November 4 – 7, I attended a high school Model United Nations (MUN) conference in Seoul, South Korea, with Jessie. She has been inspired to join MUN by her brother, Michael. Among the many skills that MUN encourages in students, I find that the most beneficial are; public speaking, research and writing, debate, following protocol, and team work. This being Jessie’s first experience with speech and debate, I find that I’m very proud of her performance! From the first day of the conference, she was not afraid to raise her placard and speak up on various issues.

Lobbying on Day 1

And her reward at the end of the second day of debate — the resolution she had worked on and was the main submitter for, passed in her Committee!

Snapshot at the end of a long day of debating.

The kids have now completed five weeks of school and things around the Headrick household are getting into a steady groove.  The first quarter of school brings cooler weather and fall camp trips, coming up at the end of September.  Both the high school and middle school go away to separate locations, for team competitions and opportunities to build new friendships.  In the high school two seniors are paired up to lead a group of about 12 – 15 lower classmen.     Today Michael hosted his first team meeting.  Here’s is evidence of a house filled with 12 high schoolers.

This year Megan began going to school at the Early Childhood Center (ECC) in the Junior Kindergarten class.  She will go every day for half-days, getting out at 12:45 PM, just after lunch.  Many of her 4 year old friends are also going half-days. The day began with a walk to the bus stop with big sibs.

After arriving at school we stopped for a couple of pictures with friends.  Here’s Megan and her friend, Keli.  Also one of Megan at the main entrance to her school.

Megan was greeted by the Teaching Assistant for her class, Ms. Rong. Megan, Ms. Rong and Addy (new friend from Oklahoma)

I have to admit, I didn’t shed any tears this year in sending her off to school.  Although I will miss her during the day, I know she is in a wonderful place for learning and growing.  After all, she doesn’t have any little sibs at home to play with.Arriving at home on the school bus

Pose at the bus stop with friends

Perfect ending to the first day of school…a trip to the Good Friends Store for ice cream!

Yesterday morning in the Secondary Award Ceremony all four of my big kids were honored.  Michael and Jessie won school-wide awards (Jessie’s for being a societal influencer and Michael for having the highest GPA of any student for this academic school year).  Michael’s award included a monetary gift as well!Rachel won awards in Art, Chinese, Drama and Bible.  Maddie received an award for diligence in Chinese language study.

At the end of this week, I will say goodbye to 5 of 7 of my family members.   They are all going to various parts of China with their respective grade’s school spring trips.  This map might be a little hard to read, but you can get the idea…they’re all going in opposite directions!  Megan and I will remain in Tianjin and try to fill our time wisely, while everyone is away.

I’m a little nervous about being here alone.  However, there are many friends here that I can call on if I get lonely.  I hope to have a couple of cooking classes with Chinese and Korean friends (most do not know how to use an oven and have never baked before), do some pre-planning for our summer furlough, and preview a study I hope to start with the girls soon.    If any of you want to send an e-mail of give me a call while the others are away, I’d love to hear from you.  Our skype number is a local Dallas, Texas number 817-576-1076.    Keep in mind that we are 13 hours ahead of Central time zone in the States.

Our organization cares for people so very well.   A one-day seminar, called “Leaving Well,” is offered to those staff who are returning to their home country at the end of each school year.  A speaker guides the group through the process of reflecting on their time in China, while also preparing them for re-entry into their native culture.

I joined my friend Tami in helping behind the scenes to bring a special “homey” feel to the day.  We arranged the room for cozy seating and ordered flowers, snacks and meals.

Part of the day included a nice catered luncheon, and a time for toasting (sparkling punch) and affirming others.  We set tables of six, with full place settings, including water and wine goblets.  One interesting tidbit, our school has a fully equipped kitchen, for school kids, but limited resources for setting a nice table.  We made due with what we had on hand.  I brought in some decorative napkins and table favors, and we used orange, yellow and red tulips.  This is the first time that I’ve been able to enjoy setting vases with tulips (my favorite flower).  Tulips are not readily available, but we found one of our Chinese staff ladies, who knew where to find them.  I wanted a spring time theme for the luncheon.   Although I don’t really pride myself in having the gift of decor, I do enjoy setting a lovely table, and I think all who were in attendance felt very special.

At the end of the day, we served a dessert and fruit snack.   All participants were so kind to us all, in thankfulness for our service to them.  We will miss them terribly, but trust that they are following in His direction for the next chapter in their lives.

On the last day of school before we break for the Chinese New Year holiday, our Chinese teaching staff organize a special day called China Day.  Vendors are brought in to make traditional Chinese arts and crafts for the kids.  The kitchen staff cook all sorts of customary Chinese cuisine.  And our wonderful Chinese staff perform Chinese song and dance, along with the help from students and teachers.

Chinese Picture Candy called Tang Hua

Megan points to the one she wants

The finished product, a candy Ox, it’s sort of hard to see with her pink dress background.  Don’t mistake what’s in her left hand, that is a clay wolf figure!

Dragon Porridge

Family shot, (minus Sean) who couldn’t be found at the time

Our family favorite…Candy coated Hawthorne berries (sort of like a red crab apple),  we also like the kiwi and strawberry ones

Megan tries the Chinese Yo-Yo

Students Perform, Jessie’s best friend is in front center

Teachers perform a Chinese dance

Michael and high school friends

One of the art teachers at school hosted a Ukrainian Easter Egg making day in the school’s art room on Saturday morning.  It was dreary and cold outside, but in the school the warmth of the candles, with special friends brightened our day.The eggs go through a reverse dying process.  Here’s Maddie and her 5th grade teacher, Ms. Hendricks

One uses the special tool which places hot wax on the raw egg (not boiled) then the egg is dipped in a dye. Here’s Jessie with one of the Chinese Teacher Assistants from our school

Rachel works skillfully

Next, use wax again to make more designs and dip again.  So you get layers of colors and the wax protects the colors from blending together.

In the end the egg is held up to the candle to melt off the wax and whoala…you have your finished product.

Ukrainian Easter Eggs, made in China by the skilled hands of Headrick kids