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Korean American
Adoptee Adoptive Family Network |
News
January 9, 2010 |
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News About KAAN |
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KAAN 2010 |
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The 2010 KAAN Conference will be held in Harrisburg, PA from July 23-25, 2010. Our theme is The Road Ahead. This theme is relevant as Korea looks at closing international adoption, as racial discussions and perspectives continue to evolve in the United States, and as North Korea’s situation changes every day with questions of war, reunification, and human rights on the forefront. What wisdom can KAAN presenters and participants bring to these discussions? How can we listen and respond to each other and the world around us? How can we as a community support adoptees and adoptive parents of all ages? We are currently selecting workshops from the proposals submitted. We will begin adding workshops to the website at they are selected and speakers are notified. Check back often for updates at www.kaanconference.com We expect to be open for registration in February. |
A Euro-American on a Korean Tour at a Thai Restaurant in China : With
each chapter examining issues that interethnic adoptive families experience, Chris
Winston weaves her own perspective on her adoption experience with perspectives
related to her by her own children, adopted adults, other adoptive parents, birth
parents, Koreans, Korean Americans, and Asian Americans. While the book’s focus
is on experiences with Korean adoption, the experiences are transferable to inter-ethnic
adoptions from any country. Author's
speaking engagements... |
Pushing Up the Sky : This is the story of a remarkable family facing
incredible challenges of cancer while simultaneously figuring out how to weave their
adopted children's Korean heritage and racial ethnicity into their family. It is a story of
compromises and insights, profound joy, deep suffering, and terrific rewards. Parenting birth
and adopted children — is one theme of this book. Most of all, it is a story on the meaning
of family, and learning to let go of expectations and to forge a new identity. Author's
speaking engagements... |
| Proceeds from book sales support the KAAN Conference. Purchase your copy at www.kaanet.com/books/ | |
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While international adoptions to the U.S. hit a 13-year low in 2009, South Korea stands out as the only country ? besides Ethiopia ? that increased international adoptions to the U.S. over
this past year. Read More: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr |
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Even as the latest figures show a continuing multi-year decline in the number of U.S. children adopted from other countries, a U.S. government survey released in November finds that most
of these international adoptees are in good health and fare well on measures of social and emotional well-being. They get a lot of attention from their parents and generally do well in school. Read
More: http://www.america.gov |
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More families are traveling to China to unravel the mystery of where their adoptive children came from and who their parents are. For the few who are able to make any headway, luck is a
big factor. Read More: http://www.latimes.com |
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Achievement #1 This year, Anh “Joseph” Cao became the first Vietnamese American to serve in the U.S. Congress. Read more: http://www.nwasianweekly.com |
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While the recession has scattered its distress widely, without regard for nationality, many Koreans and Korean-Americans in the New York area worry that it is taking a particularly
heavy toll on their community. Read More: http://www.nytimes.com |
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Two years in the making, the hour called "The Lost Children" looks at a case of children taken from struggling Samoan parents and given to American families as part of a massive adoption scam. Read More: http://www.nydailynews.com |
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Ahn is considered a patriotic martyr in South Korea. A museum has been constructed in Seoul to honor him, and a memorial service is held each year on the anniversary of his death.
Read More: http://www.newworldencyclopedia.org |
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Ahn's act 100 years ago also touched the Chinese. A Chinese newspaper in Beijing at that time carried an article with the title: ``Don't Say Korea Doesn't Have People with Talents,'' calling
on its people to learn from Ahn's patriotic act against the Japanese aggressors that was conducted on its land. Read More: http://www.koreatimes.co.kr
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From Publishers Weekly Starred Review. Trenka shakes up literary expectations in a beautiful, ponderous record of moving back to her birth country, Korea. Adopted as an infant, Trenka
(The Language of Blood) was raised in the U.S.; in her latest, she faces lifelong feelings of inadequacy stirred by her move there, following an expired marriage (and several visits). Trenka uses her
struggle for acceptance in Korea-her blossoming relationships with blood relatives, her struggle to achieve fluency in Korean-to re-examine a life of similar challenges in America. Trenka employs anecdotes,
lists, newspaper clippings and other sources to create a multi-pronged approach to the idea of "home," though some techniques (like odd collections of key words) can be a distraction. Trenka tackles her
bleak material with courage and grace, raising interesting questions, but her charm also shines in simpler memories, like her account of childhood piano lessons gone awry. Available through
Amazon at http://www.amazon.com |
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She writes both as a person adopted from Korea and as an adoptive parent. http://korea-adoption.blogspot.com |
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Learn why Koreans are the only Asians to use spoons to eat both rice and soup regularly. http://www.buddhapia.com |
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Adoption Education
Founders Julie Drew and Katie Prigel Sharp saw the need for research based education that put practical tools into the hands of adoptive parents. Believing that most children adopted internationally or through foster care experience mild to moderate issues, Heart of the Matter Seminars seeks to “prepare, not scare” families embarking on their parenting journeys. http://www.heartofthematterseminars.com |
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"Stars Falling From the Sky" (aka "Pick the Stars"), is a new 20-episode drama series that premieres on SBS-TV network in Korea on January 4th, with two episodes showing there per week. Info on the series is at: http://wiki.d-addicts.com The plot involves a love story between a successful business lawyer, who was abandoned as an infant by his birth mother, and a 25-year old woman who is employed at the same company and is raising five adopted siblings after the tragic death of her/their parents. This series should provide viewers in Korea with much to ponder about their current views on adoptees and their struggles with life. For those interested in watching the series, English subtitles for each episode will start becoming available at http://withs2.com later in January, and each week's associated episodes (media files) will be available for download (for computer viewing) at http://aja-aja.com [Subtitle file can be linked to run with media file.] |
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Hello, My name is Cindi Kim and I will be conducting a research study as a partial requirement for a doctorate degree in the Graduate School of Social Work at the University of Denver. I would like to invite you to participate in a research study. This study attempts to gain greater understanding of the racialization experiences of Asian adult adoptees in the United States. For the purpose of this study Asian adult adoptees is defined as to those who are aged 25 years or older, who are racially and ethnically Asian, were born in Asia, and brought into the United States for the purpose of adoption. Racialization refers to the social practices of assigning racial and/or stereotypical categories to an identified racial/ethnic group in the United States. Hence this study will specifically focus on racial issues by getting at first hand experiences of adoptees by examining past and present accounts of racial experiences during different stages of development. Furthermore, this study is to better understand the individual’s life experiences as an adopted person. Participation in this study will be conducted through one or more face-to-face, phone and/or email interviews. The interview process could take 1 or more hours, during the course of 1 to several sessions depending on the interview needs. Participation will involve responding to number of questions about racialization experiences as an internationally adopted person. Information gained from this study could contribute to the general knowledge about the experiences of the adopted person including what issues and/or concerns prospective adoptive parents should be aware of when pursuing international adoption. If you are interested in participating in this study or know of someone who may be interested in participating, please contact me at 303-304-7756 or by email at: ckim2@du.edu. Thank you |
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The ASIA Korean Culture School is established to provide learning opportunities for Korean adoptees and their adoptive families so that they can learn about the culture of their birth country. It is a place where children can interact with other adoptees and feel pride in being who they are through fun and creative classroom activities. We believe it is important for Korean adoptees to have a connection with their county of birth while growing up and having a place that provides cultural learning opportunities on a regular basis. Our goal is to provide regularly scheduled events so that adoptive families will not lack cultural education and support that will potentially help their children build sound identities from a young age. The monthly Korean Culture School will be offered throughout Winter/Spring 2010 for children and parents. The school is open for everyone who is interested in learning about Korean culture including birth siblings. The target age groups are preschoolers (3-5 yrs old) and elementary school students (1st through 6th graders). While children are engaged in their classes, parents will have the option to participate in adult lectures and cooking classes. Children’s programs will consist of arts and crafts, music, play time and cooking lessons. Adult programs will be a combination of cultural lectures and Korean cooking lessons. Language classes will be offered in the future. Location: Trinity Presbyterian Church of Bethesda 7009 Wilson Lane, Bethesda, MD 20817, http://www.trinitybethesda.org Time: 9 a.m. -11 a.m. /Registration Fee: $100 per child/$75 per parent for five sessions Children’s program sample January 23 (4th Sat.)
Korean food February 13 (2nd Sat.)
Ancient and modern Korean culture March 13 (2nd Sat.)
Korean etiquettes April 10 (2nd Sat.)
Korean games May 8 (2nd Sat.) Korean Children’s and Parent’s Day celebration (This session will be open to non-registered families and children)
*Program content is subject to be changed by ASIA without an advance notice. Contact Grace Song at hwakangsong@gmail.com or 703-999-4206 for registration information. All Services for International Adoptees and Adoptive Families (ASIA), Inc. is a non-profit organization that is committed to assist internationally adopted persons to develop their identities through enriching education programs relative to their country of birth, to grow leaders among internationally adopted individuals so that they may contribute to society, and to gather and distribute information and resources to promote healthy adoptive families with children who joined their families from countries other than the USA. Check out our blog at http://asia-allservices.blogspot.com. .AOLWebSuite .AOLPicturesFullSizeLink { height: 1px; width: 1px; overflow: hidden; } .AOLWebSuite a {color:blue; text-decoration: underline; cursor: pointer} .AOLWebSuite a.hsSig {cursor: default} |
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ASIAN AMERICAN
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Hello friends, Is learning or improving your Korean one of your resolutions for 2010? If so, get excited and enroll for Nodutdol's Korean language class. If you are interested, please contact us at Please see below for the class schedules. BEGINNER II: LOW-INTERMEDIATE: + Classes are held in Mid-Manhattan. Each class will be small (a maximum of 10 + Tuition : $300 per 10-week session |
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Incheon, Korea's third-largest city, won the bid to host the 17th Asian Games in 2014. Located about 80 kilometers west of Seoul, Incheon will be the thrid Korean city to host
the quadrennial Asian Games. The games will be held Sep. 19, 2014 - Oct. 4, 2014. You can follow the progress at http://eng.incheon2014ag.org |
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Talismans of Protection from Choson Korea: Antique Locks, Latches and Key Charms Shown for the first time in the United States, the collection features a rare collection of locks, latches and key charms, from the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910), beautifully designed metal and wood objects executed in myriad shapes.
October 8, 2009-January 29, 2010 |
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Painting, Meet Calligraphy: Emography Art Exhibition Opens Jan. 11, 2010 at KORUS House The unique calligraphic artwork of Huh Hwe-tae, founder of the visual art style known as emography and past grand prize winner in Korea’s prestigious National Art Exhibition, will be featured at the
Korean Embassy’s KORUS House in Washington D.C., Jan. 11 – Feb. 12, 2010. The event, part of the artist’s debut U.S. exhibition tour, comes on the heels of Huh’s widely-acclaimed 2006 German and 2008
Korean exhibitions that showcased the combination of symbolism, form, and Asian calligraphy found in emography.
To RSVP go to http://spreadsheets.google.com Or, you can still RSVP by email or
phone (with total number of guests) to: To learn more go to: http://www.dynamic-korea.com= |
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When: January 12 Time: 6 pm to 9 pm Where: SE Uplift - 3534 SE Main St., Portland, OR 97214 Cost: Sliding scale fee $4 to $10 Facilitator: Astrid Dabbeni
*Please bring a snack to share. In 1966, Deann Borshay Liem was adopted by an American family and was sent from Korea to her new home. Growing up in California, the memory of her birth family was nearly obliterated until recurring dreams lead Borshay Liem to discover the truth: her Korean mother was very much alive. Bravely uniting her biological and adoptive families, Borshay Liem’s heartfelt journey makes First Person Plural a poignant essay on family, loss, and the reconciling of two identities.
*Email info@adoptionmosaic.org to RSVP for this event* |
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As both adoptee and filmmaker, the director, Phil provides a unique perspective that includes his own journey as he comes to terms with his identity as a Black man in the context of being adopted
by white parents. Click here to learn more and to register http://www.pactadopt.org |
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True Colors: Putting together the pieces of the Transracial Adoption Puzzle Join us and adult adopted people with lived experience to explore and prepare for the issues of international and domestic transracial adoption on Saturday January 23rd, 2010 at 9:00 am. True Colors is a workshop for transracial and interracial families that focuses on the issue inherent to parenting children across racial lines. Real life scenarios will be explored in an interactive approach to problem solving and understanding the obvious and sometimes not so obvious divides and boundaries that that multiracial families. To register go to http://www.pactadopt.org |
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Transracial Adoptive Family Issues
Time: Noon to 3 p.m.
Moderator: Jane Cramer, an IAC Center Counselor who works with adoptive parents and children pre and post adoption, which helps her to understand adoption issues from the perspective
of both the children and the parents. You will learn about:
Considering what it feels like for your child and examining how it is for you to be part of a transracial family is a process. This workshop would best be seen as a point in that journey. To register http://iaccenter.com |
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Ta-ri Book Discussion-Harrisburg-January 27, 2010 International House Hardwood Lounge 320 Chestnut St, Harrisburg, PA 17101 6:00-7:30PM Free admission and appetizers Directions <http://www.ihousehbg.org> or call (717) 724-2846 Join us at International House in Harrisburg for a discussion of Helie Lee's Still Life with Rice: A Young American Woman Discovers the Life and Legacy of Her Korean Grandmother. Contact us at info@ta-ri.org if you are interested in hearing more and/or contributing some light refreshments. About the book ... This powerful book evolved out of a young Korean-American woman's desire to connect with her Korean roots. On a trip to South Korea, the author is surprised to learn about a different side of her grandmother, HongYong Baek, and ends up pursuing and then writing her strong-willed grandmother's life story. The book weaves together cultural and historical details in a way that comes to life for the reader, covering the Japanese occupation, civil war, and other significant events. Above it all, however, rises the indomitable spirit and perseverance of HongYong Baek. This book is a must-read for anyone wanting to better understand Korean culture and history. |
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Talismans of Protection from Choson Korea: Antique Locks, Latches and Key Charms
Shown for the first time in the United States, the collection features a rare collection of locks, latches and key charms, from the Choson Dynasty (1392-1910), beautifully designed metal and wood objects executed in myriad shapes. Gallery Hours: Monday through Friday: 10:00 AM-5:00 PM The Korea Society Gallery 950 Third Avenue @ 57th Street, 8th Floor (Building entrance on SW corner of Third Avenue and 57th Street) Free and open to the public |
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“How much did I cost?” Have you thought about how you will respond when your child asks such questions? Because adopted children will hang on every word you say in response to these very delicate questions, it is important for adoptive parents to be prepared. A child’s ability to confidently handle questions about adoption will depend on your responses to his or her questions. How you talk with your children about adoption is critical to their forming healthy attitudes. This workshop will give you the tools to:
This workshop is appropriate for adoptive parents, waiting parents, and professionals.
Details |
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Pictures along with age appropriate journaling provide an important connection for children to their unique history of the way they joined their adoptive family. Regardless of the type or amount of background information you have about your child before he or she came to you, it will be essential to create an appropriate record. Learn about:
This training offers assistance to people who want to either begin creating such a tool or who want to more fully develop an existing one. Comments from past participants:
Details |
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Annual Lunar New Year Celebration February 6th Ring in the Year of the Tiger at the annual Korean Focus - KUMCGW Lunar New Year Celebration! Check back for more information, but be sure to save the date! Date & Time: Saturday, February 6, 2010 - 1 - 4 PM Location: Korean United Methodist Church of Greater Washington, 1219 Swinks Mill Road, McLean, Virginia Enjoy Korean crafts and games for kids and adults, Korean cooking lessons, performances of traditional and modern Korean music, plus lots of time to catch up with old friends and to make new ones. There are lots of new items in our craft sale, too - it will be available for shopping throughout the event. The Korean Focus - KUMCGW Annual Lunar New Year Celebration is a great way to welcome the new year. See you there! |
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Ta-ri SolNal (Lunar New Year) Party-New Cumberland-February 13 Saturday, February 13 2:00-4:00PM Foundation Hall, New Cumberland Public Library 1 Benjamin Plaza, New Cumberland, PA 17070 Library directions: 717.774-7820 (call for navigation help only) Free admission ... donations accepted. Join us to celebrate the Lunar New Year, central-Pennsylvania Korean-style! This year's program includes: 2:00 Food, conversation, and games 2:30 Announcements Talent show ** 3:30 More conversation and games (yutnori, storytelling, favorite Board games ...) 4:00 Departure ** Our family-friendly talent show has become a tradition all its own. Last year's performers included singers, violinist, and tae kwon do student. Children and adults are invited to share a talent. Please sign up by February 1 if possible. All are encouraged to bring favorite snacks and Board games to share before and after the talent show. If you would like to volunteer for this event, please let us know! RSVP and sign up for the talent show by February 13 at info@ta-ri.org or (717) 574-3629. We will email all registrants should wintry weather affect plans. |
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Date: Sunday February 21, 2010 This workshop is for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, as well as adopted children ages 6-11.
Did you know nearly every adopted child is asked questions about their adoption? For children in trans-racial families, they may also be asked questions about their race. This may start
as early as age 3 with: "Why don't you look like your mom?” For others, it may not begin until ages 6, 7 or even 8 with: “Why were you adopted?” or “Where is your real mother?”
Session 1:
Session 2: Session 3: Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required and should be completed at least one week prior to the event. Payment must be received in order to confirm your registration. Cancellations must be received at least three days prior to the event. For additional information: |
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Mar. 1, 2010, 7 to 9 p.m. To register go to http://www.psbi.org |
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Date: Sunday February 21, 2010 This workshop is for pre-adoptive and adoptive parents, as well as adopted children ages 6-11.
Did you know nearly every adopted child is asked questions about their adoption? For children in trans-racial families, they may also be asked questions about their race. This may start
as early as age 3 with: "Why don't you look like your mom?” For others, it may not begin until ages 6, 7 or even 8 with: “Why were you adopted?” or “Where is your real mother?”
Session 1:
Session 2: Session 3: Seating is limited. Pre-registration is required and should be completed at least one week prior to the event. Payment must be received in order to confirm your registration. Cancellations must be received at least three days prior to the event. For additional information: |
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AMERICAN ADOPTION CONGRESS **If you are interested in presenting/conducting a workshop at the |
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The 37th Annual New England Adoption Conference presented by Adoption |
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Adoption: Secret Histories, Public Policies The Alliance for the Study of Adoption and Culture officially adopted a constitution in 1998, under the name The Alliance for the Study of Adoption, Identity, and Kinship. We seek to promote
understanding of the experience and institution of adoption in relation to literature, history, philosophy, anthropology, law, political theory, cultural studies, and other humanistic disciplines, and
to provide a forum for the presentation and discussion of artistic creation dealing with adoption and related issues in poetry, fiction, memoir, film and other disciplines. We have arranged two
international conferences, and publish the journal Adoption and Culture and an annual newsletter. |
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Longwood Gardens PO Box 501 Kennett Square, PA 19348 Tickets $40 from www.ticketphiladelphia.org or (215) 893-1999
Born in Seoul, Korea, and educated at Juilliard in NYC, the members of the Ahn Trio are redefining the art and architecture of chamber music, breathing new life into the standard piano trio literature with commissioned works from visionary composers. The trio’s latest CD reached #8 on the Billboard charts. Possessing an enviable combination of talent and style, they have gone on to frequent fashion pages of Vogue and GQ and in 2003 were named three of People Magazine’s 50 Most Beautiful People. |
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We are very excited that the Smithsonian Center for Folklife and Cultural Heritage has chosen to highlight Asian Pacific Americans as one of the three themes for the 2010 Folklife Festival.
The Festival, which will be held from June 23 through July 5, 2010, will be the 44th time that the Smithsonian has held this annual event on the National Mall. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity
for us to showcase APAs from the metropolitan DC area as a microcosm of the more than 12 million APAs in the United States.
Contact: Curator of the Smithsonian Folklife Festival's 2010 Program on Asian Pacific Americans, Phil Nash, at p.nash@nashinteractive.com
or 301.263.0217. |
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ASIA, Inc. would like to invite you to our 1st annual family/teen camps. This year’s theme will be ‘rice.’ Rice is a food item that is loved by both Koreans and Americans on a daily basis and it is served with almost every single meal in Korea. Rice can be a source of many creative Korean dishes –bibimbop, kimbop, bokeumbop, etc. We will be learning about the wonderful Korean culture by exploring around rice. Who should consider coming? All adoptive families with Korean children of all ages and their siblings are welcome to participate. We are planning two separate camps –family camp and teen camp, in the same camp site. There will be enough space to accommodate the first 26 families at the ASIA Family Camp and 35 or more teen campers at the teen camp. There will be nursery programs for infants and toddlers, as well as programs for school-age children, and adults. Special attention will be given to birth children and children from countries other than Korea. Our Teen Camp will be operated in the same facility but in a different section of the retreat center. While adults and younger children stay in a hotel style room with their parents, teen campers will stay one night outdoors in tents and two nights in a cottage with counselors. Contact Grace Song for registration info at hwakangsong@gmail.com Accommodations and location The Meadowkirk Camp and Retreat Center is a beautiful facility which attracts private parties and wedding ceremonies throughout the year. It is located in Middleburg, VA approximately 40 miles west of Washington DC. All accommodations are newly built hotel style rooms with a full bed, an extended length twin bed, and a private bath. One or two small people can sleep in their sleeping bags in the same room with their parents. Teen campers will be sharing rooms with other teen campers. Please notice that during the first night teen campers will be sleeping outdoors in tents. They will move into cottages and sleep on bunk beds for the second and third nights. Families who live close by Middleburg could commute to the camp. For more information about our camp facility visit http://www.meadowkirk.org . The town of Middleburg is known for fox hunting and steeple chasing. The charming village has earned a reputation as the "Nation's Horse and Hunt Capital," attracting prominent visitors from across the United States. Serving as a host community for more than 250 years, it is no surprise that Middleburg has developed such a high concentration of fine inns, shops and restaurants. Middleburg was recognized in 2008 for its historic preservation efforts by being designated a Preserve America Community by then-First Lady Laura Bush. Read more about Middleburg at http://www.middleburg.org
Schedule and Program Check-in will begin at 3 p.m. on Thursday. Check out will begin at 12:00 noon on Sunday. We will be selling Korean items at our camp store to benefit ASIA Culture Camp. We will be asking each family to give one hour of their time to serve a camp program. Once we have final list of campers, we will be providing you with a signup sheet with a list of areas where we need parent volunteers. Camp counselors If you would like to volunteer as a group leader for children or teens, you will have to be at least 18 or older and be able to pass a background check. Each applicant will need to submit an application by June 15th, 2010. There is no compensation for the counselors and you will be responsible for your own transportation to and from the camp location. ASIA will provide free lodging and food during your stay at the camp. Camp counselors can be Korean adoptees, Korean Americans and non-adoptees or non-Koreans. Contact Grace Song for an application form at hwakangsong@gmail.com. Registration Fee The full camp registration fee includes all hotel style accommodations, three continental breakfasts, two Korean lunches, one sandwich dinner for Thursday evening, two buffet style dinners, camp t-shirt, snacks and camp programs. *$265 per adult, child (3 and over) , or teen *$50 discount per 4th, 5th or 6th camper who is older than 3. *$100 fee per camp baby who is using daycare *$200 per daycamper who does not require lodging. It is recommended that your teenager stay with their counselors for most of the time during the camp if your whole family participates in the family camp. Parents of teens will have a chance to be briefed about their achievements before the end of the camp. |
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KAAN's MISSION is: To Support Networking And Build Understanding Among Adoptees,
Adoptive Families, Koreans And Korean Americans. Visit KAAN's website at http://www.kaanet.com/ . KAAN does not endorse or take responsibility for the opinions or programs presented in the newsletter. Please send us information about events in your area, articles, personal requests etc. so that we may share them with others. Send information about events, interesting articles or websites, personal requests and questions, as well as other items of interest to us at mailto:kaanet@aol.com |