Gimme Your Stuff!!!

I have come across two different websites this past week with really interesting concepts. One is called Gimme Your Stuff.

It is basically a cultural exchange where you put together a package of items that are unique to your area, it can be food items, clothing items, anything really. And then you send it to someone in another part of the world who will send something similar to you. It is fascinating to me and I love looking at all the pics of swaps that have gone on. Once we move and I get my life in order I am going to definitely do this!

I think even a regional swap between bloggers is cool. Being originally from the Buffalo, NY area there are a couple things I can think of right off that are unique to that area- Frank's Red Hot Sauce, Aunt Rosie's Loganberry drink, buffalo wings... I will have to get some feedback for some Cleveland ideas! But I would love to see what is unique to other areas of the US, what brands are common, what magazines everyone reads, etc. This is maybe something I will do here, once we are organized again in my house.

Here is what I would send:
Malley's Chocolate - fabulous local chocolate!!!
CD of Rock and Roll music, true American tunes!
some bath and body stuffs
American design magazine or fashion magazine
some cute fabric
and of course some Buckeyes since Ohio is the Buckeye state! (for those who don't know a Buckeye is a chunk of peanut butter wrapped in chocolate-yum!)
and anything else that the swapper is interested in!

Anyone else find this so interesting?? If you are reading this from outside the US and want to try a swap with me then let me know... could be lots of fun!!!

Ni Hao Kai-lan!

I don't know how many of you reading this have small children but if you are like us and encourage your kids to learn about other cultures and languages then there is a tv show that you have try out- Ni Hao Kai-lan on Noggin!

Having taken two semesters of Chinese in college and of course being a student of Buddhism I am drawn to everything about the Eastern cultures. Noggin, which is a branch of Nick Jr, just premiered this new show and I am hooked. This is what the website says about the show:

Ni Hao, Kai-lan is the next generation of preschool television programming
that introduces the psychology of biculturalism. If Dora and Diego popularized
bilingualism, Kai-lan will weave together being bilingual and bicultural. Ni
Hao, Kai-lan reinforces the idea that being bicultural and bilingual is being
American. The show will familiarize the viewing audience with elements of
Chinese and Chinese American cultures to promote multicultural understanding in
the next generation and goes beyond featuring "culture" as only ethnic food and
festivals. Instead, it celebrates growing up in an intergenerational family,
having friends from diverse backgrounds, and "habits of the heart" that are
Chinese American.

One of the best things about the show is that it stresses being calm and content, not jumping around crazy and shouting to get things done like the plots in Dora. The songs are pretty cute as well!! Definitely another show that I won't mind watching with the girls!

Stories from Rwanda

Isn't it funny how going from one site to another, reading one blog and clicking on a new link takes you to places you never imagined? Somehow I ended up on a photographer's blog, a wonderful, caring woman who just journeyed to Rwanda and came back with so much hope and love. It stunned me. I realize that here in America there are tons of people who need help, that there are children faced with violence every day, people who are struggling to make ends meet. But on the other side of the planet there are whole countries like that and much worse. Conditions even the poorest here couldn't imagine living in, and worse off, no way to fix them. There are no scholarships for the poor, no jobs that can help close the gap, not enough doctors to fight against the diseases that we have conquered here, and no judicial system to right the wrongs against throngs of humanity. Here in America, you can see a doctor if you have no money to pay, if someone rapes you you can go get help and society does not shun you, there are so many luxuries here that we don't even see as luxeries.

Once in awhile it takes a story to really make me reflect and put my life into perspective. Complaining that the gas is too much money, it is hot out, the refrigerator turned my fruit into frozen good, the toilet makes funny noises... how silly! How can I possibly complain when I am here, safe, able to stay cool in my house, have two cars to drive, have a beautiful yard with fruit and flowers? And most important- healthy children who are blossoming before my eyes, flourishing in this environment full of happiness, good food, and love.

I have heard lots of complaints when charities are asking for donations to help people in Africa, and while I can understand their frustration, at the same time I know that we cannot even fathom what harships those women face over there. I specifically say women because they are the keepers of the house and children while the men work, they are the victims of forced marriages, genital mutilations, and other punishments their societies create because of their gender. Here we can actively better ourselves, there there is little hope of rising above your station. All you can do is survive and pass your knowledge down to your children in hopes that they may find a way.

I light a candle for all those facing those challenges, and finding the courage to triumph. For all those women and children whose lives were touched by the genocide, whose dreams are speckled with memories best forgotten. And for those who are trying to help in any way that they can, even by lighting their own candles in thought and prayer.

Here is the story that started it all, thank you Jen.