Tuesday, November 07, 2006
November 6 & 7
Man are we still tired! Natalie hasn't slept through the night since Friday night. She must be having trouble with jet-lag. We are fried. We do gout, do some shopping for a new car seat for and look at double strollers. We look at the strollers because we are also still waiting to hear more from Ethiopia. Truth be known, as tired as we are, we are also wanting to make another trip to China. We'll see........... We must be crazy.........
November 5
We are really tired from the trip home. At 6:30 A.M., Natalie gets us up. So we catch the first service at church (of course, we show off Natalie). Then we go home and have lunch with Corey, and Karen's parents. This is fun because it is the first time they get to see Natalie. After Karen's parents leave, I go pick up Riley, do some quick grocery shopping (have to get soymilk for Natalie and cereal for breakfast). Then we hit the sack early, but this did not end up to be Natalie's plans. Because, she screamed and cried until we finally let her sleep between us.
November 4 (or Good Bye, China)
Today we said good-bye to Jeff, Darla, Kady and Michael. Then we boarded our plane for home. We already really miss everyone and miss China. It was a wonderful experience.
However, the trip home left a bit to be desired (at least parts of it). The airline staff for Northwest on all of our flights was wonderful. But, let me tell you about security.
At Guangzhou's airport, security went through all of our carry-on luggage (this was OK. Everybody needs to be safe these days). But, Karen had the remainders of a soft-drink and bottled water to make bottles for Natalie. The officer went to the trouble to make Karen open and taste all off them. OK, no biggy. But, after all that threw them away and left us without anything to make a bottle for Natalie. Karen was fit to be tied, which she should of been.
Then another check in Tokyo. When we arrived in Detroit, everyone's luggage was removed for a customs check (point-of-entry into U.S.), then put onto next flight. OK, no big deal. But, one piece of our hard-side luggage was shattered with pieces missing. OK, so since we have a little over a 4-hour layover, we go upstairs, get it replaced (thanks, Northwest because their replacement piece was WAY nicer than our busted-up one). go BACK through security after re-checking the new piece.
Their were two pleasant points to all of this. The new piece of luggage and what happened next. Karen was giving the Detroit security officer the rundown of all our mishaps on this flight and ended with "all I want is to unwind before we finish our flight home and drink a cold pop." The officer grins at her and from out of nowhere pulls out an unopened, ice-cold Diet Pepsi, tells Karen to enjoy it and drink as much as she can before we get to our next point in line. After everything, this made Karen's day. Gotta love random acts of kindness.
Then we got home we were surprised by Karen's son an our friends with a "It's A Girl!" sign in the yard, a welcome home sign and a beautiful cake. It felt SO GOOD to be home.
However, the trip home left a bit to be desired (at least parts of it). The airline staff for Northwest on all of our flights was wonderful. But, let me tell you about security.
At Guangzhou's airport, security went through all of our carry-on luggage (this was OK. Everybody needs to be safe these days). But, Karen had the remainders of a soft-drink and bottled water to make bottles for Natalie. The officer went to the trouble to make Karen open and taste all off them. OK, no biggy. But, after all that threw them away and left us without anything to make a bottle for Natalie. Karen was fit to be tied, which she should of been.
Then another check in Tokyo. When we arrived in Detroit, everyone's luggage was removed for a customs check (point-of-entry into U.S.), then put onto next flight. OK, no big deal. But, one piece of our hard-side luggage was shattered with pieces missing. OK, so since we have a little over a 4-hour layover, we go upstairs, get it replaced (thanks, Northwest because their replacement piece was WAY nicer than our busted-up one). go BACK through security after re-checking the new piece.
Their were two pleasant points to all of this. The new piece of luggage and what happened next. Karen was giving the Detroit security officer the rundown of all our mishaps on this flight and ended with "all I want is to unwind before we finish our flight home and drink a cold pop." The officer grins at her and from out of nowhere pulls out an unopened, ice-cold Diet Pepsi, tells Karen to enjoy it and drink as much as she can before we get to our next point in line. After everything, this made Karen's day. Gotta love random acts of kindness.
Then we got home we were surprised by Karen's son an our friends with a "It's A Girl!" sign in the yard, a welcome home sign and a beautiful cake. It felt SO GOOD to be home.
November 3
Today we had a leisurely morning and did a small bit more shopping, ate lunch at Lucy's again . We also took in some of the morning streetlife. It was pretty cool to see older people kicking around a hackey-sack for exercise. It was like we were back in the 80's. People were doing this all over the park.
Around 3:00 P.M., we left for the adoptive parents swearing in at the U.S. Consulate. This is where the children's Visas are done and upon entering the U.S. this enables the adopted children to become U.S. citizens. After the ceremony, we said our good-byes to Brig, Christine & Alley and Karen K., Rachel & Katey. They left for the airport straight from the consulate with our guide, Michael. By the way, just seconds after the picture under the immigration sign, we were informed that we weren't allowed to this by consulate security. So, I wouldn't recommend doing the same as we did. OOPS.
Jeff, Darla, Kady and we returned to the hotel. I stayed back and started packing, while Karen and Natalie went shopping for another piece of luggage and a couple more keepsakes Karen had special-ordered for us.
Later, we got together with the remaining Digbys and Michael and shared some wonderful Italian takeout from Danny's Bagels. When you are in Guangzhou, I'd highly encourage you to get delivery from Danny's Bagels. The food is great.
Afterwards, we finished packing and went to bed.
Around 3:00 P.M., we left for the adoptive parents swearing in at the U.S. Consulate. This is where the children's Visas are done and upon entering the U.S. this enables the adopted children to become U.S. citizens. After the ceremony, we said our good-byes to Brig, Christine & Alley and Karen K., Rachel & Katey. They left for the airport straight from the consulate with our guide, Michael. By the way, just seconds after the picture under the immigration sign, we were informed that we weren't allowed to this by consulate security. So, I wouldn't recommend doing the same as we did. OOPS.
Jeff, Darla, Kady and we returned to the hotel. I stayed back and started packing, while Karen and Natalie went shopping for another piece of luggage and a couple more keepsakes Karen had special-ordered for us.
Later, we got together with the remaining Digbys and Michael and shared some wonderful Italian takeout from Danny's Bagels. When you are in Guangzhou, I'd highly encourage you to get delivery from Danny's Bagels. The food is great.
Afterwards, we finished packing and went to bed.
Monday, November 06, 2006
Jet Lagged, Tired, But Home
I want to apologize for the delays in posting. Thursday we packed, Friday we had her immigration ceremony and Saturday we flew home. I will cath things up later tonight or tomorrow. Thanks, everyone for reading and sending us your comments.
Thursday, November 02, 2006
November 2
Today, we had a really busy day. It was fun, but really busy.
First, we walked over to the White Swan to take the obligatory "Red Couch" picture. This was really funny. Because we all thought there was this special, coveted, red couch all roped off. Nope, we were fooled. There were a half a dozen well-worn, faded red couches. But, much to our chagrin, no "Official Red Couch." Christine even went and asked the manager. Finally, we selected a red couch and we all still worked like crazy to get all our girls to sit still and took the pictures. Now, I guess we can say we did it just like everybody else that came before us.
Then, we went shopping for what seemed like hours and hours (but was actually only 45 minutes, tops). At nearly every shop, there are ramps for the strollers or trolleys as they are called here in China. Karen had also better get back to Indiana while she can still speak English. While we were entering one of the stores, she turned to me and said, "low ramp for trolley, easy to get up, good shopping," with a Chinese accent. The truly sad thing was that she really and truly was NOT making fun of anyone at all. It's just that everytime we stay away from Indiana for any length of time, she picks up everyone else's accent. You, should hear her after we've spent time with my family in Texas. I swear I'm driving home with my mother talking to me all the way back to Indiana and for a couple of weeks after.
Then, we ate lunch, threw our shopping treasures on the couch, changed Natalie, met up with Karen K., Brig and Christine, caught a van to the local Buddhist Temple to have our babies blessed by a monk. Although, Karen and I are Christian, we still thought it was a beautiful part of Natalie's culture and wanted her to have that experience.
Afterwards, we returned for yes, even more shopping and had dinner with a cousin of Karen's that is working in this area. This was really cool because she hadn't seen him since he was a child. Then we tried to get Natalie to sleep in her crib. This was a HUGE success, NOT. Because she ended up screaming like you would not believe (even though she was sleeping soundly up to that point). So, she ended up in our bed (fell asleep immediately) for about an hour and a half until Karen snuck her back into the crib.
First, we walked over to the White Swan to take the obligatory "Red Couch" picture. This was really funny. Because we all thought there was this special, coveted, red couch all roped off. Nope, we were fooled. There were a half a dozen well-worn, faded red couches. But, much to our chagrin, no "Official Red Couch." Christine even went and asked the manager. Finally, we selected a red couch and we all still worked like crazy to get all our girls to sit still and took the pictures. Now, I guess we can say we did it just like everybody else that came before us.
Then, we went shopping for what seemed like hours and hours (but was actually only 45 minutes, tops). At nearly every shop, there are ramps for the strollers or trolleys as they are called here in China. Karen had also better get back to Indiana while she can still speak English. While we were entering one of the stores, she turned to me and said, "low ramp for trolley, easy to get up, good shopping," with a Chinese accent. The truly sad thing was that she really and truly was NOT making fun of anyone at all. It's just that everytime we stay away from Indiana for any length of time, she picks up everyone else's accent. You, should hear her after we've spent time with my family in Texas. I swear I'm driving home with my mother talking to me all the way back to Indiana and for a couple of weeks after.
Then, we ate lunch, threw our shopping treasures on the couch, changed Natalie, met up with Karen K., Brig and Christine, caught a van to the local Buddhist Temple to have our babies blessed by a monk. Although, Karen and I are Christian, we still thought it was a beautiful part of Natalie's culture and wanted her to have that experience.
Afterwards, we returned for yes, even more shopping and had dinner with a cousin of Karen's that is working in this area. This was really cool because she hadn't seen him since he was a child. Then we tried to get Natalie to sleep in her crib. This was a HUGE success, NOT. Because she ended up screaming like you would not believe (even though she was sleeping soundly up to that point). So, she ended up in our bed (fell asleep immediately) for about an hour and a half until Karen snuck her back into the crib.
November 1
Today, Natalie got her health check-up and everything was wonderful. It was a nice day. With one exception, I had a migraine in the morning and slept it off. Needless to say, I was useless to Karen. But, the nap did some good and we had a good day from that point.
After the check-up, our group toured the area around our hotel with Michael (our adoption facilitator), then had lunch at Lucy's. This was after, of course, Michael left the group long enough to come get me up and going. Lucy's was a good restaurant. Lucy's serves a very American-friendly menu. We liked it enough that we also ate dinner there that night.
The traffic here close to the hotel is very calm. Although, just across the bridge it is busy and hectic like Beijing and Chongqing. The shopping here is good and the businesses definitely cater to the adoptive-family market. There is a also a beautiful park, called "Friendship Park."
"Friendship Park" has several beautiful plants and fun sculptures of the unique Western and Chinese life going on in the area.
After the check-up, our group toured the area around our hotel with Michael (our adoption facilitator), then had lunch at Lucy's. This was after, of course, Michael left the group long enough to come get me up and going. Lucy's was a good restaurant. Lucy's serves a very American-friendly menu. We liked it enough that we also ate dinner there that night.
The traffic here close to the hotel is very calm. Although, just across the bridge it is busy and hectic like Beijing and Chongqing. The shopping here is good and the businesses definitely cater to the adoptive-family market. There is a also a beautiful park, called "Friendship Park."
"Friendship Park" has several beautiful plants and fun sculptures of the unique Western and Chinese life going on in the area.
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