winter 2014 newsletter

China’s Children International !

Winter 2014!

[email protected] !Chinaschildreninternational.org !Facebook.com/groups/chinaschildreninternational !Cci-chinaschildren.blogspot.com !Twitter @CCI_Int !Skype: Chinaschildreninternational !Youtube.com/user/chinachildrenint !chinaschildreninternationalblog.tumblr.com !

缘分 Yuán Fèn

Serendipity

Table of!Contents!

China’s Children International- Winter 2014!

Table of Contents:!3.  Messages from CCI!

4.  Announcements!

6.  Feature- Adoptee Photo Collage!

7.  Adoptee IN Action!

8.  Feature- Chinese New Year!

9.  Feature- Sun Travel Winner!

10.  Culture Corner- Fashion!

12.  Feature- Half the Sky Youth Conference!

13.  Adoptee Essays- Why I am Proud to be a Chinese Adoptee!

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Messages from!CCI!


Messages from CCI:!

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From the Editor: Hello everyone! The theme of CCI’s winter 2014 newsleCer is “Why I am Proud to be a

Chinese Adoptee.” ALer deciding on this topic, I couldn’t wait to read the range of submissions that I would receive in response. Before now, I had never given any conscious thought as to if I was proud to be a Chinese adoptee, much less why I would be proud to be a Chinese adoptee. However, the more I thought about it, I realized that in asking why one might be proud to be a Chinese adoptee, there are two possible interpretaSons. Are you proud to have been adopted? Or are you proud to be living as an adopted person from China in the world today?

While I am not necessarily proud to have been adopted from China because it was an event far beyond my own control, I am very proud to be living as a Chinese adoptee in today’s world. This is because I truly believe that the Chinese adopSon community can become a powerful global force that can bring about great social change as Chinese adoptees compel society to reconsider how it treats race, gender, naSonality, and family. Chinese adoptees are a force to be reckoned with and CCI is an important tool in uniSng them together and helping their voices to be heard. Therefore, on behalf of CCI, I sincerely thank you for taking the Sme to read about why the members of the CCI community are proud to be Chinese adoptees.

All the Best, Hannah

From the CCI Board: Hi CCI! We don’t want to take up too much of your Sme or of Hannah Lyon’s beauSful

newsleCer’s space with our message, so we’ll keep it short. We just wanted to say that we love being a part of CCI because we love hearing your unique voices.

We’ve recently changed our mission statement to read: Our mission is to empower Chinese adoptees from all over the world by providing an inclusive and supporSve community for all of us who share this common beginning.

Why did we do that? CCI is certainly about creaSng a supporSve community and bringing adoptees together. This by itself is an important and meaningful task. Yet, at the same Sme, we like having a direcSon and a purpose to our community. We believe that building a strong community is a posiSve and effecSve way to harness our collecSve power to speak out, and we want adoptees to feel comfortable and proud sharing their voices.

And with this newsleCer, we’ve taken one of the first steps toward speaking out. Remember, CCI is for you, the Chinese adoptee, so if we’re not focusing on what you think is important, or you disagree with anything, you’re always welcome to speak your own voice. Enjoy!

The CCI Leadership Team, CharloCe CoCer, Laney Allison, KaSe Holz, Hannah Lyon, and Jessie Lutz

Announcements!


Announcements:!Adoptee Only Facebook Group

Half the Sky Tee Shirt Fundraiser!A liCle over a year ago, CCI started a t-‐shirt fundraiser in order to raise money for the non-‐profit organizaSon, Half the Sky. CCI is thrilled to say that, as of today, we have raised over 400 dollars, $322 of which have been sent to Half the Sky. With your purchase of a CCI t-‐shirt, our community has come together and given back to an organizaSon that beCers China’s Social/ Child Welfare InsStutes. Thank you everyone for your support of our community and fundraiser. If you have not purchased a t-‐shirt and would like to purchase one, please visit our website’s fundraiser page.

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Here’s the graphic found on the HTS tee shirts.

TEE SHIRTS NOW ON SALE FOR $13 USD!

CCI has recently launched an adoptee only group on Facebook in order to facilitate conversaSon exclusively among adoptees and provide a more inSmate sedng for adoptees to openly share their thoughts with their peers.

To become a part of the group, you must be a Chinese adoptee, be fiLeen years or older, be a member of CCI’s main Facebook group, and be friends on Facebook with CCI’s China Children account.

This group will act as an extension of our monthly adoptee only chats, each month taking on a new theme for discussion with four sub-‐topics for each week of the month. January’s theme was Adoptee OrganizaSons and members discussed a wide range of Adoptee OrganizaSons, an outline of which is available on the group’s Facebook page. The theme will change each month and will be decided by a poll taken through this adoptee only Facebook group.

Next chat: February 7, 2014 at 9 p.m. EST

Announcements!


Announcements:!

CCI Book Club

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CCI commiCee member, Nicole, is starSng a book club for the CCI community, a book club! From March to May, CCI will host a book club on “Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother” by Xinran.

As many of you know, this past year CCI shared the “Message from an Unknown Adoptee” special ediSon newsleCer, an ongoing project that features leCers from adoptees to their birthparents. Xinran’s book, “Message from an Unknown Chinese Mother”, was our inspiraSon behind the project. Her book reveals the true stories of mothers who gave up their children, most of whom are girls, due to various circumstances.

Please note that these stories contain mature subjects and touch on issues that may be parScularly sensiSve or upsedng for adoptees. For that reason, we recommend the book is more appropriate for people 16 years and older. However, if you are under 16 and sSll want to take part in the book club, then you may ask a parent or guardian for permission. The book club will take place through Facebook chats (similar to the monthly chats). The schedule is as follows:

Saturday, March 1 at 9pm EST: Chapter 1 Saturday, March 8 at 9pm EST: Chapter 2 Saturday, March 15 at 9pm EST: Chapter 3 Saturday, March 22 at 9pm EST: Chapter 4 Saturday, March 29 at 9pm EST: Chapter 5 Saturday, April 5 at 9pm EST: Chapter 6 Saturday, April 12 at 9pm EST: Chapter 7 Saturday, April 19 at 9pm EST: Chapter 8 Saturday, April 26 at 9pm EST: Chapter 9 Saturday, May 3 at 9pm EST: Chapter 10

*To submit to CCI’s “Message from an Unknown Adoptee” project, please visit: hCp://www.chinaschildreninternaSonal.org/message-‐from-‐an-‐unknown-‐adoptee.html

*To find out more about Xinran, please visit the website of her organizaSon: hCp://www.mothersbridge.org/

Announcements!


Announcements:!Mentor Me

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Pen Pal Coordinators (2): We have posiSons open in our CCI commiCee for two pen pal coordinators. The pen pal coordinators would work together to run our pen pal program, which includes promoSng the pen pal program, pairing pen pals based on common interests, and keeping organized, current records of those who have signed up. We are looking for applicants who are extremely organized and responsible and who have extensive experience working for student organizaSons. Prior experience with China's Children InternaSonal is preferred, but not required. Resources Coordinator: We have a posiSon open in our CCI CommiCee for one resource coordinator. The resource coordinator would work to compile an extensive pool of adopSon / China related resources for our members which will be featured on our website. We are looking for a strong researcher, communicator, and writer who is extremely self-‐moSvated and accustomed to taking iniSaSve. Prior experience working with the adoptee community is strongly preferred. Media Designer: We also have a posiSon open in our CCI CommiCee for one website designer. The website designer would be responsible for the design and layout of our website. They will also be called upon to help with media creaSon such as promoSonal videos or posters. Applicants will be required to submit a sample piece. Apply Here: hCp://www.chinaschildreninternaSonal.org/join-‐the-‐commiCee.html ApplicaLons are open unLl all posiLons are filled.

CCI Committee- Apply To One of Four Positions

IntroducLon: The Mentor Me Program is an open forum for Chinese adoptees and their parents to ask quesSons that will be answered by adoptees 16 years and older. The purpose of this forum is to establish an open and supporSve environment for CCI members and their parents to communicate with other members.

Terms of Use: We suggest that submissions from younger adoptees be made with the assistance of their parent or guardian. For privacy purposes, names will not be included in the Q&A secSon. Depending on how many quesSons CCI receives the previous week, your quesSons may or may not appear in the following week’s forum. However, all quesSons submiCed will be archived and used at some point in our open forum.

Announcements!


Announcements:!CCI/Sun Travel Adoptee Volunteer Trip

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CCI has partnered with Sun Travel USA to host an adoptee volunteer trip on which adoptees will have the chance to travel to Beijing and Xi’an to volunteer in orphanages, teach English in local schools, and sightsee. The tour includes trips to Tiananmen Square, the Great Wall, the TerracoCa Warriors and Horses Museum, and many local cultural acSviSes. This trip is an opportunity for adoptees to give back, make friends, travel, and connect to their heritage.

This trip was designed for high school adoptees (ages 15-‐18), college students, and other young adult adoptees, however parScipants under 15 can parScipate if accompanied by a parent. Being a member of CCI is not a requirement to parScipate in this trip.

Dates: July 17-‐ July 31, 2014 Cost: $1650 per person, excluding internaSonal airfare and visa fees

Apply by emailing [email protected] or [email protected] for more informaSon or visiSng hCp://suntravelusa.net/AdopteeVolunteerCamp.html

Read more about this trip here: hCp://www.chinaschildreninternaSonal.org/ccisun-‐travel-‐adoptee-‐volunteer-‐camp.html

Adopteen is a fun-‐filled overnight camp/conference for teens adopted from China. This summer’s conference will be held in Toledo, OH, July 24-‐27. The campers will stay on a university campus where they will make friends, aCend interesSng workshops, play games, and visit an amusement park. Spots will be available for a limited number of teens from 13-‐19 years old. Adopteen also offers two volunteering trips in China for adoptees that will take place this Spring and Summer. RegistraSon and more details will be released on Adopteen’s website Feb. 21, 2014(hCp://www.chinaadopteen.org/).

Adopteen Confernce

Feature!

China’s Children International- Winter 2014!8

Adoptee Photo Collage!In honor of Na8onal Adop8on month, CCI, inspired by a similar collage compiled by the Korean adop8on community, asked its members to submit their referral or baby photos to be put into a photo collage. Photos arranged by CCI board member Ka8e H. Check it out below!

Adoptee!In Action!


Adoptee in Action:!

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Hello, my name is Mia. I am 15 years old, a sophomore in high school, who lacks the wisdom that “sophomore” implies. I am just another boring Asian with stereotypically high

academic standards and blah blah blah… But aside from that, there are a few, more interesSng things about me. I was adopted at age 9 and a half in 2007, from Yiyang,

Hunan. I absolutely and uCerly love skiing and I aspire to excel at it. I also like to read and hang out with friends as well as play badminton, Ping Pong, solve the Rubik’s Cube and climb. I have eaten and enjoyed snake. I lack in the “achievements” department, unless you count things like some adults, (including my mother!) who believe having lived in 2

countries and mastered a second language and culture before the age of 12 are achievements! I also have some other talents like avoiding homework 24/7 and making

“good” art. My grades at school are mediocre; in my standards they are “catastrophic”. My favorite academic subjects are history, world languages and culture, linguisScs, math, science, and art. I returned to China with my parents in 2010 to adopt my sister, who is

also 15, and I visited my home city and orphanage; it was an interesSng, emoSonal trip full of contrasts.

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Happy Chinese New Year!!Check out these tradi8onal Chinese new year gree8ngs and try delicious dumpling recipe!

Characters Pinyin (romanizaLon)

PronunciaLon English

新年快乐 � xīn nián kuài lè shin nyen kwai le Happy new year!

恭喜发财 � gōng xǐ fā cái gong she fah sigh CongratulaSons and get rich!

新春大喜 � xīn chūn dà xǐ shin chu-‐in da she Wishing you happiness in the new year!

Feature!


Chinese New Year Dumpling Recipe!

Dumplings (jiaozi) 饺子 �

For dough: 250 g plain flour 125 ml cold water

Make dough: Put the flour in a large bowl, then add water, sSrring with a wooden spoon unSl a shaggy dough forms. Turn out dough (including any loose flour) onto a work surface and knead unSl smooth, about 5 minutes. If the dough is too sScky, mix in some extra flour. If it seems a bit dry, sprinkle with a bit of water. Form into a ball and cover well in plasSc wrap. Let stand at room temperature at least 30 minutes.

For the filling: 500 g ground pork 125 ml water 2 tablespoons soy sauce 2 tablespoons Shaoxing wine (or dry sherry) 1 egg 1 tablespoon toasted sesame oil 1 tablespoon minced peeled fresh ginger 50 g dried shrimps, soaked Sll soL, drained and finely chopped 500 g grated and chopped courgeCe (zucchini) 250 g finely chopped Chinese chives Salt and pepper to taste

Recipe by Vivian Pei from chubbyhubby.net/recipes/dads-‐shandong-‐style-‐jiaozi-‐the-‐best-‐dumplings-‐in-‐the-‐world/

Feature!


Happy Chinese New Year!

Make filling while dough stands: Put the ground pork in a bowl, and start mixing a bit of water in, sSrring in one direcSon only. ChopsScks are ideal sSrring implements if mixing by hand. ConSnue adding water, the soy sauce and the wine, sSrring all the while unSl the filling looks a bit sScky. You may not need all the water so don’t dump it in all at once!

At this point, add in the egg, sesame oil, ginger, dried shrimp, zucchini, chives, and salt if needed. Fry off a liCle paCy to check the taste; it should be highly seasoned and almost too salty, as it will be put into skins later on.

For the dipping sauce combine the following ingredients: 125 ml soy sauce 2 tbsp. Chinese black vinegar or rice vinegar 1 tsp. sesame oil 1 teaspoon of chili paste or oil (opSonal)

ASSEMBLY ALer the dough has rested, conSnue kneading 5 more minutes on a lightly floured surface. The dough should be elasSc, smooth, and not sScky. Divide the dough into two and cover the piece you aren’t using with some plasSc wrap. Roll the other piece of dough into an even rope, about 20cm long. Cut the rope into 1.5cm lengths to form about 30 pieces. Roll each bit into a ball and flaCen with your palm. Start rolling out each small disc of dough with a rolling pin that has been lightly dusted with flour into 7.5cm rounds, rolling from the centre to the edges, making the centre slightly thicker and the edges thinner. Remember to keep all unused dough covered when not using.

Line a tray with parchment paper or dust well with flour. Work on one dumpling at a Sme, keeping the remaining wrappers covered. Place about two teaspoons of filling in the middle of a wrapper. StarSng at one end, seal the dumpling together by squeezing to form a crescent shape. Place filled dumpling on the prepared baking sheet and cover with plasSc wrap. Repeat with remaining ingredients unSl all the wrappers are filled.

Feature!


Happy Chinese New Year!

Bring large pot of water to boil. Add enough dumplings to cover the base of the pot about one and a half Smes, sSrring to make sure none sSck to the base of the pot. Cover.

When it comes to a boil, add 250ml cold water. Cover and repeat two more Smes. When the water comes to a boil for the third Sme, the dumplings are ready. Scoop out with a sloCed spoon onto a plate and serve immediately with sauce on the side.

TO KEEP You can freeze uncooked dumplings for later use. Freeze dumplings separately on trays unSl firm, then put them in freezer bags. When cooking from frozen, cook exactly the same way as above.

For more Chinese New Year recipes, check out these websites!

hNp://www.foodnetwork.com/topics/chinese-‐new-‐year.html

hNp://spoonful.com/chinese-‐new-‐year

hNp://www.saveur.com/find/chinese%20new%20year

hNp://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/01/20/chinese-‐new-‐year-‐

recipes_n_1219815.html

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Sun Travel Contest!Sun Travel and China’s Children InternaSonal Youth Adoptee Leadership Contest 2014

China’s Children InternaSonal and Sun Travel USA are proud to announce the winner of our second annual Youth Adoptee Leadership Contest. CCI’s Youth Adoptee Leadership Contest rewards adoptees who have made a posiSve difference in the Chinese Adoptee community, and aims to empower adoptees by encouraging acSve leadership in future years. ParScipants submit an essay on what past leadership experience has meant to them, and then a winner is selected by the CCI board based on leadership qualificaSons, acSvity in the adoptee community, overall character, and communicaSon skills. The winner receives an in-‐China travel package from Sun Travel USA to act as a Student Mentor on one of its summer’s trips.

We were really pleased to see that the group of adoptee applicants we received far exceeded our expectaSons for this year’s contest. Each and every applicant was qualified as a prominent leader in both their own community and the adoptee community, and we are confident that each one would have brought something special to the trip.

This year’s winner and CCI Student Mentor is KaSe Neteler, an impressive adoptee who is an experienced traveler, having spent much of her life living in and traveling around Malaysia, and who has been a leader in the adoptee community / CCI for almost a year now. She is also a member of key club and holds experience working with children at her local church. We are confident that she will be a great Student Mentor this summer. Please enjoy her essay on leadership found on the next page.

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Sun Travel Competition!Sun Travel USA / China’s Children InternaSonal’s Youth Adoptee Leadership Contest ApplicaSon Essay from KaSe Neteler

SomeSmes, you have to wait for opportuniSes to lead. First, I was a helper, and eventually, I got to be a leader. I have learned that I enjoy working with children and other adoptees. So far, I have had a few parScularly memorable leadership experiences which include working with children at my church in two different sedngs, teaching Sunday school and teaching cupstacking. Another experience that is dear to my heart and means a lot to me is being CCI’s CommunicaSons Coordinator.

I have always known I was adopted and it has never bothered me. ALer I saw Somewhere Between, however, I felt differently. I realized that while I never really felt upset about being adopted, there was this void in my heart that I couldn't explain. When I returned from the movie, I remember looking up adoptee groups. I found CAL, but felt it was for older adoptees. Then, I looked for more adoptee groups in an aCempt to fill what was missing in my life. Eventually, I found China’s Children InternaSonal. My first impression was that it was a small organizaSon. When I found out they had a Facebook group, I wanted to join it right away. I also signed up for a pen pal. My pen pal and I started as acquaintances and quickly became friends. Later, I got accepted into the Facebook group and I was ecstaSc because the people were just like me: adoptees.

When the CCI staff announced they were looking for help, I thought I should apply and maybe I would be assigned a posiSon. I didn't care what I was assigned; I would be content with any posiSon. When I was assigned CommunicaSons Coordinator, I was excited, but I had no idea what to do. Luckily, I had an experienced member work with me on the first chat. ALer several chats, I got the hang of things. As CommunicaSons Coordinator, I host the Adoptee chats every month. Every other month there is either the casual chat or Chinese chat. For the Adoptee chats, I make a poll for topics that the group members get to vote on. Whatever topic is most popular will then be the chat topic. I research the topic and create some quesSons. During the adoptee chats I try to keep members on topic and try to keep the chat going. I enjoy meeSng new adoptees and hearing their opinions on the topics.

During my Sme as CommunicaSons Coordinator, I have learned that everyone has a different story. Some people don’t want to share their stories and some do. The chats combine both of those people and provide a safe environment for them to share their thoughts and opinions. I hope that others have learned to count on me to be there and prepare for the chat, no maCer how many or how few adoptees are there. Some leaders are teachers, others are listeners, sSll others, organizers. For me, a good leader is simply someone who makes a difference in the lives of others. They are people others can trust in and depend on.


Culture !Corner!

Culture Corner: Fashion!

Images from shanghaistylefile.com, wehear8t.com, wallstreetjournal.com, and voca8v.com

On Street Fashion:

Chinese street fashion is truly a world of it’s own.

While most Chinese street fashion is fairly “normal” by Western standards, it usually sSll has a disSnct “Chineseness” about it due to the heightened prevalence of certain styles, colors, materials, and fits. In general, comparing Chinese street fashion to Western street fashion, one would noSce that Chinese fashion is oLen more formal and elaborate than Western fashion with bolder colors, fabrics, and prints (read: leopard print, pleats, fur, etc.).

ContrasSngly, in addiSon to more “normal” styles, there are also the ou�its of the so called “Fashion Forward” whose choices in clothing, at first glance, seem tacky, truly outrageous at best. Some could even go so far as to call it a violaSon of every fashion rule ever made. Ever. But somehow, their zany ou�its are just so China. China is a place like no other, and the crazy street fashion is as Chinese as steamed buns or the Great Wall.

Upon conSnued viewing, however, you can truly see that the beauty of Chinese street fashion does not fall in the style per se, but in the ou�its’ representaSon of the cudng edge creaSvity and originality that is so characterisSc of modern Chinese society. Even further, in an interview on CNN, fashion magazine publisher, Hung Huang, said that fashion in China today is about self-‐discovery and introspecSon as people try to figure out the naSon’s place in the global sphere. Thus, through their wacky ou�it choices, Chinese ciSzens are experimenSng and innovaSng in order to show the world what China is capable of, striving to find their place in society and express themselves. And I believe that therein lies the beauty in Chinese street fashion.

By Hannah Lyon


Culture !Corner!


Vega Zaishi Wang 2012 Spring-‐Summer

Guo Pei for Rose Studio Jenny Ji 2011 Spring-‐ Summer

On Designers:

If China’s street fashion is a public display of what China is capable of, then China’s up and coming designers are publicly redefining what it means to be “Made in China”.

Many Chinese designers have been educated overseas at top design schools and have set up workshops in their homeland, creaSng insigh�ul designs that, like their lives and influence, encompass elements of both the East and West. These designers have set up stores in China and around the world, have showcased their designs during internaSonal fashion weeks, and have made a huge impression in the fashion world with their creaSvity and passion.

Some noteworthy Chinese designers include Vega Zaishi Wang, Ma Ke, Guo Pei, Lu Kun. Liang Zi, Jenny Ji, and Qi Gang.


Culture !Corner!


On Models:

More and more Chinese models are walking in fashion shows for top Ser designers like Prada, Chanel, Marc Jacobs, Coach, and more. Their presence in such fashion shows and magazine spreads is unprecedented as they are accomplishing many “firsts” such as Fei Fei Sun who recently became the first woman of Asian descent to be featured on the cover of Vogue Italia, a coveted offer in the modeling industry.

Pictured: Le_: Tian Yi; Center: Fei Fei Sun on Vogue Italia; Right: Xiaowen Ju

Other top internaSonal high fashion models from China include Liu Wen, Sui He, Du Juan, Ming Xi, and Shu Pei.

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Half the Sky Youth Conference:!

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Last November, China’s Children InternaSonal held our first Chinese adoptee conference at Boston’s Harvard University. The conference brought adoptees together for a meaningful day of discussions and presentaSons, all centered on the idea of creaSng a strong, healthy community.

CCI’s conference was part of the larger Half the Sky 2013 Youth Conference. The Half the Sky Youth Conference welcomed China Care Club members, CCI members, and CCI board members for a weekend of fun and learning. During the Half the Sky Youth Conference, presentaSons and panels educated members about Half the Sky and China Care’s life saving work in China, and workshops encouraged club members to think criScally about their programs and gave parScipants an opportunity to meet and share with one another in a friendly, open atmosphere.

Later, we broke up into smaller secSons, which gave the adoptee parScipants Sme to connect in a more inSmate sedng. Although our numbers were small, we had a great Sme learning about involvement in the Chinese adoptee community from organizaSons such as CAL / G2 and Adopteen, hearing more about each other through open discussion, and listening to our esteemed guests, Korean Adoptee, Sara Boxell, and Chinese adoptee, Dr. Mei Mei Ellerman. Both adult adoptees had wonderful and unique personal stories and perspecSves on adopSon to share, and we were able to hear both about Ms. Boxell’s commitment to the UMass Asian American Student Success Program and Dr. Ellerman’s extensive work both in academia and in social acSvism. It was so interesSng to hear from adoptees at many different stages of life, and we could tell that both presenters spoke from the heart.

Con8nued on next page…

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Half the Sky Youth Conference:!

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Con8nued…

All in all, it was a rewarding experience to meet all the parScipants. We found that there is something special that one cannot quite obtain from online interacSons. Online organizaSons have their benefits, but online organizaSons cannot provide everything. China’s Children InternaSonal hopes in the future to find safe opportuniSes for adoptees to build community the old fashioned way – in person!

Thank you so much to everyone who aCended and all who helped make our very first conference a success. We’ve got to start somewhere, and as we say, there’s nowhere to go but up!

To learn more about the conference, please visit our website( hCp://www.chinaschildreninternaSonal.org/youth-‐conference.html) or watch a video put together by CCI’s Jessie L. on the experience (hCp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XOC9vCGjI1A).

Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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By Melissa Yeung, 20, adopted from Tianjin

Why am I proud to be a Chinese adoptee you ask?

I’ll take a liCle spin on this quesSon and answer it from a different perspecSve. First of all, I’m so grateful that God placed me in a loving home here in America. I mean come on… What are the odds that, out of the 10.43 million people in my hometown, I was matched up with my family? Crazy stuff!!

Ok, so let’s start with the fact that I’m proud to be an American. I’m also slowly learning to be proud of calling myself an Asian American… But that’s another story for another Sme. Growing up in a very Caucasian neighborhood has brought many challenges and yes, I did wish for blond hair and blue eyes each and every Christmas. Due to that, the past decade or so has been a journey of trying to embrace, recognize, and appreciate the fact that I am Chinese. And no… The Chinese classes did not help, nor did being one of the best pianists in my school. Now, what did help was going to college and realizing that although I may look Chinese, I can sSll choose to embrace whichever side I want. For instance, I can be the “Chinese me” (who is well versed in Chinese culture) and swoon over Wang Leehom while watching Wongfu videos, or the “American me” that belts out to country music and eats carne asada fries as comfort food while speaking fluent Spanish.

Back to the quesSon… I’m proud that I can be a bridge. I can help the foreign exchange students from China learn English. I can also provide them support that allows them to feel a sense of belonging at a university that happens to be a whole Pacific Ocean away from their home. I can also help my non-‐Asian friends understand how and why my Chinese friends act and say the things they do. I’m proud that I can return to China to visit orphanages and show love to the kids. I can also do this in a way that is special because I am adopted from the very same city. I’m also proud that when I’m back in the States I can be a voice for these children. I give presentaSons in school and at church to raise awareness for orphans and provide a type of encouragement for those who are thinking about adopSng. Now I’ve used the word “proud” way too much so let me also say that with all of that comes a huge dose of humble pie! I mean think about it… I take no part in making myself Chinese so no credit should be given to me. In reality, I’m just given this unique opportunity to be a blessing to those who are Chinese or adopted.


Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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Why am I Proud to be a Chinese Adoptee You Ask? Con8nued…

All in all, I guess my first insSnct was not to say “Oh, hey I’m a proud Chinese adoptee!!!” Instead I wanted to take you on this roundabout journey in an aCempt to find a liCle inkling of truth in that statement. I’m proud to be an American (*cue Lee Greenwood song). I also happen to be adopted. And the fact I came from China makes the whole situaSon even more special because I can relate to so many people (maybe even 1.3 billion?). With that said I guess I can say I’m proud to be a Chinese adoptee and even more honored and blessed to be a bridge between two countries and two very different cultures.

Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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This is a picture my mom took of me a couple of years ago. I think it turned out to be a powerful photo. There's a nega8ve aftude towards things "Made in China". This photo makes people rethink the "Made in

China" label. -‐Jessie L.

Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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Why I am Proud to be a Chinese Adoptee By CharloCe CoCer adopted from Zhenjiang, Jiangsu at 5 months old

I am proud to be a Chinese adoptee because I am proud to be a daughter of two naSons. I am proud to be Chinese, and I am proud to be American, but I am most proud to be both. Perhaps, as someone who feels deeply Sed to both naSons, I can act as a bridge between two naSons and two cultures, contribuSng to the hard journey of fostering tolerance and understanding. As I’ve oLen thought, cultural diversity and understanding are oLen thrown around as buzzwords, but the journey toward understanding is long and hard, and oLen not very fun. But, I think, liCle by liCle, with each person I touch, I can help work towards a mutual soLening of assumpSons and stereotypes, and a gradual building of real understanding. Being an adoptee is a very unique posiSon and I feel honored to have come upon it.

I am also proud to be a Chinese adoptee because I am proud to be a part of such a vibrant and diverse community. First, I love being connected to and hearing from adoptees from all over the world. Just knowing that I am not alone is a never-‐ending source of comfort. I think it’s great that hearing other adoptees’ stories, quesSons, and experiences forces me to constantly reassess what I think I know about the adoptee experience. Secondly, I love gedng to know my fellow adoptees not just as adoptees, but also as people, that is, learning not just about where their journey started, but also how it has unfolded. Adoptees are not solely defined by adopSon, and I love learning why each adoptee is special in their own way. Whether they possess a commitment to social acSvism, a passion for photography, or a love for compeSSve swimming, I am so happy to share in the joys of other adoptees. I have learned that while we have this commonality about us, each of us has our own journeys, and the double presence of commonality and diversity makes us the amazing community that we are. Lastly, although I am of course proud of all the accomplishments that adoptees have achieved on their own, I am also hopeful for the changes and the accomplishments that we can make together. I truly believe that adoptees have the power to change the world and the world’s percepSon of internaSonal adopSon and adoptees.


Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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Why I am Proud to be a Chinese Adoptee con8nued…

Why pride though? AdopSon is as much about loss as it is about gain. As a Chinese adoptee, I have lost my home culture, my language, my home country; I have lost a life that I might have led in China; I have lost a birth mother and a birth family. I ache deeply for what I have lost. Furthermore, it’s not as if I had any say or part in creaSng my adoptee idenSty. And yet, I am proud to be a Chinese adoptee. I think trying to build my idenSty around pride plays into the idea of keeping a posiSve adtude -‐ and I strongly believe I need some posiSvity in this case. Of course there are negaSve sides to being an adoptee, and I can and should voice my opinions on those – oLen, difficult discussion is incredibly necessary. However, at the same Sme, how much can I bring naSons together, how much can I bring the adoptee community together, and how much can I change the face of internaSonal adopSon through only hosSlity and anger? I have the ability to change my adtude, and I believe that posiSvity fosters the most change. As MarSn Luther King Jr. once said, “Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” I’m proud of being an adoptee, and I hope that I can portray this to the world.

Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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By KaSe Holz

I can think of many reasons why I dislike being adopted and being Chinese. SomeSmes I try to imagine what my life would be like if I was not adopted and was simply my parents’ biological child. I would sSll be the girl my parents always wanted, but I definitely would not be peSte or have almond-‐shaped eyes.

On the other hand, I can think of plenty reasons of why I’m proud to be a Chinese adoptee. I love being a part of a group of adoptees that have so much to offer to the larger internaSonal adopSon community. I love being a part of China’s Children InternaSonal because of all the connecSons and conversaSons I have had with other Chinese adoptees. I love working on projects that are meaningful to adoptees and parents. Simply by sharing my personal stories, I can inspire adoptees to feel comfortable talking about theirs with their families or with other adoptees—and that is truly wonderful. Who knew I could empower adoptees by finding my own voice and having it heard? When I find myself in situaSons where I feel out of place or I am reflecSng on the past, I realize that I am not alone in whatever I am experiencing. As I started to reach out to other adoptees and communicate my thoughts and concerns to others, my list of reasons of why I like being a Chinese adoptee lengthened and I am thrilled it did.

My Chinese adoptee idenSty has changed over Sme and it conSnues to change, but I am okay with that. There is no doubt that my life story would be drasScally different had I not been adopted or if I was my parents’ biological daughter; but I have to admit, I really cannot imagine it any other way. Being a Chinese adoptee is a huge part of who I am, and I have come to learn that it is not something I should be ashamed of—being a Chinese adoptee is something that I should be proud of and I am proud of it!

Adoptee Essays!


Adoptee Essays:!

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By Nicole, 17, adopted from Wuhan, Hubei at 15 months old

I oLen think about how one single incident determined the course of my life. I could have stayed in China. I could be speaking another language. I could be living on another conSnent. Anything could have happened, but one thing actually did. Fate made it so that I was adopted by the family I have.

I am proud to be a Chinese adoptee because I know experiences and have opportuniSes that only this life could have given me: I’ve touched olive green seaweed with the texture of pickles. I’ve tasted oatmeal chocolate chip cookies baking on Christmas Eve. I’ve heard enchanSng melodies echo through underground tunnels. I’ve smelled firewood smoking in a cast iron furnace. I’ve been dwarfed by mountains while feeling so infinite.

I am proud that I can bridge my American and Chinese idenSSes to form a unique individual.

I am proud that I belong to a community of adoptees who come from all over the world.

I am proud that I defy stereotypes and forge my own path.


谢谢你们！ �

Outside Sources:!Message from and Unknown Chinese Mother Cover: hCp://www.twoamericansinchina.com/2013/05/in-‐honor-‐of-‐mothers-‐day-‐how-‐i-‐learned.html Chinese New Year Dishes: hCp://www.chinahighlights.com/travelguide/chinese-‐food/chinese-‐new-‐year-‐food.htm Modern Mandarin Chinese Grammar-‐ Claudia Ross and Jing-‐heng Sheng Ma Horse Image: hCp://www.fwsisterciSes.org/celebrate-‐the-‐year-‐of-‐the-‐horse-‐with-‐us-‐in-‐january Sun Travel Logo: hCp://suntravelusa.net/ Fei Fei Sun Image: hCp://tomandlorenzo.com/2013/01/fei-‐fei-‐sun-‐for-‐vogue-‐italia/ Tian Yi Spread Photo: hCp://fashnberry.com/old/editorials/San-‐yi-‐by-‐stockton-‐johnson-‐for-‐vogue-‐china-‐october-‐2013/ Vega Zaishi Wang Design Image: hCp://www.vegawang.com/ Guo Pei Design: hCp://www.jingdaily.com/designer-‐guo-‐pei-‐launches-‐first-‐shanghai-‐bouSque/22116/ Ju Xiaowen Image: hCp://modepure.com/2013/03/08/xiaowen-‐ju/ Jenny Ji: hCp://www.lavie.com.cn/springsummer2011/springsummer2011.htm Webpages referenced to write the Chinese Fashion arScle: hCp://www.cnn.com/2013/11/19/world/asia/on-‐china-‐episode-‐14-‐transcript/ hCp://www.niwdenapolis.com/2013/06/top-‐asian-‐female-‐models.html hCp://models.com/mdx/china-‐rising/ hCp://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/arScle-‐2256569/Chinese-‐model-‐Fei-‐Fei-‐Sun-‐makes-‐fashion-‐history-‐Asian-‐model-‐grace-‐cover-‐Italian-‐style-‐bible-‐Vogue-‐Italia.html hCp://www.china.org.cn/top10/2012-‐11/06/content_27006189.htm hCp://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hung_Huang hCp://models.com/rankings/ui/Top50/ hCp://www.marketwired.com/press-‐release/china-‐manufacturers-‐wake-‐up-‐to-‐home-‐grown-‐talent-‐1231447.htm hCp://www.signature9.com/style/fashion/chinas-‐emerging-‐fashion-‐design-‐powerhouses hCp://www.vocaSv.com/11-‐2013/big-‐data-‐meet-‐haute-‐couture/

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Thank you everyone for reading! Hannah (CCI NewsleCer Editor in Chief)

winter 2014 newsletter

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