Tuesday, September 22, 2009

lost in translation

Ok, I've figured a few things out here...
First of all,
apparently my spoken English isn't near as
good as I thought.
Perhaps others have known for some time now.
Shu Li told our guide that I talk too fast
and she can't always understand me.
 
Well Shu Li, you aren't the only one.
 
But...she CAN read almost anything I write.
I will type a sentence into her electronic
translator and she will often read as I type then
answer me before I even have a chance to hit the
translate button.
She's SUPER smart, I'm tellin' ya.
 
But we have used the translator quite a bit
but things get a little fuzzy sometimes
and we end up cracking up because
the translation won't make any sense!
On both ends, I'm sure.
Thank goodness she's very patient
because it sometimes takes
us a while to figure out what each other
are saying.
 
Last night she showed me the translator with
this on it:
 
You can teach me to surf the internet!
 
Oh my.
She's an Americna teenager before her
tiny feet even hit the topsoil.
 
Sorry only one pic today!
I really try not to overwhelm her with snapping
my camera constantly.
I desperately wanted to take pics in WM
yesterday but I figured my new teenage daughter
would be thoroughly embarrassed if I did that!
 
We leave for the orphanage in two hours.
Last night Shu Li asked me if we could
go buy some gifts for her friends.
You Bet!
I'm so glad she felt comfortable enough to ask
us that!
So we went to the store and LOADED up on
candy for her to hand out.
 
We are still calling her Shu Li...I will ask
her soon if she wants us to start using Katie.
Oh and today is the first day she is
wearing an outfit that I brought....
size 10/12!!
She is a peanut!!
 
 
 
On the homefront:
The boys and Lucy are doing incredibly well!
Can someone please tell them that
the "Grandparent Gravy Train"
will be ending soon?

16 comments:

Karin said...

She is so precious--and I love the shot of you with your arm touching her shoulder as she looks at the translator. Something so tender about it... :)

Praying for you as you head to the orphanage--and that is so sweet that she asked to take some gifts to her friends.

Anonymous said...

I'm sure your spoken English is great too. I've only read your blog, so I've never actually hear you speak, but we had a foreign exchange student from Beijing a couple years ago and for the first week she had the same trouble as Shu Li and had trouble understanding because everyone "talked too fast" but after a week, she was understanding it all. :) It's just a matter of time. Can't wait to hear how the orphanage visit goes... Good luck and God Bless.

Nancy said...

Oh, Lori! I am so over the moon happy for you!!!! How I wished we lived near one another, as my girl would LOVE to hang with your's! (We DON'T live near one another, do we?!? HA!) Precious, precious girl you have there! Lovin' the blog...thanks for sharing your journey with us!

Hugs and love...Nancy in CT

Nancy said...

I've been checking your blog at least five times a day...even when you are probably sleeping. You must feel really blessed with two wonderful daughters from China. Can't wait for Shu Li to meet the rest of the family.

Michele said...

You two are so cute, I can hardly stand it.

Karen said...

How wonderful that Shu Li is able to read some English and speak some too? She is beautiful!!! Glad you brought clothes that fit her. She looks smaller in your pics than in her older ones. I will be praying for you guys and her as she visits her orphanage. Awesome that she felt comfortable enough to ask you guys to buy things for her friends. Not that I'm surprised, you seem like pretty awesome people.

Nicole A. said...

So happy for you! One of my favorite quotes reminded me of you today:

"Be the change you want to see in the world."

Good luck with your trip to the orphanage!

All the best,
Nicole A. in OH

Lisa said...

Praising God that everything is going so well. I check your blog several times a day looking for updates. LOL
You must have really made her comfortable already. She seems like she is so content.

Lisa
Newark, Ohio

Jo said...

So glad to hear things are going so well--I prayed for the Lord to multiply and make the most of this time you three have together before you come home.
And really--does the "Grandparent Gravy Train" ever really end?

Cari said...

The picture is so sweet and tender. Been praying for you guys today and hoping all goes well with the good-byes. That's been heavy on my heart...can't even imagine (for Shu Li especially). May Shu Li find the "peace the passes all understanding" soon.


Size 10/12? I was wondering how petite she was! :)

Jo said...

Oh--and size 10/12? That's what I'm buying for my 8 1/2 year old daughter and my 6 1/2 year old niece! Yikes!

Chris said...

I thought too she looked so tiny the first nite in the PJ's
Praying the orphanage visit isn't too hard

Adeye said...

Absolutely beautiful, friend. She sure does look tiny in the pics. PTL that she is adjusting so beautifully. God is sooooo good! I think about you all day, wondering how things are going. Thank you so much for keeping us updated, it means the world.

Jean said...

Good move not snapping pics in WM. Yes that would embarrass a teenage girl!

She is so cute!! Size 10/12 what an adorable peanut!

You are going to have so much fun with her at home!!

Loving every minute of your blog!!

Anonymous said...

Lina and I love the pictures and have been checking your blog everyday. Keep coming!!!

Janet and Kevin said...

Praying the orphanage visit went well and it was a healing time for you all. So precious that Shu Li wanted to take presents for her friends! What a loving heart.

blessings,
Janet, Kevin, Ted, Philip, and waiting for Eli

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