I’m amazed that it does. Somehow, writing about what I, or we, are up to makes it more real. It’s nice to blab away and as a bonus, get feedback. Blogging is awesome.
I don’t know that I’ve saved much time by not writing. I’ve continued to read your blogs, for the most part, and I’ve also upped my facebook time to fill in the minutes that were used to write a post. So it’s time to write.
In no particular order, here’s a little photo essay of a few of the things that I’m thankful for lately:
My job. I’m back at school. Or work, I should say. New semester, new classes, new lesson plans. It’s going well (two days in. 
). This picture isn’t new since I didn’t think I should whip out the camera on day one to take an actual teaching picture, so we’re making due with an office oldie. I’m really, really thankful for my job. I need a new one that pays more, but for now, I’ll take it. I like my office mate, love the department chair who is so relaxed and supportive and hands-off, and my students are great, too — for the most part. Best of all, I’m done by 11:00 in the morning (which is also why I need an additional job…)
The kids are doing great! The picture is from Christmas at my parents’ house since I haven’t been taking full advantage of the photo ops lately. I’m so happy and thankful that they love each other so much and get along so well. Kids will always have their siblings, even after we parents are long dead and gone, so that sibling relationship is precious. Zufan likes to say, “I amo tin-tin (nickname for her brother’s name), I amo cis-sa (sister’s name), I amo pa-pa, I amo ma-ma, I amo me,” and from there she’ll get into the inanimate object love: “I amo ball, I amo agua, I amo num-num.” I could go on. All day, as she often does. She talks non-stop. From morning till night, that kid is talking. So I’m also thankful for a bilingual talking baby. Actually, right now she is a monolingual Spanglish speaker. But we’re getting there. Her development is right on track.
I’m also extremely thankful for the free childcare at the gym I go to. Because of that I’ve been able to stay sane keep up the running and other fitness activities. I’m in the 8th week now of running a steady 40 miles a week, plus one or two spinning classes and one short swimming session a week. Unfortunately, it is still a challenge for me to get to that magical 40 mile marker. I just can’t seem to adapt, even though forty miles isn’t much considering that a “real” runner would run double that mileage. I guess it’ll have to be good enough under the circumstances. The spinning is a little dull but easy, and it’s a relaxing break from running. Amazingly, I’ve started to enjoy swimming, which I hated at first because it was such a struggle. I still get cold but take a burning shower afterward to make up for the misery. Right now I don’t have knee problems, or giardia like I did last year at this time or any other type of illness or injury. Which brings me to the next point: I’m so thankful that we ALL are healthy. Wow, I’m thankful for that. It’s huge.
I’m thankful that homeschool is going well, even as we’re planning for the kids to go to public school next year — I think. The big girl’s Chinese is great. She can chatter away like a natural with her Chinese-speaking friends. We’ve spent lots of time on writing in Chinese this year so she’s making good progress there, as well. Her reading in English and Spanish is at, well, probably my level. The little guy can do basic addition and subtraction, but no reading, yet. That’s OK; he’s the expert at putting things together (and taking them apart.) The photo above is the 9 year old with one of her adored Chinese teachers and her even-more-adored little friend and playmate, the teacher’s son.
I’m thankful for the 800 square feet of living space to play in! It’s a world away from the 500 we lived in for way too long. The only thing about going up in size is that now I’m fantasizing about, say, 1000 sq ft… Greedy, greedy human I am. Above, they are in their room playing a combination of Petshops, Little People, and My Little Ponies. Petshops are the favorite. For those of you awaiting those referrals, stock up, now! They can play for hours with them.
Finally, I’m thankful for Ralph’s World. I need to do a video of the kids dancing to the shake-your-booty song. It’s hilarious. The big girl calls the song “totally inappropriate for children.” My mini-me.
OK, back to work. Thanks for taking time to read all this, as I know it got a bit long. And oh yeah, welcome to the first day of our beautiful new world, led by President Obama. I’m inspired to try to do my tiny part to change the world –or to at least change one moment of hurt in the world to a moment of happiness for someone. I’m feeling hopeful, and sending a little love for all of you out there; you’re all wonderful. Will you send some to me, too? I’m needing the love right now. That’s for every one of you who stops over to read even once in a while. So let’s do this thing and make the world a better place. Give your kids — or that random stanger – an extra hug today.
