Update

Hi everyone. Sorry for the delay on posting. We have been on the go all day everyday and then so tired!!

On the 9th we went to the island for the med exam results. On the way there we realized that we didn't really need to go since junie is under two and didn't have to get the tb test. Too bad, we just had to kill our time shopping! Junie is the proud new owner of several pairs of sqeaky shoes and the cutest dress EVER from A Gift of Love.

After getting back to the hotel, our group went to cow and bridge. Our group is great.

On the 10th we went to 6 Banyan Temple. Junie got blessed by a monk for safe travels home. I hope he threw in an extra prayer for her mommy who is quite nervous about that much time on a plane with an 18 month old!

Yesterday was our consulate appt. This is the "CA" around which our entire trip was planned. We actually do not go, our guide goes for us. We had to be in our hotel room from 9-10 in case anything was wrong with our paperwork. Ours went through without a hitch! :)

We celebrated by going back to the island with our new friends, the Settles and their precious daughters. I am so happy to have met them not only because they are so sweet and fun to be with but also because Nicole loves to shop as much as I do! :)

Jordan (of Jordans gift shop) said I was "good at talking and bargaining" which I took as a huge compliment since he "talks" and "bargains" all day long!

We had lunch at the island Cow and bridge, while we waited out the rain, and it was yummy!

Today we had our swearing in ceremony at the US consulate. We waited with about 50 other families and proudly took our oath that everything on our paperwork was true and accurate.

We celebrated with our group (minus James and Noah) by going to Pizza Hut! Fun fun! Junie seems to really enjoy our outings and the more the merrier!

We have been going to the pool and junie loves it more each time! I predict she will be wearing the life vest at the pool next summer because she'll be wanting to jump in.

It's our last night at the Garden Hotel and I am feeling a mix of emotions- it will be bittersweet indeed to board that plane.

We are leaving for Hong Kong tomorrow after Simon, our guide, picks up our final paperwork - the sealed brown envelope! Around 4:00.

FYI for those to travel soon. Emma's had the best sqeaky shoes and you need WAY more clothes than the packing lists suggest! It is SO hot and humid that my clothes are gross after one wearing. The laundry services do not seem cheap ($20 for one small bunch, our friends spent $90!!!) and the clothes take a long long time to dry because it's humid on the rooms too!

Sorry for the long post and typos- this is coming from iPhone!!

Lots of love!

Ash

Oh and I don't know if you all are getting my replies to your posts or not but thanks to each and every one! I love hearing from you and reading your kind and encouraging words!

Sent from my iPhone