End of First Semester of 1st Grade

The first semester of 1st grade has finally ended. Time for both Austin and mamma to take a breath. It has been a challenging and intense semester, with a very traditional and competitive teacher who gives tons of homework. Although she's a very experienced teacher and received many positive feedback from her previous students, mamma wishes that she could be more loving and caring instead of everything going by the books and then some. After all, the road of education ahead is long and winding. If learning could be a little more fun, then going to school could be a happy experience. And if everyone takes their focus off grades and cares more about what the kids are learning, then the school will be a friendlier place for everyone (instead of mad parents and teachers complaining about the kids' grades).

But overall, Austin has improved tremendously! Even though he still doesn't socialize with other classmates, he's learned and accepted the rules, his academic skills has caught up, and his crying and anxiety and reduced. Although he still cries routinely every Tuesday morning because it's a full day (7:50am-4pm), at least he stopped crying EVERYDAY.

It seems like all the teachers care about are the kids' academic achievements and their manners. So as long as Austin keeps quiet in class (he's the most quiet kid in class because he hardly talks) and does not fail his tests (they are being tested at least once a week, sometimes 2-3 times a week, and up to 7 tests per week), we're safe!

So on an average day, mamma takes Austin to school 7:30 in the morning, takes him to class to turn in his homework and get settled, takes him to the gym to get some exercise for about 30-40 minutes for students with special needs, then send him back to class before class begins at 8:40. Mamma will then volunteer either in the library or PTA's office until noon to pick up Austin and go home. Then 3 times a week, we have enrichment classes or therapies in the afternoon.

It has been a busy semester for both of us. The experience has been very valuable, good or bad. We do not live in a perfect world and we have to accept the fact that we will encounter more obstacles in the years ahead. We will take on the challenges as they come and try our best to solve them. May God be with us every step of the way to give us strength and keep us safe. We look forward to the month long winter vacation for us to get ready for another semester.

Last but not the least, damn those winter vacation homeworks... %$#@!

Towel Bunny

The Special Ed. kids in Austin's school had a special project, wrapping up the semester. They each made a cute little bunny out of a small hand towel. Although he wasn't thrilled at the subject that he was making, it sure beats staying in class and do more reading and writing.





He didn't want the cute little bunny after he's done. So we gave to to NaiNai. It's now on NaiNai's shelf for display!

Little Bookworm

We haven't had much chance to go to the public library after Austin started elementary school. We used to be there once a week or at least every other week. But since he's now overwhelmed with homework, we hardly visit the library any more.

Now that the semester is almost over, it's time to hit the library again. How the boy LOVES to go to the library. During weekdays, the English section is usually empty, almost like the place is made especially for us!

We do miss spending quality time at the library and the smile on Austin's face!

First Award

Austin received his first award in 1st grade from the school, for reading all thirty something books on his recommended reading list, with mamma's help, of course! He's probably not going to get any other award since his academic achievements are not so good. But mamma's already proud of him for attending a regular school with regular kids taking regular tests...

He also received "The Most Improved Award" in his class. Thank his teacher for thinking of him. He did improve tremendously, although he still cries a lot!

And mamma got something, too!

A certificate for volunteering over 100 hours at school...


First semester is finally OVER! Time for a long break! Hope not too much winter vacation home work! But we doubt it!

Back on the Soccer Field

Austin is back on the soccer field after being sick for a week and 3 weeks off for winter break.

He loves practices. But when it comes to the real game, he still has a mind of his own, running back and forth to his mamma whenever he feels like it!

The boy never noticed the score and never cared until now. The other team were scoring so much that it was too noticable. He ran off the field crying and refuse to continue playing. So left the game early and took him for ice cream!






Hopefully, he'll still want to play soccer next week! Sigh...

YeYe in Class

Every other week, a parent comes to Austin's class and share with the kids during "Sharing Time" in the morning. There were, dentists, interior designers, bankers...

YeYe is an architecture professor. He came to share with the kids about buildings in our district. All the kids were amazed at the huge bird-eye-view photo of our neighborhood when YeYe post it up onto the white board. The kids each went up to point out the location of our school, Taipei 101, Taipei City Hall... and where they live.






Austin was a little helper and had fun with YeYe's laser pointer! It's a wonderful experience and the kids love it!

Dentist Visit

This little boy just lost his two upper front teeth!

One came off last week chewing on a pizza. The other came off at the dentist today!

Mamma's little baby is not a baby any more! They grow up so fast!