Repeat performance

Wow!  ChinaBoi was feeling pretty pleased with himself last year for winning the SECU scholarship, but that was nothing compared to the fact that he won it again this year!  This year he had to do a video on the difference between banks and credit unions.  Here's the video.  I was really proud of how much he learned doing this, and what made it even better was that when I posted his video on Facebook, he got two really meaningful comments.  One was from a friend of mine who used to manage a bank and said that he thought ChinaBoi did a really good job illustrating the differences.  The other was from a Deaf friend who said she never realized there was a difference and learned a lot from watching his video.  

Looks like SECU is passing on financial education to the Deaf community indirectly through ChinaBoi.  

They had a really nice ceremony and said they're looking forward to next year. 

So are WE!!  

Freshman Year Done!

ChinaBoi is done his freshman year at RIT!  He got all B's for his second semester, which is not bad at all!  Especially considering that he's in some advanced math and AutoCAD classes, things that I can offer no help in whatsoever.  I've checked over and made suggestions on a couple of his English essays, but other than that, he's really been out there on his own this year, and I just couldn't be prouder of how well he's doing.  

Here's to the end of being a freshman, ChinaBoi--may you be equally as successful as a sophomore!

Selfie time -- really??

ChinaBoi--only person in the world who smiles and takes a selfie with cop car in th background after being pulled over for speeding. Sheesh! 

Making the Grade

When you log in to your electronic classroom and don't see the little plus sign icon (meaning you're alone in there, no one else logged on right now), why does that feel eerie and creepy just like walking into a dark classroom in a real college building???

Nonetheless, I have been known to sit in this dark, empty electronic classroom, with bated breath, waiting for the professor to pop in and upload grades, hitting the "refresh" button on my browser. Every five minutes. For days.

Last night, ChinaBoi was sitting with his laptop, logged in to RIT's e-services, hitting the button every 5 minutes on the grade sheet, trying to find out what his final exam grades and semester grades were.

Some things just span generations.

Like mother, like son...

The good news is that he made one A and all the rest B's.  I think that's pretty darn good for a kid who only had half as much schooling as his peers before leaving for college!  Yay, ChinaBoi!

Mohawk again?

That sure didn't take long.  Well, at least I had him normal for a little while.  They did warn us that things like hairstyles and piercings and clothing would make drastic changes once the kids were away from home, so I suspected the mohawk would return. 

I guess I just didn't expect to be quite so...ummm...BRIGHT.  

Open Letter to RIT

Dear RIT, 

I really wasn’t prepared for this day. I thought I would handle it fine, but I wasn’t prepared for the emotions that just broad-sided me. You see, I just handed over something really, really precious into your keeping--and I know you’re not going to give him back in the same condition you got him in. 

I know, that’s your job, but it still hurts. I really am losing him as he is right now.I had no idea when he first came to live with us how strong a bond could form in such a short time. How could he possibly develop as strong a bond as my other son had? It wasn’t like I had him since he was baby; he was already a teenager when I adopted him. We don’t look alike, we don’t even share the same first language, but that is still my son, and he is every bit as precious to me as the other one. 

I managed to hold back most of the tears until he couldn’t see me any longer, but they’re flowing freely now. Turning and walking away from him is one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Not much on this earth I treasure as much as that boy (except the other one!), so I have literally left a huge portion of my heart in your hands. 

Please guard it well.

Home Sweet Home

Well, Charlie's home sweet home, for the next nine months or so, anyway...