Life with Chinese Characteristics, Chapter 11: A typhoon day poem on the paradox of chaos

It is the way the wind sounds like big wine barrels rolling down the street

that you notice

when you lay in bed listening sleepily

the way sheets of rain sweep over the city like smoke

that you notice

when you stand still to watch 

the way that time does not stop but slows

that you notice

when you shed the burden of a day’s checklist

It is the silky sweetness of mango on your tongue

that you notice

when your soul stills

the aromatic jasmine of your green tea

that you notice

when you inhale deeply

and the quieter state of the world

that you notice

in the soft light of the after-storm

photo credit: Riley Laird

In search of your spirit, my NieNie

I walked slowly around our lake today.

As I stepped the steps we once stepped together

our voices were carried back to me in the breezes that rustled the leaves.

You'll have a wedding held among the lily pads

I heard you say as I gazed at the water lilies.

I hoped I would see your reflection in the water that softly rippled. 

I wondered if you were there

dancing in the branches of the willow tree,

or riding the tail of the dragon fly.

Maybe you were perched on the wing of the butterfly, fluttering through the air.

I looked for the graceful crane we often delighted in seeing.

Perhaps you were with her, watching on from deep within the reeds. 

To those who make the latitudes and the longitudes

Four years ago, my first year of teaching abroad had just come to a close. I close my eyes today and breath into the past, still feeling the heavy heart I had at the end of that first year, as I came to terms with the transiency of people I had grown close to. Throughout that first year abroad, I often thought, "How can anyone actually do this long term? I cannot do this, I cannot connect with such kindred spirits simply to say goodbye so soon." As I continued to process this part of the experience of life abroad, I did find some solace by reflecting on the ways that new relationships had shifted me, challenged me, and helped me to grow. In this way, these new friends, who were soon to be further away, would stay with me.

What I have also come to see is that as friends have stayed to teach in Ecuador, or settled in Mexico, Venezuela, Albania, and Japan, I continue to learn from them, as they recount their experiences on social media, in blogs, and through our Skype conversations. And then, to my greatest delight, in these past four years, my path has crossed again, in both unexpected and premeditated ways, with international friends. Most recently, I connected with Michelle in Toronto for a whirlwind, three-day tour of the city's best restaurants, a lot of reflections on this past year, and a visit to a museum that I hope residents and visitors to Toronto may venture to, too.

When I landed in Toronto, my first observations were of the diversity of the people. The airport was full of Sikh men wearing dastars, and Muslim women wearing hijabs, and people milling about from dozens of different ethnic heritages. I do not know to what degree this is true, but in my short stay, it did not appear that races or cultures are particularly segregated in Toronto. Internally, I kept noting the smiles on everyone's faces when they greeted me, or one another. As other experiences have reminded me, this is the energy I want to extend towards others, when I am home, and when I represent my country abroad. To have a spirit of kindness, openness, and hospitality, it is to inspire smiles on the hearts of others. I am deeply grateful to all of the strangers in Toronto who placed such smiles onto mine.

Really, I loved the flavor of this city that comes in the form of such diversity ... and, as you must have guessed, that translates then to food. In one day alone, Michelle and I made a world tour simply by visiting restaurants serving Middle-Eastern, Mexican, and Ethiopian cuisine.

Eating at Ethiopiques ... this was dinner numero uno that night.

It is no wonder, then, that Michelle baked this food baby in three short days.
I wasn't there for the birth. That's probably for the best.

There was also amazing Thai food, shared with Sarah and Jameson, and my stay culminated in eating breakfast poutine!

Sipping ciders in the park is a beautiful way to end an evening.

Those are french fries, smothered in cheese, and hollandaise sauce, mixed with sausage and topped with a poached egg.
If your heart just stopped, mine almost did too, after eating the whole bowl. 

So, in this way, Toronto was a moving experience as it inspired my stomach to grow. Michelle and I did at least begin each day with a workout in the park. From the East to the West, it is always about balance.

We did do a couple of other activities aside from eating. One of the first places Michelle took me to, due to an infection, was the health clinic. This is where I learned something about Canadian healthcare. While it was about a three-hour wait, after presenting her health card, Michelle did not have to pay to see the doctor. While the line of patients moved slowly, everyone was so chill. I kept waiting for someone to go up to the desk and ask in an irritable tone about how much longer it would be, but this never happened. Nobody was even tapping their toes, save the little American in her chair. 

In addition to the clinic, I got to experience some beautiful city sites as we went to Harbourfront Music Garden, designed by cellist Yo Yo Ma and landscape designer Julie Moir Messervy. At the Toronto Music Garden, you will find that Bach's Suite Number 1 in G Major has been interpreted through statues, shrubs, flowers, and other landscape design. It is serene. 

It was not this serenity, but heartrending emotion, that I experienced at the Aga Khan Museum. The museum currently houses artwork of Muslim civilizations spanning centuries and a good deal of physical terrain. The artwork includes pottery, rugs, manuscripts and metalwork. I am rather ignorant to the Islamic faith and Muslim culture. I have started a book entitled The Heart of Islam, by Seyyed Hossein Nasr, and I am still working to get my hands on my dear friend's recent publication titled, The War against al-Qaeda in order to learn more. The museum certainly offered a glimpse into the beauty of these Muslim civilizations. 

The exhibit that struck me most, though, was the Syrian Symphony: New Compositions in Sight and Sound, which "explores the roles of art and artists during times of upheaval and conflict." As we listened to the four movements, we walked around the upper floor of the museum, gazing at artwork inspired by the music, and life in Syria. Questions flooded me: To what degree has the West played a hand in the state of affairs of predominantly Islamic countries? What if oil stopped being the commodity that it is? Why do so many of us reduce the Islamic faith to extremism? What will become of Syria and her people? Will light conquer the dark? I looked and listened to the haunting beauty of the music and the art, in a state of wonder and horror, and in awe of the human spirit. 

It is upon this, the human spirit, that I have pondered most in the past four years. It is the depth, the complexity, and the beauty of the human spirit that has me unsettled for too long in any one place right now. I want to be everywhere. Every place, to taste its spirit. Every place, to see its people. Every place, to feel the vibrations that connect us all. 

The physical distance between my family, my friends, and myself that often exists still causes many aches and pains, but it is within the span of this distance that I continue to grow.

While sometimes I would like to gather all of my friends and family in one place, as Thoreau noted, "Nothing makes the earth seem so spacious as to have friends at a distance; they make the latitudes and the longitudes."  

Many thanks to Jeanette and David and Michelle for hosting me in Toronto -- a new city that I love -- for such hospitality, and for more delightful conversations and delicious food. Until our paths meet again, nos vemos.

Love and light,

Jame

A tribute to sisterhood, and to the Windy City

For my 30th birthday, Linds surprised me with a trip to Chicago that included our immediate family of five. The whole weekend felt something like a dream. It was so fun, filled with shopping (Dad was the biggest trooper ever, and he was rewarded with trendy new jeans that could never qualify as "dad jeans" -- ahh, the perks of having three daughters and a fashionable wife), lots of eating (Baci's do this best), and a bit of dancing (it's too bad my nieces were not yet old enough to teach me the best moves, though had I used their moves, I would have likely needed another hotel room).

I hadn't gotten back to Chicago in the past 4.5 years until last weekend, but in that time, Cass was busy collecting field data on multiple research (as far as her husband knew ... research is also known as shopping) trips to the Windy City. Late this spring, she suggested we take a Bacichx trip back to Chi-town when I returned for summer break. Linds and I happily signed on for that adventure, and Cass began planning out the itinerary ... to the minute. By the time we took off early Friday evening, Cass had printed out the weekend play-by-play on gold leaf stationary --a truth or a lie?. Honestly, this is my favorite kind of travel. After making 1,500 decisions each day in the classroom (times 200 school days each year), I will submit to most any travel agenda, but especially those with words like "spa," "shopping," "brunch at ...", "dinner at ...", "drinks at ...", and "Hamilton." (True story: When Cass sent us her favorite song from the musical to listen to, Linds replied, "Not sure that I know who they are, but if you are excited, I am excited!" We love her. So much.)

The following are places that were included on our itinerary -- Cass now has a gig as a travel agent, after salon hours -- that I provide both for those traveling to Chicago, and to the rest of you for some entertainment and sista-friend feels.

Beatrix: This place was Bangin'! We dined here for dinner Friday night. I devoured the chili-chocolate smothered salmon (and shared it with the white jacket I borrowed from Linds) while Linds took down the parmesan-crusted chicken, and Cass got her fork into the steak with chimichurri sauce.

We loved Beatrix so much that we returned two other times, for tea -- spring for a maple cinnamon matcha latte! -- and dessert (deeliiicious gluten-free options available). 

Spa space: A beautifully indulgent experience. While not the same price point as my Asia spa experiences, it was the best facial I have had since we were there 4 and a half years ago. I would like to provide a photo here, but I am part of a micro-generation known as the Xennials, thus in most selfies I do not appear sexy or flirty or cute ... mostly just ... awkward. The Bacichx give this place six thumbs up, though. The robes are super soft, the scents are sweet, and the services are stellar. 

Shopping: Cass has shopping radar like I have never seen before. She walked us right to Magnificent Mile, which was only a short jaunt from our hotel as we stayed at the Cambria. After filling bags from Anthropologie, Lush, and Nordstrom's, I will not be able to purchase any more items at Whole Foods, but, dang, I'll look good walking up and down those grocery store isles. (Fun Fact: Cass's super shopper endorphins get her so high that when she sees a sign that says "Use other door" she runs around the building searching for the other door rather than opening the door in her right hand rather than her left. We love her soo big.)

Eataly: Bacichx gotta eat again, and one afternoon it was Go Italian or Go Home. Eataly is floors of fine foods and restaurants with specialty Italian dishes. My favorite dish here was Linds' pouch of mozzarella, called Burrata at Osteria di Eataly. The cream that oozed onto the plate when you cut into that bag-o-mozza is like silk on your tongue. 

#Sweatworking: While we make a sport out of eating, we also like to get our sweat on, and that we did at Barry's Boot Camp and Soul Cycle. For the past couple of years, I have been writing for A Sweat Life, a health and fitness blog based out of Chicago, the brainchild of Jeana Anderson Cohen. This trip was made especially awesome as Jeana joined us for both workouts. I like the Body Pump class at my gym in Shenzhen, but, seriously, Chicago is the envy of my gym spirit right now. Andrew, our Barry's Boot Camp instructor, with the short shorts (and, umm, best legs) had us doing sprints on the treadmill and then back to the ground for weights and then back to the treadmill and then back to the weights. It was dizzying and awesome and hot tunes were pumpin' the whole time. We loved it. 

(Baci-Sister-So-Smart moment: On the way to the class, I was gazing out the window at the lake, watching people bike around, thinking we could do the same after bootcamp -- cuz I'm crazy -- when I asked, "Hey, how far around this lake?" Now, you see, I've got some good brain cells, but I've got no geography cells. I got the high eyebrow in response to this question ... My sisters love me. So much.) 

Now, that Soul Cycle class was like no cycle class I have experienced before. When Cass signed us up, I had insisted on being in the front of class (because Kellen, our spin instructor, has rad hair and looked caaaayuuute in his photo ... you can follow him on Insta at #homosweatual, so you can see how my best laid schemes were foiled). The class was a comedy of errors. In the beginning, I couldn't get my shoes snapped into the pedals. Then, for the entire class save the last five minutes, my body did not bob to the beat, but rather my head was up when everyone else's was down. Towards the end of class, my bike pushups revealed jell-o-like arms, and when class ended 45-sweaty minutes later, I had to un-velcrow myself out of those shoes, as once they snapped in, they didn't snap out. Throughout the class, Jeana was rockin' it on to my left, and I spent most of class sucking air, hoping she was practicing Zen Soul Cycle with her eyes closed. You know what, though? I'd do it again. On a bike in the back. 

True Food Kitchen: After our sweaty boot camp class, we had brunch with Jeana at this healthy stop. Seriously, the organic, farm-to-table movement hasn't quite reached Shenzhen (note: I am refraining from any street-to-table jokes here as to avoid perpetuating stereotypes). When I come home to the Midwest, I love gobbling up as much super fresh produce and more sustainably and ethically raised cows and chickens. The Spicy Panang Curry will fill you up without giving you a food baby to sweat off again. 

Hamilton!!!: I was quite literally on the edge of my seat for the entirety of the play. The singing, the dancing, the story -- un-believ-able. I wish that I had read up a bit on my 1700s American history before the show as I was scouring Wikipedia at intermission to refresh my mind. Lin-Manuel Miranda is an absolute genius. He had us making up our own raps in bed that night, though stories with rhythm are more his thing than ours. The rest of the fam is returning to Chicago in August to see Hamilton as it does not come to Minneapolis until next year, and it will be worth seeing a second time at the Orpheum in St. Paul. 

Summer House Santa Monica: While Linds needed to get back to her babies, Cass and I hunkered down in Chicago a bit longer, thanks to her friends who are honeymooning in Asia and offered up their cute Lincoln Park apartment to us. In between episodes of Big Little Lies, we needed more sustenance. The Emerald Kale Salad was light and refreshing and provided just the energy I needed to figure out the mysteries of Monterey. 

Growing up, I used to feel that the three of us were so much alike -- especially Linds and I, as we are so close in age, played the same sports, and had many of the same friends. As we have come into adulthood, I see us as more and more different. Sometimes we annoy each other as much as we did when we were little girls, screeching out "REEEEEEAAAAARRR" in the car to make each other crazy. But this is the thing with the Baci sisters: in spite of many differences, our bond is unbreakable. I love sleeping next to them, snort-laughing with them, trying on 1 zillion pairs of pants with them, and talking in the dark with them. 

There is a quote you have probably heard. "Friends are the family we choose." This does ring so true in my life abroad. I have dubbed some of my friends surrogate sisters, and some of their husbands are the brothers I never had by blood. The Bacichx are sisters by blood and friends by choice. I will always choose them. 

(Being a tour guide is exhausting.)

Life with Chinese Characteristics, Chapter 10: When you feel the world is broken, come to Shenzhen Stories

It has been nearly a full school year now that I have been living and teaching in Shenzhen, China. It has been a year of many professional triumphs as I have felt reinvigorated inside of my classroom. It has been a year of cultivating new friendships as I have connected with new souls from around the globe that have also landed at Shekou International School. It has also been a year of a good deal of dismay and angst for me, as for some number of you, in the face of American politics. Since moving abroad nearly four years ago, I have become a more informed and mindful citizen of the world's truths. I am still ignorant to much, but my horizons have expanded immensely, and with that expansion, all kinds of realities have entered my conscious. This year I have found it especially difficult to remain informed and still keep faith that more good goes around than bad, and that we will not let our differences divide us to destruction, inside and outside of our neighborhoods, on or outside of American turf.

The thing is, no one can make any guarantees about what the future holds, of course. It has been buried within my darker moments that I have had to remind myself that true goodness continues to gain ground. Not just the words, but the actions of so many of my family members and friends offer me hope when I lose sight of the brighter horizons.

It is through the work of one of my new friends, Trey -- and his friend Siobhan -- that a monthly event christened Shenzhen Stories was born. This afternoon many of us attended the fifth installation of Shenzhen Stories in a quaint coffee shop in an area of the city named Bao'an.

The little nook is called F518 Idea Land. Trey and Siobhan rock at connecting with people active in
social, creative and artistic networks to find the best venues for Stories, often hidden from plain sight.

The premise for Shenzhen Stories is to bring people together in this "beautiful, fun, confusing city," as Trey characterized Shenzhen, to hear "incredible stories about the human experience," to understand the nature of our "criss-crossing" lives, and to consider "hey, maybe we're not as different as we thought ... gosh, we should be friends."

Trey getting our afternoon started with greetings and good humor.

Every month about six speakers tell a true personal story revolving around a theme (open to interpretation) such as At First Sight, Smoke and Mirrors, and Close Calls. The thread that connected each story today: Continue? As we listened to the following men and women recount pivotal points in their lives, we learned intimate details about strangers, we got to know our friends more deeply, we saw ourselves in parts of others' experiences, and we found our family members in the heart of certain stories. Today, as always, the stories were as diverse as those who told them, and yet, throughout these two hours, the art of storytelling, in its most raw and authentic form, connected us all. 

Note: The following photos are from Shaun Kirkwood. He and Brittany, one of our brilliant departing art teachers, are traveling through Australia, Shaun's home turf, in a van, next year. This is an unsolicited plug for them. Follow their adventures on Instagram @shaunyandbeetravel. 

Siobhan is from Shenzhen's sister city, Edinburgh, in Scotland. She kicked off today's event recounting how story-telling is woven into Scottish culture. Siobhan will continue to share the power of story-telling in Cape Town next as she departs for South Africa with her boyfriend in two weeks.

Brittan, from Boise, Idaho, told the audience about checking all of the boxes, the one about marriage, a baby, and a more traditional job. After a good look at his life, he did not entirely continue down that path. He is now a stay-at-home dad. Identifying as an artist since 8, he has put passion into starting ISZAF, International Shenzhen Artist Forum.

After being a very young, successful "corporate slave" for a number of years, Nausheen, originally from Pakistan, set out on the road less traveled when she became a movie director.

Lo and behold I ran into an Ecuadorian in Shenzhen. I am sure he is not the only one, but Jorge's life in Quito as a graphic designer by day, and graffiti artist in his free time, was a cool connection to discover today.

Clayton is a third culture kid, raised predominantly in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.She is my English colleague and friend, but in her previous life she was an actress striving to get her big break in New York City. She now teaches drama at SIS and directed a great mystery-comedy act this winter.

Rudy hails from San Diego, California. Just two years ago, at age 58, he learned that the man he had called his dad his entire life was not his biological father. He has now connected with his biological paternal family to create a part of his identity anew.

Each of these stories was a tapestry woven from hardship, fear, change and triumph. While listening to each story, we pondered our own humanity and the humanity of others. During each story, in moments marked by laughter, silence and awe, we felt compassion for strangers and friends alike, we reflected on our commonalities. Most beautifully, we felt connected.

Driving home, Trey noted that "the greatest joy in life is to not be surrounded by strangers." He and his wife, my friend, Katie arrived to Shenzhen from South Carolina two years ago. Trey has intentionally set about helping us to see that even if we do not know someone else's name, even if our paths cross for just a short time, even if we come from cultures with different customs, at the heart of it, we are not foreign to one another really. 

As Siobhan sets out on her new journey in South Africa, with the intent of bringing Cape Town Stories to fruition, there is talk of Stories sprouting in Singapore and Bangkok too. Perhaps you'll be so moved by Shenzhen Stories to start a chapter in your city, or town, or suburb as well. 

Tonight I reflect on the quote scrawled on one of the white boards in my classroom, thankful for Trey and Siobhan's vision, and renewed in my optimism that light continues to trump the dark.

"Do not be dismayed by the brokenness of the world. All things break. And all things can be mended. Not with time, as they say, but with intention. So go. Love intentionally, extravagantly, unconditionally. The broken world waits in darkness for the light that is you."

L.R. Knost

Life with Chinese Characteristics, Chapter 9: When Spring Break becomes much more than fun in the sun

As I was sipping a Singapore Sling by the pool the first day that I had arrived in Kota Kinabalu, in Bornean Malaysia, I began to wonder how I would write about this Spring Break vacation. As one sunset turned into the following sunrise, the past week did indeed take on a more meaningful form, something more than imbibing tropical drinks in the sun, though that is of course lovely in its own right. 

At this point in the school year, the notion of spending sun-soaked days by the pool was indeed quite alluring, but so were the adventures offered by Borneo Passages. My traveling companion, Alexandra, and I chose three excursions with this company: Kinabalu Park and Poring Hot Springs, an island beach day and BBQ and a morning at Sepilok Orangutan Rehabilitation Centre. 

Before I detail the highlights of these trips, I must note that the resort did offer substance to this Spring Break, especially in the form of a beautiful ambiance for reading and watching the sunsets ...

The sun often set in Quito with such magnificence; the sky of Shenzhen does not frequently display such beauty, so these sunsets were nightly savored.

Sometimes you just must surrender yourself to such a scene. Dinner can wait ... even for this hungry woman.

But, really, it was stepping off of the grounds of the resort that made this vacation another opportunity for learning and expanding horizons.

Our guide for the first excursion to the rainforest at the base of Mt Kinabalu was Tamin. He was one of those rather rare souls who exudes a certain softness, so like that of my Grandpa Art, that you feel instantly comfortable in his presence. Tamin is the son of a Muslim father and a Christian mother, so we did speak a bit of religion as we traveled to and from the mountain. In my short time in Kota Kinabalu, I did note the ease that appears to exist between all people there, in a land that is home to many Muslims and Christians. The more I explore Asia, really, the more sincere smiles and kindness I encounter. 

Throughout our day with Tamin, he introduced us to the most majestic mountain here. Climbing Mt Kinabalu is usually a two-day excursion, so on this trip, I enjoyed her beauty from afar:

Just minutes after I took this photo, the clouds covered up the peak that rises 13,435 feet above the sea.
The weather was very sweet on us this day, soaking the earth only after we'd sought shelter.

Not so long after this view, we were fortunate enough to see a very rare beauty: the Rafflesia. This rootless, stemless, parasitic plant blooms for only a handful of days, and, as it decomposes, smells more and more of rotting meat. Rather than give you its exact dimensions, take a look at this for scale:

One of my friends saw this photo and commented that I looked like Alice in Wonderland, and really,
that is one of many things that I love about travel and exploration, making the stuff of storybooks come to life.

Want a closer look at the interior? ...

Watch your small children and chihuahuas lest they end up as this plant's dinner ...
I jest, the Rafflesia smells like bad meat, but doesn't consume it. 

After we gaped in awe at what could star in some fantasy fiction, we were further charmed by the canopy of this Bornean rainforest. 

From below the canopy, the leaves make a lace-like design.

This is above the treetops on the canopy walk ... you may see from my faux smile that I preferred walking on the ground to walking on the wiggly, roped slab of wood some 75 feet above the earth.

And then, these trees ... have I entered Dr. Seuss's forest?

Photo credit: Alexandra Michaels

After this first adventure, I was just sold on Malaysia ... and I have yet to touch down in Kuala Lumpur. I am quite certain Malaysia and I will cross paths again ... but before I get ahead of myself, I must also tell you of the orangutans ... Orangutans!!

Actually, rather than babbling on, these photos from resident photographer Riley Laird say it all ...

We were fortunate to show up for breakfast ... here is the "man of the jungle" himself,
coming down for a sweet start to the day.

And Mama and her Peanut ... goodness, don't you just want to curl up with this duo?

That orange is so ... orange it looks fake ... but these photos are the real deal.

And this Bornean Sun Bear is no afterthought. When I come home this summer, you all get Sun Bear hugs, just like this furry friend is hugging that tree! (I'll cut my nails, though.)

Just five days before jet-setting off to Kota Kinabalu, I was in Singapore for a conference. Spending the short time that I did in both of these places, I was so happy to find that parts of Asia are incredibly earth friendly. The Sepilok Rehabilitation Centre is just one example of how environmentally minded this part of the world is ... may we take some pointers from Malaysia and Singapore and be more mindful of our water consumption, use of plastic, and respect for animals and the way we care for their habitats. 

It is breathing in the rainforest air, talking with the residents of the world, and monkeying around with Orangutan's -- though not because they are monkeys, they aren't -- orangutan's share 96.4% of our DNA; they are primates, and observing them I might have learned a thing or two about the antics of some humans that I know -- that really touches your spirit. Sometimes you've got to step off of that 5-star resort to get down with the best stuff. 

So here I have told you about the beauty that this island named Borneo offers, and I have yet to even get to the capstone of this break ...

The impetus for traveling to Malaysia for Spring Break was the EARCOS (East Asian Regional Council of Schools) Conference. Admittedly I did not do a scrap of research into the conference or the sessions offered before I signed up, I simply followed the advice of my friends and colleagues who sang the island’s praises. It was only lying in my hotel room bed one evening that I began to open up the pamphlets detailing the events, sessions and speakers featured this year. While the focus was on science and math, the opening day’s keynote speaker alone made attending this conference worthwhile. 

It is likely that the following photograph will be familiar to you:

Taken in a small Vietnamese village on June 8, 1972 by Nick Ut, this photo made the girl running towards the camera famous; from here on out, she will be known as The Napalm Girl.

Kim Phuc is the young, naked girl in a state of anguish and fear as she runs from her village. An air strike dropping napalm bombs has just taken place. Prior to this day, Kim has led a joyful and innocent childhood free of tragedy and terror. 

But this day is to change the entire trajectory of her life. 

Ms. Phuc was the keynote speaker that first day of the conference. Still as I sit again in my Shenzhen apartment I am working to articulate the power of her presence. Phuc is now a Canadian citizen, married, with two gorgeous sons. She spoke about this fateful day, her aspirations to become a doctor, her life that was controlled by the Vietnamese government, and how she eventually defected to Canada on the way home from her honeymoon in Moscow (a trip that was entirely dictated by her government). We listened with rapt attention. 

But this was not her main message. She opened up the EARCOS conference with words for us to ponder for the coming days; words for us to ponder for our lifetimes: Peace, hope and forgiveness; this is what we must offer the world. 

After the horror that she was witness to, after the horror that became her world, Phuc has transcended it all. She earned 6 law degrees from different universities, and then she went on to start an organization named The KIM Foundation International that works in countries around the world to offer aid, hope and love to children affected by war. If you click on the link, there is a page to make a gift to this foundation. She has recently published a book entitled Fire Road: The Napalm Girl's Journey Through the Horrors of War to Faith, Forgiveness, and Peace. 

As Phuc continued her keynote, she showed us an image that now juxtaposed the Pulitzer Prize winning photograph by Ut, the photo that many say helped to end the war, with one of herself with her first son. 

She explained that she did not see the young girl in that first photo crying out in pain and fear; she is really crying out for peace. It is peace that Phuc now seeks to share with the world. It is peace that she entreats us to spread through our mindful interactions with others, through our service in volunteering with various organizations, through the smiles we gift to both our loved ones and strangers. 

Tonight I dined with our neighbor Lou from Minnesota. In Shenzhen for business, he had kindly carried over a suitcase stuffed with goodies from Mom. As we ate, we talked of the people that you meet, the way that each one has something to offer us, something to teach us. Especially since moving abroad, I have marveled at and pondered endlessly the way my path has crossed with so many people. Some I have simply shaken hands with, like Ms. Phuc, and others have become some of my closest confidantes, but each has touched and shifted my spirit in a significant way. This Spring Break trip brought me to wonder at this all over again. 

So this is where I close today, reflecting on the purpose we bring to one another. 

Reaching my Sun Bear hugs all over the globe. 

Much peace and love,

Jame

Life with Chinese Characteristics, Chapter 8: To a Singapore Sunset

At a swanky bar 

that soars above the sea

by 57 stories

the skyline steals your breath away

as Jamiroquai sings a song

that more than suggests

you should 

Just Dance

So you smile and you groove and you sway

To the sight of a Singapore sunset