Film From Our Trip to the Safari Park

Here is a quick little film that captures some of our experiences at the Safari Park in Guangzhou, China. It really was an amazing place. It must have been 100 degrees and it was very humid! It was hard to keep the camera lens from fogging up. It sure was fun for us to be with Bridget at last.

Bridget has been doing really well in school and is adjusting more and more each day to life with us and in the United States. It is an overwhelming adjustment as one might imagine.

The School Girls

 

This morning both Marlee and Bridget headed off to school toting supplies and lunch.  It was so beautiful to see “the school girls” setting out together for the day. 

Bridget's Party

It seems that Bridget really had a nice 14th Birthday. She faced her fears of going to school today and seemed to do very well. Everyone made her feel so special at the party. She surely must feel like a princess. As it should be.

Bridget had a very big day. She was scared to go to her first day of school today. But, I think she ended up really liking it. Many kids tried to help her out.

 

Bridget had a nice time at the birthday party with lots of presents to open and happy people looking on.

Happy 14th Birthday Bridget!

Please join us in wishing Bridget a Happy 14th Birthday today!  Not only is it her birthday but it is also her first day of school here in the United States!  It should be a very exciting and somewhat stressful day (you think?).

When Bridget got up this morning for her first day of school she had a surprise waiting for her...

Lots of Balloons and a birthday gift from her family.

Yesterday, Linda brought her puppy over for Bridget and Marlee to play with.  This also brought out many smiles.

Feeding the Animals

Our trip to the Safari Park in Guangzhou was a really great zoo experience because we had access to some of the animals.  Here is neat footage of Marlee and a giraffe.

Kate and Nathan escorted us to Hong Kong

On our last day in China our friend Kate and her son Nathan came to Gaungzhou to spend a little time with us.  They also guided us through the train station and accompanied us all the way to the Hong Kong Airport where Kate's husband Doug and other son Evan joined us for dinner.  It was so nice to see them.  I know Bridget loved the opportunity to speak Cantonese--A bit of a break from the language struggles.  (We might still be in Hong Kong somewhere without Kate's guidance). Thanks again Kate.  We love you!

Auntie Kate and Bridget talk (In Cantonese) prior to our train ride to Hong Kong.

Fun to watch Nathan and Marlee play.  Nathan came to Guangzhou to visit Marlee when she was adopted two years ago.  They sure grow fast!

Nathan and Marlee play as we wait to head to Hong Kong.

Auntie Kate bought Bridget some chinese speaking DVDs of a TV series that apparently is laugh out loud funny because Bridget did a lot of smiling and laughing watching it on the laptop.

These are lizard skins on a stick.  We went back to the market to take a picture of them before we left.  I was hoping they weren't some kind of dessert treat.  Apparently, they have medicinal purposes.

Getting Used to the New Place

Bridget came to us speaking no English at all, so communication is tricky.  However, we're pretty sure she likes her new home, especially her room!  It has taken her no time at all to organize her things and settle in.  And, like a typical teenager, she sleeps a lot, so we're glad she's comfortable.  We're looking into starting ESL classes right away.  In addition to needing to improve our communication, we feel certain that our girl also misses her peers.  So, the sooner we can establish some new friendships, the more comfortable she'll be.  That said, we had a chance meeting with another family with three teenage girls, all adopted from China!  One of them still speaks Chinese!  All three of these lovely young ladies have reached out to Bridget to make her feel welcome.  Yesterday, we stopped by their home so they could loan her some English study guides for Chinese speaking people.  She and I are going to sit down together today and start working on them.  I think we're moving right along.