Friday, March 16, 2012
Peter Pan
I am proud of my son
He took third place in the nation for his math smarts! Way to go Matthew.
Tuesday, March 6, 2012
Re: If you are interested, this is the artice that was written for ourchurch newsletter about our recent famiy trip to China
Hello Adriana,
Wow, it's a good article to share your thoughts and experience from what you see and treated when you are in China. And it also helps me to know more about each person in your group by reading this story, very nice touch.
I believe your children gained a lot special memories along the trip, especially being connected with the foster family and the Chunlan who you have been sponsoring to. Again, it's been fantastic to work with you and I wish Lotus will serve you in the very near future.
Should you have any questions please feel free to contact me. I would be glad to help you.
Thank you and best regards!
Joyce Zhuang
Joyce Zhuang
Travel Adviser
Lotus Travel, Inc.
5990 158th Ave., SE.
Bellevue, WA. 98006
Tel: 1-800-956-8873
5990 158th Ave., SE.
Bellevue, WA. 98006
Tel: 1-800-956-8873
From: Adriana Cassani
Date: 2012-03-03 12:01:54
To: adriana.cassani.cc11
Cc:
Subject: If you are interested, this is the artice that was written for ourchurch newsletter about our recent famiy trip to China
The Cassani family recently had an amazing 5-week trip to China. China is a special place for them because Meili Joy, Molly Qingting, Stephen ZhiShang, and Matthew Chunxian, were born there. Adriana has been involved in several projects supporting their orphanage and encouraging the development of a foster care program there, along with establishing music, dance, theatre, and crafts programs. Her main goals in this trip were for the children to visit their foster parents or caregivers, who had been an important part of their early childhood, and visit their orphanage and "finding places." In China it is illegal to have more than one child, and parents can be find or loose their jobs. If they abandon their baby they can be prosecuted. So babies are left in a busy place where someone will be sure to find them and take them to the orphanage. (This is their finding place.) Adriana also wanted the children to see and experience the culture and wonder of China. Sam also got to go on the trip, (and received a Chinese name "Shang Ming" translated ) as well as their friend Debra Hale (who is like their adopted granny nanny to them).
Jan. 6 - The first stop was Shanghai, on the east coast of China. Here they tried to adjust to being 15 hours ahead of Utah time. Matthew's favorite thing there was going to the top of the Pearl Tower, 3rd tallest building in Asia. Molly says she loved the Carson's who met them there and showed them around, who were American/Chinese friends Adriana had known in Utah. On the 3rd day they took an overnight train ride heading west to their next destination, Xian.
Jan. 10 - Xian was very cold, but the kids said it had a "cool city wall." Here they visited the Starfish Baby Home, which works with orphanages and rescues children in need of medical care. There are some darling pictures on the blog, of the kids holding the babies there. They also saw the amazing Terra-Cotta Warrior Museum, and a Tang Dynasty performance of dance and music with traditional Chinese instruments.
Jan. 13 - Next was Beijing, to the northeast, by airplane. Here they saw the Great Wall of China. They took a tour of Hutong Lane (a maze of ancient alleyways) in Pedi cabs (powered by pedaling drivers) and had a home cooked Chinese meal. They saw the Temple of Heaven, where they made and flew kites. They also saw a kung fu show and a Chinese acrobat show.
Jan. 19 � On to Liuzhou, in southern China. Here they visited the Liuzhou orphanage where Adriana (referred to by the orphans by her Chinese name Mama "Ke, Hai Lian" translates to "Ocean lily" has supported music, theater, and crafts projects. This is where Meili and Stephen came from. Meili had caregivers there who still remembered her. This is also where the pillowcases (that were sewn by some of our Young Women), were given, as well as half the candy bags they filled. The mental and social stimulation of the arts there has made a vital difference to many of the special needs children there, and they have developed in ways that have made them more fit for foster families to care for them. . Many of them have also known the satisfaction of earning some of their own money by making and selling crafts. It was very rewarding to Adriana to go to the park and have lunch nearby with 48 of these children and their foster parents―children who would otherwise still be in the orphanage. The Cassani kids enjoyed giving out the remaining bags of candy to these foster children .In this city they saw Meili's and Stephen's finding sites―Meili's was the South Gate of Que'er Mountain Park; and Stephen's was near the car repair shop on Liuyong Road.
Jan. 22 � Guilin, just west of Liuzhou, known for its unique, stunning mountainous scenery. Here they got to explore the Red Flute caves (the Chinese hid in them during WWII); and spent the Chinese New Year's Eve with Matthew's foster family. (The fireworks are unbelievable, loud and seemed never-ending!) Next day they had a scenic river cruise to Yangshuo. A class there on how to cook Chinese food was a highlight for Adriana; also an ethnic minority show. All four of the kids come from ethnic minorities. Then back to Guilin to spend more time with Matthew's foster family, and to see his finding site, which is the gate of No. 257 Zhongshan South Road.
Jan. 26 In Nanning they saw Molly's finding site, at the intersection of Nanbei Highway, in Nama. They also visited Stephen's second orphanage, and spent time with Stephen and Molly's foster parents (the kids say they were so especially nice). They were all treated like family, and feel a shared bond with the foster families who have shared with them the nurturing of the children. Chunlan was a girl Adriana had sponsored so she could attend high school. She traveled with them to Liuzhou, Guilin and Nanning and helped translate. The whole family enjoyed having her along. She is a college student now and hopes to come to the US someday to attend college.
Feb. 2 � The last week of the trip was in Hong Kong, which is very modern and different from the rest of China. Here the highlight was HK Disneyland! Or maybe it was Ocean Park, a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme and amusement park, including the longest roller coaster in Asia. They also saw one of Jackie Chan's huge houses ("it was like a castle!") From Victoria's peak, the highest view point in HK.
Sam's favorite things about the trip: the people, the culture, the language. Meili's: the cute Chinese boy waiters. Stephen's: shopping at Chinese stores, bartering at markets. Molly's: The food, the people, the Great Wall, HK Disney, and the other cool stuff to see, especially nature and the mountains―"it's so beautiful there." Matthew's: the food (especially the Chinese noodles―he couldn't get enough of them) and going to the Pearl Tower. Debra enjoyed the trip to China and watching the children grow through their experiences there. Debra felt loved and accepted by the people in China. They often, approached her to welcome her, be photographed with her, and to be touched by her. One addressed her by name, Da, Bai Li that translates to "beautiful, wise, white, and woman." She was curious about all the attention she received. When she asked, " what do they see in me?" She was told that the Chinese people "see with their hearts, not their eyes." She had such a desire for them to receive the gospel. She had a very vivid dream that reassured her Heavenly Father is very mindful of the Chinese people. Many experiences on the trip were deeply spiritual to her.
One of Adriana's favorite places was the city park in Nanning―a beautiful park where "everyone visits." Some people would be dancing, playing chess, some would play traditional Chinese instruments, older people would be doing Tai Chi. She and the children liked the slower pace in China, less electronics (face book is blocked), and the strong sense of community (maybe because there are so many people and they live so close together). Families are important, the elderly are respected, and they all love children. They would love to have more if it were allowed. Adriana loved watching her children "take in China"―the culture, food, etc. and their interactions with the people. The kids' foster parents were all so glad to see them―all their relatives came, they showered them with gifts, and invited them to come back soon, and not stay in hotels. In each case they felt like one family, with a shared child. The Cassani t-shirts they wore on the trip said, in Chinese, "we're all one family under heaven." Often, strangers would see them, and thank them for adopting Chinese children. Adriana was surprised by how many to people told her what a wonderful mother she was. One of Adriana's goals was for her kids learning about what it means to be Chinese, and develop positive feelings about it. This was accomplished in so many wonderful ways.
The most challenging part of the trip was that everyone except Matthew got sick at one time or another. Meili was in the hospital for a few hours in Nanning and a few days in Hong Kong. This was very hard for Adriana, but she somehow held everything together, with the help of Debra, priesthood blessings and prayers. (Matthew took his turn getting sick after they returned home.) To see pictures of the entire trip, go to cassanichronicles.blogspot.com. Scroll down and click on January and February under the archive.
Adriana Cassani
Saturday, March 3, 2012
If you are interested, this is the artice that was written for our church newsletter about our recent famiy trip to China
The Cassani family recently had an amazing 5-week trip to China. China is a special place for them because Meili Joy, Molly Qingting, Stephen ZhiShang, and Matthew Chunxian, were born there. Adriana has been involved in several projects supporting their orphanage and encouraging the development of a foster care program there, along with establishing music, dance, theatre, and crafts programs. Her main goals in this trip were for the children to visit their foster parents or caregivers, who had been an important part of their early childhood, and visit their orphanage and "finding places." In China it is illegal to have more than one child, and parents can be find or loose their jobs. If they abandon their baby they can be prosecuted. So babies are left in a busy place where someone will be sure to find them and take them to the orphanage. (This is their finding place.) Adriana also wanted the children to see and experience the culture and wonder of China. Sam also got to go on the trip, (and received a Chinese name "Shang Ming" translated ) as well as their friend Debra Hale (who is like their adopted granny nanny to them).
Jan. 6 - The first stop was Shanghai, on the east coast of China. Here they tried to adjust to being 15 hours ahead of Utah time. Matthew's favorite thing there was going to the top of the Pearl Tower, 3rd tallest building in Asia. Molly says she loved the Carson's who met them there and showed them around, who were American/Chinese friends Adriana had known in Utah. On the 3rd day they took an overnight train ride heading west to their next destination, Xian.
Jan. 10 - Xian was very cold, but the kids said it had a "cool city wall." Here they visited the Starfish Baby Home, which works with orphanages and rescues children in need of medical care. There are some darling pictures on the blog, of the kids holding the babies there. They also saw the amazing Terra-Cotta Warrior Museum, and a Tang Dynasty performance of dance and music with traditional Chinese instruments.
Jan. 13 - Next was Beijing, to the northeast, by airplane. Here they saw the Great Wall of China. They took a tour of Hutong Lane (a maze of ancient alleyways) in Pedi cabs (powered by pedaling drivers) and had a home cooked Chinese meal. They saw the Temple of Heaven, where they made and flew kites. They also saw a kung fu show and a Chinese acrobat show.
Jan. 19 – On to Liuzhou, in southern China. Here they visited the Liuzhou orphanage where Adriana (referred to by the orphans by her Chinese name Mama "Ke, Hai Lian" translates to "Ocean lily" has supported music, theater, and crafts projects. This is where Meili and Stephen came from. Meili had caregivers there who still remembered her. This is also where the pillowcases (that were sewn by some of our Young Women), were given, as well as half the candy bags they filled. The mental and social stimulation of the arts there has made a vital difference to many of the special needs children there, and they have developed in ways that have made them more fit for foster families to care for them. . Many of them have also known the satisfaction of earning some of their own money by making and selling crafts. It was very rewarding to Adriana to go to the park and have lunch nearby with 48 of these children and their foster parents—children who would otherwise still be in the orphanage. The Cassani kids enjoyed giving out the remaining bags of candy to these foster children .In this city they saw Meili's and Stephen's finding sites—Meili's was the South Gate of Que'er Mountain Park; and Stephen's was near the car repair shop on Liuyong Road.
Jan. 22 – Guilin, just west of Liuzhou, known for its unique, stunning mountainous scenery. Here they got to explore the Red Flute caves (the Chinese hid in them during WWII); and spent the Chinese New Year's Eve with Matthew's foster family. (The fireworks are unbelievable, loud and seemed never-ending!) Next day they had a scenic river cruise to Yangshuo. A class there on how to cook Chinese food was a highlight for Adriana; also an ethnic minority show. All four of the kids come from ethnic minorities. Then back to Guilin to spend more time with Matthew's foster family, and to see his finding site, which is the gate of No. 257 Zhongshan South Road.
Jan. 26 In Nanning they saw Molly's finding site, at the intersection of Nanbei Highway, in Nama. They also visited Stephen's second orphanage, and spent time with Stephen and Molly's foster parents (the kids say they were so especially nice). They were all treated like family, and feel a shared bond with the foster families who have shared with them the nurturing of the children. Chunlan was a girl Adriana had sponsored so she could attend high school. She traveled with them to Liuzhou, Guilin and Nanning and helped translate. The whole family enjoyed having her along. She is a college student now and hopes to come to the US someday to attend college.
Feb. 2 – The last week of the trip was in Hong Kong, which is very modern and different from the rest of China. Here the highlight was HK Disneyland! Or maybe it was Ocean Park, a marine mammal park, oceanarium, animal theme and amusement park, including the longest roller coaster in Asia. They also saw one of Jackie Chan's huge houses ("it was like a castle!") From Victoria's peak, the highest view point in HK.
Sam's favorite things about the trip: the people, the culture, the language. Meili's: the cute Chinese boy waiters. Stephen's: shopping at Chinese stores, bartering at markets. Molly's: The food, the people, the Great Wall, HK Disney, and the other cool stuff to see, especially nature and the mountains—"it's so beautiful there." Matthew's: the food (especially the Chinese noodles—he couldn't get enough of them) and going to the Pearl Tower. Debra enjoyed the trip to China and watching the children grow through their experiences there. Debra felt loved and accepted by the people in China. They often, approached her to welcome her, be photographed with her, and to be touched by her. One addressed her by name, Da, Bai Li that translates to "beautiful, wise, white, and woman." She was curious about all the attention she received. When she asked, " what do they see in me?" She was told that the Chinese people "see with their hearts, not their eyes." She had such a desire for them to receive the gospel. She had a very vivid dream that reassured her Heavenly Father is very mindful of the Chinese people. Many experiences on the trip were deeply spiritual to her.
One of Adriana's favorite places was the city park in Nanning—a beautiful park where "everyone visits." Some people would be dancing, playing chess, some would play traditional Chinese instruments, older people would be doing Tai Chi. She and the children liked the slower pace in China, less electronics (face book is blocked), and the strong sense of community (maybe because there are so many people and they live so close together). Families are important, the elderly are respected, and they all love children. They would love to have more if it were allowed. Adriana loved watching her children "take in China"—the culture, food, etc. and their interactions with the people. The kids' foster parents were all so glad to see them—all their relatives came, they showered them with gifts, and invited them to come back soon, and not stay in hotels. In each case they felt like one family, with a shared child. The Cassani t-shirts they wore on the trip said, in Chinese, "we're all one family under heaven." Often, strangers would see them, and thank them for adopting Chinese children. Adriana was surprised by how many to people told her what a wonderful mother she was. One of Adriana's goals was for her kids learning about what it means to be Chinese, and develop positive feelings about it. This was accomplished in so many wonderful ways.
The most challenging part of the trip was that everyone except Matthew got sick at one time or another. Meili was in the hospital for a few hours in Nanning and a few days in Hong Kong. This was very hard for Adriana, but she somehow held everything together, with the help of Debra, priesthood blessings and prayers. (Matthew took his turn getting sick after they returned home.) To see pictures of the entire trip, go to cassanichronicles.blogspot.com. Scroll down and click on January and February under the archive.
Adriana Cassani
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