In Between

Howdy, friends. It’s been an exciting week, no? Well, I’m pleased to inform you that things have yet to calm down around here. Tomorrow my blog will switch over to WordPress.org, and I’ll reveal a new theme/look which I’m super excited about!!! I’ll be sending out an email telling you how to resubscribe so we don’t lose touch–stay tuned for that.

For now, let’s pretend that I have midterms next week, am in Vancouver for a wedding this week and for some reason chose October 27th as the day by which WordPress would switch my blog over. Yerrrp. Low expectations, ok?

(Awesome poem and illustration courtesy of Dallas Clayton)

A Perfect Pair

Snail mail: What a novelty! Last week I had the joy of getting a card in the mail from my dear friend Yolanda who has been serving for a few years in Burundi.

The minute I saw the card, I knew two things: it was handmade, and it was definitely for/about Varun and I. Inside, Yolanda had written, “When I first saw this card, you immediately popped into mind, and I thought back to many of the stories and reflections you’ve shared on your blog”. Interestingly, Yolanda goes on to explain that after this card was shown to focus groups in North America and the UK, it received negative feedback because the socks are not, in fact, a ‘perfect pair’. I chuckle to think of survey-takers adamant and annoyed that the socks do. not. match.

This beautiful card was handmade in Rwanda on recycled paper by a lovely company called Cards from Africa. Young people who have lost their parents to ‘conflict or disease’ work to carefully craft these whimsical cards and are given education, healthcare, food and shelter. As I browsed their website, I got so excited to buy my Christmas cards from Cards from Africa! While they cost a bit more than Hallmark, I’m know my money is going toward fair trade, recycled and proudly made cards.

I love my Perfect Pair card. It’s sitting on my bedside table to remind me of Yolanda, to remind me of my perfectly different-from-me husband, and to remind me to take life a little less seriously. And yes, to remind me to write someone a letter and actually put it in the mail.

P.S. Cards from Africa did not promote this post or sponsor it in any way. I just love what they’re doing and love their cards.

P.P.S. Check out this post by American Punjabi Pi in response to my post, Racial Privilege.

Happy Fall Long Weekend!

Hello, friends! Here in North America, this weekend is basically Fall Long Weekend, although we’re quite split about why exactly we have Monday off. For those of us North of the USA, it’s Thanksgiving on Monday! In America, Monday is Columbus Day. If I had a little bit more emotional energy, or if I hadn’t given up caffeine (I need to tell you about this ASAP), I might write a rant about Columbus Day. Instead, I will share some memes with you, close my laptop and enjoy apple cider and cinnamon donuts with my family.

In my heart, Thanksgiving is still the last Thursday in November. But hey, I’m open to having two days to eat pumpkin pie, spend time with loved ones and practice thankfulness!