Instant Teenager

We were able to pick up Jay, our foreign exchange student from China, on Monday night. He has been trying to catch up with our time zone all week, but seems to be adjusting well.

Jay is the nicest person I have met in a long time. He is so polite. Jay opens all the doors for me, won't let me carry his plate to the kitchen sink, wouldn't let me carry anything from baggage claim to the car when he arrived, has offered to help me with chores tomorrow and lets us drag him anywhere we want to take him.

The very first night he was here and we took his things downstairs and just before we went to bed, he asked if he could call us "Mom" and "Dad". Travis and I looked at each other and said "sure". Travis told me later he was going to tell him to just call him "Travis", but that hasn't happened yet, so I think we just needed to get used to the idea. The best part now is, Travis calls me "Mom" when he is talking to Jay - i.e. "Jay, go ask Mom if she wants a glass of water"...very cute. Truly, it is not really that weird because the program calls us the "Host Mom and Dad" it is really just interesting for us because we have never been a Mom or Dad.

The first few days here Jay was a bit shy, but he is opening up more each day. He finally told me he did not want to do something today, which I thought was a good sign that he is getting more comfortable with us. Travis constantly teases Jay. I think he is getting used to it and is a very good sport. I know it is hard for Jay because, while he understands much of what is said, he does not understand it all and he runs into road blocks. It would be very difficult to go to a foreign Country to study without fully knowing the language. I bet in two months Jay will be a pro.

Jay also brought us gifts and was planning to bring gifts to the family get together this evening and we told him "no". He seemed confused because that is what they do in China when they are invited to someones house for the first time. No wonder he was dismayed at the size of my family - he might not have enough gifts in his bags :). In this picture you can see the panda decoration Jay's parents sent with him. We also got some tea and a very nice set of 8 pairs of chop sticks.

Jay Long - very tall

It has been very good having Jay with us this past week. I think he is going to like it here just fine and I think we will really love getting to know him. It is definitely and adventure for all of us, that is for sure.

I Am Grateful,
HB

Diva Quote: "How beautiful it is to do nothing, and then rest afterward." Spanish Proverb