End of the road

[Rhonald]

Yes my wife also adds the aah to the end of many words: meata,my son Craiga - usually any english word ending in a d or t gets the extra ah sound

[Pineau]

First, Thanks for your support.

While in China we got glowing reports about her English skills. But there was trouble. She learned to speak English from People that don't normally speak English. I think the teacher in her school did not have enough English skills to be teaching. As a result Katie learned many things wrong. Her pronunciation was not acceptable and when I was talking I would have to repeat myself several times or use a different word that she understood. So all the money spent on boarding school did not buy much in her foreign language department. But all her other subjects were good and she hit the ground running when she got here. She is way ahead of her class in most everything else. Her progress is amazing . She can read-write and comprehend her English lessons much better now although she still struggles with new words.

The end of the word ending in ahh is typically a Cantonese thing but I have seen some Mandarin speakers use it too. It has a falling tone and it is not officially part of the language and is never written. But everyone does it. Even the primp and proper News announcers. It softens a sentence and keeps if from ending abruptly. I have  always thought that Cantonese was a harsh language because so many words and phrases come to a abrupt ending. The ahh that they add to the end softens it. Don't you think?  But there are some people that over do it and instead of softening a sentenance it makes them sound like they are whining ahhhhh.

[fivetrout]

That makes a lot of sense Gerry, and yes I heard the whining ahh too.

[Willy The Londoner]

My wife says Ah! especially when she sees me getting ready for bed at night. Or could it be argh???

Willy

[Pineau]

Katie is an A student now and made the honor roll this last school period.  She is now working doing fund raising to pay for a trip to Washington DC with her US history class.  She will be going out this weekend with a calligraphy brush, ink well and parchment door to door to sell " Your Name in Chinese characters" for $3.00.  She has about 6 months to raise $1800.00 I hope she makes it.

Mods, you are welcome to delete this last sentence. 
Anyone, if you would like to help her get to Washington DC.....my paypal account is gpineau2010@hotmail.com 

Katie, Fiona and I thank you for your Generous contributions,
Scots Robbie
Willy
and anonymous donators. 

[Pineau]

Another Report from the school...

Hello again,
We have come to the final character awards assembly of the year.  It will be May 15 at 9am in the multi-purpose room.  Your child has been chosen as an exemplar of the character and values we share and promote at Imagine.  If you are able to attend and congratulate your child, you are welcome.  If not, please share our congratulations with them at home.  It is because of the values you model, that your children display these at school.  We appreciate, very much, that you have chosen to partner with us to grow your child. 



Jessica Cervantes
7th and 8th Math Teacher
Imagine Charter School - Firestone

[maxx]

Gerry it sounds like Katie has just taken off, and has adapted well to a new country and a new school system. congrats to you and Katie and your wife.

[shaun]

I second what Maxx said.

[Pineau]

Thanks guys. I am actually surprised how quickly she is catching on.

School is out Friday and I am glad. Today she got the final grade for her science project. The project was to build a catapult. Launch a tennis ball 50 feet and hit a target. It was great fun in the gym with about 30 kids with all different designs of catapults. The most bizarre was one made entirely of broomsticks tied together with string.  (but it worked good)

She and her classmate hit the target on first try. But they only got a 95 on the grade because the catapult weighed 0.6 pounds over the 20 pound limit. I wish I had checked it before she took it to school.

[Pineau]

Fiona and I are in New Jersey this week. Going to show her around the "roots" of America and get her some exposure to American heritage. And the real purpose is to meet up with Irish guy and Lisa toward the end of the week.  We are meeting Lisa this morning in New York and taking a whirlwind tour of Manhattan. Going straight to the WTC and the Statue of liberty then try to squeeze in as many other sights as she has time for.

Pat, I guess you had to work, so see you in Delaware in 4 days.

[Rhonald]

From science project (LAUNCH) to projected dinner date (LUNCH) in Delaware with Irish guy, you keep keeping us updated with great pictures and adventures. Can't wait to see what feast for eyes the weekend will bring.

[IrishGuy65]

Fiona and I are in New Jersey this week. Going to show her around the "roots" of America and get her some exposure to American heritage. And the real purpose is to meet up with Irish guy and Lisa toward the end of the week.  We are meeting Lisa this morning in New York and taking a whirlwind tour of Manhattan. Going straight to the WTC and the Statue of liberty then try to squeeze in as many other sights as she has time for.

Pat, I guess you had to work, so see you in Delaware in 4 days.

Yes, I had to work.  But Lisa and Amy had a great time.  Thanks to taking them around New York!

[Pineau]

Had a great time. Amy didn't want to leave I think.

[Pineau]

Katie is not having much (any) luck with her fund raising. She is going online.
here is her website.  http://katiepeng.yolasite.com/

If you think you would like to help her out she would really appreciate it.

[RobertBfrom aust]

Wow looks like everyone has gone to sleep , no posts since the 12 th , regards Robert .