Tuesday, June 26

I am writing this without internet again, thinking about what a totally different experience this would have been if my internet connection to home and children and life as I know it had been this unreliable and unpredictable at the start and/or throughout the visit.  Our frame of mind would be so different—we wouldn’t feel connected and in touch, and that would make the isolating aspects of being in a country where you don’t speak the language feel much more isolating.  How fortunate we were, and we took it for granted!

Julia’s trip to Polar Ocean World was a great success; it ended up being Maggie who took her (and Charlie, son of Lily.)  That’s probably as well—Julia is so comfortable with Maggie.  Besides, we had handed over to Maggie this morning a gift for Alex:  a new scooter, matching Julia’s.  So she was feeling especially ‘tender’ about Julia.  They kissed a walrus and watched two shows and saw the belugas; an all-around good time. 

And, brought home a Polar World T-Shirt!

Thank goodness; because she is cranky about being in the classroom in the morning!  And, in truth, none of us is strongly focused on curriculum.  We are all mentally heading out of town!  Tomorrow we are going to take the kids to the park for the morning—we might play “Duck, Duck, Goose” and “Leap Frog.”  Don’t you want to watch me teach these games to them?!  I taught Jim to play “Go Fish” this week; he’s totally hooked.  Also we taught “Bingo” which appeals to some, not all, of the kids.  Good number practice!

Working on a puzzle in the classroom

Builders!

We had Julia with us as late as recess, after Lunch.  She enjoyed playing with the kids; she looks no older than them!  She and Mia outweighed another pair on the seesaw; they cheer lustily.  I will enjoy having this photo for a memento of Mia, who is a genuinely kind, sweet person. 

Everyone loved the seesaw!

Julia and Mia

We took an almost last walk on the boardwalk, to buy another headband for the stray bang hairs of the new haircut; the girls in the shop where we’ve bought our hair things were agog at her; it discomfited Julia, actually!  And in fact, I had my first uncomfortable bus encounter, with a lady who was put out by the scooter and then gave Julia several long, disapproving stares.  Luckily, it was all lost on Julia, but not me.  She and her friend did realize that I was watching them; the friend made a real effort to present a smiling face whenever I looked her way, but the original lady (of a certain age and income bracket) scowled continually.  Was it the birthmark, the hair cut (so unfeminine), the obvious mother/daughter context?  Hard to tell, and certainly set off by her disapproval of me having the scooter in the aisle.  In no uncertain terms, this is not the norm, but it did make me realize that things could have been more steadily uncomfortable.  I’m glad we’ve come to China now and not 15 years ago.  More people have more flexible attitudes now.

Scootering down the hill and past the familiar mobile restaurant in the  red bus behind Julia

Walking along the sea wall

Scootering past boardwalk attractions

Julia seems to be living in a continual present, even though we’ve mentioned repeatedly that we are heading home.  She wants to skype—to show off her hair—and she talks eagerly about the upcoming events at home (trips 2 weeks away, new kitten), but she hasn’t expressed any clear sense of desire to go home or even sadness about leaving.  She just keeps looking for the next experience!  I will have to slowly wean her back to reality, where Mama says no more often—there will be less Sprite in her life in America!  And she will have to share my attention with siblings and my ‘regular’ activities; that will be a surprise to her!  It is a curious aspect of this adventure, that we don’t have any obligations—almost everything we do is by choice and to suit our personal tastes.  This can verge on decadent (well, ok, not in China, exactly, but you get the idea).  I am looking forward to some duties, and some strictures—Julia may find that less congenial!  We are both looking forward to some familiar food!