Hua Li is our
Shanghainese ayi (helper) who has worked for our family for two years now. She is not only the hardest working Chinese
ayi, but the sweetest person one can find.
Hua Li has lived in Shanghai her entire life, and going to America was always her dream. With a little help and luck from the American embassy, we were able to get
Hua Li a Visa to travel with us this summer to our favorite country.
WELCOME TO AMERICA
HUA LI
After a long 30 hour plane flight, we were warmly greeted by our family who were excited to meet
Hua Li. Since she does not speak any English, we were able to have A LOT of practice using our Chinese during the three weeks she was with us.
When our family first moved to China, we were surprised how many foods we were served in restaurants that we had no idea what they were. It was an uncomfortable feeling to say the least. (now after living in China for 2 years, nothing surprises us!) We didn't want
Hua Li to feel uncomfortable with western food, so we decided to take her somewhere she could actually SEE what was available with no surprises. What better way to do this than go to a western buffet that also is a Copeland family favorite---Chuck-A-Rama!! (John was not in favor of this, and was afraid we would ruin
Hua Li's
opinion of western food altogether) However, we quickly let John know how wrong he was watching her small Chinese appetite transform quickly into a mighty American appetite. We loved watching her enjoy all the different foods available, and have never seen her eat as much as she did this night! (We believe she might have taken a couple scones with her for the road!!) 
Every day we wanted Hua Li to have an "American Experience." We planned an itinerary for her that was packed with outings. The only problem we encountered was getting from A to B. The Chinese main transportation are scooters, bicycles, or the subway. She was not used to driving in cars as this made her very sick. We tried getting to each location in the straightest, most direct way, but the drive up to the canyon was a whole other story!!
Hua Li might have been a bit car sick after the twists and turns winding up the mountain to the campground. HOWEVER, after a graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow filled American s'more whose stomach doesn't feel anything but great??
Hua Li was a great help to all of us the three weeks she was in the states. As always, she worked so hard to make all of us comfortable. I believe Grandpa was the happiest to have Hua Li, since every night she made us the most delicious Chinese dinners. We hated to see her leave, but her family awaited her back in Shanghai.
The night before she left, the Wilde family wanted to send her off with a good ol' American BBQ with hamburgers and fixin's! We gave her a photo album filled with her American adventures, and a few souvenirs for her to take home to her family and friends. Thanks Hua Li--You're the BEST!
Hua Li is our Shanghainese ayi (helper) who has worked for our family for two years now. She is not only the hardest working Chinese ayi, but the sweetest person one can find. Hua Li has lived in Shanghai her entire life, and going to America was always her dream. With a little help and luck from the American embassy, we were able to get Hua Li a Visa to travel with us this summer to our favorite country.
WELCOME TO AMERICA HUA LI 
When our family first moved to China, we were surprised how many foods we were served in restaurants that we had no idea what they were. It was an uncomfortable feeling to say the least. (now after living in China for 2 years, nothing surprises us!) We didn't want Hua Li to feel uncomfortable with western food, so we decided to take her somewhere she could actually SEE what was available with no surprises. What better way to do this than go to a western buffet that also is a Copeland family favorite---Chuck-A-Rama!! (John was not in favor of this, and was afraid we would ruin Hua Li's opinion of western food altogether) However, we quickly let John know how wrong he was watching her small Chinese appetite transform quickly into a mighty American appetite. We loved watching her enjoy all the different foods available, and have never seen her eat as much as she did this night! (We believe she might have taken a couple scones with her for the road!!) 
Every day we wanted Hua Li to have an "American Experience." We planned an itinerary for her that was packed with outings. The only problem we encountered was getting from A to B. The Chinese main transportation are scooters, bicycles, or the subway. She was not used to driving in cars as this made her very sick. We tried getting to each location in the straightest, most direct way, but the drive up to the canyon was a whole other story!!
Hua Li might have been a bit car sick after the twists and turns winding up the mountain to the campground. HOWEVER, after a graham cracker, chocolate, and marshmallow filled American s'more whose stomach doesn't feel anything but great??
Hua Li was a great help to all of us the three weeks she was in the states. As always, she worked so hard to make all of us comfortable. I believe Grandpa was the happiest to have Hua Li, since every night she made us the most delicious Chinese dinners. We hated to see her leave, but her family awaited her back in Shanghai.
The night before she left, the Wilde family wanted to send her off with a good ol' American BBQ with hamburgers and fixin's! We gave her a photo album filled with her American adventures, and a few souvenirs for her to take home to her family and friends. Thanks Hua Li--You're the BEST!
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