I haven't posted in a little while because I've been struggling *again* with this stupid anxiety disorder. I hate to use the word 'remission', but I suppose that's what I've been going through since a few years ago when Episode #2 subsided. This would be Episode #3, and - knock on wood - has not seemed quite as bad as Episodes #1 and 2. I don't really want to get into much of it now because I'm trying NOT to think about it more than I already have been, but I will write more about it later.
For now, I want to post something from an e-mail newsletter I got today regarding the Ministry of Women, Children and Youth Affairs in Ethiopia's intent to reduce the number of intercountry adoptions by 90%. If you want to sign the petition asking that the Ministry consider alternate options, please click here.
I don't exactly know how I feel about this, though. I would think they would only do this for good reasons. According to the e-mail I got, the two main reasons they are planning to reduce intercountry adoptions is because 1) There is a lot of corruption in intercountry adoption and 2) they want to focus their financial efforts on children and families in-country. This makes a lot of sense to me, and I do think that it is important to focus more on keeping children and families together and in their country of origin, and also to weed out the bad agencies and individuals who are putting a bad name and face on international adoption... BUT, at the same time, there are so so many orphans in institutions throughout the country, and on the streets, and this will leave them there and ultimately have horrible consequences on their lives. I mean, we'll see I guess... again, if this is a true consideration of the Ministry, they must have good reason to believe that this will be better for children and families than intercountry adoption... and hopefully they do whatever is best.
Either way, signing the petition can't hurt... all it means is that we are hoping they will look into other options to prevent corruption and to spread out the money more evenly because intercountry adoption really can be the best thing for many of these children, and stopping these adoptions by 90% is dramatic.
Anyway, read more about it if you wish. It shocked me, needless to say.
Wednesday, March 9, 2011
Friday, February 25, 2011
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Buying locally, organically
I think I've probably talked about this in previous post(s), but I want to stress how strongly I feel about buying locally. Connecticut is so fortunate to have CT Farm Fresh Express.
CTFFE allows you to choose and order the food you want from their website, they pick it up from farms around the state, and deliver it to your door weekly. No membership or minimum fee required, and everything is made locally so energy costs are cut and we are supporting our local economy!
There are many other reasons, as well, which you can find on the "Why Local" section of their site.
One thing my friend Kaley has educated me on is Raw Milk. I know I must have mentioned this in the past because it's something I advocate for, but hardly ever talk to anyone about because it's not a widely accepted practice. Many people don't realize that raw milk is actually much better for you than pasteurized & homogenized milk, when from the right farm. See Real Milk site for answers to all questions and an endless source of information. I haven't bought pasteurized/homogenized milk since, except for a few times in a pinch when I needed to get it that second and even then, I bought Farmer's Cow (from Connecticut) at Stop & Shop.
I recommend everyone educate themselves -- obviously make the decision that is right for you and your family, and always question (and even visit) the farms you get your milk from to see how they treat their cows, how the cows are fed and what sanitary measures they take.
I also recommend everyone do a Google search for their own state's version of CTFFE. Even if you have to start one yourself or just shop the local farmer's markets for a while, it's worth the trouble when you'd rather just cross the street from your house and buy your groceries from your grocery store chain. You'll thank me later! :)
CTFFE allows you to choose and order the food you want from their website, they pick it up from farms around the state, and deliver it to your door weekly. No membership or minimum fee required, and everything is made locally so energy costs are cut and we are supporting our local economy!
There are many other reasons, as well, which you can find on the "Why Local" section of their site.
One thing my friend Kaley has educated me on is Raw Milk. I know I must have mentioned this in the past because it's something I advocate for, but hardly ever talk to anyone about because it's not a widely accepted practice. Many people don't realize that raw milk is actually much better for you than pasteurized & homogenized milk, when from the right farm. See Real Milk site for answers to all questions and an endless source of information. I haven't bought pasteurized/homogenized milk since, except for a few times in a pinch when I needed to get it that second and even then, I bought Farmer's Cow (from Connecticut) at Stop & Shop.
I recommend everyone educate themselves -- obviously make the decision that is right for you and your family, and always question (and even visit) the farms you get your milk from to see how they treat their cows, how the cows are fed and what sanitary measures they take.
I also recommend everyone do a Google search for their own state's version of CTFFE. Even if you have to start one yourself or just shop the local farmer's markets for a while, it's worth the trouble when you'd rather just cross the street from your house and buy your groceries from your grocery store chain. You'll thank me later! :)
Thursday, February 17, 2011
Endicott!
When I was applying to colleges out of high school, I applied to 10 and got into 8. Endicott was one of the colleges I was accepted to, and was high on my list but decided to go to Eckerd instead. I went to visit Endicott with Daniel a few months ago (he applied also but doesn't really have much interest in going there, I don't think) and fell in love with it. Not only that, but I found out they have an online Psychology degree! So, I started thinking about transferring because Endicott feels better to me than Ashford. Ashford is fine... and I chose it because it has a physical campus as well as having online degrees... but, really, it is mainly known as an online university. Endicott is mainly known as a private campus college.
So, I applied, just to see if I could get in again. Tonight, my mom called me saying that there was a big packet from Endicott at their house addressed to me. Not sure why, since I'm sure I gave them my address, but obviously because I'd applied in the past they sent it to the address I lived at then.
Anyway, to the news... I GOT IN! I asked my mom to open it while we were on the phone together and she started reading the, "We are pleased to inform you..." (or something similar). Now, I'm trying not to get too excited because I don't know how many of my 80+ credits will transfer. If fewer than 70 transfer, I doubt I'll do it because I don't want to have wasted that money spent on those courses that won't transfer. So, crossing my fingers and we'll see!
It'd be nice to just go to Massachusetts for graduation instead of Clinton, Iowa. :p Rod will stay at Ashford, but he refuses to go participate in his graduation so I decided I'd just throw him a graduation party and get him a gown and hat when the time comes. But I'd like to go to my graduation, I think.
So, please send vibes that my credits transfer!!! I'd love to be an Endicott alum. :)
So, I applied, just to see if I could get in again. Tonight, my mom called me saying that there was a big packet from Endicott at their house addressed to me. Not sure why, since I'm sure I gave them my address, but obviously because I'd applied in the past they sent it to the address I lived at then.
Anyway, to the news... I GOT IN! I asked my mom to open it while we were on the phone together and she started reading the, "We are pleased to inform you..." (or something similar). Now, I'm trying not to get too excited because I don't know how many of my 80+ credits will transfer. If fewer than 70 transfer, I doubt I'll do it because I don't want to have wasted that money spent on those courses that won't transfer. So, crossing my fingers and we'll see!
It'd be nice to just go to Massachusetts for graduation instead of Clinton, Iowa. :p Rod will stay at Ashford, but he refuses to go participate in his graduation so I decided I'd just throw him a graduation party and get him a gown and hat when the time comes. But I'd like to go to my graduation, I think.
So, please send vibes that my credits transfer!!! I'd love to be an Endicott alum. :)
Saturday, February 12, 2011
Dreams of fostering
Last night I had a vivid dream that Rod was becoming very interested in foster care. We were sitting in the living room and the phone rang. He answered the phone and it was a social worker in Connecticut offering to provide us some information on a little boy named Dawit (an Ethiopian name, not sure why the foster child here in the U.S. would have the name, but who knows? Probably because I was reading a Yahoo! groups post about a family with an Ethiopian adopted child with this name). He was about three or four and Rod was extremely interested in fostering him. I woke up to Rod coming home from work and getting into bed, and I had a sinking feeling you often get when you wake up from a dream you wish was reality. I didn't know I was that interested in foster care myself! I know it's what Rod would prefer if we can't conceive... at least, that's what he told me a couple of years ago, and his mind changes constantly.
We'll see.
WHFC Sponsorship
Today we received a packet from Wide Horizons with information on the child and family we just started to sponsor this month. He is a 10-year-old boy living in Kebado, in the Sidama region of Ethiopia. We will call him "MB".
The area of Ethiopia where MB lives is lush and fertile, but unfortunately, agricultural infrastructure is poor so only the wealthy are able to have large harvests. Many of the families that are sponsored by WHFC are encouraged to start small businesses such as "rearing livestock, owning small shops, mule transportation, honey bee hives, craft making, making and selling tea, and photography to name a few." (letter I received about the Family Empowerment Program)
Most of the families starting entrepreneurhip - like MB's family - have only completed the initial steps and need support and advice on how to save funds and handle the startup process. As of exactly a year ago, MB's family was receiving counseling and was starting to spend more money on daily consumption. The family has only saved up 80 Birr so far, which is less than $5 U.S.
MB's family's targeted business is bicycle rental, rearing animals, retailing local drink in their home, and their monthly income generated is 300 Birr, or just under $18 U.S. Their business was initiated in September of 2008. The challenges they have faced in the past was little or no customers, but they are fortunate enough to have their own house that they can use to run their business out of.
As of last year, the estimated time for the family to reach self-sufficiency was two years.
Both of MB's parents have died of chronic disease. He lives with his grandmother, aunt, cousins and siblings. Thankfully, he is in good physical condition and is currently healthy. He likes to play football and ride a bike. His daily activities include cleaning the house, looking after cattle and helping his family.
This information was sent to me in the packet from the past two years of sponsorship. They update annually. According to the 2009 update, MB's previous sponsors didn't correspond with him. Not cool!
I am going to write to him often, and hopefully visit him and his family one day!
I'm hoping another update will come shortly, since it has been a year since that last annual update.
If you are interested in child sponsorship or any other type of humanitarian aid, you should definitely check out Wide Horizons for Children. They are reputable and experienced and have some great programs, not just sponsorship and not just in Ethiopia. Check them out here.
The area of Ethiopia where MB lives is lush and fertile, but unfortunately, agricultural infrastructure is poor so only the wealthy are able to have large harvests. Many of the families that are sponsored by WHFC are encouraged to start small businesses such as "rearing livestock, owning small shops, mule transportation, honey bee hives, craft making, making and selling tea, and photography to name a few." (letter I received about the Family Empowerment Program)
Most of the families starting entrepreneurhip - like MB's family - have only completed the initial steps and need support and advice on how to save funds and handle the startup process. As of exactly a year ago, MB's family was receiving counseling and was starting to spend more money on daily consumption. The family has only saved up 80 Birr so far, which is less than $5 U.S.
MB's family's targeted business is bicycle rental, rearing animals, retailing local drink in their home, and their monthly income generated is 300 Birr, or just under $18 U.S. Their business was initiated in September of 2008. The challenges they have faced in the past was little or no customers, but they are fortunate enough to have their own house that they can use to run their business out of.
As of last year, the estimated time for the family to reach self-sufficiency was two years.
Both of MB's parents have died of chronic disease. He lives with his grandmother, aunt, cousins and siblings. Thankfully, he is in good physical condition and is currently healthy. He likes to play football and ride a bike. His daily activities include cleaning the house, looking after cattle and helping his family.
This information was sent to me in the packet from the past two years of sponsorship. They update annually. According to the 2009 update, MB's previous sponsors didn't correspond with him. Not cool!
I am going to write to him often, and hopefully visit him and his family one day!
I'm hoping another update will come shortly, since it has been a year since that last annual update.
If you are interested in child sponsorship or any other type of humanitarian aid, you should definitely check out Wide Horizons for Children. They are reputable and experienced and have some great programs, not just sponsorship and not just in Ethiopia. Check them out here.
Friday, February 11, 2011
Quitters!
The same day I decided to take on this personal weight loss challenge, I found out that my father-in-law Dan has decided to quit smoking. He went to his doctor and his doctor told him that if he didn't quit right now, he was going to die. He has already had two heart attacks in the last 10 years, one of which was only a couple of months ago. At this appointment a couple days ago, the doctor asked if he was having any angina pains, to which he answered yes, slightly (although he told me he was fibbing, he was actually having worse pains than he admitted). So the doctor asked him how badly he wanted to live. And that did it, apparently.
I'm so excited for him! And proud. Now, he's tried to quit in the past... but, hey, I've tried to quit eating badly in the past too, and we both failed on our attempts, so maybe this time will be different. He did mention he wants to be around to see his grandkids. :) We really, really want that, too.
I have been doing pretty well the last couple of days. I shopped and got a bunch of healthy snacks, I've been eating oranges and goldfish -- which I realize isn't necessarily a super healthy snack, but it's better than McDonalds french fries or frozen pizza, that's for sure!
Today I ate some spaghetti and meatballs, which I really should cut back on. I didn't eat as much as I usually would have, but it was still too much. Again, I'm trying to aim for 1000-1500 calories a day, and I think today I was probably a little over that. I had a lot of carbs. BUT, again, it wasn't fast food or super fatty stuff.
The other thing I have yet to do is exercise. I haven't in the past two days and I really need to do that every day. Maybe I'll force myself tonight. It helps when I use my stepper and watch TV at the same time... that is, it helps me exercise for longer before I get totally bored and quit... it helps to distract myself and time goes by faster.
I'm hosting the whole family Sunday night for dinner (except Daniel who has to work and maybe Dan who said he might be too cranky from his nicotine withdrawal to have to come to dinner and be all jolly--we told him we didn't care and to re-think and come). It's kind of going to be a pre-Valentine's Day celebration dinner, I guess. I have to think of what to make! Something Valentine's Day themed, if possible...my mom's bringing dessert so that leaves me in a pickle with how to make a main course Valentine's-themed. We'll see!
I'm so excited for him! And proud. Now, he's tried to quit in the past... but, hey, I've tried to quit eating badly in the past too, and we both failed on our attempts, so maybe this time will be different. He did mention he wants to be around to see his grandkids. :) We really, really want that, too.
I have been doing pretty well the last couple of days. I shopped and got a bunch of healthy snacks, I've been eating oranges and goldfish -- which I realize isn't necessarily a super healthy snack, but it's better than McDonalds french fries or frozen pizza, that's for sure!
Today I ate some spaghetti and meatballs, which I really should cut back on. I didn't eat as much as I usually would have, but it was still too much. Again, I'm trying to aim for 1000-1500 calories a day, and I think today I was probably a little over that. I had a lot of carbs. BUT, again, it wasn't fast food or super fatty stuff.
The other thing I have yet to do is exercise. I haven't in the past two days and I really need to do that every day. Maybe I'll force myself tonight. It helps when I use my stepper and watch TV at the same time... that is, it helps me exercise for longer before I get totally bored and quit... it helps to distract myself and time goes by faster.
I'm hosting the whole family Sunday night for dinner (except Daniel who has to work and maybe Dan who said he might be too cranky from his nicotine withdrawal to have to come to dinner and be all jolly--we told him we didn't care and to re-think and come). It's kind of going to be a pre-Valentine's Day celebration dinner, I guess. I have to think of what to make! Something Valentine's Day themed, if possible...my mom's bringing dessert so that leaves me in a pickle with how to make a main course Valentine's-themed. We'll see!
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