Last Monday, after working a 10 hour day, (my wife and I) planned to catch a red eye to Boston out of Denver International airport. Well, we we ended up missing the flight by 2 minutes! That is right, the plane had just shut the door when we came sprinting up to the gate. It was 1am.
So we had two options.
1) leave the airport, retrieve our car from long-term parking and head back home to Colorado Springs (an hour & a half away) and start the journey all over again in the morning to come back in time for the next flight at 11:45am.
or
2) spend the night in the terminal at the gate.
As you might guess we chose option 2. Yes, we decided to bunk down at the gate! We figured that with all the experience of traveling from our childhoods, 10 hours at the gate would be no problem. Have you ever spent the night in an airport? Would you describe it as restful? I would describe our rest was fitful at best. the cleaning crew come through and they make some noise, at least they were courteous. The air conditioning is on full blast and the carpeted terminal is REALLY hard, though I must say the Colorado sunrise was magnificent.
At least we came prepared with our own dried fruit, bananas, a burrito, trail mix and water for sustenance. and a few books to read.
It is interesting to see the terminal go from the evening activity to deserted ant then back to the hustle and bustle in the morning. It is like a beehive. the flow of people is amazing. I love to people watch at the airport it is fascinating you feel like you are part of something. a fellow traveler and yet distinct. I saw people in every state of dress each with a different destination and life to lead. I like to make up stories about where they are headed and who is waiting for them at their final destinations whether its the biker guys, ladies with blue hair or the polished businessman in his suit.
All told, after approx. 24 hours in the transit we arrived in Boston. We caught a connecting flight and lay-over in New York's JFK, where terminal for Jet Blue is awesome! (Where else can you take a yoga class while you are waiting for your flight, and grab a bite from the fresh buffet bar?)
Boston was cold and wet yet we had a fabulous time with the family catching up on each others news and reminiscing old times... what fun!!
I did pick up a cold in the airport and fought it with loads of cough drops and multivitamin C but got me on the day we departed for home. I lost my voice! this time we had a great return trip a straight flight from Boston to Denver! and the stewardess gave me extra snacks!
Flying back on Saturday evening was great because when we got in at 11:30pm, it started snowing on drive back to Colorado Springs, and it then kept snowing for the next 24 hours. We ended up with a foot and a half of snow! If we hadn't left Boston on Saturday we still might be there!
Do you have a good holiday traveling story? Share it!
TCK/CCK Resources
- Connecting Bridge Social Network
- Google News
- TCKWorld
- TCKID
- MilitaryBrats
- Mu Kappa International
- MKPlanet
- Ruth Van Reken
- Families In Global Transition
- Intercultural Communication
- THE Web portal—for Work Abroad, Study Abroad, Cultural Travel Overseas, and International Living
- Global Namads Group
- Transition Dynamics
- MK Reentry Seminar
- ThirdCultureStories
- TCKLife
Tuesday, December 02, 2008
Monday, November 10, 2008
The Importance of Open & Honest communication
How many of you think your parents know you? That they listened to your needs when you were carted across the world. That you can sit down with them and share your heartaches. Some of which they may have caused through the process of dealing with their own cultural adjustments or intentional or unintentional neglect. Or just the circumstances you found yourself in.
I think that most of parents of TCK's are career driven, they have high ideals and see their jobs through the lens of a "greater or higher purpose." The here is a price to pay and TCKs pay a big one.
(Can you relate to this?)
As a kid of someone who has set out to change the world and help others, at times I was lost in the shuffle. I came to the conclusion early that I'd have to start looking out for myself and most of the time I ended up being my own confidant and holding my own counsel on cultural and social survival. (One big advantage for me was also having some close brothers to bounce things off of)
That choice to be independent and so self-reliant helped me get though many tough experiences while growing up, but the tactic has been more of a hindrance to my personal and relational growth as an adult. It has hindered the closeness and emotional health in my marriage. It has limited the opportunities for growth in other friendships and connecting with other interesting souls.
Fortunately, having parents that are willing to look me in the eye, admit failure and ask for forgiveness for any culpability has been HUGE to me.
You see...I just spent this past weekend connecting with my parents, I was able to share with them how I felt unable as a kid to share most of my feelings about our transitions and experiences, how our family's "keep your chin up" attitude made me bottle up emotions and feelings, until they would result in negative behavior.
As a child how do you deal with political unrest, checkpoints, and guns pointed in your face, and your father taken by the soldiers? what about seeing death up close, what about having your family separated by boarding school and being sexually abused? what about the stress of constant sickness (malaria, dengue fever, and hepatitis)? Or the cultural disconnect when living back in the states? this list could go on...
I survived my TCK experiences, and You did too. GREAT! Yet I have this crazy idea that there is more to living than just survival.
My point is that most missionary families are ill equipped to handle all the stresses of life overseas in remote locations with demanding jobs; when parents and kids don't communicate well within the family most TCKs are just along for the bumpy ride.
This past weekend was a turning point in my life, I came clean with my parents on a lot of my real feelings and thoughts. and they didn't disown me or belittle my perceptions. Thanks Mom and Dad for being open to discuss and acknowledge that painful things did occur and mistakes were made! You have set an example of honest responsibility (for mistakes and miss steps) and I've decided on my own to take the responsibility for my own actions and reactions to the events of my past.
Open & Honest communication is the best way to bring your past, present and future together!
This type of communication can take you from surviving to thriving! I know I can see the light at end of the tunnel!
I think that most of parents of TCK's are career driven, they have high ideals and see their jobs through the lens of a "greater or higher purpose." The here is a price to pay and TCKs pay a big one.
(Can you relate to this?)
As a kid of someone who has set out to change the world and help others, at times I was lost in the shuffle. I came to the conclusion early that I'd have to start looking out for myself and most of the time I ended up being my own confidant and holding my own counsel on cultural and social survival. (One big advantage for me was also having some close brothers to bounce things off of)
That choice to be independent and so self-reliant helped me get though many tough experiences while growing up, but the tactic has been more of a hindrance to my personal and relational growth as an adult. It has hindered the closeness and emotional health in my marriage. It has limited the opportunities for growth in other friendships and connecting with other interesting souls.
Fortunately, having parents that are willing to look me in the eye, admit failure and ask for forgiveness for any culpability has been HUGE to me.
You see...I just spent this past weekend connecting with my parents, I was able to share with them how I felt unable as a kid to share most of my feelings about our transitions and experiences, how our family's "keep your chin up" attitude made me bottle up emotions and feelings, until they would result in negative behavior.
As a child how do you deal with political unrest, checkpoints, and guns pointed in your face, and your father taken by the soldiers? what about seeing death up close, what about having your family separated by boarding school and being sexually abused? what about the stress of constant sickness (malaria, dengue fever, and hepatitis)? Or the cultural disconnect when living back in the states? this list could go on...
I survived my TCK experiences, and You did too. GREAT! Yet I have this crazy idea that there is more to living than just survival.
My point is that most missionary families are ill equipped to handle all the stresses of life overseas in remote locations with demanding jobs; when parents and kids don't communicate well within the family most TCKs are just along for the bumpy ride.
This past weekend was a turning point in my life, I came clean with my parents on a lot of my real feelings and thoughts. and they didn't disown me or belittle my perceptions. Thanks Mom and Dad for being open to discuss and acknowledge that painful things did occur and mistakes were made! You have set an example of honest responsibility (for mistakes and miss steps) and I've decided on my own to take the responsibility for my own actions and reactions to the events of my past.
Open & Honest communication is the best way to bring your past, present and future together!
This type of communication can take you from surviving to thriving! I know I can see the light at end of the tunnel!
Friday, October 31, 2008
Trick-or-Treat: Halloween a TCK holiday
Today Halloween is observed with candy exchange all across the USA. People dress-up in ghoulish costumes and other outfits of fancy. It makes me wonder why. As a TCK, I find myself looking in on this tradition from the outside the culture. Growing up in Ghana we didn't celebrate Halloween.
I've done a little research into Halloween and it seems the tradition has it's roots in the Celtic past. History.com has quite an interesting piece on how we in the States have come to observe his day.
Halloween is a mix of traditions built upon one another. (Celtic mysticism, Roman paganism, & Christian traditions.) Different cultures have shaped its practice and meaning.
Halloween and how it as evolved is a great metaphor for what makes a TCK a TCK .
So... will you Trick-or-Treat this Halloween?
I've done a little research into Halloween and it seems the tradition has it's roots in the Celtic past. History.com has quite an interesting piece on how we in the States have come to observe his day.
Halloween is a mix of traditions built upon one another. (Celtic mysticism, Roman paganism, & Christian traditions.) Different cultures have shaped its practice and meaning.
Halloween and how it as evolved is a great metaphor for what makes a TCK a TCK .
So... will you Trick-or-Treat this Halloween?
Tuesday, October 28, 2008
Sharing our stories Sharing Life.
The thing that draws us all together is the common thread of your multi-cultural childhoods. The experiences of multiple firsts, the first time we set foot in a new continent, new locations, schools, churches, surrounded and immersed in a new language, and always new customs to navigate. How did you do it? What did you learn in the process? I encourage you to share the good and the bad.
I've found that I became good at being passive, letting life happen to me and "going with the flow" worked for me while I was growing up. As a child my life was dictated to me; where I went to school, where we lived, when we moved, were all pre-determined. The idea that faith or "(fate?)" determines who I am and what I will be has governed me. The "when one door closes another door will open" acceptance of circumstance has now outgrown it's usefulness to me. I need to grow out of that childhood tactic and replace that passivity and "survival" mode with responsibility and belief that I can dream and achieve the things I desire.
The lessons we learned as kids are powerful in our lives but they can be changed. I believe an old dog CAN learn new tricks. At least that is what I thought I'd learned from my childhood. I came away with the assumption that I was good at learning new things, adapting to new places, meeting new people, and developing new relationships no matter the culture.
Yet the weariness of all the transitions, the losses, and gains, without an outlet, kind of shut me down from moving forward from taking on those new tricks. I came to believe the LIE that I had to carry all my burdens and joys ALONE because everything will changes and no one else understands or cares about my life.
If you have ever felt like this know that you are NOT ALONE! Reach out and lets connect.
I've felt like a kid in a man's body, in a man's world.
Yet I'm starting to feel alive again. Hope is returning!
Thanks for listening. What is your story?
I've found that I became good at being passive, letting life happen to me and "going with the flow" worked for me while I was growing up. As a child my life was dictated to me; where I went to school, where we lived, when we moved, were all pre-determined. The idea that faith or "(fate?)" determines who I am and what I will be has governed me. The "when one door closes another door will open" acceptance of circumstance has now outgrown it's usefulness to me. I need to grow out of that childhood tactic and replace that passivity and "survival" mode with responsibility and belief that I can dream and achieve the things I desire.
The lessons we learned as kids are powerful in our lives but they can be changed. I believe an old dog CAN learn new tricks. At least that is what I thought I'd learned from my childhood. I came away with the assumption that I was good at learning new things, adapting to new places, meeting new people, and developing new relationships no matter the culture.
Yet the weariness of all the transitions, the losses, and gains, without an outlet, kind of shut me down from moving forward from taking on those new tricks. I came to believe the LIE that I had to carry all my burdens and joys ALONE because everything will changes and no one else understands or cares about my life.
If you have ever felt like this know that you are NOT ALONE! Reach out and lets connect.
I've felt like a kid in a man's body, in a man's world.
Yet I'm starting to feel alive again. Hope is returning!
Thanks for listening. What is your story?
Saturday, October 25, 2008
The Connecting Bridge Social Network
Hi Guys, I've decided to add a new dimension to this blog. It's a new social network for Connecting Bridge. It's a space for you to call home if you want. Create your own page and interact like you would on other social networking sites like Facebook. However, I think there is more potential for interaction and creativity on the Connecting Bridge Network. That is because there is a lot more freedom to customize your page and space and add your own apps. It is FREE to join. You will need to sign up and log in and it's FREE to do so!
My hope is that it will facilitate real connections that encourage and strengthen the TCK relationships in your lives!
See you on The Connecting Bridge Social Network!
My hope is that it will facilitate real connections that encourage and strengthen the TCK relationships in your lives!
See you on The Connecting Bridge Social Network!
Monday, October 20, 2008
A plug for TCKID and plans for a podcast
Today I was doing some research on other resources that help TCKs (Third Culture Kids) to connect with TCKs. As a an avid Facebook user I came across TCKID and decided to check it out. Tckid.com requires one to sign up so I did. As I surfed around the site, I updated my personal profile, commented on one of the many great forum threads and was pleased to see that it is quite an active site with many great resources. If you haven't checked it out I'd encourage you to do so.
It is quick and painless to sign up with TCKID and I heartily encourage everyone to do so.
I've begun to ask myself it this spot is redundant after taking a look at TCKID and what it has to offer. There is a lot of information out there about the life of a Third Culture Kid/Adult, however, connecting with who we are and where are are is the real challenge for us multi-culturally complex individuals.
So my question for you is...
What do you want to connect about?
I've been talking to a few friends and they have given me some great topics that I'll be presenting here and as soon as I get all my podcast kinks worked out, I'll be posting a monthly podcast here. Please feel free to tell me what issues you connect with, would like to hear discussed and addressed on this site.
Blessings,
Isaac
It is quick and painless to sign up with TCKID and I heartily encourage everyone to do so.
I've begun to ask myself it this spot is redundant after taking a look at TCKID and what it has to offer. There is a lot of information out there about the life of a Third Culture Kid/Adult, however, connecting with who we are and where are are is the real challenge for us multi-culturally complex individuals.
So my question for you is...
What do you want to connect about?
I've been talking to a few friends and they have given me some great topics that I'll be presenting here and as soon as I get all my podcast kinks worked out, I'll be posting a monthly podcast here. Please feel free to tell me what issues you connect with, would like to hear discussed and addressed on this site.
Blessings,
Isaac
Thursday, October 09, 2008
My dream to make this blog a resource for TCK's has been revived. Life has a way of putting the best laid plans on hold. You see, in the intervening years since I first thought I'd write some things on here of substance of help to others (you the reader), I found that my own life needed some attention and focus. Well, I've decided now is the time to pick up the pen and post what I can...
I hope you are encouraged, inspired, enlightened and strengthened to find your way through your multi-cultural upbringing (that TCK heritage that you may love and hate!).
My goal is to share what I know from my TCK journey with you and I ask you to share yours here with me. The idea is to connect with every part of what makes us who we are.
On here you will read my musings and I'll post links to people and groups that have enriched my journey.
I hope you are encouraged, inspired, enlightened and strengthened to find your way through your multi-cultural upbringing (that TCK heritage that you may love and hate!).
My goal is to share what I know from my TCK journey with you and I ask you to share yours here with me. The idea is to connect with every part of what makes us who we are.
On here you will read my musings and I'll post links to people and groups that have enriched my journey.
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