Wandering in a village nearby ...

.

.

.

.

.

.

We are heading to Beijing ... will be back next Thursday ...

Wish you all a happy weekend!

.

.

.

LOOKING FOR TREASURE 2

Sorry that I have not put a foot note to the last post of "Looking for treasure".

It is about a few discovery walks into places surrounding us, looking for the inconspicuous awe.

Silver pearls are everywhere in these humid days ...

Water interweaves into a fine piece of lace ...

Exquisite shades of grays ...

We did not notice their presence till we fostered our attention and looked closely ... there were lots of tiny living creatures in the water ...

We always perceive this lush green as a whole ... a generic piece of green.

But when we allowed our eyes to stop at a particular unknown plant ... then shifted to the other, then another ... we suddenly sensed the vitality of this piece of land.

There are so many species of plants, so different in colors, forms and gestures ...

On the last post of "Looking For Treasure 1", one of the "gem" was the little bug on the top picture. We followed its voice and spotted its location. Another one was the old abandoned house. It's a different one we found in one of our journey. Through the window, installation revealed little secret of some old days.

9

LOOKING FOR TREASURE 1

10

COTTON TREE 紅棉

One fine day,

we got off 4 stops earlier,

and walked home.

In the blooming season of cotton trees,

big red flowers decorate the bare branches.

Strolling,

and picking up red crowns,

did not notice we were at the corner round.

11

LITTLE ADVENTURE

We've gone through the most stressful holiday.

15

Pieces of homework.

1

Reading assignment.

1

Oral presentation.

1

Preparation for Chinese lesson.

Unbelievable and ridiculous workload for 6-7 years old children.

I worried.

I did involve in helping her managing her hugh workload.

I struggled.

Over involvement would spoil her autonomy.

Lately.

I decided.

To set back.

To leave her all alone for preparing tests (yes! test again after the Holiday) ...

We, live in a society that highly glorifies efficiency and effectiveness. Children have to grow fast. They learn a lot intellectually, with little choice and freedom ... we, almost forget to allow children to take time, grow and explore at their pace ... we, almost ignore the rhythm of learning and forgetting ... we, almost neglect the transformation of knowledge into power plunged deep into the unconscious is as significant as waking after sleep ... we, almost refrain from noticing that it is not half so important to know as to feel...

To drink in strength, I drill myself into Le Monde Des Enfants. Heartfelt thanks to the group of contributors, they provide me with a vision, sustain me through confused times.

I love to share their posts. Here is one:

CIGARETTE FACTORY WALDORF - ASTORIA FEB 28,2010

A message from Rudolf Steiner:

"We do not provide young people our own beliefs. We should rather encourage them to use their own powers of decision, to forge their own conviction of the world. They must learn to look at the world with their eyes! Our beliefs are valuable for us. We bring young people to simply say: this is how we'll see the world. You decide how it is for you. We must awaken faculties and not transmit beliefs. Young people should not believe in our truths, but our personality. Let us show them that we are researchers and put them on the way to be themselves scientists! "

And this post :

EDUCATE TO FREEDOM MAR 2, 2010

" If the teacher (parent) himself/herself gives the example of the ability to live strong feelings, while the beating, he/she will also develop "life of feeling" among children, teachers (parents) will find her students (children) engaged. The basis of all social faculties of human beings is the ability to empathize, to suffer, to rejoice in each other and with each other. The living word from man to man is the surest way to lead to an education of what is socially and full human rights."

In the hard days, we had stolen some seconds for a little adventure.

HAPPY CHINESE NEW YEAR

+++

This Sunday is the Chineses New Year.

Happy family gatherings for all Chinese around the world.

+++

+++

Last friday, the last day to school before the New Year, Iza got the idea to have an adventure everyday in the holidays.

This is the first trip, a visit to a village nearby.
+++

A discovery of some old houses.