Wow, Christmas is only a few days away! A crazy week ends in a calm weekend. Yay for calm weekends!
#1 S went for Xrays and Dr. check up. His arm is looking great and healing well. Yay! We still make him wear a sling when he's out and about and he still has to be EXTRA careful so he doesn't fall on it.
#2 A went to orthodontist with the dreaded message "My dog ate my retainer." Thankfully the orthodontist likes dogs and more than that, she said it wasn't too damaged, he can still wear it. We all breathed a sigh of relief as A knew how much that thing cost!
#3 I got a new phone! A real phone! It happened like this: on Thursday my son J tried to call me from school. I tried to answer his call but my cell phone wouldn't let me pick up. It just kept ringing. Finally it registered that I was receiving two calls from the same phone and I had put one of them on hold. Then it started playing random music that I'd never heard before...loudly. I finally had to take the battery out to make it stop. That was the final straw. No more of this says Kris. We spent the afternoon shopping for my Christmas gift: a smartphone! Woohoo! My phone even knows BOTH of our names (see T9 You're Killin' Me to see why this matters.) I never wanted a smartphone, but now that I have it, I like it :) Thanks Kris!
#4 A aced all his exams. Woohoo!
#5 We watched The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies today. It was great! Loved it! So thankful for a family that likes to hang out and do stuff like that together.
Now on to the weekend and 3 1/2 weeks of Christmas Break for the boys.
What was your week like?
Friday, December 19, 2014
Tuesday, December 16, 2014
FGM = Love?
Female circumcision is radical and unimaginable to most of my friends in the West. To most of my friends in North Africa, it is a normal part of life. Today I read an interesting article (FGM - An Act of Love) that sheds light on the thinking of those who circumcise their daughters.
I've written about FGM/C (Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting) in my upcoming novel Side By Side. The experiences in the book come from the true stories of young women who have undergone this practice.
As women, we should know at least a little about what more than 125 million women and girls in our world today are going through. You can read more about what FGM/C is here (this is just a fact sheet, there are no graphics, although the facts are heart-wrenching all on their own.)
It would be easy to become overwhelmed by the traumatic stories of women who have undergone FGM/C. It would be easy to become angry at those who perpetuate the practice. But I propose that the more one learns about a culture, the more difficult it is to find a black and white answer.
As mentioned in the article, "Whether we like it or not, female genital cutting is an act of love." I'm not saying that I agree that this is a healthy train of thought, I'm just saying it's worth the time to stop. Stop. Take a breath. And remember that not everyone thinks like we do.
I sat in a room in North Africa, the only white woman in a sea of dark-skinned villagers. We were attending a government-sponsored program designed to put a stop to FGM/C and tribal scarring. Most of my friends had undergone both.
The women squeeled and hid their faces when the program leaders showed us a film of a three-year-old girl being circumcised and scarred. It was gruesome and heart-breaking. But I knew that my friends who were moms would still go home and schedule an appointment for their daughters to be circumcised.
As a Westerner, I'd say it's fairly easy to form a strong opinion about FGM/C. It's well-documented as a harmful practice. I'm grateful for organizations (both local and international) that work diligently to educate and inform regarding FGM/C. It is hard for me to understand why this practice continues.
But let's bring it closer to home...
What practices do we have in our own cultures that are unhealthy or harmful, but that we guard carefully because to change it would be to go against a deeply embedded cultural norm? Perhaps you can't think of anything as huge or problematic as FGM/C, but I believe we still have unhealthy cultural norms that we do just...because. Because "that's how it's always been done," and because, "that's how everyone does it."
Some women in communities that have practiced FGM/C for centuries are taking a stand. Are you brave enough to take a stand against the unhealthy norms in your own culture? Am I?
It's worth some thought.
I've written about FGM/C (Female Genital Mutilation/Cutting) in my upcoming novel Side By Side. The experiences in the book come from the true stories of young women who have undergone this practice.
As women, we should know at least a little about what more than 125 million women and girls in our world today are going through. You can read more about what FGM/C is here (this is just a fact sheet, there are no graphics, although the facts are heart-wrenching all on their own.)
It would be easy to become overwhelmed by the traumatic stories of women who have undergone FGM/C. It would be easy to become angry at those who perpetuate the practice. But I propose that the more one learns about a culture, the more difficult it is to find a black and white answer.
As mentioned in the article, "Whether we like it or not, female genital cutting is an act of love." I'm not saying that I agree that this is a healthy train of thought, I'm just saying it's worth the time to stop. Stop. Take a breath. And remember that not everyone thinks like we do.
I sat in a room in North Africa, the only white woman in a sea of dark-skinned villagers. We were attending a government-sponsored program designed to put a stop to FGM/C and tribal scarring. Most of my friends had undergone both.
The women squeeled and hid their faces when the program leaders showed us a film of a three-year-old girl being circumcised and scarred. It was gruesome and heart-breaking. But I knew that my friends who were moms would still go home and schedule an appointment for their daughters to be circumcised.
As a Westerner, I'd say it's fairly easy to form a strong opinion about FGM/C. It's well-documented as a harmful practice. I'm grateful for organizations (both local and international) that work diligently to educate and inform regarding FGM/C. It is hard for me to understand why this practice continues.
But let's bring it closer to home...
What practices do we have in our own cultures that are unhealthy or harmful, but that we guard carefully because to change it would be to go against a deeply embedded cultural norm? Perhaps you can't think of anything as huge or problematic as FGM/C, but I believe we still have unhealthy cultural norms that we do just...because. Because "that's how it's always been done," and because, "that's how everyone does it."
Some women in communities that have practiced FGM/C for centuries are taking a stand. Are you brave enough to take a stand against the unhealthy norms in your own culture? Am I?
It's worth some thought.
Sunday, December 14, 2014
12 Days of Tropical Christmas
I wrote this a couple of years ago to describe our first Christmas in Sumatra. No mouse in my tree this year, but I'll be honest, I cringed just a tad when I opened the box. I knew a live mouse wouldn't run out at me like before because the box was well wrapped. It was finding a dead mouse entombed in the box that I was concerned about. But my fears were unfounded. I thought you might enjoy a new twist to an old favorite!
On the first day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
A mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the second day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Rust on the ornaments, and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the third day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Rain in the evening, rust on the ornaments, and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the fourth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the fifth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the sixth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
rice and soup and noodles,
Five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the seventh day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Mold in the kitchen, rice and soup and noodles,
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the eighth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Masses of mosquitoes, mold in the kitchen, rice and soup and noodles,
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the ninth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Amoebas in my belly, masses of mosquitoes, mold in the kitchen, rice and soup and noodles,
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the tenth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Natalans at the church, amoebas in my belly, masses of mosquitoes, mold in the kitchen, rice and soup and noodles,
five calls to prayer!
leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
five calls to prayer!
leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the eleventh day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Skype calls to family, Natalans at the church, amoebas in my belly, masses of mosquitoes, mold in the kitchen, rice and soup and noodles,
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
On the twelfth day of Christmas the tropics gave to me
Memories to cherish, Skype calls to family, Natalans at the church, amoebas in my belly, masses of mosquitoes, mold in the kitchen, rice and soup and noodles,
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
five calls to prayer!
Leaks in my bedroom, rain in the the evening, rust on the ornaments and a mouse in my Christmas tree!
Friday, December 12, 2014
#H54F All.Most.There.
Whew, made it through a busy week that I was a little concerned about. It's Friday night and Kris and I are just relaxing in-between being taxi for the three boys who had various things going on this afternoon and evening. Here are highlights from our week:
1. Last Saturday Kris, A and I helped with a kid's program and I got to meet some of the moms. We even played frisbee together!
2. J had his first band and choir concert. He played the trombone in 6th grade band and sang in the middle school choir. Unfortunately, S couldn't play clarinet in the advance band because of his broken arm. He was a good sport about it. Here is J dressed and ready for the concert.
3. I enjoyed co-hosting a Christmas Tea for some ladies. I took pictures of all the food and then we enjoyed chatting so much that I forgot to take pictures of the ladies! Here is cream cheese with chili jelly on top. I learned that from my sister last year and wanted to make it because it reminds me of her. Love you April!
4. S finished PT for his broken arm this week. Doctor said the X-ray looks great and he can just do some exercises at home. And, the doctor says, whatever you do S, don't fall down. Praising the Lord for quick-healing bones!
5. As Christmas quickly approaches I enjoy hearing Christmas music. I hear it in the grocery store and all through the mall! Here is A's take on a favorite Christmas song. I think he did a great job. Click below to listen!
Krook - Carol of the Bells
Well, that's my week in high fives. What about yours?
2. J had his first band and choir concert. He played the trombone in 6th grade band and sang in the middle school choir. Unfortunately, S couldn't play clarinet in the advance band because of his broken arm. He was a good sport about it. Here is J dressed and ready for the concert.
3. I enjoyed co-hosting a Christmas Tea for some ladies. I took pictures of all the food and then we enjoyed chatting so much that I forgot to take pictures of the ladies! Here is cream cheese with chili jelly on top. I learned that from my sister last year and wanted to make it because it reminds me of her. Love you April!
4. S finished PT for his broken arm this week. Doctor said the X-ray looks great and he can just do some exercises at home. And, the doctor says, whatever you do S, don't fall down. Praising the Lord for quick-healing bones!
Krook - Carol of the Bells
Well, that's my week in high fives. What about yours?
Wednesday, December 3, 2014
Look What I Found!
Anyway, I went to my profile to look at something--I don't remember what--and I was surprised to see THIS! Side By Side is already available for pre-order! What? So fun--and quite surprising honestly--to find this!
So I found it on Amazon and Christian Books. Woohoo! By the way, I noticed that Christian Books has the best price.There is more information about it on New Hope Digital.
At the moment it is available for pre-order for the paperback copy. I'm guessing that it will become available for e-book (Kindle etc) in April, when the book releases. I am still new to all of this as this is my first time to work with a publisher.
I am so excited. Thanks to all of you who have encouraged me along the way. I can hardly believe this dream, that began about 9 or 10 years ago, is becoming a reality!
Monday, December 1, 2014
T9 You're Killin' Me!
So here is my glossary for all my friends out there who receive SMS messages from me. Can you please just do me a favor and post this somewhere so you can decipher my messages? I promise if we agree to do this, I'll gain about an hour or so to every day.
1. When I am talking about my husband Kris, I do NOT mean Krishna, no matter what my phone says. Seriously? Why on earth does my phone know the word Krishna?
2. "Woohoo!" is now Wmmgmm! Please just know that I am celebrating with you.
3. While I am sometimes meek, I am "Jana" not "Lamb"
4. My phone does not like to "PTL" so can we just call it "Rules"?
5. And when I think something is really gross, please just let me say "Yukon".
6. If something is "yum" let's just agree to call it "zuo".
7. And if I will get back to you quickly, I'll tell you that I'll get you the information "ARCS"
In honor of Cyber Monday, I need some friends to feel my technology woes. Seriously, does anyone else have this problem?
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