Guangzhou Day 4 - Citizenship Oath - Our Final Night in China

Our newest Citizen checking her stocks on the Bloomberg Report - Her favorite TV Channel!

Sienna and her friend Alex on Citizenship day shortly after taking the oath.

Sienna's first photo as a Citizen - Proud little American

On the bus going to the Consulate

Ready to go and take the Oath of Citizenship

Just cute little Sienna!

This morning we got up and had a late and leisurely breakfast and then we went to our room for Sienna's nap and got her dressed and ready to go to the American Consulate. We got on the bus and rode for nearly an hour through city traffic and arrived at the Consualte. Once we were there we waited for our names to be called and we got Sienna's Visa and some other paperwork. After all the families names had been called we were all asked to stand and take the oath of Citizenship on our children's behalf. It's a rather anti climatic moment to take the oath in a large sitting room with lots of other tired and homesick families but I still teared up knowing what a difference this oath will make in the life of my little girl. The person conducting the swearing in ceremony reminded us that as soon as our child touches American soil our child would be a US Citizen. As we were leaving the Consulate our Guide told us that she could not be in the consulate with us because she is Chinese and the Consulate is considered American Soil...so we quickly touched Sienna's feet to the ground and we now consider her a US Citizen! After the oath we loaded up on the bus again and headed through even worse city traffic and got back to our hotel at about 5:30. We ordered pizza in our room so Sienna could sit and play after being on a bus for 2 1/2 hours this afternoon and sitting in a crowded watiing room for another hour and a half. After supper we went out to get a few more things on our shopping list and a large suitcase to carry home all our treasures. This is our last overnight in China and it is sort of bittersweet. Half of me is so anxious to get home to see Danika and hold her and hug her and to begin our life as a family of four with Sienna and the other half of me wants to stay here and savor the experience of being in China for awhile. When we traveled to bring Danika home both Dan and I wanted to stay here forever.,,and we seriously considered it. Tonight we are starting to pack and tomorrow we'll be at it with full force. We'll be leaving on China Southern from Guangzhou to LAX at 9:00 pm and arrive at LAX Airport at 6:50 p.m. We have a layover in LAX and then will board our final flight home - Delta Flight Delta 2268 departing LAX at 12:30 am, arriving in Minneapolis at 6:03 a.m. on Thursday, July 29. We are of course concerned how we will entertain Miss Sienna on a 16 hour flight and then on another 4 hour flight home when we will undoubtably be tired and on edge. I'm also a bit concerned because my ankles have been swelling up every time I sit for any length of time and this makes my legs and feet hurt. Before we left for China I was sick with pneumonia and bronchitis, probably too sick to travel but there was nothing that would stop me from making this trip to Sienna. I've been drinking my water and popping the baby asprin and motrin so please be thinking of me as I sit on the plane for this long trip. Please remember us as we journey home, that our travel be safe and uneventful and that Sienna adapts well to her new life with her family in the USA! I'll try to do one more post tomorrow morning but if not, this is the Herman Family signing off in China!