Through the Eyes of the Kids
While it's been pretty hectic since we arrived in the States last Sunday, (has it only been five days???) it has also been a lot of fun listening to the kids' excitement as they rediscover life here.
First, Em was reunited with us the day after we got here. She was completely showered with attention from the boys. We all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch (mom and dad brought Em up, and Cracker Barrel just seemed a good place to sit and talk!) and the kids had a table to themselves. It was fun watching them all interact after being apart for so long. It's a first for them. San wouldn't let Em's hand go, and they had to catch up on the events of the past two months.
Walmart is the place of choice for them right now. Timo and Bubs had earned some money while in Taiwan, so spending it was fun for them. Bubs bought a bike to get back and forth to school. Of course we kicked in for the HELMET (Bubs is not a stranger to bike accidents) and lock. Timo has his eyes set on a baseball bat. He has to wait and see what type of bats are legal. San immediately purchased an Indiana Jones Lego set. Finding a good place for him to play with his legos is a challenge. Right now it tends to be the livingroom coffee table.
Em received her computer for college, and has things set up so she can really get into school next week. She is SO ready to get started.
Besides all of that, though, are the little things the kids are learning about being here:
1. You can't cross the streets the same way here. In Taiwan, when you need to cross, you don't wait for it to be clear both ways. If you did, you'd never cross the street! Instead, you go halfway across and wait for traffic on the other side to clear, then walk the rest of the way. We found that if you walk halfway across here, even when there's a turn lane, cars on the other side will stop and wait for you.
2. You don't have to be so defensive when pushing a cart in the grocery store! In Taiwan, there is usually a battle for space, no matter which direction you need to go. You tend to have to push the cart in a way the lets others know you're going a certain direction, and try to get there before them. Here, people wait for traffic to go by, people move out of each other's way...so we find ourselves gearing up to fight for space, only to suddenly be relieved that everything is flowing nicely.
3. T cracked us up the other day when we were driving. A car was coming into traffic off of a side street, and he started to slam on his brakes. However, the car stopped and allowed us through. T acted like he was wiping tears from his eyes and said, "I AM somebody. I AM!" ha! Too funny. He also goes around whistling "God Bless America" a lot.
4. The kids are learning names of new birds they haven't seen before: grackles, mocking birds, cardinals, blue jays. And they are amazed at the abundance of squirrels!
5. San went to his open house yesterday, and saw the school library. He is in hog-heaven! He got to know the librarian, and she introduced him to some new Science comic books. He is SO ready to go!
Of course a lot of this has to do with being in our home culture, which is naturally more relaxing and comfortable.
That's it for now. I'll try to post more as they see and learn new things. Bubs is trying out his Texas accent. It needs some work, but he's getting it. I give him a week. :)
First, Em was reunited with us the day after we got here. She was completely showered with attention from the boys. We all went to Cracker Barrel for lunch (mom and dad brought Em up, and Cracker Barrel just seemed a good place to sit and talk!) and the kids had a table to themselves. It was fun watching them all interact after being apart for so long. It's a first for them. San wouldn't let Em's hand go, and they had to catch up on the events of the past two months.
Walmart is the place of choice for them right now. Timo and Bubs had earned some money while in Taiwan, so spending it was fun for them. Bubs bought a bike to get back and forth to school. Of course we kicked in for the HELMET (Bubs is not a stranger to bike accidents) and lock. Timo has his eyes set on a baseball bat. He has to wait and see what type of bats are legal. San immediately purchased an Indiana Jones Lego set. Finding a good place for him to play with his legos is a challenge. Right now it tends to be the livingroom coffee table.
Em received her computer for college, and has things set up so she can really get into school next week. She is SO ready to get started.
Besides all of that, though, are the little things the kids are learning about being here:
1. You can't cross the streets the same way here. In Taiwan, when you need to cross, you don't wait for it to be clear both ways. If you did, you'd never cross the street! Instead, you go halfway across and wait for traffic on the other side to clear, then walk the rest of the way. We found that if you walk halfway across here, even when there's a turn lane, cars on the other side will stop and wait for you.
2. You don't have to be so defensive when pushing a cart in the grocery store! In Taiwan, there is usually a battle for space, no matter which direction you need to go. You tend to have to push the cart in a way the lets others know you're going a certain direction, and try to get there before them. Here, people wait for traffic to go by, people move out of each other's way...so we find ourselves gearing up to fight for space, only to suddenly be relieved that everything is flowing nicely.
3. T cracked us up the other day when we were driving. A car was coming into traffic off of a side street, and he started to slam on his brakes. However, the car stopped and allowed us through. T acted like he was wiping tears from his eyes and said, "I AM somebody. I AM!" ha! Too funny. He also goes around whistling "God Bless America" a lot.
4. The kids are learning names of new birds they haven't seen before: grackles, mocking birds, cardinals, blue jays. And they are amazed at the abundance of squirrels!
5. San went to his open house yesterday, and saw the school library. He is in hog-heaven! He got to know the librarian, and she introduced him to some new Science comic books. He is SO ready to go!
Of course a lot of this has to do with being in our home culture, which is naturally more relaxing and comfortable.
That's it for now. I'll try to post more as they see and learn new things. Bubs is trying out his Texas accent. It needs some work, but he's getting it. I give him a week. :)
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Susan