Boats, Breakfast, and Is it really that simple?

** I lost my battle w/ the Great Firewall of China yesterday, which is why this is up later than usual **

We had a really good day today as we completed the "final step" -- as our guides call it-- in the entire adoption process:  we we went before the American Consulate here in Guangzhou and took the oath. Then, a big congratulations for all, and that's it, we're done!  Tomorrow afternoon we can pick up Betty's travel visa, then we leave for Hong Kong airport early Friday morning and will arrive later that night with one new American citizen!!  Finally.

Let me be contrite and clarify one thing about that oath.

Yesterday I described what our understanding of the day was going to be:  we have an interview with the Consulate representative, then we take an oath of love and protection and all kinds of mushy get-me-a-box-of-tissues stuff, sign some official documents, maybe take some photos, and breath a sigh of relief when it is done.

Ahhh, no, not exactly like that at all.

(Cameras not allowed here, so no pictures).  We went to the office with approximately 30+ other adopting families (just at this one appointed hour) and waited in the sitting area until our name was called for our "interview."  Imagine it was just like sitting at the DMV, only louder, with lots more crying and screaming (since most of the other adoptees are much younger children).  Certainly not what we expected.

Then, our interview was basically our family name being called, then a guy at the DMV window glancing at our passport photos, glancing at us, nodding his approval, and handing us a sheet of paper that I could have picked up from any table in the waiting area.  After some 40 minutes, we all stand up (about 80 of us), raise our right hand, and repeat something along the lines of "I do solemnly swear that all the information I have provided on behalf of my child is true and correct to the best of my knowledge and ability."  Yep.  That was it.  (And that last part still kinda leaves an "out" in case something is wrong, doesn't it???).  Even Betty remarked to our guide "It's that simple?"  Not quite, but at least it's done now.  Praise the Lord, it's done and we are coming home soon!

Our Consulate appointment was in the middle of the afternoon, so we couldn't do any big fun tourist things today.  Instead, we did some more shopping (i.e. bargaining lower) with the local merchants and found some great deals on authentic Chinese knock-offs:  Nikee' shoes, and Oakleyy sunglasses, Samsonnite luggage, etc.  However, did not find any great Polo or Tommy Hilfiger shirts for me... yes, I'm a big guy, but I didn't think I was a HUGE guy.  It's a bit demoralizing to visit store after store asking "Men's shirts? My size?" and constantly hearing "Oh no, no, nothing THAT LARGE."  Turns out even a 3XXXL in China is a Medium by American standards.  Yep, that feels good.

We then made a quick lunch, took a long walk down to Liuhua Lake Park, and rented a paddleboat for a while.  We had a nice, strenuous paddle around the lake and enjoyed some quiet family time together.  Forgot that piling six people in the boat would basically diminish the effectiveness of that one paddlewheel, but Betty seemed to enjoy it a lot.

And, we got to observe this unusual event going on at the lakefront hotel:

As if that paddleboat was not enough of a workout, we decided to to follow the "when in Rome..." mantra, and got in some aerobics at the park... every park we visit, the people are stretching, massaging, lifting, bending, punching, and doing all sorts of painful-looking exercises.  

I just had to show off my sweet Gazelle moves -- not sure if the Chinese people were more horrified by my awkward girth or my most brilliant tie-dyed shirt??

After our consulate visit, we had a quick McDinner and took a cab down to the Pearl River Pier for a late night riverboat cruise.  (I must note that the taxis here are really great; always around, and very inexpensive.  They don't speak any English but still can get you where you need to go without incident... and we always feel very safe... as long as you sit in the back seat, where you cannot see and feel the NASCAR-like phenomenon going on all around as we weave mere centimeters between buses, bikes, cars, and hypothetical lane markings and stoplights).  The Pearl River night cruise allowed us to leisurely relax and enjoy the illuminated downtown skyline of glittering neon lights -- they really like their neon down here, and it looks absolutely stunning.  

Plus, we made some new friends too -- since they had been taking pictures with our kids all week, I thought it was time we got a picture with some Chinese ladies.  They loved that, and so did we.

Tomorrow morning, we enjoy our final big fabulous buffet breakfast at the hotel… and sadly, AJ is taking it real hard.  The big breakfast has become his singular purpose in waking up each day (well that, and hanging with his bestest buddy Doug the youth pastor).  

AJ has discovered that he can overstock his belly on his favorite breakfast items and be pretty good for the rest of the day… and he takes tremendous pride in cleaning his plate.    Look at how much food this kid eats in the morning!  But, he will sit there until it is all gone (or, until Doug leaves). 

Not sure if I will get to post anything tomorrow since we have a fun last day in China planned, and a nice dinner, and then packing ALL THIS STUFF up again for the long ride home.  Please pray for us on Friday, for safe travel, for on-time flights, for uneventful non-incidents at customs and security, and for continued good health for all of us. 

“Fix your thoughts on what is true and honorable, and right, and pure, and lovely and admirable.  Think about things that are excellent and worthy of praise.  Keep putting into practice all you learned and received from me – everything you heard from me and saw me doing.  Then the God of peace will be with you.”  Philippians 4:8-9