Another one flies the nest and other ramblings about April

Illinois Resident!

Spring is usually a pretty good season around here, and I am happy to say that it has finally arrived in Beijing, and I am enjoying it a lot. I am sure one day soon I will wake up and it will be hot hot hot summer, but for now I will appreciate every warm, breezy day. One strange phenomenon here is what is called "Beijing snow"; I will have to try to get a photo of it tomorrow. It is the "floss" from the willow trees (which are everywhere). It floats in the air and covers the ground like snow. It is also flammable, which is a fun sight to see.
While it is a welcome distraction, the biggest change this month has not been the weather but the absence of my big girl. She left for the US on April 7, and she is sooooo missed around here. I am really thankful for Hangouts so we can keep in touch, but it just isn't the same. I have had to do a lot more cooking for one thing! And shopping! She seems to be doing well with the adjustment and is now on the search for a job. She is also finishing up some college applications and studying (so she tells me) for the ACT test in June. She had planned to take it in Hong Kong in April -- it isn't given in China except to those attending a few select private schools -- but all the spots were taken. After that her school plans will firm up, but her backup plan is to attend community college in the fall. (See our Get Involved page for how to help Marissa raise funds for school. Thanks!)
Kristen and I are muddling along pretty well. It's really odd just cooking for two after so many years with a bigger family. It's nice having leftovers to carry over for lunch, and when we bake we are just doing half batches. It seems like the house should be easier to keep clean, too, but she and I are the two packrat/messy people so we have to work at it. I can tell you there are a LOT fewer dishes to do. Marissa may not have eaten a lot, but she sure knew how to dirty a lot of pots and pans every time she cooked. :) Maintaining any kind of consistent internet connection has been one of our greatest trials -- first world problem, I know, but it is frustrating to be cut off from the world every now and then. I am working on patience and have been challenged to read more -- if I can get enough internet connection to upload books to my Kindle. 
These days I have been spending more of my time at the foster home, holding babies and well, holding babies. I got to go on a field trip as a helper last week, and that was a lot of fun. It has been a long time since I went down a slide or played in a ball pit. I have also been working on several articles for the adoption community. I will let you know if and when any of them are published. 

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