Dialogue with Thea!

The countdown is on and the frenzy has started. I am an emotional basketcase (just like I was with all of my kids two weeks before I was blessed by meeting them). There is officially no guarantee from me what my reaction will be when you talk about our trip to China. All the normal (what I consider normal, anyway) fears, questions, anxiety and everything else rolled up, start to creep in as the days get closer. I'm no longer calm and collected, I am UNPREDICTABLE :)
Tonight I was sitting at my computer, working on last minute paperwork for the adoption, and I received an e-mail from our China coordinator. As I read it, I started sobbing (usual occurence these days). It could not have come at a better time and as I cried, I smiled the whole time. I cannot wait to meet my daughter :)
Instead of describing it, I am just going to post it:

Hi Mark and Kari,

I was on the phone talking to Beiliu SWI's director assistant. In the middle of our conversation, he told me that Thea just walked in the office. I was so excited and asked if I could talk to her over the phone.

She has this cute voice. I asked her questions and she was able to answer clearly.

Here was our conversation:

Sabrina : How old are you, Qiu Xiang?
Thea: 9

Sabrina : Do you go to school?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: What grade are you in?
Thea: 1st grade.

Sabrina: Do you know how to write words in Chinese?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: Can you write your own name?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: Do you have friends in school?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: Do you know how to do math?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: Can you add?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: What is 1+1?
Thea: 2Sabrina : What is 2+3?
Thea: 5

Sabrina: Do you know how to subtract?
Thea: YES! (she was very proud that she knew the answers for the math questions)

Sabrina: What is 3-2?
Thea: 1

Sabrina: What is 6-4?
Thea: 2

Sabrina: I had 10 apples and ate 8 of them. How many apples do I have now?
Thea: 2

Sabrina: Do you know your mommy and daddy are coming?
Thea: (silence, I did not want to press the issue. so I went on.)

Sabrina: Do you know how to sing?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: What is your favoriate song?
Thea: (silence. I think she does not want to sing to me.)

Sabrina: Do you have school today?
Thea: Yes.

Sabrina: Is school over now?
Thea: Not yet.

Sabrina: So, you are back to have lunch. Have you had lunch?
Thea: Not yet.

Sabrina: Go ahead. Go eat. Thank you for talking to me.
Thea: ok.


She is a well behaved child. She was on the phone for quite a long time with me. I just want to share this experience with you.

The orphanage director will try to take photos of Thea's school for you.

Have a wonderful day!

Sabrina :)