Happy 6th Anniversary to Us!

Looking back six years ago:

We were married on October 13, 2001 in my home church. It was a cloudy fall day with a few sprinkles, but inside the church everything was beautiful. The fresh flowers were especially stunning. My favorite flowers included bridesmaids' rose bouquets with fall nuts and acorns nestled in them and a burgundy ribbons with leaves attached to them that ran down the center isle of the church. Kevin and I were both misty eyed during the ceremony, and he squeezed my hand to try to be funny so I wouldn't cry. Our guests were given handfuls of freshly fallen leaves to throw at us as we left the church and it looked so pretty to have all of the leaves in the air at one time. The reception was a lot of fun, but went by so fast! We spent the night at a local bed and breakfast. My sister (little sneak!) had decorated the room with silk fall leaves and candles, and left us a basket of snacks. Kevin really appreciated the snacks! The reception was so busy that we didn't get to eat much of our dinner or drink more than a few sips of champagne.

The happy couple honeymooned in New Orleans the following week. Just one month after 9/11, New Orleans seemed very quiet. Many people were scared to travel. We went on with our honeymoon as planned, as we felt that the terrorists win if we stay home in fear. There were very few people in the hotels we stayed in, eating at restaurants where we experienced Cajun and Creole cooking, as well as exploring with us on cemetary tours. Now we feel forunate to have experienced the flavor of New Orleans before Hurricane Katrina.

Updated 10/14/07:

We spent our anniversary celebrating my grandparents' 80th birthdays. Our family had dinner at an Amish farm with all of my aunts, uncles, and most of the cousins. We had salads and rolls with apple butter, pan fried chicken, Swiss steak, mashed potatoes and gravy, noodles, stuffing, green beans, and a selection of pies to choose from. Mmmm. Delicious carbohydrate overload! I sat under a gas lamp and was surprised at how much light and heat it let out. I liked watching a little blond Amish schoolgirl peek out and enjoy listening to us tell stories. My grandfather retold the story about how he stood up my grandmother on their first date. It was V-J day, and he went out celebrating with his buddies. I'm sure they just went out to clink glasses over a few rounds of milk. Ha ha! Anyway, I'm glad that she decided to give him another chance! Kevin gave me a new photo printer for our anniversary. It prints my photos and scrapbooking pages out much nicer than the regular ink jet printer we have.

Double Ten Day

Today is the national celebration day for the government of Taiwan, called the Republic of China. It celebrates the start of the Wuchang uprising on October 10, 1911. Traditionally, the celebration starts in front of the presidential building with flag raising, public singing of their national anthem, and a military parade. Fireworks displays in the evening are head throughout major cities across the island. This symbol is often used for Double Ten Day because it is the combination of two characters for 10.

Until TODAY, military parades had on Double Ten Day not been held since 1991 because of tensions with China. Taiwan has been flexing it's muscles recently trying once again to gain United Nations recognition, and used today's Double Ten Day parade to show their stuff. Today's parade was complete with tanks rolling down the street, fighter planes streaking across the sky in formation, and marching by military honor guards.

This holiday sounds a lot like Fourth of July celebrations here in the US, minus the tanks and tensions with China.

Referral Request Form

Kevin called me at work tonight to tell me we had a package from our adoption agency. I got the shivers, but stopped and thought... surely we didn't get a referral by mail! Nope, no referral. It's an information request form that helps the agency know what special needs or situations that we would be open to when considering a referral. Of course we'd like to "request" for that referral to come any day now, so we sat down over dinner and talked through our decisions. It's all done, and we'll mail it back tomorrow. My sweetheart of a husband even held my hand during some of the tough ones. I married such a great guy.

my recent reads

Vignettes of Taiwan by Joshua Samuel Brown

This book was great for me because I could read 1-2 little short vignettes a day on topics such as Taiwanese history, betel nut girls, night markets with stinky tofu, dating, gambling, and the lantern festival. Yes, that's right! They even have a vingnette on my stinky tofu!

Until I read this book, I had no idea that the romanization of Chinese names is steeped in politics. The author states, "Prior to the late 1990s, Taiwan used the Wade-Giles system, allowing names of places to be read by people unfamiliar with Chinese characters. The Wade-Giles system was also likely politically acceptable, being different from the Janyu Pinyin used in China. In recent years, the Taiwanese government has attempted to switch to a third system, called Tongyong. However, not all cities and counties in Taiwan agree with this change, resulting in a confusing set of circumstances in which the romanized spellings of certain place names may be spelled differently on signs and maps around the island, depending on the political leanings of the sign painters or map makers at the time." This is a recent publication, with a copyright of 2006.

Peony in Love by Lisa See

I started reading this book on vacation after finishing Lisa See's bestseller Snow Flower and the Secret Fan. I had to stop halfway through because it got kind of strange. I'm not giving away the book by telling you that most of the book is an after death experience. Bad things happen when your family doesn't burn enough ghost money money so you don't have resources in the afterlife... but I really don't want to read about a fictional afterlife. Sorry.

Snow Flower and the Secret Fan by Lisa See

Excellent. I found it at my local library, but it's good enough to buy. I read the whole book over about two days while we were in Texas. I had heard of the ancient practice of foot binding before but really didn't know much about it until reading this novel. Perfect foot binding was a necessity to marry well and have good relationships with your husband's family. The novel stated that one in ten girls would die from foot binding infections, and it would take a couple of years to recover fully from the ordeal. The Chinese government ordered footbinding to stop in 1912, but it takes a long time for traditions so steeped in culture to end. There are some old women in Taiwan who have bound feet. I'm not posting pictures to this blog because they can be a little shocking the first time you see them. If you would like to know more about what foot binding looks like, go to this link. There is a foot binding culture museum in Taipei County, by the way.

Chung Yi English Website Updated

Chung Yi has been working on the English portion of their website. It still says under construction, but you can read a lot about Chung Yi under the tabs. Thanks to Vonne for the tip!

Chung Yi Christmas presents - part 4

I went to Wal-mart today just to get one item. I should have known better. I wanted to include a paci clip as a last minute item in my gift bag to a child at Chung Yi. Well, you know what happens when you get me in a baby section? I can't resist looking at baby clothes. It all started so innocently. I picked up the clip, and then was drawn to the baby clothes. I found two very soft darling outfits to send in the Christmas package to Chung Yi, one 3-6 months and one 6-9 months. Pictures are of them below. (Sedona was a being a stinker tonight and wanted attention and barked at me and danced on top of the baby clothes. Bad, babydog. When I told her to go sit in her crate to get out of the way, she ran to her travel bag that was out on the floor. I think she wants to deliver the gifts to Chung Yi herself.)

I'm getting off track. Anyway... so I found these two cute outfits for the Christmas bag. I'm starting to depart the baby section without major purchases until a lady says to me, "What age is your daughter? There's whole section of summer that is only $1-2." That sent me into a little emotional roller coaster. What age is my daughter? Humm. I didn't know what to say. I don't know how old my daughter is. But then I jerked right into retail therapy mode. "Did you say $1 outfits???" I thanked the woman for the shopping tip and made a bee line to the clearance rack. I found a whole bunch of cute outfits, 12 in number to be exact, most for $1, all going to the children of Chung Yi.

Chung Yi Christmas presents - part 3

I've finished the Christmas present package tonight. I tried to stuff everything into a gallon ziplock bag, but everything doesn't fit! Luckly my mom had some two gallon ziplock bags at work! I didn't even know that there were two gallon bags until this project. Even when you're 30, mom still comes to the rescue!

The last thing to do was write a letter to the child at Chung Yi that will get this gift. Obviously, the 0-1 year old little girl won't be able to understand this letter, even after translation... but maybe someone will save it for her.

Dear little girl 0-1 years old

We are Kevin and Sarah, a couple in the United States adopting from Taiwan with the help of the Families for Children agency. We have been waiting for nearly a year to be matched with a child just like you in Taiwan.

Even though you are too young to understand the words of this letter, we want you to know that half way around the world, there is a family in the United States that is thinking of you. We pray for your health, happiness, and development as you learn about the world around you. We also pray that the good people at Chung Yi will find a mother and a father for you, to make a family that will love you forever.

We are Christians, and celebrate the birth of our savior Jesus on December 25th each year. Our family gives gifts to each other at Christmas to celebrate God’s gift to the world, his son Jesus. At Christmas time we decorate a Christmas evergreen tree with white lights, silk flowers, ribbon, and ornaments that are special to us. We also decorate the outside of our home with evergreen, white lights, and red ribbon. It looks very pretty, especially when it snows. The day before Christmas we eat large delicious meal at Sarah’s mother’s home, and then go to church together late at night. At church we have special music with singers, English handbells, trumpets, and drums. Christmas day we travel to Sarah’s grandparents’ home on a lake where all of the aunts, uncles, and cousins, and their children gather together for food and fun with family. Sometimes the lake freezes solid and we can walk on top of the lake. Kevin’s family lives far away, and we spend an entire week with them every year right after Christmas.

This year, thinking of you and praying for your future will be an important part of our Christmas experience. We have sent some Christmas gifts to help you explore and grow. There’s a camera too so that when you are older, you can look back on more pictures of yourself when you were a little baby at Chung Yi. Merry Christmas, little one!

With love,
Kevin and Sarah

Happy Birthday to my Mother

Your birthday brings to mind
the thousands of things you did for me
that helped make me
happier, stronger and wiser,
because I had you as a role model.

I'm grateful for all the times
you healed my hurts
and calmed my fears,
so that I could face the world
feeling safe and secure.

I'm thankful for all you showed me
about how to love and give
lessons that now bring
so many blessings to me
each and every day.

Your sacrifices and unselfishness
did not go unnoticed, Mom.
I admire and respect you.
I love you.
And I'm so glad you're my mother!

Chung Yi Christmas presents - part 2

Oh! Duh! I'm including a disposable camera for this Christmas present to a Chung Yi baby girl in hopes that the nannies will take more pictures of her as she grows up. These pictures will be her pictures, and hopefully something she will take with her when she leaves Chung Yi to join a family.

Chung Yi Christmas presents

A group of adopting parents using our agency Families for Children is working on providing Christmas presents for all of the children at the Chung Yi orphanage in Taiwan. Chung Yi has infants, toddlers and several older children too, many of which will never be adopted for various reasons. I've been assigned to create a Christmas package for a little girl, 0-1 year old. Someone must think I know how to shop for a baby girl! Now where would they get that idea from? My package contains a dog with lots of textures and sounds, and it shakes when you pull on a cord on top his head. There's a clip on rattle with lots of textures, sounds, and a mirror. She'll have some pastel onesies, socks, and a lovey blanket. Depending on space and weight, I'll add some extra items from the drug store as well.

ready for the referral with photo buttons

I've been saving this photo button for the last eight months. I plan on wearing this little girl's photo, keeping her close to my heart every day until we can make her part of our family.

We're ready! I've even made list of family and close friends to call on the phone. I've lined up a international adoption clinic to take a look at our medical information with the referral just to make sure everything is how it should be, and if we need to ask any more questions before accepting the referral. Funds are in the bank ready to pay our agency fees due at referral. And of course, the photo button is out of the package and ready for a photo to be popped right in!

Here are the October guesses for the guess our referral date contest:

October 1st: Rob and Karin

October 3rd: r... (Island Boy's parents)

October 13th: SARAH AND KEVIN'S 6th WEDDING ANNIVERSARY!

October 15th: Shelley

October 18th: Sandy

October 19th: Grandma Chapman

October 20th: Marina

October 30th: Andrea

What kind of American English do you speak?

I've always thought that my Hoosier speech was pretty "normal" American English. Now I've got proof! I'll never bring myself to call a Coke a soda... it will forever be a "pop" in my vobabulary.

Sarah's Linguistic Profile:

65% General American English 10% Dixie 10% Midwestern 10% Upper Midwestern 0% Yankee

What Kind of American English Do You Speak?

After taking the survery, feel free to post your results in the comments.

Got Shots?

Yeah, we never have any of our own adoption news. I'm just always happy for other people with good news. I know. I'd like some too. How about this? Kevin and I got our last shots today in our series of Hepatitis A and B vaccinations. With our immune systems building up a defense against Hepatitis and little Cipro on hand just in case, we're ready to taste test street vendor foods with no worries. I think there's some stinky tofu somewhere out there fermenting just for me.

Baby boy for Mel!

Mel (also using my agency) has announced she and her husband have accepted the referral of a baby boy at St. Lucy's Center in Taiwan! He's beautiful! Congratulations!

Why we only put "1 child" on our immigration paperwork

Biological or adopted, twins are pretty cute to read about as we watch them grow up. But can you imagine adopting TRIPLETS FROM TAIWAN?!?! Oh. My. Gosh. This is why we only put a "1 child" on our immigration paperwork. We don't want to be tempted by double or triple cuteness!

Travel Approval for Ti!

I'm so excited for my bloggy friend Nicole and family who learned last night that they have travel approval to bring home their daughter Ti. Nicole lives near Kevin's parents' home, and I hope to meet them when we travel to visit family after Christmas.

Goodnight Mooncake

I knew that the Mid-Autumn Festival was coming up tonight and I really wish I could try a mooncake. I gave up too quickly, knowing that there won't be any bakeries around here catering to Asians. I should have thought, "Sarah, you know you can buy anything online these days!" but it didn't click in my head until now. Tonight I'm having a google buffet of images of mooncakes. It's really neat to look at their beautiful designs and all sort of different fillings inside. Some have egg yolks inside that look like little yellow moons. There's a lot less calories and cholesterol in virtual mooncakes than the real thing! It appears that people buy them from bakeries because of their complex designs and really don't make them at home. They sound a lot like fruitcake, very rich and you only eat a few bites. Like fruitcakes, some people like them, and some people really don't! Well if the mooncakes are icky, there's always American Moonpies! If I had a young child at home, I think it would be fun to eat mooncakes, read stories about the moon like Goodnight Moon, have a long daytime nap so we could stay up late and look at the moon. The optimist in me has all sort of great ideas. We'll see how this works out three years from now after working a whole day and doing four loads of laundry at night. My favorite link to read about the Mid-Autumn festival and buy mooncakes online is at the Boston bookshop. Dear Mooncake, my sweettooth and desire for culture both want you but my hips are glad you didn't make an appearance in our home. Goodnight, Mooncake.

TX vacation: Fort Worth Japanese Gardens

TX vacation: Misc. Pictures

TX vacation: Boba Tea House (Anyone for boba tea, fried tofu, or pot stickers?

Those of you who have read this blog for awhile know that I've very interested in trying popular Taiwanese food, including boba tea and stinky tofu. This was one of the highlights of my trip to Fort Worth to visit Kevin's sister and her daughter. Be sure to read the links to boba tea and stinky tofu to understand why I'm so excited about this.

Kevin and I were out running errands around town with his sister Karen in Fort Worth one day. We just went through a drive-thru bank when I spied this restaurant across the parking lot. "Does that say boba tea? Ohmygosh, we have to go!!!"



I took a photo of our receipt so I can remember what we all ordered. They had a special that day, buy three specialty drinks and get one free. Kevin and I shared three flavors of boba tea between us. Watermelon flavor was our favorite.

Karen ordered a smoothie with boba.

The boba tea cups were sealed with a plastic wrapper. One pokes through the seal with your big straw. The straw is huge to allow you to suck up the black "boba" tapioca balls into your mouth.

I got really excited when I saw fried tofu as an appetizer. Unfortunately, it wasn't stinky tofu. I'll have to wait until we go to night markets in Taiwan for the stinky variety. Darn. It was alright, and served with a soy dipping sauce. The scallions added to the flavor. Four years ago on a family vacation to Germany, Austria, and the Czech republic, my mother took beautiful pictures of the foods we ate on our trip. Thanks mom for this great idea!

My dinner. Very yummy, shaken beef with sticky rice and salad. The lettuce didn't have a dressing. Karen and I ordered the same thing. We figured it was meant to eat together with the beef and sticky rice at the same time.

Kevin's dinner. These "combination soft noodles" were great! I helped myself. Thanks for sharing, sweetie.

On our second trip to the Boba Tea House, we brought the little munchkin Isobella with us. She wasn't too keen on the idea of black tapioca balls in her banana smoothie. If one of the balls started going up her straw, she stopped sucking so it would go back down. Isobella must have liked the looks of Uncle Kevin's "combination soup," and we heard repeatedly, "I want combination soup!"

This was the first time that I've ever had pot stickers. They were alright, kind of a simple food. Here's Isobella finishing off a pot sticker.
Kevin's combination noodle soup looked yummy.

My glazed pork wasn't so great. It wasn't bad, but I didn't enjoy it.