Thanks so much for visiting us during our journey, Steve, Allison, Sean, Megan, Ryan and Katelyn!
June 26, 2008
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined
to meet regardless of time, place or circumstance.
The thread may stretch or tangle, but will never break.
-An Ancient Chinese Belief
Today Katelyn Hua came a bit more out of her shell. She turned on the television and changed the channel to a symphony / opera performance...she seems to like music. She enjoyed playing with the computer while a local CD of Chinese music was playing. While viewing our webcam from home she saw Megan and said "jei jei" (sister) with a great big smile (that must of made Megans day).
We went to the Nanning Zoo this morning, which is really a combination amusement park with rides, circus acts, and animal displays. The Russian Dance Troupe was cool (yes, we flew all the way to China to see a Russian Dance Troupe), and the Chinese acrobats on three spinning wheels defied gravity and were thrilling. The second show with dancing seals and jumping dolphins was neat as well. On the walk between shows we passed by pen of white bunny rabbits, and one jumped out of the fence to see Katie in her stroller....much to our surprise she totally freaked out and screamed (which drew the bunny even closer)! Her fear of animals is evident, especially big, nasty, white fuzzy bunnies (Easter could be a problem). We now know to slowly and carefully introduce her to our two dogs. The one good from the scary bunny incident is that she instantly bonded with Dad to defend her from the evil white fuzzy bunnies!
Katie was more interactive this afternoon, and almost smiled a few times and spoke a few very quiet words....she doesn't seem to be sad anymore, but not quite willing to allow an expression of enjoyment be witnessed. She continues to observe Sean's every move, and still question Dad's moves...silly dancing didn't create a smile...more of the look of embarrassment (by looking at Sean and thinking "is this really our Dad?) ! We spent some time walking around the hotel property and public plaza next door. The Best Western Premiere Red Forest Hotel has been fantastic. It’s a convention/business meeting hotel (we seem to be the only family and in casual "tourist" attire) next to a governmental meeting hall and across the street from the Expo Center. Needless to say all the staff now know us and have been wonderful to us. This week there has been many big government meetings with lots of security (Allison and Sean were watched while sitting on the steps of the plaza by the police...obviously of questionable character...so they moved on to lower the alert level below orange), and even a band with a display of dancing dragons and dogs by a troupe of men. The hotel has lush flower gardens and an outdoor deck with a fish pond that sneaks under glass panels on the deck.
Katie has been looking at a photo album from her best friend from the orphanage (she was adopted by a family in Pennsylvania a few months ago and we have been in touch with them). Our guide explained to her how her friend was also adopted, is very happy, and that the two mom's talk to each other. Katie smiled hearing this news and seemed very excited about it.
Sean Says:
Today was very nice. We went to the Nanning Zoo and saw 2 cool performances. One was a Russian Dance Troupe and the second was a dolphin performance. A couple of Chinese people asked to have their picture taken with me (and Dad), but they were polite about it (I felt famous like a Hollywood star). When I'm playing my Nintendo in the hotel room I feel like I'm being watched...oh ya, I am being watched, by Katie!!
