Hanging in Nanjing with the Xie Zhi

Jeff reporting in. Just wanted everyone know that Heather is safe and having an good trip in China. After spending a few days in Shanghai where she visited her new friends (Shirley, Bridget, and the Chairman), she took the train to Nanjing where she is getting to know all the animals that hang around the Ming Xiaoling Tomb (see Xie Zhi below). Today she will fly to Nanchang where she will scout out the Galactic Peace Hotel (see post below).

On the home front, the new Mini-P fence is complete. Ralph and Doremon checked it out some yesterday. Doremon quickly demonstrating that even though the fence is over six feet tall, he will have no problem getting over it. Pretty sure that Mini-P will enjoy her time in the safety of the new yard. Hope she doesn't learn to escape from her brother.

China trip

In two days, I (Heather) leave for China. I'll be there about 10 days, touring the Yangtze River region. This is for education and exploring only, not to adopt - that will be later, hopefully! On the map below, can you find Shanghai? I'll start there. Then I'll take the train west to Suzhou, then northwest to Nanjing. Then I'll fly southwest to Nanchang (can you see it south near the big lake?) We think Nanchang might be where we meet our child later, so I really want to check it out. After Nanchang, I might explore Jiangxi province some more before heading toward Hangzhou (slightly southwest of Shanghai.) You can find more details of my trip under this post: Galactic Peace Hotel.

Fence

Good news today! Workers are here removing one tree and some bushes to prepare for our fence (photos show cat pen, not soon-to-be fence.) Although we didn't want to disrupt our beautiful backyard, we think the fence will help corral our kid! Not to mention our bebos:
Right now, Doraemon and Ralph have this pen. It's enclosed by wire mesh on top, so they can't climb out. We'll keep it, but with the fence, we'll probably let them roam around the backyard (supervised, of course!)

As you can see, they've become close buddies during my time away. Jeff let them fight it out in the beginning. Now they just play-wrestle.

Projections and Latest Referrals

If none of this makes sense, please see FAQs on the right side of the blog.

Referrals are finally arriving for families logged in through March 28, 2006! See "Babies!" post below.

Rumor Queen just posted her latest projections.

For our LID of April 6, 2006, she predicts Nov/Dec for our referral. However, it might be later than that, but we're getting close (maybe!)

Our agency announced they received "12 referrals today-- 11 healthy girl referrals and 1 healthy boy referral! (family receiving a boy requested either gender) All referrals were from the Jiangxi province and the children ranged in age from 7 to 21 months old."

Aside from all that, I am glad to be home! Jeff just left for Hawaii for work, but will be back Sunday. Then I leave Tuesday again for my sightseeing trip to China (Oct 22-Nov 1.) Ralph and Doraemon are getting along well, often grooming each other, playing, and wrestling. We'll show you new photos of them soon!

Babies!

Referrals are arriving, and the cut-off is March 28th.

See Rumor Queen's Babies! post.

Congratulations to these families!

Victoria, British Columbia

I'm in Victoria, BC, today. Just sightseeing until I can hopefully catch the Space-A flight back home Saturday. Victoria is lovely - clean air and bright sunshine, fancy old buildings on the waterfront, and mountains in the distance. Yesterday I took a public bus to Butchart Gardens. My favorite parts were the Sunken Gardens and Japanese Gardens. There were lots of Chinese tourists there, and I was surprised to understand a few of their words! Today I head back to Washington state. Can't wait to get home to Jeff, Ralph, and Doraemon.


On the rumor front, they say CCAA came back to work Friday the 9th, so maybe we'll see referrals (not ours yet) trickle in.

Nothing until after Oct. 13th

Chinese National Day holiday week started October 1st, so the CCAA will be off until October 8th. They will probably return to work October 13th (after the weekend.)


So, as was rumored, it looks like "September" referrals won't be mailed until after the holiday.


Also, there's talk that CCAA might be delaying these referrals to wait & see what happens with H1N1 flu as flu season starts.


All we can do is enjoy the here and now! I hope they have a good holiday. Yesterday I saw some news photos of the holiday celebrations in China. I understand this and Chinese New Year are their biggest holidays.