We are almost there. Right now we are awaiting the time to leave to finish the final pieces to bringing Tian home.
She has cleverly discovered our bag of surprises to have on the plane ( a couple of different toys and new snacks to try.) She went right for the play cell phone. She knows how to use it - she thinks she is a pre teen already!
2 of the families in our group catch their planes tonight, so we can really see the end in sight. It is bittersweet - it has been a fun journey, but we are so eager to get home.
Tian's rash was better - now worse. Poor thing. I think we will keep her anyway :o)
I didn't get this post finished before we left - Tian is a tough task master!
We are back and she is official - when we walk through customs (they will also stamp her form) she will be an official US citizen. The US and China currently do not have dual citizenship agreements, so the US recognizes her as only a US citizen. She can, however, travel to China under her Chinese passport (until it expires) but then forfeits US citizenship rights while in China.
Today was interesting a big room with 40 families from all over the US. All we did was go to a window where they checked all 3 passports to see we matched the picture and then we waited ( of course). After about one half an hour we all stood and pledged that everything we filled out on the forms was correct. That was that. Once again no pomp and circumstance the parents all cheered, but that was all . Our guide collected our forms and we came back to the hotel for a good night's sleep before tomorrow's big adventure/trek home.
We will probably do a litlle last minute shopping, the stores here are very touristy, but have some fun things we can't find in the states. Tian loves to be pushed in her stroller so we don;t get a lot of time to look as we have to keep moving. I keep telling myself she is saving us lots of money. I wish I knew what size to buy her for next year - the summer clothes are on sale at about $4 ( US) . We have bought a few and shoes - Tian wears the next to the biggest size - so we have bought few and wish we could buy more - too many cute ones. Tom says we should already be calling her Imelda.
Thanks for all the great emails and support back home it has been nice to know how many people back home are there for us as we continue to adjust - not only to Tian, but our mve to Wisconsin.
Hope all is well and everyone avoided the e. coli scare - the rumor here was that all produce in the US could no longer be sold - gotta love rumors:o)
Tuesday, September 19, 2006
Tuesday
We had an easy day( so far) today. This morning our guide took care of our applications for Tian's visa. We will finish up the last of the paperwork tonight and then we will pick up our visa tomorrow afternoon. We can see the light at the end of this long tunnel of bringing Tian home!
We were lucky and while we had to stay in our rooms this morning, in case our guide had questions while he was the consulate, Tian took a nap. The four family's in our group then gathered for the traditional pictures on the "red couch." All the families who adopt from China have to go through Ghaungzhou so they can get visas etc from the American consulate here. Many families stay at this the hotel, The White Swan, and they have a red couch where it is tradition to take the baby's pictures alone and as a group. Our babies did great until one deciced it was naptime and Tian discovered she could leap off the couch and get everyone to scream and Dad or Mom to dive to the rescue. It was an adventure.
We then ventured to a small restaurant that caters to Americans ( Lucy's) and convinced them to spice up a dish of noodles for Tian. They did not believe us that she liked spicy food so they watched and laughed as she slurped it down. Tom had a terrific grilled cheese, mint milk shake and homemade chips - he was in heaven, so I guess he will have to figure out how to have them shipped to Wisconsin.
We then walked through a park and still are amazed at how many people are everywhere, many working, but many more just hanging around. It was fun to walk along the river ( the Pearl River). It is very dirty, but people swim in it and they use it for drinking water. Things were busy as they are started to get ready for the fall festival the first week in October.
Tian is still doing well and is quite a people person. When we get on the elevator with other people she will shout to see what they will do and then she grins at them. We have convinced her that the stroller isn't so bad, but it is a dangerous place as the salepeople find her open to taking everything they want sell. Things are still very much on her terms , but she is getting more managebale ( or we are better trained) each day. We are still thrilled and can't believe how much like all 3 of her brotehrs she is. I find myself looking at her while she is sleeping and can't imagine life wiwthout her.
Our one eyeopener here has been a quest to find an Asian baby doll for Tian to paly with. One would think with one of the world's biggest populations it would be easy, but not so. Maybe I will design one and become a millionaire. I asked our guide abou tthis and he said that Asian people the blonde blue eyed dolls ....
Tara
We were lucky and while we had to stay in our rooms this morning, in case our guide had questions while he was the consulate, Tian took a nap. The four family's in our group then gathered for the traditional pictures on the "red couch." All the families who adopt from China have to go through Ghaungzhou so they can get visas etc from the American consulate here. Many families stay at this the hotel, The White Swan, and they have a red couch where it is tradition to take the baby's pictures alone and as a group. Our babies did great until one deciced it was naptime and Tian discovered she could leap off the couch and get everyone to scream and Dad or Mom to dive to the rescue. It was an adventure.
We then ventured to a small restaurant that caters to Americans ( Lucy's) and convinced them to spice up a dish of noodles for Tian. They did not believe us that she liked spicy food so they watched and laughed as she slurped it down. Tom had a terrific grilled cheese, mint milk shake and homemade chips - he was in heaven, so I guess he will have to figure out how to have them shipped to Wisconsin.
We then walked through a park and still are amazed at how many people are everywhere, many working, but many more just hanging around. It was fun to walk along the river ( the Pearl River). It is very dirty, but people swim in it and they use it for drinking water. Things were busy as they are started to get ready for the fall festival the first week in October.
Tian is still doing well and is quite a people person. When we get on the elevator with other people she will shout to see what they will do and then she grins at them. We have convinced her that the stroller isn't so bad, but it is a dangerous place as the salepeople find her open to taking everything they want sell. Things are still very much on her terms , but she is getting more managebale ( or we are better trained) each day. We are still thrilled and can't believe how much like all 3 of her brotehrs she is. I find myself looking at her while she is sleeping and can't imagine life wiwthout her.
Our one eyeopener here has been a quest to find an Asian baby doll for Tian to paly with. One would think with one of the world's biggest populations it would be easy, but not so. Maybe I will design one and become a millionaire. I asked our guide abou tthis and he said that Asian people the blonde blue eyed dolls ....
Tara
Monday, September 18, 2006
bath time & Husker Girl
Picture index:
1 - Tian in the bath. She actually enjoyed it today. She played & splashed.
2 - The best kind of "Husker Girl"
3 & 4 - Introducing "Husker Girl"
5 - Tian out of the bath tub!
stayed tuned in for future posts - including Dragon Fruit!
5 -
More pictures
Picture index:
1 & 3 - City views of Guangzhou from our hotel room.
2 - Tian kickin' back on the way to the Pearl Market, really just a store in a jewelry type mall. they make custom pieces while you wait.
4 - Pearl Market
Tian's trip to the Doctor for Visa
Picture index:
1 - Tian has figured it all out. See wanted the silly toy in her hands - but nasty mom & dad wouldn't buy it for her. So a friend in our group let her play with hers. Tian proceeded immediately to beat it into the wall until it was broken. I guess thats one way to get what we want.
2 - Tian gets a funny rash following tears and sweating. It took a slew of doctors to check it out to see what it might be. But much like a state crew of highway workers - not much was done or figured out while standing. Tian remains a mystery!
3 - Tian at the doctors. They really performed some scientific tests for hearing and vision. Flashlights and small piano toys were used!!!!!
4 - On the way to the doctor - we ran into a school performing their opening exercises outside in the courtyard. The kids were all in uniform and were very friendly as our group walked through.
5 - "Where are my pants???"
Medical Exam to pearls
First, I asked our guide about the food; he assured us that you just pick up the large pieces of vegetable with your chopsticks and bite pieces off. I wonder what Miss Manners would say about that? The chicken, he said, many people just eat bones and all!!! We are talking some fairly significant pieces of bone, not just cartilidge. I shudder to think.
Tian made it through her medical exam. She officially weighed in at 23 lbs and 79 centimeters. Their reaction - ooo, big girl for 13 months. Yes, her size did not suffer at the orphanage. After hearing her scream I am sure they gave her anything to keep her quiet - we have:o) She had 5 doctors puzzled over the rash on her face. They had no real idea, so I have decided Hydrocortisone was the safest bet and it does look a little better this afternoon. We will see. She otherwise passed the medical exam with flying colors and so did the 3 other babies in our group - one step closer.
The paperwork for her visa is completed and tomorrow our guide brings everything to the American Consulate and hopefully she will get the green light and we can pick up her visa late Wednesday and head out Thursday morning - yeah!!!! So far our guide has been fantastic and we have glided through each step - we can't say enough about him.
This afternoon we visited the famous pearl market and had our education in pearls. I had no idea that pearls can range in color from black to gray to purple to pink to orange to snow white. They were beautiful. We also say some varieties of freshwater pearls and seawater - some I couldn't tell the difference. We saw a lot of what we thought were bargains, but wished we knew more to be sure. Next time. It was fun to see how quickly they could string the pearls and how quickly they could convince people to buy - oh, you need one for baby and one for you and do you have a sister? a friend? Boy, I wish I was a millionaire. We enjoyed the show though.
Hope all is well at home we are getting anxious to get back to normal ( whatever that is) and be able to order chicken with no fear of bones:o)
Tara
Tian made it through her medical exam. She officially weighed in at 23 lbs and 79 centimeters. Their reaction - ooo, big girl for 13 months. Yes, her size did not suffer at the orphanage. After hearing her scream I am sure they gave her anything to keep her quiet - we have:o) She had 5 doctors puzzled over the rash on her face. They had no real idea, so I have decided Hydrocortisone was the safest bet and it does look a little better this afternoon. We will see. She otherwise passed the medical exam with flying colors and so did the 3 other babies in our group - one step closer.
The paperwork for her visa is completed and tomorrow our guide brings everything to the American Consulate and hopefully she will get the green light and we can pick up her visa late Wednesday and head out Thursday morning - yeah!!!! So far our guide has been fantastic and we have glided through each step - we can't say enough about him.
This afternoon we visited the famous pearl market and had our education in pearls. I had no idea that pearls can range in color from black to gray to purple to pink to orange to snow white. They were beautiful. We also say some varieties of freshwater pearls and seawater - some I couldn't tell the difference. We saw a lot of what we thought were bargains, but wished we knew more to be sure. Next time. It was fun to see how quickly they could string the pearls and how quickly they could convince people to buy - oh, you need one for baby and one for you and do you have a sister? a friend? Boy, I wish I was a millionaire. We enjoyed the show though.
Hope all is well at home we are getting anxious to get back to normal ( whatever that is) and be able to order chicken with no fear of bones:o)
Tara
Food...
We haven't really mentioned food much here, and today's experience reminded us. Tian, as you know, is a lover of spicy food. She can only handle 2 bland bottles a day - the rest must be at least flavorful. We decided to brave a Cantonese restaurant on our own.( For most of the trip we have eaten as a group with our guide ordering for us). We ordered ( with the assistance of a picture menu) sauteed veges, tin foil chicken and water. Sounds pretty safe, huh? Keep in mind we are eating with a very high maintenance girl and chopsticks and under the scrutiny of every Chinese citizen - so the adventure began. The sauteed veges - were really just one vegetable - something good, but about 6" long and green with multiple stems. Keep in mind there are no knives - how do eat something like this daintily? Better yet how do feed this to a screaming Chinese baby who alternated having her mouth open with war whoops? We thought we had it made when the waitress approached with the next plate - the chicken. Unfortunately, the chicken although chopeed into smaller pieces comes with bones. I still don't know how we were supposed eat it. I am sure we will be the topic of many family's dinner conversation tonight when the y discuss table manners with their child!
Sunday, September 17, 2006
Potty pictures, etc....
No internet porn here....
Picture index:
1 - Tian drinking a coke ( not really lid is on ). Two elderly Chinese women gave Tara and I quite the evil look when they passed by us taking this photo. If we only had a camera to have filmed their faces when they realized the bottle was capped! It was all to funny!
2 - Our poor bruiser's Visa photo. Dirty dress, covered in lunch & misc snack items, skinned nose, sweat & tear stained face, with unexplained heat/tear induced rash. Thats my little girl! Quite a beauty in that picture. Hope they don't say were abusive parents and not let us leave the country. I don't even want to think about what the inside of a Chinese prison might look like. No Ty, I have not been to one & neither has your mother! ( inside joke - ask me and I'll share it )
3 - Some locations actually post signs and cater to Americans. Most restrooms if they exist are tucked away in some remote location. And just you wait until you get there. Porta potties and airplane restrooms are quite they luxury!!! ;-O
4 - This one speaks for iteself. Did Tara mention bring your own TP , not flushable. What do you image the trash can is for?????????? Discusting!!!!!!!! Tara said not photos of that - too bad.
5 - Emergency anyone.... China has some weird dyslexia thing going on, no the photo has not been altered. Their emergency number is truely 119. How freaky is that???
Potty Talk
Okay we ahd to address a few things for journaling sake here. First - no Tian is not potty trained. She has no interest in it and will probably be 10 before she decides it is time. Only one of the babies in out group ( 9 months) is partially trained she was the one in foster care until the day we picked them up.
Now for the more interesting part of the story..bathrooms here in China are a lot different than in the Western part of the world - Tom will post a photo. This is how the toilets look in both the men's and women's rooms. That's right they are flush to the ground. Needless to say, our shoes will have a good bleaching when we get home. Oh, and did I mention that you need to bring your own TP that cannot be flushed?
It has been more fun than camping!!! Thank goodness our hotel have all catered to us westerners.
So who still wants to join us next time?
Tara
Now for the more interesting part of the story..bathrooms here in China are a lot different than in the Western part of the world - Tom will post a photo. This is how the toilets look in both the men's and women's rooms. That's right they are flush to the ground. Needless to say, our shoes will have a good bleaching when we get home. Oh, and did I mention that you need to bring your own TP that cannot be flushed?
It has been more fun than camping!!! Thank goodness our hotel have all catered to us westerners.
So who still wants to join us next time?
Tara
Visa Photos
Just so there is no question in anyone's mind about Tian's personality... we a have had her for only 1 week and so far she has scratched up her ear, bumped her head many times, but in public (very public) twice and managed to skin her nose! All in time for her visa photo which features a face rash ( cause unknown, but we are working on it), scatched cheek and my favorite a huge scab on the end of her nose. She is anything but dainty.
This is just a quick update to let you know we survived another day and tomorrow we will head off to get our visa medical exam and apply for an American Visa.
tara
This is just a quick update to let you know we survived another day and tomorrow we will head off to get our visa medical exam and apply for an American Visa.
tara
More Pictures
Picture index:
1 - Ah Q, Chinese folk story character, being beaten ( sculpture @ Provinchal Museum )
2 - View from Breakfast @ hotel. Pearl River - were told there are no pearls and that the water is very dirty. We did see locals swimming.
3 - Waterfall inside our hotel. The accomodations in Guangzhou are very nice by any standards. Really makes you think about what is truely need and truely important in life. China is really a country of many contradictions, Beauty, riches, tradition, culture and then one of extreme poverty.
4 - Tian seemed very fascinated with the little cat running around the provinchal Museum
5 - Tian with two other children in our travel group ( Tian, Marial & Jenna )
Guangzhou pictures
picture index:
1 - Statue of the Zen type Budda. There are many different Budda's, typically we see the fat jolly Budda, However there are different Budda's that carry different means or even slightly different religious sect's - similar to Catholisism.
2 - Actual stone carving from the Qing Dynasty - Provinchal Museum
3 - In front of the Provinchal Museum - note the amazing roof detailing!
4- Buddist Temple - still used by buddists - several diffent Budda's and worship/temple rooms
5 - Monk that blessed Tian and other babies in our travel group. The blessing consisted of a good luck prayer and a sprinkling of water
Saturday, September 16, 2006
The Airplane...then daddy's girl
We arrived in Guangzhou yesterday evening. It was a busy morning packing, but Tian managed to squeeze in a morning nap. We arrived at the airport and she decided to show us her engaging side. She spent the wait and the most of the plane ride begging strangers for food and doing tricks to make them smile at her. She played peek - a boo, held out her hand for food, pretended to talk on a telephone ( she must have seen people do that at the orphange) she jumped up and down - and although she was VERY active she was wonderful. Then, wheather she got tired, the cabin pressure changed or nothing at all she had he Jekyll/Hyde moment and was our screaming banshee. Tian is a woman of extremes and things can change on a dime.
Guangzhou is a beautiful city. Set up very much for the business traveller or tourist. There are many street shops near the hotel and after Tain's nap we hope to do some exploring/shopping. This morning we were able to visit a Bhuddist temple were the babies were blessed by a monk. It was very interesting - much like a Catholic ceremony with a prayer and then incense and sprinkling water. It was a beautiful place and it had many open rooms with various statues of Bhudda. It was very interesting watching many people who came to worship and watching the monks who worked there. Tian discovered a kitten and seemed very intrigued by it - hopefully she won't be traumatized by our menagerie at home. We sata in front of 3 HUGE golden statues of Bhudda and having never done anything like that before - I felt incredibly small. It was easy to understand the awe that the staues themselves inspire.
Next, we visited an art museum. This was family school set up for the family to be educated. It was my dram place. Many buildings - some for sculpture, drawing, reading, gardens - it was very interesting. Tian even called for Tom ( dada) and held out her hands to him for the first time. It was great moment for Tom and quite unexpected. In typical Tian fashion she was back to insisting I hold her so I lugged her around most of the rest of the morning - unless , of course, she was demanding to walk ( yes, she runs th eshow already).
Today I was also able to hold a couple of the other babies in our group - Tian is a moose!! All 4 the babies in our group are very healthy. We have seen so many babies here that were not near as well taken care of. It has made us very grateful to have a baby with the amount of spirit she had that enabled her to thrive. I also think the caregivers at her SWI really took the time to care for the babies there. Many other babies are very malnourished - including a 2 year old boy who is only 16 pounds. I cannot imagine the conditions many of these babies endure. They are fighters and I am amazed at how well they thrive once they go to home with families - either foreign or Chinese. I have heard of very few who have further problems the vast majority just blossom into healthy, normal kids once they get a home
We are anxious to get home and it seems closer as we know we are at our final stop. Tian will have her medical exam for entry into the US tomorrow. Hopefully, she will be her engaging self. The group with us has referred hto her a Sybill - with only 2 personlaties ( wonderful and screaming) I am eager to watch her blossom as she becomes more secure in our family and is able to realx even more.
Trevor - she still LOVES spicy food. Last night at dinner there was some spicy tofu that no one but Tian could stand to eat becasue it was so spicy. She especially loves spicy noodles so I guess our meals will be a lot more spicy from now on.
Tara
Guangzhou is a beautiful city. Set up very much for the business traveller or tourist. There are many street shops near the hotel and after Tain's nap we hope to do some exploring/shopping. This morning we were able to visit a Bhuddist temple were the babies were blessed by a monk. It was very interesting - much like a Catholic ceremony with a prayer and then incense and sprinkling water. It was a beautiful place and it had many open rooms with various statues of Bhudda. It was very interesting watching many people who came to worship and watching the monks who worked there. Tian discovered a kitten and seemed very intrigued by it - hopefully she won't be traumatized by our menagerie at home. We sata in front of 3 HUGE golden statues of Bhudda and having never done anything like that before - I felt incredibly small. It was easy to understand the awe that the staues themselves inspire.
Next, we visited an art museum. This was family school set up for the family to be educated. It was my dram place. Many buildings - some for sculpture, drawing, reading, gardens - it was very interesting. Tian even called for Tom ( dada) and held out her hands to him for the first time. It was great moment for Tom and quite unexpected. In typical Tian fashion she was back to insisting I hold her so I lugged her around most of the rest of the morning - unless , of course, she was demanding to walk ( yes, she runs th eshow already).
Today I was also able to hold a couple of the other babies in our group - Tian is a moose!! All 4 the babies in our group are very healthy. We have seen so many babies here that were not near as well taken care of. It has made us very grateful to have a baby with the amount of spirit she had that enabled her to thrive. I also think the caregivers at her SWI really took the time to care for the babies there. Many other babies are very malnourished - including a 2 year old boy who is only 16 pounds. I cannot imagine the conditions many of these babies endure. They are fighters and I am amazed at how well they thrive once they go to home with families - either foreign or Chinese. I have heard of very few who have further problems the vast majority just blossom into healthy, normal kids once they get a home
We are anxious to get home and it seems closer as we know we are at our final stop. Tian will have her medical exam for entry into the US tomorrow. Hopefully, she will be her engaging self. The group with us has referred hto her a Sybill - with only 2 personlaties ( wonderful and screaming) I am eager to watch her blossom as she becomes more secure in our family and is able to realx even more.
Trevor - she still LOVES spicy food. Last night at dinner there was some spicy tofu that no one but Tian could stand to eat becasue it was so spicy. She especially loves spicy noodles so I guess our meals will be a lot more spicy from now on.
Tara
Friday, September 15, 2006
Daoist Temple & Art Pictures
Picture index:
1 - Imagine seeing this truck rolling down the highway. Motorcyclists and pedestrians alike meandered past. The driver and passenger in the truck looked very concerned as the truck was obviuosly leaning quite a bit!
2 - Courtyard of the temple. The temple was made of several rooms surrounding multiple courtyard and garden areas. It was very serene and quite beautiful!
3 - Now, McDonalds has tried some innovative things to draw people in but.............. Seriously, this was taken along the walking mall. As I took the picture a group of Chinese teenage boys strolled by me laughing and looked back at me and told me they were simply delicious! I took they're word for it.
4 - Some boys working with their parents in a tire shop. We can't get over the constant hustle and bustle on the streets and shops. I don't know when they ever work. They say New York is the city that never sleeps - Let me tell you New York has nothing on Nanchang!
5 - My two women shopping. Tian loved the stroller and was quite the hit with Everyone.
Today was really a fun day:0) we did a lot of walking and spoke to many people. Our Chinese classes really worked. We have been able to get around the language barrier quite well. Its some of the cultural differences that make things interesting!
Shopping in Nanchang
This morning we visited the Badashanren Museum which is in a Daoist temple. The paintings were all brush and ink and many were beautiful , others well let's say we aren't quite cultured enough to appreciate them. The grounds were just like what you see in the movies : picturesque gardens with small ponds and a zigzag bridge. The best part was it was so quiet - this was the first place in China we have been to that has not been crowded. It was a very peaceful place. The highlight of the trip was when our van driver drove over a little walking bridge. I don't think there was an inch on either side of us.
The most important part of the day was getting Tian's passport. We visited the museum first as one member of our travel group has a stomach bug and we were trying to give her a few hours to pull herself together - poor woman. Tian's passport took all of 5 minutes. She now has a Chinese passport - another step toward her coming home. Bringing her home has truely put meaning to the proverb: "A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step."
We were then free for the rest of the afternoon. Tian was back to her happy, playful, mischievious self so we decided to explore. She even sat in the stroller - a huge success. We found an open air mall about 5 blocks from the hotel. There were many teens there for lunch. In China there is no school lunch program - the children all go home for an hour. We strolled and found a little store that sold barrettes and Tian is every salesperson's dream - they hand her things and she won't let go so the desperate parents ( us) end up buying all kinds of junk!! She loved the barrettes in her hair until we were about 3 stores down and then she pull them out and alternately threw them or threatened to eat them. We no longer have barrettes in her hair.
It was sad to see how very westernized the stores her were. The barrett store was like Claires and the clothing imitating every store in our malls. We did go to McDonalds - I know shameful, but we had to do it once. They were prepared for us with a picture menu :o) The food tastes just the same, just less salty. The soda drinks also have less sugar. We rounded out lunch with ice cream from a small stand. My ice cream bar was covered with chocolate and sesame seeds - odd but actuslly pretty good.
My feet are killing me, but it was a fun afternoon. The weirdest thing was we are sweating outside, but each little shop had the heat on !!! That alone probably saved us a lot of money. Tian finally fell asleep in the stroller and we kept walking for fear of waking her. I was accosted by several elderly women because she was wearing shorts and it is only 77 degrees here ! The humidity is extremely high - once again by Chinese standards ( sweating is good for your helath) we are very healthy! We kept Tian covered with a light cotton blanket and that seemed to satisfy them. We saw several art studios, porcelian studios and a woman who does the most incredible needlework- her embroidery looks like a painting - they are amazing. Tom continues to be a favorite of the local beggars as he can't turn them away.
Right now Tom is having a sneezing attack and Tian thinks it is the funniest thing she has ever seen. He stops and she imitates him. The nose blowing is especially lady like.
Tomorrow we will fly to Guangzhou the final stop in our journey. All the families form the Us have to go throgh there as that is where the babies will get thier greencards and apply for citizenship. there are about 30 familes here in Nanachang and they are from all over the world - US, Spain, France and Austrailia that I know of. It has been an incredible journey and has not only made us grateful to be Americans, but ashamed of how much we have and waste, but also proved how small the world really is. We are all more alike than we would like to believe.
Tara
The most important part of the day was getting Tian's passport. We visited the museum first as one member of our travel group has a stomach bug and we were trying to give her a few hours to pull herself together - poor woman. Tian's passport took all of 5 minutes. She now has a Chinese passport - another step toward her coming home. Bringing her home has truely put meaning to the proverb: "A journey of 1000 miles begins with a single step."
We were then free for the rest of the afternoon. Tian was back to her happy, playful, mischievious self so we decided to explore. She even sat in the stroller - a huge success. We found an open air mall about 5 blocks from the hotel. There were many teens there for lunch. In China there is no school lunch program - the children all go home for an hour. We strolled and found a little store that sold barrettes and Tian is every salesperson's dream - they hand her things and she won't let go so the desperate parents ( us) end up buying all kinds of junk!! She loved the barrettes in her hair until we were about 3 stores down and then she pull them out and alternately threw them or threatened to eat them. We no longer have barrettes in her hair.
It was sad to see how very westernized the stores her were. The barrett store was like Claires and the clothing imitating every store in our malls. We did go to McDonalds - I know shameful, but we had to do it once. They were prepared for us with a picture menu :o) The food tastes just the same, just less salty. The soda drinks also have less sugar. We rounded out lunch with ice cream from a small stand. My ice cream bar was covered with chocolate and sesame seeds - odd but actuslly pretty good.
My feet are killing me, but it was a fun afternoon. The weirdest thing was we are sweating outside, but each little shop had the heat on !!! That alone probably saved us a lot of money. Tian finally fell asleep in the stroller and we kept walking for fear of waking her. I was accosted by several elderly women because she was wearing shorts and it is only 77 degrees here ! The humidity is extremely high - once again by Chinese standards ( sweating is good for your helath) we are very healthy! We kept Tian covered with a light cotton blanket and that seemed to satisfy them. We saw several art studios, porcelian studios and a woman who does the most incredible needlework- her embroidery looks like a painting - they are amazing. Tom continues to be a favorite of the local beggars as he can't turn them away.
Right now Tom is having a sneezing attack and Tian thinks it is the funniest thing she has ever seen. He stops and she imitates him. The nose blowing is especially lady like.
Tomorrow we will fly to Guangzhou the final stop in our journey. All the families form the Us have to go throgh there as that is where the babies will get thier greencards and apply for citizenship. there are about 30 familes here in Nanachang and they are from all over the world - US, Spain, France and Austrailia that I know of. It has been an incredible journey and has not only made us grateful to be Americans, but ashamed of how much we have and waste, but also proved how small the world really is. We are all more alike than we would like to believe.
Tara
Thursday, September 14, 2006
Picture from trip to SWI
Pictures
Picture Index:
1 - Mom & Tian with orphanage building in the background. Tian was somewhere on the second floor. From a distance the building looks nice but up close it's pretty run down. Tian did not like it here.
2 - Boats working rice patties
3 - Tara & Tian with orphanage workers and locals
4 - Actual row house ( inhabited ) with home made brick pile in front. Women and men alike would cart loads of brick around their village either with yoke like devices or with rickshaws.
5 - Tian collapsing on the bus ride to the orphanage. She passed out from a WHALE of a tantrum. Tara and I were convinced the bus driver was going to throw us out!!!
The SWI
Last night we ate at a Chinese restaurant with the babies. What an experience!!! Four families - four babies if funniest home videos had been here we would have won. Rice was flying :o) Tian did great - she absolutely loved the spicy tofu. Then, she got too warm. Remember, it has been about 80 here and about 80% humdity and in China it is believed to be good to sweat. Then crowd four families struggling with babies into a small restaurant where they have 5 -6 wait staff watching every move and people watching through the windows... I wonder about their perception of America now!!One good thing came out of it though - Tom and Tian bonded over the a/c vent. Our guide asked the retsaurant turn on the a/c and Tom held Tian up to it - she let him hold her the rest of the evening. For a baby who grew up in an orphanage she certainly has some American tastes. She came with a tummy full of tofu, happily cooled and she slept 12 hours straight so we thought today would be a breeze...
Today we visited what in China is called a SWI - Social welfare Institute - or what we would call an orphanage. It was about a 2 hour drive to the SWI Tian grew up in. We got on the van and she was fine until we were almost out of the city and she started throwing a temper tantrum that would rival any I have ever seen ( she even beats you Trevor !). She threw herself around and screamed ( not just cried she screamed) for over an hour and a half. I don't know if she associated her last long van ride with her trip to us and was afraid her life was going to change again or what was going through her mind, but she was inconsolable. We were almost there and Tom handed her a Dum - dum sucker and she took it popped her other thumb in her mouth and passed out. I don't know how that comforted her, but it worked. She slept the rest of the way there.
We then drove to the place she was found. It was a hard place to see. It was pretty, but I can't imagine her mother's heartache. We were allowed to walk around outside SWI and I started to walk near the yard wher Tian may played and she held onto me for dear life. She started to cry so Tom went ahead and took pictures and Tian and I went back to the gate. She settled down and several workers came to see her and she wouldn't even look at them. They would talk to her and she would turn away. One tried to hold her and she about choked me holding on. Several elderly women from the neighborhood came to see what was going on with what I assume would be their grandchildren - very cute little boys. they were fascinated with Tian. Tian has bruises/scars around both of her ankles and the one lady asked me what they were - several of the others said something, but our guide just shook his head. They are undoubtedly from her being tied to bed.
I am glad we were able to go, just heartbroken that our little girl's life started here and for her first mother.
The ride home was very peaceful. Tian slept the entire trip - yeah!!! I was afraid to move in case I woke her up, but I did get to see some of the country side - very pretty. The flat land is all split into rice patties each family farms about a 50ft x 50 ft area - rice is harvested twice a year and we were able to see some rice coming on. They tie it in sheaves. It was really interesting. The rice grows on long grassy stalks with the rice on the end kind of like wheat.
Here also, most people ride motor bikes or walk. The women work along the side the men - hefting bags, shoveling dirt - really no difference we could see from the drive by. they certainly have an equal work mentality here. The people in her county make thier own bricks. So we saw many homes along the road with piles of bricks. The soil is quite red so it is poor for farming, but they are able to grow just enough to survive. The bricks may be sold locally, but the quality is poor so they don't make much fo rthe amount of work that it takes. Some of the people also work in the factories and make about 400 - 500 yuan ($50 - $60) a month.
Kiwi season is starting so we saw a few roadside stands - but our guide said they wouldn't be fully ripe for another week or so. There were sveral factories near the SWI. Our guide did not say what they did, but we did ask where our baby's birth mother may have come from. He said she may have come to that area to work until she had the baby and if it was a boy she would return home with the happy news, if not she would return home to try again for a boy. In this area if the firstborn is a girl in 5 years they may try again for a boy then that is it. Depending on the local authorities at the time of the second delivery the mother may be sterilized after the birth of the second shild, so that is why she would leave home to have the baby. They also have other social problems that any other society may have so we will probably never know Tian full story. Their world is so different. Looking at the homes you also wonder if a family just couldn't afford to feed another child.
It was a sad day, but someday I hope it answers some questions for Tian. We just need to remind her that in our world we are sometimes put in impossible situations and we make decisions that we wouldn't normally make when we are not desperate.
Tomorrow we apply for Tian's passport - 1 step closer to bringing her home.
Tara
Today we visited what in China is called a SWI - Social welfare Institute - or what we would call an orphanage. It was about a 2 hour drive to the SWI Tian grew up in. We got on the van and she was fine until we were almost out of the city and she started throwing a temper tantrum that would rival any I have ever seen ( she even beats you Trevor !). She threw herself around and screamed ( not just cried she screamed) for over an hour and a half. I don't know if she associated her last long van ride with her trip to us and was afraid her life was going to change again or what was going through her mind, but she was inconsolable. We were almost there and Tom handed her a Dum - dum sucker and she took it popped her other thumb in her mouth and passed out. I don't know how that comforted her, but it worked. She slept the rest of the way there.
We then drove to the place she was found. It was a hard place to see. It was pretty, but I can't imagine her mother's heartache. We were allowed to walk around outside SWI and I started to walk near the yard wher Tian may played and she held onto me for dear life. She started to cry so Tom went ahead and took pictures and Tian and I went back to the gate. She settled down and several workers came to see her and she wouldn't even look at them. They would talk to her and she would turn away. One tried to hold her and she about choked me holding on. Several elderly women from the neighborhood came to see what was going on with what I assume would be their grandchildren - very cute little boys. they were fascinated with Tian. Tian has bruises/scars around both of her ankles and the one lady asked me what they were - several of the others said something, but our guide just shook his head. They are undoubtedly from her being tied to bed.
I am glad we were able to go, just heartbroken that our little girl's life started here and for her first mother.
The ride home was very peaceful. Tian slept the entire trip - yeah!!! I was afraid to move in case I woke her up, but I did get to see some of the country side - very pretty. The flat land is all split into rice patties each family farms about a 50ft x 50 ft area - rice is harvested twice a year and we were able to see some rice coming on. They tie it in sheaves. It was really interesting. The rice grows on long grassy stalks with the rice on the end kind of like wheat.
Here also, most people ride motor bikes or walk. The women work along the side the men - hefting bags, shoveling dirt - really no difference we could see from the drive by. they certainly have an equal work mentality here. The people in her county make thier own bricks. So we saw many homes along the road with piles of bricks. The soil is quite red so it is poor for farming, but they are able to grow just enough to survive. The bricks may be sold locally, but the quality is poor so they don't make much fo rthe amount of work that it takes. Some of the people also work in the factories and make about 400 - 500 yuan ($50 - $60) a month.
Kiwi season is starting so we saw a few roadside stands - but our guide said they wouldn't be fully ripe for another week or so. There were sveral factories near the SWI. Our guide did not say what they did, but we did ask where our baby's birth mother may have come from. He said she may have come to that area to work until she had the baby and if it was a boy she would return home with the happy news, if not she would return home to try again for a boy. In this area if the firstborn is a girl in 5 years they may try again for a boy then that is it. Depending on the local authorities at the time of the second delivery the mother may be sterilized after the birth of the second shild, so that is why she would leave home to have the baby. They also have other social problems that any other society may have so we will probably never know Tian full story. Their world is so different. Looking at the homes you also wonder if a family just couldn't afford to feed another child.
It was a sad day, but someday I hope it answers some questions for Tian. We just need to remind her that in our world we are sometimes put in impossible situations and we make decisions that we wouldn't normally make when we are not desperate.
Tomorrow we apply for Tian's passport - 1 step closer to bringing her home.
Tara
Tuesday, September 12, 2006
Wednesday's Adventure
Today we saw one of the top 3pagodas in China located in walking distance from our hotel. It was amazing. It was orginally built over 2000 years ago and has been rebuilt many times - the one we saw today was about 20 years old. The craftsmanship and attention to detail was amazing. Every surface is either painted or inlaid with tile. It was amazing. The view of the city from the top was beautiful.
We finally learned why the concrete building next to hotel was left unfinished - it is taller than the pagoda so construction was halted...
While we were there we saw a show. We heard some traditional Chinese music - played on instruments I have never seen, but very rich and soothing. Tian immediately calmed down and clapped her hands. Then we saw some dancing with the long sleeved robes - it was beautiful the show ended with some livlier modern music. Tian loved it all.
Our guide then allowed us to look at a few of the shops. Tian and I were mobbed by some older Chinese women who were very curious about us and also about our baby carrier. My little skill at speaking Chinese was put to the test - mainly with " I don't understand" and "I only speak a little Chinese" One woman wanted to know where to buy the carrier - they don't have Babies -r- us here so I know she had no idea what I was saying... Another, was very curious how Tian could be my daughter - I didn't know the word for adopted. I am looking it up. I would say, "She is my daughter" then she would touch my hair and then Tian's. They were very nice and an elderly woman even fed her a dried piece of fruit. She was very kind and asked me if it was kay and then handed it to me to try and feed to Tian. Tian loved it - so we will find it at the grocery tonight. It was interesting, but I wish I could have spoken and understood more.
The shops were amazing. we saw a porcelian shop with beautiful China and vases - the prices were sinful - service for 8 for about $40. If only we didn't have to fit everything in a suitcase... There was also a booth with some of the most amazing butterflies and pictures made with their wings. If I thought it could make it through customs I would have brought some home. We found the man who carves ivory and porcelian with such detail that it can only be fully appreciated with a magnifying glass. We ordered a chop for Tian with her name in Chinese and in English so she will have some porcelian from her province.
The Tian report - It is day three and we are being tested!!! Last night she got over tired - never a good thing - and she became a wild woman. She was jumping and throwing herself around it wasn't pretty - after much struggle she finally settled down and slept from about 8pm - 7 am she was exhausted! This morning she was very naughty at breakfast throwing food under the table and she didn;t want to sit on my lap, in a chair, nor in a high chair, needless to say we left and wondered what the day would bring. She spent the walk to the pagoda trying to hang upside down in her carrier. While we were there she was very good and on the walk home she fell alseep in my arms. She is still sleeping soundly and hopefully will wake up a little more pleasant ( I hope, I hope) We still think she is wonderful though and so smart. She will imitate anything you do ( when she is in the mood) , she waves hello and good bye, can identify some body parts in Chinese. she isn't really talking yet but will try to copy us when we say mama and dada. She also loves sour skittles and gummy bears ( so much for the healthy diet and only introducing a few things at a time...) She still is on a partail bottle strike, but did eat some watermelon today and loves jell - o. So we will see what the afternoon briings. The queen is calling and still only mommy will do..
We finally learned why the concrete building next to hotel was left unfinished - it is taller than the pagoda so construction was halted...
While we were there we saw a show. We heard some traditional Chinese music - played on instruments I have never seen, but very rich and soothing. Tian immediately calmed down and clapped her hands. Then we saw some dancing with the long sleeved robes - it was beautiful the show ended with some livlier modern music. Tian loved it all.
Our guide then allowed us to look at a few of the shops. Tian and I were mobbed by some older Chinese women who were very curious about us and also about our baby carrier. My little skill at speaking Chinese was put to the test - mainly with " I don't understand" and "I only speak a little Chinese" One woman wanted to know where to buy the carrier - they don't have Babies -r- us here so I know she had no idea what I was saying... Another, was very curious how Tian could be my daughter - I didn't know the word for adopted. I am looking it up. I would say, "She is my daughter" then she would touch my hair and then Tian's. They were very nice and an elderly woman even fed her a dried piece of fruit. She was very kind and asked me if it was kay and then handed it to me to try and feed to Tian. Tian loved it - so we will find it at the grocery tonight. It was interesting, but I wish I could have spoken and understood more.
The shops were amazing. we saw a porcelian shop with beautiful China and vases - the prices were sinful - service for 8 for about $40. If only we didn't have to fit everything in a suitcase... There was also a booth with some of the most amazing butterflies and pictures made with their wings. If I thought it could make it through customs I would have brought some home. We found the man who carves ivory and porcelian with such detail that it can only be fully appreciated with a magnifying glass. We ordered a chop for Tian with her name in Chinese and in English so she will have some porcelian from her province.
The Tian report - It is day three and we are being tested!!! Last night she got over tired - never a good thing - and she became a wild woman. She was jumping and throwing herself around it wasn't pretty - after much struggle she finally settled down and slept from about 8pm - 7 am she was exhausted! This morning she was very naughty at breakfast throwing food under the table and she didn;t want to sit on my lap, in a chair, nor in a high chair, needless to say we left and wondered what the day would bring. She spent the walk to the pagoda trying to hang upside down in her carrier. While we were there she was very good and on the walk home she fell alseep in my arms. She is still sleeping soundly and hopefully will wake up a little more pleasant ( I hope, I hope) We still think she is wonderful though and so smart. She will imitate anything you do ( when she is in the mood) , she waves hello and good bye, can identify some body parts in Chinese. she isn't really talking yet but will try to copy us when we say mama and dada. She also loves sour skittles and gummy bears ( so much for the healthy diet and only introducing a few things at a time...) She still is on a partail bottle strike, but did eat some watermelon today and loves jell - o. So we will see what the afternoon briings. The queen is calling and still only mommy will do..
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