Trip to China
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Thursday, June 5, 2014 We love Hong Kong! It is so beautiful here and it has a New York City feel to it. (Minus the mountains towering over the skyscrapers) Today we went to Disneyland and I’m so glad that we did. Last night, I sat in bed imagining all of the scenarios Qian would put me in. She is very independent and often has her own agenda. Sometimes this means running off or stiffening her body like a statue. Both behaviors are hard to manage. Last night we went shopping and Sammy chased her around the Polo store. He blocked her in a corner, in front of a mirror and said, “Boo” No, really loud. Qian made silly faces in the mirror as people stared at the scene she was creating. From a short distance, I could hear Sam call out, “Mom, she’s not listening.” I was paying for his surprise 52.00 dollar discount t-shirt and to be honest, at this point, I didn’t feel so bad for him. Needless to say, we were done shopping and I needed to study my conversion chart. Anyway… after a night of ‘naughty’ behavior, she woke up in a good mood. Qian stayed right by my side and held my hand all day. Our first attraction ride was Grizzly Gulch. We thought it was similar to a ride at Disneyworld, but it turned out to be much faster. We broke Qian right in. She was a trooper, but didn’t want to ride it again. Sam wanted her to ride Space Mountain, but I didn’t want to traumatize her. (Sam thought it would be good payback for all of her antics). It was very hot and I’m sure the heat stifled her behavior. Qian’s eyes scanned every attraction, shop, and vendor. She took in all the smells and touched everything her fingers came into contact with. I lost count of all of the ‘wows.’ We watched a three D show and she was quite frightened of the loud noises (music sounds) and the objects coming toward her. She put my hand on her chest and I could feel her heart racing. She gave me a half smile, but was so uncertain what to expect next. We no longer have a guide, so I have no way of explaining things to her. I have picked up a few Mandarin words, but not enough to comfort all of her fears. After a fun day of rides, I let her pick out a few gifts. She picked out a Winnie the Pooh stuffed animal. We are excited to go home and bring our family together. Even though Qian has tested me, she has come so far in such a short time. She has learned…. 1) To say, “good job, silly goose, good girl, one, two, three, Sammy, and baby 2) How to say her name, Qian 3) To use toilet paper after she goes pee 4) To wash her hands and NOT spray water all over the mirror or herself 5) To put a napkin on her lap when she eats 6) How to eat smaller bites 7) How to use a camera 8) How to brush her teeth, even the top ones with cavities 9) How to dribble a ball 10) How to use an i-pad (She’s actually mastered this!)

This list may seem small, but for a girl who spent most of her days in a special needs school with little hope for a brighter future, these milestones are stepping blocks for even greater achievements. Qian has a lot more to learn. We understand that she is overstimulated with all of the exposure she has had in the last week and that the world is so new and amazing! Her bright brown beautiful eyes are capturing everything in sight and she is soaking it all in. Not the way that I imagined, but in a way that makes her excited and hopeful for her future. Qian is bright and I know that she knows that life is now good. She will never go hungry, never be left in a sweltering building with nothing to do, never travel to a school where she is misunderstood, never go to bed without a mommy and daddy, and never feel unwanted and unloved. We love her more than she knows, even when she’s naughty. We love her good and bad and always and forever! We can’t wait to post our at home pics! Please say a prayer that she is a ‘good girl’ on the plane ride home - for my sanity and the sanity of the hundreds of others that will be traveling with us! Goodnight from Hong Kong! Betty, Sam, and Qian

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