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Published: September 29th 2013
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Random fireworks several times per week, playing under evening streetlights, dance lessons at school, 6 male English teachers who dote nonstop, hoards to people asking for photos in the town square, delicious street food, celebrity status, a cafeteria with 3 floors of new and exciting food, and constant activity. These are some of the things Ava loves about China. Although several of my friends were concerned about a child’s life here, I have to say it has been an excellent choice so far.
She is in love with the city lights and crazy crowds. I think she even gets a kick out of the garbage piles we see when we hit up a back street. We often go shopping on a back street that connects two college campuses. Sometimes, I will stop to look at something and turned around to see a crowd of college students gathered around Ava. They smile and talk to her and tell her how beautiful she is. Of course, she soaks in all of the attention and it has done wonders for her already inflated ego. She has always walked with confidence, but now there is a whole new strut to her gate.
Of course, there are times when she gets tired of greeting people, but for the most part she is a good sport about it.
At 7 p.m. on most of the weeknights, some of the neighborhood children come over and I make a grandiose attempt to teach them English. The kids usually ask if Ava can go outside to play with them afterwards. Almost all the teachers live in our compound, so there are a lot of children. They play in the street and climb trees and create general havoc. Ava thinks it’s super cool to be able to play under the streetlights when it is still dark outside. The moms typically stand around and talk together while their children play. Some of them speak English and I chat with them a bit. We usually come back inside around 9, which means Ava’s new bedtime is somewhere around 10 p.m. on most school nights. Apparently, it’s no big deal to have your children out with you at all hours of the night as long as the parent is accompanying the child. The Chinese don’t believe that time makes a big difference when it comes to sleeping.
Ava always has a tough time waking up in the morning and spends a long time using the handheld shower. She gets herself dressed, eats some breakfast, and walks herself to school. The school is just next-door, so I watch her from the window to make sure she’s ok. It made her nervous to walk by herself at first, but she’s adjusted to it pretty well and looks so cute with her little skirt and pony tail. Her best friend’s name is Candy and that little girl is Ava’s shadow at school. Apparently, they are inseparable. It’s definitely nice to see that she is well liked and has a lot of friends. Just last night, we went to a birthday party for one of her school friends. Everyone in our housing compound knows her name and says hello to her when they see her. In fact, most of the university students also know her. When we ride our bike around campus, many of the students say, “Hello Ava” even though she has no idea who they are.
I’m excited to take her to the Great Wall in the spring, which she asks about at least
once a week. I also hope to go to Taiwan or Hong Kong for Chinese New Years. I think Ava will really love visiting those busy places. Like me, she has become quite the city girl. We are rarely in our apartment for more than a couple hours at a time and seem to have an endless list of things to do and see. Yes, I think Ava loves China and that she will like it more and more the longer we are here.
Come play with us!
https://vimeo.com/75674116 Let's beat each other up with balloons!
https://vimeo.com/75674175 People ask for Ava's photo in People's Square
https://vimeo.com/76136724
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Katie
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Thank you for sharing!!
Kirtland!! I love this blog entry :) I am so glad that Ava is having a great time in China. It makes me happy to hear that she is making friends already. Tell her "hi" from me :). I miss you all and hope everyone continues to do well! Hugs, Katie