For someone who doesn't eat mushrooms - I had a blast. Every once in a while it feels good to run around in the woods and get your hands dirty. Mayyybe I'll even try one, I do like butter...
Tuesday, May 4, 2010
I Found the First One!
Last night my dad and I went Morel mushroom hunting around our house. Neither of us had done it before, but the lilacs are in bloom so - it was time. Upon returning home & doing some research it was obvious we made a few noob mistakes, but I'd say a pound and a half is quite the score for first timers! Do any of you hunt for Morels?
Monday, May 3, 2010
Do I look Illegal?
After some weekend thoughts, some opinions ...
Lets face it, if you don't look Hispanic you're probably safe to say, "No" to today's raised question. It's absolutely embarrassing that there are people in this country that have worry about 'looking illegal'. (Not to mention years of unjust criminalization of African Americans, Africans, Muslim Americans and Middle Eastern populations.) For another view (wellllll, not really, He and I are on the same side) read this article. Are the numbers of undocumented immigrants concerning? Sure. Does our country need immigration reform. Sure. Is Arizona handling the 'issue' the right way? Uhh, no.
A former boss of mine had a bummer sticker that read: NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL. Think about it.
I like that people are talking about immigration. I do. Unfortunately a lot of people aren't thinking reform, but instead BURN BABY BURN. Everyone is forgetting the bigger issues of WHY people feel the need to leave their homeland.
Now is the time to take a deep breath, clear your mind ... and ask --
Do you really think people want to leave their homeland? Their culture? Their family? The familiar? Do you think people want to live in a place where they are discriminated against? That they are deemed 'illegal'. That they do not understand the language or customs, and are often victims of violence and slavery? If you've ever talked to an immigrant or refugee it's pretty obvious immigration isn't a matter of want but rather - of need. Why did my ancestors leave Europe? Because they no longer lived in a place with freedom, work, rights, or safety... so they did what was needed for survival and life happiness.
What would you do if your family was being killed off by drug cartels & corrupt officials, or your mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends were being raped and murdered in Maquildoras, or there was no way to feed your family here in Minnesota? You betcha you'd be jumping that border to Canada.
Lets - for one second - stop thinking about walls and start thinking about human beings. (copying Robert Greenwald) Do you look illegal? What if you did?
Lets face it, if you don't look Hispanic you're probably safe to say, "No" to today's raised question. It's absolutely embarrassing that there are people in this country that have worry about 'looking illegal'. (Not to mention years of unjust criminalization of African Americans, Africans, Muslim Americans and Middle Eastern populations.) For another view (wellllll, not really, He and I are on the same side) read this article. Are the numbers of undocumented immigrants concerning? Sure. Does our country need immigration reform. Sure. Is Arizona handling the 'issue' the right way? Uhh, no.
A former boss of mine had a bummer sticker that read: NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL. Think about it.
I like that people are talking about immigration. I do. Unfortunately a lot of people aren't thinking reform, but instead BURN BABY BURN. Everyone is forgetting the bigger issues of WHY people feel the need to leave their homeland.
Now is the time to take a deep breath, clear your mind ... and ask --
Do you really think people want to leave their homeland? Their culture? Their family? The familiar? Do you think people want to live in a place where they are discriminated against? That they are deemed 'illegal'. That they do not understand the language or customs, and are often victims of violence and slavery? If you've ever talked to an immigrant or refugee it's pretty obvious immigration isn't a matter of want but rather - of need. Why did my ancestors leave Europe? Because they no longer lived in a place with freedom, work, rights, or safety... so they did what was needed for survival and life happiness.
What would you do if your family was being killed off by drug cartels & corrupt officials, or your mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends were being raped and murdered in Maquildoras, or there was no way to feed your family here in Minnesota? You betcha you'd be jumping that border to Canada.
Lets - for one second - stop thinking about walls and start thinking about human beings. (copying Robert Greenwald) Do you look illegal? What if you did?
Friday, April 30, 2010
Thursday, April 29, 2010
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:
Wednesday, April 28, 2010
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.
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. :)
I like this girl. & this picture. & that hat. :)
On a Tanzanian Safari!
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
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.
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.
Monday, April 26, 2010
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.
Friday, April 23, 2010
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.
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.
Thursday, April 22, 2010
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!
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!
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