Four Candles and Our First Year Ends

      Our little Sophie girl is four.  No longer a baby, and able to stand up to her big sister in more ways than one....  We had a lovely celebration on her special day, delicious chocolate cake included thanks to our friend Bonnie.  Sophie has grown so much this year, and she talks so much more than when we first arrived in Vietnam. It's hard to imagine that she was just out of diapers when we arrived.

 

New Lego train set, favorite sleeping friend gecko, and Viewmaster.  Does it get any better than that?

Yes, indeed, strange Asian balloons...  They looked cute in the package.  (?)

Maeve celebrated  extensively with her kindergarten class to mark her first year in school.  What a successful year it was for her (and us!)  He teacher was wonderful, and she had a great crew of kids to spend her days with.

Maeve reads her story at her Author's Celebration.  It is a joy to see how much she is reading and writing, and how much she loves writing especially.  

A proud author.  : )

Maeve will miss one of her best friends Rae who is moving this summer.

     One of the most different and interesting things about being in an international school setting is just how many goodbyes you have to say!  Between students and colleagues, I have said more goodbyes in the last few months than in the last ten years.  It is not my favorite part of this life.  I feel like I just got to know people. On the elementary staff I am joining in the fall, only 10(half!) are returning.  This is an especially large turnover, I understand, but in general, saying goodbye to people and moving on is "something you get used to in international schools".  It sounds like often you get to cross paths with people again.

Sunday morning breakfast at the restaurant around the block.  

A self portrait sculpture for Dad on Father's day.
      

    This school year end marks the first time in my entire career that I walked out the school door with my students completely done for the summer. A little weird, but great right now for sure.  My friend Kari figured out something a long time ago that I should have thought of, and encourage all of my teacher friends to consider, even if you do not live in Southeast Asia.  She announced to me at the goodbye to teachers ceremony that we were going right to Zen spa for a massage as an early birthday present. I wish I would have made myself do something like this earlier in my 18 year career.  I sauntered home afterwards without all of the tremendous fatigue and weepiness I have never been able to shake right at the end of a school year.  Thanks Kari.  

    We sure are looking forward to seeing my dad in a couple of days.  It is nice to have a couple of down days to relax before we leave.  I am appreciating the fact that we own very little, especially in this time that I am taking stock and packing suitcases inside of suitcases for our trip to the States.  It is mucho liberating.  I must admit I do have my detailed lists of things to buy and bring back.

        I think in one of my earlier blog entries I had a picture of a Korean baby  papoosed on his mother's back.  I watched him grow this year, smiled each time I walked by him and got a chubby grin. I saw him walk the other day and it struck me then. We have been here 10 and a half months!  Charles and I talked over coffee this morning about not knowing what to expect about what "visiting" our home country will feel like next week.  It has been a good year for sure, but not without its stresses.  (Charles and Sophie were sick yet again this week.  We can't seem to get out from under it.  I think we need some Northern Michigan fresh air.) I am going to try to make myself do some journaling to keep track of my thoughts and ideas this summer.

      What I do know is that one suitcase is packed with Vietnam souvenirs that I can't wait to pass out, we are frantic to get hugs from family and friends and catch up on their lives, and kick back on the dock on KP Lake.  And I know that when we come back this foreign place just won't be quite as foreign.  Friends will be happy to see us return, and there will be many, many new friends to meet.  We are moving into a new Waugh family era with both girls in school and two incomes. Life feels good.

    Now, if we could only sell our lovely house on Trenholm Road which is again for sale this summer.  The price can't be beat, so if you know anyone who is interested please let us know.  

    Tam Biet from Vietnam for the last time this year.  It has been one we will always remember.  Thanks for reading and sharing a part of our experience.