Wednesday, February 05, 2014

meeting the family: days eight and nine.


Prettiest smoke bomb I've ever seen.

Playing a game with the kids.

This is the cutie that stole my heart.

She was obsessed with my hair, grabbing it and playing with it constantly. She asked a few times, "Where did you get your hair?"

I peeled that grape for her and it was then that I realized that I'm screwed when it comes to parenthood because I will do anything for an adorable kid.



It turns out he's really sexy when he sings in Chinese.

Tony, me, his sister-in-law, mom, and dad.

Days 8 and 9—our last two entire days at Tony's home—were filled with family.

On day 8 we ate lunch at one of his uncle's house and there were so many people. My favourite part was playing with the kids. There were a couple of little boys and we enjoyed teasing each other, playing kungfu, and setting off smoke bombs. There were a few little girls and we (literally) skipped to the store where I bought us all (insanely cheap and delicious) candy and gum. The one who stole my heart was the little girl in yellow above. Three years old with the best laugh and eyes. So busy, woah.

We spent hours at that uncle's house, went home for about an hour, and then went to another uncle's house for supper, with all the same people. There wasn't time to play with the kids, but I talked to the adults a bit more (with my measly Chinese and Tony's translations), and we all laughed a lot. I was a bit frustrated because yes, we were laughing together most of the time, but there were definitely a few times they were laughing at me.

But as I looked around the table that night, feeling simultaneously overwhelmed and happy, I realized, This is a family. This is a really big family and they laugh together and eat together, they argue and fight, play games together, raise kids together. And I have a chance to be a part of it. This is the big, lively family I've always wanted, and it's not what I imagined, but it might be mine. I might be theirs.

And I had the same realization the next day, when we were again at a different uncle's house for lunch, and then everyone was at Tony's house for supper. And then we all went to KTV (karaoke) and I listened to people sing Chinese songs and they listened to me sing Spice Girls and Shania Twain and Tony and I did a duet to "American Pie." We all clapped for each other and laughed and beer was drank and spilled and arguments were had and some feelings got hurt but in the end, it was all good.

It was all good.

P.S. Days one, two, three, four, five, six and seven.

4 comments:

  1. Just my two cents on the they're laughing at you part... sometimes it may seem that way. But perhaps they're laughing with you but you're not laughing. You may be charming or amusing and not realize it or perhaps they're just delighted that you are trying. After all, it's not the easiest language to learn :)

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  2. I think it's always good to remember that some things get lost in translation because sometimes what we think is funny or normal is totally different in other parts of the world.. some places are just a little different.

    That little is so perfectly adorable! hehe if you were in the US- you could go to claires and get her one of those fake hair pieces so she could have a little fun with her hair. :)

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  3. What beautiful images and words in regards to a family. I especially loved that it isn't the family you ever imagined but how happy you are to be theirs.

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  4. cdncowgirl: Good points. And you've got it right about not being the easiest language to learn!

    Erika Lee: Yes, things are definitely different here. And she would have a ball in Claires!

    Stacey: Thank you!

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