Christmas 2007
Disclaimer: If you’re the type who hates these generic impersonal Christmas letters where parents shamelessly brag about their children and themselves, then read no further! Otherwise, read on …
Dear family and friends,
Merry Christmas Y’all! H0pe all is well with you and your families. Here’s a brief update on ours:
Catherine is in 1st grade, and reading at the post-graduate level (well, almost). She’s an amazing, happy, and delightful little girl. She reminds of why we wanted a daughter so bad in the first place (not that boys aren’t cool too). Catherine is developing her talents, and just started learning to play the piano. After only 4 piano lessons, she had her first recital at a retirement home organized by her piano teacher. Catherine played two short songs, and wowed the audience.
Michael is in the 3rd grade, and has now discovered that there are things called books, and he is actually starting to enjoy reading them! Most of the time he’s dreaming up big plans for his perfect utopia, Michael City. Michael was baptized earlier this year (in March), and is also now having a blast as a new Cub Scout. His energy, creativy, and general overall happiness continue to be a source of great amusement and wonderment for us.
Jeffrey is now in middle school as a 6th grader. He has handled the dreaded transition from elementary to middle school with grace and style. He amazes his teachers with his depth of knowledge and skills, and amazes them even more when he remembers to do his homework, get papers signed, and come to class on time. Jeffrey began learning to play the trumpet this year, and has been quickly developing his talents. He peformed several numbers at his beginning band concert in December. Jeffrey is also writing poetry in his English class, and recently read aloud a love poem at a poetry night, greatly embarrasing the girl to whom it was addressed. Jeffrey became a Deacon this year, and passes the sacrament at church each week, a sacred duty he takes very seriously.
Phal completed her first semester as a full-time student at San Antonio College. Having fullfilled all the ESL and remedial course requirements as a part-time student over the past several years, she carried a full load of regular academic courses. It just about killed her. But after dropping a poorly taught math course, she managed to pull in decent grades in Music Appreciation, Literary Analysis, and Economics. For her work in the previous semester, Phal was awarded a honor roll certificate. Phal hates and loves going to school at the same time. Some days she wonders why she is doing it, gets very frustrated, and wants to quit. But by the end of the semester, she realizes she’s smarter than she gives herself credit for, and that all her hard work paid off.
Wayne’s biggest gains this year were around his waistline. Other than that, he had an exciting year at the University of Texas at San Antonio. He was selected by the Dean to lead one of the College’s first endeavors into international education. Along with a colleague in the college, he led a group of 10 students to a rural area of Southern Thailand along the coast of the Adaman Sea, where students worked for two weeks teaching English in public school classrooms. He received a few small grants to continue his research on language and education policies in Arizona, and to document the history of Chinese hertiage language schools in San Antonio. He was pleased to see a few of his publications come out, and worked hard on several others which will be published over the next couple of years. At the encouragement of his colleagues, Wayne applied for Early Tenure and Promotion, and is anxiously awaiting the news in early spring to find out if it will be granted. At Church, Wayne began a new calling in November as the Ward Clerk.
One major highlight of the year for us was the opportunity to vist China for the first time (without the kids, thanks to Wayne’s sister Laurie). Wayne’s parents, who had been teaching English in China the past two years, served as excellent hosts and guides. Standing among the Terracata Soldiers, mingling with the Chinese relaxing in the park adjacent to the Summer Palace in Bejing, and walking along and up the Great Wall of China in the snow, are memories that will be treasured forever.
If you’re eager for more Wright family news, just explore the various links and postings on this blog.
Have a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
Love,
Wayne, Phal, Jeffrey, Michael, and Catherine Wright
Christmas 2007