Friday, May 25, 2007

We're Here!!



It was a LONG flight .... a really long flight, but we finally made it. Poor Sawyer. He sat next to a sweet Asian couple on the flight from Newark to Beijing and the man threw up the entire flight. He started before we even lifted off and continued for the next 13 hours. So, the flight may have seemed really long to me, but I can't imagine how long if must have felt for that poor man. Sawyer collected barf bags for him and the wife, who didn't speak a word of english, gave him all of her husband's meals. The airline meals ... that's another story.

I thought we might not make it to the hotel. I'd heard stories about the driving, but it's absolutely CRAZY to experience it. Bicyclists, cars, pedestrians all fighting for the right of way. Horns are blowing non-stop, but noone seems to be irrate or upset. One car came perpendicular across four lanes of traffic to get to one of the toll booths and we were literally an inch away from the car driving parallel to us. Mike joked that he was going to knock on his window to say hello.

We had dinner this evening at a local restaurant and we were the only non-Asians in the place. Trying to order our meals was an experience in itself and the waiters spoke no english. We selected our entrees from some poor-quality photographs so we had no idea what we were ordering. We sampled all three dishes but still have no idea what we ate. I'm guessing that one was some kind of squid or baby octopus (it was chewy), one had seaweed and some kind of delicacy fungus, and the other had chicken and something slippery in it. Three meals, plus a beer, a softdrink and a bottled water costs us 56 RMB -- that's a whopping $7.57. And the waiter refused to take our tip and actually chased us as we were leaving to return it. Sawyer is LOVING Beijing and everyone has been so friendly.

to Sullivan and Hagan

We miss you both terribly and as soon as we can get our photos to upload, you'll be able to see pictures from China. It's only 8pm and we're all heading to bed because we didn't get much sleep on the plane. Love you guys SOOO much!! I'll write again tomorrow after we tour the Great Wall.

love, Mom

18 comments:

Cynthia said...

It's so wonderful to know you are there! An hour doesn't go by that I'm not thinking of you! Isn't it nice to know that when you talk about the traffic and the food...I KNOW....I KNOW exactly what you are talking about!!! Two times over!!! Enjoy the experience - there is nothing like it! Just think in a matter of hours Oakley will be a Curd!!! Yeah!! I love you guys!

Cynthia
Keep the posts coming!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jana! Wow...I'm so happy for you guys! How exciting!!! You may try going to this website http://babelfish.altavista.com/ and using the "Translate a Website" section at the bottom. I hope it works for you because we're all anxious to see pictures!
Take care and savor each moment!

Jennifer said...

Jana - Can you see the posts from China? This is a test...

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad to hear you've all made it. Sawyer - You've earned some wings now. Update us when you can. Have fun, take it all in and savor every moment. We LOVE YOU! Don't forget to learn how to say I love you in Chinese for Spencer.

Lori

The Ferrill's said...

Hey Jana!
So glad yall made it safe and sound! Can't wait to see pics!
Laine

Anonymous said...

I'm so glad you all made it and are doing well! Try not to worry too much about the homefront. Yeah right, I might as well tell you not to breathe, huh? We will be watching anxiously for the next update.

Love you guys!!
Marla

All 4 My Gals said...

I'm sitting here crying. I love you guys so much and can't wait for you to be home. Be sure that Hagan and Sawyer know we're here if they need us!

I hope you can figure out the pics it will kill us if you don't!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jana! So glad to hear you made it safe and sound! I've been praying for you! This is thrilling!

Keep on posting - I am checking like a woman possessed. :)

Can't wait for Gotcha Day!!!!!

Julie
Mommy to Li Fang (aka Katherine Grace, who is with Oakley right now in Zhangzhou!)
Waiting for our TA

Anonymous said...

Jana,

So glad you made it. It is a long flight.

It is so exciting to think you will have Oakley tomorrow. I can not wait to see you all together.

Karen Whitt

chelsia said...

Jana,Mike and Sawyer,
I am so glad you all are there safely. I can't stop thinking about you guys and how excited you all must be. Hope to see some pictures soon. Sawyer, scope out some cool hair do's for me!!!!! Our family is praying for you everyday. See ya soon.

Love, Chelsia

Anonymous said...

Yippeee! So glad to hear from you all! Wonder....do they have Kentucky fried chicken in Asia? Might be better than squishy and slimy unknowns! :D
Love to all and love from all!

Leigh Reed

ps- weather is going to be wonderful this weekend ! I am sure those boys will be outside enjoying every minute of it. It's all good!

Anonymous said...

Can't believe you'll have Oakley in less than 18 hours! Hurrah! Bless Sawyer -- can't think of anything worse than 13 hours with an airsick neighbor.

We're all checking your blog hourly -- keep sending them!

Lisa P.

Anonymous said...

Hi Jana, we must have passed in the air. We just got back to the states. You're in for a phenomenal experience...soak up every moment. I had trouble seeing my blog in China as well...everything showed up as boxes. I had to go by memory. Thank goodness blogger has color coded buttons or I wouldn't have been able to post. I know you can't wait to give Oakley a big hug. I'll be following your blog. Felicia

Anonymous said...

Jana, if you are at the Holiday
Inn, the noodle shop is good.
We're all so happy that soon
Oakley will be in your arms.
Blessings to you all!
Yvonne Grigsby/Kentucky

Ken and Mystina said...

Hi Jana and Family~

So glad you made it safely. Sorry we will miss you as we leave tomorrow. Hope all goes well with your gotcha day and transition. Olivia was well prepared for us so I hope they did the same for Oakley. It won't be long now. Have a wonderful time.
Mystina

Mom 2 six said...

Jana-glad you made it after that flight !
Can't wait to see your picture. Savor every second. It's the most amazing adventure.

Marcy said...

Jana...first of all congrats on finally being in CHINA!!! I have searched blogger and found this link
http://www.blogger.com/language.g
Go here and select english, save settings and then try to log back into blogger and it should be in English...if not, let me know through adoption assistance group and I will search again. Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Yeehaw! Was reading the blog over the phone to Shayne and had to stop due to my tears. Isn't God AMAZING to give you such a gift... the first three gifts were just as great I know! I am thrilled that she is already part of your family in her spirit. What a fantastic life she will have- every little detail will be cared for. I already know what a great mom you are, but she is in for such joy with what you will provide her character. You were a true example for me with Sawyer at her age. You just "ooze" with love and kindness for your kiddos. Take Care and give Sawyer a hug from me. Wow... He is so grown up. Love, Kate B.