What to do?

I have been very anxious about Cayden's place in ISU. I was worried if he would be able to get into the Pre-school 1 class. So on Monday, when I received a call to go to school with Cayden for an interview, I was elated! 

So we went and saw the Head of Primary. I received a terrible news. The pre-school 1 class has been re-scheduled from the original timings of 8.15am - 12.15pm, to 1.15pm to 3.15pm! How stupid is that? 

First of all, the class time falls right during his nap time! Correct me if I am wrong, but don't MOST 3-year olds take afternoon naps???? 

Second of all, what can we expect them to teach the kids in 2 hours? 

Lastly, they tell parents 1 week before school starts? How on earth are we going to reschedule his nap time within a week? 

The reason given to me, was that Pre-school class (both 1&2) are overcrowded. In total, they have 36 students with 1 foreign teacher and 2 assistant teachers. So they decided to split the class. Pre-school 2 class is from 8.15am to 12.15pm. Pre-school 1 class is from 1.15pm to 3.15pm. Priority is given to 4 year olds, as they think its more important for them to learn. 

They can't split the class into 3 hour blocks, because the teachers then won't have time to eat. They need to eat with the rest of the teachers during lunch time or it won't be fair to them. 

They won't employ another foreigner pre school teacher so that both classes can run at the same time because then the teachers won't have anything to do in the afternoon. Its a waste. 

All in all, I feel that the school has then made the 3 year old class as a sacrifice. 

Who cares if they will all be sleepy, and will be in the least attentive mode when class is on?

Who cares if they learn anything or not? 

Who cares if 2 hours is not enough. 

As long as the rest of the school is treated well. We must be fair to the teachers. We must be fair to the 4 year olds. 

I have a good mind of NOT enrolling Cayden in this school, but I have no choice. There isn't any other International school around. The American school takes students from 5 years old onwards. I have to enrol Cayden this year, or I risk him not bring able to get in for Pre-school 2 class next year. Priority is given to returning students and not new students. 

What am I doing here in Mongolia? Why am I here? Cayden has no school to go to! 

LL. Bo bian. But I am still pissed. 

ISU

I am getting a little anxious now. I still have not heard from the International School about Cayden's acceptance into ISU (International School of Ulaanbaatar). 

I sent in the application months ago, sometime in Apr/May. But I was told that the school is undergoing some administration change (i.e. change of direction and some teachers) so admission decisions are put on hold. Rumors are that there are more applicants than spaces, as the American school has closed their pre-school class. So everyone is flocking to ISU. There aren't any other options.

School starts on 13 August, and today is 1 August. Still no news. I called the school earlier and they told me we will find out next week. Fingers crossed that Cayden will be able to get in. If not, I have no idea we are going to do?

Painting

Last week, we went to Orgil Centre at Third District to buy some apple juice (wholesale). On the 2nd floor, they were selling some art supplies, like paint, crayons, brushes and plastercine. 

I managed to buy some paint and brushes for Cayden. Today, we stuck some paper our garage walls and let Cayden do his stuff. 

That's his smiley face. He always draws figures like that recently. Kinda cute. Notice he even draws the eye brows. 

Sad

I just found out that one of my friend lost her baby. Its extremely sad. His name was Gabriel and he passed away after 10 days of brave struggle at ICU due to a heart malfunction. As I heard the news, I started tearing. I can't imagine the pain my friend is currently feeling. 

My heart goes out to her and her family. 

This really makes me think that life is fragile and unpredictable. 

I am so grateful for what I have. 

My boy loves me

Cayden, Nomin and myself walked to Sky Department Store to buy some ice-cream. As we were walking there, being my clumsy self, I walked into a hole and kinda fell over. Cayden just stared at me, and suddenly started wailing! I mean, its was a loud, dramatic cry, with tears sprouting out and all. 

Me: "Why are you crying? I should be the one crying!" 

Cayden did not reply and continued wailing. 

Me: "Don't cry. Mama is ok! Look, I am not hurt!" I say that while trying not to limp. 

Cayden wailed even louder when he heard the word "hurt". 

Me: "Shhh... stop crying. Mama is ok. And you should stop watching Dumbo." 

Cayden always gets very sad when he watches the cartoon Dumbo. Especially the part where little Dumbo tries to climb into the wagon to find his mama, but he can't. And his mama got to stick her trunk out to "hug" him and cradle him to sleep. 

The first time Cayden watched that part, he teared up and asked "Where's my mom?" He hugged me tight. 

My boy loves me. He is sad when he sees me hurt. That's my boy.

Why? Why? Why?

Cayden is going through the "why? why? why?" stage. 

"Cayden, don't touch the oven! Its hot!" 

"Why?" 

"I told you, its hot!" 

"Why is it hot, mama?" 

"Coz I turned it on to bake some muffins." 

"Why you bake muffins?" 

"So that you can eat some." 

"Why I eat some?

"So that you won't be hungry." 

"Why I won't be hungry?"

... and the conversation goes on until one of us give up. 

Usually me. 

Me

This is me, getting ready to go out to do our usual Sunday errands... go to the supermarket, Mercury market for fresh green veg and then lunch. Had lunch at Sakura, the Japanese restaurant at Kempinski Grand Khan Hotel. Yum...