We refuse the dying
Reverse with age and time
A filthy stagnant pond
Will not create the beauty we desire.
The leaves are falling up into the sky
Landing back on mother branches
Turning from a brown to red then green
As a sightless wind breezes through my mind.
A horse without a hitching post
Will travel aimlessly world to world
Looking for the greener pastures
That were promised when time was innocent.
Tinted windows will create a cryptic world
A foggy mist to cloud our eyes
We smile without joy and cry dusty tears
An empty shell, a waterless well.
Fill me up with your humanity
The honey from your hive
Shelter me with love’s lost promise
Hitch me to your post and I’ll be
I’ll be
I’ll be
Alive.
But mostly…..I’ll be
Saturday, June 28, 2008
Friday, June 27, 2008
Visiting the Georgia Aquarium!
Hey hey everybody! I hope that your summer is going well. At least it actually feels like summer outside right now. I won’t complain about the heat though as long as my central air holds out! LOL!
Lisa and I just got back from a fabulous 9-day vacation to the south. We headed out on May 16th and returned home on the 25th. I love to go on long trips. There is something about watching the landscape change. As you travel south, you can watch the trees change from hardwoods to pines to palms. It is something to see. Of course, the hills and mountains flatten out as you get closer to the ocean! And the ocean air! It is surely something. I just love that smell!
Our first day of traveling took us to Atlanta, Georgia. We checked into a Ramada and had a good night’s sleep after a long day of traveling. I know that it doesn’t take that long to get to Atlanta…about 5 hours. But…Lisa and I always take our time when we are heading south. We only rush when we are heading back home!
The next day, we visited a truly remarkable place…the Georgia Aquarium. I have been to a few aquariums in my life, so I wasn’t really expecting anything all that special. Was I wrong! This place literally took my breath away!
The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia at Pemberton Place, is billed as the "world's largest aquarium" with more than 8.1 million US gallons of marine and fresh water housing more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species. The aquarium's notable specimens include four young whale sharks and three beluga whales.
The aquatic animals are displayed in five different galleries, Georgia Explorer, Tropical Diver, Ocean Voyager, Cold- Water Quest, and River Scout. They each correspond to a specific environment. At the left as one enters the aquarium is the Georgia Explorer exhibit, geared especially towards children. It features a number of touch tanks with rays and sharks as well as exhibits featuring sea turtles and the wildlife of Gray's Reef - a National Marine Sanctuary off the Georgia Coast.
The second exhibit, River Scout, also reflects regional environments. It features an overhead river where visitors can see North American fish from the bottom up. In addition to local specimens, this exhibit displays piranha, electric fish, and other unusual freshwater life.
The third section of the aquarium, Cold Water Quest, features animals from the polar regions of the world and contains most of the mammals in the aquarium's collection. This exhibit includes beluga whales in the aquarium's second largest habitat, California sea lions, Japanese spider crabs, and African black-footed penguins.
The fourth exhibit, entitled Ocean Voyager, includes the vast majority of the aquarium's water and almost 100,000 fish. This exhibit is designed to feature the life of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, and showcases the aquarium's whale sharks, as well as a 100 foot underwater tunnel and the world's second largest viewing window. Lisa and I really enjoyed going through this tunnel while the fish swam all around us!
The final exhibit takes an artistic turn, as the Tropical Diver exhibit features many curious and haunting forms of aquatic life including a living reef with live coral.
I have to say that I loved both the Tropical Diver exhibit and the Ocean Voyager exhibit the best of all. The Tropical Diver exhibit’s living reef was just fascinating. I felt like I was under the ocean…observing exotic fish like a scuba diver would! The Ocean Explorer was a favorite of many people, based on the size of the crowd. The large glass window opened up an undersea world that many people will never get to see for real. That is why aquariums are so great. They allow the everyday person to see what life is like in the vastly unexplored ocean.
Lisa and I had a great lunch at the café in the aquarium. The food is a little pricy, but we split a lunch. You can easily do this because the servings are HUGE. We had chicken tenders, fries, two drinks, and a chocolate chip cookie. The cost was $18…but we split the meal so it was like $9 each….a typical lunch cost.
One last thing that we had the opportunity to see was the 4-D adventure film that took us “under the sea.” It was a 3-D film so the fish and other onscreen characters appeared to be jumping right toward us. Also, the seats would splash drops of water to enhance the feeling of “realness.” The scene with the jellyfish even included fake tentacles that brushed against us so that it seemed like we were really there.
The Georgia Aquarium contains between 100,000 to 120,000 fish and other sea creatures, representing more than five hundred species. The aquarium's most famous specimens are the whale sharks and the beluga whales. These large sea creatures are a sight to see! Also, the Georgia Aquarium is currently the only one in the United States to exhibit a Great Hammerhead Shark.
I didn’t want to leave this fascinating place, but we still had to make it to Florida for the rest of our vacation. I’ll let you know about it next week! Until next week….class dismissed!
Lisa and I just got back from a fabulous 9-day vacation to the south. We headed out on May 16th and returned home on the 25th. I love to go on long trips. There is something about watching the landscape change. As you travel south, you can watch the trees change from hardwoods to pines to palms. It is something to see. Of course, the hills and mountains flatten out as you get closer to the ocean! And the ocean air! It is surely something. I just love that smell!
Our first day of traveling took us to Atlanta, Georgia. We checked into a Ramada and had a good night’s sleep after a long day of traveling. I know that it doesn’t take that long to get to Atlanta…about 5 hours. But…Lisa and I always take our time when we are heading south. We only rush when we are heading back home!
The next day, we visited a truly remarkable place…the Georgia Aquarium. I have been to a few aquariums in my life, so I wasn’t really expecting anything all that special. Was I wrong! This place literally took my breath away!
The Georgia Aquarium, located in Atlanta, Georgia at Pemberton Place, is billed as the "world's largest aquarium" with more than 8.1 million US gallons of marine and fresh water housing more than 100,000 animals of 500 different species. The aquarium's notable specimens include four young whale sharks and three beluga whales.
The aquatic animals are displayed in five different galleries, Georgia Explorer, Tropical Diver, Ocean Voyager, Cold- Water Quest, and River Scout. They each correspond to a specific environment. At the left as one enters the aquarium is the Georgia Explorer exhibit, geared especially towards children. It features a number of touch tanks with rays and sharks as well as exhibits featuring sea turtles and the wildlife of Gray's Reef - a National Marine Sanctuary off the Georgia Coast.
The second exhibit, River Scout, also reflects regional environments. It features an overhead river where visitors can see North American fish from the bottom up. In addition to local specimens, this exhibit displays piranha, electric fish, and other unusual freshwater life.
The third section of the aquarium, Cold Water Quest, features animals from the polar regions of the world and contains most of the mammals in the aquarium's collection. This exhibit includes beluga whales in the aquarium's second largest habitat, California sea lions, Japanese spider crabs, and African black-footed penguins.
The fourth exhibit, entitled Ocean Voyager, includes the vast majority of the aquarium's water and almost 100,000 fish. This exhibit is designed to feature the life of the Mesoamerican Barrier Reef System, and showcases the aquarium's whale sharks, as well as a 100 foot underwater tunnel and the world's second largest viewing window. Lisa and I really enjoyed going through this tunnel while the fish swam all around us!
The final exhibit takes an artistic turn, as the Tropical Diver exhibit features many curious and haunting forms of aquatic life including a living reef with live coral.
I have to say that I loved both the Tropical Diver exhibit and the Ocean Voyager exhibit the best of all. The Tropical Diver exhibit’s living reef was just fascinating. I felt like I was under the ocean…observing exotic fish like a scuba diver would! The Ocean Explorer was a favorite of many people, based on the size of the crowd. The large glass window opened up an undersea world that many people will never get to see for real. That is why aquariums are so great. They allow the everyday person to see what life is like in the vastly unexplored ocean.
Lisa and I had a great lunch at the café in the aquarium. The food is a little pricy, but we split a lunch. You can easily do this because the servings are HUGE. We had chicken tenders, fries, two drinks, and a chocolate chip cookie. The cost was $18…but we split the meal so it was like $9 each….a typical lunch cost.
One last thing that we had the opportunity to see was the 4-D adventure film that took us “under the sea.” It was a 3-D film so the fish and other onscreen characters appeared to be jumping right toward us. Also, the seats would splash drops of water to enhance the feeling of “realness.” The scene with the jellyfish even included fake tentacles that brushed against us so that it seemed like we were really there.
The Georgia Aquarium contains between 100,000 to 120,000 fish and other sea creatures, representing more than five hundred species. The aquarium's most famous specimens are the whale sharks and the beluga whales. These large sea creatures are a sight to see! Also, the Georgia Aquarium is currently the only one in the United States to exhibit a Great Hammerhead Shark.
I didn’t want to leave this fascinating place, but we still had to make it to Florida for the rest of our vacation. I’ll let you know about it next week! Until next week….class dismissed!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Happy Father's Day!
Hey hey everybody! Today was the day that we take time to celebrate dads around the world. At the Fugate household, this was the day that we celebrated Father’s Day for all of the dads in the family. We also celebrated my Uncle Junior’s birthday. As an added bonus, it was a great chance to get everyone together for a reunion of sorts! It seems like everyone is so busy with their lives that it is hard to get together. But I have to say that today was just a perfect day for celebrating.
We had lots of guests at our cookout. My wife’s mother, Janet, came up to join in the festivities. My dad’s cousin, Donna Belle, and her two sons, Russell and Billy, came up. It was good seeing all three of them. Russell has been going to school at Morehead and working on a degree in computers. He is currently working at Sykes, and from what he told me, it is great place to work! They both are great guys whom I have known for EVER! Billy really enjoyed playing my Guitar Hero III game. He even had the look down with some totally happening shades! I think that he could go out on tour! LOL!
My mom’s brother, Robert, was able to attend the cookout. He was joined by his daughter Jennifer and all of her kids. I have to say that I am totally jealous of Jenny. She was super SKINNY! I didn’t even recognize her at first. All of her kids are great. They are so well-behaved. She has a done a fantastic job with them. They were all in love with our dogs, Sadie and Sassy. Sadie is a beagle, and she was just having a field day with all of the kids. They loved playing tug-of-war with her.
My Uncle George and Aunt Shirley came down from on top of the mountain. Their son, Gobel, and two daughters, Nancy and Dawn, were able to attend as well. Nancy’s daughters, Gina and Kayla, were here also. I am glad that they were all here. I hardly ever get to see them. From what my Uncle George and Aunt Shirley were saying, they had to fight the snakes back just to get out their front door. They have killed copperheads and rattlesnakes galore up where they live. LOL! I think that I will wait until winter before I go and visit them.
My Uncle Willard and Aunt Colleen finally showed up. We had eaten all of the food by then….LOL! Just kidding. There was tons of hamburgers, hotdogs, homemade potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, chips, coleslaw, three cakes, and ice cream. Did I mention that I am trying to lose a few pounds. Good luck, huh? Oh well….diet tomorrow and diet yesterday….but never diet today. LOL!
We all had fun playing games today. We played Guitar Hero III on the Xbox 360. Everyone was really getting into it….rocking out! Gina can even play it behind her back. Now that is just showing out…LOL. I’m just jealous Gina! You were great. Kayla even beat the game and was so pleased. Good going girls!
I finally got my Aunt Colleen, Gobel, and Dawn to play bowling on the Wii with me. If you haven’t played it, it is so cool. The game senses the movement of your arm and throws the bowling ball down the lane just like it would in real life. It is so cool. We all had a great time playing. Of course, Lisa had to come down and skunk everyone. She is just TOO GOOD! But I knew that when I married her (hi honey)!
We even got a visit from Adna Mae Noble. She was coming around collecting news for her community news article that she writes for The Jackson Times. I told her that I was going to mention her in MY article, since she was going to write about our cookout in her article. Hi Adna Mae! How was that orange cake?
All too soon, everyone started to leave. It was a good day, and I was sad to see everyone go. The truth is that when we say goodbye to someone that we don’t know for sure if we are ever going to see them again. Each day is a gift and each meeting of family and friends is more precious than any amount of money. I hope that each of you were able to spend the day with your families and friends. If you haven’t seen someone special to you in a while…what are you waiting for. Time is the only thing that they aren’t making more of….think about that for a while.
Until next week….class dismissed!
We had lots of guests at our cookout. My wife’s mother, Janet, came up to join in the festivities. My dad’s cousin, Donna Belle, and her two sons, Russell and Billy, came up. It was good seeing all three of them. Russell has been going to school at Morehead and working on a degree in computers. He is currently working at Sykes, and from what he told me, it is great place to work! They both are great guys whom I have known for EVER! Billy really enjoyed playing my Guitar Hero III game. He even had the look down with some totally happening shades! I think that he could go out on tour! LOL!
My mom’s brother, Robert, was able to attend the cookout. He was joined by his daughter Jennifer and all of her kids. I have to say that I am totally jealous of Jenny. She was super SKINNY! I didn’t even recognize her at first. All of her kids are great. They are so well-behaved. She has a done a fantastic job with them. They were all in love with our dogs, Sadie and Sassy. Sadie is a beagle, and she was just having a field day with all of the kids. They loved playing tug-of-war with her.
My Uncle George and Aunt Shirley came down from on top of the mountain. Their son, Gobel, and two daughters, Nancy and Dawn, were able to attend as well. Nancy’s daughters, Gina and Kayla, were here also. I am glad that they were all here. I hardly ever get to see them. From what my Uncle George and Aunt Shirley were saying, they had to fight the snakes back just to get out their front door. They have killed copperheads and rattlesnakes galore up where they live. LOL! I think that I will wait until winter before I go and visit them.
My Uncle Willard and Aunt Colleen finally showed up. We had eaten all of the food by then….LOL! Just kidding. There was tons of hamburgers, hotdogs, homemade potato salad, baked beans, deviled eggs, chips, coleslaw, three cakes, and ice cream. Did I mention that I am trying to lose a few pounds. Good luck, huh? Oh well….diet tomorrow and diet yesterday….but never diet today. LOL!
We all had fun playing games today. We played Guitar Hero III on the Xbox 360. Everyone was really getting into it….rocking out! Gina can even play it behind her back. Now that is just showing out…LOL. I’m just jealous Gina! You were great. Kayla even beat the game and was so pleased. Good going girls!
I finally got my Aunt Colleen, Gobel, and Dawn to play bowling on the Wii with me. If you haven’t played it, it is so cool. The game senses the movement of your arm and throws the bowling ball down the lane just like it would in real life. It is so cool. We all had a great time playing. Of course, Lisa had to come down and skunk everyone. She is just TOO GOOD! But I knew that when I married her (hi honey)!
We even got a visit from Adna Mae Noble. She was coming around collecting news for her community news article that she writes for The Jackson Times. I told her that I was going to mention her in MY article, since she was going to write about our cookout in her article. Hi Adna Mae! How was that orange cake?
All too soon, everyone started to leave. It was a good day, and I was sad to see everyone go. The truth is that when we say goodbye to someone that we don’t know for sure if we are ever going to see them again. Each day is a gift and each meeting of family and friends is more precious than any amount of money. I hope that each of you were able to spend the day with your families and friends. If you haven’t seen someone special to you in a while…what are you waiting for. Time is the only thing that they aren’t making more of….think about that for a while.
Until next week….class dismissed!
Thursday, June 12, 2008
Hatfield Reunion 2008 was a BLAST!
Hey hey everybody! I hope that you all have been having fun during this fine month of June. I know that I have. Lisa and I just got back from the 2008 Hatfield Reunion…and we had a GREAT time!
As you recall from last week, I informed you that I am not a Hatfield by birth….I’m a “married in” member. But I have to say that everyone at the reunion just went out of their way to make me feel like I was one of the family. This was the second year that we went and I am looking forward to next year’s reunion already!
The event was held near at Yatesville Lake in Louisa, Kentucky. We rented cabins nearby. Several people also camped in their RVs. This was the kind of camping that I enjoy. No leaky tents or sleeping on the ground here! We had a 2-bedroom cabin with bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room. It had color TV with cable and a really cold air-conditioner! Ahhh…..I was in camping heaven. Of course, some of the RVs that were there were nicer than many houses that I have been in. It seems that these Hatfield’s really know how to go in style. I guess that they have come a long way from their “hillbilly” days…LOL!
Most of the action took place under a huge tent canopy. This thing had to be at least 40 feet long and just as wide. Now when I say action, what I mostly mean is…EATING. The Hatfield’s really love to eat. As soon as Lisa and I arrived with her mom, Janet….we started eating. And we didn’t stop until it was time to leave on Sunday morning. There was just so much good food. There was the traditional fare of hamburgers and hotdogs, of course. But there were some real treats to be had as well. This included baked ham, smoked chicken, smoked beef and pork, deep fried catfish, a wide selection of salads and pasta salads, spiced potatoes, casseroles, fruit, soup beans, cornbread, rolls, something called sour kraut salad, and other items too numerous to mention. And did I mention the deserts? There was enough sweet stuff there to send at least 100 diabetics into a coma.
Unlike most reunions that I have attended with my own family (and there haven’t been that many unfortunately), this reunion had planned entertainment. On the first night that we were there, we had a skit night. Several of us had to dress up and perform in a dance contest. Some of the costumes included several of the men dressing up as “ladies of the evening” and some of the more mature members dressing up as “recreational schedulers” (referring to the ladies of the evening) and rappers. Two people dressed up as a throwback to the fabulous 80’s. We even had one of the guys dress up as an old granny! Yours truly had to dress up as a knight…complete with helmet, sword, and shield. My “princess” was a 6 foot 5 inch cousin of Lisa’s….and he wasn’t a woman! LOL! We had a great time hamming it up as he chased me around the dance floor.
The next night, the entertainment was an Imagine If game. Everyone broke into teams and had to answer questions based on the eldest of the Hatfield’s clan. We all had a great time coming up with answers to questions such as “Imagine if Henry was a feeling….would he be….” Of course, the choices were hilarious. I think that we all had a great time with that game as well.
That last night, we all sat up very late just talking. I felt very special to be included in the conversation as everyone was remembering past events. I could really tell that this family truly does care about each other….and they love each other. Unfortunately, you don’t see that a lot anymore.
Overall, the Hatfield reunion was an amazing experience. It just seemed to go by too fast. Now, we are just left with memories….and extra POUNDS from all of that food. So much for my summer diet. Oh well….I’ll start again this week!
Until next time….class dismissed!
As you recall from last week, I informed you that I am not a Hatfield by birth….I’m a “married in” member. But I have to say that everyone at the reunion just went out of their way to make me feel like I was one of the family. This was the second year that we went and I am looking forward to next year’s reunion already!
The event was held near at Yatesville Lake in Louisa, Kentucky. We rented cabins nearby. Several people also camped in their RVs. This was the kind of camping that I enjoy. No leaky tents or sleeping on the ground here! We had a 2-bedroom cabin with bathroom, kitchen, dining room, and living room. It had color TV with cable and a really cold air-conditioner! Ahhh…..I was in camping heaven. Of course, some of the RVs that were there were nicer than many houses that I have been in. It seems that these Hatfield’s really know how to go in style. I guess that they have come a long way from their “hillbilly” days…LOL!
Most of the action took place under a huge tent canopy. This thing had to be at least 40 feet long and just as wide. Now when I say action, what I mostly mean is…EATING. The Hatfield’s really love to eat. As soon as Lisa and I arrived with her mom, Janet….we started eating. And we didn’t stop until it was time to leave on Sunday morning. There was just so much good food. There was the traditional fare of hamburgers and hotdogs, of course. But there were some real treats to be had as well. This included baked ham, smoked chicken, smoked beef and pork, deep fried catfish, a wide selection of salads and pasta salads, spiced potatoes, casseroles, fruit, soup beans, cornbread, rolls, something called sour kraut salad, and other items too numerous to mention. And did I mention the deserts? There was enough sweet stuff there to send at least 100 diabetics into a coma.
Unlike most reunions that I have attended with my own family (and there haven’t been that many unfortunately), this reunion had planned entertainment. On the first night that we were there, we had a skit night. Several of us had to dress up and perform in a dance contest. Some of the costumes included several of the men dressing up as “ladies of the evening” and some of the more mature members dressing up as “recreational schedulers” (referring to the ladies of the evening) and rappers. Two people dressed up as a throwback to the fabulous 80’s. We even had one of the guys dress up as an old granny! Yours truly had to dress up as a knight…complete with helmet, sword, and shield. My “princess” was a 6 foot 5 inch cousin of Lisa’s….and he wasn’t a woman! LOL! We had a great time hamming it up as he chased me around the dance floor.
The next night, the entertainment was an Imagine If game. Everyone broke into teams and had to answer questions based on the eldest of the Hatfield’s clan. We all had a great time coming up with answers to questions such as “Imagine if Henry was a feeling….would he be….” Of course, the choices were hilarious. I think that we all had a great time with that game as well.
That last night, we all sat up very late just talking. I felt very special to be included in the conversation as everyone was remembering past events. I could really tell that this family truly does care about each other….and they love each other. Unfortunately, you don’t see that a lot anymore.
Overall, the Hatfield reunion was an amazing experience. It just seemed to go by too fast. Now, we are just left with memories….and extra POUNDS from all of that food. So much for my summer diet. Oh well….I’ll start again this week!
Until next time….class dismissed!
Going to the Reunion and Word about Vietnam Adoptions
As I write this, Lisa and I are preparing to travel about 2 hours away to attend a Hatfield reunion. Now, by birth, I am not a member of this clan, but I am a “married in” member since Lisa’s mom, Janet, is a true-blood Hatfield. Now, the reunion isn’t every Hatfield in the nation…or even the state. It is just the many members of Janet’s immediate family. Still, for an only-child like myself who grew up alone without brothers or sisters, a large family gathering where I can be involved is just a wonderful experience. I will inform you more about it in next week’s issue!
It seems that the heat of summer is finally starting to get here. I didn’t think that it would ever arrive. Only a few days ago, I was complaining that it would never get hot this summer. Yesterday, Lisa and I went to Jackson to do some shopping for Janet. Well, of course, it was an oven outside! I felt like I was in a sauna…which isn’t a good thing! I started to complain about the heat. Of course, that just goes to show, that if we aren’t complaining about one thing then we are complaining about something else. LOL!
We have been out of school for about three weeks now. It seems that all Lisa and I have done is run the roads! We have gone to Gatlinburg, traveled the Smokies, gone to visit our friends in Morehead several times, and have taken many trips to play bingo or to Belterra. We are getting ready to go to the Atlanta Aquarium and to Florida in a few weeks. I am really looking forward to seeing the aquarium in Atlanta. It is supposed to be really something! I’ll be sure to take lots of photos and post them on my Class Action blog. You can read my online version of Class Action at www.classactionarticle.blogspot.com .
Speaking of my blog, I tried my hand at podcasting the other day. In case you don’t know what a podcast is, I will try to explain. A “podcast” is a buzzword to describe a very simple concept: an audio or video file available on the Internet for you to listen to and/or watch. A podcast can also refer to a series of these audio or video files (similar to how a TV or radio “show” can be a series of shows or just one show). When using the word “podcast”, most people refer to the entire series and not just one audio or video file.
Break PODCAST down into two parts. First the POD: you can either listen to a podcast on your computer or transfer it to your portable audio/video device, which means that file is Portable, and it’s On-Demand because you can listen to or watch it when you want, where you want. The CAST means the file is sent out to you over the Internet, in the way a “broadcast” comes to you over the radio or TV airwaves. But instead of using a radio or TV, with podcasts you use a computer connected to the Internet, and on that computer you have a program that allows you to subscribe to, manage, and listen to or watch your favorite podcasts.
I have to say that my first podcast isn’t anything remarkable. It is just me, yak yak yak, with three of my favorite songs thrown in for good measure. But…for my very first podcast, it wasn’t that bad. I posted it on my blog. If you want to listen to it…and future podcasts…please visit my blog at www.classactionarticle.blogspot.com .
Moving on to another topic, Lisa and I are now number 189 on the adoption list! We are so excited to be moving down the list. We started out at 252 about 5 months ago. It seems like we have been working on this adoption forever, but it will be worth it when we bring little Jacob Bryson Fugate home. I only hope that things continue to work out between the two countries. In case you didn’t know, there have been some grumblings between the United States and Vietnam. However, the president of Vietnam is visiting the United States this month. I hope that they are able to work out an understanding so that the adoptions can continue without a needless delay.
Lisa and I have been working with the Joint Council on International Children’s Services in order to contact our members of Congress so that they will support A Child’s Right Campaign for Vietnam. We have been pushing this campaign because it supports:
• Recognizing the benefit of permanency services for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children of Vietnam, including family preservation, domestic and intercountry adoption and other child welfare services
• Recognizing that for permanency services to continue without interruption, a bilateral agreement between the Vietnam and United States governments must be negotiated and in effect prior to September 1, 2008
• Recognizing that the provision of services must be designed and implemented to serve the best interest of children and not create orphans or encourage abandonment or relinquishment
• Recognizing that child protection systems must effectively ensure that children and families are free from trafficking, corruption and abuse
• Memorandum of Agreement An interim Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be negotiated and signed with an effective date of September 1, 2008, and will remain in force until the Hague Convention is in full force in Vietnam.
Hopefully, everything will work out just fine. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! We appreciate all of the support that we have been receiving from our friends and family as we work to create our forever family. Thanks everyone! If you want to read more about our adoption process, you can visit our adoption blog online at alonzofugate.blogspot.com .
Well, it is just about time to roll out the door and make our way to the Hatfield reunion. Perhaps next year at this time, I will be writing about taking Jacob Bryson Fugate to his very first encounter with the Hatfield clan…only time will tell. Have a good week everyone. Until next week….class dismissed!
It seems that the heat of summer is finally starting to get here. I didn’t think that it would ever arrive. Only a few days ago, I was complaining that it would never get hot this summer. Yesterday, Lisa and I went to Jackson to do some shopping for Janet. Well, of course, it was an oven outside! I felt like I was in a sauna…which isn’t a good thing! I started to complain about the heat. Of course, that just goes to show, that if we aren’t complaining about one thing then we are complaining about something else. LOL!
We have been out of school for about three weeks now. It seems that all Lisa and I have done is run the roads! We have gone to Gatlinburg, traveled the Smokies, gone to visit our friends in Morehead several times, and have taken many trips to play bingo or to Belterra. We are getting ready to go to the Atlanta Aquarium and to Florida in a few weeks. I am really looking forward to seeing the aquarium in Atlanta. It is supposed to be really something! I’ll be sure to take lots of photos and post them on my Class Action blog. You can read my online version of Class Action at www.classactionarticle.blogspot.com .
Speaking of my blog, I tried my hand at podcasting the other day. In case you don’t know what a podcast is, I will try to explain. A “podcast” is a buzzword to describe a very simple concept: an audio or video file available on the Internet for you to listen to and/or watch. A podcast can also refer to a series of these audio or video files (similar to how a TV or radio “show” can be a series of shows or just one show). When using the word “podcast”, most people refer to the entire series and not just one audio or video file.
Break PODCAST down into two parts. First the POD: you can either listen to a podcast on your computer or transfer it to your portable audio/video device, which means that file is Portable, and it’s On-Demand because you can listen to or watch it when you want, where you want. The CAST means the file is sent out to you over the Internet, in the way a “broadcast” comes to you over the radio or TV airwaves. But instead of using a radio or TV, with podcasts you use a computer connected to the Internet, and on that computer you have a program that allows you to subscribe to, manage, and listen to or watch your favorite podcasts.
I have to say that my first podcast isn’t anything remarkable. It is just me, yak yak yak, with three of my favorite songs thrown in for good measure. But…for my very first podcast, it wasn’t that bad. I posted it on my blog. If you want to listen to it…and future podcasts…please visit my blog at www.classactionarticle.blogspot.com .
Moving on to another topic, Lisa and I are now number 189 on the adoption list! We are so excited to be moving down the list. We started out at 252 about 5 months ago. It seems like we have been working on this adoption forever, but it will be worth it when we bring little Jacob Bryson Fugate home. I only hope that things continue to work out between the two countries. In case you didn’t know, there have been some grumblings between the United States and Vietnam. However, the president of Vietnam is visiting the United States this month. I hope that they are able to work out an understanding so that the adoptions can continue without a needless delay.
Lisa and I have been working with the Joint Council on International Children’s Services in order to contact our members of Congress so that they will support A Child’s Right Campaign for Vietnam. We have been pushing this campaign because it supports:
• Recognizing the benefit of permanency services for orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children of Vietnam, including family preservation, domestic and intercountry adoption and other child welfare services
• Recognizing that for permanency services to continue without interruption, a bilateral agreement between the Vietnam and United States governments must be negotiated and in effect prior to September 1, 2008
• Recognizing that the provision of services must be designed and implemented to serve the best interest of children and not create orphans or encourage abandonment or relinquishment
• Recognizing that child protection systems must effectively ensure that children and families are free from trafficking, corruption and abuse
• Memorandum of Agreement An interim Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) will be negotiated and signed with an effective date of September 1, 2008, and will remain in force until the Hague Convention is in full force in Vietnam.
Hopefully, everything will work out just fine. Keep us in your thoughts and prayers! We appreciate all of the support that we have been receiving from our friends and family as we work to create our forever family. Thanks everyone! If you want to read more about our adoption process, you can visit our adoption blog online at alonzofugate.blogspot.com .
Well, it is just about time to roll out the door and make our way to the Hatfield reunion. Perhaps next year at this time, I will be writing about taking Jacob Bryson Fugate to his very first encounter with the Hatfield clan…only time will tell. Have a good week everyone. Until next week….class dismissed!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Tuesday, June 3, 2008
Monday, June 2, 2008
Post Workout Blog
Okay. Summer is here and that means a lot more time in shorts. That also means a lot more time spent outside.
I'll be the first to admit that I have sort of let myself go over the winter. I haven't really gained that much weight, but a little weight is a bad thing. I don't want to start down that slippery slope again.
I have been working out on my BowFlex this week. I need to get into a regular schedule. I'm not trying to bulk up or get that BowFlex body...but I would like to tone up a little. I've been walking 2 miles on the treadmill. Lisa and I have also been walking 2 miles each evening outside.
Hopefully we will get our pool pad fixed so that we can set up our pool soon. Swimming is great exercise.
I will keep you all posted on my progress. I would like to lose about 30 pounds before school starts again. That would be a good thing.
Later!
I'll be the first to admit that I have sort of let myself go over the winter. I haven't really gained that much weight, but a little weight is a bad thing. I don't want to start down that slippery slope again.
I have been working out on my BowFlex this week. I need to get into a regular schedule. I'm not trying to bulk up or get that BowFlex body...but I would like to tone up a little. I've been walking 2 miles on the treadmill. Lisa and I have also been walking 2 miles each evening outside.
Hopefully we will get our pool pad fixed so that we can set up our pool soon. Swimming is great exercise.
I will keep you all posted on my progress. I would like to lose about 30 pounds before school starts again. That would be a good thing.
Later!
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