Where does the time go?

I have a little green envy of people who are able to have some time free from work just to prepare for this journey. Of course, I realize many of us don't have that option if we want the time on the back end when we come home. I keep thinking of all the things I need to accomplish. But, I'm not wigging out, actually I work better under pressure so I should be in my element.

Here comes another discombobulated post:

1) This map (Googled and modified) shows where my girl is now.



I was able to join the orphanage Yahoo group and I look forward to learning a lot of great information there. I have learned that my girl's SWI is smack dab in the middle of a university campus. Interesting. I hope it will be many years before she has to think about 'dorm' life again.

2) I registered yesterday and it brought home to me how LONG this wait really has been. I didn't have much to register for because I have accumulated the great majority of it over the years. I actually registered for things like diapers and bath products simply because it is something I don't already have. I guess one could say I am well-prepared but it's really sad that it didn't sink in how much I already had until I started a registry. I'm so used to having a crib and no child that it is utterly normal to me (insert twilight zone music). It was great fun to spend that time with my mom. I think she is still marveling that her seven kids survived to adulthood without all the fancy-schmancy baby contraptions they have now.

3) I didn't invest much time in reviewing slings. I will get a hip sling but expect that it will primarily be used in China. Perhaps I am wrong but with PIPA being beyond her first birthday when she comes home, I just don't expect I would be wearing her for long. I suspect I will be chasing her instead ;0)

4) One thing I haven't decided on yet is what diaper bag??? I would love word from those who have actually used diaper bags in the past. I don't need referrals to what's 'cute' without it having been use-tested. Goodness knows I can find that on my own. I need practicality, ease of use and, yes, some style. I am not one who will choke up $250 or more for a diaper bag either. Seriously, I've got places that money needs to go far more than a diaper bag. Granted, I selected a high end car seat (safety) and a pricier stroller (major ease-of-use) but a bag? No worries about safety or getting stuck in store aisles there. Thoughts?

**UPDATE: Thank you all. The angels just sang. I remembered writing something down about a baby bag ages ago. I found it and am now the proud owner of a BabySherpa. No, it isn't glam but this mama wants USE and it has that many times over.

5) Thanks for all the feedback on care packages. I haven't decided yet which route to go but you'll know when I do ;0)

6) This is an important point to me. I have already noticed changes in myself since 'meeting' my daughter through her referral packet. Already, I was not one to much sweat the small stuff. But, now the medium stuff has become small stuff. I don't give much concern to a lot of the things I recently did because, hey, I've got much more important things to think about. I think this is a GOOD change. I will say that it is at times of great joy and times of great sorrow when we learn who people really are. In my time of great joy I have found that some people are not who I thought they were and others are even more than I thought they were. It is very different when you look at things from the perspective of how it will affect your child. Although I intellectually knew this to be the case, it is a far different thing to feel it.
If I accomplish anything in my life, I will have succeeded if I teach my daughter to be strong, independent and, importantly, compassionate to others. Most of us have a lot more going on in our lives than the rest of the world knows about. I hope I can remember that more often than not and teach my child to respond with grace over cruelty. No, I am not suggesting she be a doormat, I am suggesting she just be taught to think of what others around her may be dealing with before reacting. Big difference. Important difference. I'm no saint but I am going to do my best to teach my girl that difference.

I suppose that is where the whole PIPO (peace in, peace out) thing started for me and how it ended up that my girl (on this blog) will be called PIPA. If we put peace in, my hope is peace always. Yes, a lofty and rather unrealistic goal but if we don't aim high then what's the point?