Photos of Genny on Group 240 site
http://www.cbgroup240.com/
Follow this link to find Genny's photos
Follow this link to find Genny's photos
posted by China Mom at
7:04 PM
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2 comments
Sunday, January 21, 2007
Beijing and Genny
Beijing, Jan. 21 10:40am
I'm finally on a computer today after a bit of a break...in Nanning it was in the hotel room so I could access whenever...but in Beijing I have to come down to the business center and use their machine.
This morning Debbie took the Old Town tour with the rest of our group and I'm doing some down time and banking with Genny. She has a mouthful of teeth and at the moment is teething up a storm. Another day on a bus with a cranky puss was not my desire this morning. So we hit the fresh air, gave her a dose of tylenol and teething gel for her gums and she was asleep before we hit the first set of lights.
Now I'm taking the opportunity to do a bit of blogging...
So what is Genny like?
Her reports from the orphanage said extrovert, naughty and curious. I can attest to the the last two, but the first is a bit suspect. She is quiet and watchful, much like Madeleine was and is. Marilyn also says Genny reminds her of Madeleine, so it's not just me that sees the introvert in her. But she has a mischievous personality...clearing the hotel room tables and suitcases of everything that isn't tied down...all the while with a grin on her face and twinkle in her eyes. Keeping her out of the bathroom and garbage pails is proving a challenge.
We had our medical Saturday morning here and the doctor says she is on track developmentally (thanks to a charity Half the Sky that was working in her orphanage, providing training and support to the nannies and bringing grannies in to play with the children) but is mildly malnourished. She is under the zero percentile in weight, and in the 50 percentile for height. So we need to get her eating a bit more. She has no butt to speak of and everything (except what my friend Peggy, mom to another Guangxi gal) leant me is dangling around her knees.
She loves congee, kind of a rice porridge that we have at every meal, and peaches, banana and noodles and dumplings. I've started her on the North American formula without much trouble with some prunes to keep the constipation at bay.
She is walking around like a drunken sailor, but loves to watch people and scenery pass by on the bus. She's a good sleeper and once I figured out she was missing a midnight bottle, has slept through the night once that is provided. She goes down around 8pm snuggled on my chest like a little cuddle bunny. Then after a few minutes I can transfer her to the crib. The crib in Nanning was too small, but here it's big enough for her to move around which she does traveling up and down the sides in her sleep.
Yesterday we climbed the Great Wall. Debbie did more than me. Visited a Jade factory too and lunched at a Friendship Store. Tomorrow is the Forbidden City and a banquet of Beijing Duck!
I'm counting the days to Thursday and our departure.
Love,
Michelle
I'm finally on a computer today after a bit of a break...in Nanning it was in the hotel room so I could access whenever...but in Beijing I have to come down to the business center and use their machine.
This morning Debbie took the Old Town tour with the rest of our group and I'm doing some down time and banking with Genny. She has a mouthful of teeth and at the moment is teething up a storm. Another day on a bus with a cranky puss was not my desire this morning. So we hit the fresh air, gave her a dose of tylenol and teething gel for her gums and she was asleep before we hit the first set of lights.
Now I'm taking the opportunity to do a bit of blogging...
So what is Genny like?
Her reports from the orphanage said extrovert, naughty and curious. I can attest to the the last two, but the first is a bit suspect. She is quiet and watchful, much like Madeleine was and is. Marilyn also says Genny reminds her of Madeleine, so it's not just me that sees the introvert in her. But she has a mischievous personality...clearing the hotel room tables and suitcases of everything that isn't tied down...all the while with a grin on her face and twinkle in her eyes. Keeping her out of the bathroom and garbage pails is proving a challenge.
We had our medical Saturday morning here and the doctor says she is on track developmentally (thanks to a charity Half the Sky that was working in her orphanage, providing training and support to the nannies and bringing grannies in to play with the children) but is mildly malnourished. She is under the zero percentile in weight, and in the 50 percentile for height. So we need to get her eating a bit more. She has no butt to speak of and everything (except what my friend Peggy, mom to another Guangxi gal) leant me is dangling around her knees.
She loves congee, kind of a rice porridge that we have at every meal, and peaches, banana and noodles and dumplings. I've started her on the North American formula without much trouble with some prunes to keep the constipation at bay.
She is walking around like a drunken sailor, but loves to watch people and scenery pass by on the bus. She's a good sleeper and once I figured out she was missing a midnight bottle, has slept through the night once that is provided. She goes down around 8pm snuggled on my chest like a little cuddle bunny. Then after a few minutes I can transfer her to the crib. The crib in Nanning was too small, but here it's big enough for her to move around which she does traveling up and down the sides in her sleep.
Yesterday we climbed the Great Wall. Debbie did more than me. Visited a Jade factory too and lunched at a Friendship Store. Tomorrow is the Forbidden City and a banquet of Beijing Duck!
I'm counting the days to Thursday and our departure.
Love,
Michelle
posted by China Mom at
6:40 PM
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1 comments
Thursday, January 18, 2007
A Taste of Zhuang Living
Nanning, Guangxi, 8:30pm
Today we took a trip back in time and a visit through the countryside surrounding Nanning. The journey in the "time machine" was courtesy of a visit to the Zhuang Minority Village, sort of an Upper Canada Village but featuring artifacts, recreations and cultural details of the Zhuang people. The Zhuang ethnic group is the largest minority group in China and 90% of the Zhuang live in Guangxi Province, making up nearly 50% of the 44 million people in Guangxi province.
Musicians playing trumpets and wearing traditional garb welcomed us to the village and then we began a journey down cobblestone streets to learn more about Zhuang culture. Besides seeing traditional homes (think house on stilts where you don't live on the first level but store everything below and live on the second or third levels), drinking "3 tastes tea" (bamboo, sugar and ginger) and eating sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, we also got to try traditional dances...villages held long pieces of bamboo and knocked them rythmically on the ground and on each other, in time to their folk songs. Dancers step lively in between the knocking bamboo, trying not to trip or be caught up in the sticks.
Next we got a chance to lift the average villagers load of sticks...40, 50 and 60 kg. balanced on a pole...not an easy task let alone walk miles with it...I think most of us Westerners would fail horribly as Zhuang peasants. It was a bit different to see white monkeys roaming freely in the village. We were told not to have any food out as they are bold in getting it from visitors. They looked a little fierce so I as wondering if I'd have to run them off away from Genevieve, but the tour finished before I was forced to face down any nasty monkeys.
The outing also included a bit more emotional component with a visit to a typical rural village in the countryside. Because the towns where our children's orphanages reside are too far away, or because the orphanage directors don't wish to allow us in (hard to say which), we aren't getting to visit any of them. This trip to the countryside was to at least to give us a glimpse into the life our daughters might have had if they grew up here.
Rural China is a very hard life for most of its residents. It's grinding out a living on maybe 500 Yuan a month or roughly $75 Canadian. One local woman invited us into her home to see the cement block building where she and her two sons live. They share it with livestock, bare wood table and chairs and no running water or proper drainage system by north american standards. I think we all had a better appreciation of what faced some of the parents of our daughters, when they made their very tough decisions about abandoning them.
Tomorrow is the last day in Nanning, we fly to Beijing in the evening and are that much closer to getting home. I am counting the days, believe me, until I get to see Madeleine and you all.
Michelle
Today we took a trip back in time and a visit through the countryside surrounding Nanning. The journey in the "time machine" was courtesy of a visit to the Zhuang Minority Village, sort of an Upper Canada Village but featuring artifacts, recreations and cultural details of the Zhuang people. The Zhuang ethnic group is the largest minority group in China and 90% of the Zhuang live in Guangxi Province, making up nearly 50% of the 44 million people in Guangxi province.
Musicians playing trumpets and wearing traditional garb welcomed us to the village and then we began a journey down cobblestone streets to learn more about Zhuang culture. Besides seeing traditional homes (think house on stilts where you don't live on the first level but store everything below and live on the second or third levels), drinking "3 tastes tea" (bamboo, sugar and ginger) and eating sticky rice wrapped in banana leaves, we also got to try traditional dances...villages held long pieces of bamboo and knocked them rythmically on the ground and on each other, in time to their folk songs. Dancers step lively in between the knocking bamboo, trying not to trip or be caught up in the sticks.
Next we got a chance to lift the average villagers load of sticks...40, 50 and 60 kg. balanced on a pole...not an easy task let alone walk miles with it...I think most of us Westerners would fail horribly as Zhuang peasants. It was a bit different to see white monkeys roaming freely in the village. We were told not to have any food out as they are bold in getting it from visitors. They looked a little fierce so I as wondering if I'd have to run them off away from Genevieve, but the tour finished before I was forced to face down any nasty monkeys.
The outing also included a bit more emotional component with a visit to a typical rural village in the countryside. Because the towns where our children's orphanages reside are too far away, or because the orphanage directors don't wish to allow us in (hard to say which), we aren't getting to visit any of them. This trip to the countryside was to at least to give us a glimpse into the life our daughters might have had if they grew up here.
Rural China is a very hard life for most of its residents. It's grinding out a living on maybe 500 Yuan a month or roughly $75 Canadian. One local woman invited us into her home to see the cement block building where she and her two sons live. They share it with livestock, bare wood table and chairs and no running water or proper drainage system by north american standards. I think we all had a better appreciation of what faced some of the parents of our daughters, when they made their very tough decisions about abandoning them.
Tomorrow is the last day in Nanning, we fly to Beijing in the evening and are that much closer to getting home. I am counting the days, believe me, until I get to see Madeleine and you all.
Michelle
posted by China Mom at
4:29 AM
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2 comments
Tuesday, January 16, 2007
Exploring the Green City of China
Nanning, Guangxi 3:30pm.
We've all just returned from a tour of the Green Mountain Park in Nanning. Our local guide Cindy says Nanning is noted for three things...1st being China's Green City for all the parks, almond trees and flowers that are found in plentiful amounts here. I would love to see it in summer when flowers would be at their best...now there are flowers as the winter barely gets below 8-10 degrees Celsius, but not the lushness of summer.
Second is the number of motorcycles found here...over 1/2 million licensed motocycles. They are everywhere and you better beware crossing the intersections and streets, because here the motorist/cyclist has right of way and pedestrians stand ready to be mowed down if they don't step lively enough. We've experienced the difficulty of trying to cross the road even when we've had the green light. If a car doesn't plow you down, a motorcyclist or cyclist will.
Third is the river which divides the city in two and provides a very scenic vista from its banks. Of course we all feel that the fourth special quality of this city is the beauty of its girls! All of us can certainly attest to that...as it was an especially gorgeous group of toddlers ready to hit the outdoors this morning in their warm clothes and hats. The day was a chilly 10 degrees Celsius and on Mt. Quingxiu, where the park resides, the mist and damp made it a day for fleece, hats and mitts, at least to start off with...after climbing path to the huge stone Longxiang Pagoda I was not feeling too chilled.
The park besides containing the highest views of Nanning, also offered a Buddhist temple which we stopped at first before going on to the pagoda. I'm dragging my tale this morning as Genevieve had a bit of of a temperature, was pulling at her ear and was restless during the night...I gave her a couple of doses of tylenol, and it seems to have held things at bay...her nose is congested and she may have a bit of a cold coming on...situation normal for this time of year, whether in China or Canada. About 3 or 4 of the girls have the beginnings of colds.
So I'm working on reduced sleep...I had part of the twin bed and shared it with Genny...she definitely doesn't like the tiny crib provided by the hotel. She seems to sense every time I'm putting her in, even if I've started her off in my bed...less work to just let her have part of my bed. The first night I slept in a tub chair pulled up to the bed. But last night I managed to use 1/3 of the bed and Genny 2/3rds...you may have noticed the discrepancy, yes she is a bed hog, flailing her arms around and tossing and turning...I just tried to stay out of the way.
Today I found out there are many types of buddhas...I thought there was just one...silly me. Buddha today in this temple was a woman and called the Bountiful Buddha, known for bringing children to young couples...so we were an appropriate crowd to light the incense to her today...all of us feeling thankful for our girls (although I can reveal that we were the majority over 35 rather then 20somethings, so I guess she's pretty good at bringing children to oldsters too!) and ready to acknowledge any devine help along the way.
After wandering through the temple and lighting three sticks before her alter, we headed up further into the mountain to the Pagoda which is not the original structure, that was demolished in the 1950s and rebuilt to the existing one in 1980s. Debbie was the stair climber today to the windy top of the 7 storey structure...I waited at the bottom with about half a dozen strollers and moms.
After desending back to the bus and feeding a few carp with Cheerios and the scraps from our snack at a stone bridge, we headed to the store which housed the Guangxi Pearl Monopoly(another specialty of the region!)I won't say what I bought but they will look lovely around my neck...many China pearls found new Canadian homes today.
After a nap and pictures for Genevieve's visa, I made arrangements for the purchase of "chops" in Genevieve's and Madeleine's Chinese and English characters (these are stamps with their Chinese and English names carved in stone)as well as a caligraphy scroll for Genevieve.
Then we headed to our favorite dim sum place to watch Genevieve wolf down dumplings and flat noodles with beef...we had a few too along with the most delicious wonton soup...food here is a mixture of delicious Cantonese, Vietnamese and weird Chinese interpretations of North America fare. How about a little pizza with cuttle fish added to taste! Or Club sandwiches with Spam! Yummy.
Take care,
Michelle
We've all just returned from a tour of the Green Mountain Park in Nanning. Our local guide Cindy says Nanning is noted for three things...1st being China's Green City for all the parks, almond trees and flowers that are found in plentiful amounts here. I would love to see it in summer when flowers would be at their best...now there are flowers as the winter barely gets below 8-10 degrees Celsius, but not the lushness of summer.
Second is the number of motorcycles found here...over 1/2 million licensed motocycles. They are everywhere and you better beware crossing the intersections and streets, because here the motorist/cyclist has right of way and pedestrians stand ready to be mowed down if they don't step lively enough. We've experienced the difficulty of trying to cross the road even when we've had the green light. If a car doesn't plow you down, a motorcyclist or cyclist will.
Third is the river which divides the city in two and provides a very scenic vista from its banks. Of course we all feel that the fourth special quality of this city is the beauty of its girls! All of us can certainly attest to that...as it was an especially gorgeous group of toddlers ready to hit the outdoors this morning in their warm clothes and hats. The day was a chilly 10 degrees Celsius and on Mt. Quingxiu, where the park resides, the mist and damp made it a day for fleece, hats and mitts, at least to start off with...after climbing path to the huge stone Longxiang Pagoda I was not feeling too chilled.
The park besides containing the highest views of Nanning, also offered a Buddhist temple which we stopped at first before going on to the pagoda. I'm dragging my tale this morning as Genevieve had a bit of of a temperature, was pulling at her ear and was restless during the night...I gave her a couple of doses of tylenol, and it seems to have held things at bay...her nose is congested and she may have a bit of a cold coming on...situation normal for this time of year, whether in China or Canada. About 3 or 4 of the girls have the beginnings of colds.
So I'm working on reduced sleep...I had part of the twin bed and shared it with Genny...she definitely doesn't like the tiny crib provided by the hotel. She seems to sense every time I'm putting her in, even if I've started her off in my bed...less work to just let her have part of my bed. The first night I slept in a tub chair pulled up to the bed. But last night I managed to use 1/3 of the bed and Genny 2/3rds...you may have noticed the discrepancy, yes she is a bed hog, flailing her arms around and tossing and turning...I just tried to stay out of the way.
Today I found out there are many types of buddhas...I thought there was just one...silly me. Buddha today in this temple was a woman and called the Bountiful Buddha, known for bringing children to young couples...so we were an appropriate crowd to light the incense to her today...all of us feeling thankful for our girls (although I can reveal that we were the majority over 35 rather then 20somethings, so I guess she's pretty good at bringing children to oldsters too!) and ready to acknowledge any devine help along the way.
After wandering through the temple and lighting three sticks before her alter, we headed up further into the mountain to the Pagoda which is not the original structure, that was demolished in the 1950s and rebuilt to the existing one in 1980s. Debbie was the stair climber today to the windy top of the 7 storey structure...I waited at the bottom with about half a dozen strollers and moms.
After desending back to the bus and feeding a few carp with Cheerios and the scraps from our snack at a stone bridge, we headed to the store which housed the Guangxi Pearl Monopoly(another specialty of the region!)I won't say what I bought but they will look lovely around my neck...many China pearls found new Canadian homes today.
After a nap and pictures for Genevieve's visa, I made arrangements for the purchase of "chops" in Genevieve's and Madeleine's Chinese and English characters (these are stamps with their Chinese and English names carved in stone)as well as a caligraphy scroll for Genevieve.
Then we headed to our favorite dim sum place to watch Genevieve wolf down dumplings and flat noodles with beef...we had a few too along with the most delicious wonton soup...food here is a mixture of delicious Cantonese, Vietnamese and weird Chinese interpretations of North America fare. How about a little pizza with cuttle fish added to taste! Or Club sandwiches with Spam! Yummy.
Take care,
Michelle
posted by China Mom at
11:26 PM
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2 comments
Monday, January 15, 2007
Officially Family
Nanning, Guangxi 3pm
Genevieve sleeps on the bed and mom types at the computer...both of us exhausted but happy about the proceedings this morning...
At 8:30 after a too short night, we had to head off to the Civil Affairs office again. There, the orphanage directors (3 out of 4 were women, a sign of changing times?) and the government official from yesterday held interviews with each family and then after we satisfied them that we would be good parents, approved the adoptions. All the documents are signed, stamped by my thumbprint and Genny's footprint in red ink. We are family.
I've made solemn oaths to care for her, never abandon or abuse her, to educate and love her...all things that come naturally to me but the Chinese take very seriously in their wish to ensure she has a better life than her previous one. The official's last comment to me, was for me to promise to dress her warmly... In case you don't know, the Chinese take quite seriously the bundling up of their children. Most walk around with 4 or 5 layers of clothing looking like small snowmen...This official questioned with Canada being a cold country and Yu Yin coming from the south, how would I keep her warm? I mentioned every stitch of warm clothing, hat, mitts and fleece I would dress her in when venturing outside.
Once the interviews were over, we gathered again as a group in the room with flags lining the front wall and the government official called our name, and we were presented with a red certificate of adoption, complete with our family photo inside. Each orphanage director presented parents with some small gift. Genny's gave her a shell decorated and from Beihai's famous beaches. We said thank you to each other even though I'm not sure she spoke much English and I speak zero Cantonese (the major dialect around here).
Next was the notary office. She makes all the documents official...again short individual family interviews where we promise to care and never abuse our children. Everyone is getting tired and many of our small girls just want to get out and stretch their legs...as I take Genny for a walk she pulls me out the door and heads in several directions at once...she continues to be a quiet and determined girl...I think she is going to give Madeleine a run for her money.
Genny was firmly in my arms for the majority of the morning's activities. She is definitely taken to me and every time I put her down reaches up to get in my arms again...the only person who had the magic touch and can give me a break is Debbie. She will go to Deb and looks at me making big air kisses (or fish faces, not sure which) across the space separating us or waves bye-bye. When we head off back to the bus, Genny checks to see that Debbie's following behind and not forgotten.
At lunch in the neighboring dim sum restaurant I am reintroduced to the eating experience of moving all things out of reach of lightening-quick hands or hear them crash and bang to the floor, juggling someone else's attention to so they don't destroy the table, while trying to grab a bite or two of food. Hmmm. How soon you forget.
Most of our group has gone off to Walmart for shopping this afternoon...We are purchasing some winter clothes for the orphanages as kind of an extra gift to them. All are quiet poor, but dressed the children in brand new clothes...we want to pay back the favor.
Thanks to all the family and friends following our experiences...it's so surreal getting your comments half a world away, but very welcome. Like a hug from home!
I am beat and so enjoying a bit of a quiet time here at the computer while Genevieve finishes her afternoon sleep. Still haven't figured out the photos problem yet...the computers are linked to servers and no usb ports...take care, Michelle
Genevieve sleeps on the bed and mom types at the computer...both of us exhausted but happy about the proceedings this morning...
At 8:30 after a too short night, we had to head off to the Civil Affairs office again. There, the orphanage directors (3 out of 4 were women, a sign of changing times?) and the government official from yesterday held interviews with each family and then after we satisfied them that we would be good parents, approved the adoptions. All the documents are signed, stamped by my thumbprint and Genny's footprint in red ink. We are family.
I've made solemn oaths to care for her, never abandon or abuse her, to educate and love her...all things that come naturally to me but the Chinese take very seriously in their wish to ensure she has a better life than her previous one. The official's last comment to me, was for me to promise to dress her warmly... In case you don't know, the Chinese take quite seriously the bundling up of their children. Most walk around with 4 or 5 layers of clothing looking like small snowmen...This official questioned with Canada being a cold country and Yu Yin coming from the south, how would I keep her warm? I mentioned every stitch of warm clothing, hat, mitts and fleece I would dress her in when venturing outside.
Once the interviews were over, we gathered again as a group in the room with flags lining the front wall and the government official called our name, and we were presented with a red certificate of adoption, complete with our family photo inside. Each orphanage director presented parents with some small gift. Genny's gave her a shell decorated and from Beihai's famous beaches. We said thank you to each other even though I'm not sure she spoke much English and I speak zero Cantonese (the major dialect around here).
Next was the notary office. She makes all the documents official...again short individual family interviews where we promise to care and never abuse our children. Everyone is getting tired and many of our small girls just want to get out and stretch their legs...as I take Genny for a walk she pulls me out the door and heads in several directions at once...she continues to be a quiet and determined girl...I think she is going to give Madeleine a run for her money.
Genny was firmly in my arms for the majority of the morning's activities. She is definitely taken to me and every time I put her down reaches up to get in my arms again...the only person who had the magic touch and can give me a break is Debbie. She will go to Deb and looks at me making big air kisses (or fish faces, not sure which) across the space separating us or waves bye-bye. When we head off back to the bus, Genny checks to see that Debbie's following behind and not forgotten.
At lunch in the neighboring dim sum restaurant I am reintroduced to the eating experience of moving all things out of reach of lightening-quick hands or hear them crash and bang to the floor, juggling someone else's attention to so they don't destroy the table, while trying to grab a bite or two of food. Hmmm. How soon you forget.
Most of our group has gone off to Walmart for shopping this afternoon...We are purchasing some winter clothes for the orphanages as kind of an extra gift to them. All are quiet poor, but dressed the children in brand new clothes...we want to pay back the favor.
Thanks to all the family and friends following our experiences...it's so surreal getting your comments half a world away, but very welcome. Like a hug from home!
I am beat and so enjoying a bit of a quiet time here at the computer while Genevieve finishes her afternoon sleep. Still haven't figured out the photos problem yet...the computers are linked to servers and no usb ports...take care, Michelle
posted by China Mom at
11:06 PM
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5 comments
Genny Arrives - All is Right With the World!
Nanning, Guangxi 8:39pm
Genevieve Yu Yin Valiquet has stolen her mother's heart...she is currently sleeping soundly in my bed after falling asleep in my arms about a half hour ago..."Beautiful" and "Graceful" as her Chinese name (Yu Yin) means...
She and I first met today in the Civil Affairs office at 3pm. A Civil Affairs official came into the boardroom we nervous parents had gathered in....first she introduced all the ophanage directors and then one by one, each child and parent's name was called...They said Guo Yu Yin and the guide looked directly at me and I can truly say my heart skipped a beat as this quiet angel in the thickest pink ladybug decorated fleece outfit was placed in my arms. I was so taken back to Madeleine's and my first meeting...these huge brown eyes staring up at me and I just started talking and rocking my way around the room...
Some children's reactions was to cry, some were quiet and some were doing a bit of both. The room was a loud and jarring place to be, with flashes going off, people excited about the kids and the kids definitely not too sure about all these people surrounding them...
Genny was watching everything going on and listening to me. Her only tears came when the nannies, peaked into the back door of the room just before we left...they were checking out how the kids were doing and Genny caught sight of what I assume was her nanny...big tears came rolling down her cheeks as the nannies head down the hallway back to their orphanges...
After about 5 minutes she was back to her quiet watching and listening mode...In her fleece outfit I thought she was getting a bit hot...It's about 20 C. here and we are enjoying the tropical winter. In the conference room with the lights and people it was stuffy and with her three layers of clothing, I felt hot for her...but Chinese do love to bundle their kids so I didn't dare undress her there. Instead I put her down to walk a few steps...She did some motoring around the room...yes this girl is definitely on her feet and ready to move...walking, running and staggering with me following close behind. She knew where she wanted to go...and darted right out the door and down the hallway to follow the nannies. After recapturing my daughter, our guide announced we would be heading back to the hotel after barely half an hour to start our lives together as families.
Genny watched out of the window while we drove back to the hotel. She spent the short trip tapping the window and being facinated by the ebb and flow of traffic, bicycles, motorcycles and humanity that filled the streets of Nanning. We had one last official task - getting a family picture taken for the final adoption proceedings that will take place tomorrow morning at the Notary's office.
The next hours were a bit of a blur of walking with Genny, playing with her, Debbie and I getting the first bottle ready and into her as well as some barley/yam cereal (think pablum with a sweet taste), part of a banana, some rice crackers and goldfish crackers. After her meal(s) Debbie and I ventured to the Cantonese restaurant in the hotel for dinner...after throwing her toys everywhere and enjoying some eggs from my plate and rice from Debbie's we left with the floor a mess but Genny quite content.
Debbie did amazing work today, clicking away to capture every moment for not only me, but many other families in our group...she has over a hundred pictures, but unfortunately you'll have to wait until tomorrow for photos when we can get access to a card reader... my computer in my room here at the hotel doesn't allow me to download our camera shots with my USB cord.
I'm heading to bed...sleep seems a good idea.
Love Michelle
Genevieve Yu Yin Valiquet has stolen her mother's heart...she is currently sleeping soundly in my bed after falling asleep in my arms about a half hour ago..."Beautiful" and "Graceful" as her Chinese name (Yu Yin) means...
She and I first met today in the Civil Affairs office at 3pm. A Civil Affairs official came into the boardroom we nervous parents had gathered in....first she introduced all the ophanage directors and then one by one, each child and parent's name was called...They said Guo Yu Yin and the guide looked directly at me and I can truly say my heart skipped a beat as this quiet angel in the thickest pink ladybug decorated fleece outfit was placed in my arms. I was so taken back to Madeleine's and my first meeting...these huge brown eyes staring up at me and I just started talking and rocking my way around the room...
Some children's reactions was to cry, some were quiet and some were doing a bit of both. The room was a loud and jarring place to be, with flashes going off, people excited about the kids and the kids definitely not too sure about all these people surrounding them...
Genny was watching everything going on and listening to me. Her only tears came when the nannies, peaked into the back door of the room just before we left...they were checking out how the kids were doing and Genny caught sight of what I assume was her nanny...big tears came rolling down her cheeks as the nannies head down the hallway back to their orphanges...
After about 5 minutes she was back to her quiet watching and listening mode...In her fleece outfit I thought she was getting a bit hot...It's about 20 C. here and we are enjoying the tropical winter. In the conference room with the lights and people it was stuffy and with her three layers of clothing, I felt hot for her...but Chinese do love to bundle their kids so I didn't dare undress her there. Instead I put her down to walk a few steps...She did some motoring around the room...yes this girl is definitely on her feet and ready to move...walking, running and staggering with me following close behind. She knew where she wanted to go...and darted right out the door and down the hallway to follow the nannies. After recapturing my daughter, our guide announced we would be heading back to the hotel after barely half an hour to start our lives together as families.
Genny watched out of the window while we drove back to the hotel. She spent the short trip tapping the window and being facinated by the ebb and flow of traffic, bicycles, motorcycles and humanity that filled the streets of Nanning. We had one last official task - getting a family picture taken for the final adoption proceedings that will take place tomorrow morning at the Notary's office.
The next hours were a bit of a blur of walking with Genny, playing with her, Debbie and I getting the first bottle ready and into her as well as some barley/yam cereal (think pablum with a sweet taste), part of a banana, some rice crackers and goldfish crackers. After her meal(s) Debbie and I ventured to the Cantonese restaurant in the hotel for dinner...after throwing her toys everywhere and enjoying some eggs from my plate and rice from Debbie's we left with the floor a mess but Genny quite content.
Debbie did amazing work today, clicking away to capture every moment for not only me, but many other families in our group...she has over a hundred pictures, but unfortunately you'll have to wait until tomorrow for photos when we can get access to a card reader... my computer in my room here at the hotel doesn't allow me to download our camera shots with my USB cord.
I'm heading to bed...sleep seems a good idea.
Love Michelle
posted by China Mom at
4:47 AM
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3 comments
Saturday, January 13, 2007
Victoria Peak - Up Hong Kong's Heights Again
8pm Hong Kong time on Saturday night.
Whether it's the height of its buildings or the heights of its mountains, Hong Kong does impress as a city of all things tall. The backs of my calves feel suitably soar after a day of walking up hills and down steep inclines.
We made it up and back down Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's highest point but not before walking up numerous flights of stairs, steep hills leading to the tram station at the base of the mountain and long series of escalators once we disembark from the tram. A tram has operated up and down this peak since sometime in the 1880s, with the current version all computerized with 100% backup systems for the breaks and cables....I breathed a huge sigh of relief, after reading this in the brochure this morning. I've had several nightmares in my life that involved going up steep inclines and rolling backwards, and didn't want them replayed here.
After taking some amazing pictures out the windows while catching my breath and being forced to grip the seats wondering how we could possibly continue to climb at a 45 degree angle, the 10 minute ride straight up deposited our group at a modern shopping and restaurant complex. By going up at least 7 or 8 sets of escalator inside the complex you make your way up the last portion of the "Peak experience" as the ground to ceiling windows to your left display the spectacular views of buildings and homes around Hong Kong. At the very top, you go outside to the windy observation deck and can take pictures with just a piece of Plexiglas between you and the steepest drop imaginable...I kept a tight hand on the inside rails except for when taking pictures.
This is the last night in Hong Kong...Tomorrow is Nanning and maybe, just maybe I'll have Genevieve in my arms before the day is through??? It will be very hard to sleep tonight.
Love to all, Michelle
Whether it's the height of its buildings or the heights of its mountains, Hong Kong does impress as a city of all things tall. The backs of my calves feel suitably soar after a day of walking up hills and down steep inclines.
We made it up and back down Victoria Peak, Hong Kong's highest point but not before walking up numerous flights of stairs, steep hills leading to the tram station at the base of the mountain and long series of escalators once we disembark from the tram. A tram has operated up and down this peak since sometime in the 1880s, with the current version all computerized with 100% backup systems for the breaks and cables....I breathed a huge sigh of relief, after reading this in the brochure this morning. I've had several nightmares in my life that involved going up steep inclines and rolling backwards, and didn't want them replayed here.
After taking some amazing pictures out the windows while catching my breath and being forced to grip the seats wondering how we could possibly continue to climb at a 45 degree angle, the 10 minute ride straight up deposited our group at a modern shopping and restaurant complex. By going up at least 7 or 8 sets of escalator inside the complex you make your way up the last portion of the "Peak experience" as the ground to ceiling windows to your left display the spectacular views of buildings and homes around Hong Kong. At the very top, you go outside to the windy observation deck and can take pictures with just a piece of Plexiglas between you and the steepest drop imaginable...I kept a tight hand on the inside rails except for when taking pictures.
This is the last night in Hong Kong...Tomorrow is Nanning and maybe, just maybe I'll have Genevieve in my arms before the day is through??? It will be very hard to sleep tonight.
Love to all, Michelle
posted by China Mom at
4:05 AM
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2 comments
Friday, January 12, 2007
Giant Buddha and Harbor Lights
Hong Kong 8:45am
Debbie and I are sipping our morning beverages...my coffee is fantastic and her large cup of earl grey is going down well.
We had a full day of tourist and shopping activities, chief was taking a spectacular 20 minute tram ride up to visit the Giant Buddha on the peak of Lantau Island. It was a foggy day so visibility wasn't the best, but it was clear enough to have me shutting my eyes half the trip up with the dizzying heights and paths below. We decided not to "Walk with Buddha" (meaning take the footpaths up the mountain to the top) and instead ride the modern tram opened last year.
The giant buddha lives up to his name rising out of the mist to greet us and instilling much awe in me and my companions. We wandered the small village on the top before making our way up the final massive stairway to buddha and his temple. Waves of foggy rolled in and out making it quite an "other worldly" experience as we lost sight of the lower hong kong every so often. what started as a mild day, turned chilly in the mist and altitude so we were very glad to have hot noodle soup from the restaurant before heading back down the mountain.
After hitting the "Ladies Market" more shopping -yes! We headed down to Hong Kong harbor to view the beautiful lights of the buildings that ring the harbor. We even caught sight of a big red junk navigating the harbor. Dinner and dragged ourselves back to the hotel for a well deserved rest.
Love Michelle
Debbie and I are sipping our morning beverages...my coffee is fantastic and her large cup of earl grey is going down well.
We had a full day of tourist and shopping activities, chief was taking a spectacular 20 minute tram ride up to visit the Giant Buddha on the peak of Lantau Island. It was a foggy day so visibility wasn't the best, but it was clear enough to have me shutting my eyes half the trip up with the dizzying heights and paths below. We decided not to "Walk with Buddha" (meaning take the footpaths up the mountain to the top) and instead ride the modern tram opened last year.
The giant buddha lives up to his name rising out of the mist to greet us and instilling much awe in me and my companions. We wandered the small village on the top before making our way up the final massive stairway to buddha and his temple. Waves of foggy rolled in and out making it quite an "other worldly" experience as we lost sight of the lower hong kong every so often. what started as a mild day, turned chilly in the mist and altitude so we were very glad to have hot noodle soup from the restaurant before heading back down the mountain.
After hitting the "Ladies Market" more shopping -yes! We headed down to Hong Kong harbor to view the beautiful lights of the buildings that ring the harbor. We even caught sight of a big red junk navigating the harbor. Dinner and dragged ourselves back to the hotel for a well deserved rest.
Love Michelle
posted by China Mom at
4:44 PM
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2 comments
Thursday, January 11, 2007
Temple Market and Dinner that Moves
Hong Kong time 9:15am
Late start today after a full day of site seeing around the Jade Markets and Temple Night Markets...we managed to barter our way around the stalls with much savy help from Marilyn and Andrea...Debbie and I just nodded and tried to appear hard barginers.
Food is fresh as can be...last night it was on a table beside our out door resturant called the Spicy Crab moving and riggling to prove its freshness. We stopped at an outdoor restaurant that was at the end of the Temple Night Market, after making our way through stalls offering every conceivable thing you'd want to purchase...not as open to bartering as the Jade Market from earlier in the day.
The tables were outside full of people eating all manner of seafood, squid, crab, prawns, shrimp and other meats and dishes. We perched ourselves on plastic stools and watched the crowd mill by while watching the waiters/cooks retrieve the occasional live object from the table near by. Huge buckets contained fish swimming and flipping their tales.
Having stuffed myself on incredible food at lunch I wasn't up to seafood that was that fresh, so settled for a pineapple, green pepper dish that came to the table within two seconds of leaving the kitchen...from our vantage point we watched the shoppers of every nationality and age go by...
Today is the giant budda and victoria harbor...cheers, Michelle
Late start today after a full day of site seeing around the Jade Markets and Temple Night Markets...we managed to barter our way around the stalls with much savy help from Marilyn and Andrea...Debbie and I just nodded and tried to appear hard barginers.
Food is fresh as can be...last night it was on a table beside our out door resturant called the Spicy Crab moving and riggling to prove its freshness. We stopped at an outdoor restaurant that was at the end of the Temple Night Market, after making our way through stalls offering every conceivable thing you'd want to purchase...not as open to bartering as the Jade Market from earlier in the day.
The tables were outside full of people eating all manner of seafood, squid, crab, prawns, shrimp and other meats and dishes. We perched ourselves on plastic stools and watched the crowd mill by while watching the waiters/cooks retrieve the occasional live object from the table near by. Huge buckets contained fish swimming and flipping their tales.
Having stuffed myself on incredible food at lunch I wasn't up to seafood that was that fresh, so settled for a pineapple, green pepper dish that came to the table within two seconds of leaving the kitchen...from our vantage point we watched the shoppers of every nationality and age go by...
Today is the giant budda and victoria harbor...cheers, Michelle
posted by China Mom at
5:15 PM
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1 comments
Wednesday, January 10, 2007
Hello from Hong Kong!
Thursday 8:45am HK time:
Tired, cramped, dusty and more than a bit plane-weary we arrived in Hong Kong last night. Peter and Andrea, who are also travelling with us and adopting in Guangxi too are accompanying Debbie and I. Marilyn and her sister Pam aren't due in until late late late Wednesday.
If you can imagine riding in a noisy tin can for 16 hours...being feed every two hours and being backed up against a toilet for the 200 passengers in the plane are at your side every few minutes...you have our experience in a nutshell...
Then we made our way to the hotel on the transit system, which is really quite easy to navigate, if you know where you're going...only one miss-step where we hit Hong Kong island instead of getting off at Kowloon stop...live and learn.
Next was lying prone for a few hours on the hotel bed and enjoying a short rest before hitting the streets of Hong Kong...siteseeing the small street vendors, pharmacies, restaurants and shops within several streets of the hotel.
We settled for dinner at the "Golden Horse Restaurant" although we stayed away from equine fare, we choose by pictures our meals and enjoyed a cup of tea...dinner was fantastic and hot... fresh from the kitchen which we could see from our seats....after stuffing ourselves for barely the price of a coffee at home, we headed back to the hotel for a well deserved sleep. Debbie drank a cup of tea in our room but I was out before she took the tea bag out of her cup.
Today is SHOPPING! Which I think is a national pasttime here...more later.
Michelle
Tired, cramped, dusty and more than a bit plane-weary we arrived in Hong Kong last night. Peter and Andrea, who are also travelling with us and adopting in Guangxi too are accompanying Debbie and I. Marilyn and her sister Pam aren't due in until late late late Wednesday.
If you can imagine riding in a noisy tin can for 16 hours...being feed every two hours and being backed up against a toilet for the 200 passengers in the plane are at your side every few minutes...you have our experience in a nutshell...
Then we made our way to the hotel on the transit system, which is really quite easy to navigate, if you know where you're going...only one miss-step where we hit Hong Kong island instead of getting off at Kowloon stop...live and learn.
Next was lying prone for a few hours on the hotel bed and enjoying a short rest before hitting the streets of Hong Kong...siteseeing the small street vendors, pharmacies, restaurants and shops within several streets of the hotel.
We settled for dinner at the "Golden Horse Restaurant" although we stayed away from equine fare, we choose by pictures our meals and enjoyed a cup of tea...dinner was fantastic and hot... fresh from the kitchen which we could see from our seats....after stuffing ourselves for barely the price of a coffee at home, we headed back to the hotel for a well deserved sleep. Debbie drank a cup of tea in our room but I was out before she took the tea bag out of her cup.
Today is SHOPPING! Which I think is a national pasttime here...more later.
Michelle
posted by China Mom at
4:46 PM
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2 comments
Wednesday, January 03, 2007
Count down to travel departure
Although I've worked in high tech and the internet for years, I am still in awe of what it can do...witness the power of getting pictures of your new daughter through a service with ties to China and the States...cameras are sent to Genevieve's orphanage, retrieved, developed, photos scanned and in a matter of days, I have snapshots of her life a month ago in Beihai.Here is one shot of her clapping in the mirrow of the playroom in the orphanage...I am greedily viewing the other 32 or so shots for clues to her personality and character and combing the details of the rooms and landscape that have formed her life for the last 15 months. Soon I won't have to settle for these digital dreams but will be hugging her close in real life.
posted by China Mom at
4:12 PM
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3 comments