by Melanie Oda (Japan) | Jan 20, 2012 | Culture, Holiday, Japan, Motherhood, World Motherhood
Ah, New Year’ Day, the one day out of the entire year when, I, along with all the other women in Japan, do not have to cook or do laundry.
Of course, there is more to it than that, but let’s start with what’s important, right?
Tradition dictates that dirt from the old year must not enter the new one, so the last weeks of December are spent furiously cleaning and decorating the house to please the gods of the New Year. They seem to be especially fond of mikan, a kind of orange, and mocha, sticky short grained rice that has been beaten with a mallet until it is the consistency of silly putty, and most houses offer this on the family altar.
(My in-laws are Christian so they don’t have an altar, but like most Japanese they cover all the religious bases just in case and set out the mochi and mikan on top of the TV. Seems like a logical enough place for the god’s to stop, I suppose.)
On New Year’s Eve, we eat long noodles in soup. This is supposed to bring luck in the year to come. Many people visit the shrine or temple at midnight. For the next several days, one can see a steady stream of Japanese, young and old, in fur-trimmed kimono unsteadily approaching places of worship, slowed down by the traditional flip-flop type shoes they wear. This is about the only time one sees people from so many different walks of life in their traditional finery. Kimono are reserved now mostly for highly ceremonious occasions. (more…)
If you ask Melanie Oda where she is from, she will answer "Georgia." (Unless you ask her in Japanese. Then she will say "America.") It sounds nice, and it's a one-word answer, which is what most people expect. The truth is more complex. She moved around several small towns in the south growing up. Such is life when your father is a Southern Baptist preacher of the hellfire and brimstone variety.
She came to Japan in 2000 as an assistant language teacher, and has never managed to leave. She currently resides in Yokohama, on the outskirts of Tokyo (but please don't tell anyone she described it that way! Citizens of Yokohama have a lot of pride). No one is more surprised to find her here, married to a Japanese man and with two bilingual children (aged four and seven), than herself. And possibly her mother.
You can read more about her misadventures in Asia on her blog, HamakkoMommy.
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by Maureen | Jan 19, 2012 | Human Rights, Indonesia, Scoops of Joy, Women's Rights, World Voice
Lately in my country of Indonesia there have been two ‘incidents’ where women were being pretty much criticized for the way they dressed.
Last year, much to everyone’s shock, our very own governor of Jakarta said women should not wear mini skirts to avoid being raped after a woman was raped in minivan in public. This outrageous comment led hundreds of women to take to the central streets of Jakarta – yes, wearing their miniskirts — and they demonstrated against censorship of their clothing. I highly saluted these women for standing up for what’s right.
I love my miniskirts, and when I pair them with my wedges they accentuate my legs. Of course, I don’t go with the super miniskirts, ahem, but I do wear them once in awhile. Why do I wear them? Because it makes me feel good about myself, it shows off my legs, and I do love my legs. But do I wear it to attract the opposite sex? Never even crosses my mind, to be honest.
Then just a day ago I saw yet another article of a police officer reprimanding a young teenage girl because she was wearing shorts – the reason? To avoid “pornography.” (more…)
by Alison | Jan 17, 2012 | Family, Malaysia
Family traditions – every family has at least one, particularly during the holidays.
I was asked a few months ago what my family traditions were.
I racked my brain and sadly, came up with nothing.
Not a thing.
My little family of three, soon to be four, is relatively new. We’ve been married just over four years and our son has just turned two. Most couples go into a relationship carrying traditions from their respective families – be it decorating the Christmas tree a week before the actual date; opening presents the night before; collecting personal ornaments, each with a story; celebrating birthdays with an experience and no cake; pizza night every Friday and game night every Saturday.
We came into our marriage empty handed, as far as traditions went. Our families were not big on celebrating occasions, especially birthdays and anniversaries, so we ended up being the same. (more…)
Alison is a former PR professional turned stay-at-home mother to two boys. Growing up in a small city of Ipoh, Malaysia, Alison left home at 17 to pursue her studies in the big city of Kuala Lumpur. At 19, she headed to University of Leeds in England and graduated with a degree in Communications. Returning home to Malaysia in 1999, she began a 10-year career in public relations, event planning, and marketing, working for various PR agencies and one of the world's biggest sports brands. After a decade of launch parties and product launches, concerts and award shows, international press junkets and world travel, Alison traded all that in for a life as a first time mother in 2009, and has not looked back since. Aside from writing for her blog, Writing, Wishing, Alison is the Founder and chief social media strategist for Little Love Media.
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by World Moms Blog | Jan 15, 2012 | Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, Scoops of Joy, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
This week we start off with Dee Harlow, who currently resides in Virginia. How many of us stopped working when we had our kids, and several years later went through the angst of re-entering the workforce? This mom is preparing to take the plunge!
On Tuesday, we’ll be in Malaysia with Alison Lee. Many of us have family traditions – little things we do that are meaningful to us in some way. Alison tells us about the role she would like family traditions to have in her life.
Put your thinking caps on, because on Wednesday we are launching another caption contest! Come see what Animated Woman has in store for us! Also, we will announce the winner of the last caption contest!
On Thursday, we head off to Indonesia, where Tatter Scoops addresses an important subject. Is it ever OK to stigmatize women based on what they wear? And how do we teach our children to grow up with respect for the opposite gender in a world full of sexual discrimination and stereotypes?
On Friday, we stay international as we go to Japan to hear from Hamakko Mommy. As many of us start to break re-evaluate our New Years Resolutions, this mom tells us how they ring in the New Year in Japan.
On Saturday, check out the Saturday Sidebar with Eva Fannon, where the World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic, and chime in with your answers to the week’s question!
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
The World Moms Blog Travel Itinerary is written by Kirsten Doyle @ Running For Autism
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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by Ms. V. (South Korea) | Dec 28, 2011 | Death and Dying, Japan, Motherhood, World Motherhood
Someone very dear to me lost their child this past Thanksgiving. The aching in my heart for this mother and her family is constant and intense, and yet I know that it cannot compare to the heartache my dear friend must be feeling.
If it were anyone else, I would be surprised by the strength and grace with which my friend is handling this loss, but with her I am not surprised. She is the embodiment of spirit, awareness, strength and dignity to which I aspire. She is who I want to be when I grow up. Even in her grief her heart remains open.
When I first heard the news, I experienced the usual emotions; shock and disbelief, sadness and anger. Almost immediately after my only thoughts were: I would die if I lost my child. This could happen to me. This can never happen. What can I do to make sure this never happens? And then the unsettling answer: Nothing. (more…)
Ms. V returned from a 3-year stint in Seoul, South Korea and is now living in the US in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her partner, their two kids, three ferocious felines, and a dog named Avon Barksdale. She grew up all over the US, mostly along the east coast, but lived in New York City longer than anywhere else, so considers NYC “home.” Her love of travel has taken her all over the world and to all but four of the 50 states.
Ms. V is contemplative and sacred activist, exploring the intersection of yoga, new monasticism, feminism and social change. She is the co-director and co-founder of Samdhana-Karana Yoga: A Healing Arts Center, a non-profit yoga studio and the spiritual director for Hab Community. While not marveling at her beautiful children, she enjoys reading, cooking, and has dreams of one day sleeping again.
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by World Moms Blog | Dec 25, 2011 | Canada, Salma, South Korea, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Merry Christmas, Happy Hannukah, Happy Holidays! No matter where you are or what you’re doing today, we at World Moms Blog wish you a day full of peace, joy and love.
We are starting off this week in New York, with Maman Aya! In the midst of the festive season, one thing at the forefront of our minds is yummy food! Maman Aya talks about cooking delicious, healthy snacks with her son.
On Tuesday, we are in Canada with Salma. At this time of year, when we are trying to promote peace and goodwill, love and tolerance, Salma is faced with the prospect of her son becoming the “token brown kid”. Read about how she handles it.
Fly with us to South Korea on Wednesday to hear from Ms. V., who gives us a sobering reminder that not every gets to hug and kiss their children. This mom is brave enough to ponder a thought that all of us find unbearable.
On Thursday, we are back in New York, and guess what? Allison Charleston is back! She took a break, and now returns to tell us about an effect of TV on children that has not really been given much attention: it makes them want to want their mothers to buy stuff! Welcome back, Allison!
And on Friday, we will be in New Jersey with World Moms Blog founder Jennifer Burden, who brings us our last regular post for 2011.
On Saturday, we close out the year with the Saturday Sidebar led by Eva Fannon. The World Moms give their thoughts on an important topic – chime in with your answers to the week’s question!
We are delighted to offer BIG congratulations to one of our writers, Margie Bryant from Arkansas, who had a Christmas Eve she will never forget. Her man got down on one knee in front of her whole family, and proposed! And yes, she accepted the proposal! Congratulations and wishes for a long and happy life together, Margie!
In the first week of January we will be taking a blogcation, so we now take this opportunity to wish you all a happy and prosperous (and safe) New Year.
— World Moms Blog
Our World Moms Blog logo was designed by the creative Erica Joyner Designs in Virginia, USA.
World Moms Blog is an award winning website which writes from over 30 countries on the topics of motherhood, culture, human rights and social good. Over 70 international contributors share their stories from around the globe, bonded by the common thread of motherhood and wanting a better world for their children.
World Moms Blog was listed by Forbes Woman as one of the "Best 100 Websites for Women 2012 & 2013" and also called a "must read" by the NY Times Motherlode in 2013. Our Senior Editor in India, Purnima Ramakrishnan, was awarded the BlogHer International Activist Award in 2013.
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Ah, New Year’ Day, the one day out of the entire year when, I, along with all the other women in Japan, do not have to cook or do laundry.
