April 28th 1910

Dear Diary,

Today was an unfortunate day. We lost half our silks and threads, buttons and cloths to a band of looters. They destroyed all our tapestries and blankets. They raided our cupboards and drawers. Nothing was left in one piece...

They even took my grandmother's guardian. It was passed down from generation to generation, it kept us from ill fate, but now our guardian can no longer protect us against bad magic and sickness. Father says we'll have to be extra careful in everything we do from now on. I cried the hardest. We had finally saved enough money to send me and my sister to school! But now it is gone too. Mother taught us words, spelling, and writing, father taught us speech and the little math he knew. At least we weren't completely illiterate.

The Lees are helping us rebuild our door and have even offered for us to stay with them whilst we pick up the pieces of our home. I'm okay with that.

My friend Hongbin is their son, he's the same age as Cali but acts younger in spirit. He works out in the fields with his parents. He is also very handsome also. I hope to marry him when I am of age.