When I traveled to Ethiopia I brought my friend Cindy with me while Jeff stayed home with the other 4 kids. Cindy teaches 5th grade at the school Noah attends. When we arrived back in the states it was apparent Noah was ready to start school. He landed in America on September 26 and was in school by October 6. In the back of Cindy's mind she had been coming up with a possible plan with her 5th grade students to engage them in Noah's story. It could be a learning experience all the way around. She discussed a plan with Noah's 1st grade teacher of perhaps having some of the 5th grade students come over at set times during the day to work one-on -one with Noah. They created a schedule that would work with both classrooms. Cindy then asked her kids how many would be interested in being a mentor/tutor for Noah. Out of a class of 25 students 22 raised their hands. The final five tutors were selected through an application process and a contract was signed by both student and parent. Everyone understood the importance of this opportunity.
Almost 4 months have gone by since this began and I cannot begin to tell you the leaps and bounds Noah has made because of these 5 kids. He not only is learning academics, but he is also learning social skills and just how to communicate and be an American kid. He has also taught these kids a lesson or two on taking what life gives you and making the best of it. They know he came to our family with nothing but the clothes on his back. They know of his hardships. They have learned that succeeding is not about dwelling on the past but dealing with what is here and now. Noah's story has also come home to the dinner tables of the students helping and it has made a difference in their families life as well. I have spoken with a couple of parents of the 5th graders and they have said the experience has been invaluable for their child. Last week we were at a basketball game for my son Nick and one of the parents came up and introduced himself to Noah and I. He said this experience has changed his sons life.
Our local paper is doing a story about this amazing group of 5th graders. Two weeks ago a photographer and reporter spent several hours with Noah and the kids. Their story will be featured within the next week.
Through these wonderful kids Noah has learned how to count to 100 by 1's, 5's, and 10's, read books, socially interact, write stories, create story boards... to succeed in school. They are doing this not for the recognition, accolades, or grade but for the chance to say, "I made a difference in someones life." As an outside observer, and Noah's mom, I have to agree. They have made a big difference in Noah's life.
All is well around the house. Sam just finished getting over the flu...now I am just waiting for the next victim to succumb. I made it to the store today to stock up...just in case I am house bound with the plague for another 6 days when the next Barclay drops. : >)
While Sam’s been under the weather Noah has had to make it through his school days without his brother. He was very anxious to have to go through his school day “alone”. I hadn’t realized how much Noah relied on Sam for ‘safety’ until Sam wasn’t able to be there for him and Noah voiced his anxiousness of having to go it alone at school. He did fine. On Monday morning I broke the news to Noah that Sam had to be home again. He muttered something like, “Noah work, Sam work...too much.” But I didn’t really get what he was saying. That afternoon Noah came home very determined and sat down at the counter with homework. He had several letters cut out, one of them being the vowel “0” that is colored yellow. His homework, he explained, was to create words, “two letter words, three letter words” with those letters. So together Noah and I create words, “to, do, so, hop, mop, lop, bop” and so on. We came up with at least 10 words. He was very proud of himself as he wrote the words down. When the homework was completed I told him to write his name at the top of the paper. He wrote, “Sam”. I said, “Noah...you need to write YOUR name.” He said, “No mom, Noah does Sam’s work...Sam too sick...Noah do Sam’s work....Noah do Noah’s work....too much!” and then he smacked his forehead with palm and sighed. What a big big heart. : >)
Happy Chinese New Year! Happy Korean New Year!
We had quite a weekend criss-crossing Portland celebrating Zak and Sam’s New Year’s celebration. Most folks don’t know that Asian countries like Vietnam, Korea, and China all base their New Year celebrations off the Lunar calendar. It is not a set date from year to year but instead based off of the cycle of the moon and typically falls toward the end of January.
Noah was very excited to take part in his brother’s New Years celebrations but became disappointed when we arrived at Sol Nol (Korean New Year) pulling into our parking space. He looked out the van window, blinking through the ray of sunlight filtering through the dirty glass to a fog filled empty playground, and asked, after the 45 minute drive,
“Is this Korea?”
“No Noah, this the Central Church in Beaverton.”
“No Korea...no....?” , and then a sigh.
So he thought he was going to Korea. (note to self...tomorrow when we celebrate Chinese New Years spell it out to him...we are going to CELEBRATE China....NOT travel TO China.) He bucked up and gorged himself with rice, mandoo, and Bulgogi and announced that if he ever DOES make it to Korea he will LOVE it because he likes the food.
The image of Barak Obama privately being sworn in again by the Chief Justice after a miscue at the inauguration the day before was on TV last night. Both man's right hands were raised for the swearing in. Noah walke
d by the screen and in a very matter of fact and distinctly clear sentence he said, “Oh yeah....High Five Hobaba!”.
I guess he knows what a “high five” is...now he just has to get the name Obama figured out. Whenever he says Hobaba...the entire family collectively corrects him,“Obama...Noah...It’s Obama...Not Hobaba!” When he does eventually get it, I think we will all still refer to the 44th president of the United States as President Hobaba.
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