My mom arrived in 石家庄 (shíjiāzhuāng) today.  I was very happy to see her, but was quite nervous for some reason.  I think it was because after 6 months of no one daring to come visit me in China, she was the first one to see my life out here, see me speak Chinese, meet my girlfriend, etc.  I knew that my girlfriend 申琦 (shēn qí) would be quite nervous, but I didn’t expect myself to be so nervous.

申琦 (shēn qí) actually did quite well.  She was visibly nervous as we waited in the lobby of the 世贸皇冠酒店 (shìmàohuáng guān jiǔdiàn) hotel for my mom to arrive.  A teacher from my school, Michael, had gone to 北京 (běijīng) to meet my mom at her hotel, help her buy train tickets, get down to 石家庄 (shíjiāzhuāng), and find the hotel.  We were all then supposed to meet at the hotel.  申琦 (shēn qí) and I arrived well in advance as to be sure we were there before my mom arrived.  As the time of her arrival drew closer and closer, we found ourselves closely watching every cab that pulled up to see if she got out.  When she finally arrived, it wasn’t that strange at all, and everything went fine.  We said our hellos, made introductions, and got her checked in.

We chatted in her hotel room for a while, which I must say was quite nice.  I would HIGHLY recommend the 世贸皇冠酒店 (shìmàohuáng guān jiǔdiàn) hotel to anyone who comes to visit 石家庄 (shíjiāzhuāng).  The staff is helpful and it seems as though everyone who works there has a decent understanding of English.  The rooms are spacious and well equipped.  The dinning facilities are quite good and the atmosphere is warm.

After about an hour of chatting, we exchanged gifts, and my mom gave me all the stuff she had brought me from the states, including:
•    10 pounds of peanut butter
•    10 bags of jelly beans
•    5 HUGE bags of red vines
•    2 bags of Milano cookies
•    1 4gb SD card
•    2 8gb CF cards
•    2 sets of ski goggles to use when I ride my electric bicycle (so I don’t get dirt in my eyes)

I was very happy about the Milano cookies, and couldn’t wait to get home and try the 8gb CF card in my main digital camera (a Canon EOS 5D Digital SLR).  It worked fine, but the 4gb SD card didn’t work in my cell phone (a Motorola E680I).  It did, however, work in my Canon Powershot S2-IS digital camera, and my Canon Powershot SD450 digital camera, which will be fine.

We had dinner with Aaron, Ivy, Michael, and Willa from my school at a restaurant that resembled a fashion show.  It was quite good and enjoyed by all.  I was glad that my mom could meet everyone that I see daily at school, and that they all enjoyed meeting her.

Day 1 done!