i was so tired last night, that I just couldnt keep typing. I'll add more now, and then again later after we meet Holly.
Still a little jet laggy, but, we all took some sleep meds last night, and pretty much slept like a rock, which is a good thing, because that's the closest description to the beds here in China. It's better than Changsha was back in 2003 when I went there to bring Myleigh home, because the White Rose puts down mattress pads on the beds. They aren't terribly thick, but, it's better than without them.
The weather isn't as rainy today, mostly just a lot of fog, and I mean, can't see much of the city and the sun just barely able to glint through kind of fog. There's a breeze, so, maybe it will clean some of it out. It's not a nice clean fog either. We met another couple at breakfast this morning who are here adopting a little one. They're from Arizona. Tim was talking with the dad at the buffet, and he said they had gone for a walk yesterday, and were only out a couple of hours, and had to wash their clothes when they got back from the dirty air. yuck. Don't think we'll be doing much wandering around.
The food is good. Tim tried a fruit on the buffet called "poochee" emphasis on the "chee'. Im guessing on the spelling. He really liked it. Tasted like a cross between a soft apple and coconut.
Yes girls, Dad is enjoyng the buffet experience just like he did in Cancun. Only four trips this morning, but, he wasn't very hungry today.
We meet Eric in the lobby in an hour, and will also be meeting the other couple that are adopting today. There are at least four adopting families in he hotel, possibly more. The couple we met this morning from Arizona has a little boy looked about a year old. There was also an older woman with her much older mom, with a little girl about Myleigh's age. She didn't appear to be too keen on the much older woman who I am thinking is her new grandmother.
Matthew is homesick, but, I think he'll have less time to think about that when he is busy playing with his new sister. He just announced what time it was, so, I think he's anxious to get going. I think we're as prepared as we can be. I have a backpack all packed for Holly. It's a toddler size disney princess backpack, and I put a box of raisins, some toddler treats, a water bottle with fresh drinking water, a coloring book and crayons, a necklace that lights up, some bubbles, and a new stuffed animal, patch from 101 dalmations.
I just want to be prepared but, don't want to overwhelm her with a bunch of stuff right away.
I can read posts that are sent through both my blog and directly to my yahoo address teresaa40@yahoo.com but can only reply to the yahoo emails as blogger is blocked in China. I will save all the posts for blogger til I get back, and then post them. so, if you don't see your post on my blog, it's because of that. I'll be putting some pictures on my blog later today.
Sunday, January 31, 2010
24 HOURS OF FUN
We left home at about 3:30 in the afternoon on Friday Jan 29th. On the way, we nearly were in a terrible accident on the freeway. Not sure what started it, but, a chain reaction of cars slamming on their brakes, followed by Tim slamming on the brakes on the Subaru, which only served to cause us to lock up our brakes and squeal rubber with really not much for braking, then, when we just about slammed into the car in front of us, Tim swerved into the lane next to us, which was empty, except for a car hauler semi that decided right at that moment that he wanted that lane too, and he had to swerve to miss us. In the end, there was a lot of rubber left behind, but, we survived, and were able to continue to the airport.
We were still pretty shook up for a while after that, and just got through security and the check in process fairly distracted. Once we were settled waiting for our first flight, we had a chance to think about what happened, and what came of it was that there was this lady in a big ole sedan, when we passed the cars that had slammed on their brakes, and she was swerving around in her lane, because she was far too busy screaming and motioning at a pickup truck in the lane two lanes over from her. We think she was screaming over somthing either he actually did, or she decided he did, and she didn't much care what affect she was having on everyone else's lives.
anyway, we made that flight ok, and went onto LAX for what should have been a smooth connection. Everything about the terminal for international departures has changed since I passed through it 6 years ago, and it was more of a cattle call than a terminal check point. Once we finally got through that, we were walking out to board the plane, and were met with a bus instead. We all, the entire plane load of people, piled into this long bus, and were shuttled to the whole other side of the airport, by a manic driver not seeming to be aware that there were people hanging onto straps and balancing carryon's and children as he went careening around the airport.
We get to the terminal and have to walk up ramp after ramp, and finally, we board the China Southern flight. Fourteen hours later, and a bit worse for wear, we decided that if we could upgrade from economy we definitely will.
We then connected much easier, go figure that China has it all together when LAX cannot seem to manage it, and flew easily to Wuhan, and again, smoothly through the exit process. Our guide, Eric, yes he's Chinese, who studied English at the local University, swept us out to a van, and off we went through the city of Wuhan, crossing the Yangze river on the way. Our hotel , the White Rose, is very nice, but, the room is smaller than we were anticipating, We may or may not change rooms tomorrow.
It's raining here in Wuhan, and you can't see much for the low clouds and humidity fog. We're all off to sleep now, tomorrow will be a big day.
Teri (50) in Utah, dh Tim (51)
Seven homegrown kids John 32, Jessica 28, James 23, Katie 20, Minuet 18,and Matthew 14, Myleigh YiXin 7 years old,and our sweet Nick who passed away far too soon at the tender age of 20 years old.
In China bringing home Huang FuJun/soon to be Holly Jun Nicole, 5 years old.
We were still pretty shook up for a while after that, and just got through security and the check in process fairly distracted. Once we were settled waiting for our first flight, we had a chance to think about what happened, and what came of it was that there was this lady in a big ole sedan, when we passed the cars that had slammed on their brakes, and she was swerving around in her lane, because she was far too busy screaming and motioning at a pickup truck in the lane two lanes over from her. We think she was screaming over somthing either he actually did, or she decided he did, and she didn't much care what affect she was having on everyone else's lives.
anyway, we made that flight ok, and went onto LAX for what should have been a smooth connection. Everything about the terminal for international departures has changed since I passed through it 6 years ago, and it was more of a cattle call than a terminal check point. Once we finally got through that, we were walking out to board the plane, and were met with a bus instead. We all, the entire plane load of people, piled into this long bus, and were shuttled to the whole other side of the airport, by a manic driver not seeming to be aware that there were people hanging onto straps and balancing carryon's and children as he went careening around the airport.
We get to the terminal and have to walk up ramp after ramp, and finally, we board the China Southern flight. Fourteen hours later, and a bit worse for wear, we decided that if we could upgrade from economy we definitely will.
We then connected much easier, go figure that China has it all together when LAX cannot seem to manage it, and flew easily to Wuhan, and again, smoothly through the exit process. Our guide, Eric, yes he's Chinese, who studied English at the local University, swept us out to a van, and off we went through the city of Wuhan, crossing the Yangze river on the way. Our hotel , the White Rose, is very nice, but, the room is smaller than we were anticipating, We may or may not change rooms tomorrow.
It's raining here in Wuhan, and you can't see much for the low clouds and humidity fog. We're all off to sleep now, tomorrow will be a big day.
Teri (50) in Utah, dh Tim (51)
Seven homegrown kids John 32, Jessica 28, James 23, Katie 20, Minuet 18,and Matthew 14, Myleigh YiXin 7 years old,and our sweet Nick who passed away far too soon at the tender age of 20 years old.
In China bringing home Huang FuJun/soon to be Holly Jun Nicole, 5 years old.
Saturday, January 30, 2010
We are in China!!!
Will post more later, but, wanted to let everyone know that we arrived ok, and are safely and snugly inhabiting the White Rose hotel in Wuhan.
We are set to go to the civil affairs office tomorrow morning to meet Holly.
Yes, I;m getting nervous.
Teri (50) in Utah, dh Tim (51)
Seven homegrown kids John 32, Jessica 28, James 23, Katie 20, Minuet 18,and Matthew 14, Myleigh YiXin 7 years old,and our sweet Nick who passed away far too soon at the tender age of 20 years old.
In China bringing home Huang FuJun/soon to be Holly Jun Nicole, 5 years old.
We are set to go to the civil affairs office tomorrow morning to meet Holly.
Yes, I;m getting nervous.
Teri (50) in Utah, dh Tim (51)
Seven homegrown kids John 32, Jessica 28, James 23, Katie 20, Minuet 18,and Matthew 14, Myleigh YiXin 7 years old,and our sweet Nick who passed away far too soon at the tender age of 20 years old.
In China bringing home Huang FuJun/soon to be Holly Jun Nicole, 5 years old.
Friday, January 29, 2010
We leave in two and a half hours!!
Our bags are all packed, weights are all double checked to be under the luggage weight limit, everything we'll need during the trip is strategically packed for easy access. Our passports and out and ready. Flights were re-confirmed.
We will be heading out at about 3:30pm, right after Myleigh gets home from school so we can say goodbye to her. I wish James was here last night or even this morning to say goodbye.
Our flight leaves Salt Lake City at 7:47 pm, and then it's onto Los Angeles for an 11:50 flight on China Southern airlines to Guangzhou, China. We'll arrive there at 5:50 am China time on Sunday, but it will be more like early afternoon Saturday for us. Yawn.
Holly here we come!!!
We will be heading out at about 3:30pm, right after Myleigh gets home from school so we can say goodbye to her. I wish James was here last night or even this morning to say goodbye.
Our flight leaves Salt Lake City at 7:47 pm, and then it's onto Los Angeles for an 11:50 flight on China Southern airlines to Guangzhou, China. We'll arrive there at 5:50 am China time on Sunday, but it will be more like early afternoon Saturday for us. Yawn.
Holly here we come!!!
Wednesday, January 27, 2010
weather
Well, the weather will be fabulous for our travel days, right up until we get to Wuhan. It's going to be rainy and in the upper 40's lower 50's all week long. sigh
Ah well, there's a great indoor pool, and fitness center we can use. Maybe we'll get wet, maybe not. Maybe we'll bring some umbrellas.
Once we get to Guangzhou, it's going to be in the 70's and a little rainy here and there, but, the rest of the week is looking very nice. That's good, cause we'll be there for a week.
Ah well, there's a great indoor pool, and fitness center we can use. Maybe we'll get wet, maybe not. Maybe we'll bring some umbrellas.
Once we get to Guangzhou, it's going to be in the 70's and a little rainy here and there, but, the rest of the week is looking very nice. That's good, cause we'll be there for a week.
Details, details
Today is all about confirmations and tieing up loose ends. We have confirmed with our credit card companies that we will be using the cards in China for two weeks, so they don't block our accounts for unusual usage.
I contacted China Southern airlines and confirmed our flights, and asked that we have all seats together. She said that seat assignments are made at 7:30 the night of our flight, but, we don't get into LAX until 9pm, so, she put a note on our reservations to have all seats together. I hope that at least Matthew and I sit together. I'll go into mother bear mode if they try to seperate us.
I'm having my hair trimmed so it is healthy for such a long trip in poor air conditions, both on our flights and in China. Plus, Tim and I need two more passport photos for our in-province paperwork. We'll get those done while we're out looking for a substitute wedding ring for me to wear in China. The diamond in my wedding set is in need of retipping on the setting, so, to avoid possibly losing it on the trip, I will be dropping it off at the jeweler and wearing the fake for the trip.
Im nearly packed, just have to finish up tomorrow. I still have some things to get for Mindy for her ballroom competition, since I won't be here to pick them up. She and Katie both compete this weekend and next, and while I am disappointed that I will be missing those comps, I would gladly miss anything to bring Holly home.
The weather looks good for our trip over to China. I just hope we don't have any last minute storms to deal with. There's one going through today that is supposed to be long gone by then.
Tonight I speak at a friends Relief Society meeting about how we (there's going to be a panel of women) define ourselves as women in our various lives.
I contacted China Southern airlines and confirmed our flights, and asked that we have all seats together. She said that seat assignments are made at 7:30 the night of our flight, but, we don't get into LAX until 9pm, so, she put a note on our reservations to have all seats together. I hope that at least Matthew and I sit together. I'll go into mother bear mode if they try to seperate us.
I'm having my hair trimmed so it is healthy for such a long trip in poor air conditions, both on our flights and in China. Plus, Tim and I need two more passport photos for our in-province paperwork. We'll get those done while we're out looking for a substitute wedding ring for me to wear in China. The diamond in my wedding set is in need of retipping on the setting, so, to avoid possibly losing it on the trip, I will be dropping it off at the jeweler and wearing the fake for the trip.
Im nearly packed, just have to finish up tomorrow. I still have some things to get for Mindy for her ballroom competition, since I won't be here to pick them up. She and Katie both compete this weekend and next, and while I am disappointed that I will be missing those comps, I would gladly miss anything to bring Holly home.
The weather looks good for our trip over to China. I just hope we don't have any last minute storms to deal with. There's one going through today that is supposed to be long gone by then.
Tonight I speak at a friends Relief Society meeting about how we (there's going to be a panel of women) define ourselves as women in our various lives.
Tuesday, January 26, 2010
Paperwork snafus continue
Even now, at this last minute, there are paperwork snafu's to deal with.
Yesterday, when going thoroughly through our travel paperwork packet sent by the agency, I noticed there were two very important sections not included. A full copy of our dossier, and 5 copies of our passport visa pages. Need those for the very first appointment in China.
So, I contacted the agency and the rep confirmed, " I screwed up." Hmmm.
Anywho, I took care of it all myself, as per usual.
Back on track, and all systems go.
Yesterday, when going thoroughly through our travel paperwork packet sent by the agency, I noticed there were two very important sections not included. A full copy of our dossier, and 5 copies of our passport visa pages. Need those for the very first appointment in China.
So, I contacted the agency and the rep confirmed, " I screwed up." Hmmm.
Anywho, I took care of it all myself, as per usual.
Back on track, and all systems go.
Sunday, January 24, 2010
Last day at work before FMLA
Today is my last day at work until after I come off FMLA. Eight glorious weeks just being with my new little girl and helping her adjust to a new language, a new home, a new life. We know she has been learning some words in English from the TV in the orphanage, and Huangshi is pretty good at preparing the little ones for the transition, but, she is still only five years old, and will likely have a tough time not being able to freely communicate with us, or anyone else for that matter.
We'll have the picture book I made for her, so she can continue to point to pictures and learn the words for those pictures over time, but, at least she can tell us when she is hungry, or sleepy, or needs to use the bathroom, or feels sad, or angry.
Tomorrow morning I will lay all the partially packed suitcases on the bed, and on the bedroom floor, and organize them, get them completely packed, except for last minute items, and check their final weight. Anything that causes us to go over the 45 lb limit for in-China will be jetisoned.
I'm starting to feel more and more nervous as the trip looms closer. With a baby, the transition would be so much easier, because they really don't have a solid concept yet of what it all means. Myleigh adapted pretty quickly and after a day of being somewhat shut down, she just opened up and relaxed. With Holly being 5 years old, she will clearly understand that we are strangers and she is being taken away from everything and everyone she has ever known. I wonder how much preparation you can even expect to sink in when they are that age. How much reality does she grasp, and has she built up a fantasy in her mind of how things are going to be, and what we will be like?
I've seen some children her age that were adopted by American's adjust fairly smoothly, just a few tears, but, they really knew what was happening and while they were timid and nervous, they expected to be going far away with these new people. Then I've seen children that rejected one parent or the other, and sometimes both. They reacted violently to the reality that their nannies were leaving and they were not going with them. Holly's reaction could run the gammot and I just hope we're able to help her feel safe and secure, and to know that we aren't scary. I hope Matthew being there will help her know that. Often, having someone else, who is still a child, even if they are American, and a teenager, has a calming effect on them. They get that this is a child, not too unlike them, and they are used to being around older children in the orphanage. They look to them to get a guage for whether this is a good thing or not, and they kind of see them as a safe spot in this new family, where they can be a kid, and play, and just relax.
This time next week, we will have the answers to all of these questions, because we will have her with us, and however it's going to unfold will have already happened.
We'll have the picture book I made for her, so she can continue to point to pictures and learn the words for those pictures over time, but, at least she can tell us when she is hungry, or sleepy, or needs to use the bathroom, or feels sad, or angry.
Tomorrow morning I will lay all the partially packed suitcases on the bed, and on the bedroom floor, and organize them, get them completely packed, except for last minute items, and check their final weight. Anything that causes us to go over the 45 lb limit for in-China will be jetisoned.
I'm starting to feel more and more nervous as the trip looms closer. With a baby, the transition would be so much easier, because they really don't have a solid concept yet of what it all means. Myleigh adapted pretty quickly and after a day of being somewhat shut down, she just opened up and relaxed. With Holly being 5 years old, she will clearly understand that we are strangers and she is being taken away from everything and everyone she has ever known. I wonder how much preparation you can even expect to sink in when they are that age. How much reality does she grasp, and has she built up a fantasy in her mind of how things are going to be, and what we will be like?
I've seen some children her age that were adopted by American's adjust fairly smoothly, just a few tears, but, they really knew what was happening and while they were timid and nervous, they expected to be going far away with these new people. Then I've seen children that rejected one parent or the other, and sometimes both. They reacted violently to the reality that their nannies were leaving and they were not going with them. Holly's reaction could run the gammot and I just hope we're able to help her feel safe and secure, and to know that we aren't scary. I hope Matthew being there will help her know that. Often, having someone else, who is still a child, even if they are American, and a teenager, has a calming effect on them. They get that this is a child, not too unlike them, and they are used to being around older children in the orphanage. They look to them to get a guage for whether this is a good thing or not, and they kind of see them as a safe spot in this new family, where they can be a kid, and play, and just relax.
This time next week, we will have the answers to all of these questions, because we will have her with us, and however it's going to unfold will have already happened.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Details details
I have to remember to have our credit cards cleared for China, get some new cash, have our doctor prescribe a powdered antibiotic for Holly, and one for us, get some modeling clay, set the travel alarm clock for China time, set a watch for US time to have for quick reference, get some M&Ms, cup a soup, cup a noodles, and the other supplies still left on the list.
I need to give our camera , Holly's DS, Matt's DS,and our camcorder a fresh charge. Pack a nice outfit for Holly to wear on adoption day, if she will even allow us to change her clothes that soon.
I need one more BYU mug, and two more nicer gifts for the notary and adoption officials.
While Im at it, I need to get our doctor's email address so we can contact him if we have a problem. Contact our health insurance company to have Holly added to our policy.
Then I just have to finish packing, clean the house, put fresh bedding on our bed for whichever of our grown kids is going to be sleeping in our room, and test all the smoke alarms batteries.
I need to give our camera , Holly's DS, Matt's DS,and our camcorder a fresh charge. Pack a nice outfit for Holly to wear on adoption day, if she will even allow us to change her clothes that soon.
I need one more BYU mug, and two more nicer gifts for the notary and adoption officials.
While Im at it, I need to get our doctor's email address so we can contact him if we have a problem. Contact our health insurance company to have Holly added to our policy.
Then I just have to finish packing, clean the house, put fresh bedding on our bed for whichever of our grown kids is going to be sleeping in our room, and test all the smoke alarms batteries.
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Weather forecast for our trip
Well, it's really getting to be real now. I just checked the weather forecast in Wuhan, and plugged in the 10 day forecast, and there it was, our first day in China, 43' and partly cloudy.
Right now it's averaging between 43 and 56 degrees for daytime highs, which is springlike for us Utahn's. It's averaging 68 to 74 in GZ, so, it's going to be like we left winter and walked right into springtime. Ahhh.
In just eight days we will be on a plane bound for Wuhan. So much to do, so little time.
Right now it's averaging between 43 and 56 degrees for daytime highs, which is springlike for us Utahn's. It's averaging 68 to 74 in GZ, so, it's going to be like we left winter and walked right into springtime. Ahhh.
In just eight days we will be on a plane bound for Wuhan. So much to do, so little time.
Travel conference
Had our travel conference with Josh yesterday. He went over what we can expect during our trip. We will be the only family from SWA in Wuhan, and will have the guide pretty much to ourselves, unless they are working with another agency's family at the same time. He hasn't confirmed our hotel reservation yet, but, expects it will be the White Rose in Wuhan. He is also waiting to hear back from the guide about our request to visit the SWI. Apparently the requests have been getting more and more difficult to have granted, and if we are not given permission from about three or four different bureaucrats we may not be able to visit. That would be sad for Holly, as we hope to be able to take her shopping for a gift to bring on her visit, and believe this will give her some closure that she might not otherwise have. We should hear about this too over the next week.
He also said that we might end up having Holly brought to us on Sunday the 31st, instead of Feb 1st. Apparently, once the SWI finds out the family is going to be in town on a certain day, they just decide to bring the child to their new family on that day. So, we will try to be ready just in case.
We'll have 14 other families between our agency and another agency that is using the same facilitators in GZ. Plus, a third agency has confirmed their families are staying at the Garden hotel with our two agency's families, and it sounds like others are possibly doing the same thing. It will be a very active place to be for that week.
I found out another family is bringing their 15 year old son with them, so, Matthew may have someone his own age to spend some of the time with.
It is shaping up to be a fun trip with so many families, and so many kids of all ages. One family is adopting a 12 year old girl and I imagine other older kids will be part of such a large group of families, so, by the time we get to GZ, Matthew may end up making a lot of new friends.
Im still trying to get clarification on how many checked bags are free on an international flight, and if that includes the domestic leg of the flight. I believe we will be permitted two bags per passenger, and really only want to know so we can bring one extra bag to help out with the overall weight distribution. We may not need it, but, if we do, it will be nice to have.
We're in the homestretch.
He also said that we might end up having Holly brought to us on Sunday the 31st, instead of Feb 1st. Apparently, once the SWI finds out the family is going to be in town on a certain day, they just decide to bring the child to their new family on that day. So, we will try to be ready just in case.
We'll have 14 other families between our agency and another agency that is using the same facilitators in GZ. Plus, a third agency has confirmed their families are staying at the Garden hotel with our two agency's families, and it sounds like others are possibly doing the same thing. It will be a very active place to be for that week.
I found out another family is bringing their 15 year old son with them, so, Matthew may have someone his own age to spend some of the time with.
It is shaping up to be a fun trip with so many families, and so many kids of all ages. One family is adopting a 12 year old girl and I imagine other older kids will be part of such a large group of families, so, by the time we get to GZ, Matthew may end up making a lot of new friends.
Im still trying to get clarification on how many checked bags are free on an international flight, and if that includes the domestic leg of the flight. I believe we will be permitted two bags per passenger, and really only want to know so we can bring one extra bag to help out with the overall weight distribution. We may not need it, but, if we do, it will be nice to have.
We're in the homestretch.
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Itinerary
Here it is:
We leave for Salt Lake airport at about 4pm Jan 29th for our China Southern airlines flight leaving for LAX at 7:47 pm
We have a few hours layover to get checked into our China Southern international flight and maybe grab a bite to eat before we leave at 11:50 pm for Guangzhou. We arrive in Guangzhou (GZ) at 6:50 am China time, Sunday Jan 31st, losing Saturday entirely. We have another couple of hours to make our domestic connection, also on China Southern, at 9:00 am for Wuhan. We arrive there at 10:30 am and check into our hotel.
Monday, Feb 1st we meet Holly and bring her back to our hotel
Tuesday, Feb 2nd we return to the civil affairs office and complete the adoption paperwork.
Wed and Thursday are free days.
Friday, Feb 5th we fly from Wuhan to GZ.
Saturday, Feb 6th will be full of details for Holly's US Visa, including having her picture taken and a medical exam which will involve her having to get all her immunizations all over again and having a TB test.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are free days, except for a trip to have her TB test looked at and if there is any indication of exposure, she will have to have a chest x-ray to rule out TB.
Wednesday, Feb 10th is the day our facilitator goes to the US consulate to complete our request for a Visa for Holly.
Thursday, Feb 11th we bring Holly to the consulate and swear that this is the child we requested. She will be granted a Visa.
Friday, Feb 12th, Holly's Visa will be issued, and we leave GZ at 9pm for LAX on our last China Southern flight.
Friday, Feb 12th- yep, it's still Friday, we arrive at LAX at 5:50 pm, essentially 3 hours before we left China. That day we lost on the way to China we get back in the form of living Friday night all over again. For us, it will be mid to late morning Saturday, but, in the US, it will be evening Friday. We will check into a hotel for some freshening up, some US food, and naps.
Saturday, Feb 13th, we head back to the airport at about 4am, to catch our 6:15 Delta flight to Salt Lake. We will be home by 9:15am.
We leave for Salt Lake airport at about 4pm Jan 29th for our China Southern airlines flight leaving for LAX at 7:47 pm
We have a few hours layover to get checked into our China Southern international flight and maybe grab a bite to eat before we leave at 11:50 pm for Guangzhou. We arrive in Guangzhou (GZ) at 6:50 am China time, Sunday Jan 31st, losing Saturday entirely. We have another couple of hours to make our domestic connection, also on China Southern, at 9:00 am for Wuhan. We arrive there at 10:30 am and check into our hotel.
Monday, Feb 1st we meet Holly and bring her back to our hotel
Tuesday, Feb 2nd we return to the civil affairs office and complete the adoption paperwork.
Wed and Thursday are free days.
Friday, Feb 5th we fly from Wuhan to GZ.
Saturday, Feb 6th will be full of details for Holly's US Visa, including having her picture taken and a medical exam which will involve her having to get all her immunizations all over again and having a TB test.
Sunday, Monday and Tuesday are free days, except for a trip to have her TB test looked at and if there is any indication of exposure, she will have to have a chest x-ray to rule out TB.
Wednesday, Feb 10th is the day our facilitator goes to the US consulate to complete our request for a Visa for Holly.
Thursday, Feb 11th we bring Holly to the consulate and swear that this is the child we requested. She will be granted a Visa.
Friday, Feb 12th, Holly's Visa will be issued, and we leave GZ at 9pm for LAX on our last China Southern flight.
Friday, Feb 12th- yep, it's still Friday, we arrive at LAX at 5:50 pm, essentially 3 hours before we left China. That day we lost on the way to China we get back in the form of living Friday night all over again. For us, it will be mid to late morning Saturday, but, in the US, it will be evening Friday. We will check into a hotel for some freshening up, some US food, and naps.
Saturday, Feb 13th, we head back to the airport at about 4am, to catch our 6:15 Delta flight to Salt Lake. We will be home by 9:15am.
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
We have our consulate appointment and our flights are booked.
We are scheduled for a consulate appointment on February 10th. We have our flights leaving Salt Lake on January 29th, and getting back home on February 13th.
I will post our intinerary later, when my wrists recover from all the typing to get our flights booked. But, just 10 days and we are on our way.
I will post our intinerary later, when my wrists recover from all the typing to get our flights booked. But, just 10 days and we are on our way.
Monday, January 18, 2010
TA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Josh emailed and then called to let us know our Travel Approval letter has arrived. He forwarded us a form to fill out, and he already has it back, so, as soon as the other three families get their's sent to him, he is sending them all to China. Im not freaking about the fact that three other families have to respond before ours can go to China, since I have already heard from two others, and it's only been an hour, plus, it's night time in China, so, we have all day before they even open for business.
Josh is trying for the earliest available consulate appointment (CA), so, I guess we'll find out by Wednesday what that date will be and then we can make our flight arrangements.
Josh is trying for the earliest available consulate appointment (CA), so, I guess we'll find out by Wednesday what that date will be and then we can make our flight arrangements.
Friday, January 15, 2010
TA's being reported
We haven't heard anything yet, and Tim is not home, so, if Josh calls, there will be no one home. A family that also had their article 5 picked up on Dec 30th was notified by their agency that the CCAA has signed their TA and it's on it's way, expected on Monday. All I can do is hope that ours is also on it's way, and Josh will at least find that out and leave a message on our answering machine.
3:59 pm
Three agencies so far have reported that their Dec 30th families are getting TA's on Monday.
4:50 PM, no news for us. There is no way for us to even know if TA's are coming or not. Josh never responded to any of the posts on the SWA site, and while I understand that if he has no information he has nothing to confirm, at least we would know not to keep refreshing the page to see if he does or not. Guess we'll be waiting til Monday, and maybe then we will know something. Then again, it's Martin Luther King day, which I still think needs to be renamed to Human Rights day, just as we created Presidents day to honor all our Presidents, we need to honor all humanitarians and remember to respect all humans rights, not just one group of people and one man. Anyway, that day is not going to stop DHL from delivering the TA's but our agency might well have the day off and not be there to notify us. A single day's difference could cost us a consulate spot before CNY.
3:59 pm
Three agencies so far have reported that their Dec 30th families are getting TA's on Monday.
4:50 PM, no news for us. There is no way for us to even know if TA's are coming or not. Josh never responded to any of the posts on the SWA site, and while I understand that if he has no information he has nothing to confirm, at least we would know not to keep refreshing the page to see if he does or not. Guess we'll be waiting til Monday, and maybe then we will know something. Then again, it's Martin Luther King day, which I still think needs to be renamed to Human Rights day, just as we created Presidents day to honor all our Presidents, we need to honor all humanitarians and remember to respect all humans rights, not just one group of people and one man. Anyway, that day is not going to stop DHL from delivering the TA's but our agency might well have the day off and not be there to notify us. A single day's difference could cost us a consulate spot before CNY.
Thursday, January 14, 2010
It's Friday in China.
It's 3am Friday morning in China. In six short hours the offices at the CCAA will be open for business. I am praying they will email or call my agency and say our TA is on it's way. I really don't expect to get a consulate appointment before CNY at this point. I'm already hearing that the available appointments are filling up, and no word that any new dates have been added. So, Im getting busy checking flights for after February 18th.
Josh at SWA contacted the CCAA about our TA, and they said it wasn't ready yet. sigh. That was on Monday. no news since then.
0434 pm same day
It's still not business hours in China. Our agency is closed here in the US, so, no news today. Maybe tomorrow.
07:25 am Friday morning
It is Friday night in China, 10:30 pm. The business week is over, once again, and if our TA is done, it could be on it's way to our agency right now. Once the agency office is open today, we might get notification that TA is on it's way. Oh, I hope we do.
Josh at SWA contacted the CCAA about our TA, and they said it wasn't ready yet. sigh. That was on Monday. no news since then.
0434 pm same day
It's still not business hours in China. Our agency is closed here in the US, so, no news today. Maybe tomorrow.
07:25 am Friday morning
It is Friday night in China, 10:30 pm. The business week is over, once again, and if our TA is done, it could be on it's way to our agency right now. Once the agency office is open today, we might get notification that TA is on it's way. Oh, I hope we do.
Sunday, January 10, 2010
It's now Monday morning in China
It's 8:45 am in China, Monday morning. This could be a big week. Perhaps our TA will be mailed out, or maybe it is already on it's way. It's just as likely that it hasn't even been signed yet. I wish there was some way to know, but, we won't have any idea until it arrives in the mail to our agency and they contact us to let us know.
Im done with another long weekend at work, and plan to spend time cleaning, sorting, packing away the remaining Christmas decorations that are still standing in the front yard, and just trying to keep busy while the days tick by.
Im done with another long weekend at work, and plan to spend time cleaning, sorting, packing away the remaining Christmas decorations that are still standing in the front yard, and just trying to keep busy while the days tick by.
Saturday, January 9, 2010
It's Sunday morning in China.
Good morning little cricket. Its Sunday morning in China, 9am, and you are probably finished with your breakfast, and playing with your friends. I wonder if you are thinking of me. I wonder if you have looked at your pictures of your new family today.
This time tomorrow will be the beginning of another work week in China, and maybe, just maybe, we will get our TA. Oh, I hope so. If we do, we will be meeting you in China on January 31st, just three weeks from now. If we don't, we may have to wait until after Chinese New Year, which means possibly February 21st, about six weeks from now. Either way, two months from now you will be living in your new home, with your new family, and everything about your life will have changed. Everything except one thing. We already love you.
This time tomorrow will be the beginning of another work week in China, and maybe, just maybe, we will get our TA. Oh, I hope so. If we do, we will be meeting you in China on January 31st, just three weeks from now. If we don't, we may have to wait until after Chinese New Year, which means possibly February 21st, about six weeks from now. Either way, two months from now you will be living in your new home, with your new family, and everything about your life will have changed. Everything except one thing. We already love you.
Thursday, January 7, 2010
Travel preps contd.....
I checked today and found out all the big changes the government was going to implement for security in airports will not go into affect after all. What this means for us is that we can still bring a carryon and a personal bag per person, and we won't have to have everyone sit with nothing to do and no bathroom trips for the last hour of our long trip from China, or for the hour or so trip from LAX to SLC. That is such a relief. Grown ups have a hard enough time doing nothing for an hour, let alone five year olds.
I have preliminarily packed all of our large suitcases, at least with the stuff we are taking other than our clothes and personal items, and so far nothing is over 15 pounds. With a limit of 45 pounds (really its about 50 but who wants to push it) we should be well under and not have to worry about an overweight charge on our bags.
Still no word about our TA. Not really expecting it til next week at the earliest.
I have preliminarily packed all of our large suitcases, at least with the stuff we are taking other than our clothes and personal items, and so far nothing is over 15 pounds. With a limit of 45 pounds (really its about 50 but who wants to push it) we should be well under and not have to worry about an overweight charge on our bags.
Still no word about our TA. Not really expecting it til next week at the earliest.
Sunday, January 3, 2010
Hubei province
I found out today that Hubei province is known for mining Turquoise, so, I expect we will be bringing some home. I have always loved Turquoise, and, depending on the source you check, it is supposed to be my birthstone.
Great deal on Air China
I found a great deal on an Air China flight from LAX to Wuhan and then from Guangzhou to LAX. $581 each for a total of $1800 for the three of us roundtrip. Add the $552 roundtrip from Salt lake to LAX, and you have #2352
Oh I hope we can still get this kind of deal when the time comes to book the flights.
Oh I hope we can still get this kind of deal when the time comes to book the flights.
A new year and a new week.
It's 2010! The year Holly comes home. As this is Sunday daytime in the US, it is the middle of the night in China, so, by the time the sun goes down on us, it will be Monday morning there and another business day. That means that it will be another day when they could be working on our TA. Perhaps they have already worked on it and will send it out this week. Who knows. It's just as likely that they won't send it out for two more weeks. Either way, we will get TA this month as long as all goes well, but, when it gets here will determine if we bring Holly home this month or next month.
Tonight I will begin the onerous process of packing away all the Christmas decorations, and starting the big clean up in preparation for being gone for two weeks and then jet lagged for at least another week. Oh, I remember those days after bringing Myleigh home. It's like having the flu. You're groggy all the time, achey and sore. Just want to sleep, but, we'll have so much to do when we get back, not the least of which will be to help Holly adjust to her new home.
I can't decide which would be better, to drive ourselves to the airport, and then drive home on our own when we get back, or have Katie and James bring us up and then back. I'm thinking, based on the fact that it will be winter time and weather could be dicey, it may be best if we drive ourselves in the outback. I know the kids want to do a homecoming of sorts at the airport, but, I just don't want to risk there being a storm on the day we get home. I guess they'll have to figure something out to do at the house. It's going to be tough to drive home being jet lagged, but, if we do a layover in California at a hotel, we can nap through the night, get cleaned up, and then head out a bit fresher in the morning the next day.
It's starting to feel real. We could be in China in just a few weeks. After all this waiting and pushing paper we are at the end of the tunnel. From the first time we heard Holly's story back in May to now it has been such a rough road. Funny, it will be nine months at the end of this month since we first saw her face. Just like a pregnancy. How odd is that?
Tonight I will begin the onerous process of packing away all the Christmas decorations, and starting the big clean up in preparation for being gone for two weeks and then jet lagged for at least another week. Oh, I remember those days after bringing Myleigh home. It's like having the flu. You're groggy all the time, achey and sore. Just want to sleep, but, we'll have so much to do when we get back, not the least of which will be to help Holly adjust to her new home.
I can't decide which would be better, to drive ourselves to the airport, and then drive home on our own when we get back, or have Katie and James bring us up and then back. I'm thinking, based on the fact that it will be winter time and weather could be dicey, it may be best if we drive ourselves in the outback. I know the kids want to do a homecoming of sorts at the airport, but, I just don't want to risk there being a storm on the day we get home. I guess they'll have to figure something out to do at the house. It's going to be tough to drive home being jet lagged, but, if we do a layover in California at a hotel, we can nap through the night, get cleaned up, and then head out a bit fresher in the morning the next day.
It's starting to feel real. We could be in China in just a few weeks. After all this waiting and pushing paper we are at the end of the tunnel. From the first time we heard Holly's story back in May to now it has been such a rough road. Funny, it will be nine months at the end of this month since we first saw her face. Just like a pregnancy. How odd is that?
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