Saying Goodbye.

Tonight was the last night meeting with the Ling Family. They were very excited to see us, as always. We decided to do a review of everything we have taught them over the past few weeks. We started with picture flash cards and it was very encouraging to see the speed in which they answered and only struggling with a hand full as opposed to every other card like before. We took the cards a step further and had them identify similar items in a few books we had. It was now time for the kids' favorite part of the lesson, placing sticky notes around the house. Again, they showed a vast improvement in the exercise. The kids discovered my phone, the snap chat app, and a matching game that kept them busy for the duration of the visit. It was now easier to focus on more challenging aspects with the parents. Telling time is still something that they continue to struggle with, as it is a hard concept to teach when they know limited English. Trying to describe the long and short hand concepts and how you know whether to use the actual number being pointed to or a multiple of five is difficult. We also challenged them with filling out a simple job application with their names, address, phone numbers, etc. which is something we take for granted. We rapped up by having them take turns reading from one of the books we brought. As they were reading, I noticed something in the corner of my eye. I looked over and saw a mouse scurrying across the floor, not just one, but two! Ironically as I was witnessing this, Leon had just read "tiptoeing across the floor like a mouse." It was a very comical moment. The way they have started interacting and joking with us shows me that they have hit the initial adjustment stage on the cultural shock spectrum. They are starting to adapt to our society through assimilation, feeling more comfortable with the language and every day social practices. It is so positive to see them wanting and willing to learn and progress practicing ethnorelativism. As they finished reading the book, it was unfortunately time for us to leave, for good. When I first started visiting the Ling's home, I did not think I would get attached to the family, I was so wrong. It is crazy to look back at the first meeting and how timid everyone was with each other, to this last time and how comfortable they are with us. Ram was even sitting on my lap, taking pictures with me at one point. It was one of the most heart breaking moments telling them we would no longer be visiting them on a regular basis. The look on their face was that of a lost puppy. Leon told us if we are ever in Rock Island we have to visit, and as we were walking down the stairs little Ram ran out of the room to say one last good bye. I don't think any of us realized how heart wrenching that moment was going to be. As we got in the car we already made a deal that we were going to order pizza and bring a movie to share sometime next semester with the family to catch up with them and see how much they have progressed from our last meeting tonight.