adoption is (no) picnic

Today I got confirmation that I'll be going my first official adoption-related event in October.

I'm thinking of using a particular agency that does adoptions from the Republic of Georgia. (Ethiopia is calling, and Russia is still very much a possibility, but I want to check out Georgia, too.)

This agency has an annual West Coast "reunion" where folks who have adopted from Georgia can get together, bring their kids, and share experiences. It's a big ol' picnic, where the kids can run around and get their ya-yas out, (ostensibly) allowing the parents time to talk...

As a PAP (that's Prospective Adoptive Parent, not a gynocological test), I was strongly encouraged to attend. I would have a chance to talk to people who have already been through it, and check out the kids.

And, the agency director told me THREE times, it would be *very* helpful for me meet the woman this agency uses "on the ground" in Georgia. This woman runs all the action once clients are in Georgia, and advocates on their behalf when they're not in Georgia. I got the distinct impression that I want this woman to like me. And I'm prepared to kiss some arse. I'm supposed to bring a photo or two of myself (with name written on the back) so this woman can remember who I am. Weird.

Anyway, it's in San Diego, which is nowhere near me, but it did sound like a good idea. So, I've bought myself a plane ticket, and I'll be jetting down there in a couple of weeks to check 'em out. God I hate going to events where I don't know anyone. I would really rather stab myself in the eye with a fork. But I need to get over myself in *many* ways if I'm going to do this adoption thing, so might as well start now.

And, I'm going to stay with my Stepmom in Palm Springs, so that's a bonus -- she's great, and I'm looking forward to seeing her.

So the plan is to fly down Saturday, hang out with Stepmom Saturday night (I plan to take her out to dinner -- maybe Tommy Bahama's - yum!). Sunday, borrow car and drive to SD (note that she will *not* be lending me her new black Corvette -- I'll get the 4-door sedan she uses to drive her dog around :-) ). Find event. Attend event where I know no one and everyone else there already has kids. Drive back to Stepmom's Sunday night. Fly home Monday morning.