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february 13:
Marisa Mei-Lian Freeman
Tea House
We learned that there is quite a lot to know
about tea.
One of our guides, Linekar, is helping to
demonstrate that a good teapot will not
dribble water down its spout when poured.
Did you know that a proper teapot (for
drinking tea) is made of clay and not
porcelain? Loose tea is the way to go and it
should only steep for 20 - 30 seconds. This
way you can use the same tea for 6 or 7 cups
(which is really good when you consider the
cost of the high quality tea) and you don't get
too much caffeine. We sampled ginseng,
oolong, jasmine, and rose tea today.
The people in China are very serious about
tea and the tea house employees were quick
to tell us all of the many health benefits of the
various kinds of tea.
We learned that there is quite a lot to know
about tea.
One of our guides, Linekar, is helping to
demonstrate that a good teapot will not
dribble water down its spout when poured.
Did you know that a proper teapot (for
drinking tea) is made of clay and not
porcelain? Loose tea is the way to go and it
should only steep for 20 - 30 seconds. This
way you can use the same tea for 6 or 7 cups
(which is really good when you consider the
cost of the high quality tea) and you don't get
too much caffeine. We sampled ginseng,
oolong, jasmine, and rose tea today.
The people in China are very serious about
tea and the tea house employees were quick
to tell us all of the many health benefits of the
various kinds of tea.
Afternoon Playtime
While Marisa played, Nathaniel and Dad
went to the "Electronics Market" - kind of like
a flea market for electronics stuff; very much
the "real China" as compared to the "touristy
China" that has typified most of our trip.
Nathaniel was able to pick up Gameboy and
PS2 games for $1 to $3 each. Next to
climbing the Great Wall, this was surely the
highlight of his trip.
While Marisa played, Nathaniel and Dad
went to the "Electronics Market" - kind of like
a flea market for electronics stuff; very much
the "real China" as compared to the "touristy
China" that has typified most of our trip.
Nathaniel was able to pick up Gameboy and
PS2 games for $1 to $3 each. Next to
climbing the Great Wall, this was surely the
highlight of his trip.
Okay, this picture does look a little bit like
Alexandra is in the hospital, but she is
actually enjoying her foot massage while
sipping a cup of hot tea.
Alexandra is in the hospital, but she is
actually enjoying her foot massage while
sipping a cup of hot tea.
Aren't you too
big for this?
This was the
solution for
the dilemma
created in the
hacky sack
video (left).
big for this?
This was the
solution for
the dilemma
created in the
hacky sack
video (left).
Waiting for the Bus
Each morning after breakfast, we have
a little social time in the hotel lobby
while waiting for the bus. Today we are
going to visit a tea house.
One of Marisa's former roommates,
Caroline Martens, is sporting her Colts
cheerleader outfit - too cute! Lottie
Watkins had her UNC cheerleader outfit
on today, too. I guess we didn't get the
memo....Marisa is just Pretty in Pink.
Each morning after breakfast, we have
a little social time in the hotel lobby
while waiting for the bus. Today we are
going to visit a tea house.
One of Marisa's former roommates,
Caroline Martens, is sporting her Colts
cheerleader outfit - too cute! Lottie
Watkins had her UNC cheerleader outfit
on today, too. I guess we didn't get the
memo....Marisa is just Pretty in Pink.
Another Day in Paradise
Wow! It has been over a week since we met Marisa. The time has flown by.
Guangzhou is wonderful and the weather has been such a treat....75 to 85 degrees
and not too much humidity....we even have palm trees and tons of flowers
everywhere. Even so, we are getting anxious to return home!
Marisa continues to bloom more and more each day. She is really starting to show
us her personality; she even laughs spontaneously at times. Early on she would
laugh only when one of us did something so silly she couldn't help but smile. We
were also pretty successful getting giggles when we would tickle her. Now she
seems to be really getting comfortable in her new environment. She has definitely
figured out who mom is - she fusses when I leave the room.
The next hurdle we have is getting her to eat. She is okay with her bottles, but
nothing solid has made it into her mouth (unless you count the bites she takes of
napkins, flower petals, and other non-edibles). We have tried hot food, cold food,
spoons, chopsticks, self-feeding, mom-feeding, small bites, big chunks....you
name it, we've tried it, and she won't eat it! I guess we will just relax and know that
it will come in time.
Wow! It has been over a week since we met Marisa. The time has flown by.
Guangzhou is wonderful and the weather has been such a treat....75 to 85 degrees
and not too much humidity....we even have palm trees and tons of flowers
everywhere. Even so, we are getting anxious to return home!
Marisa continues to bloom more and more each day. She is really starting to show
us her personality; she even laughs spontaneously at times. Early on she would
laugh only when one of us did something so silly she couldn't help but smile. We
were also pretty successful getting giggles when we would tickle her. Now she
seems to be really getting comfortable in her new environment. She has definitely
figured out who mom is - she fusses when I leave the room.
The next hurdle we have is getting her to eat. She is okay with her bottles, but
nothing solid has made it into her mouth (unless you count the bites she takes of
napkins, flower petals, and other non-edibles). We have tried hot food, cold food,
spoons, chopsticks, self-feeding, mom-feeding, small bites, big chunks....you
name it, we've tried it, and she won't eat it! I guess we will just relax and know that
it will come in time.
We just wanted to take a moment to say THANK YOU for all the
emails! We don't have the time to respond to them individually, but
we are reading them all and they are very much an encouragement
to us! Even though we are having a great trip, we are still really far
from home, and all your words make it not seem quite as far away!
Also, thank you so much for all your prayers. We really feel them.
We have not gotten sick, Marisa is adjusting to her new life (as
crazy as it may be), and Gabriel and Matthew are doing well at
home. Please keep the prayers coming!
An interesting tidbit: a few families in our group saw, and talked
with, Jim Caviezel (played Jesus in Mel Gibson's Passion of the
Christ) while we were shopping on Shamian Island yesterday. He is
here adopting a five year old special needs boy.
emails! We don't have the time to respond to them individually, but
we are reading them all and they are very much an encouragement
to us! Even though we are having a great trip, we are still really far
from home, and all your words make it not seem quite as far away!
Also, thank you so much for all your prayers. We really feel them.
We have not gotten sick, Marisa is adjusting to her new life (as
crazy as it may be), and Gabriel and Matthew are doing well at
home. Please keep the prayers coming!
An interesting tidbit: a few families in our group saw, and talked
with, Jim Caviezel (played Jesus in Mel Gibson's Passion of the
Christ) while we were shopping on Shamian Island yesterday. He is
here adopting a five year old special needs boy.
As soon as the guys returned, Alexandra and Mom headed to the Massage & Reflexology Center for a foot massage. This was the best! Seventy
minutes of back, foot, arm and leg massage - all for only $20! Might have to return for the $20 full body massage and the $7.50 pedicure!
Some of the guys in our group organized a basketball game in the hotel courtyard. Dad, Nathaniel, and Alexandra all joined in - nothing like
basketball to show you just how out of shape you really are (says Dad)!
