More Questions, Need help again

Can you leave China with Chinese currency?

Do you have to save all of your receipts for goods purchased?
(I guess for customs?)

Pay toilets (in China) on street cost 20-30 yuan?

Can you haggle in department stores in China?

Is it true that Air pollution is winter in cities is severe, many Chinese wear surgical masks?

Is it true that if I want to mail a package to US, I need to leave package open to be inspected at postoffice?

Just a couple of things I'm curious about. Anyone know the answers? :)

Waiting for my Referral

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Flickr

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

Dogs Around World

We've traced those of five familiar, favorite, but very different breeds of dog from all around the globe, and reproduced the dogs in plush as faithfully as possible (though we included cute hats and removable coats and fabric houses to keep the most imaginative legends alive).

For ages 5 and up.

Available Styles
Yorkshire Terrier- from England
Shar-Pei- from China
Chihuahua- from Mexico
Siberian Husky- from northeastern Asia
German Shepherd- from Germany

You can find them here.

The View

Interesting comment on the view today. They were speaking about how a celebrity wanted to go to Rowanda and the topic of adoption came up. Whoopi said that at first everyone (african americans) were all up in arms because the white people were adopting Chinese babies and they were like why don't they adopt black babies. Now they (caucasions) are in Africa adopting the black babies and everyone is still up in arms.

I could just image Whoopi rolling her eyes. I agree with her point of view. People are just never happy. What does it matter. A child is a child. Let just be grateful for everyone that DOES find a forever family! Geesh.

Fortune Tootsies

Every baby needs some lucky socks. Your take-out box contains: two pairs of white and one pair of red socks, each with individual fortunes printed on the bottom. Plus fortune cookies for mom and dad! Machine wash warm/tumble dry. 80% Cotton, 20% Nylon.

Fortunes Included on Socks:

Lucky numbers: 1 a.m. 2:36 a.m.3:15 a.m. 5:20 a.m. (Luck)
Do not underestimate your own power. (Power)
This is just a phase. (Life)
Your last journey was just the beginning. (Journey)
You will sleep through the night… soon. (Sandman)
Your smile is a treasure to all who know you. (Smile)

Find them here.

Kokeshee Cell Phone/MP3 Pouch

# C0607FAM1

What we love: We adore the Asian-flair and the meticulous details. Why you need it: A super pretty and practical way to carry and protect your MP3 player or your cell phone. Strap includes a snap so you can hook it onto whatever you like. She's not just pretty, she's handy! The scoop: Comes in two different fabric choices: Light blue or Dark green. The specs: 100% cotton. Approx. 4" x 6". Spot clean when needed. Handcrafted by Fambee in Texas.

You can find it here.

Pirate Onsie

This is just too cute, I might have to get it!

You can find it here.

Multicultural Art Supplies

Crayola® Multicultural Art Supplies

Realistic skin-tones provide a palette to color the people of the world
Crayola® Multicultural Crayons: Eight crayons in tuck box
Crayola® Multicultural Washable Markers: Eight conical tip washable markers in tuck box
Crayola® Multicultural Colored Pencils: Eight 7"L sharpened pencils made from strong reforested wood

"Colors of my Friends" crayons are excellent crayons for creating skin tones & earth tones. Large 8 ct crayons. Made in the USA! Non-Toxic.

You can find them here.

Prang Skin Tones Of The World

Eight wax crayons are packaged together in a specially developed box that promotes cultural diversity and understanding. Crayons beautifully blend together to make a variety of skin, hair and eye colors. Creamy smooth application. AP certified non-toxic. Made in the U.S.A.

You can find them here.

Ladybug Mouse & Pad

Brighten your desk and your day with the bold colors and whimsical designs of the Cyber Bug Mouse and Mouse Pad Set.

They’ll bring a welcome punch of color to the dreary, beige world of the cubicle dweller, or hook one up in your teen or tween’s room to make even that ginormous research project seem a little less daunting.

They make a great gift for students and teachers, or buy a bunch for your team at work and make Accounting the cool and creative department.

The Cyber Bug Mouse comes with a USB plug and PS2 adapter. Please note the mouse is rollerball style, not optical.

Mouse measures approximately 3 ½” x 2”. Mouse Pad measures approximately 7” x 9”.

See it here.

Pink Baby Closet Dividers - Set of 6

$9.99

Does your baby seem to have more clothes that you do? Well there is help. Organize your little one's clothes with these fun and easy to use closet dividers by o.r.e. Put together your baby's outfits and then arrange them by size and age. You will always have just the right outfit when you need it.

These closet dividers will give you the extra assistance to keep all of baby's clothes neat and tidy. Constructed of sturdy plastic, these durable dividers are labeled in 6 month increments so you can quickly spot the size you need. The dividers come in a pack of 6 and are easy to read. Not only will these dividers help organize your baby's clothes by age, but they will also help preserve memories for the future! See them here.

Traveler's Cord and Charger Storage

Traveler's Cord and Charger Storage by Kangaroom Storage
$30
Which is worse: leaving a charging cord at home or at the hotel? Or figuring out how to plug 4 cords into one hotel outlet? Now you can just unzip, insert one plug, and you’re set. Includes 6 pockets and room for a surge protector with up to 8 outlets

Survivor China

Shoey & Dot

Well, I knew if I waited, I'd get a great deal. Borders has it for $16.99, Amazon.com has it for $13.25 with super saver free shipping but...

Tuesday morning had only one for $4.99

That was my bargain of the day!!

Japanese Shrimp and Soba Noodles

Sizzling shrimp and veggies top off tasty noodles. Looks like it came from an Asian restaurant but takes only 30 minutes in a common skillet.

Prep Time:30 min
Start to Finish:30 min
Makes:4 servings

8 ounces uncooked soba (buckwheat) noodles
1 tablespoon vegetable oil
1 pound uncooked medium or large shrimp, peeled and deveined
2 cloves garlic, finely chopped
1 tablespoon finely chopped gingerroot
1 1/2 cups baby-cut carrots, cut lengthwise in half
8 ounces green beans, cut in half
1 can (14 1/2 ounces) chicken broth
2 tablespoons soy sauce
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon lemon juice
1 teaspoon cornstarch

1. Cook and drain noodles as directed on package.
2. Meanwhile, heat 12-inch nonstick skillet over medium-high heat. Add oil; rotate skillet to coat bottom. Add shrimp, garlic and gingerroot; cook and stir about 3 minutes or until shrimp are pink and firm. Remove from skillet.
3. Add carrots, green beans, 1 cup of the broth, the soy sauce and sugar to skillet. Heat to boiling. Cover and cook over medium heat 4 to 6 minutes, stirring occasionally, until vegetables are crisp-tender.
4. Stir in shrimp and lemon juice. Mix cornstarch and remaining broth until smooth; stir into shrimp mixture. Heat to boiling, stirring constantly. Boil and stir 1 minute. Divide noodles among bowls. Top with shrimp mixture.

Simple Asian Cuisine

Now you can finally have a restaurant-quality Chinese meal at home. Wanchai Ferry has all the flavorful sauces and special Asian ingredients right in the kit. All you need to add is the chicken!

They have all different meals. Check it out here.

This looks good too!!! They say it's in the Asian section of your local grocery store! :) Yum. I will have to try it this weekend! (I will post photos and review) This is funny to those who really know me.... I don't cook. I only wish the chicken was included and could be popped into the microwave! :)

I was nominated...

Donna at Waiting for Lauren Elizabeth for the Nice Matters Award.

"This award is for bloggers who are nice people, good blog friends, and those who inspire good feelings and inspiration. Also, for those who are a positive influence on our blogging world."

Donna is just AWESOME! Her and I are both with the same angency and same LID. We have the greatest hopes that we (including her hubby Joe) will be traveling to China together. She is waiting for her precious little daughter, Lauren Elizabeth. Now, even though we live on the opposite sides of the US, we made fast friends that I know will last a lifetime! Thank God for Bloggie Friends!!!

Sending big hugs to My Precious Panda! (See you in about 2 weeks!!!)

Donna, thanks for nominating me for this bloggy award! This has been an amaing outlet that's changed my life.

I'm supposed to pass this award along to seven other bloggy friends. Only seven??? Okay, here they are:

Susan at Sunflowers and Ladybugs

Tiffany at Eliza's Story

Jenny at Waiting for Abby.....................................LID 12/7/05

Hope at My Asian Elephant Pregnancy

Shannon at elena, r you?

Evelyn at JemChina Cool Baby Stuff

Angela at Angela & Bryan's journey to Ella

Dawn at Eggrolls and Chopsticks

Kim at Our Life's Journey

Need Help/Got Questions!!!!

I think I know the answers to all of these but do not know for sure...never BTDT. I am looking for anyone that has first hand knowledge or educated guesses for these questions!! Pretty please!!

Were you requested to return your child’s “gotcha outfit”? If so, can you return a new set of clothing instead?

Did your childs SWI also home elderly?

Does the government pay the SWI to get the babies paper ready?

If you are a Chinese citizen, do you get free medical/ hospital visits, etc.?

If your child gets sick after gotcha, who pays for the doctor/hospital visits?

Can you submit to insurance company once home if you had to pay?

If you have to pay, what are the costs(guestimate) of visits or hospital?

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you!!!!!

My China Diaper Backpack

Well, my new yahoo group just finished with their first challenge...and they ALL did FANTASTIC! It's been lots of fun. Here is my challenge post...My diaper Backpack. Yeah, it's kind of obnoxious but it'll only be a couple weeks of obnoxiousness! And for those of you that think I am just the most organized person ever...NOT...only with a few things. You should see my house...it's a disorganized mess. (I'm not even kidding a little bit, seriously) So, here is my diaper backpack. Can you believe so much stuff can fit in one bag? Plus, there is actually room for more. But it does look slightly obnoxious. I've been home sick, on meds and laying around the house all day. So, my laptop has been my best friend! :)

click on any photos to enlarge

I'm not sure if I'm definately bringing a voice recorder but it fit nicely in the side pocket so it staying for now. I found these 4x6 clear zipper pouches at WalMart for $1.97 and decided to make little kits. Whatever the "kit" was, I had to find items that would fit into it instead of finding a container to fit them. It force me to scale down...both in size and volume. I will have to refill my backpack on a daily basis and will pack that stuff in the checked bag.

Yes, I know...but I HAVE to have my makeup. I still have to add mascara, eyeliner & shadow, and lipstick. ALL makeup that I will be bringing will be in this little 4x6 pouch. Same goes for my mini office kit.

Still will be adding some meds to this med kit. Of course I needed some little hair accessories. Oh, and you gotta have one of those plastic diapers.

Baby Meds...more to come. Waiting til referral to purchase these due to expiration dates. Clothing includes one sleeper, dress, hat, socks and onsies.

The feeding kit is kinda big and empty. Waiting til referral. Thermos & baby blanket are not shown. Last but not least is the misc pouch.