If I get all preachy on you I apologize in advance. Just my humble opinions.
Nothing personal.........to each his own, et cetera, et cetera.
I welcome any comments and am open to discussion........I think.
In China I am extra cautious to not offend or cause someone to "lose face".
We are a guest in their country and we try to behave accordingly.
We are pleased to have guests to our blog travel vicariously with us.
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
One week tomorrow......
Tomorrow is Thursday.
One week from then we will board the ferry for the mainland, leave our beloved island behind, and head for an over nighter at a hotel close to the airport. We are up bight and early for the flight to Beijing by way of San Francisco.
So far I have a small stack of stuff in the kitchen to pack. Passports with Visas, coffee and snacky things, magazines and books. Not a heck of a lot.
The suitcases are resting comfortably in the basement. Something I plan to rectify today.
I am relatively calm. I have done this before. Four times. How lucky am I?
If I am packed by Thursday pm I can go to work on Friday for the weekend way ahead of the game.
Just need my American money for the accommodation and I am ready. That is arranged
for pickup next week. Final assembling on Wednesday and ready for blast off.
Derek and I were having a discussion this morning about Beth and Grace. Since we are
talking 2 preteens with a case of sibling rivalry I may need to pack a parachute for a hasty exit
somewhere during the 12 hour flight to China. After three weeks in country it is anybody's
guess what will transpire. It may be that they will learn something about themselves to and enjoy each other.
I wish I could have taken them individually as I did Isabel. We could have had the one on one time and the trip
would have been theirs alone. We do what we can and it is a big beautiful world out there and we only have so much
time and so much money. I think they are okay with it. Part of me wishes Isabel could have come with us also, but I
am so grateful she had last year and now it is her sisters turn.
Seriously, we are hoping this is a valuable learning curve for the girls. It would have been easier to book
one of the proliferating "homeland" tours and to have someone lead us around to all the usual tourist sites.
That it itself would have been wonderful and we would have seen a lot more than we will doing it ourselves.
But it would cost a whole lot more and the girls would have a very limited idea of what China is. I like to shop with the best of them, but dislike the frenzy some folks engage in and what the China Travel guides think is what we actually want. I have tried
to avoid the rampant consumerism that plaques our society and I don't want it for my girls. I will have a modest list of what we will purchase and try to stick to it.
I am hoping this trip makes our two stop and think and that they "get" some of what we have told them these last few years.
This will be my last trip to China, I imagine, but I am hoping they all will go back to visit, volunteer and explore and to see much more of the country than we ever have. Time will tell.
One week from then we will board the ferry for the mainland, leave our beloved island behind, and head for an over nighter at a hotel close to the airport. We are up bight and early for the flight to Beijing by way of San Francisco.
So far I have a small stack of stuff in the kitchen to pack. Passports with Visas, coffee and snacky things, magazines and books. Not a heck of a lot.
The suitcases are resting comfortably in the basement. Something I plan to rectify today.
I am relatively calm. I have done this before. Four times. How lucky am I?
If I am packed by Thursday pm I can go to work on Friday for the weekend way ahead of the game.
Just need my American money for the accommodation and I am ready. That is arranged
for pickup next week. Final assembling on Wednesday and ready for blast off.
Derek and I were having a discussion this morning about Beth and Grace. Since we are
talking 2 preteens with a case of sibling rivalry I may need to pack a parachute for a hasty exit
somewhere during the 12 hour flight to China. After three weeks in country it is anybody's
guess what will transpire. It may be that they will learn something about themselves to and enjoy each other.
I wish I could have taken them individually as I did Isabel. We could have had the one on one time and the trip
would have been theirs alone. We do what we can and it is a big beautiful world out there and we only have so much
time and so much money. I think they are okay with it. Part of me wishes Isabel could have come with us also, but I
am so grateful she had last year and now it is her sisters turn.
Seriously, we are hoping this is a valuable learning curve for the girls. It would have been easier to book
one of the proliferating "homeland" tours and to have someone lead us around to all the usual tourist sites.
That it itself would have been wonderful and we would have seen a lot more than we will doing it ourselves.
But it would cost a whole lot more and the girls would have a very limited idea of what China is. I like to shop with the best of them, but dislike the frenzy some folks engage in and what the China Travel guides think is what we actually want. I have tried
to avoid the rampant consumerism that plaques our society and I don't want it for my girls. I will have a modest list of what we will purchase and try to stick to it.
I am hoping this trip makes our two stop and think and that they "get" some of what we have told them these last few years.
This will be my last trip to China, I imagine, but I am hoping they all will go back to visit, volunteer and explore and to see much more of the country than we ever have. Time will tell.
Wednesday, February 4, 2009
Three weeks until Beijing...........
I can hardly believe how quickly time is flying by. Last week I had our Visa photos taken and submitted the applications...tick.
This week I will lay out the suitcases in the guest room and begin to gather what we need....tick. I have done this four times now and am not anticipating any difficulties with the fifth. I feel quite cosmopolitan actually.
I had coffee a couple of weeks ago with a woman here in town who is going to China with her 13 year old son, 5 year old daughter and her husband. She had found our last China visit blog and had followed Isabel's return trip. Coincidently she is one of the sponsors of little Rose at the Starfish Foster Home where we volunteered in 2008. She and her family will incorporate a stay there on this visit. I tried to give her a few pointers to facilitate a good experience for her family.
We have arranged to meet for dinner in Beijing and will go see the acrobat show together on the 14th. I expect we will be ready for some R&R by then. What fun.
I am stealing myself to meet all these new little ones. Once you fall in love with them it is hard to say goodbye and they are always
there in your heart.
I have heard from some supporters and some adopting parents who found out we are going and have asked us to deliver packages and supplies. We are trying to arrange that.
The girls are getting excited and I am quite looking forward to the adventure. I am hoping their Chinese will be of some use and that they at least, will get some practice using it.
Wow.........21 more days.
If anyone has any inside knowledge on sights, restaurants, shopping in Beijng we would appreciate it if you would like to share.
I gather our duties at the Foster Home are assigned so we will have a schedule and it will include down time where we can do some fun things too. The girls need to get the big picture.
Stay tuned.
Monday, January 26, 2009
Check out the ticker.......
Holey moley............30 days!!! That is one month!!!!!!!!
Can't believe it.
I will be back in China almost exactly one year from our last visit. Never would have imagined it.
At the same time I am so glad to be going. I am beginning to feel pretty comfortable with this independent Asia
traveling. Feel like a big girl now!!
Mostly I feel like I am doing what I am supposed to do. What I promised I would do and that is bring my girls back to the land of their birth. Their homeland. They may not appreciate it now but it is a gift and I am so happy I am able to do it. If we do none of the touristy things I just want them to know China on some level. Just as observers even. Soak it in.
Last year when I was there with Isabel..she was just turned 12 then....she said "I know I am Chinese Mum and I know this is where I was born but it isn't my home. My home is Canada." I said "I know Isabel but this is a part of you and I hope it will have some meaning and that it will be the first of many visits. They won't be with me probably,but maybe with your sisters or with friends." It is a big reason why I have insisted they take Mandarin all these years. I have a strong feeling there may be more of a connection down the road.
I know there was a kinship to the children at the Foster Home. We still feel it today and continue to follow the little ones we knew and loved there. Happily this past year has been awesome and of the 21 kids we met an astonishing eleven have found forever families. Miraculous.
Two died. But they died with some dignity and kindness and were cuddled and kissed at the end.
Can't believe it.
I will be back in China almost exactly one year from our last visit. Never would have imagined it.
At the same time I am so glad to be going. I am beginning to feel pretty comfortable with this independent Asia
traveling. Feel like a big girl now!!
Mostly I feel like I am doing what I am supposed to do. What I promised I would do and that is bring my girls back to the land of their birth. Their homeland. They may not appreciate it now but it is a gift and I am so happy I am able to do it. If we do none of the touristy things I just want them to know China on some level. Just as observers even. Soak it in.
Last year when I was there with Isabel..she was just turned 12 then....she said "I know I am Chinese Mum and I know this is where I was born but it isn't my home. My home is Canada." I said "I know Isabel but this is a part of you and I hope it will have some meaning and that it will be the first of many visits. They won't be with me probably,but maybe with your sisters or with friends." It is a big reason why I have insisted they take Mandarin all these years. I have a strong feeling there may be more of a connection down the road.
I know there was a kinship to the children at the Foster Home. We still feel it today and continue to follow the little ones we knew and loved there. Happily this past year has been awesome and of the 21 kids we met an astonishing eleven have found forever families. Miraculous.
Two died. But they died with some dignity and kindness and were cuddled and kissed at the end.
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Good news from afar......
Am beginning to hear from other volunteers from New Hope and from adoptive and soon to be adoptive parents. How cool is that?
Maybe we can be of some joy to these Mom and Dads by taking photos and such and passing them on. It is the next best thing to being there.
Time seems to be accelerating and I am shocked that we are now in double digits for January. Wow. I am getting excited.
Had coffee with a woman right here in my home town who is traveling to China with her husband and 12 and 5 year old children.
They will be touring for three weeks and will be in Beijing when we are. We are going to try to hook up for an evening and maybe do some sightseeing together. Imagine that. We are becoming quite the seasoned travelers. She will be going on to Starfish and it will be great to get current information on our remaining 10 kiddos. Lily and Caitlyn and Jade and Erica and Cailean and Rose and Brianna and Heather and Sean and Ben. I need to review and hope I didn't leave anyone out.
Please check out our other blog to follow their journey and read of our trip one year ago March. I never imagined I would be back again so soon. We are fortunate and I am so glad the younger girls are getting their chance to see some of their beginnings.
Maybe we can be of some joy to these Mom and Dads by taking photos and such and passing them on. It is the next best thing to being there.
Time seems to be accelerating and I am shocked that we are now in double digits for January. Wow. I am getting excited.
Had coffee with a woman right here in my home town who is traveling to China with her husband and 12 and 5 year old children.
They will be touring for three weeks and will be in Beijing when we are. We are going to try to hook up for an evening and maybe do some sightseeing together. Imagine that. We are becoming quite the seasoned travelers. She will be going on to Starfish and it will be great to get current information on our remaining 10 kiddos. Lily and Caitlyn and Jade and Erica and Cailean and Rose and Brianna and Heather and Sean and Ben. I need to review and hope I didn't leave anyone out.
Please check out our other blog to follow their journey and read of our trip one year ago March. I never imagined I would be back again so soon. We are fortunate and I am so glad the younger girls are getting their chance to see some of their beginnings.
Sunday, January 4, 2009
Visas.........
Got the forms and I think I have some photos around here. One month and 3 weeks from today.
I am hoping it is not too cold in Beijing. I hate the cold which is why we moved to the west coast.
Excepting this year it is supposed to be the warmest place in Canada.
Feeling some anxiety about the trip but I am sure that will change as we get closer. Beth and Grace are
a little less tranquil than Isabel and a little harder to entertain. We shall see. Soon I will email Hope Foster Home with
our flight number and arrival times. They will be picking us up at the airport which on the map is not very far away.
I am perusing maps to get an idea of the lay out of Beijing. It would be nice if we could get around some on
our own. Maybe use the subway instead of cabs. Not because of the yuan involved but just to experience some local flavour.
Maybe not...........I am still brain storming.
I had printed our e-tickets and had a heck of a time finding them. What a relief when they turned up in a handy dandy
folder I had started. I am also hoping all the money we have spend on Chinese school all these years will pay off
and the girls will be able to talk to someone or interpret for poor old Mom. Guess we will find out. Isabel could understand
some on last years trip and at the end, sigh, was beginning to feel a little more comfortable trying out her chinese on the locals.
I am hoping we can do some shopping while there. That has never been a favourite pastime of Isabel's so I kept it to a minimum in March 08. Beth and Grace aren't as particular so might enjoy exploring the markets. We will be mindful that
we are on a budget trip and keep it light.
I am going to begin making an itinerary for us. This will depend on what they want us to do at the foster home. I am told we
will be given a detailed assignment so I am pleased about that. So far want to see of course, the Wall again but not sure which part. The Forbidden City.........chose not to on our adoption trips. Would love a banquet at the summer Palace. It was a highlight in 2001 and I never got to explore there and wanted to. Will take the girls to the acrobats one night for fun.
The rest we will see. I am hoping we hook up with some of the other volunteers because it is always nice to do that.
So the wheels are turning. I am happy to be fulfilling the promise we made to China to bring the girls back one day.
It is a debt long overdue and we are ready now.
I am hoping it is not too cold in Beijing. I hate the cold which is why we moved to the west coast.
Excepting this year it is supposed to be the warmest place in Canada.
Feeling some anxiety about the trip but I am sure that will change as we get closer. Beth and Grace are
a little less tranquil than Isabel and a little harder to entertain. We shall see. Soon I will email Hope Foster Home with
our flight number and arrival times. They will be picking us up at the airport which on the map is not very far away.
I am perusing maps to get an idea of the lay out of Beijing. It would be nice if we could get around some on
our own. Maybe use the subway instead of cabs. Not because of the yuan involved but just to experience some local flavour.
Maybe not...........I am still brain storming.
I had printed our e-tickets and had a heck of a time finding them. What a relief when they turned up in a handy dandy
folder I had started. I am also hoping all the money we have spend on Chinese school all these years will pay off
and the girls will be able to talk to someone or interpret for poor old Mom. Guess we will find out. Isabel could understand
some on last years trip and at the end, sigh, was beginning to feel a little more comfortable trying out her chinese on the locals.
I am hoping we can do some shopping while there. That has never been a favourite pastime of Isabel's so I kept it to a minimum in March 08. Beth and Grace aren't as particular so might enjoy exploring the markets. We will be mindful that
we are on a budget trip and keep it light.
I am going to begin making an itinerary for us. This will depend on what they want us to do at the foster home. I am told we
will be given a detailed assignment so I am pleased about that. So far want to see of course, the Wall again but not sure which part. The Forbidden City.........chose not to on our adoption trips. Would love a banquet at the summer Palace. It was a highlight in 2001 and I never got to explore there and wanted to. Will take the girls to the acrobats one night for fun.
The rest we will see. I am hoping we hook up with some of the other volunteers because it is always nice to do that.
So the wheels are turning. I am happy to be fulfilling the promise we made to China to bring the girls back one day.
It is a debt long overdue and we are ready now.
Wednesday, December 10, 2008
Just so you don't forget.......
Check out the ticker people. Getting pretty darned excited.
As soon as January rolls around I am so going to be on it!!!
I am seriously glad I bought the tickets when I did. You would think with the price of jet fuel going down
prices would have dropped. Not so far. I still got a great deal.
I have no idea where my electronic tickets are!
The visas are easy peasey so no worries there.
Bit nervous about traveling with two girls and will need eyes in the back of my head
to keep a look out for them. Of course, they are old enough to stay near me and to be cautious with
strangers...........but I will still be hyper vigilant.
Have a Blessed and Holy Christmas and stop by our other blogs and check out my wonderful family.
Peace.
As soon as January rolls around I am so going to be on it!!!
I am seriously glad I bought the tickets when I did. You would think with the price of jet fuel going down
prices would have dropped. Not so far. I still got a great deal.
I have no idea where my electronic tickets are!
The visas are easy peasey so no worries there.
Bit nervous about traveling with two girls and will need eyes in the back of my head
to keep a look out for them. Of course, they are old enough to stay near me and to be cautious with
strangers...........but I will still be hyper vigilant.
Have a Blessed and Holy Christmas and stop by our other blogs and check out my wonderful family.
Peace.
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