New Year's Resolution & Intentions

To say that 2013 was an eventful year would be a gross understatement. I'm betting on 2014 being wonderful and magical! Instead of coming up with a resolution, or even a series of resolutions as I've done in the past, I made a list of several goals and intentions for the year. A lot of it, I've realized, has to do with putting myself first, being authentic, and loving myself fully.

Even in the first few days of the new year, I've already been challenged. Merely 24 hours into 2014, I was in bed with an ear infection. I whined a little, but I took it as an opportunity to take care of myself. I eased up on work, looked up home remedies, ate well, and spent most of the day at home.

Then, when my sister told me about the beauty cleanse she's doing, we started talking about detoxing, immunity shots, healthy drinks, etc. I had already been thinking about ways to be healthier, which seems much more feasible now that I won't be as nomadic. I don't usually concern myself with being healthier but both of my sisters are all about it, plus I'm in California, so it's been very present these last few weeks. I've had - and enjoyed - homemade almond milk, cooked - and mostly enjoyed - a vegetarian Christmas, tried - and enjoyed - raw food bars, and shopped exclusively at Whole Foods. My sisters aren't just into eating well, I also exfoliated with raw honey and turbinado sugar and used a natural clay mask, and let me tell you, it felt lovely. (The exfoliant tasted good, too!)

Okay, so all of this was happening and has been the topic of many conversations, and I decided today that my resolution/intention for the new year boils down to self-love and self-care. Put into language that holds me accountable every day, I will perform at least one act of self-love every day. This might seem like a tiny thing, but it's big for me.

I imagine that some [and then many, and then hopefully most] days will have more than one act of self-love, but I'll start with one.

This was originally posted at F Is for Fun.

Happiest of Holidays and a Bright New Year

 TWM and CHICKS ROCK! wish you and your family a Joyous Holiday and a Peaceful, Propserous New Year!  We hope you get everything you want and more :)

My Life as a Female Soldier in Iraq

In honor of Veteran's Day, we thought we'd share this TWM Spring 2008 eNewsletter article where we reviewed our special TWM Signature Panel Series event marking the 5th anniversary of the war in Iraq featuring women who had recently served in our armed forces both there and in Afghanistan. You can read about the event itself in more detail as it was featured in Women's eNews, on Divine Caroline and TWM's Inspirer Newsletter.

MY LIFE AS A FEMALE SOLDIER IN IRAQ

Tuesday, March 11th, 2008

Our panelists left to right: First Lieutenant Jennifer Karakat (Army), Sergeant Chrissy DeCaprio (Marines), Sergeant Carolyn Schapper (Army); Specialist Petty Officer Emily Stroia (Navy), Staff Sergeant Luz Gonzalez (Army) and our moderator Adaora Udoji, co-host of The Takeaway on WNYC/PRI

On Tuesday, March 11th TWM brought together a diverse panel of women who have served in the armed forces for an intimate look at the military culture from a female perspective, exploring the issues that these women have had to deal with abroad, and how they have been able to integrate and re-adjust back to their life at home.   Thanks to all who participated in this conversation!

 Below you can read some of the responses from those who attended and link to published articles about it as well. 

My Life as a Female Soldier in Iraq is by far one of the best programs I've ever attended. Not only was I able to develop a greater appreciation for these women as strong, competent role models, but the personal tone was much more refreshing than the usual political one. Even when questions were posed that might at first seem political were really still about the women's personal experiences and the thoughts they have about the lives of their fellow soldiers. - Sally M.

This event was excellent. I thought that it would be anti-American and a lot of griping - but instead I took away a feeling of admiration and respect for these women. The format gave both speakers and audience a chance to participate. It was very enlightening - Great job!  -  Carol Anne P.

 The opportunity to hear women of such varied backgrounds was really eye-opening.  - Linda K.

I just wanted to send out a small note expressing how touched I was last night. I found myself reflecting on my grandmother throughout the whole evening - she served in the military in the 1940's during World War II, where she met and married my grandfather, who was in the military as well. Last night, I looked at the women who serve today, and the struggles they encounter and barriers they conquer. It made me so proud of what my grandmother had accomplished. I look back on what a strong a women she must have been to serve when it was extremely uncommon for women to enlist; I also realized how far women have come in society, and how much further we still have to go. - Lisette M.

I am honored to be my mother's child, who served as a Lieutenant in the Indian Army as a nurse.  Seeing her struggles and what she went through to become the success she is today has influenced me to be the woman I strive to be, or at least half of what my mother is.  That said, having the opportunity to sit on a panel and speak openly and honestly about my own experiences in the military has made me realize that sharing our stories allows us to speak of our shining moments.  SSG Luz Gonzalez and I spoke of who and what we would be if it were not for the military and I felt such a connection with her (and the other women, who I could not be more in awe of).  I knew I was meant to meet her and relate to her and vice versa.  - Jenny K.

While most of the mainstream media continue to focus on scandals and corruption, it was a welcome relief to see and hear from some of the women who have lived un-glamorous and dangerous lives in service to this country. Regardless of how any of us feel about the War in Iraq, it is important to have events like "My Life as a Female Soldier in Iraq" to remember and honor that small, but significant minority of women who continue to change attitudes about gender in the U.S. military.  - Pauline K.

 

TO READ MORE ABOUT THIS EVENT:

CLICK HERE FOR THE WOMENSENEWS ARTICLE 

CLICK HERE FOR THE DIVINECAROLINE ARTICLE 

TWM's INSPIRER NEWSLETTER PAGE 1 & 6

              

Back to Life, Back to Reality

Labor Day has always been one of my favorite holidays. I was going to write a bit about why, but it turns out I've already posted about it several times before: for instance, in 2009 and 2011.

All I have to add is this: when Labor Day passes, that signals the end of summer. Not just for me, but for the country as a whole, it seems. Regardless of the weather, come September it means putting away carefree summer attitudes and getting down to business. Back to life, back to reality, as the song goes.

We've had a great summer here at CHICKS ROCK! We hope you've enjoyed our Summer Retrospective, which included reruns of some of our favorite past posts. It's been fun for us to take a little look back at the past few years of our individual lives, and the life of this blog.

If you want to check out more past posts, you can always dip into our blog archives; if you're new to the blog it's a great way to get to know all of us better. If you've been reading us for a while, it's a nice trip down memory lane!

This fall, we'll be posting new content on Mondays through Fridays. And we want to hear from YOU! We love comments, guest posts, and all kinds of input that help us make this blog a conversation.

THANKS FOR READING!!!

Post 911 America, Warts And All*

This piece was originally posted on July 6, 2011. It is being re-posted as part of our CHICKS ROCK! Summer Retrospective, during which we will post a combination of new content and posts from the past. Enjoy!

The United States of America has always had its critics. After the second Iraq War began in 2002, global criticism of the country grew considerably. It was a tricky time; if an American criticized the war, that person was considered unpatriotic. I even heard some people in the media saying that anyone critical against the military efforts in Iraq and Afghanistan should leave the country for good. I was critical of the second Iraq War, but as a sister of a U.S. army officer, I am completely on the side of the troops who were and still are deployed overseas. I found the attacks on people who openly criticized the war to be similar to witch hunts, only there would be no literal burnings at the stake.

Even though I am not a Muslim or an Arab, I was told by a family member that our last name implies that we could be one or both. He also claimed that we were facing bias because of it in the workplace. I personally never felt this, and refused to succumb to pressure to change my last name in the new Post-9/11 America. After all, Sikhs were being attacked because of their turbans, and they are not Arabs or connected to the Muslim religion. These attacks really had to do with xenophobia, which is an unreasonable fear or hatred of foreigners and anything foreign. When I heard about the murder of a Sikh man mistaken for an Arab on September 15, 2001, I remembered reading that the murderer was ignorant and xenophobic to begin with. After 9/11, he decided to unleash his hatred as a form of vigilante justice on those who did not look right to him.

As I celebrate the America’s birthday this week, I am reminded of our continuing struggles for freedom and against bigotry. I am proud that as an American, I can openly support and criticize my country without fear of imprisonment. Difficult times, such as those faced after 9/11, remind me that we should NEVER take our freedoms for granted.

All the Difficult Things

Poster by Debby Dahl Edwardson

Today being Memorial Day, I've decided to offer a tribute to a wonderful friend who passed away this weekend: the children's writer and inspiring teacher Ellen Levine.

Although Memorial Day is officially dedicated to remembering those who've died in service to their country in the armed forces, I would argue that there are many ways to be of service to the country apart from military service. When I think of Ellen Levine today, I am reminded how much we need word warriors, too.

Ellen was the kind of fearless writer who tackled difficult issues head on, and who knew how to wield the power of a story to make a difference. She brought to light stories that many others were too afraid to tell. She wrote about the challenges of McCarthy-era life for a communist family. She wrote about teens dealing with unwanted pregnancy in the days before Roe v. Wade made choice a legal option. She interviewed young civil rights activists, capturing their true stories of the 1960's protest era. She wrote about Japanese internment camps in the Pacific northwest during World War II. And the list goes on.

Ellen did not just write about issues--she put herself on the line for the causes she believed in, stepping forward in the face of all the difficult things about which she felt such deep passion. She marched for civil rights, taught, practiced law, and generally dedicated herself to creating a more just world. She said, "caring about fairness is a big part of the well I dip into....I wonder and still have only bits of an answer for why some people live on the dark side. And why some risk everything to fight the darkness. Here's to fighting the darkness!"

Ellen's latest novel, IN TROUBLE

It's never easy to lose a friend, nor a colleague and mentor. In the days to come, I know that many writer friends of Ellen's will pen beautiful tributes to her, attempting to capture her spirit, her essence one last time before it fades into the ether. But the beauty of a gift like Ellen's is that it keeps on giving. It will not fade, because we won't let it. Ellen's spirit lives on in her published work, but perhaps more importantly, her energy and her advice live on in the many students and friends whose lives and work she touched. Those ripple effects are nowhere near their end.

I believe that on Memorial Day we ought not simply honor what is lost, but also celebrate what has been preserved. When soldiers die on the battlefield, we are ready with medals and parades in their honor. When word warriors die, it may not have been on the battlefield per se, and there may not be medals or parades, but there will surely be quiet revolutions happening in the mind of a child, curled in the corner of a library, captivated by the truth of a story. That is how we can walk forward, knowing that which seems lost is continually being found.

Happy Memorial Day.

Friday Forum: Memorial Day

It's Memorial Day weekend! The start of summer, the season for beach and BBQs, and a day off from work! What are your plans this weekend?

Friday Forum: Favorite Fakes

This weekend is one of the bigger "fake" holidays of the year: Cinco de Mayo. The misconception is that it celebrates Mexican Independence Day, but it's not actually a holiday many Mexicans celebrate. In some ways, it's similar to St. Patrick's Day, another fun "fake". Which is your favorite "fake" holiday?

Community Easter

I'm still traveling this week, and spent Easter weekend visiting a friend of mine, one of the numerous cool, quirky, fabulous people in my life who happen to be spread around the country and so I only get to see them once in a rare while.

This particular friend and I go way back, back to the days when carefree weekends filled with silly games were par for the course, and both of us miss being surrounded by a community of close friends who we might see and hang out with at length on a daily basis, the way you do when you're young, in high school and college. We lament the fact that out here in the adult world we don't really know our neighbors, rarely interact with them except for the occasional pleasantries. Living in proximity to others no longer implies a shared sense of identity.

To celebrate Easter, my friend decided we should try to bring people together. Her initial idea was to leave treat-filled plastic Easter eggs around the building, for neighbors to find and enjoy. But we figured, in this day and age of terror and skepticism, who is going to eat "unknown" candy? It'd be better, we reasoned, to give a little message, or invite people to DO something. Thus, the Puzzle Project was born.

We placed puzzle pieces inside Easter eggs and left them on doorsteps around the building, inviting residents to come to the common area and help complete the puzzle. We put the edge pieces together to get things started, and let other people take it from there. We left a little sign-in book, in case anyone wanted to share comments or thoughts about the experience. By the end of the day we had received several notes and the puzzle began to come together! People seemed intrigued, and happy to participate in an unusual group activity.

We hope the Puzzle Project might inspire our neighbors to meet new friends, but mostly we hope it made other people feel as good as it made us feel!

Friday Forum: Spring Break

Thanks to Easter and Passover, today starts a week of spring break for some -- and a time for the rest of us to be jealous. What would you do this week if you were on spring break? Or what will you do if you are?

Friday Forum: St. Patrick's Day

Tomorrow is St. Paddy's Day! What are your plans and what will you wear that's green?

Happy 101st International Women's Day!

To celebrate this day, here's TWM's International Women's Day email:

Our voices, talents and power have lied dormant far too long.  Every woman must search within herself, discover her unique gift, and then share it.  If we cannot do that in this country, how can we expect it of women in the rest of the world?

~ TWM Founder Kristina Leonardi, March 2005

Who are you?

We are ever grateful to all the brave and courageous women, both known and unknown, who have advanced women's rights and equality and continue to do so around the globe.

With March being Women's History Month, TWM wants to encourage everyone out there to reflect on what YOUR history and legacy will be. 

TWM believes that personal transformation is the key to social transformation.  

You don't have to be an Eleanor Roosevelt, Mother Teresa, or Rosa Parks to leave your mark on the world.  By becoming the best you can be and expressing your true power and potential, others will automatically benefit. Use this day and month to think about how you can improve your life and take one small action in that direction!

The Women's Mosaic® (TWM) is proud to be a part of the women's empowerment movement for over a decade. Since January 2001 we have offered more than 100 unique opportunities for women of every background to connect to themselves, each other and the world around them.  

 
TWM Top 10 Fun Facts & Highlights

Friday Forum: Take a Leap

What did you do with your extra day this year?

Leap Day Past and Present

Today is Leap Day, which only comes once every four years as everyone knows. I always saw it as a day I was glad not to be born in, since Leapers have to choose either February 28th or March 1st as their birthdays on non-Leap Years. I do not personally know anyone who was born on a Leap Day, so I am not sure if the common feeling shared by them is one of annoyance, pride, or both. It is probably amusing at times to claim to be younger than they are because of their actual birthdays being celebrated once every four years. It must also be a nuisance dealing with government agencies when Leapers use their true birth dates. I would not relish that.

I just found out that in Irish history, Leap Day was designated as the day that women could propose to men, and if a proposal made on this day was rejected, compensation was made to the scorned. I actually believe that this was a very good idea at the time, especially since women were expected to wait for proposals from potential suitors, or have their parents arrange marriages on their behalf. Rejection of these proposals did not leave any of these women empty-handed either, which must have helped to soften the blow. The common penalties were multiple pairs of gloves, gowns, or just money. I think that if I lived during those times and made a proposal to someone who rejected me on Leap Day, I would have been able to move on well enough.

Leap Days in the modern age should be days when we continue to do things we would usually never do. If I lived near Disney World or Disney Land, I would be there all day because the amusement parks are open for 24 hours today. Perhaps leaping off a building, armed with a parachute? Well, I won’t be doing that this Leap Year, but perhaps I will do something unexpected in honor of the day. Why not?

Sweets Ban For Lent

Now that the Lenten season has begun, I have decided to give up sweets for the next forty days. That means ice cream, pastries, cake, candy and more. It is going to be hard, but I am determined to see it through. It is so easy to get a carbohydrate fix with all the readily available donut shops (a particular chain comes to mind, and one of those locations are near my apartment) but I am looking forward to resist the temptation. It will be good for me and probably help me change some dietary habits in the long run.

In the past, I have given up television, going to restaurants and getting take out, using cell phones and the Internet after 10 PM, shopping for non-essentials, and more. I have not given up anything for Lent in the last few years, but decided to resurrect the tradition this year to get ready for the rest of the year. I think I also just want to refresh my daily routine, and this is a good way to do it. I know that observing Lent in this way is considered religious practice, but for me it is more to do with my overall well-being.

Lent is similar to a spring cleaning of the soul, or at least I think so. It does feel like spring this winter anyway, but I will be glad when the weather has really warmed up so I do not have to wear a coat or jacket anymore.

Are any of you giving up anything for Lent?

Friday Forum: President Faves

The not-actually-a-holiday Presidents' Day is coming up but instead of debating that holiday, we decided to turn up the nerdiness dial a bit.

Who are your favorite Presidents, past or present?

Friday Forum: Valentine Faves

With Valentine's Day just around the corner, we're thinking a lot about love and friendships. What have been some of your favorite Valentine's Days -- whether with a partner, your best friend, or even a family member?

The King and Me

Three-day holiday weekends don't quite take on the same significance when you work from home. When these Mondays roll around, it's really easy for me to forget things like the post office being closed, or that friends might be free to hang out. Last night, someone casually reminded me that most offices would be closed today, and I admit I felt a little ashamed that I'd forgotten it was already Dr. King day. That's one special Monday I do try to make note of every year.

To celebrate, I am going to post the link to my newly updated website, which went live at the beginning of the month, and show off my new book covers. Fire in the Streets, due out in August, is the companion to my first novel The Rock and the River. Set in 1968 Chicago, the books follow teenagers who participate in the civil rights movement there, and later contemplate joining the Black Panther Party.

In addition, I have another book coming out in May, a contemporary young adult novel about a girl dealing with difficult friendship and family circumstances. It's called 37 Things I Love.

In 2012, I'll begin research on a non-fiction book exploring the history and impact of the Black Panther Party, written for young readers. I'm particularly excited about this project, as an extension of my interest in studying the civil rights movement and the various dynamics of social change that went on during that time period. (Dr. King's time period, as it happens.)

It might seem that the proper thing to do on someone else's birthday (observed) is to talk about him, but I don't think Dr. King would mind me horning in on his limelight. After all, he lived his life the way he did largely so that people like me could have new opportunities. I'd like to think that, however small my contributions to the world might be, Dr. King would be proud of me for making them.

The New Year So Far

As 2011 ceased to be and 2012 took its place, I felt a sense of optimism for the future. I think I was just glad the holidays are over, so I can get back to moving forward with my career and general life plans. I also lost two people during the course of the year, and these events continue to sadden me to this day. Perhaps it is getting away from 2011 that allowed a wave of positivity to wash over me as the clock struck midnight to begin the brand new year.

Then, in just a matter of days, I received two reports from my family that seemed to happen all at once. The worst of these is that some of my maternal relatives were involved in a serious accident due to a collision with a truck. Thankfully they survived the gruesome accident, but my uncle will need major surgery on his hip in a few days, which is something he dreads considerably because he dislikes hospitals. I was shocked to discover that the incident happened early on New Year’s Day, which made me a little superstitious at first.
Will this be a nail-biting year too? I really cannot answer that question, since I don’t possess a crystal ball or any other mechanisms that would allow me to see into the future.

All I know is that 2012 started with a bang, figuratively and literally speaking.
So while I don’t claim to be superstitious by nature, I could not help but wonder what this year will be like in general, especially after such a disruptive accident. Hopefully it will just get better as time goes on. I sincerely hope so!

Are you looking forward to the days, weeks, and months ahead?

Friday Forum: New Year's Eve

The new year is so close, we can start the countdown soon! What are your plans for New Year's Eve? Do you have a tradition or are you winging it?