So many changes!

Time has a way of changing things. There are so many comings and goings right now. People with surprises of joy and others with a trial or two. Whether in everyday life or the realities of an ever changing adoption climate, these changes shape us, test us and hopefully we can grow and become better versions of ourselves. I like the saying practice makes progress. There is never perfect... it's an absolute illusion. I just hope that everyone finds "their" way to their happiness and those around them. Yeah, I'm talking in riddles but can't help it sometimes!


So on to more news: I finished my allergy testing up with 30 more shots (this is a bit of what 30 shots looks like)! Woohoo! Found out I'm allergic to a few things but not what is causing my voice to be crazy! Ha ha all that was just for pleasure I guess. I have more Doc treatments and it could be previous damage done when I used to sing four hours a day about 10 years ago... oops. There is a plus side to all this... it's funny too! When/if I cry (even a little cry), it sounds like I am so distraught which ranks pretty high on the sympathy scale! ha ha I was barely whimpering the other day and it sounded like a sobbing horse (no I have no idea what that sounds like either).

We've been going a little stir crazy having to stay indoors because of the heat & those CA fire smoke is sooo hazardous to our health (and sadly horribly hazardous to all those much crucial trees and homes). Stay tuned for more updates and it has been great to hear about others traveling and soon to be and courts moving along for adoptions. I so think I'm getting lost in Taiwan! I started reading about airplane changes and layovers... I'm soo getting sent to Zimbabwe or Kathmandu! Maybe I should put a sticker on my head when I travel that says, "If lost, please return to ..." and then have an electronic GPS tracking device with 100 languages programed so they can just type me in the right direction.

This last month I called all my senators to support the MOU (memorandum of understanding) between the U.S. and Vietnam in regards to international adoptions. Vietnam has encountered some issues with ethical adoptions which is a problem and fail-safes must be put in place to protect all involved. Vietnam is working to implicate the Hague treaty which will help monitor the adoptions. The adoptions that are currently in the works may have to stop completely, which ultimately takes away a child's right to a family. This MOU asks that Vietnam and the U.S. work together to create a bridge to allow ethical adoptions to continue while Vietnam ratifies the Hague. Ethical adoptions are of utmost importance. DNA testing has been required now and other precautions. I do not want Vietnam to continue unethically but I think every adoption, domestically and internationally should continue as long as they are ethical. Even though I am not adopting from Vietnam, I will advocate for ethical adoptions everywhere. Ultimately it is about the children having an absolute unequivocal right to a loving family. May the U.S. and Vietnam find some way to protect this right as well as protect ethical adoption. Best of luck guys!

And last but not least: New Year in July!!! Here is a cute lost & found photo of mine from the Chinese New Year celebration in Vegas... look at those cute golden dragons!