So here is my first Meme, several days late. I admit I chose to do the easier meme of the two available. I was tagged by E over at Looking For George.
If you haven't done this Meme before consider yourself tagged and link back to me...lets see if I can get to the 6000 visitors mark this weekend.

And devoted readers, leave a comment please.

What I was doing 10 years ago:
I was living in a rural loft apartment at a friend's farm north of the city enjoying my work as a teacher, studying to complete my Literacy Specialist and spending time with my gorgeous dog Lazybones.

Sadly enough I had to peek at my resume to see that I was teaching Grade One. This would have been the year a new school was being built in our neighbourhood due to overcrowding. I had a class of 29 first graders and worked as a member of a grade one team with 6 other teachers (slightly more than 200 first graders in total). Very special in a sort of surrounded by short people sort of way. That June the population of my urban J.K. to Grade 5 school dropped from more than 1100 to about 700 or so.

Specifically, 10 years ago at about this very moment I was procrastinating, as I am right now, avoiding those final report cards like the plague. In fact I think I'll pop out to the back yard right this very second and uproot a few dozen dandelions.

5 things on my to-do list today(last Wednesday):
(It is Saturday now...in most cases the items here are still not completed)

*import report card files so I can at least pretend I've started

*keep my second graders quiet or far away from the open concept classroom where our grade 3 neighbours are writing day one of the Provincial Exam in Reading, Writing and Mathematics...can you say fun in the computer lab making slide shows??? Do this again for the next 5 school days (We hid from the Grade 3 test in a variety of ways for the remainder of the week including a trip to the science centre...outdoor fun...extra library time...moving to other rooms whenever they became free. All of this translated into disrupted routines, squirrelly children and a grumpy teacher)

*take down the snow collages from the upper bulletin boards, 12 feet off the ground (4 m for my Canadian readers)...seriously, can I have a drop ceiling please?

*laundry...laundry...laundry, I typically do this once a week, 3 loads or so on Sunday but skipped last Sunday and I'm regretting it (someone recently told me I may have to up my laundry quota with the arrival of Benjaminh...um, that sucks)

*tidy the kitchen (I did do this one but it needs to be done again...in between loads of laundry I guess)
***Saturday additions*** mow the back lawn/plant delphiniums/nap/continue to avoid report cards

Things I would do if I were a billionaire:
*Fully fund the implementation of Reading Recovery in my Gigantic Urban school board and share the funding with the Catholics...their school board is separate but their little First Graders need to catch the reading bug as well.

*Travel the world supporting health and education initiatives for children everywhere...buy LOTS of books for children who may never hold one otherwise.

*Spread the money amongst my family and close friends...homes, cars, animal rescue ranches, mountain retreats, Australian Vacations, whatever floats their boat really.

*Flatten and then build a brand new cottage at the lake for my mom.

*Grow my family. I'm still going to do this but it might be easier with a Billion Dollars.

Bad habits:
*procrastinating

*Tim Hor+ens Steeped Tea (daily take out, sometimes twice)

*reading and writing blogs rather than writing report cards

*spending my money on my classroom...specifically on Children's Literature. The adoption has, for the most part, remedied this habit

Places I’ve lived:
*Ontario, Ontario, Ontario, Ontario, and Ontario.
A variety of locations all within a 3 hour drive of the CN +ower.

5 jobs I’ve had:
I think there are only 4...

*childcare provider (for years...)

*stock person in an auto parts warehouse (for years...daddy was the boss)

*waitress and general cleaner at a remote (but 5 star) fly-in fishing lodge in North West Ontario(only 2 University summer seasons...the money was great, the tips were American and the Loonie was at an all time low)

*teacher...since 1992 in the same urban "inner city" school but in various positions
(I love that place. It is in my blood. I have taught consecutive children from some of our families for a total of as many as 7 or 8 years. Benjaminh will be a student there if I have any say in the matter)

Here is a picture of some of my kiddies. This was taken in 2004 and it may give you a sense of the community where I spend my time (and my money). I know for a fact that all of these children had signed "media release" forms so it is virtually the only photo of my students you will ever see on here. Oh, and the only photo of me you will ever see as well.

a glimmer of light...

I'm working on a "meme" post...my first ever. E, over at Looking For George, tagged me. To hold you over until I get around to finishing it here is my Saturday morning horoscope for your viewing pleasure.

There is a glimmer of light off in
the distance. It's the end of that
long tunnel you've been trundling
down. Very soon, the sun will be
streaming directly into your life.

Bring it on. I've got the sunscreen ready. I'm waiting, a little less anxiously than yesterday, because every day brings me one day closer to seeing my baby boy's precious face.

2 years to number 2

And I quote,
"I confirm that J is number 1 and B is number 2.
Referrals are expected in June."

Now, the beginning of May referrals arrived on the 28th so it is any one's guess when June referrals will arrive but there is no denying that number 2 is a very, very nice number.

The 28th of May marked exactly 2 years from the moment I chose Vietnam.
May 28th, 2006.
I cold called a social worker the next day and had my first of 4 meetings 12 days later.
A long journey with an end in sight???
Hope so.

Good old fashioned wit and wry sense of humour...

So, I got a request from a waiting mommy friend, L...Seriously, this woman redefines waiting. If you've read blogs and thought "Wow, their wait has sucked"...well L beats them. Period. You can see her comment on my previous post. Something about being institutionalized if her wait continues to drag on. Well, today she sent me an email message, "Please update your blog with some of your good old fashioned wit and wry sense of humour. It does my heart good."

Ummmmm, that my friend is a tall order. I've got nothing. But I will work on it.

An excerpt from a blogland memo:

"I expect that you will all have an opportunity to read a witty and wry blog update soon. I'm just waiting on the arrival and translation of the witty part and then both the wit and the wry will be posted for those awaiting their arrival by the end of the week. I can't say exactly which week but I can confirm it is an upcoming week. Please support this process by forwarding the required translating fee of $50.

Waiting for humourous posts is very difficult and waiting for wit from someone unpredictable is even more challenging. Please comment anytime. I will try to respond within 24 hours.

Warmest regards,
B"

Okay people...this actually may happen

So, the acting executive director that is no longer the acting executive director because a director has been hired seems to be running the Vietnam show at the agency these days.

Straight from her mouth to the ear (or telephone in this case) of a fellow waiting mommy (or 2)came these words, approximately, "There are 4 referrals at this time. The receiving families have been notified. We are just waiting for the medicals. They will be announced in a memo to families at the end of the week."

Hello, 6th in line take away 4 referrals is pretty darn close to the front of the line.
Oh, did I mention my University roomie, J, is right in front of me?

Not quite brave enough to change the bright red sidebar countdown until I have it in memo form.

Let me off the rollercoaster please!

Never, in my wildest dreams,
did I expect this journey to be so very difficult.
I wasn't looking for the easy road.
The adoption agency, from the get-go,
has said the Vietnam Program is not for the faint of heart.
But still,
every day the wait for referral seems to eat away at me just a little more.
The agency time lines that are never met grate on my nerves just a bit harder.
The "Have your heard anything?" questions become increasingly repetitive.
The roller coaster induced knot in my stomach grows a tad larger as I live my own adoption induced angst and the angst of every other waiting parent I've grown to love.

When a fellow waiting parent receives referral news my heart soars high with joy.
Only moments later it plunges back down to earth with the news of yet another delay for that dear Hai Doung toddler, waiting nearly half of his life in an orphanage.

To whom it may concern,
Let me off the coaster already...preferably with a little one in my arms.
Thanks.

Hang in there, take stock and give thanks...our worries are truly small

I borrowed that title from a fellow blogger.
Seriously. I can not get the people of Myanmar,
and now China,
out of my mind. Endless suffering.

All the while the little kids in my class are making deals with their parents for "A's"...
If I get 5 A's I get a new i pod...
If I get an excellent on my homework assignment I get a new x box game...
It goes on and on.

Well, today, hot and bothered after gym class they all wanted a drink. And they didn't get one. Instead they had the opportunity to engage in a great discussion about all things "clean water" related. Yes, you are thirsty, yes you worked hard in gym, yes, in fact you deserve a drink but today you can do without for 30 whole minutes...

We talked about he water cycle (curriculum) and the devastation in Asia (real life) and the children, just like them, who are thirsty. The children who are thirsty and have the choice to drink filthy water now or drink filthy water later. We even went so far as to talk about being ill with vomiting and diarreah and feeling desperate for a drink and having only the water that made you sick available to quench your thirst.

My mom gives me freezies...I drink ginger ale when I'm sick with vomiting...A nice cool bath makes me feel better...My mom wets a cloth, puts it in the freezer to make it cold and holds it on my neck...they have medicine called gravol for vomiting...

I don't teach in an area considered privileged, far from it actually, but it is a large school and we can clear $400 profit in one popcorn day. Another $300 selling 25 cent freezies for one Friday.

And on the other side of the world there are mommies that have no way to soothe their very sick children. A child that may very well die, dehydrate, before help is allowed to reach him. Help that is available if only it was accepted.

My heart is heavy.

Mother's Day and a Mommies' Dinner

Last night I enjoyed the company of friends, old and new, at a Waiting Mommies Dinner in Toronto. I always have a good time at this event but last night was especially wonderful as I had a chance to meet 4 more Vietnam mommies-to-be. I'm looking forward to following their journeys. I am still feeling under the weather so I had to take a pass on the marvelous molton lava chocolate sundae. I'll make sure I'm well rested and healthy for the July dinner so I can get back on track with my "expectant mother" eating plan.

I'd like to take a minute to wish each and every teriffic mother out there a Happy Mother's Day, especially my own. I know so many wonderful moms. This wish for a wonderful day goes to those living the day to day joys of parenting as well as those waiting for the opportunity to hear the word "mommy" coming from their precious little one's lips.

Soon.

Dot to Dot

So, I'm home sick for the second day in a row. Very unlike me but a raging fever and a good nights sleep that didn't end until 3pm yesterday convinced me to take a second day. I managed to drag my sorry butt out of bed at 10 am today so clearly I'm on the mend.

Yesterday I met a new on-line connection through a fellow Ontario blogger. The list of waiting families is like a giant dot to dot puzzle and I love making connections between the dots. I now know, through the grapevine, the names of 2 of the families expecting referrals in early May (though I hope there is more than 2...) and have personally met or had on-line chats with 5 others. Then there is me. So that is 8 knowns out of the first 11 waiting files. I'm thinking that one of those unknowns is ahead of me on the list and 2 of them are behind me. I'm connected apparently.

What does this connecting get me? New friends. People who are travelling this bumpy road right alongside me and understand the constant frustrations. A place to rant and vent. A coalition of information sharers. I can't wait to hear news of referrals directly from waiting families who are no longer waiting. What a thrill!

All this connecting also brings misinformation to light. Misinformation becomes obvious when we are all chatting and one family has heard different information than another family (for example I'm 'approximately' number 6 and J is 'approximately' number 5 and my new connection, K, has never been told a number on the list but is apparently number 5 1/2 if we have our facts straight...).

I try not to dwell on the number (ummm, okay, I'm lying). The agency is reluctant to give numbers because of extenuating factors that may change the order a referral is presented to a family such as being open to special needs, specific gender requests, changes to gender requests, paperwork processing speeds in a given province, etc...

I have to say the agency has really made an effort to improve communication and in the last couple of months has started sending out a Vietnam Program memo on the 1st and 15th of each month. Helpful and necessary. On the 15th when the next memo comes out I hope I can write about the "number" of referrals that came in early May because without a doubt early May will be over by then.

Pondering

1. At the top of the pondering list is a very recent (and seemingly positive) memo from the director of the agency. Here is a little excerpt for your enjoyment...We are awaiting a number of referrals from Vietnam and hope to receive these referrals at the beginning of May. We will send an update to the larger group of families once the families have received their referrals." A number of referrals"...makes me go hmmm. Could be 2, could be 10. I know for certain that there are 2 baby boy referrals coming from Hai Doung. Binh Thuan is the unknown here as there have never been referrals from the south. What I do know is that the January travelling families were told there WERE babies in the south and that the in-country staff would be working in the south after Tet.
2. My mom has slipped disks in her lower back, number 4 and 5 if I remember correctly. Slipping in opposite directions apparently. Probably has surgery in her future. That sucks, but so does the constant pain that has had no explanation for nearly 3 years.
3. Asian Lily Beetles. I dislike them. A lot. In fact, I dislike most every insect but the Asian Lily beetle is a bug I can squish between my fingers without a second thought. The only effective alternative to squishing seems to be a vile smelling and not good for the dog pesticide that cost me 25 bucks for half a litre and all I needed was 2 tablespoons worth. I love my Asiatic lily garden. I'll post a picture later this week.
4. Puppy Love seems to have another ear infection...I love my pet insurance.
5. Basement cleaning occurred yesterday with the support of Benjaminh's future pseudo Grandma Carol and her son Uncle Matt. This cleaning is the precursor to emptying my classroom of 17 years worth of children's literature and classroom equipment. I've been "placed" in the library for the Fall term and I hope I won't even be there....but rather will be on parental leave. Fingers crossed.
6. A group of 6 families leave for Vietnam on May 23rd and on June 14th I will be at that airport weeping like a baby when they arrive home.

Lots on my mind...I think I will go shopping now as a bit of a distraction.

Looking forward to a waiting mommies dinner next weekend, a flower sale in the neighbourhood and a quick trip to see my mom on mother's day.

The following weekend I'm off for a spa day with my fellow EG's...can't wait. We will be celebrating L's trip to Vietnam on the 22 and with any luck J and I will have moved up the waiting list a "number" of spots (she is #5 and I'm # 6....)

Animal House

Enjoy this picture of a handsome Hai Doung boy riding a beautiful Thai Nguyen giraffe.


The giraffe is in training to become a big sister and this "hands on" practice session took place weeks ago. Since that day the giraffe's mommy has received her highly anticipated invitation to travel and will leave to pick up little brother "Z" in Hai Doung before too long. In fact, flights were booked just today.

I.CAN'T.WAIT. (though mommy is good at it apparently, I can't count high enough to tell you how many months this family has been waiting for a son and a brother). Just thinking of the moment my dear friend will walk down that arrivals ramp with her arms wrapped around that sweet boy makes me blubber and weep. I can hardly imagine the moment when his daddy and his big sister meet him for the very first time. I'm blaming my blood red eyes on seasonal allergies...

Zack, mommy is coming and everyone else is counting the seconds until you arrive.

With any luck I'll walk that arrivals ramp before too long with my own bundle of joy wrapped tightly in my arms.