Hannah 踢足球

头一次给Hannah报名足球， 她说不要。我让她试一试再说。

第一周看出这不太容易。 Hannah的队很强。 个个都踢过好几年， 而且还有另一个人高马大的Hannah. HH在队里最矮， 最小， 又是唯一的新手。 上场比赛， HH只有做替补队员。 一场下来连球都没碰一碰哦。

于是妈妈下了决心， 不管再忙，也保证送她参加每周3次训练， 1次比赛。这会是很好的锻炼机会。

HH在一点儿一点儿进步， 可是上场还是替补生。 眼看这个季节就要结束了。

当然妈妈还是有该检讨的地方。每次周六比赛总是迟到。 昨天因为轮到妈妈带橙子， 所以头一次准时而且还提前5分钟。 HH请求教练让她上场。 教练竟然准了， 真棒。

HH头一次参加第一个quarter。 也许是这个原因， 她踢的好极了。 带球， 遛球， 传球。 还新露了一招 - 倒在别人身上。 虽然跑的还是不够快， 但是她变聪明了， 不是跟这别人后面瞎炮， 经常知道到前面去等球。 头一次教练换了一个又一个， 连大Hannah都换下来了， HH还留在场上。

最后几分钟， 教练需要换守门员， 要求一个老队员上。不知为啥， 那小姑娘坚决不上. 没办法， 问HH. HH说可以。教练提醒： “don't let any ball in". HH 回答： "fine". 还真有球要进门， HH跑过去一把抱住了球， 险！

说了这许多， 只因心里真骄傲。 正所谓功夫不负有心人。 我知道HH一定会继续踢了。

不管起步多晚， 只要坚持付出， 一定会有收获。

太阳-新雨-乒乓杂谈

最近发现公司里有乒乓球台， 真不错。 记得上次打球还是十几年前， 那时刚刚开始和Michael学。

打球初见太阳觉得很耀眼。所以总想避开（窗帘也没有用）。 但是又喜欢那暖洋洋的劲儿。 终究是没太阳的次数多。偶尔遇上 - 挺舒服的。

认识了不少球友，对公司多了份好感。

打球有时觉得找到了感觉， 可马上又丢了， 真懊恼。偶尔一次和人打单打， 觉得受益非浅。 回来马上看了一遍uTube， 总结总结。 真想也学会反手打， 漂亮! 但是打单打的机会太少哦， 人多， 双打有时都要等。

这里雨季已开始。。。 没太阳， 不扎眼， 可以专心看清楚球。 太阳晒到屋里时， 喜欢。 可惜太阳时隐时现。

太阳出现时， 有时是斜照过来，只意识到它的存在； 有时从对面照来，无法躲避； 偶尔也会从后面射来，希望这样永久。

总觉得太阳是团火， 从里向外发热。 可不见得， 它表面实际很凉。 也许是入秋的原故。

每次下班打完球， 一身汗。 这时喜欢外面凉凉的秋风和细细的秋雨， 静静悄悄的。 我独自走在去车站的路上， 遐想。

小时的我最喜欢新雨。 常常和朋友在雨中漫步， 轻跑。 在西海岸呆久了， 或许是年纪大了， 已有一阵不喜欢这样的氛围。 如今渴望自己年轻， 还能再留恋太阳和新雨。

Bryan's Mini Book

I was cleaning up the room yesterday, and found this mini booklet. It's covered with dust. The page corners were folded already. I was ready to throw it into the garbage can. But after I glanced through the first page, I couldn't help reading to the end -- (Below, I preserved all the original spelling and capitalizations.)

Once upon a time, there was a train. The train liked to carry passangers to far away places and palaces even the mountains in mounthood, even big briges. But one day the leader of the trains called a meeting. Evry train on the island that lived on, they came to the meeting. The leader of all the trains were at the meeting. The leader said today the briges are dangeoras. But the one that liked to give passangers rides, he was brave and healthy. So he went to the brige but he clever. He rescude the captured trains. But the really dangeros thing was the mighty spiders and the deadless snakes. But he was clever. He told the mighty spiders and the deadless snakes that there was a Apple tree and the mighty spiders and the deadless snakes were exited about picking apples down by the Apple tree. So excited they went there. But they were poisanis Apples that wild people made so all of the mighty spiders and all of the deadless snakes died and all the trains were safe and sound and they had a party. -- The End.

Bryan wrote this mini booklet when he's at Ms. Michelle's class from Bethany Village Montessori. He's always been a good reader, but not like writing. That time, Ms. Michelle told me: "I know he can, but he just doesn't want to write, not even one paragraph. " Slowly, she was able to get Bryan write down little bit. After Bryan left there (at five and half years old) for elementary school, I often brought him back to visit Michelle's class room after school, and he sometimes would leave a sweet note to her. :)

City vs. Country

"Mama Mama". Hannah was looking for me the moment she got home from school. "I have something to show you.". 

Out of her red folder, she pulled out a picture. "Mama, I drew this for you. But I made a teeny tiny mistake. It needs to be switched. The right side should be on the left side, the left side should be on the right side. Isn't that funny? Haha" I didn't quite get it yet. But instead of telling the girl that I didn't understand her, I pointed to the right side and asked: " Are those grandma, grandpa, mom, dad, brother, and you?" "No, they are sisters, brothers. In a city, there are many brothers and sisters. But they should be on the left side". 

Ok, I heard your logic, but not sure if I can follow it. -- I thought in my mind, but said this to her instead: "But there are lots sisters and brothers in country also. Why is this one for city?"

"Country has small houses, one or two stories, but City has big huge houses, many many floors." Okay, that makes a lot sense to me now. I can see the small house on the left side, but I can't see any building on the right side, unless we are talking about the orange tall "building" line. Hannah confirmed my doubts. "Yes, that's the tall building. Do you like my picture?" "Yes, absolutely!" 

Angel - by Bryan (8 years old)

Mom found this writing from Bryan's homework folder -- 

I silently paw through the house. I am careful not to make a sound. I jump onto a sink. I stare for a long long time. I start licking myself with my hooked, scratchy tongue. Then I look at myself in the mirror. There, I see another me! I decided no to waste time with hallucinations of mine. I crawl behind a picture frame and bend my head. My tail was sticking out but I guess it's okay, cause after all, if I cannot see them, they cannot see me. That's the way it works! I come out and look down. It's the toilet. I wonder if I am the smartest cat around cause jumping into the toilet could ruin my preened fur, my good looks, and my popularity in town. I remember my grandfathers words: "As our hearts soar, so can ourselves". I suppose that if my mind is soaring, I'll be able to fly down! I decide to jump off. The next thing I knew, I was covered in toilet water. What a sight!

Then I went to the window,. I purred and made myself comfortable. I yawn, and look out the window. Another me! I decide not to bother my hallucinations. But the more I stayed there, the more tempting it was to leap up and fight. I started hissing and growling. The hair on my back stood up. I finally leaped up, ready to fight. Bang! Now that's what I call a solid shot. I crashed into the window, and all I got was a big, blueish, purplish bruise on my head. I tried a few more times, but all I got was a fully-mastered bruised head. I saw myself do all kinds of odd things, jumping, running, and jumping without falling! I must be dreaming. I guess its time to go to the vet's office again!

Ahhhhhh..., isn't this the life. My bruised head is gone. I am not seeing things. I look into the mirror. Ahh! Geez, I must be really sick or something. But I wouldn't want to go to the vet's again, in the same week! Boy, is life tough!

First Day at Kindergarten

This is more of an adventure day to daddy and mommy. Hannah is going to ride on the school bus. According to the schedule, she is at the 1st stop, the total ride is about 25 minutes.

In that morning, daddy reminded mommy again to ride with Hannah if allowed.

At the bus stop, Hannah and Mom met a little boy - Alex, who was also a kindergartener, but for West Mercer. His dad came with him and told us that Alex's bus route # was the same as Hannah's. "Hmm, that's strange. Perhaps, the school district dedicates one bus for all kindergarteners... "

Finally, the bus came. "Can I ride with my daughter for the first day?" asked mom. "Sure!" driver replied with a big smile.

Alex's daddy was not planning to get on the bus. The boy happily waved hands to say "bye" to his daddy and got on the bus also. The driver asked: "Are both kids going to Lakeridge?" "No, Alex is going to West Mercer" ... Oh no, Alex belonged to a different bus group. That's too bad. Mommy wished Alex were on this bus to ride with Hannah. They would be wonderful playmates.

It was a very pleasant bus route. Hannah and Mom saw mountains, trees, flowers, birds, lakes, ... Hannah didn't pay attention to the path, she was so comfy sitting with mom. Though mom was worried if the little girl could ride the bus home by herself. More and more kids got on the bus, finally, the full load bus arrived school's loading zone. All the kindergarten teachers were waiting to pickup their little student. Seeing Hannah joined her teacher and her classmates, mom relaxed a bit. Daddy drove to school that morning to pickup mommy. There were many many parents there, and even more in the classroom after the class begins. :)

Around lunch time, Mom and Grandma were driving around to see houses nearby the school. Mom and grandma missed the little girl already and decided to drive by the school. Hannah would be in the playground since the lunch should be over by then. Unfortunately, we couldn't see the playground from the driving path. So, we drove into the parking lot, still nothing except several kids were walking back to their classrooms. One little girl seems got lost. At the end of that long building, she peeked this side, and then disappeared, and then showed up again. Apparently, she's looking for her classmates or teachers. "Oh no, that's Hannah. She got lost!". Grandma confirmed it also. Well, mom wanted to see if the girl could find the way back by herself. So, mom and grandma drove around the parking lot for another circle. Oh oh, the girl was still there wondering around. Mom decided to rescure her ... By the time mom got there, the girl disappeared. She met her teachers then.

In the bedtime talk, mom started:

"Anything interesting happened today?" "The school is so cool, there are ropes you can hold on to slide from one side to the other side."

"How about the lunch?" "It is so so yummy, ..."

"Did you meet any new friends?" "Yes, three ..."

To mom's surprise, the girl said a lot of things. Apparently, she had so much fun at school. But she didn't mention the "lost" part at all. To save time, mom asked her directly about what happened after lunch hour. Hannah said:"Richard and I couldn't find others after recess. So, he asked me where is everyone, and I asked him where is everyone. Isn't that funny, mama?" Apparently, she had an companion when she got lost, that's better. :) "Mama, how do you know about this?" Hannah asked. ...

The day was over. Everyone in the family rest happily.

Market Place

Bryan worked on his last market place project for several weeks now. The product he wanted to sell was his novel, total 20 copies. I doubted how popular it could be compare to others' cookie, bread, or sandwiches. But he didn't care.

On the Market day, after I received the ticket at the entrance ($200 in market currency), I got lost immediately in this "super market". The place was made by two classrooms by taking down the middle separator wall. There should be about 80 merchandisers (sales men and women) who came from three different classes (grade 3-5). They were selling plants, craft, coupon book, mushroom candy, ice cream sandwiches, etc..

I spot Bryan's booth right away. He sold almost 10 copies that time (not too bad). The rule here was: parent could not buy own child's product. Oh well, there was no point to stay around here.

Off I went. The first thing I bought was a paper boat, from a boy who's rather shy and quiet. The boat was plain. Since he didn't make much sale yet, I wanted to encourage him.

After 10 minutes, my hands were full, most for Hannah like sea shells, crafts and play doll, a cookie for grandma and a mushroom candy for myself. Hannah and Grandma would be thrilled if they were here. What should I get for dad, oh, I just saw the perfect thing: a coupon book for father (father's day is coming).

Finally, Bryan shouted out excitedly: "I sold them all!". It's to hear others' talking, because the room was filled by about 80 students and 100 family members. Perhaps parents have the special hearing to their own kids' voice. Before I could congradulate him, Bryan dived into other booths for treasure hunt already. Now, he needed to spend all the "money" he just made. Some girls were very clever. They often took break, put on a temp close sign, and went shopping some goodies.

Later, Bryan described his sales trick: The begining price was $40/copy. Then he put on a sale for just $10/copy, which attracted a couple of buyers. After one minute, he bumped the price back to $40 and sold them all. (Perhaps the parents and kids were trying to use up all the market price money that time -- Mom's theory)

Market Place is one of the most favorite activities Bryan had at his new school West Mercer. It is fun!

Oh, here is the beginning from Bryan's novel: The Wrath of Ilcormad.

Prologue - The Orb

In a dim room, an evil scientist set to work. He had been defeated one too many times by Byron. He, the greatest and most wicked sorcerer of all, Ilcormad, planned to destroy Byron and rule the world. He needed a substance made of evilness, made of darkness, powerful enough to destroy even Byron’s magical thunderlives. He used all different types of deadly ingredients, from venomdoom to sealflower, to create his darkness orb. His evil plan… was nearly complete!

He took disguise of a zombie swampmonster and set off to the dock, where only Byron, himself, and two other people remembered, for, by his experiments, Byron went there daily. He took his orb, which would instantly inject venom into the person the orb was thrown at, sealing them into a spine cave forever, cursing them with painful death curses, for now, was his chance to defeat Byron and rule the world.