Last Day in China!

Friday January 24, 2014

I can’t believe it is our last day in China.  When I left home2 weeks ago, I was nervous.  I had never traveled alone before, much less to a foreign country. 

I also had no idea what to expect from Teagen.  Other than our initial referral and a short update in December, we knew little about her.  Let me tell you she is an amazing kid who is going to fit into our family very well.  The girl has lots of energy!  She loves to run, climb and just move. She also talks a lot.  Of course, I don’t understand her, but for the most part that doesn’t stop her.  She is also very expressive so you can figure out by her face or actions a good idea of what she is talking about.  There are some times when she has understandably gotten upset when I don’t know what she is saying.  Teagen is definitely strong willed.  While she seems to get along well with other children, she also likes to be in charge.  In many ways, I think that she and Wyatt have similar personalities.  I’m not sure if they’ll be a match made in heaven or if they’ll battle for control; likely some of each.

All we needed to do today was wait for Teagen’s visa, which our agency rep will pickup about 3:30 this afternoon.  The other families planned to just stay in the hotel and pack.  Since I have 1 suitcase and 1 small duffel bag, packing was a breeze.  I also knew that I would go crazy sitting in this room all day long.  Since this is our last day, I wanted to get out again. 

This was the first morning we didn’t have anything scheduled, so we did take it easy. Teagen wanted to go to the kid’s playroom.  Eventually I told her that we were going out.  She started to cry.  I think she is getting tired of walking so much (which I do find ironic, since she does love to run).  Once we were out she was ok.  Our goal this morning was just to get her some snacks for the airplane ride and some comfort food for back home.  I’ve typically been buying things at the 7-11 across the street or a small nearby shop.  Since we had extra time, I decided to venture across to the mall and a large supermarket the other families have gone to.  This was probably a good choice as there was more for Teagen to pick from, and it was a bit cheaper.  She is now stocked in her dried seaweed and crackers, as well as ramen and yogurt she had for lunch.  The store was more like Wal-Mart, although it had mostly food and then some household and clothing. I also discovered that in China they charge you if you want your items in a bag!

I had done some looking in my China guide book and the little map the hotel had given me to come up with a couple of options for after lunch; one we could walk to but the other required a taxi.  I personally was hoping we could walk.  Maybe it is my need to be in control or too many episodes of the Amazing Race, but taxis frighten me more than venturing out on our own.  I drew a picture of the 2 of us walking and also of a car.  I was surprised when Teagen picked the walking (though I’m not 100% sure if she knew what she was doing).  We crossed off Shamian Island and walked for a bit along the Pearl River.  It had warmed up and the sun came out for a bit.  Teagen enjoyed running around and we relaxed and watched people.  The area was filled with people walking and biking (some of them were delivering numerous large boxes on their bikes).  The hotel map had shown a “cultural park” and the guide book had a 19^th century church.  I figured I was fine if I could find one or both of them.  I missed the church but did stumble on the park, which was very neat.  I think that there were extra decorations in preparation for the lunar New Year (or spring festival) which is coming up next week. 

Tomorrow morning we will take a van with another CHSFS family to Hong Kong, which I believe is about 90 miles away.  Our flight leaves from there at 11:25AM.  We have a layover in Newark, at which time Teagen becomes an American citizen.  We’ll arrive in Minneapolis around 5:30PM—where I hear the windchills are -40 degrees.

Overall it has been a good trip.  I am grateful for the time I’ve got to spend knowing Teagen and her first country.  Now I can’t wait to see my boys and have everyone meet our girl.