Another Son Leaves the Nest

heading to the Hong Kong airport

This morning we brought Son #2 to the airport to fly to Beijing, where he'll be studying as an exchange student for a semester. (In the USA his first semester ended before Christmas, Beijing University 2nd semester starts after Chinese New Year, hence the longest vacation he may experience until he reaches retirement age!)
He's been living with us just long enough for him to almost learn not to slam the doors at night,  and long enough for me to almost learn not to leave the sound on when I turn my computer on in the mornings. (Hong Kong living means we were all sleeping close enough to each other that all these things mattered.)

He enjoyed sleeping, eating, and trying out popular Hong Kong martial arts such as Wing Chun (too slow, he complained, altho he got a nice t-shirt out of it) and Brazilian Jujitsu (from which he came home bruised but happy). He also enjoyed living room wrestling with his younger brother (now the only nestling again) so that our casualties from his visit include 1) a glass picture frame, slid off the wall and crashed, 2) a bottle of soy sauce, fell off the cabinet and splashed 3) the vase Wayne alleges he bought me for Valentine's Day, smashed, apparently,  into smithereens.

We loved having him here.  The house is strangely quiet, and youngest son is stuck with just us again.

Below: pics from what to me seems like the amusement-ride-esque views from the top of the double decker bus taking us to the airport to see him off.   AND, one last burger before the flight.  Our family members have diminished by 25% but we think our grocery bill will be halved.

 ¹⁹ Listen, my son, and be wise,
   and set your heart on the right path:
²⁰ Do not join those who drink too much wine
   or gorge themselves on meat...


 ²² Listen to your father, who gave you life,
   and do not despise your mother when she is old.
²³ Buy the truth and do not sell it—
   wisdom, instruction and insight as well.
²⁴ The father of a righteous child has great joy;
   a man who fathers a wise son rejoices in him.
²⁵ May your father and mother rejoice;
   may she who gave you birth be joyful!--     Proverbs 23             (nuf' said!)