Guangzhou!

We've been in Guangzhou for roughly a day and a half and it's a very interesting place. We arrived at the airport surrounded in 94 degree heat mixed with high humidty, pollution, and a lot of smokers. Asthma spray here I come. We felt like swimming in the air. We eventually adjusted to the weather a little. My job title advance to pack mule, surgeon assistance, chemist, pack organizer and magician.

In a diaper change, I'm the surgeon assistance and magician. Arlene would call out and I would repeat what she said. "Poopy?, poopy; Pad, pad; Diaper, diaper; Wipes, wipes. Oh no, we have a hazmat emergency, break out the emergency pack, breaking out the emergency pack; Hazmat contained! hurrah! deodorized poop bag, bag; Activate decon wipes, decon wipes. Yea, we're done. High five! Sometimes I feel like a magician because things have to miraculously come out of my mule pack. We won't tell you our airplane adventure where the passenger in front of Rui was leaning forward as far away from her screaming or how she made such a mess that the stewardess kept giving me napkins or how they need a shopvac to clean the lunch they gave us.

Saturday we flew to Guangzhou and arrived around 3 pm to their smoggy airport. Thankfully we didn't have to take the H1N1 scans. They use buses to drive us from the landing area to the luggage area. We took roughly 5-6 hours of waiting in lines, and the flight to get to the famous White Swan around 4 pm. We were exhausted and hungary. Our new guide said, attention here is a bottle of water, and we will be taking visa photos at 5 pm and we will be walking to the studio. Aaagghh. It was a long day.

The room we had was really nice and had beds as hard as military cots. I'm glad I brought Advil for my back. For a high tech person, I coudn't figure out how to turn on/off lights for 10 minutes! Internet cost is 100 rmb/day or 300rmb/week. I was one of the last big spenders! By the morning we had drank all our drinking water and there were no sundry shops in the hotel and I was too cheap to spend $10 us on water from the mini refrigerator.

The buffet here is fantastic. The food is now more 70% english and 30% chinese. We prefer the previous buffet. They provided tatertots, brownies, peaches, ham, and italian curry trianglar wrapped pizzas?? We had the perfect view of the bay watching mechanical ships and boats manually picking up the hyacyins out of the water. I was busy reloading my empty water bottles with water because I didn't have time to buy drinking water and I heard these chinese attendant ladies talking impolitely about me about the water (they were smirking that I was a tightwad, etc..) and they were smiling at me the whole time. I had the urge to scold them in chinese but I only knew enough words to get me in trouble, so I didn't. I should have quietly walk up to them and smiled at them and said, I undertood everything you said about me and then walk away. They would've freaked out. When we shop, I try to talk to the staff and I'm surprise they understand my Cantonese.

We visited a local Christian church (across the street from the hotel) and really enjoy the service
at 11am. It was jam packed and delightful. Rui didn't complain at all (she slept for part of the sermon). We did a small amount of shopping. I hope the dvds I purchased aren't contraband! Of course not! I have receipts.

We took the visa photographs for the children yesterday and photos of all the families and then all the kids, and then the whole kitten kaboodle. It was completely fun, crazy, stressful at the same time. We made enough noise to attact the attention for the whole floor. We were all yelling out "CHEEZE" for roughly 20 cameras!

Every group has it's adventures, ups and downs. Please pray especially for two families where their adopted 10 yr old child is having a rough time adjusting, and for another mother who developed some medical conditions. Both families are believers at different stages. It may sound like we're having a lot of fun (we kinda are) but also it's a challenged adjusting to a new whiny daughter (applies to me, but it's getting better).

Well, tomorrow (Tuesday) we have the medical exam (we already know Rui is ticklish - yea) and a large amount of paperwork. Our guide said it would be torture and we have to meet in their rooms to save spending 1000s of rmbs. We're okay with that! We live one day at time here, slowly getting spoiled. But their water here is gross. It's a lite green color, if you want to take a bath. el yuck.....eewwwww. Well it's time to sign off. I have to reload my formula cartridge containers!

P.S. I think I'm losing weight!

This Picture Deserved It's Own Post!

Ready to Save California's Budget!!!

Bonus Post

More pictures for you to enjoy!

Descriptions: Checkpoint Lines in Beijing, Forbidden City, License to Drive, Shopping for a Belt, Walmart, Serious Jaywalker, Silk Factory

4th Day in Zhengzhou

Peekaboo!

Many of the adoption families had a great yesterday but a rough night. Many of the kids are still adjusting from the orphanage and are now showing their personalities, including Rui. She is attached to mom and recognizes me but will not allow me to hold or feed her the bottle. I spend most of my time now as a (humorously speaking) mule pack hauling formula, diapers, water, thermos, wipes, extra bottles, bibs spoons, much more (clothes, baby carrier, corn pop crackers and money. I'm finding that we eat a whole lot less with Rui eating with us. She is numero uno.

We had the option to visit the Shaolin Temple today and we went. The group started small and grew to roughly14 people. This was good because it also lowered the price. The temple was roughly 1.5 hours away and it was roughly a half day trip, which later became a 3/4 day trip.

The temple has been updated and fairly clean. The show was good and they demonstrated their skills and the buildings or temples we visited were also nice. The facility was spread out. They charged 20rmb (Arlene and myself) to drive you and your group via tram cart from one location to another location. (20 rmb for a 5 minute ride? What a deal/racket for them... I think our group spent (14 x 60 rmb) for transpo alone.

The temple is well commercialized now and that's kinda sad. A lady stumbled down some steps and a monk just watched. I was hoping to learn more of the kungfu arts and styles and buy some books but that was not the case. You could buy a real sword, but I would have problems bringing itback to the US. The pollution was noticeable and made it hard to take good pictures of the mountains. A number of us had bug bites, but we didn't really see the mosquitoes. They must have been Shaolin mosquitoes that bit us using their kungfu bites. haha.

Our guide recommended us to let me feed Rui dinner while mom took a break outside the room for a break.It was an opportunity for her to bond with me. Was this a successful and possible goal? Of course. I failed big time. She cried for 25 minutes and fell asleep in my arms from crying. Hey! You're suppose to feel sorry for me, not Rui. Hopefully tomorrow will be a better day. I can only stand for soo much rejection.

On a positve note, Rui sat on a highchair for her breakfast which was great. Arlene could finally eat! Rui is very entertaining when she is happy. She loves peekaboo. She can unscrew a water bottle, pretend to chug a lug, and screw it back on. She also tried to put on Arlene's walking shoes and sandals. To top that, she picked up the phone and almost called room service! yikes. Tomorrow is our last day of rest before heading to Guangzhou for our daughter's visa at the US consulate.

I was going to post a pic of a squat toilet but thot that was a bit gross. Beijing's squat porta potties were more interesting. and a whole lot cleaner (if you really have to go, you may opt to go in one that's designed a little bigger for additional needs). If you really want to see it, post me back a response.

First Night at Zhengzhou from Arlene

Hello all-

Loy's been the main writer on the blog since we left -it was his idea so he's been the main historian. Now that we have Zhang Rui- I'll chime in too.

It's 6:45 am and we're waiting for her to wake up so we can hit the breakfast buffet. I'm all ready- have her clothes laid out, wearing my ergo carrier thinking today I'll give my arms a rest. She's bonded to me (I heard all the caretakers at her orphanage were mainly women) and yesterday I carried her about 2 miles through the sidewalks of Zhengzhou to get her passport photos. We had to dodge all the electric scooters and the bicycles who were sharing the sidewalks with us. They told me Zhang Rui's never been out of the orphanage before except for medical reasons- so she was pretty wide eyed-taking all the sights in. We got a nice shot of Loy, Zhang Rui and I -but her individual passport picture is teary eyed.

Yesterday was our Gotcha Day - It was also a Chinese holiday -Children's Day so we saw numerous carnivals around town. The other 10 families got their children in the morning at 10 am -so we went to join in the momentous moment and took lots of pictures. The night before we joined with 3 other couples praying for our new children -and for peace to reign for them as they join our new families- I could truly see how God answered that prayer . Of course there was inconsolable crying for some, but there was a lot of joking, horseplay and running around for others- The range of children were from 9 mos to 10 years old- with the majority being toddlers. 5 of the children were already there when we arrived, but we had to wait for another group from an orphanage van that went to the wrong place. It was quite a site seeing the van drive up and all the cameras out catching the moment of them getting out of the vehicle. We would make great papparazzi!

Our girl Zhang Rui was going to arrive late at around 330 pm we were told. She had a long way to travel- from the southern portion of Henan to the capital of Zhengzhou. She was coming by train - Our travelmates were very supportive -offering to take pictures when she came. In fact they were pacing the hall of our hotel floor -hoping to catch a glimpse of her when she arrived. It actually turned out nice getting her in our room. We got to ask a lot of specific questions to the orphanage rep and helper to learn more of Zhang Rui's routine, likes and dislikes. She cried non stop for over an hour- I was stressing out- since all my tricks didn't console her- I was trying to be positive - because I've heard if they cry when first left with you- it means they've formed a healthy attachment to their caretaker- and that's good ! I was thrilled to learn that she comes from an orphanage that Half the Sky Foundation works with- so she has been a part of an infant program with trained caretakers that give one on one nurturing and stimulation to the orphans.. (Their name comes from the Chinese saying- Women hold up half the sky)

Never had time to finish yesterday's blog- Zhang Rui's been adjusting fairly well. We have her laughing, playing peek a boo, playing dress up, piling up her plastic cups and now sh'e turning the pages of her mirror book- looking at herself in each page. She had an episode during the night where she cried for about 20 min non stop. I think she had way too much stimulation yesterday (Walmart, bus rides, walking through town), and we're trying to keep things real low key today. Maybe she had a bad dream, or is missing her life at the orphanage. She's been eating and pooping well - We have much to be grateful for- Thanks for your prayers and support- Until later- Arlene

Adoption Day

Today is a special day where we make our adoption official and the group was leaving at 0930 am. We had to wake up Rui so we could eat at the hotel breakfast buffet. We got to the buffet around 815. We didn't realize that it would take us 2-3 times longer to eat. We spent most of our time exploring what Rui ate and almost forgot to eat ourselves. It is impossible to enjoy a buffet breakfast in 15 minutes. Tomorrow we plan to spend 2-3 hours there to eat (haha). My cool photography vest has been converted to a diaper vest (not very macho....ha!). I also learned that bottles leak (when they fall over in your pocket) and that is soo not cool. We were rushed to eat, rushed to get the right stuff to register and notorize documents for Rui. We had no time for lunch and ate dinner around 8pm.

After going to the registration office (same location where most of the children were delivered), we went to the notary office. I think it's an official government building. We had to climb up 6 big flights of stairs and everyone was in such a fantastic mood that I felt I was in a dream. Huffing and puffing up the stairs reminded me of the reality that it was not a dream. Walking back in 90 degree, super bright,humid, and in full traffic was no picnic. We spent time playing dodgeball with the scooters driving on the sidewalk. I felt like target practice. People would look at us, or our caucasian friends and point at us and create a traffice jam. I felt like yawning and doing a full stretch clobbering the scooters driving by too close to us. But I didn't. Some older people would come soo close to us that I thought they were either pickpockets or trying to smell us.

Our reward for finalizing our local documents for adoption was to go to a brand new Walmart that opened in May 2009. We took our rented bus there to shop for 1.5 hours and then took the same bus back. It's a drag to buy drinking water ( I appreciate where I work even more DDWEM) because it's soo heavy, because you have to carry it in plastic bags. I spent 178 rmbs for water, snacks, and soda. Some parents are already getting tired carrying their child and three families purchased a small stroller. Arlene is in great shape and with her special ERGO child carrier, we hope to avoid buying a stroller. We learned the average monthly salary here is 1100 rmb a month. We spent roughly $600 rmb on formula and donations of clothes to Rui's orphanage. I understand more now how, in their perspective, they see us as being rich.

I was looking for butterfinger bars , granola bars, chocolate bars and kungfu dvd movies and didn't find any snacks, just the typical asian crackers. The dvd movies didn't have english subtitles and were 14rmb (2.50 us). As long as I buy dvds from walmart and not peddlers, I should have no problems with customs. I'm hoping to visit another shopping type mall (with AC) to relax and shop for nick knacks.

Tonight we at at a hotel next door to us. It felt like we were living in a hotel filled mafia type folks. The whole parking lot is filled with cars in total black with tinted windows. Apparently a black color car is cooler to drive than a white color car. I'm glad they didn't belong to the mafia. Our first dinner out with Rui went well. She surprised us by using a spoon and eating on her own a little bit. She also surprise us by breaking a small plate with her over active hands. Oh well. We sure left a mess there. sigh.....

Ending today's blog on a funny note, guess what is the name of the restaurant they have here for their non-super fancy meals? They just serve really nice meals there. It's called Mamma Mia!

"GOTCHA!"

Mission accomplished, at least for the first day. I think I watch Star Trek too much. Everything occured at Warp speed today. Nobody could reallly sleep this morning and most families were up by 4-5 am. and eating breakfast by 6:30-7:00. The official "gotcha" day also coincided with China's childrens day celebration. At 10am 5 families got their matches and it was very dramatic. I was the photographer and videographer. the second 5 families got their matches roughly 25 minutes later because the van got lost. We proceeded to Walmart to buy gifts for the orphanage and rui supplies. Our match came roughly at 4pm and there was a lot of crying (not from me) and then filling paperwork for the documents needed to be submitted tomorrow.

Zhang Rui cried for the first 2 hours. Then she fell asleep when she wore out on my right ear. She then progress from crying, to standing, eating, playing with stacking cups, talking, tossing, stacking the cups correctly, rolling away, throwing, laughing and sharing the universal language called "NO" by shaking her head. I't about 10:30 and I'm ready to crash. Good thing we purchased instant noodle bowls for dinner. At the moment, Zhang Rui doesn't like cheerios or fish crackers. Guess what I ate for dinner tonight?

Zhang Rui's english name will be Katherine Grace Locke. She reminds me of my boss's daughter Katie, who is a nuclear ball of energy. I need a way to tap that energy. I'm looking forward to his advice. Today Arlene is soo sore from carrying Katherine, that she took an advil. I better eat a big breakfast tomorrow, in case I'm stuck eating fish and o's for dinner.