Immigration

I just finished reading this story regarding immigration. It's at times heart-wrenching and other times heart-warming. In this story I have seen the ugliness that can be fallen man and the beauty which can be man redeemed. The story is specifically about one boy's journey atop trains, in the midst of trecherous weather, bandits and corrupt officials, the hardships he faces and his driving desire to see the mother who left him at the age of five to go to the United States. However, this story isn't just about one boy, it's about thousands of children who are left behind every year as mothers make the difficult and impossible decision to seek out better wages and opportunities in el norte with visions of supporting their children and saving enough to return home and maintain a 'priveleged' life.

Enrique's Journey by Sonia Nazario

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Were I to give this book a one word theme it would be that of 'broken-ness'. The story of Enrique is a story of thousands of immigrant children who experience broken relationships, broken homes, broken hearts, broken bones, broken innocence, broken reunions. The broken-ness extends beyond those children who make the trek from Central America to el norte into the broken-ness of systems, of poverty, of law-enforcement, of those who have gone before, and on and on. As difficult as this story is and the truths about immigration as it often looks are, it is a read worth tackling in order to understand just a small glimpse of what fuels immigration and love for ones family.
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The book left me aching to know my role in this situation. What can I do? What do I know and/or belive about immigration? What do I know and/or believe about poverty? Is there a feasable solution to what has been revealed to be a vicious cycle? I don't know.

What I do know is that I have a voice. I have a vocal, readable, recordable voice - the ability to speak on the behalf of those who don't. I have a voice which speaks loudly through my actions, even if I never open my mouth. I have a voice which is tied to my income and checkbook and will reveal where I succeed or fail in practicing what I preach.

One thing weighed on my heart in reading this - one drop in the bucket of good I contribute, of action point I can take...choosing wisely who to offer our Kiva Loan. Not in a "I don't trust what other borrowers are using their money for"  way but in a, "I have a new sense of what is happening in Central America and why women are leaving, it may well be worth it to invest in the women of those nations in hope that they will remain with their children and communities" way.

What are your thoughts on the issue of immigration? Have you read Enrique's Journey? How did it stir your emotions, call you to action, change your preceptions? Have you read other stories with a similar backdrop regarding immigration? Regarding parts of the world where pain is tangible and you feel moved to seek out a way to serve?

I'd love to hear/read your thoughts!

(Typed while enjoying a bit of strawberry milk before bed!)

Introducing my Companion

We've now had our very own pet for nearly 24 hours.

She's sweet, calm and mellow. Not a yipper like many small dogs.
Inquisitive yet timid.
Nervous yet brave.
Adorable yet mutt-like
Friendly yet shy.

In 24 hours (plus a few additional hours prior to 'finalization') I have had numerous thoughts regarding this new companion recently adopted into our lives. I am excited to have a reason to get out and enjoy fresh air with greater frequency. I anticipate her adapting to us and learning to love people the way we do (yet I fear it just may not be her idea of a good time). I am nervous that I will not have what it takes to give this companion all that she needs and deserves to feel welcomed and cared for. I have never been so directly responsible for the health and happiness of anyone other than myself. (I can't imagine what thoughts one must entertain when entering the responsiblities of parenting).

I'm not so sure about this.
About my abilities.
About my responsibilities.
About my love.
About my patience.
About my sanity.

We are undertaking a lot.
Yet, it feels right. and good.

I can only imagine that the addition of this furry companion
is about to make life much more interesting
and teach me a bundle of lessons along the way!

(Typed having finished dinner with a glass of red wine followed by sitting on the floor beside this companion I've spoken so highly of)

Companion

I'm sitting here, staring at a sweet bundle of fur.

We've welcomed a new friend and companion into our home.

And I couldn't be happier.

She's precious, just wait until I post some pics!

(Typed while enjoying a brown bone china mug of Blueberry Rooibos tea)

Dreams

Sometimes this life we're living

feels like a dream.

a dream come true.

a living dream.

a path to our future dreams.

Maybe that's why this song resonates with me this morning.



Lyrics | Priscilla Ahn - Dream lyrics

(Typed while drinking some water and chowin' down on a roll of sorts from Paris Baguette - Day 3 of Deskwarming has just begun)

Food is Communion

I haven't really taken the opportunity to sit and consider real life New Years Resolutions, but the past couple of days have brought a couple more or less to mind. Actually, the may not really count as resolutions - their more like 'ideas I'm kickin' around and want to see where they might go', and I'm conveniently having them at the beginning of the year. One such idea: I want to better track what I'm reading, how much I'm reading, and most importantly, process through what I'm reading. I have a handful of friends whose Facebook statuses proclaim the number of books they read this year as well as their favorites, etc. I just want to remember what I've read and what influences it causes in my daily living. Last year, I started writing a review for all of my Goodread books - but I don't really leave detailed thoughts because, personally, I don't want book snobs on Goodreads judging me for my lack of intellect or for liking a book they thought was subpar - I'd rather receive grace and an occassional criticism from people I trust and value - so, I'm bringing the Goodreads review here where I plan to elaborate a bit on how each book of 2011 affects me and other ramblings which may come about...so, now you know why this blog 'article' is about a book.

In Defense of Food: An Eater's Manifesto by Michael Pollan

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


"Michael Pollan and I are really on the same page when it comes to food and nutrition. The more real the food and the more intentionally it's being purchased, prepared and shared - the better. In current eating habits this read may seem profound, but ultimately, the advice and information provided are simple. Knowing food in this way, is what I desire in my own kitchen and household."


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This is obviously what I felt comfortable leaving on my Goodreads profile.

But let me tell you - I am SOOO incredibly passionate about food. I wish so deeply, that more people were convicted about the importance of food and eating plants that have nourished generation after generation. I wish all people would put just a little more effort into preparing their own food and meals at home. Here in Korea, I've began prearing quick, light, easy dishes and am continually shocked at how convinced some people are that convenient foods are the quickest, easiest dishes to prepare. For example, last night I took 10 minutes to prepare a dinner that was satisfying, delicious and made use of 'whole foods' (what did I make you ask? Well I just spread some hummus on a slice of bread, topped with onions and tomatoes, sprinkled with salt and pepper followed by olive oil and mozzarella cheese, toasted the boogers up in the oven while I fried a few eggs, topped each slice of bread with an egg and wham, bam, thank you ma'm we were sittin' down to a delicious dinner). 10 minutes! That's all. In Defense of Food really, really encourages me to continue forth on this path of caring about food, about preparing my own, knowing whats in what I'm eating and being intentional about eating. If you're not there or don't get it - I promise to do my best not to judge or condescend, just realize, this is my passion and has been for years!

And because reading a good book should always provide at least one good quote:

"Food is a form of communion with other people

and other species."

~Michael Pollan

(Typed while quickly downing a white Jeonju University labeled mug of Lady Grey Tea with one teaspoon of sugar)

I Do Not See



Taken during the first sunrise of 2011 in Daejeon, South Korea

When I rang in 2010, I knew about as much as anyone can know about an upcoming year.
I knew I had 5 months left working at Linford.
I knew I had only 5 months to enjoy the day-to-day company,
presence, friendship and comfort of my Laramie 'family'.
I knew I'd go to Hawaii
I knew we'd travel the World
We'd meet our Sponsor Child
We'd be in South Africa for the World Cup
We'd end in Asia, most likely with Teaching positions
I'd celebrate 3 years of marriage with my husband
I'd spend Christmas in a foreign land

Granted, any of that could have changed. Could have been dropped, re-vamped, re-written, undone.
But it wasn't.
So at the brink of 2010, I knew what a big and impactful and amazing and wonderful year lay ahead.

In a word, 2010 was Bittersweet.

For months, I knew I was about to leave some of the most
Amazing, Supportive, Beautiful, Loving, Encouraging, Inspiring, Gentle, Humble, God-Fearing, Service-Hearted, Community-Oriented, Intentional friends I've ever known or called my own.

The taste was bitter

For months, I knew I would embark on a dream of a journey filled with joy, adventure, sights, experiences, challenges, growth, lessons and new friendships I couldn't have if I stayed 'home'

The taste was sweet

For months I knew I'd leave my family, yet they'd continue to call and email and facebook and be my family.

The taste is bittersweet.

For months I knew my workday woes would come to an end yet I'd be without my amazing and inspirational co-workers nor the children whom I loved, regardless of behavior.

The taste is bittersweet.

For months I have lived in a foreign land and have experienced such warmth and hospitatility, delightful flavors on my tastebuds, the beginnings of friendships that are just as impressive as the ones I left behind, friendships which I know I am better for having been a part of.

The taste is sweet.

For months I have missed out on the day-to-day lives of cherished family and friends, children growing, wedding bells ringing, Christmas Breaks re-juvenating and re-uniting, New Year glasses clinking, in a place that will always and forever be home.

The taste is bitter.



Last year, we received the gift of a prayer from a dear friend.

One that as applicaple then as it is now:

My Lord God, I have no idea where I am going.

I do not see the road ahead of me.

I cannot know for certain where if will end.

Nor do I really know myself,

and the fact that I think I am following your will

does not meant that I am actually doing so.

But I believe that the desire to please you does in fact please you.

And I hope that I have that desire in all that I am doing.

I hope that I will never do anything apart from that desire.

And I know that if i do this you will lead me by the right road,

though I may know nothing about it.

Therefore I will trust you always

though I may seem to be lost and in the shadow of death.

I will not fear, for you are ever with me,

and you will never leave me to face my perils alone.

~Thomas Merton

I raise my yellow teacup filled with hot water ( a strange habit developed in the ROK) to the year of 2011 although I do not see.

Meditation: V

Mid-December came and went in blur, leaving me few moments to reflect on anything beyond what to bake and prepare for Holiday celebrations and how to begin each day with enough motivation to get to work and do a half-way decent job at teaching. Not that December was extremely difficult by any means, just busy and challenging in that "I'm not in America" sort of way.

As for the scripture which now ended my 2010 and is bringing in my 2011 - I believe it fits both occassions well, so I am content and pleased that this post had such a long delay.

Search me, O God, and know my heart,

test me and know my anxious thoughts.

See if there is any offensive way in me

and lead me in the way everlasting.

Psalm 139: 23-24

It's the perfect end because it is an end.

An end to Psalm 139

A place I've found comfort often

and particularly in 2010

As I read this passage a few days into 2011

I'm reminded of how these words,

this prayer

has always terrified me.

But for 2011, I think I'm ready to face this fear

and to claim these words as my prayer for 2011.

Another translation (NASB) reads:

"See if there be any hurtful way in me."

And another, (NLT) reads:

"Point out anything in me that offends you."

I know that I've done hurtful things

and offensive things

In general, I'd rather not think about them

This year however, I want to be known by God

and I want Him to reveal myself to me

and I want to accept each revelation with grace

and humility

and I want Him to guide me in the way everlasting

My prayer of 2011

 "Look deep into my heart, God, and find out

everything I am thinking.

Don't let me follow evil ways, but lead me

in the way that time has proven true."

Psalm 139: 23-24 Contemporary English Version

(Typed while sipping Lady Grey with milk and sugar from a pale yellow teacup)