July 1, 2008
I'M A YANKEE DOODLE DANDY . . .
LET'S HERE IT FOR THE RED WHITE AND BLUE . . .
We all got up very early this morning and were
down for breakfast prior to 7 am. We took
several pictures in the breakfast area. We
probably should have taken a video of the many
families that share breakfast each day, most
of them here for adoption or homeland tours.
After breakfast Mel put Ellie Lu down for a
nap and I went out quickly to run a few
errands before our group meeting. We then had
our group meeting and after our meeting on
Saturday that was so stressful and long and
unorganized, I was worried about this meeting.
I got their early and I could tell that our
guide Catherine also wanted things to go
smoothly she was much more prepared and even
said up front that she wanted things to go
well. She went over what would happen at the
consulate and our schedule. She went over our
departure instructions. Our group must have
our luggage out at 4:15 am and we will depart
tomorrow at 5:15 am. I think we will just wake
Ellie Lu up as we are walking out the door and
change her diaper and then give her a bottle
on the bus. I won’t change her out of her
pajamas until we get to Beijing and are on our
way home and even then I will put something
“pajama like” on her so she will be
comfortable. I have packed about 5 extra
outfits for her just in case we have some
accidents. I also have extra clothes for
us…just in case.
After the meeting I went out and did some
final shopping, picking up our squeaky shoes
and various other gifts. We had lunch and a
nap and then we were off to the consulate with
many other families. The combined our group
with several other groups. The bus ride was
interesting and we passed many new buildings
that were very fantastic in their
architecture. The consulate is in a building
that is unmarked and you can’t take pictures,
but Monday when I was here I took one as I
didn’t know I was not allowed.
We went in and I think we went to the 5th
floor in this large room. It was time for
Ellie Lu’s nap so I gave her a bottle and
rocked her, she was very good. Some children
had “meltdowns’ and you can imagine in a large
room that was a bit hot and so many people.
Eventually we received our paperwork and they
had us all stand to take the oath…of course it
was special but it sure would have been nice
to make it more personal or to be able to take
a picture. Now when we arrive in Newark and
pass thru immigration Ellie Lu will become a
U. S. Citizen.
As we headed back to the bus…there was an
armored vehicle and men with machine guns. I
about panicked as I was carrying Ellie Lu and
I was first in our group. The men with guns
were right in front of our bus and I was
afraid to move as they were guiding the
armored vehicle so they could put money in.
This was a little more drama than we needed.
Finally we were all on the bus and headed back
to the hotel. We had dinner and then I went
out quickly to pick up our final purchases and
Mel gave Ellie Lu her final bottle and put her
down for the night. Goodnight China…tomorrow
we head home. |
Family breakfast at the Swan
Guangzhou Favorites
Ready for Bed...Goodnight China
On our way to Susan's to shop |
