I will be the first to admit I don't know everything.
Well, I think some of my acquaintances should actually be first admit
they don't know it all,
but I'm man enough to get the line started for this one.
As our friend Duane reminded us lately, just because you experience something in one place in China, it doesn't mean you can say,
"in China, things are (this) way."
Saying "while in (this location in) China, I experienced..." is a much more accurate way of expressing your observations without painting a whole country with your personal experiential brush. And so, I preface my observations with acknowledgement that below are
my observations,
my experiences, and
my opinions
gained during our travels.
1. It is possible to impale your eyeball on the ends of an extended sun umbrella while dodging another passing umbrella.
2. It is, apparently, not as surprising to the Asian pedestrians with whom I am milling along the sidewalk to have the nearby, well-dressed female in a lacy skirt and high-heels clear her throat with incredible resonance and spit the results on the sidewalk in front of her, as it is to me.
3. Mirrored elevator doors are reflective for the sole purpose of personal grooming--in all the really personal ways.
4. Each of the Chinese bold enough to speak to our odd family of Caucasian parents with their gorgeous Asian daughter have expressed their excitement that Maylin will soon be an American. Responses are often "very good!" or "lucky girl!"
5. Nearly-six year olds are pretty good at charades, no matter what the language.
6. There are things worse than squatty potties.
7. Toilet paper is optional in public bathrooms, as are soap, paper towels, and occasionally, running water.
8. If you (bathroom word) down a hole on a train, it must go somewhere.
9. Even if your room is designated No Smoking, the air ducts are capable of creating a second-hand smoke opportunity for your family.
10. Noodles come in two lengths: long, and even longer.
11. Even if it's on a skewer, is cooked, and the street vendor claims it has a name...you shouldn't necessarily eat it.
12.A screaming fit sounds pretty much the same in any language, as does the cooing of a mother.
13. "Princess" translates into every language.
:) I love reading these. I feel like I have been on this journey with you....oddly enough, this is one year I havent traveled at least some of this. I am so thankful I have felt like I have experianced some of it through your writing. Asking Daddy for specific flowers for you each day (I tend to think they are blue tulips- rare, but most beautiful - which means you know they are from Dad). I can't wait to be slowly introduced to this little girl of yours, who already has a huge place in my heart. :) I love you Dorothy!
ReplyDeleteUntil now- I've only read about these things or experienced them in a less personal way. This adoption,the placement of a human being into a family- forever, has really impacted me and I am jealous. I am jealous of the emotional high you must be feeling, the adrenaline you feel as ride on the tide of a dream. You are changing a child's world and it is really incredible to fathom what is taking place this very moment as I type these words. Providence in motion.
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