pinkguacamole:

Tsarasambo Holiday Party: Snowflakes, Christmas Carols, Hanukkah songs, latkes, plum jam, dreidel, books, and a lot of spirit! 

In Tsarasambo, Madagascar, most of my neighbors celebrate Christmas but have never heard of Hanukkah. I taught American traditions for the two holidays separately, but as the kids colored pictures to decorate the walls, they kept mixing it all up! There were many photos of Santa holding a menorah in front of a tree with dreidels underneath. At first I felt like I might be misleading the kids, but then I realized that America is multicultural. The holidays are a time for people to come together and share traditions from all over. Why shouldn’t Santa play dreidel?! 

Since Malagasy people fry all types of bread, it was really easy to make something similar to Latkes. There are never plums in our market, but that day there were! In lieu of apple sauce I asked the kids if they wanted to make pineapple or plum jam. They all yelled “paiso!” Plum. Oh man. Plum jam with latkes is my discovery of the year. Yummm. 

I love sharing my culture with the youth group I work with. These children are so excited to learn! When I teach new art projects or recipes, I just teach one of the older kids and then they lead the activities for the younger kids. I am so proud of the young leaders in Tsarasambo. 

It doesn’t really feel like the holiday season because I live on a tropical island and it’s summer so it’s super hot, but little reminders are there. There are a bunch of churches in the village and I can hear them singing Christmas carols translated in Malagasy every night to prepare for their “Spectakle Krismasy” (Christmas Pageants). 

Since I am not religious, to me, the holiday season represents a time for people to be together and share culture and love. I am so grateful for my Malagasy family! 

Happy Holiday Season to everyone no matter how hot or cold the weather is!

tealin:

There are few who would catch a pre-sunrise train to the least-used station in Britain to eat a mince pie on the edge of nowhere … but those are exactly the sort of people I want to meet.

I’ll be bringing a radio, and my sketchbook to document the adventure.  Will I see you there?

After all, it’s not the craziest midwinter thing to do, is it, boys?

killapunk:

kitkatpurrpurr:

dreamboatshield:

romakoto:

tifamex:

romakoto:

(plays the guitar)

Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Feliz Navidad
Prospero Ano y Felicidad

(aggressively headbangs)

I WANNA WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
I WANNA WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
I WANNA WISH YOU A MERRY CHRISTMAS
FROM THE BOTTOM OF MY HEAAAART

a flourishing anus and happiness for you too

OH.

Why Accent Marks Are Important In Spanish
Lesson 1

@killapunk

Reblog for a prosperous anus this 2017

famishedeye:

docholligay:

docholligay:

Your quarterly reminder to donate money to the food bank instead of food!

think about the things you like to eat, that you would want to feed your kids:

fresh fruit, veg, meat, milk, bread, cheese, maybe some of those fun dannon yogurts with the sprinkles, ice cream treat?????

none of these things are canned corn. we can get them these things: it’s a common misconception that all food banks distribute is shelf stable stuff. We can even do it so much more cheaply than you can! But we need money to do it. 5 bucks can give a family of four dinner. I know it “feels better” to give stuff, but please, money

Also! If you’d rather give something tangible, see about volunteering at your local food bank (in addition to monetary donations, if you can). Most food banks could use a hand or two throughout the year.