I was laying in bed last night thinking about how sometimes our hearts can be unfaithful. Unfaithful to another person, unfaithful to our spouse or significant other, unfaithful to our best intentions, unfaithful in the workplace, unfaithful to what we desire most in life.
These are just simple thoughts with no answers. But I was wondering how we, as affectionate and caring beings, are able to forego those intentions for something that leads to unfaithfulness? I suppose the unfaithfulness allows for a sense of non-commitment, a release from our current or future responsibilities, a quick answer to another's lack of understanding, caring, or acknowledgment to/of us. A faithless heart it seems speaks to the inner core of ourselves where we desire not the reality of our situations or of another.
I was thinking in terms of our state of world affairs. The London bombings were just as unexpected as the 9/11 without as many deaths just yet, but then because it's across the globe, there appears to be no outcry among the American people, as a whole, no letters in the newspaper, no radio stations with folks discussing the outrageousness of this monstrosity, etc.
All of it is spoken through the voices of the authoritative folks who speak in the language that distances one another to the reality of the attacks. It speaks almost in a third person form that allows for no real relation to any one person or folks in America. Except perhaps those who had friends, family that lived in London and were commuting during those hours.
How unfaithful we are as Americans to other's plights, unless it happens directly to us and then we are as outspoken and angry and ready to wage war against the other.
I am not saying every person in America doesn't care but it sure seems awfully quiet since the bombings. The American voice is quiet perhaps because the bombings took place elsewhere or quiet because we are glad it didn't happen o us again? I am pretty confident it is both.
America, the land of plenty, gluttony and power can rise above and out of our own unfaithfulness when it calls for it, from our own people. BUT what about faithfulness toward others. If the bombing had been at preschools or attacked at schools with children, then I believe the American people would be in an outcry over what happened, but because it did not occur to the children, and thank god for that, it is pretty damn quiet.
Our faithfulness is so much guided by what we give attention to. But our faithlessness is even more guided by our very intentions and selfish desires that pain not only themselves, eventually, but everything that comes between or within the circle of the that faithlessness.
How are you being unfaithful?
Shalom,
Kim
Saturday, July 09, 2005
Thursday, June 09, 2005
These Hands: poetry by kim
These hands have been in motion from the moment I was conceived.
These hands were the cilia that helped me figure out my world as a small child.
These hands, though asian are no different than my white sisters, my black brothers, my indian friends.
The phalanges that extend from the wrists of this being have learned to color with crayons, write with a pencil, do cursive in permanent ink.
They have held my body in midair as I learned to do cartwheels.
They have gracefully interpreted the emotions of a classical ballet piece.
They have gripped a tennis racquet, with sweat in between the leather and my epidermis, while running around on a court in hundred degree weather.
These hands have had my fingers jammed from 'setting' the volley ball for my fellow players.
These hands have created many a artistic projects for my family and friends on special and non-special occasions.
These long, somewhat slender fingers have dreamed of being a concert pianist while playing the ever challenging musical piece 'chop sticks'.
My hands have held the very hands of my husband from day one to the present, every day.
My hands are the tools in which I have learned many skills that employed me, have given me joy, have gotten me in trouble, have covered my mouth in a frozen surprise, have waved hello and goodbye to many loved ones through the years.
These hands with many miles on them are still young in years, and yet with so much life in them still, that I need not be surprised by what they will do for me next.
These hands have so desired, along with my heart, to embrace a lost child, an orphaned child, a sickly child, my own child,
So as the years have come and gone, these hands, my hands have allowed me to comfort the hurting, celebrate with a loved one, hugged a homeless person, clapped at a child's accomplishment or silliness, caressed the face of a newborn baby, and spoken another language through signing.
These hands, my hands have given little, have taken much and seek more ways to be used in the life of others.
These hands that have been so carefully and wonderfully made perfect, as well asfunctional, await for the abundance of new work, more sorrow, always ready to get dirty, waiting for a future of continued purpose.
Thank you, god, for these hands...
These hands were the cilia that helped me figure out my world as a small child.
These hands, though asian are no different than my white sisters, my black brothers, my indian friends.
The phalanges that extend from the wrists of this being have learned to color with crayons, write with a pencil, do cursive in permanent ink.
They have held my body in midair as I learned to do cartwheels.
They have gracefully interpreted the emotions of a classical ballet piece.
They have gripped a tennis racquet, with sweat in between the leather and my epidermis, while running around on a court in hundred degree weather.
These hands have had my fingers jammed from 'setting' the volley ball for my fellow players.
These hands have created many a artistic projects for my family and friends on special and non-special occasions.
These long, somewhat slender fingers have dreamed of being a concert pianist while playing the ever challenging musical piece 'chop sticks'.
My hands have held the very hands of my husband from day one to the present, every day.
My hands are the tools in which I have learned many skills that employed me, have given me joy, have gotten me in trouble, have covered my mouth in a frozen surprise, have waved hello and goodbye to many loved ones through the years.
These hands with many miles on them are still young in years, and yet with so much life in them still, that I need not be surprised by what they will do for me next.
These hands have so desired, along with my heart, to embrace a lost child, an orphaned child, a sickly child, my own child,
So as the years have come and gone, these hands, my hands have allowed me to comfort the hurting, celebrate with a loved one, hugged a homeless person, clapped at a child's accomplishment or silliness, caressed the face of a newborn baby, and spoken another language through signing.
These hands, my hands have given little, have taken much and seek more ways to be used in the life of others.
These hands that have been so carefully and wonderfully made perfect, as well asfunctional, await for the abundance of new work, more sorrow, always ready to get dirty, waiting for a future of continued purpose.
Thank you, god, for these hands...
Book: Mountains Beyond Mountains - by tracy kidder
The life and work of Paul Farmer. Between the pages I am currently reading, I am thoroughly enjoying each word, each paragraph. I want so much not to finish the book because I don't want this hero's story to end.
When I look back on the last few years and see the progression in which god has been taking me through the spiritual, the physical, the emotional, the relational and finally the passion-filled ride of my life, I am filled with a sense of gratitude. This is not to say that I have any one thing down firmly, but that in the search for my life's work, my life's purpose I have been able to see the slow development of where I may be heading. I have some grandiose ideas for sure, but if I am patient enough I will know in greater detail of what I will be soon working toward for the future.
I have been smart enough to have kept my eyes open and my heart ready for anything, in case something should spectacularly great happen for me. So far nothing on that level, but I have seen all the pieces beginning to make sense and begin processing the images of what are some of my passions.
• Compassion and empathy for the underdog.
• Compassion and sadness, empathy and a great desire to work on the plight of our children, our future.
• Anger, hate and madness over poverty, war, homelessness, disease, and women's issues.
• Sadness, frustration, anger of the working conditions, the pay and the treatment of migrant workers across the world.
• A sickened heart that slavery has never truly been abolished. It's quite rampant worldwide-but it's overlooked by all the other ills of society.
When reading such a book as Mountains Beyond Mountains, one realizes the power that we each have within to do something, as long as we have enough guts, timidity, anger, and courage to try to make changes as we encounter them.
I have for years felt a sense of that power, but now more than ever, I am beginning to develop the courage and the guts to be the change that I want to see.
I realize that I can never be like Paul Farmer in that I can just make things happen from the get-go, but now understand that I don't HAVE to be the one that is the creative force behind my social endeavors, but that I can partner with others that have the same passion and are implementing these things already. And as for myself it may simply be a matter of finding a way to use my gifts that may best fit the work of the affiliate(s).
I have always held myself in very high esteem in terms of expecting great things from myself, from being the creative, to pulling it off to receiving the glorification of my sweat equity. Basically it had to be all or nothing otherwise I wasn't going to get involved in any way. I had always felt that I could die knowing that I didn't need to lean on anyone else to accomplish what I desired. But somewhere down the road, with little to show for having such high self expectations, I realized that I can't throw the baby out with the bath-water, just because I wasn't the one to draw the bath. I believe this is a mark of maturity, of self-realization of my powerlessness, my need to no longer be in control and to not get due credit where credit is due.
I only wish I had accepted all of this much sooner in life, but then perhaps it has needed my taking this long to finally 'get it'.
I still desire to be some one great but only in the idea that I am able to help one, two, three or more children in some form that is outside of myself. Perhaps great in the sense of knowing I was being used fully for who I was created to be in this life.
I still will never be a Paul Farmer, but I certainly can piggyback on his immense desire for change in the lives of the poor, the children, the women, the sick and the dying.
Thanks, Paul Farmer, for your inspiration and for your true example of what humanitarian work really looks like. I will forever be grateful for your legacy and simply your living by example.
When I look back on the last few years and see the progression in which god has been taking me through the spiritual, the physical, the emotional, the relational and finally the passion-filled ride of my life, I am filled with a sense of gratitude. This is not to say that I have any one thing down firmly, but that in the search for my life's work, my life's purpose I have been able to see the slow development of where I may be heading. I have some grandiose ideas for sure, but if I am patient enough I will know in greater detail of what I will be soon working toward for the future.
I have been smart enough to have kept my eyes open and my heart ready for anything, in case something should spectacularly great happen for me. So far nothing on that level, but I have seen all the pieces beginning to make sense and begin processing the images of what are some of my passions.
• Compassion and empathy for the underdog.
• Compassion and sadness, empathy and a great desire to work on the plight of our children, our future.
• Anger, hate and madness over poverty, war, homelessness, disease, and women's issues.
• Sadness, frustration, anger of the working conditions, the pay and the treatment of migrant workers across the world.
• A sickened heart that slavery has never truly been abolished. It's quite rampant worldwide-but it's overlooked by all the other ills of society.
When reading such a book as Mountains Beyond Mountains, one realizes the power that we each have within to do something, as long as we have enough guts, timidity, anger, and courage to try to make changes as we encounter them.
I have for years felt a sense of that power, but now more than ever, I am beginning to develop the courage and the guts to be the change that I want to see.
I realize that I can never be like Paul Farmer in that I can just make things happen from the get-go, but now understand that I don't HAVE to be the one that is the creative force behind my social endeavors, but that I can partner with others that have the same passion and are implementing these things already. And as for myself it may simply be a matter of finding a way to use my gifts that may best fit the work of the affiliate(s).
I have always held myself in very high esteem in terms of expecting great things from myself, from being the creative, to pulling it off to receiving the glorification of my sweat equity. Basically it had to be all or nothing otherwise I wasn't going to get involved in any way. I had always felt that I could die knowing that I didn't need to lean on anyone else to accomplish what I desired. But somewhere down the road, with little to show for having such high self expectations, I realized that I can't throw the baby out with the bath-water, just because I wasn't the one to draw the bath. I believe this is a mark of maturity, of self-realization of my powerlessness, my need to no longer be in control and to not get due credit where credit is due.
I only wish I had accepted all of this much sooner in life, but then perhaps it has needed my taking this long to finally 'get it'.
I still desire to be some one great but only in the idea that I am able to help one, two, three or more children in some form that is outside of myself. Perhaps great in the sense of knowing I was being used fully for who I was created to be in this life.
I still will never be a Paul Farmer, but I certainly can piggyback on his immense desire for change in the lives of the poor, the children, the women, the sick and the dying.
Thanks, Paul Farmer, for your inspiration and for your true example of what humanitarian work really looks like. I will forever be grateful for your legacy and simply your living by example.
Wednesday, June 08, 2005
The Glory of A Returned Journey : poetry by kim
The hills beyond the grassland whispers of things to come, to see and enjoy.
Walking knee deep in the golden thresh, of the sway, of the grass brings to mind the journey one must take to reach the next moment of exhilaration.
The air is stale making the lungs work greater for deeper breaths.
The humidity of the day does not let on that it will reprieve itself from the cloudy sky.
Reaching deep within the confines of this biological, skeletal being, the muscles work to move every joint, every member in a rhythmic cadence.
The quiet crushing of grass underfoot is a reminder that it's an intruder wandering this land of ancestors.
The surroundings are lush and green.
There are vast pockets of water that seem almost frozen with movement.
The air is foreign to this being, this intruder, who continues on its way to the next new moment.
There seems to be a noisy quietness that overwhelms the grassland, as it supports the hills from below.
The grassland teems with a great amount of life, wild, free, and unpretentious to its friends the hills.
The hills themselves seem to speak of a more quiet air that even dare say seems more sacred, more holy.
As each footing moves forward in direction, the ears are open, the heart is beating quickly, the mind works to recall perhaps a hint of familiarity, and the eyes are simply overwhelmed.
The aroma of this land is pungent, foreign, repulsive, yet welcoming to this intruder.
Just beyond the grassland and these hills bounds a more rambunctious bit of life beyond the horizon of this land.
The whizzing of motor bikes, the smells of fresh dishes, the chatter of a people selling their goods, street-side.
The noise is most overwhelming and constant but speaks of the goings on of a people in perpetual motion.
There are delicacies to be had, fresh from a boiling pot, there are trinkets made by hand, and drinks to be shared with another.
The sites and sounds only begin to subside as the day slowly draws to dusk, but the remnants of the days activities are still fresh in one's mind.
You'd think with all the noise of the township, that it would clearly echo its voice loudly and clearly to the quiet of the grasslands and hills, but neither knows of the other except by way of the traveling beings from one place to the other. Only to speak of such things when the other is not near.
This intruder prefers the quiet of the farmland, while its adventurous side looks forward to another day in the land of the masses. But only to return to the grassy lands where the vast pools of water, that mirror the hills from beyond, as though they were within reach.
This journey has only just begun and whether this has all been in one's head or whether it's footing has actually touched the quiet grassland, there could never be another journey quite like this - of one returning to one's motherland.
Walking knee deep in the golden thresh, of the sway, of the grass brings to mind the journey one must take to reach the next moment of exhilaration.
The air is stale making the lungs work greater for deeper breaths.
The humidity of the day does not let on that it will reprieve itself from the cloudy sky.
Reaching deep within the confines of this biological, skeletal being, the muscles work to move every joint, every member in a rhythmic cadence.
The quiet crushing of grass underfoot is a reminder that it's an intruder wandering this land of ancestors.
The surroundings are lush and green.
There are vast pockets of water that seem almost frozen with movement.
The air is foreign to this being, this intruder, who continues on its way to the next new moment.
There seems to be a noisy quietness that overwhelms the grassland, as it supports the hills from below.
The grassland teems with a great amount of life, wild, free, and unpretentious to its friends the hills.
The hills themselves seem to speak of a more quiet air that even dare say seems more sacred, more holy.
As each footing moves forward in direction, the ears are open, the heart is beating quickly, the mind works to recall perhaps a hint of familiarity, and the eyes are simply overwhelmed.
The aroma of this land is pungent, foreign, repulsive, yet welcoming to this intruder.
Just beyond the grassland and these hills bounds a more rambunctious bit of life beyond the horizon of this land.
The whizzing of motor bikes, the smells of fresh dishes, the chatter of a people selling their goods, street-side.
The noise is most overwhelming and constant but speaks of the goings on of a people in perpetual motion.
There are delicacies to be had, fresh from a boiling pot, there are trinkets made by hand, and drinks to be shared with another.
The sites and sounds only begin to subside as the day slowly draws to dusk, but the remnants of the days activities are still fresh in one's mind.
You'd think with all the noise of the township, that it would clearly echo its voice loudly and clearly to the quiet of the grasslands and hills, but neither knows of the other except by way of the traveling beings from one place to the other. Only to speak of such things when the other is not near.
This intruder prefers the quiet of the farmland, while its adventurous side looks forward to another day in the land of the masses. But only to return to the grassy lands where the vast pools of water, that mirror the hills from beyond, as though they were within reach.
This journey has only just begun and whether this has all been in one's head or whether it's footing has actually touched the quiet grassland, there could never be another journey quite like this - of one returning to one's motherland.
Tuesday, June 07, 2005
To Compassionately Listen to One Another....
The tower of babble was created because of our lack of listening to one another and our not get along with each other. Hence the many languages we now have so that we would have to truly work at getting along. Which in the end meant taking the time to listen compassionately to one another.
Somewhere deep down we truly are all the same. We are simply looking for the same things in life, the meaning of life, the explanation of illnesses, the meaning of our place in society, the baggage we all carry from our families, from our relationships, why some of us are gay and not others, why we have so many choices in life to choose from, why whole wheat bread today and sourdough tomorrow, why eat meat only but no carbs, and then to eat carbs only and no meat, to which brand of toothpaste do I buy? ETC!
These things, simply stated by my simple way of thinking, is that we are to truly be looking out for and loving others before ourselves. In this "ME" society, it is all about the language. It is whether others are willing to communicate with me in the way that I feel good about, or encourages me or makes me look good or making me feel understood. BUT on the other hand, we really are suppose to be firmly looking out for others - for their needs, their comfort, their ability to be and feel understood.
We have so missed the point of living in this world. We are a bunch of selfish, cry babies, who when not getting one's way will cry out with outrage, words of unfairness, words of inequality, words of racism, words of MY rights, words of OUR freedom, words of your trees on MY property, ETC!
No wonder there are so many choices. I think god had a great sense of humor by creating choices. God wanted to just to see where we would end up on the selfish meter. MOST OF US FAILED! Myself included. Man, that's harsh but when we begin to look at the lives and situations of others, we can often return to our own lives and see the same mistakes, the same longings, the same questions that all of us have and in helping others, often times we are able to work out our own situations. If nothing else, simply having compassion for another should be enough.
We were meant to be living in community - TOGETHER - as one people regardless of color, gender, race, sexual orientation, and religious or political views.
Our division is simply by our own hand, our own bigotry, our own choice not to accept others for who and what they are.
We need to continue to learn how to listen, without self-inclusion, to one another for the sake of our kids, our country, our world.
War is not the answer. In the end there really is NO WINNER when it comes to the game of Life. It simply is whether we are willing to listen, love and or accept one another to the best that we can and being mindful of what life would be like if everyone were compassionately listening to one another.
Take the time NOW to get to know your neighbors, your coworkers, your extended family members, those who work in public jobs, etc. BEGIN NOW to think of OTHERS before yourself. What can you do for someone else? Then look to yourself and continue to work on those things you need to take care of.
Begin NOW listening to one another... We have a vast, global area in which to work on these things - from sea to shining sea.
"Be the change that you want to see" - Gandhi
Shalom,
Kim
Somewhere deep down we truly are all the same. We are simply looking for the same things in life, the meaning of life, the explanation of illnesses, the meaning of our place in society, the baggage we all carry from our families, from our relationships, why some of us are gay and not others, why we have so many choices in life to choose from, why whole wheat bread today and sourdough tomorrow, why eat meat only but no carbs, and then to eat carbs only and no meat, to which brand of toothpaste do I buy? ETC!
These things, simply stated by my simple way of thinking, is that we are to truly be looking out for and loving others before ourselves. In this "ME" society, it is all about the language. It is whether others are willing to communicate with me in the way that I feel good about, or encourages me or makes me look good or making me feel understood. BUT on the other hand, we really are suppose to be firmly looking out for others - for their needs, their comfort, their ability to be and feel understood.
We have so missed the point of living in this world. We are a bunch of selfish, cry babies, who when not getting one's way will cry out with outrage, words of unfairness, words of inequality, words of racism, words of MY rights, words of OUR freedom, words of your trees on MY property, ETC!
No wonder there are so many choices. I think god had a great sense of humor by creating choices. God wanted to just to see where we would end up on the selfish meter. MOST OF US FAILED! Myself included. Man, that's harsh but when we begin to look at the lives and situations of others, we can often return to our own lives and see the same mistakes, the same longings, the same questions that all of us have and in helping others, often times we are able to work out our own situations. If nothing else, simply having compassion for another should be enough.
We were meant to be living in community - TOGETHER - as one people regardless of color, gender, race, sexual orientation, and religious or political views.
Our division is simply by our own hand, our own bigotry, our own choice not to accept others for who and what they are.
We need to continue to learn how to listen, without self-inclusion, to one another for the sake of our kids, our country, our world.
War is not the answer. In the end there really is NO WINNER when it comes to the game of Life. It simply is whether we are willing to listen, love and or accept one another to the best that we can and being mindful of what life would be like if everyone were compassionately listening to one another.
Take the time NOW to get to know your neighbors, your coworkers, your extended family members, those who work in public jobs, etc. BEGIN NOW to think of OTHERS before yourself. What can you do for someone else? Then look to yourself and continue to work on those things you need to take care of.
Begin NOW listening to one another... We have a vast, global area in which to work on these things - from sea to shining sea.
"Be the change that you want to see" - Gandhi
Shalom,
Kim
Kim's Library...
NOTE: Most books can be found on Amazon
{except title with (*)}
CURENTLY READING:
Gandhi: An Autobiograpy: Gandhi
Jason Bourne Newest in series
As Nature Made Him - John Colapinto
A Fine Balance: Rohinton Mistry
Living Buddha, Living Christ: Thich Nhat Hanh
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: Dai Sijie
Colors of the Mountain: Da Chen
Wasted: Marya Hornbacher
Video: The Oregon Trail - to be watched
JUST RECENTLY FINISHED:
A Journey Through Mississippi - Tony Dunbar
Orphans of War - Rosemary Taylor*
Children of AIDS - Emma Guest
Black Death: AIDS in Africa - Susan Hunter
Mountains Beyond Mountains - Tracy Kidder
Snow in August - Peter Hamill
47th St. Black - Bayo Ojikutu
Acquainted with the Night - Paul Raeburn
To Africa with Spatula - Jane Lotter
LISTING OF BOOKS I DESIRE TO READ:
Lucky Child - Loung Ung
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl - Harriet Jacobs
My Bondage and My Freedom - Frederick Douglass
Coming of Age in Mississippi - Anne Moody
Geisha, A Life - Mineko Iwasaki
Island of Hope, Island of Tears - Brownstone, Franck & Brownstone
The Passing of the Night - General Robinson Risner
Waiting for Snow in Havana - Carlos Eire
The Sacred Willow - Duong Van Mai Elliot
Wanderings - Chaim Potok
Alicia: My Story - Alicia Appleman-Jurman
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men - Agee and Evans
Country of My Skull - Antjie Krog
Wild Swans:Lost Daughters - Karin Evans
When Heaven and Earth Traded Places - Le Hayslip
Faith and Betrayal - Sally Denton
{except title with (*)}
CURENTLY READING:
Gandhi: An Autobiograpy: Gandhi
Jason Bourne Newest in series
As Nature Made Him - John Colapinto
A Fine Balance: Rohinton Mistry
Living Buddha, Living Christ: Thich Nhat Hanh
Balzac and the Little Chinese Seamstress: Dai Sijie
Colors of the Mountain: Da Chen
Wasted: Marya Hornbacher
Video: The Oregon Trail - to be watched
JUST RECENTLY FINISHED:
A Journey Through Mississippi - Tony Dunbar
Orphans of War - Rosemary Taylor*
Children of AIDS - Emma Guest
Black Death: AIDS in Africa - Susan Hunter
Mountains Beyond Mountains - Tracy Kidder
Snow in August - Peter Hamill
47th St. Black - Bayo Ojikutu
Acquainted with the Night - Paul Raeburn
To Africa with Spatula - Jane Lotter
LISTING OF BOOKS I DESIRE TO READ:
Lucky Child - Loung Ung
Incidents in the Life of a Slave Girl - Harriet Jacobs
My Bondage and My Freedom - Frederick Douglass
Coming of Age in Mississippi - Anne Moody
Geisha, A Life - Mineko Iwasaki
Island of Hope, Island of Tears - Brownstone, Franck & Brownstone
The Passing of the Night - General Robinson Risner
Waiting for Snow in Havana - Carlos Eire
The Sacred Willow - Duong Van Mai Elliot
Wanderings - Chaim Potok
Alicia: My Story - Alicia Appleman-Jurman
Let Us Now Praise Famous Men - Agee and Evans
Country of My Skull - Antjie Krog
Wild Swans:Lost Daughters - Karin Evans
When Heaven and Earth Traded Places - Le Hayslip
Faith and Betrayal - Sally Denton
Quote: dr. martin luther king, jr
"An individual has not started living until she can rise above the narrow confines of her individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
--Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
Some Sites to Engage Yourself In:
Do Something - Get Involved!
AIDS/DEBT/AFRICA:
http://bolamoyo.com/
http://www.jubileeusa.org/
http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?id=307
http://allafrica.com/malawi/
http://www.friendsofmalawi.org/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
http://www.nationmalawi.com/
http://www.afsc.org/africa/new-africa/default.htm
http://www.forusa.org/
http://www.africadaily.com/
http://www.aidshealth.org/
http://www.malawi.com/
http://www.un.org/
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?itemid=18360
http://www.womenforwomen.org/DRCpop.html
http://www.womenforwomen.org/ProjectIndependence/index.htm
http://www.mercatus.org/socialchange/subcategory.php/41.html
http://www.alertnet.org/
http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/3375.html
http://www.hivportland.org/resources/infocus.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/
http://www.usafricaonline.com/
http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/
http://twnafrica.org/
http://www.africawoman.net/
http://www.friendsofmalawi.org/
http://www.malawiproject.org/
http://lilongwe.usembassy.gov/
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/countries/malawi/
http://www.careinternational.org.uk/cares_work/where/malawi/
http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/afr/malawi?Open
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malawi.html
http://www.vso.org.uk/about/cprofiles/malawi.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ican/C2152
http://www.inequality.org/farmer2.html
http://web.worldbank.org/
ViETNAM/ADOPTION/ADOPTEES:
http://van-online.org/
http://motherlandtour.com/
http://www.wingluke.org/
http://www.operationreunite.com/
http://www.sonyclassics.com/comingsoon.php?filmid=60&page=1
http://www.adoptvietnam.org/adoption/babylift-index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/vnwomensforum/index.html
http://www.acwp.org/
http://www.catalystfoundation.org/When_You_Were_Born_In_Vietnam.htm
SOCIAL ACTION GROUPS/MISC:
http://www.saveaslave.com/
http://www.freetheslaves.net/home.php
http://www.humantrafficking.com/humantrafficking/
http://www.iabolish.com/index.htm
http://www.trafficking.org.ph/
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/
http://www.idealist.org/en/ip/idealist/MyIdealist/Register/default?SID=e1f12fc0be5139054996eb5c49467cf3
http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/mahatma_ghandi.htm
http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/books/Mandela/Mandela.html
http://www.oskarschindler.com/
http://www.shoah.dk/
http://nobelprize.org/
http://www.machers.com/Default.aspx?tabid=42
http://www.barclayagency.com/lamott.html
AIDS/DEBT/AFRICA:
http://bolamoyo.com/
http://www.jubileeusa.org/
http://www.uua.org/uuawo/new/article.php?id=307
http://allafrica.com/malawi/
http://www.friendsofmalawi.org/
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/default.stm
http://www.nationmalawi.com/
http://www.afsc.org/africa/new-africa/default.htm
http://www.forusa.org/
http://www.africadaily.com/
http://www.aidshealth.org/
http://www.malawi.com/
http://www.un.org/
http://www.workingforchange.com/activism/action.cfm?itemid=18360
http://www.womenforwomen.org/DRCpop.html
http://www.womenforwomen.org/ProjectIndependence/index.htm
http://www.mercatus.org/socialchange/subcategory.php/41.html
http://www.alertnet.org/
http://peacecorpsonline.org/messages/messages/467/3375.html
http://www.hivportland.org/resources/infocus.html
http://www.pbs.org/wnet/africa/
http://www.usafricaonline.com/
http://www.farmafrica.org.uk/
http://twnafrica.org/
http://www.africawoman.net/
http://www.friendsofmalawi.org/
http://www.malawiproject.org/
http://lilongwe.usembassy.gov/
http://www.usaid.gov/locations/sub-saharan_africa/countries/malawi/
http://www.careinternational.org.uk/cares_work/where/malawi/
http://web.amnesty.org/web/ar2002.nsf/afr/malawi?Open
http://www.unicef.org/infobycountry/malawi.html
http://www.vso.org.uk/about/cprofiles/malawi.asp
http://www.bbc.co.uk/dna/ican/C2152
http://www.inequality.org/farmer2.html
http://web.worldbank.org/
ViETNAM/ADOPTION/ADOPTEES:
http://van-online.org/
http://motherlandtour.com/
http://www.wingluke.org/
http://www.operationreunite.com/
http://www.sonyclassics.com/comingsoon.php?filmid=60&page=1
http://www.adoptvietnam.org/adoption/babylift-index.htm
http://www.geocities.com/vnwomensforum/index.html
http://www.acwp.org/
http://www.catalystfoundation.org/When_You_Were_Born_In_Vietnam.htm
SOCIAL ACTION GROUPS/MISC:
http://www.saveaslave.com/
http://www.freetheslaves.net/home.php
http://www.humantrafficking.com/humantrafficking/
http://www.iabolish.com/index.htm
http://www.trafficking.org.ph/
http://www.state.gov/g/tip/
http://www.idealist.org/en/ip/idealist/MyIdealist/Register/default?SID=e1f12fc0be5139054996eb5c49467cf3
http://www.gandhiinstitute.org/
http://www.historylearningsite.co.uk/mahatma_ghandi.htm
http://archives.obs-us.com/obs/english/books/Mandela/Mandela.html
http://www.oskarschindler.com/
http://www.shoah.dk/
http://nobelprize.org/
http://www.machers.com/Default.aspx?tabid=42
http://www.barclayagency.com/lamott.html
I Want to be Some One Great...
Who can heal the wounded at every moment of sorrow, to catch them as a safety for when the fall comes and the will to live, to move forward, to take the next step, to get back up, to the deep ache within, to the first drop of tear that has bound them unmoved.
Who can be there at death's door for those who have nobody to say goodbye to them. Nobody to tell them they were loved, wanted, desired, special, someone important, a friend, a sister, brother, daughter, son, grandson, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin, or someone that some one met for just a brief moment and was struck by their very presence.
Who touches and caresses the faces, the bodies of the lepers of today - AIDS of whole families, AIDS of Africa, AIDS of India, AIDS of the underworld of slavery, AIDS of prostitution, AIDS of all colors, races, ethnic lines, gender lines, AIDS of infants, AIDS of grandparents, AIDS of health workers, AIDS of heterosexuals, AIDS of homosexuals, AIDS from every land, every continent, every nation, every tribe, every person who breathe the deadly disease of AIDS, and will take their last breath leaving some one behind to fend for themselves. I want to pick up and help and encourage those who are left behind. I want to make their lives better, healthier, and prosperous.
Who can take every child who lives in poverty, in abusive homes, in neglected homes, the filth of human waste, in the filth of neglect, in the struggling parents/family members striving to make a decent living at poverty level, in the filth of prostitution, in the filth of slavery, in the filth of a foster system that struggles to place these kids. Oh how I wish no child would ever know what it was like to be hungry, in want, in need, in filth, in an empty home while their parents have to work. Oh to be able to gather every one of these children and hold them, caress them, love on them and know that I have answers to all of their problems, that I would be able to save them from this wretched world we call home and provide the very things they need, in which no amount of money could ever buy.
Who looks beyond the monstrosity of today's world problems and is able to create, to begin a venture in which my life is viable not by my own living, but by working out of those things that anger me, that cause me to hate, to cry a river, to have another replace their lives for mine, to curl up with such a greatness of pain that it seems it will take my own life just by the very thought of other's difficult lives.
Though to be great doesn't mean having all the answers nor being able to solve all the problems, but being an idealist, it is my hope to never stop working toward something greater than myself.
I want to be some one great who does at least one thing that is important in life. In which it will make my life more worthwhile for living and knowing I didn't waste my time here on earth thinking only about myself.
I want to be some one great!
Who can be there at death's door for those who have nobody to say goodbye to them. Nobody to tell them they were loved, wanted, desired, special, someone important, a friend, a sister, brother, daughter, son, grandson, grandfather, grandmother, aunt, uncle, cousin, or someone that some one met for just a brief moment and was struck by their very presence.
Who touches and caresses the faces, the bodies of the lepers of today - AIDS of whole families, AIDS of Africa, AIDS of India, AIDS of the underworld of slavery, AIDS of prostitution, AIDS of all colors, races, ethnic lines, gender lines, AIDS of infants, AIDS of grandparents, AIDS of health workers, AIDS of heterosexuals, AIDS of homosexuals, AIDS from every land, every continent, every nation, every tribe, every person who breathe the deadly disease of AIDS, and will take their last breath leaving some one behind to fend for themselves. I want to pick up and help and encourage those who are left behind. I want to make their lives better, healthier, and prosperous.
Who can take every child who lives in poverty, in abusive homes, in neglected homes, the filth of human waste, in the filth of neglect, in the struggling parents/family members striving to make a decent living at poverty level, in the filth of prostitution, in the filth of slavery, in the filth of a foster system that struggles to place these kids. Oh how I wish no child would ever know what it was like to be hungry, in want, in need, in filth, in an empty home while their parents have to work. Oh to be able to gather every one of these children and hold them, caress them, love on them and know that I have answers to all of their problems, that I would be able to save them from this wretched world we call home and provide the very things they need, in which no amount of money could ever buy.
Who looks beyond the monstrosity of today's world problems and is able to create, to begin a venture in which my life is viable not by my own living, but by working out of those things that anger me, that cause me to hate, to cry a river, to have another replace their lives for mine, to curl up with such a greatness of pain that it seems it will take my own life just by the very thought of other's difficult lives.
Though to be great doesn't mean having all the answers nor being able to solve all the problems, but being an idealist, it is my hope to never stop working toward something greater than myself.
I want to be some one great who does at least one thing that is important in life. In which it will make my life more worthwhile for living and knowing I didn't waste my time here on earth thinking only about myself.
I want to be some one great!
Thursday, May 12, 2005
Wealth Overload:
I just recently cleaned out my closet full of clothes galore. And then many months prior I had had yard sale. So the bug to clean up, sweep out, and be rid of clutter that has found its way into our abode, is prevalent once more in my bones.
First off, there is one area I struggle with going to. I find myself being sickened when I walk through a grocery store, with the gazillion brands of the same products, aisle upon aisle, expiration dates soon to be noted, There is just something about all that food, the gross amount of choice we have at our disposal and thinking that the local jesus center should be getting their goods there for free on a weekly basis. But unfortunately, they are dependent on donations by these kinds of businesses. So whenever the business has an overstock of an item(s) or just about outdated product, they give it to the Jesus Center, the Salvation Army and the like. I know, I have worked for the Salvation Army and I know what businesses give and what they do not give. Sure, when Christmas rolls around, they are more generous, but not much more. Salvation Army still has to pay for many of the turkeys that the businesses are 'donating'. Give me a break! I know Salvation Army is thankful for what donations they can get, particularly in a small town where they are having to compete with all of the holiday good will and requests from non-profits, groups, etc.
But by golly, for the Jesus Center or Salvation Army to have to literally beg, albeit nicely, for donations is a crime. They are serving a purpose in feeding those who others would never invite to their home or hand them a few dollar bills or buy them a meal at nice a restaurant. They are contributing to the human condition of making it more tolerable, more purposeful for these folks who find themselves in conditions they probably never imagined being in.
So, to walk the aisles of any grocery store just burns the core of me. I just want to take a U-Haul and drive it into the buildings and take all that a 48 foot truck could hold of goods and necessities.
It's not only the grocery stores, but it's the clothing stores, the mall, the restaurants, the whole damn societal view of getting, and then giving it away after we're done with it. How repulsive this habitual activity really is.
I am guilty of this monstrosity and am working on changing these ways so that the finger isn't being pointed at myself for the soapbox I am shouting from, and yet not doing a damn thing with my words.
The need to live more simply is a great goal, but it is still in the works of being fully realized. Granted it is difficult to part with your good dishes when you have a set of twenty year old Corell that you'd rather give away or sell. I am trying to work on the mindset that if I can't take anything with me when I'm dead, what purpose is all of this material good if only to buy new when the old gets useless for one's taste. But usefulness is one man's gain and another man's junk. I realize this but I no longer desire to live like this any more. Particularly this next stage of my life. I want to truly simplify and enjoy what I do have, and yet not give into the wild and gross consumerism of our society any longer.
I struggle with knowing I have an abundance, perhaps I am deserving of it and perhaps not, but regardless there are those out there who have real needs that can be met if only a greater number of us in every city, township, district, state we're willing to give all we can and have so others don't have to go without.
I need to continue to work in this area of my life. Some times I have found myself walking that fine line between having what I desire versus having things for the sake of having it.
Like I mentioned, I am a hypocrite in this area and still need to work on this particular area. I could use prayer in this area.
Shalom,
Kim
First off, there is one area I struggle with going to. I find myself being sickened when I walk through a grocery store, with the gazillion brands of the same products, aisle upon aisle, expiration dates soon to be noted, There is just something about all that food, the gross amount of choice we have at our disposal and thinking that the local jesus center should be getting their goods there for free on a weekly basis. But unfortunately, they are dependent on donations by these kinds of businesses. So whenever the business has an overstock of an item(s) or just about outdated product, they give it to the Jesus Center, the Salvation Army and the like. I know, I have worked for the Salvation Army and I know what businesses give and what they do not give. Sure, when Christmas rolls around, they are more generous, but not much more. Salvation Army still has to pay for many of the turkeys that the businesses are 'donating'. Give me a break! I know Salvation Army is thankful for what donations they can get, particularly in a small town where they are having to compete with all of the holiday good will and requests from non-profits, groups, etc.
But by golly, for the Jesus Center or Salvation Army to have to literally beg, albeit nicely, for donations is a crime. They are serving a purpose in feeding those who others would never invite to their home or hand them a few dollar bills or buy them a meal at nice a restaurant. They are contributing to the human condition of making it more tolerable, more purposeful for these folks who find themselves in conditions they probably never imagined being in.
So, to walk the aisles of any grocery store just burns the core of me. I just want to take a U-Haul and drive it into the buildings and take all that a 48 foot truck could hold of goods and necessities.
It's not only the grocery stores, but it's the clothing stores, the mall, the restaurants, the whole damn societal view of getting, and then giving it away after we're done with it. How repulsive this habitual activity really is.
I am guilty of this monstrosity and am working on changing these ways so that the finger isn't being pointed at myself for the soapbox I am shouting from, and yet not doing a damn thing with my words.
The need to live more simply is a great goal, but it is still in the works of being fully realized. Granted it is difficult to part with your good dishes when you have a set of twenty year old Corell that you'd rather give away or sell. I am trying to work on the mindset that if I can't take anything with me when I'm dead, what purpose is all of this material good if only to buy new when the old gets useless for one's taste. But usefulness is one man's gain and another man's junk. I realize this but I no longer desire to live like this any more. Particularly this next stage of my life. I want to truly simplify and enjoy what I do have, and yet not give into the wild and gross consumerism of our society any longer.
I struggle with knowing I have an abundance, perhaps I am deserving of it and perhaps not, but regardless there are those out there who have real needs that can be met if only a greater number of us in every city, township, district, state we're willing to give all we can and have so others don't have to go without.
I need to continue to work in this area of my life. Some times I have found myself walking that fine line between having what I desire versus having things for the sake of having it.
Like I mentioned, I am a hypocrite in this area and still need to work on this particular area. I could use prayer in this area.
Shalom,
Kim
We all have only one life to help make a difference
••A CHILD DIES EVERY 3 SECONDS FROM POVERTY••
http://www.one.org/
However, if all you can simply do, because you're frozen with the monstrosity of our global conditions, Prayer is always appreciated and will reach the masses. Thank you for this simple act, if nothing else.
Shalom,
Kim
http://www.one.org/
However, if all you can simply do, because you're frozen with the monstrosity of our global conditions, Prayer is always appreciated and will reach the masses. Thank you for this simple act, if nothing else.
Shalom,
Kim
Quote: dorothy sayers
"I believe it to be a great mistake to present Christianity as something charming and popular with no offense in it.... We cannot blink at the fact that gentle Jesus meek and mild was so stiff in his opinions and so inflammatory in his language that he was thrown out of church, stoned, hunted from place to place, and finally gibbeted as a firebrand and a public danger. Whatever his peace was, it was not the peace of an amiable indifference."
Wednesday, May 11, 2005
What makes up a happy camper: photo by michael
Posted by: kimthanh
H:uddled in the tent, cozy as can be
A:lways swatting at the mosquitos
P:acking the truck to the very brim
P:laying paddle ball while the waves of the lake kiss the shore
Y:acking and yacking beside the crackling campfire
C:atching the rays of morning through the pine trees
A:lways having to hike to the bathrooms
M:emories made sweeter with one's sweetheart and/or friends
P:icking out the various constellations in a clear, mountainous sky
E:choes of times gone by and the joy that was had
R:ejuvinating one's soul from the rat race of life
S:imple things in life bring the greatest appreciation and admiration
I:ce cold drinks to sip on while laying about on the ol' beach
N:o phone calls to make, take or ignore
T:ake the time to truly enjoy your surroundings
A:pply sunscreen where needed
H:op rock to rock while exploring the lake shore
O:nly the stressed need apply for the Happy Camper position
E:xpectations are not included in this vacation package
We Love Camping: photo by kim
Posted by: kimthanh
Boy, oh boy do we ever love camping!! That's one of the biggest highlights for our summers. Since we got married in the month of June, we try to escape the week before our anniversary or the week after. We can never spend enough time camping. I think we need to start taking two week camping trips. Just to make it worthwhile after all that we have to haul up, unpack and then pack back up. A week just doesn't cut it.
Luckily both Michael and I were in Scouts, boys and girls respectively. Of course, I really wanted to join the boys not the girls but they wouldn't allow that when i was growing up. I had to stick with the girls. Bummer.
So, we both know how to fix a great camp fire, we both know how to deal with the outdoor elements, we both know not to run if there is a snake in the path, and we both know how to put up a real tent, not just a pup or aka a lean to.
The smell of a campfire is powerful, invigorating, lively, enveloping, and there is just nothing quite like it. Unless you are camping literally on the beach which is a blast to do. Between the camp fire and the smell of the ocean. Whoa nelly!
Michael and I have differences when it comes to vacationing. I am the type to go, go, go and let's explore everything. Michael is the let's relax, read a book, take a nap and then let's go to the beach, relax, take a nap, etc. So it's been funny through the years finding the balance of relaxing, playing, exploring and enjoying our time away. But with my health stuff, I'm beginning to creep into the Michael style of vacationing. It's not so bad, it's just different. But its good too.
Michael is definitely my camping buddy and I wouldn't want anyone else. He's the best camper. And we always have so much fun together.
We are definitely a pair of HAPPY CAMPERS! Woohoo!
The time to escape is now!
Old Barn : photo/poem by kim
Posted by: kimthanh
This barn has such great character. Unfortunately, I was not able to get up close and personal to it. You see, it is in the middle of a housing development. Surrounded on three sides. The fourth side is their back pasture where they still keep cows. These cows are just on the other side of the fence, of my sister-in-law's new home.
I'm glad for them and their new house, I'm sad for the people who own the land with the barn. I hope they never sell their lot. It adds such character to the new urbanism that has invaded this place. What used to be a tranquil, country road, with country folk and country hearts.
I find such joy in the simple things of life. Finding a barn in the middle of suburbia is sad and yet quite ironic.
To coexist is to be willing to find a middle ground where one can enjoy the aroma of manure and green, green grass and the sounds of clanking hammers, as new homes are built up in no time. What a sad state of affairs. But it was eventually going to happen...but why my time?
How selfish of me to think such ways but that's because I'm a purist and a lover of the outdoors. And not with back to back housing developments.
So when I visit in Fresno, I will hopefully be able to enjoy the two clashing of the worlds for sometime to come. Hopefully the greedy will not push out or out buy the last patch of true green space, in the land of greater concrete.
Ode to my Abode:
Ode to my Abode
I see you green still today
I see you, my cows, chewing away
Ode to my Abode
The barbedwire fence is to keep the cows in
The rooster brings noisy life on the farm
And the simple buttercups sprinkled hither and tither
await for my grandchildren
picking and smelling and tesing who really likes butter more
Ode to my Abode
The ol' barn is rickety but firm
It's metal roofing aged with rain and weather
The stalls within are for warmth and cool spots
as the animals lay about
Ode to my Abode
The neighbors on the right are older
The neighbors on the left are younger
The neighbors in front have yet to move in
But still my abode is forever my home.
Ode to my Abode
May she remain until the day I die
May the greedy men kneel in repentance
May the heritage of my children and grandchildren
forever remain despite the surrounding of suburbia.
Ode to my Abode
The grass remains green on this side
The grass has been replaced with concreteon the
on the other side of my barbedwired fence
and my our cows always know where to turn to home
Where the grass will always be greener
Ode to my Abode
Forever for my kin
Akin to the ol' days
Where the future remained
no different than the past.
Ode to my Abode
Allowing Kids to be Kids: photo by kim
Posted by: kimthanh
As I've mentioned in a previous post, i am truly blessed to have so many nieces and nephews who call me aunt. Some of these kids are those whose parents I am extremely close with. Oh what fun it is for me to have this kind of relationship.
I know many granparents often say they wish they could have always been grandparents because you love 'em, spoil 'em and then hand them back. My role is also very much that way. Although I'd rather not give them back but keep them for myself. But unfortunately, parents want their kids back. I don't get it.
But one role I do appreciate that my friends and families allow me is to get to love and play with them as I wish. I'd say I'm a great influence in many aspects. First off, I know boundaries, I know how to speak with them firmly, I know how to discipline with love, and I know definitely how to have a wild and fun time!
There is always laughter, more noise and more silliness brought out in those kids when I'm around then under normal circumstances. Most of my friends are amazed and thankful for the peace and quiet when I leave. But I say, all the more for me next time! I haven't forgotten to include my husband, Michael, because he is just about as silly as I am when it comes to the kids, I guess he is just a wee bit more respectful of the parents than I perhapas am. I don't worry about getting into trouble. hehe!
I must say, when it comes to kids and restaurants, I pretty much try to obey the behavior rule, but once in awhile you just have to let kids be kids and watch the creativity unfold. Such as this photo. J and S were simply enjoying their time together and then I brought out the birthday party goodies, and then the creativity began. I was so proud of them!
I was laughing my head off at them, and I noted that others in the restaurant were too. It was a good thing the folks were very patient and enjoying the creativity and laughter of these kids. Of course, so was I.
The mom's were just smiling at me and wondering how it got that far. But I took full credit and the blame. I've always felt that life is way too short to not let the fun just happen and particularly now, as I am getting older, I especially believe that. In this day and age, kids are growing up way too fast as it is and responsible for far too much, and going, going far too much that they just don't have enough time to play, play out those things that make up being a child and the creativity that comes with their developing minds and spirits.
I am proud to be the one that can bring those things out in them and encourage it. I love every child that comes through my life, whether a sibling's, a friend's or just one i observe playing, in trying to figure out their world around them. What a joy it is to watch, observe, and breathe in. Children are the future on every continent, in every city, in every part of the word.
I pray that every child in this world could know the love, the freedom, the security and the endless possibilities for their lives. And that despite physical, spiritual or political lines holding them back, that they would be able to find the strength within to break through those barriers and become who they were made to be, in all of their glory. And if they are unable to find the strenght or the power within, that perhaps someone would be willing to give them a hand up and a better life.
It took one man's heart, one families courage to say yes, to adopt me and to take risks in loving, taking care of me, and taking a chance on me so that I could become the person I was/am made to be. It wasn't always easy but it could have been a hell of a lot worse for me if they had not come to my rescue. For this I am truly grateful.
If you are willing to love, adopt or care for a child of any age, I pray that you would greatly consider it and follow your heart.
Your life and the child's life will ever be so much richer in all respects.
Shalom,
Kim
Being Harassed by my Nephews: photo by Michael
Posted by: kimthanh
This is just a sampling of what happens to me when it comes to my nieces and nephews. Now that they are all bigger and taller than me, I don't have much over them. But I sure love them immensely!!!
To my nieces and nephews:
You allow the kid to come out in me
You accept me for my siliness and wackiness
Though i am and will always be smaller and shorter than any of you,
You still allow me to feel big, strong and protective of you
Your laughter is loud, your humor is bad but funny
Zach, you're the youngest but you still keep up pretty well with the
older ones. Your personality carries you in all things
Drewskie, Brian, Maggie(too!), Grant Fuj, Sambo, Grant T., Sister-Roo, Sammie, and Zach - I love each and every one of you with all of me and always will. I know I haven't always been there for all the important things in your lives, but please know I always have you in my heart and my love overflows to each of you abundantly.
Thank you for allowing me to not act my age with you, for sharing your thoughts, your dreams, and your laughter.
I can't wait to see each of you grow up to be amazing people who do amazing things, whatever that maybe. Regardless, I will always be proud of each of you no matter and love you no matter where we go and are in life.
THANK YOU SO MUCH for loving me, your short, asian and silly aunt Kim.
With all of my love to each and every one of you -
Love and Shalom,
Your FAVORITE aunt kim
Sunday, May 08, 2005
Those you may meet along the way: photo by kim
Posted by: kimthanh
I love this photo. This speaks to me of a great afternoon with some new friends in Oregon.
I was exhausted from our time with D and C but I didn't want to be rude and fall asleep while the rest of them visited.
Of course, as you can see, there is a cutie named D. He is sooo adorable, cute, rambunctious, very smart, very precocious and absolutely funny. As you can see, I enjoyed him. Well, while everyone else was getting to know one another more, I was having a blast keeping up with D. What a hoot!
But it wasn't just being with D. but with everyone. It was hearing stories, hearing of how P's family could help D and C while in Malawi, as P's family is from there and has great connections. But it was also great to hear from K and K about their time as Peace Corp members in Malawi and how it was returning to the states after their stint.
We spent a great deal of the afternoon with them and D and C have since returned just before they headed off to Malawi this last Wednesday, May 4th.
I look forward to a return trip to Oregon on many levels and look forward to spending more time, and getting better acquainted with the gang. It enriched my life.
If you get a chance, take a trip to Oregon and check it out. There is so much to do, the people so friendly and the weather is ideal for me and Michael.
Shalom,
Kim
Our Limits Transgressed: photo by kim
Posted by: kimthanh
Henry David Thoreau
We need the tonic of wildness, to wade sometimes in marshes where the bittern and the meadow-hen lurk, and hear the booming of the snipe; to smell the whispering sedge where only the wilder and more solitary fowl builds her nest, and the mink crawls with its belly close to the ground. We can never have enough of nature. We must be refreshed by the sight of inexhaustible vigor, vast and titanic features, the sea-coast with its wrecks, the wilderness with its living and its decaying trees, the thunder cloud, and the rain which lasts weeks and produces freshets. We need to witness our own limits transgressed, and some life pasturing freely where we never wander.
www.bruderhof.com
Monday, April 25, 2005
O' How I Weep..poetry by kim
O’ How I Weep...
O’ how I weep for the children as this world continues twirling on its apex.
Why are they the first to lose out?
I weep for the lost innocence of children and their need to grow up so quickly.
Why aren’t they playing more?
Why are they being cared for by a system that underpays and overcrowds the very people whose
hands these lives are in the care of?
Why must they come home to an empty house?
Why oh why is so much demanded of them so soon and so quickly by society, parents, schools?
O’ how I weep for the children from all over the world.
slavery, children having children, living in great poverty, living without parents, living with aging,
grandparents, being unwanted and unclaimed in a world where they supposably are the future.
I weep for the world as it continues to prove beyond comprehension, it’s ultimate displays of studidity -
through power hungary men, control freaks, war, aids, cancer, hunger, slavery,
injustice, famine, homelessness, substance abuse, violence, greed, ignorance,
alzheimer, dementia, patriarchal dominance
I weep for you and for me and those I don’t know.
O’ how I weep...it’s difficult to understand and as to why the tears come on suddenly and often.
my tears may trickle, may pour forth, may salt the earth but the one thing they don’t do is stop.
O’ how I weep for those who can’t weep.
their tears are dried up,
their lives are too difficult to comprehend,
there isn’t time for tears when you’re struggling to survive.
O’ how I weep...
Perhpas one day there will be no mre tears, no more crying and no more pain in this world.
O’ how I look toward such sweetness and with tears of joy.
O’ how I weep for the children as this world continues twirling on its apex.
Why are they the first to lose out?
I weep for the lost innocence of children and their need to grow up so quickly.
Why aren’t they playing more?
Why are they being cared for by a system that underpays and overcrowds the very people whose
hands these lives are in the care of?
Why must they come home to an empty house?
Why oh why is so much demanded of them so soon and so quickly by society, parents, schools?
O’ how I weep for the children from all over the world.
slavery, children having children, living in great poverty, living without parents, living with aging,
grandparents, being unwanted and unclaimed in a world where they supposably are the future.
I weep for the world as it continues to prove beyond comprehension, it’s ultimate displays of studidity -
through power hungary men, control freaks, war, aids, cancer, hunger, slavery,
injustice, famine, homelessness, substance abuse, violence, greed, ignorance,
alzheimer, dementia, patriarchal dominance
I weep for you and for me and those I don’t know.
O’ how I weep...it’s difficult to understand and as to why the tears come on suddenly and often.
my tears may trickle, may pour forth, may salt the earth but the one thing they don’t do is stop.
O’ how I weep for those who can’t weep.
their tears are dried up,
their lives are too difficult to comprehend,
there isn’t time for tears when you’re struggling to survive.
O’ how I weep...
Perhpas one day there will be no mre tears, no more crying and no more pain in this world.
O’ how I look toward such sweetness and with tears of joy.
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