Meeting Ted, Part Three

***This is the continuation of my blog post on getting to meet Ted, my VIPKID student from Beijing.  I have permission from his mother, Danielle, to share this story and pictures from our trip.***

As our amazing adventure came to an end, our newest family members (Danielle and I decided that we are going to be family from now on) had chosen an incredible restaurant for us in Orlando.  Brian and I took our first Uber ride with Danielle and Ted to Gyu-Kaku Japanese BBQ.  When we arrived, we were told there would be an hour wait.  We assured Danielle that was fine with us.  We are easily amused.  Typically, we wouldn't wait an hour for a table, but we wanted to make sure they knew we would wait since they had a specific treat in mind for us.  Looking back, I am so thankful for that hour wait time, as that was when Ted and I had the most fun.  While Danielle monitored the host station for an available table, Ted and I sat together on a bench and talked and played.  Brian was an angel and took pictures for me.  Ted was excited to show me some apps on his phone that allowed him to make funny pictures with filters.  Ted "sneakily" took a picture or two of Brian and several of me...laughing hysterically the entire time.   

      



Brian and I had never been to a Japanese BBQ before.  It was incredible!  The menu was gigantic.  We told Danielle and Ted that they were in charge of ordering; we were simply excited to be invited.  Danielle and Ted looked over the menu and gave the waiter an earful.  In the middle of the table was a small grill.  There were no plates--just metal chopsticks.  When we have Asian food at home, I always try with the little kid chopsticks but end up with a fork.  Brian, Ted and Danielle all tried to show me the proper way to use them, and Ted finally gave me a soup spoon to use.  I'm so glad I could provide comic relief at our elegant dinner!  After the grill warmed up, plates and plates of meat were brought out to us, and Danielle prepared the meat and served each of us.  We had so many delectable dishes--filet mignon, kobe beef, beef tongue, skirt steak, pork sausage, some kind of super-fancy tuna, and several other amazing meats I can't remember the name of.  Oh, and there were some vegetables.  For dessert, Danielle ordered a very special dessert called Lady M.  It was delicate and scrumptious!  I teach English, not math, but I know a lot of money was spent on us for that meal.  Danielle told me during one of our conversations that teachers hold a place of high honor in China.  This dinner was to show me how she respects me and how Ted cares for me.  Brian and I are the kind of people who always pay our part, and we don't do well with people doing things for us.  But, understanding the importance of this meal being a gift to us from Ted made my pride subside.  I truly felt special and valued.

Following our remarkable meal, we loaded back into another Uber.  Brian sat up front with our very kind driver, Danielle sat in between Ted and myself in the back.  Ted began to quietly cry.  I was trying to hold in my sobs, but my eyes gave me away.  Danielle told me not to cry, that now we are family, and we will see each other again one day.  I expressed to her my gratitude for being invited to join them in Florida, for the sweet gifts and for the delicious meal.  I told her how amazing I think Ted is and what a great job she is doing raising him.  I just kept telling her I was so thankful for the opportunity and the memories we made.  Ted said something in barely a whisper to Danielle which she told me in a hushed voice..."Ted says Amber is like sunshine in my heart".  After that, how could I not cry?  Back at our hotel, I hugged Danielle tight and we promised to stay in touch (which we do, thanks to WeChat!).  I went around to Ted's side of the car and wrapped him in my arms.  We held on for a few minutes and cried.  I looked him in his eyes and told him how much I loved him and how happy I am to know him.  Brian lovingly took me into our hotel.  Danielle messaged me later to tell me Ted had cried all the way to their hotel and was sleeping with his American football again.

I have so many more moments that come to mind when I think about this magical adventure.  I had so many profound conversations with Danielle.  I had countless laughs and high-fives with Ted.  I had a fantastic time with my husband, my hero, my best friend.  I am so thankful to my parents, mother-in-law, and grandmother for helping Brian and I make this trip happen.  I am grateful for my amazing children for being understanding and encouraging of us making a trip to Disney World without them.  I am beyond grateful for Danielle for inviting me to come to Disney and to get to have time with her son.  I am thankful for VIPKID for giving me a fantastic job that has widened my world view and has introduced me to phenomenal people on the other side of the world.  Most of all, I am so grateful that God orchestrated every detail and allowed this adventure to happen.  I am so blessed!

Message from Danielle at the end of our trip...precious.

Click here to read Meeting Ted, Part One

Click here to read Meeting Ted, Part Two

Meeting Ted, Part Two

***This is the continuation of my blog post on getting to meet Ted, my VIPKID student from Beijing.  I have permission from his mother, Danielle, to share this story and pictures from our trip.***

Taking on Hollywood!

Danielle and I are very similar.  We both are organizers and planners, and we both want to make every experience as great as we can for our children.  Danielle had asked me which parks (or gardens, according to her) they should visit while in Disney World for two days.  She had been to the Disney Parks in Hong Kong and Shanghai, but Disney World is much bigger, and is divided into four separate themed parks.  The MagicKingdom park is the classic spot, but every Disney park has a Magic Kingdom.  I love EPCOT, but I didn’t think it would be the most exciting place for an 8-year old Chinese boy.  Ted loves Star Wars, and Hollywood Studios would give him the opportunity to meet characters from the films!  When I suggested Hollywood Studios to Danielle and gave her my reasoning, her response was so sweet, “You know my son so well”.  Animal Kingdom is my family’s favorite park.  Ted loves dinosaurs, and there is an entire Dino Land within Animal Kingdom.  Danielle and I laid out a simple itinerary, and we were ready for this adventure!

Two weeks before traveling, Danielle reached out to me to let me know they would be bringing gifts for my family and me.  She suggested bringing an empty suitcase for transporting the gifts back to NC.  I knew she was bringing me a picture Ted had painted for me, but that was all.  Brian and I had flown the most economical way possible; and, we had planned on packing everything we needed into one suitcase.  Brian and I figured we would be flexible when it came to the gift, because we really had no idea what gift giving would look like.  Ted and Danielle arrived in Orlando the day before us and were able to have a fun adventure with a friend of Danielle’s who helped her coordinate her trip.  We arrived in Orland on Wednesday evening.  Our plan was to meet for dinner and exchange presents so we wouldn’t have to store them or carry them around a park.  I asked Danielle and Ted to meet us at our hotel for dinner at the food court…they had pizza, and I knew from many lessons with Ted that one of his favorite foods is meat pizza!

I was beyond excited knowing that in a very little while, I would get to see one of my favorite people on Earth in person and not through a computer screen.  I was bouncing all over the lobby waiting for their arrival.  When I saw Danielle get out of a car, I burst through the doors.  Anyone who knows me knows I am energetic and physically affectionate…which was not the norm for Danielle and Ted.  I knew Ted would be overwhelmed, so I kept a safe distance and practiced so much self-restrain.  I wanted to pick him up, hug him tight and swing him around…but, I didn’t.  Danielle was carrying two huge boxes with her. I looked at Brian, who I am pretty sure was just as shocked as I was.  We walked into the food court, and Brian suggested that Danielle and I go look at the menu while he waited with Ted.  Now, that was a sight to behold.  Here my 6’4” giant of a husband was sitting at a table with a little boy who has not yet mastered conversational English.  Danielle and I looked at the menu, decided what we wanted and walked back to the table.  There, Brian was using his hands and arms in a dramatic fashion to talk to Ted.  It was hard not to laugh at him.  Brian told me, “I was just trying to use the VIPKID TPR that you use.”  Perfect!

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Flamingos everywhere!

We enjoyed a laid-back meal and talked about their trip from China to the U.S..  Ted did not say much, but he was watching, listening, and smiling.  He could not wait for me to open my boxes, so in the food court, I opened a box that was a full set of bone China dishes for serving soup.  Danielle said, “We usually give blue and white China as a gift, but Ted picked yours out.”  Now, in our lessons, we often talk about our favorite things, so Ted knows my favorite animal is a flamingo.  The dishes reflected my love of the flamboyant pink birds!  Danielle was not thrilled with the choice, but Ted and I were!  The other box contained a framed picture of a flamingo that Ted had drawn and painted for me!  In addition to these gorgeous gifts, Danielle had made my three daughters earrings and purchased me some beautiful lipstick…in a shade to match hers.  To say I was overwhelmed would be a major understatement.  

BB-Mickey

On our first day in Disney World, Brian and I got up early and headed to Hollywood Studios.  We are the kind of people that open up the park, then shut it down.  Danielle told us that Ted was not a fan of many rides, so we decided we would do things separately then meet up for lunch at Pizza Rizzo.  When Brian and I arrived at the restaurant, Danielle was already in line ready to order for us.  (Crazy side note--when I sat at our table, I saw a dear friend from my teenage years at the table behind us with her family.  It really is a small world, right?).  We had a fun lunch of pizza, then we went to find the Star Wars Launch Bay where all the characters live!  Now, Ted is a fan of the new Star Wars films and isn't too familiar with the original cast.  He was very excited to meet Kylo-Ren and BB-8, but he didn't know who Chewbacca was.  In we went to see Kylo (who legitimately scares me).  He honed in on Ted, and that little boy was in the zone.  He was so serious!  Next, we went to see BB-8, which simply thrilled Ted, especially since he was sporting his Mickey BB-8 ears...we called them BB-Mouse or Mickey-8 ears!  We were leaving the bay through the gift shop when Ted grabbed my arm and said, "Big Monkey?  We go see the Big Monkey?"  I was confused and told him we were going to see animals the next day at Animal Kingdom.  Ted said, "No!  Big Monkey in there."  Aaaahhh..Chewbacca!  So I did a little sweet-talking to the cast member at the exit and we were given an escort straight to Chewie, after which Ted kept referring to Brian as "Big Monkey" like Chewbacca.  The rest of our day was spent enjoying shows and ice cream.  It was a perfect time!  Danielle and Ted were tired and went back to their hotel, while Brian and I inhaled some sugar and made another round on the roller coasters.

My favorite...

Not my favorite...

The following morning, Brian and I arrived at Animal Kingdom early to take on Expedition Everest (twice) then to have breakfast at Brian's favorite restaurant, Tusker House.  (Another crazy side note--on our way to Tusker House, I ran into a sweet young lady who I used to go to church with who now is a college student...super small world!).  We met up with Danielle and Ted at the Kilimanjaro Safari Ride.  Here is where I discovered how much Ted loves creatures.  From our lessons, I knew he liked dinosaurs and wanted a pet dog, but that's it.  I had told him my favorite animal (flamingo) and least favorite (snake).  On the safari, Ted was thrilled.  He was focused on every turn of the jeep.  He pointed out animals the driver missed.  He was elated!  My heart was so full to see this precious child enjoying this adventure.  After the safari, we hopped on the train to Rafiki's Planet Watch.  As soon as we walked into the Conservation Station, we saw in the dead center of the room two ladies and a....SNAKE!!!  Ted loves to tease me with drawing snakes on the screen of our lessons.  He has some toy snakes he likes to shock me with, too.  I am 100%, honestly, legitimately, completely scared of snakes.  Ted saw that snake in the middle of the room, turned his face toward me, and the smile on his face was contagious.  I knew I

Ted's happy place.

was sunk...I loved that kiddo so much, and he was so ecstatic...I had to get in line with him to pet that snake.  I am pretty sure that was the highlight of the day for Ted (and probably Brian).  We checked out the farm animal area where Ted took a brush and brushed every goat in the pin.  He was so happy.  It was simple, quiet and so special.  He would talk to the goats while he petted them.  I wouldn't be surprised at all if this little boy grows into an animal doctor or advocate!


We ended our time at the park on the Dinosaur ride.  Here's the deal, most of my family LOVES this ride.  After snakes, dinosaurs are what I fear most.  I knew Ted didn't like rides, but he does love all things dinos.  I made sure Danielle was aware that is was dark, loud, and scary (to me).  She said it would be fine and that was the only ride Ted was insistent on.  Ted told her "nothing is scary when Amber is with me."  So, in we went with our Fast Passes and were on the time-traveling vehicles almost immediately.  I knew as soon as the strobe lights started flashing, this kid was gone.  I had my arm around him, Danielle had her arm around him, and we just held on tight while he freaked out.  When I ride that ride with my family, my eyes stay closed and my head stays in my lap.  But, I knew I had to at least appear brave for my little friend.  When we got off of the ride, Ted breathed a huge sigh of relief...the gift shop also helped him feel better.

As I mentioned before, we had already received sweet and beautiful gifts from Danielle.  In the dinosaur gift shop, Ted wanted to get my son a gift to match something he was getting himself.  I tried to tell him "no", but Danielle told me Ted had his own money, and he wanted to get each of my four children a gift.  He carefully chose something for each child, then snuck in another gift for me of Animal Kingdom Christmas ornaments.  Then, Danielle translated for Brian and me that Ted wanted to take us to dinner with his money.  He wanted to take us somewhere special, that he enjoyed, and that wasn't "American".  Another adventure on the way!


Read Meeting Ted, Part One Here

Read Meeting Ted, Part Three Here

Meeting Ted, Part One

Meeting Danielle & Ted

"Travel a thousand miles to bestow a goose feather--a small gift may be a token of profound friendship."~ Chinese Proverb

At the end of July 2017, I became a teacher with VIPKID.  I was so excited about the prospect of a new career.  I love children, and I love teaching.  This job came as an answer to prayer for our family, as we were looking for a way I could work from home!  I'll admit, I was very nervous for my first day of classes.  What if no one booked me?  What if the child did not speak any English?  What happens since I cannot speak Mandarin?  What if I'm not funny over a computer screen?  What if the parents don't like me?  And, one of the biggest concerns, what if I can't pronounce the student's name?!?  I remember looking over my first day of classes while preparing.  I had a Bao, Princess, John, and Fugui.  "Oh, boy," I thought; "I don't want to butcher this child's name."  I had plugged "Fugui" into a translating app and was practicing saying it before class.  When I logged on to teach, the most precious little boy was smiling back at me.  I introduced myself, "Hello, my name is Teacher Amber!  What's your name?"  Out came a blessing-"Hello, Teacher.  I am Ted."  And, that my friends, was the beginning of a beautiful relationship!

The Incredible Ted

I have had the joy of working with Ted for 15 months.  When he is not traveling, I have him in class 1-3 times a week.  I always look forward to my time with him.  Ted has an incredible sense of humor.  In spite of our language barrier, we always find a joke to share and a way to make each other laugh.  In our first lessons, Ted was accompanied by his Mom.  She would sit to the side where all I could hear was her gentle promptings to Ted.  In one lesson, I had the tricky job of teaching the difference between the words "no" and "know" (English can be the worst!).  I knew Ted liked dinosaurs, so I said to him, "I don't KNOW why you like dinosaurs" while I was pointing to my head trying to convey the meaning of know.  Ted became very excited.  I heard his Mom say that Ted would like to show me his dinosaur collection.  Like any teacher knows, whatever helps an idea click in a kiddo's head, roll with it!  Ted showed me fossils, teeth, and even a dinosaur egg.  Then he held up what looked like a rock.  I assumed it was another fossil, and I was wrong.  He drew a picture on the screen of a computer with a steaming pile of dung behind it.  Then he circled the poop and started laughing and shouting in Mandarin.  His Mom came onto the screen to explain to me that he was holding dinosaur *$hit*, then spelled it out on the screen in case I didn't understand.  At this point, Ted has lost his mind laughing, I was struggling to breathe from laughing so hard, and his Mom was giggling profusely.  That is without a doubt my most memorable VIPKID class, and it was the moment that opened up a door for Ted's Mom and I to become friends.

Artwork by Ted!

Ted's Mom, also known as Danielle, and I struck up a friendship via WeChat, which is one of China's social media outlets similar to FaceBook.  Through WeChat, Danielle and I would share pictures and stories from our lives.  If Ted was sick, she would let me know.  If they were going on holiday, she would tell me about their adventures.  She would comment on pictures I would share of my children.  She would send sweet messages of birthday wishes for them.  Ted is a very young, extremely talented artist.  I'm not exaggerating when I say he has a gift.  For Christmas, Ted painted me a lovely picture that Danielle had made into an amazing scarf!  I was overwhelmed by this showing of love.

Ted and I like to chat about Star Wars, animals, and food.  We begin each lesson checking on the other person.  We share stories about our life.  I am working with Ted to become more independently conversational.  I have a feeling that as his English improves, I will never stop laughing during our classes.  He is a mischievous, bright, and humorous young man.  When I see his name on my calendar, my heart does a little happy dance.

Working hard!

This past July, Danielle messaged me on WeChat to tell me that she and Ted were coming to America!  She had to travel for work, but she was also planning some fun things for Ted during the National Day holiday/ Golden Week.  She told me they were planning to visit "your Disney" in Florida, and she invited me to meet them there!  Now, I am a Disney junkie, and my family loves to vacation there.  It doesn't take much to prompt me to head from NC to FL.  However, our family had just visited Disney World in February.  We plan and budget for a trip their every other year.  I knew it would be a stretch to make that happen.  I told Danielle I would talk with my husband and see what I could do.  Enter my husband, my hero!  With great excitement, I told him about Danielle and Ted's upcoming trip to Disney World in October.  His immediate reply was, "we will make this happen!".  I called in some favors to my parents, my mother-in-law, and my grandmother.  Each year, they give Brian and I money for Christmas, and I simply asked if I could have my Christmas gift early this year.  They were so generous and kind.  I think they were excited to be a part of making this dream happen!

Ted with his American football.

I love to plan, and I jumped on the organization train posthaste!  I was able to find a deeply discounted rate to stay at the All-Star Music Resort on Disney property.  We found amazingly incredible airfare via Frontier Airlines.  My fantastic mother-in-law agreed to come stay with our kiddos, and we wrote out a very strict budget for tickets, food, and gifts.  The week before we traveled, I took my children out around town, and we picked up some local items for gifts for Danielle and Ted.  Among the goodies was a football for Ted and a picture book of where we live.  I had also collected pennies and quarters along with a book to make a pressed coin collection while in Disney World.  It was so difficult to find something to show how grateful and excited I was to be meeting my favorite student.  I couldn't believe it was really happening!

***I have permission from Ted' Mom to share his photo.***

To read Meeting Ted, Part Two, please click here!

To read Meeting Ted, Part Three, please click here!