Ni Hao, to everyone! Today was a day with nothing planned, at least from our end. Jason woke me up a little after 7:00am. Arisson got up around 7:45am or so. The usual morning routine...I get myself ready, then I get Arisson ready. Ooops, I think Jason was the one that actually got her ready today. By the time we got down to breakfast, Bob and Bill had already left for the meeting at the US Consulate. This is the most stressful part of the trip, according to Bob. Apparently the United States are a little more particular with the paperwork. After breakfast, Arisson and I walked with Jason, so he could get some coffee from Starbucks. We walked back to the room, and Arisson and I waited for Lisa and Angelina to come. Jason needs to do some stuff for work, so he was going to stay in the room to wait for any phone calls from Bob and Bill, if they were to have questions with our paperwork. I took my cell phone in case Jason needed to call me and ask me a question. Arisson and I were going to Starbucks and shopping with the Sobecki ladies.
Starbucks was awesome. I had a caffe' mocha and a blueberry muffin. Arisson played on the floor while I got a caffeine fix. I will probably be running until Saturday now. After Starbucks, the ladies went to do some shopping. We stopped in Jordan's. Jordan is a man that Jason and I saw in the park a few days ago. He asked us how our baby was today, and then in the next breath he said he had a store, and we needed to come see where it was. We were about to leave on the Zoo trip, so we said we would come on another day. Jason and I went last night after dinner. I loved his store, so I told him I would be back today. I did a lot of shopping. Jordan speaks wonderful English and I really enjoyed our conversation. He asked if Lisa and I were sisters. I said that we were Sisters in Christ. His jaw dropped and he said "I am a Christian!" He then shook our hands the American way. He said in America, they like to hug, in China they don't like to hug, they shake hands. We talked for quite awhile, and then we moved on.
After doing a little more shopping, Arisson and I returned to our room. She was due for a bottle. While we were talking with Lisa, Bob and Bill showed up at our door and announced that we would all be traveling home as scheduled. That means that the family that had an issue was also going to be able to go home. Thank you God for answered prayers! Jason, Lisa, and I waited outside the family's door to see their expression when they were told that all was good. They are breathing a lot easier now. I was a little leery about shopping, because if they were going to have to stay on, we were going to give them money to help them out. When I realized that they didn't need our money, I loaded Arisson up and we went out and shopped some more. I was trying on some clothes, and Arisson, who doesn't like to sit in a stroller, was crying. Some of the girls were trying to calm her and they were holding her. I really didn't feel comfortable with them holding her, so I was hurrying as fast as I could. As long as I could hear her crying, I at least knew where she was. Jason finally arrived on the shopping scene after he finished his work, and he was able to calm Arisson down. We shopped a little longer, then it was time to get Arisson back for a nap.
We laid her down for a nap. Jason went out for some lunch, and I read my book. Good news - I finished it so now I have about a quarter of a pound more room in our suitcase. Jason and I have been going through some stuff, trying to figure out what can be left behind so we don't go over our weight restrictions on the plane. When I walked in this morning with my shopping bags, Jason was asking me how I was planning on getting it all home. We will just have to make it work or pay a fine.
Arisson took a long nap, and then we just hung out in the room. Tonight we are going to eat at the White Swan, which is a very nice hotel on the Island. The kids will be dressing up in their traditional Chinese clothes and pose for the traditional red couch picture. I don't have too high of hopes for that, but we shall see.
Later: We just got back from the White Swan. The Red couch picture was for the most part fine except for the girl in purple, who happened to be Arisson. If video was taken, it will be fine, since she was just crying and trying to get out of the picture. It was pure chaos. We stayed for a buffet dinner. Buffets and babies = bust, as far as I am concerned. I had to have Jason cut my meat, and peel my shrimp, and grab this and that for me since I had a wee one on my lap. Arisson kept trying to flip my plate. Chaos. I did try some things I have never had before, like escargot, and some different kinds of sushi. The bill came to 719rmb, which is a little over $100USD. The buffet was good, but not worth the money paid. I did have some delicious papaya that was delicious. I am feeling a little miserable right now.
Well, I guess it is ladies night for the foot massage, so I guess I will go. I am actually full, and tired and really want to pass, but when will I get another one this cheap??? Two nights left. I am really ready to go home. I keep forgetting to mention for those who haven't seen it...we had a video clip put on March 31st's entry at Gotcha. Check it out. I am missing my kids at home. We will be home very soon!
Three things I am missing now:
1. Routine
2. My hand held Yahtzee game
3. My van |
