And Now It Is August

I realize I've been so bad keeping up this blog. When I started it, I was excited, enthusiastic and just about ga-ga with excitement at the prospect of becoming a mother through adoption. Almost two years later (I started the process in October 2005) I am nothing of the sort. Home nursing a sore back today I decided to brave the living room and attempt to walk in the walk-in. No such luck! There is more baby crap in there than I can possibly count. I will say I have tons of practical stuff like utensils, food containers and the like. I can't even remember where the hard totes are that hold clothes and stuff. Remember I live in a one-bedroom apartment so basically I have all this baby stuff and no room for an actual child. Is there anyone who'd like to adopt me? I did get a little nostalgic while going through the stuff remembering who sent what. Of course if you've read me post or 2 about my secret pal, SHE is the reason I have no room. That's okay, somehow I will forgive her insane generosity and amazing taste. Moving right along...In June I took my mom to Las Vegas for a few days which was nice. We stayed at MGM Grand and never had to leave. The pools and lazy river were awesome, the restaurants were plentiful in their choices and all in all a good time was had. My father recently turned 65 and threw himself a party which was very nice. He and I also spent a day together at the Jersey Shore which I hadn't done since I was a teenager. On this particular day I saw a ladybug who had joined me on the outdoor shower. I'm normally not into the whole "ladybug" thing but it was a bittersweet reminder that I'm still here and China is still waiting. Otherwise it's been a nice summer filled with lots of weekend getaways with MP. This weekend we went to Baltimore where we spent some time at the Inner Harbor (98 and humid) before walking over to Camden Yards for an Orioles/Twins game. I've attached some photos so you can remember what I look like.

PRICELESS

Having a crappy day at work $360 (more or less) Tylenol to cure the headache from the above mentioned day $6.49 Black/White cookie to soothe self after above mentioned day $1.35 Bridal shower card for the party I can't attend tomorrow b/c of my father's birthday party $4.50 Getting an AWESOME gift from my secret pal on the aforemtioned day.....PRICELESS

It's About Time

Need I say more? I FINALLY feel like some teeny tiny progress has been made. WOO HOO!!!!!

Catching Up

So MP and I had our first weekend away for Memorial Day. We went to Providence and Newport, Rhode Island and by chance didn't hit traffic either way. It was a nice time, good weather and I enjoyed the baseball game we went to on Saturday night. Here are a few pics to highlight the weekend with a few from our day spent in S. Hampton and Montauk for Cinco de Mayo.

Mean People Suck

I've decided that mean people suck and that's usually all they do. I had an interesting week filled with some bitchiness, some reality and disappointment but such is life. I left an online support group which I loved out of principle and despite the reason, it still stings. Oh well, life goes on. Along these lines, it was truly a matter of principle..I wouldn't let someone disrespect me or people close to me in real life and this was no different. I just wish it didn't matter. I guess in the end it doesn't because the people who matter most in my life are here. (sigh) I realize I've been bad with updating this blog considering there is a lot going on in my life but sometimes things just get away from you. Life is good, I can't complain. Recently I met this great young woman who works in my same field. She's stunning, bald and still laughs at life through her chemotherapy. I told her to slap on some big gold hoops and she'll be setting fashion trends for years to come. If you have to be bald, pray you have a nice shaped head (unlike my ex, who I affectionately called egg-head). Work is good and I've been doing more consulting again. I just wrote a curriculum for NYS Early Intervention on Cultural and Linguistic Diversity and it passed first review with one suggestion to add in a sentence. The woman before me got ripped apart. I felt bad for her, good for me....NO REVISIONS!!!!!!!!!!! How fabulous am I? So I sit here waiting for MP (aka man person) to arrive so we can leave on our first weekend away together. I hope I don't kill him ;-) I'm getting ready to pass the 14-month mark of waiting for fortune cookie aka Mei Ling and I estimate I'll be waiting another 10-14 months. I can't until it's my turn but right now I'm happy to celebrate with Michele and Chuck, currently in Vietnam picking up baby Benajmin and Nic and Tim will be going to Vietnam this summer to pick up baby Zubin. I'm very happy for them both. Well that's it for now.....til next time

Rat's ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Holy crap...it's May 2007. Well I've been completely numb the past few months and really haven't had much to say but people keep nagging me for an update, so here it is. The new year started off with a bang of sorts. I accompanied Nic and two of her students to New Orleans to volunteer for Katrina rebuilding. It was a pretty amazing experience which left me quite humbled. I'll post more later and add some pics. February brought in more cold weather and the addition of someone new in my life. It's still early but so far, so good. March marked the one year anniversary of my dossier submission and April a year since my log in date (4/5/06). With waiting going to 18 months and beyond, what more can I possibly have to say? It's now May and sadly I have nothing to report.

N'Awlins

It's an arduous task to try and describe what my trip to New Orleans did for me but I'll give it a try. I went with my gal pal Nicole and two of her students. The goal was to help with the rebuilding efforts in Mississippi and New Orleans. They drove, I flew and we met in Gulfport where we stayed at a church that proved to be most hospitable albeit kooky. Our original jobs fell through but Nic persavered and needless to say we had work in NO. We spent Sunday in NO being tourists and had coffee and beignets at Cafe Du Monde followed by walking around for the day and then eating in the French Quarter. We drove through the garden district and headed out toward the Ninth Ward which was devastating to say the least. There are no words to convey the sadness observed. Living in NYC I can say that 9/11 was a horrific tragedy that won't soon be forgotten. However, when it was over, it was oven and people picked up the pieces and tried to move on with their lives. In NO, the suffering can be seen as you observe homes that haven't been touched since the day the storm hit and people who are homeless, jobless and lifeless. It really makes you appreciate what you have and a reminder not to sweat the small stuff. We met some of the homeowners which was sad but also rewarding in itself as it gave a name and identity to go with the story. I'll probably think of more to write later but I have to thank Nicole for inviting me to go along. It was truly humbling and I am a better person for it.

Not Yo Momma's Nice Jewish Girl

I tried to order the tee shirt of the title of this post but it was sold out. Drats! Saturday I leave to spend a week with Nicole volunteering in Gulfport, Mississippi. Instead of balking about what needs to be done in this country, I wanted to make a difference so off I go. I'm totally excited about this trip and am sure I will come back renewed with a new sense of self. I've always been a do-gooder but this is different. I think it's the whole adoption thing that has made me feel like I am the luckiest gal alive. I feel so priviledged to be able to travel halfway around the world and be given the gift of motherhood, that I have this incredulous need to show my gratitude and what better way. As a nation we are not doing all we need to to aid the victims of Hurrican Katrina. While small, I hope my contribution makes a difference in someone's life. No pat on the back nor gratitude is expected. This is just something I have to do.

Happy Birthday Nic !!!!

Today is Nicole's birthday and I can't think of anyone else (but me of course) who deserves to have all her wishes come true. So Nic, close your eyes, think carefully, make a wish and tell no one. This day is yours with only good things to come in your future. See you in FIVE days chicky!