Computers

I kind of have a love-hate relationship with computers. I'm not all that techy. I was kind of forced into having to learn about them as director of Odawara Christian Center. That was definitely learning by trial and error. It was quite stressful as if I had a problem I'd have to call the help center in Japan. Not only was I unfamiliar with the technology terminology in English, I had to somehow figure it out in Japanese. All of the computers we had at O.C.C. were Macs. So, that's what I'm most familiar with. When I came back to the States and re-enrolled in college courses I again was forced into having to learn about Windows computers. I admit the class I took helped fill in a lot of gaps of where my knowledge was lacking. Well, now I discovered that we'd need to get a new computer if I wanted to view photos on blogspot. That's because my "old" laptop, at 7 years old, was too old to upgrade to the latest OS (operating system). So, we couldn't keep up with the upgrades happening on certain websites. With our new computer we purchased last weekend we can now view everything on the internet at an amazingly fast speed. So, I'm thankful to keep up to date on everyone's adoption blogs, complete with photos. I'm presently working on creating a Mac-based website with a blog that, once published, will be private. If you want to view it you'll need to type in a username and password to be able to view our website. We've been told that it is not safe for us to publish public info about our daughter on the internet. That's why I've not been posting her photo nor revealing her real name. I've just been using her American nickname, Penny. As we get closer to traveling to Thailand we'll look forward to showing photos to friends and family on a private website. So, please let us know if you'd like to be invited to view this private website.

Happy Anniversary (almost) to us!

My dear husband remembered that today we have been married for four years and eleven months. So, it's almost five years. Since we haven't been hearing any news from Thailand we figure we're safe to plan a trip to the mountains of Colorado for our anniversary. So, I'll take a couple of days off so that we can have a four-day weekend trip. Since Jay is a Colorado native he has all kinds of great ideas of places to go. I can't wait! He is fortunate to get the summer off. I'll still be working full-time since our preschool is more like a Daycare that stays open except for a few major holidays. Man, sometimes it seems unfair that those of working with the younger ones don't get the summers off! But, once we do get the call of when we can go to Thailand I'll plan on taking some time off through FMLA. The latest word is that the delay is now due to the orphanage dragging its feet at getting in some necessary paperwork. Ho-hum... While they are collecting the paperwork I'll start thinking of something I can send Penny for her birthday. Open to any ideas. She'll be turning thirteen on June 3rd.

Blogger Must be Working on the Problem

Well, apparently, blogger is working on the problem for those of us with Macs not being able to view pictures. As of this evening I can now view pictures that are within the body of the text. But, some of the photos in the header or sidebar still don't show up. So, it's getting better. And now, what's hilarious, is that tonight when I try to go on to vox it says it is temporarily unavailable. Perhaps they've been seeing an increase of activity since the blogger problem and it has slowed things down on vox?! I don't know. I don't really understand technology. I just love a chance to connect with people around the world who all have a heart for the children who need homes. I love my newfound blogger friends who understand, at a deeper level from personal experience, what this thing called adoption is like. It's still treated as a rather unusual way of creating a family, it seems, to many people. But, I guess I always liked to be a little different. Like I never really cared that I was the only person in my whole highschool (keep in mind there were just 60 kids in my highschool) who liked bluegrass music. It's okay to be a little different. Our family will look a little different than the norm. Good thing I started acting differently a long time ago. Ever since college the majority of mine friends have been internationals. I remember my brothers asking me, "Chandra, do you have any American friends?" I answered, "Yes, one." It just makes life more interesting to have a wider circle of friendships. And now my own daughter will be Asian as my best friends are. I can't wait to develop a deep friendship with her, too!

What's Up with Blogspot?

I have many frustrations with Blogspot. But, today's takes the cake. I have been trying to view several blogs. And I can't view photos on any of them. I tried restarting my computer. Then I tried deleting all cookies, changing settings, etc. I tried different browsers including Safari, Flock and Netscape. Same problem on all of them for every blogspot blog. So, then I got curious and wondered if we could view any of the photos we had downloaded on that blog we started last summer on vox. All of our stuff was still saved there. So, as long as we cannot view any photos on blogspot we'll try on vox. I just hope we'll have a blog that will be viewable to the special people in our lives when we finally do get to travel to Thailand. So, if you want to view our vox site please go to eternityminded.vox.com You have to sign up to be a vox member. I hope that works for everyone. Otherwise, we have have to come up with something else.

Beautiful Poem

Thanks to fellow blogger, Nichole, who found this emotional poem on the internet. I'll share it with you here on our blog as well.

KISSES IN THE WIND

I hold you in my heart and touch you in my dreams.
You are here each day with us, at least that's how it seems.

I know you wonder where we are what's taking us so long.
But remember child, We love you so and God will keep you strong.

Now go outside and feel the breeze and let it touch your skin...
Because tonight, just as always, We blow you kisses in the wind.

May God hold you in His hand until we can be with you.
We promise you, our darling, We're doing all that we can do.

Very soon, you'll have a family for real, not just pretend.
But for tonight, just as always, We blow you kisses in the wind.

May God wrap you in His arms and hold you very tight.
And let the angels bring the kisses that we send to you each night.
--- Unknown