Random: between west and east

S and I have been taking a few half day field trips to the local historical sites. She loves these half day trips over the week and always happy to visit new places and ask lots questions that I have hard time to answer her back. When the Dutch discovered Formosa over 400 years ago they have left significant buildings and customs. Some of these places being shake over the years and customs have being adopted. It is always fascinating to retell the stories that I learned when I was a child then pass to S. She might not be able to understand all the history backgrounds, but these places will leave a great mark in her little life oversea.

We often departed early in the mornings, so we could return home before the sun hits the air high and big.  We treat us local food as we pass each small stand on the street! Personally, I think these food stands will not pass by the food inspections, but they are the best kind you could have!

Our scooter takes us one ally after another. Pass by the hospital where S was born and pass by the hosptial where I was born. Pass by the elementary school that I went then middle school and high school. Pass by the the tea shop where we get our loved iced cool tea and the tasty noodle shop where we get our lunch. Pass by our relative house and just say Hi! Yes, it has been fantastic half day trips that we've taken~ It is also a way to farewell this town and city that I grew up and the experiences that I wished S to discover and experience.

S and I are heading back earlier than we planned! The school didn't work out as we hoped! Over the two-weeks tryout of schooling here. It was challenging and difficult for S each day. She was not able to catch up all the studies in a different language then there were times that she refused to return to school.  She agreed to finish up the tryout days. There were some other issues that we didn't plan in then we turn the schooling into full-time homeschooling. From the bottom of my heart that I thank of the teacher that she had. It is hard for the teacher to cover every aspect in the classroom, but she was so kind to send note each day with S home.

Over last few months of homeschooling, I have learned S likes to be in a real classroom where she can share ideas and learn with other peers. She loves interact with children at her age and have some fun talk with them. Homeschooling isn't best schooling for S. Even we work together and focus on the subjects of her interests, but it gets a little much for her when she plays and studies at home.  She would like some space of her own and this mama understands that's part of the growth and the independent process that she is going through. We both learn and fail... and it is part of growth that we share together.

There are many talks between these months; should we go home earlier? or should we stay till our return day? We second the decision almost everyday then she finally asked if we could return home early. Halloween made it difficult for her since she doesn't have a custom to put on and go knock on doors for trick or treating.  She took Lucky trick or treating from room to room and that made it a bit better.

I am not sure if we have fail this oversea study experiences, but as a mama I believed S has learned and open her eyes to see the culture differently . I mostly proud that she is reading the Chinese by herself and recognized words that repeat a lot from the books or signs from the streets. Taking few other lesson in different language. She picks up the languages and able to use them when she can.  Of course, she still carries an accent in her, but that's S! Family is so happy that S is willing to use the language that everyone speaks here.  Maybe we have met the original hope? I gave her big hands for all these tries and works.

It has been a bitter and sweet decision that we made! Soon, we'll say goodbye to our family and unsure the return date for next time! We'll not be able to spend time with Lucky as we both think it is best for him to stay here with lots loves and great cares that the family is giving to him.  We spoil them as much as we can over the last few weeks! He comes and goes the room as he likes. Checking out things and get excited about park time.

This journey is forwarding three times faster and we hope to slow it down a bit when we relocated in states. Lots unfinished projects that I brought with and will bring back me. We are thinking snow will be waiting us and we'll need to dig out our winter gears in the deep storage corner, somewhere...

we'll be home for Christmas~

xxc