Something for Nature Lovers

Guatemala has more than 700 species of birds according to Avibase - the world bird database (the entire United States has just over 1,000). People come from all over the globe to check out Guatemala's rich biodiversity. To learn more about Guatemala's birds or to learn how to incorporate some bird watching on your next trip to Guatemala check out this article:

http://avibase.bsc-eoc.org/checklist.jsp?lang=EN&region=us&list=clements

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Perspective on Birth Culture

Adult Adoptee Jae Ran Kim discusses incorporating adoptee's birth culture into family life. When is it being forced? How little is too little? To hear what she has to say click here:

http://www.informedadoptions.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=240&Itemid=31

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GAFE

GAFE is back! GAFE stands for Guatemala Adoptive Families Events. This summer 150 families will gather in Parsippany, NJ and participate in fun, educational, and valuable activities related to adoptions from Guatemala. To learn more check out GAFE's website:

www.gafe-network.org

GAFE is limited to 150 families so if you want to go register now!

Philly's Latino Restaurants

Battling cabin fever? Maybe a night out at one of Philly's many Latino restaurants is what you need. Check out gophila.com for reviews of the Latino dining scene. Here's the link:

http://www.gophila.com/C/Your_Philadelphia/14/Diverse_Philadelphia/287/Hispanic_Philadelphia/270/Hispanic_Restaurants_and_Dining/269.html

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Latino Murals of Philadelphia

Philadelphia has many beautiful murals. The website Muralbase calls Philadelphia "The Mural Capital of the World". You can find exact locations and view thumbnails of more than 25 Latino themed murals around Philadelphia on their website. Click here:

http://www.cml.upenn.edu/murals/mbQueryAction.asp

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Adopting in 2009

What was the first step you took in your adoption journey? For many prospective adoptive parents (PAPs) the first step is to find someone who has adopted and ask a lot of questions. Now that you are an adoptive parent you may find yourself at the receiving end of those questions. Many things changed in the adoption world last year. Adoption Now: Finding a Child in 2009 can be found in The AFA's (American Fertility Association) monthly newsletter. If you want to help the PAPS out there, be informed:

http://www.theafa.org/newsletter/images/dec2008/feature.html#a

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No Offense

The award winning poet Kevin Young confronts playground racism in his powerful poem No Offense. It can be read and commented on at the Anti-Racist Parent website. Don't miss it! Here's the link:

http://www.antiracistparent.com/2009/01/12/you-know-i-dont-mean-you/

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Sounds from the Smithsonian

The Smithsonian has added a new feature to their online exhibits. They have created Radio Latino. According to their website Radio Latino, "draws from the Latino audio holdings of the Folkways Collections—old and new—creating a cultural pastiche of sounds, styles, and cultures that hint at the vast cornucopia of music and cultural expression in the Latino world"

Click here to learn more and listen:

http://latino.si.edu/collections/about_radiolatino.htm

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Gotcha Day, Family Day etc...

How do you celebrate the anniversary of your child's arrival? Adoptive Families magazine asked their readers this question and got replies that described everything from big parties to quiet family conversations about adoption stories. If you'd like to read about them click here:

www.adoptivefamilies.com/articles.php?aid=926

Please share your own stories in the comment section. Some of us need ideas!

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Food and Culture

Warning: This post may induce hunger. Rudy Giron, the author of the blog La Antigua Guatemala Daily Photo, recently posted his best, or as he calls it most "emblematic", photo of the year. He chose a beautiful photo of the Guatemalan dish Caldo de Pata. His description of the meal goes beyond taste and texture. Giron explains the rich history and culture of the meal that has its origins in the Mayan culture. Here's the link:

www.antiguadailyphoto.com/2009/01/01/guatemalan-cuisine-caldo-de-pata

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