This blog began as a place to share Shaling's journey from rice in China to popcorn in Illinois. However, it has evolved to include all sorts of happenings in the Reynolds family.
Tuesday, January 4, 2011
Believe it or not, this is Gum, not Tylenol
This is how they package chewing gum in China. This is the strawberry flavor. It says "Wrigley's" in tiny little letters, but says "Extra" in large letters. Then, it says "Xylitol" in somewhat large letters. Furthermore, it comes out of the bottle in long white capsule form. To tell a story on myself, I thought my social worker was being overly cautious during our home study when she made us install a medicine cabinet in our master bathroom. I had my medicines neatly stacked in a basket organizer on my bathroom counter. My attitude was that I was getting an older child that was going to not be allowed in *my* bathroom. I wasn't getting a toddler. However, I obliged, as I was basically doing whatever I was told at that point so that I could get my daughter. Now that I've seen the way chewing gum is packaged and sold, I entirely understand why even an older child might mistake medicine for gum.
Shaling is on her way to becoming an American
Today was our U.S. Consulate appointment. There were approximately 34 adopting families. We all stood up at once and took an oath that all of the information we have provided to the U.S. government about our child thus far is true and correct to the best of our knowledge and ability. Then, we got called to a window where a U.S. Consulate officer processed the paperwork that will make Shaling a U.S. citizen. Because of her age, Shaling was allowed to sign the paperwork herself. Because she knew what she was signing, we felt like this gave her some ownership in the process.
This process will complete when we get to U.S. Customs at O'Hare International Airport on Friday. We have to present the customs officer with a sealed brown envelope that will contain all of her paperwork. They will then complete the process of her becoming a U.S. citizen. We should receive her citizenship certificate in the mail within 45 days of arriving home.
We do have long term plans to "re-adopt" her in America at some point, because this will provide her with a U.S. issued birth certificate, making her life easier down the road.
There were NO electronics allowed at all, so we have no pictures from today. We did some light souvenir shopping today and ate supper at Lucy's with Ben & Sheri from Texas. They are adopting their 3rd Chinese child, an adorable little boy name Xiao-Xiao ("Ben"). I think he is 4-years-old. They have their 11-year-old son, Davey, with them. Their other two Chinese children are little girls who stayed home with Grandma & Grandpa. They have 6 other kids as well, for a total of 10. The oldest is 28-years-old.
Tomorrow is our visit to the Safari Park. Thursday, we get Shaling's visa and then take the train to Hong Kong, where we'll check into the Marriott by the Hong Kong airport. Friday morning, we'll fly home. Though we take off at 11:25 a.m., that equates to 9:25 Thursday evening for those of you in Illinois.
This process will complete when we get to U.S. Customs at O'Hare International Airport on Friday. We have to present the customs officer with a sealed brown envelope that will contain all of her paperwork. They will then complete the process of her becoming a U.S. citizen. We should receive her citizenship certificate in the mail within 45 days of arriving home.
We do have long term plans to "re-adopt" her in America at some point, because this will provide her with a U.S. issued birth certificate, making her life easier down the road.
There were NO electronics allowed at all, so we have no pictures from today. We did some light souvenir shopping today and ate supper at Lucy's with Ben & Sheri from Texas. They are adopting their 3rd Chinese child, an adorable little boy name Xiao-Xiao ("Ben"). I think he is 4-years-old. They have their 11-year-old son, Davey, with them. Their other two Chinese children are little girls who stayed home with Grandma & Grandpa. They have 6 other kids as well, for a total of 10. The oldest is 28-years-old.
Tomorrow is our visit to the Safari Park. Thursday, we get Shaling's visa and then take the train to Hong Kong, where we'll check into the Marriott by the Hong Kong airport. Friday morning, we'll fly home. Though we take off at 11:25 a.m., that equates to 9:25 Thursday evening for those of you in Illinois.
Monday, January 3, 2011
Pictures at the White Swan Hotel
The White Swan Hotel is the most famous and popular hotel here on Shamian Island in Guangzhou. It is know to be very accommodating to international guests. It has also hosted Queen Elizabeth II and President Bush. It is a bit luxurious and was definitely out of our price range for this trip. However, it is only 3 blocks away from us and we stopped by to take some pictures, especially some pictures on one of their well-known red couches.
Natalie & Shaling pose in front of the waterfall & giant Christmas tree.
This ship is made entirely of jade.
This temple is also made entirely of jade.
Preston & Shaling on the red couch.
Natalie & Shaling on the red couch.
Preston shows off his Chinese pajamas, with the Pearl River in the background.
Natalie & Shaling pose in front of the waterfall & giant Christmas tree.
This ship is made entirely of jade.
This temple is also made entirely of jade.
Preston & Shaling on the red couch.
Natalie & Shaling on the red couch.
Preston shows off his Chinese pajamas, with the Pearl River in the background.
Pearl River Dinner Cruise
Last night, we went on a dinner cruise along the Pearl River. Yesterday was our coldest day (and very rainy too), so we were glad we were able to be indoors. Here are some pictures and videos of our experience:
Shaling eats a chicken claw.
Brock tries to eat a duck claw, but doesn't care for it.
Shaling took a picture of her dad & brother.
She took one of her mother too.
Then she wanted her picture taken.
She wanted to show you our table number.
Mom (the klutz) spilled some hot tea. Shaling started saying "cat, cat"...
One of the many beautiful ships we passed. I had to quit taking pictures, because my camera isn't the best at night anyway, and it started to rain again.
The clown that entertained the kids.
Brock took some videos of the excursion. The first two are ones he took from the outside deck. The third one is of the dinner buffet.
Shaling eats a chicken claw.
Brock tries to eat a duck claw, but doesn't care for it.
Shaling took a picture of her dad & brother.
She took one of her mother too.
Then she wanted her picture taken.
She wanted to show you our table number.
Mom (the klutz) spilled some hot tea. Shaling started saying "cat, cat"...
One of the many beautiful ships we passed. I had to quit taking pictures, because my camera isn't the best at night anyway, and it started to rain again.
The clown that entertained the kids.
Brock took some videos of the excursion. The first two are ones he took from the outside deck. The third one is of the dinner buffet.
Sunday, January 2, 2011
Checking Out the Local Area
Today we wandered off the beaten path to a busy market street about eight blocks away or so. Brock took a couple of videos of the scenery along the way:
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