Construction

Summer.

 A time of peace and quiet, especially when you live on a school campus.

Not!

Every morning, sometimes as early as 6 am, sounds of construction begin to echo through the empty hallways.

Don't misinterpret the above statement. I am not complaining. 

Construction is good; a sign of progress.

Besides, sleeping in past 6am, so far this summer, has successfully eluded me.

What amazes me, however, is the amount and depth of the construction/renovations currently taking place on the Morrison school grounds.

Just shortly after our move to this apartment about a year ago, the sounds of digging started. We couldn't see where it was coming from, but knew that something was up.

That was the beginning of this....

Eighteen new staff apartments, to be move-in-ready by October.

 As students were completing their last day of school, the destruction began on the building housing the athletic facilities.

 The entire inside has been pretty much gutted. The tearing down of the steps was quite entertaining.

To the left of our apartment, other equipment was also in the process of tearing down. In order to accommodate a full size soccer field, a shed, several porches, trees, and a wall needed to be removed.

Three large trees not only provided shade for spectators, but also marked elementary recess boundaries.

 Meanwhile, just below our kitchen  and bedroom windows, a new exterior wall is being built.

One morning as I sat at the kitchen table, I kept hearing a voice; an amplified loudspeaker kind of voice. After several minutes, my curiosity got the best of me. 

 

So while there have been very little "school" noise in our apartment the last two weeks, plenty of construction noise has occupied its vacancy.

We leave for Ohio early Tuesday morning. While we are gone, the construction will continue. After witnessing the destruction, its hard to imagine the finished products. I look forward to seeing what can be accomplished in six weeks! 

Three Down

We have lived in Taiwan four years. How can it be in just those four years, three of my own children have graduated? This reality would be almost inconceivable, if my memory didn't prove otherwise.

Abbi was just a freshman when God opened the doors to Taiwan and Morrison. Four fast flying years, and now, she has joined the ranks of Morrison alumni.

Congratulations, class of 2016.

 Unique within itself, Morrison is neither fully Taiwanese, nor fully American. Graduation traditions, while resembling some American high school traditions, deviate due to this uniqueness.

Official graduation festivities began with a reception for the graduates and their parents. And, of course, the usual photo opportunities! It is a time of celebration, and conversations. They also tell "the story" of the class. A handful began their Morrison adventure in kindergarten. While others began their academic careers in Chinese schools, or schools around the world. No matter where their path began, or traveled through, all their paths ended at Morrison.

This reception is hosted by the board of trustees. They want to make sure everyone is well fed and ready for the long evening of ceremonies and celebrations.

Afterwards, the graduates-to-be gather to don their caps and gowns. 

As the graduates enter the auditorium, each mother is presented a rose from their child. Talk about heart rendering. 

Unlike public schools in America, the graduating class chooses several hymns or praise and worship songs to sing.. This was the only part of the ceremony in which I cried. Cornerstone was chosen by the class,  as a tribute to the their classmate Josh, who tragically died after being struck by a car. This was one of his favorites and sung at his funeral. I love the song, but it will always remind me of Josh and his early departure from this world.

And prayers of thanksgiving and blessing.

Abbi was recognized with the female athletic award- given not only for ability, but

also dedication, work ethic, and sportsmanship. 

Along with the diploma, each graduate receives a Bible.

It's official!

Seating is limited, so only the families and faculty attend graduation. Afterwards, a reception line, dubbed The Wailing Wall, forms to allow underclassmen and other community members to congratulate the graduates. The darkness of the evening is dispelled by the continuos camera flashes.

Several of Abbi's current and former teachers paused to congratulate Abbi:

basketball and track coach,

biology and anatomy and physiology teacher,

 Chinese teacher,

and last year's physics teacher who pushed and pushed Abbi, often to tears, but as a result strengthened her as a student, as well as in her faith.

The night would not be complete without a picture of the swim team captains and coach.

After all the posing, smiling, and congratulating comes an all night party. With the opening of the pool, this year included midnight swimming!

But as the sun rises the next morning,  reality sets in.

The morning brings tears and sadness. The majority of the graduates not only leave the Taichung area, but Taiwan, some permanently. There is a good chance that their goodbyes, will be for forever. 

It's hard to be both happy and sad at the same time!