Here we are off to college, and this blog is now more than complete. Good bye.
Saturday, June 29, 2024
Thursday, December 4, 2008
The Jade Bok Choy...Edible Version
those of you who know about my fascination with this object in Taiwan's National Palace Museum will understand. Others...well, it is hard to explain. Suffice to say, I have an obsession. Just be happy I'm not obsessed with the meat stone (to which the same restaurant has an ode as well...)
check it out.
Jadeite Cabbage with Insects
One of the most famous masterpieces at the National Palace Museum, this dish utilizes fresh bokchoy sum (Chinese cabbage heart) from the farms of mid-Taiwan of comparable size and color to the artifact. Chefs boil it in a broth of quality chicken and ham, and serve it as a salad with black sesame sauce or as a hot dish with a dark broth sauce. The insects are represented by sergestid shrimps, which are high in calcium and proteins.
One of the most famous masterpieces at the National Palace Museum, this dish utilizes fresh bokchoy sum (Chinese cabbage heart) from the farms of mid-Taiwan of comparable size and color to the artifact. Chefs boil it in a broth of quality chicken and ham, and serve it as a salad with black sesame sauce or as a hot dish with a dark broth sauce. The insects are represented by sergestid shrimps, which are high in calcium and proteins.
(jade sculpture on the right; edible version on left)
p.s. here's the meatstone if you're curious:
(natural stone version on right; edible version on left)
AWESOME, NO? =)
Sunday, November 23, 2008
The end of a dream realized.
I attended a baby shower yesterday.
A fairly normal event, but it marked a significant change in my life.
The mother-to-be, already the mother of a 7 year old girl, has tried for years for a second child, with whom she is now pregnant. The newest baby is a girl...so i gave her a blanket. a pink, soft, fluffy potterybarn kids blanket. and i wept.
I purchased that blanket for my future daughter. I was never a "buyer". I did not buy clothes, toys, anything...because once we sent our paperwork to China, the line came to a screeching halt, and I had enough sense to guard my heart. But when I saw the blanket, I had to buy it. One item.
It's gone now.
with my dreams.
Given that we will soon have a son, and little patience for the never-ending wait signaling China's attempt to "shoo" everyone away, that particular blanket will be used and hopefully loved by its new owner...and I need to release the wave of grief that has been building over the past 30 months....and come to terms that my dream of a daughter is no longer a dream I can pursue.
Please be kind to us this holiday season.
A fairly normal event, but it marked a significant change in my life.
The mother-to-be, already the mother of a 7 year old girl, has tried for years for a second child, with whom she is now pregnant. The newest baby is a girl...so i gave her a blanket. a pink, soft, fluffy potterybarn kids blanket. and i wept.
I purchased that blanket for my future daughter. I was never a "buyer". I did not buy clothes, toys, anything...because once we sent our paperwork to China, the line came to a screeching halt, and I had enough sense to guard my heart. But when I saw the blanket, I had to buy it. One item.
It's gone now.
with my dreams.
Given that we will soon have a son, and little patience for the never-ending wait signaling China's attempt to "shoo" everyone away, that particular blanket will be used and hopefully loved by its new owner...and I need to release the wave of grief that has been building over the past 30 months....and come to terms that my dream of a daughter is no longer a dream I can pursue.
Please be kind to us this holiday season.
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Wednesday, September 24, 2008
What Comes Next?
The following is a description of what has to happen before Jacob can come home. As you can see, this bears a great similarity to adoption in the United States. We will know that Jacob's adoption has been completely above board, no questions asked, which makes us very happy.
Taiwan Adoption Court Process
1. District Court Process
a. The family court office reviews the case/petition and a Judge is assigned to the case.
b. Judge reviews and considers the case and schedules a "hearing". Hearings are handled differently depending on the birth family's situation, the judge's schedule, persons representing the birth family and those representing the adoptive family. The time involved in getting a hearing scheduled depends on the judge's calendar/schedule and that of everyone else required to attend. Hearings can result in--The immediate decision to finalize the adoption (though this is rarely the case) or - Result in the judge's request for more information (in one case we saw the judge request additional counseling for the birthmother and he scheduled a follow-up hearing. Again, this is rare). -Most often, the hearing just provides a judge with more information about the case and allows him/her to rule on the adoption with confidence. Most often, the judge's decision (final ruling) happens weeks or even as long as months after the hearing. The responsibility of the District Court is to make sure that every issue related to the best interest of the child has been considered. Though lengthy & frustrating at times, the District Court process protects the child, the birth parent, the organization caring for the child, AND in the end protects us as adoptive parents. When the District Court decisions have been made, adoptive families can be confident that the process was handled with consideration and in the best interest of the child. 2-4 MONTHS
2. Part I of Final Decree (first decree).Once the District Court hearing has been completed and the judge has had time to make a decision to finalize the adoption, he/she issues the first part of the Final Decree. This is a short statement signed by the judge that is forwarded to the parties involved (social services organization on behalf of the adoptive family and the birth family) notifying everyone of his/her decision to finalize the adoption. This first part of the Final Decree must go to each party and there is a waiting period of 10 days before any more can happen to ensure that everyone has been notified of the judge's decision. 2-4 WEEKS.
3. Part II of Final Decree.Once the 10 day waiting period is up (and the court staff finds time!), the second part of the Final Decree is forwarded to all parties. When the second part of the decree is received by your child's social service organization, the court process is DONE!
4. Household registration change and immigration requirements. Before adoptive family travels, a lot must be accomplished by the child's social service organization. All court documents and background info on the child must be officially translated to English and submitted with certain paperwork to AIT. Also, the child must have his/her Visa medical exam which is forwarded directly (unopened) to AIT's immigrant visa office. At some point the child's guardian must file for a household registration change. The household registration is a file located at local government offices in Taiwan that contains certificates and information about each person in Taiwan. Your child's household registration is attached to his/her guardian's file until the adoption has been finalized by the Taiwan courts. Once the child has been legally adopted in Taiwan, the guardian files with the government office to remove the file from theirs and create a new file showing that the adoptive parent(s) are the new legal guardians.The household registration change takes a day or two or a week depending on the placing organization and the local government office. 2-4 WEEKS.
5. New family receives a travel date. Each organization in Taiwan is different in when and how they schedule a travel date. Some wait until all of the above paperwork is filed and then give the family notice to travel quickly. Some schedule the travel in advance, while they work at preparing the above documents, giving a couple of weeks notice before travel.
Taiwan Adoption Court Process
1. District Court Process
a. The family court office reviews the case/petition and a Judge is assigned to the case.
b. Judge reviews and considers the case and schedules a "hearing". Hearings are handled differently depending on the birth family's situation, the judge's schedule, persons representing the birth family and those representing the adoptive family. The time involved in getting a hearing scheduled depends on the judge's calendar/schedule and that of everyone else required to attend. Hearings can result in--The immediate decision to finalize the adoption (though this is rarely the case) or - Result in the judge's request for more information (in one case we saw the judge request additional counseling for the birthmother and he scheduled a follow-up hearing. Again, this is rare). -Most often, the hearing just provides a judge with more information about the case and allows him/her to rule on the adoption with confidence. Most often, the judge's decision (final ruling) happens weeks or even as long as months after the hearing. The responsibility of the District Court is to make sure that every issue related to the best interest of the child has been considered. Though lengthy & frustrating at times, the District Court process protects the child, the birth parent, the organization caring for the child, AND in the end protects us as adoptive parents. When the District Court decisions have been made, adoptive families can be confident that the process was handled with consideration and in the best interest of the child. 2-4 MONTHS
2. Part I of Final Decree (first decree).Once the District Court hearing has been completed and the judge has had time to make a decision to finalize the adoption, he/she issues the first part of the Final Decree. This is a short statement signed by the judge that is forwarded to the parties involved (social services organization on behalf of the adoptive family and the birth family) notifying everyone of his/her decision to finalize the adoption. This first part of the Final Decree must go to each party and there is a waiting period of 10 days before any more can happen to ensure that everyone has been notified of the judge's decision. 2-4 WEEKS.
3. Part II of Final Decree.Once the 10 day waiting period is up (and the court staff finds time!), the second part of the Final Decree is forwarded to all parties. When the second part of the decree is received by your child's social service organization, the court process is DONE!
4. Household registration change and immigration requirements. Before adoptive family travels, a lot must be accomplished by the child's social service organization. All court documents and background info on the child must be officially translated to English and submitted with certain paperwork to AIT. Also, the child must have his/her Visa medical exam which is forwarded directly (unopened) to AIT's immigrant visa office. At some point the child's guardian must file for a household registration change. The household registration is a file located at local government offices in Taiwan that contains certificates and information about each person in Taiwan. Your child's household registration is attached to his/her guardian's file until the adoption has been finalized by the Taiwan courts. Once the child has been legally adopted in Taiwan, the guardian files with the government office to remove the file from theirs and create a new file showing that the adoptive parent(s) are the new legal guardians.The household registration change takes a day or two or a week depending on the placing organization and the local government office. 2-4 WEEKS.
5. New family receives a travel date. Each organization in Taiwan is different in when and how they schedule a travel date. Some wait until all of the above paperwork is filed and then give the family notice to travel quickly. Some schedule the travel in advance, while they work at preparing the above documents, giving a couple of weeks notice before travel.
Sunday, September 21, 2008
At last...the News.
Meet Jacob Szu-Ching S******, born February 19, 2006 in Taiwan. "Jacob" is his American name...he does not know that yet.
Is he not the most adorable little boy EVER? I'm speechless, and have been so for the past 2 weeks, about his beauty. We have so much to do. His room is full of amplifiers, 8 track tapes, LP record albums, sheet music, computers, including an old Apple IIe, and the first Apple computer ever made (maybe not, it just seems like it to me!)...did I say we have SO MUCH WORK TO DO?
signing off as "giddy with anticipation"...
Wednesday, September 17, 2008
Sunday, September 7, 2008
dinner? or dessert?
I found this while roaming aimlessly on the internet today, and fell in love:
made of rice krispy cookie, marzipan, dried fruit, and other non-sushi substances, but really looks sushi-like. cute, huh?
made of rice krispy cookie, marzipan, dried fruit, and other non-sushi substances, but really looks sushi-like. cute, huh?Friday, August 8, 2008
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Indulge me for 1 moment, please.
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
The Olympics were supposed to take place at least 1 year or more AFTER we had returned home with our child. We're still looking at 2 more years? forever?
How am I supposed to watch without constantly crying?
It wasn't supposed to be like this.
Monday, July 7, 2008
taaa daaaa!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Polenta Bruschetta with Rotisserie Chicken
what to make when it is 104 degrees in the shade?
dice some non-salmonella tainted tomatoes, marinate in balsamic vinegar and olive oil, with a little sea salt and basil, then spoon over pan griddled polenta. add some sliced rotisserie chicken breast, a sprinkle of parmesan on top, and dinner is served.
Saturday, June 14, 2008
Thit Kho To
(vietnamese for "caramelized pork in clay pot")
made with pork belly.
the best, well, easiest and most accessible, being 3 minutes from my house, source for pork belly is H Mart, the Korean superstore of all superstores in Carrollton. too many types of kimchi to count, fresh fish, and pork belly for the taking.
the produce department rocks, low prices, fantastic variety, as evidenced by the extremely inexpensive bok choy-type cabbage i stir-fried up with the pork.
and just to add some gratuitous cuteness to this blog as there has been none for quite some time...
Sunday, March 23, 2008
Sunday, December 23, 2007
When Beagles Dream...at Christmas...
they dream of...
"steer pizzle"?!
(see ingredients under bar code)
free-range steer pizzle, no less!
look it up for yourself. i'm not explaining further.
WOOF.
Sunday, October 14, 2007
First Knitting Project
I finished something I started! My "let's learn to knit" project is done--a blanket not too pastel shades that you can't really see in this photo--maybe I should learn how to take photographs instead...
Celebrate with me--I finished it! I can knit! (I can't purl, but that's another project!)
Saturday, September 15, 2007
While the dogs are away...
...the kitties sleep on the dog bed!
does this fall under the old adage "what they don't know won't hurt them?"
Sunday, September 9, 2007
This stoup rocks!
Chicken, Chorizo and Hominy Stoup
from Rachael Ray's Express Lane Meals
This soup ("stoup" in RR speak) has kale leaves in it...What a treat! I've never had kale before, and I've found a new leafy green for variety. This is a great combination, slightly spicy-hot. I served it with cheese-strewn garlic toast. (yes, I know, messy bowl sides--not a pretty presentation, but tough, it is my kitchen.)
Yum.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Thursday, July 26, 2007
One big collective sigh of relief....
...from the CCAA website on July 26, 2007:
"The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before June 30, 2006."
WE'RE OUT OF REVIEW. NO QUESTIONS ASKED.
Thank you for your prayers.
Now for the bad news: we're still waiting, and expect to wait another 12-15 months.
Saturday, July 14, 2007
Professional Ethics v. Personal Ethics
Subtitle: Is it ever okay to lie to adopt a child?
I have been extremely bothered for the last few days about an article I read, in of all places, Inside Counsel magazine. The magazine featured an interview with the General Counsel for a Chicago businessman who makes a living buying companies. At the very end of the article, there were a few questions about this lawyer's personal life: he is gay, lives with his partner of 15 years, and has 2 children. 2 children, you ask? Well, further information in the article, offered up for public scrutiny, very clearly states that the "couple" adopted the 2 children from Romania, a country which does not allow adoption by homosexuals, by deceit. (Mind you, I didn't guess about this--it is all stated in black & white type in the article as direct information from the interviewee). The lawyer created a "cover story" that he hadn't found the right woman yet, and needed an heir. Effectively, this lie circumvented the Romanian requirements (Romania being a sovereign country, and having every right to limit adoptions as they see fit), as well as the requirements of the United States--which are NOT that homosexuals cannot adopt, but that foreign adoptions must be conducted in a manner which does not circumvent the laws of the foreign country and/or the United States. Presumably the United States laws were somewhat compromised in that a social worker had to put a home study together, for USCIS and Romanian approval, that stated that the "story" told by the prospective parent was accurate and truthful.
Okay. We now have 3 individuals, at least 2 of which have professional ethics requirements and standards of care, that are seeing fit to modify how to comply with these requirements in an effort to get what they want.
I'm not sure why it is okay to lie to adopt a child. Okay, if he didn't "technically" lie (for example, if he would argue that he never stated that he was NOT homosexual) but only put a "spin" on his story that would be beneficial to achieving the goals he desired, is that any different?
I know I am very black & white about right & wrong, even for a lawyer. But even if you weren't under a religious conviction about right & wrong, how would this ever be considered proper behavior under the professional standards of conduct for lawyers?
If I EVER see this guy across the table for any sort of business-related deal, I will NEVER trust a word he says.
Oh, and one more thing--what do you tell your children when they grow up and ask how they became part of your family? "Oh, kids, we wanted you so much we lied to 2 governments to get you!" Boy, the glowing cockels of my heart from that statement...
I have been extremely bothered for the last few days about an article I read, in of all places, Inside Counsel magazine. The magazine featured an interview with the General Counsel for a Chicago businessman who makes a living buying companies. At the very end of the article, there were a few questions about this lawyer's personal life: he is gay, lives with his partner of 15 years, and has 2 children. 2 children, you ask? Well, further information in the article, offered up for public scrutiny, very clearly states that the "couple" adopted the 2 children from Romania, a country which does not allow adoption by homosexuals, by deceit. (Mind you, I didn't guess about this--it is all stated in black & white type in the article as direct information from the interviewee). The lawyer created a "cover story" that he hadn't found the right woman yet, and needed an heir. Effectively, this lie circumvented the Romanian requirements (Romania being a sovereign country, and having every right to limit adoptions as they see fit), as well as the requirements of the United States--which are NOT that homosexuals cannot adopt, but that foreign adoptions must be conducted in a manner which does not circumvent the laws of the foreign country and/or the United States. Presumably the United States laws were somewhat compromised in that a social worker had to put a home study together, for USCIS and Romanian approval, that stated that the "story" told by the prospective parent was accurate and truthful.
Okay. We now have 3 individuals, at least 2 of which have professional ethics requirements and standards of care, that are seeing fit to modify how to comply with these requirements in an effort to get what they want.
I'm not sure why it is okay to lie to adopt a child. Okay, if he didn't "technically" lie (for example, if he would argue that he never stated that he was NOT homosexual) but only put a "spin" on his story that would be beneficial to achieving the goals he desired, is that any different?
I know I am very black & white about right & wrong, even for a lawyer. But even if you weren't under a religious conviction about right & wrong, how would this ever be considered proper behavior under the professional standards of conduct for lawyers?
If I EVER see this guy across the table for any sort of business-related deal, I will NEVER trust a word he says.
Oh, and one more thing--what do you tell your children when they grow up and ask how they became part of your family? "Oh, kids, we wanted you so much we lied to 2 governments to get you!" Boy, the glowing cockels of my heart from that statement...