It's crazy how younger kids really do listen to what you say, and moreso how they soak it in and bring back your words when you least expect them to do so...
The other day I was downstairs in my main space of the house... standin' alone in the bathroom, flossin' the teeth... Down comes my 7-year-old "sister" as I'm finishing up. So she starts chatting with me, etc... Soon I start to take my vitamins [which I'm trying to get in the habit of doing on a daily schedule]. So my sister asks me what I'm swallowing and I explain to her what the specific vitamins are, why I take them, what the benefits are, etc. She then proceeds to tell me that she, too, has vitamins but "hates" them. So then I of course have more of an urge to make her aware that vitamins realy aren't so bad, and in fact, they could maybe really pay off.
So about a week later I'm in the kitchen with my sister's mom and we're talking and whatnot... Well then my sister, out of the blue, says: "Mom, where are my vitamins? Can I have them now please?"
Surprised, her mother says "You can take them later; now it's too late because you haven't eaten for a while... and that's funny that you're asking me because you don't like your vitamins at all..."
My sister then automatically says "No. I love my vitamins. Can I take them tomorrow morning please?"
...It can really be quite great how you can rub off on a young, supple mind..!
[Of course, you must respect this advantage greatly!]
Thursday, July 31, 2008
One-year anniversary of 35-W bridge collapse
Tomorrow, August 1 [2008], will be the one-year anniversary of Minneapolis' 35-W bridge collapse. Throughout the day there will be many local prayer services and communal moments of silence.
No one ever expects something like this to happen to a place that is so familiar and close to them... The bridge tragedy was a rude awakening, to say the least.
My love and honor goes out to all those who were affected by what took place on the 35-W bridge almost a year ago ~
No one ever expects something like this to happen to a place that is so familiar and close to them... The bridge tragedy was a rude awakening, to say the least.
My love and honor goes out to all those who were affected by what took place on the 35-W bridge almost a year ago ~
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
Sister City
Cuernavaca, Morelos, [Mexico] and Minneapolis, Minnesota, will potentially be SISTER-CITIES!!!!!!!!! This could be a HUGE advance for the fomentation of cultural awareness specifically amongst these two wondrous cities. Supposedly the agreement will be signed and official on September 14, 2008. This agreement will join in with the celebration of the Mexican Independence that fills the streets of Minneapolis around that time... YES!!for cultural connections***
Check out Augsburg's Center for Global Education that sends students to Cuernavaca for short-term and long-term programs. I just arrived back in the States from CGE's 5-week program and I can tell you so truthfully that never have I been so enlightened in what seemed to be such a short, but incredibly meaningful amount of time.
Check out Augsburg's Center for Global Education that sends students to Cuernavaca for short-term and long-term programs. I just arrived back in the States from CGE's 5-week program and I can tell you so truthfully that never have I been so enlightened in what seemed to be such a short, but incredibly meaningful amount of time.
The news and its problems with immigration.
In Pennsylvania a Mexican man was killed by a caucasian man. The Mexican man was married with three children. Needless to say, this man's death is a tragedy, it is unjust; but most of all this man's death is a prime example of the racism that exists specifically around the issue of immigration.
How has the mainstream media portrayed this death, this murder? Well, they dare fight to argue, even to insist or prove, that this was blatantly a hate crime. The caucasian man's lawyer argues that what happened was a "fight"... but does a simple fight turn in to something that would go so far as to kill someone, to take their life? Even before the man was killed, his murderer harassed him with racially-charged words and insults... Now there are even blogs on the internet saying that this "ocurrence" was good--that it's helping the anti-immigrant cause.
How disgusting is that. Have many of the people of this world really become so heartless, so one-sided and unaware?? Anyone that would praise the murder of someone else, not to even mention the racially-charged murder of someone of a different culture, needs to evaluate what peace, co-existing, and LOVE really means.
How has the mainstream media portrayed this death, this murder? Well, they dare fight to argue, even to insist or prove, that this was blatantly a hate crime. The caucasian man's lawyer argues that what happened was a "fight"... but does a simple fight turn in to something that would go so far as to kill someone, to take their life? Even before the man was killed, his murderer harassed him with racially-charged words and insults... Now there are even blogs on the internet saying that this "ocurrence" was good--that it's helping the anti-immigrant cause.
How disgusting is that. Have many of the people of this world really become so heartless, so one-sided and unaware?? Anyone that would praise the murder of someone else, not to even mention the racially-charged murder of someone of a different culture, needs to evaluate what peace, co-existing, and LOVE really means.
Monday, July 28, 2008
Am I Maternal?
Living with my boss and her family in The Cities for the past month has really brought me to life at a different level... I guess you could say that, without them even knowing it, the family is helping me become more independent...part of the evolving journey known as the "growing stages" in my life... ??
I guess I have just been thinking about this more lately during the times I have found myself reflecting on being around my boss' two young girls. I mean, in all reality I have never had two younger siblings, not even to mention more than one other sibling... Things change, you know, for example... I now want to just "squeeze" the girls sometimes--squeeze them out of love, squeeze them because I find how much I adore them... I was even gone last week for two days and then when I got back the family was in Chicago on vacation... well I just wanted to hear their voices!!! Right when I arrived back at their house and no one was home but me, the first thing I noticed was their smell that filled the house--seriously! So before I thought I couldn't make it through babysitting and now I am wanting that children-filled environment more..??? What a contrast. .. I even am conscious of if the girls are finishing their food or not each night... and if they're not, well then I am sure the one you will find eating their scraps--just to not have anything go to waste, you know...
So the question is-- throughout this time of weening myself away from my direct family, am I really becoming more in-tune with my maternal self?
I guess I have just been thinking about this more lately during the times I have found myself reflecting on being around my boss' two young girls. I mean, in all reality I have never had two younger siblings, not even to mention more than one other sibling... Things change, you know, for example... I now want to just "squeeze" the girls sometimes--squeeze them out of love, squeeze them because I find how much I adore them... I was even gone last week for two days and then when I got back the family was in Chicago on vacation... well I just wanted to hear their voices!!! Right when I arrived back at their house and no one was home but me, the first thing I noticed was their smell that filled the house--seriously! So before I thought I couldn't make it through babysitting and now I am wanting that children-filled environment more..??? What a contrast. .. I even am conscious of if the girls are finishing their food or not each night... and if they're not, well then I am sure the one you will find eating their scraps--just to not have anything go to waste, you know...
So the question is-- throughout this time of weening myself away from my direct family, am I really becoming more in-tune with my maternal self?
Saturday, July 26, 2008
"We Can Change..."
Lenny Kravitz's daughter, Zoe Kravitz, headed up an inspiring song/music video that is set-out to promote Barack Obama.
Whatever your political preference is, the voice behind this message is most likely to send chills up your arms that will even make your hairs raise.
Other commonly known faces appear to share their opinions also.
YouTube-it; it's a productive promotion.
Whatever your political preference is, the voice behind this message is most likely to send chills up your arms that will even make your hairs raise.
Other commonly known faces appear to share their opinions also.
YouTube-it; it's a productive promotion.
"In America"
Tonight, with my parents visiting me here in one of the many suburbs of The Cities, we saw the movie "In America," about an Irish family who emigrated to the US.
I highly recommend this film. It is incredibly heart-touching no matter who you are. The acting is top-notch, in my opinion, and the theme is incredibly personable.
Check it out for a good movie night.
---Annika
I highly recommend this film. It is incredibly heart-touching no matter who you are. The acting is top-notch, in my opinion, and the theme is incredibly personable.
Check it out for a good movie night.
---Annika
Making it known.
Today at a family gathering my uncle and I were discussing human rights issues... He asked me how one could make known, could make change come about, from a human rights violation he had witnessed while staying in Malaysia for three weeks...
After explaining to me how, daily, he saw a family [a neighbor in Malaysia] essentially enslaving "their" house-keeper, my uncle wanted to know what he could do to stop this. He felt helpless in many ways and quite disconnected from those who may just have the power to end this sort of human entrapment and discrimination. Realizing that he is not an expert on human rights violations, my uncle stuck with his gut intuition and conscience...basically his common sense, too... and he bluntly knew that this sort of treatment against another human being was blatantly wrong.
So after hearing the details I told my uncle that it is people like us who need to place the pressure on the officials, for example, to start bringing attention upon such issues and increasing the proactivity to work against such wrongdoings. If we make our voices heard [whether it is by contacting the media, writing letters to government officials, getting in touch with different activism organizations that would provide further support, etc]--- it is such things that promote grassroots initiatives that make a difference!! ---It is up to US, the people. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THE CHANGE [before we wait for anyone else to do it for us; we've got to be able to count on ourselves]!!!
After explaining to me how, daily, he saw a family [a neighbor in Malaysia] essentially enslaving "their" house-keeper, my uncle wanted to know what he could do to stop this. He felt helpless in many ways and quite disconnected from those who may just have the power to end this sort of human entrapment and discrimination. Realizing that he is not an expert on human rights violations, my uncle stuck with his gut intuition and conscience...basically his common sense, too... and he bluntly knew that this sort of treatment against another human being was blatantly wrong.
So after hearing the details I told my uncle that it is people like us who need to place the pressure on the officials, for example, to start bringing attention upon such issues and increasing the proactivity to work against such wrongdoings. If we make our voices heard [whether it is by contacting the media, writing letters to government officials, getting in touch with different activism organizations that would provide further support, etc]--- it is such things that promote grassroots initiatives that make a difference!! ---It is up to US, the people. WE'VE GOT TO MAKE THE CHANGE [before we wait for anyone else to do it for us; we've got to be able to count on ourselves]!!!
Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Democracy... or something like it
Democracy wasn't made to be a two-party system... but that's the way it has turned out. It's a shame that the new Green Party candidate [former Congresswoman Cynthia McKinney] has been proclaimed, and in all reality my values go with her, but I just feel that we don't have enough movements from the people of the US to make an Independent win possible--THAT is the shame.
According to America.gov, either a Democrat or a Republican has occupied the White House every year since 1852. Between McCain and Barack, the question has always been easy for me--Barack. It's as simple as that; [I say] get the scary-ass right side out!! But now I feel more that I have to vote for Barack [rather than voting Green]... just out of fear that McCain would make his gain if not.
According to America.gov, either a Democrat or a Republican has occupied the White House every year since 1852. Between McCain and Barack, the question has always been easy for me--Barack. It's as simple as that; [I say] get the scary-ass right side out!! But now I feel more that I have to vote for Barack [rather than voting Green]... just out of fear that McCain would make his gain if not.
Monday, July 21, 2008
The Presence of Brazil
The lurking power of China is a constant topic of conversation; but what about Brazil?
Brazil is the world's fifth largest country and also is home to the sixth most widely spoken language in the world [Portuguese]. Beyond that, Brazil has the most vast network of natural resources. Now Brazil is the global leading exporter of beef and a top producer of soya. Brazil doesn't need to go to other countries in order to tap in to oil sources, because they've got petroleum resources of their own... Can someone say self-sustaining? Not to mention its large-scale privitization throughout the country, placing the nation as a global economic competitor...
So in addition to learning Mandarin, don't let the Portuguese language pass you by...
Brazil is the world's fifth largest country and also is home to the sixth most widely spoken language in the world [Portuguese]. Beyond that, Brazil has the most vast network of natural resources. Now Brazil is the global leading exporter of beef and a top producer of soya. Brazil doesn't need to go to other countries in order to tap in to oil sources, because they've got petroleum resources of their own... Can someone say self-sustaining? Not to mention its large-scale privitization throughout the country, placing the nation as a global economic competitor...
So in addition to learning Mandarin, don't let the Portuguese language pass you by...
Thursday, July 17, 2008
DemocracyNow!
democracynow.org is a phenomenal site that I extremely recommend to all of you.
It is some of the most un-biased news that I have ever heard.
Even if you're not up for reading the news on their website, then just go to democracynow.org and listen to their radio show that covers all the news from that day.
Be informed. Be diversely informed. --Check out DemocracyNow and see what it's about!
It is some of the most un-biased news that I have ever heard.
Even if you're not up for reading the news on their website, then just go to democracynow.org and listen to their radio show that covers all the news from that day.
Be informed. Be diversely informed. --Check out DemocracyNow and see what it's about!
SOAR Orientation is goin on.
Huge congratulations and commendation goes out to Augsburg's Orientation Leaders [OL's] and all those at Admissions and additional departments who work so--s0o much up-front and behind-the-scenes to plan, create, folllow through with, and have fun with Orientation. The energy is there and it's obvious.
I mean really, --When else would you hear people singing and chanting the "Auggie Pride Song" at 8 in the morning??
HUGE THANKS TO AND APPRECIATION OF ALL OF YOU**
I mean really, --When else would you hear people singing and chanting the "Auggie Pride Song" at 8 in the morning??
HUGE THANKS TO AND APPRECIATION OF ALL OF YOU**
A front with life's many realities.
A lot of times, especially with having a daily schedule like the majority of the world does, I don't realize how fortunate I am to have not yet [in my current 19 years of life] encountered one of life's [literally] dangerous turns. ..Gosh, I even type my words with care because there is always that back-minded fear of "If I confront it and acknowledge that this has not happened to me, then maybe something will happen to me just because I am acknowledging that it hasn't yet." But fear is always present whether consciously or subconsciously... and fear should [and shall not!] not bog onself down... so I guess I can say "screw that" apprehension. ..
Well I am saying all this because tonight I experienced some emotions that I hadn't for quite a while... I reacted strongly to some images of a high school senior who was just about to graduate and prepare for college and who, out of nowhere, lived through a severe and tragic car accident. There is a blog her mother keeps updated about the student's current health conditions and overall state of being. Additionally on that blog are pictures of the student-- one is a picture of the student right after the accident [in a coma] and the others are of the student and the student's friends throughout their high school years... It was as if looking at the student's face was a reflection of the possibilites life offers and the potential that youth holds for a massive population of the world today. Not to mention that seeing such images personified the student's personal life and joy incredibly.
But I don't know; I realize that I don't know the student at all but it was something that, in a way, connected with me inside.
Sometimes I guess these realizations bring us back to our fragile but sometimes ever-so-fruitful realities.
Thanks for those.
Annika
Well I am saying all this because tonight I experienced some emotions that I hadn't for quite a while... I reacted strongly to some images of a high school senior who was just about to graduate and prepare for college and who, out of nowhere, lived through a severe and tragic car accident. There is a blog her mother keeps updated about the student's current health conditions and overall state of being. Additionally on that blog are pictures of the student-- one is a picture of the student right after the accident [in a coma] and the others are of the student and the student's friends throughout their high school years... It was as if looking at the student's face was a reflection of the possibilites life offers and the potential that youth holds for a massive population of the world today. Not to mention that seeing such images personified the student's personal life and joy incredibly.
But I don't know; I realize that I don't know the student at all but it was something that, in a way, connected with me inside.
Sometimes I guess these realizations bring us back to our fragile but sometimes ever-so-fruitful realities.
Thanks for those.
Annika
Saturday, July 12, 2008
Getting back on the bike
After getting burnt-out of running in High School and not having the time to dance from the happenings of 2nd semester college, my sights have now looked to road biking.
Being here in White Bear Lake I've got some pretty nice roads to start riding on. The other day I had to laugh at myself as I was slowly and shakily trudging up a hill... or, a "hill." I must have looked pretty humorous with a determined, scrunched, almost-maybe pissed off look on my face... not to mention how it wasn't very questionable that I am an amateur. But at least I got out there and initiated the first step of "do-it-yourself--learning how to road bike!" ;)
I finished off the trek covering around 10 miles.
Finally the let me head out again for my second time today. Pete and I took a bit of a different route to get us closer to the side of the lake. The wind was a support for about the first 15 minutes and then it grew to be more against us. The sailboats were out and so were the people on the beach. It made me want to have a picnic, actually.
So now I'm improving the mindset on the hills and taking them lump by lump.
...Hopefully tomorrow I'll just remember the path we took today... vamos a ver.
Being here in White Bear Lake I've got some pretty nice roads to start riding on. The other day I had to laugh at myself as I was slowly and shakily trudging up a hill... or, a "hill." I must have looked pretty humorous with a determined, scrunched, almost-maybe pissed off look on my face... not to mention how it wasn't very questionable that I am an amateur. But at least I got out there and initiated the first step of "do-it-yourself--learning how to road bike!" ;)
I finished off the trek covering around 10 miles.
Finally the let me head out again for my second time today. Pete and I took a bit of a different route to get us closer to the side of the lake. The wind was a support for about the first 15 minutes and then it grew to be more against us. The sailboats were out and so were the people on the beach. It made me want to have a picnic, actually.
So now I'm improving the mindset on the hills and taking them lump by lump.
...Hopefully tomorrow I'll just remember the path we took today... vamos a ver.
Thursday, July 10, 2008
Hittin the Roads in White Bear Lake
The other day I ventured out on my road bike... it was about time.
Before arriving to live with my boss, Carrie, and her family [Pete, Anna, and Emma], I thought a lot about how great it would be to take out my bike and explore the different paths, the roads winding around the large lake, etc. So I finally took action on Tuesday.
I ended up taking some different roads than planned, but that worked out all right. The hills were minor, although they did make my breathing increase quite significantly. I am trying to fight/"work more peacefully with" that mindset that says "I haave to go biking in order to exercise to be in shape" and rather transform those thoughts into "aw it is so beautiful out here and I am thoroughly enjoying this free time out in nature"... It's tough; although I do believe it's a common struggle with society because of the "work-out" messages that are sub-consciously pounded into our minds each day.
Wednesday and today I did not get to bike, but that is OK.
Tomorrow is a new day and from there I will go, after returning from work with Carrie, hike out [peacefully] on the bike once again.
Before arriving to live with my boss, Carrie, and her family [Pete, Anna, and Emma], I thought a lot about how great it would be to take out my bike and explore the different paths, the roads winding around the large lake, etc. So I finally took action on Tuesday.
I ended up taking some different roads than planned, but that worked out all right. The hills were minor, although they did make my breathing increase quite significantly. I am trying to fight/"work more peacefully with" that mindset that says "I haave to go biking in order to exercise to be in shape" and rather transform those thoughts into "aw it is so beautiful out here and I am thoroughly enjoying this free time out in nature"... It's tough; although I do believe it's a common struggle with society because of the "work-out" messages that are sub-consciously pounded into our minds each day.
Wednesday and today I did not get to bike, but that is OK.
Tomorrow is a new day and from there I will go, after returning from work with Carrie, hike out [peacefully] on the bike once again.
Monday, July 7, 2008
Re-entering Minneapolis
Driving over the 10th Street Bridge today I felt a feeling of foreignness that I can only remember really feeling when I was in my pre-college years, driving through the "unknown city" and looking at the tall buildings [specifically the riverside public housing buildings pop up in my mind because of their different scattered, squared colors]. I guess it's just that I hadn't been in the city for almost a few months now and sure, it'll take a little more getting used to. The bummer is that I won't have the city's streets right within the realm of my grasp. My bike and I won't have neither the simple luxury of being just a couple blocks away from Riverside nor will we be only a 10 minute bike ride from DinkyTown [although UpTown is definitely higher on the preferential scale].
But ya know, that is OK. The transitions just keep on coming and to encounter the most joys in life, one [specifically I, in this case] just has to roll with them.
So here's to finding the bliss amongst life's conveyor-belt transitions..!
But ya know, that is OK. The transitions just keep on coming and to encounter the most joys in life, one [specifically I, in this case] just has to roll with them.
So here's to finding the bliss amongst life's conveyor-belt transitions..!
Thursday, July 3, 2008
Movie of the Week.
"Como agua para chocolate"
I have continuously heard rave reviews about this pelicula. It sounds as though it really gets to the bliss of putting energy and feelings into that which you love...
A ver..
I have continuously heard rave reviews about this pelicula. It sounds as though it really gets to the bliss of putting energy and feelings into that which you love...
A ver..
Reverse Culture Shock Will Get You.
So if you have ever experienced a study abroad program, most likely it would have made you aware of something called the "W Effect"... well this would entail the main different stages one would experience going abroad into a different culture, etc. If my memory serves me correctly, this would include: the "honey moon stage," becoming accustomed, acceptance, rejection, anxiety (about leaving and re-entering back into your home environment), re-acclamation (into your home environment)...
Well right now with the 4th of July coming tomorrow... I am noticing that my mind keeps asking "What does it really mean to be an 'American'? [cough... umm, 'North' American... 'North' should be inserted before 'American']
It's just that the themes and learning that were consciously and subconsciously reiterated into our minds in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on my recent study abroad trip really make it difficult for me to be so accepting and prideful in the US' patriarchal past AND present.
It is not a phase I am going through; it is a new awareness.
Well right now with the 4th of July coming tomorrow... I am noticing that my mind keeps asking "What does it really mean to be an 'American'? [cough... umm, 'North' American... 'North' should be inserted before 'American']
It's just that the themes and learning that were consciously and subconsciously reiterated into our minds in Cuernavaca, Mexico, on my recent study abroad trip really make it difficult for me to be so accepting and prideful in the US' patriarchal past AND present.
It is not a phase I am going through; it is a new awareness.
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