So as Ping always says, this is my job, the education of our daughter.  It is gratifying to know that Cici is not just tolerating my suggestions; she is taking them to heart.  More than that, though, she is trusting my advice.  I wonder how many teenagers are so receptive to the advice of their parents.

My job today is to keep Cici awake all day again.  She was awake at 7:30 this morning when I went to her room and she has stayed awake since then.  Right now she is busy organizing her school books and supplies that we bought for her yesterday.  Ping has been up working hard all day and is taking a nap on the sofa next to me.  Before she lay down she brought a bowl of mung bean soup to me, serving it cool.  She does this to cool our bodies on hot days like today.

Cici's only Chinese classmate in America came by to visit with her briefly today.  They were only together for one year because the girl was a senior when Cici arrived, but they became friends and have maintained their friendship.  The girl moved to San Antonio to attend the University of Texas there.  She earned a very good g.p.a. so now she has transferred to the University of Texas in Austin starting this month.  Ping spent time talking with the girls mother about a business plan that she has in mind.  She never stops thinking about ways to make money or ways to help our business.

Our neighbor lady is like Ping in the sense that she also spends time working in her yard.  She and Ping have gotten to know each other in this way.  Ping said that the lady gave her a big hug when she saw that she had returned from China.  The two dogs that belong to this neighbor also love Ping.  They come to her and seek her attention every time they see her.  Ping takes great delight when they won't respond to their master's voice because they love being with her.

Tomorrow we will go to H-Mart, Ping told me.  We will buy many vegetables so I can cook them for you to eat at lunch next week, she said.  Ah yes, it is so good to have my girls at home again.