If we were in the mood to be cynical, we’d say that adopting bunches of children from third world countries was something of a celebrity trend. Just look at the brood that Angelina Jolie has assembled. However, it also makes a lot of sense if you think about it. There are a disturbingly large number of children in the world that have no families and live in intolerable conditions. Who better to take them in than a celeb with tons of money and space to spare?
When Madonna adopted her son David from the impoverished African nation of Malawi back in 2006, there were plenty of headlines about the adoption and questions whether the pop star had been allowed to skip over some of the red tape that a less famous foreigner would have had to deal with. This time, however, the headlines are being generated for a far different reason. A judge rejected her request to adopt a second child: Chifundo “Mercy” James, age three. The judge stated that it would be bending the rules to allow her to sidestep the requirement that states prospective parents must live in the country for a period of time.
While Madonna has been praised by officials for the charity work that she’s accomplished in the country, the judge stated that the country needed to be careful to avoid “opening the doors too wide” to foreigners seeking adoption. It was also made clear that the little girl in question was receiving care deemed as “suitable” in her current orphanage, as opposed to David’s situation over two years ago.
We’ve all seen the ads for them on TV. Internet dating sites that promise to help you find the perfect partner. Hearing the stories of happy couples who met each other through one of these sites and are now married or on the way can tug at the heartstrings of anyone who is looking to settle down in just such a relationship. However, many women feel uncomfortable dealing with this type of site. Perhaps they worry about the “caliber” of men that they’ll find when they submit their information. Maybe they worry about posting photos and personal information anywhere on the Internet. Perhaps they’re concerned that the site in question is nothing more than a scam looking to take money from the lonely and the desperate.
Choosing to utilize such a service is of course a personal choice. However, there are people who have had success meeting people through Internet matchmaking. If you’re tired of hitting the bars and have the money to spend, what do you have to lose? You can even find more specialized dating websites such as SoulSingles.com, which caters to the Black singles community.
Before giving your information or money to any dating service, it’s recommended that you do a little bit of research. See what information you can find on the history of the company to make sure they are really legit. Looking for unbiased testimonials or checking with the Better Business Bureau is always a good bet.
For families in the US, often the closer a vacation destination, the better for several reasons—lower priced airline tickets, less time spent on traveling to and from, and less time spent recovering from jetlag! Plus, as anyone who has traveled south of the border knows, you need not go far to experience vibrant culture, delicious food, and exotic beaches! For families who really want to get away, travel to an island like Cancun. There, families can ride horses and visit Aztec ruins by day, while they watch shows or take breezy walks by the ocean at night.
One place that offers excellent family vacations to Cancun and other nearby locations is Occidental Hotels. This establishment offers vacations at various resorts that are both luxurious, entertaining, but also more affordable than the typical resort vacation. These hotels offer entertainment, luxury accommodations, and host small and large events including reunions and weddings—though many simply use them to book relaxing and memorable getaways.
Of particular interest to families are the Kids Club, which is a program for babies to tweens ages 4-12. The Kids Club entertains children with games and activities organized by loving and energetic staff members who are there specifically to provide childcare so parents can have a little time as a couple while children have a blast!
Occidental Hotels also offers the Fun Club program at their resorts. This allows families to select activities from options such as water sports, horseback riding, volleyball, tennis, snorkeling, and diving. At night, they select entertainment as well, which might include a trip to a sports bar, discos, or live show. To learn more about the all inclusive vacation deals, visit the site for Occidental Hotels & Resorts.
