Live4words's Blog

three months later…

live4words — Mon, 10 Aug 2009 21:22:14 +0000

Hey! I’ve transfered my blog from Edublogs to WordPress… hope everyone finds it. This summer has been going good, but slightly crazy. I’m psyched to start high school in a few weeks, although I have lots to do before then. Keep checking in and I’ll post some more updates!

What does it mean to have a passion for learning?

live4words — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:20:55 +0000

I am… in kindergarten.

live4words — Thu, 04 Jun 2009 22:08:10 +0000

I am the master of the fingerpaints and queen of the playground.

I wonder why the sky is blue

I hear the laughter of my friends

I see the swirl of the paints, mixing into a muddy brown

I am the master of the fingerpaints and queen of the playground.

I pretend we are married.

I feel the smoothness of my toilet paper veil.

I touch the plastic ring on my finger.

I worry he will say no.

I cry for my friend who was denied.

I am the master of the fingerpaints and queen of the playground.

I understand how bugs feel.

I say “small is good,” and mean it.

I dream of being the biggest.

I try to eat my vegetables, so I will grow.

I hope they don’t kill me.

I am the master of the fingerpaints and queen of the playground.

China Day 12

live4words — Mon, 25 May 2009 12:05:47 +0000

Today we went to the Arts and Crafts market. This is the place where all the small business owners buy their inventory in bulk. It was overwhelming to the senses. We only visited about 4 of 8 floors, because it was exhausting. We ate Thai food for lunch, which was delicious. I love China!!

China Day 11

live4words — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:03:06 +0000

Today we shopped in the many street shops. Not much else. We went with some other families for dinner at an Italian restraunt. Fairly uninteresting. :/

China Day 10

live4words — Sat, 23 May 2009 10:16:14 +0000

Today was our first day in GuangZhou. This morning Mommy, Daddy, and Joshua went to a meeting to fill out paper work. After they got back, we ate lunch in a Thai restaurant. In the afternoon we went with Joyce, our guide, and some other families to a jade and pearl market. In the jade market we were able to negotiate a lower price. I got a solid jade bracelet for what would be $22. Overall, today was a fairly relaxing day, as will be the rest of our week.

China Day 9

live4words — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:13:59 +0000

Today we were able to visit Joshua’s foster mom. It was emotional, but the foster mom kept telling him, “this is your family,” and by the end, he was able to say good-bye. At the hotel, he seemed calmer, and more at ease. We think it was good for him to see her, and say good-bye.

In the afternoon, we packed up and flew to GuangZhou. Our hotel rooms here are huge! We all slept great.

China Day 8

live4words — Sat, 23 May 2009 03:11:01 +0000

Today we went with our Nanning guide, Jane, on a tour of the countryside. On the way we stopped at Joshua’s finding place. He was found on the side of a busy intersection. It terrified us to think of leaving a baby there.

Out in the countryside, we visited a village. We watched the women wash clothes by hand, and got to view the inside of a country home. Afterwards, we handed out Smarties to the village people. They were thrilled by the American candy.

In the afternoon we visited a Chinese school. This was my favorite part of the trip so far, besides the great wall. When we arrived, we were met by the director, who is like an American principal. He showed us around, before the children came out to recess. They all crowded around us, asking questions, and posing for pictures, and being loud. It was overwhelming. After this, we went to a 6th grade classroom which has older kids than 6th grade in America. These sixth graders were about the ages of 7th graders in America. In Chinese schools, there are 60-70 kids per class, with one teacher. And we thought it was bad with 40 kids! A small crowd of kids was permitted to come talk to us. I think they were the kids who knew the most English. The girls all thought Brandon was “very handsome.” They wanted to know where I was from, how old I was, did I have a boyfriend, what my favorite food was, etc. Some of the kids recited Chinese poems for us, and we stood up and told them about ourselves. After this, we passed out Tootsie-Roll Pops. Some of them gave us gifts in return. We left with Chinese books, magazines, pencils, pens, and a boy even gave me a jade cross necklace, which would have been very expensive for him, probably given to him as a gift. Some of these gifts were obviously prized possessions, which they wanted to give to the Americans. One girl gave me a pen that had helped her pass many examinations.

After talking to the class, we went downstairs for a group picture. Younger kids watched us and crowded around us for autographs. I signed so many, my signature went from Bethany _____, USA, to Bethany, to Beth. The teacher finally had to rescue me from the mob. Brandon was invited to play basketball with some boys, and he accepted. After this, we visited a younger girls dance/choir class. They performed for us, and it was amazing. The whole experience was amazing. Truly a learning experience.

China Day 6 and 7

live4words — Sat, 23 May 2009 02:43:12 +0000

On Tuesday Joshua was better. He ate a little, and he played with his older brothers.

On Wednesday we went to Green Mtn. Park. We walked around and looked at the different plants, and took pictures of different statues. The park had statues of each of the Chinese Zodiac animals, so we each got our picture taken with our animal. Mine is the pig, which represents happiness and wealth.

*oink*

PhotoPeach Video: Love is…

live4words — Tue, 19 May 2009 07:55:43 +0000

Love is… on PhotoPeach