(The first Valentine artwork from Makena)
We reintroduced Makena to Mandarin a month ago when she began taking classes with a Chinese tutor who is originally from Chongqing. This woman apparently has a waiting list of students wanting to be taught by her who come from all over the Los Angeles area (as well as adjoining cities) to learn Mandarin from her. We showed up for our first lesson only to find out that we were auditioning for her. She needed to know that Makena would actually sit still long enough to be taught and that she would actually make progress and learn.
She decided to try her out for a month and see if she was a good candidate. She started off by only talking to her in Chinese for the first few minutes and it was fascinating to watch Makena listen as if she was almost entranced. Makena is usually a bit standoffish when she meets new people but not with her tutor. Well, I can happily declare that we made it (so far) through four weekly classes and that she has invited us to continue. Makena can almost count to ten in Mandarin and is learning the words to "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." I am learning along with her and some of it is actually sticking. I practice with her wherever and whenever and I feel that the new vocalization she is having to learn to speak Mandarin has helped improve her English diction.
We stopped by a yummy bakery after class to buy Jack and his friends some cupcakes on the day before Valentines and we couldn't leave without sampling one.
Wo lian Makena
Wo lian Jack
Wo lian baba
Is-a learning Mandarin
PS I love you
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