Tuesday, January 11, 2011

Starting off on the right foot

Happy New Year!
It's only January 11, and I'm so excited about the New Year. Here's why: I'm thrilled to be back in Western Massachusetts, after a twenty-year hiatus. I'm even more amazed at the adoption connections already being forged. Perhaps it is just my "adoption radar" going into overdrive, but I can't remember when this many great community connections have just appeared before my eyes.
  • I was able to attend the National Association of Independent Schools People of Color Conference in early December. At that conference, I was one of the facilitators for the Transracial/Transnational Adoptee group - an incredibly powerful experience. I'm grateful to my mom, who helped me to afford this conference.
  • Through a colleague at work, I was able to meet another independent school educator at the aforementioned conference. My  transracial adoption workshop was just accepted at their Diversity Conference, where I will be presenting to Middle and Upper Schoolers (grades 7 - 12).
  • I submitted a short article to a Philadelphia-based independent magazine, describing my upbringing and family dynamic as a transracial adoptee. Check out their blog!
  • Friends around me are adopting, hoping to adopt or have adopted already - and there is an immediate bond that we share.
My thankfulness is overflowing.

One of my goals this year is to keep up my regular posts to the blog. And with the community connections so far, the year is starting off on the right foot.

Readers, any exciting news about adoption or multicultural families out there? Please share!

3 comments:

Anonymous said...

I enjoyed your piece for the Bridge. I'm so glad that your family supports your desire to explore your racial identity. And, thanks for writing that "love is not enough." So many of us want to believe that it is, so I appreciate that you're willing to tell the truth.

Elle said...

Hi, I wonder if I might be able to add you to my blogroll? I found you through another blog; Cheese Curds and Kimchi...

JennyBHammond said...

@Shannon: thanks for your encouragement!
@Michelle: yes, you may add me to your blog roll. Thanks, in advance.