We did make it back and Kai didn't barf! He was so resiliant on the trip and poor Julia stood most of the way. I considered searching for a parachute about 6 hours in. It's just so very difficult to hang in there on a long flight even though it's less than a day compared to how other people have crossed the ocean. Sleep has been slow to come. Sunday morning here finds Yun Zhen and I hanging out. Kai fell asleep at 7:45 pm and isn't up yet. Julia's gone to bed to try to get some rest. She's just plain exhausted as Yun Zhen is on a two hour sleep cycle.
It really was a marvelous trip with experiences that were unforgetable. But there's a little girl who'd like some tickling just now. We'll post more pictures as we have time this week. Thanks to all who took the time to read this and for your continued well wishes.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
April 16th happenings
This is out of order but I didn't have a chance to post on my birthday for those events. It was an odd day with all of us pretty concerned about the long flight home. We started the day with a trip to the toy market. This was pretty remarkable really. With Kai leading the way in decisive fashion we searched through market stuffed animal vendors to look for a "realistic" stuffed animal for him to bring home. We are proud owners of "Whitey" now, a white tiger. He also scored a godzilla like toy who is apparently not really Godzilla as he has but two fingers and the real Godzilla has three. A bag of candy was also scored.
After toy shlepping we were headed toward a cab when I felt a presence close by. I felt a hand venturing into my front pants pocket. Turning my head I saw a guy shadowing my closely trying to pick my pocket. He immediately put his hand in his own pocket and started to pretend to kick rocks and then went behind a truck. He wasn't successful but it was one of those sort of complete your trip experiences. The afternoon found me still looking for Dramamine for Kai and I purchased some carsickness patches in hopes that the plane ride would be easier for him.
Our last dinner was at Lucy's, the Americanized restaurant a short distance from the swan. We ate there a lot as they have grilled cheese sandwiches for Kai. Nothing spectacular about the food but a lovely place to eat outside. We danced to Huey Lewis "Heart of Rock and Roll" once Yun Zhen started grooving to it. Kai and I also danced and then we walked along the river and watched the lights for our last evening in China. Then it was off to pack up for an early flight.
After toy shlepping we were headed toward a cab when I felt a presence close by. I felt a hand venturing into my front pants pocket. Turning my head I saw a guy shadowing my closely trying to pick my pocket. He immediately put his hand in his own pocket and started to pretend to kick rocks and then went behind a truck. He wasn't successful but it was one of those sort of complete your trip experiences. The afternoon found me still looking for Dramamine for Kai and I purchased some carsickness patches in hopes that the plane ride would be easier for him.
Our last dinner was at Lucy's, the Americanized restaurant a short distance from the swan. We ate there a lot as they have grilled cheese sandwiches for Kai. Nothing spectacular about the food but a lovely place to eat outside. We danced to Huey Lewis "Heart of Rock and Roll" once Yun Zhen started grooving to it. Kai and I also danced and then we walked along the river and watched the lights for our last evening in China. Then it was off to pack up for an early flight.
Saturday, April 18, 2009
safely home
We made it back to Seattle. The plane trip was long, but everyone did well. We had to go to baggage claim 3 times on the way back, once in Beijing to transfer it all to the international flight, once at customs in Seattle, then again at baggage claim in Seattle.
Yun Zhen is now a US citizen, though we have no paperwork to back it up. We will get a Certificate of Citizenship within 45 days. Immigration suggests we get her US passport right away.
I will try to post some pictures shortly, but I am functioning on a few 1-2 hr bits of sleep over the last 36hours, so if the opportunity to sleep comes up, I will probably take it instead of posting pictures.
The grandparents met us at the airport. Was very nice. They have pictures of us bleary eyed. I was so out of it that Virginia offered to make us dinner, and about 4pm I forgot and had Jeff make dinner. Sorry Virginia. Diana drove us home, stocked our fridge (so we had makings to cook) and bought us crib sheets (I can't believe I forgot to do that!).
Even though we stayed up until 7pm, no one slept past 12:30.
Yun Zhen is now a US citizen, though we have no paperwork to back it up. We will get a Certificate of Citizenship within 45 days. Immigration suggests we get her US passport right away.
I will try to post some pictures shortly, but I am functioning on a few 1-2 hr bits of sleep over the last 36hours, so if the opportunity to sleep comes up, I will probably take it instead of posting pictures.
The grandparents met us at the airport. Was very nice. They have pictures of us bleary eyed. I was so out of it that Virginia offered to make us dinner, and about 4pm I forgot and had Jeff make dinner. Sorry Virginia. Diana drove us home, stocked our fridge (so we had makings to cook) and bought us crib sheets (I can't believe I forgot to do that!).
Even though we stayed up until 7pm, no one slept past 12:30.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
At the white swan
Yesterday, we moved to the White Swan Hotel for our last three days. The room is much smaller but the hotel is very fancy. They have a truly fantastic Koi pond and lots to look at. Kai and I have been in the pool a lot which is very nice. Our move was a bit awkward. Marching three blocks down the road with the bellman pushing our 6 + bags along. Of course this bellman wasn't allowed into the White Swan so there we were in the driveway while the Swan bellman unloaded and we were all set. Yesterday also involved taking Yun Zhen to the doctor to pass a physical which she did. She's got a passport and then we wrap up tomorrow and head out early Friday morning. Yesterday was the first super-hot day. It's the Canton Festival now and there are lots of businessmen in town. This means I'm getting a whole different set of solicitations now when I go out for a walk or to run errands. Many of these "masseuses" even have business cards.
The Swan is very American oriented. Lots of white families adopting. It's a little shocking to see obese America again and the free buffet is a bit competitive in the morning. There's lots of competition for the couch in the playroom (sponsored by mattel). Meanwhile when out and about there are lots of locals out exercising in any open space.
Yun Zhen continues to charm everyone and crawls up to us and begs to be tickled. She grins and smiles and she seemed ok when we took her with us from visiting the orphanage. It will interesting to see how the ride home goes.
Kai is into Justice League stories and I told him 5 hours of them on the way to and from the orphanage. It gets to be a drag but seems to keep him getting carsick.
Looking forward to seeing everyone though we'll be a wreck for a bit I think. Tomorrow, I turn 39 and reflecting on these last couple of life altering weeks I find myself at ease here and I do wish we could stay longer. It's been lovely to add Yun Zhen to our family and to get to know her.
The Swan is very American oriented. Lots of white families adopting. It's a little shocking to see obese America again and the free buffet is a bit competitive in the morning. There's lots of competition for the couch in the playroom (sponsored by mattel). Meanwhile when out and about there are lots of locals out exercising in any open space.
Yun Zhen continues to charm everyone and crawls up to us and begs to be tickled. She grins and smiles and she seemed ok when we took her with us from visiting the orphanage. It will interesting to see how the ride home goes.
Kai is into Justice League stories and I told him 5 hours of them on the way to and from the orphanage. It gets to be a drag but seems to keep him getting carsick.
Looking forward to seeing everyone though we'll be a wreck for a bit I think. Tomorrow, I turn 39 and reflecting on these last couple of life altering weeks I find myself at ease here and I do wish we could stay longer. It's been lovely to add Yun Zhen to our family and to get to know her.
Monday, April 13, 2009
pictures of orphanage
The staff and Jun Zhen's Nannies
Wall of children who were adopted to the US from Yangxi SWIA lot for such a small orphanage
Staff took Yun Zhen from us right out of the car.
She looks so happy.
Yun Zhen's finding place I had more pictures downloaded, but Yun Zhen came over and unplugged the computer. The hotel computer deletes everything on it when it is powered off. Nice security, but now don't have time to do it again. wonder if White Swan will have computer in the room.
You can go to the below link to see pictures inside the orphanage. They requested that we do not take pictures.
A long car ride and short visit
Yesterday we visited Yun Zhen's orphanage. It is the Yanxi orphanage and about 3-4 hours east of Guangzhou. Not a lot to say about the drive. Rice paddies, livestock, city and onward. I did see a couple of cranes (the bird kind and machine kind) on the way.
The city where Yan Zhen was abandoned is small and pretty rural. The orphanage has secured a funding source from the government and is in process of building solar power on its roof so that the kids have heat, hot water, and A/C when needed.
Yun Zhen was apparently the darling of the orphanage. She was immediately nabbed from us on arrival and we didn't get her back until after the big lunch that the director of the orphanage took us to.
There's more to tell but everybody's just getting up and I must go Dad now. We'll get a lot more of the story out as things settle down here. We're moving to the White Swan hotel today and are not sure if there will be a computer in the room.
The city where Yan Zhen was abandoned is small and pretty rural. The orphanage has secured a funding source from the government and is in process of building solar power on its roof so that the kids have heat, hot water, and A/C when needed.
Yun Zhen was apparently the darling of the orphanage. She was immediately nabbed from us on arrival and we didn't get her back until after the big lunch that the director of the orphanage took us to.
There's more to tell but everybody's just getting up and I must go Dad now. We'll get a lot more of the story out as things settle down here. We're moving to the White Swan hotel today and are not sure if there will be a computer in the room.
Sunday, April 12, 2009
Easter Sunday
The easter bunny has agreed to visit our house next week and hope that everyone had a nice holiday. Today we went on a paddle boat and to a truly gargantuan mall (at least compared to those hick malls we've got in Seattle)! Kai got new italian made fast shoes with a "K" on the side of them so don't forget to be very impressed when you see them. He also bought a pretty neat remote control car and has also gotten a couple of swords. Yun Zhen found several fetching articles of clothing with her Mom.
We had a very nice family time this evening. Yun Zhen is a bit ticklish and Kai is a tickler. It was delicious to see both kids smiling and laughing. Very touching really.
I took my first cab ride today. It was so cheap that it makes me question my miles of hiking these last several days. Big grocery store. Very fun to walk through though. The cab was a little crazy and I was watching some truly excellent advertisements in the back of the cab. I, being a cautious traveler on a good day felt very brave to make it back to the hotel. Like being a caveman really returning with food and supplies for the family. I also agonized over instant cereal types for quite awhile.
Yun Zhen eats and eats and eats. It's remarkable and so important to get her fed before she gets very hungry. We're all getting better when she cries and are starting to understand what she's looking for.
Kai and I are also spending good times together playing "wipeout" in the kids playroom at the hotel. Generally speaking the "faster than the faster than the faster than the lion tiger lion tiger boy" wins.
We had a very nice family time this evening. Yun Zhen is a bit ticklish and Kai is a tickler. It was delicious to see both kids smiling and laughing. Very touching really.
I took my first cab ride today. It was so cheap that it makes me question my miles of hiking these last several days. Big grocery store. Very fun to walk through though. The cab was a little crazy and I was watching some truly excellent advertisements in the back of the cab. I, being a cautious traveler on a good day felt very brave to make it back to the hotel. Like being a caveman really returning with food and supplies for the family. I also agonized over instant cereal types for quite awhile.
Yun Zhen eats and eats and eats. It's remarkable and so important to get her fed before she gets very hungry. We're all getting better when she cries and are starting to understand what she's looking for.
Kai and I are also spending good times together playing "wipeout" in the kids playroom at the hotel. Generally speaking the "faster than the faster than the faster than the lion tiger lion tiger boy" wins.
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