Pictures from Mar 4

Shenyang Social Welfare Institute #1

After a terrific Breakfast where MingGe ran around the restaurant like a typical 4 year old, we headed to MingGe's orphanage.  She was so excited.  She packed her backpack with candy to give her friends and presents for her caregivers.

As far as orphanages go, I would give this one an A.  It is very clean and bright and the caregivers are nice and attentive.  I am not sure of the ratio of caregivers to children, but there always seemed to be plenty of adults around.  The children were very happy to see MingGe and also John.  Many of them recognized him from his previous trips.

However, when it was time for lunch, MingGe wanted to eat "out" instead of at the orphanage!

We took the van to what I would call electronics street.  There we purchased 30 DVDs for approximately $45.  This included titles like SlumDog Millionaire, Beverly Hills Chihuahua and 7 Pounds.  Jack also got the Indiana Jones series and all Harry Potter movies.  It was quite an experience and if half of the DVDs work it will still be a deal.  Jack has already watched one and MingGe also watched Toy Story.

After a quick stop at the scroll shop we headed back to the hotel.  MingGe spent some time with Migyeong before being delivered by the driver to us.  She took an hour nap before dinner.

Dinner was an experience.  We decided to go to one of the best jiaozi restaurants in Shenyang but they did not have a picture menu.  We had no idea what we were getting.  Soup first.  It was delicious!  Not too many bones either.   Seafood dumplings were great but MingGe had enough and Mama had to take her out of the restaurant.  

A quick trip to Sephora across the street and one vanity mirror later, she was happy again!  Did I mention that she insisted on wearing a dress and tights to the orphanage today, even though it was very cold?  Or that one of her favorite "presents" so far is the chapstick Dad found in his bag?  I think MingGe and Cousin Ruby are going to get along famously!

D

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MingGe Tuesday Update

Lesson of the day - MingGe really needs her nap!

Our wonderful Monday night continued into a terrific Tuesday.  MingGe actually skipped at breakfast which someone had once told us was a sign of a happy child.  Breakfast is a buffet at the hotel and is very interesting.  They have fried eggs (signed Frig the Egg), toast and pastries/ yogurt.  But they also have a full buffet of dinner foods like noodles, meatballs, fish, cabbage, vegetables, and a full salad bar.  Jack had french fries with ketchup, pan fried dumplings, and wonton soup for breakfast today.  I have no idea what most of the things MingGe ate were, but the buffet makes it easy for her to point!

After breakfast we headed back to the Civil Affairs office.  Only two other families this morning and one had a little girl, previously adopted from China, who MingGe made friends with.  She was happy and curious this morning.  We had to then drive to the security building for pasport paperwork.  No problem sitting for pictures this time.  After that Christina, our guide, and our driver took us to an awesome restaurant.  It has a long history - over 100 years and was fantastic.   We all tried dried bamboo stir fry!  We also had a stuffed bread that was different.  Also plenty of meats with different sauces.  As you can tell by the pictures, there was no shortage of food!

We were hoping MingGe would take a nap so had some down time at the hotel.  No such luck.  We ended up walking to the store and found some play dough.  MingGe really liked this and we all had fun playing until the big surprise for MingGe - Aunti Migyeong and Elaine came to the hotel for dinner.  MingGe was so happy to see them.  we played until she was hungry and then went to the "Hot Pot" restaurant.  I will describe this later, but even before our food came MingGe was toast.  She was hungry and tired and ready for bed.  Even for Migyeong she was cranky.  We made it through dinner and got her home to the tub.  Then Migyeong left and MingGe cried for a few minutes before falling into a deep sleep.  We'll see how she makes out today.  We are heading to the orphanage to see her friends and caregivers.  Then an afternoon with Elaine and Migyeong at the shopping street!

BTW - Jack loves Shenyang!  He really is a city boy.

D

MingGe Monday Update

The last two days have been a blur.  What an experience.

MingGe is full of energy and very bright.  On Monday we figured out she knows many of her colors and some common words.  She also has a little independent streak.  We spent several hours at the Civil Affairs office.  It was several hours of waiting and tough on the adults who had no idea what the guides and officials were saying, so it must have been tough on the kids.  There were at least six different families in the same room with their kids, families and guides.  

We were very happy to meet Tommy from Texas along with his wife, three daughters and new son.  One of Tommy's daughters was adopted from China, so they knew the drill.  I think he met Elaine through his work with charitable organizations and Yahoo group but he had called me in the states before we left when we figured out we would be traveling at the same time. 

Towards the end of the morning we had to go down a few floors and get pictures taken for the official adoption paper.  MingGe was done and wanted nothing to do with it.  John had to grab her and carry her over - boy was she mad!  Tommy to the rescue - a pixie stick saved the day.  Yes, we resorted to sugar in a stick!

At that point we figured out that bribery works.  We took MingGe to KFC for lunch, as that is where she wanted to go for dinner Sun night with Elaine and Migyeong, but we made her go for Chinese food.  Jack has had KFC once in his life in the states, but we needed to cheer our little girl up!

After lunch the time change and early wakeup hit us.  Mama took a 4 hour nap, MingGe took a 3 hour nap and Jack took a 2 hour nap.  After that we saw a different girl.  She was so happy.  We took a walk to Tessco and grabbed some supplies.  MingGe also found a plastic tea set she could take in the tub.  We had dinner in the hotel and played in the room.  It was a great night!  MingGe went to bed without any problems and slept solidly all night!  

I should mention that the first night MingGe slept like a soldier - arms straight by her side.  Making sure not to touch brother Jack on one side or Mama on the other.  Mon night there were arms and legs everywhere!  At one point Jack woke me up and asked if I could get MingGe off him as he had to go to the bathroom and he did not want to wake her.

Observation of the day.  "Mom and Dad, I know why the cars are so skinny in China, that way they can drive on the sidewalk without hitting any buildings."

The roads are really a free for all and almost impossible to describe.  There are many cars and almost no rules.  If you are turning left when the light turns green, simply move directly into oncoming traffic so you block their access to move forward.  They will still try to go around you to the right, including going on the sidewalk, but if you are good you can block their path and continue your turn.  Sidewalks are a little bigger than NYC and are fair game.  People, bikes, motorscooters all fight for the right of way.  We have seen police.  They drive around with their lights on all the time, so it would be hard to tell if they wanted you to stop.  But this is not a problem, they do not stop anyone!  I think they are there only if someone gets into an accident that cannot be settled with a payment or I'm sure of there is a fatality!

We have MingGe!

We left Shanghai Sunday morning at 11:10, arriving in Shenyang at 1:10. Elaine was there to greet us as well as Christine, our guide and the two drivers. It was such an emotional moment to see Elaine through the glass when we arrived at baggage claim. It seems like we are family.

We dropped our bags at the Liaoning Mansion and made our way to Elaine and Migyeong's apartment. MingGe greeted us at the door. She had her bags packed and was very excited. She was a little shy but also playful. About 5:30 she told us it was time to eat. She normally eats at 4:30 so she was starving! We went to a great restaurant across from their apartment complex. We had a private room with lots of great food. We ate chun bing which is basically like soft tacos. You filled the wrap with any of the meats and veggie that were ordered. Everything is served on a big lazy susan on the middle of the table. We had pork, chicken, tofu, green beans, cabbage, bean sprouts. It was a great meal. By 7:00 we were done and so was MingGe. At that point she was tired and she realized she was not going to be with her Chinese mother. She did cry a little but we made a quick getaway. She fell asleep in the van on the way back to the hotel.
John carried her in but she woke up as we were entering the elevator. The poor little thing was scared and wanted Migyeong. She was really mad at us in the room and was upset for about 15 minutes. At that point she saw the tub. She wanted in with brother Jack and then with Mom. It calmed her down and she was fine for the rest of the night. She slept well but woke up early - about 5:45. We just got back from breakfast and are on our way to the Civil Affairs office
Will write later during nap.
Danelle, John, Jack and MingGe!