Memorial Day at the Aquarium and Polynesian

That three day weekend is just what I needed! It was the first weekend in a very long time that actually felt like a weekend...the end of school is near I just know it!
Saturday we took Jena to the last place on her Tampa sightseeing list which was the Aquarium. We had a great time and then we treated ourselves to a yummy lunch at Sweet Tomatoes which was also a first for Jena and of course she LOVED it. Food+soup/salad buffet - the kid was in heaven.

Monday we drove to Orlando to see Drew's brother, wife and the kids. Since it was Memorial Day weekend, they chose to hang around the resort that day and save the park hopping for Tuesday when there was hopefully less crowds. We relaxed at the pool at the Polynesian for most of the afternoon so it was very nice. Only thing that would have made it better was if we stayed there 2-3 nights ourselves and not come back to Tampa for work.

Jena's exciting adventure

Last weekend Jena had her final visit with the exchange student area reps.
She has had to have 3 overnight visits throughout the school year and they have always done really fun things with the girls.
This past weekend they went to Arabian Nights in Orlando and then horseback riding on Sunday. Her and Lina, the Colombian exchange student, had a wonderful time and I am so glad she had this opportunity.

FCC Tampa Luncheon last week

I was lucky to be able to attend our local Families with Children from China luncheon this past Saturday. We had not been since October and I probably won't make it again for quite some time.
Most of the families we are acquainted with were there and Amy and Greg announced their referral for their son, Tyler and now they are waiting to travel to bring him home. Michelle and Neil also introduced their new daughter Phoebe who has just come home recently from Taiwan.
Drew had class and Jena had overnight plans so unfortunately they missed out. Jena just loves seeing the precious children just come home, especially when they are from Taiwan.

All the girls...Michelle and Chloe, Treena and Jemma (who is now walking). I am holding Phoebe, Chloe's new little sister.





Jemma entertaining her new friend Phoebe










Group photo including Kip and Neil.

The Countdown Begins

ONLY 4 WEEKS LEFT OF SCHOOL UNTIL SUMMER!!!

It is so hard to believe we have made it to the final stretch. Jena can hardly believe she has been in America for 10 months now with very little time left until she returns to Taiwan.
This year has been a great experience for all of us and Drew and I want more than anything for Jena to leave here feeling like she accomplished things and got something out of her stay here. We have an ongoing joke in our house about her schooling...she is taking many electives (Culinary, Drama, Ceramics, Forensic Science) and these are classes that do not exist in Taiwan. It is strictly academics so this has been wonderful for her. However, we are a little concerned when she returns to her Senior year in Taiwan that she won't know what to do with herself because she will be back to totally intense studying.
She took the SAT two weeks ago and the math was comparable to what she learned in SIXTH GRADE IN TAIWAN. The absolute hardest part of her year was when her Drama teacher required them to learn to juggle tennis balls. She practiced for two weeks straight and only got a B- for her grade. I think it is pretty sad to think that was harder than any academics she faced in a new country and a new language all year long.
Our upcoming weekends are filled with fun stuff so we look forward to enjoying them before saying goodbye. Jena gave me a very sweet Mother's Day card and gift yesterday that really made my day.
Here's to 16 1/2 more student days, whoo hoo!!!!!!!!!