Wednesday, November 3, 2010

yeah, it's been a while.

11/2, 11:32 Pm. Been in USA for about a month now, me and my two amazing angels. I've grown so close to them. I miss my wife.

I've come to America with a list of goals. Number one: introduce my offspring to a family that had long given up hope of leaves sprouting from my branch of the Stine tree. A sense of obligation drove me to this as I suspect a return visit will be long in coming. From both sides of the pond. I, having fulfilled my familial obligations on the western side, will focus on familial obligations of the eastern side. They, my western family, having met my progeny, must decide if prejudice and fear can be overcome long enough to suffer the journey red-side. My stories haven't helped, I know.

Number two goal: Immerse, soak even, my girls in my native world. In this goal I have netted the most incredible gains. Anna, Amanda, both girls, dove into my world with no fear. They swam among the various schools of family and friends effortlessly. There were so many cases of daddy standing slack-jawed at their English proficiency that people began to whisper of dementia. It's true. In one crystal clear scene my Annie was having her eyes examined by an optomologist in Goodyear, Arizona. He adjusted his fly-eyed contraption in front of her not-so-Chinese-eyes while advising her soothingly to tell him what she saw. She did so. Easily, in English, absolutely correctly. Food was a slow-going introduction but in the end, they never cried for white rice. I suspect a passerby would never suspect these girls had been US citizens for only 28 days. Proud does not cover my emotions.

Goal number three: Get some old world while I can. I have gained a minimum of ten pounds since my arrival from Hong Kong some 28 days past. I've eaten Japanese, Mexican, Italian, Chinese, and American, oh yeah American. I've enjoyed an American BBQ of an entire pig, American beef steaks with baked potatoes, Chicken wings in three distinct flavors, and chili. Turkey chili, canned chili, suicide hot chili and chili-cheese frys. Man I've eaten so many bowls of breakfast cereal with fresh fruit added that my first Chinese noodle breakfast may trigger gastrinological rebellion. I had to wait until today to do any clothes shopping here in the world-wide consumer Mecca. Walmart slapped me hard with easy prices and myriad opportunities but it was a little known Kohl's store that stole my wallets heart. I spent as much as I saved and this fact alone guarantees my spousal satisfaction home-side.

A final, first achieved goal, was the Americanization of my two daughters citizenship status. Life hands us peaches every now and then and when the Family Planning Bureau in ShouGuan, China gave us travel permission for both our daughters I was slow to grasp the sweetness. It took an email session with an elder sister to trigger the implications and once I got it, we got it. Annie and Mandy are now US citizens, visa required for any and all trips to China, their homeland.

It's 12:29 Am 11/3. My belly is full of macaroni salad, chicken wings and baked beans, my mind is engulfed in Canadian whiskey and memories of Halloween highs. It is a trip we will never forget. Thank you, my home land, for being even sweeter than I remembered.

7 comments:

  1. BR, so very glad to hear that your trip with the girls has been nothing but a success. It sounds like you miss the food - would that be a fair guess??
    Take care for the rest of your trip...talk to you soon, mate!

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  2. I guess you can go home again. On vacation at least. So glad your visit was a success and happy your daughters recieved citizenship. It's a little screwy though that you have to come all the way to America to take advantage of the low low prices at stores full of crap imported from China!

    Better pack a suitcase of Cap'n Crunch, that noodle breakfast might be hard to get used to again. :)

    Harry

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  3. Daniel,
    Good to hear from you! And minimum of ten pounds, huh? Best to you, pal!

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  4. It's been so wonderful to have you all here. The only thing (or person) missing is your sweet Angie! Never say never to a family visit to China! I admit, it's a bit scary to me at the thought of visiting but it's not the people or the food - it's the lack of western toilets. LOL Anyway, I love you and we are going to miss you all sooo much! Zach hasn't stopped chatting about playing with the girls in the kitchen all week. :)

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  5. Canadian whiskey, huh? What about good 'ol Kentucky bourbon? ;)

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  6. Great news. Nice to hear all went so well, and that the girls did not freak out in any way, although it seems you did a little with all that food. You made me hungry with your descriptions. What a future is in store for your family with you at the helm. Congratulations.

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  7. Darlin' D ~

    Kohl's is online, and you're the Daddy that gave daughters home, heritage, heart and hunks of memories. How cool you be.

    I'm with Har on the Cap'n Crunch storehousing - but I'd send you Special K.

    Love'ya man of the world,
    and fondest "Hellos" to Lady Tuesday
    and the little dames of delight,

    ~ Absolutely*Kate

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