May 14, 2013: 9:12pm, Guangzhou

May 14, 2013:  9:12pm, Guangzhou

Well, our adventure continues!  We have had a slight (or rather not so slight) hiccup in our travel plans home.  Yesterday, the American Embassy in Guangzhou experienced some sort of threat (that is left to be divulged), and they have suspended all visa processing for at least the next few days.  We were scheduled to process Zia Mei’s visa today, pick it up tomorrow, and fly home on Thurs.  Unfortunately, this is not the case.  We are waiting to hear exactly when they will allow us to enter the Embassy again in order to process her visa, so it’s looking like our time in Guangzhou is extended for at least another few days.  Zhou, who has been with our agency since 1994 said this has never happened!  This is a very unique, and not so fun experience.  We are hoping to be home by Monday or Tuesday, but we will see. 

Our poor friends had their appointment to process their daughter’s visa yesterday when it all happened.  They were stuck there for over four hours while they locked the place down…no one was allowed to go in or out…they have a 21 month old, and weren’t allowed to bring anything in with them (no bottle, diapers, zip, zitch, nada).  They said it was really scary.  No one was telling them what was going on, and they shut off the heat, so it was beyond hot and humid in the building.  Luckily, everyone is safe, sound, healthy and once again happy.  This is definitely a set-back, but we are taking it in stride.  Not much we can do other than enjoy our time with our little tiger.  She sure is a tiger too!  She growls and grunts…and cracks us up daily.  Today we met a wonderful couple from Hollland who had their Gotcha Day yesterday.  They adopted a 2 ½ year old little boy.  We have met so many wonderful new friends from all over the world.  It is truly the essence of global consciousness, and we are so happy to be a part of the pulse.

Tonight may have been the most precious bedtime moment with Zia Mei to date.  Going to sleep is still scary for her, so we have developed a routine of putting her in the carrier, and walking around our neighborhood until she falls asleep.    She loves being close to me and falling asleep on my chest which is quite precious in of itself, but tonight was beyond amazing.  She looked up at me, smiled, blew a kiss, then closed her eyes and fell fast asleep.  She is such a beautiful little person, and we feel infinitely blessed.  Eric has more photos and videos, and will send them soon.  Currently he is scrambling and trying to figure out what all this means for our travel plans.