Wednesday, May 29, 2013

Coming Along....

As I’ve mentioned recently, I’m going through my first proof review of my book!  It’s exciting to finally see the layout and there’s a lot of pressure to get it just right (or at least that I’m putting on myself)…each and every sentence, the flow, the order and making sure I’m conveying exactly what I want to in each story…each chapter.  That’s just the inside!  I’m still working on the cover and now I need to start thinking about the back cover.  Yikes!  A lot to think about, decide and be excited about!  It’s a process and I’m taking it one step at a time! 
 
However, I am enjoying learning about a whole new industry as I publish my first book.  It’s something I never had on my radar, so to know it’s now a reality is amazing.  It reminds me that anything IS possible!  Even though it’s easy to say and I’ve said it many times over the years…probably more casually than anything…I’m not sure I truly believed it for myself.  For other people and their dreams, but not necessarily for me.  So, when I’m holding the first copy of my book it will be a true affirmation of proof that anything IS possible if you want it badly enough…and know you deserve it! 
 
So, thank you for coming on this journey with me and I hope you’ll enjoy the book as much as I have worked to put all my love, joy, fondness, admiration, tears and happiness into it! 

Sunday, May 26, 2013

Happy Memorial Day!

Happy Memorial Day!  To all the men and women who have served, sacrificed and given their lives for our freedom...we are grateful!  For the courage and bravery of all those who have fought defending our country, may God bless you!  And for all those wounded veterans all over the country who live with the realities of war (from WWI, WWII, the Korean War, the Vietnam War, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan) everyday, may you know how much your country, your community and your families honor, support and love you!!  Thank you for your service!

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Blown Away...

The devastating tornado that ripped through Oklahoma this week is a tragic reminder of how quickly things can change and how precious life really is.  When you are left with nothing but the clothes on your back you realize what's important in your life and what's not.  As most people who have suffered through an unbelievable tragedy know, what once was normal will never truly be the same again.  Loss can come in many different forms and be felt in many different ways, but it's still sad, hard to understand and shocking to the system.  How do we cope?  With God's grace, faith, belief in ourselves and what's possible tomorrow and of course with friends and family. 

So take just a minute...because something like a tornado doesn't take very long to destroy everything you have...and just be at peace and calm within yourselves and think about what is truly important in your life and what is not.  If it were taken away in that one minute, what could you live without and what would bring you to your knees.  Please pray for all those affected by tragedy this week and do your small part (whatever that is for you) to show those suffering what is possible tomorrow!

Sunday, May 19, 2013

Don't Ya Know?

I was talking to a co-worker the other day telling him about taking my parents to the Asian market for the first time a couple weekends ago (see previous blog entry, Clean up in Aisle....).   As I'm describing our first-time experience there, it dawns on me that he doesn't know I'm adopted and is probably wondering why it's our first time there and why we don't know what anything is!  So, I have to stop a moment and tell him I'm adopted. 

This has happened more times than not...me telling a story about myself or something to do with my family and just assuming that the other person knows I'm adopted.  Until I realize that they're either looking at my strangely...a little confused...or they're trying not to look confused at why I don't know much about my Korean background (culture, food, traditions, etc).  Sometimes people don't get it, but it usually pops up in my head that I now need to disclose this information to this person so they can see the full picture.

Does it matter?  Maybe not, but I guess I always assume whomever I'm telling my story to doesn't really understand where I'm coming from unless I tell them I'm adopted.  And once you tell them that fact you get a myriad of reactions and responses (depending on the person, of course).  I've had few that have had no response at all.  Most have some sort of reaction or response that isn't always what I expect.  But, now I come to expect the unexpected and find the irony or humor in the situation.  The co-worker I was speaking to had one of those no responses and went on to tell me more about the market and where I could find other Asian markets and strip malls around the metroplex.  Soooo, that's where they 'all' hang out!

Wednesday, May 15, 2013

Book Update!

It arrived today!  The first proof of my book!  I had been waiting all week for it to be delivered.  I wanted a hard copy of the first proof so that I could see the formatting and layout and hold it with my bare hands.  It's real!  As I've said before, each step of the process makes it more and more real for me!  So, I'm one step closer to the real reality!

I wanted to see the layout and how long the book would be.  I wanted to see how the front end and back end would look and work.  And the most exciting part..."First Edition. Copyright 2013. Kim Fenneman"  Holy cow!  Wow!

So, now my last major edit on my first book commences.  Don't over think it.  Does that flow right?  Is there a better word for that?  All questions I'm sure I'll be asking myself over the weekend while I meticulously edit my book.  Giddy and serious all at the same time!

It's coming!  It's going to be real!  Stay tuned.........

Sunday, May 12, 2013

Happy Mother's Day!

Happy Mother's Day to ALL the Mom's out there!  Happy Mother's Day to my Mom!  To all those first time Mother's, those adopting for the first/second/third time, those thinking about adopting and those that have sacrificed their child to a better life by giving them up...to ALL those Mom's out there, bless you!  You are our guiding light, a driving force, a beacon of stability and hope, and our foundation. 

Wednesday, May 8, 2013

Clean up on Aisle....

After the picnic this last Saturday, my parents and I went to check out an Asian market that several Asians had told me about.  I guess we were in an "Asian" mood, per se.  I mainly wanted to check it out because I was told there was a bakery inside, so I thought that would be a good way to experience some Asian food.  I figured it would be a smaller grocery store than the major chains, but this place was huge!  There were Korean newspapers out front, in Korean, and the bakery was right in the front of the market when you walked in.  It wasn't exactly what I thought it was going to be.  They had several different kinds of breads and pastries, but they were all made from the same bread, so it all tasted the same to me.  And yes, we tried several of the homemade goodies!

There were some smaller restaurants, like a food court in the market next to the produce section.  My dad was amazed at all the different types of fruits and vegetables they had in stock.  Being the farmer and gardener that he is, I think that was his favorite section.  We had not seen or heard of probably 1/3 of what was there...meaning, just in the produce section.  It was fun to check it all out, though.  They had homemade kimchee there, which is something I think you have to grow up on because it's not something I care for at all!  They had a huge seafood department, as you would imagine and some really "interesting" things there.  My mom didn't care for that section.  All the aisles were really narrow, not sure what that was about....skinny Asians, maybe?  But, there were huge bags of rice...like lawn fertilizer sized bags!  Lots of different types of noodles and TWO aisles of soy sauce!  Really?!  I had no clue what practically anything was, but it was a fun experience to go and look and learn about something new.  My parents were definitely intrigued, as well. 

The Asian market was located in a fairly big strip center.  All the establishments there, mainly restaurants, were all Asian owned/named/based.  Several of the signs were in Korean, Chinese, etc.  All types of Asian cuisine, service-type businesses, etc...it was very interesting.  We had no idea all that was there!  We're going to go back to one of the Korean BBQ places since so many people have told me to go.  Yes, again...I've never been...yet!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Let the Light Shine!

It was a beautiful May day yesterday...blue skies, cool temps, and a bit breezy at times.  A perfect day for a picnic...minus, the big gusts of wind!  So, that's what my parents and I did...attended a picnic for adopted children.  My adoption agency has finally started to host events in the Dallas area, so I've been able to participate over the past couple of years.  This was the first picnic I was able to attend, but they've been hosting them as long as I can remember up north, in Oregon and other cities...just nothing this far south...or at least not since I moved down here in the mid-80's.

As we drove up to the park, my dad said "This is the place.  There are Asian kids there!"  Ha!  Most of the families there had young children...more boys than girls, but they were all cute!  Most of the kids were from South Korea, one from India and one from Indonesia.  It was fun to go around to each family and meet their kids (both adopted and non-adopted).  It made my heart smile!  Just the pure innocence and joy of children...you can't beat it!  Several said "hi" to me and a few were fairly shy, but they all seemed to get along well. 

There were a handful of adult adoptees, too.  It was fun and interesting to talk to them and get their perspectives on being adopted.  I found myself thinking "Soooo there are other adoptees here (in the Dallas area)!  Where have you been all this time?!"  As the good and never-ending planner that I am, I ensured we got every one's email addresses so I could plan some happy hours or dinners in the future.

There was one family that my parents and I were drawn to instantly.  They were a young couple, but they had 7 children!  4 adopted children and 3 of their own children with another one on the way!  So, they'll have 8 children!!!  Wow!  Amazing!  They were so sweet and nice, loving and kind.  You could tell right away.  They had adopted a little girl and a little boy at separate times and then had gone over to China to adopt another little boy.  When they were there a baby boy had been left in an alley and brought to the orphanage.  When they saw him they just couldn't leave him.  He truly needed them.  So, they adopted both boys and brought them home.  One of the boys just had surgery on his legs and the other was deaf, so they were working with both of them.  What selfless and generous human beings!  I was just astonished by the size of their hearts and how they had opened their hearts and their homes to all of these children.  Wow!  I spoke to the mother who had some questions about raising their adopted children and I love sharing my experiences with adoptive parents because I know they always have questions.  As I've said before, it's your decision on how you raise your kids...that's not for me to say...I can just provide insight and my perspective and hopefully that gives you more information to make those decisions.

It was a beautiful day in May!  For the rest of the afternoon, my heart was beaming with the joy and smiles of all of those children! 

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Happy May Day...a day late!

Happy May Day...yesterday!  We celebrated May Day growing up in Iowa.  You were supposed to make May Day baskets for your friends and give them out on May Day...at least that was how we celebrated the day.  Of course, it seemed like my Mom and I always forgot with the flip of the calendar and were rushing around last minute to get goodies to fill our Styrofoam cups re-purposed into little baskets.  It became a fun tradition!  I haven't done May Day baskets since I was probably 7 or 8 years old.  What do you do for May Day?

Those fun traditions and memories that aren't huge to-do's or big events are usually the most memorable.  I think that's true in life.  It's the little things that make the most impact.  Thoughtfulness goes a long way in my book!  It's probably one of the traits I value most in people because it means they're listening to you, they're paying attention to the details and that they truly care about making your life a little (or a lot) brighter!

So, whether it's a national day that is recognized or one that you just make up...make those moments count with simple kindness, thoughtfulness and generosity towards others.  It can make a lasting impact on a child that can grow and blossom into more acts of kindness and giving.  Couldn't we all use a little more of that in the world?