Home is Where the Heart is

This morning we woke up, or at least got up, at 5:00 to say goodbye to Steven, Pemma, and Joi since they had earlier flights than us and then just hung out until 6:30 when breakfast started. It felt nice to eat american food again but, but I am going to miss the traditional Chinese meals that you can only get in China. While we were finishing breakfast, Morgan and Genevieve came over to the hotel so we could all take the shuttle to the airport together, so we hung out in the room and talked about the trip and everyone we met on it. Then we hopped on the bus and headed over to the airport. Checking and security was pretty painless so we spent the remainder of our time looking through the shops. Then we walked Alexis down towards her gate until we got to the tram entrance when we said goodbye and rode it down to our gate. We had a lot of waiting time, but compared to Beijing it all seemed easy and short since we were with the group.

When we boarded the plane, I tried to trade seats with the guy near Morgan, Genevieve, and Emily but he didn't want to. That's okay though because I didn't know how much extra leg space you get if you're surfing in an emergency exit. Although I was sitting next to two kind guys, the one next to me kept dozing off and dropping his head really close to my shoulder. It was a pretty easy hour and a half flight though. Since it was so short, we weren't spoiled with fancy tvs and movies, but I had a movie on my iPad and a lot of music on my iPod, so I had plenty to do.

Once we landed in Atlanta, we met our parents at the top of the escalator by baggage claim. It was such a comforting feeling to see their smiling faces and opened arms when we got to the top. We were all pretty tired so once we got our luggage we went our separate ways. My parents were going to make a nice meal for me, but I was so tired I couldn't stay awake for it. Hopefully I can get to bed still tonight at a reasonable time and break my jet lag. It's a nice feeling to be home, but a little piece of my heart will always be in Shen Yang back with the kids.

An Extended Adventure

Today we told our final goodbyes to the half of the group going to Colorado. I didn't realize how close we actually grew to everyone until it was time to say goodbye.

Once we dropped them off at their terminal, we went to ours. Our plane to Detroit wasn't until 7:30, so we waited six hours before leaving. After we ate lunch and walked around, it was time to board the plane. The waiting time and plane ride didn't seem to take that long since it everything seems faster when you have friends. I switched seats so I could sit by Alexis and we ended up having one more seat free until Steven sat there. We started watching Noah, but Steven was the only one who stayed up for the whole thing.

Once we made it to the airport we had to make arrangements for a hotel since our original flight from Beijing was delayed making us miss our connecting flight. My parents got me a room at a hotel near the airport and since everyone else wasn't old enough to get one themselves, we had a party in my room. We didn't sleep much since we all slept on the plane and we were heading back to the airport at 6:00 a.m. So even though it was a little chaotic and frustrating that our plane times messed up, it all worked out and gave us another night together.

Day Eight - Shen Yang to Beijing

Well today was a relatively boring day since we just traveled back to Beijing. It was fun taking the bullet train again and less chaotic since Shen Yang is a lot smaller than Beijing. The five hour ride went by quickly too since we figured out how to turn our chairs around so we were facing the row behind us. We entertained ourselves by talking the entire time about our lives back home, so it was a nice opportunity to get to know some people better.

Once we made it to Beijing, we went to check into our hotel and then we went out to shop in the market. It was so fun looking at all of the vendors and bargaining with them. After our hour at the market, we went to eat dinner at the KTV. We had two small rooms to eat in and do karaoke but we ended up singing in one room anyways. The dinner really ran out quickly since it's a buffet; we ended up being too busy to eat anyways. It was a super fun way to hang out with the group on our last night. It was also a fun way to share Lilly's birthday and anniversary. After we were finished with KTV, we went back to the hotel to do what we wanted. Alexis, Grace, and I decided to go to the Walmart which was closed. Then we tried to walk into a closed Starbucks, so we decided to go to our rooms. Then Grace and I decided we were hungry so we went to KFC. We ran into Steven there so we hung out with him for a little bit and then we went back to the hotel to sleep. It was a pretty event less day, yet it was still a great way to spend our last night in China. I'm definitely not ready for it to be over, but it'll be nice to see everybody!

Day Seven - Last Day at the orphanage

Well today was the last day at the orphanage; I wish it wasn't because we didn't even get to be with the kids that long, but I'd take the few hours over nothing. It was kind of organized chaos since no one was on the same page. 

We had a ceremony to present the gifts and check to the orphanage that was supposed to start around 10:30 so we thought we could do a quick craft with the kids but when we got to the room no one was there. We later found out that they were already in the auditorium, so we met them there and hung out with them until the ceremony began. 

Then when it did we listened to the director give her thanks and then we took a picture with all of the toys and kids. With some of the money we donated, they bought a Bluray player, tablets, video camera, and a regular camera. I was a little disappointed to see that those were the "desperately" needed items they wanted and to see that the kids weren't fascinated by the new toys since they already have older versions of it. 

They were still plenty thankful though, but I think the true gift was being able to call Shen Jun Peng a friend. It was a bummer that we couldn't even be with them in the classrooms on the last day and the goodbyes were so quick, but I guess it's also a plus so Shen Jun Peng wouldn't see me cry. It's so amazing how someone so small who you can't even communicate with can move your heart in such little time. I wish I could adopt him on the spot and bring him home with me - I would in a heartbeat. We made up a secret handshake while we were waiting for the ceremony to begin, so that was a nice ending activity together. 

After the kids left, we toured the museum which is located in the old building for the orphanage which is now for the disabled kids. I also found out that there is another place where the really disabled kids stay at with foster families. It blows my mind how well off the orphanage actually is since I had a whole different image of the orphanage. 

It was still an amazing, life changing, heart moving, experience that I wouldn't trade for anything. 

After the museum it was time for lunch and we ate the best meal the orphanage had cooked us; it was noodles, broth, cucumbers, and spices. Once that was over I took a nap in the room since we didn't have any of the toys to play with on our break. When I woke up, it was time to go help out with the babies. 

I said goodbye to Shen Jun Peng one more time and then headed up to my room. It wasn't with the same room as last time, so I got to meet a whole new set of kids. These weren't as talkative but they were very sweet; they just preferred to play on their own. 

After that I went over to help the older kids paint. They were all natural artists who were really creative in their paintings. Once we were finished painting we went outside to play with the kids. 

When it was time for them to leave I was on the lookout for Shen but for some reason I didn't see him leave. It was so sad not to be able to say goodbye again since I thought I would be able to. I waited on the bus looking out the window in hope of seeing him, but he never appeared. It breaks my heart knowing that I won't be able to see him anymore. Hopefully I'll be able to hear updates about him with the help of the employee I am going to QQ! 

After that we headed back to the hotel to get ready for our last dinner in Shen Yang that the orphanage director was treating us with. After dinner we stopped at a park which is the old northern capital. It has been transformed into a night park where people just hang out and play tug of war, dance, and jump rope. After that we did some more local shopping to see the street vendors one more time. After we finished checking it out, we headed back to our hotel to pack for Beijing. It was all together a great last day but it was also the saddest. 

Day Six - Shenyang orphanage

It's crazy how I can wake up before my alarm clock, yet I cannot roll out of bed to that sound to save my life at home. It makes it helpful though so I know I'm wide awake for the busy days we have at the orphanage. I was super excited because I was working with the class I got to work with on the first day - the class that my friend Shen Jun Peng and his foster sister Shen Jun Xue are in. 

It is so special to be able to connect with a kid and know that he is just as excited to see you as you are to see him. It's going to be really hard to leave him since I've already connected so much and it's only been our second day together, but that just makes every second even more special. 

Today we made hand dragons, and he let me help him trace and cut out his hands and color the dragon's wings. I was watching this other little girl, Shen Junbing, trace her hands and I thought it was the most beautiful thing ever. One of her fingers was completely bent horizontally at the first knuckle, but she didn't let it affect her at all. It's sad because it doesn't affect her at all except her imperfection, yet she's still in the orphanage because of it. It also blows my mind that all those kids in the class haven't been adopted yet since they're only five and you can already tell how smart they are. Everything they touch, they make sure it is perfect. Like coloring in between the lines and doing their part to make sure the room stays clean and being talkative and able to share everything they have with others. 

On top of that, they also pick up English very well; by the end of our two hours, Shen Jun Peng learned my name and was able to tell me what it was after I pointed to him and told him is. When we left, I got so many kisses and hugs from him and we blew kisses at each other until we weren't able to see each other anymore. It's truly amazing to love someone so much after only four hours together. 

After we said goodbye to the kids, all of the people on the trip had a sponge race and the losing team got three buckets of water poured on them. Amy, our director, ended up getting them all poured on her though since there wasn't a definite winner. Then we headed off to lunch; we ate some beans, cucumber and chives, rolls, and rice. Once again the rice was the only "great" tasting thing, but we were all prepared with a lot of snacks to fill us up. 

After lunch was over, we went to hang out with the older kids. We made tissue paper flowers with them and while mine were not the best, there were some really pretty flowers made by the kids. After we used all of the tissue paper, we went outside to have a sponge race with the kids. It's amazing to see how fast and energetic the kids are and how much they loved hanging out with us. After the race was over we played towel volleyball and then had free time. 

When it was time to go, I naturally began watching for Shen Jun Peng to come out of his building and when I saw him, he was looking around on the sidewalk. I called his name and he ran into my arms again and gave me a kiss. It never gets old to see his ear to ear smile. I asked him what my name was and after a couple seconds of thought, he said Jennifer! It didn't surprise me that he remembered it, but it did surprise me that he was able to say it without hearing it first. I thought it was the coolest thing that he knows me by name and looks for me whenever he can. After we said goodbye, he and his sister waved and blew kisses until they were in the building. 

Once we got back to the hotel Jannelle, one of the directors for the trip, came to my room to give me a piece of paper with one of the orphanage employees name and QQ number, which is like the Chinese Facebook. I had talked to her yesterday while I was working with the babies and Jannelle told me she kept asking for me so she could keep in touch with me and tell me how the babies are. I think that's super neat that I not only made an impact on the kids and she saw a connection, but I also had an effect on her. I'm so happy that there is a way we can communicate and I will be able to keep up with the kids. I hope she gives good news soon of them being adopted though. 

After I finished talking to Jannelle about that, Alexis, Grace, and I went street shopping for some candy and to look for Pocki. We ended up finding Pocki in one of the stores and so we each bought two different flavors of it and then we bought our candy snacks from the same nice guy we did last time. He was really excited to see us again. After we looked at all of the vendors, we turned around to head back to the hotel. On our way back we found a dumpling stand with the amazing dumplings everyone has been talking about. We were a little hesitant about buying them at first but when we tried one, we ended up turning around to buy another box of them. Once we got back to the hotel, we went to the abandoned mall behind  it. I bought two skirts and they bought a couple of rings. Then we were drawn into the music store since we wanted to listen to the guy play the drums. When we walked in we saw some ukuleles and since the guy majored in English, he was able to teach me how to play some. He attempted to teach me but gave up and told me I lacked rhythm. Grace ended up buying one for her more talented than me sister though. 

After that we decided to go back to the hotel and relax. A couple of us ended up hanging out in Art and Steven's room; it was pretty interesting watching Grace try to teach Art the choreography she made up for my cheerleader of the year routine. I'm really excited to see how it turns out but I'm sure Art does it ten times better than me. All together, it was a great day I wish it didn't go so fast because I don't think I'm ready to say goodbye to the kids. I'm incredibly blessed to have had this opportunity to be here though! 

Day Five - Shenyang orphanage

Today we had our first rainy day in China. It was only small sprinkles though and then it cleared up so it reminded me of home, but the kids I'm meeting are gradually making me not want to come home without them. 

I had the opportunity to work with the kids 1-3 years old. I was in one classroom with five kids; all boys and one girl. Most of them warmed up to me immediately, but the one little girl took a while. 

There weren't many restrictions on what we could do with the kids and the nannies were super friendly, so we all just ended up playing together. It's amazing how the smallest things can light up a kids eyes and make them laugh; it's something as simple as blowing bubbles and popping them and picking them up and spinning them around. It was so rewarding to see them smile and laugh and jump into your arms. 

Sheng Tongde, Shen Ying Chao, and Shen Tonghou were my three little buddies I got close with today. It makes me happy to know that they are well taken care of. Shen Tongde and the little girl were foster siblings and Shen Ying Chao and Shen Tonghou were; I like the way they are all so close and I also like the way the nannies care for them as their own. 

After that part of the morning we went to lunch and ate a more normal meal. We ate rice, cucumber salad, and seaweed stuff. They offered fish, but I learned from yesterday not to take anything I knew I wasn't gong to eat. Once we finished eating we hung out in our room and played some games before it was time to go back into the rooms. 

When we were back with the kids we did the same thing as before except it was slightly easier since the kids were already warmed up to us. It's so funny how into selfies the kids are; I love taking pictures with them because whatever crazy face I make, they copy. 

Once all of the kids left, I rushed outside to look for Shen Jun Peng to say hello and when I saw him he ran up to me and jumped into my arms. 

It was probably the most amazing feeling ever to know that he remembered me and got that excited to see me. It's comforting to know that I am making a difference in these kids life even though it may not be some big thing, that hug was just enough. All together it was a pretty amazing day at the orphanage. I'm excited to see the older kids tomorrow! 

Once we got back to the hotel, Grace, Alexis, and I tried another local restaurant; the guy was really excited that we were eating there since we promised we would come back. We ended up eating dumplings, fried rice, fried tofu, and garlic sprouts and gave the leftovers to someone on the street. We didn't give it away because it was nasty, it was delicious, we just knew we wouldn't eat it but there was so much leftover. Then we walked around and looked in every store we could find for some Pocki but couldn't find the original flavors. After that we went to the hotel for reflections on the orphanage and had a really nice talk about being adopted. So even though it was a rainy day, it was still a very colorful, exciting day! 

Day Four - At Shenyang orphanage

Well today was definitely an exciting and eventful day! Today was the first day working in the orphanage. Since it was the first day, it was a little chaotic. When we arrived, we dropped our stuff and all the gifts in the meeting room and then got a tour of the orphanage. I was surprised to see how nice the orphanage actually was since I imagined it being really small with plain colors, but it was huge with different colors of paint everywhere, pictures on the walls, and a lot of fun toys. 

I was a little disappointed to see how developed the orphanage actually was but realize that it's the same as any other orphanage in the sense that the nanny to child ratio is large and cannot supply every kid with special attention. So after the tour, it was really fun getting to hang out with the kids. We had two hours with them before lunch and nap time and then another two hours after. 

I started off with the toddlers and we did a craft with them. We made paper aquariums with a paper plate, rice, cut out fish, and tissue paper. It was really fun bonding with the kids by helping them make it. Even though we couldn't communicate with the kids, it amazed me how close we actually got through sharing smiles and laughs. The two hours we got with those kids was not enough for me since we got so close in that small amount of time. 

I bonded with two boys; Shen Zhi Lei and Shen Jun Peng. It was such an amazing experience to get to know them along with their bubbly personalities. It was cool to see how developed their brains were since they were picking up English words I taught them and to see how they all colored perfectly in between the lines. After we finished making them we left to eat lunch at the orphanage. The kids get to leave with a foster family type thing that lives at the orphanage. I think it is a cool temporary family thing that allows the kids to get special attention. 

The orphanage food was definitely traditional; they gave us noodles, chicken neck and feet, beans, rice, sticky rice, and a roll. I can't say it was my favorite, but it was a nice experience. 

So after lunch we got to spend some time with the older kids. We helped them with art but their art was really elaborate and out of my artistic ability. Then we moved onto a more familiar area and we made the kids puppy chow. The kids really enjoyed making it but they enjoyed eating it even more. After that we took them outside to play and burn it off. We played soccer with most of them, which was really fun since the kids have no off button! While we were playing outside, foster parents were picking up their kids. 

When we were saying our goodbyes, my friend Shen Jun Peng ran up to me again and said hello! It really made me happy seeing him again since I won't be with that group any more this week. I think it's a sad thing that they are in the orphanage because of their medical paperwork when they're all great kids with unnoticeable birth defects, but it's comforting to see that they are well taken care of. 

Once we came back to the hotel, we were on our own for dinner again. Steven, Grace, Alexis, and I walked down to the KFC and then did some street shopping on the way back. We bought a whole lot of Chinese candy and had a testing party afterwards. It was a great way to end the day! I'm so blessed that my threads are bringing me together with all these people!