Featured Flickr Photo

Overlapping


(Courtesy of Junk Girl)

Jiangxi Earthquake -- brief news from HTS

A message sent to wide distribution from Jenny Bowen, of Half The Sky:

Hi all,

I know that some of you have been worried about the children whose orphanages were affected by the earthquake on Saturday. Yesterday we spoke to the director of the Jiujiang (Jiangxi) institution, which is just a few miles from the epicenter. They are all fine. There were no injuries, just broken glass and some, what appear to minor, cracks in the walls. They are keeping the children outside as much as possible just in case their building is unsafe. Once the aftershocks cease and they can have the building inspected, they'll move back in. We asked them to please call us if they need anything and they thank us all for our concern.

This weekend I finished preparing photos of all of the new children in our programs who lack sponsors. There are 146 from Guangzhou, 15 from Beihai and 21 from Sanya. In addition to the 363 still unassigned from our current programs, that means that 545 children still need sponsors!

This does not mean that the children won't participate in Half the Sky programs--all children participate, whether their participation is funded or not. But those sponsorship dollars are what keep our programs afloat. Please considering giving the gift of a child or nanny sponsorship this holiday season. It costs only $25 per month, your gift will be remembered through the year with progress reports and photos and you transform a child's life. What better way could there be to honor someone special?

I'll be writing with more news soon. We're working on our 2006 calendar right now and I want to share our plans with you.

All the best,

Jenny

Local Story

Group provides comfort level for local people who adopt kids: The group is made up of families who have adopted children from other countries, families who have adopted children from agencies in the United States, and families who have adopted through Athens County Children Services. The group meets to discuss issues that adoptive families go through, and also to support each other and just visit and have a good time.

NPR Story

Dissent Grows Beyond Government Control in China: NPR senior news analyst Daniel Schorr says that China is finding it harder and harder to keep a lid on dissent.

Ladybug Clock

This 10-inch lady bug wall clock has Chinese characters for numerals.

China Provincial Orphanage Location Maps

RedThreadMaps.com provides beautiful, hand-made maps of China.

Welcome to Red Thread Maps. I'm Hendrika, the artist & lucky mom to my twin daughters from China, who are my inspiration.

My map project began as a labor of love for my twin daughters, to show them where they are from; their beautiful homeland; and has blossomed into so much more. After creating the Jiangxi map, I was so delighted with it I knew I had to do more; and my daughters love it and are proud to point to their hometown. My maps are intended to show the general locations of orphanages that participate in international adoptions. The map base is hand-rendered by me in good ole' fashioned ink. I just love using old style nib pens and ink wells. I then edit the drawings digitally. The original maps and prints are large, sharp and clear, and truly beautiful.

(Thanks Dulce from APC!)

For Tom Cruise Fans

Tom Cruise leaves ancient town of Xitang: Famous action movie star Tom Cruise runs for the filming of his new movie "Mission Impossilbe 3" in the ancient town of Xitang in Jiashan County, east China's Zhejiang Province.

News

China Resolves a Water Crisis in the North, Then Pivots to a Major Earthquake in the South: The central government, which is under criticism for its handling of the Harbin crisis, was faced with apparent devastation in southeastern China after an earthquake reportedly left several hundred thousand people without shelter.

Upstart From Chinese Province Masters the Art of TV Titillation: They called it "The Mongolian Cow Sour Yogurt Super Girl Contest," and for much of the year, this "American Idol" knockoff was one of the hottest shows on Chinese television.

A Judge Tests China's Courts, Making History: Judge Li Huijuan happened to be in the courthouse file room when clerks, acting on urgent orders, began searching for a ruling on a mundane case about seed prices. "I handled that case," Judge Li told the clerks, surprised that anyone would be interested.

Map of China

National Geographic sells China wall maps from it's webpage.

This detailed political map of China accurately shows locations of provincial boundaries, cities and towns, major highways and roads, rivers and waterways, and other geographic features. Measures 24" x 30".

(Thanks Kate from PAC!)

China Related TV

China Sprout posts a much-appreciated weekly guide for China Related TV listings.

Water Shortage Update

Running Water Restored to Chinese City: Running water returned to this northeast city of 3.8 million people Sunday, ending a five-day shutdown blamed on a chemical spill that embarrassed the government and highlighted China's mounting environmental problems.

NPR aired a couple of pieces on the situation:

Accident Contaminates Major Chinese City's Water: In northeastern China, a city of nearly 4 million people has temporarily lost its water supply. Environmental officials say an industrial accident polluted a river that normally serves as the water source for the city, Harbin.

Toxic Flow Leaves Chinese City Waiting for Water: A 50-mile-long slick of toxic chemicals flowing through a river in northeast China has left the 9 million residents of Harbin scrambling.

Earthquake News

Deadly Earthquake Strikes China: A strong earthquake struck central China [Jiangxi] on Saturday, killing at least 15 people, injuring more than 450 and destroying hundreds of buildings.

The following link shows some additional pictures.

Feature Flickr Photo

the red lantern...
taken one night during a stroll over the
"Old Market" in the town of Wuxi / China

(Courtesy of Lotse)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving! I'll be posting again on Sunday. In the meantime, you can watch an animated version of this turkey being built here.

News

Water crisis threatens China city of 3.8 million: A Chinese city of 3.8 million people closed schools and was trucking in drinking water Wednesday after shutting down its water system following a chemical plant explosion that officials said polluted a nearby river with toxic benzene.

Poll—1 in 8 Young Persons Is a 'Net Addict': According to a survey released yesterday, conducted by the China Youth Association for Network Development (CYAND), more than 13 percent of Chinese youths and young adults are addicted to the Internet based on criteria developed by CYAND.

Young Chinese make a living through fists: Young toughs with few prospects for marriage or meaningful employment can find work at a respectable wage beating and intimidating lawyers, activists, journalists and ordinary citizens who challenge corrupt village leaders and wealthy business owners.

'Second Wives' Are Back: Mistresses are again a status symbol in China. As scandal spreads, the government worries that they are a motive for public corruption.

Local Story

Exhibit celebrates Adoption Month: Even as a little girl, Mary Curtis knew she would one day adopt a child. After she learned her mother spent her childhood living in an orphanage, Curtis was determined to make adoption one of her life's goals.

Feature Flickr Photo

Reflecting on the past
@ Jingshan Park in Beijing during winter

(Courtesy of Junk Girl)

Research on Bonding

Exploring a Hormone for Caring: The lack of emotional care given to infants in some Romanian and Russian orphanages has provided researchers an opportunity to study the hormonal basis of the mother-child bond. [NYT: Free Reg. Req.]

(Thanks Susan from MAC.)

[Update: The full scientific article is available here.]

Sad news and important info

Adoptive Mother Accused Of Child Abuse: A Rochester Hills woman has been arrested on suspicion of arrest for abusing her adopted daughter and causing the child to have severe brain damage, according to police.

For information about Shaken Baby Syndrome, including suggestions and tips when your baby cries see aboutshakenbaby.com.

(Thanks Laura and Kathy from APC.)

Local Story

Lindon family adopts three from China: The last three of Adriana Cassani's pregnancies were increasingly more difficult, but even with five children at home, she and her husband, David, felt their family was not complete. Today, three adopted Chinese children make their family a perfect 10.

Just in case you care . . .

No More Rave Parties at the Great Wall: Critical media coverage of a rave party that saw 1,500 local and expat revelers gather at the Jinshanling section of the Great Wall this summer has prompted local authorities to prohibit any future events.

Snow in China

The first snowfall came to Mt. Huangshan on the evening of Nov 18. In past years the first snowfall usually came in December.

Local Story

McBride couple makes international adoption a reality: Kroy and Susan Christison of McBride have adopted a little girl from China. The couple brought one-year-old Bronwyn home on October 20 after a two-week stay in China for the three to become adjusted to one another and to finish the paperwork.

Local Story

An open avenue to open arms: People seeking international adoptions, including many Minnesotans, are increasingly turning to China, whose adoption rules are rigid but predictable.

China-Related TV

China Sprout posts a much-appreciated weekly guide for China Related TV listings.

Feature Flickr Photo

Guilin
Situated in the northeast of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guilin has always been famous for its scenery and culture.

Guilin is a karst basin surrounded by mountains. The Li River flows through Guilin from north to south. It has a subtropical monsoon climate with an annual temperature of 19C, and 310 frost-free days. Annual rainfall averages 1,926 millimeters.

Guilin is the most beautiful sightseeing area in China. Every year a great number of tourists visit Guilin. The Li River scenic area is very famous for it charming scenery.

The city is well- known both at home and abroad for its five wonderful characteristics: green hills, clear waters, fantastic caves, spectacular rocks and sweet scent of osmanthus.

The clear Li River is like a green jade ribbon floating among thousands of green hills. From Guilin to Yangshuo the Li River traverses 83 kilometres. The either bank of the river affords the most beautiful scendry as a long art gallery with rich natural in poetic and picture.

(Courtesy of Wang HL)

Article in Chinese Newspaper

Adopted kids get best of both worlds: Last year, the United States adopted 7,704 Chinese orphans, mostly girls, bringing the total number up to about 50,000 in the past 12 years, according to US authorities.

Bird Flu News

China has first bird flu fatality: A woman in the eastern province of Anhui died after being infected with the H5N1 strain of bird flu, the health ministry said.

China to vaccinate 14bn poultry: China has vowed to vaccinate all of its estimated 14 billion poultry to contain the spread of bird flu.

Can China cope with bird flu?: China has announced its first human death from bird flu, raising renewed fears about the possible spread of the disease among birds and humans.

Olympic Collectibles

Commemorative bagdes of Beijing Olympic mascots issued: A shop assistant of the Laofengxiang Gold Shop shows a silver commemorative badge of "friendlie", the mascot for Beijing Olympic Games in Caohu. The gold and silver commemorative badges of the "friendlies" were issued in China on Nov 12. The face of the badge features the standard picture of "friendlies" and on the back is the emblem of the Beijing Olympic Games.

Local Story

The Chosen Ones ... Stories of Adoption: The arrival of Zoe Grace from China to the home of Shawn and Julie Hardin in Kosciusko, through the process of adoption, has brought a lot of changes for the family.

Local Story

Programs help families maintain links to China: When Brad and Ruth Kuhlman of St. Cloud decided to adopt a child, they looked in all directions -- domestic and international. The compass pointed toward China and led them to Carly, now 2-1/2.

Featured Flickr Photo

View from Great Wall watchtower
View from a watchtower on the Great Wall between Jinshanling to Simatai

China, 2004

(Courtesy of lil)

News

Schwarzenegger seeks China trade: Arnold Schwarzenegger is set to focus on tackling music and film piracy on a six-day trip to China designed to boost trade between China and California.

Fans mob Schwarzenegger in China: Chinese fans have mobbed California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger on the first day of a visit to Beijing.

Migrant Workers Becoming Rural Middle Class: Compared with the farmers who stay at home and stick to their farmland, migrant workers who take jobs in urban areas are more wealthy and active. They have become the principal part of the middle class in China's rural areas, according to the Social Structure Research Center of Anhui Province of China.

Local Story

Roots in China: When China opened its doors to international adoptions in 1993, childless American couples flocked to its shores. Twelve years later, roughly 100 families in Palm Beach County belong to a local chapter of the national group Families With Children From China.

Two Pieces from NPR

Amid Rapid Growth, Challenges for China's Economy: The large-scale growth of China's economy has attracted notice from businesses and investors worldwide. But pressures -- from corruption to bureaucracy and the role of the state -- offer new complications.

Bush China Trip to Focus on Economic, Religious Reforms: President Bush will embark on a trip to Asia next week with a stop in China. The president plans to press Chinese President Hu Jintao to allow greater religious freedom and to link China's currency to market forces.

Local Story

Chinese adoptees link through play groups: The animated chatter of little girls, often punctuated by squeals of laughter, emanated from the kitchen of a Belmont home. Out on the deck, their mothers sat around a table, engaged in their own spirited banter.

China Related TV

China Sprout posts a much-appreciated weekly guide for China Related TV listings.

Feature Flickr Photo

Dust storm in the Gobi Desert
Great wall of China during a Gobi dust storm.

(Courtesy of zargag)

2008 Olympics

Beijing unveils Olympic mascots: Beijing has unveiled its five official mascots for the 2008 Olympic Games. The mascots are cartoon renditions of a panda, a carp, a Tibetan antelope, a swallow and the Olympic flame.

[More photos here]

News

Eighth bird flu outbreak in China: China has conducted mass culls of birds in a bid to stem the virus China has confirmed a fresh outbreak of the lethal H5N1 strain of bird flu—the country's eighth within a month.

China rethinks peasant 'apartheid': Plans to end a controversial residency permit system have been welcomed as a positive step towards bridging the social, political and economic gulf between China's countryside and its cities.

Desperate Search for Justice—One Man vs. China: At his most desperate, when he had no more borrowed money for his son's legal defense, Xie Yujun went to a hospital. He knew of China's black market in body parts. He wanted to sell his eyes. He was refused.

Bush seeks church service in China: US President George W. Bush would like to attend Christian religious services with Chinese worshipers during his upcoming trip to Beijing, a senior US administration official said.

Local Story

Roots in China: For some, the Boca Raton Chinese School has been integral in their effort to embrace two cultures, to endow adopted children with a cultural identity that is both American and Chinese.

News

China showcases nautical hero Zheng He's shipyard in Nanjing: As China and the world marks the 600th anniversary of the voyages of famed navigator Zheng He, a newly excavated shipyard where much of his ancient fleet was built has finally opened to the public.

Bush meets Dalai Lama, ignoring China's objections: President George W. Bush met at the White House on Wednesday with the Dalai Lama, exiled spiritual leader of Tibetan Buddhists, ignoring objections from China 10 days before he makes an official visit to Beijing.

Protestant Pastor in China Convicted for Printing, Distributing Bibles: A prominent pastor in Beijing's underground Protestant church was sentenced Tuesday to three years in prison for illegally printing and distributing Bibles and other religious books, in a case that has attracted attention from Christian groups in the United States and elsewhere.

More Than a Billion Chinese but So Few Coffins: In China these days, just about every form of commerce is thriving, including decidedly illegal ones like prostitution and counterfeiting. But not coffin making.

News

China 'warning of hotel attacks': Chinese police have warned that Islamic militants could be planning an attack on luxury hotels in Beijing in the coming week, the US embassy has said.

China plans moon landing around 2017: China, which launched its first manned space mission just two years ago, plans to put a man on the moon around 2017 and investigate what may be the perfect source of fuel.

Panda cub learns to walk: A giant panda cub learns to walk at China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre in Wolong National Natural Reserve, southwest China's Sichuan province.

Featured Flickr Photo

IMG_2108


(Courtesy of yahaira)

News

Next hot language to study—Chinese: The fourth-graders at Chicago's McCormick Elementary School don't know Mandarin is supposed to be hard to learn. For most, who speak Spanish at home, it's becoming their third language. They've been hearing and using Chinese words since kindergarten, and it's now second nature to give a hearty ni hao when strangers enter the classroom.

Beijing Closes Poultry Markets: All the 168 live poultry markets in Beijing were shut yesterday as the authorities beefed up efforts to contain the spread of the bird flu virus.

UK seeks Chinese lead on climate change: Britain and China will seek this week to expand cooperation on cleaner technologies to tackle global warming during a state visit to London by Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Diaper Bag

You can order an Anne Geddes ladybug diaper bag from this site.

The Ladybug Diaper bag has been specially designed by Anne for the busy Mom. It's perfect for carrying all your baby gear and looks so stylish.

(Thanks Margaret!)

News

In China, Hunt on for Loch Ness Monster: Four people huddle on the edge of a floating wooden dock, eyes scanning this mountain lake near China's remote northwestern frontier with Central Asia. Small waves lap at their shoes.

Great Wall cries over graffiti: No one is a hero, a renowned Chinese leader once said, until he steps onto the Great Wall. Nowadays too many Chinese want to become "heroes", as they flood onto the Great Wall and carve their names on its bricks.

China Says Three Cases May Be Bird Flu: China announced Sunday that three people in which pneumonia was initially diagnosed, including a girl who died, are now suspected to have had bird flu. The government said it had asked the World Health Organization for help finding the cause of their illness.

Picture of the Day

A saleswoman displays the bottle-openers with the pattern of Chinese traditional opera's facial makeups at a store in Jinan, capital of east China's Shandong Province. Such bottle-openers are quite popular in the market because of its unique design and bright colors.

Couting to 10

This interactive web page helps you learn to count to 10 in Chinese.

(Thanks Bobbie from PAC!)

China Related TV

China Sprout posts a much-appreciated weekly guide for China Related TV listings.

Featured Flickr Photo

Guilin - Mountains
Beautiful, eh?

(Courtesy of Pistachio Picacho)

Panoramic Pictures of China

This site has some breathtaking panoramic pictures of China.

Christmas Cards

FujianKids.com has a selection of Christmas Cards with Chinese children and greetings in English and Chinese.

FujianKids is an orphanage assistance organization run by volunteer parents of children adopted from China. We sell a limited number of items as fundraisers. Because the cost of all items is donated, 100 percent of the purchase price goes directly to help children in Chinese orphanages.

News

New bird flu outbreaks hit Asia: China and Vietnam have reported new bird flu outbreaks, as Japan announced its first case in more than a year.

China winemakers get better with age: A slice of onion or lemon, some ice-cubes or a mixer of lemonade are some of the tricks Chinese wine drinkers use to help a glass of red slip down.

China's Ten Billionaires: Forbes Asia magazine published its list of China's 40 richest businesspeople yesterday and all the top ten were calculated to be US$-billionaires, compared to only three last year.

News

Archaeologists Find Oldest Chinese Dragon Totem: A 3,700-year-old antique in the shape of a dragon, made up of over 2,000 pieces of turquoise, is believed by many Chinese scholars as the oldest Chinese dragon totem.

Top Brands Sue Silk Market: Five international fashion brands, Gucci, Chanel, Burberry, Prada and Louis Vuitton, are jointly suing the company that runs the capital's Silk Market and five of its stalls for selling counterfeit products.

Nurses learn to take care of AIDS orphans: As the HIV infected rate continues to rise, the number of AIDS-caused orphans grows as well. According to statistics from the Ministry of Health, the number of such children standsbeyond 80,000, all living under stigma and discrimination.

News

1.5m Chinese 'descendants of one man': Research into an unusually high prevalence of a particular set of genes in China has suggested that 1.5 million Chinese men are direct descendants of Giocangga, the grandfather of the founder of the Qing dynasty.

Rural Dwellers to Be Granted Urban Rights: A landmark initiative to abolish the division between "rural residents" and "urban residents" is being developed by 11 Chinese provinces.

China finds ancient observatory: Archaeologists in northern China have reportedly found one of the world's oldest observatories.

Main Ingredient in KFC Soup Confirmed Toxic: A meeting was held Monday by the Food Safety Experts Committee under the Guangdong Food and Drug Administration to evaluate if "Tianluxiang" (Sauropus androgynus), a major ingredient used in soup produced by fast-food giant KFC, was toxic.

Article on Gender Gap

Viral Theory on China Gender Gap: In a soon-to-be-published paper in the Journal of Political Economy, Harvard economist Emily Oster contends that the gender disparity in some parts of Asia is linked to the prevalence of the hepatitis B virus.

Local Story

My little China girl: PICTURE the scene. You're in a meeting room in an hotel in a remote Chinese city, waiting nervously with another family from Wales and one from England. Footsteps grow louder and suddenly the doorway is filled by seven people - a man, three women and three babies.

Cinderella 2005

L's in her hand-sewn Halloween costume (courtesy of her Grandmother!)

Witch 2005

E's in her hand-sewn Halloween costume (courtesy of her Grandmother!)