Top 10 Observations about our time in China

1. There are no lines in China. Everyone just pushes their way to the front until someone wins.
2. The Marriott breakfast buffet is awesome! Where else can you get dragonfruit, pineapple, french toast, bacon, pan fried mackerel, preserved egg, fried rice, rice noodles, BBQ pork buns, congee with century old egg and swiss cheese?
3. Do not take your hotel room key out of the electricity socket when you leave or will not have a very cool room when you return. (In order to have electricity, you have to insert your room key into a socket on the wall.)
4. If you go to a Chinese restaurant without your guide, you are taking your life into your own hands! You may or may not get what you think you are ordering. Even if you do, you might be too exhausted to eat after trying to communicate. Do not assume a nod of the head means 'yes, I understand what you are saying.'
5. McDonald's serves chicken wings and taro fried pies (not apple).
6. A taxi driver will lead you to assume he knows exactly where you want to go. Then he will try to drop you off in an area you do not recognize.
7. A restaurant owned and operated by a fellow American is an absolute oasis!
8. Pizza Hut also serves Chinese dishes and many different kinds of tea.
9. The pastries in the Marriott bakery DO taste as scrumptious as they look!
10. China's most precious export is our most prized possesion - our children!

Guangzhou Zoo

This morning we went to the zoo, and my goodness was it ever hot and humid!! Evan and Sydney had a great time running around the lobby before we left. Ordinarily I would NEVER let them act that way, but given the fact that Sydney is coming out of her shell - I didn't mind. I figure a happy baby is much easier to handle than a crying baby! Evan had a great time at the zoo playing with some of the other children - Nathan and Luke. We saw a panda bear that was awesome, and the girls got to feed the giraffes. Evan enjoyed it, but Sydney wasn't sure. She kept going back over to them, but she got upset when they snatched her leaf.
When we came back to the room to rest and cool off, Sydney started snacking on Pringles. She dropped one, so Evan picked it up and threw it away. Sydney was watching closely, and decided to go dumpster diving to get it. I think we might have to hide our trash when we get home!!
Bonding Update: Sydney gave me a spontaneous smile!

4th of July Celebration

We came back to the room after shopping and put Sydney down for a nap. She started babbling a little to her bear and playing - something she never does. So we decided to scratch the nap and have playtime instead. We had a fun afternoon. We headed out to Danny's Place with several other families to celebrate the 4th. The taxi ride was an adventure - kind of a rollercoaster. We had chicken parmigiana, garlic bread, pizza, and pasta (again, for the girls). Evan and Sydney shared a strawberry shake, but I'm not sure how much Evan actually got. When Sydney starts on a shake, you'd better hurry to get yours! She is getting to be so much fun! I'm sure one day soon when she is wild I will need to remind myself how grateful I am that she is actually interacting and not so sad. We still see glimpses of sadness, but they are fewer every day.
We are so grateful for the opportunity to bring this little joy into our family!

Happy 4th of July! - By Mike

We got to sleep in this morning because we didn't have to leave for Chinese church until 10:30 am. Sydney regressed a little bit this morning, but, nowhere near what she has. Breakfast was awesome again this morning. It is by far the best meal of the day except when we are able to get Western food like last night. A group of us went to Lucy's and pigged out! Melissa had cheese quesadillas with onion rings, I had enchiladas that were more like burritos, and Evan and Sydney shared broccoli and chicken fettucine with cream sauce and a baked potato. Melissa and Sydney shared a chocolate shake that was so good!
We went to Shamian Christian Church and heard a sermon that quite didn't translate into english very well. Some of it, along with the sing-a-long, was funny at times.
Afterwards, we took in another x-c-lent Chinese meal (gak) which consisted of pork, beef and veggies, and then off for more shopping. Sydney has been having such a good day. In fact, a few of the store owners commented on what a happy baby she is. That was one of the best sentences we've heard in a long time!
Sydney took a short nap on the bus back to the hotel and now is wide awake. She is laying in her crib babbling a little. This is a first.
Later this eveing, all of our group will be taking taxis to a Western resturant named "Danny's Place" and celebrate the "4th" eventhough it is only the 3rd back home.

VIDEO

This is NOT Melissa, but I wanted to let everyone know that I was finally able to get the Running in the Hall video posted and it's so FUNNY!! Make sure and take a look!!

BREAKTHROUGH!

After pretty much ignoring me all day, I was able to make Sydney laugh while playing with her after her bath. She even gave me a hug when I asked ... and she didn't even cry! I wonder what tomorrow will bring?

Shopping on Shamian Island

We left the hotel bright and early this morning to join the rest of our group (who've just flown in from other provinces) to have Sydney's TB test read. It was negative!! That means we will be coming home as scheduled!! We took some pics of the girls at the White Swan and did a little more shopping. I think our guide feels like we all really want Chinese food day in /day out because it was another Chinese restaurant for lunch - actually Thai but still Asian. It all tasted the same by now. Mike is so sick of it he is no longer eating - only the awesome breakfast buffet. It has been nice getting together with the other families. It does make me feel a little better that in about half of the families, the child is not bonding well with one of the parents. One little girl does not want her dad but loves me! Go figure! I hope to be able to send some pics soon as I am currently waiting on the hotel computer tech to come and repair the VPN connection.