Ellis Island

The day after Christmas, my parents and I went to New Jersey to see my sister and her family. We had a good time. We went to the movies, played games, went to Target for the after Christmas specials, went to a great Vietnamese restaurant, and I finally got to Ellis Island. My sister and I have tried several times to get to Ellis Island. Both times we tried from the New York City side. Two summers ago, we walked down to Battery Park with every intention of going to Ellis Island until we found out there was about a three hour wait for the ferry. We said forget it. We went shopping at Century 21 instead. So this time we stayed on the New Jersey side and we had about a 15 minute wait. It was impressive, as was the Statue of Liberty. As I walked in all I could think was about the millions of people whose hopes all came together in that one place. I could picture in my mind what it was like to walk into this place 100 years ago, carrying with you your most prized possessions and carrying in your heart dreams of a future that you couldn't realize in your country. For many of us, this is the story of our ancestors. I can see in my mind that even as they dreamed big dreams they also were scared of the future. Would they be able to make it? Would other people accept them? Would they be able to learn English? Makes me think about when my husband came. He had just a few possessions that he could bring with him, an optimism of the future, and worried about his future. Like the people 100 years ago, he has had to work hard in his new country and he dreams of a better future for his daughter. Makes me also think of a very divided issue in this country, illegal immigration. The only thing I can think is that the reason that they risk everything to cross that border is they dream of a future that they can't realize in their own country and hope for a better future for their children. It is the same story as those who came through Ellis Island. It doesn't make what they are doing is right but it makes you think about why they do it.

Pumpkin

I never thought I would say this in my lifetime but I think I finally met a cat that I actually like. My sister has a new cat named Pumpkin. They got her about a month ago. Their last cat, Abby died about a year ago of old age. She had been around for about 16 years. They weren't thinking of getting a cat until a friend had cat that just had kittens. So when they saw Pumpkin the whole family feel in love. I think I did too. She is really playful, very friendly and looks a little bit like the cat above. The funniest had to be when my mom walked into the bathroom and there was Pumpkin peeking up from the bathtub. Her eyes were as big as saucers. I guess Pumpkin never imagined that someone would come in and close the door. As soon as my mom opened the door for Pumpkin she ran like the wind. She is too cute!!!

From Camille

After Christmas, my parents and I went to visit my sister and her gang. Her daughter Camille and I had a great time playing a marathon Monopoly game, going to the movies (Water Horse - a must-see for kids) and she even exercised with me ( we did some kickboxing - lots of fun!!!) She is about the sweetest girl I know. She is thoughtful, considerate and lots of fun. So is her brother Nate but this is about Camille. Well, she had written an essay for me about me and I wanted to share it with the world or at least the select few that are reading this. Here is Camille's essay entitled My Special Person:

My special person to me is my Aunt Tia. She is very kind and generous. She plays games with me. We like to play mini-golf in North Carolinea. When we go there she swims with me in the ocean. She takes me to see movies. She likes to do my hair in fancy styles. I think a good gift would be Sophia. She is the child Tia is adopting from China. Tia would be a good mom because she is a librarian and is around kids all day. Tia has been waiting for Sophia for 2 years. That is why Tia should have Sophia.

That is so beautiful just like my niece Camille. Thank you Camille. Hope your birthday party on Saturday is lots of fun!!!

Christmas Vacation

Merry Christmas! Yesterday at 11:45 it was official, Christmas vacation had begun. Yippee! 11 days of being able to do whatever I want. Staying up late, hopefully sleeping at least past 6:30, reading books, making cookies, going to my parents, seeing my grandma, going to my sisters, going to the movies, shopping, playing with my niece and nephew, playing games on the computer, exercising at 1:00 in the afternoon instead of 5:00 or later, and any other great idea I can think off. Started vacation by going to my friend Jill's daughter's birthday party. She turned 2 on Thursday. She was so cute. After each gift she went up to the person, signed thank you and then set the present down by that person. She was so precise with the gift wrap. The smallest piece torn off the package went immediately into the trash bag. Then all the cards were stacked in a neat pile by Julie. It was really precious. Francine brought Kylie (6 months). We all clamored to hold her. Luck for me I got to hold her when she was getting fussy for the bottle. So I got to feed her. After the party, I headed up to my parents. Today we are picking up my 94 year old granmother. Before, we bring her back, she has a long list of errands to do. Her lists of errands would tire even the hardiest of people so I am always amazed how she keeps on going as if she just turned 60 or something. Most 94 year olds are snoozing the day away. My mom goes up once a week for a day of errands. The other days she goes to see her brother who is in a nursing home. She walks down the street and catches the bus. I should live so long and so well. Tomorrow, we are taking her to the movies, which she adores doing. So my vacation is off to a swinging start. Ah time to relax.

Studying Pays Off.

Just got Jimmy's grades from the fall semester. YEAH!!! He got a 4.0. All A's. I am so proud of him. He worked really hard. I am so impressed because I don't think I could go back to school and do it all in a foreign language.

Not Sure of a Title

It has been a tough couple of weeks. So, I haven't been that up-to-date on the blog. There has been a lot going on at school. Then there is Christmas. It has been hard to go to parties and to write Christmas cards with the message - Still no baby from China. When people ask? Can't say. It will be worth the wait they say. I have been waiting 12 long years. First, what ever you do - don't have children you could risk an unborn child's life and your life. So getting over that grief took years. So then when we were ready to think about adoption. Guess what? You are in kidney failure. You need a kidney transplant. So I got my kidney transplant. They said you will be able to have children but wait a year. So I waited a year. Started trying - stopping having periods. Guess what you are in Menopause? OK, let's try the adoption thing. Let's go with China. They are reliable, predicable and list of great attributes went on and on. So we put our name in. Guess what China slowed down to a snail's pace. I may have to wait almost another year. All I want to do is cry and cry. I don't think I can take it much more. I am trying to be strong but I think this is even harder than the year I had kidney failure and it took every ounce of strength to put one foot in front of the other every day. There is my rant for the day. Sorry but had to get that off my chest. If I write any more I might offend some people.

Christmas Letters

During Christmas, I like to read books with a Christmas theme. This year one of the books I selected was called Christmas Letters. The premise of the book is a love story. The main character's job is as a writer. During Christmas she writes people's Christmas letters for them. I would love it if someone wrote my Christmas letter. I actually have only done one form style letter. Usually, I just write a brief review of the year in the card. I would love to return to the big long Christmas letter. The reason I don't is that I never know what to include. I just don't seem to have to the knack of making my vacation turn into something found on a brochure. I can't make my life's little moments sound like my crowning achievements. Some people can. I love reading them. It sounds really interesting, I can peek into their life. Somehow, my going to Trader Joe for groceries, growing my hair really long for Locks of Love, and my ability to do my own taxes doesn't seem to translate into good reads. Maybe next year.

Gift of the Magi?

The Gift of the Magi is one of my favorite stories. The husband and the wife want so much to give a gift to each other that has a lot of thought behind it. Unfortunately, money is tight so they have to think of a unique way to be able to give the gift of the other's dreams. The husband wants to give a comb for the wife's hair which is long and beautiful. The wife wants to give a watch fob for the husband's pocket watch. What do they do? The husband sells the pocket watch so he can buy the comb. The wife sells her hair in order to buy the watch fob. It is a great expression of love. Each sells their most prized possession in order to get the other something. Each makes a sacrifice. I wonder in today's world of credit cards whether people are making that sacrifice. Sure, I can get my husband a fabulous gift but if I can't pay for it in the end, did I make a sacrifice? No not really. What did I do? I put our families financial future in jeopardy. It makes me think of my parents also. I remember growing up money was tight. We weren't poor but we weren't rich. So, Christmas time, my parents didn't buy each other lavish gifts. It wasn't until I was in high school that my parents started to make good money and it wasn't until I was in college that their gift of the magi moment. Both, called me individually. They couldn't wait to share with me what they bought for the other. My mom called and said"Guess what I bought your dad for Christmas? I decided to go all out." I couldn't guess. "A watch," she said. She was so excited. Then my dad calls, "Guess what I got your mom for Christmas?" Let me guess, I thought...a watch. Instead I said " I don't know." "I got her a watch," he said. I couldn't wait for that Christmas morning to see their face when they realized that they had bought for each other the same thing. It still makes me chuckle, and think a little about the gift of the magi and giving a gift in love.