Enter the Rat
Posted on 2007-08-08 at 22:06
In just two days, I'll be going to the House of the Rat with Denise and Cadence. It wil be Cadence's first trip to there. I'm really looking forward to it. It's not so much the Mouse, himself, that interests me. Indeed, I couldn't care less about a single Disney character property. Mostly, I just enjoy the way they have mastered the art of vacation. Hey, I can be as cynical as the next guy, but seriously, they make vacationing drop dead simple. Gotta love that!
The countdown begins.
Happy 3rd Birthday, Cadence!
Posted on 2007-08-04 at 15:27
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday, dear Cadence
Happy Birthday to you
Disaffection and the family
Posted on 2007-06-16 at 08:55
I suppose that when the father and the mother both worked on the farm and the children worked next to them in the field and in the house and in the workshop, familial relations were easier to maintain. The children knew what the father and mother did. They helped. They were a part of the process of running the house from an early age. Now we have a problem of our own creation. The father goes off to work in a factory or office. The mother often does as well. The child grows up disconnected from the parents who a century ago would have been her whole world.
And we wonder why our parents lack the bonds they need to be good parents and why our kids lack the bonds needed to be good children. Put your kids in daycare. Put your parents in a home. What's the difference?
So, why do we do it? I mean, if we know that the daily diaspora of the family creates a rift and teaches all the wrong lessons, why continue doing it?
The Virginia Aquarium
Posted on 2006-10-06 at 09:52
Cadence and I are going to the Virginia Aquarium today. She loves the aquarium. Apparently, she is good friends with the fish, the turtles, and the seals (at least that's how she tells it). Life is good. Here's a picture I took earlier this year from the aquarium:
Happy Birthday, Cadence
Posted on 2006-08-04 at 08:14
OMG PONIES!!1!!!eleventy-one!!!11!!!!
The Tropic of Cancer
Posted on 2006-07-10 at 08:28
I noticed on a map that Cadence's old hometown falls right at the Tropic of Cancer as it runs through mainland China. That's makes it easy to explain where to find it to others, but I still had no idea what a "Tropic of Cancer" was. Becuase I hate not knowing things, I looked it up. Turns out it, somewhat obviously, is the northern line between the tropics and the subtropics region of the planet. Why Cancer? Because the June solstice fell in the constellation of Cancer when this line was named. Currently, it falls in the constellation of Taurus.
Cadence is sick
Posted on 2006-02-27 at 10:37
Just an fyi, I've not been blogging as much in the last few days because Cadence is a bit ill and I've not had much free time. Once she's better, I'm sure things will pick back up.
This gift-getting stuff is serious business
Posted on 2005-12-31 at 20:58
I've centered my chi and I am prepared for the excess of presents that you have purchased for me. Commence with your offerings so that I may show you that I am pleased:
I miss Jow Ga
Posted on 2005-12-29 at 13:45
I need to start thinking about how I'm gonna get back to Jow Ga. I miss it. Financially, I think it's doable with some serious planning, but in terms of time, I'm gonna have to get creative to fit it all in and still spend time with Cadence. It'll be better when she's old enough to go with me and take classes.
All Hallow's Eve
Posted on 2005-10-31 at 08:02
Tonight will be Cadence's first Halloween. She will go dressed as a ladybug. She will beg the neighbors for cady that her mother and I will then take from her and eat. This is the way of Halloween. Don't judge us.
Cadence
Posted on 2005-09-29 at 08:04
She's doing great. Still a bit ill, but adjusting well to her new life.
Babies don't need sleep?
Posted on 2005-09-25 at 08:02
I mean seriously, wtf?!? Up all night for two nights now. I now it's just because her internal clock is set to China time and all, but DAMN I need a nap!
The baby
Posted on 2005-09-23 at 08:02
The baby is happy and healthy, if a bit confused about the change of scenery and schedule.
Baby Ragnarok
Posted on 2005-09-18 at 08:01
Rock-a-bye baby
In the tree tops
When the wind blows
The cradle will rock
When the bough breaks
The cradle will fall
And down will come baby
Cradle and all
Who in their right minds thought this would make a good children's bedtime song?!? It's description of some sort of baby armegeddon practically designed to induce nightmares. Here you go baby. Sweet dreams, and remember that if all goes well you won't fall from 30 feet up in a storm to crack your skull. WTF?
Words won't do
Posted on 2005-09-13 at 08:01
We are in Guangzhou
Posted on 2005-09-11 at 08:01
For the curious, we've made it into Guangzhou and are getting settled into our rooms. This is the final stop in China before leaving. We will be meeting our daughter for the first time tomorrow. I honestly have no idea how much time I'll have for blogging after that. Maybe plenty (we are here for 11 days to finalize paperwork and such). Maybe none (we are taking care of a new child!).
Leaving for China in about 20 hours
Posted on 2005-09-03 at 08:02
I expect to have internet access for at least the last two weeks of the trip, but the first week is sketchy. I don't know that I'll have access. Once I do, I'll be posting blog entries and checking email as time permits. Denise will be doing the same over at http://denise.digitalelite.com. Her site is more about the specifics of the adoption and trip than this one, so there may be details that get posted there that you won't see here. Likewise, you may also see some content that is the same across both sites.
The details emerge (UPDATED!)
Posted on 2005-08-30 at 08:01
My wife and I leave on Sunday (the 4th of September) at some preternaturally early time in the morning. We will be returning on Thursday the 22nd of September around 10 PM.
When we come back, we will have our daughter, Cadence, with us. The notice is short, but I want to get there as soon as possible, so I'm fine with leaving right away.
Happy Birthday!
Posted on 2005-08-04 at 08:05
Today is my daughter's birthday. she's not here yet, so I can't celebrate it with her, but I can do this. :)
I'm somebody's dad!
Posted on 2005-08-01 at 08:01
Her name is Yong Ni Dong (Dong is the name of the orphanage, Ni means "girl", and Yong means "Expressed In Poetic Form").
She was born on August 4th, 2004 and currently resides in the Yang Dong orphanage in the Guangdong province of China in the city of Guangzhou.
As of March 30th, 2005---when the attached picture was taken---she was 25.2 inches tall and 14.75 lbs with both a head and chest diameter of 16 inches...and she had 2 teeth.
Today should be the day!
Posted on 2005-07-29 at 08:01
I expect to here something today from the adoption agency. By the close of business, I might be someone's dad. WeirdCool.
A New House
Posted on 2004-02-25 at 08:03
Denise and I are looking to move soon. We need a bigger house in a nicer neighborhood now that we plan on adopting from China. The big question for us now is whether to build or buy. A lot will likely depend on how much money I make over the next year or so. We'll see. I hate change, and this year is looking to be the year of change!