https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts daily 0.75 2017-12-07 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts/families-kindness monthly 0.5 2017-09-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505535519606-7HY7BT9PW9JUM3EIHINS/IMG_1968.jpg Thoughts - On One-week Families and Mid-Autumn Kindness The main group of reporters I spent time with. From L>R: M. (main reporter), Me, E. (translator), and I. (reporter). https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts/2017/10/1/complacency monthly 0.5 2017-12-07 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts/tag/2017 monthly 0.5 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts/tag/china monthly 0.5 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts/tag/mid-autumn+festival monthly 0.5 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/thoughts/tag/family monthly 0.5 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/home daily 1.0 2018-01-29 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504866201889-E152OINFIIKAD7XIR7IA/IMG_4368n.jpg Home - PROJECTS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504865830035-X887XCYVGPLAANTO6PBR/IMG_7281n.jpg Home - THOUGHTS https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504864463560-B4FEKO43Q5TNSA5W9PZK/IMG_8032.jpg Home - PHOTOGRAPHY https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504864920012-FKNFJP84S6XYS8VLGMV5/writing2+copy.jpg Home - WRITING https://jinmeimcmahon.com/writing daily 0.75 2018-01-29 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/you-and-me-and-him daily 0.75 2019-01-03 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504847145841-EQZSD0LTA3APY843CK36/McMahon.png You and Me and Him Illustration by Caroline Li / Insta: @creature.comics https://jinmeimcmahon.com/about daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504851271210-6N6MF991S0CJ9QJYMRF8/jmm.png About https://jinmeimcmahon.com/photography daily 0.75 2017-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504860092418-9658P78XFI3R1TWOKTT5/lon_n2+copy.jpg Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504858753167-2DXSV61A6TLHOY55GF00/IMG_4866n.jpg Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504860322910-LEZE3KSU7CCYWB2L1RB1/IMG_5989n.jpg Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504857121172-GHUNIWPVYGH4BLF5K5S9/IMG_7783n+copy.jpg Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504857086983-CC0F2J01QZ6AEQ68TPQ6/IMG_5069n.jpg Photography https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504858821255-DXVD8QFQTKTF2VGWUPC5/IMG_7404n.jpg Photography https://jinmeimcmahon.com/projects daily 0.75 2019-01-31 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/korea-2016 daily 0.75 2017-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504862439305-CKAO2PUA7T7UXD6KHEQH/IMG_2052.jpg South Korea 2016 The view from the south side of the Han River https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504863246647-6EKKMNCPUMXZNQ1FYY2E/IMG_5340n.jpg South Korea 2016 A pair of Formosan sika deer rest in their enclosure. (Seoul Forest) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505172574452-FTI3HPX1HKGVD7QCUGQ7/5311n.jpg South Korea 2016 A swallowtail butterfly prepares to take off in Seoul Forest's Butterfly Garden. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505176332932-90QAXZEJY3MK9BSOMVSG/5368n.jpg South Korea 2016 Two boys cross a bridge in Seoul Forest. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505180649436-M5WM90OF65XKH4EOQQFG/5570n.jpg South Korea 2016 The traditional mixes with the modern in Bukchon Hanok Village. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505178355774-AID05B5UPU8HLBLBNOZX/5552n.jpg South Korea 2016 Seen in Bukchon Hanok Village (북촌한옥마을). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505172596176-UGPFFVBQM53IDQZFPRWK/5720n.jpg South Korea 2016 Gyeonghoeru (경회루) Pavilion, Gyeongbokgung Palace. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505178473553-53JK4AHMYZGEGH564FLL/5417n.jpg South Korea 2016 Seoul, on the walk up to Namsan Tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505172588686-OH45F8R89IWT5E4HYJ5D/5630_N2.jpg South Korea 2016 Seen in Gwanghwamun square in Sept. 2016 as part of a 'parade' of figures set up along the grassy strip. Unfortunately, they were in the process of taking the 'parade' down, and I was unable to get the event details. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505181767294-5QP9CLK5XH6E29OA3J0C/5890n.jpg South Korea 2016 The sun sets past Malgeunnaedari Bridge in Cheonggyecheon (청계천 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504864084148-AZIE3W90QE1W4Z0AP5TY/IMG_5527n.jpg South Korea 2016 Night view over Seoul, descending from Namsan Tower. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1504862453543-YYN5UK475520OMFCBRA5/IMG_5989n.jpg South Korea 2016 A vendor waits for customers at the Noryangjin Fish Market (노량진 수산시장) https://jinmeimcmahon.com/space-that-takes daily 0.75 2019-01-03 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/angel-island daily 0.75 2017-09-12 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/a-directors-debut daily 0.75 2017-09-12 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/her-logic daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/china-2016 daily 0.75 2017-09-12 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505193851497-VYDB3HM5TJQPHN30LT9S/3931n.jpg China 2016 A pottery lion and other figures from Chinese folklore adorn the crest of the roof at the Chen Clan Ancestral Hall, Guangzhou https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505197096766-0PPTPEHXN2HLBOOFTNM0/4212n.jpg China 2016 A drizzle causes a momentary pause among rakers, while the lawn mowers carry on (Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hall, Guangzhou) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505195254160-8SFP467OFYA6N3YUO3BY/4161n.jpg China 2016 Seen in Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505202005236-I4LOC30ROC13PAHC3A4M/4170n.jpg China 2016 Yuexiu Park, Guangzhou https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505183004728-LJUOS159P4Q5VZ1D9LJQ/IMG_4368n.jpg China 2016 Apartments on Shamian Island, Guangzhou https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505183025109-7P7TLG2WWTM6LJH4PQHS/IMG_5069n.jpg China 2016 A fisherman uses stepping stones to cross a river. Seen just outside of Huangshan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505193918601-TO3PAM3JTNN6786LBIIO/4785n.jpg China 2016 Three women wash vegetables in the Xin'an River, Huangshan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505200791423-489M4BTIWOSE4AFFF3N0/75510n.jpg China 2016 Mount Qiyun, outside of Huangshan, is one of the Four Sacred Mountains of Taoism; here, a man practices tai chi while others look on and one films. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505183007172-75GCCEBVPKNMTRVHCAAT/IMG_4866n.jpg China 2016 Prayer ribbon at Mount Qiyun (齐云山), near Huangshan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505205007109-62LU2KMQHWNNOSOOJOUY/4691n.jpg China 2016 One of the many spectacular views on Huangshan (Yellow Mountain) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505203761063-H7S7YETZ7DV6HH6N92Y4/1818n.jpg China 2016 Several young artists sketch Hongcun Village. A popular spot for artists, it's not uncommon to turn a corner and come across a clump of students crammed into some corner of the village, all painting or drawing a particularly appealing archway. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505193926835-6LBOM6CWWVGSS6EMFFFZ/5032n.jpg China 2016 Hongcun (宏村) Village, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was made famous by its appearance in movies such as Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505193887183-W0CX81X95J668UYUFGUH/4755n.jpg China 2016 Dusk falls over the Xin'an River in Huangshan https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505199421075-COW2SBONQ2FQUNUMBLWK/5094n.jpg China 2016 A bridge leading down from the river affords a view into a Shanghai street. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505198382253-KF3XWIX2HSNTQPMJY4YV/5107n.jpg China 2016 Shanghai, overlooking the Bund https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505202913520-R1DG9HF6CFDOO5VUPSF0/5185n+copy.jpg China 2016 A sudden rain leaves a flower (species unknown) drenched in droplets. Jinhua https://jinmeimcmahon.com/tanzania-zanzibar-2017 daily 0.75 2017-09-13 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505626351629-6WHVRBR5UJ3TGC81C032/6526n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 A Maasai boma outside of Arusha (Tanzania) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505262475332-7SWF6UPDRDLOM7DWNIT5/6760n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 After leading us up a high rock, a member of the Hadzabe looks out over the tribe's land. Pressure from hunting organizations and farmers has made Hadza territory dwindle considerably from what it once was, but the tribe has been able to acquire a land title that declares their ownership of certain tracts of land in which they can live freely. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505262521885-SL3RS4BARVH7CJRNUV8G/6806n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Members of the Hadazbe relax before challenging us to a game of lukucuko, which we then went on to lose abysmally. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505262454545-60E9ZZJ9QTE7J065PKLO/6552n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 The sun over the Serengeti (Just outside of Arusha) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505265973453-W5LA9NELA7O05OI1I8YH/7087n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Three cattle egrets take the opportunity to feed on insects disturbed by the wildebeest's grazing and to pick parasites off its hide. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505262570661-JRL68RP4O83M31QCZLKQ/6941n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 A female African elephant and her juvenile calf hesitate before crossing a road in Ngorongoro Crater https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505265971059-C2KG157QC5F5MKCINO1D/7168n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Safari vehicles surround a lioness. Later, she used the vehicles to conceal herself as she stalked warthogs - an uncomfortable reminder of how acclimated to humans these animals are. (Ngorongoro Crater) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505262573484-AX3AR9EQGZ0LHGVWRASZ/7084n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Zebra seen in Ngorongoro Crater https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505280174858-W3X04ZPDHJROJAMZ704V/6675n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 A fisherman poles his boat along the shore of Lake Babati as the sun sets https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505210021418-YRBMY2VCLXEPEYE7HNV0/IMG_7404n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Seen in Serengeti National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505280167443-VU030Q4JELC6X7CFE6Z5/7325n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Four cheetah cubs, so young that the white mantle of fur along their back can still be seen, follow their mother (out of frame to the right) as she searches for a way to cross the road and get away from a nearby lion pride. (Serengeti National Park) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505266022633-WJT6HFT9IBZSFOQ4OSH4/7481n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 Spoonbills perch on an acacia tree in Lake Manyara National Park https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505627726008-H4WHSW92SV9S1EPF01OM/7622n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 This tiny little elephant calf didn't even reach the bottom of its mother's stomach, meaning it was less than 1 years old. Our guide estimated around 2-4 months. (Tarangire National Park) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505266024800-TA7OY1WDTJX9HAOWDFWL/7705n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 A local Bwejuu resident bicycles down the beach, past a fishing boat stranded by the low tide. (Bwejuu, Zanzibar) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505280193015-K3AOSLU6Y2XW041KSFXK/7665n.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 The water was a beautiful clear turquoise on our way out to snorkel. (Bwejuu, Zanzibar) https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505210027658-ZIZCMWA1MBHU1O3Q9V1M/IMG_7783n+copy.jpg Tanzania & Zanzibar 2017 A boat crosses the Stone Town bay (Zanzibar) https://jinmeimcmahon.com/london-2014 daily 0.75 2017-09-19 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505852902835-TJGC52NCZ0HLNO3UJMRX/1451n.jpg London 2014 Classic view of Whitehall from the Blue Bridge in St. James Park, looking east https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505852906561-4KPRNK4EAUM2G14F3V1B/14495n.jpg London 2014 Seen near Bolsover St., London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505852902902-FB93SAKEB3M16UKXPMY9/14308n.jpg London 2014 Wellies, repurposed. Seen in Stratford-upon-Avon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505852906703-S9XOWY149ZIVAKT96XMA/14312n.jpg London 2014 The rippling shadow of the London Eye on County Hall gave an eerie, underwater sensation as we rose into the sky. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505855833127-733TEXCN5NRK2H0YNLPM/14311n.jpg London 2014 Camden Lock sign https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505854328947-7A0BU7KA96TEG33BFINK/14497n.jpg London 2014 Baker Street station https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505854329412-V7WFBRKWCDG064PQWH0B/14439n.jpg London 2014 Seen in Hanbury Street, East London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505854865552-9ZM190X3JMNUK9XT7340/14472n.jpg London 2014 Seen in Hanbury Street, East London https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505856096910-I5H6L23THD3N0SQU1TM9/lon_n2+copy.jpg London 2014 Sunset from the Millenium Bridge https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505858212572-NCGKY56PS09ORT7I7MTV/14308n.jpg London 2014 Swan in one of the Hampton Court Palace ponds https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505856583100-CMGP7Q516J6QLS7IWTKP/14515.jpg London 2014 Anne Hathaway's Cottage, Stratford-upon-Avon https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1505857600792-4ALBTHDT0UH1HYYOMN22/14472n.jpg London 2014 View over the Thames from Greenwich Park https://jinmeimcmahon.com/china-trip-2016 daily 0.75 2022-03-21 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/alien-no daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508820800254-DL93XFKTHZTWBEINAFL6/alien.png Alien No. A045359159 My Resident Alien card, shortly before I was naturalized as a U.S. citizen. https://jinmeimcmahon.com/the-proposal daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/article-2 daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508821621885-MM3BXCE1EJX8WZH0NW3J/Article+1-1.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508821622409-995PWBQ36OAUKVE1V1BF/Article+1-2.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508821623722-15TLLBUQOCR5F8YT9VOV/Article+1-3.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #2 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508821624099-FY77SC2EDLJOOP3TAP67/Article+1-4.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #2 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/jinhua-tv-article-1 daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508822106708-3BKLV3EJ542RDTDZ1SQB/Article+2-1.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508822106785-3V1S78TQSIRT15CSBBQK/Article+2-2.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508822107748-Z32F4MW62O4FT81AFYOO/Article+2-3.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508822108411-EFX4LTVW24UV35RXDOEZ/Article+2-4.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508822109160-DKLVEK2FG7RRLPUXG2HJ/Article+2-5.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #1 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1508822109412-5T4J43T60PD7PM7PATXX/Article+2-6.jpg Jinhua TV: Article #1 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/an-excerpt daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/moon-silk daily 0.75 2017-11-04 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/things-i-cannot-say daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/six-families-pt-1 daily 0.75 2018-03-06 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/my-dads-perspective daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/ocp-history daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1511823968383-N4LS9Z2RFZ2D61B2M5G9/e13-415.jpg OCP History A family planning/one-child policy poster from 1986 by Zhou Yuwei. Click here to see more Chinese Population Policy posters. https://jinmeimcmahon.com/chinese-visa daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/ct16-acknowledgements daily 0.75 2017-11-30 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/what-i-know daily 0.75 2017-12-02 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512189176571-1PLTFZDR22J4WBRMIG00/magnet2.jpg What I Know https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512185864050-MQSWAEL2AC2ILZBS5BCT/keep.jpg What I Know "They say we can keep her!" - my mom's caption of this photograph. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512187932349-5R40JVHFRD37LZ3XSS3M/nannies.jpg What I Know The two nannies from the Welfare Institute who brought the children in; I'm not sure if there were more. (Post-trip edit: when I visited the Welfare Institute in Jinhua, there was a woman staff member there who had a photo with her and one of the adopting parents in my group. I unfortunately didn't have this photograph to show her, but it's guaranteed she was in the room at around the same time.) This photo was taken in the Chinese Overseas Hotel, Hangzhou. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512189159978-K7UQO7S8RB5QVVL4IKDF/magnet.jpg What I Know As a group we attracted a lot of attention from citizens, who would gather around and look at/touch my ears and face: a traditional way of fortune-telling. These photos are still in Hangzhou, before we traveled to Guangzhou to finalize the adoption. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512083227080-6CPD8IFZ59WDPJ251PIG/Screen+Shot+2017-11-30+at+3.06.43+PM.png What I Know The translation of the note, done by Oliver. In the Western Calendar I was born on May 5th, 1995, around 1:50 a.m.; in the Chinese calendar, it was April 6th. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512188905107-66J6HFO5ZP2D7NPRTQMZ/Screen+Shot+2017-12-01+at+8.27.17+PM.png What I Know Headed back to the States; going through customs. The person in the middle of the photo is Oliver, the invaluable translator and guide that the adoption group had during the entire trip, and who gave us the translation of the 'original note' (above). https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512187825719-DLAD9WQEFG2VSVQH778T/ppwk2.jpg What I Know Filing out paperwork at the U.S. Consulate on Shamian Island, in Guangzhou. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512187803574-2T1LAY8TBCSGCRED18KO/ppwk.jpg What I Know https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512083482760-YPCZUF3TRYFYVPMAWOZQ/cert.png What I Know A certificate declaring my orphan status, and when I was sent to the Welfare Institute. Tangxi Town, or 汤溪村, is in the Wucheng District of Jinhua. I've always been told i was left on the police station steps there, but I'm not sure how true that is; I was brought to the Welfare Institute by the police, however. What happened in the 25 days from my birth to being left, I do not know. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512084201304-CQPKY4HZFGZ47U5VTBB6/adopt+list.jpg What I Know This is actually from my trip; I came back to add it here. When I visited the Welfare Institute in Jinhua, although the Director was unwilling to share any other information without authorization, he did provide us with this: a list of five children who were adopted from the orphanage to Americans (美国, or America, is the first part of the destination listed in the right column). Names are in the first column, while date of departure from the orphanage is in the middle. I am the second one down, 金梅, and there are the names of at least two other girls in my adoption group there as well. We would have left for Hangzhou. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512186964762-IS5Y4NYX3HW6YB1HJH6Z/health2.jpg What I Know The results of the mandatory health review done by the Welfare Institute's outpatient department. In 1995, adopting a healthy baby was fairly common; however, as domestic adoptions have increased, China (and similarly-trending countries) are restricting/prioritizing international adoptions to ill or special needs children. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512083119858-5OZNMY690095INJ4VJPZ/note.png What I Know This is the original note that accompanied me when I was found. It was presumably written by my birth parents, and is my only surviving connection to my life before the orphanage. My name (in black, not blue) was chosen and written by the orphanage. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512183900740-22OU32GRH5IQD36GGSIO/adopt2.jpg What I Know My parents, the first time they held me. I was very overdressed, very colorful, and VERY hot. Note the "Barney-purple" chairs - my dad mentions him in his interview, further in the project. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512187368342-9PIZZ0XKMOHJPH3RQ2ZO/america.jpg What I Know The first picture of me in America. Off-camera: A whole bunch of enthusiastic family. https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1512186527520-LFDYQMUSSJMK912OPPNL/notarial3.jpg What I Know My parents chose to keep the name given to me by the Welfare Institute: "金" (jin, meaning gold, after Jinhua) and "梅" (mei, meaning plum/plum blossom). Typically, it's more common for adopting families keep the Chinese name as a middle name. https://jinmeimcmahon.com/six-families-pt-5 daily 0.75 2018-03-06 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/the-majority daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/poetry daily 0.75 2017-12-08 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/six-families-pt-6 daily 0.75 2018-01-16 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/you-have-the-same daily 0.75 2018-03-06 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/arrival-in-jinhua daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://jinmeimcmahon.com/the-next-day daily 0.75 2018-02-16 https://images.squarespace-cdn.com/content/v1/59a3be04e6f2e1c7d0871b15/1517908872012-Z5YOAVERF9X79BCOJ99D/note.jpg The Next Day The mother of my host handed me this note as I was eating breakfast.