Online Journal

Today we went to the Embroidery Factory. We saw women actually doing the embroidery in the factory. It is very tedious work but very beautiful. There were three women working side by side on one piece. Hunan Providence in known for their beautiful embroidery and the two sided embroidery. That is embroidery that can be turned over to see the same picture or o whole different picture. We purchased a small flower picture for Bailey’s room. Can you guess what color the flower is????? Pink!!

We also visited a new walking park. It had a lake with bumper boats. Bailey loved the park her favorite thing to do was pull the leaves off bushes and give them away. She had a blast. After all the excitement and running around as soon as we got on the bus she fell asleep.

So far Bailey’s favorite things to do play peek-a-boo, patty cake, popping bubbles, and throwing the ball. She is coming around with Jay but she pouts with him when he tells her “no”. Just like American babies.

We are so tired and restless. Thank goodness tomorrow is our last full day. Jay is still not feeling 100% and Corey is ready to pack it up and go back home! Please let Guangzhou be better.

Today we tried to be positive and walk around the block. But it was more depressing. So we went back to the room and repacked. We are ready to go. Even Bailey seems ready to go.

It is Saturday, Sept. 22, 2007 and we are leaving Changsha. We had our bags packed and at the door at 8:00 a.m. We got on the bus at 9:15 to head to the airport. Our flight was at 11:40. We had Bailey ready for anything. We had toys, milk, cheerios to occupy her during the flight but we didn’t need anything. She loved the ride and looking out the window. The flight was only an hour to Guangzhou.

We landed and got out of the plane and the weather was beautiful, hot but breezy. We got our luggage and headed to the McDonald’s in the airport Corey and Jay was in heaven. We waited for several of the special need families that were flying in too. It was great to see them and their precious babies too. After an hour drive, we arrived to the Marriott China Hotel. This is like 100% better!!

There is a McDonald’s next door and that is were we ate supper. There is also a Starbuck in the Diet Coke. The atmosphere is much more westernized. The sidewalks are better the area is much cleaner. I think we might just make it over here for a few more days.

Bailey could hardly settle down tonight she has been a busy body. She unpacked her stuff and put it in the little draw by herself. She pottied with no second thought and she took a bath in the big bathtub. She loved it until I washed her hair. She fell asleep at 7:00 and I can tell I won’t be far behind.

We miss everyone back home. Thank you for all the emails it is truly a highlight of our day to read them. Continue to keep us in your prayers.

Today we got up and went to eat breakfast. When we got there Jay was in heaven when he saw scrambled eggs, pancakes, and crispy bacon. He sat at the table and sighed and said “oh, yes!” Breakfast is so much better here at the China Hotel.

After breakfast we all went to the Folk Art Museum of Guangzhou. There were many beautiful art pieces. In one of the shops there was a man painting with the palm of his hand and fingernails. It was amazing. Jay bought two of his pieces. Bailey enjoyed pulling the leaves off the bushes and walking in the grass in the garden.

We returned to the hotel and Jay had to go fill out more paperwork for immigration. It took him about 2 1/2 hours. Mom, me, Corey and Bailey walked down the street to check out some of the shops. We found a little mall with some baby squeaky shoes. Bailey tried on a pink pair and that was it. They fit and she wasn’t taking them off. Mom also got her a beautiful pink Chinese dress. She wore it to dinner.

When Jay got back in the room we all went to eat Japanese at a restaurant downstairs. Most of the families went. It was similar to Japanese at home but it is served differently. First they serve you the salad, then the meat, then rice, then vegetables, next was soup, Then they brought out a fried combination of sweet potato, a big shrimp, and some other vegetable. Lastly, we were served ice cream. Bailey was prissing around with her pink dress and shoes. She loved the rice they served.

Before Bailey went to bed we gave her some medicine she is getting alittle congested. Pray that she is going to be okay.

Today is Linekar, our main guide, had to leave Guangzhou today. His wife, Amy, is in the hospital about to have a baby. We all wished him good luck and said our goodbyes. Lee will be with us for the remainder of the trip.

We started the morning at a Tea House. It was neat trying all the different teas. We had Jasmine tea, Rose tea, and Ginsing tea. I really wasn’t that impressed but I am a Southern Girl and Lipton or Tetley is my brand. Needless to say I didn’t buy any.

There was a bonsai park right beside the Tea House. The oldest tree was 160 years old. It was very beautiful. Some of us wanted to go back to the island and shop. So the bus dropped us off and we took a taxi back. No problems It cost us 17 rmb which is a little less than $3.

Corey did make the comment today that he was homesick. I asked him what did he miss the most. His comment was, “My computer.” Oh well.