Audrey continues to adjust very well. The last remarks on her intake forms said, "she is a sensible girl," and I have to agree. But not to worry, she's still childlike and delightfully silly. We sang into an empty water bottle microphone at lunch today.
Blogging here is quite difficult and time intensive.
Probably my favorite. Audrey is holding Eva's water bottle so she can get a drink.
Eva sitting on her daddy's lap checking out the hello kitty sticker from her sister.
Some interesting tidbits:
If you were under the impression that Americans are taller than Asian people you might be interested to know that despite our relatively tall heights, Daniel and I do not stand out that much. Our heights often blend into the crowd. Our clothes don't blend though, nor do Daniel's an Eva's hair and light eyes. Eva gets lots of stares and oohs and ahhhs. I was asked if I was part Asian.
Many of the women here about my age and older walk with the most elegant and ladylike gait. Their posture is erect and one or both arms swing gently with their wrists slightly extended and fingers gently clasped as if holding a tea cup. It's like they all went to the same finishing school. Makes me wish I was that kind of elegant female.
Our first day in Hohhot we ate a dish of black fungus. It was delicious though the texture was unsettling.
Eva's first Mandarin sentence/strong request, "ni hao Starbucks"
Public medians and and public parks are public restrooms.
While in swimming pools, you must wear a swim cap but hocking loogies is permitted.
Hohhot is surrounded by mountains and feels homey (minus the sky scrapers). We were comforted to learn that the Chifeng landscape (Audrey's home town) is pretty similar to Northwest Arkansas: green, surrounded by mountains, many rivers and lakes, and four seasons.
We have seen an impressive number of octogenarians practicing tai chi and sword dancing.
Other than stares, we have been treated with a lot of grace here.