Another day in paradise….

Yeah. The highlights of our day included a trip to Home Depot and lunch at KFC. Glenn and Ryan are still out at the work site breaking up old cabinetry. I swept for a little while with Jake attached in the backpack. It is still extremely dusty and cold (no windows) and I can not believe they consider the site ready to paint. The walls still need to be sanded a little and the debris needs to be removed.

We bought (the wrong type of) paint this morning. It will be used as a first coat. We need to go back for more paint tomorrow. This seems to be the common theme - nothing gets done right the first time and nothing gets done in a timely manner. And, it is a MAJOR ordeal to go anywhere as transportation has to be arranged. I think this is my major frustration. The general contractor and Amanda will be leaving for Hong Kong on Saturday morning. Josh’s VISA is expiring and he needs to leave the country and re-enter for the new clock to start ticking. They will be in Hong Kong until Wednesday. Depending on how things go today, we will be making a family decision as to whether we will stay for the original amount of time or leave a week early. Right now I am voting for leaving a week early….

Last night we ate at Subway (yes, there is definitely an American pattern to our eating habits over the past couple of days) and went to the light and water fountain show at the Big Wild Goose Pagoda. Ryan and Jake really enjoyed the show including the music. I was freezing cold…

Yesterday the lock on the apartment broke and we could not get in until the lock smith came and fixed it - about two hours later. Jake and I played with the toddlers across the hall while we waited. There were about 10 Chinese volunteers playing with the kids and they thought Jake was part of the foster home. I kept telling everyone, in Chinese, that Jake was my son and Jake pointed me our as his mama. The children call their nannies "mama".

We also dressed all the kids in Halloween costumes and Chang and JingJing took their pictures. We left before the chaos ended and just finished up the very last child this afternoon. This little boy (who is actually a big little boy) is here because the orphanage said he was HIV positive. The foster home had him tested and there is no sign of HIV. His paper work will be ready soon and he will be listed as a healthy boy. His name is Daniel. I also learned that Chloe needs eye surgery or she will lose her eyes sight completely. Celine is growing, but no confirmed diagnosis has been made. The other babies, Zander, Lexie and Joy, also gained weight this week. Two children had surgery today and both are doing well.

Tonight we are staying in and I am going to make pasta, broccoli and garlic toast. Tomorrow night we have been invited to a Halloween party at the Canadian nurse’s home. She and her family live by the City Wall. They planned to stay 2 years and have been here for six. I don’t know what her husband does but he works in China and travels a little bit.

On Sunday we will likely visit the Terra Cotta Solders, since that is the only day Chang can help us. Wenli has also offered to take us site seeing, too. Wenli and her family have been so supportive - I wish I could speak Chinese so that I could communicate with her.

I will upload pictures later - Glenn has the camera out at the work site.