Wednesday, May 06, 2009

More fun facts -- part 2

This post length will be determined by Cassie. It's 6:29am and she's almost awake.

1. Tip -- eat a large breakfast while in China. You never know what dinner will be. Two nights ago it was two bites of oatmeal -- that Cassie won't eat. Last night it was Hot Pot. Water and fish heads boiled on your table for 10 minutes then you throw in many other food like pieces -- why did I call them food like pieces -- because I'm not sure what half of them were -- yummy. Then once they boil for a couple of minutes you fish them back out -- pun intended. I fed Cassie a piece of chicken from the witches brew and I think some tofu. She also ate two dumplings. Mommy had 3 pieces of potatoes.

2. Cassie is amazing.

3. To clarify an earlier post about the squat potty, mine didn't have TP like the one Sonny used and took a picture of. I had to fish out a pack of tissues from the pocket of my pants - the pocket by my knee - that was buttoned. Once I got the tissues out -- after peeing so I had to be extra careful -- I stored the pack of tissues in my mouth. Cassie thought it was funny to try and push the tissues farther in my mouth until mommy was making gaging sounds from the tissues and from the 'business' that was going on in the potty next to me. They did however have a sink with running water and soap. (This was at the tea house). But nothing to dry your hands on.

4. That brings me to my next tip. It's better to stay a little dehydrated while in China. See item 3 above to understand why.

5. According to the Chinese, if I lose some weight -- the 20th time I've been told this in a nice-ish way -- I could get a Jade bracelet over my wide knuckles. Weight loss must work different in this side of the world.

6. That's my segue to the Jade store experience. It was this huge department-type store with only Jade in it. It's a government store, so there is no bartering over the prices. However, the prices seemed fair to me and then after paying for the pieces we selected, we went to desk that weighed and certified the Jade for us. We got little cards with each piece. I don't know what card goes with each but I have them all. At this store, all the Jade is grade A Jade but different qualities. Grade A means all real -- no acrylic fillers added to it. Also this Jade is from Myanmar (spell?) -- which according to Jerry is the best Jade in the world. It's suppose to be cheaper in Kunming -- because we are so close to Myanmar. Also per Jerry, this is where all the Jade in China comes from.

7. According to the Chinese Zodiac, babies born in 2008 are "rats". So, we bought Cassie a Jade mouse pendant (really a rat -- but mommy likes to call her a mouse baby -- and so do the locals). It's very light in color and very translucent -- which means it's really good -- or so I'm told. It's a mouse sitting on a heart and then two hearts are carved on the back of the pendant too. She also got two Jade bracelets for when she's older. One is two-tone white and green in color and more of an oval shape. We were told that this shape used to be able to only be worn by the princesses. So of course she got that bracelet because she's our little princess. Then she also got a yellow Jade bracelet because mommy thought it was pretty.

8. I bought a really cheap -- Grade A but not a great quality bracelet for myself. It's white and light green. I really wanted a purple one -- they had a few of them -- but my knuckles were too big to get them on. That's when I was told to lose some weight and then next time when I come they will fit. I also tried on some pretty other bracelets that fit. Or so I was told they fit -- they lubed up my hand with soap and folded my hand in half -- the best they could -- then they pushed the bracelets over my big knuckles -- all the while telling me to relax. I think it was like giving birth in reverse. I got one on -- they forced it on -- that I liked but wasn't sure I would ever be able to get it on or off once I left the store. They said I could just wear it forever then. Great sales people. So my cheap bracelet is a little too big according to the sales people but with lots of soap I can get it off and on all by myself. Maybe I'll have better luck in GZ with a purple one. Or I'll just keeping skipping dinner and my knuckles with get smaller, and then I can buy one. :)

9. There are also mullets in China.

10. Did I tell you yet that Cassie is amazing and beautiful and has really long eyelashes.

11. Lays potato chips have MSG in them. However, the moon pies here have no preservatives in them.

12. I'm so used to being stared at that I kind of like it -- I'm going to feel so common once we get home. Redheaded American women with a Chinese baby is very interesting here.

13. Speaking of hair -- Cassie is fascinated by mine. I'm sure she has never seem red hair before.

14. Deciding to not have laundry done until we get to GZ should never be discussed in front of a 13 month old. That's the day she decides to spill/throw/spit-out every meal on mommy's pants.

15. I love being Cassie's mommy. She's amazing -- did I tell you that already?

16. Even though we have named our little princess Cassie, we are calling her Zhen-Zhen (pronounced "jin-jin"). This was her nickname at the foster family and at the orphanage. We also happen to think it's really cute. Some time in the future, we will start calling her Cassie, but the Zhen-Zhen nickname will probably stick.

17. As everyone can see from the pictures, Cassie's cleft lip has been repaired. However, the repair that was done simply closed the opening. No cosmetic work was done. She needs a little shape to her lip, and perhaps a little bulge softened on her left upper lip, and her left nostril needs to be opened a bit more. We are already prepared for this - we have a surgeon lined up - and will take care of this a few months after we return home.

18. This just in from the Department of Redundancy Department: Cassie is Amazing!

Time to run -- my amazing, beautiful, needs-her-mommy, baby girl is waking.

8 comments:

Susan said...

Your really "cheap" bracelet is likely the same as my expensive one that I bought in GZ. I did buy a less expensive one for my mom there too, and could barely tell the difference between the two. And, if it makes you feel any better, my mom could barely get it over her knuckles. You would think that with all the tourists they have there, they'd start making bracelets that fit people other than the Chinese.

Oh, and as far as the food in GZ, you will find things that you will like and not question. Definitely go to the Italian place and the Thai one too. Kelly may take you to a Cantonese place, if so, she will order "safe" choices. And, you will love going to Lucy's since you can get a burger, fries, and congee with chicken there. I also loved a few noodle dishes there as well. The patio was great in February, but may be a bit warm for you guys now.

We can't wait to meet the amazing Cassie, and are so thrilled to see you falling so in love with her! It never ends and will become richer with each passing day, week, and month.

xxoo-
Susan, Roger and Maiya

Cynthia said...

What a fabulous post. I love all your descriptions of things. Cassie sounds amazing and the bond you are forming will be forever and ever and grow more and more each day.

Not so sure if I would be brave enough to try some of the food you are descriibing especially the fish thingy the made at your table.

Keep up the good work of blogging and have the time of your life with little Cassie and Sonny. Post more pictures please. Can't get enough.

Did you know before you got there that they were going to fix her lip?

Have a great day. xxoo

3peas1pod said...

Sherry,
While I probably could have gotten a barcelet on, the thought of the pain involved was too much. I got a couple of jade bracelets on a that stretchy elastic. One was round beads the other was rectangular beads in the shape of bamboo. So much easier to put on and take off.
It is so wonderful to hear how your family is being knitted together right before our very eyes. What a miracle these children are!

Michele M said...

Loved your "bulleted" fun facts.

I wish our guide lived up to her title more and came with us to the jade market instead of sitting in the car. I guess that's why I didnt get my bangle haha.

We are calling R Po Po alot too although he is learning his new american name.

The "hot pot" is definitely something I would have passed on...doesnt sound too appealing.

Did I mention how happy I am that Cassie is so amazing???

Loved hearing how your days are going.

LynnieB said...

Love your descriptive posts. I'm with Susan on the GZ restaurants. Cow and Bridge is the Thai restaurant... can't think of the name of the italian place, and I heard the german restaurant (brand new) is excellent too. Lucy's was a life saver for us. We ate there at least once a day.
Give Cassie a big smooch from Aunt Lynnie -

Drea said...

Okay, I'm laughing out loud over here! I just about lost it with the jade bracelet story! I like my bangles loose as well, and was told that it definitely could not be worn that way! I have this tiny bracelet on that has been there since we were in China! I think if I grease my hand and fold it in half like you said, it might come off! Your description is PERFECT! You have to find the purple, they are beautiful! Have a great day you guys! (Adam is safe in case you might be wondering, Allison was voted off)

Melissa said...

Thanks for the humor and the interesting facts. I want a jade bracelet, but I am scared one day it will get permanently stuck on my arm. Oh, by the way, I don't know where this came from, but Cassie seems amazing :). She is mommy!

Pam said...

Mazing...that's how Isabel says it. Cassie is, indeed. I cannot wait to meet her. I think I'll pass on the jade bangle...jewelry and pain just don't go together in my book...new jewelry usually makes me feel pretty darn good.