October 23, 2006 - Beijing

Another fun filled day in Beijing! We started the day with a great breakfast in the hotel. They have a really nice "western" breakfast buffet. Fortified for the morning...our group set out for the day. First up was the Jade Factory. We learned how jade was made into beautiful ornaments, jewelry, home decorations and even "pillows." They looked more like placemats to me, but hey....when in Rome! It was a nice tour. We were instructed on the ways to tell real jade from fake jade..and then sent out to the warehouse/retail store to buy! I picked up a nice yellow jade pendant for myself and a green jade pendant with a chinese symbol for longetivy to give to Maya at some point in the future. Here is a picture of a jade family ball - it symbolizes the harmony of family life. This one has 4 balls - all carved inside of each other. Very cool!

Next up - The GREAT Wall of China. Wow! It is very beautiful..and quite big...and long...over 6,000 kilometers, I'm told. It is interesting to be there. Another adoptive mom-to-be and I were sitting on the steps (because we thought it was just good enough to BE there...we didn't have to be the hero that climbed to the top!) - and we just kept saying over and over in total awe...."We are sitting on the steps of the Great Wall of China - we are getting our babies tomorrow" It is truely the most surreal experience I have had. There is a large part of me that still thinks I'm just on a nice trip to China. The reality of tomorrow has either not set-in or I'm just the calmest person in the history of international adoption and feel like I'm SO ready for this that there's no need to be nervous/anxious/panicky. We'll find out tomorrow morning, I suppose! You all can take a poll in the comments section if you wish. Is Michelle in denial or just ready to be a mommy? Million dollar question!

So...here are a few pictures of The Great Wall of China. The first is Dad and I before the "climb" - check out the steepness of that hill!

Here we are, Mary-Mia and I, cheering on those brave souls who decided to forge ahead. We were "saving" our energy for tomorrow! Can't be all sore and cranky when we meet our babies, now can we?

After the Great Wall, we went to lunch at a Cloisenee factory. We learned how cloisenee merchandise was made and I bought the absolutely most adorable musical cloisenee ladybug for Maya. To think that I was worried about the shopping here in China! I've learned two very important words. Xie-xie (Thank you!) and bu-yo (No!). These are helpful terms...particularly when the street vendors keep following you! Lunch was nice. It was served family style just like yesterday. They have the coolest tables. They are round, with a big lazy susan in the middle. They just put family sized dishes on the lazy susan and everyone helps themselves to what they want. It's a very nice way to dine. I'm thinking Thanksgiving dinner could be alot easier with one of these tables...no more "could you pass the..." twelve thousand times per meal. Very fun!

This picture shows two young girls doing the detailed painting of the cloisenee....looks a bit intense!

After lunch we went to the Ming tombs It was very peaceful. We were told all about the significance of these tombs, but I was daydreaming...sorry!

Here's a picture of Dad and I in front of one of the huge stone sculptures at the Ming Tombs. These were built to protect the tombs.

Now we are back at the hotel and taking a break to relax. We'll have dinner in a little bit - then one more sleep until Maya Day! Pinch me...I must be dreaming!

Oh..one last thing....GO CARDINALS!