Sights and emotions

From what we've percieved, Ginny is experiencing many or the stereotypical behaviors institutionalized children often experience.  The first day she was very friendly and open to everyone, the second not so much, and now the third, she's now focusing all of her attention on Sharon.  The rest of us today she just tolerates unless we are doing something entertaining or interesting.  But we expected some of this, and are treasuring every smile or giggle that comes alternating with the occassional tantrum or whine.  After all, bonding involves expressing the full range or emotion and need, and we've definitely had a sense of her "feeling" us out in the last day or so.  She has realized that she now can enjoy the freedom of walking around in just a diaper while we're in the room.  Now on the flipside, she now HATES wearing clothes when we prepare to go out, and lets us know this very clearly.  She also protests loudly when you take anything from her, not matter what it is.  Toys hold little or no value to her, but her "currency" is snacks.  Her stacking an organizing activities have continued, and she has a weird fascination with shoes.  Even walking around with a diaper, she insists on putting her shoes on, and she likes to take everyone's shoes in the room, puts them in a pile, and even sorts by who they belong to.

Now that you've heard some of the more "bonding" news, here's some of the other activities today.  We started the day seeing YuYuan Gardens and the shops and stores that surrounded it.  Very nice architecture and really neat people watching.  One very odd thing was that we heard a man on a traditional Chinese instrument playing "When the Roll is Called Up Yonder."  Our guide reccommended that we not buy anything in the shops there since Guangzhous will be cheaper, but she did say that the silk in Shanghai would be very good quality compared to anywhere else, so we picked up a scarf and a tie, and I actually haggled.  Not intentionally, mind you, as that's not my style, but I ended up saying no enough that it eventually dropped to half-price. 

We then drove to the riverfront to a beautiful view of the Shanghai skyline.  We took some pictures and enjoyed seeing the Pearl Tower and Bund on a beautiful sunny day.  I felt for Sharon, as since today Ginny wouldn't let anyone else hold her, so she's quite spent from carrying her around.  After that stop, we stopped in a "Belks" style department store to get a few outfits for Ginny (since she's definitely still in 12 mos. outfits still).  However, imagine a Belks with 12 stories.  Yes, I said 12 stories.  They actually had a pretty good toy section there, including Transformers, however, they were much higher than even US prices.  (But yes, we still bought one....or two).  They had a six-foot tall Optimus Prime which was cool.  Sharon didn't have too much luck with outfits, because the clerk wasn't too helpful. 

After this, we drove past the hospital where Wu Jin Jun had been adandoned.  We just stopped to take a few pics.  It's actually not far from our hotel. 

Tonight we're having dinner with a seminary friend of mine, Tammy, who lives in here in Shanghai now. Keep praying for us, as these days of transition have had their share of tough emotinal moments, but some really cool rewards too.