Monday, October 24, 2005

Starbucks worldwide

I'm blogging from the Starbucks across the way from the hotel. It's just like home - there's a Starbucks on every corner. They really are taking over the world. No joke. Not that I'm complaining. I'm sitting in a comfy chair with my grande skim latte, nice jazz music, my computer and free internet access. What could be better? The design of the store, the feel of the place, even the taste of my latte, is exactly the same as home. Even the prices are the same (after translating to US$). The only difference is that there is Chinese writing on everything along with the English. Go figure.

So - our visit is going great. It's really nice to be a family again. I keep staring at A-Girl. She's changed so much in two months! I imagine Big D feels the same about M-Girl. It's not a cliche - kids really do change fast at this age. When A-Girl first saw me in the lobby of the hotel, she ran to me and jumped into my arms, squeezing me half to death. I would have stayed there for eons but M-Girl was a little upset that A-Girl wasn't giving her a hug too. So I bent down and squeezed both girls for god knows how long. A-Girl had just gotten off the bus after the show so some of the rest of the cast and crew were standing around. It was a little overwhelming to M-Girl. We had just traveled for 15 hours to get there, barely had time to catch our breath and all these people were crowding around, wanting to meet us and ask us about our trip. We said some brief hellos and went back to our room. Like I said, it was awesome being a family again!

I saw the show for the first time yesterday but I got to watch from backstage. I was so proud of A-Girl. I couldn't really see everything from the wings but what I could see was amazing. She's so comfortable out there. She's also very professional. We didn't know that I was going to be backstage until the last minute so she had no idea I was there until she saw me before going on stage. She gave me a little wave and then went to work - no running to me, or getting out of the groove. She had work to do and she did it.

That's all I have time for now. We're meeting with Big D's relatives from Taiwan who came to visit. We're going shopping and for high tea at the Peninsula Hotel. Then Big D and I are taking a helicopter to Macau (which I keep calling "macaw" like the big dork that I am). We're getting lots of spa treatments and spending some much-needed time alone. M-Girl keeps asking why mom and dad need time alone. I told her that when she's grown up and a mommy she'll understand.

More when we get back!

4 comments:

Choco Pie said...

Jessica, it sounds great! Have a wonderful time! I hope A-girl enjoys herself, too, I could see how it could be a little overwhelming, especially since she has to share you now.

(I like Starbucks here, too. It makes me feel totally normal, like I'm back in Chicago, maybe at a Starbucks in Korea Town!)

Sounds like you're having a great time. I guess I don't know how to say Macau either, didn't know "macaw" was wrong until you said so!

I thought I should post a comment because when you post in Asia it takes 14 hours before you start getting comments from those sleepyheads back in the U.S.

landismom said...

What a wonderful reunion! I can't imagine being away from one of my children for that long, but I could see how the only thing that would make you put her down again is M-Girl demanding the love too.

Choco Pie said...

Oops, yeah, I meant M-Girl.

Anonymous said...

Oh how I love the 'Bucks!

A-Girl sounds so mature and professional. Impressive!