For those of you in Southwestern Ohio, Cincinnati Playhouse in the Park is performing the musical Daddy-Long-Legs from March 13 through April 10. I haven't seen it myself, but I read that it is about an orphanage trustee who offers a college education to an 18-year-old girl on the conditions that she never know who he is and that she write to him every month though he will never respond. Her letters paint a moving picture of her life in the orphanage and capture her blossoming into a young woman. When the two finally do meet in person several years later, they have an instant connection.
The musical is loosely based on a novel by Jean Webster and was made into a Hollywood film with Fred Astaire and Leslie Caron in 1955. The film was nominated for two Academy Awards related to music.
If you're interested in seeing the show, call 513-421-3888 for tickets.
Wednesday, March 24, 2010
Wednesday, March 17, 2010
If You Build It, S(He) Will Come
The title of this blog describes approximately what went through my mind last Saturday when I found myself at a local elementary school's annual consignment sale and bought $25 worth of kids' clothes. I could explain my behavior by noting that one of the adoption books I read said that parents waiting for a referral should act like expectant parents, so buying clothes fits the bill. But if I am honest, the whole thing was an act of faith, something I had to do to renew my confidence in the fact that some day our children will be here and need to be dressed every morning.
Here's a look at my finds. Not a bad batch for $25, methinks.
Here's a look at my finds. Not a bad batch for $25, methinks.
Wednesday, March 10, 2010
Adoption Comic
If you haven't visited this new website yet, you should check it out:
www.adoptedthecomic.com
The writer and illustrator are both adopted internationally and have only just begun expressing their experiences in this humorous and easily accessible way.
www.adoptedthecomic.com
The writer and illustrator are both adopted internationally and have only just begun expressing their experiences in this humorous and easily accessible way.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
The Kite Runner
Those of you who know me personally are aware that I am an avid and discerning reader of books and lover of literature. Therefore, it should not come as a surprise that I am now using this blog to recommend a novel.
Last week I finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and it was one of the best books I have read in recent memory. The plot is exciting with many unexpected twists and turns and the themes range from father-son relationships and childhood friendships to guilt, trauma, politics, and forgiveness. Add to that a fascinating helping of Afghan culture as well as 20th century Afghan history and you have a worthwhile, memorable page-turner with characters so real that it makes you wonder if you're reading a memoir rather than fiction.
In addition - and this is how the novel connects to this blog - the Kite Runner is a story about adoption. I do not want to spoil anything, so I will not divulge details. Instead, you'll just have to read for yourself or, if you don't have time for the book, watch the movie which I haven't seen and, therefore, cannot endorse.
Last week I finished The Kite Runner by Khaled Hosseini and it was one of the best books I have read in recent memory. The plot is exciting with many unexpected twists and turns and the themes range from father-son relationships and childhood friendships to guilt, trauma, politics, and forgiveness. Add to that a fascinating helping of Afghan culture as well as 20th century Afghan history and you have a worthwhile, memorable page-turner with characters so real that it makes you wonder if you're reading a memoir rather than fiction.
In addition - and this is how the novel connects to this blog - the Kite Runner is a story about adoption. I do not want to spoil anything, so I will not divulge details. Instead, you'll just have to read for yourself or, if you don't have time for the book, watch the movie which I haven't seen and, therefore, cannot endorse.
Friday, February 26, 2010
Quote for Thought
"From his father, Athos inherited sea charts that had been passed down by captains and hydrographers, augmented by generations. He drew his great-grandfather's trading routes for me in chalk on a black slate learner's globe. Even as a child, even as my blood past was drained away from me, I understood that if I were strong enough to accept it, I was being offered a second history."
from Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
from Fugitive Pieces by Anne Michaels
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Zarezan Valentine
Last Friday evening, we attended a party celebrating Zarezan Valentine. The party was organized by the Bulgarian Cultural Club of Cincinnati which has about 80 members, most of whom are native Bulgarians who have ended up in this area for one reason or another. Of course, Zarezan Valentine is not a real holiday, but a combination celebration for two actual events that take place on February 14: Valentine’s Day in the U.S. and Trifon Zarezan in Bulgaria. If you would like to learn more about Trifon Zarezan, follow this link: http://sofiaecho.com/2006/02/13/643178_trifon-zarezan-day.
Having been to Bulgarian celebrations before, we knew we could be looking forward to good food, music, and many friendly conversations. The party officially started at 7:30, but Craig and I did not arrive until 8:15. Why? Because we have learned that Bulgarians are notoriously late for events like this and that it’s almost a matter of national pride. One woman even told us Friday night that it might be considered rude if you showed up on time for a party and disturbed the host in the last frantic tasks of preparation. Well, when we got there 45 minutes late, we were still early. Most people arrived around 9:00.
As expected, there was a large potluck buffet with a great variety of food. From salads to meats to breads and dessert, the meal was plentiful and delicious. Being German, I contributed a homemade Black Forest Cake. I used my mom’s recipe and the cake turned out great. I’ll never claim to be a talented cake decorator, but if you want something scrumptious and from scratch, I am your baker. The cake was completely gone by the end of the night, just the way I like it.
Of course, we met several new people at the party and were asked to retell our adoption story again and again. Bulgarians in the U.S. are very interested in hearing details about this topic as most of them do not have any idea how the process works. However, as they learn more, most are incredibly supportive and very appreciative because they do all seem aware that large numbers of children live permanently in their country’s orphanages. One woman even called us heroes and it was quite difficult to convince her that we are just ordinary people who wish to parent. Many Bulgarians are shocked that international adoptions take so long from the MOJ’s end, but attribute this fact to old bureaucratic habits dying hard and to the lack of funds available to the government.
As the night went on, the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics were airing on a large TV in the background. I hadn’t quite realized how many different nationalities were represented at the party until the Parade of Nations which brought cheering at different times from different people and provided a gateway for finding out where everyone was from. Of course, most attendees were Bulgarian, but there was also one person from each of these other countries celebrating with the group on Friday: Tanzania, the UK, the Ukraine, Botswana, and Columbia. Add myself from Germany and we were a pretty international bunch.
The one thing that I didn’t expect from this celebration was to find myself dancing in a large circle of Bulgarians later in the night. I am not really sure when the dancing even started at all. The TV was turned off at some point, the lights were dimmed, furniture (some with children sleeping right on top and undisturbed) was moved toward walls, and music started to play. I saw one lone couple dancing one minute and the next time I turned around, there were a dozen people in a large circle just cutting a rug. A person standing next to me must have seen the surprise on my face and said, “In a few minutes, we will all be dancing.” I didn’t really think that this would include me, but when an ABBA medley came on, I couldn’t resist joining the ever increasing group of dancers. It was a lot of fun, people were completely relaxed and comfortable and very un-self-conscious.
Another thing we have learned about Bulgarians is that they like to get together and celebrate for special reasons or just because. When they do, they party hard and long. My husband and I knew that we would be the first to leave. When we said our good-byes around 11:30, everyone was shocked that we were headed home at such an early hour. Even so, we had a great time and are looking forward to joining the group for their biggest annual celebration on Easter Sunday.
Having been to Bulgarian celebrations before, we knew we could be looking forward to good food, music, and many friendly conversations. The party officially started at 7:30, but Craig and I did not arrive until 8:15. Why? Because we have learned that Bulgarians are notoriously late for events like this and that it’s almost a matter of national pride. One woman even told us Friday night that it might be considered rude if you showed up on time for a party and disturbed the host in the last frantic tasks of preparation. Well, when we got there 45 minutes late, we were still early. Most people arrived around 9:00.
As expected, there was a large potluck buffet with a great variety of food. From salads to meats to breads and dessert, the meal was plentiful and delicious. Being German, I contributed a homemade Black Forest Cake. I used my mom’s recipe and the cake turned out great. I’ll never claim to be a talented cake decorator, but if you want something scrumptious and from scratch, I am your baker. The cake was completely gone by the end of the night, just the way I like it.
Of course, we met several new people at the party and were asked to retell our adoption story again and again. Bulgarians in the U.S. are very interested in hearing details about this topic as most of them do not have any idea how the process works. However, as they learn more, most are incredibly supportive and very appreciative because they do all seem aware that large numbers of children live permanently in their country’s orphanages. One woman even called us heroes and it was quite difficult to convince her that we are just ordinary people who wish to parent. Many Bulgarians are shocked that international adoptions take so long from the MOJ’s end, but attribute this fact to old bureaucratic habits dying hard and to the lack of funds available to the government.
As the night went on, the Opening Ceremonies of the Olympics were airing on a large TV in the background. I hadn’t quite realized how many different nationalities were represented at the party until the Parade of Nations which brought cheering at different times from different people and provided a gateway for finding out where everyone was from. Of course, most attendees were Bulgarian, but there was also one person from each of these other countries celebrating with the group on Friday: Tanzania, the UK, the Ukraine, Botswana, and Columbia. Add myself from Germany and we were a pretty international bunch.
The one thing that I didn’t expect from this celebration was to find myself dancing in a large circle of Bulgarians later in the night. I am not really sure when the dancing even started at all. The TV was turned off at some point, the lights were dimmed, furniture (some with children sleeping right on top and undisturbed) was moved toward walls, and music started to play. I saw one lone couple dancing one minute and the next time I turned around, there were a dozen people in a large circle just cutting a rug. A person standing next to me must have seen the surprise on my face and said, “In a few minutes, we will all be dancing.” I didn’t really think that this would include me, but when an ABBA medley came on, I couldn’t resist joining the ever increasing group of dancers. It was a lot of fun, people were completely relaxed and comfortable and very un-self-conscious.
Another thing we have learned about Bulgarians is that they like to get together and celebrate for special reasons or just because. When they do, they party hard and long. My husband and I knew that we would be the first to leave. When we said our good-byes around 11:30, everyone was shocked that we were headed home at such an early hour. Even so, we had a great time and are looking forward to joining the group for their biggest annual celebration on Easter Sunday.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Happy Valentine's Anniversary
One year ago today, Craig and I mailed our application for an international adoption from Bulgaria to our placing agency. I remember hastily running off copies in the morning and then realizing that we were missing a document. We emailed our contact person at the agency and, even though it was a Saturday, she quickly sent it to us again. We filled it out and rushed everything to the local post office before it closed. It was very important to us to be able to get the initial paperwork for this adventure mailed on a day that celebrates love.
So, today is the first anniversary of the date we consider the official beginning of our adoption journey. Let’s hope that by the time the second anniversary rolls around, we will have a referral!
So, today is the first anniversary of the date we consider the official beginning of our adoption journey. Let’s hope that by the time the second anniversary rolls around, we will have a referral!
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