Tokyo

For my first time on a 12-hour flight, it really was fantastic. It felt like the stuff you see in the movies. I am sure I will never think that again on a 12-hour flight, especially with a 20-month old in tow.  Josh laughed at me for typing that, but it is one of those double decker planes with the ominous stairs that lead to who knows what. I really wanted to go up there, but I didn’t. Katelyn did exceptionally well, except at 2:00 am when she was fidgeting all over and I was trying to sleep. She loved her Leapster. She also watched Curious George. I got a couple hours of sleep in the first part of the trip. I don’t think poor Josh got much sleep, but we are all doing good so far. They played the most recent movie w/ Hugh Grant and Drew Barrymore. I didn’t see it as I was out at that point. Dinner was beef stew and breakfast was either an omelet or fried rice. The food wasn’t bad at all. I really enjoyed the fresh shrimp and the fresh fruit. I actually watched the second movie, Freedom Writers. That was very thought provoking. At one point when I got up to go to the bathroom, I peeked out the window and saw what I think was some snow. I believe we were over Alaska at that point, but I am not sure. It never got dark, as we followed the sun the entire way.

We sat next to a very nice Asian man from Huntsville, Alabama who was headed to Hong Kong to see his parents for the first time in three and a half years. We talked to him for a little while about the difference between people who value their work or money over their children. I guess it is a common thing for the father’s to travel to China during the week and only come home to Hong Kong on the weekends to see their families. We are not talking basic survival, but only the opportunity to make a whole lot more money. It was very interesting to hear what he had to say. He has a two and a half year old son who was already in Hong Kong visiting with his wife.  He was positive about our adoption, and we talked about how important it is for the kids to grow up and have other Asian friends as well.  He said when they are young they do not care who they play with, but when they get past high school and into college, it matters more to them to connect with someone of their own race.  It made me so thankful that we are going to have the opportunity to connect with other children from Emma’ s orphanage right in our own area. He also commented on the fact that she needed to smile when we showed him her pictures!

I am copying and pasting from Word, so that is why the funny font that I was using at the airport if it shows up that way.  I am publishing them at what time it would be in the US when I typed it.  My thoughts are hurried and jumbled, but hopefully they make sense.  I just want to make sure I keep all the raw unedited thoughts that occur throughout our trip.  I am not able to view my Typepad page, but I can post to it.  We can also read all the comments via our e-mail.  Thank you for all the ones we have received so far!  We love reading them while we are here. 

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