I called Cici twice yesterday morning, Houston time, thinking Ping would be there.  She wasn't.  Her flight arrived in Hong Kong about 45 minutes early, so I thought I could talk to her before my first client meeting of the day.  While I was in the client meeting, I heard the familiar notes from Instant Messenger.  Mama is here.  Don't worry, Papa.  I quickly replied with a thank you and Ping took over the controls on the other end.  We chatted for a minute and I told her I was in a client meeting so she signed off to take a shower and get some sleep.  It was midnight in Guangzhou.

Ping got up at 5:00 a.m. Guangzhou time and started cleaning.  She woke Cici early and they worked together.  They don't like to be in a place that isn't sparkling clean.  Around 9:00 p.m. Guangzhou time we connected up via web cam and I was able to see and talk with my China Dolls.  Ping was wearing the I Love Houston t-shirt that I gave her three years ago.  I have noticed that Cici has also been wearing her Houston t-shirts.  At one time they had little interest in the t-shirts.  Houston was just a name.  Now Houston is home, and they wear their shirts with pride.

Cici looked very thin to me.  You have lost weight, Sweetie, I told her.  Yes, she said with a big smile.  She hasn't been eating well, Ping said, so I will take her with me to eat now.  I am also very hungry.  I could see signs of Cici's summer cold as she blew her nose several times.  I will take her to get some medicine, Ping told me when I expressed concern about it.

The girls looked happy to be together.  Look out China, here they come.