Freeman and Maya videos

What a delight it is to have friends from far away!

We met Freeman and Maya in 2006 for the first time. He was our private tour guide in Xian, graciously teaching us about Chinese history, culture, food and everything local. We loved him instantly, Freeman is kind, patient and funny.

Duke Garden, Durham NC

At his university, where he has organized our accommodation, up on the wall was the title sentence, which has became one of my motto in life:
"What a delight it is to have friends from far away!"
 One night we went out, the four of us for a Snack or how in many places in China the signs say for snakes. :-) We laughed a lot and tried different "snakes". :-)

 In 2008, we met up again when we were in Hangzhou, this time he was already a teaching professor at the University of Hangzhou. We were friends and we truly enjoyed each others company, although we only see one other every couple of years.

 Finally, this year they came to visit us before they had back to China. We had an amazing couple of days and Lorent liked them almost instantly and Freeman became the one that was asked to dress, feed, follow Lorent. Maya was impressed with Ocean and I believe as soon as they arrive home they will have a dog. :-)  My conclusion is that we are more alike then different no matter how far we are coming. What a nice couple and how fortunate we are to get to know them. Zai tian---Good bye until the next time!

At Falls Lake

We biked all the 12 miles at Neuse River Trail

Duke Garden

Freeman and Ocean running around

Lets go to Wilmington!

Arriving at Kure Beach

Driving the Backhoe

Our Family

The McCormicks :-) Look out for the Pelican in the background!

Sleeping on the way home

What a handsome boy!

The adored uncle Tom and Lorent

Cousin Christeen and Lorent, CUTE!!!

No more rocks up in the nose!

The actual ROCK compared to a raspberry. When I got to the daycare today I was told that Lorent pushed a rock up into his nose. He was sitting with a teacher separately, he was serious, calm and happy to see me. He went to one of his teachers and told her that he has pushed a rock up into his nose. Sure enough, after they checked, the rock was there. He understood the situation that he caused and was very cooperative about telling me the story and also very willing to get the rock out. I did not know what to think or do but I was very proud of him to go to the teacher and tell about the problem. With the head teacher's help we were trying take it out but the tweezers were not holding the rock and it was too far up. Then, we were trying just to blow his nose, it did not help either. So, Lorent and I headed to the doctor's office and the whole time I kept telling him: "no more pushing anything up into your nose, no more pushing any rocks into your nose." Meanwhile he was listening, repeating and happily playing with his new truck. At the office the nurses were laughing and told us that no worries that happens often enough. We had to wait, two more families were in-front of us. I had time to check on the internet what is the recommended method, what I could do. One article said that the other nostril has to be closed perfectly and try to blow very hard. So, I kept telling Lorent just to blow his nose. The AC was working high, it was cold in the room. Lorent sneezed and with the next blow the rock came out. You should have seen his face, he said very loud: " I did it!" and of course he was very proud of himself. I was relieved and we had a big hug. Of course I was asking Lorent : was this the only rock that you pushed up? How many stones did you push up in your nose? He said : One. Can you really believe a two year old? So, I just wanted the doctor to check us out, to be sure.The doctor was kind, came in, checked on Lorent and he found everything all right. He even got a monster truck sticker. At night, before bed he kept telling me: No more rocks up into the nose! AMEN

Happy Mother's Day!

I will take you for a hay ride!