Chinese Word of the Day

解决
jiějué
/ to settle (a dispute) / resolve / to resolve / to solve

I resolve to post more regularly to my blog ;)

Career Change

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to be an English teacher. Over the years I achieved my B.A. in English and an MBA. With the recent turn in the economy and the serious possibility of becoming a parent, I figured it was now or never. I started my first class in education last week. It's entitled "Youth Literacy" and in the class we explore books about adolescence and books adolescences read. I can not express how much I love this class. My interest in this class is so intense the 2 hours I spend there feels like it flies by. I wish I could stay longer but the professor and other students leave and I would be alone in the dark. OK maybe I'd leave the light on. Seriously, I feel in my heart that this is my calling. To realize I will achieve this after so many years brings me great joy and a sense of triumph. I will never be rich but I will make a difference. How cool is that ?

I went to look up the Chinese word of the day and found this :

办学
bànxué
/ to run a school /

Coincidence ? I think not.....Life is good

The Waiting Game

I can't believe it's been so long since I have written. There's nothing too new to report. We are still waiting for confirmation and clearance from Albany on our background checks. It's only been about 4 weeks or so and the wait time is about 6 to 8 weeks so I guess I am being impatient. We will have one more meeting with our social worker. I am disappointed in one of my oldest and dearest friends. I asked her to write a letter on our behalf to give to our social worker in the huge information packet. Yes, it's one of those letters I wrote about earlier. Please put into writing that we are good people and worthy to be parents. I asked her because we have known each other for 12 years, she was a bridesmaid at my wedding, she works in the childcare field, she is well educated and not only do I value her opinion- I love her. We have been through a lot together. She is an amazing person. I spoke to her before Christmas- she had lots of questions for us. Almost like an interview of sorts. She said she had experience in writing such letters- she gave another friend a referral letter for a Chinese adoption.

I have sent her several emails and and left her a few voicemails- we usually play tag a bit before we actually speak most times. She knows how important this is to my husband and I. We just don't understand why she hasn't sent the letter. I gave her a deadline and explained our schedule with the social worker. Did she change her mind and not deem us worthy ? I am kind of hurt to be honest. I am trying to deal with this tactfully but I am a bit pissed. Guess this is just another speed bump on our road to China. Afterall, this is the Year of the Ox which means a year ahead of hard work, fortitude and patience.