Pam In China

The title of this post is where I learned one of the most important lessons of my life and Mr. Seward didn't know a thing about it. When he gave our midterm exam, I'd traveled with my family to visit my grandmother in another state. Upon returning to school on Monday, I was ordered to report to the library and he would give me a copy of the make up test. There were two parts to the exam and one was open book. He instructed me to use the book for one part and to NOT use the book for the other part. Then, he left me on my own!!!

I cheated and used the book for all of the test. I made a C-. Upon getting the results of that exam, I made myself a promise "never to cheat again". It just wasn't worth it!!!

I never cheated again. I had the opportunity once while attending the university. I'd finished the exam and was rereading, when I looked up and the girl sitting in front of me, propped her knees on a stool. This brought her test paper to my exact eye level. I glanced. Oh no!!!! I had the second question wrong. I couldn't believe it.

A little voice told me to leave my paper exactly the way it was; this was my true score. Another much louder voice was shouting at me to change it, change it, change it.

Immediately, I was taken back to Mr. Seward's 8th grade class and I remembered my promise to myself. I didn't change my answer, and went quickly to the front and turned in my paper, went to my car and high-tailed it out of there.

I'm hoping three of my students will learn this same lesson. Today, they cheated on the exam. Two were looking at the test of others and one girl had a copy of the notes under her test paper.

Interesting, when I took the last girl's exam paper and told her she could be dismissed, she informed me she didn't do anything wrong. She even tried to come back in the classroom three times and get me to change my mind. She said she wasn't cheating and then she went off in Chinese. I dismissed her again and she must have gotten the message because she didn't return.

The final exam is basically 30 percent of the final grade, so I think she will still pass the course. I hope so!!!

The twist on this post is the fact that I am evaluated by the students. They can tell their leaders they don't like me because I'm too strict, or watch them during an exam, etc. I could get "let go", for trying to help them learn right from wrong.

Uhmmmm!!!!! I think before tomorrow's exam I'll tell the story about Mr. Seward's 8th grade midterm history exam and hopefully that will do the trick!

The Adoption community mourns at the accidental death of Maria Chapman, daughter of Stephen Curtis Chapman. Maria was five years old and adopted from China.


http://www.tennessean.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080521/TUNEIN/80521174/1005/ENTERTAINMENT

Friday, Clay picked up Xiao Qing from school. She had a small bunny in a cage. We're not sure, but we think someone gave it to her as a "gift". (Remember the two little chicks, we got last Spring as a "gift").

Clay kindly declined and told the teacher they could keep the bunny in the classroom for all the students to enjoy. It didn't fly!!!! The teacher responded with, no one was there for the weekend to care for it.

It could be like in US, a classroom has a hamster or mouse and each student takes a turn taking it home every Friday, but I honestly doubt it.

A friend gave us some straw and we put him in the children's extra bathtub on the balcony. I used the toddler gate last night to make sure he didn't escape and poop everywhere.

Interesting thing, is I think he's a she and she's pregnant. Another interesting and amazing fact, is that I'm getting attached to the thing and I don't like anything that wiggles its nose.

There is a higher power involved here, I do believe....because one of our little swallows is scared to death of any animal. His new home has 8 dogs, 5 snakes, 5 kids, and on and on. This little guy petted the bunny this morning. We're all making progress!!!

A friend sent a package for the children and enclosed this 'Thank You' card. I decided to use it as our Logo. I think I'm the one kissing the eggs and Clay is the one overlooking.

Way back in 1972 when I had two miscarriages within 6 months, I was crushed to say the least. My heart was broken. Many didn't understand my pain, but it was definitely real.

One very good friend wrote me a letter that included these words from one of my favorite books. "He settles the barren woman in her home as a happy mother of children."

This promise kept me going over the next year, as doctors argued my case. Some wanted to do a complete hysterectomy, others advised just be monitored for a year, meaning weekly blood testing at first, then later monthly, etc.

Today, as I reflect on Mother's Day, I never dreamed I would be called "Mom" by so many. His promises really are true and for a lifetime.

Xiao Qing not pictured, one of the worker's took her home with her for the afternoon.



Here she is on the back balcony of Tong Bai Lu. I really love those maple trees, we are on the 5th floor and really do feel like Swallows.