It is looking more and more like our travel to Korea could be in April. However, nobody has told me this it is more or less what I am putting out to the universe. Adoption is a very painful, stressful and at times very lonely path. Even individuals who are in the same boat as you don't really talk about it and others who have no idea cannot console. I have never felt the depths of sadness and loss like I have during this waiting period. You are probably thinking, "loss" well it is because as time continues to push out you fear the worst. What if I don't get to bring this child home? Coping becomes a whole new reality that I wasn't prepared for when we signed up. After a few breakdowns this week I realized that the strength that has gotten me through this past year is only going to make me a stronger person in the long run.
Again, you can't connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something - your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever. This approach has never let me down, and it has made all the difference in my life.
Steve Jobs
Saturday, February 25, 2012
Wednesday, February 15, 2012
My Fathers Daughter - Gwyneth Paltrow
Those close to me know my love for Gwyneth! I personally think she is amazing. Her journey through self discovery has been both public and personal. I am a HUGE fan of her blog, Goop. Gwyneth lives a healthy lifestyle, eating a healthy diet, exercise (with Tracy Anderson) and so on. Watching her father go through pancreatic cancer was another catalyst to her speaking out more about healthy eating. I loved watching her food journey on Spain on the Road Again, feeling as if I was getting to know her and when she announced her cookbook I was the first person in line to buy it! She has put together a wonderful cookbook with options for vegetarian, vegan, kid-friendly, etc. I seriously just love this woman!
While I like everything in this cookbook here are few highlights from "My Fathers Daughter" and "Spain on the Road Again"
Gwyneth Paltrow's Horchata Recipe
Serves 2
1 cup blanched whole almonds, soaked overnight in 2 cups cold water
1 vanilla bean, split
1/4 cup of sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cayenne pepper
2 cinnamon sticks
Put the almonds and their soaking water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a very fine strainer (discard the solids), and pour the almond milk back into the clean blender. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the blender, along with sugar and ground cinnamon; blend well. Pour into two glasses, sprinkle with cayenne, and garnish with cinnamon sticks.
copied from: Spain: A Culinary Road Trip by Mario Batali with Gwyneth Paltrow. HarperCollins. 2008.
Gwyneth Paltrow's No-Fry Fries!
While I like everything in this cookbook here are few highlights from "My Fathers Daughter" and "Spain on the Road Again"
Gwyneth Paltrow's Horchata Recipe
Serves 2
1 cup blanched whole almonds, soaked overnight in 2 cups cold water
1 vanilla bean, split
1/4 cup of sugar
3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Cayenne pepper
2 cinnamon sticks
Put the almonds and their soaking water in a saucepan and bring to a boil. Transfer to a blender and blend until smooth. Strain through a very fine strainer (discard the solids), and pour the almond milk back into the clean blender. Scrape the seeds from the vanilla bean and add them to the blender, along with sugar and ground cinnamon; blend well. Pour into two glasses, sprinkle with cayenne, and garnish with cinnamon sticks.
copied from: Spain: A Culinary Road Trip by Mario Batali with Gwyneth Paltrow. HarperCollins. 2008.
Gwyneth Paltrow's No-Fry Fries!
- 2 large russet potatoes (2/3 lb each), peeled
- 2 tablespoons olive oil
- 3/4 teaspoon coarse sea salt
- Heat oven to 450°. Cut potatoes in half horizontally; cut each half into 1/3-inch-thick fries and place in a bowl of cold water. Remove from water and dry thoroughly. Toss with oil and sprinkle with salt. Place fries on a cookie sheet. Roast until browned and cooked through, turning occasionally, 25 minutes.
Tuesday, February 14, 2012
Happy Valentines Day
So my husband isn't such a fan of this Hallmark holiday and I can't say I really am either, however this year I have been needing a little extra pampering. Unfortunately, this year Jeremy is teaching a chemistry class from 7pm to 9pm or later, which means I am flying solo. What would a girl like me do with herself on this fun little holiday...well here is my lonely girl Valentine guide.
1. Treat yourself! I scheduled an massage AND a facial this week!
2. I took myself out to lunch for my favorite...Spring Rolls!!!! Yummers!
3. Make yourself your favorite meal for dinner! This week for me it is Scallops and Pasta.
Here is what I am making:
Scallops Provencal and a side of my famous Fettuccine but this time with Porchini Fettuccine and Porchini Mushrooms. I also purchased Strawberries and a yummy bottle of wine! Now sit yourself down your couch dressed up in your comfiest PJ's, open that bottle of wine, put in your favorite move and sit back...relax and enjoy!
I do think Valentines Day is over rated but hey I am a girl and it is fun! However, there are many people out there who work different shifts then their spouses, husbands off in the military, out of town on business, etc. It is no reason to not embrace this strange holiday and give yourself some love! After all if we don't love ourselves the most nobody else can love us!
1. Treat yourself! I scheduled an massage AND a facial this week!
2. I took myself out to lunch for my favorite...Spring Rolls!!!! Yummers!
3. Make yourself your favorite meal for dinner! This week for me it is Scallops and Pasta.
Here is what I am making:
Scallops Provencal and a side of my famous Fettuccine but this time with Porchini Fettuccine and Porchini Mushrooms. I also purchased Strawberries and a yummy bottle of wine! Now sit yourself down your couch dressed up in your comfiest PJ's, open that bottle of wine, put in your favorite move and sit back...relax and enjoy!
I do think Valentines Day is over rated but hey I am a girl and it is fun! However, there are many people out there who work different shifts then their spouses, husbands off in the military, out of town on business, etc. It is no reason to not embrace this strange holiday and give yourself some love! After all if we don't love ourselves the most nobody else can love us!
Monday, February 13, 2012
Welcome to MPAK - Excellent Blog
I recently found this amazing blog! He is a Korean adoptee who is a Korean adoption advocate.
Here is a great explanation as to why the process is taking so long.
Explanation on the Slow Permits to Korea
Here is a great explanation as to why the process is taking so long.
Explanation on the Slow Permits to Korea
Sunday, February 12, 2012
Get Vegucated!
I love reading blogs because it always leads me to more and more fun websites, videos, etc.
I discovered a great movie by reading one of my favorite blogs, which also has AMAZING recipes!
While I still think going Vegan would be hard for me, I do think their is some good in having a versatile diet. I mean when I cut dairy out of my diet for 6 months I noticed a difference, however I could give up meat but I love dairy.
Here is a trailer for Vegucated. If you want more information check out the website.
Peace and Love
I discovered a great movie by reading one of my favorite blogs, which also has AMAZING recipes!
While I still think going Vegan would be hard for me, I do think their is some good in having a versatile diet. I mean when I cut dairy out of my diet for 6 months I noticed a difference, however I could give up meat but I love dairy.
Here is a trailer for Vegucated. If you want more information check out the website.
Peace and Love
Saturday, February 11, 2012
Update on bringing Cy home
I had everything in my heart set to us leaving in February to pick up Cy...and more and more that is looking like not the case. After we even get the call for the EP it is another 2 to 8 weeks before we travel. I need to start hoping for March now. Everyone says we will forget this time once he is here and maybe that is true, but right now it hurts and it takes all my energy to put on my smiley face. I feel so alone. When you don't have a belly nobody knows the struggle you are going through. I really enjoy talking about Cy...but if nobody knows he is coming how do you just say, "Oh I am adopting and he will be home soon." You are still an outsider in all the baby/children talk. I want to wear a T-shirt and scream to the world that we are having a baby, just not the conventional kind. :)
Sometimes I feel like it is never going to happen but I have been assured by my agency that even if they closed the doors that South Korea would honor children already placed in referrals. Everyone says, "What is taking so long." The answer is we have no idea. More then likely the Korean Ministry, government bureaucracy, new regulations, etc...but who knows at this point. "Despite the efforts, of the 9,420 children available for adoption in 2005, only 1,461 were adopted domestically while 2,101 children were allowed to be adopted overseas. So what happened to the nearly 6,000 children who did not get adopted domestically or abroad? According to statistics of the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare the number of children entering orphanages has risen from 17,675 in 2004 to 19,000 in 2007 with about 800 to 900 18-year-olds every year aging out of the system with little housing, educational, or vocational support. As in the U.S. foster care system, these children get to remain in their country of origin but with little opportunity to reach their full potential" by Hollie McGinnis.
It breaks my heart. If I had money I would adopt so many kids. Every child should have the chance to be loved and raised with all the opportunity in the world. I just think it plain sucks. I feel bad for the children that they don't get a say...that it is left up to government. I feel fortunate at least those children that are lucky who get adoption be it domestic or international in South Korea are with a foster family but what about those programs in other countries where kids just sit in an orphanage...waiting and hoping. It isn't fair. I truly believe their is a reason for everything in this world. Jeremy and I have a purpose and it is to care for those children. While our children won't have Jeremy's nose or my mouth...they will have our integrity, our open mindedness our acceptance our beliefs! We will raise our children to be amazing people and for that is what real mothers and fathers do, whether they are from your womb or not. I am all for countries trying to keep their nationality but please think of the children and if nobody wants them where you are...someone does somewhere else.
Sometimes I feel like it is never going to happen but I have been assured by my agency that even if they closed the doors that South Korea would honor children already placed in referrals. Everyone says, "What is taking so long." The answer is we have no idea. More then likely the Korean Ministry, government bureaucracy, new regulations, etc...but who knows at this point. "Despite the efforts, of the 9,420 children available for adoption in 2005, only 1,461 were adopted domestically while 2,101 children were allowed to be adopted overseas. So what happened to the nearly 6,000 children who did not get adopted domestically or abroad? According to statistics of the Korean Ministry of Health and Welfare the number of children entering orphanages has risen from 17,675 in 2004 to 19,000 in 2007 with about 800 to 900 18-year-olds every year aging out of the system with little housing, educational, or vocational support. As in the U.S. foster care system, these children get to remain in their country of origin but with little opportunity to reach their full potential" by Hollie McGinnis.
It breaks my heart. If I had money I would adopt so many kids. Every child should have the chance to be loved and raised with all the opportunity in the world. I just think it plain sucks. I feel bad for the children that they don't get a say...that it is left up to government. I feel fortunate at least those children that are lucky who get adoption be it domestic or international in South Korea are with a foster family but what about those programs in other countries where kids just sit in an orphanage...waiting and hoping. It isn't fair. I truly believe their is a reason for everything in this world. Jeremy and I have a purpose and it is to care for those children. While our children won't have Jeremy's nose or my mouth...they will have our integrity, our open mindedness our acceptance our beliefs! We will raise our children to be amazing people and for that is what real mothers and fathers do, whether they are from your womb or not. I am all for countries trying to keep their nationality but please think of the children and if nobody wants them where you are...someone does somewhere else.
I don't ask for much, but if we could get a ton of positive thoughts that he will be home soon, it would be much appreciated!
Peace and Love
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
Sarah's A Fan!
I discovered this new blog while on Pinterest (of course) and I love it!
Marcus Samuelsson - I have seen him on shows such as Anthony Bourdain. He is a famous chef in New York City. I love that he has a blog. He post recipes, fun interesting facts about food and nutrition.
Marcus Samuelsson - I have seen him on shows such as Anthony Bourdain. He is a famous chef in New York City. I love that he has a blog. He post recipes, fun interesting facts about food and nutrition.
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