Dear All,
I am so sorry for not keeping you updated on China referrals in June. Below is the update for the recent two months:
In June China referrals were sent to the families with a log in date from January 13th through 20th, 2006.
For July, the families with a log in date of January 21st to 25th 2006 have just received their long expected referrals.
Also, CCAA has by now finished reviewing dossiers logged in before January 31st, 2007.
Update on China earthquake relief: Alliance for Children Foundation has wired more than $15,000 to Child Care Department of CCAA to help the orphaned children in the earthquake area. Without your loving generosity, we would have not been able to do that. Thank you!
Best regards,
Lin Jing
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Tuesday, March 4, 2008
China Program Update-AFC Email
Two Alliance families received their referrals on March 3rd, 2008 after a lengthy wait. These two beautiful little girls are from Guangdong Province and range in age from about 10 to 12 months. Congratulations to the families and many thanks for their patience and understanding!
This batch of referrals was, again, a small one, covering log-in dates from December 28, 2005 to January 4, 2006. Our next log in date is February 8th, 2006.
This batch of referrals was, again, a small one, covering log-in dates from December 28, 2005 to January 4, 2006. Our next log in date is February 8th, 2006.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
How to Use Chopsticks
When using chopsticks I tend to wear more than I eat. Maybe this video will help me out?
Thursday, February 7, 2008
2008 Year of the Rat? Will we get a River Rat this Year?
A Ratty Year
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in rat years tend to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.
Legend has it that in ancient times, Buddha asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve came, and Buddha named a year after each one. He announced that the people born in each animal's year would have some of that animal's personality. Those born in rat years tend to be leaders, pioneers, and conquerors. They are charming, passionate, charismatic, practical and hardworking. Gwyneth Paltrow, Ben Affleck, Samuel L. Jackson, William Shakespeare, and Mozart were all born in the year of the rat.
Tuesday, February 5, 2008
CCAA Document Processing-AFC Email
Document Processing The CCAA has finished the review of the adoption application documents registered with our office before October 31, 2006. The CCAA has finished the placement of children for the families whose adoption application documents were registered with our office before December 27, 2005.
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Happy Chinese New Year to you all!
Xin Nian Kuai Le!
Happy Chinese New Year to you all!
Friday, February 1, 2008
Worst Winter Storm in Half a Century!
The worst winter storm in half a century has hit China. The extreme wintry weather has paralyzed areas that generally receive little snow and communities lack the removal equipment and experience to deal with it. More than a foot has accumulated in hard-hit provinces of Hunan, Hubei, Jiangxi, Anhui, Zhejiang and the city of Shanghai, according to the China Meteorological Administration.
Welfare institutions in south and central China are having the hardest time dealing with the weather disaster. This part of the country is simply not equipped to deal with extreme cold or heavy snow and ice. The most common critical problems are power outages, lack of safe drinking and cooking water, lack of fuel, and public transportation. This has left many travelers for CNY stranded and unable to get home for the festivities.
Welfare institutions in south and central China are having the hardest time dealing with the weather disaster. This part of the country is simply not equipped to deal with extreme cold or heavy snow and ice. The most common critical problems are power outages, lack of safe drinking and cooking water, lack of fuel, and public transportation. This has left many travelers for CNY stranded and unable to get home for the festivities.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
You Tube Video-News from AFC
Below is a link to a video that was just produced for Alliance For Children Foundation by Academy Award(tm) Winning Actress Marcia Gay Harden and her husband. This video beautifully explains what they do at the Foundation and what they hope to accomplish.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rub584PHv4A
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rub584PHv4A
Wednesday, January 9, 2008
China Program Update-AFC Email
Hello Alliance families!
Happy New Year to you all!
Referrals
It has been another disappointing month. This batch of referrals has been a small one, only covering 5 days of log-in dates, from December 15th to December 19th, 2005. Therefore, Alliance hasn’t received any referrals from this batch. Our next log-in date is December 27th, 2005.
We hope we can have good news to share before Chinese New Year.
Happy New Year to you all!
Referrals
It has been another disappointing month. This batch of referrals has been a small one, only covering 5 days of log-in dates, from December 15th to December 19th, 2005. Therefore, Alliance hasn’t received any referrals from this batch. Our next log-in date is December 27th, 2005.
We hope we can have good news to share before Chinese New Year.
Wednesday, January 2, 2008
China Ghosts
China Ghosts: My Daughter's Journey to America, My Passage to Fatherhood
We loved this book! Over the holiday season we both read this and found it to be a fascinating read about a father who went to Changsha to adopt his daughter Jin Yu. Jeff Gammage is a journalist for the Philadelphia Inquirer.
Gammage writes, "Having a child enables you to imagine every child as your own." He finds it a revelation how much he loves her but is full of contradictory emotions regarding her origins: angry that she was abandoned as an infant and had to suffer her first two years in a Chinese orphanage, but grateful to China for granting him such a wonderful daughter. He views Chinese adoption as "a place where elation is paired with regret and hope stands as companion to sorrow."
Wednesday, December 12, 2007
China Program Update-AFC Email
Hello Alliance families!
We hope you are well and enjoying this holiday season. Below is a bit update on China Program:
Referrals
Alliance didn’t receive referrals for the month of December. This batch of referrals covered log in dates from December 9th to 14th 2005. This has been the second month in a row we didn’t receive referrals. Our next log in date is December 27th, 2005.
Travel
Three Alliance families have been home with their children. With the new addition home, we believe they will have very special Christmas and New Year holidays!
Warm season’s greetings from Alliance China Program staff
We hope you are well and enjoying this holiday season. Below is a bit update on China Program:
Referrals
Alliance didn’t receive referrals for the month of December. This batch of referrals covered log in dates from December 9th to 14th 2005. This has been the second month in a row we didn’t receive referrals. Our next log in date is December 27th, 2005.
Travel
Three Alliance families have been home with their children. With the new addition home, we believe they will have very special Christmas and New Year holidays!
Warm season’s greetings from Alliance China Program staff
Tuesday, November 6, 2007
China Program Update-AFC Email
Referrals
Alliance didn’t received referrals for the month of November. This batch of referrals covered log in dates from December 1st to 8th 2005. Unfortunately Alliance did not have any families between these days and our next log in date is December 27th, 2005.
Travel
Five Alliance families are traveling in China right now and will be home with their children this weekend. Their journey has been smooth and wonderful. Another three Alliance families will be leaving for China late this month to bring their children home. We wish them a wonderful journey and look forward to hearing their stories and seeing their photos upon their return.
Alliance didn’t received referrals for the month of November. This batch of referrals covered log in dates from December 1st to 8th 2005. Unfortunately Alliance did not have any families between these days and our next log in date is December 27th, 2005.
Travel
Five Alliance families are traveling in China right now and will be home with their children this weekend. Their journey has been smooth and wonderful. Another three Alliance families will be leaving for China late this month to bring their children home. We wish them a wonderful journey and look forward to hearing their stories and seeing their photos upon their return.
Tuesday, October 9, 2007
China Program Update-AFC Email
Referrals!
Three Alliance families received referrals last week. Congratulations! Among these three referrals, one was expedited case and two were from dossiers logged on November 30th, 2005. The CCAA’s cut-off date for this batch of referrals is November 30th, 2005. Alliance’s next log in date is December 27th, 2005.
Travel! Four Alliance families brought their daughters home in mid September. Another four Alliance families will be leaving for China late this month to bring their children home.
We wish them all the best!
Three Alliance families received referrals last week. Congratulations! Among these three referrals, one was expedited case and two were from dossiers logged on November 30th, 2005. The CCAA’s cut-off date for this batch of referrals is November 30th, 2005. Alliance’s next log in date is December 27th, 2005.
Travel! Four Alliance families brought their daughters home in mid September. Another four Alliance families will be leaving for China late this month to bring their children home.
We wish them all the best!
Monday, August 6, 2007
China Program Update-AFC Email
Dear Alliance Families,
Referrals
Two Alliance families received their referrals on August 2, 2007. This little girls are from Hunan Province. The cut off date for this batch of referrals is November 21, 2005. We are now waiting for referrals for the families with a Log in date of November 30, 2005. Through the waiting child program, three families with a log in date of mid May 2007 have received their Letter of Acceptance. We are so happy for the families! Congratulations to all of them!
Travel
Seven families are now in China with their little girls. Both the adults and the girls are doing well. We wish them a safe trip home. Another Alliance family will be traveling to Nanjing this week. We wish them a wonderful trip.
Best regards,
Referrals
Two Alliance families received their referrals on August 2, 2007. This little girls are from Hunan Province. The cut off date for this batch of referrals is November 21, 2005. We are now waiting for referrals for the families with a Log in date of November 30, 2005. Through the waiting child program, three families with a log in date of mid May 2007 have received their Letter of Acceptance. We are so happy for the families! Congratulations to all of them!
Travel
Seven families are now in China with their little girls. Both the adults and the girls are doing well. We wish them a safe trip home. Another Alliance family will be traveling to Nanjing this week. We wish them a wonderful trip.
Best regards,
Thursday, July 12, 2007
China Program Update-AFC Email
Dear Alliance families,
As CCAA’s cut-off date for July referrals is November 14th, 2005 whilst our closest log in date is November 18th, 2005, we did not receive referrals this month. However, through the waiting child program, two families with a log in date of mid April 2007 have received their acceptance letters.
Three families have returned home with their beautiful daughters. Seven families are expecting their travel approvals anytime now.
Best regards, China Team
As CCAA’s cut-off date for July referrals is November 14th, 2005 whilst our closest log in date is November 18th, 2005, we did not receive referrals this month. However, through the waiting child program, two families with a log in date of mid April 2007 have received their acceptance letters.
Three families have returned home with their beautiful daughters. Seven families are expecting their travel approvals anytime now.
Best regards, China Team
Thursday, July 5, 2007
Chinese Proverb
An invisible red thread connects those who are destined to meet, regardless of time, place, or circumstance. The thread may stretch or tangle, but it will never break.
Friday, June 8, 2007
China Program Update-AFC Email
Hello! Alliance for Children Families!!!
Referrals! Alliance for Children is delighted to announce that six families have received referrals on June 6th. The little girls are all from Hunan province and range in age from 5 months to 9 months old. These referrals were from dossiers logged on November 3, 2005. Our next log in date is November 18, 2005.
One Alliance family on waiting children program has also received their acceptance letter on the same day.
Travel! Two Alliance families are leaving for China this weekend to bring their daughters home. We wish them safe and smooth travels!
Referrals! Alliance for Children is delighted to announce that six families have received referrals on June 6th. The little girls are all from Hunan province and range in age from 5 months to 9 months old. These referrals were from dossiers logged on November 3, 2005. Our next log in date is November 18, 2005.
One Alliance family on waiting children program has also received their acceptance letter on the same day.
Travel! Two Alliance families are leaving for China this weekend to bring their daughters home. We wish them safe and smooth travels!
Sunday, February 18, 2007
Chinese New Year
Chinese New Year starts with the New Moon on the first day of the new year and ends on the full moon 15 days later. The 15th day of the new year is called the Lantern Festival, which is celebrated at night with lantern displays and children carrying lanterns in a parade.
The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.
Chinese New Year begins on February 18, 2007, and is the year of the Pig (Boar). 2006 was year of the Dog!
The Chinese calendar is based on a combination of lunar and solar movements. The lunar cycle is about 29.5 days. In order to "catch up" with the solar calendar the Chinese insert an extra month once every few years (seven years out of a 19-year cycle). This is the same as adding an extra day on leap year. This is why, according to the solar calendar, the Chinese New Year falls on a different date each year.
New Year's Eve and New Year's Day are celebrated as a family affair, a time of reunion and thanksgiving. The celebration was traditionally highlighted with a religious ceremony given in honor of Heaven and Earth, the gods of the household and the family ancestors.
The sacrifice to the ancestors, the most vital of all the rituals, united the living members with those who had passed away. Departed relatives are remembered with great respect because they were responsible for laying the foundations for the fortune and glory of the family.
The presence of the ancestors is acknowledged on New Year's Eve with a dinner arranged for them at the family banquet table. The spirits of the ancestors, together with the living, celebrate the onset of the New Year as one great community. The communal feast called "surrounding the stove" or weilu. It symbolizes family unity and honors the past and present generations.
Chinese New Year begins on February 18, 2007, and is the year of the Pig (Boar). 2006 was year of the Dog!
Saturday, February 17, 2007
The Waiting Families Meet
Tonight we got together with the other families that we will probably be traveling with to China. It was a really great dinner and we learned a lot about everyone. We met at the Yangtze River Restaurant in Lexington, MA and stayed several hours just chatting and getting to know one another.
One couple, Trena and Andrew, are adopting their second daughter and were a wealth of information about what to expect. Their daughter Quinlyn joined us as well and she will be taking the trip to China to meet her new little sister.
Our travel group includes:
One couple, Trena and Andrew, are adopting their second daughter and were a wealth of information about what to expect. Their daughter Quinlyn joined us as well and she will be taking the trip to China to meet her new little sister.
Our travel group includes:
- Sanna & Brian
- Trena, Andrew & Quinlyn
- Erika & Joe
- Melanie & Joe
- Thecla & Thomas (were unable to join us)
Friday, February 16, 2007
Xin Nian Hao
Xin Nian Hao or Happy Chinese New Year!
Lin Jing from the Alliance for Children, held a class this evening on Chinese cultures and customs, specifically on customs of Chinese New Year. As the Chinese New Year begins this weekend, she educated us more on how the Chinese people celebrate their biggest festival.
At the end of the class, she shared with us a slide show on some of the humanitarian foster care projects that the Alliance for Children is working on to give us more of an idea of foster care in Chinese orphanages.
Gong Xi Fa Cai
(We wish you good fortune)
Lin Jing from the Alliance for Children, held a class this evening on Chinese cultures and customs, specifically on customs of Chinese New Year. As the Chinese New Year begins this weekend, she educated us more on how the Chinese people celebrate their biggest festival.
At the end of the class, she shared with us a slide show on some of the humanitarian foster care projects that the Alliance for Children is working on to give us more of an idea of foster care in Chinese orphanages.
Gong Xi Fa Cai
(We wish you good fortune)
Saturday, February 10, 2007
Surprise Shower
Well they got me! Those sneaky people, Lara, Melissa & Lynn! Under the guise that Ken Marran had a "conference in Boston", Lynn and the gang came for the weekend for a visit. We went to Melissa's to spend the evening so the kids could play and the adults could also play. It turned out to be the best "anti-shower" ever and it was a very nice surprise. There was a last minute cake save by Barabara who stopped in Boston for some backups as the originals were involved in a kitchen fire at the Kondeitermeister.
My Aunt Jeanne flew in from Colorado, and I had family and friends from all over which was fantastic. At first I thought I was at my own funeral because there wasn't anyway that my friend Goose and my Aunt Jeanne would be in the same room unless it was my wedding or my funeral. Since I was already married, I thought it was the later. Thanks to everyone for coming and celebrating with us, it was truly great.
The guest list included:
My Aunt Jeanne flew in from Colorado, and I had family and friends from all over which was fantastic. At first I thought I was at my own funeral because there wasn't anyway that my friend Goose and my Aunt Jeanne would be in the same room unless it was my wedding or my funeral. Since I was already married, I thought it was the later. Thanks to everyone for coming and celebrating with us, it was truly great.
The guest list included:
- Melissa, Adam, Shelby & Tyler
- Robyn
- Jared & Cindy
- Lara, Jed, Luke & Jax
- Lynn, Ken, Sam & Julianna
- Gerry (aka Goose) & Gabrielle
- Brian
- Joy
- Aunt Jeanne
- Aunt Kate & Mr. Bob
- Uncle Robert & Aunt Margaret
- Barbara
- Ed, Jane, Taylor & Jack
- Carrie & Steve
- Nikki & Jason
- Karen, Andy & Kealy
- Susan & Roger
Thank you also to those that were not able to attend but were there in spirit: Dad, Deb B., Madeline & Mike, Bing, Amy & Fran, Jeff & Kerry, Mildred & Jim M., The Holmes Family, Uncle Roy, Aunt ME & Aunt Pat!
Saturday, January 20, 2007
Chinese Class
We went to a Chinese class held today by the Alliance for Children in Wellseley, MA. The overview of some of the basic written and spoken Mandarin Chinese was interesting. With over 56,000 characters, if we can master a few of them it will be a miracle!
The class was held by two employees (Lin Jing and Weihang) from the Alliance for Children who are both native to China. The information provided by them regarding Chinese culture and how much it has changed since 777 B. C. was fascinating.
The class was held by two employees (Lin Jing and Weihang) from the Alliance for Children who are both native to China. The information provided by them regarding Chinese culture and how much it has changed since 777 B. C. was fascinating.
The above picture is of the White Swan Hotel in Guangzhou. We will be staying here at some point during our travels.
Thursday, December 28, 2006
Addendum to November 2006 China Program Update-AFC Email
Dear Alliance Families,
Happy Holidays! The entire Alliance staff wishes you all the best for 2007!
We received a second set of referrals at the end of November that we wish to update you about. Please read on for details.
Referrals
We received five referrals on November 30th for families logged in September 8th. The girls are from Hubei Province and range in age from 8 ½ months to 2 years old at time of referral. The families are now waiting for travel approvals.
Happy Holidays! The entire Alliance staff wishes you all the best for 2007!
We received a second set of referrals at the end of November that we wish to update you about. Please read on for details.
Referrals
We received five referrals on November 30th for families logged in September 8th. The girls are from Hubei Province and range in age from 8 ½ months to 2 years old at time of referral. The families are now waiting for travel approvals.
Thursday, November 16, 2006
October and November 2006 China Program Update-AFC Email
Dear Alliance Families,
We wish everyone a happy and health Thanksgiving. Please read on for information about referrals and travel.
Referrals
We received no referrals in October.
On November 2, five Alliance families LID August 23, 2005 received referrals for five beautiful little girls. Four referrals were from Yunnan Province and one referral was from Inner Mongolia. The girls ranged in age from 8 month old to 3 ½ years old at time of referral. The CCAA website reports that they have now referred through LID August 25, 2005. These families waited just over 14 months from LID to referral. All five families are now awaiting their travel approvals. Congratulations!
Travel
Four families who received their referrals at the end of August traveled to Chongqing Province in October to bring their little girls back. The trip went smoothly and everyone is now home adjusting to their new families. We wish them all the best of luck! The seven families who received their referrals from Chongqing Province at the end of September are now in China. So far their trip has gone smoothly. We anxiously await their return!
We wish everyone a happy and health Thanksgiving. Please read on for information about referrals and travel.
Referrals
We received no referrals in October.
On November 2, five Alliance families LID August 23, 2005 received referrals for five beautiful little girls. Four referrals were from Yunnan Province and one referral was from Inner Mongolia. The girls ranged in age from 8 month old to 3 ½ years old at time of referral. The CCAA website reports that they have now referred through LID August 25, 2005. These families waited just over 14 months from LID to referral. All five families are now awaiting their travel approvals. Congratulations!
Travel
Four families who received their referrals at the end of August traveled to Chongqing Province in October to bring their little girls back. The trip went smoothly and everyone is now home adjusting to their new families. We wish them all the best of luck! The seven families who received their referrals from Chongqing Province at the end of September are now in China. So far their trip has gone smoothly. We anxiously await their return!
Friday, November 3, 2006
September 2006 China Program Update-AFC Email
Dear Alliance families,
We hope everyone is having a lovely fall. Sorry for the delay of this letter. Please read on about news on referrals and travel.
Referrals
We are pleased to announce the referral of 7 beautiful little girls from Fuling SWI in Chongqing Province. The referrals arrived on September 25, 2006 for families logged in on July 26, 2005. According to the CCAA’s website, this group of referrals went up to LID August 9, 2005. The girls range in age from nine to twelve months old at time of referral. The families have already received their travel approvals and are schedule to travel in early November. We wish them a safe and happy journey!
Travel
Four families traveled to Hunan Province in September to bring home their daughters. The trip went smoothly and everyone is now home and doing well. Two families in the Green Passage program also came home in September with a 12 year old girl and a boy with special needs. Both families are home now and the kids are adjusting well to their forever families.
All the Best,
The China Program
We hope everyone is having a lovely fall. Sorry for the delay of this letter. Please read on about news on referrals and travel.
Referrals
We are pleased to announce the referral of 7 beautiful little girls from Fuling SWI in Chongqing Province. The referrals arrived on September 25, 2006 for families logged in on July 26, 2005. According to the CCAA’s website, this group of referrals went up to LID August 9, 2005. The girls range in age from nine to twelve months old at time of referral. The families have already received their travel approvals and are schedule to travel in early November. We wish them a safe and happy journey!
Travel
Four families traveled to Hunan Province in September to bring home their daughters. The trip went smoothly and everyone is now home and doing well. Two families in the Green Passage program also came home in September with a 12 year old girl and a boy with special needs. Both families are home now and the kids are adjusting well to their forever families.
All the Best,
The China Program
Tuesday, June 13, 2006
May 2006 China Program Update-AFC Email
Greetings from Alliance!
We are writing to update you on news about referrals, the wait time, and families traveling to China.
Referrals
The Alliance for Children did not receive any referrals in May. The CCAA did update their website in the second half of May and reports that dossiers logged in before June 15th were referred. The trend has been that referrals are sent once per month towards the end of the month. Based on this group of referrals, the current wait time is about 11½ months. We do not have any news from the CCAA about the expected wait time, however based the experience of these last moths, we expect the wait to continue to increase, but slowly. If we get any new information about the length of the wait, we will update you as soon as possible
The next group of Alliance dossiers for which we are waiting for referrals were logged in June 16th and then June 20th after that.
Travel
Three Alliance families traveled to Guangxi Province in May to pick up their daughter. All of the families are back at home and doing well. We have four families in Guangdong Province this week and they have already picked up their daughters. Aside from a few colds, they are all doing well and moving smoothly through the process. We will also have one family traveling to China in June to bring home their child adopted through the Alliance waiting child program, the Green Passage Program.
We are writing to update you on news about referrals, the wait time, and families traveling to China.
Referrals
The Alliance for Children did not receive any referrals in May. The CCAA did update their website in the second half of May and reports that dossiers logged in before June 15th were referred. The trend has been that referrals are sent once per month towards the end of the month. Based on this group of referrals, the current wait time is about 11½ months. We do not have any news from the CCAA about the expected wait time, however based the experience of these last moths, we expect the wait to continue to increase, but slowly. If we get any new information about the length of the wait, we will update you as soon as possible
The next group of Alliance dossiers for which we are waiting for referrals were logged in June 16th and then June 20th after that.
Travel
Three Alliance families traveled to Guangxi Province in May to pick up their daughter. All of the families are back at home and doing well. We have four families in Guangdong Province this week and they have already picked up their daughters. Aside from a few colds, they are all doing well and moving smoothly through the process. We will also have one family traveling to China in June to bring home their child adopted through the Alliance waiting child program, the Green Passage Program.
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