tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-10102861051068237422024-03-12T20:25:49.118-07:00Family in FinlandFamily in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.comBlogger93125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-21706580785905284232019-05-14T07:39:00.001-07:002019-05-15T00:34:56.674-07:00Ramadan Blog Hop 2019<br />
Hello all and<span style="font-size: x-large;"> Ramadan Kareem!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Every year in the run up to Ramadan we prepare by making a huge pot of Harira soup, which is a soup that 99% of Moroccans eat to break the fast. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Many Moroccans believe that harira is a symbol of Ramadan and it is normally served in colourful bowls and traditionally eaten with small ladel-like wooden spoons. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The soup itself is very comforting and easy to digest after a day of fasting.</span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8BIa1j3Xf4/XNrJJc1wDLI/AAAAAAAAf0Q/2NPH77WNqdQ3lXmKupL13PTPii9F7NviACLcBGAs/s1600/harira1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a8BIa1j3Xf4/XNrJJc1wDLI/AAAAAAAAf0Q/2NPH77WNqdQ3lXmKupL13PTPii9F7NviACLcBGAs/s400/harira1.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<div class="parbase smartbody section text" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; max-width: 1900px; padding: 0px 354px 0px 0px; position: relative; width: 1020px;">
<div style="-webkit-font-smoothing: antialiased; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 1.632; margin-bottom: 32px; margin-top: 32px;">
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: 19px; letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Our family in Morocco would start preparing the soup in the afternoon and its delicious aroma can be smelt all around the medina. All of the families in the neighborhood have a different recipe which is a constant source of debate during the Holy Month.</span></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4Gc7UMb_kc/XNrJWlCwdyI/AAAAAAAAf0U/ouLpENLVnGURW5a88gQRKi8irYflJE8UQCLcBGAs/s1600/harira2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-y4Gc7UMb_kc/XNrJWlCwdyI/AAAAAAAAf0U/ouLpENLVnGURW5a88gQRKi8irYflJE8UQCLcBGAs/s400/harira2.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">The soup consists of to<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333; letter-spacing: 0.1px;">matoes, lentils, chickpeas, usually some meat for flavor, and plenty of fresh herbs—parsley, coriander (cilantro) and celery leaves.</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #333333; font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="background-color: white;"><span style="letter-spacing: 0.1px;">Shopping in the Moroccan markets is such a pleasurable, sensuous experience but unfortunately when we are back in Scotland, we have to make do with shopping in the local supermarket.</span></span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1t8CntjU8z4/XNrJlnZXcmI/AAAAAAAAf0c/v7Ez__qwgdQpWtGt5Xkt0pKpGJ1SgiC2QCLcBGAs/s1600/harira3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1t8CntjU8z4/XNrJlnZXcmI/AAAAAAAAf0c/v7Ez__qwgdQpWtGt5Xkt0pKpGJ1SgiC2QCLcBGAs/s400/harira3.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVSmdhiO7wY/XNrJvN8dEqI/AAAAAAAAf0k/8NM_b4iEtWkk2oQmsw32hMLcxxC5UpBMQCLcBGAs/s1600/harira4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-nVSmdhiO7wY/XNrJvN8dEqI/AAAAAAAAf0k/8NM_b4iEtWkk2oQmsw32hMLcxxC5UpBMQCLcBGAs/s400/harira4.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">However we are lucky enough to have an excellent Turkish supermarket in our neighborhood which stocks excellent olive oil from the beautiful town of Moulay Idriss in Northern Morocco.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxX0DID-gWs/XNrJ5IhVNpI/AAAAAAAAf0s/0mF2fOS1Bp4qPYxe147DAfa45RRWAAuvQCLcBGAs/s1600/harira5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="960" data-original-width="942" height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-KxX0DID-gWs/XNrJ5IhVNpI/AAAAAAAAf0s/0mF2fOS1Bp4qPYxe147DAfa45RRWAAuvQCLcBGAs/s400/harira5.jpg" width="392" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">We like to serve the soup with lemon, coriander and extra seasoning. It is an excellent soup to cook with children as there are so many bright, colourful ingredients and vegetables to chop. Here is our recipe - feel free to adapt to whatever spices you have in your cupboards as our Moroccan friends and family do and enjoy!!!</span><br />
<b><br /></b>
<b>Malika and Ameenah's Moroccan Harira</b><br />
<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: #454545; float: left; font-family: Bariol, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.7431px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 332px; padding: 0px 2rem 0px 0px; width: 332px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="450g diced lamb" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">450g diced lamb</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="1 teaspoon ground turmeric" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 teaspoon ground turmeric</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 1/2 teaspoons ground black pepper</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="1 teaspoon ground cinnamon" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 teaspoon ground cinnamon</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="1/4 teaspoon ground ginger" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4 teaspoon ground ginger</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1/4 teaspoon ground cayenne pepper</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="2 tablespoons margarine" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2 tablespoons olive oil</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="90g celery, chopped" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">90g celery, chopped</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span data-original="1 onion, chopped" itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 onion, chopped</span></li>
</ul>
<ul style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; clear: none; color: #454545; float: left; font-family: Bariol, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.7431px; list-style-type: none; margin: 0px; max-width: 332px; padding: 0px 2rem 0px 0px; width: 332px;">
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 red onion, chopped</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 (25g) pack fresh coriander, chopped</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">2 (400g) tins chopped tomatoes</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1.7 litre water</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">145g green lentils</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 (410g) tin chick peas, rinsed, drained</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">115g vermicelli</span></li>
<li style="box-sizing: border-box; margin: 0.7rem 0px;"><span itemprop="ingredients" style="box-sizing: border-box;">1 lemon, juiced</span></li>
</ul>
<div class="whisk-container-div" id="QHVN-TLVY-THUR-QQYG" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #454545; font-family: Bariol, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.7431px; margin-top: 10px;">
</div>
<ol itemprop="recipeInstructions" style="background-color: white; box-sizing: border-box; color: #454545; font-family: Bariol, "Open Sans", Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 16.7431px; list-style-image: initial; list-style-position: initial; margin: 0px 0px 0px 1.5rem; padding: 3px 0px 0px;">
<li style="border: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; margin: 0.5rem 0px;">Place the lamb, turmeric, black pepper, cinnamon, ginger, cayenne, butter, celery, onion and coriander into a large soup pot over a low heat. Stir frequently for 5 minutes. Pour tomatoes (reserve juice) into the mixture and let simmer for 15 minutes.</li>
<li style="border: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; margin: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">Pour tomato juice, 1.7 litre water and the lentils into the pot. Bring the mixture to a boil, then reduce the heat to simmer. Let soup simmer, covered, for 2 hours.</span></li>
<li style="border: 1px solid transparent; box-sizing: border-box; clear: both; margin: 0.5rem 0px;"><span style="box-sizing: border-box;">About 10 minutes before serving turn the heat to medium-high, place chick peas and spaghetti into the soup, let cook about 10 minutes (until spaghetti are al dente). Stir in lemon and cook for 1 minute.</span></li>
</ol>
<div>
<span style="color: #454545; font-family: "bariol" , "open sans" , "arial" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: 16.7431px;">Serve and enjoy!!!</span></span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ramadan.png"><img alt="Ramadan for Kids | Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-9416" height="450" src="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ramadan.png" width="450" /></a>
Multicultural Kid Blogs is proud to be hosting its fifth annual Ramadan & Eid for Kids blog hop, where bloggers come together to share ideas for teaching kids about and honoring Ramadan & Eid. Don't forget to check out our blog hops from <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2018/05/30/ramadan-with-kids/">last year</a>, <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/05/15/easy-iftar-recipes-middle-eastern-chicken-rice/">2017</a>, <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2016/05/30/celebrating-ramadan-6-lessons-kids-learn/">2016</a>, and <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/ramadan-for-kids/">2015</a>. Be sure to follow our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/ramadan/">Ramadan </a> & <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/mkblogs/eid-for-kids/">Eid</a> boards on Pinterest for even more ideas!
<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="240" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/ramadan/"></a>
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Participating Blogs</strong></h3>
<center>
<a href="http://themultilingualhome.com/">The Multilingual Home</a> on <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2019/05/13/eid-al-fitr-around-the-world/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: Eid Al-Fitr Around the World</a>
<a href="http://acraftyarab.com/2019/05/ramadan-indian-food-word-search-printable/">A Crafty Arab: Ramadan Indian Food Word Search Plus Book Review</a>
<a href="http://familyinfinland.blogspot.com/">Family in Finland</a>
<a alizehmysoul.com="" green-ramadan="" href="https://jeddahmom.com/2019/05/five-pillars-of-islam-printable-counting-cards/%3EJeddah%20Mom:%20Five%20Pillars%20of%20Islam%20Printable%20Counting%20Cards%3C/a%3E%3Ca%20href=" http:="">AlizehmySoul: How to Celebrate Green Ramadan - One Step at a Time!</a>
<a href="http://www.multiculturalmotherhood.com/2019/05/ramadan-for-preschoolers.html">Multicultural Motherhood: Ramadan for Preschoolers</a></center>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-22536253710805515952018-08-02T14:38:00.000-07:002019-01-18T03:42:05.667-08:00English and Arabic Street Class in Essaouira, Morocco for Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkCHo7o4tIk/W2DWgH4MOMI/AAAAAAAAdjI/p9iO1eJV0XMzl3WjfYObOHcILimOlmBOgCLcBGAs/s1600/20180509_204745.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LkCHo7o4tIk/W2DWgH4MOMI/AAAAAAAAdjI/p9iO1eJV0XMzl3WjfYObOHcILimOlmBOgCLcBGAs/s640/20180509_204745.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "helvetica neue" , "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Mouchine Camel and the Street Language School, Essaouira, Morocco</span></h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XXA8jx3tYc/XEG7JdK2WgI/AAAAAAAAezo/WdSQvEEN6c0EjA6NNKMuF2f-fVSotOjQACLcBGAs/s1600/englishschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1080" data-original-width="810" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-3XXA8jx3tYc/XEG7JdK2WgI/AAAAAAAAezo/WdSQvEEN6c0EjA6NNKMuF2f-fVSotOjQACLcBGAs/s640/englishschool.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
Mouchine (far left) and his teaching assistants Malika and Ameenah (far right!)</h3>
<br />
<h2>
<b style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THIS</b><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> summer we were back in our Moroccan hometown of Essaouira and at the start of our trip we were delighted to meet the hugely charismatic and inspirational Mouchine Camel. Mouchine is a teacher in the region of Essaouria and in his free time he runs an innovative street class which offers free language classes to children, young adults and tourists in Essaouira. As tourism is one of the main industries in Essaouira it is crucial for the young people to access language classes to allow them to access employment in the tourist trade. </span></h2>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">My daughters Malika and Ameenah helped assist in the classes and got to know many of the young adults and new emerging communities in Essaouira, such as the Senagalese Community, who have settled in Essaouira to work in tourism. I hope that this experience helped my daughters to recognise and have a sense of their own privellege as second generation, dual heritage Moroccans!</span></h2>
<div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">One windy day over a pot of Moroccan Mint tea we sat down to talk to Mouchine about the street class and his hopes for the future of education in Morocco.</span></h2>
</div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<i><b>Salam Alaykum Mouhcine. We were so happy to meet you in Essaouira this summer and take part in English and Arabic Street class. Why and when did you start this and who was your inspiration for this?</b></i><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I started this project in Essaouira last July as i saw the hunger in children to learn languages and the barrier of cost, which was preventing so many children to access language learning. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In my day job I am a teacher for government schools in Morocco and I have been placed in various schools in the Essaouira region. Becoming a teacher was a childhood dream of mine; in Morocco every child has a childhood dream to be a teacher. However teaching in the street as we are doing now is very weird in Moroco! I wanted to make a difference and I feel that in Morocco the street is often a place where people gather and learn together.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">We offer language classes five days per week adults and the location is the street. Five days per week I offer classes in Darija [Moroccan Arabic] for tourists and ex pats in Essaouira. I also offer morning classes in English for Moroccan children and they love these classes! Tourism is a major part of the economy in Essaouira so it is very useful for the children to learn english. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">In the evenings young adults attend a nightly language class which is predominantly english class although depending on our cohort of volunteers we also offer Spanish class. One night per week we offer a street library where we encourage a love of literature and exchange of library books which are predominantly English Language.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I teach three hours per day and run this when I am on holiday from my government school job. When I am teaching in the countryside I keep the project going and run it with a network of volunteers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">On average 200 children, young adults and tourists access the classes per week. I am really proud that we offer these for free as I really believe education is so so transformative for our children in Morocco.</span><br />
<br />
<b><i>When did you qualify as a teacher?</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Actually when i graduated from high school I went to university and got a bachelors degree in chemistry. I started working for a private school teaching chemistry and physics. I then joined a private school and I just got my teaching diploma last year.</span><br />
<br />
<b><i>I understand from many years of coming to Morocco that life for teachers in Morocco is very difficult. I also understand that it is difficult to talk openly about this because of fear over consequences of speaking out in Morocco. Do you want to say anything about this?</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">I think that teachers are the most important people we have in society. If we have good teachers they will guide the next generation well with integrity and wisdom. What is happening now in Morocco is that the conditions are getting worse for teachers year in, year out. In the countryside the situation for teachers is very difficult and we can face teaching with no electricty or water. The biggest problem I feel that teachers face is a lack of dignity. </span><br />
<br />
<b><i>Do you want to talk about your plans to support children in schools in the countryside. What do you want to do and what are the current barriers?</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">There is a big difference in the quality of education in the rural and urban areas. As everyone knows the urban children get a better quality of education and better opportunities. In the countryside chidren are turning up hungry, often they are walking many kilometres to get to school and often barefoot. They often turn up hungry. I feel I need to fight for the children in the countryside to have the right to a good education. </span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">As I said before the children in the countryside suffer a lot in terms of material deprivation, with no water, electricity and health care. I have just been posted to a school in the deep heart of the Essaouria region; it is four hours by bus and then another treachorous journey down a dangerous road. The only way to get there is in a kidnapper taxi, which is a funny term we call these little taxis in Morocco. It is a real challenge to work with the children in the countryside as they really need access to a quality education. Girls in the countryside often finish school early to become child brides, so a big part of the work as a teacher in the countryside is to encourage their parents to keep them in school. Another barrier to the children's education is lack of parental support; often the parents are functionally illiterate and would rather the children were at home with them helping them on the farm. I will offer classes at weekends to support the parents with their own education and support them to understand the importance of education. Despite some minor governmental support for rural families, it has not gone far enough to address the structural barriers in the countryside.</span></span><br />
<br />
<br />
<b><i>I understand that you have worked in the past in partnership with Project Soar </i></b><br />
<b><i>who support Moroccan girls to remain in education. Do you want to talk about this?</i></b><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Yes, I worked in partnership with <i>Project Soar</i> last summer. <i>Project Soar</i> organised girls to come to Essaouira from all over Morocco. They were involved in painting areas all over the city. It was really beautiful and the girls really enjoyed the opportunity to travel, to be together and to give back to the children of Essaouria. Michelle Obama featured <i>Project Soar </i>in her <span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><i>We Will Rise </i>documentary, which documents the Obama mission to see girls around the world educated, so it was a real pleasure to work in partnership with such a great organisation in Morocco. </span></span><br />
<br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #1d2129; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;">With your help, we can make this project reach further, reach more people and touch more lives positively because we believe in what Nelson Mandela once said,
<i>“Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."</i></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">If you would like to support Mouhcine to bring supplies to children and families in the countryside such as warm clothing, teaching supplies for parenting classes and supplies for his street language classes in Essaouira, please click on the below link for his </span><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333;">Just Giving</i><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"> page.'</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><a href="https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/english-street-class">https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/english-street-class</a></span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #333333;"><br /></span></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aui53l7IVLs/W2N3JBQnMuI/AAAAAAAAdjs/xkjpkPqmG-4MkSSx58AiYt3mMuctHYlnwCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC02368.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aui53l7IVLs/W2N3JBQnMuI/AAAAAAAAdjs/xkjpkPqmG-4MkSSx58AiYt3mMuctHYlnwCLcBGAs/s640/DSC02368.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFcw1HOCh1k/W2N2_eKcxjI/AAAAAAAAdjk/wdig6RJyVr0STPiHDWiUgbWdYRac82CjACLcBGAs/s1600/DSC02347.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-uFcw1HOCh1k/W2N2_eKcxjI/AAAAAAAAdjk/wdig6RJyVr0STPiHDWiUgbWdYRac82CjACLcBGAs/s640/DSC02347.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdpT76_S2ag/W2N2_uX0OZI/AAAAAAAAdjo/7F4DOkMkwMsE8RcK6wZGBollm6lEYp8dgCLcBGAs/s1600/DSC02367.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1067" data-original-width="1600" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hdpT76_S2ag/W2N2_uX0OZI/AAAAAAAAdjo/7F4DOkMkwMsE8RcK6wZGBollm6lEYp8dgCLcBGAs/s640/DSC02367.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Mouchine (far right) at his school in the Moroccan countryside in the Essaouira region</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
To follow the school on Facebook click here, </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/mouhcinecamel">https://www.facebook.com/mouhcinecamel</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/%E2%80%9Dhttps://multiculturalkidblogs.com/"><img alt="Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month | Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-9863" height="519" src="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/07/MENA.jpg" width="519" /></a>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Welcome to the fourth annual <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/">Middle Eastern and North African Heritage Month blog hop</a> from Multicultural Kid Blogs! Visit all the participating blogs below for great resources on teaching children about the heritage of this region. Don't miss our series from <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/middle-eastern-north-african-heritage-month-2017/">last year</a>, <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/middle-eastern-north-african-heritage-month-2016/">2016</a>, and <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/middle-eastern-and-northern-african-heritage-month/">2015</a>!
You can also find even more resources on our <a href="http://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/north-africa-the-middle-east/">North Africa and the Middle East Pinterest board</a>:</div>
<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="240" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/north-africa-the-middle-east/"></a>
<script async="" defer="defer" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
<br />
<center>
<strong>Participating Blogs</strong></center>
<center>
<a href="http://acraftyarab.com/">A Crafty Arab</a> on <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/">Multicultural Kid Blogs</a></center>
<center>
<a href="https://familyinfinland.blogspot.com/2018/08/english-and-arabic-street-class-in.html">Family in </a>Finland</center>
<center>
<center>
<a href="https://kidworldcitizen.org/islamic-art-lesson-for-kids/">Kid World Citizen</a></center>
</center>
</div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-22813771421928257032018-03-28T12:39:00.004-07:002018-03-28T12:39:43.008-07:00Coco Chanel: Women in World History - A Multicultural Kids Blog Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWntMK9I9oID_NU4JQKPlpnyK7yYGWeVqqNu_dN0RbI3fU4NcfkRjccB9Jfh9UCMGL_r2qJ3iVZCfenST3bafYW9EI_vtnoNiFebDP_S7IfD-FmXGExd4JhM8mTzyH2wJ7FHCgMwxHbPMu/s1600/coco-chanel-2-1440x630111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="630" data-original-width="1440" height="280" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiWntMK9I9oID_NU4JQKPlpnyK7yYGWeVqqNu_dN0RbI3fU4NcfkRjccB9Jfh9UCMGL_r2qJ3iVZCfenST3bafYW9EI_vtnoNiFebDP_S7IfD-FmXGExd4JhM8mTzyH2wJ7FHCgMwxHbPMu/s640/coco-chanel-2-1440x630111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a class="irc_mil i3597 ieh_lw8yVpQM-zixyDjKkw5M" data-ctbtn="2" data-cthref="/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwisy4Xnyo3aAhVCXRQKHWT8AXsQjRx6BAgAEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F490822059371607000%2F&psig=AOvVaw1IQtaMpiirQ0zUfvQFrBbx&ust=1522277143099130" data-noload="" data-ved="2ahUKEwisy4Xnyo3aAhVCXRQKHWT8AXsQjRx6BAgAEAU" href="https://www.google.co.uk/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&cad=rja&uact=8&ved=2ahUKEwisy4Xnyo3aAhVCXRQKHWT8AXsQjRx6BAgAEAU&url=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.pinterest.com%2Fpin%2F490822059371607000%2F&psig=AOvVaw1IQtaMpiirQ0zUfvQFrBbx&ust=1522277143099130" jsaction="mousedown:irc.rl;keydown:irc.rlk" rel="noopener" tabindex="0" target="_blank"><img alt="Image result for cc - coco chanel logo" class="irc_mi" height="320" src="https://i.pinimg.com/originals/e7/2d/67/e72d67db9ca48ae0a59566682e6e9ab4.jpg" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="239" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBsiBXqdpW8/Wrn9d7Xzi7I/AAAAAAAAdYk/ZoaC313zQa4mDv-Vqg1x6SNPXN8vLziXgCLcBGAs/s640/malikacoco1.jpg" width="640" /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">For the 2018 </span><i style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;">Women In World History</i><span style="font-family: arial, helvetica, sans-serif;"> series, we decided to feature the fabulous and inspiring, Coco Chanel! Malika has been very into fashion for many years as her Aunty Keng Keng is a fashion designer and milliner and has inspired her in the style leagues since she was a toddler!</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Malika discovered the inspiring story of Coco Chanel through the amazing <i>Little People, Big Dream</i> series. The story of Coco Chanel is brought to life in the book with enchanting illustrations and a simple storyline.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Malika was fascinated to hear the story of Coco, who was formerly called Gabrielle and sadly brought up in an orphanage after her mother died. The nuns felt that Gabrielle was very different when she was growing up; whilst the other girls in the orphanage loved playing, Gabrielle loved sewing with a needle and thread. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">When Gabrielle was older she sang to make money and the people watching her called her Coco. </span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Coco dreamt of designing clothes and in her dreams she saw fabulous patterns and designs! One</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> day she made a hat for her friend and the design was simple and very very elegant.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Eventually she opened a hat shop in Paris which became popular very quickly. She designed clothes which were comfortable and elegant and revolutionised the way women dressed.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Coco showed women that they didn't have to wear sequins or corsets to be stylish. Also Coco taught women that being different might make people think differently also. </span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial";">Coco Chanel was one of the most famous fashion designers that ever lived and remains one of the worlds most famed fashion icons.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Malika's book review: <i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>"I think that Coco Chanel is a very good fashion designer and the book gives lots of good info - I think the pictures in the book are very detailed. I love the story about her - I think it is very interesting and you should definitely get the book. My favourite bit is when she is in her shop creating clothes.</b></span></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><b>I also love it when she is dreaming of shapes especially the Double C's."</b></span></i></div>
<i></i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orCaAhS8CK4/WrjYcT_YLSI/AAAAAAAAdXM/ueXlzlmWm6UrhAcY9u5fcNOg05Q_eWN4ACLcBGAs/s1600/coco2222.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="468" data-original-width="860" height="348" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-orCaAhS8CK4/WrjYcT_YLSI/AAAAAAAAdXM/ueXlzlmWm6UrhAcY9u5fcNOg05Q_eWN4ACLcBGAs/s640/coco2222.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<iframe allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/2G88zqPxJ00" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This wonderful short two minute film charts the rise of the young Gabrielle, who was raised in an orphanage and inspired by the austerity of the church architecture and the black and white of the nuns habit, and her rise to become the "Queen of Paris" and the liberated woman and great fashion designer Coco Chanel.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This film is an inspiring glimpse into the life of a fashion genius, who rose from a childhood of great adversity and austerity to become the one of the worlds </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">most famous fashion designers.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How did Coco overcome her difficult childhood? What made Coco resilient and gave her the drive to succeed in fashion and become a liberator of women's lifestyle and fashion? Discuss with your children!</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct-7KUTypGw/WrkQUhqgIUI/AAAAAAAAdXc/9lE9XZpaFrs7KAmi-o13DbOCdTXSKjY1wCLcBGAs/s1600/chanel_quote_041.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="850" data-original-width="625" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Ct-7KUTypGw/WrkQUhqgIUI/AAAAAAAAdXc/9lE9XZpaFrs7KAmi-o13DbOCdTXSKjY1wCLcBGAs/s640/chanel_quote_041.jpg" width="470" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NcvC8afj-M/WrtZJUv4EKI/AAAAAAAAdaE/AP64Ck1eGPgysk3GX3hOjIaZ3bJTF_5xgCLcBGAs/s1600/cocomal.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="933" data-original-width="700" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4NcvC8afj-M/WrtZJUv4EKI/AAAAAAAAdaE/AP64Ck1eGPgysk3GX3hOjIaZ3bJTF_5xgCLcBGAs/s640/cocomal.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>Malika: "This is my favorite Coco Chanel Quote.</b></i></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><i><b>I have loved fashion for a long time and I have deeply fallen in love with it. I would like to make clothes and have a shop when I'm older. If my customers don't have any money that is ok - I want everyone to feel happy and have a creative feeling that wearing nice clothes can give us! Everyone has the right to have their own kind of style and money should not stop us!"</b></i></span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NMavD-VK668/WrkSO-0l04I/AAAAAAAAdXo/Kd565CsRQQgjWrechuBRPFiTc_xox31wwCLcBGAs/s1600/Coco%2BChanel%2Bphotos%2B-%2BGabrielle%2BCoco%2BChanel%2B-%2BCoco%2BChanel%2Bat%2Bwork1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="757" data-original-width="736" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NMavD-VK668/WrkSO-0l04I/AAAAAAAAdXo/Kd565CsRQQgjWrechuBRPFiTc_xox31wwCLcBGAs/s640/Coco%2BChanel%2Bphotos%2B-%2BGabrielle%2BCoco%2BChanel%2B-%2BCoco%2BChanel%2Bat%2Bwork1.jpg" width="622" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYIsmbLx0ew/WrvsEvcOagI/AAAAAAAAdaU/iswoHSpo_Noq7TlHomgaA_EAqjfVA3uCgCLcBGAs/s1600/malcc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1600" height="480" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-AYIsmbLx0ew/WrvsEvcOagI/AAAAAAAAdaU/iswoHSpo_Noq7TlHomgaA_EAqjfVA3uCgCLcBGAs/s640/malcc.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika received a sewing machine for a Christmas gift and we are just starting to find and buy lots of different colorful fabrics in charity shops and fabric stores. Designing and sewing is a really creative hobby for children and is a really relaxing way to encourage your child in a creative activity.</span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Start small and dream big like our wonderful Coco Chanel.</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Happy Easter y'all!</span></div>
<br />
<a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/womens-history-month-series-2018/"><img alt="Women's History Month Series on Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-8165" height="594" src="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BEST1.png" width="594" /></a>
Join us for our annual Women's History Month series, celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women around the world! Don't miss our series from <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/womens-history-month-series-2017/">last year</a>, <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/womens-history-month-series-2016/">2016</a> and <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/womens-history-month-series/">2015</a>, and find even more posts on our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/womens-history/" title="Pinterest - Women's History">Women's History board on Pinterest</a>:
<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/womens-history/"> Follow Multicultural Kid Blogs's board Women's History on Pinterest.</a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<center>
<strong>March 2
</strong>
<a href="https://hispanicmama.com/">Hispanic Mama</a> on <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2018/03/02/latinas-nevertheless-persisted/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: 3 Latinas Who Nevertheless Persisted</a>
<strong>March 6</strong>
<a href="http://coloursofus.com/30-diverse-childrens-anthologies-about-trailblazing-women/">Colours of Us: 30 Diverse Children's Anthologies About Trailblazing Women</a>
<strong>March 7</strong>
<a href="http://www.discoveringtheworldthroughmysonseyes.com/women-in-history-spanish-childrens-books/">Discovering the World Through My Son's Eyes: Women in History Spanish Children's Books</a>
<strong>March 12</strong>
<a href="https://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2018/03/betty-before-x-womens-history-month.html">Crafty Moms Share: Betty Before X Book Review</a>
<strong>March 13</strong>
<a href="https://www.letthejourneybegin.eu/brilliant-latvian-women/">Let the Journey Begin: Brilliant Latvian Women You've Probably Never Heard About</a>
<strong>March 14</strong>
<a href="https://creativeworldofvarya.com/5-things-i-do-to-empower-my-mullticultural-girls/">Creative World of Varya: 5 Things I do to Empower My Multicultural Girls</a>
<strong>March 19</strong>
<a href="http://madh-mama.blogspot.ca/">Madh Mama</a> on <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2018/03/19/telling-womens-stories/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: How Telling Women's Stories Shapes Generations and Builds Resilience</a>
<strong>March 23</strong>
<a href="https://www.ketchupmoms.com/">Ketchup Moms</a>
<strong>March 26</strong>
<a href="https://melibelleintokyo.com/">Melibelle in Tokyo</a>
<strong>March 27</strong>
<a href="http://acraftyarab.com/">A Crafty Arab</a>
<strong>March 29</strong>
<a href="http://familyinfinland.blogspot.co.uk/">Family in Finland</a>
<strong>March 30</strong>
<a href="https://www.mamatortuga.org/">Mama Tortuga</a>
</center>
Don't miss our <a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/product-category/womens-history-month/">Women's History Month Activity Printables</a>, on sale now!
<a href="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/product-category/womens-history-month/"><img alt="Women's History Month Activity Printables" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17902" height="415" src="https://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/16997333_1366986316682593_174434264_n.png" width="415" /></a>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-34689045235655482132018-03-26T08:49:00.003-07:002018-03-26T10:40:47.158-07:00Malika on BBC CBeebies "My World Kitchen."<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">I am so so so proud of my dear Malika for starring in the new BBC Series, "My World Kitchen" which aired this Saturday in the UK.</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is the link to her show!</span><br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_701019766"><span style="font-size: large;"></span><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbeebies/episode/b09xnkfz/my-world-kitchen-series-1-15-malikas-moroccan-fish-ball-tagine">https://www.bbc.co.uk/iplayer/cbeebies/episode/b09xnkfz/my-world-kitchen-series-1-15-malikas-moroccan-fish-ball-tagine</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9XqExVNyzY/WrkWdDhgJEI/AAAAAAAAdX8/oW9XNMwXRQU66-Z_35X2iKcR1aPtywnsgCLcBGAs/s1600/Fullscreen%2Bcapture%2B26032018%2B163450111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="780" data-original-width="1600" height="312" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-k9XqExVNyzY/WrkWdDhgJEI/AAAAAAAAdX8/oW9XNMwXRQU66-Z_35X2iKcR1aPtywnsgCLcBGAs/s640/Fullscreen%2Bcapture%2B26032018%2B163450111.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.blogger.com/video.g?token=AD6v5dzIUSdY5L3vsCxvelrXv8euSG0hspcox4YT0Myw_DfEmk6jFnHhLlj0-pyaiIUV98WXQogyDMjPqahVSNeseQ' class='b-hbp-video b-uploaded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-size: large;">Here is a master copy of the show if the link has expired...</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;">If you are outside the UK or the link has expired you can view the show here :</span><br />
<span style="font-size: large;"></span><br />
<a href="https://wetransfer.com/downloads/036b15bbae4ec433318b0636d8b99e1e20180326123916/ea91549f1c5a62cd6336a4f7307595c720180326123916/ea8488">https://wetransfer.com/downloads/036b15bbae4ec433318b0636d8b99e1e20180326123916/ea91549f1c5a62cd6336a4f7307595c720180326123916/ea8488</a><br />
<br />
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-54599234616889648702017-05-15T15:01:00.001-07:002017-05-26T03:33:16.317-07:00Ramadan Blog Hop 2017 - Childhood memories of Ramadan in Peshawar, Pakistan<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;">EHSAS </span></span>Khan moved to Scotland last November to study for a PHD in film studies at Glasgow University; he is from Peshwar, North-West Pakistan. In less than two weeks, Ehsas will enjoy his first Ramadan in Scotland.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KjwIdGN-5OI/WRjf34sEnKI/AAAAAAAAdHQ/qL5nDd7J1oQN2yNnsWKTp7ci9OLHm8SIACLcB/s1600/ehsas1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="480" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-KjwIdGN-5OI/WRjf34sEnKI/AAAAAAAAdHQ/qL5nDd7J1oQN2yNnsWKTp7ci9OLHm8SIACLcB/s640/ehsas1.jpg" width="640" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Ehsas in the mountains outside Peshawar, North Pakistan </td><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
Ehsas is joining us for today's blog-hop to talk about his Ramadan memories as a child in Peshawar.<br />
<br />
<i>Ehsas, Thank you for joining us today. Are you looking forward to your first Ramadan in Scotland?</i><br />
<i><br /></i>
Yes, kind of! I am used to observing Ramadan in Pakistan in 40 degrees heat whereas obviously Scotland is much colder. However the days are much longer in Scotland and this makes fasting seem like a really difficult task. Being away from family and friends during Ramadan is really hard because we are used to having iftar with our large, extended family. In Peshawar we have special food bazaars and other stalls during Ramadan which sell food specialialities such as pakoras and kebabs during the Holy month. <br />
Scotland obviously is not a muslim majority country so it does not have these tradtions and there is not such a special feeling during our Holy month.<br />
<br />
<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-wb_WB1Kyc/WRjgNhJ1-TI/AAAAAAAAdHU/hen3gm_8cAwIG6F8XRU0mhUt75X4LkgYQCLcB/s1600/ehsas2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2-wb_WB1Kyc/WRjgNhJ1-TI/AAAAAAAAdHU/hen3gm_8cAwIG6F8XRU0mhUt75X4LkgYQCLcB/s640/ehsas2.jpg" width="512" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr>
</tbody></table>
<br />
<br />
<i>Ehsas, can you tell us about some of your childhood memories of Ramadan in Peshawar?</i><br />
<br />
I remember before <i>Iftar</i> (evening meal when Muslims end their daily Ramadan fast at sunset) my family would sit outside on the mat on the floor in the family yard; my Granny would make Pakora's and other females in the family would make different dishes. We used to have at least 8-12 different dishes for each Iftar. <br />
I always found <i>Sahar</i> (pre-dawn meal before fasting) really difficult and boring for me as it was so difficult for me to wake up.<br />
During Ramadan we would have a half-day at school and we would come home earlier than normal to have fun and play cricket or hide and seek! <br />
At Eid we would receive new traditional clothes and shoes such as shalwar-kameez and shoes such as Peshwari chapal, which are special in my area.<br />
I have happy memories of this time in my childhood; we (my brothers and sister) loved receiving <i>Eid-y, </i>money for Ramadan which was given to us by the elders in my family.<i> </i> <br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_572704576"><br /></a>
<br />
When I was a child I also loved listening to Na'at which is poetry in praise of the Prophet Muhammed, peace be upon him. Na'at is particular to India, Pakistan and Bangladesh. We listened to Na'at from loudspeakers in our village. Junaid Jamshed was a former pop-star who became a Na'at khwa (a person who recites Na'at), and my family were massive fans of his.<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/_kSJ9w0dmxM" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<br />
Thannks for joining us on the Multi-cultural Kids Blog-Hop today Ehsas and we hope that you enjoy your first Ramadan in Scotland!<br />
<br />
<br />
<div>
The holy month of Ramadan, which begins at the end of May this year, is an important month for Muslims across the world. Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, and is an important month for Muslims as it is the month when the Qur’an was first reveled to Prophet Muhammed (PBUH) and is considered to be the fourth of the five pillars of Islam.</div>
<div>
<em> </em></div>
<div>
I remember <a href="http://www.pintsizegourmets.com/2015/07/10/the-holy-month-of-ramadan-explaining-fasting-to-children/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">explaining Ramadan for the first time to my kids,</a> Leah and Jaf. They were fascinated by the fact that people fast from sunrise to sunset. The older they get, the easier it becomes for them to understand why we as Muslims celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. It’s more than just fasting during the daylight hours - the holy month of Ramadan serves as a time of reflection, spending more time with the family, being grateful for everything we have, and providing to those in need.</div>
<div>
<em> </em></div>
<div>
Each fast is broken at the end of the day by a meal known as<strong> Iftar</strong> which in Arabic means, <strong><em>breakfast</em></strong>. Iftar is served at sunset during the month of Ramadan, and breaking the fast usually starts off by eating dates and drinking some water.</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/typical-iftar-spread.jpg"><img alt="easy iftar recipes" class="wp-image-18888" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/typical-iftar-spread-768x1024.jpg" height="533" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
A typical Iftar spread[/caption]
</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
After prayers are said, then friends and family sit down to enjoy a filling meal that consists of salad, soup, various appetizers, rice, plenty of meats, and a whole dessert spread. Iftar is a social meal, and you’ll often find yourself with plenty of invites to come break your fast from friends, family, and even neighbors!</div>
<div>
<em> </em></div>
<div>
One of the kids favorite easy Iftar recipes is a simple Middle Eastern chicken and rice dish that I’ve been making ever since they were young. The recipe requires very little prep, and is ready in about an hour’s time - it’s also a great way for the kids to be involved in Iftar preparations - Jaffer likes to measure out all the spices that go into the recipe, and also helps me toast the slivered almonds while the rice is cooking.</div>
<div>
<em> </em></div>
<h2>
Easy Iftar Recipes: Middle Eastern Chicken & Rice</h2>
<h3>
<img alt="easy iftar recipes" class="wp-image-18886 aligncenter" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/easy-iftar-recipes-middle-eastern-chicken-and-rice-768x1024.jpeg" height="533" width="400" />Ingredients</h3>
<ul>
<li>2 Tbsp butter</li>
<li>2 garlic cloves, chopped</li>
<li>1/2 lb ground beef</li>
<li>1 tsp ground cinnamon</li>
<li>1/4 tsp pepper</li>
<li>2 3/4 cups chicken stock</li>
<li>1 tsp salt</li>
<li>1/2 lb boneless chicken breast</li>
<li>1 cup basmati rice, uncooked</li>
<li>1/2 cup toasted slivered almonds</li>
<li>salt to taste</li>
</ul>
<h3>
Instructions</h3>
<ol>
<li>Melt butter in a skillet over medium heat and add in garlic and the ground beef along with the cinnamon, and pepper. Cook until the beef is evenly browned.</li>
<li>Then add in the chicken stock, season with salt and add in the chicken breasts. Cover the skillet and cook for about 30 minutes until the chicken is cooked.</li>
<li>Remove the chicken and shred. Return to the pan and mix in the rice. Cover the skillet again and cook for 20 minutes or until the rice is tender and has absorbed all the liquid. Add more salt if required.</li>
<li>While the rice is cooking, lightly toast the almonds in a pan. Stir often, making sure they do not burn.</li>
<li>Once the rice is ready, garnish with pine nuts and serve.</li>
</ol>
<div>
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/easy-iftar-recipes-middle-eastern-chicken-and-rice.png"><img alt="easy iftar recipes" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-18889" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/easy-iftar-recipes-middle-eastern-chicken-and-rice.png" height="1102" width="735" /></a></div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
What are your favorite Ramadan recipes? Let us know in the comments below!</div>
<div>
</div>
<div>
</div>
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ramadan.png"><img alt="Ramadan for Kids 2016 | Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-9416" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/06/Ramadan.png" height="450" width="450" /></a>
Multicultural Kid Blogs is proud to be hosting its third annual Ramadan for Kids blog hop, where bloggers come together to share ideas for teaching kids about and honoring Ramadan. Don't forget to check out our blog hops from <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2016/05/30/celebrating-ramadan-6-lessons-kids-learn/">last year</a> and <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/ramadan-for-kids/">2015</a>. Be sure to follow our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/ramadan/">Ramadan board on Pinterest</a> for even more ideas and link up your own posts below!
<script async="" defer="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js"></script>
<br />
<h3 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Participating Blogs</strong></h3>
<center>
<a href="http://www.pintsizegourmets.com/">Pint Size Gourmets</a> on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/05/15/easy-iftar-recipes-middle-eastern-chicken-rice/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: Easy Iftar Recipes - Middle Eastern Chicken and Rice</a>
<a href="http://www.middlewaymom.com/ramadan/">Middle Way Mom: All Things Ramadan</a>
<a href="http://jeddahmom.com/2017/05/why-muslims-give-fitra-before-eid-in-ramadan/">Jeddah Mom: Why Muslims Give Fitra Before Eid in Ramadan?</a>
<a href="http://www.sandinmytoes.tk/2017/05/getting-kids-involved-ramadan.html">Sand in My Toes: 6 Ways to Get Kids Involved During Ramadan</a>
<a href="http://acraftyarab.com/2017/05/2017-ramadan-crafts-30-day-challenge-resource/">A Crafty Arab: 2017 Ramadan Crafts 30 Day Challenge</a>
<a href="http://familyinfinland.blogspot.co.uk/2017/05/ramadan-blog-hop-2017-childhood.html">Family in Finland: Childhood Memories of Ramadan in Peshawar, Pakistan</a>
</center>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<div class="InLinkzContainer" id="715540">
<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=715540" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up</a></div>
<script src="https://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com19tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-38023943120643670442017-03-26T14:32:00.000-07:002017-03-26T14:39:50.544-07:00Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy: Women in World History - A Multicultural Kids Blog Series<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--a25degaPKo/WNRSFxmInZI/AAAAAAAAdFc/idtg3lL5EOc_6jgKAszdS5b8Taj5FoqcgCLcB/s1600/obaid-chonoy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/--a25degaPKo/WNRSFxmInZI/AAAAAAAAdFc/idtg3lL5EOc_6jgKAszdS5b8Taj5FoqcgCLcB/s640/obaid-chonoy1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5jmEhjkAPE/WNRSQgdTLmI/AAAAAAAAdFg/Ep4P2GFWWMsNyTEil9Z0be79FLQEBa0UwCLcB/s1600/sharmeen4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-s5jmEhjkAPE/WNRSQgdTLmI/AAAAAAAAdFg/Ep4P2GFWWMsNyTEil9Z0be79FLQEBa0UwCLcB/s640/sharmeen4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<ul><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy was born on November 12th 1978, and is a Pakistani journalist, filmmaker and activist. </span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">She has won many awards for her films such as Academy awards and Emmy Awards and she is the only Pakistani to have won two Oscars.</span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In 2012, the Pakistani government awarded her with the <i>Tamgha-e-Imtiaz</i>, the second highest civilian honour of the country.</span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">In 2012, Time Out named her as one of the most influential people in the world. </span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">
</span></span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">She is one of only 11 female directors who has won an Oscar for a non-fiction film.</span></span></span></span></li>
</ul>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgH5jkcCfZg/WNRSaoNk87I/AAAAAAAAdFk/Zug5sCWhCZAvRoOVnFEYxrfXp40ENQ9lwCLcB/s1600/mpakist.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VgH5jkcCfZg/WNRSaoNk87I/AAAAAAAAdFk/Zug5sCWhCZAvRoOVnFEYxrfXp40ENQ9lwCLcB/s640/mpakist.gif" width="616" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Sharmeen was born in the city of Karachi in Pakistan. Can you find it on the map?</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRqm3Os6NqU/WNRSipFgjEI/AAAAAAAAdFo/qXJiX8g4Ui4Vg9TTqs0HaPa0An6UJh4vACLcB/s1600/pakistan-flag-wallpapers-wide.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zRqm3Os6NqU/WNRSipFgjEI/AAAAAAAAdFo/qXJiX8g4Ui4Vg9TTqs0HaPa0An6UJh4vACLcB/s640/pakistan-flag-wallpapers-wide.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPLrpywdVX4/WNg1CoNQVYI/AAAAAAAAdGY/MVgms5kapp4QJK8gq9DhRsX2BJWHRIkigCLcB/s1600/bahadur3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sPLrpywdVX4/WNg1CoNQVYI/AAAAAAAAdGY/MVgms5kapp4QJK8gq9DhRsX2BJWHRIkigCLcB/s640/bahadur3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Bahadur 3 </i>(which means three brave ones) is a 3D animation which Sharmeen produced and directed in 2015. It was the first computer animated feature length film in Pakistan. The story focusses on three eleven year old friends who want to protect their community from the evils that have invaded their city.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The film was the highest grossing animation in Pakistani cinema and the 7th highest-grossing film of Pakistan to date.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After you have watched <i>Bahadur 3</i>, you can discuss with your child: </span></span></span></span></div>
<ol style="text-align: left;"><span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Which superpower would you like to have - super speed, super hearing or super intelligence?</span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Who was your favourite character in the film - Saadi, Kamil or Amna?</span></span></span></span></li>
<span style="font-size: small;">
</span>
<li><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Would you like to become a film-maker and if so which kind of film would you like to make? </span></span></span></span></li>
</ol>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lnX7j0Yyeo0/WNRS2-YhDOI/AAAAAAAAdFw/Hud2O7_UdPIws--qpifquwqvxUApIwBpQCLcB/s1600/Sharmeen-featured-TomParker-866x4879999.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="358" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lnX7j0Yyeo0/WNRS2-YhDOI/AAAAAAAAdFw/Hud2O7_UdPIws--qpifquwqvxUApIwBpQCLcB/s640/Sharmeen-featured-TomParker-866x4879999.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Y-gFejYfCcw" width="560"></iframe>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">After you have watched the clip, discuss what your child thinks about the fact it is difficult for many girls in Pakistan to get an education. My daughter Malika was horrified and wanted to run a poster campaign in Leith, the area we live in Edinburgh, as you can see from the below poster and the Instagram link, which is a video of Malika in full activist flow!!</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHpNoogTwg8/WNRTGVt3OwI/AAAAAAAAdF4/FYSbnY1GUEsI_8LuNmuGu-uAl-kEbAMrwCEw/s1600/nogirlsinschool.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FHpNoogTwg8/WNRTGVt3OwI/AAAAAAAAdF4/FYSbnY1GUEsI_8LuNmuGu-uAl-kEbAMrwCEw/s640/nogirlsinschool.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_113674182"><br /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BRX4KN0j3WO/?taken-by=emmaofmyth&hl=en">https://www.instagram.com/p/BRX4KN0j3WO/?taken-by=emmaofmyth&hl=en</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rd_o__sX6go/WNRS_MquXKI/AAAAAAAAdF0/rauOhimH14Qx_ZyMsZoIM-lXLy94f857wCLcB/s1600/malala.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-rd_o__sX6go/WNRS_MquXKI/AAAAAAAAdF0/rauOhimH14Qx_ZyMsZoIM-lXLy94f857wCLcB/s640/malala.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">A<span style="font-size: small;">s a follow on from the discussions on Sharmeen, you could explore the life story of another great Pakistani female activist, Malala Yousafzai.</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><br /></span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: small;"><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;"><span style="font-size: medium;">The illustrations in this book are wonderful and my daughters, Malika and Ameenah, never tire of hearing this inspiring story...</span></span></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<ahref heritage-months="" http:="" multiculturalkidblogs.com="" womens-history-month-series-2017=""><img alt="Women's History Month Series on Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-8165" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BEST1.png" height="594" width="594" /></ahref>
Join us for our annual Women's History Month series, celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women around the world. Follow along all month plus link up your own posts below! Don't miss our series from <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/womens-history-month-series-2016/">2016</a> and <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/womens-history-month-series/">2015</a>, and find even more posts on our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/womens-history/" title="Pinterest - Women's History">Women's History board on Pinterest</a>:
<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/womens-history/"> Follow Multicultural Kid Blogs's board Women's History on Pinterest.</a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<center>
<b>March 1
</b><a href="http://www.modernmami.com/">modernmami</a> on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/02/22/3-reasons-celebrate-womens-history-month/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: 3 Reasons Why We Celebrate Women's History Month</a>
<b>March 2</b>
<a href="http://www.thejennyevolution.com/children-books-about-women/">The Jenny Evolution: More Children's Books About Amazing Women</a>
<b>March 3</b>
<a href="http://coloursofus.com/20-multicultural-picture-books-about-strong-female-role-models/">Colours of Us: 32 Multicultural Picture Books About Strong Female Role Models</a>
<b>March 6</b>
<a href="http://www.modernmami.com/for-kids/childrens-books-for-womens-history-month/">modernmami: 103 Children's Books for Women's History Month</a>
<b>March 7</b>
<a href="http://acraftyarab.com/2017/03/the-arab-woman-who-carved-exquisite-beauty-into-science/">A Crafty Arab: The Arab Woman Who Carved Exquisite Beauty into Science</a>
<b>March 8</b>
<a href="http://hispanicmama.com/2017/03/08/childrens-books-latina-women/">Hispanic Mama: 5 Children's Books About Latina Women</a>
<b>March 9</b>
<a href="http://www.mommymaestra.com/2017/03/free-download-womens-history-month.html">MommyMaestra: Free Download - Women's History Month Trading Cards</a>
<b>March 10</b>
<a href="http://www.mommymaestra.com/">MommyMaestra</a> on <a href="http://www.mommymaestra.com/">MommyMaestra</a> on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/03/10/celebrating-womens-history-month/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: Celebrating Women's History Month</a>
<b>March 13</b>
<a href="http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/2017/03/first-ladies-and-eleanor-roosevelt.html">Crafty Moms Share: First Ladies and Eleanor Roosevelt</a>
<b>March 14</b>
<a href="http://www.mamasmiles.com/your-familys-womens-history/">Mama Smiles: Write Down Your Family's Women's History</a>
<b>March 15</b>
<a href="http://www.bookwormsandowls.com/2017/03/ruth-bader-ginsburg-associate-justice.html">Bookworms and Owls: Ruth Bader Ginsburg - Associate Justice of the Supreme Court</a>
<b>March 16</b>
<a href="http://www.creativeworldofvarya.com/6-quotes-about-women-from-various-religious-writings/">Creative World of Varya: 6 Quotes About Women from Various Religious Writings</a>
<b>March 17</b>
<a href="http://knockedupabroad.eu/blog/7-swedish-women/">Knocked Up Abroad: 7 Ways Swedish Women Can Revolutionize Your Life Today</a>
<b>March 20</b>
<a href="http://lacitedesvents.blogspot.com/">La Cité des Vents</a> on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/03/20/women-history-or-womens-stories/">Multicultural Kid Blogs: Women in History or Women's Stories?</a>
<b>March 21</b>
<a href="http://www.puravidamoms.com/">Pura Vida Moms</a>
<b>March 22</b>
<a href="https://melibelleintokyo.com/2017/03/22/after-devastation-life-miki-sawada-mothers-2000/">Melibelle in Tokyo: After Devestation, Life - Miki Sawada Mothers 2,000</a>
<b>March 23</b>
<a href="http://alldonemonkey.com/2017/03/23/girls-who-changed-the-world/">All Done Monkey: Girls Who Changed the World</a>
<b>March 24</b>
<a href="http://www.playexplorelearn.com/">playexplorelearn</a>
<b>March 27</b>
<a href="http://familyinfinland.blogspot.co.uk/">Family in Finland</a>
<b>March 28</b>
<a href="http://www.thepiripirilexicon.com/">the piri-piri lexicon</a>
<b>March 30</b>
<a href="https://www.letthejourneybegin.eu/">Let the Journey Begin</a>
</center>
Don't miss our <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/product-category/womens-history-month/">Women's History Month Activity Printables</a>, on sale now!
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/product-category/womens-history-month/"><img alt="Women's History Month Activity Printables" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-17902" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/16997333_1366986316682593_174434264_n.png" height="415" width="415" /></a>
<!-- start InLinkz script -->
<br />
<div class="InLinkzContainer" id="700314">
<a href="http://www.inlinkz.com/new/view.php?id=700314" rel="nofollow" title="click to view in an external page.">An InLinkz Link-up</a></div>
<script src="https://static.inlinkz.com/cs2.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<!-- end InLinkz script -->
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-73305856332855889002017-01-29T11:13:00.001-08:002017-02-06T07:52:31.488-08:00Four ways to teach your child about Kenya: Global Learning for Kids Series<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>WOULD</b> </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">you like to learn more about Kenya and hear stories from our friend Ammara, who has just moved from Kenya to Northern Ireland?</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ww5ysU4xsSc/WI4-CN6zQaI/AAAAAAAAdCM/U2Jp6Daz8HQwxsaUyLYMTjBArL6KaQ1MQCLcB/s1600/cynthia111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ww5ysU4xsSc/WI4-CN6zQaI/AAAAAAAAdCM/U2Jp6Daz8HQwxsaUyLYMTjBArL6KaQ1MQCLcB/s640/cynthia111.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif;">Please click on the below link to take you to our post on Kenya, which is part of the Global Learning for Kids Series, and part of the
MultiCultural Kids Blog. </span><br />
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2017/02/06/four-ways-to-teach-children-about-kenya/"><img src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfqlUsm0QIA/VgBrSLX-GjI/AAAAAAAAclA/g7cfWUb-Fjc/s320/GLfK-button-1024x1024.jpg" /></a></div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-8173683774417032602016-09-01T16:24:00.001-07:002016-09-03T15:08:02.808-07:00Summer journeys in Sichuan and Yunnan x<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTAdEU5iIpM/V7oXA-KIqMI/AAAAAAAAc98/xBEFU9zMeLQwy9WfteexdGa8PVJNBfMpgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5920.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="406" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eTAdEU5iIpM/V7oXA-KIqMI/AAAAAAAAc98/xBEFU9zMeLQwy9WfteexdGa8PVJNBfMpgCLcB/s640/IMG_5920.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
This summer we were lucky enough to spend one month in South-West China in Sichuan and Yunnan province. In my day job I am a social worker for vulnerable BME children so I am aware of just how privileged my children were to have one month ago in the wilds of South-West China whilst many of the children I work with barely left their neighborhood over the holiday. <br />
<br />
I first went to China 15 years after after graduation and went to teach English in Wuhan, Hubei province. My brother followed a short-time later and met his now wife Keng-Keng who is from Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province.<br />
<br />
For this trip I wanted to show and introduce my daughters Malika and Ameenah, to my China favourites.....my favourite hang-outs in Chengdu,the capital of Sichuan province and Kunming, the capital of Yunnan province and and of course the sublimely beautiful scenery outside the major cities.<br />
<br />
First stop on our journey was the amazing Panda Research Base in Chengdu, Sichuan Province which is around one hour outside Chengdu. We organised a trip through the Chengdu Lazybones Hostel Templeside Poshpacker, which is a great hostel and located a five minute walk from one of Chengdu's major tourist sites, the Wenshu Monastery.<br />
<br />
The girls absolutely adored the pandas and they especially loved the baby pandas!! This is such an amazing place to visit in Chengdu but it is best to arrive early as the crowds after midday are phenomenal. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-U97Pc394nNI/V7igYj6zgMI/AAAAAAAAc5I/Rc7pc0tijyE7DJYTUvqOJHF_Q66dB2-7wCLcB/s640/IMG_5933.JPG" width="640" /><a href="http://www.panda.org.cn/english/"> http://www.panda.org.cn/english/</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sub5P1e3jsQ/V7igox0LyQI/AAAAAAAAc5M/6_MFqpIzVjsI1yqRrCtPNAb49gj0qBZMgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5940.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Sub5P1e3jsQ/V7igox0LyQI/AAAAAAAAc5M/6_MFqpIzVjsI1yqRrCtPNAb49gj0qBZMgCLcB/s640/IMG_5940.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
New born pandas!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eAcK_hcvXM/V7ihkh0n3xI/AAAAAAAAc5U/8ryS3y3NIjcj2YDiZxQA6xy_eQQxkmgwgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2eAcK_hcvXM/V7ihkh0n3xI/AAAAAAAAc5U/8ryS3y3NIjcj2YDiZxQA6xy_eQQxkmgwgCLcB/s640/IMG_5953.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Baby Pandas!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxTpI1dMjV8/V7ih7yG8U6I/AAAAAAAAc5Y/3xJRM9wruI0oOeafURI4vEl-c9AAXBZQgCLcB/s1600/IMG_5955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="360" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cxTpI1dMjV8/V7ih7yG8U6I/AAAAAAAAc5Y/3xJRM9wruI0oOeafURI4vEl-c9AAXBZQgCLcB/s640/IMG_5955.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this photo of Malika and Ameenah - this is typical comedy Ameenah!</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOXyDq_lBZg/V7ipnnA_PII/AAAAAAAAc5w/O-90Be33DJ4tvFSObmoWt_PowJaMWtB9QCLcB/s1600/IMG_6039.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="366" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EOXyDq_lBZg/V7ipnnA_PII/AAAAAAAAc5w/O-90Be33DJ4tvFSObmoWt_PowJaMWtB9QCLcB/s640/IMG_6039.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The People's Park, Chengdu</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">人民公园, </span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 15.75px; line-height: 15.12px; white-space: nowrap;">成都市</span></div>
Malika and Ameenah adored the People's Park in Chengdu and I was delighted to take them and show them the many delights inside as this was a favourite hangout of mine when I lived in Chengdu 14 years ago! (Oh my i feel so old!!!)<br />
<br />
The girls loved the ancient sugar art lollies; they loved spinning the wheel to choose their animal, they loved watching the hot sugar spun into wonderful shapes, and they loved eating them!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQy9ZVpi4k4/V7ipx5wYiwI/AAAAAAAAc50/3taxG-yxRxE5b5WhDCZKPKP98GpoDmCiQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6092.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="474" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JQy9ZVpi4k4/V7ipx5wYiwI/AAAAAAAAc50/3taxG-yxRxE5b5WhDCZKPKP98GpoDmCiQCLcB/s640/IMG_6092.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ameenah and her 蝴蝶 ! (butterfly - hudie)</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0iZ0sa6-ds/V7iqG-QT4HI/AAAAAAAAc54/KwarLAN42_0xgkWk0p483ScLRVWjE0ibQCLcB/s1600/emeihotspring.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="490" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-l0iZ0sa6-ds/V7iqG-QT4HI/AAAAAAAAc54/KwarLAN42_0xgkWk0p483ScLRVWjE0ibQCLcB/s640/emeihotspring.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls loved watching the ancient art of Chinese water calligraphy in the park and watching the characters appear and quickly disappear...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-krxhyKvzQ/V7iqflxM1cI/AAAAAAAAc6A/Jm_lOn9sf6si0VC-eMwFrFk02J_VJX2VACLcB/s1600/IMG_6114.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-G-krxhyKvzQ/V7iqflxM1cI/AAAAAAAAc6A/Jm_lOn9sf6si0VC-eMwFrFk02J_VJX2VACLcB/s640/IMG_6114.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Everywhere we journeyed to in China we found ourselves surrounded by crowds of young and old longing to have their photos taken with Malika and Ameenah. Malika and Ameenah loved this for the most part but there were times they found the numbers of people overwhelming!<br />
<br />
Ameenah attracted the most attention as many many folk both young and old wanted to touch her to see if she was real!! People would frequently approach Ameenah, squeeze her arm and proclaim "hen pang" which means very fat in Mandarin and is viewed as a compliment!<br />
<br />
<pre class="tw-data-text tw-ta tw-text-large" data-fulltext="" data-placeholder="Translation" dir="ltr" id="tw-target-text" style="background-color: white; border: none; color: #212121; font-family: inherit; font-size: 48px; height: 72px; line-height: 72px; margin-bottom: -10px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px 0.14em 0px 0px; position: relative; resize: none; text-align: right; white-space: pre-wrap; width: 281.51px; word-wrap: break-word;"><span lang="zh-CN">很胖</span></pre>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAMTeFQsiMk/V7ir-3SOrNI/AAAAAAAAc6I/0NzM3bDDIX0gaGwWT6rpx5S4aj_-k6hFQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-AAMTeFQsiMk/V7ir-3SOrNI/AAAAAAAAc6I/0NzM3bDDIX0gaGwWT6rpx5S4aj_-k6hFQCLcB/s640/IMG_6149.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I love this photo of Malika deep in thought at the People's Park...</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQKXyLYPzYs/V7jEHntjyuI/AAAAAAAAc7I/9QTTbyTf_LctUleRYe3by9Z0Ty5nMif9QCLcB/s1600/IMG_6088.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RQKXyLYPzYs/V7jEHntjyuI/AAAAAAAAc7I/9QTTbyTf_LctUleRYe3by9Z0Ty5nMif9QCLcB/s640/IMG_6088.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After Chengdu we headed to Emei Shan, <span lang="zh" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;" xml:lang="zh">峨眉山</span><span lang="zh" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 11.2px; line-height: 11.2px; white-space: nowrap;" xml:lang="zh">, </span>one of four Holy Buddhist mountains in China. I had climbed the mountain twice before and loved the epic three day climb to the top, sleeping in ancient Buddhist monasteries on the way. I knew that Malika and Ameenah wouldn't manage this so I planned a child friendly trip which would allow them to experience the joys and highlights of Emei Shan without undertaking a three day trek.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Utb5AEQEfi4/V8dIoPLOvdI/AAAAAAAAc-M/rqe7xqnFD6U6vmcXexjEhtlt9aCjti2BwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6229.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="458" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Utb5AEQEfi4/V8dIoPLOvdI/AAAAAAAAc-M/rqe7xqnFD6U6vmcXexjEhtlt9aCjti2BwCLcB/s640/IMG_6229.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
For the first night we stayed in the wonderful <i>Teddy Bear Hotel</i> in Baoguo Town which is at the bottom of Emei Shan. The girls absolutely loved the <i>Teddy Bear Hotel </i>(as did I!) and would have happily stayed there for the remainder of the trip!<br />
<br />
Our room was incredible with a carved wooden teddy bear face from ceiling to floor on one side of the room....and of course the room was full of teddies!<span style="text-align: center;"> </span><br />
<br />
The beef rice noodles on the breakfast menu were incredible!!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="Hani headword" lang="zh" style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif , "simsun" , "pmingliu" , "song" , "ming" , "mingliu" , "arial unicode ms" , "code2000";" xml:lang="zh"><span style="font-size: x-large;">米線 - </span></span><b><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"><span lang="zh-Latn-pinyin" xml:lang="zh-Latn-pinyin">mǐxiàn</span></span></b></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c54NC48aTU/V7isVVBLfVI/AAAAAAAAc6Q/z5TdlX3_hN4LI4DR_VqxPsSfQ6Y35A3-ACLcB/s1600/IMG_6239.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/--c54NC48aTU/V7isVVBLfVI/AAAAAAAAc6Q/z5TdlX3_hN4LI4DR_VqxPsSfQ6Y35A3-ACLcB/s640/IMG_6239.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Malika and Ameenah with the brilliant "Andy" - the laoban<a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E8%80%81" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 23.52px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 23.52px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 100ms cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 1, 1); vertical-align: baseline;">老</a><a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E6%9D%BF" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 23.52px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 23.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-decoration: none; transition: all 100ms cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 1, 1); vertical-align: baseline;">板</a> - boss - of the Teddy Bear Hotel...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbyRhPXN1ek/V7is73d0GyI/AAAAAAAAc6U/zQOMpsqGmWMKTmtobJuV96t17HhdKjA1QCLcB/s1600/IMG_6244.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-tbyRhPXN1ek/V7is73d0GyI/AAAAAAAAc6U/zQOMpsqGmWMKTmtobJuV96t17HhdKjA1QCLcB/s640/IMG_6244.JPG" width="426" /></a><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Crossing a very rickety old bridge on the way up Emei Shan...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVxYR9milfY/V7itY32r_1I/AAAAAAAAc6c/ddL1ZaT1afQw_uAJNVV6veT5owAGhPWQQCLcB/s1600/IMG_6452.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-tVxYR9milfY/V7itY32r_1I/AAAAAAAAc6c/ddL1ZaT1afQw_uAJNVV6veT5owAGhPWQQCLcB/s640/IMG_6452.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8t3e9rTBAQ/V7itgQkjEyI/AAAAAAAAc6g/T0Nmd1rtN3QbKJiFsVhqocn80EgX-Un9QCLcB/s1600/IMG_6470.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-w8t3e9rTBAQ/V7itgQkjEyI/AAAAAAAAc6g/T0Nmd1rtN3QbKJiFsVhqocn80EgX-Un9QCLcB/s640/IMG_6470.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
After climbing Emei Shan, we took a quick trip to Leshan to see the world's biggest Buddha. The journey from Baguo to Leshan is just over an hour which was very manageable for the girls. However there were crowds from all over mainland China in July so not the most ideal time to travel with children.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt5Dr1rXsZE/V7ittNWQh-I/AAAAAAAAc6o/Apf8--FkImcdcigxyAnoIWI3Yp0XM4rUACLcB/s1600/IMG_6558.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Jt5Dr1rXsZE/V7ittNWQh-I/AAAAAAAAc6o/Apf8--FkImcdcigxyAnoIWI3Yp0XM4rUACLcB/s640/IMG_6558.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-me-is2ZBTHw/V7it08BcEQI/AAAAAAAAc6s/DRS-3PbQiCE8eNYdJ3nzsgwuY9_VPP2JwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6595.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-me-is2ZBTHw/V7it08BcEQI/AAAAAAAAc6s/DRS-3PbQiCE8eNYdJ3nzsgwuY9_VPP2JwCLcB/s640/IMG_6595.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-0z_1s-45c/V7it_K6Wp5I/AAAAAAAAc6w/6bMzqiUVIcIfj4F3540c5ljBmcByJPCSwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6600.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3-0z_1s-45c/V7it_K6Wp5I/AAAAAAAAc6w/6bMzqiUVIcIfj4F3540c5ljBmcByJPCSwCLcB/s640/IMG_6600.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Eto7jZBJ_w/V7iuQtLiXOI/AAAAAAAAc60/AcrrzFUm-LI6sfPYZ88Ai_tCBQp3RB9CwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6Eto7jZBJ_w/V7iuQtLiXOI/AAAAAAAAc60/AcrrzFUm-LI6sfPYZ88Ai_tCBQp3RB9CwCLcB/s640/IMG_6606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
On the way back from the Buddha we stopped to eat in Leshan and once again faced huge crowds!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TB8d4hFniXs/V7jFIxUWGnI/AAAAAAAAc7M/eBy5m6n8Unoudlfva_IaoZiP6T4Idd9agCLcB/s1600/IMG_6660.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TB8d4hFniXs/V7jFIxUWGnI/AAAAAAAAc7M/eBy5m6n8Unoudlfva_IaoZiP6T4Idd9agCLcB/s640/IMG_6660.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
The next stop was Kunming <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">昆明, the capital of Yunnan Province: </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">云南</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2gCPv67gS8/V7jVWmyWSGI/AAAAAAAAc8Y/UcCv4d5q6gIOqK9cBdq0eNhRTEZyQepHwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6810.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-k2gCPv67gS8/V7jVWmyWSGI/AAAAAAAAc8Y/UcCv4d5q6gIOqK9cBdq0eNhRTEZyQepHwCLcB/s640/IMG_6810.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Malika and Ameenah were delighted to meet up with Keng-Keng's grannies, Nai Nai and Po Po.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIdNLMQkdO8/V7jYGyHJxGI/AAAAAAAAc8w/sk0PWVNcercXY_d76WJCvhtxmRQY77fqwCLcB/s1600/IMG_6838.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-pIdNLMQkdO8/V7jYGyHJxGI/AAAAAAAAc8w/sk0PWVNcercXY_d76WJCvhtxmRQY77fqwCLcB/s640/IMG_6838.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Keng-Keng is a milliner and she made these wonderful hats for her grandmothers. She has also recently made the hats for the latest Star Wars film.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj5rLUhuWek/V7jawa7ZJMI/AAAAAAAAc9A/CpgLy3R-WYAp-fqIqvQ12PnB6K1CIhMMACLcB/s1600/IMG_6852.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Dj5rLUhuWek/V7jawa7ZJMI/AAAAAAAAc9A/CpgLy3R-WYAp-fqIqvQ12PnB6K1CIhMMACLcB/s640/IMG_6852.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls had so much fun meeting Keng-Keng's niece Candy and speaking Mandarin with her....<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sli3HzEl56w/V7jblBwORgI/AAAAAAAAc9Q/50LRr6-aRzcG9h_4-C4M4kHohMNbYPkNgCLcB/s1600/IMG_6896.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-sli3HzEl56w/V7jblBwORgI/AAAAAAAAc9Q/50LRr6-aRzcG9h_4-C4M4kHohMNbYPkNgCLcB/s640/IMG_6896.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
This is Baba Tang, Kengy's father, who is incredible with the girls - one of the most humble men I have ever met.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2L2o6an60mo/V7jcbgP5xHI/AAAAAAAAc9g/hA7zsUrgBrclTxGujIb_33HFVJ6PoMt8wCLcB/s1600/IMG_6960.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-2L2o6an60mo/V7jcbgP5xHI/AAAAAAAAc9g/hA7zsUrgBrclTxGujIb_33HFVJ6PoMt8wCLcB/s640/IMG_6960.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
It was rainy season when we were in Kunming and Ameenah loved parading around the beautiful Green Lake with her rainbow umbrella.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkK6IhcNK2I/V7jdl_ubvSI/AAAAAAAAc9k/0KOZRPBQEwMI-rOyRL8TIkltIodws7P0ACLcB/s1600/IMG_7003.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BkK6IhcNK2I/V7jdl_ubvSI/AAAAAAAAc9k/0KOZRPBQEwMI-rOyRL8TIkltIodws7P0ACLcB/s640/IMG_7003.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I love this shot of the whole family spanning four generations and bringing together a Yunnan and Irish-Scottish-Moroccan family.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zlM4_ajkew/V7jeNbGdTpI/AAAAAAAAc9o/90gOe8O7HL8HbB_AwYZWq_3Y0zKjbBcpACLcB/s1600/IMG_7156.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-8zlM4_ajkew/V7jeNbGdTpI/AAAAAAAAc9o/90gOe8O7HL8HbB_AwYZWq_3Y0zKjbBcpACLcB/s640/IMG_7156.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Beside the Green Lake Malika loved to swing upside down on the exercise equipment.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxE9ouYdGT0/V7jFVAM6gzI/AAAAAAAAc7Q/BURvNfe4A0I8im0PlLiBXmCN8XyDLxu3QCLcB/s1600/IMG_7588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sxE9ouYdGT0/V7jFVAM6gzI/AAAAAAAAc7Q/BURvNfe4A0I8im0PlLiBXmCN8XyDLxu3QCLcB/s640/IMG_7588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We also travelled to Dali,<span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;"> </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px;">大理,</span> an amazing town north of Kunming, which is home of the Bai people of Yunnan. Behind the old town of Dali lies the sublimely beautiful Cangshan mountain range which we explored one day after taking a cable car to the West peak.<br />
<br />
The girls loved enjoying the simple Yunnan pleasures on CangShan - sitting and eating delicious cold noodles. Yum! <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yIehPwdNAo/V7jGNLr-n-I/AAAAAAAAc7U/pmJAfqtnzzoki-V6fwe3rHdAeKbkfMLfQCLcB/s1600/IMG_7662.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-8yIehPwdNAo/V7jGNLr-n-I/AAAAAAAAc7U/pmJAfqtnzzoki-V6fwe3rHdAeKbkfMLfQCLcB/s640/IMG_7662.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QONiav6OfA/V7jGlreK7VI/AAAAAAAAc7Y/6gdTHmlkXR0Zf6xp1_IbH4PQC9x4xeULQCEw/s1600/IMG_7575.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6QONiav6OfA/V7jGlreK7VI/AAAAAAAAc7Y/6gdTHmlkXR0Zf6xp1_IbH4PQC9x4xeULQCEw/s640/IMG_7575.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
Malika loved this traditional Bai outfit that we bought at the bottom of the mountain range.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voyuTLcsZc8/V7jG2NPC-JI/AAAAAAAAc7c/81IYlNBqTe89h2hzmcCCdkwM3ikITPbHwCLcB/s1600/IMG_7832.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-voyuTLcsZc8/V7jG2NPC-JI/AAAAAAAAc7c/81IYlNBqTe89h2hzmcCCdkwM3ikITPbHwCLcB/s640/IMG_7832.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">After Dali we headed further North to an incredible town called JianChuan, <span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;">剑川.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Jianchuan is a traditional Bai town, full of artisans, stonemasons and master woodworkers.</span></span><br />
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;"><br /></span></span>
<span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 21px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: "times" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">We stayed with the local police chief (my brother had stayed there previously) in his wonderful Ming Dynasty house.</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0M8EQELD8s/V7jHPt4YeaI/AAAAAAAAc7g/J-E76_v-GPYI3mxCpB-Os77tfak2ER9BACLcB/s1600/IMG_7851.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-f0M8EQELD8s/V7jHPt4YeaI/AAAAAAAAc7g/J-E76_v-GPYI3mxCpB-Os77tfak2ER9BACLcB/s640/IMG_7851.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls loved staying here as the friendly police chief host loved teaching the girls martial arts and traditional Chinese painting!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fCj6r0Ex7k/V7jISxtq22I/AAAAAAAAc7s/_2_ZVU7QzF0F7etviF6qAplrrcKafmTugCLcB/s1600/IMG_7975.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-3fCj6r0Ex7k/V7jISxtq22I/AAAAAAAAc7s/_2_ZVU7QzF0F7etviF6qAplrrcKafmTugCLcB/s640/IMG_7975.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We arrived in Jianchuan just in time for the fire festival which is mandarin is called the <a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E7%81%AB" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 23.52px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 23.52px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 100ms cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 1, 1); vertical-align: baseline;">火</a><a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E6%8A%8A" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 23.52px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 23.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 100ms cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 1, 1); vertical-align: baseline;">把</a><a href="https://chinese.yabla.com/chinese-english-pinyin-dictionary.php?define=%E8%8A%82" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; color: #333333; font-family: Roboto, sans-serif; font-size: 23.52px; font-stretch: inherit; font-variant-numeric: inherit; line-height: 23.52px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; transition: all 100ms cubic-bezier(0.42, 0, 1, 1); vertical-align: baseline;">节</a>!!<br />
<br />
(Huo ba jie). Once again as soon as we hit town the crowds gathered to take photos of Malika and Ameenah!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fakbEQtmbX8/V7jJG-slszI/AAAAAAAAc7w/FA8dO9xoLF46P_o5U7WdBQxhurOuZ4Q7gCLcB/s1600/IMG_8151.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-fakbEQtmbX8/V7jJG-slszI/AAAAAAAAc7w/FA8dO9xoLF46P_o5U7WdBQxhurOuZ4Q7gCLcB/s640/IMG_8151.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Last stop on our journey was a trip to the sublimely beautiful Tiger Leaping Gorge and Jade Dragon Snow Mountain. <br />
<br />
I had climbed in the gorge twice before and really wanted to share the experience with Malika and Ameenah. We hired horses and off we went on our final adventure of the trip!!<br />
<br />
I love this shot of the girls heading off on horseback into the mountains...<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJf3PHhlZzM/V7jJc_Ov6HI/AAAAAAAAc70/S3IJ8T3xtVQaCVPZjePxYVhN05KFyBDxwCLcB/s1600/IMG_8278.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NJf3PHhlZzM/V7jJc_Ov6HI/AAAAAAAAc70/S3IJ8T3xtVQaCVPZjePxYVhN05KFyBDxwCLcB/s640/IMG_8278.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
We stayed in an incredible guest house with the most amazing views across Jade Dragon Snow Mountain and I was really proud that the girls managed a two day trek in such an awesome landscape. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8lWSQGVBWc/V7jK86WyBmI/AAAAAAAAc8A/vlDuNZnjfmw7Q8PS8th_gMx9d9UV8TdoQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8402.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-p8lWSQGVBWc/V7jK86WyBmI/AAAAAAAAc8A/vlDuNZnjfmw7Q8PS8th_gMx9d9UV8TdoQCLcB/s640/IMG_8402.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhvoj7YG34A/V7jLM8J7nDI/AAAAAAAAc8E/5SKs6EECC9kKECllkFqF24Ap_jyQgkXEgCLcB/s1600/IMG_8403.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-fhvoj7YG34A/V7jLM8J7nDI/AAAAAAAAc8E/5SKs6EECC9kKECllkFqF24Ap_jyQgkXEgCLcB/s640/IMG_8403.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
These photos of Ameenah capture the spirit of our final few days in Yunnan province!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNG3Y5g2H6o/V7jLjNgpq6I/AAAAAAAAc8I/EBGB4W5-AxY7HTJYWS36TTn6TUUQJhMeQCLcB/s1600/IMG_8423.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YNG3Y5g2H6o/V7jLjNgpq6I/AAAAAAAAc8I/EBGB4W5-AxY7HTJYWS36TTn6TUUQJhMeQCLcB/s640/IMG_8423.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
And a rare photo of the three of us at the top of the Gorge!</div>
<br />
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-70335922867187533062016-03-28T15:18:00.000-07:002016-04-07T05:21:22.649-07:00Naomi Mitchison: Women in World History - A Multicultural Kids Blog Series<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU6AmyXRyyU/VvmDs8_ISUI/AAAAAAAAc1Y/qMp6--JG-RoaJ7bO9-s1N3zRlocl5mzMQ/s1600/2013AA72074.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NU6AmyXRyyU/VvmDs8_ISUI/AAAAAAAAc1Y/qMp6--JG-RoaJ7bO9-s1N3zRlocl5mzMQ/s640/2013AA72074.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
For the second series of the brilliant <i>Women in World History</i>, we decided to focus on a woman close to home, or rather, close to our new adopted home, and capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Naomi Mitchison was born in Edinburgh in 1897 and during her lifetime penned over 90 books ranging from travel books to novels to science fiction to historical novels to children's books. I came across her whilst studying for a MA in Glasgow University and of course one of the remarkable things about Naomi's body of fiction was that it was largely disregarded at the time in favor of her male contemporaries.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Initially Naomi started her career as a scientist and wrote a significant paper on genetics, highlighting genetic linkage in animals. However following World War One she decided to train as a nurse.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
In 1916, Naomi married a friend of her brother, who like her was from a well-connected and wealthy family. He became a QC, a Labour MP and then a life peer and while Naomi could have taken on the title, Lady Mitchison, she strongly objected to this. She did however assist him hugely with his constituency duties and political career.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
The marriage was not wholly satisfactory so both Naomi and Dick (her husband) agreed to enter into an open marriage with both parties entering into other relationships. However Dick and Naomi still had seven children together whilst Naomi dreamed of a time when women could have children with more than one father if they wished.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Her most famed fictional work was The Corn Queen and the Spring King is regarded by many critics as one of the best historical novels of the twentieth century. She was also a famed feminist and campaigned openly for birth control. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Naomi was a prolific traveller and penned a book called <i>Mucking Around </i>about her travels in five continents over 50 years. She also travelled frequently to Africa over her lifetime and was made a kind of tribal mother of the Bakgatla people from Botswana. (Her Botswana name is at the top pf her portrait - MaBakgatla).</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
She wrote a number of memoirs in her lifetime and was also a close friend of JR Tolkien as well as being one of the proof readers of <i>Lord of the Rings. </i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Naomi was politically active throughout her life and a committed Socialist. She visited the Soviet Union in 1932 with the Fabian Society and spoke out against the direction of Soviet Society. She also smuggled refugees out of Austria as well as smuggling documents out. After she unsuccessfully stood for the Labour Party, Naomi became interested in Scottish Nationalism and themes and wrote increasingly on such issues, while advocating for many local issues in Argyll and the Highlands and Islands.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Naomi continued to write until well into her nineties and was made CBE in 1981.She died at 101 in her beloved Argyll and was survived by her three sons, two daughters and nineteen grandchildren.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vzVeoVN8uNM/Vt9YcscScaI/AAAAAAAAcz0/6sL-Wvs3rYQ/s1600/MitchisonPortraittext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vzVeoVN8uNM/Vt9YcscScaI/AAAAAAAAcz0/6sL-Wvs3rYQ/s640/MitchisonPortraittext.jpg" width="480" /></a></div>
<br />
Initially I brought my daughter Malika on a "treasure hunt," to the National Portrait Gallery, Edinburgh, to see if she could find the portrait of Naomi. En-route, I told Malika snippets about the life and times and stories of Naomi. This portrait was painted by the Australian artist, Clifton Pugh.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-za1GEzbCA/VudIKIdOH5I/AAAAAAAAc1A/G8Jvm21TwOk1bdqSliEus_yn9NebDfcmQ/s1600/malika111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://3.bp.blogspot.com/-C-za1GEzbCA/VudIKIdOH5I/AAAAAAAAc1A/G8Jvm21TwOk1bdqSliEus_yn9NebDfcmQ/s640/malika111.jpg" width="462" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Malika and Naomi.</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4jKmtFd_bA/Vt9appKnJ5I/AAAAAAAAc0E/70nIu8F5kck/s1600/original_covertext.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="456" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-c4jKmtFd_bA/Vt9appKnJ5I/AAAAAAAAc0E/70nIu8F5kck/s640/original_covertext.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i><br /></i></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<i>Travel Light</i> is one of Naomi's few children's books and critics compare it to Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. Its the story of Halla, a girl born to a King but raised by bears while living amongst dragons. The book weaves its tales in Constantinople and medieval forests and centres around Halla's youth amongst dragons, unicorns and other mythical creatures. In the second half of the book Halla is taken under the wing of a hero, who asks her to discard her worldly things and travel light. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Halla is regarded as a saint, an angel, a god, a witch or a friend by all those she comes across and she can speak all languages including bird and animal languages. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This is such a wonderful fantastical book and while Malika enjoyed it I think it is more age appropriate for children of ten years old and above.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0fRJjlchlpA/Vt9cjxJaE4I/AAAAAAAAc0Y/sJl7CDgv7N4/s1600/travellightmap-3004text.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="454" src="https://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0fRJjlchlpA/Vt9cjxJaE4I/AAAAAAAAc0Y/sJl7CDgv7N4/s640/travellightmap-3004text.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
Buy a new pad, fresh felt-tip pens or pencils and ask your child to write a book called "Travel Light." Fun, creative and easy....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Malika enjoyed drawing lots of bears and authoring a wonderful tale of travelling bears....</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3dFa-yUgp0/VvmEVbiK1gI/AAAAAAAAc1c/XQ3AB1oqSVI5zV4BBXL_4Shi3e3FFzsBA/s1600/two_poets.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="https://2.bp.blogspot.com/-D3dFa-yUgp0/VvmEVbiK1gI/AAAAAAAAc1c/XQ3AB1oqSVI5zV4BBXL_4Shi3e3FFzsBA/s640/two_poets.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Naomi and Orcadian poet George Mackay Brown<br />
<br />
Naomi was a huge vocal campaigner for women's rights and was regarded as a bohemian free thinker and feminist before the term was even coined.<br />
<br />
You could ask your child how girls are expected to behave and how boys are expected to behave....You could then ask them whether or not boys and girls should be treated in the same way or differently and why this is.....<br />
<br />
If you would like to learn more about Naomi, tune in to this quintessentially British Radio Show, <i>Desert Island Discs</i>, which features Naomi in discussion about her chosen records, book and possessions for a Desert Island....Great stuff from a true original x</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0093z9q">http://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/p0093z9q</a></div>
<br />
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/womens-history-month-series-2016/"><img alt="Women's History Month Series on Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-8165" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/02/BEST1.png" height="594" width="594" /></a><br />
<br />
Join us for our second annual Women's History Month series, celebrating the contributions and accomplishments of women around the world. Follow along all month plus link up your own posts below! Don't miss <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/heritage-months/womens-history-month-series/">our series</a> from last year, and find even more posts on our <a href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/womens-history/" title="Pinterest - Women's History">Women's History board on Pinterest</a>:
<a data-pin-board-width="400" data-pin-do="embedBoard" data-pin-scale-height="200" data-pin-scale-width="80" href="https://www.pinterest.com/MKBlogs/womens-history/"> Follow Multicultural Kid Blogs's board Women's History on Pinterest.</a><!-- Please call pinit.js only once per page --><script async="" src="//assets.pinterest.com/js/pinit.js" type="text/javascript"></script>
<br />
<center>
<strong>March 1
</strong><a href="http://acraftyarab.blogspot.com/">A Crafty Arab</a> on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2016/03/01/women-artists/" target="_blank">Multicultural Kid Blogs: 7 Women Artists Who Changed History</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 3
</strong><a href="http://artcuratorforkids.com/peggy-lipschutz/">The Art Curator for Kids: Songs We Can See - The Art of Peggy Lipschutz</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 4
</strong><a href="http://kidworldcitizen.org/2016/03/04/childrens-books-about-women-scientists/">Kid World Citizen: Children's Books about Women Scientists</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 7
</strong><a href="http://www.mamasmiles.com/great-women-in-history/">Mama Smiles: Picture Books about Great Women in History Your Kids Need to Know</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 8
</strong><a href="http://hispanicmama.com/2016/03/08/4-latina-women-who-made-it-happen/">Hispanic Mama: 4 Latina Women Who Made It Happen</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 9
</strong><a href="http://discoveringtheworldthroughmysonseyes.blogspot.com/2016/03/felisa-y-el-magico-coqui-spanish.html">Discovering the World Through My Son's Eyes: Spanish Children's Book on the Life of Felisa Rincón de Gautier, First Female Mayor of San Juan, Puerto Rico</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 10
</strong><a href="http://wittyhoots.com/cms/the-women-who-have-had-a-positive-influence-on-me/">Witty Hoots: Some Awesome Women in My Life</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 11
</strong><a href="http://www.mommymaestra.com/2016/03/free-download-women-in-world-history.html">MommyMaestra: Women in World History Trading Card Template</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 14
</strong><a href="http://craftymomsshare.blogspot.com/">Crafty Moms Share</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 15
</strong><a href="http://www.thejennyevolution.com/">The Jenny Evolution</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 16
</strong><a href="http://discoveringtheworldthroughmysonseyes.blogspot.com/">Discovering the World Through My Son's Eyes</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 17</strong>
<a href="http://www.marcellinamaria.my.id/">Living Ideas</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 18
</strong><a href="http://lacitedesvents.blogspot.com/">La Cité des Vents</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 21
</strong><a href="http://acraftyarab.blogspot.com/">A Crafty Arab</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 22
</strong><a href="http://lacitedesvents.blogspot.com/">La Cité des Vents</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 23
</strong><a href="http://peaklepie.com/">Peakle Pie</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 24
</strong><a href="http://alldonemonkey.com/">All Done Monkey</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 25
</strong><a href="http://artcuratorforkids.com/">The Art Curator for Kids</a> on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/" target="_blank">Multicultural Kid Blogs</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 28
</strong><a href="http://creativeworldofvarya.com/">Creative World of Varya</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 29
</strong><a href="http://familyinfinland.blogspot.co.uk/">Family in Finland</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 30
</strong><a href="http://www.thejennyevolution.com/">The Jenny Evolution</a></center>
<center>
<strong>March 31
</strong><a href="http://www.fortheloveofsanish.com/">For The Love of Spanish</a></center>
<!-- start InLinkz script --><script>// <![CDATA[
document.write('<script type="text/javascript" src=http://www.inlinkz.com/cs.php?id=610883#038;' + new Date().getTime() + '"><\/script>');
// ]]></script><!-- end InLinkz script -->Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-23470159224675259812016-01-18T17:39:00.001-08:002016-01-22T07:45:39.123-08:00Morocco: Global Education Series<h3>
<b>WOULD</b> <span style="font-weight: normal;">you like to learn more about Gnawa music which comes from Morocco? </span></h3>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByfpkaZlJHo/Vp6tSnEdG7I/AAAAAAAAcxY/kss4fjbpG7Q/s1600/gnawa777.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-ByfpkaZlJHo/Vp6tSnEdG7I/AAAAAAAAcxY/kss4fjbpG7Q/s640/gnawa777.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Please click on the below link to take you to our post on Gnawa music which is part of the Global Learning for Kids Series, and part of the MultiCultural Kids Blog. <br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2016/01/22/morocco-global-learning-kids-series/"><img src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfqlUsm0QIA/VgBrSLX-GjI/AAAAAAAAclA/g7cfWUb-Fjc/s320/GLfK-button-1024x1024.jpg" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-2277344033296726022015-12-13T13:08:00.003-08:002015-12-13T13:08:40.103-08:00Mystery of the Disappearing Dolphin: Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLuVdcf2-M4/Vmy1i_cxyQI/AAAAAAAAcvo/lDDhydxoQt4/s1600/dolphin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pLuVdcf2-M4/Vmy1i_cxyQI/AAAAAAAAcvo/lDDhydxoQt4/s640/dolphin1.jpg" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Hooray! - Another "Pack-N-Go Girls Adventure Series" book to review!</span><span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif; text-align: justify;"> </span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The Pack and Go Girls series was set up to deliver<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> positive messages around independence, adventure, and global awareness.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">So far the books have been based in Mexico, Thailand and Austria and the publishers hope to publish a Brazilian based book in the near future...</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">After previously reviewing a book based in Austria called the "Mystery of the Ballerina Ghost," the publishers got back in touch to ask us to review "Mystery of the Disappearing Dolphin." </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">This again sounded like the exact kind of book Malika (5) and Ameenah (2) would love! Like the "Mystery of the Ballerina Ghost," the book is divided into ten short chapters,which were the perfect length to engage Malika. Malika is really into chapter books at the moment (her name!) and I felt that this was really suitable for Malika's age range (5+).</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"></span></span><a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsAE3gcrhE/Vmy-SNzvKmI/AAAAAAAAcwA/9q1z_iO8Q5A/s1600/51GBa-KJt3L._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsAE3gcrhE/Vmy-SNzvKmI/AAAAAAAAcwA/9q1z_iO8Q5A/s400/51GBa-KJt3L._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">The story is based in Mexico and effortlessly introduces Spanish into the story. Like Mystery of the Ballerina Ghost which has a small <i>Say It In German! </i> vocab list at the end of the book, the Mystery of the Disappearing Dolphin has a small Say in it Spanish vocab list which Malika loved discovering at the end of the book.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">It was wonderful to look at the map of Mexico in the front of the book and then find it on our globe.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Here is Malika looking for Mexico on our globe!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><img src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5GohHtaka0c/Vmy1nErW1TI/AAAAAAAAcvw/oFZcU9OGoq0/s640/dolphin2.jpg" /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><i style="background-color: white; color: #333333; font-family: Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 22.4px; text-align: start;">Welcome to Mexico!</i></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">The book is set in the port town of Barra de Navidad. Two friends, Izzy and Patti discover a beautiful glass dolphin that Izzy wants more than anything. Strangely it disappears before she can buy it. Later on it reappears in Izzy's bag and Izzy can't believe the trouble she's in.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">Malika loved imagining how Izzy would feel to think that she is in BIG trouble; we also enjoyed discussing why honesty is the best policy,no matter the outcome...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;"> Ameenah, Malika's sister, loved reading about dolphins because they are her favourite animal!!</span></div>
<div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">Malika's Review: </span></b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: "courier new" , "courier" , monospace;">"My favourite character in this book was Patti because she is funny and she has good hair which is nice. I thought this book was great because it was so strange and mysterious. I think the person who wrote the book deserves a medal! xx"</span></b></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsAE3gcrhE/Vmy-SNzvKmI/AAAAAAAAcwA/9q1z_iO8Q5A/s1600/51GBa-KJt3L._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-MbsAE3gcrhE/Vmy-SNzvKmI/AAAAAAAAcwA/9q1z_iO8Q5A/s400/51GBa-KJt3L._SY344_BO1%252C204%252C203%252C200_.jpg" width="260" /></a></div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-9257642561342424112015-10-27T15:03:00.001-07:002015-10-28T14:02:43.937-07:00October Trip to Lithuania<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
DURING the October break we went on a week long trip to Lithuania and loved exploring the cities, Kaunas and the capital Vilnius as well as the former capital Trakai. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
These amazing colourful wooden houses in Trakai transported us all back to Finland as did the silver birch trees, lush forests and clear lakes.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpJET9AXjQ/ViY2Tpuf2dI/AAAAAAAAclg/LeUlSZOey_A/s1600/grin74.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="464" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cRpJET9AXjQ/ViY2Tpuf2dI/AAAAAAAAclg/LeUlSZOey_A/s640/grin74.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Here is Malika enjoying a cold, morning walk back from the castle of Trakai. </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMBdiQ3xYV8/ViY2llv21FI/AAAAAAAAclo/NQsMQpsNvjM/s1600/grin71.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BMBdiQ3xYV8/ViY2llv21FI/AAAAAAAAclo/NQsMQpsNvjM/s640/grin71.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_2100336432"></span><span id="goog_2100336433"></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LHOGTLYPzM/ViZtBZT_wgI/AAAAAAAActI/O7nYKaZyNT4/s1600/castle.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-3LHOGTLYPzM/ViZtBZT_wgI/AAAAAAAActI/O7nYKaZyNT4/s640/castle.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And inside the cosy hotel we stayed in right on the lakeside...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJYSnvIMyqc/ViY25iC6q6I/AAAAAAAAclw/w9KZ5-fGD5I/s1600/grin66.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-LJYSnvIMyqc/ViY25iC6q6I/AAAAAAAAclw/w9KZ5-fGD5I/s640/grin66.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
There are regular buses to Trakai from Vilnius and the tickets are just over one euro single. Don't you think our bus driver looks like Putin?<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDy7hjb7Tm4/ViY3Sfj4XQI/AAAAAAAAcl4/ltMeKqDbs7g/s1600/grin64.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-CDy7hjb7Tm4/ViY3Sfj4XQI/AAAAAAAAcl4/ltMeKqDbs7g/s640/grin64.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We thought so anyway!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zg4ZlWqW8zQ/ViZkXm5DRGI/AAAAAAAAcs4/CqsJlymWIVo/s1600/IMG_3285.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-zg4ZlWqW8zQ/ViZkXm5DRGI/AAAAAAAAcs4/CqsJlymWIVo/s640/IMG_3285.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here lies the edge of Vilnius old town, by the bus and train stations. Vilnius has amazing street art all over the city and this yellow faced guy was one of our favourites. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GacCGiErhF0/ViY3tErsXfI/AAAAAAAAcmA/fLBmuDICXe0/s1600/grin63.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-GacCGiErhF0/ViY3tErsXfI/AAAAAAAAcmA/fLBmuDICXe0/s640/grin63.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZaTMgPbOXI/ViY4MAsj2PI/AAAAAAAAcmM/nLE5Z0KVIuk/s1600/grin61.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hZaTMgPbOXI/ViY4MAsj2PI/AAAAAAAAcmM/nLE5Z0KVIuk/s640/grin61.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Vilnius is such a beautiful city in autumn time and Ameenah and Malika loved nothing more than running and jumping in huge piles of freshly swept leaves.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xi1wlHJQuk/ViY4lZpFywI/AAAAAAAAcmU/px-n0T9l7oU/s1600/grin59.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4Xi1wlHJQuk/ViY4lZpFywI/AAAAAAAAcmU/px-n0T9l7oU/s640/grin59.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l18ORWbIBg/ViY4oq7mANI/AAAAAAAAcmc/EQrpWl1Cn6A/s1600/grin58.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0l18ORWbIBg/ViY4oq7mANI/AAAAAAAAcmc/EQrpWl1Cn6A/s640/grin58.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
This street is called Literatu Street and is a memorial street to Lithuanian's many famous writers and poets. In the 19th Century there were many bookstores and antiquary shops which is why the street was named Literatu Street. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j48m2arxZ2g/ViY5K4VDckI/AAAAAAAAcmk/r0FDAur5lFM/s1600/grin56.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-j48m2arxZ2g/ViY5K4VDckI/AAAAAAAAcmk/r0FDAur5lFM/s640/grin56.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wT4fDu2jRb0/ViY5hILyxoI/AAAAAAAAcms/QnS5m3cwFts/s1600/grin53.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-wT4fDu2jRb0/ViY5hILyxoI/AAAAAAAAcms/QnS5m3cwFts/s640/grin53.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43Or6DxqMK4/ViY51FGHQmI/AAAAAAAAcm0/xii-rXiYfPY/s1600/grin52.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-43Or6DxqMK4/ViY51FGHQmI/AAAAAAAAcm0/xii-rXiYfPY/s640/grin52.jpg" width="428" /></a></div>
This is the Russian Orthodox Church of St Parasceve and is one of many churches within Vilnius Old Town. <span style="font-family: inherit;">This one stands on a triangular square where Pilies Street turns into Didzioji Street and according to</span> tradition was built on a Pagan sanctuary for one of the gods.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ3sZdjzLEo/ViY6GcKZhJI/AAAAAAAAcm8/qWVZvqVqDwI/s1600/grin51.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-lZ3sZdjzLEo/ViY6GcKZhJI/AAAAAAAAcm8/qWVZvqVqDwI/s640/grin51.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">And the TV Tower! Malika and Ameenah loved driving through Vilnius late at night and eating black bread and Lithuanian hard cheese in the revolving restaurant at the TV Tower. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;">The TV Tower has such a fascinating history as it was the symbol for the Lithuanian struggle for freedom. <span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.375px;">On January 13, 1991, Soviet troops attempted to overthrow the Lithuanian government attempting to secede from the Soviet Union. During the attack to seize the TV Tower in Vilnius to create a media blackout, Soviet special forces killed 14 and injured over 700 unarmed Lithuanian citizens serving as human shields.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24.375px;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIVCm2IiJdM/ViY6c1EECyI/AAAAAAAAcnE/QqAXEPGxeiA/s1600/grin50.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-yIVCm2IiJdM/ViY6c1EECyI/AAAAAAAAcnE/QqAXEPGxeiA/s640/grin50.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjF96wB_U_g/ViY6wVa5AbI/AAAAAAAAcnQ/6nHeFwTETeo/s1600/grin49.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="410" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-CjF96wB_U_g/ViY6wVa5AbI/AAAAAAAAcnQ/6nHeFwTETeo/s640/grin49.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
The Russian Orthodox Church of the Holy Spirit constructed in 1753. This is the main Orthodox church in Lithuania and absolutely stunning outside and in.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xb9p0Lc7B8Y/ViawsonfD_I/AAAAAAAActY/h7kZNxKtysY/s1600/orthodoxchurch.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xb9p0Lc7B8Y/ViawsonfD_I/AAAAAAAActY/h7kZNxKtysY/s640/orthodoxchurch.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And the food in Lithuania was absolutely incredible...Autumn red currants, forest mushrooms, hard Lithuanian sheep and goat cheeses, black bread, rye bread, potato dumplings called zeppelins, fermented bread beer called Kvass, picked herring, beetroot soup with hard boiled egg and hot potatoes.....and a three course meal of superb food in a restaurant costs on average 5 euros....<br />
<br />
We were really lucky to stay beside this food market Hales Turges, which sold an array of wonderful, fresh local produce...The market is the oldest and largest in Vilnius and was constructed in 1906 by the famous architect and engineer Vaclovas Michnevicius.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yOfkm2CLHo/ViY7LQPGumI/AAAAAAAAcnU/J2yTLQNag2A/s1600/grin48.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4yOfkm2CLHo/ViY7LQPGumI/AAAAAAAAcnU/J2yTLQNag2A/s640/grin48.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
I loved all the redcurrants for sale and the variety of forest mushrooms, took me back to my days of living in Yunnan, China, an area which is famed for its mushrooms.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChpWGQD8sMI/ViY7szR-yRI/AAAAAAAAcnc/6AW0VcLvVF4/s1600/grin47.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ChpWGQD8sMI/ViY7szR-yRI/AAAAAAAAcnc/6AW0VcLvVF4/s640/grin47.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We loved the hand knitted socks for sale also!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z5rqwDT9kY/ViY8BBaYRgI/AAAAAAAAcnk/7BuPw6Z6iJA/s1600/grin45.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/--z5rqwDT9kY/ViY8BBaYRgI/AAAAAAAAcnk/7BuPw6Z6iJA/s640/grin45.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rl52_xx1Do/ViY8Y6SQyiI/AAAAAAAAcns/XeJiz9eH-yo/s1600/grin44.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-0rl52_xx1Do/ViY8Y6SQyiI/AAAAAAAAcns/XeJiz9eH-yo/s640/grin44.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg9_RzrMHKo/Via3G9haHcI/AAAAAAAActo/8aIRtApjMjM/s1600/pastry1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Dg9_RzrMHKo/Via3G9haHcI/AAAAAAAActo/8aIRtApjMjM/s320/pastry1.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<span id="goog_1045754045"></span><span id="goog_1045754046"></span>Red-currant breakfast pastries....very delicious and very cheap from the Hales Turgus Market....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8QzZG6-FrU/Via3PhncNXI/AAAAAAAActw/3ndCkwCCIEg/s1600/pastry2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-m8QzZG6-FrU/Via3PhncNXI/AAAAAAAActw/3ndCkwCCIEg/s320/pastry2.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
A favourite pancake breakfast place beside the Gate of Dawn....Pancakes often served with salty curd cheese and salmon...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uR-cCbnqNSU/Via3R1HpEUI/AAAAAAAAct4/S9GCM8HONb8/s1600/pastry3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uR-cCbnqNSU/Via3R1HpEUI/AAAAAAAAct4/S9GCM8HONb8/s320/pastry3.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The famous beetroot soup, traditionally served cold with yoghurt and boiled egg....with hot potatoes on the side. I loved this version from the Centre for Contemporary Arts, Vilnius...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehD9rfNKA6Q/Via3_lXzu4I/AAAAAAAAcuA/wRT7SBJrebE/s1600/beet.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ehD9rfNKA6Q/Via3_lXzu4I/AAAAAAAAcuA/wRT7SBJrebE/s320/beet.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
The National Gallery did a great version also served with delicious black bread...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2zosjTo7dc/Via4BDWwzjI/AAAAAAAAcuI/b9OYcS6xRbk/s1600/breadbeer.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-U2zosjTo7dc/Via4BDWwzjI/AAAAAAAAcuI/b9OYcS6xRbk/s320/breadbeer.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
And the Kvass! Kvass is a traditional Slavic and Baltic fermented beer (very weak...) made from black or rye bread....each restaurant has their own version and it is so so tasty!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZQ9UaHZ4Lk/Via4G2zkfHI/AAAAAAAAcuQ/K6yJnCTsFt8/s1600/redc.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ZZQ9UaHZ4Lk/Via4G2zkfHI/AAAAAAAAcuQ/K6yJnCTsFt8/s320/redc.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
Fresh red currants from local Lithuanian forests...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjByxr9Upn8/Via4yVEgdgI/AAAAAAAAcuY/p_cwsonjL_0/s1600/grin40.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-QjByxr9Upn8/Via4yVEgdgI/AAAAAAAAcuY/p_cwsonjL_0/s640/grin40.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The National Art Gallery in Vilnius, formerly housed the Museum of the Revolution and this amazing Soviet modernist building was built in the 1980's...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63vKmnWUzvk/ViY9rxHhj-I/AAAAAAAAcn8/cuVcTtOHbGI/s1600/grin42.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63vKmnWUzvk/ViY9rxHhj-I/AAAAAAAAcn8/cuVcTtOHbGI/s640/grin42.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
However apart from this colouring table outside the cafe, it was not very child friendly and after Ameenah tried to climb on top of a sculpture we had to make a quick exit...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elrTzhnSEkM/ViY_Ab1_b4I/AAAAAAAAcoQ/ylE_TAYv_PE/s1600/grin39.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-elrTzhnSEkM/ViY_Ab1_b4I/AAAAAAAAcoQ/ylE_TAYv_PE/s640/grin39.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Autumn was such a beautiful time to see Vilnius...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0ZYqsUiWY0/ViY_OCljupI/AAAAAAAAcoY/OxIBNygEHX4/s1600/grin38.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-G0ZYqsUiWY0/ViY_OCljupI/AAAAAAAAcoY/OxIBNygEHX4/s640/grin38.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpTegfNjKcc/ViY_nsDIVHI/AAAAAAAAcog/dII2mGsn88M/s1600/grin37.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UpTegfNjKcc/ViY_nsDIVHI/AAAAAAAAcog/dII2mGsn88M/s640/grin37.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And the girls loved running in the leaves, chasing cats, picking and eating apples from the many apple trees in the city...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK63U4N0ClQ/ViZAE2BPJ5I/AAAAAAAAcow/iw5aRgc809A/s1600/grin35.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OK63U4N0ClQ/ViZAE2BPJ5I/AAAAAAAAcow/iw5aRgc809A/s640/grin35.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Another pit stop in one of many great restaurants in Vilnius...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74Ep7U4ceQ8/Vi1d8AdgVjI/AAAAAAAAcuo/OiOoB5gMVSI/s1600/grin36.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="324" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-74Ep7U4ceQ8/Vi1d8AdgVjI/AAAAAAAAcuo/OiOoB5gMVSI/s640/grin36.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
One day we picked up a copy of a <i>Charlie and Lola</i> children's tour from one of many restaurants in the city and the girls loved this....We discovered so much about the past lives of buildings in the Old Town of Vilnius. <br />
Part of the tour took us to Malunu Street and we discovered that No.3 Malunu Street was the home of the largest nunnery in Vilnius and homed Bernadine Sisters. <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-iO5bDEk70/ViZAtmKuatI/AAAAAAAAcpA/jA2_oVdyI-c/s1600/grin33.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-E-iO5bDEk70/ViZAtmKuatI/AAAAAAAAcpA/jA2_oVdyI-c/s640/grin33.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--wjhMMq61uM/ViZA_CKQAaI/AAAAAAAAcpI/6WhBgfO4uVw/s1600/grin32.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--wjhMMq61uM/ViZA_CKQAaI/AAAAAAAAcpI/6WhBgfO4uVw/s640/grin32.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
It also has the longest (132 metres) balcony in Vilnius!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFJf10OXs6M/ViZBYsH3saI/AAAAAAAAcpQ/nfmMnagSNi8/s1600/grin31.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-WFJf10OXs6M/ViZBYsH3saI/AAAAAAAAcpQ/nfmMnagSNi8/s640/grin31.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
We were also directed on the Charlie and Lola trail of Vilnius to see the monument of a man, who was a famous Lithuanian Polish poet, Adomas Mickevicius (1798-1855). We plan to find some of his poems now that we are home in Edinburgh!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBcpg8ug84s/ViZBvWQbnHI/AAAAAAAAcpY/dteZfzLxcBc/s1600/grin30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-sBcpg8ug84s/ViZBvWQbnHI/AAAAAAAAcpY/dteZfzLxcBc/s640/grin30.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Beside the monument of Adomas, is the famous St Ann's Church which was built in the late Gothic style (1600). It is famous for its harmonious grace and beauty and they say that Napoleon wanted to put it on his palm and carry it over to Paris.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMRrmcoFfgg/ViZISRamV3I/AAAAAAAAcpo/QdhpZs3MOAg/s1600/grin29.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yMRrmcoFfgg/ViZISRamV3I/AAAAAAAAcpo/QdhpZs3MOAg/s640/grin29.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls loved this wire heart sculpture inside the church covered with small origami birds.<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfMF7zHCY8/ViZJGInpPWI/AAAAAAAAcpw/3A9LLWtBlus/s1600/grin28.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-mpfMF7zHCY8/ViZJGInpPWI/AAAAAAAAcpw/3A9LLWtBlus/s640/grin28.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Here they are!<br />
<br />
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nuPoY_0Ihbw/ViZKPPeKgCI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/jivF7zltjQM/s1600/grin23.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="402" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-nuPoY_0Ihbw/ViZKPPeKgCI/AAAAAAAAcqQ/jivF7zltjQM/s640/grin23.jpg" width="640" /></a><br />
Whilst on our trail across town we also explored the independent <i>Republic of Uzupis</i>, which was declared independent in 1997, and the area now has its own flag, constitution, president, cabinet of ministers, an anthem and an army!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH8VUdd36Lw/Vi_sw3ZaLXI/AAAAAAAAcvA/SIJO7Z0Tvkc/s1600/12105881_10153507340305020_4662249111335247542_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZH8VUdd36Lw/Vi_sw3ZaLXI/AAAAAAAAcvA/SIJO7Z0Tvkc/s640/12105881_10153507340305020_4662249111335247542_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The wondrous constitution from the Republic of Uzupis!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ij-GvnutBls/Vi_sCg21WZI/AAAAAAAAcu4/h3XiyZ70H8s/s1600/grin27.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="418" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ij-GvnutBls/Vi_sCg21WZI/AAAAAAAAcu4/h3XiyZ70H8s/s640/grin27.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls loved the children's restaurant Kuku Muku (http://www.kukumuku.lt/en/) which was in the centre of the Old Town and featured face painters, a great menu, children's clothes shop and space for fashion shows!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwVqFiqbGXk/ViZJuS2xHdI/AAAAAAAAcqA/5zmpTuPyMrc/s1600/grin26.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-pwVqFiqbGXk/ViZJuS2xHdI/AAAAAAAAcqA/5zmpTuPyMrc/s640/grin26.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFj80dx_ccY/ViZJ5PfRfZI/AAAAAAAAcqI/5p60DDAiofk/s1600/grin25.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-aFj80dx_ccY/ViZJ5PfRfZI/AAAAAAAAcqI/5p60DDAiofk/s640/grin25.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
To get from Kaunas, the former capital and our first port of call (as we could take a direct Ryan Air flight from Edinburgh) to Vilnius, we went on the rather romantically named, <i>Rail Baltica.</i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkJQDq5WwPE/ViZKjBjN-nI/AAAAAAAAcqY/mBL8zhx5PPk/s1600/grin22.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-xkJQDq5WwPE/ViZKjBjN-nI/AAAAAAAAcqY/mBL8zhx5PPk/s640/grin22.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ij0WVtJwFrw/Vi_vFhAbgvI/AAAAAAAAcvM/6gjq8QaHoHA/s1600/10259376_10153504434965020_8820403740874549076_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-ij0WVtJwFrw/Vi_vFhAbgvI/AAAAAAAAcvM/6gjq8QaHoHA/s640/10259376_10153504434965020_8820403740874549076_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I would love to travel on <i>Rail Baltica </i>from Warsaw, via Riga, back up to dear old Helsinki, the capital of Finland....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aN5djBxn0A4/Vi_vGR1RpHI/AAAAAAAAcvQ/pGtqG-u4Bi0/s1600/16521_10153504435125020_4056270676633974305_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-aN5djBxn0A4/Vi_vGR1RpHI/AAAAAAAAcvQ/pGtqG-u4Bi0/s640/16521_10153504435125020_4056270676633974305_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">The train is cheap and efficient although the girls really missed the children's carriage that we found on most trains in Finland....</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6s-iDomEKY/ViZLl-yizkI/AAAAAAAAcqw/HEg08iAxkoU/s1600/grin18.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-c6s-iDomEKY/ViZLl-yizkI/AAAAAAAAcqw/HEg08iAxkoU/s640/grin18.jpg" width="258" /></span></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif;">We also spent a morning in the <span style="background-color: white; color: #303030;">Mykolas Žilinskas Art Gallery in Kaunas, and the girls really enjoyed looking at this artwork by Nick Darmstaedter, an artist from a Brooklyn collective in NYC. This exhibition was part of the Kaunas Biennial whcih runs until the end of December 2015.</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb7i5AV_BA4/ViZNDTk0MCI/AAAAAAAAcrY/ljMwNmy6Eso/s1600/grin11.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="430" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Fb7i5AV_BA4/ViZNDTk0MCI/AAAAAAAAcrY/ljMwNmy6Eso/s640/grin11.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRMUz2A2ruU/ViZNWAC2A3I/AAAAAAAAcrg/pVA1R1UZAkk/s1600/grin10.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WRMUz2A2ruU/ViZNWAC2A3I/AAAAAAAAcrg/pVA1R1UZAkk/s640/grin10.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y66tmjFTDbQ/ViZNkw60oqI/AAAAAAAAcro/2IwH4nkwD0Q/s1600/grin9.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Y66tmjFTDbQ/ViZNkw60oqI/AAAAAAAAcro/2IwH4nkwD0Q/s640/grin9.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6t6rB6qXjs/ViZNzsA09uI/AAAAAAAAcrw/gZC1Tog6X54/s1600/grin8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Z6t6rB6qXjs/ViZNzsA09uI/AAAAAAAAcrw/gZC1Tog6X54/s640/grin8.jpg" width="410" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzXx6A7-K4g/ViZODbWywpI/AAAAAAAAcr4/0UT6wZHQe68/s1600/grin7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mzXx6A7-K4g/ViZODbWywpI/AAAAAAAAcr4/0UT6wZHQe68/s640/grin7.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udHqwJ0pVwY/ViZOSbcMwLI/AAAAAAAAcsA/SS6Ux3PkhC8/s1600/grin6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="412" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-udHqwJ0pVwY/ViZOSbcMwLI/AAAAAAAAcsA/SS6Ux3PkhC8/s640/grin6.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And a final few of us enjoying cafe life in Kaunas despite the chilly temperature!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_4NmV_QayE/ViZOntRpSiI/AAAAAAAAcsI/zG-qL_d3ukw/s1600/grin5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-6_4NmV_QayE/ViZOntRpSiI/AAAAAAAAcsI/zG-qL_d3ukw/s640/grin5.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xTC7omCah8/ViZO36Km8oI/AAAAAAAAcsQ/Mfsd3wzE5eA/s1600/grin4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9xTC7omCah8/ViZO36Km8oI/AAAAAAAAcsQ/Mfsd3wzE5eA/s640/grin4.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMTlxmYnzuw/ViZPGoQj2kI/AAAAAAAAcsY/QlRYG4hAaso/s1600/grin3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uMTlxmYnzuw/ViZPGoQj2kI/AAAAAAAAcsY/QlRYG4hAaso/s640/grin3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOUreYC0qUA/ViZPc82lxgI/AAAAAAAAcsg/40iPwJHKCeQ/s1600/grin2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YOUreYC0qUA/ViZPc82lxgI/AAAAAAAAcsg/40iPwJHKCeQ/s640/grin2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBZZAVaT9WE/ViZP2WB-SFI/AAAAAAAAcso/nyXdipl_viA/s1600/grin1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LBZZAVaT9WE/ViZP2WB-SFI/AAAAAAAAcso/nyXdipl_viA/s640/grin1.jpg" width="422" /></a></div>
We had a fantastic week in Lithuania and would thoroughly recommend a trip this wonderful Baltic state....Latvia is next on our list!<br />
<br />
Ryan Air fly to Vilnius directly from Edinburgh Airport and prices start from £14.99 one way...<br />
<a href="https://beta.ryanair.com/gb/en">https://beta.ryanair.com/gb/en</a>/<br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-33258223148787672212015-09-21T14:55:00.001-07:002015-09-21T15:03:30.274-07:00Iran: Global Learning for Kids for MultiCultural Kid Blogs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPesAz5D2u8/VgBkoN-Bv_I/AAAAAAAAckg/0UroaN7r48E/s1600/iraniandgreen.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-WPesAz5D2u8/VgBkoN-Bv_I/AAAAAAAAckg/0UroaN7r48E/s640/iraniandgreen.jpg" width="468" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-size: x-large;">FINALLY</span><span style="font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: small;"> here is our post on Iran for Global Learning for Kids! We bought an Iranian children's CD in July, ordered <i>Pea Boy </i>and other children's stories from Iran in August and finally went out to eat Iranian food (for research!!) in September. </span></span><span style="font-weight: normal;"> </span></h2>
So huge apologies for the delay....it's been a crazy few months with moving to a new city, starting new schools, and a new job in multicultural social work (me!) as well as a (pretty awful) separation from Malika and Ameenah's dad.....<br />
<br />
But we are all very happy in Edinburgh and all feel quite settled here in this fantastic city! <br />
<br />
As always we like to explore new places through food and exploring Iran through food was no exception! We made a booking in a local Middle-Eastern restaurant called <i>Pomegranate </i>and off we went to eat... The girls loved it because it was pink and I loved it because the waiters were really child friendly.<br />
<br />
It was quite challenging to find strictly Iranian dishes on the menu but the waiter recommended Iranian Baba Ganoush, Iranian Chicken Kabob (Kabob-eh Morg<span style="color: #555555; font-family: Calibri, Candara, Segoe, Optima, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: #fafafa; font-size: 17px; line-height: 25.5px;"><i>)</i></span></span> and our new favourite Iranian Doogh, a salty yoghurt drink which tastes soooo good with kabob.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsenCdRlO0c/VgBg_wKtXKI/AAAAAAAAcjk/XS9l-2PCrN0/s1600/pomegrarnat2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-dsenCdRlO0c/VgBg_wKtXKI/AAAAAAAAcjk/XS9l-2PCrN0/s640/pomegrarnat2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here are the best food critics in Leith, Edinburgh sampling a range of Iranian foods....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DuKEY_1eJkU/VgBhB6xAqaI/AAAAAAAAcjw/MNBdiu3cSNg/s1600/pomegranat3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-DuKEY_1eJkU/VgBhB6xAqaI/AAAAAAAAcjw/MNBdiu3cSNg/s640/pomegranat3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
The Chicken Kabob was a firm favourite....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vakD8zRXyY/VgBiOM9mBPI/AAAAAAAAckM/lfD7p9td2eE/s1600/babaganouj.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0vakD8zRXyY/VgBiOM9mBPI/AAAAAAAAckM/lfD7p9td2eE/s640/babaganouj.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And the classic Middle-Eastern Baba Ghanoush ....we learnt that night that Iran has a similar version called <i>Kashkeh Bademjan</i> which also includes Saffron and gives it a distinctive bright yellow colour....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv4nyWILfWA/VgBhHKxmUQI/AAAAAAAAckA/h-IBr7Fpl0w/s1600/iraniandoogh.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lv4nyWILfWA/VgBhHKxmUQI/AAAAAAAAckA/h-IBr7Fpl0w/s640/iraniandoogh.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
Once we were home, we decided to recreate the yummy Iranian Doogh , which is a salty yoghurt drink....Malika and Ameenah loved it and it is so simple to make...<br />
As you can see health and safety was a huge concern and Ameenah loved honing her knife skills whilst chopping the mint which we added quite liberally to the drink.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYbSbgVrS_0/VgBnflzk68I/AAAAAAAAcks/YJItjAxYJSk/s1600/glasses1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-qYbSbgVrS_0/VgBnflzk68I/AAAAAAAAcks/YJItjAxYJSk/s640/glasses1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So simple....one cup of natural yoghurt to two cups of water....stir and add mint....a pinch of salt and enjoy!!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfJzToq-hxs/VgBtqVgDf-I/AAAAAAAAclM/Ay6BgZKbEW0/s1600/515xllIK9RL._SS280.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-mfJzToq-hxs/VgBtqVgDf-I/AAAAAAAAclM/Ay6BgZKbEW0/s320/515xllIK9RL._SS280.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We loved listening to this compilation of old Iranian children's songs whilst we chopped and stirred....</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5Y4y8SlDeM/VgBnxIvRE5I/AAAAAAAAck0/EBWOtI_smvA/s1600/cheersiran%2521.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-b5Y4y8SlDeM/VgBnxIvRE5I/AAAAAAAAck0/EBWOtI_smvA/s640/cheersiran%2521.jpg" width="530" /></a></div>
<br />
And <span style="background-color: white; font-family: sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 21.7622px; text-align: right;">salâmati! </span><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large; line-height: 18.48px;">ب</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.48px;"><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif; font-size: large;">ه سلامتی</span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">, which means Cheers in Persian!</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XR9Of21uMHo/VgBh16wRy_I/AAAAAAAAckI/nLEzL66SKv0/s1600/peaboy1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="536" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XR9Of21uMHo/VgBh16wRy_I/AAAAAAAAckI/nLEzL66SKv0/s640/peaboy1.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
We also loved reading this fun collection of slightly surreal Iranian children's stories...<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<img src="http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/51OumRkiLjL._SX258_BO1,204,203,200_.jpg" /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWWRhs3C0y4/VgBj4oiFQ0I/AAAAAAAAckY/U-BAzFJOoiA/s1600/okab_proth2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="401" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XWWRhs3C0y4/VgBj4oiFQ0I/AAAAAAAAckY/U-BAzFJOoiA/s640/okab_proth2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
With gorgeous illustrations which depict Persian family life, centred around food, wonderfully x</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Goodnight xx</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is part of the series for Global Learning for Kids and part of the Muticultural Kid Blogs Series.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2015/08/04/a-child-friendly-introduction-to-iran/"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-HfqlUsm0QIA/VgBrSLX-GjI/AAAAAAAAclA/g7cfWUb-Fjc/s320/GLfK-button-1024x1024.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-61469736305612630992015-08-30T16:20:00.000-07:002015-08-30T16:20:22.801-07:00Leith Mela, Edinburgh, 2015<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFyBSDBJhRo/VeOGpcKjjsI/AAAAAAAAci8/QorhOVOiqbU/s1600/IMG_1636p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-AFyBSDBJhRo/VeOGpcKjjsI/AAAAAAAAci8/QorhOVOiqbU/s640/IMG_1636p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What an amazing time we have had in Edinburgh this August as the city has played host to the world's largest Arts Festival. This weekend Edinburgh also hosted the wonderful mela on Leith Links, which is right outside our apartment!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ga7xt-2zrDY/VeNnVPSc9bI/AAAAAAAAcbs/BsdP9b8KfLw/s1600/IMG_1576.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ga7xt-2zrDY/VeNnVPSc9bI/AAAAAAAAcbs/BsdP9b8KfLw/s640/IMG_1576.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
This year the Kids Zone was inspired by the monkey gods of Asia...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYzmbCmRwig/VeNnezt0H-I/AAAAAAAAcb0/sKpOeKVh--Y/s1600/IMG_1578.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-uYzmbCmRwig/VeNnezt0H-I/AAAAAAAAcb0/sKpOeKVh--Y/s640/IMG_1578.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmeGtdcyY9Q/VeOIOBzKPCI/AAAAAAAAcjE/wKwdPkSl_0c/s1600/Mela2015FBbanner.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="236" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-hmeGtdcyY9Q/VeOIOBzKPCI/AAAAAAAAcjE/wKwdPkSl_0c/s640/Mela2015FBbanner.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUcqkQ0p8PE/VeNntKj0S8I/AAAAAAAAcb8/gZG0Oe2UNxc/s1600/IMG_1582.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bUcqkQ0p8PE/VeNntKj0S8I/AAAAAAAAcb8/gZG0Oe2UNxc/s640/IMG_1582.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
Malika and Ameenah loved hearing all the folktales on board the storytelling boat ....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2P7WeoSRjQ/VeOIdoK_JbI/AAAAAAAAcjM/xr5Vcvs5m0Y/s1600/IMG_1585.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-v2P7WeoSRjQ/VeOIdoK_JbI/AAAAAAAAcjM/xr5Vcvs5m0Y/s640/IMG_1585.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrzrAchL3sQ/VeNn2dDDNTI/AAAAAAAAccE/a0pGv539A1c/s1600/IMG_1592.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XrzrAchL3sQ/VeNn2dDDNTI/AAAAAAAAccE/a0pGv539A1c/s640/IMG_1592.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmVyROnJmjI/VeN8FZOGa7I/AAAAAAAAchY/kZvZZBt4id4/s1600/IMG_1581p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OmVyROnJmjI/VeN8FZOGa7I/AAAAAAAAchY/kZvZZBt4id4/s640/IMG_1581p.jpg" width="502" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSm0V8bEEW4/VeNoBkzmvsI/AAAAAAAAccM/9j-QIjgu38I/s1600/IMG_1597.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-HSm0V8bEEW4/VeNoBkzmvsI/AAAAAAAAccM/9j-QIjgu38I/s640/IMG_1597.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
And learning about all the different Hindu Gods at the Himalayan Centre tent...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pT_sUm405JQ/VeNoMY8Q6mI/AAAAAAAAccU/95znJyCAOyw/s1600/IMG_1606.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-pT_sUm405JQ/VeNoMY8Q6mI/AAAAAAAAccU/95znJyCAOyw/s640/IMG_1606.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxbYlSYWqgE/VeNobEbuS_I/AAAAAAAAccc/XKslrERk620/s1600/IMG_1607.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-oxbYlSYWqgE/VeNobEbuS_I/AAAAAAAAccc/XKslrERk620/s640/IMG_1607.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtKDBxuw_pQ/VeNop5k6enI/AAAAAAAAcck/hagc6aCdo4I/s1600/IMG_1610.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-XtKDBxuw_pQ/VeNop5k6enI/AAAAAAAAcck/hagc6aCdo4I/s640/IMG_1610.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bgKQhBDzpI/VeNo3gXzSZI/AAAAAAAAccs/lKkOxv2JJaM/s1600/IMG_1612.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9bgKQhBDzpI/VeNo3gXzSZI/AAAAAAAAccs/lKkOxv2JJaM/s640/IMG_1612.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
And making these awesome moulds of Ganesha!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-WvSFDbs_8/VeNpIXz9Y5I/AAAAAAAAcc0/2OTbQjqhxyA/s1600/IMG_1625.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-K-WvSFDbs_8/VeNpIXz9Y5I/AAAAAAAAcc0/2OTbQjqhxyA/s640/IMG_1625.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88UkJ3oks78/VeNpWE859xI/AAAAAAAAcc8/2Ovk4pk2Tw4/s1600/IMG_1627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-88UkJ3oks78/VeNpWE859xI/AAAAAAAAcc8/2Ovk4pk2Tw4/s640/IMG_1627.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
And learning about all kinds of lichen....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txxhJt2M8ZI/VeNqATTVJVI/AAAAAAAAcdE/7F5u9bnK6Bc/s1600/IMG_1630.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-txxhJt2M8ZI/VeNqATTVJVI/AAAAAAAAcdE/7F5u9bnK6Bc/s640/IMG_1630.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
Which is right under our noses....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9yxe1DM9ek/VeNqV0ncsyI/AAAAAAAAcdM/RYgQoR7G28Y/s1600/IMG_1642.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-f9yxe1DM9ek/VeNqV0ncsyI/AAAAAAAAcdM/RYgQoR7G28Y/s640/IMG_1642.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
We also learned the art of the Chinese knot...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOxU4iA-fXE/VeNqjs4upHI/AAAAAAAAcdU/D8LVE7g4BMI/s1600/IMG_1647.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-BOxU4iA-fXE/VeNqjs4upHI/AAAAAAAAcdU/D8LVE7g4BMI/s640/IMG_1647.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEImKjAysOw/VeNq9G1BKsI/AAAAAAAAcdc/yuNevMHwlmc/s1600/IMG_1645.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jEImKjAysOw/VeNq9G1BKsI/AAAAAAAAcdc/yuNevMHwlmc/s640/IMG_1645.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRFDNV2RBo4/VeNrI1NxH1I/AAAAAAAAcdk/8Je8bsySzTk/s1600/IMG_1650.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-iRFDNV2RBo4/VeNrI1NxH1I/AAAAAAAAcdk/8Je8bsySzTk/s640/IMG_1650.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
with the lovely Josephine...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQk4UT_QNes/VeNtODBS2II/AAAAAAAAcdw/c6LupHj_xks/s1600/IMG_1678p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-mQk4UT_QNes/VeNtODBS2II/AAAAAAAAcdw/c6LupHj_xks/s640/IMG_1678p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And there's always time for fun with bubbles...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4lNPeXxxR8/VeNto0aAoDI/AAAAAAAAcd4/x1C4f7ZpTh8/s1600/IMG_1682p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-f4lNPeXxxR8/VeNto0aAoDI/AAAAAAAAcd4/x1C4f7ZpTh8/s640/IMG_1682p.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKO_qabFljo/VeNuFwq0-6I/AAAAAAAAceA/iTXVe-FIYEM/s1600/IMG_1731.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jKO_qabFljo/VeNuFwq0-6I/AAAAAAAAceA/iTXVe-FIYEM/s640/IMG_1731.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmMfdQ-51Io/VeNub4IMyFI/AAAAAAAAceI/W1OxjKRC5h8/s1600/IMG_1748.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-cmMfdQ-51Io/VeNub4IMyFI/AAAAAAAAceI/W1OxjKRC5h8/s640/IMG_1748.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDRKwIubA1U/VeOCw3HZthI/AAAAAAAAciQ/_kIJCrclQTE/s1600/IMG_1734.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EDRKwIubA1U/VeOCw3HZthI/AAAAAAAAciQ/_kIJCrclQTE/s640/IMG_1734.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YCbTAHtt-yc/VeN-JUaXvPI/AAAAAAAAchk/DHB--yazvaQ/s1600/IMG_1763p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-YCbTAHtt-yc/VeN-JUaXvPI/AAAAAAAAchk/DHB--yazvaQ/s640/IMG_1763p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsPP-jELwDE/VeNuxm7p-SI/AAAAAAAAceU/tsallhn0ths/s1600/IMG_1769.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZsPP-jELwDE/VeNuxm7p-SI/AAAAAAAAceU/tsallhn0ths/s640/IMG_1769.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
And such a fun family Hip-Hop class...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwYAxhTcIaA/VeN_G9GWYHI/AAAAAAAAchs/jbeDcFGwpM0/s1600/IMG_1765.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-IwYAxhTcIaA/VeN_G9GWYHI/AAAAAAAAchs/jbeDcFGwpM0/s640/IMG_1765.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlnEKRvc6kI/VeOD6Vf27rI/AAAAAAAAciY/MWnGHzvSnrQ/s1600/IMG_1662p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="376" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-hlnEKRvc6kI/VeOD6Vf27rI/AAAAAAAAciY/MWnGHzvSnrQ/s640/IMG_1662p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
And delicious Indian food...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFqOYIy9AFk/VeNv_22W8DI/AAAAAAAAcec/V9-lp9vA--c/s1600/IMG_1773.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-HFqOYIy9AFk/VeNv_22W8DI/AAAAAAAAcec/V9-lp9vA--c/s640/IMG_1773.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">But my favorite performance of the weekend was from</span><br />
<span style="background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0.901961); color: #303f50; letter-spacing: -1px; line-height: 17.5px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">La Otra Orilla- Moi & Les Autres....amazing flamenco all the way from Quebec x</span></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDWwRzXkI1k/VeNwU7hDCaI/AAAAAAAAcek/jX5kJKXBL9w/s1600/IMG_1779p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-NDWwRzXkI1k/VeNwU7hDCaI/AAAAAAAAcek/jX5kJKXBL9w/s640/IMG_1779p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfpzp99XtHU/VeOAa8WbFRI/AAAAAAAAch0/DjjmI4KjfJQ/s1600/IMG_1700p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Wfpzp99XtHU/VeOAa8WbFRI/AAAAAAAAch0/DjjmI4KjfJQ/s640/IMG_1700p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
Although Malika enjoyed the whole weekend...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC5uMtSHxG4/VeNwmnU7qtI/AAAAAAAAces/B6FJNivZGTU/s1600/IMG_1788.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-bC5uMtSHxG4/VeNwmnU7qtI/AAAAAAAAces/B6FJNivZGTU/s640/IMG_1788.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFRyR99O0us/VeNxkoq0GKI/AAAAAAAAce4/heMOXFjGI3w/s1600/IMG_1792p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-bFRyR99O0us/VeNxkoq0GKI/AAAAAAAAce4/heMOXFjGI3w/s640/IMG_1792p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4weJWz3Cu2I/VeNxx5cOk_I/AAAAAAAAcfA/Ag2rd9aFXfQ/s1600/IMG_1795.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4weJWz3Cu2I/VeNxx5cOk_I/AAAAAAAAcfA/Ag2rd9aFXfQ/s640/IMG_1795.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aG7ZG4hS278/VeNyA6bUqtI/AAAAAAAAcfI/K1AcppJfv8g/s1600/IMG_1843p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-aG7ZG4hS278/VeNyA6bUqtI/AAAAAAAAcfI/K1AcppJfv8g/s640/IMG_1843p.jpg" width="498" /></a></div>
<br />
This is Malika's new best friend Cheryl, who is from Goa in South India...they are in the same class at school and they live in our building...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muyg4cbf-rQ/VeNyjDIf1GI/AAAAAAAAcfY/MKzaFCv9HjE/s1600/IMG_1873p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-muyg4cbf-rQ/VeNyjDIf1GI/AAAAAAAAcfY/MKzaFCv9HjE/s640/IMG_1873p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
And Sasha, Cheryl's little sister is adorable....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hm49zKg3Lsw/VeN6fpjA7EI/AAAAAAAAchM/3l3RXgcrIG8/s1600/IMG_1864p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="288" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-hm49zKg3Lsw/VeN6fpjA7EI/AAAAAAAAchM/3l3RXgcrIG8/s640/IMG_1864p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Such a great family x<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPj1KyK84R0/VeNyw6utNbI/AAAAAAAAcfk/AlFua5d24fw/s1600/IMG_1877p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-yPj1KyK84R0/VeNyw6utNbI/AAAAAAAAcfk/AlFua5d24fw/s640/IMG_1877p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
The girls loved dancing to Bollywood music...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoBCOi-utv4/VeOFQEBw6NI/AAAAAAAAcik/JbcRNXn6AoA/s1600/IMG_1882p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-yoBCOi-utv4/VeOFQEBw6NI/AAAAAAAAcik/JbcRNXn6AoA/s640/IMG_1882p.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5hpL5V6onM/VeNz6t6oQVI/AAAAAAAAcfs/e8UKY497bb4/s1600/IMG_1891p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-h5hpL5V6onM/VeNz6t6oQVI/AAAAAAAAcfs/e8UKY497bb4/s640/IMG_1891p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
And seeing the lovely Kirsty...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBjGWYCzEzM/VeOAw_Op9RI/AAAAAAAAch8/xn7m8GD3hlg/s1600/IMG_1923p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-ZBjGWYCzEzM/VeOAw_Op9RI/AAAAAAAAch8/xn7m8GD3hlg/s640/IMG_1923p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HW_gyUB3yPc/VeOBJFAZqOI/AAAAAAAAciE/-UfGz-FsInM/s1600/IMG_1918.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-HW_gyUB3yPc/VeOBJFAZqOI/AAAAAAAAciE/-UfGz-FsInM/s640/IMG_1918.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hDWiXEkaq4/VeN0IXxEJTI/AAAAAAAAcf0/qyw7ZvkXRbQ/s1600/IMG_1902p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hDWiXEkaq4/VeN0IXxEJTI/AAAAAAAAcf0/qyw7ZvkXRbQ/s640/IMG_1902p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
And their new sparkly outfits x<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7iGHzMBVtc/VeN0ZkmOhsI/AAAAAAAAcf8/EA5Rs0qr2No/s1600/IMG_1914p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-j7iGHzMBVtc/VeN0ZkmOhsI/AAAAAAAAcf8/EA5Rs0qr2No/s640/IMG_1914p.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RO70HICNCEY/VeN0plRc2NI/AAAAAAAAcgE/XoVD9FBzrUM/s1600/IMG_1904p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-RO70HICNCEY/VeN0plRc2NI/AAAAAAAAcgE/XoVD9FBzrUM/s640/IMG_1904p.jpg" width="442" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-936mqAnF4cE/VeN2jL8_9fI/AAAAAAAAcgQ/IW_5ts-7Fqk/s1600/IMG_1934p.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-936mqAnF4cE/VeN2jL8_9fI/AAAAAAAAcgQ/IW_5ts-7Fqk/s640/IMG_1934p.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Onveo3d0vjI/VeN2wG-It3I/AAAAAAAAcgY/LADDtq538Vs/s1600/IMG_1953.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Onveo3d0vjI/VeN2wG-It3I/AAAAAAAAcgY/LADDtq538Vs/s640/IMG_1953.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQQg3qke4Mg/VeN269JRBqI/AAAAAAAAcgg/MHaYNwh38Ws/s1600/IMG_1955.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-eQQg3qke4Mg/VeN269JRBqI/AAAAAAAAcgg/MHaYNwh38Ws/s640/IMG_1955.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z65A-Q5bPL8/VeOFnJ5AQTI/AAAAAAAAcis/eNWzhj36nqs/s1600/IMG_1948.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Z65A-Q5bPL8/VeOFnJ5AQTI/AAAAAAAAcis/eNWzhj36nqs/s640/IMG_1948.JPG" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw7e5NOPbBE/VeN3GZfXJ6I/AAAAAAAAcgo/gk1s3v1Vx-s/s1600/IMG_1972.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Uw7e5NOPbBE/VeN3GZfXJ6I/AAAAAAAAcgo/gk1s3v1Vx-s/s640/IMG_1972.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
What a fab weekend and thank you to all at the Leith Links Mela! We had a blast! xxxFamily in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-64186493713255010742015-08-17T13:49:00.000-07:002015-08-17T13:52:08.352-07:00Lebanon: Multicultural Kids Blog Global Education Series <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hah81Z5V9hM/VdEYqo9oojI/AAAAAAAAcaQ/hBsMXaDCwVQ/s1600/fattoush.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="452" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Hah81Z5V9hM/VdEYqo9oojI/AAAAAAAAcaQ/hBsMXaDCwVQ/s640/fattoush.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>HELLO! </b>It's been a long time... Summer has passed in a flash, I've started a new job as a social worker for BME children in a multi-cultural center, we've moved to Edinburgh, Malika and Ameenah started back to school today and the Edinburgh Festival is in full swing...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So apologies for the lack of blogging!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We were very keen to write about Lebanon as we have a lovely Lebanese-Australian friend called Sara, who moved to Banff, Aberdeenshire after getting married...She always used to make Lebanese Fattoush for us when we visited and we loved this fresh salad as it has so many layers and flavours, and most importantly it always reminded Sara of home.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sara gave birth to a beautiful boy named Zayn a couple of weeks ago, (hamdullah!) and we are really looking forward to travelling back to Aberdeenshire to see all of them.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika drew the picture below of what she imagined Zayn would look like....</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ye8ae8YIE-4/VdEYC1_fEUI/AAAAAAAAcaE/We-_a34GLUc/s1600/babydrawing.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-ye8ae8YIE-4/VdEYC1_fEUI/AAAAAAAAcaE/We-_a34GLUc/s640/babydrawing.jpg" width="426" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">While hunting out her recipe for Fattoush, Sara reflected on being brought up in Lebanese culture while living in Australia....</span><br />
<br />
<div style="background-color: white;">
<span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', 'Segoe UI', Helvetica, Arial, 'Lucida Grande', sans-serif;">"<i>I</i></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>'ve never been to Lebanon but I was pretty much raised with Lebanese culture and traditions so it's had quite an influence in my life. My parents had migrated from Lebanon because of civil wars in the 70's. I was born and grew up in Sydney, Australia. So I guess I got the best of both worlds; influences from multicultural western society and Lebanese culture at home. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>My main connection to my culture is through language, food and traditions. I love Lebanese food but I guess that's my bias from my upbringing although I have to say they make awesome salads! My mother used to always call me down to watch her cook, or help her prepare the vegetables. She said I would need to learn how to cook one day so it was important to watch. As a young girl I enjoyed baking so cooking came hand in hand. I've learnt many traditional dishes from both my mother and father and I'm glad because it'll always link me to my heritage plus it's delicious. </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>In Lebanon Arabic is widely spoken, even French is taught and spoken. I guess the French influence came after WW1. I never got taught French but Arabic was taught and spoken at home, I even attended Arabic school. I love the fact I'm bilingual, it's so handy and makes me feel empowered particularly when I'm in an area dominated by Middle Eastern's, or even if I want to have a private conversation with family without people prying (this is particularly handy when at the markets trying to decide if an item is worth buying or not!). </i></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><i>Being able to speak Arabic was handy when travelling as well. I've been to Dubai and Morocco both Arabic speaking. Although the dialects are slightly different I felt more in control being able to communicate. Although I've never been to Lebanon I'd love to visit one day. I don't think I'd live there due to the current political circumstances in the M.E but I'd def love to explore the country and see where my roots came from."</i></span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTr4D6n9pHc/VdEY3wMT_iI/AAAAAAAAcaU/FYWdQFSe8_Y/s1600/fattoush2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-MTr4D6n9pHc/VdEY3wMT_iI/AAAAAAAAcaU/FYWdQFSe8_Y/s640/fattoush2.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Prepping our delish ingredients...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPPNSLoT3Dk/VdEZBXGIMsI/AAAAAAAAcac/5umdiiHwKpM/s1600/fatoush3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-cPPNSLoT3Dk/VdEZBXGIMsI/AAAAAAAAcac/5umdiiHwKpM/s640/fatoush3.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The best sous-chefs in Edinburgh!</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7ZGnmFtKyE/VdEZNXKum6I/AAAAAAAAcak/tEWNLC5CtFM/s1600/seriousfa.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-g7ZGnmFtKyE/VdEZNXKum6I/AAAAAAAAcak/tEWNLC5CtFM/s640/seriousfa.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And here is Sara's wonderful recipe for Fattoush, which we loved serving with grilled fish....Yummmmm...</span><br />
<br />
<blockquote id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4606" style="margin: 1em;" type="cite">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4605">
<div dir="ltr" id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4604">
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4617" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>CHOP </b>one small iceburg lettuce or a little gem lettuce. </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4622" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- bunch of parsley and mint chopped</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4623" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 red pepper chopped</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4624" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- handful of radishes chopped</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4625" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 3 large tomatoes chopped (or use cherry tomatoes)</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4626" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- half a cucumber chopped </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4627" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 4 spring onions finely chopped</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4628" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4629" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dressing</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4630" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 garlic minced</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4631" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- half a lemon juiced </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4632" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 heaped spoon of pomegranate molasses </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4633" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- 1 spoon of sumac (optional - it's a dried berry that's been ground and used as a spice)</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4634" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- drizzle of olive oil</span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4635" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">- salt to taste </span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4644" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br clear="none" /></span></div>
<div id="yui_3_16_0_1_1439766930810_4645" style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Top with toasted flat bread </span></div>
</div>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">SO simple and so delish! </span></div>
===================================================================<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I taught Malika and Ameenah more about Lebanon using this fun Play and Learn about Lebanon book, which I ordered from Amazon.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Play-Learn-About-Lebanon-No-2/dp/995301471X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439843491&sr=8-1&keywords=play+and+learn+about+lebanon">http://www.amazon.co.uk/Play-Learn-About-Lebanon-No-2/dp/995301471X/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1439843491&sr=8-1&keywords=play+and+learn+about+lebanon</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa0CHtymEgY/VdI7SG4zKGI/AAAAAAAAca0/0gMnfIQk3no/s1600/lebannon1111.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-Qa0CHtymEgY/VdI7SG4zKGI/AAAAAAAAca0/0gMnfIQk3no/s640/lebannon1111.jpg" width="488" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are lots of fun activities which focus on Lebanese cities....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika particularly enjoyed learning about Baalbeck in North-Lebanon and designing her own temple, influenced by the famous Baalbeck temples...She named it Sun Sparkle!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_87MXFIIiLU/VdI7sXSLmaI/AAAAAAAAca8/4M6ew14kleo/s1600/baalbeck.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="432" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_87MXFIIiLU/VdI7sXSLmaI/AAAAAAAAca8/4M6ew14kleo/s640/baalbeck.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There are also some interesting map activities which Malika and Ameenah enjoyed.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXFcFU7D6NY/VdI8Cu9NTRI/AAAAAAAAcbE/WSXbIPllEZU/s1600/mapofleb.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="420" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-TXFcFU7D6NY/VdI8Cu9NTRI/AAAAAAAAcbE/WSXbIPllEZU/s640/mapofleb.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have had a lot of fun learning about Lebanon and would love to learn more...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goodnight xx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This post is part of the Multi-Cultural Kids Blogs Global Education Series and you can find more on Lebanon here...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/2015/07/06/a-child-friendly-introduction-to-lebanon/"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8xmg2xxfoOE/VdJH-sO5TzI/AAAAAAAAcbU/4DmucqB5oHQ/s400/GLfK-button-1024x1024.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalKidBlogs/posts/876354512441667">https://www.facebook.com/MulticulturalKidBlogs/posts/876354512441667</a></span></div>
</div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-36395523723660738772015-06-23T14:15:00.000-07:002015-06-23T14:15:53.385-07:00Book Review: The Ballerina Ghost<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QMX1vdaBm0g/VYfPztMiitI/AAAAAAAAcYI/16fV9rjAR5A/s1600/PNG-Book1Single_100614-crop.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-QMX1vdaBm0g/VYfPztMiitI/AAAAAAAAcYI/16fV9rjAR5A/s400/PNG-Book1Single_100614-crop.png" width="292" /></a></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>WELCOME BACK!! </b> </span></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's nice to be back after a long break finishing my Msc in Social Work and packing up my house to move to Edinburgh. I haven't quite finished packing yet but it's great to take a break to review this wonderful book from the "Pack-N-Go Girls Adventure" series. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The Pack and Go Girls series was set up to deliver<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> positive messages around independence, adventure, and global awareness.</span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"> </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">So far the books have been based in Mexico, Thailand and Austria and the publishers hope to publish a Brazilian based book in the near future...</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">We were asked to review a book based in Austria called the "Mystery of the Ballerina Ghost." </span><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">This sounded like the exact kind of book Malika (5) and Ameenah (2) would love! The book is divided into ten short chapters,which were the perfect length to engage Malika. We haven't read too many chapter books but as this book was a real page-turner it proved a perfect introduction and is suitable for Malika's age range (5+).</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 24px;">The story is based in Austria and effortlessly introduces Austrian German into the story. The end of the book also has a small <i>Say It In German! </i> vocab list as well as a recipe for </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Kaiserschmarrn, which is a type of raisin pancake.</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book also contains a Where to Go, What to Do and What to Pack section at the back with</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">blank pages that can be used as a travel journal on a trip to Austria - we were definitely </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; white-space: nowrap;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">inspired </span></span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;">to travel to Austria to discover more after reading the book and may well plan a trip </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;">in the </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #3b4045; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; white-space: nowrap;">future!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5mU7kZ_WKk/VYfQJ2YxwTI/AAAAAAAAcYQ/RJJjv663WVM/s1600/AirplaneMapImage-300x235.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-e5mU7kZ_WKk/VYfQJ2YxwTI/AAAAAAAAcYQ/RJJjv663WVM/s1600/AirplaneMapImage-300x235.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It was wonderful to look at the map of Austria in the front of the book and then find it on our globe.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is Ameenah looking for Austria on our globe!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-On1o4mVjDOM/VYiDdOn7E3I/AAAAAAAAcZE/N1dxucKt7J4/s1600/IMG_1155.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-On1o4mVjDOM/VYiDdOn7E3I/AAAAAAAAcZE/N1dxucKt7J4/s640/IMG_1155.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPDdZQYF2jA/VYfQaOwn2wI/AAAAAAAAcYY/KawwIIF9LzQ/s1600/BrookeFramed_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-UPDdZQYF2jA/VYfQaOwn2wI/AAAAAAAAcYY/KawwIIF9LzQ/s320/BrookeFramed_.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;">Brooke</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika loved the characters Brooke and Eva and could really relate to them....She loved the fact they rode horses, loved ice-cream and enjoyed going on adventures. </span><span style="font-family: 'Courier New', Courier, monospace;"> </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYXHkrp_hDA/VYfQmSA7bCI/AAAAAAAAcYg/top9ngiviGM/s1600/EvaFramed_.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-NYXHkrp_hDA/VYfQmSA7bCI/AAAAAAAAcYg/top9ngiviGM/s320/EvaFramed_.jpg" width="256" /></a></div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eva</span></h2>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika also loved Eva's curly hair! Malika went through a long phase of hating her curls and really wanted to have straight hair! Now that Malika loves her curls, it is great that Malika can relate to a character with curls!</span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book is set in the wonderful setting of Schloss Mueller (Castle Mueller) and Malika loved imagining what it would be like to live in the Castle with Brooke and Eva and of course the mysterious Ballerina Ghost. We loved the effortless way the book compared the differences between buildings in Colorado and Austria, the amazing Austrian foods and cafe life in Austria.</span></div>
<div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8vDkSfcR_o/VYnJtwsoATI/AAAAAAAAcZc/GaAUl7MNamo/s1600/globemalak.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="436" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--8vDkSfcR_o/VYnJtwsoATI/AAAAAAAAcZc/GaAUl7MNamo/s640/globemalak.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
</div>
<h2 style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Malika's Review: </span></b></h2>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">"My favourite part of the story was when Eva told the truth about the ghost. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">Eva had lied to Brooke about the ghost before and told her that the ghost was real. She tried to make the ghost look real by taking a ballerina toy and positioning it in the Castle window so it looked real.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I think that if you don't tell the truth to people some people will find out and you will get into big trouble. </span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I also liked the drawings as they had nice details. I also liked the bit in the story when Brooke said the housekeeper was cute. I also liked the fact this was a Chapter Book as it was the first one I have read.</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<b><span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;">I really liked the fact the book was set in Austria and I learned that Austria is not like Australia! It's been really nice learning new things and I would love to read more in this series. xx"</span></b></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The book also contains links to many online resources about Austria to find out further information such as a website on facts with Austria as well as a link to Malika's favourite Austrian based musical, <i>The Sound of Music!</i></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Austria Facts:<a href="http://www.austria.info/us/about-austria"> http://www.austria.info/us/about-austria</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Sound of Music: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpj24WMOLw">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ikpj24WMOLw</a></div>
<br />
<br />
The Pack-N-Go Girls Series have currently launched a Kickstarter Campaign to raise funds to help them publish a book based in a new country - Brazil!! Please click here for further details of this campaign:<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/430740970/pack-n-go-with-us-pack-n-go-girls-adventures">https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/430740970/pack-n-go-with-us-pack-n-go-girls-adventures</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-40559687521563895602015-03-10T16:48:00.004-07:002015-03-10T16:48:31.819-07:00Mulan: Women in World History: A Multicultural Kids Blog Series...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TFHSiAZO0rAKys-tLgVYNWcu1LbbdX8-S3WakhStqak37h0dRVJ_gDxkWSewxY9_M4bfugwqJyMnOhHA83cIwAWqjFVHv3jeaX52UaoFZowIRI-oL_czEICKG753aTynEc156m79N1qO/s1600/mulan2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6TFHSiAZO0rAKys-tLgVYNWcu1LbbdX8-S3WakhStqak37h0dRVJ_gDxkWSewxY9_M4bfugwqJyMnOhHA83cIwAWqjFVHv3jeaX52UaoFZowIRI-oL_czEICKG753aTynEc156m79N1qO/s1600/mulan2.jpg" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WELCOME to our post for <i>Women in World History: A Multicultural Kids Blog Series</i>; our post is about the Chinese woman and warrior, Mulan.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughters and I had so much fun learning about Mulan and as I majored in history at university it was wonderful to devise children's activities that make history fun and exciting.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I always enjoyed studying history at school although the curriculum in the UK is very focused around the world wars. At university it was a complete revelation to take classes in Women in Medieval history as well as one stand out class called <i>From Pochahontas to Post-Feminism: Women in American History</i>.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I would love to see UK schools teach more interesting history classes for our kids, but for now thank goodness we have the wonderful Multicultural blog! </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And why Mulan?? Well I used to live in Wuhan, the capital city of Hubei Province, and one day many years ago a friend took me on a trip to a small town called Mulan, rumoured to be the birthplace of the warrior Mulan....I didn't read up much on Mulan at the time but twelve years on from that daytrip, with two small daughters in tow, I really wanted to learn about Mulan with my children....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And before starting the activities I always feel it's a good idea to get out the globes and maps and identify not only China, but Hubei Province, birthplace of Mulan.....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saoJyPaBqeM/VPHROktAbbI/AAAAAAAAcQw/KbrHcv_Efu0/s1600/chinahubei.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-saoJyPaBqeM/VPHROktAbbI/AAAAAAAAcQw/KbrHcv_Efu0/s1600/chinahubei.gif" height="365" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And now you have done that...Enjoy the activities!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo_VxJDOHVY/VP9ki4JAf7I/AAAAAAAAcR8/7SklbcHNmTY/s1600/%E7%95%AB%E9%BA%97%E7%8F%A0%E8%90%83%E7%A7%80_Gathering_Gems_of_Beauty_(%E6%A2%81%E6%9C%A8%E8%98%AD)_2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="background-color: white; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-vo_VxJDOHVY/VP9ki4JAf7I/AAAAAAAAcR8/7SklbcHNmTY/s1600/%E7%95%AB%E9%BA%97%E7%8F%A0%E8%90%83%E7%A7%80_Gathering_Gems_of_Beauty_(%E6%A2%81%E6%9C%A8%E8%98%AD)_2.jpg" height="640" width="522" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I love this painting which depicts Mulan, in the album the<span style="background-color: white;"> </span><span style="background-color: white;"><i style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">Gathering Gems of Beauty</i><span style="color: #444444; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"> (畫麗珠萃</span></span><span style="background-color: #f9f9f9; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">秀).</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #444444; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">So as a way of introducing Mulan, I printed off this painting and got my daughters to look at it and describe the scene and asked them a series of questions...I asked them <b>who</b> was in the picture, <b>what</b> was happening in the picture, <b>which</b> country this was painted in, <b>how</b> many colours they could see in the picture, <b>what</b> was the stick for etc!</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">They were very curious and really wanted to learn more after this initial session. </span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="background-color: white; line-height: 18.4799995422363px;">I then told them a little more about the painting and Mulan herself...</span></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Hua Mulan or Fa Mulan is a <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">legendary</span> figure from ancient China who was originally described in a <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">poem</span> known as the <i>Ballad of Mulan</i> (木蘭辭). This poem is thought to be based on <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Fu Hao</span>. In the poem, Hua Mulan takes her aged father's place in the army. She fought for twelve years and gained high merit, but she refused any reward and retired to her hometown instead.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The historical setting of Hua Mulan is uncertain. <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Xu Wei</span>'s play version from the 16th century places her in the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Northern Wei</span> dynasty (386–536), whereas the later romance <i><span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Sui Tang Yanyi</span></i> has her active around the founding of the <span style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial;">Tang</span>, ca. 620. The novel is consistent insofar as it describes Mulan's father as stemming from the people of the Northern Wei.</span><br />
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="background-color: transparent; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You could further this activity by getting your child to draw a picture based on the additional knowledge they have about Mulan...It could be based on a traditional Chinese ink drawing or simply felt-tip and crayons...It is up to you!</span></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdYb4bJsanM/VP9wr-1ckQI/AAAAAAAAcSw/gWz3ZrBxrJE/s1600/AB0212-2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-zdYb4bJsanM/VP9wr-1ckQI/AAAAAAAAcSw/gWz3ZrBxrJE/s1600/AB0212-2.jpg" height="640" width="582" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is a wonderful book by a Chinese publisher with beautiful drawings and it is great because it is written in english and simplified Mandarin. </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I used this book to teach some simplified Chinese characters and we also loved simply looking at the illustrations and discussing some of the finer points of the tale....For example...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgW9pVp4iP4/VP9w66Or0YI/AAAAAAAAcS4/xsZTNt7auNE/s1600/11038122_10153013267555020_744044958102595507_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-EgW9pVp4iP4/VP9w66Or0YI/AAAAAAAAcS4/xsZTNt7auNE/s1600/11038122_10153013267555020_744044958102595507_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38aRHngrjeU/VP9xAUfkU9I/AAAAAAAAcTA/K9cU__EjHjY/s1600/11046310_10153013269430020_8390777515149512392_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-38aRHngrjeU/VP9xAUfkU9I/AAAAAAAAcTA/K9cU__EjHjY/s1600/11046310_10153013269430020_8390777515149512392_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmxG5DcISTk/VP9xF768xWI/AAAAAAAAcTI/cGWkyBz0B_8/s1600/11021525_10153013269630020_1646867442381002602_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-OmxG5DcISTk/VP9xF768xWI/AAAAAAAAcTI/cGWkyBz0B_8/s1600/11021525_10153013269630020_1646867442381002602_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIp4Tv4QJbg/VP95kOtLRoI/AAAAAAAAcTY/vc-oHCS3rG0/s1600/Peking-Opera-Dolls-HUA-font-b-MULAN-b-font-Chinoiserie-Cartoon-Doll-Polymer-Clay-Doll-Home.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-LIp4Tv4QJbg/VP95kOtLRoI/AAAAAAAAcTY/vc-oHCS3rG0/s1600/Peking-Opera-Dolls-HUA-font-b-MULAN-b-font-Chinoiserie-Cartoon-Doll-Polymer-Clay-Doll-Home.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Now that you have read your child a bi-lingual book,it is time to grab some Chinese ink or black acrylic paint and practice Chinese calligraphy...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">These individual characters all have different meanings but together they make the name Mulan, which is largely translated as Magnolia Blossom...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bi1Za7LCc0/VP97I9bNfFI/AAAAAAAAcT0/CC_u4MEOBt0/s1600/chinese_character_hua_meaning_flower_bloom_ipad_mini_case-ra15938b325054079947d808ef9a7404d_w9jws_8byvr_512.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/--Bi1Za7LCc0/VP97I9bNfFI/AAAAAAAAcT0/CC_u4MEOBt0/s1600/chinese_character_hua_meaning_flower_bloom_ipad_mini_case-ra15938b325054079947d808ef9a7404d_w9jws_8byvr_512.jpg" height="200" width="170" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This is the character for <span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Huà which means flower in Chinese<b>.</b></span><b style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </b><span style="background-color: white; border: 0px; font-stretch: inherit; line-height: 16px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"> This is also quite simple for children to practice....</span></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RcSSEwKiV6s/VP97AgAxNWI/AAAAAAAAcTs/hRZ4qWWj2Ak/s1600/art_tenwood2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-RcSSEwKiV6s/VP97AgAxNWI/AAAAAAAAcTs/hRZ4qWWj2Ak/s1600/art_tenwood2.jpg" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: white; color: #191919; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; line-height: 23px; text-align: start;">Mù is the character for tree in Chinese and again this is quite simple for children to practice and paint...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJeLlTjwT60/VP97YZlVKkI/AAAAAAAAcT8/4Ibo8ZeK6eY/s1600/lan_orchid-chinese-character.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gJeLlTjwT60/VP97YZlVKkI/AAAAAAAAcT8/4Ibo8ZeK6eY/s1600/lan_orchid-chinese-character.jpg" height="163" width="320" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif; font-size: 16px; text-align: start;">Lán is the character for orchid in Chinese. Once again this is an easy character for children to practice and paint....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnU-Zjo8Apk/VP9oVzUIzJI/AAAAAAAAcSI/cBJ16u3COao/s1600/mulan.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dnU-Zjo8Apk/VP9oVzUIzJI/AAAAAAAAcSI/cBJ16u3COao/s1600/mulan.jpg" height="474" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Disney films are not renowned for historical accuracies (Mulan in a Japanese kimono??!!) but I must admit to being a big fan of the Disney film about Mulan!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">PLus more importantly there are lots of learning opportunities before and after watching the film....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For example, I got my children to listen out for funny little expressions in the film, which we had discussed before watching. For example, I asked them who had said these expressions:</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>1)‘A single grain of rice can tip the scale. One man can make the difference between
victory and defeat.’ </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>2. ‘You may look like a bride, but you will never bring your family honour.’ </b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b><br /></b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>3. ‘I know my place. It is time you learned yours.’</b></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They listened really well and it was interesting to discuss these sayings afterwards...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Further discussion could be introduced for older children about gender roles. For example in </span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Mulan’s community, how are women expected to behave? How are men expected to behave and then this could lead onto discussions about expectations for men and women in your communities and whether or not men and women should be treated the same or is it good to treat them differently in some ways?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6V7WMFpRauS0byERIxRqzzhyA0r_eidZLxVhb737EvX5U_Ek-7KIoZAdY3yAJeG9k-zec-vhWPLeyEQ3nO4z9_RTkWPCQHL18JThMy7JfdFz18eW4WhP6hRto9PwMqV70R5EbnXO-k2F/s1600/disney_lies_about_mulan_by_ghostoftheshadowmist-d79i5km.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEig6V7WMFpRauS0byERIxRqzzhyA0r_eidZLxVhb737EvX5U_Ek-7KIoZAdY3yAJeG9k-zec-vhWPLeyEQ3nO4z9_RTkWPCQHL18JThMy7JfdFz18eW4WhP6hRto9PwMqV70R5EbnXO-k2F/s1600/disney_lies_about_mulan_by_ghostoftheshadowmist-d79i5km.jpg" height="640" width="568" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkrWX4ndTw4/VP9tNm2Ej5I/AAAAAAAAcSc/0qY1WnRh068/s1600/11025113_10153013241555020_3064288367880498761_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-BkrWX4ndTw4/VP9tNm2Ej5I/AAAAAAAAcSc/0qY1WnRh068/s1600/11025113_10153013241555020_3064288367880498761_n.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">There is nothing like dressing up!!!! For World Book Day this year, Malika dressed up as Mulan and really enjoyed getting into character. The outfit was made with a pair of old jeans; I cut the legs off and devised a jacket, made by sewing up the old legs with a piece of green velvet! Simple and effective! I don't know about dressing up day at your school, but right now we are still overwhelmed with a whole host of Anna and Elsa's....So Malika as Mulan was a real talking point in her school playground that day....</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">In order to engage children in historical characters it is great to get them dressed up as they quickly take on traits of their historical character...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope you have enjoyed exploring ways to introduce history through a variety of activities...</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Have fun and please send us pictures if you try any of our activities!!</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">xxx</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/womens-history-month-series/"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-7RKCEIZ1M2I/VO47-3za4_I/AAAAAAAAcQM/6aRT698xPLQ/s1600/BEST1.png" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><br /></span><br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px;"><br /></span></span></div>
<br />
<div style="line-height: 22.3999996185303px; text-align: center;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><b>FURTHER TEACHING RESOURCES ABOUT MULAN</b></span></div>
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253"><br /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253">http://curriculumproject.org/wp-content/uploads/Mulan.pdf</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253"><br /></a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<span style="color: #444444; font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253">http://www.slideshare.net/bright9977/10-life-lessons-from-mulan</a></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253"><br /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I4dNAUnCWdc</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253"><br /></a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253">http://www.chinapage.com/mulan.html</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1283857253"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.disgeek.com/disney-story-origins1">http://www.disgeek.com/disney-story-origins1</a></div>
<div style="background-color: white; margin-bottom: 0.5em; margin-top: 0.5em;">
<br /></div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-24174946556994533302015-02-17T15:08:00.000-08:002015-02-18T13:25:14.505-08:00Chinese New Year! - Recipe from Yunnan, Eight Treasure Rice Pudding<div style="text-align: center;">
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw1rtIb7FMB9RyJ25OpHxD6Urxrd_o_xmWKnZt5N512qrveQgrYHeDaL1aUwWRdLYLMfRcy0vu3_U_4Kct9wt47MA9LihjGPBsD56fWY8FQWcLDpyn_6OJxP0nONdL-QvXCos_vOQ0GVk/s1600/10942840_10153524619141258_2033001532_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhRw1rtIb7FMB9RyJ25OpHxD6Urxrd_o_xmWKnZt5N512qrveQgrYHeDaL1aUwWRdLYLMfRcy0vu3_U_4Kct9wt47MA9LihjGPBsD56fWY8FQWcLDpyn_6OJxP0nONdL-QvXCos_vOQ0GVk/s1600/10942840_10153524619141258_2033001532_n.jpg" height="640" width="480" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My name is Keng Keng and I am Malika's Aunty. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This picture above was taken many years ago with myself (on the right with pigtails!) and my cousin; it was taken at a photo studio during the Chinese New Year - do you like the funny cake?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> I come from the capital city of Yunnan Province, Kunming in Southwest China.</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a map of Yunnan Province - Can you find Kunming, my home city on the map?</span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQ_mByMhU0g/VOPHsju_rII/AAAAAAAAcPo/79-PrLpLlco/s1600/yunnan1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-jQ_mByMhU0g/VOPHsju_rII/AAAAAAAAcPo/79-PrLpLlco/s1600/yunnan1.jpg" height="620" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Now I live in London where I make hats. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For Chinese New Year our tradition is that everyone should have a new outfit. Most people wear something red which symbolises luck. If it is your year, for example, if you were born in the year of the pig and the new year will be the year of the pig, it is very lucky to wear a red belt, red shoes or red underwear!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We also make decorations for our home. Many people hang branches of pine on their front door, and write poems which they stick to the door frames. We also spread pine branches all over the floor at home which means the house smells lovely! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have many special dishes for Chinese New Year - Chinese cabbage and leeks. We do not chop them because long leaves symbolise long life. Another dish is eight treasure sticky rice pudding, which is cooked with lots of sweet treat!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You can make Eight Treasure Rice by steaming sticky rice then mixing it with dried fruits, red bean paste, rose sugar and dates! Delicious! In China we believe that the<span style="background-color: white; line-height: 19.2000007629395px; text-align: start;"> number eight is a lucky number. The lucky number sounds similar to another Chinese word "發", which symbolizes "rich". </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I was a child I was so excited by the New Year fireworks that I always wanted to go outside and join in with the fun, so I only ate a small amount then ran outside to play!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My Chinese zodiac animal is the mouse! Squeak squeak! What is yours?</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year I will invite some friends for dinner then after dinner we will sing and dance! I run a popup restaurant in London called <i>YunKeng</i> with Malika's Uncle Connor. All the food is vegetarian and we make traditional dishes from Yunnan Province.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a link to my pop-up, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/719172051446188/">https://www.facebook.com/groups/719172051446188/</a></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> - you are all welcome to come eat here!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4M7dqVdsls/VOO-H7VyaHI/AAAAAAAAcPY/CeiOeJr6w9c/s1600/pine.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-v4M7dqVdsls/VOO-H7VyaHI/AAAAAAAAcPY/CeiOeJr6w9c/s1600/pine.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(This is a picture of me with one of Yunnan's most famous rice dishes - Pineapple Sticky Rice! - Do you think this looks delicious?)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">====================================================</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Dear Malika,</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is the recipe for the Eight-treasure rice pudding fresh from the <i>YunKeng</i> kitchen...I hope that you and all your Multicultural Kid Blogs friends enjoy! It is really simple for children to make and they will love decorating the bottom of the dish.....</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;">Eight-treasure sticky rice pudding </span></span></h2>
<h1 class="entry-title" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', 'Lucida Grande', 'Lucida Sans Unicode', 'Lucida Sans', Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 2.4em; line-height: 1.333em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; text-align: center;">
八寶飯</h1>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBpy3K0Ugnw/VOO41ekR3zI/AAAAAAAAcO4/kDtlC1FyBk4/s1600/ricepudd1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QBpy3K0Ugnw/VOO41ekR3zI/AAAAAAAAcO4/kDtlC1FyBk4/s1600/ricepudd1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Courier New, Courier, monospace;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><br /></span></span></div>
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">For the base:</span></span></h2>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">450g glutinous (sticky) rice</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">Couple of knobs butter</span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"><br /></span></span><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">Five tablespoons sugar</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"><br /></span></span>
<br />
<h2>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">Treasures:</span></span></h2>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk54TwlSjXE/VOO5GOcXQJI/AAAAAAAAcPA/pop4SEliroQ/s1600/ricepudd2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Gk54TwlSjXE/VOO5GOcXQJI/AAAAAAAAcPA/pop4SEliroQ/s1600/ricepudd2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"><br /></span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"><span style="font-size: small;">G</span>lacé cherries</span><span style="color: #373e4d;"><br /></span><span style="color: #373e4d;">Crystallised orange peel</span><span style="color: #373e4d;"><br /></span><span style="color: #373e4d;">Crystallised ginger</span><span style="color: #373e4d;"><br /></span><span style="color: #373e4d;">Dates</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">Various seeds</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"> </span><span style="color: #373e4d;">Walnuts</span></span><br />
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Almonds </span><br />
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Bean paste (made using Auduki beans and red sugar, or just use dates and blend with water to form a paste) </span><br />
<div>
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(We substituted orange peel for rose petals the second time we made this dish which gave the dish a beautiful scent...)</span><br />
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="color: #373e4d; font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Cook the rice slowly in one and a quarter pints of water until soft, then add butter and sugar and cook for a few more minutes. </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"></span></span><br />
<div style="text-align: left;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">Stone the dates, and break nuts into smaller pieces.</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;"> Prepare the treasures!</span></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><span style="color: #373e4d;">
</span><span style="color: #373e4d;"><div style="text-align: left;">
Grease a large bowl or mould and begin to arrange the treasure in the inside, so that when you turn the pudding out it will look beautiful!</div>
</span><span style="color: #373e4d;"><div style="text-align: left;">
When the treasures are arranged, begin to scoop the rice into the bowl, press gently, then add a layer of date/red bean paste. Alternate layers until the rice is used up. </div>
</span><span style="color: #373e4d;"><div style="text-align: left;">
This should then be steamed for around one hour. When finished, turn it out onto a plate and serve hot. Delicious!<br />
Enjoy cooking this Dear Malika, Love Aunty Keng-Keng xxx</div>
</span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMHXyBIF4uI/VOE3EQTtEUI/AAAAAAAAcOA/qkflQhRgVLg/s1600/rice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-qMHXyBIF4uI/VOE3EQTtEUI/AAAAAAAAcOA/qkflQhRgVLg/s1600/rice2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was our first attempt last weekend....It is such a great dish to make with children as they love to prepare and arrange the treasures! The scents of the rose petals and chinese dates bring this dish alive! But a word of warning - it is very moreish!</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QulQNoQAzFU/VOE207ASpbI/AAAAAAAAcN4/zP7f0S_i4X0/s1600/rice2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QulQNoQAzFU/VOE207ASpbI/AAAAAAAAcN4/zP7f0S_i4X0/s1600/rice2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We love the fact that eight is a lucky number in Chinese!</span> <br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hPlTvHUu_s/VOO62TIjCDI/AAAAAAAAcPM/U0smbiTeCmk/s1600/rice4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-1hPlTvHUu_s/VOO62TIjCDI/AAAAAAAAcPM/U0smbiTeCmk/s1600/rice4.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was our second attempt and we preferred using Chinese dates to make the dish more authentic. We bought a packet in our local Chinese Supermarket.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And we loved listening to this Chinese New Year Song as we cooked...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnnfc7nwjXk">https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cnnfc7nwjXk</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We have thoroughly enjoyed following the Multicultural Chinese New Year Series from our home in Scotland....So </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #373a3e; font-family: 'Open Sans', 'Helvetica Neue', Helvetica, Arial, sans-serif; line-height: 19.6000003814697px; text-align: start;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">谢谢 </span>(xie xie - Thank you) to everyone at Multicultural Kid Blogs for a wonderful series. xx</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCSpt9GljGA/VOE6HLGlrRI/AAAAAAAAcOM/KLAzj1Muu4g/s1600/chinesereview6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rCSpt9GljGA/VOE6HLGlrRI/AAAAAAAAcOM/KLAzj1Muu4g/s1600/chinesereview6.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> We have loved practising calligraphy for "Yang" in anticipation of the Year of the Goat.</span>...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJKndqYxJVU/VOE7Nel2-aI/AAAAAAAAcOU/X4nv3rsHmHg/s1600/chinareview7.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-SJKndqYxJVU/VOE7Nel2-aI/AAAAAAAAcOU/X4nv3rsHmHg/s1600/chinareview7.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And made many lucky red decorations to bring the spirit of the Chinese New Year to Scotland. Have a great and prosperous Year of the Goat 2015 xxxxxx</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yPEo4KgTzc/VOE74B3CVrI/AAAAAAAAcOc/j7cv7V6Ic84/s1600/china8.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-9yPEo4KgTzc/VOE74B3CVrI/AAAAAAAAcOc/j7cv7V6Ic84/s1600/china8.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/chinese-new-year-2/"><img alt="Chinese New Year | Multicultural Kid Blogs" class="aligncenter wp-image-7566" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/chinese-ny.png" height="503" width="503" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
This post is part of the <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/chinese-new-year-2/" title="Chinese New Year">Chinese New Year series</a> and giveaway on Multicultural Kid Blogs. Enter our <strong>giveaway</strong> to win one of these great prize packages, and don't forget to<strong> link up your own posts</strong> about Chinese New Year on <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/chinese-new-year-2/" title="Chinese New Year">our main page</a>!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Giveaway begins Jan. 21 and goes through midnight ET on March 5, 2015. Enter below for a chance to win! Remember you can make a comment on the blog post of a different co-host each day for an additional entry.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>First Prize Package</strong></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/all-about-china-hardcover-with-jacket"><img alt="All About China" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7655" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/All-About-China.jpg" height="335" width="260" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Tuttle Publishing, <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/all-about-china-hardcover-with-jacket" title="All About China">All About China:</a> Take the whole family on a whirlwind tour of Chinese history and culture with this delightfully illustrated book that is packed with stories, activities and games. Travel from the stone age through the dynasties to the present day with songs and crafts for kids that will teach them about Chinese language and the Chinese way of life.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/long-longs-new-year-hardcover-with-jacket"><img alt="Long-Long's New Year" class="aligncenter wp-image-7656" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Long-longs-new-year.jpg" height="333" width="255" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also from Tuttle Publishing, <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/long-longs-new-year-hardcover-with-jacket" title="Long-Long's New Year">Long-Long's New Year</a>, a beautifully illustrated picture book about a little Chinese boy named Long-Long, who accompanies his grandfather into the city to sell cabbages in order to buy food and decorations for the New Year. Selling cabbages is harder than Long-Long expects, and he encounters many adventures before he finds a way to help his grandfather, and earn New Year's treats for his mother and little cousin.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://alittlemandarin.com/"><img alt="A Little Mandarin" class="aligncenter wp-image-6920" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/11/EPK_ALM_logo-1024x1024.jpg" height="330" width="330" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From <a href="http://alittlemandarin.com/" title="A Little Mandarin">A Little Mandarin</a>, a CD featuring a collection of Chinese children’s classics – songs loved by families in China for generations – given new life with a contemporary sound and voice. The 15 tracks fuse rock, pop, dance, ska, and hip hop influences with playful lyrics to make it a unique and fun learning companion for all ages. Featured on Putumayo Kids Presents World Sing-Along.</div>
<h2 style="text-align: center;">
<strong>Second Prize Package</strong></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>US shipping only</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/celebrating-the-chinese-new-year"><img alt="Celebrating the Chinese New Year" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7658" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Celebrating-the-Chinese-New-Year.jpg" height="263" width="260" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From Tuttle Publishing, <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/celebrating-the-chinese-new-year" title="Celebrating the Chinese New Year">Celebrating the Chinese New Year</a>, in which Little Mei's grandfather tells her the stories of Nian and the monster Xi for Chinese New Year.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/the-sheep-beauty-hardcover-with-jacket"><img alt="The Sheep Beauty" class="aligncenter size-full wp-image-7659" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/The-Sheep-Beauty.jpg" height="253" width="260" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also from Tuttle Publishing, <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/the-sheep-beauty-hardcover-with-jacket" title="The Sheep Beauty">The Sheep Beauty</a>, which brings to life the kindness and generosity of those born under the sign of the sheep in the Chinese zodiac.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/chinese-zodiac-animals"><img alt="Chinese Zodiac Animals" class="aligncenter wp-image-7660" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/Chinese-Zodiac-Animals.jpg" height="266" width="261" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Also from Tuttle Publishing, <a href="http://www.tuttlepublishing.com/books-by-country/chinese-zodiac-animals" title="Chinese Zodiac Animals">Chinese Zodiac Animals</a>, a fun and informative way to learn about the ancient Chinese Zodiac, explaining the traits of each animal sign and what luck the future might hold for the person born under that sign.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/"><img alt="Monkey Drum" class="aligncenter wp-image-7653" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/01/monkey-drum.png" height="361" width="263" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
From <a href="http://www.tinytappingtoes.com/" title="Tiny Tapping Toes">Tiny Tapping Toes</a>, a monkey drum, plus a free pdf of a craft version. World Music children's performer DARIA has spent the last two decades performing in the USA and around the world, creating music to inspire all the world’s children and allowing children to become a part of the celebration and the fun of exploring world cultures.</div>
<a class="rcptr" data-raflid="8c77cdc330" data-template="" data-theme="classic" href="http://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/8c77cdc330/" id="rcwidget_bin8gbm1" rel="nofollow">a Rafflecopter giveaway</a>
<script src="//widget-prime.rafflecopter.com/launch.js"></script>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-48320927466016618752015-02-15T16:05:00.005-08:002015-02-15T17:09:43.080-08:00Review of KidWorldCitizen Chinese New Year 2015 teaching pack<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19GiM23QSyg/VOEklT8DS8I/AAAAAAAAcM0/JR31lj98pYc/s1600/reviewchinese.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-19GiM23QSyg/VOEklT8DS8I/AAAAAAAAcM0/JR31lj98pYc/s1600/reviewchinese.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Well it's been another Chinese themed weekend here in Banff, North-East Scotland, in anticipation of the </span><i style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Chinese New Year of the Sheep</i><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We spent Saturday making Yunnan Eight Treasure Rice Pudding, which is quite a typical desert to eat for Chinese New Year. We'll be sharing this recipe on February 27th as part of the <a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/chinese-new-year-2/">Multicultural Kid Blogs, Chinese New Year Series.</a></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And today thanks to Becky over at <a href="http://kidworldcitizen.org/">KidWorldCitizen</a>, we spent the morning trying activities from her brilliant Chinese New Year teaching resource aimed at PreK, Kinder and 1st Grade. </span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This was perfect for us as Malika is five and Ameenah two - the pack was full of wonderful activities that suited both my girls.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pack started with a great overview of the <i>Cultural Background of Chinese New Year</i> and advised that it is very typical for Chinese families to clean their homes from top to bottom, to clean out bad luck and misfortune before the New Year starts...We attempted a little tidy up before starting the activities but as anyone with two under-fives knows this is easier said than done!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Becky has also included a great list of recommended Chinese New Year books...I've bought the girls three different Chinese New Year books this year so it was nice to see some new recommendations.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHyPrwtxAw8/VOEknPAJVlI/AAAAAAAAcM8/Ebl6lCSZBC8/s1600/chinesereview2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-BHyPrwtxAw8/VOEknPAJVlI/AAAAAAAAcM8/Ebl6lCSZBC8/s1600/chinesereview2.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The girls loved these <i>"Count the Spring Blossoms"</i> by ten sheet and it was easy to adapt these for both their abilities, with Ameenah able to colour in and Malika able to attempt the mathematics. An additional activity could focus on teaching numbers in Mandarin.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2qDvMdC6Xc/VOEnBAiQh5I/AAAAAAAAcNI/w7XdnbwAKss/s1600/chinesereview3.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-_2qDvMdC6Xc/VOEnBAiQh5I/AAAAAAAAcNI/w7XdnbwAKss/s1600/chinesereview3.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Again this sheet was really adaptable for both Malika and Ameenah and they both really enjoyed coloring and counting the mandarins, Chinese lanterns and lion dancers. Again this activity could be extended to counting in Mandarin or teaching some vocab.</span><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsydvvjDcsY/VOEn-0VL8aI/AAAAAAAAcNQ/V2AoA0hsylQ/s1600/chinesereview4.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GsydvvjDcsY/VOEn-0VL8aI/AAAAAAAAcNQ/V2AoA0hsylQ/s1600/chinesereview4.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika started P1 in August last year and she is developing her confidence in reading and writing; she loved this series of worksheets to encourage writing on the theme of the Chinese New Year. Becky's pack also included writing sheets for "hanging lantern," "Chinese New Year", ""red envelope" and much more...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAZl4mw-Tpw/VOEvPl_irWI/AAAAAAAAcNg/jBaSk6mDWWo/s1600/chinesereview5.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-qAZl4mw-Tpw/VOEvPl_irWI/AAAAAAAAcNg/jBaSk6mDWWo/s1600/chinesereview5.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></a></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Malika loved this "Colour the Lion Dancer" worksheet as she said "I love colouring <b><i>and</i> </b>counting!" Once again an extended activity could involve teaching the colours in Mandarin in either pinyin or characters.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The pack, which is over 50 pages, also included listening exercises, craft activities (making lanterns and red money envelopes), flashcards and much more. Becky has created a wonderful teaching resource which can be adapted for the classroom or home school environment. And we still have many more activities and worksheets to try so.....</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<br />
<h2 style="background-attachment: initial; background-clip: initial; background-image: none; background-origin: initial; background-position: initial; background-repeat: initial; background-size: initial; border-bottom-color: rgb(170, 170, 170); border-bottom-style: solid; border-bottom-width: 1px; font-family: 'Linux Libertine', Georgia, Times, serif; font-size: 1.8em; line-height: 1.3; margin: 0px 0px 0.25em; overflow: visible; padding: 0px; width: auto;">
谢谢 Becky! (xie xie Becky!) xxx Love Malika and Ameenah xxx</h2>
<div>
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5RDV0zf-NU/VOEyljFInPI/AAAAAAAAcNs/_Hq8kpi8PxM/s1600/chinesereview6.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-Y5RDV0zf-NU/VOEyljFInPI/AAAAAAAAcNs/_Hq8kpi8PxM/s1600/chinesereview6.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div>
<br /></div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-29487894424794813122015-01-18T16:13:00.001-08:002015-02-17T15:20:40.812-08:00New Year in Iceland x<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5na_jSDggFA/VLwjrV7u9QI/AAAAAAAAcFE/RIHLuUgUpB0/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-5na_jSDggFA/VLwjrV7u9QI/AAAAAAAAcFE/RIHLuUgUpB0/s1600/IMG_0478.JPG" height="640" width="425" /></a></div>
<br />
We spent New Year 2014 in Reykjavik, the wonderful capital city of Iceland; most Scottish people jet off to warmer climes at this time of year but we all missed Finland and decided to head to another Scandinavian country for some fun, snowy times!<br />
<br />
The airport in Keflavik is amazing and I loved this quote from the Bjork song, <i>Joga. </i><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edkBC3xOZMA/VLw1PJ9rZ-I/AAAAAAAAcHg/LoAAo3E4ddA/s1600/1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-edkBC3xOZMA/VLw1PJ9rZ-I/AAAAAAAAcHg/LoAAo3E4ddA/s1600/1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
This was taken at the beautiful Lake Tjornin the morning after we arrived as you can tell by my unruly hair!<br />
Lake Tjornin is in the middle of the city and is a really popular spot for families who come to feed the amazing range of ducks, snow geese and swans. Malika and Ameenah loved feeding the birds although I found being chased by hundreds of hungry birds quite petrifying - think Alfred Hitchcocks, <i>The Birds</i>. <br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqkmRY3eXG0/VLwjtP0JYVI/AAAAAAAAcFM/LQ49acBAQkY/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-XqkmRY3eXG0/VLwjtP0JYVI/AAAAAAAAcFM/LQ49acBAQkY/s1600/IMG_0479.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g-nV00bPawg/VLwmKY2u74I/AAAAAAAAcGA/GmwGjSczjac/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-g-nV00bPawg/VLwmKY2u74I/AAAAAAAAcGA/GmwGjSczjac/s1600/IMG_0505.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXbSTOKKNSw/VLwj4sc0nuI/AAAAAAAAcFc/r4LCuVeN8ps/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VXbSTOKKNSw/VLwj4sc0nuI/AAAAAAAAcFc/r4LCuVeN8ps/s1600/IMG_0489.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And of course the girls loved playing for hours in the snow making snowmen, snowangels, snowcats....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LY6H9yUY8rg/VLwj90m4x2I/AAAAAAAAcFk/oX-IF85MMnI/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-LY6H9yUY8rg/VLwj90m4x2I/AAAAAAAAcFk/oX-IF85MMnI/s1600/IMG_0507.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNI4FybAMGA/VLw6oeo0sMI/AAAAAAAAcIM/mD0aJYYMAsk/s1600/1604717_10152906809730020_3286692730786123497_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VNI4FybAMGA/VLw6oeo0sMI/AAAAAAAAcIM/mD0aJYYMAsk/s1600/1604717_10152906809730020_3286692730786123497_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
How amazing is this snowcat!!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGiFFAgWtNU/VLw6npWxcgI/AAAAAAAAcIE/WHNFxfDdXS8/s1600/10882382_10152906809100020_8777597492638792603_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-eGiFFAgWtNU/VLw6npWxcgI/AAAAAAAAcIE/WHNFxfDdXS8/s1600/10882382_10152906809100020_8777597492638792603_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
We sung songs from <i>Frozen</i> as we built our snowy friends!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwOTJCLeho4/VLw6nkQeTMI/AAAAAAAAcII/vEKNHpE8N0M/s1600/10931483_10152906809320020_1908870231008734590_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-VwOTJCLeho4/VLw6nkQeTMI/AAAAAAAAcII/vEKNHpE8N0M/s1600/10931483_10152906809320020_1908870231008734590_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
The girls were delighted with all the snow! We haven't had heavy snow in North-East Scotland for a few years now so this was a real treat...<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9yMe5TvvFI/VLw6nreV2FI/AAAAAAAAcIQ/za8jiJYkZQQ/s1600/1506054_10152906809510020_7405852168220154649_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-a9yMe5TvvFI/VLw6nreV2FI/AAAAAAAAcIQ/za8jiJYkZQQ/s1600/1506054_10152906809510020_7405852168220154649_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Lake Tjornin froze over on the third day of our trip so we had a lot of fun chasing each other across this amazing landscape....Ameenah was in the buggy for some of the trip and I could not recommend pushing a buggy in the snow - my arms ached the next day! I wish we had gone native and bought a sledge....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9T3Vm9kKZGU/VLwkN4K24tI/AAAAAAAAcF0/__8Ak8U23f8/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-9T3Vm9kKZGU/VLwkN4K24tI/AAAAAAAAcF0/__8Ak8U23f8/s1600/IMG_0567.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Icelandic horses were a big theme of the trip...We went on an amazing trip one evening to see a horse theatre performance called the Legends of Sleipnie, at the Fakasel Horse Park. Malika and Ameenah absolutely loved this and they got the meet the horses after the performance and go for a visit to the stables. The performance used a lot of multi-media and told historial icelandic tales with old Norse mythology and exhibition riding to show how unique and beautiful the Icelandic horses are.</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcB8sQ7qVrw/VLwmkyDnf_I/AAAAAAAAcGQ/Skis_mdJGOs/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-dcB8sQ7qVrw/VLwmkyDnf_I/AAAAAAAAcGQ/Skis_mdJGOs/s1600/IMG_0523.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
Here is a link to their website: <a href="http://www.icelandichorsepark.com/legends-of-sleipnir---horse-theater.html">http://www.icelandichorsepark.com/legends-of-sleipnir---horse-theater.html</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FACd-qaew30/VLw_O91rC-I/AAAAAAAAcIk/BQk58cYcX5Y/s1600/10923597_10152906845880020_5568281231167406232_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-FACd-qaew30/VLw_O91rC-I/AAAAAAAAcIk/BQk58cYcX5Y/s1600/10923597_10152906845880020_5568281231167406232_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
Such a funny picture of Malika and one of the stars of the show!<br />
======================================================================<br />
<br />
I'm popping in the album Takk by the brilliant Icelandic band Sigur Ros here as it was soundtrack to our trip....<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/ojLgN7wqc5A" width="560"></iframe>
</div>
<br />
====================================================================<br />
I decided after the brilliant horse theatre trip to try to organise a horse riding trek for myself and Malika.....Malika and Ameenah have such different emotional needs at 5 and 2 years old, and I often feel that my focus is on Ameenah as she, at 2, is currently into everything and full of super energy.....<br />
<br />
Malika and I definitely needed mum and Malika time and I wanted to spend time together with Malika doing something she would remember (hopefully...) We went out on a two hour trek with the brilliant Laxness Horse Farm who are based 20 minnutes outside Reyjavik. Malika had never been horse-riding before (bar a few pony trips where she was led round a field) and I worried about how she would get on. <br />
<br />
However Maika was a natural on the Icelandic pony....she rode brilliantly and showed no fear navigating across frozen rivers and across icy paths....i was so proud of Malika and so delighted I had booked us on this trip together (most of the companies only take children over 7 years old...)<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/laxneshorsefarm">https://www.facebook.com/laxneshorsefarm</a><br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63kQq6Ye0yw/VLwmt9waUMI/AAAAAAAAcGY/zTo_I0CVns8/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-63kQq6Ye0yw/VLwmt9waUMI/AAAAAAAAcGY/zTo_I0CVns8/s1600/IMG_0601.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vssmM-1G0lE/VLwm04mUwgI/AAAAAAAAcGg/SeV-g_0ujC4/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-vssmM-1G0lE/VLwm04mUwgI/AAAAAAAAcGg/SeV-g_0ujC4/s1600/IMG_0609.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
I mean wow!!!!! I feel so lucky to have ridden through this landscape with my brilliant daughter...<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38wvB6uaD-A/VLwmXu3NZSI/AAAAAAAAcGI/dkemssTrsIA/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-38wvB6uaD-A/VLwmXu3NZSI/AAAAAAAAcGI/dkemssTrsIA/s1600/IMG_0586.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_X9nxQ6yIME/VLxCWy7epXI/AAAAAAAAcIw/pRpqha2Mepg/s1600/10934004_10152906868440020_5113348030157102804_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-_X9nxQ6yIME/VLxCWy7epXI/AAAAAAAAcIw/pRpqha2Mepg/s1600/10934004_10152906868440020_5113348030157102804_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Malika and I looking quite windswept!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0p0Qb3HjBU/VLwm3KslkNI/AAAAAAAAcGo/_z3wkkJb8Hw/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-o0p0Qb3HjBU/VLwm3KslkNI/AAAAAAAAcGo/_z3wkkJb8Hw/s1600/IMG_0617.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Deep winter white view across Lake Tjornin to one of Reyjavik's most famous landmarks, the <span style="background-color: white; color: #252525; font-size: 14px; line-height: 14.9333333969116px;">Hallgrímskirkja, Lutheran Church...</span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br />
</span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And the Northern Lights! We were so lucky to see the Northern Lights again... absolutely amazing way to start the New Year...</span></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YTRS-HcjQY/VLwpz-Z88vI/AAAAAAAAcHE/DmuewWR4GAA/s1600/6S8A1963%2B(2).jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-0YTRS-HcjQY/VLwpz-Z88vI/AAAAAAAAcHE/DmuewWR4GAA/s1600/6S8A1963%2B(2).jpg" height="640" width="424" /></a></div>
<br />
Travelling to Iceland in the Winter with my daughters was incredible and I would thoroughly recommend it...<br />
<br />
However it is useful to know that hours of daylight are very limited in January....The days did not get light until around 11am and started getting dark again around 3pm! Its quite disorientating to begin with and trips definitely need to be planned to ensure the right conditions...<br />
<br />
Despite this Iceland in the winter with kids is simply magical and full of twinkling Christmas lights which gives the city such a cosy, festive atmosphere...<br />
<br />
As well as numerous snowy activities there is so much to do for children....<br />
<br />
Malika loved the National Museum of Iceland which is full of child-friendly exhibitions. They have a childrens trail to follow which explores viking graves, boats, viking costumes etc... I have a lot of photos on my instagram feed so please go there to see more!<br />
<a href="http://www.thjodminjasafn.is/">http://www.thjodminjasafn.is/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-zcigb8uBo/VL2fRapko4I/AAAAAAAAcJ4/WYXS1Snsvc4/s1600/10922641_10152909263275020_1730496186367138699_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-t-zcigb8uBo/VL2fRapko4I/AAAAAAAAcJ4/WYXS1Snsvc4/s1600/10922641_10152909263275020_1730496186367138699_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyXE0jea_50/VL2fXfreUSI/AAAAAAAAcKA/G_4Qhk6NCsc/s1600/1459065_10152909263015020_5773981885450471766_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-EyXE0jea_50/VL2fXfreUSI/AAAAAAAAcKA/G_4Qhk6NCsc/s1600/1459065_10152909263015020_5773981885450471766_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EC7FYKhKcRo/VL2fohbIMlI/AAAAAAAAcKQ/7qyeMnEJfPw/s1600/1508086_10152909263455020_6925482751942948013_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-EC7FYKhKcRo/VL2fohbIMlI/AAAAAAAAcKQ/7qyeMnEJfPw/s1600/1508086_10152909263455020_6925482751942948013_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
There are also lots of local geothermal pools which are fantastic! We loved going and swimimng outside in the warm water while snowflakes fell on us....The hot-tubs are addictive! The local pools are really cheap and a big part of Icelandic culture; locals go to hang out there in the evenings in the way Scottish folk would go to the pub.<br />
<br />
Here is a link to the one that was beside the apartment we stayed in...<a href="http://visitreykjavik.is/vesturbaejarlaug">http://visitreykjavik.is/vesturbaejarlaug</a><br />
<br />
But of course we also made it to the Blue Lagoon, one of Icelands most popular tourist destinations and rightly so....it is absolutely stunning xx<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_111983133"><br /></a>
<a href="http://www.bluelagoon.com/">http://www.bluelagoon.com/</a><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cicMDi-uu3k/VLxKVLDlSUI/AAAAAAAAcJg/_fQYxn0t0Z0/s1600/buey.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-cicMDi-uu3k/VLxKVLDlSUI/AAAAAAAAcJg/_fQYxn0t0Z0/s1600/buey.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgoDsBwJg-Y/VLxKpt2vIYI/AAAAAAAAcJo/OC3k1ZGk1uI/s1600/1601454_10152906924625020_2389794106015561356_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-PgoDsBwJg-Y/VLxKpt2vIYI/AAAAAAAAcJo/OC3k1ZGk1uI/s1600/1601454_10152906924625020_2389794106015561356_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We came back to Scotland armed with lots of great children's Icelandic books and have really enjoyed cosying up in front of the fire , reading these wonderful myths,,,,I would love to take the girls back again during the summer months (If I make some money!)...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWupyHFJ3hA/VL2gYouZsZI/AAAAAAAAcKY/gO64X4mVJSE/s1600/10352952_10152909272405020_1281504585261511482_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-YWupyHFJ3hA/VL2gYouZsZI/AAAAAAAAcKY/gO64X4mVJSE/s1600/10352952_10152909272405020_1281504585261511482_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Takk xx</div>
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-45950018649312261992014-12-26T09:16:00.003-08:002014-12-26T09:16:48.254-08:00Bjork - The anchor songOn Monday we're heading to spend our New Year in Iceland! I'm trying to finish my social work essays before I go and getting in the mood by listening to the wonderful Bjork.<br />
<br />
Enjoy Anchor Song, one of my all time favourites...<br />
<br />
<br />
Happy Boxing Day!<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="344" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/17yWeynOfOI" width="459"></iframe></div>
<br />
This is what it looks like for me at the moment in a mountain of papers and essays! xx<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8Uaw51Dmcw/VJ2X71UQ0fI/AAAAAAAAcEo/2MIUxEDAzMg/s1600/10881699_10152833217040020_125241487393052940_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-x8Uaw51Dmcw/VJ2X71UQ0fI/AAAAAAAAcEo/2MIUxEDAzMg/s1600/10881699_10152833217040020_125241487393052940_n.jpg" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-82814604581041331532014-12-24T10:02:00.004-08:002014-12-24T10:11:10.932-08:00Immigration worries on Christmas Eve<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<h2>
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4UGgN9y192k/VJS-4nO-ghI/AAAAAAAAcBA/Mz5nyWz8OoA/s1600/zara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="font-size: medium; font-weight: normal; margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: Georgia, Times New Roman, serif;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4UGgN9y192k/VJS-4nO-ghI/AAAAAAAAcBA/Mz5nyWz8OoA/s1600/zara.jpg" height="640" width="640" /></span></a></h2>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(My dear mother-in-law Zahra Ouargha)</span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Times, Times New Roman, serif; font-size: large;">Eve of Christmas</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and I am reflecting on my year of immigration issues at home and Morocco. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It's been another year of immigration strain and worry. Omar's application for Citizenship is only now being considered after eight years of being in a relationship and living in Morocco and Scotland. In the middle of Omar's recent citizenship application the rules changed again and we had to spend hundreds on passing another english exam to meet the revised rules.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Over the years I have learned how to lobby Scottish politicians who in turn have lobbied the Westminster government after different immigration applications have been rejected and reconsidered. Over the years I have been summoned to court in Govan, Glasgow to represent our immigration case, I have waded through lenghty and complex immigration forms which assume a high degree of literacy and are subject to constant change even in the midst of an application; this year I have lobbied in a right-wing climate of anti-immigration policy as I have experienced the difficulties of bringing my mother-in-law and sister-in-law to Scotland.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Earlier this year Omar's mother, my mother-in-law Zahra Ouargha, was diagnosed with a very rare form of skin cancer and has struggled with poor diagnosis and treatment in Morocco. Following unsuccessful surgery earlier in the year, she is now in the horrific situation of receiving no treatment or medication in Morocco.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have tried to bring her here on a private medical visa but after consulting private medical doctors here, I have discovered that they can not advocate to bring her here for treatment when they haven't seen her as it is against the general medical council ethics. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have stayed up late writing to my local MP about this "Catch 22" situation who has written to the current foreign secretary. We are still awaiting an outcome of this...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I travelled to Morocco three weeks ago with Malika and Ameenah to visit Zahra and as always it is those closest to the person who is ill who suffers the most; Fatima my sister-in-law is really struggling to cope with her mothers illness. My husband is going through all the classic stages of grief outlined by the psychodynamic theorist Kubler-Ross; he's stuck in denial and anger which has been hard to deal with.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So while my pictures from Morocco may portray a happy and colourful trip, behind the trip was a sense of sadness, grief and frustration at the bloody frustrating fact that while Zahra is dying, she is receiving no medical treatment or pallitative care.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We hope for news soon that she can come and spend some time with us here in Scotland, either that or we will be Morocco bound soon.....</span><br />
<br />
<br />
=====================================================================<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r41eWPH1y3M/VJS7KZUX_aI/AAAAAAAAb_Q/IuKk0plgij4/s1600/dune1.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-r41eWPH1y3M/VJS7KZUX_aI/AAAAAAAAb_Q/IuKk0plgij4/s1600/dune1.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
What stories lie behind our Instagram feeds?</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPpiGwuoqIY/VJS7YseK08I/AAAAAAAAb_Y/tUq--8zmRNw/s1600/dune2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-rPpiGwuoqIY/VJS7YseK08I/AAAAAAAAb_Y/tUq--8zmRNw/s1600/dune2.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHOkmA0AT-A/VJS7qjXWsEI/AAAAAAAAb_g/Ev1FOiqbchQ/s1600/essaouriakids.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-nHOkmA0AT-A/VJS7qjXWsEI/AAAAAAAAb_g/Ev1FOiqbchQ/s1600/essaouriakids.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Malika and Ameenah loved spending time with their Moroccan friends a few weeks ago but behind these pictures lay a different kind of narrative....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8J7QTbHhrao/VJS7z5ka94I/AAAAAAAAb_o/EflCAzdns4M/s1600/fatimah.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-8J7QTbHhrao/VJS7z5ka94I/AAAAAAAAb_o/EflCAzdns4M/s1600/fatimah.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
My sister-in-law Fatima xx </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbQiF6772vU/VJS9JnCr-0I/AAAAAAAAcAM/9R4SDeOZfdI/s1600/mylife.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-JbQiF6772vU/VJS9JnCr-0I/AAAAAAAAcAM/9R4SDeOZfdI/s1600/mylife.png" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We spent a lot of time by the sea wall in Essaouria playing and reflecting...x</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkEyz7LRAdo/VJS9W5Tvv7I/AAAAAAAAcAU/WWXXx4tuexY/s1600/roomwithaview.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RkEyz7LRAdo/VJS9W5Tvv7I/AAAAAAAAcAU/WWXXx4tuexY/s1600/roomwithaview.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
And thinking about the interdependent lives of our Moroccan friends and neighbours.....compared to the independent lives we lead in the West x<br />
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4UGgN9y192k/VJS-4nO-ghI/AAAAAAAAcBA/Mz5nyWz8OoA/s1600/zara.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-4UGgN9y192k/VJS-4nO-ghI/AAAAAAAAcBA/Mz5nyWz8OoA/s1600/zara.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
=====================================================================<br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
We will treasure these photos for a long time...xxx </div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-au8Br2q3WB4/VJaxwpbvKmI/AAAAAAAAcBc/WL7-blPHmNo/s1600/brahim.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-au8Br2q3WB4/VJaxwpbvKmI/AAAAAAAAcBc/WL7-blPHmNo/s1600/brahim.jpg" height="424" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRyXAXngE4A/VJayHFwW0II/AAAAAAAAcBk/BUqxf6lhcbU/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-QRyXAXngE4A/VJayHFwW0II/AAAAAAAAcBk/BUqxf6lhcbU/s1600/IMG_0117.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEInD9QszGQ/VJaycLLduEI/AAAAAAAAcBs/SvyD5KpQEPo/s1600/IMG_9627.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lEInD9QszGQ/VJaycLLduEI/AAAAAAAAcBs/SvyD5KpQEPo/s1600/IMG_9627.JPG" height="427" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXDgpNE7Yu8/VJayt9pXqZI/AAAAAAAAcB0/KOFotI9MQ6c/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IXDgpNE7Yu8/VJayt9pXqZI/AAAAAAAAcB0/KOFotI9MQ6c/s1600/IMG_0126.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDZ1j1x4yeU/VJc133T1pII/AAAAAAAAcCI/22I0FDG-NYA/s1600/IMG_9644.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-KDZ1j1x4yeU/VJc133T1pII/AAAAAAAAcCI/22I0FDG-NYA/s1600/IMG_9644.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XG3clXcBcug/VJc2FxC9_BI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/NntpbZQy-KE/s1600/IMG_9659.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-XG3clXcBcug/VJc2FxC9_BI/AAAAAAAAcCQ/NntpbZQy-KE/s1600/IMG_9659.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asDkwNoCe0A/VJc2Ssb16CI/AAAAAAAAcCY/oseUR_bUhl8/s1600/IMG_9700.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-asDkwNoCe0A/VJc2Ssb16CI/AAAAAAAAcCY/oseUR_bUhl8/s1600/IMG_9700.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip8PdiRkEzo/VJc2pTKBnpI/AAAAAAAAcCg/Wdm6tceOBDM/s1600/IMG_9701.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Ip8PdiRkEzo/VJc2pTKBnpI/AAAAAAAAcCg/Wdm6tceOBDM/s1600/IMG_9701.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ynWAQBXX4/VJc23SyCuEI/AAAAAAAAcCo/F68k53BKNU8/s1600/IMG_9706.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-M8ynWAQBXX4/VJc23SyCuEI/AAAAAAAAcCo/F68k53BKNU8/s1600/IMG_9706.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SppmeftgDJM/VJc3Rmk5XAI/AAAAAAAAcC0/neOAWbXSkOU/s1600/IMG_9717.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-SppmeftgDJM/VJc3Rmk5XAI/AAAAAAAAcC0/neOAWbXSkOU/s1600/IMG_9717.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vb85nZcLnUo/VJc8gR4HFeI/AAAAAAAAcDM/tIxSyj66bRM/s1600/IMG_9770.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-vb85nZcLnUo/VJc8gR4HFeI/AAAAAAAAcDM/tIxSyj66bRM/s1600/IMG_9770.JPG" height="640" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVK0_VwR_6A/VJc8bobc5mI/AAAAAAAAcDE/_7f8DFTgMG4/s1600/IMG_9833.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rVK0_VwR_6A/VJc8bobc5mI/AAAAAAAAcDE/_7f8DFTgMG4/s1600/IMG_9833.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl58z43xHJE/VJc810y0rMI/AAAAAAAAcDU/nwkpLaBbFSg/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Dl58z43xHJE/VJc810y0rMI/AAAAAAAAcDU/nwkpLaBbFSg/s1600/IMG_9787.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBO9epVxie4/VJc9f1DbzMI/AAAAAAAAcDk/mtFQWB5wY9Y/s1600/IMG_9823.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-xBO9epVxie4/VJc9f1DbzMI/AAAAAAAAcDk/mtFQWB5wY9Y/s1600/IMG_9823.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FbPI3RUbHE/VJc9wfIQyMI/AAAAAAAAcDs/UFB-sY1QqxM/s1600/IMG_9825.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-6FbPI3RUbHE/VJc9wfIQyMI/AAAAAAAAcDs/UFB-sY1QqxM/s1600/IMG_9825.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8qXj3MMXWU/VJc9KGojsBI/AAAAAAAAcDc/dxCmgJ8vHZw/s1600/IMG_9822.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/--8qXj3MMXWU/VJc9KGojsBI/AAAAAAAAcDc/dxCmgJ8vHZw/s1600/IMG_9822.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onz9WASuKfI/VJc-nHbZCSI/AAAAAAAAcD0/kKuRdYjmgtw/s1600/IMG_9859.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-onz9WASuKfI/VJc-nHbZCSI/AAAAAAAAcD0/kKuRdYjmgtw/s1600/IMG_9859.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwG0J-BzI1s/VJc-5PeqxVI/AAAAAAAAcD8/vMcYtH0YC9A/s1600/IMG_9983.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-jwG0J-BzI1s/VJc-5PeqxVI/AAAAAAAAcD8/vMcYtH0YC9A/s1600/IMG_9983.JPG" height="430" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-68314262328637188412014-12-09T12:18:00.001-08:002016-01-24T12:54:30.081-08:00A Little Mandarin: In cooperation with Multicultural Kids Blog<a href="http://alittlemandarin.com/"><img alt="alittlemandarin.com" src="http://alittlemandarin.files.wordpress.com/2013/06/cropped-blogpanel-little-mandarinawards2.jpg" height="180" width="640" /></a><br />
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><b>Nimen Hao! <span style="color: #000066; font-family: "arial" , "helvetica" , sans-serif;">你們好 </span> Hello!</b></span></div>
<br />
We were absolutely delighted to have the opportunity to review this CD as part of the Multicultural Kids Blog. <br />
I started teaching my daughter (Malika) mandarin six months ago; I used the vintage style <i>Chinese for Children </i>textbook and while it was quite charming it was not very exciting and did not engage Malika and encourage her to learn mandarin.<br />
Having worked as a TEFL teacher in the past I know that songs and music are one of the best ways to engage young learners, and maintain levels of interest.<br />
<i>A Little Mandarin </i>is an excellent teaching tool with a wide range of 15 songs with musical styles ranging from hip-hop to lullabies.<br />
Malika's favourite songs were Phone Call, Scale Song and Pulling the Radish. <br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Make a Phone Call (打电话)</b><br />
<br />
Make a Phone Call is a really charming song about a conversation between two dolls and the essence of real communication. <br />
<br />
The tune is fab and the words are really funny according to Malika! After a few listens Malika was able to pick up some of the expressions like 小娃娃 (xiǎo wuá wuá), which means little children and<br />
喂 喂 喂(wéi wéi wéi) which is an expression for hi when picking up the phone....<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Scale Song (音阶歌)</b><br />
Malika has always loved singing and performing and she loved this song because it combines the english scale (do re mi!) with chinese lyrics which are really sweet and catchy,<br />
<br />
Little friends<br />
小朋友,<br />
xiǎo péng yǒu,<br />
Come and sing<br />
来唱,<br />
lái chàng gē,<br />
do do si la so,<br />
You sing, too<br />
,你也唱<br />
nǐ yě chàng<br />
<br />
<br />
<b>Pulling the Radish (拔萝卜)</b><br />
This is my personal favourite because it so so catchy and frankly bizarre! I love the fact this is a song about the difficulty of pulling out a radish and asking so many people from all walks of life for help....Old women, little dogs and yellow cats are all asked to come quickly to help with the task! This is an old Chinese song and the contemporary horn music is fab! We loved the song although the lyrics<br />
Pulling the radish<br />
拔萝卜<br />
bá luó bó<br />
are really stuck in our head!<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
Here are some song intros which you can enjoy!!!<br />
<br />
Just click on this image of the Little Mandarin to go to the start of the songs....<br />
<a href="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/2152133&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"><img height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlm09bVlKG8/VIOU_sLSIoI/AAAAAAAAb8Y/Y4-kPgCvFHs/s1600/EPK_ALM_logo%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
And please go to the facebook and Twitter page for regular updates...<br />
<br />
<a href="https://www.facebook.com/alittlemandarin"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn2.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS9WHki290nuAIty7cVgAAThPn4WrWVw7Fg3Kxtz2Z_5n8SbQWmawTJXg" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="https://twitter.com/ALittleMandarin"><img src="https://encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcQmIlWHY61ydESF4Q1ZvhnDsgmNATrnBcuL2ZhV8MDZbNVecozlUw" /></a><br />
<br />
This link will take you to the website for the little Mandarin CD where you can find supporting materials such as lyrics in english, simplified mandarin and pinyin....<br />
<a href="http://www.alittlemandarin.com/">www.alittlemandarin.com</a><br />
<br />
<div>
The CD won all these awards last year! Amazing....</div>
<br />
Awards<br />
Dr.Toy Best Classic, 2013<br />
Parent’s Choice Silver Honor, 2013<br />
Creative Child CD of the Year, 2013<br />
<br />
=====================================================================<br />
<br />
But WHY do we want to learn Chinese? Right over to Malika....<br />
<br />
This is me Malika! I was eight months when this picture was taken and I was in China for my Uncle Connor and Aunty Keng-Keng's wedding. This picture was taken in a small cafe in Dali, Yunnan province with a xiao pengyou (small friend). That is my mum in the picture with me!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBiPYcUo9p4/VqU3vjQAz6I/AAAAAAAAcx4/nIgjz7F-sZ0/s1600/60160_471548350019_935013_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-gBiPYcUo9p4/VqU3vjQAz6I/AAAAAAAAcx4/nIgjz7F-sZ0/s640/60160_471548350019_935013_n%2B%25281%2529.jpg" width="476" /></a></div>
<br />
These are Aunty KengKeng's grandmothers. They are so adorable and I would love to speak more Chinese so I can talk to them. They came to stay with me in Scotland a few years ago.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rD9QS_uWEqA/VqU5Y9QWAfI/AAAAAAAAcyE/sKGodUfFl8s/s1600/269551_10150316476595020_4574081_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rD9QS_uWEqA/VqU5Y9QWAfI/AAAAAAAAcyE/sKGodUfFl8s/s640/269551_10150316476595020_4574081_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div>
<div>
</div>
</div>
This is Aunty Keng-Keng. She is a fashion designer and milliner and lives in London. Milliner means hat designer! She also makes delicious food (hen hao chi!). This is a traditional Yunnan Pineapple rice dish in the picture....soooooo tasty.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UX64BKtdgKQ/VqU2l2GDhOI/AAAAAAAAcxo/ZXvNCrqTexk/s1600/10154319_10152404425268413_9015985472648670173_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-UX64BKtdgKQ/VqU2l2GDhOI/AAAAAAAAcxo/ZXvNCrqTexk/s640/10154319_10152404425268413_9015985472648670173_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is Keng-Keng in North Yunnan last year....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSCYFqTK_6Q/VqU25Fa_ThI/AAAAAAAAcxw/eK2WCvYLeKU/s1600/383399_10150875644186258_1137570000_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-uSCYFqTK_6Q/VqU25Fa_ThI/AAAAAAAAcxw/eK2WCvYLeKU/s640/383399_10150875644186258_1137570000_n.jpg" width="430" /></a></div>
<br />
Another one of my mum and I in a little restaurant in Zhongdian, North Yunnan.<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIIfomfrE1M/VqU5vtMfy5I/AAAAAAAAcyM/A3Z-lhd3z7Y/s1600/60131_471546715019_8291762_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="480" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-nIIfomfrE1M/VqU5vtMfy5I/AAAAAAAAcyM/A3Z-lhd3z7Y/s640/60131_471546715019_8291762_n.jpg" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And this is me now I am five! This was taken in Tallin, Estonia, this summer when Aunty Keng-Keng and Uncle Connor came to visit....<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5uN00-XYho/VIObOsVyJWI/AAAAAAAAb9A/iwb6022bzJ8/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-i5uN00-XYho/VIObOsVyJWI/AAAAAAAAb9A/iwb6022bzJ8/s1600/IMG_0487.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
So thank you so much for Toni for making this wonderful CD! I can learn more chinese and practice with my aunty and Chinese family. <span style="font-size: large;"> <span style="background-color: white; color: #2c353c; font-family: "source sans pro" , "helvetica neue" , "helvetica" , "roboto" , "arial" , sans-serif; line-height: 22.3999996185303px;">谢谢 - Thank you! </span></span><br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhPWj1JDOYM/VIOcSYn_zBI/AAAAAAAAb9Q/5fVnMXXiB2I/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="426" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-VhPWj1JDOYM/VIOcSYn_zBI/AAAAAAAAb9Q/5fVnMXXiB2I/s1600/IMG_0588.JPG" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<br />
<br />
<a href="http://alittlemandarin.com/"><img height="400" src="https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlm09bVlKG8/VIOU_sLSIoI/AAAAAAAAb8Y/Y4-kPgCvFHs/s1600/EPK_ALM_logo%5B1%5D.jpg" width="400" /></a><br />
<br />
<a href="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/"><img alt="Multicultural Kid Blogs" src="http://multiculturalkidblogs.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/06/button-take-3.jpg" height="305" width="320" /></a><br />
<br />
<!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://images-blogger-opensocial.googleusercontent.com/gadgets/proxy?url=http%3A%2F%2F1.bp.blogspot.com%2F-Mlm09bVlKG8%2FVIOU_sLSIoI%2FAAAAAAAAb8Y%2FY4-kPgCvFHs%2Fs1600%2FEPK_ALM_logo%255B1%255D.jpg&container=blogger&gadget=a&rewriteMime=image%2F*" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlm09bVlKG8/VIOU_sLSIoI/AAAAAAAAb8Y/Y4-kPgCvFHs/s1600/EPK_ALM_logo%5B1%5D.jpg" --><!-- Blogger automated replacement: "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlm09bVlKG8/VIOU_sLSIoI/AAAAAAAAb8Y/Y4-kPgCvFHs/s1600/EPK_ALM_logo%5B1%5D.jpg" with "https://1.bp.blogspot.com/-Mlm09bVlKG8/VIOU_sLSIoI/AAAAAAAAb8Y/Y4-kPgCvFHs/s1600/EPK_ALM_logo%5B1%5D.jpg" -->Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-48242880389290545512014-12-05T00:36:00.003-08:002014-12-05T01:15:55.647-08:00Dances of India - Book Review<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9j-Elctqgjs/VF_i70OrAoI/AAAAAAAAb74/IZL-FwAwPcA/s1600/Book%2Bcover%2Bbigger.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9j-Elctqgjs/VF_i70OrAoI/AAAAAAAAb74/IZL-FwAwPcA/s1600/Book%2Bcover%2Bbigger.jpg" height="601" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
<b>Malika's Book Review</b></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
"I loved this book and learning about Indian dances; I read it and then listened and danced to Indian music with my mum and sister Ameenah - I really wanted to dance like Maya and Leela. I hope everyone can come to my house in Scotland and share the music and stories with me. <br />
Maya and Leela were really nice people - I am like Maya and my sister is like Leela. I would love to go to India so I will go and pack my bag now. <br />
I have loved reading this book and learning to dance, dance, dance - I should practice more at home.<br />
Also I loved the rhymes.<br />
<br />
"All across the land, music fills the air - That's because in India, dance is EVERYWHERE!"<br />
<br />
After listening to to the rhymes in the story I made up my own!<br />
<br />
"The rhymes are good<br />
I really want to have a look<br />
Everyone should go to India and see<br />
Or come to Scotland and<br />
explore Maya and Leela with me!"<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading my book review - Malika Afif-Watt x<br />
<br />
Here is the Amazon Book Review: <a href="http://www.amazon.com/review/RLAPEQ3DVFGGL/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0991140001&nodeID=283155&store=books">http://www.amazon.com/review/RLAPEQ3DVFGGL/ref=cm_cr_dp_title?ie=UTF8&ASIN=0991140001&nodeID=283155&store=books</a><br />
<br />
And here is a link to all the wonderful Indian music that Maya and Leela love to dance to!<br />
<a href="https://www.blogger.com/goog_1907835138"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUR2PlgRmnHqWPMRb8Hjwze1JZJLq4cmf">https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLUR2PlgRmnHqWPMRb8Hjwze1JZJLq4cmf</a><br />
<br />
And a link to the authors website!<br />
<a href="http://ourlittleloka.com/">http://ourlittleloka.com/</a><br />
<br />
<br />
Thank you for reading my book review - Malika Afif-Watt x (This is me and my sister Ameenah in Morocco, two weeks ago - we went to visit my grandmother) xx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bTm-msgcGE/VIFruXoNy0I/AAAAAAAAb8I/RVlSS4DeB8s/s1600/mylife.png" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-2bTm-msgcGE/VIFruXoNy0I/AAAAAAAAb8I/RVlSS4DeB8s/s1600/mylife.png" height="320" width="320" /></a></div>
<br />Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1010286105106823742.post-66771170881603209182014-11-09T15:17:00.001-08:002014-11-09T15:17:29.956-08:00Belgium: Tattie holidays holiday x<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eTuTsiExRW8/VFzLPvJSvOI/AAAAAAAAb3s/Wdw-Koyfssk/s1600/10710914_10152672973905020_1188256301768256685_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-eTuTsiExRW8/VFzLPvJSvOI/AAAAAAAAb3s/Wdw-Koyfssk/s1600/10710914_10152672973905020_1188256301768256685_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
Thankfully we no longer have to <em>pick tatties</em> during our Tattie holiday time in Scotland, a two week holiday in October which historically served to ensure a labour force for picking potatoes....<br />
<br />
Instead we went on holiday to Belgium to visit Malika's godparents, Pammy and Rob. They recently moved to the city of Gent to head up a brilliant new wood-fired bakery and restaurant called De Suprette. <br />
<br />
This was our first time to Belgium so we decided to spend a night in Brussels and for old-times sake we stayed at the Scandic Hotel, Brussels, the Scandinavian chain which we often stayed during our time in Finland. <br />
<a href="http://www.scandichotels.com/Hotels/Belgium/Brussels/Scandic-Grand-Place/#.VF_lWelybIU">http://www.scandichotels.com/Hotels/Belgium/Brussels/Scandic-Grand-Place/#.VF_lWelybIU</a><br />
<br />
The location was fantastic - just a few minutes walk from the Grand Place and the Central Station but more importantly only a five minute walk from the Belgium Comic Strip Centre which was absolutely awesome!<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TBZdJ5zhSA/VFzLaTCC_mI/AAAAAAAAb30/5WrZpHaQ8R4/s1600/10696290_10152732548280020_3956605581289304092_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.comicscenter.net/en/home">http://www.comicscenter.net/en/home</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Belgium of course is the land of Smurfs and Tintin, and the comic centre has a range of permanent exhibitions, illustrated with original artwork and unique objects. Simultaneously, there are also several temporary exhibitions. </div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Located in the heart of Brussels, in a majestic Art Nouveau building, created by Victor Horta in 1906, the Belgian Comic Strip Center opened its doors to the public on October 6<sup>th</sup> 1989. In no time this impressive museum became one of the main attractions of Brussels. Every year more than 200.000 visitors come here to explore 4.200 m² of permanent and temporary exhibitions.</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
Malika and Ameenah LOVED this place and we could have spent the whole day there drawing, hanging out in the brilliant reading room, playing in the Smurf replica house....and much more</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: justify;">
I would come back to Belgium just to visit this comic centre and I can not recommend it highly enough! xx</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rp7weHxj5tY/VFzL2eCI6lI/AAAAAAAAb4E/EcQJQdmnKr8/s1600/10678650_10152732547555020_8457803344656820329_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-rp7weHxj5tY/VFzL2eCI6lI/AAAAAAAAb4E/EcQJQdmnKr8/s1600/10678650_10152732547555020_8457803344656820329_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a94cvfPRzP0/VFzMDm77d_I/AAAAAAAAb4M/BPL8eaOHVhM/s1600/10469891_10152732547415020_1673866374332159038_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-a94cvfPRzP0/VFzMDm77d_I/AAAAAAAAb4M/BPL8eaOHVhM/s1600/10469891_10152732547415020_1673866374332159038_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Portrait of the artist....</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHeqh0acIXE/VFzMPl-z8yI/AAAAAAAAb4U/4TN3NdSrB4Q/s1600/1743727_10152732546815020_3267866779300995204_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-eHeqh0acIXE/VFzMPl-z8yI/AAAAAAAAb4U/4TN3NdSrB4Q/s1600/1743727_10152732546815020_3267866779300995204_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0QkkZniREM/VFzMZmF1ccI/AAAAAAAAb4c/vynTN3qNxZI/s1600/10802050_10152732546420020_5466754085681274825_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-V0QkkZniREM/VFzMZmF1ccI/AAAAAAAAb4c/vynTN3qNxZI/s1600/10802050_10152732546420020_5466754085681274825_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
And the adjoining restaurant was great...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3wOHNmbPBM/VFzORWCCCbI/AAAAAAAAb6M/H7dOFTSR_zs/s1600/IMG_9491.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M3wOHNmbPBM/VFzORWCCCbI/AAAAAAAAb6M/H7dOFTSR_zs/s1600/IMG_9491.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
So much inspiration in the wonderful Art-Deco building x</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68lUi4lZu2c/VFzPBIWtcgI/AAAAAAAAb6U/xTFfkBGc60A/s1600/IMG_9495.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-68lUi4lZu2c/VFzPBIWtcgI/AAAAAAAAb6U/xTFfkBGc60A/s1600/IMG_9495.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Simply have to draw...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTYFmkePFdw/VFzPYpqz6xI/AAAAAAAAb6c/TfHjzrcTHUs/s1600/IMG_9521.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-pTYFmkePFdw/VFzPYpqz6xI/AAAAAAAAb6c/TfHjzrcTHUs/s1600/IMG_9521.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4x3VjSAeTU8/VFzPpv6rrdI/AAAAAAAAb6k/2MZBzu-gf94/s1600/IMG_9526.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-4x3VjSAeTU8/VFzPpv6rrdI/AAAAAAAAb6k/2MZBzu-gf94/s1600/IMG_9526.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Would love to have seen more of the 100 years in the Balkans exhibition but the Smurfs won out!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJzc0CRhq4w/VFzQO32eLAI/AAAAAAAAb60/v-wLoqORD1k/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-OJzc0CRhq4w/VFzQO32eLAI/AAAAAAAAb60/v-wLoqORD1k/s1600/IMG_9528.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And wow what a drawing of Brussels in the snow...</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0Ujq-95rRA/VFzQee60ckI/AAAAAAAAb68/jXjP0x13Jsw/s1600/IMG_9535.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-M0Ujq-95rRA/VFzQee60ckI/AAAAAAAAb68/jXjP0x13Jsw/s1600/IMG_9535.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Smurf Kingdom</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0w26lzS3uK8/VFzTBFrO50I/AAAAAAAAb7Y/r2TDVaAfTCA/s1600/IMG_9542.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-0w26lzS3uK8/VFzTBFrO50I/AAAAAAAAb7Y/r2TDVaAfTCA/s1600/IMG_9542.JPG" height="640" width="426" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The reading room containing a selection of over 3,000 comics is open to the general public during all opening hours. Here you will also find comics translated into over 36 languages</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzmWQ0QzlkM/VFzSaA_iJJI/AAAAAAAAb7Q/V_4Fqv-aaDk/s1600/IMG_9547.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-UzmWQ0QzlkM/VFzSaA_iJJI/AAAAAAAAb7Q/V_4Fqv-aaDk/s1600/IMG_9547.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And then we headed to Gent to see Pammy and Rob...we took the train which was a nightmare....lots of steps to navigate with a buggy is challenging!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
And here is Pammy in the kitchen where she spends a LOT of time serving amazing food....Belgium of course is famed for frites and mayonnaise and chocolate but here we ate a lot of incredible sourdough pizza and hazelnut croissants - YUM!</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.indewulf.be/desuperette/">http://www.indewulf.be/desuperette/</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDWopYuvAc/VFzMoMwEKxI/AAAAAAAAb4s/zs4SDH_uvx8/s1600/10407409_10152732548745020_2562649848510478657_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-lhDWopYuvAc/VFzMoMwEKxI/AAAAAAAAb4s/zs4SDH_uvx8/s1600/10407409_10152732548745020_2562649848510478657_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-rOMnctNM-u8/VFzMqpqlUBI/AAAAAAAAb40/E1nP2ztYTO4/s1600/10347069_10152732552915020_3771959217417371878_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Ultimate Godmother - Pammy!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8Rf4HpDOr8/VFzMskv0KBI/AAAAAAAAb48/bGUrUketGDk/s1600/10447632_10152677007095020_2757078041129736366_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-H8Rf4HpDOr8/VFzMskv0KBI/AAAAAAAAb48/bGUrUketGDk/s1600/10447632_10152677007095020_2757078041129736366_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5PR6eDxCSc/VFzM6KKmXFI/AAAAAAAAb5I/3m495q6Xk5U/s1600/1690557_10152732548905020_6511803786398452853_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-G5PR6eDxCSc/VFzM6KKmXFI/AAAAAAAAb5I/3m495q6Xk5U/s1600/1690557_10152732548905020_6511803786398452853_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
I always like to sit outside with the girls.....and I always bring blank drawing pads and pens to keep them entertained x</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-4TBZdJ5zhSA/VFzLaTCC_mI/AAAAAAAAb30/5WrZpHaQ8R4/s1600/10696290_10152732548280020_3956605581289304092_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"></a> </div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4umio7Q6RwM/VFzLp20og_I/AAAAAAAAb4A/3mlgDJyJFf8/s1600/10686735_10152732548010020_7040266233573688022_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://1.bp.blogspot.com/-4umio7Q6RwM/VFzLp20og_I/AAAAAAAAb4A/3mlgDJyJFf8/s1600/10686735_10152732548010020_7040266233573688022_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We loved this mural outside the restaurant!</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
We spent a morning in the rather odd but quite charming De Site community allotments ...</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
De Site, Community Allotments, Gent</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.eukn.org/Belgium/be_en/E_library/Social_Inclusion_Integration/Community_Development/Community_Development/Ghent_Temporary_use_de_site_Project_Rabot">http://www.eukn.org/Belgium/be_en/E_library/Social_Inclusion_Integration/Community_Development/Community_Development/Ghent_Temporary_use_de_site_Project_Rabot</a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXxX0j8JtB0/VFzNM2XwWVI/AAAAAAAAb5M/NkZF3_0VigQ/s1600/1908450_10152732549625020_751295374629283829_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-RXxX0j8JtB0/VFzNM2XwWVI/AAAAAAAAb5M/NkZF3_0VigQ/s1600/1908450_10152732549625020_751295374629283829_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz9ERYDLWHI/VFzNTZLCykI/AAAAAAAAb5U/rR0MT83GPUQ/s1600/1476481_10152732549880020_6382391763800348935_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-Mz9ERYDLWHI/VFzNTZLCykI/AAAAAAAAb5U/rR0MT83GPUQ/s1600/1476481_10152732549880020_6382391763800348935_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
But my favourite place was the Museum Dr. Guislain, which is a History of Psychiatry and outsider art museum.<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
A fascinating museum about the history of psychiatry and mental healthcare. It's an oasis north of the historical center in Belgium's oldest psychiatric hospital (1857). The collections of outsider art or art brut are famous and their temporary exhibitions are intruiging. Easy accessible by tram no four to Rabot.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
Wow - this place was great. Although we didn't actually see the history of psychiatry section as the lady behind the desk told me her children were frightened (and they were older than my girls), there are plenty of other things to see....The grounds alone are fabulous and well worth a visit as is the café with its giant, obscure statues.....and the outsider art section is amazing. </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
I cannot recommend this highly enough.</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<span class="entity _586o" data-fulltext="Museum Dr. Guislain" data-group="all" data-icon="null" data-select="group" data-si="true" data-text="Museum Dr. Guislain" data-type="ent:page" data-uid="96206920606"></span> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
</div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<a href="http://www.museumdrguislain.be/">http://www.museumdrguislain.be/</a></div>
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bwprGP60sM/VFzNeb64YyI/AAAAAAAAb5c/WoXe6Q07xCc/s1600/10169343_10152732549325020_2307416299278733658_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/-5bwprGP60sM/VFzNeb64YyI/AAAAAAAAb5c/WoXe6Q07xCc/s1600/10169343_10152732549325020_2307416299278733658_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
Drawing, running, chaos</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IAjAZqjMg8/VFzNo0p2kII/AAAAAAAAb5k/rO6HHQYJJDI/s1600/10678473_10152680069425020_1811568797721863244_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://3.bp.blogspot.com/--IAjAZqjMg8/VFzNo0p2kII/AAAAAAAAb5k/rO6HHQYJJDI/s1600/10678473_10152680069425020_1811568797721863244_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
Beautiful building and Belgium's oldest psychiatric clinic</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div align="center">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA2rkjyms5g/VFzNvIsMQ2I/AAAAAAAAb5s/wdBLMUrFKlM/s1600/10414573_10152732549095020_5942383753032000521_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-GA2rkjyms5g/VFzNvIsMQ2I/AAAAAAAAb5s/wdBLMUrFKlM/s1600/10414573_10152732549095020_5942383753032000521_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<br />
<div style="text-align: center;">
The café is so charming and odd!</div>
<br />
<br />
And finally.....the streets near Pammy and Rob's apartment and restaurant....I loved the old tiled buildings...so so beautiful<br />
<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3gfVwdjaLE/VFzN70XZM_I/AAAAAAAAb6E/YQ493lK2614/s1600/1466314_10152732550090020_8280680303389629358_n.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://2.bp.blogspot.com/-z3gfVwdjaLE/VFzN70XZM_I/AAAAAAAAb6E/YQ493lK2614/s1600/1466314_10152732550090020_8280680303389629358_n.jpg" height="400" width="400" /></a></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
The Godmother at work....</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
</div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9CAR99YNVlM/VFzTYR01VLI/AAAAAAAAb7g/HfafrlWkDs8/s1600/IMG_9549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-9CAR99YNVlM/VFzTYR01VLI/AAAAAAAAb7g/HfafrlWkDs8/s1600/IMG_9549.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a></div>
<br />
And Ameenah enjoying a juice break on a brilliant Tattie week trip to Belgium....I would recommend this country to everyone ...charming, odd and full of quirky places to visit off the tourist trail.....hopefully Pammy and Rob will stay a while longer so we can visit again soon! xx<br />
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvyzJi_Kn8c/VFzTqYnBpiI/AAAAAAAAb7o/qZpeEEGpEbs/s1600/IMG_9551.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="http://4.bp.blogspot.com/-IvyzJi_Kn8c/VFzTqYnBpiI/AAAAAAAAb7o/qZpeEEGpEbs/s1600/IMG_9551.JPG" height="426" width="640" /></a><a name='more'></a><br />
</div>
Family in Finlandhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10600590474889849321noreply@blogger.com0