Teacher Feedback

The other day, quite out of the blue, we received an email from Irini's teacher. It's always nice to hear from her - she sends a weekly newsletter with the news and events - and Irini loves her, but this time it was just a bit different. The email was titled "My Girl ;-)". Once inside we read the short note and stared at the pictures (above) smiling and filled with pride. Despite the moments of frustration that inevitably come and go, we know our girl is simply super. But to have her teacher send a special little note sometimes makes a big big difference. The note said:

"I thought I'd share some photos of a special little girl I know who has captured my heart and makes each day a good day!  You are blessed... and so am I :)"

Sarah's Day... Almost!

The problem with international living is that you often only have a few days to enjoy being with very special friends. The good thing about international living is that, if you're lucky, you can see those very same friends in so many different places, and sometimes, if you're really, really lucky, you can celebrate their birthday too!  

Every year close to Chinese New Year, Sarah turns a year older. Usually we have a special event for her knowing that the real day is a couple weeks away. But this time, as it turned out, we were leaving on the very day that was her birthday!  Though it wasn't perfect (we didn't actually see her on that day as we had to leave at 5:30 am), it was close enough, and Trina went over to The Blue Pumpkin to get some little goodies for a special get together. Then, after returning to the hotel after the day's events, we had a bit of a surprise party for Sarah. She was thrilled so much that it took her several attempts to blow the candles out. 

What ensued was simply beautiful. She and Amalia and Irini sat on the couch and laughed and giggled and played to their hearts' content. Later they would follow Trina and Natalia around as they did a choo choo train around the room. They would make faces for the camera and, finally, we managed to get the group shot that had been so fleeting until then. It was a great ending to a fantastic few days. It also marked the end to a small tradition of spending Chinese New Year with our China-based friends. Next year they're off to Bahrain and there ain't no Chinese New Year celebratin' in them parts of the world. Not be be disillusioned, the gang is already working ways around it. Perhaps June in Greece?

Happy birthday Sarah!  See you soon Trina and Joe (and Sarah too, of course!)

Angkor Wat at Different Speeds

Between the two visits to the temples there were a host of other things on the "to do" lists, mainly involving flavors and eating, or water and pools, or shopping and markets. But on either end of those things were visits to the temples, and as luck would have it our afternoon naps took a bit longer than they probably should have and so what we hoped would be two temples dwindled to one. After a brief discussion we opted for Angkor Wat, the central edifice which holds, within its walls, the essence of Siem Reap and is the reason for which so many visitors visit every year. We hopped into our tuk tuks and went off in the late afternoon, arriving to the temple rather late. Still the place was crawling with tourists (funny how we never feel we are the problem, but those "tourssts" seem to always get in the way). 

Recognizing the size of the place we soon realized that we wouldn't be able to stick together and so groups naturally went this way and that. Irini decided to go with Trina, Joe and Sarah (and so her smile is largely missing here) while Amalia decided to hang out with her cousins and parents. Alejandro and Tia also moseyed their way to the temple on their own. Even within our smaller group it soon became apparent that Amalia would be marching to the beat of her own drum, and more specifically she would be spending much of her time outdoors, climbing on rocks, exploring the sandy paths and looking for (and finding) frogs in the pond. 

Regardless of the direction and the specific locations visited, we all regrouped at the entrance as the sun was setting over the trees to the west. It was a spectacular sunset and one we all took notice of.  With warm smiles facing westward we all made our way back to the waiting tuk tuks, through droves of people all doing the same. We waited until we were found by our drivers and headed off to dinner. Cambodian food at the Green Star, a not-for-profit restaurant run by some volunteers of an organization called The Greek Gecko Project, which Joe, Amalia Laurence had visited earlier that morning.  The food was excellent. The cause was good. The friends were great.

Angkor Thom (Young & Old)

What do you get when you bring together six adults (us, Trina and Joe, Tia and a friend, Alejandro) and five children (Irini, Amalia, TTmouz, Avi and Sarah) and decide to roam the temples of Angor Thom?  Well, you get a hodge podge of this and that, a few moments of everyone in the same place at the same time - and take pictures while you have the chance - and then split up to follow the kids run across a field, climb a staircase or just frolic in the sun.  

It was a time to re-unite and share stories. Time to experience old buildings in new ways. Time to bring together the exuberance of youth with architectural masterpieces standing on watch for centuries. The adults gaze in wonder. The children roam and wander. Either way, the sites were marvelous and thoroughly enjoyed.

Roamin' Around Siem Reap

It's become customary now to make our way to some place to see our friends Trina, Joe and their daughter Sarah, during the Chinese New Year break. Last year it was Krabi. This time it was off to Siem Reap, Cambodia, Laurence's favorite spot in Asia. For our girls it was the first time in Cambodian tuk tuks (a major success as far as transport modes go) and The Blue Pumpkin, where coffee and juices were enjoyed thoroughly. There was no roaming the Angkor Wat complex yet, as we were there buying time in wait for our China-based friends. But that didn't mean that we couldn't make our way to the market to take a look at this and that. Amalia, for one, decided that she was happy to try on pretty much every little bracelet she could find. Irini took a long, close look at a man who was missing a leg and an arm, and took daddy over to him to explain what was going on. The man smiled and Irini sat next to him for a short while, before moving down the street, past the fish spa places and beyond the trinket stores. Though growing more touristy Siem Reap remains a small town with character and charm, even if the crowds are a bit bigger and the feel a bit less authentic.

Artistic Minds

Paper on Paper - Ang Pow (Amalia)

 Mixed Medium on Paper (Irini)

 

Watercolor on Paper (Irini) 

Watercolor on Paper (Amalia)

Mixed Medium on paper (Irini)

Marker on Paper (Irini)

The second semester has obviously begun in earnest if we don't have the time to update the blog. Running to get ready in the morning. Rushing to the bus (for Irini) or to drive to pre-school (for Amalia). The off to work/school. Work, work, work. Learn, play, laugh, sing, draw, learn. Back home. Phew. 

"What did you do today?" mommy and daddy ask. Sometimes they get a response of a specific nature. Other times not.  More often the girls will live in the here and now. They will be happy to see mommy and daddy and walk/run to them when they show up. They will pull out a game or want to chat about something. Perhaps ask a question.

Then, once a week or so, a folder comes home from school/pre-school. The artwork of the growing girls is introduced to the parents who, of course, spend the next few minutes ahhing and ohhing and being rightly impressed with what their girls have managed to put together in their school time. It's pretty great stuff. Pretty fun stuff. Pretty creative stuff. Pretty colorful too! 

With every passing "ahh" and "ohh" the girls smile with confidence and pride. Let it be just the beginning of many years to come.  Pappou would be impressed!