The Universe is playing Yo Yo with my Emotions

My agency called me after posting the previous blog and clarified something.  The adoptions that are on hold are for abandoned children and not children who are given up.  Parents who give up their children will have to go through a DNA test to prove they are the biological parents.  So the agency said they are pressing on, but it will take a little longer.

Time for Another Decision

August 6, 2010 - Effective immediately, the U.S. government is suspending new adoption petitions and related visa issuances for children from Nepal who allegedly were abandoned by their parents. After investigation, the State Department has determined that documents presented to prove the abandonment of children in Nepal are unreliable.

Ready for the next 10 years

I don't have much to report.  I did apply for my new passport and it only took 8 days to get it.  I couldn't believe that I got it so quick.  I am not use to government agencies working so efficiently.  So I am good to travel overseas for the next 10 years.  Now I am itching to go on a trip.  I really need a beach get away.  Nepal does not have any beaches so I will have to get in a trip before then.  Anyone up for Mexico?

Adios!

Nepal

I met a man from Nepal this week.  Well I should say that I have known a man from Nepal, but I didn't know he was from Nepal.  His name is Mohan and he lives in Atlanta.  Mohan works at the Hilton where I stay when I am in Atlanta.  He supervises the waitstaff at the hotel's restaurant.  I have known Mohan (obviously not well) for about a year and a half now, but I see him at breakfast and I am very sleepy and not in a mood to converse.  I happened to catch a glimpse at Mohan's name tag this week and I saw that he was from Nepal.  I struck up a conversation with him and he was very excited to find out that I am adopting from Nepal.  Over the 3 mornings that I was in Atlanta Mohan and I got to know each other.  He is a very nice man and he has lived in the US for 22 years. He said that there were 18 Nepalese in Atlanta when he came to the US and there are now 2000.  He still has family in Nepal and said he will help me with anything he can.  Mohan is my new best friend.  He even gave me advice on which hotels to stay in when we go to Nepal.  Unfortunately there is not a Hilton there so I can't use my Hilton points.  The Karma continues to improve!

Update

After all of the negative news that has been in the press and put out by the State Department about Nepalese adoptions, I received some good news this week.  This week my advisor at the agency participated in a conference call that included representatives from the State Department and other government agencies.  The U.S. Government is not planning on suspending adoptions from Nepal and they are sending a group to Nepal to make sure everything is running appropriately.  I was told that the conference call was very positive.

I was also told that my application for adoption has been approved and I should expect a referral in 3 to 6 months.  That was exciting news.

How long now?

I was recently asked how long it will take now that my dossier is in Nepal.  The truth is I have no idea.  They have a year to find a child for me, but no one thinks it will take that long.  I am just in waiting now.  The only thing I have to work on now is renewing my passport.  It expires in January so I need to get it renewed now.

Thanks again to all of the well wishers and for all of the advice.  I hope everyone has a great weekend.

R

Ministry of Women and Children

I did not get a chance to talk with my advisor at the agency this week, but she did email me to say that the Embassy has sent my application for adoption to the Ministry of Women and Children in Nepal.  Now I just am in the wait and see mode.