WASHINGTON, USA: Eye On Culture – It’s Hispanic Heritage Month!

WASHINGTON, USA: Eye On Culture – It’s Hispanic Heritage Month!

Venezuelan Food

Typical plate in Venezuela: caraotas (black beans) con queso blanco (cheese), platano maduros (ripe fried plantains), arroz (rice) and ropa vieja (stewed beef).

Stranger: “So, where are you from?”

Me: “Well, I was born in NY, but my family moved to NJ around the time I was 11 or so.”

Stranger: “No, I mean what are you?”

Me: “Huh?” (As I think to myself…a person, a female, a mom.)

Stranger: “Like, what country are you from?”

Me: (Thinking to myself….what part of ‘I was born in NY and then moved to NJ’ didn’t you understand?!) (more…)

Eva Fannon (USA)

Eva Fannon is a working mom who lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her hubby and two girls. She was born and raised on the east coast and followed her husband out west when he got a job offer that he couldn't refuse. Eva has always been a planner, so it took her a while to accept that no matter how much you plan and prepare, being a mom means a new and different state of "normal". Despite the craziness on most weekday mornings (getting a family of four out the door in time for work and school is no easy task!), she wouldn't trade being a mother for anything in the world. She and her husband are working on introducing the girls to the things they love - travel, the great outdoors, and enjoying time with family and friends. Eva can be found on Twitter @evafannon.

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FRANCE: “Entiendo”

FRANCE: “Entiendo”

Photo of author’s son in Paris, France.

In my other life, as I like to call it, I was the translator. I often found myself sitting at a kitchen table with school documents sprawled out between me and an anxious mother. As a family therapist with seven years of Spanish classes behind me, these were the moments that most overwhelmed me. A mother sitting across the table, watching my mouth for familiar words, nodding her head with approval, or murmuring, “No entiendo” when confused. Slowly translating each document using basic Spanish vocabulary and many hand gestures, together we unraveled the mysteries of new school enrollment, calming her fears and reservations about sending her child to yet another new school.

In the fall of 2011, I said good-bye to that life and hello, or rather, “bonjour” to a new one. My husband, two-year-old son, and I had accepted an expatriate assignment to Paris, France for two to five years. Once our things were packed and shipped and our house rented, we checked into a hotel and patiently waited for our visas to be approved, a wait we were told could be as much as two weeks. (more…)

hjunderway

Jacki, or “MommaExpat,” as she’s known in the Internet community, is a former family therapist turned stay-at-home mom in Paris, France. Jacki is passionate about issues as they relate to mothers and children on both domestic and international scenes, and is a Volunteer Ambassador for the Fistula Foundation. In addition to training for her first half marathon, Jacki can be found learning French in Paris and researching her next big trip. Jacki blogs at H J Underway, a chronicle of her daily life as a non-French speaking mom in France.

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Saturday Sidebar: In five years, I want to…

Saturday Sidebar: In five years, I want to…

This week’s Saturday Sidebar Question comes from World Moms Blog writer Maggie Ellison.  She wanted our writers to look ahead and asked them to finish this sentence,

“In five years, I want to …..”

Read on to see how some of our World Moms responded.

Dr. Lanham of Arizona, USA writes:
“In five years I will be impacting lives by being a syndicated columnist managing my family’s careers all while owning and running my teen nonprofit Hodge Podge the Teen Cafe™.” (more…)

World Moms Blog

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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MASSACHUSETTS, USA:  Interview with Courtney Cappallo

MASSACHUSETTS, USA: Interview with Courtney Cappallo

Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?

I live on Cape Cod in Massachusetts.  I am from Oxford, Pennsylvania (USA).

What language(s) do you speak?

I speak English and am currently learning Spanish as a second language.  In college I minored in Japanese but I can barely speak a lick of it anymore.

When did you first become a mother?

I had my first child in June of 2005.  I had my second child in September of 2008.

Are you a stay-at-home mom or do you work? (more…)

Courtney Cappallo (USA)

Courtney Cappallo is a mom of two girls, ages 7 and 4-years-old. She is living her dream life by residing on Cape Cod and being able to stay at home with her two little beauties. Courtney is currently homeschooling both of her daughters for 2nd grade and preschool, respectively.

Courtney uses a mix of Classical Education and Montessori. She is a strong believer in teaching to the five senses. Courtney’s homeschooling efforts are unique, as she uses the latest technology of the Smartboard. She is also taking on the task of learning Spanish as a second language, as well as, teaching her two children and husband Spanish.

Prior to becoming a homeschooling teacher, Courtney was the Director of Marketing for Simon Property Group, which is the largest U.S. real estate company. Courtney was Simon’s Director of Marketing for the Burlington Mall, Arsenal Mall and Cape Cod Mall. Courtney is a graduate of Villanova University and is proud of her small town roots from growing up in Oxford, Pennsylvania, which only has two traffic lights! She can be found making homeschooling lessons and more at Table of Four !

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WASHINGTON, USA: Interview with Eva Fannon  (The Sidebar Editor)

WASHINGTON, USA: Interview with Eva Fannon (The Sidebar Editor)

Where in the world do you live? And, are you from there?

I am currently living in the breathtaking Pacific Northwest U.S. in Seattle, WA.  Like most people out here, I am a transplant from somewhere else.  I became a Washington State resident in 2002 after I got married.

I was born in New York City (Flushing, Queens to be precise) to immigrant parents, and my family moved to New Jersey when I was in elementary school.  It’s definitely hard being so far away from family and old friends – especially after having kids.

I feel like my kids are missing out on growing up with cousins and relatives, so we make an effort to go back for extended trips 1-2 times year.

After working in NYC for a few years after college and being used to the go-go-go mentality, I really enjoy the casual and relaxed quality of life out here.  I have finally learned to slow down and not feel the need to cross the street when the light is red for me, even if no cars are coming.  My suits are collecting dust in my closet and I can’t remember the last time I wore pantyhose to work!

(more…)

Eva Fannon (USA)

Eva Fannon is a working mom who lives in the beautiful Pacific Northwest with her hubby and two girls. She was born and raised on the east coast and followed her husband out west when he got a job offer that he couldn't refuse. Eva has always been a planner, so it took her a while to accept that no matter how much you plan and prepare, being a mom means a new and different state of "normal". Despite the craziness on most weekday mornings (getting a family of four out the door in time for work and school is no easy task!), she wouldn't trade being a mother for anything in the world. She and her husband are working on introducing the girls to the things they love - travel, the great outdoors, and enjoying time with family and friends. Eva can be found on Twitter @evafannon.

More Posts - Website

Follow Me:
TwitterPinterestGoogle Plus