But English is Your Third Language
Cici took the PLAN standardized test this past week. It is intended to help prepare the students for taking the ACT next year. Tonight she was curious about how my son scored on the PLAN when he took it several years ago. I took out his test scores and showed them to her. I can't do that, Papa, she told me as she looked at his composite score. He scored in the top 1%.
Look at it this way Sweetie, I told her. Ninety nine percent of the students who took the test when he did couldn't score that high either. But for you, everything you are doing in school is in your third language. You are still doing better than at least 90% of the students in your class. What that means to me is that you are an amazing student, so don't get discouraged.
Do you save everything about me, Papa? Cici wanted to know. She saw that I have a file about two inches thick with my son's important papers. Yes I do, I told her. I have all of your report cards. I save other things that you and Mama do as well. I showed her the files.
Do you remember my Chinese name? She asked me. Sure I do, I told her, and said the name aloud. She wrote it in Chinese characters on a legal pad. I don't like this name, she told me. Do you like the name you have now? I asked her. Yes, she said. Can you write your new name in Chinese? I asked. Without hesitation she wrote her full name in Chinese and explained it to me. This is how to write Solomon, she showed me again.
Just as Ping and I have grown to be closer and closer, Cici and I have done the same. This evening she brought me a plate of watermelon chunks because she knows how much I like to eat them. After a bit she came back and took the empty plate to the kitchen. Thank you so much Sweetie, I told her. You are very welcome, she told me in a cheerful voice. I think it is hard for both of us to remember when we weren't together. Or maybe we just don't want to remember those days.
Papa, I sure wish you could come to China with me next summer, she told me a few nights ago. She has mentioned this several times, so I know it is on her mind. Tonight she came to show me her teeth and to ask me about China again. Look Papa, my teeth are almost perfect already. She showed me her top front teeth where she wanted so badly to have the gap closed. She is correct. The gap is nearly closed and the braces have only been on her teeth about three months. Your friends won't even recognize you when you go to China next summer, I told her.
In many ways, Cici is the spitting image of how Ping looked at the same age. She has the same tall, slender look, like a beautiful willow tree, that Ping had. She needed some black dress pants for the concert last night and borrowed some from Ping. I haven't worn these in about ten years and I can't believe how slender I used to be, Ping told her. They fit Cici perfectly. Quite a pair these girls make, I must say.
Look at it this way Sweetie, I told her. Ninety nine percent of the students who took the test when he did couldn't score that high either. But for you, everything you are doing in school is in your third language. You are still doing better than at least 90% of the students in your class. What that means to me is that you are an amazing student, so don't get discouraged.
Do you save everything about me, Papa? Cici wanted to know. She saw that I have a file about two inches thick with my son's important papers. Yes I do, I told her. I have all of your report cards. I save other things that you and Mama do as well. I showed her the files.
Do you remember my Chinese name? She asked me. Sure I do, I told her, and said the name aloud. She wrote it in Chinese characters on a legal pad. I don't like this name, she told me. Do you like the name you have now? I asked her. Yes, she said. Can you write your new name in Chinese? I asked. Without hesitation she wrote her full name in Chinese and explained it to me. This is how to write Solomon, she showed me again.
Just as Ping and I have grown to be closer and closer, Cici and I have done the same. This evening she brought me a plate of watermelon chunks because she knows how much I like to eat them. After a bit she came back and took the empty plate to the kitchen. Thank you so much Sweetie, I told her. You are very welcome, she told me in a cheerful voice. I think it is hard for both of us to remember when we weren't together. Or maybe we just don't want to remember those days.
Papa, I sure wish you could come to China with me next summer, she told me a few nights ago. She has mentioned this several times, so I know it is on her mind. Tonight she came to show me her teeth and to ask me about China again. Look Papa, my teeth are almost perfect already. She showed me her top front teeth where she wanted so badly to have the gap closed. She is correct. The gap is nearly closed and the braces have only been on her teeth about three months. Your friends won't even recognize you when you go to China next summer, I told her.
In many ways, Cici is the spitting image of how Ping looked at the same age. She has the same tall, slender look, like a beautiful willow tree, that Ping had. She needed some black dress pants for the concert last night and borrowed some from Ping. I haven't worn these in about ten years and I can't believe how slender I used to be, Ping told her. They fit Cici perfectly. Quite a pair these girls make, I must say.
Hi Lee! I spent many hours today reading each and every one of your blogs. I am so happy for you and your family!! Your "girls" are beautiful and amazing! I can hardly wait to get my hands on a copy of your book and hopefully you will be kind enough to autograph it for me....Summer
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