Last week of class

Finally had time and bandwidth to upload some pictures.
During our last week of class, both the CN and the SP classes each organized a little party to celebrate the end of the first year as well as to say farewell to us. One class brought in nice snacks, drinks, and fruits, whereas the other bought two nice cakes and some Thai mangoes. They also sang goodbye songs. It was a bitter-sweet time.

Caleb's first remark

Yes we are back! It's been a week now trying to get over jetlag. I took Caleb to the bathroom at the airport after we got off the plane in San Francisco. The comment he made when we went in the stall was, "It's so clean!"

I had thought things would seem very different back home, but afterall it's the same everwhere... I had thought I would love sleeping on comfy thick mattresses again when I get home, and had learned not to complain while in Vietnam especially when I see students sleep on plain bed boards. But now I actually find the mattress here too soft, and I miss my bed in Vietnam! Our Creator has given us very adapting bodies. His grace.

Science Museum in HK

What a nice museum! Caleb had so much fun and learned so much there.

The long awaited

McDonald's meal...yummy! yummy!

Library visit

Here's Caleb feasting on the abundant supply of English children's books at his favorite Hong Kong library. He can't wait to be back in San Jose and read more!

The day we left HP

I got up at 5:30 to try to finish up the last-minute packing and get ready for the driver to come pick us up at 6:30. I could hear the heavy rain pouring down outside our dorm, feeling even sadder that it rained on our last day in HP. I then decided to text a student in my class telling her not to come to see us off in this heavy rain. She texted back saying that she was already outside the gate waiting for us along with several other students! Sure enough, five students had been sitting outside I didn’t know for how long. I hurried and opened the gate to let them in and offered them some bread fearing they have not had time to eat breakfast. I was touched that these students actually biked in the heavy rain early in the morning to see us off. And they had a Speaking final that morning as well. On our way to the airport, a few other students sent their goodbyes and good wishes through the cell phones.
Thank you students for your thoughtfulness and kindness toward us.

What are these red fruits?

Caleb saw these fruits at a small supermarket and asked, “What fruits are these?” That was when we realized that he’s been away a little too long. We couldn’t believe he forgot even the most common fruit in America. He is now more familiar with mangoes, pomelos, guavas, jackfruits, mangosteens, dragon fruits, longans, lychees, and other tropical fruits…

How big is HK?

It’s a small place, but it has quite a few people! Huge tall buildings are everywhere, and the streets are filled with people and double-deckers. Not too many houses, not too many motorbikes.