It’s been a while. So much going on here and blogging ended up low on the priority list.
Let’s start with some good news: On Friday we got some relief from our work woes, allowing us to breathe a little easier. We are grateful. 2011 has been no picnic so far.
On the adoption front, there is, of course, no news. Unless you count the fact that things have slowed down even more. The ministry responsible for investigating adoption cases and making recommendations to the court, announced they were significantly reducing the number of cases they would handle each day from over 35 to 5. Which means big time delays. However, the ministry has new staff and they’re apparently doing about 20 cases each day now to clear the backlog. So we’ll see what they decide is their new standard going forward. Kelly at Uninterrupted Prosperity has a good summary of the situation here.
I take nothing for granted in this process. I don’t even take for granted that this adoption is going to happen. Preparing myself for the worse-case scenario is probably just a coping mechanism. But I also think it’s realistic. The process has been anything but predictable and stable, and therefore, until we get off that plane with two little Ethiopian babies, I’m not counting on anything. Hope and certainty are not even close to the same thing.
Here‘s a troubling story a friend sent me last week. It’s made rounds on a few international news channels. A radical Muslim group attacked Christians and burned down 59 churches in the southwest part of Ethiopia. Sad to hear since Ethiopia has reportedly been the rare place where Muslims, Christians, and Jews have lived among each other in relative peace for a long time.
Something else I wanted to point out was this guest post on a blog I visit called Rage Against the Minivan. I could see myself venting about similar things on the other side of our adoption, and I thought this mom articulated her points well.
Yeah, it will be interesting to see how the changes will impact the process…if they are permanent…if they hold agencies accountable, etc. There have been a lot of rumors and a lot of different numbers being thrown around. Our agency reported that the changes are not as drastic as initially thought and changes have yet to be implemented… Time will tell and like you said you can’t take anything for granted.
I’m glad to hear the work issues are improving! That’s great news!
I’m so, SO glad that the work issues have been improving. I know that’s been a big stressor for you.
Our agency still has not said anything about the 20 cases/work to address the backlog, so that’s getting pretty frustrating. I have to believe it’s true because so many agencies (including yours, which is very reputable) have reported it. Sigh.
That is so sad about the religious strife. Like you, I have always been amazed by the peaceful coexistence of so many religions in Ethiopia.
I missed you! Glad that you are “back.”
As for the sensitivity comments, they are weird and demonstrate odd attitudes that I didn’t know existed, much less that they are strong enough that people feel comfortable expressing them!
On our biological, bi-racial children:
*”Where is she from?” Um… California? God? “No, I mean, did you two [my sister and I] get her from India or something?” Also note to strangers: two adults together with a child does not necessarily a couple make. Seems I can’t hang out with a female friend without the assumption that we are together and adopted this child from elsewhere!
* “You know that no one will believe that she is yours.” Yeah… thanks. Is it because she’s so pretty?” Hmmm….
* “Is she mixed?” My favorite, because I thought of a good answer: “no more than anyone else, a little from mom and a little from dad.”
* Or, about my sister, who was adopted at birth when I was only 19 months old: “Oh, so she’s not your REAL sister.” My response (after going through 42 years of sibling rivalry and love) “oh yes she is! She’s as real as it gets!”
Thanks for sharing; glad again to “see” you (hear your “voice,” anyway) again!
Really, it’s unbelievable that people say things like this. Makes me feel like I’ve landed on an alien planet.