Pam In China

Our new foreign interns arrived on Sunday. Clay met them at the airport with some Chinese teachers. The girls (we're fostering a 2 year old for the summer)and I were picked up and taken to a dinner to meet them. We waited for about an hour before everyone arrived. Then we ate. Then we played in another room while everyone visited, no a/c. About 2:30 p.m.( way past nap time),I needed to take the girls home, by taxi. Clay agreed.

Xiao Qing decided to "pitch a fit"! She was NOT acting, this time. She wanted her daddy, after we're half way down the street towards the taxi stand. She sat on the sidewalk screaming. Everyone in the little shops woke up and came out to see what the foreigner with the two girls was doing. One guy asked if he could carry Xiao Qing for me. But she wouldn't let him.

I asked him to please go and get a taxi. He said, "How do I know these children belong to you?" After 5 minutes of Xiao Qing still screaming, and the crowd growing larger and larger, I put the other child down and picked up Xiao Qing and put her on my good hip. Next, I picked up the other child and placed her on the bad hip (she weighs less), and looked the guy in the eye and told him in Chinese, "Thanks alot" and then in English I said "for nothing". I was so hot, I was so embarrassed and I was really wanting to "pitch a fit" myself!!!! Which I guess I was doing!

Why? Because I was angry at myself. I knew I should have declined the noon dinner. Evening dinners are ok, but noon dinners just cut into naptime!

Finally, we found a taxi. After I put the other child in the car, Xiao Qing went running down the street. The crossing guard chased her and brought her back. We all got in the car.

Both kids fell asleep on the way home. I paid the taxi driver, carried them both upstairs (only one flight) and put them to bed. I was dripping wet with sweat, so I got in the shower. When I got out, Xiao Qing was standing near the bathroom door. I was stark naked and someone was pounding on my door screaming something that sounded like POLICE in Chinese.

I dried off quickly while shouting "wait" in Chinese......I dressed in a house dress, still pretty wet, and opened the door. Yep, the police, someone thought I was abducting Xiao Qing or something and called them.

Well, at least I have a story for Xiao Qing when she's older......The girls were very well behaved while the cop was here. They called him "shu shu"(uncle) and even shared their coloring book and showed him pictures. Of course, Xiao Qing scribbled on the wall, when I was trying to find a copy of her adoption application.

After he viewed Xiao Qing's papers, he seemed satisfied. He asked to use the phone and called in a report. Then he quickly did the paperwork for an official written report, which I had to sign. Since I don't read Chinese, I had no idea what I was signing. But he had a nice face, so I trusted him.

Xiao Qing lived up to her part and she should receive an award for "Pitchin A Fit". I've included this B&W of a calm moment in her hectic life!!!

This is one reason I love China so much, you never know what a new day will bring!!