It's a Wrap!

Sunday, July 3
We have been home for just about 24 hours and this trip already seems like something we dreamed. Honestly, I had such low expectations - at least in terms of how much fun it would be. I was thinking more along the lines of forced march - but was pleasantly surprised at every turn. It was SO. MUCH. FUN. It was the trip of a lifetime. Yes, I missed home after two weeks, but we just felt that we were in the "China groove" and it was truly hard to leave. 

I had to ask myself - what are the "takeaways"? 

Here are a few things I will miss about China. 
1. The people. Sure - there are tons of people who stare at us but there were many more who embraced us - and more importantly, embraced our girls - in particular their hometowns and even more in particular - their orphanages. It makes my heart sing that both SF and FS received such warm welcomes at their orphanages and were allowed to hang out with the kids who are still there. 

2. The miracles. I think our biggest miracle was Sophie the Wonder Guide. I don't know how we got lucky enough to have her path cross ours at just the right moment, but we are forever grateful. Sophie not only helped us traverse the language and cultural barriers within China, but she wrapped her arms around our family and showed us the beautiful, warm, kind, loving side of China. We not only had adventures with her - we had FUN! Sophie made the people of China actual people. She did more than translate - she let us into their lives. Other miracles - that FS's orphanage will move at the end of this year. If we hadn't traveled this summer - we would have been too late. Another miracle - the people of Nanping, who wrapped their love around SF in such a tangible way.

3. The other travel families. We had to part with our other travel families several times during our trip, but we always had a reunion to look forward to. It can be tough being on your own as a family - but every time we returned to the fold, we were welcomed back and could always count on laughs and entertainment. I know that my girls benefited tremendously from knowing that other girls were walking in their shoes simultaneously.

4. I am so proud of my girls. Even though they had their moments of teen attitude, overall they were good global citizens. They were polite to everyone (except Tony and me), and absolutely shined during their orphanage visits. It's HARD to have a bright hot spotlight shined on you at 14 years old - especially as a returned orphan. Can you imagine? Yet both rose to the occasion and really enjoyed their opportunities to interact with staff members and special needs babies and toddlers. Maybe my proudest moment? When Sophie the Wonder Guide told the Maonan staff at lunch that they didn't need to order special food for my girls because "they're good - they try everything." (And left the forks untouched.) I'm also proud of them because even though they complained about typical teenage things, they knew when NOT to complain. And I'm also proud that they looked after one another, despite being in each other's laps the entire time. They giggled their way through at least 75% of our outings and only had one quasi-physical-hilarious encounter in the lobby of the Garden Hotel in Guangzhou when FS tried to kick SF - repeatedly. 

5. Just "China." While the people were amazing, the country is staggering - in its breadth, its history, and its beauty. We can't believe that we had previously traveled to China twice but stayed in only two cities! I feel that this is like saying I visited the U.S. but only visited Miami and Atlanta. NOT a bad representation - but not a thorough one. And while we are still only scratching the surface of China, we got to scratch a lot MORE of the surface!

6. I want to go back. In my head, I was thinking, "this is my last trip to China." But after this trip? I am ready, willing, and able to go back. I love China and I already miss it!

Okay, and just for snicks, what makes me happiest about being home?
1. Having access to more than 5 outfits. I walked into my closet last night and just stopped to stare at my SHOES. I have been wearing one pair of shoes and one pair of sandals for over two weeks. We won't even go into the clothes. Today I got to choose ANYTHING I WANTED! So appreciative!

2. Unfettered internet access. Rather than spending 20 minutes trying to get Wifi access AND VPN access to maneuver around Chinese firewalls (okay and then asking Tony to make the VPN work for me), all I had to do today was turn on my computer and type a url. It's ridiculous how easy this blog post is compared with how difficult it has been over the past few weeks.

3. Food other than Chinese food. I have always said that I could eat Chinese food every day. I was wrong. Two weeks is enough. I adore dumplings, buns, rice, and noodles, but I need a break! Today I planned the menu for the coming week and, just this once, there will NOT be an Asian night. 

4. Working my way back to a normal day/night schedule. As predicted, just as I was becoming accustomed to a 12-hour time flip - it was time to flip back. Somehow, though, this time feels "right." To me at least. I'm glad to be back on the same clock as 99% of my friends. 

Thanks for reading my ramblings over the past few weeks. Honestly, I am still processing this trip. What I anticipated to be a forced march ended up being a heartfelt stroll through one of my favorite places on earth. 

Thank you, China. 

A Couple of Maoming Miracles

Friday, July 1

Several things came as a shock to us this morning - first we can't seem to fathom that it's actually our last full day here in China and second - that it's July. We have no idea how either of those things happened.

We had a pretty good night last night and a decent sleep in - 6:45 for me. After two cold showers yesterday, I broke into the girls' room and positively luxuriated in a long hot shower. Breakfast buffets are getting incredibly old at this point. And because we were in Maoming instead of, say, Guangzhou, there were no handy labels to tell us what 90% of the unrecognizable food was. So we stuck with our standard fare - pork buns, noodles, eggs, sticky rice, etc. 

We met Sophie and Mr. Chen at 9:20 to make the short car ride to Maonan Social Welfare Institute. I knew, as soon as we pulled up, that it was indeed the same orphanage Flying Sparrow had occupied for two years. I had been convinced by the rumors that I had heard previously that the building had been torn down and the orphanage moved. I am so happy to be wrong. It was a wonderful feeling to be able to bring FS back and see her standing in front of the gate.

 

(FS in front of Maonan SWI with the Director who was there when FS lived there - and with the new Director who will take over when the orphanage moves at the end of the year.)

Apparently the Civil Affairs office just faxed over our visitation paperwork this morning, so they weren't 100% prepared, but we still had some nice surprises in store since Sophie had been using WeChat to let the Director know that we were coming. 

The second great piece of news was that not one (as I had hoped) but TWO of the caretakers remembered SF and gave her multiple big hugs. The caretakers are just sweet, sweet people. Like Nanping SWI, Maonan is now 100% special needs children. I was told today that there is now a waiting list for domestic adoptions of non-special needs children. I guess this explains why the international adoptions have slowed so drastically.

 

(FS with one of her original caretakers from way back in 2003-2005. She kept telling FS how pretty she is.)

We were able to ask some questions and view SF's official file as well as take some photos of the early photos they have of her. And, importantly, we are able to confirm that her name is "little flying bird" or "flying sparrow."

 

(Never before seen - by us - photo of Flying Sparrow. Instant treasure! She still makes that exact face to this day!)

Next we took a tour of the orphanage and were able to see the rooms that FS slept and played in - and take a few photos. Then we went to visit the other children at the orphanage - currently about 60. It always takes the girls a few minutes to warm up to babies and toddlers they don't know but then they make eye contact with one and end up scooping then up. 

 

FS was even talking about taking part in a orphanage volunteer trip when she's older - but changed her mind when she came to the realization that diaper changing would be on her task list. The babies were very sweet and I just have to shake my head at how much all four of mine have grown. And although these children are no longer with their families, I am glad they have the sweet amahs to give them love and attention. 

During our visit, the staff did their best to make FS feel very welcome and even presented her with a lovely gift - a carved chop with her Chinese name carved on it - made from some type of large local nut. They also gave her about 100 lychees, of which she has already eaten many.

After our visit, we went to lunch with staff members and had another outstanding meal at which I tried some local specialties such as "beach duck" (fairly convinced this was seagull), squid (really delicious), octopus, and braised spare ribs - among at least another dozen dishes. For a picky eater, I have upped my game. I was really proud of the girls when Sophie told the orphanage director that the girls "try everything." Apparently some American adoptees have come back and refused to try even one dish. I'm also happy to report that ALL FOUR of us were presented with forks, but that we all politely declined and did quite well with our chopsticks. 

After lunch, we said goodbye to the orphanage staff and proceeded to FS's finding place - which a few days ago - I didn't

realize had been recorded. Another minor miracle. We were able to find out a few more important details about how she came to the orphanage that are worth gold to us. 

 

(Flying Sparrow finds her finding place.)

We rolled out of Maoming at around 2 and began the long drive back to Guangzhou. Fortunately we had the indefatigable Mr. Chen at the wheel - as we encountered two fairly interesting weather systems and some pretty bad traffic during our five-hour drive. At about 7, we rolled into The Garden Hotel. It's SO weird to be in Guangzhou and not at the White Swan - but Sophie informed us that The Garden is now where most adopting American families stay as the Consulate is nearby. And boy was she right - during check in we saw at least a dozen newly adopting families. What great memories for us! The hotel and our rooms are gorgeous and we're enjoying one last very comfortable stay before we begin our trek home.

 

Here's the star of the day today, enjoying drinking water from a wine glass at dinner. Please note the similarity of this face to the photo of her as a toddler, above.

Last night in China - I can't believe it. We are all equal parts elation and depression. Hoping that tomorrow goes smoothly and we get home without major bumps or delays.