Leaving Wednesday Morning!

In my family, if there was ever any tremendous thing that was accomplished we would say let's go for Peking Duck. In my family, the Jacobs family, I never could find out what would merit such an auspicious occassion (usually it was a hot fudge sundae or bannanna split with an excellent report card). Perhaps now is the auspicious time to try the world famous authentic Beijing Roast Duck. Note the yellow duckling in the yellow and white hat. This (above) is the best restraunt in Beijing for the authentic wood oven crispy roast duck. It is on our itinerary for our initial time in Beijing. No doubt the duck is perfect with just a little meat, crispy skin, plum sauce and silvers of scallions. Can you tell I cannot wait! Even if I am zombie I am going to try to get myself and my hubby to this event after a Rickshaw tour to the old neighborhood and followed by a Chinese arcobatics shows...will be duck.

Thank you to everyone in advance for their prayers, supports and loving-kindness for us and our beloved daughter. We are so grateful to Olivine P. who is on the staff. She is raising some funds for us to bring to the First Hugs program and Gracie's Program. This touches our hearts because our daughter is the First Hugs program and has had one one stimulation from a nanny. A journey of this caliber takes a lot of blood, sweat and tears and we are enormously grateful to have your support. At our weakest moments we will be uplifted by you and our prayers for us. We ask that your pray our companions on the trip: Melanie and Charlie, Janelle and Edmund, Cooks and Anali and Lifing Ma (our coordinators in China who are expecting). Blessings and Much Affection!

The Golden Pig, Continued

A Message I read from Dr. Randine Lewis:

"...The year of the Golden Pig begins February 18th. In Chinese it is said that the year of the golden pig is an auspicious (positive, lucky, favorable!) year to have a baby. The Chinese might have a slightly different view than we do about the pig. So, what about the gold? In traditional Taoist cultures, there are five elements that govern the natural world. One of these elements is metal, and the finest metal is gold. Every 60 years, the Year of the Pig falls on a golden year, representing a complete cycle. So, what makes this year auspicious is the view of contentment, abundance (the pig), completion and refinement (gold). If we focus on these virtues, they will be especially strong in the upcoming year."

Becca Kitty is a lucky baby, but Steve & 1 are the real lucky ones to receive her as her parents. Steve is glad that we are going directly to Asia on our flights and staying in some five star hotels. We have the itinerary now, and will send it to my Mother in Boston. We will work with Li-feng because Anali is expecting a baby in April and cannot travel.

Some of the packers that you read about on the list-serves suffer from Obessive Compulsive Disorder...but I try to have fun with the process and include an approximate # of appropriate clothing items for the trip. I have assigned Steve the responsibility of bringing a large supply of adult medicines for our trip. Good luck to him in getting everything in his bag without a carry on!

The price of travel inside China is 3 thousand more than we anticipated. This is not a trip for the faint of heart. Much Affection, Catherine E. Cook,MDiv, MA, QMHP

Happy New Year!

Today, Sunday, is the first day of the Chinese lunar new year! It is now the year of the pig, indeed, the very special year of the golden pig, which only comes once a lifetime. Children born this year are held to be especially fortunate and will surely live blessed lives. Rebecca has already been born biologically of course, but she will be "born" into our lives shortly, so she gets some of the golden-pig blessing to my way of thinking!

Here is an image taken as part of the New Year celebrations in southwest China right in Rebecca's home municipality of Chongqing:

We've spent the entire day shopping and organizing and packing for the trip. We've made sure we've got warm clothes to bring Rebecca, two money-belts to carry our cash, and gift bags for the folks in China. We've gone over packing lists, and airline regulations for carry-ons, and the list of all the official baby-documents that have to be assembled and carefully transported with us. Lots and lots of preparations are under way...