New Blog

Well, hello there. It's been a while. You can find me over at my new blog, jeannabauer.wordpress.com telling tales from South East Asia! xo

Karen Gum

One stand out afternoon, the Job Club participants and I ate lunch outside together. Afterwards, full of rice we laid under the shade trees and I listened to their jokes / stories in Karen trying to pick out words I could understand. Nearly all of the students offered me betel nut and I was reminded of my first day at KOM in 2010 my very first betel nut offer, "It's like gum! Also, it helps you speak Karen!" my colleague said.

Actually, betel is a leaf common in Asia (I fell for the gum thing, by the way). Betel leaf is often combined with areca nut, lime paste and/or tobacco. While most Karen from Burma only chew acerca nut - it's always offered as 'betel'.  Some say it's a mild stimulant, others say it cures stomach aches and most say it's a breath freshener. 

But all can agree - it's part of being Karen. Many Karen joke that wherever in the world Karen are - betel nut is sure to be available. They also say, if you can't tell what ethnicity someone is - look for a 'bleeding mouth' and you'll find the Karens (red staining of salvia is caused by acerca nut chewing). 

I've had everyone from employers to social workers, probation officers and doctors call and ask, "What are all these Karen chewing?! Why is their mouth red?" At the end of the day, red mouths aren't necessarily handsome and long term chewers have increased chances for oral cancers, but betel nut as a whole is innocent. The earliest memories of teens I work with are of selling betel nut to villagers in Burma (think: lemonade stand). 

I've always found comfort in the presence of betel nut. It has a lovely earthy, bitter smell. It's often distributed by the sweetest of elderly women out of beautifully woven bags and big, red smiles will always be endearing. So often bits of culture are lost in resettlement, but here's one silly little nut (not native to the US) here to stay. It magically appears at the finish of every meal or good deed. It's a consistent reminder of culture's deep roots. 

That day, under the shade trees I turned down the betel nut offered to me. I closed my eyes and went back to listening to the sounds of the Karen language, laughing and betel nut chewing ... until one lovely participant tapped my shoulder and handed me a piece of gum. 

Blossom

Tea For Two

I want that look. 

& isn't it perfect for a rainy, cold day in April? I think, yes. 

Blossom Photo

Aww

They make me so happy.
Even if they still have a lot of work to do on their 'silly photo' poses.

Noted.

via, stayfancyfree

Over Winter, but Not Complaining ...

Growing up in a place that has winter, you learn to avoid self-pity. Winter is not a personal experience, everybody else is just as cold as you, so you shouldn’t complain about it too much. You learn this as a kid, coming home crying from the cold, and Mother looks down and says, “It’s only a little frostbite. You’re okay.” And thus you learn to be okay. What’s done is done. Get over it. Drink your coffee. It’s not the best you’ll ever get but it’s good enough.

- Garrison Keillor

Need/Think

"And while many people around the world do not share the conditions and comforts we enjoy in America, don't let that fool you. Many of them do not need all the material things we think make us happy."

- Gail Shore, founder of Cultural Jambalaya in the Twin Cities 

via Women's Press - Your Thoughts March 2011

Attend This

Celebrate the 100th International Women's Day in St. Paul at Soaring Toward Gender Democracy: A Community Dialogue Event, Celebrating Refugee & Immigrant Women for Change

Tuesday, March 8th from 3 - 6:30 PM at St. Catherine University (remember to RSVP to RIWCNOW@capiusa.org by the 4th). The event is free and open to all, there will be performances, art, speakers & small group discussion. Come, surround yourself with those who believe in the strength, beauty & future of refugee and immigrant women. 

Show up & you'll know at least one person (hint - it's me). 

Letter! Book! Stickers!

It's well known I love mail & ma'pen pals.
& it should be known that I love Kim.

So, mail from Kim - is terribly exciting. & let me tell ya, I was not happy about having to find some obscure UPS hub until I saw that lil'rocket man.

The thing about Kim is she always seems to know how to - bring you back.
After bringing a close to the hazy rock & roll world of Keith Richard's LIFE, Kim gracefully swooped in with Not for Sale by David Batstone (a signed copy) to bring the reality of human trafficking back around into my hazy world. Like a true friend should. I cannot wait to read it. & I cannot wait until 2012, because that's when Kim told me I'm coming to visit her.

I stand with PP

I stand with Planned Parenthood because:

All women, no matter what their economic status - deserve quality health care services such as pap smears, preventative immunizations/screenings, prenatal healthcare, contraceptives & STI testing.

Not to mention - a safe haven for resources on body image, pregnancy prevention/testing, sexual assault & domestic abuse support services. 

All men deserve an affordable, safe, quality resource for cancer screening and sexual health / contraceptive services. 

I felt more comfortable with my Planned Parenthood OBGYN - then any other Dr. in my life. 

All women have the right to decide when they want to become mothers. 

An attack on Planned Parenthood is an attack on the rights and equality of women.  

It's not only about abortion. 

If Planned Parenthood was an organization focused on men's health - there would be no fight.  

I believe in the fight for women. 

It's very likely you know multiple individuals who have at some point in their lives used Planned Parenthood services.  

When women are able to take control over their own bodies, the poverty gap is reduced.

& so is the gender gap.

I can go on. But I think you get it.

If you're a woman. If you care about a women. If you believe the Government should back off uterus'. If you believe that the contraception for wild horses is less important than quality sexual healthcare services for women (that. is. real). If you believe in the equality of men & women. Or, simply, if you want to continue being my friend ... Stand with Planned Parenthood.

Again, Stand with Planned Parenthood
Again? Okay. Stand with Planned Parenthood

& ask yourself,

Would the world stand by if it were men who were dying just for completing their reproductive functions?

- Asha-Rose Migrio, UN Deputy Secretary General, 07

& start reading: Fair and Feminist

Save Service

Can you believe that we've gotten to a point in this world - where we have to fight to save. service.

Service, as in - a act that is done by one person or a group that benefits another person or group etc. etc.
Umm. I'm speechless really.

Here's the deal, according to saveservice.org,

On February 19, the House of Representatives passed H.R. 1, legislation that would make deep cuts in government spending for the rest of the fiscal year.  The measure – which eliminates the Corporation for National and Community Service and its programs-- passed 235-189.  Click here to learn how your Representative voted.

The House vote is just one step in the legislative process. The bill has been sent to the Senate for their consideration, and the Senate and the President will have opportunities to shape and influence the final spending package.  But it is up to us to make certain that the final bill restores funding for service!

Please call Congress and explain what will be lost if H.R. 1 becomes a reality. It is important that you express your disappointment with the House vote and ask that funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service be restored in the final spending bill.

We know H.R. 1 – as it passed the House – will not be the final funding package. But Congress must reach a compromise before March 4^th or the government will shut down.   Difficult decisions on funding priorities will have to be made in the next two weeks and we have to work very hard to ensure that any compromise restores funding for the Corporation for National and Community Service.

& there is it. The program that saves the government money in the long-term, helps young people gain professional skills, helps the needy, improves communities, teachs kids to read, advocates for self sufficiency and beyond - is at risk of being cut. & honestly I'm exhausted from begging everyone to call, write, sign, blah blah blah.

So, friends. Please. Just do something.

If you don't believe my words on the impact of service, read this Minnesota Fact Sheet, if you're too tired to write a letter - revamp mine, if you don't know who your Representative is, enter your zip code here, your Senator - here, and if you feel like your voice won't count - change your (swear word) attitude.

Ernie

Found by my friend, Steven Athay, this is an excellent graphic by Chris Bishop (a Creative Director for PBS Kids) of why we should all be working harder to save PBS.

Friends, my first word was Ernie. Don't tell me PBS hasn't done something for you too ...
For more information on what you can do to help save PBS visit http://www.170millionamericans.org/ 

Think of our future generations & take a minute to write a letter. Call your representative. Sign a petition.
You count. & frankly, wouldn't be able to count, or spell, or share - if not for PBS.

Just Try

Be pleasant. 

Mr/Ms/Mrs Representative

I'm a fan of writing letters, even one's that aren't to loved ones and friends. As an assignment in fifth grade, we were all asked to write a letter to our State Representative, & I haven't stopped doing so. 

I realize for many the word 'government' automatically tenses muscles,  frowns faces & turns people off/against, but now more than ever, we all must be aware of what is going on. Right now our State Representatives are gathering in DC to work on the Federal Budget, & in efforts to eliminate the Federal deficit - are making some HUGE cuts. Many to social services.

I've been busy writing letters to 'save' family planning assistance programs, funding for refugee assistance, AmeriCorps (& other national service projects) & our beloved NPR/PBS -- because I believe in these causes.

The writin' comes easy when fueled by belief and I encourage all of you visit Congress.org to educate yourself on what is happening within our Congress. I'm confident you'll find something you believe in and I urge you to go one step further - write your representative. Tell them how you feel, even if it's more of a "Thank You" than "HOW DARE YOU".  We vote our representatives in to speak for us - listening to your concerns, congrats and interests is. their. job.

Alone we are one person, but if we all do our share - we can make a change (or keep good things going). Your voice matters.

---

Dear Representative -----, 

During these times of evaluation and tough decision making in efforts to reduce the Federal deficit, I hope you consider voting against the elimination of national service programs such as AmeriCorps. 

This year, I am serving as an Americorps Volunteer at a local refugee resettlement agency. Although my official title is Volunteer, daily I serve as an Employment Counselor. My AmeriCorps organization has 30 AmeriCorps members serving in approximately 20 sites. Each of us provide employment services, job/work readiness training and college preparation services for low income refugees, immigrants, and/or ex-offenders. If Congress eliminates AmeriCorps, large numbers of at-risk members of the Minnesota community will lose services they need to be successful, incoming earning, contributing members of society. The Continuing Resolution will only push unemployment rates up. Unemployment numbers -- particularly for young people, veterans and military spouses, older Americans and people of color-remain alarmingly high. 

Beyond the at-risk groups we serve, people like my fellow volunteers (including but not limited to: retirees, recent college graduates, graduate students, mothers, fathers, etc.) national service programs have offered us the opportunity to earn a subsistence-level stipend, develop skills, and create pathways to future employment. Eliminating programs like AmeriCorps will result in jobs lost for the corps members and the staff who supervise them. 

I personally joined AmeriCorps when after graduating from a State University was unable to find steady employment. Through AmeriCorps I've been able to gain skills in the career area of my choice, become a young professional, gain new skills, move forward in becoming financially independent and most importantly - serve my community.  

I have been able to help at risk population of new Americans, refugees. Most refugee individuals have lived a life of discrimination and war - they have survived unbelievable feats and have made the plunge to accept their invitation to start a new life in the United States, specifically in Minnesota. This transition is not an easy one, but during my service thus far I've been able to help my new neighbors find steady and gainful employment through assisting in skill development, job/work readiness training, managing job search and placement assistance. I've been able to build relationships with small and large business owners, so they too may benefit from the hard work and determination of refugee workers (all of whom are legally granted the right to work in the United States). Through my service, I've been able to help individuals once dependent on State and Federal assistance become self sustaining, contributing members of their State and community. 

While the immediate benefits of cutting programs such as AmeriCorps may be high - the future implications are not. Our goals for aiding Americans and Minnesotans to become self sustaining, contributing members of society are like minded, I hope we can work together so that national service programs such as AmeriCorps can continue to make those goals a reality. AmeriCorps has had a deep impact on my life, and beyond one year of service will continue to shape the way in which I work towards bettering our local communities. Please save AmeriCorps.

Thank you for your time.

a moment

 

I love it & the funny thing is - I can't remember what we were laughing about. 

PS:  I spied Jess on the Invisible Children Blog today, I got weepy - literally seeing my friends fulfilling their dreams is just, wonderful.

Going on 85

Photographer Lauren Fleishman's project Love Ever After melted my heart this Valentine's morning - so I thought I'd pass it on. You can only imagine how much my old soul loves these photos & words. xoxoxoxo

Photos via: Lauren Fleishman

Story via: Cup of Jo

Needed It

“I’ve tried to become someone else for a while, only to discover that he, too, was me.”

- Stephen Dunn

Attend This

"Did you know that 70% of the world's supply of cocoa beans comes from West Africa, where there are an estimated 15,000 child slaves who harvest them? Kidnapped, or even sold by their families, they are forced to work under dangerous conditions with little hope for a brighter future. 

Hosted by Not For Sale Minnesota, during this event you will learn to deal constructively with this disheartening situation by becoming an informed consumer of slave-free chocolate. Come and learn about local chocolate sources untainted by slave labor, as well as have the opportunity to sample and purchase slave-free (and guilt-free) chocolate."

----

The movie The Dark Side of Chocolate will begin promptly at 7pm. Please come and see this informative clip.

  

WHEN: Thurs, Feb 10  7PM - 9PM   

WHERE: Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Minneapolis Office

625 Fourth Avenue S.

Minneapolis, MN 55415

FREE samples of fair trade chocolate will be provided by French Meadow Bakery.

PARKING: Free parking is one block EAST of Thrivent between 5th and Portland.

DETAILS: The event will take place in the first floor auditorium of the Thrivent building. Skyways and all doors will be open for your use.  

Pictures Via The Dark Side of Chocolate

Event Hosted By the Not for Sale Campaign MN Chapter 
Oh, & great minds think alike: Kimmy

Arab World Test

In our country - the Middle East/North Africa/Arab World floods our nightly news: Iraq, Iran, Egypt, Sudan, Afghanistan etc.

We've heard of the countries, we know the racist jokes, we are familiar with the stereotypes (don't lie- I say desert you think Aladdin, camels & terrorists). Many around us unfairly fear the Arabic language, tanned skin & dark hair/eyes, dare I say Muslims?! But tell me, do you even know where these countries are?

Can you recognize that more than terrorism and riots - this part of the world is unique, beautiful, full of culture, passion, history and human beings much like yourself?

I challenge you all to take this 'rethinking schools' Middle East Map Quiz & test your knowledge on the geographic of an area we feel so comfortable slamming. If you don't make more than 5 mistakes, I'll send candy. & while you're at it - do a little research on a country or two, you'll be awed.

PS: This is dedicated to Dr. Hsain Ilahiane, my professor of Contemporary Muslim Societies - who made us take a killer quiz like this: all. those. 'stans'.

Photos & Idea via:  Invisible Children and Wikipedia Arab World

Alleyway

In Egypt the alleyways & streets smell like apple shisha.

I'm craving warm evenings.