Weekend Thoughts

Another Year, Amsterdam

Happy Birthday to my wonderful friend Brittani, my Amsterdam partner in crime. Well, it was Amsterdam soooo partner in legal activities. To celebrate, some pictures from that ... interesting city:

whew

OMG. That AmeriCorps application I started wayyyy back in July ... then ignored for a while ... then revisited a few months ago - IS FINISHED. FIN. DONE.

ONTO the fun part - finding bunches of cool positions.

Ms. Ashley

On a less serious note than yesterday...
I like this girl. & this picture. & that hat. :)

On a Tanzanian Safari!

The Help

I just finished reading The Help by Kathryn Stockett. First of all, it's fabulous. I literally read for days straight. Stockett did some serious character building and I feel like I personally know each narrator (2 domestic workers and 1 college graduate/journalist). It's a beautifully written story of the relationships between white housewives and their African American hired help in 1960s Mississippi. I won't try to explain more, I can never do books justice. There is a reason it's on the bestseller list.

The Help is a fictional story, but it's words and stories are true to many. I was pretty disturbed/saddened by the stories of blunt violence, sickening discrimination and outrageous rumors about minorities. Because really, these events didn't happen all too long ago (& still happen today). I also spent a lot of time thinking about how hard it must have been for all those people involved in the civil rights movement, especially those who lived in the south. It's embarrassing, but I don't know if I ever truly thought about the risk they put themselves in. I have a whole new appreciation for all those involved, and I am beyond thankful for them.

But then I turned on the news.

& any relief that I may have felt - disappeared instantly. Have we really come that far? Stories of male government officials telling their female colleagues to "go back to the kitchen", funding being cut for domestic abuse shelters and in-home care, Wal-Mart being called out for years of paying women less then men (for the same work), oil leaks, and Arizona officially stripping away the respect and dignity of it's Hispanic population. Death threats seem to be the new love letter ... and I don't even know when this started. When did our country start becoming so hateful again? Did it ever stop? Was I looking away? Everyone seems so angry. & feel overwhelmed. Sometimes, I'm scared my voice isn't loud enough, that I'm not doing enough.

So, to those of you who speak up for greater good - thank you.
& to the Grand Canyon, I'm sorry - looks like I won't get around to seeing you.

popcorn

Do you ever have those moments when memories rush in and consume your thoughts? In my experience these moments are typically onset by a song, photo, or place. But, last night, I closed my eyes to sleep and I felt like I was back in Roxy-Cairo. I wasn't dreaming and I obviously wasn't actually there, but I had the most realistic and slightly overwhelming memory:

I was sitting on Khalda's couch. I could hear her clanking in the kitchen and the normal chaos of Cairo streets (our porch doors were always open). Some 90s American movie was playing on the TV and I was talking to my mom on the computer. I smelt oil. & then Khalda yelled out from the kitchen, very excitedly, "Jeanna! I have surprise for you" & came into the living room carrying a heaping bowl of home-popped popcorn. I said rushed goodbyes and I love yous to my mom, thanked Khalda over and over - and together we sat happily eating our popcorn, watching some stupid movie. 

It may seem like a small moment. & I guess it was. But you see, a few days earlier Khalda and I discovered a new popcorn stand outside our metro stop. We instantly became frequent customers. I told her it reminded me of home. She felt the same way. & then, she surprised me with popcorn on some boring afternoon. Isn't that sweet? I miss her. 

National Volunteer Week

ATTN: This week is National Volunteer Week (well, the end of it). I bet you can guess what I'm going to say ... DO SOMETHING. Help a friend clean or paint their house. Mow a neighbor's lawn. Pick up trash in the neighborhood. Help your local food shelf for an afternoon. Babysit for free. Donate blood. Share a talent. Become a mentor. Write letters to government leaders asking them to support your cause. etc. Check out the dosomething website for some really cool ideas!

Need some inspiration? Many of you should know by now, that this past summer I worked with the Iowa Resource for International Service bringing students from Tanzania & Nigeria to Iowa through the State Department Youth Exchange & Study Program. Well, all of the students are required to participate in at least 2 hrs of community service per month. Many of the students have gone above and beyond the requirements, even though community service is not overly common in their native countries. Some even choose to volunteer weekly!

While I was in Ames, I was proud to attend a ceremony for one of our students who received a Story County Youth Volunteer Award; this particular student spends every Saturday volunteering her time at a local nursing home. I've heard that another student travelled to New Orleans on a volunteer mission trip. Some students are participating in high school sponsored community service days, and many others are teaching various groups about their native culture. As a group, all 60 students worked together packaging food to be sent to countries in need. The IRIS blog has inspiring posts from students (including alumni) describing what community service has meant to them. Inspiration. 

60 teenage students from Tanzania and Nigeria can find time and motivation to give back to their host communities... why can't you? Volunteering not only helps your community, but makes you feel great too! Start now.

Green

Happy Earth Day!! 

Ahh, every spring I'm reminded why green is my favorite color.  

& Earth Day, how fabulous. A day dedicated  to our Mother Nature. Love it! 
It's gorgeous outside, so I'm getting off my computer - NOW. 


Check out my past blog post about picking up your neighborhood & other great/SIMPLE ways to help out the environment! 

this-century war movies.

It's official. I need netflix. Badly. Mike & I love watching movies together, and during this visit- I got to choose them!! Thanks to the greatness of netflix we enjoyed: 

The Stoning of Soraya M.: The true story of one woman living in Iran, who was stoned to death after being falsely accused of adultery by her angry, divorce-seeking husband. This movie is heartbreaking, frustrating and eye-opening because while this is the story of one women - stoning still occurs in many Muslim majority nations (I must note, obviously, this does not mean that all Muslim's believe in this deadly, inhuman punishment). 

The Men Who Stare at Goats: Packed with leading Hollywood men, this movie is hilarious & heart-warming. It's about a reporter who finds himself on an adventure with a military secret agent. Only, this agent is part of the New Earth Army - whose mission is to explore psychological warfare, and emphasizes connecting with both the enemy and one's inner flower child. 

The Hurt Locker: A portrait of men who work for the US Military's Explosive Ordinance Disposal Unit in Iraq. It really goes into the psychological effects of being in war. Inspired by real events, it's innnntense and action packed.

Pray the Devil Back to Hell: The Story of Liberian women who worked and prayed to bring peace to their country by protesting a civil war tearing apart the country. A-maz-ing. Women are going to change this world - a statement that can be signed, sealed, and delivered after seeing this film. 

I knowwww I recently blogged about documentaries ... I swear to you, I'm not trying to be the next Roger Ebert - they were just really good! 

VEISHEA

Celebrating VEISHEA & Iowa State this week seeeeeee ya Monday!

Poetry

Since I've watched, Munyurangabo I've been thinking a lot about it. Well I take that back, just the end. Edouard Bamporiki (a well-known Rwanda poet) reads his work, "Liberation is a Journey" & it is beyond moving. 6 minutes of pure beauty. 

I found myself getting lost in the flowing and powerful sounds of Kinyarwanda, then scrambling to read the subtitles. The poem talks about beautiful Rwanda and the aftermath of genocide. It touches on peace, violence, history, landscape, education, child soldiers/victims, propaganda, moving forward, set-backs, liberation, needs, wants, pride, Hutu, Tutsi, children, orphans, domestic abuse, poverty, goals, prostitution, one culture, etc.

I want to copy it to you alllllll, but, I cannot find it anywhere. I've read/searched interviews, youtube, indie movie reviews, and even a handful of spirituality websites (?) in attempts to find it. No luck. I've resorted to re-watching the poem scene a few times, here is a taste : 

"...That our Rwanda, its beautiful rivers and pools Its beautiful fields with roads and no famine 
Became a cemetery and a shame 
Don't you know that this is injustice? 
... Free us from poverty and illiteracy since liberation is a journey 
I'll start with the family, the foundation 
I condemn the many men 
Who don't allow their wives to have a voice
They hit them and think they're mindless 
Who gains from this? 
... You are killing our vision of a strong nation"* 

Trust me on this one. See it, & feel the aftermath of genocide and the power of revenge through the eyes of one young boy. 

Cheers to Rwanda! & its tea that I'm drinking right now. & tonight's new episode of LOST / African movie night & tomorrow's Rwanda reunion! Obviously, I've had a tiny little country on the brain lately.

*original words by Uwayo Bamporiki Edouard, translated by Ahishakiye Emmanuel, from Lee Isaac Chung's Munyurangabo

Mochas and Confidence

The delay in this London Trip update is 100% my fault. Em was right on the ball... I, not so much. As you may remember my Bitty Sister went to LONDON for Spring Break and had a blast on her first trip out of the U S of A. Saaaweeet. Here's what she had to tell me (& now you) about the trip (I bolded the statements that made my heart burst):

"& now I will tell you - London was fantastic, I was not expecting myself to fall in love with such a fast pace, large city but I did. I loved the fashion of London I could just sit there and take notes and try to look as trendy as them, tights tights tights and  knee high boots. I was in heaven with a mocha and croissant in one hand and confidence in the other I was ready to go explore. My favorite sights in London would have to be the view from the St. Paul Cathedral, you can't even picture the view until you hike up all those steps and you are finally standing at the top the wind is smacking you in the face and you dont even care because all you can focus on is that view. It feels like the city is at your finger tips. It was as beautiful as the cathedral itself. Another favorite of mine was not even in the heart of London, it was Camden Town, the shops and booths filled with gorgeous going out dresses and smoking pipes... it was a mixture of everything in all these shops you would be walking and suddenly you would be finding broaches and lace then a door down would be studded belts and a underground tattoo parlors. It was an experience and I wanted to not only buy everything for myself, but also for you - if only we were rich right? Not to mention, this was where I let a sexy Italian cut off all my hair.  Every time I cut my hair and do something bold I may not love it right away but it is always so refreshing and it makes me feel like I can conquer anything. [Emmy-Bee offered to be the 'dummy' or rather model for a group of Italian cosmetology students. Free haircut at a top London salon - she snatched up that opportunity!] I get this wave of freedom, every inch cut off I feel like I have gained 1 yard of freedom. 

FOOD something that used to be a scary topic for me - ahh vacation, it helped so much. Some of my favorites?  Hmm let me see, I loved all the desserts (how could you not?) I had: cheesecake, ice cream, pie... My favorite was probably the lamb and apricot shepard's pie (flakey, light, warm, and delicious) Shared bottles of wine didnt hurt either. OH MAN, I almost forgot about the CURRY. We went to this dodgy resturant/bar where on Wednesdays (we got lucky) they had a curry special so for 5 pounds. Note to anyone traveling to London the fish & chips while yummy, I'd go with the curry. Another note... their mochas are not that great so instead order a hot cocoa with expresso shots - it's more rich and chocolate-y. I think it tasted better that way ... No actually I know it tasted better that way :)

It was just so much fun that I just smile & giggle everytime I think of my trip and it makes me want to travel travel travel even more. New York, Spain, ITALY who knows where next but there will be a somewhere in my future there will be..." 

YAY! Isn't that just wonderful? For past big-sis bragging you can visit here or here. & - NEWS Emily has started a blog too. You can read about her 'little beautiful things in life' here at "Wandering the Road Already Traveled" 

A Love Song

I cannot remember how I heard about Sheikh Imam, but I listened to this Egyptian singer/oud player a lot while in Egypt. Mostly just this song- it's beautiful!!



Whenever I'd go looking for his CD in Cairo, everyone would say, "Oh nononono sell Sheikh Imam." Finally, after weeks of searching one honest salesman said, "Sheikh Imam is great oud player, bad Egyptian. He talked bad about governements." Kids, that's governmental censorship. Thank goodness for youtube. Enjoy!

c-c-cherry bomb

I just got home from seeing The Runaways with my friend Lindsay (who is much more rock-star than I), and now I'm daydreaming of wreaking havoc on ... anything really. But alas, mass destruction will have to wait because my Grandpa and Grandma are here for dinner. & anyway, I don't have any silver eye shadow.

(Trying)

Something to Do Today: Embrace your inner rock-star. Listen to some loud music! Pick up an instrument! Head bang? 

Pick It Up!

The absence of snow - amazing. The appearance of litter - frustrating. 

Has anyone else found their neighborhood or local street ambushed by trash? Even the little-itty-bitty town of Welch has been affected, and I'm sick of looking at it. So, this afternoon I put my new Easter-basket gardening gloves (they're adorable - Liberty of London for Target) grabbed a few bags and went on a walk. A walk for a cause if you will. 

It was great! Not only was the walk nice (the sun was shining and my legs feel sore in a good way), but I feel proud of what I did too. A mile stretch and I ended with two heaping full bags - gross! Trash just doesn't belong in our ditches, and I'm baffled that in 2010 people still think it's okay?! Maybe we can all learn something from the people of Rwanda*:

(Kigali, Rwanda) 

Did you know that Rwanda totally beat us to the punch on the anti-plastic bag rage - they are completely banned from the country. Or that there is basically NO litter in Rwanda? Why? How? Some say - "Umganda" (Kinyarwandan for 'contribution').

In Rwanda, one saturday a month everything (businesses, public transportation, etc) shuts down from 7-noon so that people can participate in community service. Everyone over the age of 18 is required to pick up trash, fix local irrigation issues, and participate in various utility-type projects. It opens up discussion on community issues and more importantly offers an opportunity for people to connect to one another and their country. I highly encourage everyone to read this great Green Planet article on Rwanda's advanced green ways.

But what I reallllllly think you should do is grab a few bags, put on some gloves, and go on a trash-removal walk. It is definitely Something to Do Today.

* Today, April 7th - is the 16th Anniversary of the beginning of Rwanda's 1994 genocide. Despite great hardship and many losses, the country has come so far. Take a moment to remember all those negatively affected and lost due to violence, and respect their continued progress. Such a beautiful country!! 

new leaf, new book.

Minor problem.

I cannot stop reading a book. If one is started, I cannot give up on it. No matter how boring, long, etc - it must be finished. Recently I started a massive book, and it's just not pulling me in (or maybe it's because I'm not into weightlifting?) yet I still continue on and steer clear of my bookshelf - though it stares at me daily with unread novels waiting to be opened. & as a result, I've found myself staying up late not with my nose in a book, but instead embracing my inner potato watching bad reality TV. Which is just ... not okay.

So, I'm turning a new leaf. I've put the barbell of a book away, and started a new one. The Happiness Project: Or Why I Spent a Year Trying to Sing in the Morning, Clean My Closets, Fight Right, Read Aristotle, and Generally Have More Fun by Gretchen Rubin. I'll let you know how it is! Or you can read more about the project here.

At today's particular library trip I also picked up the beautiful movie, "The Diving Bell and the Butterfly" and one of yesterday's recommended films, Munyurangabo. I sense herbal tea and comfortable chairs in my near future. 

EducationalEntertainment

Since I've returned from Cairo, I've been attending monthly Refugee Health Task Force meetings put on by the MN Department of Health (I am so grateful that they let a young, un-affiliated kid like me join). I've learned a lot about immigrant/refugee issues in the Metro and made some excellent contacts. Today's meeting was extra special -- when I walked into the room and it smelt like Leah Keino's kitchen I knew it was going to be good -- The Annual Task Force Film Festival / Ethnic Pot Luck Party!

So now, with a strong urge to buy plane tickets to Africa and a lentil/rice filled belly... I'll share with you the titles of documentaries/films that we either watched clips from or simply discussed briefly. Each title is linked so you can easily find more information: 

Middle East/Asia

Blindsight: The story of six Tibetan teens who climb a mountain near Everest, a feat in itself, these teens are blind.  

Born into Brothels: Follows a few children living in brothels within the red light district of Calcutta, India. Each is given a camera and lessons on photography, a powerful film about how children see the world. (Probably my favorite documentary from today - the children are beautiful and talented - it's a heart-wrenching story. I'm anxious to see the whole film). 

To See If I'm Smiling: The story of young girls drafted into the Israeli military. 

I Know I'm Not Alone: Musician Michael Franti travels to Palestine, Israel, and Iraq to look at the human cost of war.
Found: "An impressionistic journey told through old photos, text, animation and home movies, begings with Toronto poet Souvankham Thammavongsa discovers her father's discarded scrapbook that documents the family's escape from Laos in the 1970s"
The Story of the Weeping Camel: Part documentary part film, it's the story of a family of herders in Mongolia and the troubles they face when a camel mother rejects her newborn calf.
Tuya's Wedding: A story about a Mongolian woman shepherd.
The Betrayal: Oscar nominated and a 23 year project, it's the story of one family's forced move from Laos to New York city after the secret US air-war with Vietnam brought violence and chaos to the area. 

Africa

Black Gold: A Film About Coffee & Trade, the film follows impoverished Ethiopian coffee growers and their fight for a fair price. 

Munyurangabo: A Rwandan genocide orphan travels the country to avenge his father's death.

Sisters in Law: Two sisters in the Cameroon use law and justice to help the abused women of the village. 

What are we doing here?: Three brothers and a cousin travel from Cairo to Cape Town to see where the billions of dollars in world aid is really going. (Extremely powerful, educational, emotional, and shocking. I'm hunting this one down for sure - 30 minutes wasn't enough). 

I'm Not Black, I'm Coloured: An educational and historical look at race in Cape Town, South Africa.
Rough Aunties: Follows a group of women who protect and care for abused, neglected, and forgotten children in Durban, South Africa.
Pray the Devil Back to Hell: The Story of Liberian women who worked and prayed to bring peace to their country by protesting a civil war tearing apart the country.

Worldwide

Half the Sky: A movement to empower the world's women, and to end human trafficking, forced prostitution, and gender-based violence. (The Half the Sky movement is more well-known for it's novel form, written by Nicholas Kristof and Sheryl Wudunn).
* Sacred Heart, The Rice, and The Chosen Child were three other films that were mentioned today, but I couldn't find information on them.

You probably won't find these titles in your nearest Redbox, but try your local library! It's raining outside, the perfect time to cuddle up and learn. Happy viewing! 

This I Believe

What do you believe in?

I believe in empowering women, inherent goodness, gut feelings, stories, & voices. I believe in respect & dignity. I believe in sunshine. I believe in belly laughs. I believe in desserts. I believe in friendship & family. I believe in old roads & culture. I believe in xoxo's, music, deep breaths, smiles, & happy lists. I believe in peace & One World ... I believe in a lot of things, but how do you pick just one?

My reflections on personal beliefs have been jumpstarted by the book I just finished, This I Believe: The Personal Philosophies of Remarkable Men and Women edited by Jay Allsion and Dan Gediman.

The This I Believe project was started in the 1950's over a lunch date between Ward Wheelock, William S. Paley (founder and CEO of CBS), Donald Thornburgh, and Edward R. Murrow (@ the time, Murrow was the country's number one broadcaster). These media big-wigs felt that materialism was overtaking the spirituality of the United States. & came up with the idea that daily, they would broadcast a 5 minute radio program of well-known individuals reading short essays on what they believe. 350-500 words on what philosophies guide one's day-to-day actions; "not what could be learned in a moment, but a lifetime".

This I Believe soon became a national (and later- international) phenomenon; it was called a "radio staple", and submissions were soon welcome from 'everyday people'. In 1952 select stories were printed in novel form, and two more novels have been printed since (I also just found a vinyl version at a used book sale - score!). The project officially left the radio in 1955 due to budget cuts, but has lived on since. Thousands of eassys still get submitted today to the This I Believe Website. 

I am in complete awe of this project. The small book took me more than a month to read simply because I felt that each essay needed to be savored (my very, very, very favorite was Everything Potent is Dangerous by Wallace Stegner). I've been in the process of writing my own essay, and think you should too. The guidelines (as taken from here) are simple: tell a story, be brief, name your belief, be positive, and be personal. 

Something to do today: Think: WHAT DO I BELIEVE? & start writing your own This I Believe essay. 

For more history, stories, merchandise, and guidelines to writing your own This I Believe essay, click here.