I haven't actually read 10 Steps to Successful International Adoption - A Guided Workbook for Prospective Parents by Dr. Brenda K. Ueckert, so I can't actually call this a book review.

I know nothing about the book other than what it says in that press release:

there... more

We're working on Daughter's habit of asking when we can send Son (son!) back to China. Children. Always saying the unsayable.

Until we can break their spirit, we're keeping them on display in a wrought iron cage, as you can see here.

Meanwhile, for those readers who're into stories of the miraculous, here's an unusual audio experience: Angels in Shandong. Ahem.

I really don't buy this guy's line, but, y'know, it's a pretty good story... more

Been to China between February 1996 and November 2006?

Spend money with a Visa, Mastercard or Diners Club card?

You could be in line for some money back.

I haven't been through this system yet, so I don't know how easy it is, but hey, it's worth a shot, isn't it?

If you're in Ohio and interested in starting this crazy international adoption process, I just caught wind of some seminars at The International Adoption Center at Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

I know nothing about speaker Deborah Joy, and have no idea if the things are worth the price, but it's four afternoons of information, so *something* is probably useful.

If you're not in Ohio (or near enough to care), this probably doesn't mean a thing. So just ignore it.

In the Texas area? Interested in actually talking to officials with the CCAA? Or just anyone who knows stuff about adopting from China?

I've just been forwarded an email about The East Meets West Conference.

It's something that happens twice every year in a different American city each time, when One Of The Big Agencies brings Chinese officials, adoption... more

I haven't actually read this book, so I can't officially call this a "review," but if you're reading this blog, you may or may not be interested in The Chinese Adoption Handbook: How to Adopt from China and Korea, by John Maclean.

It's supposed to be an exhaustive, easy-to-use guide to the daunting process of adopting... more

Tsingtao Beer, at the Qingdao Beer Museum. Yes, they have a museum for beer.

Fear: Oh, nobody will speak English!

Rebuttal: This latest entry on the Laowai Chinese language blog. No, I'm not saying you can learn Chinese. It's an English teacher in China complaining about how hard it is to actually... more

Interesting news out of New York state: the gov't agency over background checks is speeding the process for China adopters.

Weird how all these effects ripple outward from a change made so far away.

For those of you new to the process, this also serves to illustrate the way state and federal regulations relate to Chinese requirements for adoptive parents... more

Especially afraid of flying Chinese airlines?

Don't read this. And, really, don't look at the pictures.

On the other hand, if you're pilot, you have absolutely GOT to see this. And bear in mind, this was an international flight that landed and took off safely without incident. Well, more or less.

I am entirely in awe.

Here's more of the packing conversation from the China Adoption Forums, continued from yesterday:

Quote: 5. For the 2 weeks, how many outfits or types of clothes do you think would be a good amount (trying not to overpack, but also want enough clothes for convenience)

I'm one of those people who did a little bit of laundry in the hotel room, and sent clothes out to the laundry once. So really, as little as possible. This does depend on where you're going when -- Beijing seems to have... more