tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-63946677761337736962024-03-05T02:00:01.707-08:00Ticicalli Yahualli"House of the Healing" Collective of Urban Indigenous Birth Workers + Cultural Workers. Supporting Families through Birth and Transitions as rites of passages. Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07825573440850177242noreply@blogger.comBlogger40125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-75014848310490480822016-04-11T16:29:00.000-07:002017-02-10T11:35:51.211-08:00Unschooling is Reclaiming Our Natural Way of Life<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Human beings are in a struggle to regain our humanity” Rigoberta Menchu</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeschooling or life schooling is what our natural way of life was before the the colonizers came to this continent. This was something that was brought up in the homeschooling panel we had and it resonated with me. I sometimes forget what is means just to live and enjoy life. The purpose of our life. I become clouded with things that do not matter ego, success, money, social media, surviving in the city etc. I sometimes neglect the things that matter and are real such as; love, family, friends, nature, etc. To live as we intended to live, a natural way of life. Where I can imagine I would gather food, eat, play, make clothing, be creative, lounge and enjoy my surroundings. Now I work in what seems to be a rat race to be “somebody”, pay our rent, buy food, or to buy crap I don’t even need but have an illusion it is needed. In this rat race we begin to lose ourselves our humanity our natural ways of living and coexisting with other people, animals, nature, and the cosmic universe.. This got me thinking, how do we even begin to to gain our humanity, live a natural life in this unnatural society?</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The trouble with being in the rat race is that even if you win you’re still a rat.” Lily Tomlin</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We as parents become caught up in this rat race even more because people judge us as “good” parents because our children have the latest toys, technological gadgets, or fashionable clothing. One of our panelist brought up how having a television breeds into consumer society for our children and ourselves. We know now that commercials are scientifically targeted to seep into our unconsciousness and tells us we are not enough as we are or we can only be happy if we buy this or that. Our children become more vulnerable to this ongoing media brainwashing.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “The culture we have does not make people feel good about themselves. And you have to be strong enough to say if the culture doesn’t work don’t buy it” Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Much of our culture and our economy are based on exploiting people’s sense of emptiness and inadequacies of not being enough as we are. We are good enough to teach our children and the most important thing we can do as parents is to build an emotional connection with our children, cover their basic needs, foster communication, and attachment and it will be much more than schools are able to do. This in itself fosters curiosity and creativity, in which learning comes naturally. Dr Gabor Mate points out a lot in his talks how as people we have two basic needs authenticity and attachment, when authenticity threatens attachment, attachment trumps authenticity. We then begin to lose ourselves, and if we lose ourselves it become so much more difficult to live. For me it took me too many years to realize the damage these institutions gave me. I was forced to follow orders and be someone I was not in order to not get in trouble, or to fit in and be accepted. I have used all my adult life attempting to figure out who I am and what I may offer the world. By not placing my children in these institutions I hope they may be able to find the process of finding themselves easier. As for myself I am trying to do what I love and make a living in my community without exploiting others, consume less and let go of more.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“The most important thing for everyone in gringolandia is to have ambition and become ‘somebody’ and frankly, I don’t have the least ambition to become anybody” Frida Kahlo</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We also need to ask ourselves, what is being taught at schools? Is it important or relevant to their lives? Or as a panelist pointed out, are they still teaching things such as the story of George Washington and the Cherry tree, then school does not have any real value or use. In homeschooling we teach as we live many practical life skills and skills caregivers are practicing. For my daughters this is growing food, cooking, herbal knowledge, art, midwifery, breastfeeding knowledge, music, etc. For others it may carpentry, auto mechanics, massage, etc. They do not waste time on the busy task of homework and are also able to fully explore their own talents and build on them. This is what our homeschooled adult panelist did and it allowed her to become what she wanted at a much earlier age than most people.</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“This is really what the whole debate over compulsory schooling is about. Do we trust people’s capacity to be curious or not?” Astra Taylor</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I live in the city where most people’s daily commutes take up a lot of time and energy because there are too many cars and too many distracted drivers stuck on their phones. Anxiety, stress, and road rage build up as they travel streets or highways almost killing themselves just to get to and from work. There are also so many great events posted on facebook or instagram happening all over this great city that we cannot even rest on the weekends. I often feel I have to be everywhere at once or I will miss out on something. Many times the best thing we can do is just stay home and enjoy each others company. Sometimes it is best to stay put and leave a smaller carbon footprint. A solution was provided by our panelists; try your best to live, work, and play close to home. </span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“There is no place like Home.” The Wizard of Oz</span></div>
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<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeschooling especially unschooling is seen as “crazy” to many but we have to remember, we are not crazy, this society is crazy. Our society is crazy and unnatural. We live unnatural lives from womb to tomb, but we are in a process of reclaiming our humanity and our natural ways of life. Birthing at home, breastfeeding, growing food, skillshares, bartering, sharing stories, unschooling, ceremony, dying at home etc all are a part of this ongoing process of returning to our natural ways of life. This process will most likely take a lot of sacrifice, we have to be uncomfortable to create true change, and we have to do it now before it is too late. We are already seeing the effects of colonization and capitalism to our mother earth and as humans this may be our last chance to keep humanity going. I am a dreamer with too much love for my ancestors, daughters, community, and the universe to leave our faith in the hands of politicians and corporations. So please let us keep talking, planning, and creating ways to regain our humanity and return balance to our universe. Another world is possible.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 14.6667px; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Only when the last tree has died and the last river has been poisoned and the last fish been caught will we realize we cannot eat money.” Cree Proverb</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-22592421645652911112016-03-25T17:28:00.001-07:002016-04-07T13:15:15.098-07:00Spring Cleaning and Blooming from the Inside OutWe have endured Winter and change, Spring is finally here. I invite you to bloom yourself into Spring by Cleaning what is not useful for you. Embrace yourself in this difficult but wonderful transformation. <br />
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Spring is perfect time to initiate cleansing since nature is itself cleansing with precious water from the sky renewing the earth. Nature's own cleansing ritual invites us to follow its path and do our own.<br />
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In order to fully embrace this cleansing season I invite you to do it fully from the inside out including Home, Body, and Spirit. <br />
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I will share some cleansing rituals I am doing this Spring to inspire your own. Remember that all 3 Home, Body, and Spirit are connected and a reflection of each other, we should work on all 3 in order to fully bloom this Spring. Clutter keeps us stagnant and does not allow transformation to evolve. Let go, surrender, and embrace change. It may be scary at first but once you reach Spring you will not regret the beauty it has created.<br />
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<img src="http://nedlandsrugby.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2014/10/Spring_Clean.jpg" /><br />
<b>Home Cleaning</b><br />
At home we tend to accumulate things sometimes we do not even buy but keep them for sentimental reasons and soon we are left with clutter that takes over our lives. Cleaning on a daily basis when we have many things in our homes takes precious time from more important things such as family, friends, community, and enjoying nature. <br />
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How to do this. Try one room or one drawer at a time. Play loud music, burn sage, and let the cleaning begin begin.<br />
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When you pick up an item ask yourself when was the time you used or appreciated this item. If you keep something for sentimental reasons ask how much space this is taking from your home or your life and whether there are other ways you may allow yourself to appreciate the sentiment it gives you without having to hold on to an item. <br />
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For children remind them that having a lot of toys and items is not necessary but once you practice what you preach they follow without much protest. Every time my daughters have a birthday party or receive gifts in any occasion I help them remove toys and clothing reminding them we need to let go of some things so we make room for new ones. First remove any broken toys you cannot repair or games that are missing too many items. Then remove any double toys you may have. Finally ask your children: "do you still want this toy, book, or clothing?" and "do you actually play with this toy, read this book, or use this item of clothing?". For clothing for yourself and your children you have to also ask "does it still fit?" (and be honest).<br />
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Clean with environmentally safe cleaners or make your own. Goggle some natural recipes most require ordinary household items you may have such as water, baking soda, castile soap, vinegar, and lemon juice. To add scent and to help kill bacteria and fungus I also use essentials oils my favorite are tea tree, lavender, and thieves.<br />
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It is important when we clean our homes to also do not add toxins to our earth. Please use earth friendly cleaning products.<br />
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Not really home but technology clearing is also good. Delete texts, voicemails, email messages, and even "friends". Too much of anything may be distracting and clutters your focus. Ask yourself "Is this really necessary for me to have filed?" "Are these really my friends or Are there other ways I may connect with these people?"<br />
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<b>Body</b><br />
Just as our home we also accumulate clutter in our bodies that build up and manifests in illnesses. Many of us in our busy lives stop making time to cook healthy food then we do not allow our body's natural process of cleansing itself, that is why I think a detox is necessary. For me a detox during cleansing season creates an opportunity to create healthy habits for a more permanent life style change in my diet.<br />
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I am a mother of two vivacious daughters and work full time at a non-profit with mothers in need. I have two very demanding tasks and need to eat well to keep up my energy up so I do not believe it is realistic for me to do juicing cleanses. What I have done and has worked well for me is 12 day Wild Rose Herbal Detox it has vegan capsules and herbal extract. This detox helps eliminate waste from liver, colon, kidneys, and lymphatic system. Please read instructions or consult with physician to see if this detox may work for you. With the herbal detox I am able to eat well with minimal side effects. Each body is different I usually get headaches and have bad body odor, but other than that I am good and can function both at home and work.<br />
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Other ways to detox body I initiate the ritual of castor oil packs where you may detox your organs without any side effects at all. Steam is also important, my favorite is in ceremony with prayers and healing herbs but even just being in a steam room is great for eliminating toxins in our body. Vaginal steams also help cleanse our wombs and vaginal walls, you may include herbs such as mugworth, rosemary, basil, or lavender.<br />
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Clean out toxic hygine care items are purchase natural food based products or make your own. Instead of lotion you may use coconut oil, cacao butter, shea butter, or hemp oil. For deodorant use baking soda with coconut oil and drops of lavender oil. You may also make shampoo with baking soda and mint, rosemary, lavender water. Scrubs are also easily made with sugar, coconut oil, and drops of lavender oil. I make my own toothpaste using baking soda, calcium powder, coconut oil, cinnamon, and thieves essential oil.<br />
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Our body is important it is the house of our spirit.<br />
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<b>Spirit</b><br />
Our spirit is very important since it transcends throughout the cosmos but we neglect the most. We material beings but also cosmic beings and may feed our bodies but often forget to feed our spirits with healthy energies that allow us to transcend into our higher selves. Our spirit that is often either poorly feed or feed only junk is full of clutter that we need to detox from. <br />
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Purge out negative energies from your life including toxic people and thoughts. Remember you are worth it and have the right to not only exist but also to be happy.<br />
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For those of us that follow the red road we know that this journey we call life is the ultimate ceremony our beautiful struggle and with support it truly is beautiful. With that said, surround yourself with people that love you as you are, know your worth,and also lovingly you call you out when it needs to be done. These type of friends allow you to grow. Community support is essential for survival in this society, find your village.<br />
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Forgive yourself do not get stuck on shame, blame, and guilt. Our family motto is "Take chances, make mistakes, get messy." from Ms Frizzle in The Magic School Bus, indeed that is what life is about learning from being able to take chances and making mistakes and this may get messy so we just have to clean it up and grow from this. <br />
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Forgive others remember we are all mirrors of each other, nobody is born evil, monsters do not exist, and we never know everybody's full story. I believe we are all doing the best we can.<br />
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Do not judge just let feelings, and thoughts come without too much judgement just let it sit there accept them, enjoy them and know that they will pass. We are constantly changing and shifting nothing is permanent so we need to let go of control.<br />
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Acknowledge that death is a part of life and live every day as if it were your last. Say I love you often and mean it.<br />
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Smudge, Pray, Be Thankful, Be in Ceremony, and do what feels good to FEED YOUR SPIRIT.<br />
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<img height="320" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xft1/v/t1.0-9/12814236_825637724204831_3999033967320081732_n.jpg?oh=8a7c46edff51bc7e8d8b00dc7c21eb19&oe=577F7935" width="320" /><br />
<b>Full Bloom</b><br />
When we let go of things we also move energy and allow other items, people, creations, etc. to evolve. Clear the way and make space in our homes and our lives.<br />
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Spring cleaning is about removing all the clutter that distracts us and clouds us to bloom to our full potential. This also includes the clutter in our body and spirit not just our homes. <br />
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TAKE LIFE ONE BREATH AT A TIME<br />
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***I apologize for not including full recipes, will try to include them in another post*** thank youAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-10932032957984255152016-03-07T11:43:00.002-08:002016-03-07T16:27:55.624-08:00Homeschooling Panel Review Part 2: Creating Homeschooling Support for Families of Color in Los Angeles<div dir="ltr" style="margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: left;">
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">The purpose of the panel was to begin to give another option to education for working class families of color. As Ticicalli many of us are struggling mothers of color and saw there was a need in our community in comparison to more affluent white community that has already built for years a stronger support network. Our need is not to divide ourselves but to find ourselves and find support within our own people. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">It was stated throughout the panel that homeschooling is extra challenging for families of color. It is more challenging one because of families and friends often do not approve so they do not support us in this journey. Many of our families and friends judge us and often straight out say "This is not for you, it is only for rich white people." There is a reason for this lack of support. For many black families it is part of they gained through the civil rights movement, access to free and "equal" education. People died in order to integrate and receive a perceived equal education and then you choose to homeschool. The same goes to brown families, many of our families died to cross that border to chase the 'American Dream'. Black and brown families often are seen as we are disrespecting our elders struggle and hard work by refusing classroom education and choosing the homeschooling path. They take our decision personal and it angers them. This anger comes from a place of fear. They fear that all their sweat, blood, and tears to give us a better life was in vain and we will not succeed in this country, but they do not know that success may look different to us.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">For all homeschooling parents there is also a question validity in our ability to teach our own children. In families of color the issue of validity is greater because we may be less institutionally educated or due the fact that we are of color we are seen as less intelligent to society because our ancestral knowledge is seen as ignorance. This may not apply to all families of color in this journey but it does too many of us even those of us already in the path of self discovery, that doubt still stings sometimes. Being surrounded by other families with these same struggles will make us more secure in our homeschooling journey.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Both panelists and audience members had many reasons for wanting to homeschool. Some stated that had planned this since even before their pregnancy. Another stated it was due to having a child with a chronic illness and another parent had a child actor, both requiring many absences which school would not allow to make up or catch up. An audience member brought up that now with the new California vaccine laws requiring all students in schools to be fully vaccinated, many of these parents are having to face whether to catch up on loads of vaccines at once or just pull their child out of school and figure out this homeschooling thing. A teacher in the audience expressed how with all these bells and tests she is unable to teach what she feels it is important to her students and their lives. Often the district and the state create more barriers to learning giving both parents and teachers not much of a choice.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">On the panel we also had an adult that was homeschooled all her life, except for 2 days which she hated and never attempted again. Unlike the stereotypes we hear, she was able to learn to read and socialize. She stated that homeschooling helped her discover who she was and what she loved. It helped to expand her creativity because it allowed her to do what she wanted without restrictions of time. She and her family were also able to do this because they found a support network within other homeschooling families. She said that families took turns teaching something. Her mother an artist taught art. She stated that it is important to build community network with like minded families where you may organize each other so the journey may be less painful. We need to organize and support one another so that this may be a choice for all including single care givers and low income families. We do not have to do this alone because together our struggle will be less. The panel was inspiring and empowering; to see families connect, network, share stories, and resources. We are beginning to create community support!</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Thank you to all panelists and audience members that attended, especially the children. And to all those that did not attend but have reached out asking for more events like this one or have shared your resources.</span><br />
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<b><span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large;">Below is a list of co-ops or groups around Los Angeles that our friends have shared, we hope they are helpful.</span></b></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeschooling Association of California</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeSchoolAssociationofCalifornia/?hc_location=ufi" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeSchoolAssociationofCalifornia/?hc_location=ufi</span></a></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/anahuac.ccss?fref=ts" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/anahuac.ccss?fref=ts</span></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #141823; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeschooling Amigos Bilingues Long Beach </span></span><br />
<span style="font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif;"><a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoolingamigosbilingueslongbeach/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: white; color: #1155cc; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/homeschoolingamigosbilingueslongbeach/</span></a></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Flying Birds Community School</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/178316199210933/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/178316199210933/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Los Angeles Unschoolers</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/LAUnschoolers" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/LAUnschoolers</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">East San Gabriel Valley Homeschoolers</span></div>
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<a href="https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/IEAH/info?referrer=EastSGVHS" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://groups.yahoo.com/neo/groups/IEAH/info?referrer=EastSGVHS</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Homeschooling Southern California</span></div>
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<a href="https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeschoolingSouthernCalifornia/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">https://www.facebook.com/groups/HomeschoolingSouthernCalifornia/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Multicultural Homeschooling Network</span></div>
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<a href="http://www.meetup.com/Multicultural-Homeschooling-Network/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">http://www.meetup.com/Multicultural-Homeschooling-Network/</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: #f6f7f8; color: #141823; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unidos Homeschooling Co-op in Santa Ana</span></div>
<a href="mailto:unidoshomeschoolcoop@gmail.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: #fefefe; color: #1155cc; font-family: "georgia" , "times new roman" , serif; font-size: large; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">unidoshomeschoolcoop@gmail.com</span></a>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-32858385609267661002016-03-04T11:38:00.000-08:002016-03-04T11:43:06.847-08:00Ticicalli's HomeSchool Panel Review Part 1: REASONS TO HOMESCHOOL<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-5e9d86c8-431f-43a7-876a-641bbe8adb1a" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">After reviewing all our notes collectively, we have come to realize that there are MANY things we learned through our info panel held 2/27/2016. Too many to share at all once. So we will be sharing our notes and reviews through a series of blog posts. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Our first topic is:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">REASONS TO START HOMESCHOOLING</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Note: Our panelists were from diverse backgrounds as far as ethnicity, cultural affiliations, age, professions, and years homeschooling. Hence, their answers were very diverse and enlightening. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Here are some of the things that were shared as far as what made them begin to HomeSchool, and a quick summary of what we learned from their answers. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">*A Child’s Illness- </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">When a child has a chronic illness, attending school may be challenging. Getting up early, making a trip to the school’s campus. Not feeling 100%. All these factors can affect the child's ability to focus, learn and perform. Absences due to Doctor's appointments or relapses can cause a child to “fall behind” on the curriculum being taught to the rest of the students at school in their grade level. This may also cause the student to feel “not up to par” or caught in a race in which he/she may never catch up. Pressure from school staff or peers to catch up may also stir feelings of insecurity within a child’s heart and mind. So much pressure is not healthy for a child. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Though sometimes we just want our children to “have a normal life”, as adults we must understand that “normal” is different for everyone. If a child with an illness is displaying discontent, low energy and lack of interest in school or other signs such as emotional challenges, HomeSchooling can be a great option. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">A family can create a schedule based on the family/parent's time availability and work around that to make sure the child is in an environment that is familiar, safe and pressure free from school peers and staff. Once the child is comfortable with the schedule and routine, he/she will be more open to receiving information and embracing it. Feeling in a safe environment to learn can increase concentration, motivation and self confidence. These attributes can transcend into other aspects of life and shape a child's character for life!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">*Shyness and/or Social Anxiety-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Some kids are shy at first, then they warm up to new environments, people and routines. However, for some, getting accustomed to new people or being around a large amount of people can cause anxiety and withdraw. A child experiencing this can sometimes be mislabeled as a “loner”, “weird kid” or be outcast by his peers, leading a child to feel inadequate. School-age children are highly emotional and sometimes self-conscious. If your child is experiencing some of these issues, be sure to talk to him/her and see if there is anything you can do to help. Making after-school friends or activities, becoming involved in parent committees, etc. If your child’s shyness or social anxiety does not improve, you may consider homeschooling as an option. It can be temporary or permanent, according to your child’s needs. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Be flexible, open and understanding. It is not worth it to “push” our kids into an environment in which they don't feel comfortable in. This “pushing” can create inner insecurities within a child out of fear of disappointing family or peers. Some insecurities can transcend into early adulthood and even throughout life. Do not underestimate the effects of forcing a child into an uncomfortable setting for them. Talk it out. Check out your options and local resources! HomeSchooling may be right for you.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">*Lack of Tolerance and Racism-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">For most adult People Of Color (POC) it is evident that in American society we are still experiencing racism and prejudice through many avenues living in a system that was not designed for POC originally. In the school system, if a child does not assimilate into a “long day of sitting at a desk and only speak when spoken too” environment, a child is sent to detention, counseling, and placed on “special programs and lists” based around the child’s “bad behavior”. Though some efforts on behalf of school’s staff are noble, sometimes they are not comprehensive. Children; especially boys of color (Black and Brown) are quickly labeled as “trouble makers” or “thugs” in the making simply because the style of education is not right for them and the attempts to correct an “unruly” behavior are based solely around the behavior and not what's causing it. Some of the “unruly” boys and girls are actually VERY TALENTED AND POSITIVELY ENERGETIC! The “sit down for 8 hours a day at your desk” schooling is just not right for them. Some children need to be challenged with didactic activities, art projects, music knowledge, different teaching methodologies for math and other sciences. They are NOT bad kids! Some of us have experienced working with the schools and trying to follow disciplinary and actions only to find that there is no in-depth reasoning behind the school’s orders. Sometimes children with “behavior issues” are really experiencing emotional changes or challenges. Sometimes schools miss this cry for attention and help from students. Some of us have came to the realization that the school is following outdated protocols that target and track our children in spite of their efforts to improve. In spite of parent’s efforts to be involved and change the course of their child’s behavior. It is then that some parents come to realize that the school system is a system whose foundation did NOT have the best interest of POC in mind when it was created. It is an institution with Euro-Colonial roots made for Euro-Colonial-American people. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">A panelist who experienced discrimination and racism in her son’s school for some time, even after her and her son’s attempts to improve, chose homeschooling for her son and it proved to be an amazing choice!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Her son turned out to be highly gifted in the arts and music and went on to hold a career in music which he still holds today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">Sometimes, schools and staff are outdated in their methodology which is not inclusive of the many tribes, backgrounds, beliefs and abilities of all members of the community. If you are experiencing these issues, talk to your child and family and see if homeschooling is right for your child. You may learn that your child is not a “trouble maker”. Your child is a STAR. Always has been. Always will be.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">*Decolonizing-</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">For those of us that identify with our ancient Pre-Columbian culture, Decolonizing is a way of life. We are aware of who we are as a people and where we stand in the story of this continent. We have experienced what the American school system has to offer through first hand experience. Through collective in-depth analysis we have come to the conclusion that the curriculum taught in public schools offers very little life tools to our children. Not to mention that as far as historical curriculums, what is taught in public school is the perspective of the Euro-American. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">As original people, we have made the choice to live up to the responsibility to educate our children and pave a path towards autonomy for them. We understand that it's up to us as parents to teach our children the ways of our ancestors and to give them the tools to survive in current society and thrive towards self-sustainability. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">A couple in our panel shared their story of decolonizing through shaping their lifestyle. Through many sacrifices they were able to open up a business that allowed them to open a cultural and agricultural center. Working their own schedules and having a place in which to grow food, they are able to provide for most of their families needs and be available to care for their children. This is a great example of what a family working together can accomplish! As original people, we have survived many tragedies rooted in colonization, but we have the ability to recover our autonomy and create the path we want in our lives by honoring our ancestors and passing on their knowledge and ways of longevity to our children. We can do it! Working together as a family and community. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">We would like to thank all our panelists and everyone who attended the panel and helped shaped this great dialogue. We will be sharing more information soon! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you have a homeschooling story you would like to share, please email us at </span><a href="mailto:ticicalliyahualli@gmail.com" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">ticicalliyahualli@gmail.com</span></a><span style="font-family: "arial"; font-size: 25.943211555481px; vertical-align: baseline;"> </span></div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13873812446760748262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-36628942004545943282016-01-27T15:27:00.000-08:002016-01-27T19:59:03.710-08:00Midwifery School Check in<div dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-34b1d16d-853d-6ac0-f4e4-15305b45461d" style="line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-align: center;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #9900ff; font-family: "comic sans ms"; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Welcome to my last year of Midwifery school</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #9900ff; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">In the present moment</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I am 22 births & 45 units away from completing my midwifery program. For the past 2 months, I have been transitioning from my role as a a junior student to being the primary midwife under supervision (senior student). </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">What is the role of the primary midwife under supervision? I get to midwife all the client’s in our practice, catch babies, provide prenatal care, well woman (person) gynecological as well as postpartum care. On top of all of this, I am responsible for all the paperwork that comes with being a midwife, my least favorite part, but it does feel nice to have the responsibility as a hungry and eager student midwife. All under supervision of my preceptors of course.This is my final stretch before preparing to sit for my NARM ( North American Registry of Midwives) exam, which qualifies me for my licensure with the Medical Board of California. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #9900ff; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">The past two years</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">I have had the privilege of working with 6 midwives, in 3 unique midwifery practices. I’ve traveled to all directions in LA and surrounding neighborhoods and worked with a broad spectrum of families. All while, simultaneously working as a doula & wellness promotora. I have fallen in and out of love and learned the value of sacred partnerships. My definition of Love has evolved & grown so much. Healing, healing & more healing! I have been able to heal from generational trauma. Spirit guided me to move into my own sanctuary in the hills of Happy Valley. I let go of the stability that came with working at the nonprofit sector. Learning to have an appreciation for sleep and self care has been invaluable. let’s see what else?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> I have grown closer to creator.This rigorous program has put me on my knees. Surrendering to the unknown has been challenging at times. Letting go of that which I have no control over has been a blessing in disguise. Learning to be vulnerable has not been easy. I have realized how much help I need and how much support I already have. My limiting beliefs have come to surface asking me to heal from them. Midwifery school is expensive & if it wasn't for creator & community support, I don’t know how I would get by. I’ve never cried so much in life like I have been in the past two years. Crying out of love, fear, injustice and joy. Crying my butt to sleep because sometimes birth ain’t pretty & I've witnessed near death experiences for both mom and baby.I am currently being stretched in multiple directions, the burning sensation feels so good. This sensation is allowing me to feel and to come back to my body.Becoming sensitized, embracing compassion, dancing with my femininity & masculinity, embodying empathy, opening up my heart and truly loving without any walls are all lessons I am mastering. I am completely naked, raw, I feel exposed & have discovered that underneath all these layers that I have let go off, I shine so bright. My journey to midwifery is a story of resilience, love, humility & deeply rooted ancestral medicine. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #9900ff; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">I am PREGNANT! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">“ I am pregnant” says my client. I’m looking forward to hearing this statement more often.lol! I bet most of you thought I was pregnant. Just to let you know, that’s not happening anytime soon. However,the plan is to complete my midwifery program in 9 moon cycles, that’s 252 days, and 3 seasons. I have been working really hard to complete my academic portion of the program by completing 20 units per quarter. My clinical portion of the program will also be completed at the same time. Stay tuned! There will be plenty of opportunities for you to see me in action as I grow into my role as a licensed midwife. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">One of the perks is being able to organize well woman (person) clinic days, where folks can receive gynecological care/education including pelvic & breast exams. After I complete my program, I will go on a hiatus to study for my NARM. Please keep me in your prayers! Midwifery is my way of life now. Everyday I’m being asked to step into my role as a midwife. This also means shedding skin and letting go of my role as a doula. I am asking for your support to help me complete my program. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: #9900ff; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 700; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">Support a women's-led conscious business:</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"> My doula & wellness practice sustains me in my midwifery program and in life. Unfortunately, there is no financial aid for my midwifery education. I am very grateful for all my clients who seek me out to support their journey; the fair exchange to this is that they help to pay for my tuition & personal expenses. Here are some ways that you can contribute to the development of a community Midwife: </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Promoting my services to all your networks</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hiring me to support your childbearing & wellness journey</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Some of my services include: birth/postpartum doula, placenta encapsulation, reiki, childbirth education, wellness consults, belly binding, health classes, traditional postpartum ceremony, doula mentorship, ect.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have I already supported you? If you feel motivated to do so please consider writing a review on my website, Facebook, or Yelp. (links below)</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hugs always help!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Check in's are always welcomed</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "lobster"; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Mil Gracias! Tlazokamati! Thank you! </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">-Maria Teresa</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Website:</span><a href="http://www.womynsmedicine.com/" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.womynsmedicine.com</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Yelp: Womyns Medicine</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">FB: </span><a href="http://www.facebook.com/womynsmedicine" style="text-decoration: none;"><span style="background-color: transparent; color: #1155cc; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline;">www.facebook.com/womynsmedicine</span></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">IG: Womyns_Medicine</span><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: "arial"; font-size: 16px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">* Pictures posted with permission </span></div>
Nanyotlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06632502857298633283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-75261081606314003022016-01-05T22:33:00.001-08:002016-01-05T22:33:11.377-08:00Flowing With The Winter Blues<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Winter is an event that is experienced by all living beings on Earth. Characterized by drastic changes in nature and the "holidays", it is a time for a change of pace. However, sometimes a change of pace can throw us a little bit off balance. During the holidays that take place during the winter, we experience changes in our routines in school and/or work due to the extra days off that most of us are able to enjoy. For some, this time off is very appreciated and it is spent with family and loved ones; while for others this is a time of melancholy and solitude and sometimes may fall into the "Winter Blues".</div>
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The Winter Blues can affect many different people, for different reasons. For example, migrant workers may find themselves feeling lonely and missing their families if they are far from home and are unable to visit. Those who have recently been through break-ups , separations, or death may also have a hard time during the winter and holiday season. </div>
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Whatever the circumstances may be, it's important to acknowledge that it is healthy to take time to reflect and heal if necessary, but it is also important to know that melancholy can develop into mild depression if a flow of sad emotions is not addressed. </div>
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Here is a brief summary of common causes for depression as listed in "The Melaleuca Wellness Guide" Chapter 12: "Healthy Body" pg. 133</div>
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Here are some Simple Tips on how to flow through the Winter Blues:</div>
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Water: We all know hydration is essential for our body to function since we are 70% water. Water also is a great medicine for headaches, fatigue, and many other afflictions. However we have noticed in the winter we often forget to drink water since it is so cold. Just a reminder, we may warm up our water and drink it just like that or add some lemon juice or peppermint to it. We may also drink teas such as Chamomile or Tulsi, Martha's favorite that can help decrease our stress levels. Finally we may make more nourishing soups or broths that may provide much needed warm hydration for the winter months.</div>
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Sunlight: Our body craves the sunlight vitamin. We are meant to spend more time outdoors enjoying the sun and unfortunately we are often in our home, offices, or cars. Sunshine gives us much needed Vitamin D that is essential for a healthy immune system and one of the best medicines for depression. Wake up earlier when possible and greet the sun as it comes up, take lunch outside or do your best to seek the sun whenever it is out. Also if you are still lacking sunlight you may supplement with foods such as mushrooms, fish oils, eggs, tofu, or get Vitamin D drops from your local health food store.</div>
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Movement: Exercise or movement is a great stress reliever. When we move, shake, boogie, or just walk it is not only beneficial for our physical self but it also moves and clears stagnant emotions. In this technological age we may not have to go outside to workout just put youtube on your gadget and look up tai chi or yoga for beginners or put some music and dance your heart out. Finally whenever weather permits do go outside for a hike in nature or a brisk walk around your neighborhood.</div>
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Touch: In this digital era we hardly ever hear people's voices much less touch them. Touch is very important for us humans it is scientifically proven to calm stress, decrease disease, and strengthen our immune system. If possible go get a massage if you cannot afford one get a partner and look online on how to give each other a massage or do self massage to hands or feet. Have a partner, friend, pet, etc. near to cuddle, hug, or carress.</div>
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Cacao: This is our ultimate favorite for preventing depression! Chocolate is a superfood and was an important and sacred drink of our ancestors. Cacao affects dopamine levels in our brains which promotes relaxation, increases focus and alertness and helps us feel good. Please do not get the sugary chocolate that will make you feel good one minute and horrible the next, you may get good raw cacao nibs or powder at your local health food store and enjoy such a sweet glorious food by itself or mix with water, vanilla, honey, and cinnamon for a warm winter drink.</div>
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Finally, make positive affirmations. Thinking positive thoughts increases self-confidence and can instantly change your mood and perspective. Understand that is normal for ALL beings to go through changes, challenges and even sadness; but it is also normal and a great gift from life to experience laughter, happiness and a sense of achievement and triumph. Believe in your self and always walk towards the light at the end of the tunnel. As long as we are alive, we are able to look for solutions to the issues that burden us. Also remember that you are worthy of joy and love and the key to your happiness and prosperity is your hands!</div>
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To close, we would like to share an affirmation with all of you. May it empower us to flow with the changes of life and the Winter Blues:</div>
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Thank you for reading. We wish you all a beautiful winter season!</div>
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<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06974028199604976437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-24809578949445697952015-11-25T11:04:00.000-08:002015-11-25T11:04:07.794-08:00Why should we support Mothers in prison?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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Since I joined
Ticicalli I have thought of and worked towards supporting mothers in
prison. This is due to the fact that
mothers in prison are some of the most vulnerable womyn here in the United
States because they are judged harshly and are often forgotten. Also because I see myself in these womyn I’ve
just had a bit more luck along my life’s journey. The innocent children are left behind and
suffer the most, as a society we must think of them before we demand harsh
criminal sentences to mothers. I believe
that everything in this universe is interconnected and what happens to one
affects us all. As a “justice system” we
also have to realize that how it is filled with institutionalized racism and
classism. <o:p></o:p></div>
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Who are these
womyn? And why should we support them?
Most womyn in U.S. jails and prisons are womyn of color affected by
historical transgenerational trauma of colonization, genocide, slavery, rape
etc. They come from low income
communities that lack resources, quality schools, employment opportunities,
quality food, etc. Due to the lack of important things that enhance quality of
life there is high crime rate, drug and alcohol addiction, prostitution,
violence, etc. According to FAMM, more
than 56% of women in federal prison are mothers, the majority are non-violent
drug offenders. Although these womyn
live in less than optimal living conditions they are usually very resourceful
and resilient which allow them to be able to survive but the challenges often
outweigh the strengths and very few are able to thrive and live a different way
of life.<o:p></o:p></div>
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As mothers I feel
we all do our best we can do with the information and support we have. The womyn inside jail and prison walls I
believe are no different than any of us but usually have little to no support
which may lead to disastrous life’s decisions.
Most have a history of substance abuse, dependency of system and/or men,
and mental illness. Also often have
history of physical, emotional, and/or sexual abuse usually by family members
and/or close friends. Many times they
are from single parent homes and have one or more family members with a history
of incarceration. It is difficult to
break the chain of abuse and to learn how to love in healthy ways. How can we love someone else when we often do
not have any love for ourselves?<o:p></o:p></div>
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When I see that
trauma death which includes homicide and suicide as the number one cause of
maternal mortality, it is evidence on how trauma manifests in mental illness
and violence especially with the added stress of motherhood. Often we create children in less than prime
environments because of learned lack of autonomy for our bodies and the
neighborhoods we live in. If
incarcerated while pregnant we create one of the most stressful and damaging
environments for a baby to develop.
Think about it the meals do not offer proper nutrition, there are no
bathtubs or even bath mats in showers, the buildings are filled with cold
concrete floors, many have little to no exposure to sunlight and fresh air, and
they are very isolated. As Dr Gabor Mate
stated, “How we provide supportive environment or stressful environment has a
huge impact on the long term development of the unborn baby.”<o:p></o:p></div>
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<o:p> </o:p><img height="240" src="https://i.ytimg.com/vi/J5Eqz7szS7U/hqdefault.jpg" width="320" /><img src="http://graphics8.nytimes.com/images/2006/03/02/national/02shack184.2.jpg" /></div>
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As stated before
this could have been me, I too have a lot of trauma, struggle with depression
and anxiety, and am still learning what healthy love is and healthy
relationships look like. The difference
is I have been lucky to have found a support system and organizations that have
helped me initiate healing and create changes in myself. I have learned about the importance of things
such as: self-love, emotional intelligence, healthy communication, and much
more. We need to end the cycle of
violence, trauma, etc. and heal ourselves and our children. As a mother I try to provide to other mothers:
empathy, support, resources, and information.
Instead of judging mothers I attempt to learn their story, walk in their
shoes, and remember that each one is doing the best they can under almost impossible
circumstances. All I can do is create
support systems in my community and find creative and effective ways to
distribute known resources to as many womyn and families as possible.<o:p></o:p></div>
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We are resourceful and resilient and we cannot settle for just
surviving we have the capacity to heal and thrive!<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b>Listed below are some groups in
Los Angeles that I know provide resources and support for mothers and families
and/or are helping with policy changes in creating alternatives to
incarceration. If you all know of more
please let others know. Thank you, we
need to support one another for the good of our children and the world.<o:p></o:p></b></div>
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International network for recognition & payment for all caring
work, and the return of military spending to the community starting with women
the main care givers everywhere.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/tags/los-angeles">http://www.globalwomenstrike.net/tags/los-angeles</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Critical Resistance seeks to build an international movement to end the
Prison Industrial Complex by challenging the belief that caging and controlling
people makes us safe. We believe that basic necessities such as food, shelter,
and freedom are what really make our communities secure. As such, our work is
part of global struggles against inequality and powerlessness. The success of
the movement requires that it reflect communities most affected by the PIC.
Because we seek to abolish the PIC, we cannot support any work that extends its
life or scope.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://criticalresistance.org/category/events/los-angeles/">http://criticalresistance.org/category/events/los-angeles/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Prototypes’ mission is to rebuild the lives of women, children and
communities impacted by substance abuse, mental illness and domestic violence.
We promote self-sufficiency while ensuring safety and shelter for those in
need.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="https://www.prototypes.org/">https://www.prototypes.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our goal at the Village is to give you, our clients, and the practical
lifestyle tools for taking charge of your own health. As one’s health improves,
so too does the quality of one’s life. Come to one of our events and let your
voice be heard. Be part of our growing community where diversity is always
valued, where there is an antidote for physical and emotional pain, and where
the possibility of a long healthy life is available to everyone.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://villagehealthfoundation.org/">http://villagehealthfoundation.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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Our Perinatal Outreach and Education program reaches out to women in
the greater downtown Los Angeles and East Los Angeles areas to provide
short-term assistance, case management, health education and support.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.mchaccess.org/index.php">http://www.mchaccess.org/index.php</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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The mission of Un Paso Mas is to provide caring, culturally relevant
services to these diverse, underserved communities. Un Paso Mas and Project
Return Peer Support Network are responding to the tremendous needs in this part
of the county, where there are limited mental health services and support
groups.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.prpsn.org/index.php/program-elements/spanish-language-services/un-paso-mas">http://www.prpsn.org/index.php/program-elements/spanish-language-services/un-paso-mas</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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The Youth Justice Coalition (YJC) is working to build a youth, family,
and formerly and currently incarcerated people’s movement to challenge
America’s addiction to incarceration and race, gender and class discrimination
in Los Angeles County’s, California’s and the nation’s juvenile and criminal
injustice systems. The YJC’s goal is to
dismantle policies and institutions that have ensured the massive lock-up of
people of color, widespread law enforcement violence and corruption, consistent
violation of youth and communities’ Constitutional and human rights, the
construction of a vicious school-to-jail track, and the build-up of the world’s
largest network of jails and prisons. We
use transformative justice and community intervention/peacebuilding, FREE LA
High School, know your rights, legal defense, and police and court monitoring
to “starve the beast” – promoting safety in our schools, homes and
neighborhoods without relying on law enforcement and lock-ups, preventing
system contact, and pulling people out of the system. We use direct action
organizing, advocacy, political education, and activist arts to agitate,
expose, and pressure the people in charge in order to upset power and bring
about change. – <o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.youth4justice.org/">http://www.youth4justice.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
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The mission of Echo Parenting & Education is to support and
facilitate child raising rooted in connection and empathy. We teach parents,
teachers and others who strongly influence children’s lives an approach that
integrates current research in human development and trauma-informed care with
the practice of nonviolence.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://www.echoparenting.org/">http://www.echoparenting.org/</a><span class="MsoHyperlink"><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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The mission of Maternal Mental Health NOW is to remove barriers to the
prevention, screening and treatment of prenatal and postpartum depression in
Los Angeles County.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<a href="http://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/">http://maternalmentalhealthnow.org/</a><o:p></o:p></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-12868141931507499792015-10-21T20:46:00.003-07:002015-11-25T11:05:05.778-08:00 Urban Story telling with StoryCorps <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto; text-align: center;"><tbody>
<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2N0y898bLrTf8_sJ9O2-rfjyW06SKhSEClQHOV4Kj9kFV7IHscr16XW_oDAddwA7jrTPzt1AD6YvY4WrHW0aPB2LYujQBh2Nu6I8PCkP0qP-AIBkU2MDz6Vvb2Ku4Ip5wQchHGm0yWs/s1600/FullSizeRender%252815%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img alt="Maria: Student Midwife" border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiN2N0y898bLrTf8_sJ9O2-rfjyW06SKhSEClQHOV4Kj9kFV7IHscr16XW_oDAddwA7jrTPzt1AD6YvY4WrHW0aPB2LYujQBh2Nu6I8PCkP0qP-AIBkU2MDz6Vvb2Ku4Ip5wQchHGm0yWs/s320/FullSizeRender%252815%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Maria </td></tr>
</tbody></table>
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Martha and I had the opportunity to share our stories as members of Ticicalli and the work we continue to do in the community. Ticicalli has been weaving together for the past 6 years promoting indigenous birthing rites, providing community doula services & inter-generational healing. <br />
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8x7mZukUAm0AHJbD_ZZZS-wJHQs5nz1jObKBtuLdYbsJGHFXaURHkJe8DIzyp7BCAvn0P9mqt86yNZ1NAXOLwaIuyYW3DBUYHZlW1G0J8w5YV62vFh-m0vD94i2H5g6FQbT9GQfmUmY/s1600/FullSizeRender%252814%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhT8x7mZukUAm0AHJbD_ZZZS-wJHQs5nz1jObKBtuLdYbsJGHFXaURHkJe8DIzyp7BCAvn0P9mqt86yNZ1NAXOLwaIuyYW3DBUYHZlW1G0J8w5YV62vFh-m0vD94i2H5g6FQbT9GQfmUmY/s320/FullSizeRender%252814%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Martha </td></tr>
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We first created sacred space, making an altar and asking permission to our ancestors. We gave thanks to ometeotl and the spirits guiding us.<br />
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We talked about: <br />
- the importance of cultural revitalization and preservation<br />
- Homebirth<br />
- Home funerals<br />
-Rites of passage<br />
-Womb-tomb doulas<br />
-Transitions<br />
- Providing culturally relevant support <br />
-Ceremony<br />
-Motherhood<br />
-Abuelita medicine <br />
- In xochitl In cuicatl<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbtZBFF_w41YCFn99Xz0jaJqMD2LzqT_6kfxI6YuMbN0X4WPFCG6GKVi7v-xmEnsK0mgA7zP3pPggJsC70vnds4VzY3x_xAu1uALeq5Ek2atXnkRBUnP0Tqyb_nRNpz1Yz4EhMLDcAwQ/s1600/FullSizeRender%252812%2529.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVbtZBFF_w41YCFn99Xz0jaJqMD2LzqT_6kfxI6YuMbN0X4WPFCG6GKVi7v-xmEnsK0mgA7zP3pPggJsC70vnds4VzY3x_xAu1uALeq5Ek2atXnkRBUnP0Tqyb_nRNpz1Yz4EhMLDcAwQ/s320/FullSizeRender%252812%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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We concluded with sharing how providing culturally relevant support during sacred transitions such as birth and death is preventative care. It creates a space for the healing of trans-generational trauma and isolation. How honoring our traditions provides an opportunity for the awakening of our genetic memory, to also being present in our bodies and the continued resistance to colonization!<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMTircYg78f-QyoK3ep9J9RElGE5fyALLo7sdKVZKBsCiBJd6OHXkjPyjmnC87X4cNHBWxBtOchgasSV8_Zxegu5EzBqA6V3KvebeSZHqLnG-qy30SYKVTPJ0MHNbugqX9DRbuy55iI4/s1600/FullSizeRender%252813%2529.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhtMTircYg78f-QyoK3ep9J9RElGE5fyALLo7sdKVZKBsCiBJd6OHXkjPyjmnC87X4cNHBWxBtOchgasSV8_Zxegu5EzBqA6V3KvebeSZHqLnG-qy30SYKVTPJ0MHNbugqX9DRbuy55iI4/s320/FullSizeRender%252813%2529.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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Stay tuned! For more information and to listen to the recording keep checking out Mujeres de Maiz and StoryCorps at: </div>
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www.mujeresdemaiz.com</div>
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storycorps.org</div>
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In gratitude,<br />
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Maria Nanyotlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06632502857298633283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-46961699837325156912015-09-07T09:25:00.000-07:002015-09-09T06:06:29.899-07:00Our Unschooling Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My partner and I decided to homeschool when our oldest daughter was only a year old, she is 6 now. After speaking to homeschooling parents and looking at different ways to do this we decided to unschool. </span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What Is Unschooling?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unschooling is an educational method and philosophy that advocates learner-chosen activities as a primary means for learning</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. Wikipedia</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> This is also known as interest driven, child-led, natural, organic, eclectic, or self-directed learning. Lately, the term "unschooling" has come to be associated with the type of homeschooling that doesn't use a fixed curriculum. When pressed, I define unschooling as allowing children as much freedom to learn in the world, as their parents can comfortably bear</span><span style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: Arial; font-size: 12.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">. By John Holt, author, educator, proponent of unschooling.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">This has been a journey filled with many emotions ranging from anxiety and fear, to love and trust. As a brown low income family living in Boyle Heights there has been very little support since this road is taken more often by higher income, white, and Christian families. Despite all obstacles, this has been a beautiful struggle where we are learning to surrender and allow learning to be natural taking place all day, everyday.</span></div>
<img alt="Yolanda Rodriguez (left) and her family at a Popol Vuh workshop." src="http://thegrid.centertheatregroup.org/site_img/PopolVuhJesus_smaller.jpg" height="212" style="text-align: center;" width="320" /><img alt="Displaying 20150603_120206.jpg" height="240" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9ba2420530&view=fimg&th=14e4fcea1ce2af44&attid=0.5&disp=inline&realattid=1505606218818781184-5&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ8Utz6pXAjVmaM5Nx6SwMA1GjLG9r3QOaZuy_iwbL94Hvo7ze-jYs-CqUUJaBAfTK7dtkd7SmvqcfhQ3KjGc0uPTxyoZH154VFL9pvCp-QAMQIAFsXbua9RHtM&ats=1441641579687&rm=14e4fcea1ce2af44&zw&sz=w1336-h547" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My partner and I decided to head the unschooling route because we do not think we learned too much in a classroom setting. Both of us are LAUSD graduates with a variety of learning disabilities and anxieties that were undetected and often provoked in grade school. Learning, we believed was something we did on our own because we wanted to do it and it was difficult for us to learn what was present in the classroom. Also sitting still to learn we believe is unnatural and difficult to do for a long time for anyone at any age.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We do not blame teachers. Both of us had a few teachers that were very creative and allowed learning to happen. Unfortunately teachers are limited in their capacity to encourage learning with low pay, overcrowded classrooms, bells ringing to conclude learning, standardize testing, budget cuts, and many more barriers. I blame the system that has institutionalized and homogenized learning which leaves many children behind.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That said unschooling is also tough. From many family members, friends, co-workers, and even strangers we have received a lot of unrequested opinions such as:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Children cannot learn from parents.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“They will never learn to socialize.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">or my favorite</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Are you stupid? They need school to learn.”</span></div>
<img height="320" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/10487420_580230312078908_6779751266965271168_n.jpg?oh=b6a9b850026077cb329ee04b90a8f35b&oe=56740925" width="320" /><img alt="Displaying 20150313_165156.jpg" height="320" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9ba2420530&view=fimg&th=14ca5b4948d62f53&attid=0.2&disp=inline&realattid=1498110172660236288-2&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ8ag7DEH90nXaajq7-i7PZfVrJ1P292kk9_gEi-VjkkJVW9LK0xRJMRACUEEajpIenxn9rzjc2A3tZMUQGmhPZa6DAaOBjslqGFqOupYcr30th2fW1c3PGij-0&ats=1441641580528&rm=14ca5b4948d62f53&zw&sz=w1336-h547" width="239" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Parents are the child’s first teachers, they model everything we do. When healthy emotional relationships are modeled, children recreate those dynamics too. So we try our best to show them our learning process so they model us. It can be simple things such as: reading, listening to socially conscious talk radio, hiking, television shows, cultural celebrations, museums, facilitating workshops, cooking, listening, etc. We also seek intergenerational spaces for learning such as community gatherings, ceremony, workshops, or classes. We look for free or affordable classes offered in our community. Luckily we also have many awesome friends and family members that offer to take care of our children while assisting in teaching them something they know. Finally we also incorporate common classroom items such as: puzzles, games, workbooks, and arts & crafts. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Are they learning? Yes, they are. They know how to do many things and are very independent. My oldest child prepares simple meals that do not require heat such as yogurt with fruit, sandwiches, shakes, etc. Both our children have learned about anatomy, nature, childbirth, animals, political movements and much more. They love to perform dance, music, and poetry. Most importantly they have a lot of love and empathy for their fellow living beings and nature in general. They also advocate for the liberation of humans and animals from prisons and zoos. My oldest has already began to establish her own business called “ Vulva Power”. The money she earns is used to purchase learning tools of her choice.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img alt="Displaying 20150411_094237.jpg" height="320" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9ba2420530&view=fimg&th=14e4fd71b2dd04a2&attid=0.3&disp=inline&realattid=1505606650302562304-3&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9P4sk0jcmVcUWRrp4I1Fr7vJPVuX4IF9Abz7Gx4nqQ2ByYVgiV70JPAf0wm-nYgHiUmBko3U1vdRBLUWjL_bhwf8pQe8whWPD2PMXGcG8GUZ2loDqQ2ZUKFKQ&ats=1441641579272&rm=14e4fd71b2dd04a2&zw&sz=w1336-h547" width="239" /><img alt="Displaying IMG_2372.jpg" height="320" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9ba2420530&view=fimg&th=14ca6028ebd784a9&attid=0.4&disp=inline&realattid=1498115317540323328-4&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9JqTLckntDA1-rN3J1PgJvkMFrn8MOxUdep0mlqOJUwtkMqacNVrS5gWvtROsCNQPfEGRQzuZVr2_6ZCLvyubpJw2i-HiF64ATL2WIYdDxIqY3MHpJnuDqZDM&ats=1441641580316&rm=14ca6028ebd784a9&zw&sz=w1336-h547" style="line-height: 22.08px;" width="238" /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How will they learn to socialize? My daughters like most children are shy at first but are able to socialize well. Since they are not isolated to their peer group in a school setting they socialize fairly easily with people of all ages. They socialize in intergenerational spaces and they learn socialization by modeling from their caretakers, family and friends.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Do they need school to learn? No, they do not “need” school to learn and we are not stupid. We have just made a choice that may be different than most and it was by no means an easy choice to make. We have had to make many sacrifices while navigating and juggling employment and childcare responsibilities. Despite our struggles we feel this has been the best choice for our family. We try our best to respect other families and their choices, so if you do not support our choice please at the very least respect it.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Unschooling has been quite a lovely journey, which is ideally done by following a child’s lead, providing learning tools to guide them and trusting learning will happen in a natural structure. Coming from a structured way of learning in our school system, the unschooling concept often gives me moments of anxiety and fear. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Fears such as:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“What if they never learn to read?”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need to step it up and teach.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“We need a curriculum”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">These fears are valid after all our oldest is already 6 and does not know how to read, she can barely spell her name. These are just short moments of fear because of the support we do have. We have a few adult friends that were unschooled, they learned to read and much more. Also my sister, who attended public schools, learned to read until she was almost 9 years old. My sister also has worked in a variety of school settings and had studied Child Development. She is my main encouragement to homeschool. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">She tells me things such as:</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> “Keep doing what you are doing, the girls are doing great.”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“I think schools give too much homework, not enough play and rob children of true childhood”</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Children learn most by playing, critical thinking, and using their imagination. Unfortunately these are often not supported in schools children of color attend ”</span></div>
<img alt="Displaying 20150613_154339.jpg" height="240" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9ba2420530&view=fimg&th=14e4fcda4f4a1dc0&attid=0.4&disp=inline&realattid=1505606172094695475-4&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ8y4fobfXiVaD68CXBruMEyPWeQVo6DzYIzkTt1pxrwV64WRJlNXJxOlTg9OC5X1S9jfdGLUH8FebM76QThTsgbGtqNpmGyvjvHElSgkoPdaBsOdpQ1KiQ72tw&ats=1441641579732&rm=14e4fcda4f4a1dc0&zw&sz=w1336-h547" width="320" /><img height="240" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xat1/v/t1.0-9/11049496_10153220510223728_6827226198521652879_n.jpg?oh=23d6a2c52b5b01766c197acb89b8efc1&oe=56627F62" style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.6667px; line-height: 20.24px; white-space: pre-wrap;" width="320" /><br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span class="Apple-tab-span" style="white-space: pre;"> </span></span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So we will continue to unschool for the moment maybe we will change our mind and choose a different route later on but right now it is working well for us. My partner and I with our daughters continue to learn all day, everyday. Unschooling has been the ultimate concept in learning to let go, surrender, and trust the process. We love unschooling our children it is freeing because it is helping us heal our self confidence and ability to truly understand things that we were unable to learn in the many schools we attended. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">As Albert Einstein once stated “The only thing that interferes with my learning is my education.” </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666666666666px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: 400; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><img height="240" src="https://scontent-lax3-1.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xpa1/v/t1.0-9/14312_970274169668196_7153328052607027681_n.jpg?oh=7650c2ece3f38e32db1e39e9854144e8&oe=56687B3E" width="320" /><img alt="Displaying 20150718_081249.jpg" height="240" src="https://mail.google.com/mail/u/0/?ui=2&ik=9ba2420530&view=fimg&th=14f23d2ca830fbc9&attid=0.5&disp=inline&realattid=1509336050657394688-5&safe=1&attbid=ANGjdJ9rPdwf0kfpbqTtWNPJtysgrO9IW2hZRRy5xe1KOXvxgmjXzH2uhPJhmomWoO8YOzjPpmctmuFXxXUE3CJersPLUlVwvbAxXYfis_3zvhHAcj4epA2XxxJHmQc&ats=1441642433251&rm=14f23d2ca830fbc9&zw&sz=w1336-h547" width="320" /></span></div>
<br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-85824772123607601552015-08-11T22:50:00.000-07:002015-08-11T22:50:01.964-07:00A Mother's Perspective on Lyricism in Pop Music. Story shared by Roxy ElRey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">I look around and I ask myself, “Am I crazy or am I the only mother that thinks this is inappropriate?” I am not a square and I don’t preach religion. I promise. However, I refuse to allow my children to fall victim and watch countless hours of TV or listen to the senseless “music” of today. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">While I know that I can’t prevent my kids from being exposed to certain things during the time they are away at school; I work very hard at home to educate and raise two beautiful mindful boys. My oldest boy is seven years old and should not be singing along to “going up on a Tuesday”. If you are anything like me, you can already imagine my reaction. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">This brings me to my next point which is about public education and what our children are learning at school. To keep my son busy and active during the summer break I enrolled him in the L.A.’s Best summer program. Here we are as parents trusting that the school district has good judgment and hires competent individuals to care for our children. I arrive to pick up my son and walk into all the kids in the summer program dancing and singing along to the “Nae Nae” song. I am sure you’ve all heard this ridiculous tune. Here are a few lyrics:</span></div>
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<span style="color: #242424; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now watch me whip (kill it!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #242424; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now watch me nae nae (okay!)</span></div>
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<span style="color: #242424; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Now watch me whip whip</span></div>
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<span style="color: #242424; font-family: inherit; font-size: 16.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Watch me nae nae (want me do it?)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">The first question one may ask is “what on earth is nae nae?” As a mindful parent that questions the subliminal message behind every pop or rap song, I found that Nae Nae is actually a person. This person is a female character named Sheneneh Jenkings on the famous 90’s sitcom Martin. Ms. Jenkings is the best person to describe the meaning behind the song. A ghetto, promiscuous, unattractive hot mess dancing like a fool. So basically, my child was singing “watch me foolishly dance like a trashy whore”. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">On a second occasion my son’s father walked into the kids listening to “Trap Queen”. Some lyrics are as follows:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Married to the money, introduced her to my stove</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Showed her how to whip it, now she remixin' for low</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">She my trap queen, let her hit the bando</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">We be countin' up, watch how far them bands go</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">We just set a goal, talkin' matchin' Lambos</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">A 50, 60 grand, prob' a hundred grams though</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Man, I swear I love her how she work the damn pole</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Hit the strip club, we be letting bands go</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">Everybody hating, we just call them fans though</span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br class="kix-line-break" /></span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">In love with the money, I ain't ever letting go</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">This needs no translation as it is very literal. “What is wrong with the youth of today?” many ask. I say music plays a great influence. Most pop or rap songs consist of drugs, sex, money and shaming of women. If you pay close attention these songs are becoming our reality. This is the plan of course. No zombie apocalypse needed. We are the zombie apocalypse. We walk around blinded and ignorant to what really matters. Remember the more we know the bigger of a threat we are to those in position of power. Everything around us has been created to keep us ignorant and blind.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;"> As parents we need to stand strong and create a solid foundation for our kids. Education starts at home. These days you see parents and children in the same room staring down at a screen and not engaging in something as simple as a conversation. As parents we should be playing, creating, talking and reading to our kids. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">As I mentioned before I work very hard toward mindful education for my kids. This includes activities such as art therapy, crafts, meditation, yoga, board games, reading but most importantly communication. We can’t allow our children to learn from music or other inapt sources. We must decolonize play time and the classrooms for the future of our children and their children. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 14.66px; vertical-align: baseline;">I am a mother and I am against pop music and what it is teaching our children. Are you?</span></div>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cZ3E0pUnEgVVCn3ylw0gAK9sGQFO0X1C5SHnDvdMtbFjFG46d1_8HYI963UY5ZrTd-2SYOpEB3XqXB5tCXEifqqXiQ7jVEFp2QO13bMtovUCGDTNdCCa8JW7dXF5zoHLO-7WxKvrSlLt/s1600/roxy.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj7cZ3E0pUnEgVVCn3ylw0gAK9sGQFO0X1C5SHnDvdMtbFjFG46d1_8HYI963UY5ZrTd-2SYOpEB3XqXB5tCXEifqqXiQ7jVEFp2QO13bMtovUCGDTNdCCa8JW7dXF5zoHLO-7WxKvrSlLt/s1600/roxy.jpg" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Roxy ElRey<br /><br /></td></tr>
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<tr><td><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KTsq7MDWTHf49-JvEMNxgea0wd1FY9uCA1SKA-5ZPirPgRgA5MO7Wu0XffJYbqtrgbJTGO9pxsuyULZlXIfIIf7MD07q1RGYL5jIhnURm4a5aSdsKU3ugptXsMajNilj3wGmFksTQZrQ/s1600/Copy+of+imap2.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" height="206" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6KTsq7MDWTHf49-JvEMNxgea0wd1FY9uCA1SKA-5ZPirPgRgA5MO7Wu0XffJYbqtrgbJTGO9pxsuyULZlXIfIIf7MD07q1RGYL5jIhnURm4a5aSdsKU3ugptXsMajNilj3wGmFksTQZrQ/s320/Copy+of+imap2.jpg" width="320" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">This story is part of the International M.A.P. blog series and Dialogue Starters. 2015<br /></td></tr>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06974028199604976437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-73335222674034532762015-05-13T21:11:00.001-07:002015-05-13T21:11:04.627-07:00Rants of a Pregnant Mama from Chaos Toward Healing<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I found out the week before my first daughter's second birthday. I was busy with an internship to help me find a "real job". I needed a job; I had been unemployed for almost 3 years, even though I have always engaged in volunteer based community work.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Okay so I was busy and had stopped tracking my moon cycle. At that time also weaned my eldest. It was the beginning of June, and was spotting for a few months by then and my period absent for the whole month of May. After feeling nauseous for three days....I knew.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz20gYVvlAEV6ZKBfOu1Si0MkhSfIItZbUZdLScjz6BJVxIi8IigLJRCVzOW5UIoSrCAKhgKbShOTAkxnNGptyip_G3WlhMXk5pYrFEDcAkFjiy8H6QsMVHd_XXHpIC-UlU2Jnpc9y4bY/s1600/IMG_0266.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz20gYVvlAEV6ZKBfOu1Si0MkhSfIItZbUZdLScjz6BJVxIi8IigLJRCVzOW5UIoSrCAKhgKbShOTAkxnNGptyip_G3WlhMXk5pYrFEDcAkFjiy8H6QsMVHd_XXHpIC-UlU2Jnpc9y4bY/s320/IMG_0266.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> So I told my partner, who had been trying to find a job for almost 2 years about my suspicion and he said - "Shut the f... up, for real?!" We bought a cheap pregnancy test at CVS. I peed on it as soon as I arrived home. The plus sign quickly formed....I then told my partner, "Read, what does that mean?"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">He responded "It means you're pregnant. I guess we are having Another baby"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Wait but look one line is lighter than the other." I said.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"That doesn't matter look." He then showed me the instructions...yes they said that one might be lighter that the other. Damn it, I was pregnant Again!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I stared at the test for about 10 minutes. I picked it up looked and looked, but the answer did not change.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">"Oh My God! I am pregnant AND We Are Poor!".I thought."What are we going to do?!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Denial was in full force."Maybe I did it wrong. I peed on it too long...I can't BE...Not Now!"</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I couldn't deny it for long. Yes I was a poor pregnant mother and after a month of denial I decided to figure out what will we do now </span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Not having money is difficult and people always blame poverty on poor womyn of color who bring children into this world to suffer or leach off the government. At times I wanted an abortion or I would pray for a miscarriage so I wouldn't feel guilty. Guilt is such a draining feeling.</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Life inside my womb kept growing. No money. No job. I thought, maybe Conservatives are right, poor people should not have babies, but we do -HA!</span></div>
<div dir="ltr" style="line-height: 1.3800000000000001; margin-bottom: 10pt; margin-top: 0pt;">
<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My friend Kristina also pregnant and broke reminded me once "Well mujer, we are not the only broke people to give birth;we'll be okay."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">So yes we are not the first broke parents to have children, not at all, not the first and not the last. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I decided to keep my baby, I already loved this life inside my womb and recognized it was my choice; at the time did not realize how difficult it will be.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Though I had chosen, the negative thoughts kept flooding my mind and I could not stop them even if I tried.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What was I thinking?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Why didn't I protect myself?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">How can I bring a baby into this world?</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I'm broke....what can I offer this baby? We don't have anything!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: italic; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My hormones were out of control and so were my emotions.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I was Angry. Guilty. Sad. Depressed. Afraid. We didn't have any money and kept struggling. We received cash aid and my partner recycled metal and still did not make ends meet.We slept on the hard cold floor since we didn't have a mattress. There were times we didn't have running water or gas. We went without electricity for over a month. It was difficult; I complained a lot and frustrated my partner. He of course was also going through depression but manifested differently than I did. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I felt like I was drowning at times or slipping little by little beginning to get buried in quick sand.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Thoughts of ending my life and my oldest daughter’s as well populated my mind. It felt like nobody cared about us. My thoughts had me believing we wouldn't survive anyway maybe we should end it here. I fantasized about getting run over or jumping off the freeway or dying in our sleep.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My friends and some family members helped me a lot. They listened and provided some type of support such as ideas on how to cope. My friends Reyna and Sammy babysat or dragged me out of the house. Bernie took me to acupuncture appointments or out shopping for food. My sister Julie would me pick up and drove me out of my house. One time another good friend, Sofia helped my family by organizing friends to chip in and pay my rent; they also provided me with a mattress. Panquetzani gave us space for my family and I in her home for a while. Aubrey was there with me during the Kali Ma phase. Felt very lucky that I had this much support from my friends, my partner on the other hand was another story. </span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz05xF6fAKfDcRdemuhBLDp219Qw5_4V1zFn20O80l1mxc2SfXh5-sQlnOSBTRO1Si9l675-HA58vq_yDMKUkHnpetPkTJVJnbVXHCYTin9LuA8QEd90Pe7h6Z8jflDLsY7qtcwRZWGm4/s1600/IMG_0549.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjz05xF6fAKfDcRdemuhBLDp219Qw5_4V1zFn20O80l1mxc2SfXh5-sQlnOSBTRO1Si9l675-HA58vq_yDMKUkHnpetPkTJVJnbVXHCYTin9LuA8QEd90Pe7h6Z8jflDLsY7qtcwRZWGm4/s320/IMG_0549.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">My partner was not emotionally there for me, he was busy focusing on surviving to feel empathy for me, I felt that he didn't love me. I was angry and sad at the same time, feeling ugly and stupid. He wasn't involved in the pregnancy as much as he was with my first. I would scream, fight, and cry a lot. Without realizing, I was trying to drag him to insanity with me. He would lose it plenty of times and said I was spoiled since I grew up in a privileged country. We had somewhere to live, even though we struggled to pay rent. We had food, even though we received food stamps. He would always point out how we were lucky for not getting bombed like the women in Palestine. These were all words that a depressed pregnant women should not hear. Plus I wanted to be off food stamps and have a house with space to grow our own food...then I'd be happy. Sometimes I would think, he is right we are rich and I am spoiled. Others survive worst, we will survive this and life is Beautiful. But every minute I changed my mind. I was pregnant and an emotional wreck trying to find balance somewhere inside myself.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; line-height: 1.38; white-space: pre-wrap;">Sometimes I was reminded by my good friend Maria that unhappiness is not necessarily and "bad" thing; it is also part of life. “Don't be afraid of the dark times,” she said “immerse yourself in them and be at peace”. I started calling my depression my purple phase of chaos and reminded myself that only after chaos there is true peace. I meditated and my mantra was "Immerse yourself in darkness to find the light."</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Being poor and pregnant is tough because at this time you need love, security and peace.. I didn't feel any of that. I coped as best as I could and some people did support me. I dragged myself outside sometimes, I would journal and draw my emotions into paper. Sometimes I danced or would drink warm tea and take deep breaths to gain some peace. What helped me the most was speaking to people about what I felt and receiving their much needed empathy. </span></div>
<b id="docs-internal-guid-81bbbaca-5083-59f9-fcae-11575d82e649" style="font-weight: normal;"><br /></b>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> My friends organized a mother's blessing for me; where I was honored as a mother. They also organized my postpartum care (meals, babysitting, laundry, house work etc.) above all they promised to always be there for our family in support. Since that night my partner changed . Didn’t realize, because he kept it all in and was just as afraid as I was. After that night, surrounded by our loved ones he was relieved to see we were truly not alone.</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJ-JRe6c4zd-c-Vp20bLwOAeDj8ttthd9XVJLFuvHFWGGseUBilj3r0bpMjH_lNVjmPCA8byCPM_XWSFhdCi89cq_luut0iamTkUm7V_YKf4QWPvhkSEQSg-rlPgi7L3tSu8apoDmzd0/s1600/IMG_0563.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiXJ-JRe6c4zd-c-Vp20bLwOAeDj8ttthd9XVJLFuvHFWGGseUBilj3r0bpMjH_lNVjmPCA8byCPM_XWSFhdCi89cq_luut0iamTkUm7V_YKf4QWPvhkSEQSg-rlPgi7L3tSu8apoDmzd0/s320/IMG_0563.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After the turmoil experienced during my pregnancy, I had an orgasmic birth with my partner and friends supporting me throughout labor and birth, and my oldest daughter nearby. My postpartum phase was a wonderful time; people visited our home not only to meet our newborn but also helped me with recovery. I felt loved and I allowed myself to be bathed, fed, and taken care of by those that loved me. This was immensely healing to feel so much community love. My self-love grew and so did my love for my family. I was happy to be a mother again.</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I share my story in attempts to help other mothers and pregnant womyn especially those facing economic difficulty so they see that survival and happiness is possible. Through this story I shared my process, struggles, my support and strategies in hopes they may help someone find help or sanity. It’s not easy to remember this, but we are not stuck and Money is not #1. We have something better: we are resourceful and hopeful, and to remember after chaos comes peace!</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFbzsQhi7Jek1Nn7UoKuvgNiohFqm8S8GcjvQgJinVnwx5k37TgDUc4i3Ie_edyu1hokeJbf8Ggnu5Wm0fNn72dknpsXsN-PM5tfvRX-H_TCOhvaOjSWSKyAZ6hwbEphHU1frgGzYPDE/s1600/IMG_0690.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbFbzsQhi7Jek1Nn7UoKuvgNiohFqm8S8GcjvQgJinVnwx5k37TgDUc4i3Ie_edyu1hokeJbf8Ggnu5Wm0fNn72dknpsXsN-PM5tfvRX-H_TCOhvaOjSWSKyAZ6hwbEphHU1frgGzYPDE/s320/IMG_0690.JPG" width="240" /></a></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: bold; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Speak up when you are down because you are not alone!!</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">A special thanks to my partner and children; we continue on our healing journey and doing so much better. A very special thanks to my sisters from Ticicalli Yahualli, Classmates in Jumpstart Mental Health LA, Colleagues from LDIRs in Health, Echo Parenting and Education, Ana Paula Markel from BINI Birth, The Village Health Foundation, family, and many other friends. Whether you are aware of it or not, you were there for me during these challenging times and because of YOU I was able to pull myself out and I am immensely grateful for this. Much Love and Blessings to you ALL.</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-40371478350271374932015-05-12T03:14:00.003-07:002015-05-12T03:14:43.382-07:00Decolonizing Playtime and Exploring Different Perspectives At Home.<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zgD04C68SEowYUB5Gwep7z-ZUIngwXDWhcvt6rtz5pNdlba7pkEuThG8YkhGludQxi5OnsorPTScundowhD4LytEqgYRV020o932xYlgxylr0DK0Dw7gMtevmHksAcZnhDU1opdrcLs/s1600/PicsArt_14313929683.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9zgD04C68SEowYUB5Gwep7z-ZUIngwXDWhcvt6rtz5pNdlba7pkEuThG8YkhGludQxi5OnsorPTScundowhD4LytEqgYRV020o932xYlgxylr0DK0Dw7gMtevmHksAcZnhDU1opdrcLs/s400/PicsArt_14313929683.jpg" width="400" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">As a mother of a 5 year old daughter I have been made aware of the overwhelming amount of "Princess" merchandise that is out in the market targeting young girls. Though I understand that the "princess" themed merchandise appeals to the inner nobility and queen-like nature of our little girls, I do believe that it is a limiting concept and misrepresentation of all the wonderful things that our children are. For those who are of Native American/Indigenous backgrounds, the effects of these mainstream images and concepts are even more complex. Aware of these issues, I have decided that I want my child to enjoy her youth but to also learn how to exercise her mind, spark her curiosity and to seek possibilities of progress and creation while honoring our culture. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Here is a small home project we did together to expand the possibilities of a toy she was gifted at her preschool's christmas event last year, We hope you enjoy this and that it gives you ideas for personalizing your toys at home. :)</span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSBv4ihzb7_71bl4Uv411AOVmrILD9qlHxF1c3Wvn5X6NUh1MkT2LWfbcW3c2gCH5nwuee5JpOoPhxX-eq4dsXJsxYkB9WnmESpaXkrsLLvjcrbzJpxVpNUz2dw_iV2G5HoUPW_zRlic/s1600/20150510_211027.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><img border="0" height="192" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRSBv4ihzb7_71bl4Uv411AOVmrILD9qlHxF1c3Wvn5X6NUh1MkT2LWfbcW3c2gCH5nwuee5JpOoPhxX-eq4dsXJsxYkB9WnmESpaXkrsLLvjcrbzJpxVpNUz2dw_iV2G5HoUPW_zRlic/s320/20150510_211027.jpg" width="320" /></span></a></div>
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<b><span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We stated with this Disney Princesses tracing light table with moving vinyl strips made to mix and match princesses and dresses. </span></b></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl5uRB59aNbwP0OLoqVKv2Vs5fy6e1cYhOIebcwRdqflCiGtPenYIVvNLEee8k95HP8-WyFu6tZw8bEiN9btKHqpusQXFHoGhi7N7wjvipX4OvAstysQ4znXRQLdLjEjiHum6XvXCD2g/s1600/20150510_213007.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVl5uRB59aNbwP0OLoqVKv2Vs5fy6e1cYhOIebcwRdqflCiGtPenYIVvNLEee8k95HP8-WyFu6tZw8bEiN9btKHqpusQXFHoGhi7N7wjvipX4OvAstysQ4znXRQLdLjEjiHum6XvXCD2g/s320/20150510_213007.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We found the center of the vinyl strips and cut along the middle to remove them from the light table. </b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHSFDKNWQ8MKBrPyPvD1ztVKj61t0Xmg_HdCIfz2nxzbdGrlDGUgp4ZqaKVmWY164BZQhyphenhyphenN52siZRGTxWJxlR7xKkiLXj8IFGjzXm6_sDIgjybzJmlrpaJ8IMh-vEFfHAP9H5wscolT8/s1600/20150510_214021.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhrHSFDKNWQ8MKBrPyPvD1ztVKj61t0Xmg_HdCIfz2nxzbdGrlDGUgp4ZqaKVmWY164BZQhyphenhyphenN52siZRGTxWJxlR7xKkiLXj8IFGjzXm6_sDIgjybzJmlrpaJ8IMh-vEFfHAP9H5wscolT8/s320/20150510_214021.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We picked an old magazine and found our modge podge and brush...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmx3u_ErNHf8j9Fpd9wiJSavpjMscdTvpnfbK6HnT0EPp3IxS73XmSBOfrwuJ3q1zhkmp1B6mMYj2kziVyAwiRoNWLHiqnPuBV4WFqcGl-pRp26Tb1zdcWfXQqFgjwq4DwO1EWx6M6a8/s1600/20150510_214538.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="286" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhXmx3u_ErNHf8j9Fpd9wiJSavpjMscdTvpnfbK6HnT0EPp3IxS73XmSBOfrwuJ3q1zhkmp1B6mMYj2kziVyAwiRoNWLHiqnPuBV4WFqcGl-pRp26Tb1zdcWfXQqFgjwq4DwO1EWx6M6a8/s320/20150510_214538.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>... and selected a few images from an article and ads.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14OJV1XKk9hyphenhyphen9lN1QSfd1aIscDQnejWdxb8hfjAx_BtPPaf-56pj6O9ltoF4C8MeUeq6ff1rv8oiwIQmyX7nRh5yapA1G2StLS4nhGAKx9hJUEvcxfp4GbYFSGiER5r_JD3H8zKgQoGg/s1600/20150510_220554.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg14OJV1XKk9hyphenhyphen9lN1QSfd1aIscDQnejWdxb8hfjAx_BtPPaf-56pj6O9ltoF4C8MeUeq6ff1rv8oiwIQmyX7nRh5yapA1G2StLS4nhGAKx9hJUEvcxfp4GbYFSGiER5r_JD3H8zKgQoGg/s320/20150510_220554.jpg" width="232" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Using the modge podge and brush, we glued the cut outs on the frame of the light table. (I only used a few since I did not want her to feel like her space had been invaded or make it unfamiliar to her).</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then we picked a cutout of some artwork we printed from the internet.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmioVm1j-iAKLpTZ3tCeDVQUmnMid8gDjrtXt5nOEQdCXrpr3toxT7QLPyGMHOwSVe44aIibkXho1x0uOzJLpAShEFQgAIXneRjrfPkpWlmYj1qBm-aa_uAszqGG6ZZucTczNyat5COk/s1600/20150510_220221.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghmioVm1j-iAKLpTZ3tCeDVQUmnMid8gDjrtXt5nOEQdCXrpr3toxT7QLPyGMHOwSVe44aIibkXho1x0uOzJLpAShEFQgAIXneRjrfPkpWlmYj1qBm-aa_uAszqGG6ZZucTczNyat5COk/s320/20150510_220221.jpg" width="192" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>We used tape to secure the image on the light table. For tracing, we thought it would be fun to try Japanese calligraphy paper and use ink stone and brush for tracing.</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cXaPFtwNhxWaPgrV1H5OZqfPPuh20ZGQhtlXNwvl17rBljE9984gfF3A6cqBnETDdWHT_Bf7-qXvEn0VBuiD7DSopHpSUqmMRfHK9BrzfFUSRysV1kiCgpNEGXZ45k67I8hcnuhs8Og/s1600/20150510_221128.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-cXaPFtwNhxWaPgrV1H5OZqfPPuh20ZGQhtlXNwvl17rBljE9984gfF3A6cqBnETDdWHT_Bf7-qXvEn0VBuiD7DSopHpSUqmMRfHK9BrzfFUSRysV1kiCgpNEGXZ45k67I8hcnuhs8Og/s320/20150510_221128.jpg" width="250" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Here's a close up of a Japanese calligraphy brush and the calligraphy paper secured with tape on the tracing table. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>This is the ink stone. </b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>She started by tracing the head and the nose of the buffalo...</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>Then she thought her drawing would look nicer if she used color paint instead...</b></span></div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbYHDYAsHwHAP47980xIYoTHWPDDtUSBmDSp2Y8XW2s6IgknQnRXgj1ggcphNAXw8-JBWP2LfluQ-uPmCTUnlHV8CTVrjEyDklV1LUtioVe39Wbu3eeye7tb61kM8um2zvj4HU4_R0hE/s1600/20150510_222522.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjbYHDYAsHwHAP47980xIYoTHWPDDtUSBmDSp2Y8XW2s6IgknQnRXgj1ggcphNAXw8-JBWP2LfluQ-uPmCTUnlHV8CTVrjEyDklV1LUtioVe39Wbu3eeye7tb61kM8um2zvj4HU4_R0hE/s320/20150510_222522.jpg" width="192" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjor2QFBQSJaew-k9F-yD3PzlN2IkjnHaocZPDqKT88e14eT9dVJshrWPN7Eqm0mq5hY0aSUjUyegF_8yIV57pcXHJl1R8ioYDYTKvQsBFY5zm_FFoCSTxY2BQVGmFjBzCiGhGBfNDBY/s1600/20150510_222515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgGjor2QFBQSJaew-k9F-yD3PzlN2IkjnHaocZPDqKT88e14eT9dVJshrWPN7Eqm0mq5hY0aSUjUyegF_8yIV57pcXHJl1R8ioYDYTKvQsBFY5zm_FFoCSTxY2BQVGmFjBzCiGhGBfNDBY/s320/20150510_222515.jpg" width="235" /></a></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><b>She called it " The Rainbow Tatanka".</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My daughter's creativity never ceases to amaze me. The focus and attention she pays to her art just makes me smile and warms my heart to see such dedication from such a little human. Her soul sets an example for me to follow of how to put my all into what I do and set the best intentions...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We kept the vinyl cut outs, so that she has the choice to trace princesses and dresses if she wants to, but it is great to know that she is learning she can create amazing things when she is given a safe space to create and explore different perspectives...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Love and blessings to all the families of Earth!!</span></div>
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"perspectives" blog series 2015.</div>
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zxlbrainstorms.blogspot.com</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13873812446760748262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-13808688090216299892015-05-11T18:43:00.002-07:002015-05-12T11:22:07.452-07:00Healing through Storytelling <div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I went to the Healing thru Writing Workshop: An evening with </span><a href="http://www.elizabethalexander.net/" style="background-color: white; font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif; font-size: x-large; letter-spacing: 0.5px; text-align: center;" target="_blank">Elizabeth Alexander</a><span style="font-family: 'Trebuchet MS', sans-serif;"> presented by The California Endowment.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #666666; font-size: 13.1999998092651px; letter-spacing: 0.5px; padding: 0px 0px 8px; text-align: center;">
<span style="font-size: large;"><span style="font-weight: 700;"><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></span></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I didn't make it to the full event and naturally, as this is one of the precious moments when the kids are with grandma I wanted to
get the most out of the night. I walked in and found a seat just as the Q&A began. After listening to questions, I realized I had a question. I raised my hand. The person with the mic came
over and placed the mic in front of me, everyone in the room turning in my
direction as I begin to utter words, “Hello, I am Sara. My question is about…” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I feel myself pause. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I feel the stories inside of me waiting for my permission to
be expressed. As more eyes turn in my direction, I contain these stories and
continue, “When it gets hard to write. When there is more than one story that
you know you want to share because you know it is healing and empowering to
create a space for more people to share. But it’s so hard to write because it’s
hard to go there and there is a lot of untangling to do. How do you get
yourself to write these stories?” <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And in my emotional fullness from even asking the question,
I hear her say,<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">“Stories live in our bodies. Crying it out helps but you
have to move yourself through it because you can get stuck there.” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">I hadn't realized how these stories had a physical nature to
them. But they do. I know this because I feel them affect my body as I become
aware of the stories. And even as I ignore these stories they show up as pains
or discomfort in my body. Being aware of where these stories are stored
assisted me in releasing them. It felt easier to write freely in poetry, in
vague terms at first. And I think that’s a good start. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;"><br /></span>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGIg93z3ipPgfrUpCACuBQbJ9Q1aoGeiS6G8PDoeX5XAFqdvP742JRZTLKA2cEyBYeou-dcA5UGwz8oini8De9qtRtDZj65FDixkTDsBOQP9EBzbXkd4t0P3Zx5nC_pyUSNenkj7CgMd1/s1600/IMG_20150512_095649.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgPGIg93z3ipPgfrUpCACuBQbJ9Q1aoGeiS6G8PDoeX5XAFqdvP742JRZTLKA2cEyBYeou-dcA5UGwz8oini8De9qtRtDZj65FDixkTDsBOQP9EBzbXkd4t0P3Zx5nC_pyUSNenkj7CgMd1/s320/IMG_20150512_095649.jpg" width="319" /></a></div>
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Whatever your story is and if you don’t feel safe yet to
share, like me, I encourage you to seek ways to begin to release the story from
your body with intention and gentleness. I began to instruct myself to release
and I found that it was a helpful starter. Check it out:<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pull your stories out of your body <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And write<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Write that story to release it <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unearth those pains<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unearth the joys<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unearth the pleasure <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Unearth the tears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Purge your story <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Compost the ugly feelings <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With delightful adjectives <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Retell that story like a novel<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Retell it like an action story <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Retell that story how you felt it <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the ending you would have wanted <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With the beginning you wish you had<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pull it out of your head<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Cry it out of your eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Pluck it out of your face <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stomp it out of your feet<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Birth it out of your womb<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There’s no wrong way to tell a story <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">There’s no right way to write<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not when you are writing to free yourself<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not when your spirit needs you to honor your truth<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Not when you need to let it go<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your story is here for you to<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Always with you <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Housed in your temple<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Asking for your permission to be released<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Anytime anyone asks, “Are you ok?” <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your story is there <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Waiting for you to begin to tell it<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Awaiting your permission <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And sometimes it doesn’t <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Sometimes your story comes thru <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Without any warning<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Flooding tears<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heavy breaths<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Gleeful smiles <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Rolling eyes<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your story is in your body <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And wants to exist outside of you<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Someone where it can move<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Inspire<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Heal <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Transform<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And help you grow<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Your story is present with you <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Free yourself from stories of the past<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stories of wounded hearts<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stories of defeat <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stories of rage<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Stories of cycles yet to be broken<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create a new story <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">A narrative that calls in your <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Beauty <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Strength <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">And intellectual prowess<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create a new story by shifting those old stories<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create a new story by living the life you want to live<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create that story every day the way you want it <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create stories you want to keep in your body <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">That won’t hurt you in your solitude<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Create a story you are proud to tell<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Make that story<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Share that story <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Give it life with words <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Give it meaning with metaphors<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Give it rhythm with alliteration<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Write that story <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">Write and live every day<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With imagination <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<o:p><span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS, sans-serif;">With Love </span></o:p></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07825573440850177242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-41878191555637061232015-04-25T15:12:00.000-07:002015-04-25T15:12:02.008-07:00Helpful Tips For Parent Allies. <br />
<br />
On April 22, 2015 our collective hosted the "Don't Leave Your Sisters Behind" workshop at CalState LA as part of the Mujeres De Maiz 2015 Spring event series. This workshop focused on exploring issues parents and families face and how to find solutions to these issues collectively. For those who were unable to attend this workshop, we are sharing a list of helpful tips that can serve as guide to parents and parent allies. We hope this helps and sparks ideas to create avenues of support for us all...<br />
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Thank you to Mujeres de Maiz and to MALCS for all your hard work and aide during this workshop and beyond!<br />
<br />
-Ticicalli Yahualli<br />
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;"><u>TIPS FOR PARENT ALLIES</u></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Pregnancy</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Offer help in any way</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide Self-Care gifts such as: Massage, Acupuncture, aromatherapy candles and pregnancy-safe teas</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Assist them in raising funds for their labor support (Doula) and/or Midwifery Care</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Check-in: Keep an open line of communication. Ask how they are doing and how you can support them</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Provide positive affirmations about birth</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Postpartum </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Help set up a meal train: Drop off warm ready or frozen meals for the family </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Offer to help clean the house </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Hang out with older siblings </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Gift them a massage</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Assist in raising funds for a postpartum doula </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Check in: Again, keep an open line of communication. Ask how they are doing and how you can support them</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Wash your hands before holding the newborn baby. Even though it’s hard to resist, refrain from kissing the baby. If you sick wait until you are better to see the family</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Holding Space for Children </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Children play a major role in Society. They are the future generations and everything we model they will be imprinted with</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Babies need to held and loved. Keep a positive environment around the baby</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Understand the developmental milestones for children. Be mindful of where they are in present moment </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">All adults in spaces where children are present are responsible for safety and security of children</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Be mindful of what you may be modeling in the presence of children</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 24px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Parenting </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Be intentional in your parenting journey </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Be aware of different parenting styles. Refrain from judging or shaming other parenting differently</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Be gentle with yourself in your parenting journey</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Seek support when times are tough</span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Don’t be afraid to seek community and/or intuitional resources such as parenting classes </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: transparent; color: black; font-family: Calibri; font-size: 15px; font-style: normal; font-variant: normal; font-weight: normal; text-decoration: none; vertical-align: baseline;">Have fun and enjoy the ride!</span></div>
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</b>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06974028199604976437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-34455500107371027572015-04-06T12:25:00.001-07:002015-04-06T12:25:33.697-07:00<div align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center;">
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<img alt="Image result for April cesarean awareness month" 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" /></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b><br /></b></div>
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<b>Purpose</b></div>
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<span style="text-align: left; text-indent: -24px;">This guide was prepared April 28, 2013 at a Cesarean Awareness Healing Event hosted by Ticicalli Yahualli and created by some members of ICAN, and mothers that had cesareans births. This was created for community and parents to have more knowledge about cesarean birth, be better prepared and create a support system in order to help the healing process. I hope it may provide some guidance.</span></div>
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<span lang="ES-MX"></span></div>
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<span lang="ES-MX"><br /></span></div>
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<span lang="ES-MX"><b>Pre-Conception</b><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Education
with of variety of ways and sources.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Knowledge
of choices.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Knowledge
of models of care.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Understanding
your own body (ability to listen to your gut).<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Trust and
connection to people attending your birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Dispell
myths of birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Choose who
you share your birth plan with, not everyone needs to know if they will not
support it.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Find ways
to address traumas and fears of labor, birth, motherhood, and life. (Therapy,
meditation, journaling, etc.)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Scar
remediation if necessary.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Educate partner
and have him/her address own traumas and fears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Knowledge
of birth process and evidence based reasons for a cesarean birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->As workers
do not push women to places where we cannot deal with.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->13.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Always
include a cesarean birth plan alongside a vaginal birth plan.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->14.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Choose a
birth team where everyone has a specific role to fill.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Cesarean Birth</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have
Cesarean Birth Plan ready. (Exp. Keep conversations in operating room low or
not at all)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have
someone present to support you during the birth. This person should have knowledge of
procedure and possible ways to offer support.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Know and
trust C-Birth is going to happen, there are reasons for it and let go.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l3 level1 lfo2; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have
immediate contact with baby after birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>VBAC</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Receive
Scar remediation<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Get
records regarding previous c-birth and the reasons why it was necessary (or
not) at that time.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Address
traumas and fears<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Find a
VBAC friendly provider and hospital (ask lots of questions)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Research
stats and become literate of medical model (VBACfacts.com)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Educate
partner and have him/her address own traumas and fears.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Create a
birth plan and discuss with Dr/midwife have them sign it before labor.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast" style="mso-list: l1 level1 lfo3; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Knowledge
of birth process and evidence based reason for another c-birth.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoNormal">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: left;">
<b>Postpartum</b><o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpFirst" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->1.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Change
language-use cesarean birth or surgical birth instead of c-section or
sectioned.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->2.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Organize
care with family and friends such as prepared meals, housework, and childcare
if there are other children.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->3.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Validate
feeling (we are on the journey with you)<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->4.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Connect
mother/family to resources such as ICAN or therapists especially those that
specialize in this type of trauma.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->5.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Be mindful
of stomach being extra gassy use specialized meal plan avoiding gassy foods.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->6.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Have extra
support ready if choosing to breastfeeding such as breastfeeding pillows or be
aware of positions that facilitate breast feeding for you.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->7.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Refer to
scar remediation.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->8.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Give
permission to recover at your own pace.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->9.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Practice
spiritual work and/or rebirth ceremony.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->10.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Find ways
to modify traditional birth practices to include them in your care such as; baths,
teas, massage, closing of hips, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->11.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->It is okay
to have people help you. Remember that
they choose to help, do not feel bad because of this.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<!--[if !supportLists]-->12.<span style="font-size: 7pt; font-stretch: normal;">
</span><!--[endif]-->Use
technology to organize your postpartum care such as; apps, facebook, meal
train, etc.<o:p></o:p></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="text-align: left; text-indent: -0.25in;">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpMiddle" style="mso-list: l2 level1 lfo4; text-indent: -.25in;">
<br /></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoListParagraphCxSpLast">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-17104141622553869602015-03-26T20:54:00.000-07:002015-03-26T21:01:31.240-07:00Reflections on my midwifery journey<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
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<tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a data-ved="0CAcQjRw" href="http://www.google.com/url?sa=i&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=images&cd=&ved=0CAcQjRw&url=http%3A%2F%2Fmidwiferytoday.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F33852754694&ei=_8sUVcjCLNK0oQTfjoDIDQ&bvm=bv.89381419,d.cGU&psig=AFQjCNFhE3w7OS9adeiY2O4klwJnAb2Ppg&ust=1427512685310009" id="irc_mil" style="border: 0px none; margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img src="http://36.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_mc3wes7ilW1qf8kn9o1_500.jpg" height="199" id="irc_mi" style="margin-top: 0px;" width="200" /></a></td></tr>
<tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;">Into these Hands. Amy Swagman. 2010.</td></tr>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Just a year ago I started my
fundraising campaign to complete the initial tuition fee for my midwifery
program. Whoa! Coming up with my tuition from love donations, scholarships and
prayers from my family & friends has been such a blessing. A true surreal
experience! I am so humbled by all the support & love that my gente has and
still to this day provides me. In May 2014, I became officially enrolled at the
National College of Midwifery, Class of 2017.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">For those who know me intimately
know the love, sweat and tears, hard work, community support and prayers it has
taken me to get me to where I am today. I didn’t choose midwifery, midwifery
chose me. It’s been an ancestral calling that only gets deeper every single
moment of my life.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And looking back to
2009 when this journey began manifesting, I now see how it is one of the best journeys
that I can ever surrender to.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"> I have two more years to go before
I can sit for my licensing exam with the Medical board of California. I can
only imagine how I will feel when I reach my completion in 2017. I realized
that to truly be the midwife that I am called to be, it will take my whole life
time. One birth, one family, one healing session at a time, I know I will get
there.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Here is what I have learned thus far:</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I am so grateful I took my time in choosing a midwifery
program. It literally took me years, before I finally found a program that felt
right for me. Choosing a midwifery program is like getting married. I consulted
with most of the schools in this country. To get more insight information, I
talked to different midwives, midwifery students and clients. I crossed
referenced, read up on my laws, cost of tuition, etc. I found that the
apprenticeship was the closest to the traditional way of learning with the
combination of college level academic curriculum. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><span style="mso-tab-count: 1;"> </span>There
is real power in believing 100% in what your higher self sees.Understanding that the “Universe always
provides,” has been a challenging lesson for me. I come from real humble
beginnings, always finding ways to make life work for us. Growing up and even
on a genetic level, I was imprinted with “we don’t have enough.” I have had to stubbornly
heal from this “scarcity mentality.” I would like to thank all my healing arts
teachers for this! Because the universe only knows the love and patience they
needed to have to hold space for me. So now instead of “ I don’t have enough”
or “ I can’t do this because of x,y,z,” I say to myself “ I am doing it” and “ I
will find a way to make it happen” or “ All in due time.” Focusing my energy on
what I already have and putting in the work to manifest magic with a sprinkle
of prayer, I am finding ways to flow with the waves of this midwifery program.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Birth ain’t pretty sometimes! There are some intense issues
that can come up in pregnancy, labor, birth & postpartum. I’ve seen some
wild stuff. I see how it’s all part of the process. After all, I am training to
be a midwife, so that means that need treat & prevent and know when to
refer out for medical complications. There was literally a month, where I had a
lot of consults for miscarriages. It was the trippiest thing. I’m grateful for having
strong counseling skills, because I was able to hold space for them.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;"><i>My heart goes out to you if you have experienced a loss. May
the universe fill you with a lot of love to help you heal and transform. <3</i></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">Self-care, Self-care, and more Self-care! I can continue
doing this work as long I am healthy, full of vitality and grounded. Otherwise
I would be a disservice to myself and the families I am supporting. I am still
learning how to balance work and self- care, but I try my hardest to take good
care of my-self. I have my rituals that I do before, during and after a birth
to keep me grounded and with an open heart. This all helps me to endure the
long hours being up without sleep, or even food sometimes. Thank goodness for
Self-care.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue",Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif;">I can keep going on and on about what I have learned. For
now, I am content with what I am sharing with you. Now, I have to go pick up a
placenta to encapsulate for a beautiful mama warrior. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thank you for reading my reflections. </span></div>
Nanyotlhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06632502857298633283noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-28429437436037556032015-03-26T15:04:00.001-07:002015-03-26T15:08:26.831-07:00Link to AlterNative Birthing Ways Webinar<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">If you missed the live broadcast of our AlterNative Birthing Ways Webinar, you can still view it on our YouTube playlist by clicking the link below. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Video 1 is the final edit of the webinar itself, without the Q&A period. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Video 2 is the live broadcast along with the on-air Q&A session.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Feel free to share with your family and friends.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">-For Educational Purposes.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;"></span><br />
Playlist link: <a href="https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLb9V9kHy7_wnZfIkEaxx9SiDOPlIx2zdJ">AlterNative Birthing Ways Webinar Playlist</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Thank you all for your support!</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06974028199604976437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-85882808019816642422015-03-25T10:06:00.001-07:002015-03-25T10:06:38.470-07:00Happy World Doula Week!!<br />
<img src="https://scontent-lax.xx.fbcdn.net/hphotos-xtf1/v/t1.0-9/11076291_950406228333614_1360642313892744789_n.jpg?oh=76921de165a6cee8882aedc72706037f&oe=55ADA6AF" />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-92103490183949455562015-03-23T14:34:00.000-07:002015-03-24T16:12:58.428-07:00Honoring Our Sacred Journey to Mictlan<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">After working as a birth doula for 5 years, I am now able to provide support in another great transition the beginning and the end in this earth. I am a Certified Death Doula and and am currently receiving education to become Certified Death Midwife. My experience with the birth of my daughters & death of my Grandmother has allowed me to see the beauty in the sacred transitions from womb to tomb. Both are scary since you dive into the unknown but also beautiful and sacred. The spirits coming and going...the cycle of life...our spirit's rebirth...<wbr></wbr>lifecarriesdeathcarrieslife and on and on and on. Never ending spirals.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">I am excited to be on this journey and be able to provide to my community an affordable and dignified way to die in this world and honor the spirit that is reborn in Mictlan while providing a celebration of life to those left living here on earth. I believe we should have choices and sacredness in birth and death it should NOT be so expensive, it should Not be so destructive to the earth, and it should NOT feel so detached and in the hands of "professionals." Let us take it back and make it sacred again!! Death is a sacred part of life it should be honored not feared.</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<span style="font-family: inherit;">As a Death Midwife I would like to: honor the transition into the spirit world; minimize fear for the person transitioning & family members and provide affordable & Eco-friendly burial options. I am doing this not only for myself but for you, my community....for all of you that are seeking for sacredness and support in these often challenging transitions. Please ask me questions, start a dialogue about death with family and friends, think about how you would like your life celebrated, live as if it were your last day on earth, and feed your spirit every breath you take.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span>
<br />
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;">Stay tuned more death talk and workshops coming up.</span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<b><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></b></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEii8_8s0-CGLbTQsEjIgMCmPnHfXnGhBKXY_fRzn713npzROg6LETxNzuOBKx_EYxStfCkW_OvzBzk7wwTTk3gizT5BS3dEjeTc4gZYcu74M7zm8sgP3HPEQeW-iGAqVIS6DUqsUVlq4WVN/s1600/Deathmus+Pos+catrino+cantina.jpg" /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;"><b>My death poem</b>:</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">We are spirals of love</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Spirits coming and going</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">No beginning nor end</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Forever</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Continuous</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050;">
<span style="font-family: inherit;">Flowing</span></div>
<div style="background-color: white; color: #500050; font-size: 12.8000001907349px;">
<br /></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06105507857279014479noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-55973493345422024692015-03-18T19:48:00.000-07:002015-03-18T19:48:07.968-07:00AlterNative Birthing Ways Community ForumWe hope you enjoyed the webinar...<br />
<br />
Please post all your questions and comments here... We will answer them ASAP!!Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07825573440850177242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-89279934386391577892015-03-18T19:14:00.002-07:002015-03-18T19:14:45.157-07:00Link to our AlterNative Birthing Ways Webinar...Broadcasting now!!Join the hangouts webinar!!<br />
<br />
<br />
Click here:<br />
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EeIT7wDt7woAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07825573440850177242noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-47590659209638660932015-03-17T00:51:00.000-07:002015-03-17T00:51:04.207-07:00"Sharing Our Birth Stories Community Space". Ep.1 . Featuring Jessica Ortega.<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>In our journey as mothers, birth workers and as a collective we have discovered that sharing stories has incredible healing power. Birth stories are not only powerful accounts of a sacred rights of passage. They are also beautiful life lessons that reflect the truth of our reality and a unique experience on Earth. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>As an offering to our community, we</em><em> are proud to announce that we are sharing our blog as a community space where families can share their birth stories and not only enlighten us about their experience but to inspire us to normalize and honor childbirth and all aspects of parenthood and family building.</em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>The following story is shared by Jessica Ortega from San Diego, CA. </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>We named</em><em> her story: </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em>"La llegada de la Luna/When the Moon arrived"</em></div>
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<em> </em></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<em></em> </div>
Birth is such a magical moment in life and I am already feeling all sorts of uplifted and natural highs just thinking about how the time has finally come where there is a sacred space for brown womyn to share our birth stories. So aqui va mi grano de arena y nuestra historia que hace parte del gran tejido que es la vida:<br />
<br />
I have always feltin my heart that I wanted to be someone's mami. I wanted to be able to do so many of the things that my mami did with me with my own seed one day. I wanted to make avena in the mornings with my seed, have life talks, ride my bike with a baby strapped on, take my seed to Oaxaca, be gypsy with a little person by my side, and just experience everything that comes with motherhood.<br />
<br />
The day finally came true during the fall season of 2013. My partner and I rode our bikes with a beautiful full moon guiding us through Barrio Logan and bought two pregnancy tests. Within the next minutes, my whole life changed. I went to bed that night, a few days before my 27th birthday knowing, that I had una semillita de amor y esperanza en mi pansita. I was riding high on my wavelength through the universe knowing that soon enough I would be someone's mami. Estaba bien contenta!!! Y a la vez no lo podia creer!<br />
<br />
Thankfully, I had a very fluid and healthy pregnancy. I loved watching my body transform and showing my pansita off. I loved telling people that I was having a little girl and that I was going to name her Luna Pakari. Pakari significa amanecer en kichwa, el idioma de la gente con la cual yo comparti los tres meses mas transformativos de mi vida. Una comunidad que vive bien adentro de la selva en Ecuador. Ellos viven en la mera madre selva.<br />
<br />
I knew right away that I wanted nothing to do with hospitals or doctors. I saw a baby being born in the rainforest and the peace that that brave, fearless, wombyn warrior had when she gave birth stuck with me. That night as I watched her birth her second child with such determination and love made me want to become a mom in that instant!!! I couldn't wait to feel what she was feeling. To look down and see life emerging between my legs.<br />
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Thanks to my college education, I had a job that DIDN'T offer benefits! So, there I was looking for birth centers that accepted Medical or "alternative" ways of birthing. What I really wanted to do was go to Ecuador, chill my kichwa girls, have one of them be my midwife, and then come back with a jungle baby. But since I was in SD with a partner and whole family saying no I can't do that, I went with a birth center.<br />
<br />
Once again, thankfully, I had a very happy and uncomplicated pregnancy. I already knew that the due date meant nothing and that my semillita would come when she wanted but I also didn't know that she would stay in for 42 weeks!! I remember being a little frustrated because I didn't know which natural remedy to try anymore so I could induce labor. My loving and patient mom always told me, " Mija, los ninos vienen cuando ellos quieren. Cuando estan listos." Y yo le decia, "Si mami, ya se, pero.." Jeje um, hello 42 weeks?? jeje<br />
<br />
Then on Friday night my waters broke as we we were laying in bed watching a movie. My neighbors were having a tremenda rumba and I was like, "Camilo!!!!" se me rompio la fuente!" I felt so nervous for the unknown! Nervous about how long it would last, would I be able to stay calm, how would I deal with the rushes, just so many thoughts.<br />
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My first real rush was around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_762492445" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">4:30 am</span></span></span>. I said Wow! now this is labor! I called my mom around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_762492446" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">7am</span></span></span> and told her that I was in labor. She got to our house an hour later and never left my side. The intensity went up as the hours passed and around <span class="aBn" data-term="goog_762492447" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ"><span style="color: #222222;">noon</span></span></span> we visited the birth center. My midwife checked me and said I was only 3 centimeters dialated!! After 8 hours of rushes that was it??? I didn't cry or yell. But inside I was on the verge of losing my shit. I allowed myself to have an internal panic attack for about one minute but then I got into my wombyn warrior spirit again and we went home. At this point I was NOT talking. Haha, it's really funny when I think about it now because I'm only quiet if I'm sad or pissed but I was neither!<br />
<br />
At home in my tiny cottage of love , my two best friends got there and what I vividly remember of their presence is my friend Karli's outfit. Where was she going all cute?! Haha. I also remember my mom making them egg sanwhiches!! Cause I only had eggs in my fridge! The way i dealt with the rushes that at this point were five to ten minutes apart was by walking around, taking hot showers, not talking, staying inside myself, and having personal conversations with my other me, I and I.<br />
<br />
Around seven pm I decided that I needed to see the midwife. I felt deep inside of me that I had dilated more, but I really had no idea. When she checked me she said I was about 6 or 7!!! Yaya, I could stay at the birth center. I got in the birthing tub and immediately felt better and more relaxed because I knew I was closer to pushing and meeting Lunita.<br />
<br />
The rushes at this point were beyond this world! I could not believe the intensity. I could literally feel my insides expanding. But I knew that with every contraction came a break. I kept thinking, " Don't cry, don't cry, don't cry." <br />
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Eventually day turned to night and with night came a soft rain in August!! I remember hearing the rain and feeling so blessed by Pachamama for giving the world rain on the night my baby moon would be born. I am now in love with summer rain. I loved my midwife because she did exactly what I unconsciously wanted her to do, not intervene. She was present but the whole time she just allowed me to do my thing, flow with my own energy, follow my own direction, and only spoke about three times during the whole birth!<br />
<br />
The environment was very fluid and calming. I have never felt so loved and protected as I did that day. I was not afraid and it was thanks to my friends and family who were there. There was just so much love!<br />
<br />
The midwife told me that it was time to push and whoa was that a surprise! I thought pushing would be like ten minutes but I pushed for almost an hour. I was really tired. Again I had to get it wombyn warrior spirit and motivate myself to keep going.To not give up. I thought about the kichwa women, how resilient they are, I looked at my mom, I saw my friends, brother, niece, dad, and thought ok, si se puede! I knew that I couldn't give up then, being so close and I knew I was about to meet my magical baby moon. <br />
<br />
As the head crowned I remember the sensation of what is called the ring of fire. My vagina felt on fire! I thought, " Jessica if you want this burning to stop you better PUSH!" and then the stars aligned, the world stopped for a second, and out came Luna Pakari Aristizabal-Ortega eight pounds and eleven ounces after seventeen hours of natural, unmedicated labor welcomed into the world by her abuelitos, tio, prima, tias, papi y mami. Seven people saw her enter earthside. I'll never, ever forget those little eyes that met mine as she was being put on my chest. I fell in love instantly!!! she became my number one the second I learned about her existence during that one full moon night in November. My love for her continues to grow and evolve and the more I get to know her each day, the harder in love I fall for her!! I love her spirit,her being, all that she is and every day I thank the great spirit, all that is, our sacred ancestors, and life for giving me the blessing of birthing naturally, without fear, and for allowing me to be her mami. <br />
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Muchas gracias por dejarme compartir mi historia. Fue una terapia para mi poder desahogar estos sentimientos y compartirlos. <br />
<br />
Infinitas bendiciones,<br />
<div>
Jessica Ortega</div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06974028199604976437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-64541120698262044102015-03-16T12:32:00.000-07:002015-03-16T12:40:20.062-07:00MUJERES DE MAIZ - Calendar of Events<br />
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This season's Mujeres De Maiz (MDM) event series has kicked off with some very empowering and informative events that inspire us all to see the strength we share collectively and to keep moving forward together. Thinking together. Planning together for a better future for us all. </div>
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We invite you to check out MDM's website to view their mission, mercado, event calendar and additional sources. You may also make a donation to help them continue to develop workshops and art programming for the community. </div>
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Gracias, Mujeres De Maiz. Por crear este bello espacio collectivo!</div>
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<a href="http://www.mujeresdemaiz.com/">www.mujeresdemaiz.com</a></div>
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<a href="http://www.mujeresdemaiz.com/calendar.html">http://www.mujeresdemaiz.com/calendar.html</a></div>
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Mujeres de Maiz 2015: Mother/Madre</div>
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A Season of Intercultural, Interdisciplinary, Tranformational &</div>
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Holistic Artivist Happenings to honor Womyn in Mind, Body & Spirit.</div>
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Programming is collaboration with various collectives & organizations across the Eastside to commemorate International Womyn’s Day, Womyn’s Herstory Month, Spring Equinox and Mexica New Year.</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06974028199604976437noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-26616918215378448142015-03-04T11:51:00.001-08:002015-03-04T11:51:30.797-08:00Mujeres De Maiz **Spring 2015**March is here!! And the MUJERES DE MAIZ Spring 2015 events are here too! <br /> It all starts today with Full Moon Coyolxauhqui Circle in Hollenbeck Park at 8pm. <br />
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May we all set the best intentions forth this full moon and with the guidance of Coyolxauqui, accomplish collective goals. ❤</div>
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For more information and updates please check out <a href="http://www.mujeresdemaiz.com/"><span style="color: #7629d4;">www.mujeresdemaiz.com</span></a> </div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13873812446760748262noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6394667776133773696.post-4879421471709483352015-02-19T12:22:00.002-08:002015-02-19T12:25:51.466-08:005 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness<div align="center" class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"> The safety of our community is important to everyone. However, it can be hard to create an action plan for a worse-case scenario when living in the city and sometimes being consumed by the fast pace of our life. But creating an emergency plan is an important responsibility that can make the difference under unforeseen circumstances. Below, we have listed the "5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness" as outlined by the City of Los Angeles Emergency Planning Department. Note, there are additional guides for every steps. Please be sure to visit the links below this article to view full information and guides for creating an emergency plan. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Stay safe, everyone!</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 1:</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"><strong>DEFINE YOUR AREA.</strong></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Identify a manageable area, your apartment building, one city block, a few small surrounding streets, etc., that you can organize with relative ease. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 2:<strong> </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">RECRUIT LEADERS.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Develop a team of leaders who can help build the plan and carry out emergency support activities when the time comes.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 3: </span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">SCOUT YOUR AREA.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Get to know the lay of the land: what resources you have, what the landscape is, and disasters or other emergencies common to your area.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 4:<strong> </strong></span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">BUILD YOUR TEAM.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Find out who lives in your area, how they can help in a disaster, and who may need extra help.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Step 5:</span><br />
<strong><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">PLAN YOUR APPROACH.</span></strong><br />
<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Create a plan that outlines what your neighborhood will do before, during, and after a disaster!</span><br />
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<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">PLAN YOUR APPROACH.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">PLAN YOUR STRATEGY.</span></li>
<li><span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">PUT IT IN WRITING!</span></li>
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Links and source:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">Be sure to visit the official "5 Steps" website for latest news, shakeout drill gallery and full information about the City of Los Angeles Emergency Planning Department's "5 Steps to Neighborhood Preparedness" program.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">5 Steps home page and info video:</span><br />
<a href="http://5steps.la/">http://5steps.la/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">5 Steps and additional information for planning through each step:</span><br />
<a href="http://5steps.la/the-5-steps/">http://5steps.la/the-5-steps/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;">Planning guides, plan templates, digital tool kit and more:</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Trebuchet MS;">(Training video, Toolkit, 5 Steps Guide, Plan template, etc.)</span><br />
<a href="http://5steps.la/5-step-toolkit/">http://5steps.la/5-step-toolkit/</a><br />
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<span style="font-family: "Trebuchet MS", sans-serif;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13873812446760748262noreply@blogger.com0