Chinese Jews of Keifang

Check out this really cool Youtube video of the Chinese Jews from Kaifeng arriving in Israel in 2009. It's very moving.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=edhtdoPukk0

It's Never Easy...

The holiday season is never easy for me. After almost 3.5 years of waiting and still no sign of our adoption being completed any time soon - it's just more difficult than I can even put into words. The latest delay is that it doesn't look like there will be any matches this month coming from the CCAA. Yes, I know that there is a new director that just took over, but he was promoted from within the CCAA. You would think that this wouldn't affect anything and that he would know the procedures. Or is there some other reason like the H1N1 virus the culprit? Who knows? This is China we're talking about! But then I have to think about the story of the turtle and the hare - and we are definitely the turtle in this story! But, as we all know the ending to the story - the slow, but sure, wins the race!

As usual, I delve into our now 3rd "Last Vacation before our Child" trip - I think this next one will be an Alaskan cruise. We shall see. It's still open for discussion (and our bank account). I wonder how many more "last trips" I'm going to have to plan? Hopefully, not too many more, but it's not looking too good. At this rate, it's looking like 2011 or 2012. UGH!!

Please send happy thoughts and wishes this way...

Happy Halloween!

Just wishing everyone a Happy Halloween!

Leaf Viewing

On Saturday afternoon, Robert took me up for a little leaf viewing to see the beautiful fall colors. We flew up to Devils Lake, WI to see the bluffs. It was quite beautiful. Here are a few photos from the flight.

The bluffs at Devil's Lake

The Wisconsin River

When??

Many of you ask me "when will you get your referral?" The answer is and has always been "about a year from now..." and that answer hasn't changed for years now. Scary, huh! The reason is that while we've all been expecting some sort of a "speed up" this just never seems to actually come to fruition. I am posting a few charts that I swiped off the "Rumor Queen" website to get a sense of when. Use the chart on the chart on the left if you believe the number of days being referred each month will be constant. The numbers on the top refers to the number of days each month that you estimate will be referred each month and look at that for an estimate as to when we'll get our daughter. Use the chart on the chart on the right if you think the number of babies being referred each month will be constant to best guess when we'll get our daughter. Our Log-in Date is 7-14-06.

So, now you understand... we have NO idea when... Time will tell. So, what is your guess??

Another Depressing Day

While referrals are on their way, they only matched through March 28, 2006. I had false hopes that they would finish off March 2006 as it took the CCAA 52 days to get through just 4 days of matches. This adoption is just taking too long and is wreaking havoc on my sanity. At this rate, we'll be lucky if we get our referral in 2010. I don't know how much more of this I can handle?! I need some good news in my life right now. 108 more referral days to go...

Here's the official notice:

10/12/09
CCAA


The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before March 28, 2006.

Delays, Delays, Always Delays...

I keep hoping each month that this is the month that things will start to "speed up" only to have my dreams dashed yet again. The CCAA is officially on holiday. They are out of the office October 1-8, 2009 due to the National Day and the Mid Autumn Festival. The CCAA did not mail matches prior to leaving for their holiday. So, here's to hoping that upon their return they will finish off the March 2006 matches and move us ever so much closer to our daughter. Please continue your prayers.

Chinese National Holiday

Today marks the 60th Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, a parade of military troops and equipment followed by tens of thousands of civilians streamed through Tiananmen Square as the entire country watched on television.

Here's a grouping of the front pages from some of the country's newspapers:

My 15 Seconds of Fame

Well, it's always nice to be recognized for doing good work. I've had Cafe Press stores for probably 1.5 years now and they've all raised money where 100% of the proceeds goes towards the Chinese adoption charities - Love Without Boundaries, Half the Sky and CCAI's charitable arm. It was really cool when I got this e-mail from Cafe Press that prominently used one of my designs (the alphabet poster) in their mass e-mail that went out. I was shocked and elated. It was just so nice to be recognized this way. A list of all of my CafePress stores are in the far right purple column. To date, I think I've raised around $500 that has been donated to these wonderful charities. Thanks to those who have purchased and in doing so, have supported these wonderful charities and children awaiting a family.

America's Coolest College Towns

Well, it looks like we live in one of this country's coolest college towns. Who knew?? (all this according to Travel & Leisure magazine) It is our alma mater...

Madison, WI (University of Wisconsin)

Like oases in deserts, college towns in the Midwest can be refreshing splashes of hustle and bustle amid the plains. The Wisconsin capital squeezes cafés, art galleries, and the César Pelli–designed Madison Museum of Contemporary Art onto an invigorating pedestrian-only thoroughfare. In warm weather, the museum’s roof is the setting for concerts and films. Elsewhere are found lively neighborhood block parties, like the Atwood Summerfest, which annually offers rock bands on multiple stages. And there’s no shortage of aquatic fun: the city is located on an isthmus between a pair of glittering lakes.

Local Taste: L’Etoile Restaurant is the region’s slow-food mecca.