They grow up so fast... then go back home to Germany.

Yes, yet another international student (from Germany) is departing tomorrow, despite attempts to reason with her parents to sell her to us.

Hosting students isn't always easy, but all of em have been a big part of our home while they were here, and most have remained in contact long afterward. Well, alright, not the 'short stay' ones, that stay like 2 or 3 weeks... That's barely enough time to overcome the language barrier, and they tend to become blurry memories in the fog of time.

We WERE supposed to be receiving a new student from China, who was going to stay for a year, but last week we're told she isn't coming to our home now. Why? The student's parents didn't want her to go to a home with any children.

Mrph?? Granted, our 2 and a half year old is a heavy-drinking party monster who will get students into heroin, but... heyyyy, no wait. I stand by my "Mrph??". Someone suggested that maybe they want their daughter to be the sole centre of attention at the host home. Meh. I don't know, maybe they didn't want their daughter to be exposed to experience with a sibling, given China's 'single child' laws. (which are very, very flexible with an allotment of moolah.)

There's some talk of us getting a couple Mexican students as short-stays in March. They would be our first Mexicans. Ironic, since our FIRST students were supposed to be Mexicans before their mother heard another nearby school was better. They could have bussed to it from here, but the mother said no to that... either due to the expense of busing, or the bus experience in Mexico. Hey Mexican parents! In Canada, putting your teenage daughter on a bus ISN'T considered an invitation for kidnapping. Eh... maybe that's just a stereotype.

At any rate, being short term students, we likely won't get to know them worth beans before they have to go. Hopefully we can soon host another long-term student, (Mexican? We haven't had one yet!) so we can learn more about the culture. It's common knowledge that tourism and TV don't compare to talking to a local.

Alas, farewell, German-young-woman-who's-name-is-withheld-for-the-internet, (you pile of pervs!) Your laughter, smile, and talks will be missed sorely by all of us.