Comments on A Song Heard Far Away: Four Days and Counting

Peanut. She is Chinese after all.

2007-06-06T15:39:00.000-07:00

Peanut. She is Chinese after all.

Expat:Emerald? Nah. Walnut? Pecan?

2007-06-06T10:36:00.000-07:00

Expat:

Emerald? Nah. Walnut? Pecan?

Jacob Teller Large Bills:Thanks for the info. I w...

2007-06-06T10:34:00.000-07:00

Jacob Teller Large Bills:

Thanks for the info. I went to the bank last week to make sure they'd have enough currency on hand, and they will. My husband is taking the money out of the account Friday morning, so I'll make sure he calls ahead (today) for the clean new bills!

About the pachouli and wiping of butts: I went to Pacific Lutheran University in the eighties, and for some reason there was huge number of students there from the Middle East - Saudi Arabia, probably Iraq, and once Katyess (frequent commenter) and I were in the library. I found a gum wrapper on the floor. I picked it up and, for some inexplicable reason, I sniffed it. "Hmmm" I said, "B.O. and pachouli. This gum wrapper belonged to a Saudi."

Good times.

Katyess:Don't cry! I doubt your prayer list sucks...

2007-06-06T10:27:00.000-07:00

Katyess:

Don't cry! I doubt your prayer list sucks! (Do you pray like this, "uh, God. Hi. So, like, Leezer, and uh, my family and husband, yeah. So high-five. Bye."

Check in, I'll try to blog from China!

The Chinese don't trust their own currency! I am ...

2007-06-06T08:00:00.000-07:00

The Chinese don't trust their own currency! I am with Tim - get the clean bills lined up.

Pearl = P + earl. Ix nay for me, although you know how I love gem stones. How about Emerald? Esma?

Love and blessings to you all!

I've worked at banks for years. I was actually a ...

2007-06-06T06:21:00.000-07:00

I've worked at banks for years. I was actually a Teller and Teller Supervisor all the way through college. It might be a good idea to go to the bank today and let them know that you are going to need clean, new bills. They can have them delivered from the federal reserve. Otherwise, you may go to the bank and find that they don't have totally clean bills.

The reason for the clean bill thing, I've learned, is that overseas, American currency is devalued when it has any marks on it. For example, if there is a mark from one of those counterfeit pens on it, a $100 bill will only exchange for $85. This is in Eastern Europe, though, but I suspect it's the same in China.

Most people don't think about the fact that most of the money that the bank operates with on a daily basis is money that is deposited by other customers. It usually smells like patchouli oil and looks like someone wiped their butt with it.

Oh crap, you're going to make me cry. I cannot be...

2007-06-05T21:39:00.000-07:00

Oh crap, you're going to make me cry. I cannot believe this is finally happening - it's taken forever, but it's happening so fast!

Do you need me to call Elrod and tell him what he wants to name Song Song? If so, I'm on it.

Email me your flight times, etc. - I'm going to put you guys on Mom's prayer list (hers is powerful, mine sucks . . . duh).

Everything will be just great, because remember: you'll be packin' 450 large singles!

Katyess:I wish you could come with me!

2007-06-05T18:05:00.001-07:00

Katyess:

I wish you could come with me!

Booda Baby:So funny you should suggest Pearl! My ...

2007-06-05T18:05:00.000-07:00

Booda Baby:

So funny you should suggest Pearl! My mom called this afternoon and said, "you know, we'll be right by the Pearl River. Have you thought of Pearl as a name?"

Ruby has a special place in my heart. My best friends Mom growing up was named Ruby.

My mom also suggested Iris.

Timathon:Yep, it got here pretty fast. Like being...

2007-06-05T18:04:00.000-07:00

Timathon:

Yep, it got here pretty fast. Like being preggers except the gestation period was like 18 months!

Christina:Thanks for the heartfelt wishes. Yes, t...

2007-06-05T18:03:00.000-07:00

Christina:

Thanks for the heartfelt wishes. Yes, the passports arriving was a HUGE relief!

Oh, I really like Pearl; old-fashionish like Georg...

2007-06-05T16:18:00.000-07:00

Oh, I really like Pearl; old-fashionish like Georgia and unique. You won't hear any of her peers answering to that either.

oops. I actually HAD a number three because I for...

2007-06-05T12:07:00.000-07:00

oops. I actually HAD a number three because I forgot to include it in number two. Pearl. I vote for her to be called Pearl.

It's crazy this is all actually finally happening....

2007-06-05T10:56:00.000-07:00

It's crazy this is all actually finally happening. I'm so excited for you.

Okay (I've got so much to say, I have to number t...

2007-06-05T08:34:00.000-07:00

Okay (I've got so much to say, I have to number them!)

1. This is SOOO exciting. It'll all go well. You've got so many people thinking the way smooth for you.

2. In my defense, I told you I love handing out names to anything that'll sit still long enough to get one. Well, I've been working on these little cartoons about me, but I know I have to turn her into a fictional character. And I decided a bit ago to call her Pearl and the more I think of it, the more I like it. Ruby, I like - no, love. I love Ruby, too, but I don't think I'd make a very good Ruby. So. PEARL. Pearl's the point.

3. As we like to say around here, if you've got a one and a two, you need a three.

Yea!! The passports arrived! That is great news....

2007-06-05T08:13:00.000-07:00

Yea!! The passports arrived! That is great news. One less thing to worry about. And I'm sure everything else will work out, and you'll be on that plane back from China with your new daughter in your arms before you know it. Until then, just breathe!

Mae:The passports arrived today, whew!I am excited...

2007-06-04T21:05:00.001-07:00

Mae:

The passports arrived today, whew!

I am excited for your trip to Seattle!

Hi Pixie:Thank you!

2007-06-04T21:05:00.000-07:00

Hi Pixie:
Thank you!

Hey! Can you believe it's all happening so quickl...

2007-06-04T20:58:00.000-07:00

Hey! Can you believe it's all happening so quickly?! I hope you got your passports OK. I'm counting down with you over here and thinking lots of good good wonderful thoughts about it all!

Looking forward to meeting your family of four this summer :)

May it be a safe, successful, and rewarding advent...

2007-06-04T13:46:00.000-07:00

May it be a safe, successful, and rewarding adventure. I'll be thinking of you and the family.