August 6, 2013
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A Special Day
Today I met a friend of mine whom I met about a year ago. Donna is from my brother's church. We met at Olive Garden, where she surprised me by treating me to the meal. After a couple of hours of talking there, we went to the Christian bookstore in town, and I treated her to some coffee, and we continued our conversation (and enjoyed some shopping time, too)! We had the gal who had made the coffee drink to take our picture. We found out that we had many things in common, one of which is loving to read. As we went through the checkout, we handed each other a gift -- we had each bought each other a book and a bookmark! The lady who had checked us out enjoyed our surprising of each other, too!
One of the things that we had in common was that of being "Adult-Third-Culture Kids." This was a new term/concept to her, but I have been aware of this, read up on it, and have been to a conference of ATCK's. Here is one brief article if anyone is interested in learning more, but here is the introductory paragraph:" A Third Culture Kid (TCK) is a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents' culture. The TCK frequently builds relationships to all of the cultures, while not having full ownership in any. Although elements from each culture may be assimilated into the TCK's life experience, the sense of belonging is in relationship to others of similar background."
Donna was a military kid, and I a missionary kid; she had been in two places outside of the U.S. (plus MANY places in the U.S.); I had 9-1/2 years in the Philippines, and the U.S. off and on in small amounts until I was 14. I also did my student teaching back in my other home. Here we are:
The rest are the latest pics I've "swiped" off of Facebook, of our grandkids. I can't get enough of them! I love the first one of Brogan with "attitude." Brogan is with his mom in the second picture -- you can see from whom he got his blue eyes! Tristen is posing with her best friend. Quinn had those pictures taken yesterday (I believe) ... she is 8 weeks old now. Such a blessing to have grandchildren!!!
Comments (20)
I love your pictures, they made me smile!To answer your questions from my post...no, Analice doesn't attend a year-round school. The school year is from mid-August to the third week in May. Many of the schools around here have a similar schedule.
Yea!! More Xanga time for you!!! I have only two people left who post to Xanga, so we'll have to "grow" our friends lists again!!!
I wish Xanga had a "like" button.
@cool_mamacita - <a ~ I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures! I know I enjoy the pictures of Analice and her adventures with you! With my no longer teaching, I kind of lose track of time... yes, it is that time of year, and I'm not having to purchase curriculum, make plans, etc.!! I hope that Analice has a wonderful school year! And yes, my friend list has dwindled down pretty far, too. I'll need to go through and see who is still around and chop down what my current list "states" that I have.
@SingingMom - Cindy, there is a FB like button, and also a "like" button to recommend the post on Xanga. They keep adding features. These two features are just below the blog above, and just above where it says "Related Posts" and the "Comments" ... check it out. Also ... there are new features that are making it easier to load pictures and to write the posts. I'm hopeful that things continue to work out, and that Xanga will be able to continue.
It's always good to spend a day with a friend. The baby is so sweet. Beautiful blue eyes, and I love the look on his face too.
@ata_grandma - ~ Yes, like when you and Tom, Mike and I spent time together! And... you do know about how much we grandmas love our "babies"! Thanks for your nice comments, Gracia. ((hugs))
Hugs back to you.
Good Morning, Carolyn ATCT is a new term to me, but you explained it nicely. Nice too see you have a good friend in Donna. I used to visit Christian Book Stores a lot and read more. I don't do that much anymore and fear all book stores are suffering because of our electronic gadgets and on-line buying. I have photos of my wife visiting our great grand daughters for the first time back East. I have never seen pictures of her so happy since our honeymoon. She loves, loves, loves the grand and great grand kids. Our latest Izzabella is doll. I tell my friends that the reason we go through all the challenges of raising children is to have grand children--a mom's delight for sure.I feel like I was raised in another culture. lol Whites were the minority. People from just about all parts of the world lived around us. There were no subdivisions so rich and poor kids lived side by side. We all went to school together. I ate with the Mexican, Chinese, Japanese, Portuguese. Italian, Filipino, etc. It was a good experience. I was raised by Southern parents in California. lol They had no chance in making me think one race was better than another.Have a very nice dayfrank
@HUMOR_ME_NOW - I know what you mean about books in hard copy vs in electronic form. I love both, but since getting my Kindle Fire,I find I am reading from it more than from hard copy books. My friend and I want to be sure to help keep this store in business. The last bookstore went out of business ... not so much due to electronic books, as to purchases made online. I love how you grew up with children from all sorts of cultures around you! That to to me is ideal! I love being around folk from all over the world, and from all types of cultures, too. Heaven will be the ultimate mixer!
Cute! God speed, ~ Pete"Delight yourself also in the Lord, and He shall give you the desires of your heart." Psalm 37:4
RYC : yes Carolyn we knew the painter.
It is great to meet again a friend and share happy moments with her ;What you say about the various cultures met by some children is true . This enlarges the sight on the world and makes us more tolerant . Nowadays young people often travel abroad.I loved the pictures of your grandchildrenLove Michel
@fauquet - Thank you for your comments, including -- I'm glad you enjoyed the pictures. I agree with you that the enlarging of our world and its cultures help to make us more tolerant. @fauquet - I'm so sorry that your painter friend died. It's always hard to lose our friends. My thoughts and prayers are with your family and his other friends and family.
TCK is an interesting concept. I had never heard of it before coming to your blog. It is amazing how you and your friend Donna became good friends after one evening of fun and how you have so much in common. I loved your pictures. The kids are so so cute!
Love the attitude picture. I feel like that sometimes. Love the grandchildren pics. I miss mine who live far away. We can't choose where life takes them. We can pray for them!
@carpe_diem99 - Thank you for your comments. I am looking forward to reading more of your blogs, and getting better acquainted with my newest Xanga friend! I love learning about people who are both similar and dissimilar; for in the process of learning about each other, we all can find something in common (as well as some things that are unique)!
@mcbery - I know what you mean about the grandchildren who aren't close! We just have the three, and they only live about an hour and 1/4 away, but that means finding a good time for them to commit to spending with us, since we have a round trip of about 3 hours. I am hoping that we can do that more often now that I'm retired from teaching. And yes, you're so right! We can pray for them!
The pictures are great. The blue eyes are mesmerizing indeed. I had not heard this concept of ATCKs. I will go there and check that out. I am so happy that you had such a great time with Donna. Hope WE get to meet each other sometime soon. Love the quote in the last frame.
@ZSA_MD - Thank you for the comments. Yes, we DO need to meet sometime soon, and I believe that it SHALL happen! There are several sites that deal with the concept of the TCK'S (adult and otherwise). You and I have much in common; I see some of those things as I read your book. One especially that spoke to the issue of TCK's is the writing entitled "Home." I just came from one of the sites on FB (there are several) that are for TCK's, and I found the following quote that I really like:“We pass through countries as through revolving doors, resident aliens of the world, impermanent residents of nowhere. Nothing is strange to us, and nowhere is foreign. We are visitors even in our own homes."--Pico IyerLove and hugs from me to you.
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