Writer, Educator, and Adoptee
Note: There has been a lot that's been going on in the adoptee community lately and I plan on covering more of those topics in the near future. At the moment, I don't have a lot of emotional space right now to cover some of them, but those posts will be coming soon. Many times… Continue reading A Deeply Personal Journey of Learning Mandarin (Part I)
As part of this blog, I hoped to include book reviews of recent books I've read. As a former BookTuber and Bookstagrammer, I am slowly getting back into my love for all types of fiction and prose. Thank you for Common Place Books Fort Worth for sending me this Advanced Reader copy. These Ghosts are… Continue reading Book Review: These Ghosts are Family by Maisy Card
Last fall, I started my journey of applying to Ph.D. programs. I had not planned on applying this cycle; however, due to the uncertainty surrounding COVID-19 and employment, I decided to take the plunge. I've always had the goal of getting my doctorate someday and becoming an English professor, and this past autumn felt like… Continue reading How I was Accepted Into my Top Ph.D. Program
As a Chinese Adoptee, I've often been told that I wasn't "Asian enough" to join conversations in Asian spaces. Hearing about the tragic shooting in Atlanta just weeks ago along with the slurry of anti-Asian hate crimes that have abounded since COVID-19 has reminded many people, including adoptees, of the racism that Asian Americans experience… Continue reading An Asian Adoptee addressing #StopAsianHate
Anyone who knows me well knows that I have a soft spot for stationary. The feeling of crisp, smooth paper or new highlighters excite my senses. Recently, I've been trying to find stationary that is both elegant and functional: combining both Japanese and western brands into my favorite combinations. Below are some of my favorite… Continue reading Stationary I Use Daily (Minimalist and Modern)
Earlier this year, I wrote this caption on my Instagram page @anadopteewriter on using the term "displaced" instead of saying that I was adopted. Overall, I had positive responses to this verbiage; however, there are still aspects of displacement that I have yet to explore. I wrote about how adoption has always had a positive… Continue reading Using the Term “Displaced” Instead of Adopted
Cathy Park Hong's Minor Feelings is anything but minor. As an Asian woman, specifically one who hopes to pursue English graduate studies, I was continually awed by Hong's veracity and honesty with her experiences. Minor Feelings may be part memoir, part essay, but it packs what I would argue is a significant chapter of Asian… Continue reading Book Review: Minor Feelings
For this year's National Adoption Awareness Month (NAAM), I am dedicating posts to covering recent adoption topics and more. National Adoption Awareness Month first started as an initiative to spread awareness of the need for permanent families for youth in the U.S. foster system. Although it was originally intended to focus on spreading awareness of… Continue reading National Adoption Awareness Month 2020
Over the past few years, I've tried to make my cleaning routine sustainable through using non-toxic, "zero waste" products. After many attempts and after trying several options, I've settled on a handful of products. These products are the ones that I found were worth the investment and that were also less expensive than other refill… Continue reading My Zero Waste Cleaning Routine
My homemade pork and vegetable dumplings with wrappers made from scratch. Photo Credit: Alyse MeiLan Last weekend I set off on an endeavor to make Chinese dumplings from scratch. As a Chinese adoptee who grew up in the United States I haven't made food from China that often, but I was inspired to make them… Continue reading Making Dumplings for the First Time as a Chinese Adoptee
Cover image credit: https://caboodle.nationalbooktokens.com/ Content shared to @anadopteewriter on Instagram. Created by: Alyse MeiLan Adoptees and Media Representation 🎬 // Recently, a middle grade book titled “The Unadoptables” was released by a major publishing house. Unfortunately, it was another instance of adoption being portrayed in an insensitive way. Not only does the title bring up… Continue reading Adoption and Media Representation
Alyse MeiLan 