graduation time...

[L]: It's that time of year again. When seniors are graduating, and they are prancing around the university in their graduation robe.

Except, here on this side of the world, things work just a little differently than America.

For example, in a graduating class of 70 students, there would only be ten robes available. These robes gets passed around from classmates to classmates in the weeks prior to graduation, so everyone has a chance to take pictures in the robe. My friends tell me they dread taking the robes from sweaty boys. By the time the robes get to them, it stinks! But, alas, everyone must wait their turn for the robe...

Then, on graduation day, no one wears the robes. (There aren't enough robes to go around!) You come to the ceremony in your normal clothes, listen to a few speeches, and then you are done.

And such is the graduating tradition here on this side of the world! Congrats, seniors! =)

the countdown begins...

Friends and family, near and far...

The countdown has begun.

Our 2 years adventure of living overseas is coming to an end, and we will be returning home to the States on July 14th. The thought of coming home is a bag of mixed emotions. Saying bye is just so hard, and I have already shed many tears as I talked to my local friends about leaving.

Back in 2006, as we were leaving America to come here, I already had my fair share of heartache of saying farewell. It was so hard. But I knew in the back of my mind that I will return home eventually, and one day, I will see my friends again.

But this time, in 2008, saying bye here is even harder. Will I see my friends again? Will we ever cross paths again? The answer is uncertain...

The countdown to return home to America has begun...

trapped!

[L]: So, the summer is truly arriving. The signs of that are the buzzing mosquitoes that frequently haunt me.

We are having the same problems as last year: Mosquitoes regularly get sucked into our cheaply-made A/C unit and blown into our apartment, flying in like little mini-torpedoes. And of course, they are delighted when they recover from their dizzying ride through the A/C and find themselves landing on warm human-flesh (namely, us).

Needless to say, our mosquito nets have been in full-use.

The other night, I awaken to find myself needing to go use the bathroom. Sleepily, I got up and unzipped the mosquito net. Half-asleep... I make my way into the bathroom. Then, I got hungry and decided to go get a middle-of-the night snack...

Suddenly, I remembered that I had not zipped-up the mosquito net behind me after I had left! So I quickly run to zip it close, and then head to the kitchen.

Fifteen minutes later, I come back inside the bedroom to see Edwin scratching away at his legs and arms, still somewhat asleep.

Two seconds later, he sits up in bed, while I ran to flip on the lights. Lo and behold, Edwin has been sleeping inside the mosquito net with at least 7 buzzing mosquitoes zipped up with him INSIDE!! I had inadvertantly created a torture chamber by trapping at least 7 mosquitoes inside the net (they are sneaky!), and leaving him there for bait. Sigh.

Needless to say, after hunting and killing all the mosquitoes that made it inside the net, they were all plump with blood.

Sigh... forgetfulness has it's price. Bad wifey... Poor Edwin...

We would like to introduce you to...

... Our little "bao-bao."

Well, that's what people here say. Everytime my friends see me, they will look at my tummy and say, "How's your little 'bao-bao'?"

And then they proceed to tell me what I need to eat and what not to eat...

Some recent advice:
"Don't eat ice cream." (And then they hand me a sack full of apples.)
"Don't use the computer, there is radiation. You need to wear a protective gear."
"Your backpack is too heavy." Then my local friends wrestle away my back pack and wore it themselves. Oh I feel so loved! =)

Even though sadly I already violate all of these rules as we speak...

A recent local Auntie here told me, "We only are allowed one child per family here. The only one family-treasure you have! "

This is when I tear up and realize the vast difference of what it means to be a citizen here versus being an American citizen: Not just in how many kids you have, but in every aspect of life...

The above ultrasound was taken about 4 weeks ago when we took a train to go to a nearby city to see the doctor! [Picture is from 12 weeks.] Wow, who knew that at only 12 weeks, we can already see the distinct facial features, like the nose, lips, eyes... (and of the course, the tiny little arms and legs!)

"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful I know that full well.

My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place.

When I was woven together in the depths of this earth...

You eyes saw my unformed body."

(Psalms 139:13-15)