This post will be somewhat scattered as my thoughts are everywhere.
It's the afternoon of our last day here. It's bitter-sweet for sure. On the one hand, it's time for Ai Li to have some stability in a routine. On the other hand, we're about to thrust her into the abyss of a huge unknown where she is even more the odd one out. There will be no more familiar language being spoken around her. No more familiar smells, customs, people. We are sad to be leaving, yet today, now anxious to get home. It helps that it's a cruddy day outside.
We've gotten quite friendly with one of the store owners, and enjoy sharing tea with him and the staff. Cody has taught two of the young men in there how to play chess, and they've taught him hackysack.
Going back a bit, the minute we arrived at the Beijing airport and stuck out like sore thumbs, Molly looked at me and said, "Welcome to my world, people. It feels awesome to see that everyone's little like me and looks like me. I could get used to this!" Everywhere we've been, we have experienced life from 'her world', where we are the different ones, where everyone stares at us. I'll never take her perspective for granted again.
OK - back to the present. We went to a grocery store - Carrefour - the other day. It was fun and we brought all these things back to the hotel to try out. Some were winners, some absolutely NOT. While we were there - and anywhere we go, actually, Steve and I have the girls between us. Steve's usually in front blocking and then I'm herding and sheltering. Cody floats - usually up front. So, we're in line at the checkout (and I will never complain about waiting in line at Walmart again - this line was s-l-o-w) and I had the good fortune to be standing in front of the local village drunk - who was buying another bottle of the good stuff - a bottle he most certainly didn't need. His breath was on my neck he was in close for a better look. I could have passed out from the fumage that eminated from behind and that I was apparently now wearing (drunk people spit when they speak - old queen of scorn here got a direct hit). Try as he might, he could not figure out these big folk with the 2 little Chinese girls. He poked me to start a little chat (like I needed to get face to neck now - uh NOT). I pulled out our handy-dandy electronic translator and thought I'd explained it enough to satisfy him. Drunk man wanted my magic tablet that entered his world. I can tell you that every button has been pressed now (sorry - banged) - several times. Apparently the magic tablet only works for the big people so it got handed back to me - smears and all - with much mutterings. Well, since he couldn't get the magic thing to work, he took a pen and started to write all over his hand to ask me more. You know how when some people cannot understand, others tend to just speak louder, as if that'd help? I found out only too quickly that when one cannot read Chinese, drunk man shoves it closer and closer to your eyes. By now, we have paid our bill and decide to skedaddle away.
We've just said some goodbyes to another shop keeper who's as sweet as can be. She's the one who has taken the time to talk with Ai Li - rather than just talk at her - and she's the one who told us that our daughter was terribly homesick for her friends and was very sad. She hugged Ai Li and asked her privately if she was happy now - the reaction was our well-known little impish smile with a busy tongue licking her lips. She's OK!!!!!!!!!!!! She's comfortable with our love. Thank you Ada for being so sweet to our child and really understanding what she needed.
We found a great little restaurant last night - sort of just stuck in the wall and very basic. Delicious! The menu was bigger than some books. We stuck to things we knew more or less. We are all quite proficient with chopsticks and find ourselves using them over the other utensils. How's that for cool? We may celebrate our last dinner there tonight, but we spotted another place that we may just try out too. Decisions, decisions.
Steve and the kids are all on the third floor playing ping pong right now. There's a huge international tournament going on now in Guangdong province and we've been catching some of it on TV. Speaking of TV, a TV reporter and camera guy stopped me in the street yesterday while I was on my own running an errand. I thought they were going to ask me about adoption, so I said 'sure' when they asked for an interview. So - what were the questions?
1. What number do I call in case of emergency.
2. What number do I call in case of fire.
3. What number do I call in case someone steals my purse and I need the police.
I didn't know the answer to any of them. I could tell them that if I needed the police I would merely stand there and scream and let all the shop keepers come out and help me. As there are guards everywhere, I'm sure the police would hear me, and besides, what would I call with? I don't have a cell phone.
We met other 'dumb American families' who'd been interviewed as well, and none of them did any better. I thought I'd prepared for everything. Wrong - I didn't study my phone numbers. Take heed, future China visitors - learn your numbers!
Going to find the ping pongers. Here's to hoping for a distinct lack of turbulence as we fly home.
Friday, February 29, 2008
Wednesday, February 27, 2008
Update
Guangzhou is chilly!! Today, though, the sun was out and we strolled up and down the various Shamien streets popping in and out of little (and are they ever little) stores which are crammed with things to buy. Sales people are desperate for the sale and try every trick in the book to keep you in their store. They're really delightful people.
We saw Mei Lian and her family today and Ai Li just lit up with joy to see her friend. They jabbered on and we agreed to meet later for dinner. We ate at Lucy's tonight - the kids were at one table and adults at another. Sweeeeeeeet. Hotel rooms are close quarters.
I have advice for anyone travelling with adolescents. Bring odor eater foot or shoe powder!!! This is my favorite thing that I remembered to pack. A roll of packing tape has helped on more than one occasion also.
We met a storekeeper who remembered the Wees family - isn't that lovely? Kirsten, it was Dong and I told him I'd say hello to you all.
Ai Li is more and more comfortable in her role as a family member here. She's spunky, fun and came to remind me this morning to put her ear drops in. She's messed with me a few times (teasing and playing with mom, which has made my day!). Another thing she'll do is imitate one of us in a playing way and then have a fit of giggles. I can't wait to post some of the photos that show her face in full Ai Li mode!!
We played alphabet bingo this morning and she's quite the little game shark. Colors/shapes bingo not as much fun as 'yellow octagon' just isn't quite as easy to grasp. I thought it was either color or shape but it's not. We still had fun. She catches on quickly.
I forgot to mention that when we were in Guilin, we were offered special bottles of wine (look like giant versions of the old apothecary glass bottles with the glass cork thing). We could choose from the in-your-face delivery of each type. There was snake wine, lizard wine and another critter wine - each bottle with an assortment of it's species in it. REVOLTING. I cannot tell you how much I hated that moment!
Also, at the restaurant there where Steve got to choose our live, fresh fish, there was also some pheasant, some ducks, a chicken and 4 wild rats which were the size of beavers, I kid you not. My animal loving Molly was ready to start a riot and we told her that if they weren't eaten by a certain time they were set free. Yes, we lied to her, and yes, she was able to go in and eat. We did, however, ask our guide which was her favorite animal and she said she does not like the taste of wild animals. Phew!
We have two full days left here and hope to maximize both of them. We have a van arranged to take us to the airport, with a pick up time on Saturday morning of 5:30. Breakfast will be served on the flight between here and Tokyo. I probably won't post again before we leave, but look forward to getting settled in at home, sorting through photos and posting again.
This has been a most amazing journey with lots of growing and learning moments for each and every one of us. How cool is that!
We saw Mei Lian and her family today and Ai Li just lit up with joy to see her friend. They jabbered on and we agreed to meet later for dinner. We ate at Lucy's tonight - the kids were at one table and adults at another. Sweeeeeeeet. Hotel rooms are close quarters.
I have advice for anyone travelling with adolescents. Bring odor eater foot or shoe powder!!! This is my favorite thing that I remembered to pack. A roll of packing tape has helped on more than one occasion also.
We met a storekeeper who remembered the Wees family - isn't that lovely? Kirsten, it was Dong and I told him I'd say hello to you all.
Ai Li is more and more comfortable in her role as a family member here. She's spunky, fun and came to remind me this morning to put her ear drops in. She's messed with me a few times (teasing and playing with mom, which has made my day!). Another thing she'll do is imitate one of us in a playing way and then have a fit of giggles. I can't wait to post some of the photos that show her face in full Ai Li mode!!
We played alphabet bingo this morning and she's quite the little game shark. Colors/shapes bingo not as much fun as 'yellow octagon' just isn't quite as easy to grasp. I thought it was either color or shape but it's not. We still had fun. She catches on quickly.
I forgot to mention that when we were in Guilin, we were offered special bottles of wine (look like giant versions of the old apothecary glass bottles with the glass cork thing). We could choose from the in-your-face delivery of each type. There was snake wine, lizard wine and another critter wine - each bottle with an assortment of it's species in it. REVOLTING. I cannot tell you how much I hated that moment!
Also, at the restaurant there where Steve got to choose our live, fresh fish, there was also some pheasant, some ducks, a chicken and 4 wild rats which were the size of beavers, I kid you not. My animal loving Molly was ready to start a riot and we told her that if they weren't eaten by a certain time they were set free. Yes, we lied to her, and yes, she was able to go in and eat. We did, however, ask our guide which was her favorite animal and she said she does not like the taste of wild animals. Phew!
We have two full days left here and hope to maximize both of them. We have a van arranged to take us to the airport, with a pick up time on Saturday morning of 5:30. Breakfast will be served on the flight between here and Tokyo. I probably won't post again before we leave, but look forward to getting settled in at home, sorting through photos and posting again.
This has been a most amazing journey with lots of growing and learning moments for each and every one of us. How cool is that!
Monday, February 25, 2008
Catching Up
We visited Ai Li's city, Zhuhai on Thursday. A most tropical, gorgeous place. The weather was perfect and we had about 20 minutes on the beach. The kids thought it was so cool to be touching the South China Sea. The orphanage director came with us and we took her out to lunch. It is so obvious that Ai Li has left family and friends, and it's no small wander that she's pining for them. After a long drive back to the hotel, we had a very early night.
Got to the airport on Friday morning for our trip to Guilin (gway leeng). Flight cancelled. No reason - just cancelled. Next one out at 8:00 pm. The airline put us in a bus and sent us off to a hotel in Baiyun to hang out. They also provided us a meal of roasted duck and rice. Not bad for a flight problem!! The transportation collected us and drove us back for the flight. We were very thankful for such wonderful treatment.
I truly think that if Mother Nature could apologise to the people of China for the squallor, filth, poverty etc. by giving them a spot to find one day, She did it by providing Guilin. It is beautiful, cleaner than any other city we've seen and just different. Our boat cruise on the Li River was a gift that if anyone can ever enjoy, they should. It was a four hour lunch cruise through mountains and small villages. The weather was wonderful. I have tons of photos, but cannot find my gadget right now, so words will have to do. Our next day was spent touring caves and climbing and being served the most delicious meal I personally can remember having enjoyed. We visited the night market and then crashed. Flew back to Guangzhou this morning and here we are.
Ai Li is doing much better. She's really developed a monkey-ish relationship with our kids and has just discovered how much fun a big brother is. Store keepers everywhere keep telling her how lucky she is that Mama took her out and brought her into the family and she's less than impressed with Mama. I am to blame for everything that is wrong with her life right now it seems. She will let me take her to the bathroom and give her medicine. That's it. At least she has someone or something to take it out on, and tag! I'm it. Sure wish those store keepers would shut up or at least drag Dad into it too!! Time will help, I know. We had an episode with car sickness today and she did let me help and then hold her. Finally got checked back into this hotel and she let me help her into the shower. 30 minutes later, and the water still going, I went in. She'd plugged the drain and was having the swim of a lifetime in there. Her impish smile can move mountains, I assure you and she and I shared a private giggle before she remembered who she was giggling with. Ha! Mom got one in!
Like Molly was for ages, Ai Li is either totally happy or totally blank-faced. She's picking up words we think. Although she's not saying them, she knows full well what we're talking about sometimes, which is wonderful, because Mom acting out the potty manoeuver in public is not the prettiest sight!! Now she understands 'bathroom'.
Cody's had one night of being sick and sleeping next to the trashcan followed by one low-keyed day. That appetite is back and in full swing now! Steve's having his turn with the tummy grumbles today. So far KNOCK ON WOOD the girls are holding strong! As we've all had the same food, we're wondering if the men's room may be the culprit.
Zhuhai families - I have other photos for each of you, but posted the best. It takes a long time for me to load them (this is dial-up). We ask that everyone still pray for our little one who struggles with her place in her new family. Thanks.
Got to the airport on Friday morning for our trip to Guilin (gway leeng). Flight cancelled. No reason - just cancelled. Next one out at 8:00 pm. The airline put us in a bus and sent us off to a hotel in Baiyun to hang out. They also provided us a meal of roasted duck and rice. Not bad for a flight problem!! The transportation collected us and drove us back for the flight. We were very thankful for such wonderful treatment.
I truly think that if Mother Nature could apologise to the people of China for the squallor, filth, poverty etc. by giving them a spot to find one day, She did it by providing Guilin. It is beautiful, cleaner than any other city we've seen and just different. Our boat cruise on the Li River was a gift that if anyone can ever enjoy, they should. It was a four hour lunch cruise through mountains and small villages. The weather was wonderful. I have tons of photos, but cannot find my gadget right now, so words will have to do. Our next day was spent touring caves and climbing and being served the most delicious meal I personally can remember having enjoyed. We visited the night market and then crashed. Flew back to Guangzhou this morning and here we are.
Ai Li is doing much better. She's really developed a monkey-ish relationship with our kids and has just discovered how much fun a big brother is. Store keepers everywhere keep telling her how lucky she is that Mama took her out and brought her into the family and she's less than impressed with Mama. I am to blame for everything that is wrong with her life right now it seems. She will let me take her to the bathroom and give her medicine. That's it. At least she has someone or something to take it out on, and tag! I'm it. Sure wish those store keepers would shut up or at least drag Dad into it too!! Time will help, I know. We had an episode with car sickness today and she did let me help and then hold her. Finally got checked back into this hotel and she let me help her into the shower. 30 minutes later, and the water still going, I went in. She'd plugged the drain and was having the swim of a lifetime in there. Her impish smile can move mountains, I assure you and she and I shared a private giggle before she remembered who she was giggling with. Ha! Mom got one in!
Like Molly was for ages, Ai Li is either totally happy or totally blank-faced. She's picking up words we think. Although she's not saying them, she knows full well what we're talking about sometimes, which is wonderful, because Mom acting out the potty manoeuver in public is not the prettiest sight!! Now she understands 'bathroom'.
Cody's had one night of being sick and sleeping next to the trashcan followed by one low-keyed day. That appetite is back and in full swing now! Steve's having his turn with the tummy grumbles today. So far KNOCK ON WOOD the girls are holding strong! As we've all had the same food, we're wondering if the men's room may be the culprit.
Zhuhai families - I have other photos for each of you, but posted the best. It takes a long time for me to load them (this is dial-up). We ask that everyone still pray for our little one who struggles with her place in her new family. Thanks.
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Wednesday, February 20, 2008
We found Mei Nian
Today was our trip to the police station to apply for Ai Li's passport. In and out in less than 15 minutes. We went for a walk on the other side of the bridge and ended up in the antique district. Not a good place to be. Both girls were scared. Both parents were very nervous and we really felt we'd ended up in the bad side of town. Won't do that again.
We visited the 6 Banyan Tree Temple and had the children blessed - quite moving for Mom and Dad. We climbed the 9-story Pagoda and enjoyed the view as well.
We went to Lucy's for dinner in hopes of bumping into the family who was getting another of our Zhuhai sweeties the day after we did. We saw them arrive just moments after we did - how's that for great luck! Ai Li didn't see them as quickly as Molly did, but she didn't know we were looking for them either. When she saw her friend, her little face lit up and we went straight over to have a hug. They chatted and we sat next to each other, and then the comparisons began - you could see the pointing and the babbling on about each other's families. Sure wish we could tell what was being said! Mei Nian Kirchhoff, the friend, will live in Deshler, Nebraska. Brenda - she too gets very green in the car apparently, so they won't visit the SWI. She has a sister from China who's just about 6 months older than she is. We shared our e-list with them and hope they'll join.
We're really excited to be visiting Zhuhai tomorrow. The sun came out today and brightened everything up, in addition to bringing some warmth. Molly's beside herself with all these cute little dogs running around. China has Pekenese and Pomeranians as stray dogs - while we, in the USA, pay a small fortune for them!
Ai Li's picking up a few things. Every time we hand her something, she now says,"chank yoo" in her husky little voice - much like Jen's!
Here are some photos from today that are of something other than a close-up nostril or some other goody that our budding photographer has managed to capture. These are mom's photos!
Goodnight, and thanks for sharing this journey with us.
Tuesday, February 19, 2008
Report on Today
Well, our room is amazing - corner suite with 2 windows, one overlooking a school and there's a giant cage on the roof with peacocks, other birds, a sheep and an emu. We hear the kids taking band.
We have a computer in the room. With this privilege of a "business suite" we get one king size bed. Figure that one out for 5.
Cody's on the couch and probably doing the best on this deal. In the one bed are Sue, Ai Li, Molly and Dad - in that order. At least we fit!
So, you remember I said that everyone was settled last night? Yeah - that was when Mom was on duty. In comes Dad who stirs the whole thing up and there's this massive play fest and wound up girls. It was the best thing to happen - Ai Li giggled and laughed and kept pushing Molly to tickle Dad. It was hysterical. One hour later, all is calm again. A good night's sleep.
Ai Li is not using chopsticks. She's jumped right in and only using knife and fork - and very willing to be taught. I know I would not be that brave at 9. We did see her with the chopsticks at lunch today (dim sum restaurant) and she's not that good with them either. Has probably used a spoon for much of the time.
We noticed that her left ear has had some obvious surgery and that it was sort of leaky. It really leaked a lot in the night and she tried to hide her pillow this morning. She's snuffly too. Her skin is dry like cardboard and about as soft. Her fingers are all sort of raw or blistered - but not quite as bad as that sounds. So after our appointment at the adoption agency where we were interviewed and formally finalized the adoption, we decided a trip to the clinic was in order and opted to pay for the American Clinic. We will have to have that ear looked at properly in time, but for now we have antibiotics for the infection and nose drops for the stuffiness. The fingers will heal on their own - too much roughhousing on the playground is what we're told. She was a champion, and responded well to the docs questions. There was a scale in the room. Molly got on it and we discover that she and Ai Li are both 54 pounds, with Molly being 2 inches taller.
This was followed by the restaurant lunch and the zoo. My 2 kids have cameras. Miss Shutterfinger has discovered mine. I have no photos to post today. She walked around pressing that thing repeatedly at everything in site. No aim then shoot. No good photos either. I'll have to wait until she's asleep and do some serious deleting.
Right now, there are 2 little girls in the shower - Molly's teaching that too, God love her. Ai Li's hair needs a wash and some conditioner. I've popped in to help and she's fine with that and found it quite funny that Mom's hand poked in through the shower curtain.
We will visit Zhuhai orphanage on Thursday and I will have the camera, not Ai Li! Jim - I asked Mr. Li to ask for those photos for you yesterday. Today I asked him if he did that and he said that there should be pictures for me to get for you!! I asked if we could go at a time when the children were not in school so that I could take photos of all the you-know-who's we love on this board. I also asked if I could take photos of any babies coming to America. He will ask for the AAI kids to be brought out!!!!!! Let's hope they do so that I can get up-to-date photos for everyone. I will do my best, I promise.
Oh - yesterday, with Ai Li, was one of the other girls - the one who was in the denim jacket on Lynn's lap. She's getting her family today. I have our information and hope to bump into them here so connect the girls.
Lynn - I know you told us how to read our comments, but what I remember isn't working - would you shoot me an email to the group list with that info please?
I hear the water off now, so will close. Blessings to all from the hotel room of double happiness!
After
We have a computer in the room. With this privilege of a "business suite" we get one king size bed. Figure that one out for 5.
Cody's on the couch and probably doing the best on this deal. In the one bed are Sue, Ai Li, Molly and Dad - in that order. At least we fit!
So, you remember I said that everyone was settled last night? Yeah - that was when Mom was on duty. In comes Dad who stirs the whole thing up and there's this massive play fest and wound up girls. It was the best thing to happen - Ai Li giggled and laughed and kept pushing Molly to tickle Dad. It was hysterical. One hour later, all is calm again. A good night's sleep.
Ai Li is not using chopsticks. She's jumped right in and only using knife and fork - and very willing to be taught. I know I would not be that brave at 9. We did see her with the chopsticks at lunch today (dim sum restaurant) and she's not that good with them either. Has probably used a spoon for much of the time.
We noticed that her left ear has had some obvious surgery and that it was sort of leaky. It really leaked a lot in the night and she tried to hide her pillow this morning. She's snuffly too. Her skin is dry like cardboard and about as soft. Her fingers are all sort of raw or blistered - but not quite as bad as that sounds. So after our appointment at the adoption agency where we were interviewed and formally finalized the adoption, we decided a trip to the clinic was in order and opted to pay for the American Clinic. We will have to have that ear looked at properly in time, but for now we have antibiotics for the infection and nose drops for the stuffiness. The fingers will heal on their own - too much roughhousing on the playground is what we're told. She was a champion, and responded well to the docs questions. There was a scale in the room. Molly got on it and we discover that she and Ai Li are both 54 pounds, with Molly being 2 inches taller.
This was followed by the restaurant lunch and the zoo. My 2 kids have cameras. Miss Shutterfinger has discovered mine. I have no photos to post today. She walked around pressing that thing repeatedly at everything in site. No aim then shoot. No good photos either. I'll have to wait until she's asleep and do some serious deleting.
Right now, there are 2 little girls in the shower - Molly's teaching that too, God love her. Ai Li's hair needs a wash and some conditioner. I've popped in to help and she's fine with that and found it quite funny that Mom's hand poked in through the shower curtain.
We will visit Zhuhai orphanage on Thursday and I will have the camera, not Ai Li! Jim - I asked Mr. Li to ask for those photos for you yesterday. Today I asked him if he did that and he said that there should be pictures for me to get for you!! I asked if we could go at a time when the children were not in school so that I could take photos of all the you-know-who's we love on this board. I also asked if I could take photos of any babies coming to America. He will ask for the AAI kids to be brought out!!!!!! Let's hope they do so that I can get up-to-date photos for everyone. I will do my best, I promise.
Oh - yesterday, with Ai Li, was one of the other girls - the one who was in the denim jacket on Lynn's lap. She's getting her family today. I have our information and hope to bump into them here so connect the girls.
Lynn - I know you told us how to read our comments, but what I remember isn't working - would you shoot me an email to the group list with that info please?
I hear the water off now, so will close. Blessings to all from the hotel room of double happiness!
After
Monday, February 18, 2008
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