A good story starts...

...in the middle. OK, now I know that for a good OC person such as myself, this is going to drive me insane, but I am simply too far behind to start "at the beginning". So I will drive myself crazy by posting from today (Sunday 31 August) onwards, as well as "back-posting" to fill in details.

So please bear with me - as otherwise I would not be posting for a long, long time.

Such a lot has happened - today was the orientation morning for Alex (or Gao Ya Li - her chinese name) at her new preschool. We turned up at 8am (having left the apartment at 7.15am to catch the bus) for her "test" - which for her didn't consist of much, just some questions for her about knowing where she lives - "Australia", what her parents' names are "Alyssa and - what's Daddy's name mummy?", whether she can dress herself etc etc.

Here is Alex the day before when we did a practice run to make sure we'd get to the Xiada on time.

We arrived a little early so Alex and Sebastien played in the courtyard playarea.

Alex with the big dolphin (though it's some type of fish) and Sebastien everywhere else...

She was then shown around the classroom by her three teachers (who speak a little english) and then played whilst other children arrived for their tests. The idea was for her to at least have the opportunity to meet half the class and play for a while - perhaps engaging with someone - instead of us leaving immediately.Alex's favourite activity has always been - and appears to continue to be - "housekeeping"
(as it was known in her US preschool).

I managed to get some photos of the room where they sleep - 30 little bamboo mats on two levels. Not sure how much sleeping happens.

Alex did like the stairs - so I'm sure we'll hear about where she ends up "sleeping".

Sebastien worked out where his sister's slippers were (the reason for inside and outside shoes becomes oh-so-clear once one has walked around the streets for a while) and promptly tried to eat them - just like at home!

So Gao Ya Li (henceforth known as Ya Li) will start preschool at Xiada kindergarten at the university with a smattering of chinese - hello, goodbye, please, thankyou and three.

Whilst she was being shown around, we checked it out a little too - since we will not be allowed in the classroom for a little while to help maximize her adjustment in "immersion chinese".

The Xiada has several playgrounds - here is one that I saw from the balcony (hence the bars). I couldn't get the play equipment properly as it was behind the trees, and the swimming pool was down the very back (not sure whether it is in use).

This looks to be a water-play area with lots of channels and dams plus a little bridge.

I did manage to get the concrete slide that ends in a sand-pit - not sure how well it works.In the background you can see the sea - the Xiada is on the top of a bluff and so catches the sea breeze. This grass is typical for the area - some time I will photograph the workers cutting and taking it away at the university!

There are a few more areas but I did not want to venture too far away from the main action.

So tomorrow is the big day. Daddy takes the bus and walks with Alex to the Western Gate of the university and puts her on the Xiada school bus - which leaves at 7.40am. He will collect her from the same place at 5.10pm. A long day indeed - and probably a good thing that they have a 2 hour nap after lunch!

More after tomorrow.