All of the sudden, two-thirds of our school year with our international student has passed. So many stories I could tell, along with their emotions and assumptions. But instead of focusing on specific stories, I thought I would highlight some aspects of Ky’s school year thus far. And I can tell you this, China is missing a good kid.
In The Beginning
The fall brought cross country. Ky decides to try it and initially described it as “meeserable” (miserable). But he sticks with it through after school and Saturday morning practices, and in the end he receives a medal for most improved. When we ask if he will participate again next year, he both nods his head yes and shakes his head no in the same second. It is anyone’s guess.
When cross country ends, Ky has more down time than he is comfortable with. He doesn’t really know what to do with the free after school time in a tiny town 30 miles from school. His phone and computer become his friend, a friend I am not thrilled with. But he loves computer everything and he gets all his homework done, so I don’t feel right greatly restricting his device time. He has nothing else to do here.
A Few Special Days
Christmas excites Ky! I am not sure how much he celebrates it in China, but when we promise him gifts and good food, he acts like any American 5 year old on Christmas eve. Big smiles and hyper movements take over. And we smile too.
His birthday comes in February, and if I read him correctly, it is a mix of happy and sad. He turns 15, so young for a child to live half a world away from his family. I ask him how his parents celebrate his birthday, and he says they really do nothing special. So I celebrate the American way. He enjoys the happy birthday sign I hung in the kitchen, the small gifts we give, the birthday cupcake and the singing in his honor. But I can tell he misses his family greatly on this special day. In a chat, his dad asks me to make him noodles, a sign of good long life. So I made a packet I found in the Asian section at the grocery store, and Ky ate them for breakfast. He did greatly enjoy this birthday treat.
This Winter Is Something Else!
This January and February has brought more snow than Iowa has seen in years. Ky’s first winter here consists of large white piles, icy parking lots and many days off school. One day I make it clear to him that this isn’t a normal winter for us. He acts disappointed. He loves to be out in the snow for short periods of time (he hates the cold). But more than that, he loves the days off school.
Snowballs appear his favorite part of winter, and we all have to watch our backs and heads. He talks a lot of “throwing snow to us.” This implies that we see the snow coming and catch it. What he actually means is the act of throwing snowballs AT us. I explained the difference one day. Now he sometimes corrects himself, replacing the “to” with an “at”. Regardless, he keeps some snowballs made and ready on our outdoor table next to the garage. We always need to keep ourselves on guard when leaving the house.
And because of all the snow, we spend much time in the house. The guys-my husband, Ky, and my son, spend the cold evenings in the basement around the ping pong table. Ky excels at this game, so my husband and son constantly try to beat him. On the very rare occasion that Ky loses a game, he says “That will never. happen. again!” And it rarely does. At the beginning of the school year, Ky mentions that our paddles lack professionalism. Soon after, some good quality paddles show up in the mail, sent by Ky’s dad. And after that my husband follows suit by buying his own “professional paddle” and “upgraded ping pong balls”. The battle continues.
Three Months to Go
Now we approach March and its spring activities. Ky will be a member of the golf team at school. (Have I mentioned his golf game surpasses anyone here in Iowa?) Golf practice starts after spring break. Ky’s dad will visit in a couple of weeks for a weekend. We have a brief spring break get away planned for the 5 of us, and then suddenly graduation for both my son and daughter. At the end of May, Ky will go home for the summer. Already it sounds strange to not have him here.
We have talked with him about next school year. He knows he is welcome to stay with us again if he so wishes. But we also give him the option of staying closer to school. We promise we won’t be upset if he chooses to live closer to the action, to the life and friends he walks with every school day. The choice is his. His room will be held for him if he wants to make it home for another school year.
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