Anticipation

It’s the beginning of September and here in Winnipeg we are having some of those gorgeous days that signal the beginning of another season. It looks like everything in our yard is doing its best to enjoy the days before the chill of winter and the long dormant sleep. Roses have won the prize in my tiny garden. They have never bloomed this prolifically before. There were no aphids or other insects bothering them. I wonder if other gardeners have experienced this as well? I did nothing different than I have before!

Students are savoring the long weekend, knowing that school days will be here when they open their eyes tomorrow morning. Our oldest grandchild Ben turned 18 at the end of August, almost at the same time as his Opa turned 81. We could use the same numbered candles for their birthday cake! 

High school is over for Ben (much to his relief) and he is looking forward to university. He has done well in his high school studies and will be taking courses in Communications at the University of Winnipeg. His whole life lies ahead of him -- how will it unfold?

Below you see another student, just a few years older than Ben. Her name is Banka and she is from Beijing, China. I met her for the first time last week, through a mutual friend who called from Ontario and asked us to look her up.
This friend told me that Banka had decided to come to Winnipeg to continue her studies at Red River College, but she did not know anyone. Would we be willing to contact her? She sent us an email address and we made contact. Hardy and I arranged to pick her up at her downtown apartment. We were wondering how this would all work out, since we had never met each other.

Last Thursday we had a delightful day together with Banka. It took me back to my private tutoring days and the wonderful relationships I formed with my students (mainly from South Korea).

Banka's English is excellent and we communicated without a problem. She shared many things as we chatted about her life as an only child, with parents who have high expectations and a school system that puts a lot of pressure on its students as they prepare for their final university entrance exam. She told us that she has made some big changes in her life since coming to Canada just over two years ago. She wants to apply for a permanent resident visa once she knows she has been accepted at Red River College. She has to pass a written English exam. She already passed the oral exam in Ontario, so now she is taking some additional English classes to prepare for the written one.

One of Banka's teachers introduced her to some other students on campus who were Christians. Banka began attending church and that is where she met my friend who invited her for lunch that day. She has found a church close to where she is living now.

Banka was surprised that we invited her to our home without ever having met her. She said that would never happen in China. I'm not so sure. We have experienced amazing hospitality in many places, but also rudeness.

It would be interesting to hear what your experience has been with hospitality or the lack thereof, both abroad and in your home country. Please share! And enjoy the beautiful autumn weather!

If you have a library and a garden, you have everything you need.  -- Cicero