Born in Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon), Vietnam,

on January 25^th, 2001

Adoption Day: July 23^rd, 2001

Happy Holidays!

Sandy, Laurie, and Ivy

(Circe and Juno, too!)

The Gift of You

-Author Unknown

We didn't give you the gift of life,
but in our hearts we know
the love that we feel is as deep and real
as if it had been so.

For us to have each other,
is TRULY a dream come true!
No, we didn't give you the gift of life.

Life gave us the gift of YOU!

Vietnamese Lunar New Year: Têt Nguyên Dán

Têt marks the beginning of a new year on the lunar calendar. In the year 2002, Têt starts on February 12^th. Têt is a huge celebration officially lasting three days. Families save money, store food, and plan far in advance for Têt, the major holiday in Vietnam. The Vietnamese take extreme care to start the New Year out right. They buy new clothes, paint and clean their homes, cook three days worth of food, pay off all debts and make amends to rid themselves of all bad feelings.

The marketplace is very busy the week before Têt, as people buy food, trinkets, firecrackers, flowers, and other items in anticipation of the holiday. The atmosphere is very festive. The color Red, symbolizing good luck and happiness is seen everywhere. There are dragon dances at night. Homes are decorated, parks are full of crowds of people dressed in their best new clothes, and for three days the people have an ultimate celebration.

Têt is a time for visits from family and friends. The first visitor to a home is very important. If the first visitor is rich, prestigious, or happy then the family will have good fortune that year. Negative talk and arguments are taboo. Visitors end their visit with a farewell wish for the family such as, "I wish that money will flow into your house like water and out like a turtle."

Not only is Têt the beginning of a New Lunar Year, it is also everyone's birthday. The Vietnamese do not acknowledge the exact day they were born. On the first morning of Têt, adults congratulate children on becoming a year older by presenting them with red envelopes that contain "lucky money.”

Food plays a major role in the Têt celebration. A traditional food is “Earth cake,” a square cake made with rice, beans, and pork. Many different dishes and desserts are made including barbecued meats, noodle soups, salads, sandwiches, egg rolls, and rice dishes.

The Vietnamese Têt is an occasion for an entire people to share a common ideal of peace, harmony, and mutual love.

Vietnamese Spring Roll (Chả Giò) Recipe

8 oz raw Shrimp, shelled and minced

4 oz lump Crab Meat, drained
1 lb ground lean Pork
5 Shallots, finely chopped
1 medium Carrot, cut in julienne shreds
5 Wood Ear Mushrooms, soaked
8 oz Water Chestnuts or Jicama, peeled, chopped
2 oz Cellophane Noodles, soaked, chopped

1 Egg White (optional)
1 Tbsp Vietnamese Fish Sauce
1 tsp Sugar
1/4 tsp Salt
1 Tbsp Sesame Oil
30 pieces dried Rice Paper
Vegetable oil for deep-frying
Accompaniments listed below

Directions: Mix and knead all the ingredients together in a large bowl. The secret is to pat dry all the ingredients when you mix it, i.e. avoid having water mix in with the ingredients. Dip rice paper into a large bowl of warm water. Place them on a rack or on a kitchen towel for 1 minute until they are soft and flexible. Put stuffing on the rice paper. Start by folding the left and right side of the rice paper into the center, then roll up from the bottom edge away to the far end. Do not roll too tight as this will cause the rolls to split. Deep-fry over medium heat until golden brown.

Accompaniments: Rice Vermicelli, Red leaves lettuce or Boston lettuce, Vietnamese Basil, Cilantro, Mint, Nuoc Mam Cham (Vietnamese fish sauce for dipping).