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Mina and I thank you all for the many kinds words. Here is a our son, Leon, and his new sister Sada (or 'Qiao Qiao' ... pronounced like 'ciao ciao' in Italian ... her Chinese nickname which we have taken to calling her) ...
The whole family is doing fine, and Qiao Qiao is a patient little one so far, dragging her to various appointments. Age now 1 year and 4 months ... All we need is twenty more years like today and yesterday, and mom and dad will be very content!
Today involved various visits to Chinese legal bureaus to make the adoption official. It now is. However, we will need to stay in Nanning until Saturday awaiting the final paperwork, then on to Guangzhou for more procedures and paperwork with the U.S. and Japanese consulates. Nanning is an interesting town. The food is great ...
The air, though, is a little thick with smoke from thousands of cars and motorbikes like one finds in Southeast Asia, and it also makes crossing the street an adventure ...
By the way, I was able to confirm the story that Wal-mart here has sold crocodiles in the meat section! In fact, crocodile is served in many of the restaurants here including our hotel. But, ya know, as an old Florida boy ... I have had my share of gator steaks and tail there, so not so surprised.
Oh, and on John's question ...
Originally posted by JRBrisson
Just a quick question on the statues of Arhats. I notice that they all seem to have stretched earlobes. I know this was a practice done in India(hence Gautama's ears) but didn't think the Chinese ever adopted it. Just wondering because many of them appear to not to have very Indian looking features.
Yes, earlobes long like lotus petals ... perhaps a symbol of a great ability to listen ... are one of the traditional 'Marks of a Buddha' ... although this page ties it to the Buddha's former life as a prince and piercing ...
I don't think that it is about how one dressed as a Buddhist, but rather physical characteristics said to naturally arise the closer one came to being Buddha-like.
What a beautiful little girl. Lucky you and lucky her, to have a great big brother and wonderful parents. Sometimes life is just great!
Gassho...
... and a Happy, Happy Christmas.
Soen
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