Author Archives: janishaag

  (#20 in the Annie series) I want to be one of those people on an airplane who plugs in earphones, clamps a U-shaped pillow around the back of their necks and dozes off instantly. Without even reclining the seat … Continue reading →

(#19 in the Annie series) I love when Nikki said, “We’re going to high tea at the Ritz Carlton,” that she really meant HIGH tea. Not just a fancy, three-tiers-of-goodies kind of tea, but on the 103rd floor of the … Continue reading →

(#18 in the Annie series) So on this trip, in two-and-a-half weeks, we have experienced more forms of transportation than I have ridden on during any other fortnight in my life. By its end we will have traveled by: (big … Continue reading →

(#17 in the Annie series) So in a previous life, at a high school pool in a galaxy far, far away, I had a several-summers-long career as a swimming instructor, lifeguard and synchronized swim team coach. I often tell people … Continue reading →

(#16 in the Annie series) At the Guangzhou train station, in the queue to go to the platform, we stand between two other sets of adoptive parents. (Wait, did I just make it sound as if I was a parent? … Continue reading →

(#15 in the Annie series) To love means loving the unlovable. To forgive means pardoning the unpardonable. Faith means believing the unbelievable. Hope means hoping when everything seems hopeless. —G.K. Chesterton (a quote I carried in my travel journal throughout … Continue reading →

(#14 in the Annie series) So in China, besides going for a foot massage, which is more like a mostly clothed, all-over massage that leaves you like (pardon the cliché, but it’s so true here) a wet noodle, Nikki says … Continue reading →

(#13 in the Annie series) The day before we left Guangzhou Nikki asked Elsie, our translator, what Annie’s Chinese name means in English. It’s: Long Xin Zi We knew that Long is her last name, but Elsie told us that … Continue reading →

(#12 in the Annie series) Guangzhou was at the center of the massive tea trade that existed between China and Europe during the 19th century. —Wikipedia entry The thing about adoption in China is that you end up waiting. For … Continue reading →

(#11 in the Annie series) What girl doesn’t like new clothes? Aunt Jan was hoping the opportunity would arise to stroll into a Chinese kids’ clothing store (or two) with Nikki and Annie and have them pick out some new … Continue reading →