Wed night in Nanchang

Another cloudy, cool day in Nanchang. We went to the Tengwang Pavilion today - Jing had never been there even though she's always lived in Nanchang. That's sort of like living in DC and never seeing the Washington Monument or such. It was only a short walk to get there from the hotel. It's 6 stories of immense architecture - on the top floor there is a group of musicians that plays and sings traditional Chinese music. Jing loved it! There are also Chinese gardens all around it with pools of water containing coy fish. Jing was constantly running ahead of us and never listening when we called out. She doesn't seem to have ever been disciplined much or just doesn't respond to it at all ... except to get mad.

We were to meet with the foster parents and directors of the orphanage tomorrow afternoon, but due to the directors' conflicting engagements, we ended up meeting with them today ... for dinner. We were very tentative about having dinner with the fosters since they have been so particular about how, what and when Jing needs to eat. And she has NOT been following that protocol at all since she has been with us. It ended up being a very pleasant evening. We had a private room at a nice restaurant nearby the hotel - 3 directors, their driver, us and our guide, and the foster parents sharing a lazy susan chinese meal of a dozen entrees. The food was very good and Jing had only acouple different things - mostly meat dumplings. The conversation was informative, cordial and warm. We were very relieved that no "issues" came up. Of course the fosters wanted to meet yet again to give us some of Jing's clothes - we truly don't have much room to take much of a wardrobe home, but will end up taking just a few of her favorites. Our guide arranged to meet with them herself and not have Jing see them yet again. Jing did some acting out behavior but that is sort of normal for a 6 yr old at a table of adults.

Tomorrow we plan to visit Jing's abandonment site. Jing is so full of questions - what time is it in America? Why is it different than here? What time does Juliana and Nathan wake up? When do we go to America .... Friday? No, unfortunately not until next Wed dear Jing. She has drawn and colored much today. She has a cold with a really stuffy nose - constantly snuffling AND grinding her teeth. Argghh! Constant (well not actually constant) grinding.Like nails on a chalk board!

We are getting tired of just waiting. Not much to do otherwise.Can't wait to get to Guangzhou!

Hope all is well with you all - especially Cait, Grace (how's that nasty cold?), Nate and Juls .... and ornament eating puppy Maggie - many, many thanks to the Cox's and Stephensons as they care for the rest of our brood!You all are such a blessing to us!

Good night!
Mary