No Surprises
Papa, Cici said as we drove to the Outlet Mall near Houston yesterday, Mama and I have decided that we should have no surprises in our family. But doesn't that take all the fun out of birthdays and Christmas? I asked. No, they both responded. We enjoy being surprised when we choose what we want to receive, and we want you to be with us when we choose what you want to receive. We will be the no surprises family, they told me.
Maybe they don't like surprises, but I was able to deliver a big surprise to a couple of our clients this morning. We filed their Fiancee Visa application recently and it was approved in barely over a month and a half. The average time is 4-5 months. Heck, at this rate, we may have the Fiancee Visa in hand before Christmas, and that would be another terrific surprise for them.
But back to our shopping experience. It was a beautiful day in Houston yesterday; the perfect day to shop at a mall where you go outside each time you go from one store to another. These are all designer stores, so the stores have a lot of nice things but at much better prices than in department stores. We saw a Starbucks, but I don't drink coffee any more. But I know who enjoys something from Starbucks. Cici, I asked, would you like to have a frappuccino mocha? She smiled broadly and took my arm as we walked into Starbucks. We will be back in a few minutes, Mama, she called to Ping.
For the birthday girl (November 1), we "surprised" Ping with a Coach handbag that she loved. She especially loved it because it was 60% off the retail price. Papa, Cici told me as we walked past the men's wallets in the Coach store, when I get my first paycheck I will buy you a new Coach wallet. Well thank you, Sweetie, but I really don't need a new one. I have only had the one I have for twenty years. It will last forever. She and Ping laughed because we have had this conversation previously.
I guess Cici was serious because when I picked up a wallet just to see how they are priced these days she took it from me and put it back on the shelf. Wait for me, Papa, she told me. I really want to be the one to buy one for you. So I guess I have to wait for six years or so for that surprise.
Cici didn't do so bad, considering that she wasn't the birthday girl. She walked away from the mall with three new pairs of shoes and a small zipper coach pouch. She and Ping share all of the designer bags, so they get a lot of use in our family. Cici, I asked when we arrived home, how many pairs of shoes do you think we have bought for you since you arrived in America with a closet full of shoes? She laughed. Not that many, Papa, she said, knowing she wasn't speaking the truth.
Let's count them, I suggested. You got three new pairs today, and four pairs when you and I went shopping while Mama was in China. She laughed again and went to her room to count her new shoes. Only 15 pairs, Papa, she called to me from her room. She came out with one of her most recent purchases in her hands. These are my favorite, she told me. I laughed then. Every new pair you buy are your favorite for the moment, I told her. That just happens to be the last pair that we bought today.
But she is quite the little shopper. She likes nice shoes, but she doesn't like to spend a lot of money for them. Her new favorite pair cost $15. The other two new pair was a buy one get one free deal, so each pair effectively cost just $8. Ping chides me a little for spoiling Cici this way, but I think she secretly is happy that I care about Cici so much. After all, I tell Ping, I missed the first 12 years of her life. I have some catching up to do. And Cici has changed a lot with her expressiveness. Thank you very much, Papa! She says to me now. She has come a long way from a murmered xie xie.
Cici and Ping have also been buying little things here and there for their friends and family in China, planning ahead for their trip next summer. Two of Cici's friends and former classmates will each receive a pair of new shoes, courtesy of the two for one deal. The girls have also been buying tee shirts at an average price of about $5 each. They surprised me because they have been selecting tee shirts that have Texas or Houston or USA written on them as part of their design. I think they have developed a bit of pride in their new country and their new state and their new city.
Yesterday Cici and Ping took photos of Halloween decorations that we saw in yards on the way to the Mall. Cici wanted to post them on her blog to share Halloween in America with her friends around the world. I think that is also an indication that Cici takes some pride in where she lives. But she still love China. When will you come back to China with me, Papa? She asked me again yesterday. I don't have a good answer for her, but I suspect it may be a high school graduation gift for her. And I think that is a surprise that she will enjoy.
Maybe they don't like surprises, but I was able to deliver a big surprise to a couple of our clients this morning. We filed their Fiancee Visa application recently and it was approved in barely over a month and a half. The average time is 4-5 months. Heck, at this rate, we may have the Fiancee Visa in hand before Christmas, and that would be another terrific surprise for them.
But back to our shopping experience. It was a beautiful day in Houston yesterday; the perfect day to shop at a mall where you go outside each time you go from one store to another. These are all designer stores, so the stores have a lot of nice things but at much better prices than in department stores. We saw a Starbucks, but I don't drink coffee any more. But I know who enjoys something from Starbucks. Cici, I asked, would you like to have a frappuccino mocha? She smiled broadly and took my arm as we walked into Starbucks. We will be back in a few minutes, Mama, she called to Ping.
For the birthday girl (November 1), we "surprised" Ping with a Coach handbag that she loved. She especially loved it because it was 60% off the retail price. Papa, Cici told me as we walked past the men's wallets in the Coach store, when I get my first paycheck I will buy you a new Coach wallet. Well thank you, Sweetie, but I really don't need a new one. I have only had the one I have for twenty years. It will last forever. She and Ping laughed because we have had this conversation previously.
I guess Cici was serious because when I picked up a wallet just to see how they are priced these days she took it from me and put it back on the shelf. Wait for me, Papa, she told me. I really want to be the one to buy one for you. So I guess I have to wait for six years or so for that surprise.
Cici didn't do so bad, considering that she wasn't the birthday girl. She walked away from the mall with three new pairs of shoes and a small zipper coach pouch. She and Ping share all of the designer bags, so they get a lot of use in our family. Cici, I asked when we arrived home, how many pairs of shoes do you think we have bought for you since you arrived in America with a closet full of shoes? She laughed. Not that many, Papa, she said, knowing she wasn't speaking the truth.
Let's count them, I suggested. You got three new pairs today, and four pairs when you and I went shopping while Mama was in China. She laughed again and went to her room to count her new shoes. Only 15 pairs, Papa, she called to me from her room. She came out with one of her most recent purchases in her hands. These are my favorite, she told me. I laughed then. Every new pair you buy are your favorite for the moment, I told her. That just happens to be the last pair that we bought today.
But she is quite the little shopper. She likes nice shoes, but she doesn't like to spend a lot of money for them. Her new favorite pair cost $15. The other two new pair was a buy one get one free deal, so each pair effectively cost just $8. Ping chides me a little for spoiling Cici this way, but I think she secretly is happy that I care about Cici so much. After all, I tell Ping, I missed the first 12 years of her life. I have some catching up to do. And Cici has changed a lot with her expressiveness. Thank you very much, Papa! She says to me now. She has come a long way from a murmered xie xie.
Cici and Ping have also been buying little things here and there for their friends and family in China, planning ahead for their trip next summer. Two of Cici's friends and former classmates will each receive a pair of new shoes, courtesy of the two for one deal. The girls have also been buying tee shirts at an average price of about $5 each. They surprised me because they have been selecting tee shirts that have Texas or Houston or USA written on them as part of their design. I think they have developed a bit of pride in their new country and their new state and their new city.
Yesterday Cici and Ping took photos of Halloween decorations that we saw in yards on the way to the Mall. Cici wanted to post them on her blog to share Halloween in America with her friends around the world. I think that is also an indication that Cici takes some pride in where she lives. But she still love China. When will you come back to China with me, Papa? She asked me again yesterday. I don't have a good answer for her, but I suspect it may be a high school graduation gift for her. And I think that is a surprise that she will enjoy.
Lee, This is Larry from CFL and your old neck of the woods. Haven't posted a comment since last May, but I do check in and keep up with y'all.
I am in Chengdu. Have been here since July 15th. This is home now. We have a home and are all settled in. Yan is getting more and more spoiled by the day and our son is busy with school work.
Out of the blue I was offered a teaching position at a middle school here. Now that the paperwork is done and I have the correct visa, my first class is tomorrow morning. 8th graders....520 8th graders! OMG!
Anyway, it sounds like life just keep getting better and better for both of us. I'm glad to hear that you are healthy and that Ping and Cici are doing well. Cici is quite the dynamo!
If you keep changing your offices, you are going to have to hire a personal postal forwarding agent! But, if growth is needed, then you not doing half bad! I'll try to stop in more often. Still enjoy your writing style and your stories. Say Hi to everyone for me!
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Larry, good to hear from you. It sounds like everything is breaking your way. Congratulations.
At least I am only responsible for one student each day.
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