july 31, 2008: visit to adoption agency

[SPS148669]

Korea is a wealty superpower like Japan so their should not be any children in need over there.

[npr386]

Thank you for sharing your story!

[shortys07]

Thanks for sharing this. I was also adopted through Eastern Social Welfare Service and returned to Korea a couple years ago to review the file and visit the orphanage.

I wish you the best in your search for you biological family.

The book your parents sent was so sweet and adorable :) I was shown letters that wrote to show my progress after I arrived in the states. It was really special!

[n8erhall]

Hi. I stumbled upon your video(s) just now, on my google search for 'eastern' who I was also adopted through. I'm an adoptee from Wisconsin, came over to the states when I was 6 months.  As I'm writing this, I'm in Seoul, heading to the eastern offices to check out my file in a few hours. Anyways, glad you've shared your experience...I have been documenting some of my search but not quite as organized as you..

[missellasim1]

Steph you are a true doll, and an inspiration!

[asianmama6]

aww, thats extremely sweet (:

it inspires me to try and find my own biological parents.

[stephxhoney]

@asianmama6 good luck! let me know if you need any assistance/advice <3

[Pregolegs]

Thank you for so candidly sharing your experience! Your account of meeting your foster mother brought me to tears. I have worked with internationally adopted children, and one of the reasons Korean adoptees are often better-adjusted is because, along with their younger age, they have been cared for very well by their foster parents. The first few months are SO important, and these foster mothers establish trust in the world and in people, and that helps them the rest of their lives!

[stephxhoney]

@Pregolegs so very true. i was lucky to have only spent two days in the babies home before my wonderful foster mother took me in.

[asiansarecute]

First off, you are very beautiful. Secondly, thank you for sharing your stories and such. I plan on working and making my career in adoption, and I also plan on adopting from Korea myself when I'm older.

Great to hear your story!!

[stephxhoney]

@asiansarecute thank you.

[icyflamer]

wow awesome story! did you go to korea by yourself? stay strong, your struggles will make you an even more amazing person. i'm very sorry about your birth-father :(

[stephxhoney]

@icyflamer i flew there by myself, but i was there for a conference where i knew another woman.

[kekeid0620]

I'm happy for you. Thanks for sharing your story :)

[1YellowStiLetto]

you are so fortunate about finding your mother.. i wish that will happen for me one day too

[kyungmee100]

I am finding out more and more of your story as I read this and revisitng my return and reunion with my family in Korea. I believe times have changed and more people who adopt are educating themselves and bringing home not only the 'child' but their 'world' into thier home. If 'we' can do this, then with love, patience, and compasion for 'both' worlds, it truely will be a more complete family. -KyungMee

[bluekarma4]

I found my Korean parents a few years ago. My grandmother contacted me through the agency. I haven't spoken to them since. It's a pretty complicated issue. They only speak Korean as well, so there is a communication gap. Good luck with you.

[stephxhoney]

@bluekarma4 it is very complicated. i remember reading a good article once that said not to expect to find your birth parents and have your questions answered-- because it will only lead to more questions.

[heavymetalrulz123]

I plan to go back to Korea too. I wish someday I could meet my birth mother. This is a great story.

[stephxhoney]

@heavymetalrulz123 thank you! best of luck when you go back!

[srwhotine]

Thank you so much for posting your story. As a mother of 2 children from China, I'm finding myself riveted my seat listening to your perspective.

[stephxhoney]

@srwhotine you're so welcome. i love to hear about adoptive parents watching my videos and hope that i help in some way.

[Shallsie]

I'm sorry you feel sad.

[AdopteeWarrior]

Thank you so much for your video. Its so encouraging, I hope that you find your mother and sisters, so sorry about your fathers passing.

[stephxhoney]

@AdopteeWarrior thank you very much. i hope so too!

[peselinger]

"Trust but Verify" as the saying goes. The woman may or may not be your foster mother, her story may or may not be true. I know you want to believe. I do too! Be cautious. Agencies have been known to LIE and use hucksters. Follow the money.

[stephxhoney]

thanks for the word of caution, but i do know it's her. i have a picture of her with me as a baby.

[melonbarmonster]

You should go on TV in Korea. They have people finding TV shows and a good number of adoptees are profiled on the show. You have a very specific and detailed story on your biological family and it sounds like you would be able to track down your birth family with some effort. Good luck with everything!

[amysfunny]

Stephanie - I just stumbled across your video and wanted to say hello and congratulations. I'm so happy for you that you had a great experience in Korea and that you were able to meet your foster mother. How wonderful! I wish you all the best and hopefully we'll cross paths somewhere (you know how we KADs often do)!

Amy Anderson

[TJStratton33]

Stephanie, your story is amazing. It literally brought tears to my eyes. I am so happy for you. Good luck with your search for your birth mother.

[EricByler52]

Stephanie, that video is just beautiful. I'm happy for you, and proud of you, and it's great that you documented this for others who are contemplating making a similar journey.

[rchandra2006]

Very moving...thanks for sharing a piece of your journey.

[drunkndrgn88]

aww, thanks for sharing your story, i can tell you were trying hard not to tear up

[tapestrybabe]

wow. what an intense story to listen to. i hope you enjoy your continued stay in korea.