Diversity

One of the reasons we decided to move here was because we thought it would be such a good experience for Andy, Hannah, Maggie & myself to live in a culture where we are the minority.  Mia is usually the only Asian child around when we are out about in the US town that we live in.  She was the only Chinese student in both preschool classes, gymnastics, ballet and every Sunday school class that she's ever been in.

We've attended church services here where we are the only Caucasian family of hundreds, sat on subways filled with a seas of dark heads and eaten in busy restaurants free of any nationality but Asian.  And I have to admit that it's a little weird sometimes.  Don't we all want to "fit in"?  As much as I thought that was a high school phase, I think even grown adults prefer not to be singled out.  And let me tell you, the blond hair, curls & freckles in my family definitely stand out depending on where we are on the island.  It's not a bad thing, just so very different than how we've spent our entire lives until now.

We enrolled the girls in an international school for this very reason and we've been so happy with that decision.  There are students from 27 different countries around the world attending their school and it's  breath-taking to see so many beautiful, culturally diverse children in one place at the same time.  I still get choked up every now and then when I drop the girls off and see all the kids playing together.  Such an amazing example of God's desire for every nation to come before Him (did I mention it's also a Christian school?).  We've been blessed, indeed.

Here are a few random pictures from school:

Matching Hair!

I love this picture of Mia with her buddy Ki Hon

All three of the girls were super excited for "red and green" day at school... but most kids still wore their uniforms...    

50's Day!

A little dancing with friends

Mia's got some moves!

All of that dancing really wore her out!