Wednesday, April 30, 2008

New referrals (and other rumors) ...

stork baby girl photo stork_baby_girl_hg_wt.gif

Rumors are flying that referrals are on their way to families with LIDs of 1/10-12/2006. A mere 3 days. UGH!! But those aren't the only rumors flying ...

According to RQ, a European country has spoken with the CCAA and has this to report:
"-- CCAA says the waiting time will continue to increase and they don’t know how long it will get.
-- Domestic adoption within China is now four to five times the number of international adoptions out of China. IA will continue to decrease, but IA will always be needed, especially for SN children.
-- Approximately 8,000 children were adopted out internationally in 2007, compared with approximately 12,000 in earlier years.
-- They have slowed down the review process.
-- The CCAA will work as normal during the Olympics.
-- To help families plan travel around the Olympics, travel approvals will be given that last for five months instead of three months.
-- Last month half of the children adopted internationally were special needs. I can’t tell if they are saying it has been one third in the past, or if most months it is one third. But it is clear that last month it was half.
-- The new online system is working to find families for SN children faster. The system is new and the kinks are still being worked out, but it sounds like over all the CCAA is pleased with it.
-- There are a lot of five plus year old boys available.
-- The Tomorrow Plan is being extended indefinitely.
-- The CCAA is going to digitally archive all of their files, going back to 1994. This includes children’s documents, parent’s documents, and follow up reports for over 100,000 adoptions."


What impact will all of this have on us? I have absolutely no idea. Welcome to the world of International Adoption. All I know, is that we have a son or daughter waiting for us somewhere in China and that we're in this for the long haul.

Saturday, April 26, 2008

Maxine and margaritas ...


















The Perfect Margarita:

Tip #1: Shaken, not stirred (and NEVER made in a blender).
Tip #2: Serve Margaritas straight up or on the rocks, NEVER frozen.
Tip #3: Use Kosher (not iodized) salt.
Tip #4: Never EVER drink and drive.

For Traditionalists: (3-2-1 recipe)
3 parts Tequila (100% blue agave)
2 parts Cointreau (never Triple sec)
1 part freshly squeezed lime juice.

-OR-

For Grand Marnier fans:
1 oz Tequila (100% blue agave)
1 oz Grand Marnier liqueur
1 oz freshly squeezed lime juice
(or try the 3-2-1 ratio)

Pour all ingredients over ice in a cocktail shaker. Shake to your liking and strain into a margarita glass rimmed with Kosher salt. Garnish with a lime wedge and ENJOY!

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

In honor of earth day ...

Global warming is a very real threat.

Earth on Fire

• Average temperatures have climbed 1.4 degrees Fahrenheit (0.8 degree Celsius) around the world since 1880, much of this in recent decades, according to NASA's Goddard Institute for Space Studies.

• The rate of warming is increasing. The 20th century's last two decades were the hottest in 400 years and possibly the warmest for several millennia, according to a number of climate studies. And the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports that 11 of the past 12 years are among the dozen warmest since 1850.

• The Arctic is feeling the effects the most. Average temperatures in Alaska, western Canada, and eastern Russia have risen at twice the global average, according to the multinational Arctic Climate Impact Assessment report compiled between 2000 and 2004.

• Arctic ice is rapidly disappearing, and the region may have its first completely ice-free summer by 2040 or earlier. Polar bears and indigenous cultures are already suffering from the sea-ice loss.

• Glaciers and mountain snows are rapidly melting—for example, Montana's Glacier National Park now has only 27 glaciers, versus 150 in 1910. In the Northern Hemisphere, thaws also come a week earlier in spring and freezes begin a week later.

• Coral reefs, which are highly sensitive to small changes in water temperature, suffered the worst bleaching—or die-off in response to stress—ever recorded in 1998, with some areas seeing bleach rates of 70 percent. Experts expect these sorts of events to increase in frequency and intensity in the next 50 years as sea temperatures rise.

• An upsurge in the amount of extreme weather events, such as wildfires, heat waves, and strong tropical storms, is also attributed in part to climate change by some experts.

So are we humans causing it?

"Very likely," the IPCC said in a February 2007 report. The report, based on the work of some 2,500 scientists in more than 130 countries, concluded that humans have caused all or most of the current planetary warming. Human-caused global warming is often called anthropogenic climate change.

• Industrialization, deforestation, and pollution have greatly increased atmospheric concentrations of water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide, all greenhouse gases that help trap heat near Earth's surface.

• Humans are pouring carbon dioxide into the atmosphere much faster than plants and oceans can absorb it.

• These gases persist in the atmosphere for years, meaning that even if such emissions were eliminated today, it would not immediately stop global warming.

• Some experts point out that natural cycles in Earth's orbit can alter the planet's exposure to sunlight, which may explain the current trend. Earth has indeed experienced warming and cooling cycles roughly every hundred thousand years due to these orbital shifts, but such changes have occurred over the span of several centuries. Today's changes have taken place over the past hundred years or less.

• Other recent research has suggested that the effects of variations in the sun's output are "negligible" as a factor in warming, but other, more complicated solar mechanisms could possibly play a role.

What might happen?












A follow-up report by the IPCC released in April 2007 warned that global warming could lead to large-scale food and water shortages and have catastrophic effects on wildlife.

• Sea level could rise between 7 and 23 inches (18 to 59 centimeters) by century's end, the IPCC's February 2007 report projects. Rises of just 4 inches (10 centimeters) could flood many South Seas islands and swamp large parts of Southeast Asia.

• Some hundred million people live within 3 feet (1 meter) of mean sea level, and much of the world's population is concentrated in vulnerable coastal cities. In the U.S., Louisiana and Florida are especially at risk.

• Glaciers around the world could melt, causing sea levels to rise while creating water shortages in regions dependent on runoff for fresh water.

• Strong hurricanes, droughts, heat waves, wildfires, and other natural disasters may become commonplace in many parts of the world. The growth of deserts may also cause food shortages in many places.

• More than a million species face extinction from disappearing habitat, changing ecosystems, and acidifying oceans.

• The ocean's circulation system, known as the ocean conveyor belt, could be permanently altered, causing a mini-ice age in Western Europe and other rapid changes.

• At some point in the future, warming could become uncontrollable by creating a so-called positive feedback effect. Rising temperatures could release additional greenhouse gases by unlocking methane in permafrost and undersea deposits, freeing carbon trapped in sea ice, and causing increased evaporation of water.

What can we do about it right now?.













1. Change your light bulbs. If every household in the U.S. replaced a burned-out bulb with an energy-efficient, ENERGY STAR qualified compact fluorescent bulb, the cumulative effect is enormous. It would prevent greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to that from nearly 800,000 cars. It would also save enough energy to light 2.5 million homes for a year.

2. Drive less. On average, a passenger car emits 11,400 pounds of CO2 each year while a home emits 9,000 pounds of CO2 per person each year in the United States. And since we all can't afford to by a Hybrid right now, leaving your car at home two days a week will reduce your CO2 emissions by 1,590 pounds a year.

3. Strip down, bundle up! Add two degrees to the AC thermostat in summer, and two degrees in winter. Better yet, ceiling fans use 80% less energy than central air conditioners. By only using ceiling fans you can reduce your annual cooling costs by 10-65%. In warm weather run the fan blades in a counter-clockwise direction to feel 5 degrees cooler. During the winter set the fan blades to rotate clockwise at a low speed to force warm air from the ceiling down into the living space. Also, if 1 in 10 households serviced heating and cooling systems annually, cleaned or replaced filters regularly, used a programmable thermostat and replaced old equipment with ENERGY STAR models it would prevent the emissions of more than 17 billion pounds of greenhouse gases.

4. Watch out for the refrigerator! Your refrigerator is the biggest consumer of electricity among household appliances and responsible for 10-15% of the electricity you use each year. Don't set the thermostat too high. Lowering the temperature even 1 degree will make a big difference. If your refrigerator is near a heating vent, or always in the sun, then change the location, cover up the heating vent near it or cover the window. Turn on your "energy saver" switch near the thermostat. Clean the condenser coil. This one, very simple thing can improve the efficiency of your refrigerator reducing your annual energy costs by $20. Make sure the doors seal properly, and keep the cool in.

5. But don't turn your back on the the hot water heater, the washer and dryer, or the dishwasher. Either turn the hot water heater down to 120 degrees, or turn on the "energy conservation" setting. For each 10 degrees reduction in water temperature, you can save 3-5% in energy costs. Buy insulation at a local store and insulate your hot water heater and pipes. Install a timer on your water heater to turn off at night and on just before you wake up in the morning. Don't pre-rinse dishes. Today's detergents are powerful enough to do the job. Wait until you have a full load to run the dishwasher. Wash clothes in cold water, not hot. Ninety percent of the energy used in operating a washing machine goes toward heating the water that washes and rinses the clothes. Don't over-dry your clothes. Better yet, hang dry!

6. Garden wisely. While it is true that planting more trees will help in the short term because they essentially soak up carbon, they also release carbon dioxide when they die. So it just postpones the problem. But there are other reasons to plant trees - as wind breaks to save energy and as shade to lower cooling costs. As for plants, choose hardier plants that need less water. Plant flowers that need more water in groups and add mulch to help keep moisture in. Water your lawn sparingly.

7. Buy Green Energy and invest in green energy stocks. Imagine if we ran out of fossil fuels tomorrow, what would we do? Well, we'd get our electricity from renewable energy, such as solar panels, geothermal and wind power sources. Many utilities now give consumers the option to buy "green power." Ask for it! Learn the truth about nuclear power and natural gas as viable "green" options. They aren't. Radioactive waste will be a problem for tens of thousands of years into the future. Even though natural gas emits half as much CO2 as coal, it is still responsible for 20% of CO2 emissions in the United States while only providing us with around 23% of the energy consumed. Natural gas can help us make a transition, but it isn't the solution. Finally, invest in green stocks and renewable energy companies through socially responsible funds.

8. Go organic. Even with our vast reservoir of scientific knowledge about farming, most American farmers still spray a billion pounds of pesticides to protect crops each year. Now here's the kicker: when chemical pesticides are used to kill pests, they can also kill microorganisms that keep carbon contained in the soil. When the microorganisms are gone, the carbon is released into the atmosphere as CO2. And when those organisms are gone, the soil is no longer naturally fertile and chemical fertilizers become a necessity, not a luxury. But besides going organic - thereby saving the carbon release from soil - there are other simple things you can do with food that will also make a difference:
- Eat locally grown food. If the food doesn't have to travel far, there's less CO2 from the trucks that ship it.
- Eat fruits and vegetables in season. Again, that saves the enormous transportation costs.
- Plant your own vegetable garden. It's not as hard as you might think.
- Eat fresh, not frozen.

9. Buy recycled. This may sound simple, but it takes less energy to manufacture a recycled product than a brand new one. And before you buy, check to see if the product or its packaging can be recycled. The recyclable logo (three arrows forming a triangle) is fairly common now.

10. Be a minimalist. Every time you buy something, energy has gone into getting that product to you. So the less you buy, the more you save energy-wise. Buy in bulk. Donate or recycle what you really don't need. Buy quality products that will last longer and reduce quantity.

Wednesday, April 16, 2008

National Healthcare Decisions Day

Every day, you make hundreds of decisions. What should you wear? Which route should you drive to work? What do you want to eat for lunch? What TV show will you watch tonight? But have you thought about what type of care you want when facing a medical crisis and who will speak for you if you are unable? Nearly 70% of Americans have not.

April 16th has been designated National Healthcare Decisions Day, a day set aside to highlight the importance of advance healthcare decision-making. This is a grassroots effort to encourage people to talk about their wishes with family, friends and healthcare providers and to complete their advance directives. Take a few moments to complete yours, for yourself and for those you love. http://www.doyourproxy.org/

Tuesday, April 15, 2008

Do something extraordinary ...

Ordinary people do extraordinary things every day. I've seen this countless times in the 5+ years I've worked as a Heart Transplant Coordinator. Patients with end-stage heart failure fighting for every breath. Victims of massive MIs waking up on life support to discover they need a heart transplant. Although medical technology and organ donation awareness have continued to advance, the demand for organs still vastly exceeds the number of organ donations.

Statistics:
- There are more than 98,000 people on the national transplant waiting list.
- 77 people receive a life-saving organ transplant each day.
- 18 people die waiting for a life-saving organ transplant each day.
- 1 organ donor can save or enhance the lives of over 50 people.

Myths:
1. Myth: If I am in an accident and the doctors or nurses find my donor card, they will not try to save my life.

Fact: Doctors, nurses and paramedics will do everything to try to save your life. In fact, an individual needs to be in the hospital and on a ventilator at the time of death in order to donate organs. The local organ donor recovery network is not notified until all life-saving efforts have failed. The transplant team is not notified by the local organ donor recovery network until after they have spoken with the individual's family.

2. Myth: My body will be mutilated and disfigured if I would donate.

Fact: Donated organs and tissue are removed surgically in the regular hospital operating room. Doctors maintain dignity and respect for the donor at all times. Organ donation itself does not preclude an open casket service for the donor.

3. Myth: Wealthy people are the only people who receive transplants.

Fact: Organs are matched first according to height, weight and blood type, followed by medical urgency and then time accrued on the waiting list. Fame and fortune do not determine who receives a transplant. Most major insurances now cover transplants.

4. Myth: I cannot choose what I want to donate.

Fact: You may specify what organs or tissues you want to donate on your donor card. Your wishes will be followed.

5. Myth: I am not the right age for donation.

Fact: Organs may be donated from someone as young as a newborn. There is no age limit for organ donation. The general age limit for tissue donation is 80 and cornea donation is 70.

6. Myth: If I do not sign a donor card, my organs and tissues won't be donated.

Fact: Without a donor card or donor designation, families of suitable donors will still be offered the opportunity to donate. To ensure your wishes are fulfilled, sign a donor card, place the designation on your license/state identification card and ensure your family knows your wishes.

7. Myth: My religion does not support donation.

Fact: All major religions either support donation or view it as an individual decision. The exceptions to this are the Gypsy and Shintu religions.

8. Myth: Only heart, liver and kidneys can be donated.

Fact: The pancreas, lungs, intestines and the stomach can also be donated, as can corneas, tendons, saphenous and femoral veins, fascia, heart valves, skin and bone.

9. Myth: Organs go to people who didn't take care of theirs.

Fact: Organs in fact go to people who were born with or developed diseases that have caused organ failure. Less than five percent of people awaiting transplant have destroyed their organ through substance abuse. For those people, they must achieve and sustain sobriety before they can be listed for transplant.

10. Myth: My organs aren't of any value because I have a history of medical illness.

Fact: Few illnesses or conditions prevent someone from being a donor. At the time of death, your medical and social histories will be reviewed to determine suitability.

April is Organ Donor Awareness Month. The lack of organ donors is a national medical crisis. The cure has nothing to do with money or legislation. It has everything to do with people - starting with you. Do something extraordinary. Your decision to donate will make a difference. Donation saves lives, lots of them. (http://www.organdonor.gov/, http://www.donatelife.net/)

butterfly organ donor

Saturday, April 12, 2008

China school ...

Our local FCC chapter offers Chinese culture classes for preschoolers (and their parents) during the Fall and Spring semesters. With the help of very patient Chinese students from the U of R, we learn a little Mandarin as well as about Chinese stories, song and dance. The children develop friendships and look forward to getting together at other FCC events throughout the year. Elizabeth loves going to "China School." She doesn't understand that we are trying to honor her heritage, celebrate the diversity of our family, and advocate for her acceptance and respect. She just loves playing with the other girls, especially her best friend Meaghan.

There are differing opinions on the value of programs like FCC, but I hope it will help her develop an appreciation of her heritage, of an ancient culture and people, that will strengthen her pride in her background and help her understand her life story. I want to create a safe zone of multicultural friends and family, where she knows she is loved unconditionally and where she can express herself fully without fear of being persecuted or judged. I also believe that it's important for her to have a mentor with whom she can discuss issues of adoption and culture; areas that — much as we'd like to — we can never fully understand. I want to protect her. I want to empower her. More than anything, I want her to love herself.

The other day, we were waiting our turn for haircuts. In the chair, getting some finishing touches, was an older woman who, at first seemed harmless enough, but then opened her mouth. In front of my very aware 4-year-old daughter, she proceeded to ask intrusive questions and make ignorant comments.
--"Is she adopted?" Here we go.
--"How much did it cost?" She's priceless.
--"Why didn't you adopt an American kid?" Because our daughter was in China.
--"Do you know her mother?" I'm her mother.
--"She's a very lucky little girl." We're the lucky ones. We have a beautiful daughter who has added so much more to our lives than we could ever hope to give to her.
It's a good thing the curling iron was out of reach. I've read all about conspicuous families. I know we're supposed to try and educate the public. But, man, I thought we were supposed to educate about adoption, not common decency and good manners.

Monday, April 7, 2008

Identity crisis?

I'm pretty much committed to being a beta-mom (aka slacker mom), but I did begin to wonder about my style of parenting as I listened to my 4-year-old daughter speak to her imaginary friend earlier today. Oh, I don't mind the imaginary friend (I used to have one myself), but it was the fact that she was speaking with a British accent and a really bad one at that. Born in China, living in NY, speaking like she lives in a London flat. Too funny. Actually, too much Charlie and Lola (http://www.charlieandlola.com/).

Charlie and Lola are very charming characters by Lauren Child, who are now a very entertaining show from BBC that let's you see the world through the eyes of a 4-year-old girl and her very patient 7-year-old brother. Elizabeth is crazy about the show and has been sharing Lola-isms with us all week:
- I will never NOT ever eat a tomato
- I am ever SO not well
- It is absolutely completely NOT messy
- Never EVER never step on the cracks
- I am TOO absolutely small for school
- I can do anything that's everything ALL on my own
- I'm just NOT keen on spiders
- I do not ever, NEVER want my wobbly tooth to fall out

There are worse shows that she could want to watch ... Caillou makes me crazy with all his whining and Barney, well, need I say more? So, I pour a couple of glasses of pink milk and curl up on the couch with my girl for some serious snuggle time. After all, as Charlie says, "I have this little sister, Lola. She is small and VERY funny." Call me barmy, but this is a great way to spend half an hour.

Friday, April 4, 2008

Referrals!










The stork has landed and the next batch of referrals are here! Those lucky families with LIDs of 1/5/2006 - 1/9/2006 are getting word and pictures of their new sons and daughters. I know our day will come but with a LID of 2/27/2006, it's likely that it won't be until late this year. They seem to only be matching 5 or 6 days a month. It could actually be 3 full years from our LID before we meet our baby. A far cry from the mere 7 months we waited for Elizabeth.

Someone was asking me today about adopting from China and I told them at this point, unless their heart was telling them their child is in China, they'd likely be better off looking elsewhere if they didn't want to wait 4-5 years (NSN). Reviewing CCAA's new rules, waiting times and cost schedules (they've raised the orphanage fee from $3000 to $5000, we'll likely have to renew all of our documents for a 3rd time, and the rising cost of airline tickets presumably secondary to fuel prices, etc.), it's going be much harder for the average bear to adopt from China. Sad but true ...

Our adoption time line & paper chase ...

8/18/2005 - Pre-application
8/18/2005 - Fee schedule (signed & notarized)
8/18/2005 - Application
8/18/2005 - Disclosure Letter
8/18/2005 - Authorization to Release Adoption Info (notarized)
8/18/2005 - Four Entities to Satisfy Form
8/18/2005 - Agreement for Foreign Adoption Services
8/18/2005 - USCIS I 600A Application (w/copies of Vital Certificates)
8/18/2005 - USCIS (I 600A) Application fee ($)
8/18/2005 - USCIS (I 600A) Fingerprinting fee ($)
8/18/2005 - NYS Child Abuse Clearance Form (NYS residents only)
8/18/2005 - NYS OFCS Fingerprint cards (NYS residents only) (HIS)
8/18/2005 - NYS OFCS Fingerprint cards (NYS residents only) (HERS)
8/18/2005 - 2 Passport Photos (HIS)
8/18/2005 - 2 Passport Photos (HERS)
8/18/2005 - Clear copy of Passport Picture and Signature page (HIS)
8/18/2005 - Clear copy of Passport Picture and Signature page (HERS)
8/18/2005 - Conviction Statement (HIS) (signed and notarized)
8/18/2005 - Conviction Statement (HERS) (signed and notarized)
8/18/2005 - Eyes Wide Open Acknowledgment/Certificate
8/18/2005 - Police or Sheriff Letter (2 notarized originals) HIS
8/18/2005 - Police or Sheriff Letter (2 notarized originals) HERS
8/18/2005 - Travel Procedures/Agreement (signed & notarized)
8/18/2005 - Travel Document (initialed, signed & notarized)
9/13/2005 - HIV Release & Health Info Release- HIS (witnessed)
9/13/2005 - HIV Release & Health Info Release - HERS (witnessed)
9/13/2005 - International Risk Statement
9/13/2005 - Guardian information form (1)
9/13/2005 - China Letter of Application (2 notarized originals)
9/13/2005 - Medical Report - 2 notarized forms (HIS)
9/13/2005 - Medical Report - 2 notarized forms (HERS)
9/13/2005 - Financial Statement (2 notarized forms) - TYPED
9/13/2005 - Employment Letter (2 notarized originals) HIS
9/13/2005 - Employment Letter (2 notarized originals) HERS
9/13/2005 - 2-4 Outside of Home Photos
9/13/2005 - 6-8 Family Life Photos
9/13/2005 - Home Study and Dossier fee ($)
9/20/2005 - Reference #1
9/20/2005 - Reference #2
9/20/2005 - Reference #3
9/28/2005 - Guardian Letter (2 notarized originals)
9/28/2005 - 2 Exemplified Birth Certificates (HIS)
9/28/2005 - 2 Exemplified Birth Certificates (HERS)
9/28/2005 - 2 Exemplified Marriage Certificates
9/28/2005 - 2 Exemplified Divorce Certificates (HIS)
1/02/2006 - I-171H Immigration Approval Letter
1/31/2006 - DTC (Dossier to China)
2/27/2006 - LID (CCAA log in date)
2/27/2007 - STILL WAITING ...
2/27/2007 - I-171H re-approval documents & fees:
2/27/2007 - I-600A
2/27/2007 - Child abuse clearance form
2/27/2007 - 2 updated certificates of medical clearance (HERS)
2/27/2007 - 2 updated certificates of medical clearance (HIS)
2/27/2007 - 1 updated letter of employment (HERS)
2/27/2007 - 1 updated letter of employment (HIS)
2/27/2007 - 2 police letters (HERS)
2/27/2007 - 2 police letters (HIS)
2/27/2007 - 1 fingerprint card (HERS)
2/27/2007 - 1 fingerprint card (HIS)
2/27/2007 - USCIS form letter stamped & dated (day of reprinting)
2/27/2007 - USCIS signed fax release
2/27/2008 - STILL WAITING ...
5/21/2008 - Fingerprints expired, I171-H valid through 1/31/2009
7/18/2008 - Fingerprints re-done
10/09/2008 - I-171H re-approval documents & fees:
10/09/2008 - I-600A ($)
10/09/2008 - I-800A (just in case)
10/09/2008 - Child abuse clearance form
10/09/2008 - 2 updated certificates of medical clearance (HERS)
10/09/2008 - 2 updated certificates of medical clearance (HIS)
10/09/2008 - 1 updated letter of employment (HERS)
10/09/2008 - 1 updated letter of employment (HIS)
10/09/2008 - 2 police letters (HERS)
10/09/2008 - 2 police letters (HIS)
10/09/2008 - 1 fingerprint card (HERS)
10/09/2008 - 1 fingerprint card (HIS)
10/09/2008 - USCIS request for free extension letter
10/09/2008 - USCIS signed fax release
12/01/2008 - Homestudy Update ($)
12/29/2008 - RECEIVED REFERRAL!!!
01/27/2009 - I-600A extension is approved!
02/05/2009 - Updated I-171H received