Some conversations from the last month: Koh Samui, driving around the Southern parts of the island Maher: Les gars, vous avez vu les vaches? Et il y a des chevaux aussi! (Hey guys, did you see the cows? There are horses as well!) Me: Do you know what cows eat? Leila: Gra-nola On the beach … Continue reading Conversations
Tag: Chengdu
Lei La the Lao Wai
This evening my children and I spent a couple of hours running and playing at a neighbouring housing complex. A friend joined us. While the children were playing on the slides and mini monkey bars my friend stayed close to them, allowing me to respond to a text message on my phone. A little girl … Continue reading Lei La the Lao Wai
NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
My friend’s wife, Maria, was on bed-rest for the last few months of her twin pregnancy. They live in Cyprus. I’ve been checking in with them on Skype, every other Thursday. It gets down to numbers – be it weeks, days, weight, length, or contractions. ------ “30 weeks. Woooo hooooo!” “So far so good! Maria … Continue reading NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit)
Running Late
Last Thursday, at quarter to nine, I realised that it would take 20, 25 minutes to get to Judy’s studio on foot, and likely longer if I waited for a cab, and then jerked and snailed through the smoggy morning traffic. My Pranayama (breath work) would start at 9. I decided to go on foot. … Continue reading Running Late
Sad
I’ve been solo parenting for the last 10 days. On Sunday, Leila, Rahul and I spent the morning out. We were at a housing complex close by, playing on their favorite blue and red dolphin-swings. Nothing pleases them more. At one point we take a break: drink some water, eat a few grapes, change a … Continue reading Sad
Between Worlds: A Guest Post by Heidi Nevin
(As part of the series: A Monday Morning Guest Post in Multicultural Mothering) First, thank you, beautiful Natasha, for creating this forum and inviting us to share our perspectives. I was born in Crete, Greece and raised in Maryland, USA, on a beautiful, 86-acre, off-the-grid homestead. My parents, products of the hippie era, were inspired … Continue reading Between Worlds: A Guest Post by Heidi Nevin
Bedtime Stories Part 1
It’s bedtime. “Rahul, can you choose a few books for us to read tonight?” He brings 3 of his favorites. “Tuttle tuttle tree,” he repeats as we go through Dr. Seuss’s ABC imaginings. A comb, a brush, and a bowl full of… “Mush!” he beams, as we say goodnight to the room, the moon, the … Continue reading Bedtime Stories Part 1
In the Game
Early Sunday morning, I tell L and R that I’ll be out until lunch; that I’ll be teaching Pranayama (breath-work) workshops. “Afu Pa-ya-ma-na,” Rahul pleads with outstretched arms. (Afu is what he calls himself.) I pick him up; tell him that he can do some Pranayama with me, but that he’s got to stay with … Continue reading In the Game
Only French?: A Guest Post by Pascaline
(As part of the series: A Monday Morning Guest Post in Multicultural Mothering) Pascaline: Born in Greece, I grew up in a bilingual French / Greek environment. I lived between Greece, Africa and France. My husband, "I", French of Lebanese and Syrian origin is also multilingual: French/English/Arabic, and has lived in France, Africa and Canada. … Continue reading Only French?: A Guest Post by Pascaline
Dragon and Phoenix Twins
“Are they Dragon Phoenix Twins?” I am asked every day, everywhere, and by everyone around me in Chengdu. “Yes, they are,” I reply. “Waaaaa” they exclaim with glee, and huge smiles, “You are very lucky. How happy you must be.” Twins generate as much or dare I say more excitement here in China as anywhere … Continue reading Dragon and Phoenix Twins
Natasha Devalia 