Norma McCaig, Founder of Global Nomads International (GNI), passed quietly away on Monday night November 10th, 2008 at her home in Reston, Virginia. She died of complications from cancer.
In 1984, Norma McCaig, herself a TCK, coined the term ‘global nomad.’, also known as “third culture kids”, and has tirelessly raised awareness of Third Culture Kids.
Norma writes: “Global nomads are very good mediators. Whenever TCKs move into another culture, they become very good, objective observers. They’re like cultural sponges. Those skills translate into ideal requirements for combating racism and advancing social and refugee work.”
The TCK community world-wide has just lost a distinguished advocate for TCKs everywhere.
If you wish to make a contribution, please make it to the Cancer Foundation in her name (Cancer Foundation: http://www.cancer.org/). Norma’s address for condolences is:
1559 SCANDIA CIR.
RESTON, VA 20190
*********************************
Norma was a good friend - one who knew how to challenge, laugh with, and encourage me in my journey as a TCK.
I will miss you, Norma!
Margie
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Saturday, September 27, 2008
Using Your TCK Skills
Wednesday, Sep. 17, 2008
Kevin Conrad
By By JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ
It was a classic David versus Goliath moment. At the December 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Kevin Conrad challenged the U.S., the sole holdout on a plan for a post-2012 climate treaty. "If, for some reason, you're not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us," he declared. "Please, get out of the way!" Within minutes, the U.S. backed down. The resulting "Bali Action Plan" provides a road map for an international climate treaty that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol. The Bali agreement was significant for Conrad, who was there as Papua New Guinea's Special Envoy for Climate Change, because it contained provisions for which he'd fought for years. For the first time, the U.N. Climate Treaty agreed to recognize the role of tropical forests and deforestation in tackling global warming.
This issue has long been central to Conrad, 40, who was raised in a small village deep in the rain forests of Papua New Guinea. He first addressed deforestation as a graduate student at Columbia University. While there, he sought my assistance on how the international community can provide incentives for conserving rain forests. He knew that without payment for environ-mental services, which have been excluded from current climate-change agreements, countries like Papua New Guinea simply cannot protect their forests.
Momentum quickly shifted after Conrad secured the support of two visionary leaders, Prime Minister Michael T. Somare of Papua New Guinea and President Oscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica. Making the case that deforestation in the developing world accounts for 20% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, Somare and Arias have called for countries that preserve their rain forests to be compensated.
Conrad is at the vanguard of this movement as executive director of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN), an intergovernmental alliance of over 40 countries that has emerged as a formidable force within U.N. climate negotiations. At the CfRN's request, the World Bank established the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, which has raised $172 million to support analytical work and capacity building to reduce deforestation. More recently, Norway has pledged $2.8 billion to combat deforestation. Sparked by Conrad, Somare and Arias, these initiatives may mobilize the largest sums in history to support rain-forest conservation.
Conrad's Bali stand was no mere act of bravado, but evidence of a powerful phenomenon: a giant bloc of developing nations demonstrating more determination in the face of climate change than an industrial giant. Driven by this same sense of urgency, the CfRN represents a vital partnership between developed and developing nations that could significantly mitigate climate change. As Conrad's call to arms reminded us, what we need is precisely this kind of leadership, wherever we can find it.
~~Joseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics
Find this article at:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841778_1841779_1841795,00.html
Kevin Conrad
By By JOSEPH E. STIGLITZ
It was a classic David versus Goliath moment. At the December 2007 United Nations Climate Change Conference in Bali, Kevin Conrad challenged the U.S., the sole holdout on a plan for a post-2012 climate treaty. "If, for some reason, you're not willing to lead, leave it to the rest of us," he declared. "Please, get out of the way!" Within minutes, the U.S. backed down. The resulting "Bali Action Plan" provides a road map for an international climate treaty that will succeed the Kyoto Protocol. The Bali agreement was significant for Conrad, who was there as Papua New Guinea's Special Envoy for Climate Change, because it contained provisions for which he'd fought for years. For the first time, the U.N. Climate Treaty agreed to recognize the role of tropical forests and deforestation in tackling global warming.
This issue has long been central to Conrad, 40, who was raised in a small village deep in the rain forests of Papua New Guinea. He first addressed deforestation as a graduate student at Columbia University. While there, he sought my assistance on how the international community can provide incentives for conserving rain forests. He knew that without payment for environ-mental services, which have been excluded from current climate-change agreements, countries like Papua New Guinea simply cannot protect their forests.
Momentum quickly shifted after Conrad secured the support of two visionary leaders, Prime Minister Michael T. Somare of Papua New Guinea and President Oscar Arias Sánchez of Costa Rica. Making the case that deforestation in the developing world accounts for 20% of global greenhouse-gas emissions, Somare and Arias have called for countries that preserve their rain forests to be compensated.
Conrad is at the vanguard of this movement as executive director of the Coalition for Rainforest Nations (CfRN), an intergovernmental alliance of over 40 countries that has emerged as a formidable force within U.N. climate negotiations. At the CfRN's request, the World Bank established the Forest Carbon Partnership Facility, which has raised $172 million to support analytical work and capacity building to reduce deforestation. More recently, Norway has pledged $2.8 billion to combat deforestation. Sparked by Conrad, Somare and Arias, these initiatives may mobilize the largest sums in history to support rain-forest conservation.
Conrad's Bali stand was no mere act of bravado, but evidence of a powerful phenomenon: a giant bloc of developing nations demonstrating more determination in the face of climate change than an industrial giant. Driven by this same sense of urgency, the CfRN represents a vital partnership between developed and developing nations that could significantly mitigate climate change. As Conrad's call to arms reminded us, what we need is precisely this kind of leadership, wherever we can find it.
~~Joseph E. Stiglitz is University Professor at Columbia University and winner of the 2001 Nobel Prize in Economics
Find this article at:
http://www.time.com/time/specials/packages/article/0,28804,1841778_1841779_1841795,00.html
Friday, August 29, 2008
Running on Empty...
Here it is - the end of August - and I have not made any posts on this blogsite! I know there are a few readers out there who are faithful to keep checking back here...and for that, I Thank You!!!
The last teleconference from TCK Academy is tomorrow - you can go to this site (http://tckacademy.com/class/blog/uncategorized/a-live-interview-featuring-kellie-poulin-and-terry-kinnard/) to register. I missed posting one - an important one too - on the subject of *grief* - but I was at a TCK re-entry conference and the internet access was almost nil. I got home Friday night before the Saturday teleconference, and with over 300 emails to catch up on, I missed the notice and of course then didn't get it posted on here!
If you are subscribed to the Among Worlds magazine and have not seen it appear in your mailbox yet, well...it is because it has not been mailed out. My most sincere apologies to all the subscribers to this magazine. I ran out of emotional energy, have been fighting a few memory-fiends from my past, not sleeping well...and just haven't been able to function at full capacity. If it were not for my wonderful friend (and a super graphic artist) Joy Reid, you would be waiting even longer. Joy has stepped in to help me - and hopefully we can get it all pulled together, sent to the printer, and mailed off to you in the next 2 weeks.
*Raising my glass of tea* "Here is a toast to all of you - for your graciousness, understanding and patience!!"
Margie
The last teleconference from TCK Academy is tomorrow - you can go to this site (http://tckacademy.com/class/blog/uncategorized/a-live-interview-featuring-kellie-poulin-and-terry-kinnard/) to register. I missed posting one - an important one too - on the subject of *grief* - but I was at a TCK re-entry conference and the internet access was almost nil. I got home Friday night before the Saturday teleconference, and with over 300 emails to catch up on, I missed the notice and of course then didn't get it posted on here!
If you are subscribed to the Among Worlds magazine and have not seen it appear in your mailbox yet, well...it is because it has not been mailed out. My most sincere apologies to all the subscribers to this magazine. I ran out of emotional energy, have been fighting a few memory-fiends from my past, not sleeping well...and just haven't been able to function at full capacity. If it were not for my wonderful friend (and a super graphic artist) Joy Reid, you would be waiting even longer. Joy has stepped in to help me - and hopefully we can get it all pulled together, sent to the printer, and mailed off to you in the next 2 weeks.
*Raising my glass of tea* "Here is a toast to all of you - for your graciousness, understanding and patience!!"
Margie
Sunday, June 08, 2008
Daddy Dolls
In the March 2008 issue of Among Worlds magazine, Stephanie Ware wrote a detailed article about a new approach to helping kids who are separated from their parent(s). The article pertained mostly to those families who are in the military and have one (or both) parent serving overseas while their families remain stateside. But, as I told Stephanie, I feel it would be applicable to any kid who is separated from their family - especially those in boarding schools.
Anyway...below is a short video about "Daddy Dolls" (see http://www.hugahero.com/ for further information). The video is an excerpt from the 'Good Morning American' show, televised on June 5th (I believe that is correct).
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=8191182
Yeah - I am so excited that we were able to cover this before any of the big 3 media groups did! Whoohoo!
Way to go Stephanie, Tricia Dyal and Nikki Darnell!
Margie
Anyway...below is a short video about "Daddy Dolls" (see http://www.hugahero.com/ for further information). The video is an excerpt from the 'Good Morning American' show, televised on June 5th (I believe that is correct).
http://cosmos.bcst.yahoo.com/up/player/popup/?cl=8191182
Yeah - I am so excited that we were able to cover this before any of the big 3 media groups did! Whoohoo!
Way to go Stephanie, Tricia Dyal and Nikki Darnell!
Margie
Thursday, May 29, 2008
7 Things Every TCK Should Know
7 Things Every TCK Should Know
Are you a "Third Culture Kid" or adult? Are you a parent, family member or teacher and feel like you want to learn more about this Third Culture way of life?
Just about every TCK we talk to has occasional questions and some frustration when it comes to belonging, their relationships, and the Third Culture way of life.
What do you think Ruth Van Reken, co-author of Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, and Paulette Bethel, an international transition coach, have discovered over their careers serving expatriate communities through various forms of trainings, on-site workshops, and writing, that can help you?
Plenty. And they're ready to teach you the "7 Things Every TCK Should Know" in the first teleclass ever held for TCKs.
In fact, they have so much material, they will have 90-minute classes to ensure you learn all these important life skills. In addition, there is a free mini-course by Ruth Van Reken to answer ALL of your top questions.
In this teleclass, you will learn:
1. How do I sort out who I am and where I belong when I can't get past the feeling of belonging "everywhere and nowhere?"
2. How can I make and maintain friendships with non-TCKs and TCKs?
3. How do I deal with the grief I still feel from long ago losses of country and friends?
4. How do I stop restlessness, and the cycles of separation and loss I continue to create for myself because I can't seem to stay in one place more than 2-3 years?
5. How do I learn to recognize and develop fully the gifts I received from this TCK experience?
...and there is more on the site.
This is an exciting event because it's the first teleclass held for TCKs. It has never been done before.
You can ask Ruth and Paulette your questions live by email or on the phone. It's like a conference but without any travel or conference fees -- you can listen to it online or on the phone.
And it's completely free!
You can get all the details about this teleclass (and a list of some of the questions they are going to be answering) at this web page:
http://tckacademy.com/class
IMPORTANT: Please check out that page right away. This is a time limited AND space limited event. There is a free mini-course after you sign-up by email - EVEN if you can't attend the event!
Kind Regards,
Margie Ulsh
P.S: We are trying to spread the word so please forward this email and invite your friends, colleagues, and anyone you know who might be interested in the event.
Here is the link again to the event:
http://tckacademy.com/class
Are you a "Third Culture Kid" or adult? Are you a parent, family member or teacher and feel like you want to learn more about this Third Culture way of life?
Just about every TCK we talk to has occasional questions and some frustration when it comes to belonging, their relationships, and the Third Culture way of life.
What do you think Ruth Van Reken, co-author of Third Culture Kids: The Experience of Growing Up Among Worlds, and Paulette Bethel, an international transition coach, have discovered over their careers serving expatriate communities through various forms of trainings, on-site workshops, and writing, that can help you?
Plenty. And they're ready to teach you the "7 Things Every TCK Should Know" in the first teleclass ever held for TCKs.
In fact, they have so much material, they will have 90-minute classes to ensure you learn all these important life skills. In addition, there is a free mini-course by Ruth Van Reken to answer ALL of your top questions.
In this teleclass, you will learn:
1. How do I sort out who I am and where I belong when I can't get past the feeling of belonging "everywhere and nowhere?"
2. How can I make and maintain friendships with non-TCKs and TCKs?
3. How do I deal with the grief I still feel from long ago losses of country and friends?
4. How do I stop restlessness, and the cycles of separation and loss I continue to create for myself because I can't seem to stay in one place more than 2-3 years?
5. How do I learn to recognize and develop fully the gifts I received from this TCK experience?
...and there is more on the site.
This is an exciting event because it's the first teleclass held for TCKs. It has never been done before.
You can ask Ruth and Paulette your questions live by email or on the phone. It's like a conference but without any travel or conference fees -- you can listen to it online or on the phone.
And it's completely free!
You can get all the details about this teleclass (and a list of some of the questions they are going to be answering) at this web page:
http://tckacademy.com/class
IMPORTANT: Please check out that page right away. This is a time limited AND space limited event. There is a free mini-course after you sign-up by email - EVEN if you can't attend the event!
Kind Regards,
Margie Ulsh
P.S: We are trying to spread the word so please forward this email and invite your friends, colleagues, and anyone you know who might be interested in the event.
Here is the link again to the event:
http://tckacademy.com/class
Friday, May 16, 2008
High Honors for TCK
http://www.woodstock.ac.in/News/Spring2008/January/080102.htm
Tom Alter '68 honoured
Woodstock School is delighted to report that alumnus Tom Alter '68 has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest public honours. He was among just over 100 people singled out for the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards in the announcement on Republic Day, 26th January. Others honoured this year include Hollywood film maker Manoj Night Shyamalan, chess wizard Vishwanathan Anand, mountaineer Edmund Hillary (who died recently) and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. As an avid fan of the game, Tom will surely be delighted to be in the same list as India's cricket maestro. You can read more in the news link below:
http://www.indiaenews.com/bollywood/20080125/93894.htm
India eNews
Friday, January 25, 2008
Multifaceted actor Tom Alter to receive Padma Shri
From correspondents in Delhi, India, 11:02 PM IST
In a career spanning about three decades, Bollywood actor, sports writer and novelist Tom Alter has played a variety of characters both in real life and reel life. The multifaceted actor is now all set to receive the Padma Shri Award for his distinguished contribution in the field of art.
Fondly called the 'true blue Englishman on screen', Alter recently left stage buffs in a thrall in Oman with his solo play on the life, times and scholarship of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.
The 57 year-old actor of American origin has his fingers in many pies - theatre, television, films, sports and literature. However, he is most prominently known for his work in the Hindi film industry.
Born in 1950, Alter, the son of an American missionary, is a native of Mussoorie who spent his early years between Landour and Mumbai, where he now lives. Alter began his career with cameo roles in films like Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke khiladi' in 1977 and played Lord Mountbatten in the movie on Sardar Patel in 1993.
The versatile actor, who last appeared in low budget blockbuster film 'Bheja Fry', forayed into big-time acting with 'Laila Majnu'. For years he got to play English characters, till filmmakers like Raj Kapoor in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', Mukul Anand in 'Sultanat' and Vidhu Vinod Chopra in 'Parinda' created Indian characters for him.
His other celebrated works include 'Charas', 'Parvarish', 'Des Pardes', 'Kranti', 'Gandhi' and 'Khoon Bhari Maang', to name a few.
Uniquely talented for his fluency in Hindi, Urdu and knowledge of the country's culture, he has worked with noted filmmakers like Satyajit Ray in 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' and Ismail Merchant in 'Sardar', the 1993 film biography of Indian leader Sardar Patel, which focused on the events surrounding the partition and independence of India.
The seasoned actor endeared himself to thousands of television serial buffs with his act in 'Bharat Ek Khoj', 'Junoon' and 'Betaal Pachisi'.
In 1996 he appeared in the Assamese-language film 'Adajya', and in 2007 acted in the theatrical reproduction of William Dalrymple's 'City of Djinns' alongside Zohra Sehgal.
Tom Alter's first cousin Stephen Alter, also born and raised in India, is a notable author and teacher.
Tom Alter '68 honoured
Woodstock School is delighted to report that alumnus Tom Alter '68 has been awarded the Padma Shri, one of India's highest public honours. He was among just over 100 people singled out for the Padma Bhushan and Padma Shri awards in the announcement on Republic Day, 26th January. Others honoured this year include Hollywood film maker Manoj Night Shyamalan, chess wizard Vishwanathan Anand, mountaineer Edmund Hillary (who died recently) and cricketer Sachin Tendulkar. As an avid fan of the game, Tom will surely be delighted to be in the same list as India's cricket maestro. You can read more in the news link below:
http://www.indiaenews.com/bollywood/20080125/93894.htm
India eNews
Friday, January 25, 2008
Multifaceted actor Tom Alter to receive Padma Shri
From correspondents in Delhi, India, 11:02 PM IST
In a career spanning about three decades, Bollywood actor, sports writer and novelist Tom Alter has played a variety of characters both in real life and reel life. The multifaceted actor is now all set to receive the Padma Shri Award for his distinguished contribution in the field of art.
Fondly called the 'true blue Englishman on screen', Alter recently left stage buffs in a thrall in Oman with his solo play on the life, times and scholarship of Maulana Abdul Kalam Azad.
The 57 year-old actor of American origin has his fingers in many pies - theatre, television, films, sports and literature. However, he is most prominently known for his work in the Hindi film industry.
Born in 1950, Alter, the son of an American missionary, is a native of Mussoorie who spent his early years between Landour and Mumbai, where he now lives. Alter began his career with cameo roles in films like Satyajit Ray's 'Shatranj Ke khiladi' in 1977 and played Lord Mountbatten in the movie on Sardar Patel in 1993.
The versatile actor, who last appeared in low budget blockbuster film 'Bheja Fry', forayed into big-time acting with 'Laila Majnu'. For years he got to play English characters, till filmmakers like Raj Kapoor in 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', Mukul Anand in 'Sultanat' and Vidhu Vinod Chopra in 'Parinda' created Indian characters for him.
His other celebrated works include 'Charas', 'Parvarish', 'Des Pardes', 'Kranti', 'Gandhi' and 'Khoon Bhari Maang', to name a few.
Uniquely talented for his fluency in Hindi, Urdu and knowledge of the country's culture, he has worked with noted filmmakers like Satyajit Ray in 'Shatranj Ke Khiladi' and Ismail Merchant in 'Sardar', the 1993 film biography of Indian leader Sardar Patel, which focused on the events surrounding the partition and independence of India.
The seasoned actor endeared himself to thousands of television serial buffs with his act in 'Bharat Ek Khoj', 'Junoon' and 'Betaal Pachisi'.
In 1996 he appeared in the Assamese-language film 'Adajya', and in 2007 acted in the theatrical reproduction of William Dalrymple's 'City of Djinns' alongside Zohra Sehgal.
Tom Alter's first cousin Stephen Alter, also born and raised in India, is a notable author and teacher.
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Please participate - TCK Survey
TCK Survey
Have you lived part of your childhood or adolescence in a foreign country?
If you have lived over 2 years before the age of 18 in a country outside the culture of your parents, we invite you to participate in our study about the consequences of living a cross-cultural childhood.
You will have the opportunity to enter a one of eight $50 dollar gift certificate raffles from Amazon.com. Visit: https://web2survey.unt.edu/users/rch0067/ACCE/
User name: user1
Password: user1
Please feel free to forward this email or to others who have the cross-cultural experience mentioned above and may be interested in participating.
You may also email on write either one of us to obtain a copy of the results of the study.
Thank you,
Jennifer Wilson,
M.S. Researcher
jlw0042@unt.edu
(940) 565-2671
Raquel C. Hoersting
Researcher
rch0067@unt.edu
(940) 565-2671
Sharon Rae Jenkins, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor University of North Texas Psychology Department
jenkinss@unt.edu
(940) 565-2671
This research project has been reviewed and approved by the UNT Institutional Review Board (940) 565-3940. Contact the UNT IRB with any questions regarding your rights as a research subject.
Have you lived part of your childhood or adolescence in a foreign country?
If you have lived over 2 years before the age of 18 in a country outside the culture of your parents, we invite you to participate in our study about the consequences of living a cross-cultural childhood.
You will have the opportunity to enter a one of eight $50 dollar gift certificate raffles from Amazon.com. Visit: https://web2survey.unt.edu/users/rch0067/ACCE/
User name: user1
Password: user1
Please feel free to forward this email or to others who have the cross-cultural experience mentioned above and may be interested in participating.
You may also email on write either one of us to obtain a copy of the results of the study.
Thank you,
Jennifer Wilson,
M.S. Researcher
jlw0042@unt.edu
(940) 565-2671
Raquel C. Hoersting
Researcher
rch0067@unt.edu
(940) 565-2671
Sharon Rae Jenkins, Ph.D.
Faculty Advisor University of North Texas Psychology Department
jenkinss@unt.edu
(940) 565-2671
This research project has been reviewed and approved by the UNT Institutional Review Board (940) 565-3940. Contact the UNT IRB with any questions regarding your rights as a research subject.
Wednesday, April 09, 2008
Abuse
I thought I would post this notice on here. I called the # listed below - and yes, they still take calls/emails about abuse (no time limit) that occurred in any CMA-run boarding school. In fact, I was asked specifically to post this notice so everyone would know they could call or email.
Margie
************************************
http://www.cmalliance.org/mkNotice.jsp
Important Notice
To all adult C&MA MKs or other MKs that attended an MK school overseas formerly administered by the C&MA.
In recognition that some adult MKs may not be comfortable reporting past abuse directly to The Christian and Missionary Alliance's (C&MA) Sensitive Issues Consultative Group (SICG), which was established for such purposes, the C&MA's Board of Directors has approved, at the recommendation of the SICG, the establishment of an independent reporting mechanism for those adult MKs who were either children of C&MA missionaries or attended C&MA-administered schools.
This independent reporting mechanism will be available to receive reports for the next six months, and longer if determined necessary. This independent agency, The Ross Group, is set up to receive reports of abuse by e-mail at theguardian@trgidaho.com, by phone at 407-415-3508, or by postal mail at The Ross Group, Box 1191, Pinehurst, Idaho 83850.
The Ross Group will report directly to the C&MA's Board of Directors over the next six months or more, by providing documentation of all reported abuse, along with any recommendations, for the purpose of determining the necessary steps to bring both healing to the victims and discipline to the perpetrators.
The C&MA, and its Board of Directors, takes the matter of abuse and child safety seriously but needs the assistance of those who have been abused in order to address these matters as effectively as possible. The SICG still stands ready, for those who are willing, to receive reports of abuse, both past and present, and to move to investigation of such reports as appropriate.
Margie
************************************
http://www.cmalliance.org/mkNotice.jsp
Important Notice
To all adult C&MA MKs or other MKs that attended an MK school overseas formerly administered by the C&MA.
In recognition that some adult MKs may not be comfortable reporting past abuse directly to The Christian and Missionary Alliance's (C&MA) Sensitive Issues Consultative Group (SICG), which was established for such purposes, the C&MA's Board of Directors has approved, at the recommendation of the SICG, the establishment of an independent reporting mechanism for those adult MKs who were either children of C&MA missionaries or attended C&MA-administered schools.
This independent reporting mechanism will be available to receive reports for the next six months, and longer if determined necessary. This independent agency, The Ross Group, is set up to receive reports of abuse by e-mail at theguardian@trgidaho.com, by phone at 407-415-3508, or by postal mail at The Ross Group, Box 1191, Pinehurst, Idaho 83850.
The Ross Group will report directly to the C&MA's Board of Directors over the next six months or more, by providing documentation of all reported abuse, along with any recommendations, for the purpose of determining the necessary steps to bring both healing to the victims and discipline to the perpetrators.
The C&MA, and its Board of Directors, takes the matter of abuse and child safety seriously but needs the assistance of those who have been abused in order to address these matters as effectively as possible. The SICG still stands ready, for those who are willing, to receive reports of abuse, both past and present, and to move to investigation of such reports as appropriate.
Tuesday, March 11, 2008
Conference....and survey!
A while back, I posted about attending the F.I.G.T. conference (www.figt.org). I truly am sorry for those of you who read about it, but did not go to the conference! What an amazing time! I don't know if it is possible to say in a couple of sentences all that is experienced at such a conference. I had a great time - got to meet so many great folks - many of them fellow TCKs - and ended up wishing the conference would last longer so I could have time to get to know more of the fellow attendees. One of the exciting things was the establishment of the TCK Research Team. Most of those on the team are young TCKs - bringing with them new perspectives and ideas.
Another super benefit from the conference is meeting some of the authors who write about TCKs. Robin Pascoe is one of those well-known authors (www.expatexpert.com) and she does an enormous amount of travel and speaking - helping expat families all over the world! While at the conference, when everything at the registration table appeared to be in total chaos, Robin came to the rescue - providing coffee at very crucial moments (saving me from losing my mind).
I would like each of you (who read this blog) to go to Robin's website and participate in a survey which she has posted on there (http://www.expatexpert.com/survey). When you participate in the survey, you are helping me tell Robin "Thank you" - for all her insight into TCKs and their expat parents via her writing, and for those wonderful cups of coffee at the FIGT conference!
Another super benefit from the conference is meeting some of the authors who write about TCKs. Robin Pascoe is one of those well-known authors (www.expatexpert.com) and she does an enormous amount of travel and speaking - helping expat families all over the world! While at the conference, when everything at the registration table appeared to be in total chaos, Robin came to the rescue - providing coffee at very crucial moments (saving me from losing my mind).
I would like each of you (who read this blog) to go to Robin's website and participate in a survey which she has posted on there (http://www.expatexpert.com/survey). When you participate in the survey, you are helping me tell Robin "Thank you" - for all her insight into TCKs and their expat parents via her writing, and for those wonderful cups of coffee at the FIGT conference!
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
Another Famous TCK!
I received an email from the school I attended while in high school (Penang, Malaysia), and in the email was a spotlight on one of the students who had attended the school - but some years before I did. So...I decided to highlight another great TCK! May I present....(drumroll please)........
Tim Ziemer!
Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer, U.S. Malaria Coordinator
R. Timothy ZiemerRear Admiral, United States Navy (Retired)
U.S. Malaria Coordinator
Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer was appointed in June 2006 to lead the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The PMI is a historic $1.2 billion, five-year initiative to control malaria in Africa.As coordinator, Rear Adm. Ziemer reports to the USAID administrator, with direct authority over both the PMI and USAID malaria programs.
Rear Adm. Ziemer previously served as Executive Director of World Relief, which provides disaster response, community development, child/maternal health, HIV/AIDS, agricultural assistance, and microcredit programs in over 30 countries. World Relief is operational in the United States, resettling refugees and providing immigration services through 24 affiliate offices across the country.
Rear Adm. Ziemer was born in Sioux City, Iowa, but was raised in Asia, the son of missionary parents serving in Vietnam. After graduating from Wheaton College, he joined the Navy, completed flight school, and returned to Vietnam to fly during the war. During this tour, he flew 550 combat sorties in support of the Navy Seals and riverine forces.
During his naval career, Rear Adm. Ziemer commanded several squadrons and an air wing supporting the first Gulf War. As Commanding Officer of Mayport Naval Station, he consolidated two naval bases to achieve efficiencies and reduce support costs.
Rear Adm. Ziemer's last duty assignment was as Commander of the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region, responsible for the 11 bases providing support to the world’s largest naval complex, including seaport and airport operations, maintenance of facilities, utilities, communications, and environmental programs. (One of those bases was where my husband & I were stationed while in the Navy - another cool connection!)
You can read the full report/bio at: http://www.fightingmalaria.gov/news/bio_ziemer.html
Tim Ziemer!
Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer, U.S. Malaria Coordinator
R. Timothy ZiemerRear Admiral, United States Navy (Retired)
U.S. Malaria Coordinator
Rear Adm. Tim Ziemer was appointed in June 2006 to lead the President’s Malaria Initiative (PMI). The PMI is a historic $1.2 billion, five-year initiative to control malaria in Africa.
Rear Adm. Ziemer previously served as Executive Director of World Relief, which provides disaster response, community development, child/maternal health, HIV/AIDS, agricultural assistance, and microcredit programs in over 30 countries. World Relief is operational in the United States, resettling refugees and providing immigration services through 24 affiliate offices across the country.
Rear Adm. Ziemer was born in Sioux City, Iowa, but was raised in Asia, the son of missionary parents serving in Vietnam. After graduating from Wheaton College, he joined the Navy, completed flight school, and returned to Vietnam to fly during the war. During this tour, he flew 550 combat sorties in support of the Navy Seals and riverine forces.
During his naval career, Rear Adm. Ziemer commanded several squadrons and an air wing supporting the first Gulf War. As Commanding Officer of Mayport Naval Station, he consolidated two naval bases to achieve efficiencies and reduce support costs.
Rear Adm. Ziemer's last duty assignment was as Commander of the Navy's Mid-Atlantic Region, responsible for the 11 bases providing support to the world’s largest naval complex, including seaport and airport operations, maintenance of facilities, utilities, communications, and environmental programs. (One of those bases was where my husband & I were stationed while in the Navy - another cool connection!)
You can read the full report/bio at: http://www.fightingmalaria.gov/news/bio_ziemer.html
Sunday, January 13, 2008
TCKid blog-site
It is 2:45 in the morning and I am finally getting around to making an entry for the blog here! What is with that?
I find that it is very easy to procrastinate, which is something I would never have done in my "younger" days. Instead of working on the final edit of the contents for the next issue of Among Worlds magazine, I find myself spending 2-3 hours reading all the entries at TCKid (www.TCKid.com)and wanting to comment - but deciding instead to read the next entry (more procrastination).
It has been fun, and very interesting, to see the membership growing at TCKid blog-site. When I was invited to join, there weren't very many members - and yet it seems to grow by 10-20 a day (I don't have any actual figures). They have a chatroom that seems to always be in use - and many blog entries. I am just amazed! If you are looking to meet other TCKs, please feel free to join at www.TCKid.com - and tell Brice you heard about it here!
In the meantime, I think I will shuffle off to bed - and finish the final edit tomorrow when my mind is not so ready to procrastinate (again).
I find that it is very easy to procrastinate, which is something I would never have done in my "younger" days. Instead of working on the final edit of the contents for the next issue of Among Worlds magazine, I find myself spending 2-3 hours reading all the entries at TCKid (www.TCKid.com)and wanting to comment - but deciding instead to read the next entry (more procrastination).
It has been fun, and very interesting, to see the membership growing at TCKid blog-site. When I was invited to join, there weren't very many members - and yet it seems to grow by 10-20 a day (I don't have any actual figures). They have a chatroom that seems to always be in use - and many blog entries. I am just amazed! If you are looking to meet other TCKs, please feel free to join at www.TCKid.com - and tell Brice you heard about it here!
In the meantime, I think I will shuffle off to bed - and finish the final edit tomorrow when my mind is not so ready to procrastinate (again).
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