Awards Night

Tonight, Tae Woong, my homestay student from Korea, was one of six students (two from each grade level) to win a "History Scholar Award."   King's High is a private school--and a tough one at that!  They demand excellence from their students.  Tae Woong has maintained an A- all year long in World History, which is amazing when you realize that English is his 'second' language, and this is only his second year of studying in the USA.  It just goes to show how smart he really is!  
Tae Woong with his World History teacher, Mr. Fretz.   

In the following video, Mrs. Stubbs, another history teacher at King's, is announcing the winners of the History Scholar Awards.  
About Tae Woong, (at school they call him "William") she said this:

"William loves, lives and talks history!"

(I'm sorry this video isn't better, but I include it so Tae Woong's parents can see a little bit of the ceremony.

A desert social followed the ceremony.  Here Tae Woong talks with his choir teacher, Mr. Pumphrey.


For the social, the students in the culinary arts class made these sinfully rich desserts.  (Unfortunately I sampled too many of these tempting delicacies and it will likely be Thanksgiving before I come down from my 'sugar high.')

Congratulations on your award tonight, Tae Woong. Your Homestay Mama is proud of you, and I'm sure your parent's are too!

A Friendly Challenge

Homestay Mama loves a friendly challenge!  So at the dinner table when Tae Woong asked if I'd ever arm wrestled, I remembered wrestling with Ali about 15 years ago.  Could I still do it? The proof is in these videos.

Ezra and Tae Woong were equally strong!


Tae Woong was kind--at first. Then...


No contest with Ezra!

Oh the pain of defeat!

Gotta start lifting weights immediately!

Love,

Homestay Mama

MY Excuse!

Well, I didn't get much done in my garden last weekend, or anytime this week for that matter. What's my excuse?


Yah, it's been raining again--and not the usual drizzle. It's been raining 'cats and dogs!' And, the wind has been whipping tree branches around like cheerleader's pom poms at a football game! I see several have landed in my yard.

Ah, I think you have to be born here to enjoy springtime in Seattle. I'm afraid non-natives would wrinkle up and die.

Taking the good along with the bad,

Love,

Homestay Mama

'Signs' of Spring in Seattle

Sign # 1 Mama is out with her teenager.
Sign # 2 The rhododendrons are blooming!
Sign # 3 My cherry tree is ready for the bees.  
Sign # 4 The weeds are growing like, uh, weeds!
Sign # 5 My tools are ready!
Three guesses what I'll be doing this weekend! 

Love,

Homestay Mama

Athena

My Mommy sure spends a lot of time on her computer! Sometimes I have to get right in front of her to get her attention!


Well, that didn't work very well. Guess I'll try a different tactic!


She's telling me I'd better behave. Ho Hum. I'm a cat. I'll do what I please!

Well, this is getting boring. What else can I do? I wish she'd leave so I could have MY chair back.

Ahhh, this is more like it!


Gotta catch me another cat nap now.

See ya later, dude.

Athena

The Birthday Celebration Continues...

I am so blessed!

My good friends, Mitra and Esmaeil with two of their sons came over tonight after dinner to bring me a birthday present.

Mitra is tremendous cook and a wonderful hostess! I can't even begin to hold a candle to her cooking! I've had their family over for meals several times. Most of the dinners would have ended up a disaster if Mitra hadn't come to my rescue!

So I see she has finally taken pity on me--she has given me a warming/serving dish for my birthday. It is just like the one she uses when we go to her house for meals. She is the best hostess. Her meals are always perfect. Always! I keep hoping that maybe someday her talent will rub off on me!
In this picture: Daniel, Mitra, Jonathan, Ezra, Sue, Tae Woong (hiding), Toshi, Esmaeil

My very good friend, Jean, also came over tonight with a birthday gift--a pot of flowering pens that she made for me. Aren't they just the greatest? Jean and her husband, Greg, are my dear friends from many years ago. Jean is just the most bubbly, vivacious, person I have ever known, and I love her to pieces.And, here is the perfect place for my cheerful bouquet--right beside the phone and message pad.



Thank you, my dear friends. I am so blessed by having all of you in my life!

Love,

Homestay Mama

Another Milestone

Yesterday when I was planning this post, I thought I'd title it 'Medicare.' And, then to match the negative funk I was in, I thought I'd throw in a collection of "you know you're old when..." jokes.

But this morning when I opened my Bible to read the next chapter, I sensed God chiding me for thinking so negatively about my age. If Abraham could become a father at age 100, then I certainly wasn't too old to be a homestay mama at 65!

God also reminded me that I should be thankful for everthing I have--my health, my home, an enjoyable part time job, a steady income, wonderful family, faithful friends and of course, terrific homestay students! So, why was I moaning about my age, my imperfections and other negative things?
God was right, of course!

When I opened my mail this afternoon, I was greeted with birthday cards from friends, near and far. And, when I opened Facebook this evening, birthday wishes came tumbling out from all around the world! THANK YOU ONE AND ALL!


Tonight after dinner, my students and my neighbor surprised me with a birthday celebration. They had picked out chocolate mousse cake (to die for!) and rocky road ice cream (my favorite!)
Note that 6 candles around the edge and a shorter (1/2) candle in the middle equals 65!
So here's a big THANK YOU to my family, all my friends, my neighbor and my homestay students--Toshi, Ezra, and Tae Woong--for making my 65th a most memorable birthday!

And, to God, THANK YOU for loving me and blessing me with another wonderful year!

Getting older, but wiser, and (I hope) learning to age more gracefully...

Love,

Homestay Mama