking into my chest to get comfortable. Jenn sat to my right while Grandma Padgett observed from across the room. A group of children faced the Chinese instructor, responding to her questions in Mandarin. The teacher kept the lesson moving, seamlessly weaving activities, songs, and props into forty-five minutes of […]
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The Culture Connection
I’ve read about other parents experiences adopting from China. Before we started the process I subscribed to some message boards. I don’t participate much but I read just about everything that comes through. The questions and comments about keeping children connected to their heritage came up frequently. The overarching response I kept seeing was “we […]
