Lydia's Journey to America: 2009-02-01

Friday, February 6, 2009

Photos: Virginia, Departure at Norfolk Airport

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Lydia enjoyed riding on this orange rocking fish.

Note: This play area, which is on the second floor of the airport prior to entering the gates where the security section is located, was new for 2008, and we spent about a half hour here today, much to Lydia's delight.

Photo notes: Illumination of the play area resulted from two Nikon SB-800 flashes that were placed in a cross lit pattern with one on each side of Lydia, and they were aimed at the white tiles of the 10 foot high ceiling. Note that the rest of the second floor beyond the play area in the background is black because that is not lit by the flashes.

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Lydia and Tigger are standing in the play house.

Photo note: The play house featured a square skylight made of clear plastic skylight that was about 6 inches on each side, and while SiowFong took this picture, I stood next to the play house and aimed a Nikon SB-800 flash set either at 17 mm or 14 mm to illuminate the entire interior of the structure. The other Nikon SB-800 flash, which was to the right of the camera, was aimed at the ceiling and provided illumination for the play house's exterior.

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Ma Chin, Lydia, Pa Chin, and dad

Note: The orange rocking fish was Lydia's favorite toy in the play area.

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Mom and Lydia are playing with some cars on a racetrack.

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Lydia is holding her pink Canon SD 1100 ultracompact point and shoot digital camera as she ponders whether to use it to take a picture.

Photo note: This was the only one of these five pictures that was taken without flash.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 5, 2009 at Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, Aunty Linda and Doll

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Lydia and aunty Linda are sharing a hug and some laughs on the sofa.

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Lydia is unwrapping the doll that is a gift from uncle Clay and aunty Linda.

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Lydia is holding her new doll, a present that uncle Clay and aunty Linda purchased at FAO Schwarz, the gigantic toy store in New York City.

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Lydia is holding her doll, which we named the Lydia doll because of its partial resemblance to Lydia. Lydia called her doll Isabelle.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 4, 2009 in the living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, with Grandparents

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Lydia and her paternal grandparents are standing near one of the buffet tables.

January 3, 2009

Formosa Chinese restaurant in Virginia Beach, Virginia

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Lydia, Tiger, and Ma Chin

January 4, 2009

Living room at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia

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Ma Chin is rubbing some lotion on Lydia's right leg. With the cold, dry weather, Lydia's skin was getting a little itchy.

January 2, 2009

Living room of Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia

Photos: Virginia, Four Seasons Asian Grocery Store

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While Pa and Ma Chin were shopping for groceries, dad and Lydia were looking at the products at the store.

Note: When Lydia's dad was single, he would often shop here once a week after church.

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Lydia, Tiger, and mom

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Lydia is gazing at and handling the merchandise on the shelves.

Note: Lydia wants to see and touch the items at the shop as she is no longer content just sitting in the shopping cart and looking at the products.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 4, 2009 at the Four Seasons Asian grocery store in Virginia Beach, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, with Seucs and Yips

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"Two budding artists"

Carissa Seuc, who is 13 years of age, and Lydia are drawing with crayons.

Seuc home in Chesapeake, Virginia

January 3, 2009

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After enjoying a delicious dinner prepared by the Seucs, Carissa, Lydia, Luis Seuc (Carissa's dad), Patsy Seuc (Carissa's mom), and SiowFong are watching Wall-E, a Pixar animated movie that was released in 2008.

Seuc home in Chesapeake, Virginia

January 3, 2009

Photo note: Two Nikon SB-800 flashes provided the light for this image. One, which is positioned behind the camera, lit the family room while the other, which was placed on the hallway's floor behind Luis, Patsy, and SiowFong, illuminated the corridor. Both were triggered by the infrared signal from the Nikon SU-800 commander unit that sat on the camera's hot shoe.

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Carissa (who was adopted from China when she was about 3 and a half years of age through Bethany Christian Services) and Lydia are holding their tigers while enjoying the movie.

Seuc home in Chesapeake, Virginia

January 3, 2009

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Patsy and Lydia are rolling a hula hoop.

Seuc home in Chesapeake, Virginia

January 3, 2009

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Group picture following dinner

(first row, left to right): Long Yip, Linda Yip, Ma Chin, Pa Chin, Lydia, and mom

(second row, left to right): Patsy Seuc, Luis Seuc, Carissa Seuc, and dad

Jade Villa Chinese restaurant in Virginia Beach, Virginia

January 1, 2009

Note: The Seucs and the Yips, our long time friends from the First Chinese Baptist Church in Virginia Beach, Virginia, treated our family to a sumptuous feast at Jade Villa Chinese restaurant, the place where Lydia's dad's and mom's wedding banquet was held years ago.

Photo note: Taking a formal group picture at a restaurant should be done in a setting that shows a clean and neat table. One option is to take the picture before the meal is served, and the other is to take the picture after the meal concludes -- but to do so at another table that is not being used by patrons of the restaurant. We chose the second option here as the restaurant was not very busy tonight.

Photos: Virginia, I Love Corn

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Lydia is eagerly eating her corn on the cob and is somewhat oblivious to her dad's presence.

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Does the word "determined" come to mind when one looks at this picture of Lydia chewing on the corn on the cob, one of her favorite entrees offered in the restaurant's buffet menu.

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"Another bite please. . ."

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 3, 2009 during lunch at the Fire Mountain Grill in Suffolk, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, at Fire Mountain Grill 2

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Lunch with family and friends

(long rectangular table: left to right): Ma Chin, Pa Chin, Lydia, Clyde Alderman, Latrelle Dixon, Marie McKenney (who is not clearly seen in the picture), Joyce Alderman (who is not seen in the picture), dad, and Dew McKenney

(booth on the right): Julie Anne McKenney and Marissa McKenney as well as their boyfriends who are across the table from them

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Marie McKenney, Clyde Alderman, Tiger, and Lydia

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The group is conversing and relaxing after everyone has finished lunch.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 3, 2008 during lunch at the Fire Mountain Grill in Suffolk, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, at Fire Mountain Grill 1

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Clyde Alderman is hugging Lydia and Tiger.

Note: When we return to Virginia, we spend most of our time visiting with family and friends. One group that we see there are some of Lydia's dad's former coworkers and their families. After she finished her lunch, Lydia really enjoyed her time with Clyde because he played with Lydia and said some funny things to her during their interactions.

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Diane Washburn is carrying Lydia and Tiger.

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Lydia is laughing while holding Tiger and her new Dora the Explorer doll, one of the gifts that received today.

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Pa Chin laughs as he observes Lydia and Clyde as they fix Dora's hair.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 3, 2009 at the Fire Mountain Grill in Suffolk, Virginia.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Photos: Virginia, Lydia

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Lydia is sitting on the floor at the gate where we would eventually board the plane to take us from Washington DC to Norfolk, Virginia

Dulles International Airport

December 30, 2008

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Lydia is resting comfortably underneath the cocktail table.

Living room at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia

December 30, 2008

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Lydia loves sniffing Tiger's ear.

Living room at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

January 2, 2009

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Lydia is resting on the sofa.

Living room at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

January 4, 2009

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Lydia is heartily laughing in response to something that Mr. Armistead said or did.

Ruby Tuesday's restaurant at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Virginia

January 2, 2009

Photos: Virginia, with the Armisteads

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Our table during lunch at Ruby Tuesday restaurant

Lydia is reaching for a French fry

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Lydia, Mr. A, and Mrs. A

Ruby Tuesday restaurant

Note: We met Mr. and Mrs. Armistead, some of our long time friends who live in Richmond, Virginia, at this restaurant for lunch since they had never seen Lydia in person (although they have seen her on her blog) and since it had been two years since we had seen them. Both of their sons, Brent (a pastor) and Scott (a family doctor), along with their families live abroad in Indonesia and Pakistan respectively, and they have been long-term missionaries for many years.

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Mom, Lydia, Mr. A., dad, and Mrs. A are sitting on a bench in the mall after lunch.

Photo note: The tripod and the remote triggering device for the camera (Pocket Wizard Plus II) made this a picture an easy one to take.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 2, 2009 at Patrick Henry Mall in Newport News, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, Spinning Tops

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Both Pa Chin (Lydia's paternal grandfather) and Lydia are smiling in anticipation of the top being spun.

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Ma Chin (Lydia's paternal grandmother) is getting ready to spin the top.

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These are the two Dora the Explorer tops that delighted Lydia this evening which were gifts to her from uncle Johnny and auntie Ginny.

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"Fascination" would be an appropriate word to describe Lydia's response to watching the spinning tops this evening.

Note: All of these pictures were taken on January 2, 2009 in the dining room of Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, with Mummie

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Lydia is playing backgammon with her mom.

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Lydia is looking for the dice.

Note: Both of these pictures were taken on January 2, 2009 in the living room at Pa and Ma Chin's home in Chesapeake, Virginia.

Photos: Virginia, With the Pagtalunans 2

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"Show Me Your Socks"

Gabriel Pagtalunan (5 years and 1 month old), Lydia, and Kristian Pagtalunan (2 years and 3 months old)

Note: One of the joys of being around preschool children is witnessing their spontaneity, their enthusiasm for life, and their excitement as they play together.

Sun room

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Gabriel and Lydia are playing on the sofa.

Sun room

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Mom, Lydia, and uncle Johnny Hsu are at Rey's Place, a small Asian grocery store in the Western Branch section of Chesapeake, Virginia that is owned by the Pagtalunans

January 1, 2009

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