What a blow. This morning, we discovered that all the pictures we took since coming to Taitung eight months ago have evaporated into thin air. The external drive is empty. These are the last I have that I happened to save two days ago. Ken took the drive to a computer store and they said it would cost about a thousand US dollars to try to retrieve them. We will check another place to make sure. Does anyone know what may have happened? Starting the computer that morning was a little strange. It said press DEL to run setup. So I did. I wonder if that was wrong. I clicked on save changes. But it said nothing about deleting anything. Or was I foolish in not guessing what DEL really means?
Oh well.
We're still praying for a miracle. So many memories!
Anyway, here are a few fun things from last Saturday:
Before we left for the organic farmer's market that happens twice a year, Joseph said he wanted to buy a rubik's cube. He remembered from six months ago, the fun he had playing with them at the stand beside the pineapples. So he brought some of his hard earned money along, hoping that the teacher would be there this time too.
Sure enough, there he was. Joseph parked himself in front of the table, and didn't leave until we were almost ready to go about two hours later.
His sisters joined in for a while. Anna got into a four blocked rubik's and managed to complete the colors of one side by herself. When Joseph bought his, the teacher gave that one to Anna. They have been fiddling with them ever since. The teacher taught Joseph how to complete a side of the traditional rubik's, so he's been doing it over and over.
Every now and then it happens; he stumbles into a new passion.
At the end, a performer sang some songs. I asked Lydia if she wanted to dance. For some reason, she was not inhibited by shyness that day. Despite a crowd of people sitting on the pavement all around her, she let loose! For some reason, I couldn't upload the last picture of Lydia dancing (got it!), which shows more fully all that she did. I'm so proud of her. I never would have done that at her age.
What a milestone today! Lovely little Anna has been going through a clingy stage these past few weeks. She has been afraid to be too far away from me in public. I have tried to talk to her about it gently to figure out what caused this change. I have a few ideas, but am not 100% certain. So I was surprised when, that evening after the farmer's market, when we were finishing up supper at our favorite vegetarian buffet, Anna asked if she could get her rubik's cube from the car (parked right outside). I gave the keys and off she went. I had to see this for myself, so I hid in the corner and peaked out the glass doors. Sure enough, she did it! A little nervous, and going at record speed, but she did it! Good job, Anna!