It is hard to believe that two plus weeks have come and gone so quickly. We are busily packing right now while Ms. Busy Body sleeps away, occasionally flip-flopping and whining in her sleep, causing our synchronized instantaneous cessation of activity--like a game of freeze tag. :)
Yesterday was pretty low key. Our travel group got together at 12:30 for the "red couch" photo-- it's a tradition at this hotel to get the kids dressed up in traditional clothes and make them sit together on the couch while being blinded by the flashes of 15 cameras. Fun, eh?
Last night our group went on a river boat cruise on the Pearl River. It was...funny. Funny, funny, funny. The food was good, the view was fabulous (the river is lined with tons of neon), and the music was...hilarious. Ummmm...think bad American romance music. ("Say you, say me...") Kennedy and I did some ballroom dancing, not wanting the moment to pass us by. Good stuff. It was a nice way to spend a warm evening.
Today was our final official requirement--the Consulate appointment. It was not nearly as formal as I thought it would be. The room was filled with families adopting--probably 100 of us or so--and we all took the oath together. Then we got this big brown envelope that we are not allowed to open, but deliver to our "port of entry"--Seattle, in our case--for processing of Kennedy's immigration. So her Chinese passport now contains an IR-3 visa, meaning she will be a citizen as soon as we are stamped in Seattle. (And no, I don't have pictures of the Consulate appointment because they are security-crazed and cameras are not allowed. Oh well, Kennedy slept through the entire proceeding anyway.)
So, that's about it! We leave for the airport tomorrow morning at 9:00--just 11 hours from now. We fly from Guangzhou to Seoul to Seattle to Chicago, arriving at around 7:30pm on Thursday. We have LOVED our time in China and look forward to a return trip soon. But, as often happens at the end of a trip, we are ready to get home--ready for all of you to meet Kennedy, ready for brushing teeth with water from the tap, ready for our washing machine. :) Please pray for an easy, sleep-filled 19 hours of travel for us tomorrow! Kennedy is beyond busy and I wonder how she'll do cramped on a plane for such a long time...wish us luck!
See you soon! And to our travel mates, THANK YOU for being such a great group of folks to share such an incredible experience with. We have such great memories of each of you and look forward to future get-togethers of the Chongren gals. :)
Peace out!
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2 comments:
Good grief, you have me in tears again. I bet it's kinda sad to leave China. But so many new adventures await you. We'll be thinking about you lots and lots over the next day or so. I'd better bring Kleenex for the next time I see you. K is going to think her aunty C is looney toons!! Lots and lots and lots of love...safe and restful travels to you all.
Love,
C
Jen and Dan, it was great traveling with you, we wish you much happiness with Kennedy. Let's keep in touch. Take care, Thomas Jill Li An and Kaitelin.
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