I am LOVING being back on Shamian Island - it feels like an old friend!! Originally my adoption agency wanted to put us in a hotel off the Island - and I fought that!! I don't care if the rates were better, by the time we reached Guangzhou, I was ready for some "westernized" culture!! I honestly don't know why my agency wanted to put us up elsewhere - this really is the best place to be!! I am just grateful that the other families in my group wanted to stay here as well - we are all united in this is the best place to stay. Especially after the last hotel our agency picked - again, nice hotel, terrible location!! I must say, that the other 2 families that have been with me have been great. It is going to be so weird not to see them everyday. We all got along great, and as far as I could tell, there were no disagreements!! In fact, everyone was great with helping me carry my stroller up and down stairs as needed. China is not very stroller accessible. Despite the fact that Steve couldn't come and that I missed my family terribly, this has been a great trip. There were so many potential problems that I was expecting when I left the States, but all in all, we made it through as scheduled!! I can only attribute that to God answering all of our prayers!! Praise to Him!!!
So, what have I been doing the last 2 days? SHOPPING!! I came here thinking that I didn't need to buy that much stuff, since I stocked up a year and a half ago, but guess what? I was wrong!! I am hoping to stuff everything into my 2 suitcases, or else I will have to buy another small one - YIKES!! I just returned from shopping with Ann from Red Thread - man, is she the best!! She gets us such great deals that it is so hard to pass up. She said that her shopping guide business has been slow...what are you people thinking??? If any of you are coming to China soon, you need to hook up with Ann!! She can get amazing prices on pearls, jade and traditional clothing, just to name a few! You can save at least 50% of what you would pay on the Island. Call her - she is awesome!!!
Oh, the good news. We had our consulate appt. scheduled for Thurs. the 23rd. Our guide, Helen, took all of our paperwork to the appt and said that she would call us by noon to tell us how it went. Well, Adam's phone rang at 10:30 (he was the contact person with the cell phone - we all shopped together while we waited for Helen's call). So Maria and I were nervous, thinking that there was a problem, but no!!! Everything was great!! In fact, since only 6 families had their appt on the 23rd, they decided to mover our oath ceremony to Thurs. afternoon (instead of Fri). This is huge!! So, at 2:45 we boarded the bus and went to the US Consulate for our swearing in ceremony and to receive our US immigration paperwork (including Michael's visa that had created such a problem before I left). It was great!! After our oath, Maria and I looked at each other and we both had been crying. Everything was done, we were free to go home - PRAISE GOD!! So we all celebrated by having dinner at Lucy's, and then we spent Friday shopping and packing. We are all ready to go home and start our lives with our family!! This afternoon I am going to take Michael to the pool, grab some Italian dinner, pack and go to bed...I leave early in the morning for the airport!! I will be arriving in Atlanta around 7 pm - I can't wait to see my wonderful husband and beautiful girls. This has been a long journey in so many ways, I am glad that it is coming to an end and we can begin our life as a family of 6!! Oh, and I guess that I have to start cooking and cleaning again - not looking forward to that!! Thank you all for your prayers and encouragement, I couldn't have done it without any of you. Next post - from home!! PRAISE THE LORD!!!!
Friday, July 24, 2009
Wednesday, July 22, 2009
We made it to Guangzhou!!! (6 pictures below)
Sorry that I dropped the ball a little - we have been busy!! Monday morning was a free day. Michael and I slept in, enjoyed a leisurely breakfast and then strolled around the hotel to take pictures of the neighborhood. We are still not sure why our agency picked this hotel. It is nice and all and has a great breakfast buffet, but the neighborhood stinks!! I mean, there is absolutely nothing within walking distance for us to do. Very annoying. We are all a little frustrated with this choice of hotel. Anyway, we ate lunch with Maria, Patty and Brayden at our favorite restaurant around the corner. It is great food, but I was kind of glad that it was our last meal there - it's getting a little old. Michael took a great nap and then we went to the Summer Palace. This was one of my favorite spots! It was absolutely beautiful!! It was super hot, but at least there was a nice breeze coming off of the lake. We are so glad that we made it to this spot - it was great. While we were there, I gave Michael his first ice cream bar - see if you can tell from the picture if he liked it!! I was scolded by a couple of older Chinese women - they kept telling me that his face was dirty. Well, duh! Can't you see he is eating ice cream while it is 90+ degrees!! They wanted me to clean him up, well I just kept walking. What is the point of cleaning him after every bite, he is only going to get dirty again!? Don't worry, I cleaned him up after he finished!!
Oh, this is sad. When we got back to the bus to go back to our hotel, Michael told me (in his own way) that he had to go potty. I tried to tell him just to go in his pull-ups, but I guess he didn't understand me. He did okay for a while, and then he got really vocal about his need to go. I asked our guide to tell him that it was okay to go in his diaper, but my guide ignored me. Nice. So, a little while later he started crying and was REALLY upset. Our guide finally tried to tell him to go, but that didn't work. Our bus driver pulled over, I took the little guy in a grassy knoll and stripped his pants and pull ups off (we already tried to have him pee outside without taking the clothes off, and well, that didn't work). So I have a half naked kid in the middle of Beijing during rush hour - screaming...and not peeing. He refused to go. Well, I thought that maybe he had peed in his pull up - it seemed a little wet. So, I tried to put his clothes back on, but he just screamed louder. What now? Pick up half naked crying boy and put him on the bus!! Luckily he didn't pee on me!! I got him dressed and he was fine...for about 10 minutes. Then he said he had to go potty!!! UGH!!! Luckily we were close to the hotel. As soon as we got there, I ran into the lobby and to the public restrooms - he smiled when he saw the ladies room sign. He was very relieved to to be able to finally relieve himself!! What a nightmare!! I felt so sorry for him, but on a positive note - he does have great bladder control!!
After Michael was better, we walked to Pizza Hut - the first time I had pizza since I came to Beijing. Jessica (one of the 7 year-olds) picked a curry chicken pizza. Curry is not my favorite, but I was willing to try anything - and it tasted great!! Michael enjoyed a slice of veggie pizza - at least he will fit in with our family!!
So Tuesday morning was also free - our last day in Beijing!! Unfortunately, Michael didn't sleep in....he woke up at 6. And that was after a night of at least 2 nightmares or terrors - I don't know which. So needless to say I was tired. We ate and then worked on packing. It was nice getting rid of gifts so that cut down on the weight of each suitcase...I have LOTS of room to go shopping in Guangzou!! We finished up just as Meg arrived and the 3 of us went out to lunch at a french bistro...it was yummy!! We got back to the hotel and checked out. I said a tearful goodbye to Meg, and got on the bus for one last time. It was hard to say goodbye, Meg is just so awesome!! I am so grateful that she was there - I would not have been able to do as well as I did without her. She was a Godsend!!
We arrive at the south Beijing terminal. It is it's own separate airport, and let's just say, we were SCARED!!! It is this tiny hole in the wall building with planes sitting in a weed-infested lot. It was even smaller than the Rochester MN airport!! We really were nervous!! Our guide checked us in and we went through security (after thanking our guide, Michael - he really was great). So, then we were the only Americans in the airport and all of the messages were in Chinese. I was so glad to be here with a group - we had visions of missing our flight! It was an experience!! So we finally board the plane and then we sit - for an hour!!! UGH!! There are messages (in Chinese), so none of us could understand anything!! Well, we did okay, but my son HATED his seat belt. It wasn't even on tight!! It just stressed him out to no end!! He cried!!! I finally got him distracted and he forgot about it for a while, but whenever he remembered that it was on, he had a fit!! Not looking forward to 14 hours of this!!! Oh! And wait until he has to sit in his car seat!! NICE!! Other than 3 or 4 fits of rage over his seat belt, he did great. He even fell asleep - about 30 minutes out of Guangzhou! I thought for sure that he would have fallen asleep sooner since he didn't get a nap - which made him even crankier!! Well, we landed in Guangzhou and found our guide, Helen. She is very sweet and good with the kids. We got checked into the White Swan Hotel and I feel like I am almost home!! We stayed on Shamian Island when we were here with Danielle so this is familiar territory! I am so glad to be here!! On Wed morning, Helen took us to the Chen Clan something...can't remember it's name. It was pretty neat - but it is SUPER humid here - UGH!! I really feel like I am melting!! We did a little shopping, but I am waiting to hook up with Ann to get some better deals (you are welcome, Honey). We even ate lunch at McDonald's - first time on this trip. I am not a huge McDonald's fan, but it never tasted so good!!! We are back in our room and Michael is sleeping peacefully. I am waiting for Helen to come and work on my paperwork for our consulate appointment in the morning. If all goes well with that, I can come home!!! Please pray that there are no hiccups tomorrow morning - I want to come home!!
Oh, this is sad. When we got back to the bus to go back to our hotel, Michael told me (in his own way) that he had to go potty. I tried to tell him just to go in his pull-ups, but I guess he didn't understand me. He did okay for a while, and then he got really vocal about his need to go. I asked our guide to tell him that it was okay to go in his diaper, but my guide ignored me. Nice. So, a little while later he started crying and was REALLY upset. Our guide finally tried to tell him to go, but that didn't work. Our bus driver pulled over, I took the little guy in a grassy knoll and stripped his pants and pull ups off (we already tried to have him pee outside without taking the clothes off, and well, that didn't work). So I have a half naked kid in the middle of Beijing during rush hour - screaming...and not peeing. He refused to go. Well, I thought that maybe he had peed in his pull up - it seemed a little wet. So, I tried to put his clothes back on, but he just screamed louder. What now? Pick up half naked crying boy and put him on the bus!! Luckily he didn't pee on me!! I got him dressed and he was fine...for about 10 minutes. Then he said he had to go potty!!! UGH!!! Luckily we were close to the hotel. As soon as we got there, I ran into the lobby and to the public restrooms - he smiled when he saw the ladies room sign. He was very relieved to to be able to finally relieve himself!! What a nightmare!! I felt so sorry for him, but on a positive note - he does have great bladder control!!
After Michael was better, we walked to Pizza Hut - the first time I had pizza since I came to Beijing. Jessica (one of the 7 year-olds) picked a curry chicken pizza. Curry is not my favorite, but I was willing to try anything - and it tasted great!! Michael enjoyed a slice of veggie pizza - at least he will fit in with our family!!
So Tuesday morning was also free - our last day in Beijing!! Unfortunately, Michael didn't sleep in....he woke up at 6. And that was after a night of at least 2 nightmares or terrors - I don't know which. So needless to say I was tired. We ate and then worked on packing. It was nice getting rid of gifts so that cut down on the weight of each suitcase...I have LOTS of room to go shopping in Guangzou!! We finished up just as Meg arrived and the 3 of us went out to lunch at a french bistro...it was yummy!! We got back to the hotel and checked out. I said a tearful goodbye to Meg, and got on the bus for one last time. It was hard to say goodbye, Meg is just so awesome!! I am so grateful that she was there - I would not have been able to do as well as I did without her. She was a Godsend!!
We arrive at the south Beijing terminal. It is it's own separate airport, and let's just say, we were SCARED!!! It is this tiny hole in the wall building with planes sitting in a weed-infested lot. It was even smaller than the Rochester MN airport!! We really were nervous!! Our guide checked us in and we went through security (after thanking our guide, Michael - he really was great). So, then we were the only Americans in the airport and all of the messages were in Chinese. I was so glad to be here with a group - we had visions of missing our flight! It was an experience!! So we finally board the plane and then we sit - for an hour!!! UGH!! There are messages (in Chinese), so none of us could understand anything!! Well, we did okay, but my son HATED his seat belt. It wasn't even on tight!! It just stressed him out to no end!! He cried!!! I finally got him distracted and he forgot about it for a while, but whenever he remembered that it was on, he had a fit!! Not looking forward to 14 hours of this!!! Oh! And wait until he has to sit in his car seat!! NICE!! Other than 3 or 4 fits of rage over his seat belt, he did great. He even fell asleep - about 30 minutes out of Guangzhou! I thought for sure that he would have fallen asleep sooner since he didn't get a nap - which made him even crankier!! Well, we landed in Guangzhou and found our guide, Helen. She is very sweet and good with the kids. We got checked into the White Swan Hotel and I feel like I am almost home!! We stayed on Shamian Island when we were here with Danielle so this is familiar territory! I am so glad to be here!! On Wed morning, Helen took us to the Chen Clan something...can't remember it's name. It was pretty neat - but it is SUPER humid here - UGH!! I really feel like I am melting!! We did a little shopping, but I am waiting to hook up with Ann to get some better deals (you are welcome, Honey). We even ate lunch at McDonald's - first time on this trip. I am not a huge McDonald's fan, but it never tasted so good!!! We are back in our room and Michael is sleeping peacefully. I am waiting for Helen to come and work on my paperwork for our consulate appointment in the morning. If all goes well with that, I can come home!!! Please pray that there are no hiccups tomorrow morning - I want to come home!!
Monday, July 20, 2009
Random Ramblings (see below for other post from today with more pictures)
The main purpose of this blog is to document my trip to China as I adopt my son, but I also want to share this journey with you!! This post is just going to be a bullet post of random things and thoughts that I may have forgotten to put in previous posts. Some may sound negative, but I want to remember the good, the bad and the ugly!!!
- Chinese dept stores are TOTALLY inefficient!! When you find what you want, the sales person in that dept. holds onto your item and writes up a receipt. You then take this paper to a cashier and pay for it, then you take your receipt BACK to the dept (after stamped paid) and pick up your item!!!
- I miss ice in my drinks
- I am tired of eating every meal in a restaurant - and I am tired of Chinese food!
- I don't miss cooking!
- I am tired of my hotel room....
- but I love having someone else clean my room!!!
- I do not miss doing laundry, but am tired of living out of a suitcase
- Taking a 2 year old to a breakfast buffet every morning alone is NOT relaxing
- Having a 2 year old have random fits is not amusing (can't wait to get home and work on fixing that)
- Chinese cartoons are not funny (at least I don't think they are)
- Pollution makes my throat hurt - every day! (I should have had a chest x-ray before and after my trip just to see!)
- squatty pottys at Tianamen Square are N-A-S-T-Y
- make sure potty door at above mentioned public restrooms is locked - or else above 2 year-old will open - mid stream!!!
- our guide refers to the orphanage as "the college" - huh
- adoption paperwork in Beijing is ANNOYING!!!
- if you ever come to Beijing for more than a weekend, don't stay at the Yuyang Hotel. It is very nice, but not in a nice area of town. There is absolutely nothing within walking distance so you will be stuck in your hotel room...and don't get a massage across the street, it is run by prostitutes (no, that is NOT where I had my massage)
- having a HUGE picture window (with metal blinds) between the shower and the bed is VERY weird, but functional when you are alone with a 2 year old and need to get clean!
- having a government censor your internet access and TV is maddening!!! I guess it does aid in reinforcing Chinese propaganda!!!
- bathing caps (which are required for all people to wear in swimming pools - even children) are NOT attractive!!
- sunscreen is not really necessary when pollution is so thick - at least I didn't need it!!
- I have never watched so much ESPN in all my life - at least THAT wasn't censored!!!
- the hotel maids play sick shower nozzle games...everyday it is pointing a different direction and hoses a new section of the bathroom!!
- never forget to take tissue into a bathroom with you - you never know when a stall isn't going to have any...say for instance the T. Square public one!
- Chinese dept stores are TOTALLY inefficient!! When you find what you want, the sales person in that dept. holds onto your item and writes up a receipt. You then take this paper to a cashier and pay for it, then you take your receipt BACK to the dept (after stamped paid) and pick up your item!!!
- I miss ice in my drinks
- I am tired of eating every meal in a restaurant - and I am tired of Chinese food!
- I don't miss cooking!
- I am tired of my hotel room....
- but I love having someone else clean my room!!!
- I do not miss doing laundry, but am tired of living out of a suitcase
- Taking a 2 year old to a breakfast buffet every morning alone is NOT relaxing
- Having a 2 year old have random fits is not amusing (can't wait to get home and work on fixing that)
- Chinese cartoons are not funny (at least I don't think they are)
- Pollution makes my throat hurt - every day! (I should have had a chest x-ray before and after my trip just to see!)
- squatty pottys at Tianamen Square are N-A-S-T-Y
- make sure potty door at above mentioned public restrooms is locked - or else above 2 year-old will open - mid stream!!!
- our guide refers to the orphanage as "the college" - huh
- adoption paperwork in Beijing is ANNOYING!!!
- if you ever come to Beijing for more than a weekend, don't stay at the Yuyang Hotel. It is very nice, but not in a nice area of town. There is absolutely nothing within walking distance so you will be stuck in your hotel room...and don't get a massage across the street, it is run by prostitutes (no, that is NOT where I had my massage)
- having a HUGE picture window (with metal blinds) between the shower and the bed is VERY weird, but functional when you are alone with a 2 year old and need to get clean!
- having a government censor your internet access and TV is maddening!!! I guess it does aid in reinforcing Chinese propaganda!!!
- bathing caps (which are required for all people to wear in swimming pools - even children) are NOT attractive!!
- sunscreen is not really necessary when pollution is so thick - at least I didn't need it!!
- I have never watched so much ESPN in all my life - at least THAT wasn't censored!!!
- the hotel maids play sick shower nozzle games...everyday it is pointing a different direction and hoses a new section of the bathroom!!
- never forget to take tissue into a bathroom with you - you never know when a stall isn't going to have any...say for instance the T. Square public one!
Temple, acrobats and hot pots - oh my!
After Michael's nap on Sunday, we met the gang for an afternoon outing. Our guide took us first to the Temple of Heaven. It was in a nice park and it really was beautiful. Not much to see other than a few "temple" buildings, but they were nice. After that we went to the Flying Acrobats show - it was amazing!!! Michael was not too thrilled to have to sit on my lap, but I wasn't going to pay for another ticket, and besides, he wouldn't have been able to see! Once I gave him some crackers, he was fine. He was a bit scared of the show at times - the music could be a little ominous, but I enjoyed it thoroughly!! It was INCREDIBLE!!! I was amazed at how the performers' bodies could contort and how strong they all were!! I better quit complaining about carrying around one toddler!! Whenever they performed a stunt I was blown away - and then they would one-up it....again and again!! I was amazed at all of the limits that they pushed!! I can't even imagine how their rehearsals go! And who thinks up these stunts? They are mind-blowing!! The strength that these perfomers possess is unreal!! Balancing 6 girls - all of them on one arm...even the anchor girl!! One stunt was done on a bike with a girl peddling and then they added a pyramid of 10 girls - all while the bike is in motion!! UNBELIEVEABLE!! I was very impressed!
We went out to dinner after that at a restaurant that specializes in hot pots. I didn't really like it. Neither did Michael, which was a first!! I was glad that I tried it but was doubly glad that I had half a PBJ back at the hotel!! We were able to talk to Baba (Daddy) and the girls for a while before bed. They made it home after 10 days with my folks. They were worn out but glad to be back at home - I think. I know that they are missing their grandparents, but it will be good for them to get back into a routine (hint! hint!! Baba).
After Michael went to sleep, I decided to try and see if I could get our church service on the web, and guess what? It worked!! It was great to see some familiar faces (even though they couldn't see me) and to hear the wonderful music!! It was very comforting but it also made me more homesick. Hopefully I will be back in the States for the next service. I really enjoyed watching it - I even caught a glimpse of Steve and his Mom as the camera panned the sanctuary...at least they made it!! I must admit though, I didn't make it all the way through the sermon. I am sorry Seth Wortman, but I really did go to sleep during it - at least I turned the computer off first! It was great, I was just too tired and it got too late (11:15 pm). Trust me when I say it wasn't you, it was me!! I am going to go back and listen to the sermon from the archives - it sounded great from what I heard!! Thank you to all of my friends and prayer warriors out there - they are working, keep up the great work!!! God is good!
We went out to dinner after that at a restaurant that specializes in hot pots. I didn't really like it. Neither did Michael, which was a first!! I was glad that I tried it but was doubly glad that I had half a PBJ back at the hotel!! We were able to talk to Baba (Daddy) and the girls for a while before bed. They made it home after 10 days with my folks. They were worn out but glad to be back at home - I think. I know that they are missing their grandparents, but it will be good for them to get back into a routine (hint! hint!! Baba).
After Michael went to sleep, I decided to try and see if I could get our church service on the web, and guess what? It worked!! It was great to see some familiar faces (even though they couldn't see me) and to hear the wonderful music!! It was very comforting but it also made me more homesick. Hopefully I will be back in the States for the next service. I really enjoyed watching it - I even caught a glimpse of Steve and his Mom as the camera panned the sanctuary...at least they made it!! I must admit though, I didn't make it all the way through the sermon. I am sorry Seth Wortman, but I really did go to sleep during it - at least I turned the computer off first! It was great, I was just too tired and it got too late (11:15 pm). Trust me when I say it wasn't you, it was me!! I am going to go back and listen to the sermon from the archives - it sounded great from what I heard!! Thank you to all of my friends and prayer warriors out there - they are working, keep up the great work!!! God is good!
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