Hello from Guangzhou! It's a balmy 94 with a heat index of 104. After 5 minutes outside we are soaking wet. It's very tropical here. We are on Shamian Island. It's beautiful! Palm trees, beautiful lights and buildings, and our hotel (White Swan) is right on the Pearl River, which is the third largest river in China.

Things here have gone wonderfully!!! Brighton is having the time of his life. It is exciting to see him experience all of this. It's a bit hard to get on the internet because he gets so impatient and wanders.

Yesterday, he tried me a bit, which was exhausting, but it is a wonderful feeling to know that he is comfortable enough with me that he's acting like a normal 9 year-old boy! He has picked up quite a bit of sign language already. His orphanage director said he doesn't like meat, but he's been eating EVERYTHING!

Yesterday was the medical exam. Everything went great, but he needs glasses. A family was sitting right next to us with big open sores everywhere and they told the doctor that it was spreading fast. We tried to scootch over without seeming disrespectful, then took a shower and changed clothes when we returned to the hotel.

Brighton is really helpful. He wanted to iron my shirts, but I was afraid he would burn them so I got out his pj's and he had a blast ironing them. He really loves french fries and noodles. He LOVES the pool!

We are going to go on a riverboat cruise today, then shop for Chinese silks and pearls. We will be going to the US Consulate tomorrow for the swearing-in ceremony, then flying home on Thursday. (Wednesday in the US)

Love you all!!!!
Tina