by World Moms Blog | Apr 28, 2011 | Alcoholism, Family, Guest Post, Health, International, Kids, Life Lesson, Motherhood, Oceania, Parenting
My name is MATA.
The other day I was telling someone about my blog to which they replied “what made you ever think of doing that?”
This is a question I haven’t been asked up until this point, and at the time, I didn’t have an answer. However, since then, I have thought long and hard as to why I started my blog, and why I continue to write a post nearly every day.
Let me start at the beginning:
My name is MATA. I am a Mother. I have two children. I have a full-time professional career. I have two degrees from University. I am divorced. I live in a ‘nice’ apartment in a ‘nice’ neighbourhood. I am an alcoholic. It took me just on twenty years to say that last sentence out loud. (more…)
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 Veena Davis (Singapore) | Apr 21, 2011 | Being Thankful, India, Infertility, Inspirational, International, Life Lesson, Motherhood, Pregnancy, World Motherhood
Great Grandmother
That fact that I am here today to write this post, or rather, that I am even walking the face of this earth, is actually a miracle. A miracle that occurred three generations ago, when a little lady persevered with her son’s life. This post is a tribute to that wonderful woman who was my great-grandmother.
In an age where having 10-12 kids was considered the norm, my maternal grandfather was an only child. And, not by choice either.
My great-grandparents had completed over 16 years of married life before their one and only son was born. Living in a little town called Thrissur in the royal state of Cochin, they had tried just about every treatment that was available to them in India in the early 20th century, somewhere in the 1920s.
It was around then that an acquaintance told them about a big hospital in Madirashi (later called Madras and today known as Chennai), where they had had success in treating infertility. My great-grandparents must have been pretty well off then (history, a.k.a my aunts from whom I learned this story, are not particularly clear on that point), for they decided to go to Madras to pursue the new treatment there.
Unlike today, in those days if a couple did not have children, it was thought that maybe God had cursed them and things were left at that. (more…)
Veena has experienced living in different climes of Asia - born and brought up in the hot Middle East, and a native of India from the state known as God’s Own Country, she is currently based in the tropical city-state of Singapore. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ Several years ago, she came across World Moms Network (then World Moms Blog) soon after its launch, and was thrilled to become a contributor. She has a 11-year old son and a quadragenarian husband (although their ages might be inversed to see how they are with each other sometimes). ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ On a professional front, she works in the financial sector - just till she earns enough to commit to her dream job of full-time bibliophile. ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ ⠀ You can also find Veena at her personal blog, Merry Musing. ⠀
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by World Moms Blog | Apr 17, 2011 | Eva Fannon, India, International, Kids, Parenting, Tara B., USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
Join us in the Pacific Northwest of the USA on Monday with writer, Tara B. from Seattle on Monday!
Tara’s son has “the gift of gab”, and she often hears herself through her son’s words. Be sure to check out her top 5 “kid comebacks” in her post this week, “The Comeback Kid.”
Tuesday, we fly east to Cape Cod, Massachusetts to hear from Courtney Cappallo! She asks, have you packed a “Go-bag” for your family to have handy in a disaster situation?
In light of recent world natural disasters, Courtney takes us through what she has packed for her family in her “Go-bag” in her post, “The Bare Necessities.”
Wednesday, we head south to Arkansas, USA, where Margie Bryant takes time from her busy parenting and student schedule to tell us about life in the deep south!
Get your passports out on Thursday and fly with us to Chennai, India, where we meet up with writer, Fire Crystals! **This is truly a “Wow!” post.** She writes about fertility treatment in India in the 1920s and her great-grandmother’s undying persistence to conceive a child, Fire Crystal’s own grandfather. An inspiring read for all mothers, and also one to forward to that good friend going through fertility treatment.
And, be sure to chime in with our writers on Friday for this week’s Friday Question presented by Eva Fannon at the end of the week.
In news, we have added Malaysia to the blog — welcome Alison! We’re soon to be writing from 11 countries! Thank you to our readers and writers who have been helping us spread the word about World Moms Blog!
We also hit a 200+ fan milestone on Facebook. We love our fans! Do you want to help us inspire and unite more mothers around the globe? If so…
Share your favorite WMB posts on your Facebook Page and tell your friends all about us!
Our writers would be thrilled if you did! Thank you!
— 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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by Shaula Bellour (Indonesia) | Apr 14, 2011 | East Timor, Family Travel, International, Kids, Motherhood, Parenting, Shaula Bellour, Transportation, Twins
Sometimes driving here drives me a little bit crazy.
To be fair, driving in Dili can’t really be compared with most other urban areas in this part of the world. Though it is a capital city, it’s more of a sleepy town than a sprawling metropolis. Traffic rarely moves faster than 35 mph, so it doesn’t feel particularly dangerous or difficult to navigate.
The curious one-way system can make things tricky at times (and the fact that most streets don’t have names), but even the busiest main roads are just two lanes.
However, driving can still be frustrating. According to the US State Department: “Driving in Dili is especially hazardous, with large trucks and military vehicles sharing the streets with vendors, pedestrians, and livestock.” Yep. (more…)
Shaula Bellour grew up in Redmond, Washington. She now lives in Jakarta, Indonesia with her British husband and 9-year old boy/girl twins. She has degrees in International Relations and Gender and Development and works as a consultant for the UN and non-governmental organizations.
Shaula has lived and worked in the US, France, England, Kenya, Eritrea, Kosovo, Lebanon and Timor-Leste. She began writing for World Moms Network in 2010. She plans to eventually find her way back to the Pacific Northwest one day, but until then she’s enjoying living in the big wide world with her family.
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by World Moms Blog | Apr 10, 2011 | East Timor, Norway, Shaula Bellour, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
We start off on Monday in New Jersey with Veronica Samuels, who is keeping busy with her newborn daughter and a proud new big sister! Veronica talks about having fun in the garden with a helpful child.
On Tuesday, we head off to Norway, where transplanted French mom Ambre French discusses the challenges of being a good role model for our impressive youngsters.
***Updated***On Wednesday, we’re back in the United States with South Carolina mom Maggie Ellison. Maggie reflects on the loss of her beloved pet, Thea.
On Thursday, we board another international flight, this time to remote East Timor, where Shaula Bellour is raising her kids in the island life! If you get a chance, Google East Timor – it looks beautiful!
And Friday, Eva Fannon in Seattle reports on this week’s Friday Question! We encourage our readers to join the discussion by answering the question in the comments section. Come join in on the fun!
We are thrilled to welcome a new writer, Kelley from Laos! Look out for her writers profile, which will be posted soon!
The Captain Snuggles Blood drive got off to such a great start that organizers Amy Hillis and Kirsten Jessiman decided to extend it. Until April 20th, you can roll up your sleeve and donate blood in memory of Amy’s late son, David. Even if you’re not medically able to donate, please spread the word. For more information about the blood drive, go to the Captain Snuggles Blood Drive page on Facebook.
We look forward to having you travel with us this week!
— 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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by World Moms Blog | Apr 10, 2011 | East Timor, Norway, Shaula Bellour, USA, World Moms Blog Itinerary
We start off on Monday in New Jersey with Veronica Samuels, who is keeping busy with her newborn daughter and a proud new big sister! Veronica talks about having fun in the garden with a helpful child.
On Tuesday, we head off to Norway, where transplanted French mom Ambre French discusses the challenges of being a good role model for our impressive youngsters.
***Updated***On Wednesday, we’re back in the United States with South Carolina mom Maggie Ellison. Maggie reflects on the loss of her beloved pet, Thea.
On Thursday, we board another international flight, this time to remote East Timor, where Shaula Bellour is raising her kids in the island life! If you get a chance, Google East Timor – it looks beautiful!
And Friday, Eva Fannon in Seattle reports on this week’s Friday Question! We encourage our readers to join the discussion by answering the question in the comments section. Come join in on the fun!
We are thrilled to welcome a new writer, Kelley from Laos! Look out for her writers profile, which will be posted soon!
The Captain Snuggles Blood drive got off to such a great start that organizers Amy Hillis and Kirsten Jessiman decided to extend it. Until April 20th, you can roll up your sleeve and donate blood in memory of Amy’s late son, David. Even if you’re not medically able to donate, please spread the word. For more information about the blood drive, go to the Captain Snuggles Blood Drive page on Facebook.
We look forward to having you travel with us this week!
— 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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My name is MATA.
