TV ads abound of consumer goods and merrymakers shopping at the malls. Reaction to a gift of matching luxury cars = Priceless!
So is the reaction of the children in metro-Detroit who have nothing to open in Christmas morning - let down can lead to hopelessness - after all the hype and the images of new clothes,food,toys and trinkets.
The implication that one has not been good enough or have not worked hard enough is crushing. So can overspending with credit card debt.
Fuel for the economy or fuel for the stake that is burning away at so many families in the Detroit area.
And what are you going to do about it? Can you spare a dime or a gift?
To sponsor a child - Madonna University Christmas for Kids project:
1 – You can pick your child by asking for a list of unsponsored families by calling Madonna University (734) 432 5427 or e-mail: erankine@madonna.edu
2 – Put Your name alongside that child’s name to update the list and let me know the family # and the child ID – boy, 3 years old, Size 5 T
3 – Shop for 1 article of clothing, age appropriate book and toy for child – about $21.00
4 – Buy a jar of Peanut Butter, a jar of Jelly and treats like cookies for the child – about $4.00
5 – Wrap the gifts
6 – Drop off gifts at Room 1001 – Office of Student Life by December 15 to give Santa’s helpers a chance to find gifts for the left behind children.
7 – Celebrate the Season with gladness and joy in your heart!
Have a very Merry Christmas!
On behalf of the children – I thank you very, very much!
Sunday, December 09, 2007
Saturday, September 08, 2007
Kiran Desai, Malu Fernandez
Kiran Desai's account of Biju's trip, from New York-London-Frankfurt-Abu Dhabi- Dubai- Bahrain-Karachi-Delhi-Calcutta, is hilarious and sad. Biju's destination is Kalimpong - no planes going there. Did Indians think it is malicious for Kiran Desai to tell it like it is?
I was a bit offended by the article written by Malu Fernandez. The poor woman had to resign. Yes, I called for her to be fired or something. Or am I losing my sense of humor? Both the color line and the class line are very distinct features of Philippine society, not always so subtle either, even abroad.
After reading Kiran's novel, "The Inheritance of Loss" - I came to the realization that we all look at ourselves, other people and our surroundings through the filters of the familiar, our experiences and aspirations.
The novel turned out to be a powerful work of what happens to people and places when cultures collide - and when the filters no longer hold a filament of truth. Only love of family and the mountain peaks proved to be true.
I think it is very healthy sign when an author can actually look at her culture's and people's features honestly; and find humor and pathos alongside each other.
Maybe, just maybe, this is what Malu Fernandez was trying to say in her article????
I was a bit offended by the article written by Malu Fernandez. The poor woman had to resign. Yes, I called for her to be fired or something. Or am I losing my sense of humor? Both the color line and the class line are very distinct features of Philippine society, not always so subtle either, even abroad.
After reading Kiran's novel, "The Inheritance of Loss" - I came to the realization that we all look at ourselves, other people and our surroundings through the filters of the familiar, our experiences and aspirations.
The novel turned out to be a powerful work of what happens to people and places when cultures collide - and when the filters no longer hold a filament of truth. Only love of family and the mountain peaks proved to be true.
I think it is very healthy sign when an author can actually look at her culture's and people's features honestly; and find humor and pathos alongside each other.
Maybe, just maybe, this is what Malu Fernandez was trying to say in her article????
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Bugoy
196 cities, 12 countries and counting! The numbers surprised me, especially the number of cities I have visited. I guess I am a globalization pioneer. Although I only worked in five countries,I actually lived in 6. Who would have thunk it???
Every time, I popped in Michigan, Uncle Santos Ares used to say, "Okay where have you been or where are you going now? I can't keep track of you. One week I get a postcard from Canada, the next week I get a card from New Zealand." Uncle Santos was Tia Ginang's brother and just as funny. Always jolly and full of jokes.
They called me bugoy when I was growing up in Catmon. I was always wandering around town - my base was in Pilapil. Lola and I lived in the last house, just before the pilapilan (rice paddies and sugar cane fields)depending on the amount of rain. There used to be a huge "Bangkal Tree" in the corner of Burgos (now Juan Ginoo)and the national highway. I used to run every time I passed that tree. I believed that there were encantos living there. I was so happy when Man Solang built a restaurant there!
As a little girl, I always felt a bit isolated from the rest of Catmon. I was very lonely. I would go and hang out at different sections of the town with different family groups.The whole town was my playground plus Bawo (Lola Dulya and Lolo Sergio Rule family, Nanang Ipay and family) and Bagalnga (Tia Tana and Tia Andring), Ilaya (Tio Titing and Nana Pising) Ibabao and Cogon (Tata Batyong and Lola Sayong).
I loved and enjoyed spending time with Manoy Aliado, Ingko Tony and Inday Tanciang in lungsod. For me they are the closest to having siblings. I received my grounding in my Catholic faith from Lola Ebing, Lola Ciana, Lola Sana and Lola Elyang in poblacion the old house by the imburnal across the street from the plaza. My faith role model is of course Lola Piyang.
The most memorable ones were the "Impolite School" memories with the Roldans, the Estenzos, the Manits, the Rojas' and the Canares families. Not to mention Peggy and Johnny Bjeland and Stuart and Danny Chalmers. Heard but unable to confirm that Stuart married a Filipna and settled in the Philippines.
I think I can see a pattern of connecting with various people and going to different places. My dream now, is to go to Italy - Rome and the Holy Land to visit. I would also like live in Istanbul (Turkey), Damascus (Syria), Alexandria (Egypt) and Shikoku Island in Japan. I am starting to prepare for the Damascus and Alexandria stint by learning Arabic.
I am a bit slow but every trip starts with the first step - so every language starts with the first word - inshAllah!
Every time, I popped in Michigan, Uncle Santos Ares used to say, "Okay where have you been or where are you going now? I can't keep track of you. One week I get a postcard from Canada, the next week I get a card from New Zealand." Uncle Santos was Tia Ginang's brother and just as funny. Always jolly and full of jokes.
They called me bugoy when I was growing up in Catmon. I was always wandering around town - my base was in Pilapil. Lola and I lived in the last house, just before the pilapilan (rice paddies and sugar cane fields)depending on the amount of rain. There used to be a huge "Bangkal Tree" in the corner of Burgos (now Juan Ginoo)and the national highway. I used to run every time I passed that tree. I believed that there were encantos living there. I was so happy when Man Solang built a restaurant there!
As a little girl, I always felt a bit isolated from the rest of Catmon. I was very lonely. I would go and hang out at different sections of the town with different family groups.The whole town was my playground plus Bawo (Lola Dulya and Lolo Sergio Rule family, Nanang Ipay and family) and Bagalnga (Tia Tana and Tia Andring), Ilaya (Tio Titing and Nana Pising) Ibabao and Cogon (Tata Batyong and Lola Sayong).
I loved and enjoyed spending time with Manoy Aliado, Ingko Tony and Inday Tanciang in lungsod. For me they are the closest to having siblings. I received my grounding in my Catholic faith from Lola Ebing, Lola Ciana, Lola Sana and Lola Elyang in poblacion the old house by the imburnal across the street from the plaza. My faith role model is of course Lola Piyang.
The most memorable ones were the "Impolite School" memories with the Roldans, the Estenzos, the Manits, the Rojas' and the Canares families. Not to mention Peggy and Johnny Bjeland and Stuart and Danny Chalmers. Heard but unable to confirm that Stuart married a Filipna and settled in the Philippines.
I think I can see a pattern of connecting with various people and going to different places. My dream now, is to go to Italy - Rome and the Holy Land to visit. I would also like live in Istanbul (Turkey), Damascus (Syria), Alexandria (Egypt) and Shikoku Island in Japan. I am starting to prepare for the Damascus and Alexandria stint by learning Arabic.
I am a bit slow but every trip starts with the first step - so every language starts with the first word - inshAllah!
Friday, August 03, 2007
International Face - Everything But White
I asked one of my friends to scan some pictures that I took in Mexico. She commented that I looked like one of the natives. When I was down there, the shopkeepers and the folks I met in the street spoke to me in Spanish.
In retrospect, this happened to me in Japan, Taiwan and Korea when I was young. Indigenous folks in the Northwest often mistook as one of them.
It is okay - I like it.
In retrospect, this happened to me in Japan, Taiwan and Korea when I was young. Indigenous folks in the Northwest often mistook as one of them.
It is okay - I like it.
Tuesday, July 31, 2007
Of Importance
I was just outside taking some paper to the recycling bin. I saw a patch of Queen Anne's lace next to a nice patch of grass - the tall kind. The arrangement looked beautiful although humans never touched it except for the occasional grass cutting. As long as these plants are within the cut line they are left to their own devices. The beauty was striking. Nature is important to me, the environment.
I just signed a letter to my congressperson about a renewable energy bill. I hope he will listen to me. This is important in the long term.
I just signed a letter to my congressperson about a renewable energy bill. I hope he will listen to me. This is important in the long term.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Memories
What is memory? How accurate can a recollection be? I am starting to think about various things that happened in my life - some of them feel like they happened such a long time ago - others, feel like they just happened this morning or even yesterday.
Tuesday, March 15, 2005
Forbidden Knowledge
Had an interesting discussion today about forbidden knowledge in American society.
What is acceptable knowledge?
What is legitimized inquiry?
In a democracy, who has the power to act as gatekeepers of forbidden knowledge? Direct or indirect censorship is practiced all the time in all areas.
Who has the power to manipulate knowledge? Is it ethical?
Where does free speech fit in? free press? academic freedom?
A lot of human progress have come about from people who "pushed the envelop" of "forbidden knowledge" in all areas of life. Folks who were labeled as "crazy" during their time are touted as heroes with new discovery. Previous acceptable knowledge have also been debunked with new discovery.
Where does critical thinking fit in? Is critical thinking teachable or is it innate?
What about socio-biology - nature vs. nurture?
Is the search or thirst for knowledge genetically driven or influenced by the environment of the individual?
What is acceptable knowledge?
What is legitimized inquiry?
In a democracy, who has the power to act as gatekeepers of forbidden knowledge? Direct or indirect censorship is practiced all the time in all areas.
Who has the power to manipulate knowledge? Is it ethical?
Where does free speech fit in? free press? academic freedom?
A lot of human progress have come about from people who "pushed the envelop" of "forbidden knowledge" in all areas of life. Folks who were labeled as "crazy" during their time are touted as heroes with new discovery. Previous acceptable knowledge have also been debunked with new discovery.
Where does critical thinking fit in? Is critical thinking teachable or is it innate?
What about socio-biology - nature vs. nurture?
Is the search or thirst for knowledge genetically driven or influenced by the environment of the individual?
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