A scary news story broke this weekend. My heart goes out to these couples.
List of Possible Adoption Scam Victims is Growing
GARDEN CITY, N.Y. (AP) -- A New York prosecutor says more couples are concerned they may have been victims of an adoption scam. A Nassau County District Attorney's office spokesman said Monday that last week's arrest of Roslyn lawyer Kevin Cohen on grand larceny and other charges has led other couples to contact investigators. Cohen is accused of taking $65,000 and failing to deliver on a promised adoption. Prosecutors say it may have been part of what they call an ``adoption Ponzi scheme,'' defrauding clients out of fees for babies who didn't exist. Since Cohen's arrest, eight more couples have contacted the district attorney's office. Some are New Yorkers, but others live in Georgia, Texas and Ohio. Cohen has pleaded not guilty. His lawyer, Matin Emouna, said it was ``premature to comment.''
Monday, September 28, 2009
Sunday, September 27, 2009
July 31, 2009
So we finally have a log in date: July 31, 2009. Almost a year to the day that we attended our first adoption workshop way back on August 2, 2008. It still feels surreal. I haven't written anything here in a while because life is just,well, a crazy kind of busy. Every once in a while I am reminded- like yesterday. My aunt and I went to the mall and of course we saw lots of babies. Some in carriages, some hanging out on their dad's shoulders and others doing their best to walk on their own with their families hovering nervously. I just try to savor each moment and hope to remember the details when it's my turn.
Chinese Word of the Day
富强
fùqiáng
adj. Rich and powerful
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Priorities and Perspective
The past few years for me have been quite introspective. Some lessons can only come in time with experience; both joyous and heartbreaking. One of the biggest and positive impacts on my life of course was meeting and marrying a wonderful guy. The heartbreaking have been losing several people I love dearly and dealing with infertility. One of the most hopeful events has become this adoption journey. I think over the course of these years I have grown as a human being and become not only more knowledgeable but more focused on what is truly important in life: love and family. Having a great job and making a big salary is awesome but these things are just temporary and as we all know money does not buy happiness.
The company I work for is going through massive layoffs. It's hard to deal with living your life not knowing if you will have a job next quarter, especially when planning on having a family. I have some how surrendered myself to the fact I can not control the decisions of the superiors I work for. It is what it is. I go to work every day- give 100% and go home. Thankfully, my direct supervisor appreciates me as a worker and is very honest about how our business is changing etc etc.
I guess what I am trying to say in this long winded post is that I am saddened by the people I work with, some of which I call good friends. They work so hard in making others look bad. I guess it's insecurity or fear of the unknown- whatever. I go about my merry way taking care of business and trying to avoid the various land mines set out before me. This makes me think: how do I raise a child so they do not become insecure? Not just at work, but in life. I read all this stuff about adopted kids having issues about being different from their parents and adopted families. Is this nurture or nature? Does some one's genes really predict how a person is? I guess I just want to be one of those parents who has the courage to steer my chickadee in the right direction with all the proper tools and preparation so when it's time for her to take off she knows the way.
I know, we don't even have a log in date and I am already worrying. LOL.
练习
liànxí
"/ exercise / drill / to practice (language, sports)/"
The company I work for is going through massive layoffs. It's hard to deal with living your life not knowing if you will have a job next quarter, especially when planning on having a family. I have some how surrendered myself to the fact I can not control the decisions of the superiors I work for. It is what it is. I go to work every day- give 100% and go home. Thankfully, my direct supervisor appreciates me as a worker and is very honest about how our business is changing etc etc.
I guess what I am trying to say in this long winded post is that I am saddened by the people I work with, some of which I call good friends. They work so hard in making others look bad. I guess it's insecurity or fear of the unknown- whatever. I go about my merry way taking care of business and trying to avoid the various land mines set out before me. This makes me think: how do I raise a child so they do not become insecure? Not just at work, but in life. I read all this stuff about adopted kids having issues about being different from their parents and adopted families. Is this nurture or nature? Does some one's genes really predict how a person is? I guess I just want to be one of those parents who has the courage to steer my chickadee in the right direction with all the proper tools and preparation so when it's time for her to take off she knows the way.
I know, we don't even have a log in date and I am already worrying. LOL.
Chinese Word of the Day
练习
liànxí
"/ exercise / drill / to practice (language, sports)/"
Monday, July 27, 2009
Delivery Confirmed !
The hubby and I received this email today:
Welcome to the Referral phase of the adoption process! Your dossier was hand delivered to the China Center of Adoption Affairs on July 27, 2009. This email contains helpful information regarding what to expect during this phase.
Now that your dossier has been received by the CCAA, it will soon be registered and you will be given a Log-in-Date (LID). Your LID is the date your dossier was registered with the CCAA.
Please note that dossiers are typically registered with the CCAA within 30 days after they are received in China, however, we won’t receive your log in date from the CCAA immediately. It may take up to eight weeks for the CCAA to send us confirmation of your registration date. We will notify you via email the day we receive confirmation of your LID from the CCAA. From that point on, you can chart the movement of your dossier by following your LID month in our Places Everyone email. The Places Everyone email will be sent to you on the 15th of every month.
This can be the most challenging period that you will experience, because after all that you have accomplished, you must now simply wait for your referral. But remember, this experience is what you decide to make of it, so think positive! To help occupy your time, we encourage families to learn about the Chinese culture, language and history. Many families decide to start a journal to document their adoption journey. You can also take this time to plan for your child’s future, and to consider the many decisions that parenthood will present.
I still can't believe it! We are on our way to becoming parents : )
怒火
nùhuǒ
/ (n) rage; fury /
Welcome to the Referral phase of the adoption process! Your dossier was hand delivered to the China Center of Adoption Affairs on July 27, 2009. This email contains helpful information regarding what to expect during this phase.
Now that your dossier has been received by the CCAA, it will soon be registered and you will be given a Log-in-Date (LID). Your LID is the date your dossier was registered with the CCAA.
Please note that dossiers are typically registered with the CCAA within 30 days after they are received in China, however, we won’t receive your log in date from the CCAA immediately. It may take up to eight weeks for the CCAA to send us confirmation of your registration date. We will notify you via email the day we receive confirmation of your LID from the CCAA. From that point on, you can chart the movement of your dossier by following your LID month in our Places Everyone email. The Places Everyone email will be sent to you on the 15th of every month.
This can be the most challenging period that you will experience, because after all that you have accomplished, you must now simply wait for your referral. But remember, this experience is what you decide to make of it, so think positive! To help occupy your time, we encourage families to learn about the Chinese culture, language and history. Many families decide to start a journal to document their adoption journey. You can also take this time to plan for your child’s future, and to consider the many decisions that parenthood will present.
I still can't believe it! We are on our way to becoming parents : )
Chinese Word of the Day
怒火
nùhuǒ
/ (n) rage; fury /
Saturday, July 25, 2009
Finally ...the dossier is on its way to China!
Our dossier was shipped to China yesterday. It's hard to believe we are officially done with all the paperwork. Our agency said we can expect about a 6 week wait to receive our log in date. Although we are years away from getting a daughter I can feel the nesting instinct starting already. I have started to organize and throw away stuff I have been hoarding for years. How I became such a collector of stuff baffles me. I know I am a memory keeper for sure, saving things given to me by the people I have loved and who have loved me back. But do I really need every greeting card ever given to me? Once you hit forty that's a lot of paper.
I spent the last week at a young writers retreat. I received graduate credit for working with high school kids on creative writing. It was so amazing and totally restored my faith in humanity and the power of youth. These kids were so honest and so talented. Each one with their own personality, writing style and voice. To say I was inspired was an understatement. This experience was magical. My dream to teach was completely renewed. Any fears I may have had were put to rest. Teaching rules and I can't wait to have my own classroom.
I spent the last week at a young writers retreat. I received graduate credit for working with high school kids on creative writing. It was so amazing and totally restored my faith in humanity and the power of youth. These kids were so honest and so talented. Each one with their own personality, writing style and voice. To say I was inspired was an understatement. This experience was magical. My dream to teach was completely renewed. Any fears I may have had were put to rest. Teaching rules and I can't wait to have my own classroom.
Chinese Word of the Day
掌声
zhǎngshēng
/ applause /
Thursday, July 9, 2009
State Department THEN Beijing ...
A small faux pas on my part. Our dossier was just couriered to the state department. I mentioned on my July 6th post that Homeland Security/Immigration was the last step before the final trip to Beijing. I guess I am so excited about being done with the paperwork I forgot this step. Thank goodness my husband is on the ball. The state department takes a few weeks and then we will be set for "Chinese Delivery."
Yesterday I received a phone message at home from my mother-in-law. She was babysitting our niece Alexis and apparently Alexis wanted to talk to us. As soon as I walked in the front door I called the "Florida Contingency" i.e. our family down south. After dealing with annoying adults all day it's kind of refreshing to speak to a four year old. Alexis and her parents and brothers are going to Orlando later this week to meet with the friends they met on their adoption adventure in China. When I asked my niece if she was going to see Mickey Mouse she said "No! I am visit with my friends from China." There is nothing like a child's perspective on the important things in life. She then went on to explain how she has her own apron at her Grandma's house and she is putting it on to help with dinner. I can't wait to have our little one here so she can visit my inlaws and help Grandma too. (smile)
可以
kěyǐ
/ can / may / possible / able to /
Yesterday I received a phone message at home from my mother-in-law. She was babysitting our niece Alexis and apparently Alexis wanted to talk to us. As soon as I walked in the front door I called the "Florida Contingency" i.e. our family down south. After dealing with annoying adults all day it's kind of refreshing to speak to a four year old. Alexis and her parents and brothers are going to Orlando later this week to meet with the friends they met on their adoption adventure in China. When I asked my niece if she was going to see Mickey Mouse she said "No! I am visit with my friends from China." There is nothing like a child's perspective on the important things in life. She then went on to explain how she has her own apron at her Grandma's house and she is putting it on to help with dinner. I can't wait to have our little one here so she can visit my inlaws and help Grandma too. (smile)
Chinese Word of the Day
可以
kěyǐ
/ can / may / possible / able to /
Tuesday, July 7, 2009
Out of the mouths of babes....
Just a random thought/observation for the day:
I am not one to chase the celebrity drama that seems to unfold on a daily basis. Sure, I read Perez Hilton once in a while and even check in at people.com occasionally. Today I watched a bit of the Michael Jackson tribute online. At the end of the ceremony the Jackson family, including Michael's children, got up to say a few words. The most poignant part of this whole circus was when Michael's 11 year old daughter Paris some how had the courage to step up to the microphone to say a few words to the throngs of people at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy was the best father you could ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much."
Regardless of what anyone thinks they know about this man's personal life, his struggles, his poor judgement...whatever....he meant the world to his children. I can only hope and pray that they are cared for, loved and protected in what will most likely be a horrible tug of war for their father's empire.
I am not one to chase the celebrity drama that seems to unfold on a daily basis. Sure, I read Perez Hilton once in a while and even check in at people.com occasionally. Today I watched a bit of the Michael Jackson tribute online. At the end of the ceremony the Jackson family, including Michael's children, got up to say a few words. The most poignant part of this whole circus was when Michael's 11 year old daughter Paris some how had the courage to step up to the microphone to say a few words to the throngs of people at the Staples Center in Los Angeles.
"Ever since I was born, Daddy was the best father you could ever imagine. I just wanted to say I love him so much."
Regardless of what anyone thinks they know about this man's personal life, his struggles, his poor judgement...whatever....he meant the world to his children. I can only hope and pray that they are cared for, loved and protected in what will most likely be a horrible tug of war for their father's empire.
Chinese Word of the Day
伴侣
bànlǚ
/ companion / mate / partner/
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