A New Common Language

The beginnings of the new norm.

We woke up this morning, some earlier than others, which is becoming a problem for the others who have adjusted (at least somewhat) to the time difference.  A few are still waking at 4:00 AM and not going back to sleep.  Instead I-pods and I-pads are the norm from 5:00 to 6:30’ish.  Mornings are spent like most families getting ready fighting for bathroom mirror space and complaining about who drained whatever battery is dead on the device of choice.  Two I-Pads, two I-Pods, three cell phones, two laptops and at least two mobile charger units’ means lots of charger cords, charger converter plugs and I don’t know what else is not in the right spot plugged in properly or whatever! Everything is either dead or charging including the six of us.  The only person getting stronger is Chelsea.  She loves the half charged electronic devices and playing patty-cake, fist bumps and high fives.

We had to go back to the government office to complete the adoption process here in China.  A few more document signatures, a promise to always take care of her and love her and as far as China was concerned Huai Chun Tai (we can use her name now because she is ours.) AKA Chelsea is part of an American Family with the last name of Avery.  We took the bus ride back to the hotel where Jane told Chelsea that the family would return to her orphanage tomorrow to say goodbye to her friends and give them gifts. Jane was careful to reassure her that everything would be OK and that after she said goodbye she would return to her home (hotel) with her new family.  She nodded OK but really has not spoken much at all.

Chelsea has decided her brothers are pretty cool and want to hold both Nolan and Chase’s had everywhere we go.  She is bonding quickly with her siblings and as expected they are figuring out the communication faster than mom and dad.  We walked to the mall area about 10 minutes away from the hotel, dodging bicycles, mopeds, scooters and cars.  We have said several times there is no rhyme or reason to navigating the traffic in China only a rhythm.  One you understand that it gets easier.  I actually think Hefei traffic is worse than Beijing but Chase is having a bit more success here we have only been in the crosshairs of an oncoming bus once and standing our ground (no high value target panic moves please) the bus navigated around the group of funny looking Americans. We made our way to the outdoor mall much like Westlake in Seattle but nothing like Westlake in Seattle.  Here dogs get to run free and the occasional monkey is walking alongside his owner on a leash.  We passed on the “food court” as it was really just an open air market with all kinds of items on a stick (no jalapenos sorry.) We had ventured outside our comfort zone for that last 4 days and decided it was Chelsea’s turn so pizza was the order of choice.  Actually we ordered Chelsea and Sophie Spaghetti which comes with mushrooms and bacon here.  They split it and Chelsea ate every last bit except the mushrooms, a girl has gotta draw the line somewhere and mushrooms are as good a place as any.  We ventured back to the hotel this time walking with traffic to show how brave (or stupid) we Americans are.  On the street corners we slowed and watched through wincing eyes the ear cleaners of Hefei.  Yep come to Hefei and you too can sit on a small stool and have a stranger strap on a headlamps and stick sharp instruments in your ear; for a small fee of course, ear pickers gotta make a living right? Chase made a comment that if you were not a good ear picker you got demoted to an area slightly south of the ear and in the middle of the face.  But I will leave the job title to your imagination.

Back to the hotel room for a little down time and for Chelsea to reacquaint herself with her new found electronic devices.  She is really turning into an American girl in front of our eyes.  We call her name and we consider ourselves lucky if she looks up and acknowledges.  The transformation has been so fast.

But one thing has broken, no shattered the ice. When we decided to break out the soccer ball Chelsea practically leap off the bed to start passing the ball with her new siblings.  This quickly led to belly laughs and goofy dancing. As I had said in a previous post the Avery family rarely goes anywhere without at least one soccer ball.  China is no different.  Nolan found the ball and decided to see if Chelsea could learn to pass the ball.  Nolan and Sophie stood about 4 feet apart and passed the ball back and forth about three times.  They then passed the ball to Chelsea and looking up from the I-pod just long enough she poked the ball back to Sophie. Around and around this went for about 2 minutes.  Nolan told Sophie to step back and make the triangle (it is really the only shape a true soccer player knows) bigger. Sophie moved and that was it.  The shell has been broken and Chelsea was out.  She leapt off the bed and started kicking the ball with surprising force. She even stepped over and stole a pass from Sophie (and Sophie never loses a challenge) and sent it careening back to her big brother.  Chased joined in to form a diamond, which is really only two triangles put together and balancing on a corner; It is not a square, those have no place in soccer.  Chelsea was in heaven.  Soon she was laughing, jumping and throwing herself around the room in minutes she was sweating and asking for water.  She is tough slapping high fives so hard hands hurt.  It is now apparent that once again Myriam has missed the mark.  She always wanted a little girl who was quiet and could just sit and color quietly; sorry looks like we have a high energy active nine year old on our hands who just might like soccer.

Appropriate that the most popular sport in the world speaks volumes in different languages

It may be a small sided field but note the perfect triangles - Makes a coach proud 

Tomorrow we will go to the park and challenge the local team!!

Nolan who has been just amazing this trip commented on the sudden and dramatic change.  He commented that I was never concerned about the adoption.  How we found out about her, how her friend is adopted by our good friends, everything just fit into place.  And what just happened there with the soccer ball that just goes to show you Chelsea was meant to be with us.

Out and about near the mall and open air market


 

Yes I know it is your device but right now I need some screen time.



Skyping with Friends