Hi, Donna--
You asked about my adjustment to the US after I grew up in Japan.
Actually, my adjustment was gradual, because I spent two years
(kindergarten and seventh grade) in the US, and I also went to an
English-speaking boarding school for high school.  There was a degree of
culture shock, though--everyone has to get used to new situations.  I
remember thinking as a college freshman in the US that my peers were so
shallow, and I lived for the visits I had with my fellow international
school alumni...well, almost!
As for your parents' acquaintance in the ballet here in Jackson, if it's
Thalia Mara, the city named the city auditorium after her a couple of
years ago.  Unfortunately, the Ballet Mississippi company disbanded due
to lack of funding, but the school continues.  Jackson also supports a
Christian ballet company and school, Ballet Magnificat--the city doesn't
fund it, as it is a private institution (thought I should clarify that).
Anyway...having been homeschooled myself, I have a greater respect for
my parents and what they must have gone through with me.  My brothers
and I read tons of books, wrote lots of journals, and yeah, we did the
workbooks and textbooks too (not that I remember anything from them!).
We had lots of time to play, both by ourselves and with our Japanese
friends, and we were always involved in my parents' missionary work as
well.  This was in the sixties, back before the "Big Three" curriculum
companies, so my parents ordered the entire Scott Foresman lineup and we
all used the same thing through sixth grade.  They tried correspondence
schools for us for 7th and/or 8th grade. Only my youngest sibling had
high school at home, but that was because my parents couldn't afford the
escalating costs of the boarding school to which the rest of us went.
We were allowed to go as fast as we wanted to, and I remember finishing
8th grade spelling well before 5th grade.
And for the curious...I did very well in high school and college, and on
every standardized test I've ever taken (SAT, ACT, CLEP, GRE).  And my
husband can tell you that I have a mind of my own! 
Sarah
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