tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-28480772253390460102024-02-07T21:54:03.750-08:00Me, You, Manu, and Min Jing, too!The saga continues...Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.comBlogger76125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-32561933556662960512014-03-10T04:26:00.002-07:002014-03-10T04:34:59.519-07:00Visiting a Buddhist temple and a local street market. Yesterday morning we visited the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_the_Six_Banyan_Trees">Temple of the Six Banyan Trees</a>, a local Buddhist temple. There are nine giant golden Buddhas scattered throughout the temple grounds. We witnessed a prayer session led by the monks, and observed many people lighting incense and praying to the statues. It was all very interesting. Later we went over our Consulate paperwork with our guide, Elvin, in preparation for our appointment at the embassy Tuesday morning. We ate at a local noodle/wonton place and ventured back to the mall/grocery for some sushi to have with our leftovers tonight. <br />
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MJ was a bit of a challenge today, as we had several melt-downs while out and about. She might be a beautiful 5 year old little girl, but she is acting more like a toddler when we're out and about. She probably hasn't had the opportunity to learn and develop the social skills needed to handle herself properly when dining out or shopping; she's prone to running away from us when she sees something she wants, and if you tell her no, she will scream and go limp when we try to pull her away from something. The language barrier only compounds the problem as we cannot effectively communicate what we would like her to do. We love her, but it is exhausting! Adopting a 5yo is not for the faint of heart. Hopefully things will get better as we learn to communicate better, and when we get home to some consistency and develop a good routine.<br />
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Today we took a long walk through a street market selling all manner of medicinal and culinary herbs and dried and fresh animals and parts; think deer bones, dried seahorses, live scorpions, etc. block after block were filled with huge sacks of ginsing, goji berries, ginger, rose and chrysanthemum flowers, and all manner of exotic items used in TCM: traditional Chinese medicine. It was a pretty impressive display. We then moved into a block of pet birds, kittens, puppies, turtles, and lots and lots of tropical fish. It was a lot of fun walking through this area, and we wish we had room in our luggage to buy more. A bit later, we wandered into a pearl market. We found a shop where we purchased some loose pearls and had a necklace and bracelet made for MJ and Leslie. We also purchased a few Chinese toy drums as gifts for some of Manu's friends (you're welcome in advance!) <br />
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After the market we had to come back to the room and wait for a possible telephone call from Elvin, in case MJ failed her TB test and had to go back to the hospital for a chest x-ray. Thankfully that call didn't come, and around 4pm we headed out for a little more shopping. We picked up some sushi, fried chicken, and wienies for dinner tonight. We're eating in the room, as it seems to be better for our bonding with MJ, and there are fewer distractions. We're also getting a bit tired of dining out for every meal.<br />
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We had our share of intense moments with MJ again today, but we also had wonderful moments when it's obvious that she's starting to consider herself a part of our family. Last night, for the first time, she crawled into our bed and slept with us. Until now, she has insisted on sleeping on the roll-away, and wouldn't even consider laying down with us. She also seems more interested in trying to make us understand what she's saying, rather than pouting when we don't. She is playing more with Manu, even plotting little ways to scare daddy when he isn't looking! She's a very brave little girl for enduring all of this change, and we're very proud of how far she has come in the one short week we've been together. <br />
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Now for a few more pictures!<span style="color: #37404e; font-family: lucida grande, tahoma, verdana, arial, sans-serif; font-size: x-small;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="line-height: 18px;"><br /></span></span></span>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j4D_bZGbhaN5q9jeZTPZA_P3_L6Udb3RNtZXNFB3gBIZIE4wReJM5GphIwb0qrSkPZGZmIe8kteaSwjKBJn9Wq6IuzeHkAm16vJRx2jNHdgDhQhWbEAsvVzHFEGP7Vrvu73RSZwqWY0/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_j4D_bZGbhaN5q9jeZTPZA_P3_L6Udb3RNtZXNFB3gBIZIE4wReJM5GphIwb0qrSkPZGZmIe8kteaSwjKBJn9Wq6IuzeHkAm16vJRx2jNHdgDhQhWbEAsvVzHFEGP7Vrvu73RSZwqWY0/s1600/IMG_0882.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Lotus Pagoda</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Burning incense sticks. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpAaQKrfK_aJDeWJ68zWzmtrmKUGl0PwIBSryAncVTu3tiSfUEW_FfwqpfJUA-etdcHXAcvTHJmCBqEykxgM0Sogdgj0AIB2lg_nxW49WefMz0eU9UeN_KKRbFE0SizrinS1MjJ95Qxs/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPpAaQKrfK_aJDeWJ68zWzmtrmKUGl0PwIBSryAncVTu3tiSfUEW_FfwqpfJUA-etdcHXAcvTHJmCBqEykxgM0Sogdgj0AIB2lg_nxW49WefMz0eU9UeN_KKRbFE0SizrinS1MjJ95Qxs/s1600/IMG_0889.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Sign on the Lotus Pagoda.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SsSOYhopkyDqtDE5ZXmxx-daOt7us2yz4LzAsAjaUcMyWUdIHKp2vgiq0bfB5CYdUMjrpUALKxMHSs1KIf9fLfa4VwCps2QqkdFJDtSCswaIWV47pmGWgb3LAGG4MY0wabcD5NzqzVU/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh6SsSOYhopkyDqtDE5ZXmxx-daOt7us2yz4LzAsAjaUcMyWUdIHKp2vgiq0bfB5CYdUMjrpUALKxMHSs1KIf9fLfa4VwCps2QqkdFJDtSCswaIWV47pmGWgb3LAGG4MY0wabcD5NzqzVU/s1600/IMG_0891.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monk bringing a rice offering to the Buddha. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCR-tqkxUREQhzz8nQWrEELw3MPAHA3Wy6AGEkXlg3PrscuZv4t8-rmFkii_FvuTEJRi2vdquPkC5fyoA4O_ZgZ_apgct5gQcekJ6BpzEZatNvh5f0oC7fDc2CQWKKhzA-GuSPrC0XC0/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEibCR-tqkxUREQhzz8nQWrEELw3MPAHA3Wy6AGEkXlg3PrscuZv4t8-rmFkii_FvuTEJRi2vdquPkC5fyoA4O_ZgZ_apgct5gQcekJ6BpzEZatNvh5f0oC7fDc2CQWKKhzA-GuSPrC0XC0/s1600/IMG_0894.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Past, present, and future Buddhas.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58cyKBeVh2dmiln2JKszCQNwd3C4qL8uKYzzy1w-TmZ7CUq46JxF0F_1cv_yomWTVddYbSRJ4ZF8V165jjMl1tPEUZRObDMmmd-UNxob_WrOfNIESnful8SPedOHL30TbiMjK_Ew6OVE/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi58cyKBeVh2dmiln2JKszCQNwd3C4qL8uKYzzy1w-TmZ7CUq46JxF0F_1cv_yomWTVddYbSRJ4ZF8V165jjMl1tPEUZRObDMmmd-UNxob_WrOfNIESnful8SPedOHL30TbiMjK_Ew6OVE/s1600/IMG_0897.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Monk leading prayer.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNGWUmog7DDtP80FYW4K3ylIKKPurE5WcwbQpOYiX-O69KKWz20ugPytpFubj4XPsls3WgSd9fK-2VSK3NmWWjrihMR-evGiAKl6CWBCjgnMMryiu1HXKcPr7G5NeA6jML2ZDX9TptaE/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijNGWUmog7DDtP80FYW4K3ylIKKPurE5WcwbQpOYiX-O69KKWz20ugPytpFubj4XPsls3WgSd9fK-2VSK3NmWWjrihMR-evGiAKl6CWBCjgnMMryiu1HXKcPr7G5NeA6jML2ZDX9TptaE/s1600/IMG_0904.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M&M</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHJORfEGR4_sqnWxVOTKpWZYNPEZXSPFpRTzR8TE1VhU03LtmjGWTIM9X_DCNH9cSA0MPbV0ugQR80UyPHQ7IjLKCy4Ib-tOZPAcyOWHwaX2QoFG5_VQ97JX_H0a5x6-069gvp5_Tl1s/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhaHJORfEGR4_sqnWxVOTKpWZYNPEZXSPFpRTzR8TE1VhU03LtmjGWTIM9X_DCNH9cSA0MPbV0ugQR80UyPHQ7IjLKCy4Ib-tOZPAcyOWHwaX2QoFG5_VQ97JX_H0a5x6-069gvp5_Tl1s/s1600/IMG_0905.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More M&M. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuURMwaZFfhg3YA0P-MstRiNwYhf591mA3VqxKoC8emo0VpZWNbfSH46uj5h5Ydns5mgW5tdZ2XHf4k_hdLUtq4KSZtwIBNWStcuZ0EXsNgAY6uWD2zMyysiPH0kj8AJMDDV2TQZsIG4/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkuURMwaZFfhg3YA0P-MstRiNwYhf591mA3VqxKoC8emo0VpZWNbfSH46uj5h5Ydns5mgW5tdZ2XHf4k_hdLUtq4KSZtwIBNWStcuZ0EXsNgAY6uWD2zMyysiPH0kj8AJMDDV2TQZsIG4/s1600/IMG_0913.JPG" height="320" width="240" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female Buddha. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS3kPeIvACRDngRgzhrU4QaEvusdcJHGgJUaPGOuMv8cURSkse-eBm-Hnz-OVhJq92FbLKza0IERyyj6wZqZE7U0-tZhzKawRYJjatLHigtOGJyFNOJzMiW5s3UtWqm58Vp3o6ga1RS0/s1600/IMAG0823.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJS3kPeIvACRDngRgzhrU4QaEvusdcJHGgJUaPGOuMv8cURSkse-eBm-Hnz-OVhJq92FbLKza0IERyyj6wZqZE7U0-tZhzKawRYJjatLHigtOGJyFNOJzMiW5s3UtWqm58Vp3o6ga1RS0/s1600/IMAG0823.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Bags of medicinal items.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvlgjp7624LZ2gVDkUVi0YhqysL10E_T_FUvYKpmzu43G3ItlHfKvozsSDnI8dsdC4o8aaoRORb5bs_Vb8NTgugi1hOdP22VD_yZKb514_sgbnrfHJw1pylLpVRiv5sv2tmbqZo4lves/s1600/IMAG0828.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhVvlgjp7624LZ2gVDkUVi0YhqysL10E_T_FUvYKpmzu43G3ItlHfKvozsSDnI8dsdC4o8aaoRORb5bs_Vb8NTgugi1hOdP22VD_yZKb514_sgbnrfHJw1pylLpVRiv5sv2tmbqZo4lves/s1600/IMAG0828.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Scorpions: Good for what ails you!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6L1PGJZt0PUSU5tXPmfIy3tIujynNKkGTUMnw1WR4SJIkCy3s2Y8_R9UhfZV3644Nra0hN92t8vWntFzea51lnD5GWxQu1VNi3w0hkZ3uqprKYLEgCtCwfDnQbwMrsmmLE-plg4zAgU/s1600/IMAG0829.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6L1PGJZt0PUSU5tXPmfIy3tIujynNKkGTUMnw1WR4SJIkCy3s2Y8_R9UhfZV3644Nra0hN92t8vWntFzea51lnD5GWxQu1VNi3w0hkZ3uqprKYLEgCtCwfDnQbwMrsmmLE-plg4zAgU/s1600/IMAG0829.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A typical shop on the street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIoUzmyS2n_ks6-12gCUYeabLPpWSxYOfQUTyXMDwz4GTAgtJIsXpqpp08xlPGnnhERGhBROr31NqM-B7aSax88KuAGIcKjMnziboafQg76w73vs5JW8xMp0ux6W-7IG-Z0C9WJwmQ3w/s1600/IMAG0834.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinIoUzmyS2n_ks6-12gCUYeabLPpWSxYOfQUTyXMDwz4GTAgtJIsXpqpp08xlPGnnhERGhBROr31NqM-B7aSax88KuAGIcKjMnziboafQg76w73vs5JW8xMp0ux6W-7IG-Z0C9WJwmQ3w/s1600/IMAG0834.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A view of the street.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQNhgiy1QSf58gpNeraM8W2eeS7LLgUoRG8kpBPCISKmvJuQ8LZf2HG215EFoHMMatY4b98Uyv-r6Xe8V0dsHlrs6bLuZ0JzQulchboaxZHJbik0FlanWr3ezrNr1ZmqF5WFGQmBQLgg/s1600/IMAG0835.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiaQNhgiy1QSf58gpNeraM8W2eeS7LLgUoRG8kpBPCISKmvJuQ8LZf2HG215EFoHMMatY4b98Uyv-r6Xe8V0dsHlrs6bLuZ0JzQulchboaxZHJbik0FlanWr3ezrNr1ZmqF5WFGQmBQLgg/s1600/IMAG0835.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Turtles!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbWF4P0-VsD0tZNrz9rg3jlsZ7tlFciDnk8X7PD0jaoNlP3dUPLd7XNhxPr_bhyv3yBnMdOCMagDm5JZIkatRoVGCauBwiBpFSgmVtqt6JIcPMdAGiaPYoYVHS_CZ50G_j4Yp29-p4zc/s1600/IMAG0836.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjIbWF4P0-VsD0tZNrz9rg3jlsZ7tlFciDnk8X7PD0jaoNlP3dUPLd7XNhxPr_bhyv3yBnMdOCMagDm5JZIkatRoVGCauBwiBpFSgmVtqt6JIcPMdAGiaPYoYVHS_CZ50G_j4Yp29-p4zc/s1600/IMAG0836.jpg" height="180" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Fish!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevBhrawlV8CtB9obD77-HLDQLYBisb84h8CdD1ISSvCSKTV0Vp8f5Dy1WKUIhEvQ2RWB7G2gRzUJFSaDQ1K-4P5PvJUHFDpRlMR43PBo2JEfXn54X8odftO7bdjVn2lPOGkKs44n41SM/s1600/DSC07976.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgevBhrawlV8CtB9obD77-HLDQLYBisb84h8CdD1ISSvCSKTV0Vp8f5Dy1WKUIhEvQ2RWB7G2gRzUJFSaDQ1K-4P5PvJUHFDpRlMR43PBo2JEfXn54X8odftO7bdjVn2lPOGkKs44n41SM/s1600/DSC07976.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another cute photo from the orphanage!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-75309268548028992062014-03-08T05:55:00.000-08:002014-03-08T06:33:59.864-08:00Travel day and medical exams<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Yesterday was a travel day. We waited around the hotel until noon when Missy came by and we headed to Mr. Lee, a local noodle place that we have visited once before, for our last meal in Jinan. On the way back we stopped by the river for a few last pictures before heading to the airport. We got through security with about an hour to spare before take-off. The big challenge at this point was keeping up with MJ who wanted to take off running through the terminal as a game, or if she saw something shiny. Once on the plane, it was a challenge to get her to keep her seat belt buckled! Poor Manu got a tummy ache again on this flight, but he was a trooper and made it through 'till the end with no problems. Our new guide Elvin met us after baggage claim and we headed off to the hotel. We're actually travelling with another family from our agency on this portion of the trip. The Anderson's are from the San Francisco area and have adopted a cute 19mo little girl. By the time we got settled into our new room at the Garden Hotel, it was after 10pm. We were exhausted and headed to bed soon thereafter. </div>
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The Garden Hotel is a beautiful establishment. Definitely 5-star and the best of our trip thus far. The only drawback is that it is a little too westernized. We've become accustomed to being immersed completely in Chinese culture, and have been the only western family we've seen until now. This hotel is a popular hotel for families adopting children from China, and this morning alone we ran into at least a dozen families just like us at breakfast and in the lobby. It's nice to meet others like us, but it doesn't feel authentic; more of a spectacle really. That, and the breakfast buffet had pancakes! Where was the dim sum? The steamed buns? The noodles? The chop sticks?!?! Interestingly, we tried to give MJ a pancake and she shrieked and quickly removed it from her plate. </div>
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Today was our visit to the local medical center for MJ's visa evaluation. It consisted of a general checkup, and ENT screening, an eye screening, and, since she if over 2yo, a TB test. She handled it all pretty well. She seemed to do well on the eye exam, which is encouraging. We were most worried about the TB screening, as they took her into a room alone, and we had to wait outside. Through Elvin we told her what was coming, and she said she wasn't scared. After it was over she emerged smiling and in good spirits. They actually draw blood for the test here, so she had a band aid on her little arm. The nurses commented on how well she did, and were tickled when she took off her bandage and put it on her doll's arm. After that we were finished, and we headed to our first sightseeing adventure in this city: Yuntai Garden. </div>
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Yuntai Garden is a botanical garden featuring all types of local and tropical flora and fauna. The grounds are beautiful and there are lovely fountains throughout. Manu earned his junior photographer badge by taking some great macro shots of flowers and cacti. This was a nice-enough place, but the most interesting thing wasn't a plant or animal. No, the most interesting thing by far was the cheese - I'm not talking dairy. In addition to all the lovely plants was a good dose of corny theme and decoration. It reminded me of a bad amusement park. It was so bad that it really distracted from what was otherwise a nice location. After about an hour we headed back to the hotel. After resting for a bit, we headed down to the hotel restaurant for lunch. We then set out for a local mall to buy MJ a new pair of shoes. Buying things in China is a lot different than in a mall in the states. First, there are a LOT more employees; almost one in every isle. They assist you in picking out your items and then give you a ticket that you take to a central cashier for payment. You then bring back your paid receipt to the department to pick up your items. We got her a cute little pair of pink flats and some socks. We then headed downstairs to the grocery department and picked up some noodles, yogurt, and snacks for the room. We're back now and had dinner in the room tonight. Before bed, I thought I'd share a few more insights into Min Jing:</div>
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1. She doesn't answer to "Min Jing" Apparently they didn't use her official name on a regular basis. Instead they called her "Jing Jing" as a nickname. She'll answer to that or "Mei Mei" (little sister). </div>
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2. She loves bubble baths. </div>
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3. She likes to look at herself in the mirror and sing and dance. </div>
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4. Did we mention she can be obstinate? She can also be a bit manipulative, and prone to mild tantrums if she doesn't get her way. She's called me a "bad baba." a few times; I guess I must be doing something right. </div>
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5. She loves her dolls and pretend play. </div>
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That's it for tonight. Thanks for following!</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another selfie</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Waiting for her exam.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This should really become a thing in the US.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Cheese on display at the gardens. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">You know you want to pick me up, Daddy!</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M&M at the Yuntai Gardens.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of Manu's photos. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-24305879187315637622014-03-06T06:31:00.001-08:002014-03-06T06:53:16.547-08:00Baotu Spring and the Museum<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Jinan is known as the "City of Springs" for its 72 "famous springs," of which most converge on Daming Lake. Wednesday we visited <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baotu_Spring">Baotu Spring</a>, the most famous of all. The landscaping and architecture are quite beautiful and promote a peaceful and serene experience. That is, until all the tourists converge on it. Missy walked us through the park and explained the significance of the spring and various "memory halls" dedicated to various persons of historical significance, including a famous female poet. There was a pond with two sea lions that the kids really enjoyed, and we spent a LOT of time looking at and feeding the koi. It was a lot of fun, I just wish I understood what all of the signs said; there is just enough English at these touristy sights that you don't get lost, but I'm sure we're missing out on a lot of good information. We left the spring and had a mediocre lunch at a food-court underneath Quancheng Square. We then said goodbye to Missy for the evening and headed back to the room to refresh ourselves a bit. Later we headed to Starbucks for more coffee and a hibiscus tea, before settling in for the night. </div>
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Today we started off a bit slower; we had to wait on Missy to arrive at noon with our notarized documents, so we spent the morning packing up for our travel day tomorrow. We met her in the lobby and then she came to our room to review our documents before we present them at the embassy next week. After we determined everything was in order, we headed out with her to lunch at a new restaurant. The food was decent, but the most remarkable aspect of our meal was that the seats were actually swings hanging from the ceiling. You can probably imagine how that went with 2 five year olds. We came back to the hotel and said goodbye to Missy once again. We rested for a few minutes and then risked our lives to cross the street to visit the Shandong Science and Technology Museum. This was definitely geared toward to younger crowd, with several play areas, but lots of interactive science experiments, too. The kids especially liked a driving simulator, and little miss MJ had a mini-meltdown when we finally pulled her away. It was a lot of fun, and I think M&M had some good bonding time. We're now back in our room after having dinner at the buffet downstairs; I'll tell you about it sometime - food is quite an adventure here. </div>
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Before closing, I'd like to share a bit that we've learned about out daughter in the 4 short days we've had together:</div>
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1. She is VERY strong-willed. Her pre-adoption report said that she could sometime be "obstinate". We'll "sometimes" is generous. I'm feel certain that she didn't spend her first 5 years in the orphanage being carried around everywhere, but if we try to make the little princess walk anywhere on her own, she'll sit down, cross her arms, and pout. Today at the museum we left her laying on the floor for a good bit. </div>
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2. She's starting to pick up a few words in English, and even more "gists" of what we're saying. The three of us are also starting to understand her a bit more, too. We're pretty sure she's saying, "stupid Americans" any time we don't comply with her demands. </div>
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3. Have I mentioned that she likes spicy food? Tonight at dinner she was dipping french fries in ketchup and hot sauce. </div>
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4. For the past several days she has been singing the sweetest little song in Mandarin, which of course we could not understand. Today at lunch she was singing it, again. Missy laughed and said that she was singing a song about the Red Army. </div>
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5. She likes Chinese Soap Operas, and will watch them as long as we let her. Probably the result of living in an institution that housed not only children, but also the elderly. </div>
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6. Her hand does not hold her back at all. It's really a non-issue from a practical point-of-view. </div>
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7. She loves her 2 baby dolls. She'll hold them, feed them, sing to them, slather them in hand sanitizer to "bathe" them...</div>
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8. She mimics Manu a lot. She also takes his things without asking, which is a little upsetting to Manu at this point, as he is very sensitive to the "rules" and playing nice. There are moments when it seems he really doesn't like having her around, but others when they're giggling together in some universal child language that reassure us that they will work it all out; they just need a little time.</div>
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All-in-all things are going well so far. We're just starting to feel each other out, but we're happy. It will be a long process for sure, but it'll be worth it in the end. </div>
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Thanks for following. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The layout of Baotu Spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The bubbling spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the streams flowing away from the spring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZk2UTXoxIid_OyFhK7Qqwzr81ky5CYxx0LBkIUXT450YmJAUlDLgQwHQwzmHbxi8RVEW8ZIdg1s-T5JnzyX1h7z_7SQgWXIGT0vpIhSDIGE-3GvNjcgLWuHP0q-5Uiq6lA_fVx_JYQ/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUWZk2UTXoxIid_OyFhK7Qqwzr81ky5CYxx0LBkIUXT450YmJAUlDLgQwHQwzmHbxi8RVEW8ZIdg1s-T5JnzyX1h7z_7SQgWXIGT0vpIhSDIGE-3GvNjcgLWuHP0q-5Uiq6lA_fVx_JYQ/s1600/IMG_0530.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our family.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrz_ch9q2Lrkcq8d52-l_CUJmOlD3P5MgfI02Wi8QindeXsfRB4EG-Q3A6HeBZLvQACObD7LsyJvU0s73EDQLs1ICKTxmxVOLHLdk1zdi7DGdyNFSBBroH0o-9SyllniuW5A88HjuLqpc/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrz_ch9q2Lrkcq8d52-l_CUJmOlD3P5MgfI02Wi8QindeXsfRB4EG-Q3A6HeBZLvQACObD7LsyJvU0s73EDQLs1ICKTxmxVOLHLdk1zdi7DGdyNFSBBroH0o-9SyllniuW5A88HjuLqpc/s1600/IMG_0592.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A shelter building.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7MqzBYRtsX6_a-zeVuqRfkkDg81mrwz1r4BmxLj3KiTQhMhNuCSE7ZIP6G7o7AWKEJ-oVV_kK8cPqPtYi2_CEvtRM5ifDspaXWecJrLvrBdq4mENLWSmxHXVLqaKvcm_skdZVqqtPps/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgI7MqzBYRtsX6_a-zeVuqRfkkDg81mrwz1r4BmxLj3KiTQhMhNuCSE7ZIP6G7o7AWKEJ-oVV_kK8cPqPtYi2_CEvtRM5ifDspaXWecJrLvrBdq4mENLWSmxHXVLqaKvcm_skdZVqqtPps/s1600/IMG_0603.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Lanterns are everywhere in China.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu8lx5FMXCnKMVEa68aw9AMOdpPArcZAMY8eFPLfuc-6ywEw8Kz4U33qIb4sfp3vKK1jiIelYv7UYXOy-9DjQaWk9f6Awgdy7CBkISvUkdj8P-ws6-Lteqq1PVa-zvrkOv6RXWKk-CL0/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwu8lx5FMXCnKMVEa68aw9AMOdpPArcZAMY8eFPLfuc-6ywEw8Kz4U33qIb4sfp3vKK1jiIelYv7UYXOy-9DjQaWk9f6Awgdy7CBkISvUkdj8P-ws6-Lteqq1PVa-zvrkOv6RXWKk-CL0/s1600/IMG_0608.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Female guardian lion.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOZGa_RvpyeENKGwW6qW6oWBArJ6caP3HJ9YSiT5_7m0NqNGZJQQ-c3KHkphEZBa4DHRcsfJekroV6yBtCFzFexmDORRbwnwr_gxS1Ky8vioZt6PS7cSa6KtEGJKCHfJLc9hV4_0DaEQ/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtOZGa_RvpyeENKGwW6qW6oWBArJ6caP3HJ9YSiT5_7m0NqNGZJQQ-c3KHkphEZBa4DHRcsfJekroV6yBtCFzFexmDORRbwnwr_gxS1Ky8vioZt6PS7cSa6KtEGJKCHfJLc9hV4_0DaEQ/s1600/IMG_0667.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">M&M at a play area in the museum.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMGz-JazmOimLRTz4MUPLvinKc6ukZ_M3_cwJ4Ntugx3PqkOJZU6_PW3OJ8kqYDkX9tF0nkTL6ad2dpP5Ux1BsoWNBgSZIgqQgfAfeeZgW_4VYPkCumYgM2l0JjvnfJJ7b1O1wbe-Uyg/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRMGz-JazmOimLRTz4MUPLvinKc6ukZ_M3_cwJ4Ntugx3PqkOJZU6_PW3OJ8kqYDkX9tF0nkTL6ad2dpP5Ux1BsoWNBgSZIgqQgfAfeeZgW_4VYPkCumYgM2l0JjvnfJJ7b1O1wbe-Uyg/s1600/IMG_0672.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Understanding the law of gravity. The kids, too. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe6KUBR4nWICBZXtwxZOHfAglqQFm3VKinLw7N-EvUYbZXkngvwi74YfcXMnpPJRGXagnYXQqCu6DzvieAuYKTpTaVlXNiGRWLcZfifPYm5dOEX4ukpDfdGriAGQe-3dPgciSrVF613w/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJe6KUBR4nWICBZXtwxZOHfAglqQFm3VKinLw7N-EvUYbZXkngvwi74YfcXMnpPJRGXagnYXQqCu6DzvieAuYKTpTaVlXNiGRWLcZfifPYm5dOEX4ukpDfdGriAGQe-3dPgciSrVF613w/s1600/IMG_0675.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Test-driving the latest in pretend vehicles. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tZlb5aXNtkK8fp6A1PRnMCawnPFWeJNFja_Fd49hgUrYOq_wYxW24BKJ7Mm1tV7mb72s4dl0CEzWysJsvRfzHbzz1LdiY2nAqSaUvdLUzQdeDvGvQcJJdOaZIIiAB3ey0HitjVkOSKk/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7tZlb5aXNtkK8fp6A1PRnMCawnPFWeJNFja_Fd49hgUrYOq_wYxW24BKJ7Mm1tV7mb72s4dl0CEzWysJsvRfzHbzz1LdiY2nAqSaUvdLUzQdeDvGvQcJJdOaZIIiAB3ey0HitjVkOSKk/s1600/IMG_0680.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MJ playing in a sand pendulum. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-51285935659241094722014-03-04T05:08:00.002-08:002014-03-04T05:58:55.819-08:00A day at the lake, sort of. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was a free day, at least as far as official adoption events go. We met Missy in the lobby at 9:30 for a visit to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daming_Lake">Daming Lake</a>, one of Jinan's main cultural points of interest. Unfortunately the weather was less than ideal; it was about 40 degrees and drizzly. The lake is surrounded by a walkway which takes about 3 hours to walk the complete circle. There are lots of little bridges and side paths that make it an interesting layout. There are a couple of islands in the middle of the lake that are only accessible by pontoon. The lake has several pavilions, pagodas, and many gardens, creating a very calm and tranquil atmosphere. At least that's how it's supposed to be. We were freezing after a very short time. We decided to take a pontoon cruise around the lake, which was a nice way to see everything and stay warm at the same time. Once off the boat, it was clear that this was going to be too cold for the kids to enjoy, so we headed out after less than an hour. We took some pictures, but like our experience at the Great Wall, they are misty and gray. </div>
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We needed an indoor activity to pass some time, so we headed for the Parc66 mall, just off Quancheng Square near our hotel. This is a high-end mall more suited for window-shopping than actual purchasing - think Versace. The 5th floor is dedicated to children's cloths and toys, so we headed up there to let the kids look around. They quickly spotted a toy store and soon we were leaving with a new baby doll and some Legos. They ran around a bit at a little play area and then we headed out for lunch. As we emerged from the mall the rain had stopped and the sun was shining, but at that point it was too late to go back to the lake. </div>
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We returned to the wonton restaurant that we attempted to dine at yesterday. It was still busy, but we managed to find the last available table. It was a good thing we had Missy, as there was no English and no pictures on the menu, and no one was speaking English except us. We shared 4 varieties of wontons that were floating in a nice soupy broth (think wonton soup, but much, much larger and better than most places we've visited in the states.) On the side, vinegar and fried chili paste are served as condiments. We dished out a little vinegar in a bowl to the kids, and the adults had both. Well MJ quickly started reaching for the chili paste. We handed the bowl to her and she took a big bite of pure chili paste, licked her lips and added more to her wontons. I asked Missy how the paste was made, and it is crushed red peppers that are fried in oil and seasoned with various spices. She kept eating it like that all meal; she really, really enjoys spicy food! </div>
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After the meal we headed back to the hotel room to let the kids play with their new toys. We decided that it would be a good time to do a little laundry in our room. We washed socks, underclothes, and a few other items in the tub. It quickly became a game, and M&M has a lot of fun playing in the soapy water and wringing out the clothes. </div>
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After hanging our unmentionables all around the room to dry, we headed back to Starbucks to get our afternoon coffee fix, then we strolled down the old city moat, which is fed by the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Black_Tiger_Spring">Black Tiger Spring</a>. We took a few pictures and headed back to the room. We decided to eat in tonight, and we prepared some noodles with our hot-pot (all hotel rooms have them here.) This gave us more alone time to bond with MJ. I think it's going well so far; she doesn't scream trying to get away when we take her places! She and Manu have been feeling each other out since her arrival, and today they seemed to get along well. There have been lots of laughs and giggles, and even a pillow fight! There's still a little ways to go before everyone is completely comfortable with everyone, but we're getting there. MJ also seems to be understanding a few English words and phrases already, like "no," "get down from there," "don't put that in your mouth," so that is helping bridge the communication gap a bit :-)</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">MJ ready for the lake.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">A pontoon on the lake. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missy and Min Jing.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">In front of a Tiger display at the mall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Doing the laundry. Child labor, or character building?</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Standing over the old city moat. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Our Hotel, as seen from Quancheng Square.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Min Jing looking over Manu's shoulder. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Snuggling up to...their gadgets.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-66829353474765471912014-03-03T06:05:00.000-08:002014-03-03T14:35:35.567-08:00One door opens as another closes. <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was a happy day. It was also hectic and heart-wrenching. Today was the day we would finalize Min Jing's adoption. We had to get up early, as we needed to meet Missy in the lobby at 8:30 to head to the Civil Affairs office - one of three different offices, in three different parts of town - we would visit today. We were up at 6am and headed down to breakfast at 7. We ate in the room last night, so this was our first meal out as a family of 4. Min Jing ate well, preferring mostly Chinese fare as expected, but she did really enjoy a fried egg, too. We learned that she will take off running if she sees something she wants, and we had to chase her down several times this morning, and throughout the day. We went back to the room to get our things, and then we were off.</div>
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The first stop was the Civil Affairs office where we finalized Min Jing's adoption. we signed some papers, paid some money, and marked some documents with fingerprints. The ladies from the orphanage were there to present their documents, and Min Jing was happy to see them again. Before we left we were presented with her official adoption document, as well as other important papers we'll need in Guangzhou next week to process her visa. These were the documents we have been working toward for almost 6 months now. We were told by the nice lady working there, who had been at Min Jing's orphanage just last week, that they had our family picture hanging on the wall there, and Min Jing would make a point of telling everyone she saw that we were her mama, baba, and gege. More proof that they had done a great job of prepping her for our arrival. </div>
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We then left and headed out into heavy traffic for the local police station to process her Chinese passport. Were were quickly directed to a small, crowded hallway that led to a room where Min Jing would get her passport photo taken. We got that accomplished and were hastily rushed upstairs to another waiting room. Missy went off to get things started and then came back and rushed us to an officer. More signatures were made and fees paid and we were off to the Notary office across town. There we met up once again with the orphanage staff. We signed all the forms and paid the last official fee of this adoption. We were now officially Min Jing's parents! We took a group photo with these wonderful ladies and then we headed downstairs to say our goodbyes. A lot of tears were shed in these last few minutes together. Min Jing told the director that she didn't want them to go. She told Min Jing that everything would be alright, and that she should come back and see them when she grows up. She was then overcome with emotion and had to step aside to compose herself. The second lady, who we believe was Min Jing's primary caretaker was also visibly upset. They had raised her from about 19 days old until today, and they were saying goodbye for the last time. For us, this brought into sharp focus exactly what Min Jing would be leaving behind. No child deserves to live in an institution, but she was loved there, of that we are certain. We will forever be indebted to the people there for showing her love, and taking such wonderful care of her. They watched us drive away until we were out of sight. </div>
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On the drive back to the hotel, Min Jing was quiet. Missy would ask her if she was hungry, sleepy, or wanted anything at all, and she just shook her head slowly, with tears welling up in her eyes. She stayed like that all the way back. As excited as she seems to have been at our arrival, I think maybe she just figured out what having a mama, baba, and gege really means - leaving everyone else behind. As our door opens, the door to her past closes. We held her, rubbed her back and tried our best to console her, but it is her right to mourn, and we will let her. </div>
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When we got back to the hotel it was time to find something to eat. We first tried to go to a wonton restaurant that Missy recommended, but we got there and the place was packed. We instead headed to KFC. You read that right, KFC. There seems to be one on every corner, and according to Missy, they are more popular than McDonalds in China. But this isn't you father's KFC. You would hardly recognize the menu. They did have chicken poppers, which the kids enjoyed, but I ordered pork curry and vegetables over rice, and Leslie had red bean turnovers. I think I'll try asking for that when we're back in Lexington! Normally we don't eat much fast food, especially when travelling, but it was close, everyone was starving, and we kind of wanted to check out the difference. It was fun, and as she was eating, Min Jing started to perk up a bit. </div>
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We came back to the Hotel for a little break. Leslie tried to get Min Jing to take a nap, unsuccessfully, while Manu and I played a round of Pokemon cards. After a bit we headed out to Quancheng Square, just across the street. It was much less crowded today as it was on Saturday when we first passed by. We stopped first at a large metalic lotus fountain with dancing water jets that perform to music at regular intervals. the kids loved watching the sprayers move back and forth in an artistic fashion. We also admired dozens of beautiful, elaborate kites that were being flown throughout the square. This is a serious pastime in China, and kites are everywhere. We walked up a large, blue statue in the center of the square that is the symbol for the city of Jinan. We walked around a little more, and chased down Min Jing when she would take of running after something. </div>
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On the way back, we let them look at a toy/kite stand that was near the entrance to the square. As they were looking, a middle-aged woman comes up to Min Jing and asks her if she knows us. Min Jing identified us as mama, baba, and gege, and the woman looked at us with a bit of wonder, shrugged her shoulders and walked away. I feel certain she was looking out for Min Jing's well being; there is a strong sense of community and family here, and we were obvious strangers to these parts hanging around a little Chinese girl. I'm not upset that the woman would question our relationship with her, but it does serve as a reminder of how much we stand out everywhere we go. It has been that way for us for years now, but it's different when you are in the minority, and it is but a small taste for us of what life must be like for immigrants everywhere and probably for our kids, too. </div>
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We ended the day by ordering room service and eating in. Everyone is in bed now, and I'm about to join them. Thanks for following. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Min Jing officially consenting to being adopted.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manu, Min Jing, and her caretaker.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Group photo at the Notary office. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The kids in front of the lotus fountain. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Quancheng Square.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Brother and sister bonding.</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-23867461076292272052014-03-02T06:10:00.001-08:002014-03-02T06:28:22.060-08:00Hello, my name is Jeff, but you can call me 爸爸(Bàba, Papa, Father, Daddy, the Old Man, etc.) <br />
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Today was a day much like any other: you wake up in a foreign country, enjoy a breakfast of things you cannot pronounce, take a trip to the bank to exchange some money only to be accosted by several people trying to get you to use their "services" instead of the bank, stop at Starbucks for a 2pm latte, walk down a food alley where all manner of strange creatures are barbecued on a skewer, be stared at by anyone and everyone you pass on the street, and meeting your 5yo daughter for the first time. Yep, pretty ordinary by most accounts. </div>
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For the benefit of our parents, I'll cut right to the chase. Min Jing and adults from her orphanage came to our room at about 3pm. Leslie opened the door to find this precious little girl holding a beautiful bouquet of flowers. She came in followed by the adults and our interpreter/guide, Missy. Min Jing immediately recognized us as Mama, Baba, and Gege. She was a bit reserved, but not shy. She immediately allowed us to hold her and kiss her. She soon noticed a doll that we had brought for her and immediately picked it up and began taking off it's clothes. We had an assortment of toys and sweets lay'd out for her. She particularly liked the nail polish and glittering lip gloss. She soon began painting her own nails, and then Leslie's, too. The orphanage director handed her a gift that she then handed to Gege (Manu); a bank in the shape of a Chinese boy. Leslie and I were then presented with a few gifts of beautiful artwork from her hometown. They also gave us a few gifts for Min Jing from people who had worked/volunteered at her orphanage, including a beautiful boxed-set of decorated chopsticks that we will save for her until she is older. </div>
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The director and the two other adults were very warm and friendly. They seemed to take a genuine interest in Manu. The gentleman of the group was snapping away, picture after picture, as the events were unfolding. We presented them with gifts that we had brought from the states, and then the director answered all questions we had about Min Jing and her situation. Then it was time to sign the temporary adoption paperwork. I say temporary because, in China, we have 24 hours to change our minds and cancel the adoption. No chance of that happening, but it is a formaility. We'll head to the civil affairs office tomorrow to finalize, at which point she officially becomes our daughter. Finally we said our goodbyes to the orphanage staff and they left our hotel. Once they were gone, Missy took us to a nearby photography store to have her passport photos taken. We came back to the room and, after it seemed that everything was going to be OK, Missy left for the evening as well. We were now on our own!</div>
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So much has happened in the last few hours, my head is still spinning, but I'd like to touch on a few items of note:</div>
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1st - This little girl is the most beautiful girl in the world. When she smiles and her eyes light up, it melts my heart. She is very talkative, and as yet doesn't seem much bothered by that fact that we don't understand what she is saying; she just talks and talks and talks, and sometime sings in her sweet little voice. She seems very inquisitive and fiercely independent; she doesn't want or need help opening packages or using the TV remote control. She seems to like Gege and has been mimicking a lot of what he does. Her chopstick skills put us to shame, and we're getting pretty good! She had no problems figuring out our camera or our phones; She actually took several really good photos of us, plus a selfie! She enjoyed her first bath, and went to bed easily, except for getting up a couple of times to get me to come to bed, too. </div>
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2nd - It is obvious that the people at her orphanage deeply care for her, and have taken great care of her, and prepared her for this transition. She seems very healthy and happy. She instinctively puts things back where they belong, without being asked, and has even neatly folded and stacked all of the clothes that Leslie has lay'd out for her to look at. It seems apparent that, because of her situation, she has had more responsibility put upon her than that of a typical 5yo. Developmentally she seems right on point, both physically and intellectually. </div>
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3rd - As part of the care package we sent to her for her 5th birthday, we included a USB thumb drive for the staff to download any pictures that had of her from over the years. They gave that back to us today. On it were almost 900 pictures of her going as far back as her pictures on the day she was found when she was approximately 19 days old! This was truly a blessing as we scanned through photos of special moments and events in her life. But as wonderful as it is to have them (and it really is), it is also a little painful as we realize more clearly all of the good times and milestones we have missed.</div>
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In the end, today went about as well as it possibly could; not a single tear and the first signs of bonding are beginning to appear. While this was a great relief, we know that it could be short-lived. Often the reality of what is happening can be delayed for adopted children, so she could break-down on us at any time. We hope it doesn't come to that, but we understand it is a normal part of the grieving process, and we'll do our best to empathize with her, cry with her, and comfort her as she cements her place in our family, forever. </div>
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And now, what you've all been waiting for, the pictures:</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje99hN1BgoHw4mS5eIVa0MgW7XlqngmNUmcKuppjRu_y1W1K-obBB6rqEj-pJEsdj4_5O94N85QJ9DsaA4k6ZXiSAmzAIa7vhQU5n2pH-F2Bn_BPTY2cVeMgUvPbi8jh1SLMhXphxzmGA/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje99hN1BgoHw4mS5eIVa0MgW7XlqngmNUmcKuppjRu_y1W1K-obBB6rqEj-pJEsdj4_5O94N85QJ9DsaA4k6ZXiSAmzAIa7vhQU5n2pH-F2Bn_BPTY2cVeMgUvPbi8jh1SLMhXphxzmGA/s1600/IMG_0291.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The nail polish was a hit.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS_nyHXytTnXXEMmkp9zKiC_ioxskXWHtkhMRAVkSsbF1YRKkQs2qlZaMj_oVLvttnzaROoygzTtsM8BkOOtwp3hPwJtsTcuYiz3X1LLHiMnA23RD_m6geyf0TGsf3qjz7T2IBdSdKPU/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijS_nyHXytTnXXEMmkp9zKiC_ioxskXWHtkhMRAVkSsbF1YRKkQs2qlZaMj_oVLvttnzaROoygzTtsM8BkOOtwp3hPwJtsTcuYiz3X1LLHiMnA23RD_m6geyf0TGsf3qjz7T2IBdSdKPU/s1600/IMG_0288.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Missy and the orphanage director.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3YySdrmq3XMzKfW8LH7SGLnsLzp8bZR58jZKdlH96GBF26BRdFQHR8k-__W79ObYIogwern5yJl-zXZ91n1hcEqTNEHY4V7Hr5cSg7zUKXW23m0zXYKKE7Dy8Vpax0uquYHbhtNdm0Q/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgr3YySdrmq3XMzKfW8LH7SGLnsLzp8bZR58jZKdlH96GBF26BRdFQHR8k-__W79ObYIogwern5yJl-zXZ91n1hcEqTNEHY4V7Hr5cSg7zUKXW23m0zXYKKE7Dy8Vpax0uquYHbhtNdm0Q/s1600/IMG_0293.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The staff and our kids. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo44CcrvecLF7CaQbiU5Msmx613uMq44C-io1NhTTRqN7yQWvJbiohcx0yw0AG8kKZkg8vtcSajqs94qwTXNgCKH6HtjEgDpXcPHYt__5A3KM1wqwAuNhdP1FLwwi_bjDDsEc9B9gedgA/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgo44CcrvecLF7CaQbiU5Msmx613uMq44C-io1NhTTRqN7yQWvJbiohcx0yw0AG8kKZkg8vtcSajqs94qwTXNgCKH6HtjEgDpXcPHYt__5A3KM1wqwAuNhdP1FLwwi_bjDDsEc9B9gedgA/s1600/IMG_0295.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">All of us together. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvBZUSZXEavjXAhvlRB-ZnurKIwXZclvKBku5Kspa-bO9hRXDYvRwcqi3t3VTedtkJhpJEAUWhA86HcfTZic-YZYoyE112riwZfB1Rn_P_22tc8qvsgTPJtEpt8bal69VoKE09o5P078/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjBvBZUSZXEavjXAhvlRB-ZnurKIwXZclvKBku5Kspa-bO9hRXDYvRwcqi3t3VTedtkJhpJEAUWhA86HcfTZic-YZYoyE112riwZfB1Rn_P_22tc8qvsgTPJtEpt8bal69VoKE09o5P078/s1600/IMG_0301.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Having fun coloring.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6T95GlTzZeRgdo94K6SiRnesR1hH0x5NGlpj5aVAALXVjmqbRWL9qaHSDTDSBFqdBCyv0UprvnAlhBVL6KIrstFFEWDgM3S_x_Vyy62BWBwd0lgu3S3W3D6RhHzyhhPl1U8poIue1Kg/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiC6T95GlTzZeRgdo94K6SiRnesR1hH0x5NGlpj5aVAALXVjmqbRWL9qaHSDTDSBFqdBCyv0UprvnAlhBVL6KIrstFFEWDgM3S_x_Vyy62BWBwd0lgu3S3W3D6RhHzyhhPl1U8poIue1Kg/s1600/IMG_0332.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">More nail polish</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqogiNhUAzAI7VZEETbSYYaH8j4YMhjJzMr322EdNQIdJcOxCLLmMAprMzL4CYDTVAMf5E84wYFazJOT9_VpE3U9UAgmvNJAV-0lYV_FsGf4m933AQXH84_d5oB2hpT75OooJCnZOvt8/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMqogiNhUAzAI7VZEETbSYYaH8j4YMhjJzMr322EdNQIdJcOxCLLmMAprMzL4CYDTVAMf5E84wYFazJOT9_VpE3U9UAgmvNJAV-0lYV_FsGf4m933AQXH84_d5oB2hpT75OooJCnZOvt8/s1600/IMG_0331.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie and her flowers. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWEreDg_YX8BjdyErM9NXLt-86PhcUzhX5OfX9xQu5zj9artcYaqYMfxFyhW1CxDcZ_P9iXlbohNaEo2uDhyLTx9ymNuXYS6D0OwQYqiPBFuH2UywkMAZCwFVMInPuV_8spIs78ohiJs/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhWWEreDg_YX8BjdyErM9NXLt-86PhcUzhX5OfX9xQu5zj9artcYaqYMfxFyhW1CxDcZ_P9iXlbohNaEo2uDhyLTx9ymNuXYS6D0OwQYqiPBFuH2UywkMAZCwFVMInPuV_8spIs78ohiJs/s1600/IMG_0323.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Her first selfie. </td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkxs4ECtbApLjhbbCYQ4Fum-GJLhi74kgJ8Fl0IzY1WOt4KqeJ7y36ZX7e7RuDlNnNaeznmv4wHpBaTKYpd3hG8h4FGayCWnL0scqoJLc5QCtoKRsw6R7Cj0OxIPn2te8La3ScmKZR8g/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSkxs4ECtbApLjhbbCYQ4Fum-GJLhi74kgJ8Fl0IzY1WOt4KqeJ7y36ZX7e7RuDlNnNaeznmv4wHpBaTKYpd3hG8h4FGayCWnL0scqoJLc5QCtoKRsw6R7Cj0OxIPn2te8La3ScmKZR8g/s1600/IMG_0299.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy's princess!</td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-29644716750615490772014-03-01T05:42:00.002-08:002014-03-01T06:00:30.470-08:00All Aboard the Bullet Train!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
This was a travel day and as such, there's not too much of interest to relay. We left our hotel at 11am this morning and headed out on a one-hour trip to the train station. The station we were leaving from is in south Beijing. It was constructed for the 2008 Summer Olympic games, and is the largest in all of Asia. Angela helped us navigate the busy station, which resembled an airport in many respects. When the time came we said our goodbyes to her and boarded the train. The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/High-speed_rail_in_China">Bullet Train</a> was long and sleek. We were in 1st class, and the inside of our cabin resembled that of an airliner. The seats were comfortable and the staff was pleasant. There was a free snack, plus more items available for purchase. Our seats were slightly separated, so Manu and I sat together, while Leslie was in the rear, adjacent row. I think she actually enjoyed being on her own for a bit, as while I was playing games with Manu, Leslie had a little bit of alone time to read in peace on her tablet. The ride was quick and smooth, stopping about 4 times at other stations before arriving at our destination; it was much more pleasant than flying. Our trip lasted just over 2 hours and we got to see a good bit of rural China along the way. The only snag was when, after we left the station in Jinan, we couldn't find our new guide, Missy. We looked and we looked, but we didn't see anyone who seemed to be looking for us. I had her phone number, so I started to dial her up when out of nowhere she arrived and asked if we were the folks she was looking for; a few tense moments, but problem averted.</div>
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After about 20 minutes we arrived at our hotel. Missy assisted with checking us in and getting us into our room. We asked her about nearby grocery options for items we were needing to purchase, and she offered to take us there. We walked out of the hotel, crossed the street into the large town-square. We then headed down some steps and into a department store that seemed to gone on for miles, It was like an entire mall inside one very large room. Being Saturday, the place was packed. Whatever you're imagining when I say "packed," just multiply that number by 10. Although Jinan is a small city of only 6 million people (Beijing's official number is 27 million, but Angela said that the real number might be pushing 40 million,) it feels more congested. We bought some snacks, bottled water, paper bowls, and some chop-sticks for the room; haven't used a fork since arriving in China. We headed back to the hotel and made arrangements to meet Missy tomorrow morning so that we can head to the Bank of China to exchange some cash. We said goodbye and headed up to our room. </div>
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Our room is a nice-sized suite on the 9th floor. We unpacked a bit and decided it was time to head out and find dinner. We thought that it would be easier today to eat in the hotel, and the restaurant on the second floor was offering a dinner buffet, so we just went there. There was a nice selection of Chinese, as well as American, Japanese, and Korean offerings. It was good, if slightly over-priced - we're in a hotel after all. What I'll remember most about this meal, though, is the hoards of people all converging on the buffet, pushing and cutting to get to where they were going. That, and none of the staff really spoke English, so we were like fish out of water trying to figure out what to eat, hot to get around, and how to explain to the staff that we needed more napkins. But, after a few trips to the buffet, I was pushing and shoving with the rest of them. No one seems to take offence, as this just seems to be the Chinese way. The nice thing about the buffet was that it included all the red wine and beer you wanted; just grab a bottle or pour a glass yourself. I will admit that a glass of wine really settled my nerves a bit. Even though we have been in China for three days already, we're going to be on our own more now, and this was a bit of culture shock. Manu fell asleep in Leslie's lap before we left. We carried him back to the room and he's snoring away. He's been a really good sport about all of this so far, and I'm really proud of him. </div>
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So here is the plan for tomorrow: We'll go out and exchange our money and come back to the hotel. Min Jing and some of the orphanage staff will arrive at 2pm. They will bring her to our room where we'll meet her for the first time. We'll sign the preliminary adoption paperwork and they will leave her with us. We expect some tears, as she'll be left by the only people she has ever known, in a new place, with strange-looking and funny-sounding people. While this will be a happy day for us, we understand that it will be a day of great loss for her, and we only hope we can help her feel as comfortable as possible as she transitions into our family, and a new phase of her life. Wish us luck, and we'll see you tomorrow, as a family of 4.</div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manu on the Bullet Train</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Train car #11</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Bullet Train</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This speaks for itself. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-12941121673865259882014-02-28T06:24:00.000-08:002014-02-28T12:22:52.602-08:00Beijing Day 2<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was our last full day in Beijing; tomorrow we take the Bullet Train to Jinan, where on Sunday we finally meet our daughter! After another breakfast of noodles, tofu, and steamed buns, we met Angela at 9am and started out on a 2-hour trip to visit The <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Great_Wall_of_China">Great Wall of China</a>. Before arriving we stopped and had another great meal for lunch. Angela and our driver - who is very nice but doesn't speak English and whose name we do not know - were quite impressed at our willingness to eat authentic Chinese cuisine. She said that most of the Americans that she has worked with prefer only western fare, or white rice and soy sauce. That's too bad for them, because the food here is wonderful!</div>
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After arriving and on our way to the entrance, we walked down a small street of locals selling all kinds of souvenirs and foods. They were very persistent; calling out to use and trying to put items into our hands; but we resisted buying anything as prices were inflated and we didn't want to carry more stuff up to the wall. To get to the wall we took an old-style rickety-sounding ski lift. Only 2 could ride per seat, so Leslie went with Angela and I rode up with Manu. The view was gorgeous, but I'd be lying if I said I wasn't a little nervous as we slowly climbed the hill, dangling high above the rocky terrain below, listening to the cable creak and twang. Once we made it to the top, it was just a short walk and a few stair before we were standing on the wall. It was a surreal experience standing on one of the wonders of the modern world. It's one of those cultural icons that you see countless times in film and print, but never expect actually to see with your own eyes. We walked up and down a good bit of the wall while Angela gave us much of its history and some of its more interesting folk-legends. Unfortunately, the pollution was high again, so it was impossible to get completely clear photos; that haze is not fog, it's smog. By the time we got back to where we started, we were all exhausted from the constant, and sometimes steep, up and down stairways; the wall follows the ridge-line of the mountains, so it's never level for very long. <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z8iCBXnBdwg">We rode a toboggan</a> down a curvy metal slide back to the bottom of the mountain. It kind of resembled a bobsled course, and at times, Manu and I were sliding at about 30kph. This of course was Manu's favorite part of the entire visit. </div>
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We left the wall and began our return trip home. On the way we stopped at a <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cloisonn%C3%A9">cloisonne factory</a>. This a place where they create and decorate copper vases and other items in an ancient tradition unique to Beijing. It was interesting to watch each step of the process, especially when they pulled a batch out of a floor furnace and they were glowing hot! Items in the shop were pricey, which is understandable considering the large amount of labor that goes into a single item. Larger pieces easily cost several thousand dollars. We managed to find a small vase that we could afford; we wanted to have something special for Min Jing from China when she's older. </div>
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Back in town we had yet another wonderful meal, which included <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Peking_duck">Peking Duck</a>. It was another one of those, <i>I can't believe I'm eating Peking Duck in Peking</i> (Beijing) moments. We then left and headed back for the room. </div>
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We've had a great time here in Beijing; there are many wonderful things to see and taste here. Angela and our driver have been wonderful, and we'll miss them on the rest of our trip; we'll have a new guide and driver when we arrive in Jinan tomorrow. </div>
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It's been fun, but now on to the real reason we came - to meet our daughter!</div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoS15sG5I6BSFB3ujoY29Ooy4GNPjRzmXk9tKSGa9eHXa_XpS-xH72atg7bplGvFeJS5RC-BmV0e6j3xhqCjeDXNnj04J4pxQf813jL7QHLtv7WhTWdFSkUm6xmltrFOhEqTcyPpIhXjc/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjoS15sG5I6BSFB3ujoY29Ooy4GNPjRzmXk9tKSGa9eHXa_XpS-xH72atg7bplGvFeJS5RC-BmV0e6j3xhqCjeDXNnj04J4pxQf813jL7QHLtv7WhTWdFSkUm6xmltrFOhEqTcyPpIhXjc/s1600/IMG_0177.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Breakfast at the hotel</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C1NSCeuRJIqV69IHFQBjxpZ3hRfkfSQECupB5IlXz8qGepOM8GyAATT82ylhZ4Wsn24WJPgDd4_tMIMcWFc1aVUmocOd65pIZuk8jfObfoUNwRRzUF-1E_9jpfW2q-Q7IFg5Yyisq64/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg0C1NSCeuRJIqV69IHFQBjxpZ3hRfkfSQECupB5IlXz8qGepOM8GyAATT82ylhZ4Wsn24WJPgDd4_tMIMcWFc1aVUmocOd65pIZuk8jfObfoUNwRRzUF-1E_9jpfW2q-Q7IFg5Yyisq64/s1600/IMG_0190.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manu conquers the wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWRtfbjWg1FEwzLUh6QcQWIOJ-REsiRjJgpQRpZvV59uQqhJ_VskQo-p_EW4Lg5IuanIJ8SFZJl04DllwxGjV6lcV-1A9adlfJeJBll8XUllLc26WufCnPeUf1azUrq7ncYGAKjqzYM0/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEheWRtfbjWg1FEwzLUh6QcQWIOJ-REsiRjJgpQRpZvV59uQqhJ_VskQo-p_EW4Lg5IuanIJ8SFZJl04DllwxGjV6lcV-1A9adlfJeJBll8XUllLc26WufCnPeUf1azUrq7ncYGAKjqzYM0/s1600/IMG_0221.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">On the steps.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyx24SyWqfdLCqwarK7lnruKlgTUzehoFlM6GYv31FGpZuAVWpscUxDxDyl0MgdjxrDenAHQfceFNQ6vRl50LPefr2d_7UsoSwj48LnzP66MphQ8qZYnfUX8fOh1nrHY54GTdPVIHk1Y/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtyx24SyWqfdLCqwarK7lnruKlgTUzehoFlM6GYv31FGpZuAVWpscUxDxDyl0MgdjxrDenAHQfceFNQ6vRl50LPefr2d_7UsoSwj48LnzP66MphQ8qZYnfUX8fOh1nrHY54GTdPVIHk1Y/s1600/IMG_0226.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">It just keeps going up!</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXvOuq0kPKdZLiW5AR1toSWNKbatKU0pFX3oVjNrUk_DovbYZqVabmp-5p4KMGG7HwFKtbVMF_ZzPc5Qci-Jx48G81FMvHe0vFN4V9U0vQDS697IkuZN2S7Gjw4qmXFFOEGZwdoiF1d0/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqXvOuq0kPKdZLiW5AR1toSWNKbatKU0pFX3oVjNrUk_DovbYZqVabmp-5p4KMGG7HwFKtbVMF_ZzPc5Qci-Jx48G81FMvHe0vFN4V9U0vQDS697IkuZN2S7Gjw4qmXFFOEGZwdoiF1d0/s1600/IMG_0211.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Another view of the wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ8c38XP05wOHECJ8-xtr-xXGjtR_TP1_0fbzUd1hNnGKkRpO0vefQzWo7Nu0IRtp2TwQRLPbVrGrrObnU31tyQNHsB54Z-dVaVn59zQKhroWFFTMvZKkAAgiMDTjOcWqzvkBRfSLE1I/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgkQ8c38XP05wOHECJ8-xtr-xXGjtR_TP1_0fbzUd1hNnGKkRpO0vefQzWo7Nu0IRtp2TwQRLPbVrGrrObnU31tyQNHsB54Z-dVaVn59zQKhroWFFTMvZKkAAgiMDTjOcWqzvkBRfSLE1I/s1600/IMG_0251.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Us just below the wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XlTMusyXQ2-94XCEY7tRPjEJMJ_feCLrnsSNWgpUY6kKavrmN7PzzPqyXwkufZJzoolwREDNJRqmTm2WhzHUGAXDD89Q6z43lcjCZjnBHDrnFEhRzxLp15BC6wY1LveEpBhOZ2qTfHM/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7XlTMusyXQ2-94XCEY7tRPjEJMJ_feCLrnsSNWgpUY6kKavrmN7PzzPqyXwkufZJzoolwREDNJRqmTm2WhzHUGAXDD89Q6z43lcjCZjnBHDrnFEhRzxLp15BC6wY1LveEpBhOZ2qTfHM/s1600/IMG_0245.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Picture from below the wall.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBdWxrq7pT6gv4PGp-EsVXqKt8uINBq5D5WkzMcISYvmwXyJ2uYn8O7PMRcPq_x1ReIW4Emniv4fQ3uV8S5nqfx59vOE3Iq4kzyB_OLlhE17CzvtQ162hlOhAQgDVNRX55gEXb8hVt_c/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtBdWxrq7pT6gv4PGp-EsVXqKt8uINBq5D5WkzMcISYvmwXyJ2uYn8O7PMRcPq_x1ReIW4Emniv4fQ3uV8S5nqfx59vOE3Iq4kzyB_OLlhE17CzvtQ162hlOhAQgDVNRX55gEXb8hVt_c/s1600/IMG_0261.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Dried fruits and nuts for sale nearby.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrSH20JTDfhASEhZIS-CGNi9GwH_g-8JXhn0rzqLIZbb2eI3gfQ1Uk_SZx-hHKjpOTBG1KflJA3GA1B0m7VBL0SB6Hn-OVAdK7jxptOxgSbnsQrEs9cZTu4Z7YnwcgA65KFDByLqvwUQ/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwrSH20JTDfhASEhZIS-CGNi9GwH_g-8JXhn0rzqLIZbb2eI3gfQ1Uk_SZx-hHKjpOTBG1KflJA3GA1B0m7VBL0SB6Hn-OVAdK7jxptOxgSbnsQrEs9cZTu4Z7YnwcgA65KFDByLqvwUQ/s1600/IMG_0262.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Copper items just out of the oven; glowing hot!</td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-4455191024607788982014-02-27T06:50:00.001-08:002014-02-27T14:28:53.985-08:00Beijing Day 1<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
Today was our first full day in Beijing, and boy was it ever. We started out by waking up at 4:30am - the unfortunate consequence of moving forward 12 time zones. At 7 we headed down to the hotel restaurant for the breakfast buffet: noodles, tofu in chili sauce, beef with sauteed zucchini, and eggs with curried tomatoes were just a few of the good things to eat. There were a few familiar western item there too, but when in Beijing...Then it occurred to me for the first time that we were eating Chinese food in China, and that made me smile. </div>
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Our guide Angela met us in the lobby at 8 and we started on a tedious van ride to downtown Beijing. Traffic crawls as vehicles compete with bicycles, pedestrians, and rickshaws on overcrowded streets. God help you if you need to cross the street; pedestrians do NOT have right-of-way in China. On a positive note, it was a very clear day with much better air than last night thanks to somewhat windy conditions. </div>
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Our first stop was the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Temple_of_Heaven">Temple of Heaven</a>, a large area used by Chinese emperors for annual ceremonies and prayers for a good harvest. This was a beautiful complex of temples, courtyards, and parks. On the way in we watched some older men practicing water calligraphy on a stone pathway. </div>
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After leaving the Temple of Heaven we headed across the street to a local tea shop. We had a demonstration of tea-brewing and sampled several varieties of black, oolong, green, and flower teas. There were some dubious health-claims being made about the benefits of the individual teas, but they all tasted great, though Manu was more interested in the free peanuts they served. We purchased a few canisters of tea and then headed off to a silk factory. This place had a working demonstration of how silk was harvested, spun, and weaved into fabric. In true tourist-trap fashion,after leaving the demonstration we were corralled through a showroom of their products made from the local silk. We did end up purchasing a silk-filled comforter for our bed back home. The quality was good, the price was fair, and it was made there in their shop, but now we have to pack it through two more destinations and back home.</div>
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We then went on a bicycle rickshaw tour of some of the older parts of Beijing. We visited the home of a local Chinese family and admired their dwelling and surroundings. </div>
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Next, Angela took us to a local restaurant off the touristy path - we were the only Caucasians (and Indian) in the place, as far as I could tell. We ordered 5 dished and shared among us, Angela and our driver. The food was amazing. It did bear a slight resemblance to Chinese food back home, but this was definitely stepped-up a notch. We're all getting better at eating with chopsticks, especially Manu, for whom it's becoming second nature. </div>
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After lunch it was off to <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tienamen_square">Tienanmen Square</a> and the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Forbidden_City">Forbidden City</a>. These areas are adjacent to one another and lie at the center of Beijing government and politics. The square is basically a very large courtyard full of lots of tourists, hucksters, and locals flying kites and playing games. There are a couple large-screen displays at the center of the square, erected for the 2008 Summer Olympics, that show patriotic images of all of China. It is a very patriotic pro-China environment without a single mention of the more notorious events that occurred her a few years ago. Across the street begins the Forbidden City; a palace for the emperors of old and their families. For most of history, commoners were not allowed inside. The architecture was stunning and you could really get a sense of what this place might have been like hundreds of years ago. </div>
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Lastly we caught an acrobatic show. It was a nice display of acrobatic feats, done in Chinese style, but by this time we were all dog-tired and only feigned half-interest in what was going on up on stage. We left the show, risked our lives a couple times crossing the street to get back to our van, and opted out of dinner at a restaurant. We instead ordered a pizza from Pizza Hut and ate in the room - total vacation fail, but it was quick and we could go back to the room! I'm the last one standing tonight, and I'm headed to bed soon. Tomorrow we take a 2hr trip to see the Great Wall; should be fun. Talk to you soon. </div>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Men practicing the art of Water Calligraphy at the entrance to the Temple of Heaven. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The three of us in front of the Temple of Heaven.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">This is really why we came to Beijing :-)</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Leslie, Manu, and our guide Angela at the Forbidden City.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">One of the Forbidden City buildings.</td></tr>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6swwsWWcmJwduHb6kKVF9toBgRSpUagx3pUyAYfvacb4LkmaiiipAfkPoAC7hX_S2hqkAo4exYvt1WrrNTUyO89P72sM78ItQ4imTLQTpAgD01w-VjPViQJ-0sNwI5KYjXrDuO9V47Q/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjJ6swwsWWcmJwduHb6kKVF9toBgRSpUagx3pUyAYfvacb4LkmaiiipAfkPoAC7hX_S2hqkAo4exYvt1WrrNTUyO89P72sM78ItQ4imTLQTpAgD01w-VjPViQJ-0sNwI5KYjXrDuO9V47Q/s1600/IMG_0165.JPG" height="240" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Daddy and Manu on our Rickshaw. </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">We drove by the Bird's Nest; the central stadium of the 2008 Summer Olympics.</td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">The Tea House </td></tr>
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Chairman Mao on the Tienanmen Gate entrance to the Forbidden City, as seen from Tienanmen Square. </td></tr>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-77558081180616982512014-02-26T05:16:00.001-08:002014-02-26T10:12:28.469-08:00Made it to Beijing!Well, we made it! A long flight for sure (14hrs), but no problems to speak of. We flew to Chicago early this morning and had an almost 6-hour layover before our flight to China. We got some breakfast, looked at the shops, and just sat around to pass the time...I might have had a beer or two at the Goose Island pub, for medicinal purposes :-) It was a little disheartening having this long of a wait before an extremely long flight, but soon enough it was over and we were off. We were flying United on a Boeing 777 which, while not as big and nice as the Airbus we flew to India, it was still a pretty big plane with seat-back entertainment, which helped pass the time. It looks like Manu is starting to get a respiratory infection, as he was coughing and hacking toward the end of the flight. At one point we thought he was going to throw up, but thankfully not and we didn't have to use the little barf baggies from the seat pouch. After we got off the plane he seemed to perk up a bit. We have some antibiotics for him if necessary, but we're waiting until morning to see how he is feeling; we'd like to not use them up at the very beginning of the trip if possible.<br />
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The one thing I'll say about our short time in China so far is in regards to the pollution: it is awful! As we were landing we throught that we were having trouble seeing out our window due to fog, but as soon as we got off the plane, we realized it was heavy, thick smog. Even indoors there is a stinky haze in the air. Our hotel room, which is about 40 minutes from downtown, isn't any better. You know how some hotels have bottled water, liquor, or toiletries in the room you can purchase just by using them? Well our room has 2 full-head gas mask-styled respirators. For only 180 Yuan each (about $30) you too can have all the clean-filtered air you desire while making a fashion statement at the same time. No kidding though, this is a real problem, and it doesn't take long to make you appreciate the clean air standards we have in the states.<br />
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We met our guide Angela at the airport. She seems very nice. She and a driver took us about 40 minutes from the airport to our hotel. Traffic here is very bad, and only slightly safer/more organized than what we experienced in India. It took us a while to get to our hotel, as we were held up at several train-crossings, and a fender-bender between two sedans than slowed things down; a little bit of real-life experience right off the bat!<br />
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So we're turning in early; it's about 9pm here. Leslie is out and Manu is laying beside her playing a game on her phone; I think he's feeling better. I'm calling it quits too. Tomorrow we meet Angela early and visit the Forbidden City, Tienanmen Square, and the Temple of Heaven. Should be fun, especially if the rain tonight clears the air a bit. I'll try to have some pictures for you tomorrow.<br />
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Thanks for following! Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-56555099751208635362014-02-20T16:35:00.001-08:002014-02-21T15:24:47.276-08:00Meet Min Jing!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Please allow me to introduce our new daughter, and the inspiration for the continuation of this adoption blog, Min Jing. She just turned 5 and is currently in Rizhao City, in the Shandong Province of China. We leave next week for China to meet her and bring her home. We're super excited, as you can probably imagine. Please join us on our adventure as we'll be blogging throughout our journey. </div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-51359903346021266762013-04-13T13:14:00.001-07:002013-04-13T13:14:36.174-07:00Deciding on a Second International Adoption - Adoption Blogs - Adoptive Families<a href="http://www.adoptivefamiliescircle.com/blogs/post/international-adoption-decisions-revised-vision-of-family/">Deciding on a Second International Adoption - Adoption Blogs - Adoptive Families</a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-54566400467303307762013-02-27T15:02:00.001-08:002013-02-27T15:03:41.102-08:00Christmas 2012<a href="http://goo.gl/photos/ePt42hJbZv" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="215" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgIz1icdO9YxPhJxYJSorj7rAPntgvJ8WbzUXLBpXxJpb-nZhw4ySSujs23B69DI65ODVFENpxp-xMHvAh8x89khCkfJfuE_i29c6Ba01jn9WYHrjZprEOZVOqUGnpGOT5qp6MQ36kfNtM/s320/Edited%252520-%252520DSC_2395.JPG" width="320" /></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07655399594311337024noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-76234191528442244082011-06-06T20:10:00.000-07:002014-02-21T02:30:55.265-08:00Manu in Disneyland<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on">
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-23274105525730423532011-01-23T12:30:00.000-08:002011-01-23T12:30:34.947-08:00Two Years Ago<div dir="ltr" style="text-align: left;" trbidi="on"><br />
Two years ago today, I looked into my baby son's eyes for the first time. Through my own tears of joy, I saw innocence in its purest form. I saw in his eyes the promise of a new beginning, and an end to the loneliness that we had both felt for too long. There was something eternal in that first glance, and I never wanted it to end. Two years ago today, I became a believer of love at first sight.<br />
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Two years ago today, I became a man. I learned more about myself in those precious first moments of meeting my son than I had in all my years prior. In my heart, a new sense of purpose was born as I pledged forever to place his interests before my own—I now had a reason, beyond myself, to exist.<br />
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Two years ago today, we became a family. An inseparable and impenetrable bond was forged instantly as three people so very different, but all searching for something so similar, found each other half a world away. Never have I felt more at peace than that first time I saw my wife holding my baby boy—a sight that is forever emblazoned on my mind.<br />
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Two years ago today, I became rich. Though the journey was long and the sacrifices significant, no price can be put on what I have gained in return. Nothing of material form makes me happier than the time I spend with my family, and no amount of money could compel me to give that up.<br />
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Two years ago today, was the happiest day of my life. Two years ago today, we adopted our son, Manu.</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-59590079869413159262010-10-20T16:05:00.000-07:002010-10-20T16:15:12.159-07:00India comes to Kentucky on horsebackFor two weeks Lexington played host to the <a href="http://www.alltechfeigames.com/">World Equestrian Games</a>; an Olympic-styled competition of equestrian arts featuring riders from around the world. In fact, this is the first time that the competition has traveled outside of Europe. Lexington was bustling with events and new visitors, with a buzz of excitement everywhere you went.<br />
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As luck would have it, we stumbled upon the Indian <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tent_pegging">Tent-Pegging team</a>. Tent-pegging is an ancient cavalry maneuver turned competitive sport. While watching, Manu was noticed by the Colonel in command of the Indian team. He motioned to Manu to come over, and then he picked him up and shared his horse. This made a great day at the games even more special.<br />
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<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manu with the Commander of the Indian team.</td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="267" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZbWJrH6uv1mv3txhL-K24GWK_caQD64bHODQxL_eXX8OqEp42xR_wqjvvckMl1irlcUN-fMmUe_RbwqVn8S41Hf984bGq8woJ04cWhJjLz8w76GoeqGrOiaDwNvscl9wBzaK2bG8_YE/s400/DSC_7820.JPG" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;" width="400" /></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Manu and Haley pose with the rest of the team. </td></tr>
</tbody></table><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZbWJrH6uv1mv3txhL-K24GWK_caQD64bHODQxL_eXX8OqEp42xR_wqjvvckMl1irlcUN-fMmUe_RbwqVn8S41Hf984bGq8woJ04cWhJjLz8w76GoeqGrOiaDwNvscl9wBzaK2bG8_YE/s1600/DSC_7820.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-81088385067688534272010-09-24T17:50:00.000-07:002010-09-24T17:53:14.672-07:00VacationsIn July of 2008 we headed for our summer vacation on Hilton Head Island, having just hours before leaving, completed our dossier and mailed it to India. I remember vividly how excited we were to be finished with the paperwork, as well as how exhausted we were after months of shuffling it. We clang tightly to the few pictures we had of our future son as we lounged on the beach and explored the island.<br />
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<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0jHgsDwI4ozABiI_tYEu2CNLBhp7n_R5oAD_lzeGJcmfeU2BZpBCwx8kNHiHsQveR92bCkyVNoZSFBtE25jwBBwEFfs3DSdSRpogWKmu6sTjvGDN5CIoxlRq5GaXTo7pbIQbmsenDPY/s1600/Hilton+Head+2008+%2875%29_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgZ0jHgsDwI4ozABiI_tYEu2CNLBhp7n_R5oAD_lzeGJcmfeU2BZpBCwx8kNHiHsQveR92bCkyVNoZSFBtE25jwBBwEFfs3DSdSRpogWKmu6sTjvGDN5CIoxlRq5GaXTo7pbIQbmsenDPY/s320/Hilton+Head+2008+%2875%29_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlOdWnA-7n-uMRyVEVfibNdzoQL5wkKoEIFjYlHv-vAqwifYGPJ-VtkOWKJR055I2ONmGRWMuN2-BxgQ-56LR7cxznV0gLmro5DbOFNY-JCHKVcWNYNvXJZKS7ojxUnzn-aghfAeZ1iM/s1600/DSC_7204_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a></div><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43SX_8q23qJYnuVeG3aT2ZFBZw0TjIJ_X8OfHtnkaiLt3dQbmvhdxTphKaEuBRdnHJ5ZyS4jFKXfXuBoYV8IwWc8bQ12Tc4f-kRktabvIhG70aAD8_FiHU2L6un2kpeffL3_E-GwAPiQ/s1600/Hilton+Head+2008+%2853%29_edited-1.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh43SX_8q23qJYnuVeG3aT2ZFBZw0TjIJ_X8OfHtnkaiLt3dQbmvhdxTphKaEuBRdnHJ5ZyS4jFKXfXuBoYV8IwWc8bQ12Tc4f-kRktabvIhG70aAD8_FiHU2L6un2kpeffL3_E-GwAPiQ/s320/Hilton+Head+2008+%2853%29_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /> </a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />
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</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">What a difference two years can make :-) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlOdWnA-7n-uMRyVEVfibNdzoQL5wkKoEIFjYlHv-vAqwifYGPJ-VtkOWKJR055I2ONmGRWMuN2-BxgQ-56LR7cxznV0gLmro5DbOFNY-JCHKVcWNYNvXJZKS7ojxUnzn-aghfAeZ1iM/s1600/DSC_7204_edited-1.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="214" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAlOdWnA-7n-uMRyVEVfibNdzoQL5wkKoEIFjYlHv-vAqwifYGPJ-VtkOWKJR055I2ONmGRWMuN2-BxgQ-56LR7cxznV0gLmro5DbOFNY-JCHKVcWNYNvXJZKS7ojxUnzn-aghfAeZ1iM/s320/DSC_7204_edited-1.JPG" width="320" /></a> </div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-36823678172513660052010-08-17T10:38:00.001-07:002010-08-17T10:38:33.658-07:00Random mid-week cuteness<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLrLGX-qtx8VOGiCDMXkWFUO4QWKuJbV_OwHULXIzX0tre1SFpK7hRNsf37WFsHyMVofNLA_Hd1_nxQ8Qh4KhmuHaRP9MMag4uvvNZo7PscJ4bI-FHiYNd7Jrl5eGgt5fqK83vpQu25Q/s1600/2010+07+03_1616_edited-1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNLrLGX-qtx8VOGiCDMXkWFUO4QWKuJbV_OwHULXIzX0tre1SFpK7hRNsf37WFsHyMVofNLA_Hd1_nxQ8Qh4KhmuHaRP9MMag4uvvNZo7PscJ4bI-FHiYNd7Jrl5eGgt5fqK83vpQu25Q/s320/2010+07+03_1616_edited-1.jpg" /></a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-61311933085413338832010-08-09T10:36:00.000-07:002010-08-09T10:39:02.173-07:00Wonderful news for one of Manu's "cousins"We are relieved to learn that Nisha, one of Manu's "cousins" from Ashraya, got a very good report from the doctor. You can read about this medical miracle here: <a href="http://doingtheworksofgod.blogspot.com/2010/08/blessed-be.html">http://doingtheworksofgod.blogspot.com/2010/08/blessed-be.html</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-48539825604845178492010-08-01T15:54:00.000-07:002010-08-01T16:11:57.738-07:00Friends in IndiaPlease join us in congratulating our friends, the Stums, as they travel to Ashraya, Manu's children's home, to meet their new son Vismay. You can follow their journey here: <a href="http://thestums.blogspot.com/">http://thestums.blogspot.com</a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-65093532206579621422010-07-14T09:31:00.000-07:002010-07-17T14:51:44.519-07:00A Very Special ReunionLast weekend we headed north to Cincinnati to spend a few days getting acquainted with some very special families - families who adopted children from Ashraya, Manu's children's home in Bangalore, India. What's even more special is that, of the families who could attend, all of our children were residents of Ashraya at the same time, and now they are together again, a couple years later, and half a world away.<br /><div> </div><br /><div>We met up with the Stafford's, and their 3yo little girl Anju, on Thursday night at the hotel. Manu and Anju are the youngest of the four adopted kids who attended. They played in the "kiddie" pool while the adults got to know one another. The Next morning we met up with Jennifer Carr and her troupe of children, which included 5yo Bailey, and we headed to the Zoo. After navigating miles of stalled interstate traffic on the way, we were welcomed to the park by a torrential downpour that completely soaked everyone. Hey, when life gives you lemons...Thankfully it also cooled down the weather and made for a pleasant afternoon once the showers moved on past. Back to the hotel to freshen up a bit before heading to an Indian restaurant for dinner, and then back to the pool for another evening of swimming and socialization. </div><br /><div>Saturday morning we were joined by the Brooke Tague and her familiy who were delayed by an unexpected surgical procedure for their daughter Nisha, not to mention simply getting the dates of the reunion wrong ;-) Thankfully Nisha was doing well enough that they could make the drive down from Indianapolis. We headed to Big Bone Lick State Park to see a herd of Bison that included some very young calfs. Later we took over the back room at a LaRossa's Pizza parlor and lunched while discussing our experiences in India and our time at Ashraya. It was fun listening to other stories of people who have experienced the same journey that we have. Afterward we said goodbye to Jenn and family, who were headed home, and we broke away from the rest of the pack to do a little shopping at IKEA while the others visited a museum. Dinner downtown and then back to the pool where we talked with Amy and Brooke for a few more hours.<br /><br />It was a very touching meeting these children, knowing their past circumstances and seeing how well they've adjusted in their new lives. It was fun watching them interact with each other, and especially watching Manu mimic the actions of the older kids. The kids seemed to bond almost instantly, and it was sad when we all had to go our separate ways. Sometimes it's nice to know you're not alone in the world, and we hope this and future get-togethers will give Manu a sense of community and a better understanding of the past he left behind. I know it was good for us.<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Anju, Bailey and Manu at the zoo<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEBOL3qp7P-Chmq2xDd5FcbDA7hWy3bWdSUIpF50C1mQc6bkkAKtUZwLE3BbR7i124Nqa8aOXpU5SM25hXugM6XpJWGGXYI8Apr4bBRDFpw_RkXIy-cgAPKi8nb3bzMCI-u1SPYZxMpQ/s1600/DSC_6185_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 222px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOEBOL3qp7P-Chmq2xDd5FcbDA7hWy3bWdSUIpF50C1mQc6bkkAKtUZwLE3BbR7i124Nqa8aOXpU5SM25hXugM6XpJWGGXYI8Apr4bBRDFpw_RkXIy-cgAPKi8nb3bzMCI-u1SPYZxMpQ/s320/DSC_6185_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493837865918145346" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Follow me!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUDDPDA5kPfbGat6jjzHL7p-iSejPLP4c25Nzf6j31gvSW8rsbVaY-g1ro9jjwzoOvBt5bPK45e0kPgq52NJHWIpr7Q4D-qJf7hxb3kcF6uhFOKhMLwqVoTYglpCFnXiKqTeMTzx-XZI/s1600/DSC_6181_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhkUDDPDA5kPfbGat6jjzHL7p-iSejPLP4c25Nzf6j31gvSW8rsbVaY-g1ro9jjwzoOvBt5bPK45e0kPgq52NJHWIpr7Q4D-qJf7hxb3kcF6uhFOKhMLwqVoTYglpCFnXiKqTeMTzx-XZI/s320/DSC_6181_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493837560650675634" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our future engineers<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEiHUXm1R4N8ec5sIM_lsyaSoWZwqin5ai4tUTBFAOeA1L1xeFP-KQKANMSxIwaAeASRJI3sZpyLtYrV8CN30OGgwpF3juVGYNmQhdXvqP-K1vYkFZQFGiob2keCGhwWM_bsZfUq7gCM/s1600/DSC_6204_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxEiHUXm1R4N8ec5sIM_lsyaSoWZwqin5ai4tUTBFAOeA1L1xeFP-KQKANMSxIwaAeASRJI3sZpyLtYrV8CN30OGgwpF3juVGYNmQhdXvqP-K1vYkFZQFGiob2keCGhwWM_bsZfUq7gCM/s320/DSC_6204_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493838971815631922" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Or marine biologists<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TD4Kv5qOwbI/AAAAAAAAAlg/DUa70k2JJcc/s1600/DSC_6229_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TD4Kv5qOwbI/AAAAAAAAAlg/DUa70k2JJcc/s320/DSC_6229_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493840413486662066" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Tough day at the zoo<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V5stJyYCGJrB5AmMgmhSTNzQoenxjQIog_dnuOhkcLpSo6JNaDrNnIB0wbRWAftlL7t6YfVSWOtlC4XKdHbdqUd1ZTKJzWBf4Y1uQx0vM-hhnxakQOwsm0m8wyGvwEdZCRW-mToXqVA/s1600/DSC_6268_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1V5stJyYCGJrB5AmMgmhSTNzQoenxjQIog_dnuOhkcLpSo6JNaDrNnIB0wbRWAftlL7t6YfVSWOtlC4XKdHbdqUd1ZTKJzWBf4Y1uQx0vM-hhnxakQOwsm0m8wyGvwEdZCRW-mToXqVA/s320/DSC_6268_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493842314310813218" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Bailey (5), Nisha (4), Anju (3) and Manu (2)<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVHewIAhiTpbSSTwmiyCtRjsPZaZl-EZuoojrBFPd_LlzbLqvxKsGkg7kmyDh7_7J-p5AQo4eHbYGXINLNaw-cx7VyHy0pv7sdDm2rIjQEU41vMQM45XuXr56nLTnLstisY72Kg_aGjc/s1600/DSC_6319_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRVHewIAhiTpbSSTwmiyCtRjsPZaZl-EZuoojrBFPd_LlzbLqvxKsGkg7kmyDh7_7J-p5AQo4eHbYGXINLNaw-cx7VyHy0pv7sdDm2rIjQEU41vMQM45XuXr56nLTnLstisY72Kg_aGjc/s320/DSC_6319_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493844141766695586" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Ever try and get 3 kids to all look at you at the same time?<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqsVCTHnCXpv67vV-ggzLGrhFhAhe-j2kEYHMF2GS7puGDN7n-jYrnIAg68LYpflepEi5N1T1Rxr5GLfGKUZovu2__ygT92HCbTbJ-kl4PJ9krBC-L9m83XPUnxUTz7crtWbKhkMjBxw/s1600/DSC_6357_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 206px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKqsVCTHnCXpv67vV-ggzLGrhFhAhe-j2kEYHMF2GS7puGDN7n-jYrnIAg68LYpflepEi5N1T1Rxr5GLfGKUZovu2__ygT92HCbTbJ-kl4PJ9krBC-L9m83XPUnxUTz7crtWbKhkMjBxw/s320/DSC_6357_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493844785467678578" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anju and Nisha say goodbye<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MNBYyCI6OIurPWzz8XgB2oJV2AxjTaccqU1Sp4vzV5uG0weNjTfsmTjfeykbZSxQsQ6Q08zpVFKDFjqI8uiLA4YbuKDTX5U5YW4y_N5a4i8uE5xEu0JMmPbTExnA6qOdk8f6Wm7IpF4/s1600/DSC_6372_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 247px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4MNBYyCI6OIurPWzz8XgB2oJV2AxjTaccqU1Sp4vzV5uG0weNjTfsmTjfeykbZSxQsQ6Q08zpVFKDFjqI8uiLA4YbuKDTX5U5YW4y_N5a4i8uE5xEu0JMmPbTExnA6qOdk8f6Wm7IpF4/s320/DSC_6372_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493845093904771250" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Hugs all around<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TD4SCSfiGlI/AAAAAAAAAmk/q3HxU5gsYnc/s1600/DSC_6349_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 212px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TD4SCSfiGlI/AAAAAAAAAmk/q3HxU5gsYnc/s320/DSC_6349_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493848425971718738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Anju and Manu, hey that rhymes!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeeeQXIjc5ncpUsw8DaVKMj4-3pjCpgbJVyJO4AbITWcHoYI-UmqktL0oPaBoTdoGI-CyCJLM_BmtYUPJRuckQFrwUFmUGWVWs4iD0ZcSWIS5a4pJmheYYECnmfy4a1OwNqYWMYNEeOM/s1600/DSC_6376_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 210px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIeeeQXIjc5ncpUsw8DaVKMj4-3pjCpgbJVyJO4AbITWcHoYI-UmqktL0oPaBoTdoGI-CyCJLM_BmtYUPJRuckQFrwUFmUGWVWs4iD0ZcSWIS5a4pJmheYYECnmfy4a1OwNqYWMYNEeOM/s320/DSC_6376_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493845896820804738" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The gang's all here!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DpeW_6ixeoBcK3kzTVbT8sTYBNLu7hiVcNyuCawKyIEKqTRnPHNI4lySIfu7BjVNGDIoyIkwXrz7TnTO-8FbgMr09nPh-0k-oEMOG8UBAMF7Q3BRjFzpD06LNKOGEj_5E1cC6PO7pVk/s1600/DSC_6309_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 198px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2DpeW_6ixeoBcK3kzTVbT8sTYBNLu7hiVcNyuCawKyIEKqTRnPHNI4lySIfu7BjVNGDIoyIkwXrz7TnTO-8FbgMr09nPh-0k-oEMOG8UBAMF7Q3BRjFzpD06LNKOGEj_5E1cC6PO7pVk/s320/DSC_6309_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5493843340518353618" border="0" /></a><br /></div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-26276107180111949142010-06-14T10:42:00.000-07:002010-06-14T16:56:22.895-07:00A day out with ThomasThis past weekend we took a little trip to New Haven, KY, home of the KY Railway Museum, and the 2010 Day Out With Thomas celebration. If I haven't mentioned it already, Manu loves Thomas the Train, and all of his railway buddies, so it was no surprise that he had a great day. We got to ride on a train car that was pulled by Thomas himself, plus play on lots of train-tables that were set up with different train sets. Manu got to "meet" Sir Topham Hatt, the railway director on the Island of Sodor, plus he enjoyed story-time and watching Thomas Videos. All in all a very useful day indeed!<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Manu playing at one of the many train tables.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mY0QdijUwvA2DEVvGVQB9X5mgoKA9UuWZR2TdLNYOIDdvqoSBIDIFDcADVtQaYE7l_fmo8YN_LJPqNZjJJ09xYdvmwUuLbyyGlpgEBlSwqKQvEQ_PRoQNqyiV3snTF-SYBBmW3SDdyM/s1600/2010+06+12_1428_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-mY0QdijUwvA2DEVvGVQB9X5mgoKA9UuWZR2TdLNYOIDdvqoSBIDIFDcADVtQaYE7l_fmo8YN_LJPqNZjJJ09xYdvmwUuLbyyGlpgEBlSwqKQvEQ_PRoQNqyiV3snTF-SYBBmW3SDdyM/s320/2010+06+12_1428_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482686392714110786" border="0" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Here comes Thomas!<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TBZuVFbb5qI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Bd7cn6glm98/s1600/2010+06+12_1437_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 232px; height: 320px;" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TBZuVFbb5qI/AAAAAAAAAk0/Bd7cn6glm98/s320/2010+06+12_1437_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482690904883717794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mommy and Manu after our ride was over.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk94FFVSGvaXITqdu-GOWTHgv6wyXU2NUpD_AVA4JwD5hLPm0pDbgp3EBdLM6Es14IRPhlY-n8sn8p8ePQ3SGrieK5Gh0VUD05joO-sFAR5bnLxH5t2UEIMW0P1VwayGjZplQEYjfrmg/s1600/2010+06+12_1503_edited-1.jpg"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOk94FFVSGvaXITqdu-GOWTHgv6wyXU2NUpD_AVA4JwD5hLPm0pDbgp3EBdLM6Es14IRPhlY-n8sn8p8ePQ3SGrieK5Gh0VUD05joO-sFAR5bnLxH5t2UEIMW0P1VwayGjZplQEYjfrmg/s320/2010+06+12_1503_edited-1.jpg" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5482690483095525794" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-68548839481540044122010-06-02T11:19:00.000-07:002010-06-02T18:15:48.638-07:00Bad, bad blogger daddy!So it's been a little while since we last heard from our hero, through no fault of his own. His official biographer has been letting life get in the way. Daddy, it seems, is an eternal procrastinator, and finding time to blog, as well as keep up with "Nu Nu", is a bit overwhelming at times. Not trying to make excuses, just giving you the facts. No matter, the blog posts may be fewer and further between, but they'll be just as cute :-)<br /><br />Well let's see, since the last time you've heard from us we've had a Birthday, an Easter, a Mother's Day and a Memorial Day. Too much to try and sum up in one post, and since a picture is worth a thousand words, here are several to catch you up on our comings and goings as of late:<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Haley takes Manu for a spin in her Escalade.<br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA929dsfoQH4t3R_t_ajVPshk5DIsnFtkKc0_z9TGhcdvyt3MYBtBT2sYviUrVa6y3J1Cc9oLLzNxrCenAR2dCl3V4_S1uIav2Fe0LFNbc2A2b-YHdRb59ULYCTQxYTOEiKmlsx0mi7qQ/s1600/2010+04+03_Spring+2010_0570.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgA929dsfoQH4t3R_t_ajVPshk5DIsnFtkKc0_z9TGhcdvyt3MYBtBT2sYviUrVa6y3J1Cc9oLLzNxrCenAR2dCl3V4_S1uIav2Fe0LFNbc2A2b-YHdRb59ULYCTQxYTOEiKmlsx0mi7qQ/s320/2010+04+03_Spring+2010_0570.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478328479103159330" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Manu opening one of his gifts on his Birthday.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NJquHNHaGorvPgEx5fwHh5vOAWmFwEEoLLH9OO7Le0-hib4ZBNNfjdbf7sBhUOqlNbNLHznoC97Q-u6pzTruAZrpHgV-RiYWkc_sEPUZxPGmcQN4_Mj9gFiNnhAepE-gMguRkqd24Pw/s1600/2010+04+03_Spring+2010_0628.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4NJquHNHaGorvPgEx5fwHh5vOAWmFwEEoLLH9OO7Le0-hib4ZBNNfjdbf7sBhUOqlNbNLHznoC97Q-u6pzTruAZrpHgV-RiYWkc_sEPUZxPGmcQN4_Mj9gFiNnhAepE-gMguRkqd24Pw/s320/2010+04+03_Spring+2010_0628.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478330327859733362" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Our future train engineer practices on his new train set.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYitVEu9i411_uV1TbvYN8xi310klt_tsAt5r167z199iRtOf1nXOmGfumnAWCNWIFIkJPeYoO-oDBjMYtbiP42QHM0wnxmOOG3KDEJwTxuZgHEAREOqhKZ1Nk5v9Th43TITHgQn-bmA/s1600/2010+04+03_Spring+2010_0595.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhwYitVEu9i411_uV1TbvYN8xi310klt_tsAt5r167z199iRtOf1nXOmGfumnAWCNWIFIkJPeYoO-oDBjMYtbiP42QHM0wnxmOOG3KDEJwTxuZgHEAREOqhKZ1Nk5v9Th43TITHgQn-bmA/s320/2010+04+03_Spring+2010_0595.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478329207399824834" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mesmerized by the sheer number of candles. Happy 2nd Birthday!!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFkMQ4YPn17DzbInjndCZLaaFP7jzSjAyx947g2Ao38yF9uP5VxeD0-dS38hiemQx8R4CataI9JD1uv0xqQSOp3-vwp1_hFgZVExQV2O99yIra-1341e2CK9TuKDtTxyv-5ULHQ1C2gM/s1600/2010+04+13_Spring+2010_0539.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYFkMQ4YPn17DzbInjndCZLaaFP7jzSjAyx947g2Ao38yF9uP5VxeD0-dS38hiemQx8R4CataI9JD1uv0xqQSOp3-vwp1_hFgZVExQV2O99yIra-1341e2CK9TuKDtTxyv-5ULHQ1C2gM/s320/2010+04+13_Spring+2010_0539.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478331469215366130" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Picking "flowers" for Mommy.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj3xm2VeZf30dUjvQqma9MpJhq7LIH6BQWogbWumcbVQS4mcFDmdrTSWquZUgtBV-XMxICJ7vE9TpyIsMcC91HOErOL-ZFXBojsO6GTs94nx6lxt5liP33DCdI6i2Y4X3ThqB1hcaCDQ/s1600/2010+04+15_Spring+2010_0493.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTj3xm2VeZf30dUjvQqma9MpJhq7LIH6BQWogbWumcbVQS4mcFDmdrTSWquZUgtBV-XMxICJ7vE9TpyIsMcC91HOErOL-ZFXBojsO6GTs94nx6lxt5liP33DCdI6i2Y4X3ThqB1hcaCDQ/s320/2010+04+15_Spring+2010_0493.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478332747716141378" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Mommy and Manu share a smile at the Indianapolis Zoo.<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmCMni12SoZdRGEkuVut6eR24GbzCn85iAOFFaMQKa5b4XqsVv2KoLyYMvJgV4hzcHvavnAr5I-xyIFyVOrXENThX52GDFr6CFibfXI0MT7xIzOom6eeQDOotA2te9zVR-4uBoeFw58M/s1600/2010+05+13_1279.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCmCMni12SoZdRGEkuVut6eR24GbzCn85iAOFFaMQKa5b4XqsVv2KoLyYMvJgV4hzcHvavnAr5I-xyIFyVOrXENThX52GDFr6CFibfXI0MT7xIzOom6eeQDOotA2te9zVR-4uBoeFw58M/s320/2010+05+13_1279.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478343358541526610" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Haley teaching Manu the basics of the trampoline<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhly_Kkl0VjyoJ8jUzWQNf6pM0obdmID0zXNicsCvMvFndd_P0iKzdbw_UhpV7_oi5iDuU-2tJ6ezvSVGimK0V4xwaqRj6IyAoDuslDkx0CgQGoIxHTbMcFfE-Rel274mEkBGDgYL37Mbc/s1600/DSC_4809.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhly_Kkl0VjyoJ8jUzWQNf6pM0obdmID0zXNicsCvMvFndd_P0iKzdbw_UhpV7_oi5iDuU-2tJ6ezvSVGimK0V4xwaqRj6IyAoDuslDkx0CgQGoIxHTbMcFfE-Rel274mEkBGDgYL37Mbc/s320/DSC_4809.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478344788989483794" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Manu's first pony ride!<br /><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TAb_WZ5wrXI/AAAAAAAAAkU/ZcURoDLo9RE/s1600/DSC_4960.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/TAb_WZ5wrXI/AAAAAAAAAkU/ZcURoDLo9RE/s320/DSC_4960.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5478346757118143858" border="0" /></a><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-8638648874591821262010-03-24T15:03:00.000-07:002010-03-26T11:09:56.576-07:00The Wild Wild WestIn a scene reminiscent of the shootout at the OK corral, they meet upon the field of battle; fierce competitors bent on conquest, eyes locked on one another with an unflinching determination to claim what both believe is rightfully theirs. <br /><br />You can almost hear the theme from <i style="">The Good, The Bad and The Ugly</i> playing softly in the distance. Soon the maneuvers will begin; each exploiting the other’s weaknesses. The old guard eyes suspiciously the Johnny-come-lately who seeks to challenge tradition and upset the balance of power established long ago. Although the young one brings to the battle a feisty passion and nimble quickness and spirit, experience is wielded by the old-timer. <br /><br />BAM! In the blink of an eye it’s over. As the dust settles, the rookie looks toward the horizon to see his foe riding off into the sunset. In a moment of sheer frustration and panic he sounds his mournful battle cry: “MOMMY!?!?!?!?”—as the dog chomps down on the peanut butter sandwich that he had just snatched from Manu’s little hands.<span style=""> </span><br /><br />Hey, you win some, you lose some. That’s how it goes in the Wild Wild West that is our house; it’s every baby and animal for himself! Manu has become increasingly irritated any time the dog comes near. Not that he’s afraid of Casey, but he knows Casey wants whatever Manu’s got, be it food or plaything. A stuffed animal becomes a chew toy quicker than you might think. One treat of Manu's that Casey isn't interested in is ice. Yep, just ice. For a while now he has shown interest in drinking out of a big boy cup, and occasionally we let him sip out of our water glasses. Well, our cups have ice, so he wants ice too! We have a little ice cube tray that makes tiny little cubes; cubes that are too small to be a choking hazard (we watch him carefully anyway mom!) We'll put a few in a little cup and he's content to chomp on them like they're candy. I guess he doesn't have sensitive teeth! We figure with all of the crap out there he could be snacking on, ice is a pretty good compromise. Cutest part of it is, every time we open the freezer door, he starts shouting, "ithe ithe ithe."<br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;">Fierce competitors for sure!<br /></div><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f0acu1FvQVnUvv803GLR0fhYtHxhzL7ifQy2UyTeDFfjzbIecqN_jw5JlAawUTA6vaOm4Gl5tmBlTZrVdgsrxujc10ppdIMt-LpMw4lxIIoTV7-_LauH9THB0GwcpdnUKUi_ARwCoiE/s1600/Manu+Home+%28240%29.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7f0acu1FvQVnUvv803GLR0fhYtHxhzL7ifQy2UyTeDFfjzbIecqN_jw5JlAawUTA6vaOm4Gl5tmBlTZrVdgsrxujc10ppdIMt-LpMw4lxIIoTV7-_LauH9THB0GwcpdnUKUi_ARwCoiE/s320/Manu+Home+%28240%29.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452342253013768594" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">Big shoes to fill.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2vdqiPa8iX8r9WTXrBtAYaG17pGwuY8pKu4wpTJUOPKftC_KC6_Y-jQiI-2Vp11atNh5pMn0h1wJE4EL3RROZ8jabFM0F6JxzxWHJIbFgMx00dG31matfxdXUeha9hoHj_auEmIou2Q/s1600/2009+11+15_0059_edited-1.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 306px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig2vdqiPa8iX8r9WTXrBtAYaG17pGwuY8pKu4wpTJUOPKftC_KC6_Y-jQiI-2Vp11atNh5pMn0h1wJE4EL3RROZ8jabFM0F6JxzxWHJIbFgMx00dG31matfxdXUeha9hoHj_auEmIou2Q/s320/2009+11+15_0059_edited-1.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452341234072565234" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">Joe Cool.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwklOEwD-ldhoHDM8UJKIof2mJ2Zewth5LkWJCue5xPL8mdSridhrzHr7hCKyLcXOyoxf9eYFjrGZTbxQ6O4IF2xvytDPrQrplz8a8SdCb-tkoarkZvr9JGjDKCZdQCZinOTmsKV2r9c4/s1600/DSC_1982.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgwklOEwD-ldhoHDM8UJKIof2mJ2Zewth5LkWJCue5xPL8mdSridhrzHr7hCKyLcXOyoxf9eYFjrGZTbxQ6O4IF2xvytDPrQrplz8a8SdCb-tkoarkZvr9JGjDKCZdQCZinOTmsKV2r9c4/s320/DSC_1982.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452340822907761810" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">How did you find me down here?<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYuEkLxTBbM8_M8gV1_lpNjw2dC0iGsyRGCywVGIThlKhRXDfIKeGdPgWohG7ttCWdrbTqxLdvLcWegYwSyqV4S1hHavT0SqfQrf5kuPKr4Dp9SvN8J1yAh1iadpUxK6nLQcIGpKc6O8/s1600/2010+03+03_0350.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKYuEkLxTBbM8_M8gV1_lpNjw2dC0iGsyRGCywVGIThlKhRXDfIKeGdPgWohG7ttCWdrbTqxLdvLcWegYwSyqV4S1hHavT0SqfQrf5kuPKr4Dp9SvN8J1yAh1iadpUxK6nLQcIGpKc6O8/s320/2010+03+03_0350.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452339570378941938" border="0" /></a></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal">Studying for the advance placement exams.<br /></p><p style="text-align: center;" class="MsoNormal"><a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/S6qaSeUcRiI/AAAAAAAAAic/Jx21Y9OFNEI/s1600/2010+03+05_0337.JPG"><img style="cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_LzAHl2uPavk/S6qaSeUcRiI/AAAAAAAAAic/Jx21Y9OFNEI/s320/2010+03+05_0337.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5452339941052532258" border="0" /></a></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-2848077225339046010.post-92109893257356497252010-03-01T16:44:00.000-08:002010-03-01T16:48:03.694-08:00Pasta Fingers<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q0LZTkRRy621Pigv0CV2udHXnR-pPlvvwxpB5Pn-p8bDlBRlFuHNYB9KlvKOPKGWXu86ndAeLRbOrKPCvTLj5XcQH-1_TDv4R0lEy2lT15Ql70he3H5nMLLkgZjkIQ607zfTB2iS74o/s1600-h/2010+01+13_0197.JPG"><img style="margin: 0px auto 10px; display: block; text-align: center; cursor: pointer; width: 320px; height: 214px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2q0LZTkRRy621Pigv0CV2udHXnR-pPlvvwxpB5Pn-p8bDlBRlFuHNYB9KlvKOPKGWXu86ndAeLRbOrKPCvTLj5XcQH-1_TDv4R0lEy2lT15Ql70he3H5nMLLkgZjkIQ607zfTB2iS74o/s320/2010+01+13_0197.JPG" alt="" id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5443831756079975826" border="0" /></a>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3