BECAUSE EVERYONE SHOULD FEEL LIKE THEY MATTER
FEATURES ON OUR COVER
44 Amazon PR Exec Barbara Agrait
on using both her cultures to enhance understanding.
60 The Best Mistake
How Ken Stover boarded the wrong ship and found the love of his life.
68 Destinations With Doni
Vivacious Valencia! Old-world charm combined with future focus, discover why Spain’s third-largest city attracts the culturally fluid.
ALSO IN THIS ISSUE
28
Elevate Your Everyday: 7 Secrets To Celebrating Life
How to make every moment an occasion of joy and merriment.
80 Culturs CELEBRATIONS!
Taste a little of Valencia.
88 Third Culture Kid Poster Series
Actor Viggo Mortensen.
89
Four Quick Tips For Skincare and Wellness in Winter
Winter can bring its own set of challenges when it comes to your skincare and your wellness routine.
n the 21st century, assessing someone’s background from outward appearance isn’t enough as hidden, rather than visual, diversity means people increasingly bring more to the table than meets the eye.
Whether through nationality, travel, race or ethnicity, many straddle culture in myriad ways. From Cultural Fluidity, to Third Culture Kid, Expat, Third Culture Adult, Cross-Cultural Kid and more, the language to describe our in-between community is of
Cross-Cultural Kid (CCK)
A term coined by author Ruth Van Reken in 2002, is a person who is living, has lived, or meaningfully interacted with two or more cultural environments for a significant period of time during the first 18 years of life. This includes minority individuals living within majority culture.
Adult Cross-Cultural Kid (ACCK)
An adult who grew up as a Cross-Cultural Kid.
Cultural Fluidity/Cultural Mobility
A term coined by Culturs founder Donnyale Ambrosine to characterize hidden diversity created by people who don’t or didn’t grow up in a homogenous cultural environment. Culturally Fluid individuals may straddle nationalities, ethnicities, race or culture. The fluidity created allows understanding between or among their foundational areas of meaningful experience. It also may hinder sense of belonging to any one area.
Missionary Kids
Children of missionaries who travel to missions domestically or abroad.
utmost importance. Knowing the vocabulary creates understanding and deepens our sense of belonging and connections to others with similar experiences. Here’s a quick overview so you can follow along any of our articles with ease:
Third Culture Kids (TCKs)
Coined by Sociologist Ruth Useem in the 1950s as a person who has spent a significant part of his or her developmental years outside the parents’ culture. The first culture is considered an individual’s passport culture, while the second culture consists of the culture(s) in which the individual has lived. The third culture is a result of the person’s life experience; this is the culture to which they most belong. The third culture often is where individuals feel community with others of similar experience.
Domestic TCK
Children who moved to various regions within the same country while growing up, often having to re-learn ways of being, especially as regional differences in dress, speech and action are heightened in formative years when it is important to be accepted.
Adult Third Culture Kid (ATCK)
An adult who grew up as a TCK.
Third Culture Adult (TCA)
Coined in 2002 by Psychotherapist Paulette Bethel to signify individuals who travel extensively and are immersed in, or live in global locations after the age of 18 (after identity has been solidified).
Internationally nomadic group not characterized by a parent’s occupation. Displaced from their homeland forcibly or by choice, often having fled for varied reasons — violence, politics, religion, environment, etc. Refugees typically do not return to their origin country.
People who, for varied reasons, immigrate to a country different than their homeland to stay permanently. Many return to their home countries to visit, though some do not.
As defined by Merriam Webster — to leave one’s native country to live elsewhere; which also sometimes means to renounce allegiance to one’s native country.
Children of military who move with parents to different places within or outside of their home country. They often experience other cultures within the confines of a military installation or compound that possesses traits of the home country.
Children traveling with their parents to various countries in non-military government roles, diplomatic corps, civil service, foreign service, etc.
Children whose parents are members of the home country’s political framework while living on foreign soil.
Those who travel expecting differences among intra-international or international culture, however, not immersed in these cultures for extended periods of time, or long enough to integrate local cultural norms as their own.
Children whose parents work with multinational corporations that take them to faraway lands, often in professional fields surrounding oil, construction and pharmaceuticals.
Borderlanders
Described by author Ruth Van Reken in the book “Third Culture Kids,” a borderlander is a citizen of one country that lives close to another. Often the norms, customs and traits of each country’s culture seeps into the other, creating a cultural experience separate from either original culture, while allowing inhabitants keen knowledge and insight into their own culture as well as the other.
Multiracial
People whose family consists of two or more races to which the individual identifies. With race often come cultural norms, slang language and attitudes that can greatly differ. Many multiracial children, though not all, have the unique opportunity to learn norms of all the cultures they comprise.
Multiethnic; Multicultural
People whose family consists of two or more cultures to which the individual identifies. Even when belonging to the same race, differences in culture may exist between ethnicities, tribes and other cultural contexts.
Chilean-Nebraskan CCK
ANDREA BAZOIN (say “Bah-Zwah”) is a human resilience activator, which means she works with individuals and teams to identify and dismantle the practical and personal barriers that keep them from thriving in our ever-accelerating future. Her family ties span the globe and include the U.S., Chile, Argentina, Australia, and France. She currently lives in Colorado, U.S.A. with her French husband and culturally fluid son. Learn more at www.andreabazoin.com.
Adult CCK, TCA and TCK Parent
PAULETTE BETHEL, PHD is a career U.S. Air Force officer, trauma recovery coach, global transition expert and a mother to Third Culture Kids. Culturally and racially blended, Dr. Bethel is our expert on the importance of transition and its effect on relationships. She is CEO and Founder of Discoveries Coaching & Consulting.
Spanish Native
GEMMA GIL, a wedding and lifestyle photographer since 2009, lives in and loves her hometown of Valencia, Spain. She has a degree in audiovisual communications, specializing in graphic design, photo editing and multimedia.
U.K., Trinidad & Tobago TCK
HAYDEN GREENE is a pop culture columnist and director of multicultural affairs and student development at Manhattan College in New York City, U.S.A. Known as Brooklyn’s favorite polymath, he is a prize-winning fine art photographer, voice over talent and Trinidadian from the U.K.
Hatian-American CCA
PATRICIA “REIGN” REIGN has been in the beauty business for two decades with an interest in the industry as early as middle school, when she started as a hair braider. She is deeply knowledgeable about self-care and self-care products and takes pride in learning and being aware of all the trends in beauty and self-care so she can always recommend the very best products and services to her clients.
SARA STOVER has over 20 years of experience as a storyteller, writer and editor. She has written for Hawai’i Magazine, Honolulu Magazine, Housing Wire, Bicycle Retailer and Industry News, RunnerClick and many other publications and online outlets. After marrying into a multicultural family, Sara moved to the Big Island of Hawai’i, where she lives with her husband, cats and wild chickens, drawing inspiration from the diversity of the island’s nature and culture, as well as from her own creative adventures.
JOHN LIANG is an Adult Third Culture Kid who grew up in Guatemala, Costa Rica, the United States, Morocco and Egypt before graduating high school. He has a bachelor’s degree in languages from Georgetown University and a master’s in International Policy Studies from the Middlebury Institute of International Studies at Monterey. Liang has covered the U.S. military for two decades as a writer and editor for InsideDefense. com, and is also managing editor of Culturs Magazine. He lives in Arlington, Va., U.S.A.
DIANA VEGA is a Third Culture Adult. Born in Mexico and passionate about design, they studied architecture and started a small business after college. Interested in entrepreneurship, Vega moved to Colorado, U.S.A. to earn an MBA at Colorado State University. Now repatriated to Mexico, they are a graphic designer and illustrator for Culturs Magazine.
Cross-Cultural SHANTHI YOGINI is an engineer-turned Authentic Yogic Lifestyle Expert and a #1 international best-selling author of a book series on happiness. She was born and raised in the country which is the very source of Yoga-Shaastram (Yoga-Living), and comes from a lineage of YogaMasters. She teaches ancient wisdom suitable to modern lifestyle through two-minute tools.
Connect with Culturs on social:
@CultursMag
@CultursGuruTCK
Margaret Hughes ( University of West of Scotland, and Association of Journalism Education) was raving about your presentation, and how engaged her students were in what you had to say.
— Via Email
I want my grandkids to grow up in a world where a global mindset includes them in all of their diversity of shades and perspectives.
—
P. Bethelvia Facebook
I told you that cover was prominently displayed in my office!
— H. Greene via Facebook
I love it.
— S. Sikder via Instagram
Oh my goodness so old I love it — S. Techentien via Instagram, regarding “How to embrace being multicultural” video.
As an idian-American female heavily involved with Public Relations, I am passionate about diversity and think the client is very relevant and interesting! I am excited to work with my peers to create a campaign for Culturs and learn more about the process.
— C. Hensley via EmailYou should feel proud of this great contribution to diversity and humanity. I’m glad to have had a small part in your beginnings.
— T. Cornell via LinkedInCONTRIBUTORS
Abigail Randolph
PRODUCTION
Jec Cunan
PUBLISHER
ART DIRECTION
Diana Vega
ILLUSTRATION
Diana Vega
ADVISORY BOARD
Chumba Limo
Brooke Martellaro
Gregory Moore
Bret Randolph
Marie Claudia Als
Sara Ghasemi
Katarzyna Mendela
Jack Prins
Sara Stover
Shanthi Yogini
PODCAST PRODUCTION
SOCIAL ASSISTANT
Faith Vinluan ASSISTANT
Ahbram Ambrosine
COLUMNISTS
Andrea Bazoin
Paulette Bethel
Hayden Greene
Patricia “REIGN” Reign
VIDEOGRAPHY
Ben Ward
VIDEOGRAPHY ASSISTANT
Hudson Bloom
PHOTOGRAPHERS
Gemma Gil
Hayden Greene
EDITORIAL CREATIVE GURU SUPPORTERS
Donna Musil
Linda Thomas Brooks
Antionette Williams
Connect with Culturs on social: @CultursMag
SOCIAL MEDIA
Faith Vinluan
WEB DESIGN
Gamma Waves
SPECIAL THANKS: Public Relations Society of America
@CultursGuruTCK
This Winter issue takes us to Valencia, a vivacious
Spanish city replete with sites as old as the medieval ages and as modern as the largest aquarium in Europe. It’s a city that draws people from all over the world for a variety of reasons, with the food — particularly paella — among the top.
In addition to exploring Valencia, we also meet Barbara Agrait, a Cuban-American public relations professional who loves being able to speak both English and Spanish and imparts some cool lessons from growing up bicultural.
There’s also the tale of three extraordinary superstars who are breaking new ground in women’s health and wellness, plus the seven secrets of Yoga-Living that help us to treat life as a present. This issue also has four quick tips for skincare and wellness during winter by our newest columnist, Patricia “REIGN” Reign.
Not only that, we take you to a park in New York City, U.S.A. where a celebration of African hair and beauty called CurlFest takes place. Hair has been a staple part of African expression for centuries, and this festival also celebrates Black culture in the United States. The event highlights vendors of hair products for and by people of color, and hairstyling booths demonstrate new hairstyling techniques.
We even have a story of love that began with a U.S. soldier boarding a troop transport to Hawaii by mistake and subsequently meeting the love of his life in the form of a JapaneseAmerican, Hawaiian-born woman.
All of these multicultural stories serve as a wonderful inspiration for me as I transition into my new role as Editor-inChief of this incredible magazine.
As an Adult Third Culture Kid born in Guatemala — a child of a three-quarters Chinese, onequarter Spanish, Guatemala-born father and an Irish-Jewish-French U.S. Military B.R.A.T. mother — I grew up in Central America and North Africa as well as the United States. Tales of these culturally blended people bring a smile to my face and a warm feeling in my heart.
Both my immediate predecessor, Judy Howard Ellis, as well as our wonderful founder, Doni Aldine, have left some enormous shoes to fill. I aim to spend each and every day striving to do just that.
— John Liang Editor-in-Chief
Meet three extraordinary superstars who are
breaking new ground in health and wellness. You might have revered them before, but their remarkable contribution to productive progressive engagement and resources for financial guidance and wellness education while providing affordable and healthy food under a sex-positive and genderempowerment framework that gets deep into the mesopause experience and will have you asking yourself when was the last time you asked someone: “Did you say vagina?!?”
Cross-cultural, mixed-race actor Halle Berry has been wowing moviegoers for over 30 years. In the early 1990s, Berry starred in blockbuster hits alongside Spike Lee in “Jungle Fever” and Eddie Murphy in “Boomerang.” Her groundbreaking 2001 performance in “Monster’s Ball” made her the first African American to win Best Actress at the Academy Awards.
Berry’s 2000 role as Storm in “X-Men” ushered in an era of superhero superstardom, with later roles in action films like “Die Another Day,” “Catwoman,” three additional “X-Men” sequels and more. Berry continues to take on challenging and provocative roles that highlight the beauty of being a badass and the fierce strength of being a woman.
Arguably, Hollywood does not traditionally appropriately celebrate the aging actress. As Berry entered her mid-50s, she and her team launched a health and wellness company in 2018 that put a new spin on the narrative of aging — Rē-Spin.
Today, Rē-Spin focuses on the challenges and opportunities of menopause. In a panel interview at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity, Berry speaks about how women can start to reclaim their narrative around aging.
“We start with conversation. We start with community. We start with deciding that no subject is off-limits,” Berry says. “I am solidly, clearly, 100% in the middle of menopause. Yet, there was a time when women would be ashamed to say that because [that would mean] you’re no longer valuable to society, considered attractive, or valued in the workplace. We wanted to pretend like that wasn’t happening.”
“As a result, we had no one to talk to,” she continues. “We had to go through this very normal part of life alone. Now that we’re talking about it, it’s becoming easier. We’re finding resources. We can share our stories. We can talk to doctors. There are products on the market now that can ease us through this time and help us be our best selves.”
Although Rē-Spin started as a general health and wellness brand, Berry has recently decided to focus on perimenopause and menopause.
“Just like Dr. Dre took over the headphone market with Beats by Dre,” Berry explains, “that’s my dream for Rē-Spin: to be the highway for menopause.”
Although menopause is a woman’s experience, Berry wants to ensure men are in the conversation.
“Men get older and become silver foxes; we believe men get better with age,” Berry elaborates. “But, as women, we become disposable and have a harder time keeping our jobs. And, when we have these menopausal symptoms, we can’t take off work. We don’t have compassion and support.”
“Historically, men have been in charge of our marketing,” she continues. “And men don’t have vaginas. Caring about [women’s] bodies was less important to them, so it became less important to us. So, this movement is also about educating men about the part they have to play.”
As Berry continues to wow us on the big screen, she is determined to expand her impact through Rē-Spin.
“I’m committed to changing what you think menopause looks
like,” she says. “This is what it looks like, and we have to rearrange how we think about it. When you are working for a cause that is greater than yourself, business will follow, but the best business starts with passion and in [uplifting] something that is true to you.”
Cross-cultural comic and actor Tiffany Haddish has been making us bust a gut since her 2017 breakout role in “Girls Trip,” alongside costars Queen Latifah, Regina Hall and Jada Pinkett Smith. Now, she is on a mission to heal the guts, bodies and minds of the BIPOC community of the historically underserved Crenshaw neighborhood of South Central Los Angeles, Calif., U.S.A. through Diaspora Groceries.
The primary goals of the future grocer will be to provide affordable and healthy food alongside financial and wellness education. Haddish is seeking to raise $25 million to launch the project.
Diaspora Groceries is a passion project inspired by Haddish’s personal struggles with food insecurity, health challenges and poverty.
“What we’re doing wrong [is that] we’re constantly focused on the outcome,” Haddish explains during the Welltainment Panel at the Inkwell Beach stage at the 2023 Cannes Lions Festival of
We start with a conversation. We start with the community. We start by deciding that no subject is off-limits.
— Halle Berry
Creativity. “Through storytelling, I’ve healed. Growing up, I was babysat by the T.V. For me, TV and movies were my teachers. What I learned is that through communication and visuals, you can influence someone and change the way they think about things [including] the way they eat.”
Haddish says she did not know what a vegetarian was until she saw someone talking about it on a show.
“Then I learned about my blood type by watching a show on PBS,” Haddish says, adding she realized “that when you’re learning about something in a positive way, through storytelling,” you can do better.
Through storytelling, I’ve healed. Growing up, I was babysat by the T.V. For me, TV and movies were my teachers.
— Tiffany Haddish
Haddish is ready to combine her passion for Welltainment with her dedication to addressing food insecurity and health challenges in her home community.
“I’m going to make sure people have an experience [when they shop at Diaspora Groceries]. When you’re there, you’re going to be learning the whole time,” she says. “There’ll be little bar codes you can scan and learn [about every item]. You’ll learn how it affects your body when you eat [each type of food].”
“I really think it’s super important that people know what they’re putting inside themselves,” she continues. “Food is drugs; that’s why we have the Food and Drug Administration. Food can heal you. I know it’s healed me.”
What do the phrases “Just Do It,” “Because you’re worth it” and “I’m lovin’ it” have in common? They were all created by innovative marketing teams. You may never know their names, but you will never forget the impact they made.
With 14 Cannes Lions awards under her belt, Bayer’s Chief Marketing, Digital and Information Officer and crosscultural global citizen Patricia Corsi is one such innovator.
Corsi and her team are behind many award-winning creative public health campaigns that boldly question taboos and get real about tackling the root causes of global health challenges.
Two campaigns stand out: Vagina Academy and the DiversiTree Project.
The first, Vagina Academy, partnered with consumer health brands Canesten and TikTok to challenge taboos and misinformation around vaginal health in Brazil. TikTok influencers, armed with
scientifically accurate information, made entertaining and shame-free educational videos to engage women of all ages in a conversation about their vaginas.
Why? Those women ashamed to even say the word “vagina” are less likely to seek required medical treatment.
Brazil’s current conservative government’s stance to back abstinence-only rather than safe sex education amplified the problem.
The Vagina Academy campaign was such a tremendous success that it was reborn in the
If you’re not feeling courageous enough to put your job on the line for something [you believe in], maybe you’re not really doing what you [set out to do].
— Patricia Corsi
U.K. as The Truth, Undressed, which won the 2023 Clio Health Gold Medal.
“These are the moments that you feel excited to be doing this job,” Corsi says. “And if you’re not feeling courageous enough to put your job on the line for something [you believe in], maybe you’re not really doing what you [set out to do]. I haven’t found more fulfillment and pleasure in my life than by serving a mission that helps the people that I love and the causes I believe in. I believe there is a place for [making a difference] in business.”
The second, the Diversitree Project, brought together Bayer brand Claritin and marketing agency BBDO to reveal the surprising culprit behind our rampant seasonal allergies: male trees.
As it turns out, since 1949, the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) has recommended that city planners plant only male trees to reduce the number of seeds and fruit workers needed to garner.
The problem is that male trees are the ones that release pollen. Female trees, on the other hand, absorb it.
The result? Pollen counts are out of control, and we are all sneezing our heads off. Our warming planet compounds this issue — with pollen counts expected to increase by 200% by the end of the century.
The solution is simple: plant more female trees.
By addressing the very literal gender gap between male and female trees, we can naturally reduce the tree pollen levels in the air, reducing seasonal allergy symptoms.
Feminist arborists are having a moment.
Halle Berry, Tiffany Haddish and Patricia Corsi are not only well-known superstars in their fields but also shaking up the status quo. They are rewriting the narratives of aging, community nourishment and public health with passion and purpose.
As they continue to inspire and make a lasting impact, they remind us that true greatness lies in using one’s platform to uplift and transform the world for the better.
I haven’t found more fulfillment and pleasure in my life than by serving a mission that helps the people that I love and the causes I believe in. I believe there is a place for [making a difference] in business.
— Patricia Corsi
To view these stories online, scan the code below: cultursmag.com/breaking-new-ground-in-health
Hair has been a staple part of African expression for
centuries. The nations and tribes on the continent had a sophisticated and vibrant set of cultures and practices despite the limited representation of African societies in retelling their history. Many of these practices and traditions involved varied, numerous and exquisite hair adornment. Whether coiffure is the short, thick twist of the Hamer women in Ethiopia, the Amasunzu hairstyle of the Tutsi men of Rwanda or the Bantu knots of the Zulu women in
South Africa, hairstyles depicted stature, fertility, celebration or functionality. Ornate hair presents the essence of the people, their culture and their bloodline.
Colonization introduced Western norms to Africans, and the slave trade thrust Africans into the new world dominated by European-style standards. Immediately, some colonizers worked to strip away all traces of the traditions from the homeland and mandated conformity. They demonized hairstyles that supported and celebrated the natural curls of the African people. Instead, they considered hairstyles better suited for flat European hair as the baseline.
After centuries of brainwashing, enslaved Africans in the United States and Europe began to believe that their hair, as it grew out of their heads, was inferior to their European colonizers. In the United States, many people consider wearing your hair in an afro or braids in the workplace as unprofessional. This belief translated to products and practices that were harmful to African hair and to policies biased against people of African descent.
An enormous renaissance around African hair has appeared in recent decades. Women, in particular, of African descent in the United States have been pushing back on what can be considered professional in the workplace and, at the same time, embracing traditional and culturally significant hairstyles from their history. In addition to reaching back past enslavement, they are also incorporating the European styles that were thrust upon them by the colonizers and giving them their own twist, so to speak.
Born out of this renewed love for African styles are products and hairstyling techniques that support the health of African hair. Entire product lines have sprung up, and hairstylists celebrating the curl have risen to prominence. Supporting all of this, legislation implemented in states such as New York prohibits discrimination based on hair.
In the United States, it was considered unprofessional to wear your hair in an afro or in braids in the workplace.
This situation is the backdrop for CurlFest, a festival that celebrates the hair of African descent. The festival’s founders started a group called Curly Girl Collective to discuss the dearth of information and access to products and techniques for their hair. They wanted to create a forum where people could come and ask questions about adequately caring for their hair and switching up their looks when they were ready. Tracey Coleman, Melody Henderson, Charisse Higgins, Gia Lowe, and
Simone Mairliterally grew a community from their couches, and they realized an in-person gathering was necessary.
Thus, the first CurlFest commenced and experienced unfathomable growth. By 2019, the event outgrew its original location in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, NY. The festival shut down while looking for a location to accommodate its new size. Then, the COVID-19 pandemic further postponed the festival. Five years had passed, and this
year, CurlFest finally returned to a new location on Randall’s Island, NYC.
Finally, in 2024, CurlFest returns to a new location on Randall’s Island, NYC.
CurlFest is a celebration of hair, but its foundation is a celebration of Black culture in the United States. The event highlights vendors of hair products for and by people of color. Hairstyling booths demonstrate new hairstyling techniques in real-time. Some
CurlFest is a celebration of hair but the foundation of it is a celebration of Black culture in the United States.
vendors also stocked adornment items for Black hair that ranged from cowrie shells to loc socs. Some vendors encompassed every aspect of Black and Brown culture, including food, travel, clothing and housewares. Its aesthetics reflected an authentic African village.
At the forefront of the event, both on the main stage and side stages, a diverse array of panels and workshops delved into topics ranging from professional hair etiquette to insightful discussions with the event’s founders, elucidating the significance of the gathering. A dynamic musical component featuring live performances and expertly curated DJ sets added vibrancy to the atmosphere. As the sun dipped below the horizon, the proceedings evolved into a spirited concert and dance celebration, exuberantly fueled by the infectious energy of Black Girl Magic and Black Boy Joy. The distinctive allure of CurlFest remains unparalleled.
To read this story online, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/curlfest-a-celebration
We usually reserve celebrations for unique
occasions and days: graduations, birthdays, weddings, anniversaries, annual festivals, holidays and soirees marking achievements or milestones.
However, should celebrations happen only on certain days? Could we make every moment an occasion of joy and celebration?
Authentic yoga living (not simply yoga doing) makes it possible.
Life is a present gift. Let us understand the seven secrets of yoga living that help us to treat life as a present. We will call it the P.R.E.S.E.N.T. Pathway.
The P.R.E.S.E.N.T. acronym signifies:
P: Practices and Rituals
R: Reconnection
E: Energetic Life
S: Simple Joys
E: Everything for Good
N: Now and Here
T: Thankfulness and Gratitude
Let us take each of them individually. Observe how we can incorporate them in life so that our life becomes truly a gift and a present.
Yoga living involves practices and conscious rituals. One of the meanings for the word “rituals” is “a series of actions or type of behavior regularly and invariably followed by someone.”
Rituals can become automatic and monotonous. Students of yoga living practice consciously with awareness. For example, how you breathe, eat, sit, stand, sleep, talk, walk and engage with living beings must be done to
ensure your health and mental state. We call these practices a yoga way of life.
Some people have deviated from these behaviors due to poor lifestyle habits. Thus, yoga intentionally uses the word “practice” to point toward consistent effort and growth. Some people rarely receive training to appreciate what they own within themselves and feel content. These people also seldom reflect on gratitude.
Our system needs retraining consciously. This practice ensures that we support a healthy body and mind to look and feel young even in old age.
Our system needs retraining consciously. This practice ensures that we support a healthy body and mind to look and feel young even in old age.
ACTION:
• Consciously make your spine erect when you sit or stand.
• Feel your head pulled up toward the sky.
• Feel your bottom pulled toward the Earth while sitting.
• Feel your feet pulled toward the Earth while standing.
• Feel your body stretched vertically.
• Ordinary acts of standing and sitting become activities of elevating life.
Authentic yoga living helps us to reconnect to our being. At one junction, our body and breath straightforwardly connect to our core, character and will. We knew to listen to our body and respect it.
Due to poor lifestyle habits, some of us have moved away from our true being. We have forgotten the connection between our body and mind. We have begun to feel disconnected from ourselves.
The practices and rituals in yoga living help us connect to the truth. All the love, peace and happiness we seek are already within us. We need to connect to that source within instead of helplessly and fruitlessly looking for them outside. They are not outside us.
ACTION:
• Sit quietly for two minutes every day.
• Do not plan your day at that time! Do not actively think of past events!
• See if you can go within your consciousness.
• Quietly sitting may feel weird or strange. Do it anyway.
• You may gradually increase the duration once you are comfortable with two minutes.
• This reconnection will elevate your life and help you celebrate life.
Authentic yoga living brings ample energy to your body and mind through yoga poses, yoga values and mastering a life force through breath work.
ACTION:
• Learn at least two yoga poses correctly and practice them every day.
• Learn to breathe correctly and practice conscious breathing.
• You will find your energy soaring high. You will begin to enjoy and celebrate life more.
Authentic yoga living teaches us to fill our hearts with simple joys. Let us not wait for significant events to happen in life to celebrate. Let us train ourselves to derive joy from simple things.
Joy is in the sunrise, the sunset, a blossomed flower, smiling faces, soothing music and a pleasant smell; it arises from many things. Let all these bring joy to life. Make life a celebration.
ACTION:
• Commit to appreciating two simple things around you every day.
• Bring a smile onto your face as often as you can.
Authentic yoga living teaches us that life happenings, even when troublesome, can lighten a path toward education, usefulness and benefit. We are all born in this world due to our Karmic cycle. Our ultimate purpose is to realize the truth of this universe and our own life.
All events — even the unpleasant ones — help us progress in life. They make us strong, mature and refined. When we accept it, we can celebrate every challenge and every adversity.
ACTION:
• The next time you feel disappointed or hurt, affirm that the experience “is happening for my highest and greatest good, even if I do not know what the good is at this time.”
The past has concluded. The future is yet to be born. Life happens only in the present. Happiness is only in the present, not the dead past or the unborn future.
Yoga living is about living consciously in the present moment with awareness. With its practices and rituals, yoga enables you to enjoy even simple activities in the present, making life a celebration.
ACTION:
• Become aware.
• Bring your mind to the present whenever it wanders to the past or the future.
• Focus on your breath to come back to the present and ground yourself.
Authentic yoga living trains us to feel grateful for the things we have. Many of us seldom receive training on how to appreciate and feel content in our fruitful lives. We tend to look for what we lack and feel bad about it. We must learn to count our blessings. The more thankful we are, the more things will happen to make us feel thankful.
ACTION:
• Maintain a gratitude journal.
• Write at least five things you are grateful for every night or every morning — or both!
• Think simple. You, as a human, are breathing fresh air, eating food from a fridge and drinking clean water.
Authentic yoga living offers seven secrets to savor life. It brings attitudinal shifts. Its physical practices improve our health, mind and energy level. You can enrich and enjoy your life by trying to follow even one secret mentioned.
We must celebrate life in its capacity for extraordinary phenomena and every moment in between life’s complex and powerful episodes.
Authentic yoga living offers seven secrets to savor life. It brings attitudinal shifts. Its physical practices improve our health, mind and energy level. You can enrich and enjoy your life by trying to follow even one secret mentioned.
Does celebrating every moment through authentic yoga living resonate with you? Which of the seven secrets is your favorite? How will you implement it?
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From shows to watch and songs to hear, to artistry, shopping and things to explore, know and do, here’s a specially curated list of things we recommend as MUST experience items for the culturally fluid.
AppleTV+ is streaming a new “Peanuts” cartoon that
centers on an African-American character who also happens to be a Military B.R.A.T..
“Snoopy Presents: Welcome Home, Franklin” is the origin story of the first African-American character ever featured in a “Peanuts” cartoon. Franklin first appeared in the 1973 TV special “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” but the show caused controversy because he didn’t sit alongside the other white characters at the dinner table.
The new TV episode follows how Franklin approaches making new friends. Franklin’s family is always on the move with his dad’s military job, and everywhere he goes Franklin finds support in a notebook filled with his grandfather’s advice on friendship.
But when Franklin tries his usual strategies with the Peanuts gang, he has trouble fitting in.
That’s until he learns about the neighborhood Soap Box Derby race. According to his grandfather, “everyone loves a winner!” He’s sure that winning the race will also mean winning over some new friends. All he needs is a partner, which he finds in Charlie Brown.
Franklin and Charlie Brown
work together to build a car and in the process become good buddies. But as the race nears, the pressure mounts on whether their car and their newfound friendship can make it to the finish line.
“You know you’ve found your home when you’re surrounded by good friends,” Franklin says in the show’s trailer.
Scan the code below to view the trailer: cultursmag.com/appletv-streams-military-b-r-a-t
ales of Kenzera: ZAU” is an upcoming singleplayer, action-
adventure platformer that brings a new take on the experience of finding hope and courage after loss.
Unfolding in the lands of Kenzera, the game is inspired by Bantu tales, rich with untold lore of chaos and order, memories of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and fascinating creatures. Players can wield and expand cosmic powers from the Sun and Moon masks to defeat restless spirits in rhythmic combat; they can manipulate time and crystallize enemies using the Moon mask powers, or launch fiery spears with the Sun Mask.
Set to composer Nainita Desai’s original score, Zau’s quest to become a worthy spiritual healer takes place across several unique environments.
The game was inspired by Surgent Studios founder and BAFTA-nominated actor Abubakar Salim’s own personal journey dealing with the loss of his father and their deep mutual bond of video games.
“I was fueled by this feeling of grief — this raw feeling of sadness, anger, confusion even — and I used it to drive me towards making this experience,” Salim says.
“Tales of Kenzera: ZAU” will be published by Electronic Arts and releases on April 23, 2024 on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, the Epic Games Store and the EA app for US$19.99.
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Ever wondered what a futuristic Lagos, Nigeria might look like?
“Iwájú,” a new animation series produced by Pan-African entertainment company Kugali, is debuting on DisneyPlus at the end of February.
The story follows Tola, a young girl from a wealthy island, and her best friend Kole, a self-taught tech expert, as they discover the secrets and dangers hidden in their different worlds. Kugali filmmakers — including director Olufikayo Ziki Adeola, production designer Hamid Ibrahim and cultural consultant Toluwalakin Olowofoyeku — show the world of “Iwájú,” bursting with unique visual elements and technological advancements inspired by the spirit of Lagos.
“The heartbeat of my hometown resonates through every scene, and I am thrilled for
the world to experience this unique fusion of tradition and futurism,” Adeola says.
The series is produced by Disney Animation’s Christina Chen with a screenplay by Adeola and Halima Hudson. “Iwájú” features the voices of Simisola Gbadamosi, Dayo Okeniyi, Femi Branch, Siji Soetan and Weruche Opia.
Additionally, a behind-thescenes documentary on the series is slated for release the same day, which details how the show was made.
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Third Culture Kids (TCKs) have typically spent a significant part of
their upbringing crossing cultures. Their experiences can make it challenging to find, form and sustain a sense of belonging to place and to people.
Author Megan Norton’s book “Belonging Beyond Borders” supports the journey of Adult TCKs in unpacking what it means to belong in their multiple communities: personal, professional, familial, cultural and spiritual.
Norton, an Adult TCK herself who grew up as the daughter of a U.S. diplomat and lived in South Africa, South Korea, Germany, Japan, Israel, Austria, Greece, Hungary and Poland, includes questions and self-reflection exercises that invite readers to get curious about how to belong, where to belong and why to belong.
Using analogies from the garden, Norton creates imagery for readers to explore patterns in belonging and opportunities for belonging.
“As an Adult TCK, I personally share in a deeply spiritual and cultural way how I have navigated and grown in belonging to people and to place,” she says. “In a polarized world, my desire is that this book offers love and encouragement about how to see and bridge differences.”
Norton says she wrote her book because she has observed that young Adult TCKs can struggle with feelings of restlessness, rootlessness and not belonging.
“I want to provide some language and reflection exercises for TCKs to explore these feelings,” she says. “I hope that this book serves as an invitation for readers to interact with and respond to who they are as a person, as a local and global citizen, and as an individual who has had the TCK experience. I hope this book provides some additional language to describe the many ways we can belong to ourselves and to others and to the places we have called – or continue to call – home.”
Norton’s book is available on Amazon in paperback and Kindle.
Scan the code below to buy a copy. cultursmag.com/belonging-beyond-borders
Barbara Agrait, a Cuban-American public relations professional, loves being able to speak both English and Spanish.
“I wish I would speak more languages,” she adds. “I think there’s such richness in all the cultures of the world and for the first time ever, I was in Europe this spring, and it was just beautiful, going between country to country on the train and just seeing all the people speak three, four, five languages.”
Agrait has carved an extraordinary career path from humble beginnings as an immigrant who arrived in the United States at 3 years old.
Like countless other immigrants, resilience, determination and a strong work ethic marked her family’s journey from Cuba to the United States.
Now, Agrait is a senior public relations manager of global media relations at Amazon and oversees all reactive media for Latin America and Canada. Before joining Amazon, she worked in government for nearly 25 years, handling national and international high-profile media and policy matters.
She’s a crisis communications expert who has trained Department of Homeland Security and Department of Defense personnel, governors and elected officials. Agrait has also conducted training for the Center for Homeland Defense and Security’s Mobile Education Team at the Naval Postgraduate School. As a native Spanish speaker, Agrait often spoke on behalf of DHS. Spanish-speaking news programs worldwide routinely interviewed her.
In 2013, the Profiles in Diversity Journal named Agrait a “Woman Worth Watching.” She attended Florida International University in Miami, graduating with a master’s degree in public administration and a bachelor’s degree in psychology. She also holds a graduate certificate in Human Resources Management from FIU.
For Agrait, growing up in the vibrant city of Miami was “wonderful.”
“Miami is a beautiful town,” she says. “It’s a melting pot. You have people from all walks of life. And it was certainly the place that I call home, the place that made me into the woman I am today.”
Because she was so young when her family left Cuba, Agrait says she has no actual memories of moving to the United States.
“But, of course, as any immigrant, you sit around the family table and you discuss what it was like and why the journey,” she says.
For her parents, the journey was for freedom, due to the communist regime in Cuba.
“My parents were seeking freedom for themselves and freedom for their two children, my brother and myself,” she says.
Agrait is fiercely proud to be a Hispanic-American and at the same time, thankful for her heritage.
“I would say I’m more thankful that I’m an American because I can’t imagine living in Cuba with that regime — the regime that killed both of my grandparents and that’s why eventually my parents had to flee,” she says.
Agrait’s parents would tell stories about those early days in Miami, the challenges of learning a new language, and the “stigmatization” of being new immigrants.
“Some people don’t really understand other cultures and it scares them when instead of scaring them, it should actually be something that interests them so that they can learn new things,” she says. Her parents told her about their process of working hard and paving the way for her and her brother, “who really would be the recipients of the American Dream.”
In their book “Third Culture Kids: Growing Up Among Worlds,” authors Ruth Van Reken, David Pollock, and Michael Pollock observe that the experience of growing up in a culturally diverse environment is increasingly prevalent, extending beyond traditional Third Culture Kids (TCKs) to include children of immigrants, refugees, international adoptees, and minorities.
The authors emphasize that these individuals, who engage deeply with various cultural worlds, share common characteristics with traditional TCKs, as detailed by Ruth Hill Useem. Additionally, the book explores the concept of CrossCultural Kids (CCKs), encompassing children of immigrants who not only coexist but actively interact with multiple cultures, fostering meaningful and relational involvement.
For Agrait, “having two cultures is a beautiful thing.”
Agrait’s parents would tell stories about those early days in Miami, the challenges of learning a new language, and the “stigmatization” of being new immigrants.
She loves her Cuban culture — the music, the food, getting together with family over for Thanksgiving or Christmas, particularly for “Noche Buena,” the evening of Christmas Eve when many Latino families celebrate the holiday, and for Dia de los Reyes Magos, or Three Kings Day.
“All of those things were just so cool,” she says.
For Agrait, “Noche Buena” counts among her favorite traditions.
“You get together around the table and you normally have roast pig and white rice and black beans, and you have some sweet fried plantains, and you put on some salsa music and you dance and you egg each other on,” she says with a chuckle. “It’s a lot of fun.”
Having two cultures is a beautiful thing.
— Barbara Agrait
For some who come from bilingual families, they may do certain things in one language and other tasks in another.
For Agrait, “I actually think in English.”
“I dream in English,” she adds. That said, having spoken English and Spanish most of her life, Agrait has been on international TV shows where her fluency in Spanish was a plus.
“I’ve had to speak in Spanish on live TV and it’s interesting how there’s a processing in your brain of immediate translation from English to Spanish,” she says.
For the most part, that translation “happens seamlessly,” Agrait says, with some exceptions that might elicit a “chuckle” from her intended audience.
“I mean, sometimes certainly I say, ‘Oh well, I’m not sure if that was the right word,’ but as any PR
professional will say, ‘We’re all human,’” according to Agrait. “If you say a wrong word, you just keep on going and either the anchor will correct you or the viewers will get a chuckle out of it.”
Regarding accents, when asked if people peg her as Cuban when she’s speaking Spanish, Agrait says if she’s around Cubans, “I definitely will be pegged as Cuban.”
But in her life as a PR professional — both in government and out — Agrait says she tries to maintain a “neutral tone.”
“Especially when you do PR, you don’t want to have necessarily something that’s going to be confusing for the viewers,” she says. “So I try to be as kind of neutral in tone as possible, but definitely when I’m around my family or any Cuban, it comes out.”
The biggest lesson Agrait takes from growing up bicultural in her profession “is just always having an open mind and always trying to kind of meet people where they are in their journey.”
Many people navigate the complexities of being either an immigrant or being bicultural, she continues, with some of them not even knowing where they fit in.
“I want to believe that I’m the type of person that sees the people where they are,” she says. “I like to see people, and I like to love them because I think we need to love each other and support each other more.”
Sometimes, navigating those complexities of being bicultural means interpreting between cultures, according to Agrait.
For instance, when she would prep a government official to speak with a Telemundo or Univision reporter, she has to explain specific cultural nuances.
For example, meeting someone at 3:00 may actually mean that the other person shows up at, say, 3:15, “and that’s OK. And it’s acceptable,” she says.
Or explaining that it’s normal in Latin America to greet someone with a hug or kiss, where that’s equivalent to a handshake.
“So really explaining those things, I think, is really helpful because sometimes it could put somebody off and they won’t understand the cultural difference of, ‘Yeah, we really don’t shake hands,’” she adds. “We hug and we kiss, and you can be a perfect stranger, but that’s how we say hi.”
Even written correspondence can be different depending on what country you’re from, according to Agrait.
I like to see people, and I like to love them because I think we need to love each other and support each other more.
“I remember growing up and my mom telling me, ‘Saludame [Greet me]. Make sure you’re looking at the people,’” she adds. “‘Make sure you’re greeting everybody in the room, ask about their children or their grandchildren before you say, ‘Hey, I need X, Y and Z.’”
Consequently, to this day, Agrait says she’s more prone to start and email with a slightly longer greeting than folks in North America might be used to.
“All of my emails will always literally be ‘Hi, I hope you’re well,’ or ‘How are you?’” she says. “And some people think that’s really bizarre, but I feel like I can’t get to business without seeing you as a person. And I really think it’s a cultural thing. I think it’s definitely a part of my Hispanic roots.”
I feel like sometimes when you’re young, you really struggle to find your identity and you struggle to fit in and you want to be liked.
whom she was collaborating on various PR campaigns and her surprise that the meal would last 90 minutes to two hours.
In the U.S., by comparison, Agrait would eat lunch at her desk while answering emails or taking phone calls.
“I mean, yes, granted, they work until like 9:00 at night,” she says. “So, it’s not like a nine-tofive typical job. And yeah, you have a two-hour lunch, but they really are intentional about taking that step back and saying, ‘No, I’m going to take that step back. And I’m going to take that time to have a nice lunch with you, to get to know you, to talk. We can talk shop. But we can also not talk shop.’”
because again, it was like, is this acceptable?” according to Agrait. Will she fit in?
“So I think as I grew into adulthood and matured, I learned that it was wonderful, that it was great and that I should let it out,” she continues.
One example of this is a day where Agrait was eating in a North Carolina diner, and she encountered a man persistently inquiring about her place of origin.
“And I was like, ‘Oh, you know, I’m from Miami,’” she says. “And he was like, ‘Where are you really from?’ And I was like, ‘I’m from Miami.’ And then he’s like,
Consequently, Agrait says you have to explain to people that while it may be different or strange, this is just the way it is in this part of the world.
“It’s always good to step back and kind of just be human again and just be like, it’s OK, we’ll get to work, we’ll get to business, but let’s take those five minutes to get to know each other or let’s take those 10 minutes to go have a coffee,” she says.
On the other hand, being immersed in U.S. culture can sometimes be jarring when traveling abroad, according to Agrait.
Traveling to South America, she remembers going out to lunch with some colleagues with
“So I think definitely in my professional life, I’ve had to do that kind of switch,” she continues. “OK, I don’t have to eat at my desk. I could actually go and have lunch with them. It’s a cultural thing. It’s acceptable.”
When asked what advice Agrait would give her younger self if she could go back in time, she says: “I feel like sometimes when you’re young, you really struggle to find your identity and you struggle to fit in and you want to be liked.”
Everybody wants to be liked, she adds.
“And I feel like growing up — maybe there were times where I didn’t really let my bicultural identity really come out as much,
I feel like growing up
— maybe there were times where I didn’t really let my bicultural identity really come out as much, because again, it was like, is this acceptable?
‘Before Miami.’ And I was like, ‘Oh, I was born in Cuba,’ but you know, all the while I was processing: ‘Sure, I’m proud of that. It’s not like I didn’t want to share that, but why does there have to be a ‘before Miami?’”
That “hump” of acceptance from some people has caused Agrait to learn to embrace the fact that it’s not necessarily from a mean-spirited place, “but really a place of just, ‘I don’t know, but you look different and you talk different and maybe you have an accent, but I don’t know, is it a Hispanic accent? Is it a Miami accent, or what is it?’
“So, I’ve really learned to just embrace it and just understand that, look, at the end of the day, not everybody likes everybody,” she adds. “And maybe they don’t like that you’re Cuban-American or Guatemalan-American or whatever. And that’s OK, too.”
“Just live your life,” she advises. “Just be happy, be comfortable in your own skin, what has really made the fabric of who you are. And that’s where I am today.”
With age and maturity, one learns to love oneself, be kinder, and accept all aspects of oneself — “the good, the bad, the ugly, the misunderstood, which obviously that was a situation [where] he really didn’t understand, ‘Well, she looks different, and she speaks different, where is she really from?’” she says.
Just be happy, be comfortable in your own skin, what has really made the fabric of who you are. And that’s where I am today.
“And that’s OK,” Agrait adds. “And I think that’s what I would tell people is accept who you are, love who you are, and if you come from a bicultural family, that’s wonderful, that’s beautiful, learn to tap into it, and I think it will certainly take you to good places in life.” To read this story online, scan the code below. cultursmag.com/barbara-agrait
THE WINTER BLUES: AN ADULT TCK’S GUIDE TO EMBRACING MENTAL WELL BEING THROUGH THE WINTER SEASON AND BEYOND!
By Paulette Bethel, PhD
This article aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of being global nomads and its impact on our psychological well-being, including shedding light on the gifts it bestows and the challenges it presents. More importantly, it offers insights and practical strategies to effectively navigate these mental health nuances that come with the lifestyle, especially in winter.
As the world transitions into the serene
landscapes and frosty air of winter, it’s not just the weather that undergoes a dramatic change; the season often casts its unique influence on our mental well-being. The winter months bring a blend of gifts and challenges, shaping the intricate tapestry of our emotional landscapes in ways that warrant attention and understanding.
For many, the onset of winter marks a time of cozy comforts, festive celebrations and the opportunity for reflection amid the serene quietude. However, this season also harbors its darker shades, often accentuated by diminished daylight, seasonal affective disorder and a palpable sense of isolation brought on by harsh weather conditions.
Understanding the delicate interplay between the joys and tribulations of winter on our mental health is crucial. This article aims to delve into the multifaceted aspects of winter’s impact on our psychological well-being, shedding light on the gifts it bestows and the challenges it presents. More importantly, it offers insights and practical strategies to navigate these winter-induced mental health nuances effectively.
By recognizing the unique mental health landscape that accompanies winter and employing targeted coping mechanisms, individuals can not only endure but also thrive amidst the season’s ebbs and flows.
Join us on this exploration as we uncover the diverse facets of mental health during the winter months and equip ourselves with the tools necessary to cultivate resilience, joy and well-being in the midst of winter’s embrace.
Growing up as Third Culture Kids (TCK) and Global Nomads, we have navigated various climates, cultures and seasons. For many of us the arrival of winter often brings with it a unique mixture of emotions and challenges.
The winter months, with their serene beauty and tranquil landscapes, often served as a canvas for contemplation and introspection. However, amidst the picturesque winter scenes in places like the Swiss Alps or the Aspen ski slopes, we may find ourselves navigating a labyrinth of emotions, at times grappling with the subtle but undeniable shifts in our mental well-being.
As the daylight wanes and the temperature drops, one can encounter moments where the cheer of the season coexisted with a faint sense of melancholy. The
chilling winds seemed to whisper tales of isolation, echoing the sentiments of other TCKs who find themselves in a delicate dance between the winter’s gifts and its shadowy aspects.
Reflecting on these experiences can ignite a passion to explore the intersection of winter and mental health, particularly for individuals with diverse cultural backgrounds. The stories shared, the challenges faced and the resilience displayed by those navigating the winter months serve as inspiration to delve deeper into this multifaceted topic.
As we embark on this exploration, let us discover the warmth within us to combat the winter blues, celebrate the joys this season brings, and forge a deeper understanding of mental health amidst the chill.
By recognizing the unique mental health landscape that accompanies winter and employing targeted coping mechanisms, individuals can not only endure but also thrive amidst the season’s ebbs and flows.
Winter can pose specific challenges to the mental health of Adult TCKs, especially if they are living in regions with cold climates or experiencing significant changes in daylight hours. Here are some potential issues and strategies to support the mental health of adult TCKs during the winter months:
1. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Winter months with reduced sunlight can trigger symptoms of SAD, causing feelings of lethargy, low mood and changes in sleeping patterns. TCKs, especially those accustomed to warmer climates or places with more sunlight, might be more susceptible. Strategies like light therapy, spending time outdoors during daylight hours and regular exercise can help alleviate symptoms.
2. Isolation and Loneliness: Winter weather might discourage outdoor activities and social interactions, leading to feelings of isolation. TCKs, who may already have experienced challenges in building and maintaining relationships due to their upbringing, might find it harder during the winter. Encouraging virtual meetups, joining local groups or clubs and staying connected with friends and family can combat feelings of loneliness.
3. Cultural Adjustment: For TCKs who have moved to a new country or climate, adapting to the winter season can be an additional challenge. Understanding and embracing local winter traditions, finding ways to enjoy winter activities, and seeking out communities that share similar backgrounds can help in the adjustment process.
4. Creating a Supportive Environment: Building a supportive network or community of other TCKs or individuals with similar cultural backgrounds can offer understanding and validation. Sharing experiences and coping strategies can foster a sense of belonging and support during the winter months.
Winter can present unique challenges for anyone, and for Adult TCKs these challenges might intersect with their cultural background and experiences. It’s essential to acknowledge these complexities and provide tailored support to help them navigate the winter season while prioritizing their mental health and well-being.
The winter months can bring both gifts and challenges to mental health for various reasons. Understanding these factors can help in effectively addressing and managing potential issues while embracing the positive aspects:
1. Coziness and Comfort: Winter often brings a sense of coziness with opportunities for warm blankets, hot beverages and gatherings around fireplaces. These aspects can provide comfort and promote relaxation, which can positively impact mental well-being.
2. Seasonal Traditions and Celebrations: Many cultures have festive traditions during the winter months.
Winter can present unique challenges for anyone, and for Adult TCKs these challenges might intersect with their cultural background and experiences.
Participating in these celebrations can foster a sense of community, belonging, and joy, which contribute positively to mental health.
3. Reflective Time: The quieter, slower pace of winter can offer opportunities for reflection and introspection. Some people find this period conducive to self-discovery, setting goals and planning for the future, leading to a sense of purpose and direction.
1. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Reduced daylight hours during winter can lead to Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) in some individuals, causing symptoms such as low mood, fatigue and changes in sleep patterns.
2. Social Isolation: Harsh weather conditions might limit outdoor activities and social interactions, leading to feelings of isolation and loneliness. This can be particularly challenging for individuals who thrive on social connections.
3. Holiday Stress: While holidays can be joyful, they can also bring stress due to increased expectations, financial pressures, and family-related obligations, leading to anxiety and overwhelm for some individuals.
4. Disruption of Routine: The change in weather and daylight can disrupt daily routines, affecting sleep patterns, exercise habits, and overall lifestyle, which might negatively impact mental health.
Strategies to address these challenges and enhance mental health during the winter months include:
• Light Therapy: Using light therapy boxes to simulate sunlight and mitigate symptoms of SAD.
• Maintaining Social Connections: Finding alternative indoor activities or virtual means to stay connected with friends and family.
• Self-Care Practices: Engaging in self-care activities like exercise, meditation, or hobbies to promote wellbeing.
• Setting Realistic Expectations: Managing holiday-related stress by setting boundaries and realistic expectations.
• Seeking Professional Help: Consulting mental health professionals if experiencing persistent feelings of sadness, anxiety, or other mental health concerns.
By acknowledging both the gifts and challenges of the winter months, individuals can take proactive steps to nurture their mental health during this time and embrace the positive aspects while effectively managing the potential difficulties.
By acknowledging both the gifts and challenges of the winter months, individuals can take proactive steps to nurture their mental health during this time and embrace the positive aspects while effectively managing the potential difficulties.
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An soldier in the U.S. Army, Ken Stover was 17 years old when he received orders to report to the Oakland, California Army Terminal. Common knowledge among the soldiers was that Oakland was where one went before being deployed to Eastern countries like Japan. While the island nation was about to become a much more significant part of his life, he didn’t know his destination.
He settled into his barracks — an enormous open room with several hundred beds — to await his fate. One morning, destiny sounded from the loudspeaker: “Everyone fall out onto the tarmac with your duffle bags.”
Stover joined the other soldiers in falling out and lining up in rows, aware that they would deploy before the sun set into the Pacific. He received instructions and heard names listed in alphabetical order.
Hundreds of young men responded, boarding bus after bus upon hearing their names announced. When one bus reached capacity, the soldiers moved on to the next vacant one.
“There were buses as far as you could see!” Ken recalls that day in 1956. “I was getting tired, standing out there on that hot tarmac, waiting for what seemed like hours.”
“By the time they got to the S’s, my attention span had faded,” he says. “Then the next thing I knew, they were in the T’s. I became concerned that I had missed my name!”
Stover decided to remedy the mistake with a foolish yet serendipitous move. He fell into line behind a bus, still far from complete. After boarding the bus, he rode with the other soldiers to the pier, where they then boarded a steam-powered ship, the USS Ainsworth. Thus began his two-week journey across the sea and into the unknown.
After the first week, a sergeant noted that Private Stover was never on duty. When questioned, Ken explained to the sergeant that his name was missing from the duty roster. Much discussion between the sergeant, the general and Ken ensued before discovering that Oakland had listed “Private Stover” as AWOL.
To send Stover back to fulfill his duties in Oakland was impossible: The ship was too far out to sea, Hawai’i-bound. Once the Ainsworth docked in Honolulu, Ken rode a bus to
O’ahu’s Schofield Barracks, where assigned to tank battalion duties.
Within the year, it became clear to Stover that boarding that ship may have been the best mistake he ever made.
“I was born in 1940 on O’ahu, 16 years before Ken showed up on our island. And I was one year old when Pearl Harbor was bombed,” says Dora Stover of the Hawai’i she grew up in. “Being a Japanese American born in Hawai’i during wartime was far from simple.”
Dora’s mother was educated at a sewing school on O’ahu, creating patterns out of newspaper for the clothes she sewed. Dora’s father had a gas station on Kalakawa Avenue. As a result of complications with an investment in Japan, he eventually lost the gas station.
“A lot of people lost their business during the war,” says Dora of how hard those times were. When her father lost his business, all seven of his children got jobs, working to make ends meet.
To help her family, Dora found employment as a governess for a prominent family in the community while working at the
Being a Japanese American born in Hawai’i during wartime was far from simple.
Wheeler Army Airfield’s NonCommissioned Officer (NCO) club as a waitress and saving money to go to beautician school. The Hawai’i of World War II left her no choice but to manage to have less while developing a solid work ethic.
Dora’s passion for beauty and her ability to rise and meet demanding work with unwavering determination is instilled in her children and grandchildren. Today, Dora’s granddaughter, Michelle, runs a
successful hair salon she founded in Pennsylvania. Her sons Steve and Kenny and granddaughter Nicholle are marathon runners.
With his grandfather’s name and his grandmother’s grit, Dora’s grandson Kenneth Patrick Stover is a trail and ultra-runner and often graces the cover of Hawai’i newspapers after winning races — papers that Dora’s mother would have used to create patterns for the clothes she sewed.
“When I first saw her, I was immediately drawn to her. I thought she was so beautiful,” says Ken Stover of the first time he laid eyes on Dora Ohta. There was, however, one minor problem. Dora was on a date with his friend, and Ken was the third wheel.
“My Army buddy asked me to go to the drive-in theater for a movie. When he showed up with this attractive young lady beside him in the car, I naturally
assumed he had arranged a double date.” He hadn’t. Ken climbed into the back seat, confused yet intrigued by the Japanese American beauty in the front seat. The year was 1957.
Resigned to be the third wheel, Ken settled in for the double feature. A half-hour into the first film, Dora dangled her hand discreetly over the seat, confirming the mutual interest. Ken held her hand through the first feature and the second, and he continued to do so through the ensuing 64 years.
“Ken was a good-looking young man and so nice,” Dora recalls with a smile. “He would come all the way to Waikīkī from the barracks to pick me up!”
Dora repeatedly insisted that he may pick her up, but not at her home: “Ken wanted to walk me to the door, but I didn’t want him to see my house.”
The Ohtas’ home, built during the sugar cane plantation era, consisted of four wood walls with exposed two-by-fours. The building lacked drywall or stud walls, common for Hawaiian plantation buildings of that era.
Young and stubborn, Ken disregarded Dora’s first request for him never to follow her home and became quite familiar with the Ohtas’ small two-bedroom house in Waikīkī. With her parents in the first bedroom, Dora and her six siblings overflowed out of the second bedroom and onto the living room floor.
At a time when biracial couples were not really accepted by society, it was difficult for Ken and Dora. Initially, his mom was against the relationship. Dora’s parents were reluctant as well.
“He had to get to know my father, and my mother approved eventually,” Dora attests. “We dated for the next two years.”
Eight months before transferring from Hawai’i, Ken even approached her family about possibly marrying his beloved Dora, and their response changed everything. Dora’s parents agreed to send her to California once Ken lived there so the couple could travel across the country and get married.
When she arrived, Dora was surprised to find that the vehicle Ken had bought for their crosscountry trip was in no condition to make the journey.
Furthermore, Ken simply couldn’t afford to fix his clunker of a car when it broke down, so they would have to travel by bus to Pennsylvania, where they planned to wed.
“It took us almost a week to get there. It was the first time I ever saw snow!” Dora says, recalling the trip’s highlight.
Dora and Ken were married in Pennsylvania in 1960, on April Fools’ Day, which was a suitable date considering Ken’s foolish but fortunate decision on a tarmac in Oakland had brought Dora into his life.
If being a Japanese-American on O’ahu during World War II was tough, being a Hawai’i-born, Japanese-American in the 1960s was tumultuous, especially in Kentucky, where the newlyweds landed when Ken received another transfer.
“In Kentucky, I had to ride on the back of the bus because I was not white,” Dora recounts. “When others found out I was Japanese, they were not very kind. And when they found out I was from Hawai’i on top of that, they mocked me, asking if I lived in a grass shack. I may have had an outhouse growing up, but I did not live in a grass shack!”
Dora Ohta Stover with her parents and siblings. Photo courtesy of Dora Stover
“At first, I wore a muumuu everywhere on the mainland, just like I did in Hawai’i,” says Dora, who was accustomed to wearing a vibrant, flowing muumuu around town like the other women of Waikīkī. “But I got embarrassed because people asked me if I was wearing a nightgown. It was bad enough that no one could
When others found out I was Japanese, they were not very kind. And when they found out I was from Hawai’i on top of that, they mocked me, asking if I lived in a grass shack. I may have had an outhouse growing up, but I did not live in a grass shack!
understand me because I spoke Hawaiian Pidgin English. So I stopped wearing my muumuus.”
“I didn’t feel like such a minority as a child,” Dora says, recalling how she grew up surrounded by so many other Japanese families on O’ahu. “But after Ken and I got married, we were living in Kentucky, and I didn’t have any friends at first.”
Eventually, Ken and Dora became dear friends with an African-American couple: “But when we all tried to go out to a restaurant, they wouldn’t let us in. So, we just went somewhere else. Ken didn’t care,” Dora
I didn’t feel like such a minority as a child.
shares. “That’s how he was, even when we lived on O’ahu, and people said offensive things to him because he was a white man dating a Japanese-American.”
While the unexpected level of prejudice on the mainland coupled with Ken and Dora’s youth tried them, it deepened their bond.
“Ken and I were just kids when we got married and he was behaving as kids do, going out for drinks with his buddies at night. That’s when I got really homesick for Hawai’i, and I told my fatherin-law that I was going to go back home,” says Dora. “Ken’s Dad had a talk with him, and things got better, and I stayed.”
Ken and Dora soon had two babies, Kenny and Steve, and found happiness as a little family in what felt like a foreign country to Dora. Then, Ken was transferred to Germany in 1961.
“There I was, this minority, alone in Kentucky with two little sons that were called derogatory names at school because they looked Asian,” he says.
However, as Dora proudly noted, Kenny stood up for his younger brother. She too dug deep into the reserves of her strength for her sons and eventually for her daughter Janice when she was born.
Ken finally returned from Germany, and the family made the long trek back to their beloved Hawai’i at last.
Their stay on O’ahu, however, would be short-lived.
After Ken helped open Honolulu’s Hale Koa Hotel, he received a phone call informing him that his father had fallen ill. The Stovers packed up again, returning to Pennsylvania to be with Ken’s Dad. While living there, all three Stover children graduated from high school. Later, Kenny would leave the mainland behind for a life on Hawai’i Island, while Steve and Janice remained on the U.S. East Coast.
“Hawai’i was always where Ken and I were meant to be,” notes Dora. “Was it easier to be Japanese in Hawai’i than on the mainland? Yes. But really, it’s easier to be of any heritage here.”
Thirty-eight years ago, Dora and Ken returned to the island of O’ahu for good. They put down their roots in Mililani Town, about 23 miles from where Dora grew up. With the days of being sent to the back of the bus behind her, Dora is accepted and respected by her community.
Hawai’i was always where Ken and I were meant to be.
Now, family and neighbors stop by to admire the fruit trees that have taken root. Tending to the trees and gardens they have planted over the past three decades, the couple sends guests home with freshly picked fruit and Japanese candies.
At 82 and 83, Dora and Ken continue to invest substantial time in maintaining strong trees and a healthy garden, and they enjoy the fruit of their labors. Dora and Ken have grown up together like the lychee, mac nut, tangelo and lime trees they planted side by side.
From the warmth of sunny Hawai’i to the chill of snowy Pennsylvania in winter, the Stovers have weathered the storms of diverse cultures and climates. They have harnessed any adversity they endured, using it to cultivate strength and model the value of acceptance of all for their children and their community.
All because Dora offered her hand to a young soldier who boarded the wrong ship.
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LOCATION: Eastern Spain
POPULATION: 840,000*
AVERAGE ANNUAL TEMPERATURE: 22.3 degrees Celsius (72.1 degrees Fahrenheit) during the day and 13.4 degrees Celsius (56.1 degrees Fahrenheit) at night.**
BEST TIMES TO VISIT: April-May, September-October
Macrotrends.net
** University of Virginia
Valencia on Spain’s east coast has gentle waves of the Mediterranean Sea lapping on its shores.
It’s the country’s third-largest city
after Madrid and Barcelona, and according to the University of Virginia, “Valencia enjoys nearly 300 cloudless days a year. The Subtropical Mediterranean climate gives the region very mild winters and long warm to hot summers.”
Expats from more than five countries have called Valencia “the best city to live in the entire world.” The city sports more than 160 kilometers (99 miles) of bike lanes, and the farmland that surrounds it, along with the sea and the La Albufera paddy fields, give it rich culinary choices.
Katarzyna Mendela, a native of Poland, is a Third Culture Adult (TCA) and digital nomad who recently relocated to Spain with her company.
“I first fell in love in Valencia in 2012, after doing my internship without any knowledge of Spanish,” Mendela says. “I spent a couple of months there and was hooked on the welcoming culture and positive spirit of the people! After living as an expat in London for eight years, I decided to come back to my dream destination. In Valencia, you never feel alone. You are never bored, and the sun makes the experience and life so much easier.
“Living in Valencia makes me at peace,” she continues. “I really
You can really feel Valencia’s 2,000 years of age, where references to medieval history abound across the city with sites like the Plaza de la Reina, from which visitors can access the Valencia Cathedral.
The cathedral ground has a rich history that includes being converted into a mosque when the Moors ruled the Iberian Peninsula. There is even a Holy Grail, or chalice, that is rumored to be the one used by Jesus during the Last Supper. At least two popes have used it while celebrating Mass during their visits to Valencia.
The cathedral’s main altar sports Renaissance frescoes that were covered by a Baroque vault and only discovered over a decade ago when the vault was removed. The paintings were commissioned in 1476 and drawn by Italian artists Paolo de San Leocadio and Francesco Pagano.
There’s even a museum in the cathedral that exhibits up to 90 paintings from the Gothic, Renaissance and Mannerist periods. Famous Spanish painters like Goya and Maella — among others — are shown off.
The over-100-year-old Horchateria Santa Catalina located in the plaza serves delicious horchatas with fartons as well as tapas that you can munch on. Additionally, certain days feature craft markets for souvenir shopping.
believe that ‘Valencia era mi destino, mi ultima parada, y podria decir que esta es mi meta.’” (Valencia was my destination, my last stop, and I could say that this is my goal.)
In 2019, Marie Claudia Als decided to change her life completely and move from her home country of Denmark to study dentistry in Valencia without knowing Spanish.
“It’s been an amazing journey, and Valencia has been the perfect city for being an expat,” she says. “There are so many things to do and see, both in the city as well as the region. The people are very welcoming and positive, and it’s been like a constant holiday with all the sun, compared to Denmark. Valencia feels like my home, and I look forward to seeing what it has to offer when I finish my degree this summer.”
At least six streets converge on the plaza, and it sports wonderful views of the Santa Catalina and Miguelete Tower. You can even climb the Miguelete’s 207 steps to get a view of the entire city.
It’s amazing how Valencia boasts more than one actual living ceremony that is on UNESCO’s “Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity” list.
The Plaza de la Virgen is also worth visiting, with its quieter vibe and a bunch of cafes and bars where one can quench a thirst. Not only that, if you are there on a Thursday at noon, the “Water Court of the Plain of Valencia” is not only the oldest working judicial institution in Europe, it has been designated as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.
The Serranos Towers date back over 600 years and were even used as a jail for members of the high nobility. As they are basically the main entrance to Valencia, they are pretty hard to miss. If you are in the city on the last Sunday of February, the towers serve as the “Crida,” i.e. the opening ceremony of the Fallas, a celebration that commemorates Saint Joseph. UNESCO even added the Fallas festival to its Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in November 2016.
The Ciudad de las Artes y las Ciencias is an arts and sciences center that sports the Oceanogràfic, the largest European aquarium, and caters to those with more modern interests.
With a volume of more than 42 million cubic meters (11.1 billion gallons) of salt water, the aquarium shows off all the Earth’s oceans and seas. And if you are hungry, you can eat at one of three restaurants on the grounds: Surround yourself with fish in the “Restaurante Submarino,” check out the view of the aquarium from the terrace of the “Restaurant Océanos” or the self-serve Lonja cafeteria.
All that seafood makes sense, due to Valencia’s beaches — 20 kilometers/12 miles of which are inside the city limits. Most of them are reachable by bike, making them incredibly convenient.
Sara Ghasemi hails from Iran and moved to Sweden in her teens. She’s lived in Valencia for the better part of a year and says: “I think Valencia is a place you either love or feel indifferent about. I did not fall in love with Valencia. I was quite unhappy in the beginning. Perhaps it was homesickness or that my expectations were built too high, leading to disappointment.
“I think I was too overwhelmed by all the different impressions because Valencia is a city of contrasts: The old, charming fisherman neighborhood with colorful colonial houses versus brick buildings,” she continues. “Taking pride in the traditional Valencian values and language while modernizing the city. Not being the biggest city yet having enough of everything you need.”
Looking back at it, Ghasemi says its contrasts make Valencia charming.
“With that realization, I grew fond of Valencia in the end,” she adds.
If films are your jam, L’Hemisfèric, built in 1998, sports an IMAX movie theater as well as a planetarium and laserium. It is regarded as the centerpiece of the City of Arts and Sciences.
Additionally, there is the Museu de les Ciences Principe Felipe, an interactive science museum shaped like a whale’s skeleton. Exhibitions range from “The Legacy of Science,” “Zero Gravity” and even the “Science of Marvel Superheroes.” The building’s 26,000 square meters (279, 862 square feet) of exhibition space make it the largest in Spain.
If you are more into sculpture art, L’Umbracle has an outdoor sculpture gallery featuring works by modern artists like Yoko Ono and Miguel de Navarre, among others.
And if Opera is your thing, there is the Palau de les Arts Reina Sofia, a performing arts center that hosts multiple events.
The Jardín del Túria, or Turia Garden, which runs through the city, appeals to those who like green spaces.
One of the largest natural parks in Spain, the 9-kilometer Turia Garden is an ideal place for runners, cyclists, families and nature lovers. This immense garden is built on the old bed of the Turia River which was diverted to avoid the continuous flooding that the city suffered.
Jack Prins is a 21-year-old Cross Cultural Kid (CCK) and Third Culture Adult (TCA) from Curaçao, a Dutch island in the Caribbean. He’s traveled around the world and lived in Australia, the United States, The Netherlands, Spain and throughout Africa. His mom moved to Valencia in early August of last year, and he decided to come and live with her for a bit before going to study in Barcelona.
“I really enjoyed living in Valencia and was pleasantly surprised at the rich culture and stunning architecture there,” he says. “While exploring the city center, I often found myself admiring the beautiful buildings and the surrounding flora.”
Prins adds that he was awestruck by the sheer size of some buildings and monuments and couldn’t stop taking pictures.
“The only drawback for me was the heat — which at times would go above 40 degrees Celsius [104 degrees Fahrenheit]. But nonetheless, I can’t wait to go back and revisit Plaza del Ayuntamiento and Valencia’s
Eighteen bridges criss-cross the garden, with some of them dating back to the 15th Century. More modern bridges include three designed by Santiago Calatrava: the Puente de la Exposición, 9 d’Octubre, Las Flores and l’Assut d’Or. The Las Artes bridge was designed by Norman Foster and Arturo Piera designed the Angel Custodio bridge.
Additionally, palm and orange trees dot the park, along with fountains and other things. There is even a 70-meter/230-foot-long recumbent statue that kids can climb all over.
Lovers can stroll the park, whispering sweet nothings into each others’ ears.
During the summer, you can rent canoes to paddle the ponds that surround the City of Arts and Sciences.
beautiful sunny beaches,” he says. “The vibrancy of the Spanish people and their warm culture really made my experience there special and different from other cities I had visited previously.”
Abigail and Bret Randolph were both born in the USA. In 2016, they started traveling internationally, living in Long Island, Bahamas, Timi oara, Romania and finally landing in Valencia.
“We decided to make Spain our home after traveling to other countries for a variety of reasons,” Abigail says. “The principal reasons were the ease of acquiring long-stay residency visas and the considerably lower cost of living, compared to the United States, especially when factoring in the exorbitantly high price of health insurance in the U.S.”
The Randolphs decided on Valencia initially because, in addition to all that it offers culturally and recreationally, “it also has a Romanian-speaking community, and we as Jehovah’s Witnesses do volunteer work in this field,” she says.
With Valencia lacking any hills, it is the perfect place for joggers. Those who want to save their knees can opt to rent bicycles, segways and tandem bikes.
All in all, with its history spanning the medieval to the modern, from its nearby beaches to historic parks, ancient cathedrals and state-ofthe-art museums, it is no wonder that Valencia is such a vivacious destination, making it worth doing a short visit as well as a place to settle down in.
A bonus for them is Valencia’s cultural and recreational offerings: a large beach with a boardwalk, parks, museums and an old town center full of beautiful architecture. Additionally, Spain and Europe are easily accessible by railway stations and an airport.
“Very convenient for our frequent travels to Romania,” she adds. “It is also an easy city to navigate on foot or by public transportation.”
Later, when looking for a permanent home, the Randolphs decided on Torrente, a small city just outside of Valencia, because the housing costs for what they wanted to buy were less expensive than in Valencia. Additionally, according to Abigail, bus and metro intricately connect Torrente and Valencia, and Valencia is a city with everything one needs to live comfortably.
One food that makes Valencia stand out for culinary enthusiasts is the local paella.
Paella Valenciana sports round-grain rice, two green bean varieties called “bajoqueta” and “tavella” plus either chicken or rabbit or maybe duck, along with “garrofo,” a type of butter bean or lima bean. It’s cooked with chicken broth and olive oil.
Turn the page to dig into more Valencian food fare in CultursCELEBRATIONS!
When the fat has already been released, add cider and raise the heat.
The cider will evaporate and form a beautiful red sauce meaning that it’s ready to eat.
Enjoy with toasted bread or alone.
05
Now you put the flour, salt, pepper, nutmeg and you fry it, mix it well so that there are no lumps and the bechamel is very fine.
Pour the milk little by little to obtain a thick sauce. Stir it for a few minutes and when you see that it is condensed, it is time to add the well-drained tuna and stir again until it is well incorporated into the bechamel.
Now its time to stuff the peppers with the help of a teaspoon.
Slice the Garlic.
Heat the oil and fry the sliced garlic and the chilli cut into rings.
Then add the prawns, season and let them cook for one or wo minutes, turning them around in the pan. 05 Add
It is important to brown the garlic but not too done. The same with the prawns, brown them briefly so they don’t cook too much and lose their characteristic fresh flavor.
COOKING TIME: 45 min
PREPPING TIME: 50 min SERVES: 2
INGREDIENTS FOR SEAFOOD PAELLA:
1. 80 g chopped onions
2. 80 g chopped peppers
3. 50 g crushed tomato or tomato puree
4. 1 garlic clove peeled
5. 500 fish broth
6. 100 g Bomba rice (substitutable for any kind of risotto rice)
7. 200 gr fresh or frozen Calamari (whole or cut in rings)
8. 4 und of shrimp
9. 50 ml white wine
10. 1 g Paella mix
11. 0.025 saffron
12. 1 g garlic powder
13. Lemon peel 1 strip
Make a small hole in the middle of the pan, add a teaspoon of EVOO and add the spice paste and stir with the oil for 10 seconds and then mix everything together.
Add the rice to the pan and mix very well for 2 minutes.
After 4 minutes, leave the spoon aside and shake the pan in a circular motion or “hula hoop” for 45 seconds, then let stand and wait for the smell of burnt toast to appear, making sure the Socarat has formed (1 min approx).
Return the seafood on top decoratively without pushing it or mixing it with the rice. 15
Place the entire paella pan in the oven at 200 degrees Celsius or 392 Fahrenheit for 15 minutes.
COOKING TIME: 25 min
PREPPING TIME: 30 min
SERVES: 8
INGREDIENTS FOR CHURROS:
1. 250g all-purpose wheat flour (can also be made with baker’s flour)
2. 250g of water
3. 1 teaspoon of salt (approximately 8 grams)
4. 50 g of sugar for coating
5. 10 g of cinnamon for coating
6. 20 g of chocolate
7. 10 g of cream (half, light or heavy)
8. Mild olive oil for frying or sunflower oil
9. Kitchen absorbent paper
10. A manual churrera or a pastry bag with a thin mouth
05
When it starts to boil, pour it directly and in one go over the flour. With a wooden spoon we integrate the flour with the water. We will have a very sticky and quite compact dough.
Now we are going to introduce this dough into a churrera or pastry bag. This step is essential so that the churros turn out well and you do not have problems with them when frying. If you have a machine to make churros, fill it with the dough. The best choice.
If you don’t have the option of making the churros with a churrera, we have another possibility, a pastry bag with a star-shaped nozzle. Pastry bags can be made of disposable plastic. You can find them in confectionery stores or online stores of creative confectionery.
We are making the portions of churros with the raw dough on a kitchen cloth on the counter. In a way that the dough cools and prevents them from opening or bursting during frying.
11
When it is hot, we introduce the portions of dough to fry. Before frying, measure the temperature of the oil (if possible), between 170º and 200º C for churros.
We cook over medium heat to prevent the churros from being raw inside.
If you are going to use a pastry bag to make the churros, be very careful when frying, they can jump. With the churrera, that problem will not happen to you.
13
“I was raised speaking English and Spanish. And I also speak Danish. And I can get by in French and Italian. I’ve acted in Spanish and English, but when something has to do with emotions, sometimes I feel I can get to the heart of the matter better in Spanish.”
— As quoted in Time Magazine
Winter can bring its own set of challenges when it comes to your skincare and your wellness routine, depending
on where you reside in the world.
Let’s dive right in and explore some multicultural-inspired, self-care and wellness tips that you can utilize during the winter months. Always remember to strive to hit all of your senses if you want to create an ultimate experience in your practice.
Straddling two or more cultures can be a complex feeling at times for many of us, which is why it’s imperative we continue practicing and embracing a diverse range of self-care practices.
Beauty, wellness and self-care can look different during the winter season; in some areas in the world, many cultures practice their own wellness routines and rituals that are designed to help preserve how one looks and feels both internally and externally.
Straddling two or more cultures can be a complex feeling at times for many of us, which is why it’s imperative we continue practicing and embracing a diverse range of self-care practices; from meditation, yoga, sound bowl hearing, qi gong, capoeira and more.
You can draw so much inspiration within your own culture(s) and background or research cultures that may be of interest to you. Embracing your beauty during the colder season involves tailored self-care and wellness practices that cater to the specific needs of cross-cultural and multicultural skin.
• Ayurveda combines yoga, dietary guidelines, herbal remedies and various cleansing practices to maintain harmony within the body. Originating in India thousands of years ago, this practice is designed to help one focus on achieving total balance.
Remember, hydration is key always, so always having sufficient amounts of water is important for so many reasons. Explore the many ayurvedicinspired herbs — such as ashwagandha which is for stress reduction or triphala which is for your digestive system.
• Detoxing to eliminate toxins so you can rejuvenate your body for the upcoming seasons. Connect with nature, go on a brisk walk and enjoy the winter climate.
• Breathwork along with yoga are practices you can do on your own, but also originate back to India.
• Qi-gong was developed in China as a part of Chinese medicine, designed to regulate your mind, breath and posture. Movements in this practice are aimed for relaxation so they are very smooth.
Many believe that self-care and wellness have to be this grand experience all the time, like a luxurious day at the spa or receiving in-home pampering services. In fact, it’s the opposite, and the historical practices found globally on a multicultural level are designed specifically for the make-up of the Third Culture Kid (TCK), cross cultural and mixedrace community.
Generations have practiced those routines in their own way, so we must continue to make it a habit to practice the things that were left here from each culture. Often times, though, these conversations are not always discussed frequently enough to enlighten those that would like to create better practices but don’t necessarily know how.
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Portuguese for “longing, “melancholy” or “nostalgia”
Professional engineer Aurora White is working hard to
inspire other indigenous youths to take on careers in science, technology, engineering and math, or STEM.
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) recently named White 2023’s “Most Promising Engineer.”
The award is annually given to a professional engineer with less than five years of workforce experience after earning a professional degree. Candidates are nominated for the award, and their early technical contributions must indicate a promising career. White, a member of the Lac Vieux Desert Band of Lake Superior Chippewa Indians, will be featured in AISES’ fall edition of its quarterly publication, “Winds of Change.”
“I am deeply humbled by this honor from AISES,” says White, a calibration engineer at automaker Stellantis. “Ever since I was a child, I’ve enjoyed building and fixing things, which eventually led to my career choice in engineering. I am also especially passionate about my culture, and I hope my achievements might help inspire younger members of the indigenous community to pursue a future in STEM fields and make the world a better place through their work.”
White began working with the company in 2017 following her graduation from Michigan Technological University. She received her master’s degree in mechanical engineering from Oakland University in 2020.
In 2022, White graduated from the company’s Leaders Embracing All Diversity (LEAD) leadership program that focuses on training and growing multicultural talent for future leadership opportunities. Now, she serves on that program’s board.
The American Indian Science and Engineering Society (AISES) recently named White 2023’s “Most Promising Engineer.”
White also serves as the treasurer for ICON – the Indigenous Cultural Opportunity Network. ICON is one of 11 employee-directed business resource groups at Stellantis, representing an array of affinity communities within the company, providing members with mentorship, leadership opportunities and career connections. White helps coordinate Indigenous education activities within the company through ICON, while also conducting STEM outreach in the community.
“Aurora is truly an inspiration, not just for her commitment to her work, but also for her leadership in the indigenous community,” said Kaitlyn Mulkey, the president of ICON and a community outreach and marketing analyst for the Jeep brand. “I am so happy she won this award and am excited to witness her future accomplishments.”
Aurora is truly an inspiration, not just for her commitment to her work, but also for her leadership in the indigenous community.
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