A few hours to go

We went out shopping yesterday afternoon. We are near a high end shopping mall. We walked through but our guide and another couple from NC were with us & I didn't really want to shop. I think I will try to look at their children's clothes and maybe a nice piece of jade for each of the girls. A longer momento of the trip here.

Our emotions run high but what Alison is feeling is off the charts. She has gone from really wanting to come to China to just going home. She is soooo homesick. She misses her family. She misses her home. She is very nervous about visiting Zhu Hai. Our guide told us yesterday that she called and we have permission to visit. A total answer to prayer! Alison is the first adoptee to come back to Zhu Hai (I think). She is so worried that she won't be able to talk and be understood or that she won't understand them. China TV doesn't help that because they broadcast so many different programs in various languages. She was watching a show last night and trying to decipher what was being said and you could see she was frustrated. Then I heard the equivalent of "HI!" and I said... that is Japanese!!!!!

Anyway, as I expected the sights and smells do bother her. We passed a blind man & a woman hunched over who were beggers outside the mall and she was so upset. But, on the good side, we are getting hugs galore. I have had no doubts for well over a year that she was well bonded but this is absoute evidence. She told me today that she does not ever want to come back to China, even for a visit. I hope she doesn't keep that attitude. As with every large city, the rich and poor intermingle. Our suburban, pre-teen has lead a sheltered life. Just another lesson we ned to work on.

The other WACAP family we are with is adopting a 3 1/2 year old. She is SN... a premie. They have waited the same as we have only a year. They have three children at home 11, 8, 5 and wanted to give a home to another child in need. Encouraging to others who may go special needs.

I will write more later this evening once Emma is here. We fell asleep at 4:30 yesterday afternoon and slept until 2AM & then called home. We went back to bed about 4 AM and got up at 8 for breakfast. That is always my favorite meal. We went to McDonalds yesterday & I don't like the oil the fries are cooked in. My grilled chicken was awful. It tasted like a bad fried tenderloin.

More later... Brenda is in search of Mountain Dew!@