deborahjross | Countdown to farewell

Since last August, we have hosted a high school student from Thailand, Sunanta. Gave her an American nickname, "Sue." Watched her struggle with English, cheered her on through her classes, attended her chorus concerts, sat in the rain through soccer games (well, one game), enjoyed her family-style pad thai (well, I did, as it was far too spicy for Dave), and marveled at her steady self-confidence, her resilience, her ability to make friends. She participated in graduation ceremonies Friday (with an "honorary diploma") and heads back home at oh-dark-hundred on Thursday. Tomorrow, her American friends are giving her a beach party, complete with bonfire.

Tonight, we took her out to an elegant restaurant and talked about her transition back home. While it may be a challenge to return to a more restrictive culture (Thai teens do not date; her mother saw her prom picture and said, "never do that again," about the dress, which was lovely but low-cut), I am sure she will handle it with the same quiet competence, humor and open-heartedness as she made the initial adjustment here.

About her humor: I was driving her to Santa Cruz, along twisty mountain roads; the music on the car stereo was Celtic fiddle. When I explained this was a dance tune, she was quiet for a moment, then said, "Do not dance now."

It's been an adventure, and I expect we will miss her more than we can imagine.