I was reading a Turow novel in our home office yesterday afternoon and thought I must have left the TV on in the living room.  It sounded like some sporting event was on, and I thought maybe it was some news coverage of the World Cup.  I went to turn off the TV and found Ping sitting on the sofa watching the TV.  Now for sure I thought it must be news coverage of the World Cup.  When I was able to see what was playing on the TV, which Ping was watching intently, it was the NBA finals.

You are watching basketball? I asked her incredulously.  Yes, she responded, it is the finals so I wanted to watch the game.  I sat down beside her to watch for a few minutes.  I eventually went back to my reading, shaking my head in disbelief.

Then this morning I was talking with a client in Dubai when I received an instant message from Cici.  Papa, Papa, she said.  Are you angry with me?  Why haven't you called me this morning?  I responded back to let her know I was on the phone with a client.  We ended up having a long chat on IM.  I saved it so I can show it to her in future years.  Remember, this conversation occurred exactly two weeks after she returned to China.

We talked for a bit and then I mentioned that she had talked so much about returning to China that I thought she didn't enjoy living in America.  Nooooo ... actually I want to go back to America ... cuz I don't know, I just can't stay here for a long time.  Really?  Why?  People here r weird, she replied.  It is very dirty here.  I started laughing.  The air is not good, she continued.  I only wanted to come to China to see my friends and grandma and family, and for no other reason, she told me.  So do you miss your bedroom in Houston?  I asked her.  Super! She responded.

I feel so weird when you don't call me in the morning (night time for her), Cici said.  I go to sleep with my cell phone next to my head so I won't miss your call and I wake up to see if you have called.  You mean a lot to Mama and me, she said.  When you come to China I will take you to get your favorite gift, she said.  You mean you will buy me a venti mocha frappuccino at Starbucks?  I asked.  Yes, she said.  I already checked and they have it here.

How about your friends?  I asked.  I met them yesterday, she replied.  Pizza Hut?  I asked, making a wild guess.  How did you know that!  We had 12 people, she said.  And one of the girls wants to come and study in America.  Her mother will contact Mama about it.  Maybe she can go to my school  I would be so happy, she said.

It is also too hot and humid here, Cici told me.  Every time I go outside I feel like I just took a shower.  I hate that.  So I went to see two American movies at the movie theater.  In English?  I asked.  Yes, in English, she said.  I was afraid I would forget my English so I wanted to watch American movies.  I also started studying my English vocabulary for the PSAT.

Do you realize that we have been writing to each other in English for half an hour non-stop?  I asked.  And you never pause or hesitate.  If you misspell a word, which almost never happens, you instantly correct it.  I think your ability to communicate in English is amazing.  Really?  Yes, I feel like I am talking to someone who always spoke English.  That makes me so happy, she said.

Papa, I think I need to go to sleep ... really tired.  Remember to call me in the morning.