Shanghai Day 1

Tuesday, June 27-Hong Kong: The lush green mountains, visible from our gate, make arrival in Hong Kong on 6/27 very impressive.  A two-hour layover allowed for freshening up, and a change of clothing (for some) after a 13-hour flight, gets us ready for the flight to Shanghai, another two hours.



Wednesday, June 28-Shanghai for two nights: A bus ride to catch a fantastic ride on the Megalift...China's high speed train that operates on a magnetic system. No traditional rail lines. This was built for the 2008 Olympic Games, an 18 mile long "track" (for now) that runs at high speed (431 kilometers / 268 miles per hr).  The abbreviated length of the track prevents the top speed possible which is over 500 kilometers per hr.  Currently, only from 9:00 to 10:45 am.

 Happily on China soil :)

 Impressive view of The 800 ft high Pearl Tower

 About to board the Megalift

The Journey to China Officially Began in LA

The traffic in Los Angeles is not at all to be trusted…waaay too dense and unpredictable. We set out for the airport with more than enough check-in time, but were still caught in a jam just outside LAX.  An accident? Broken vehicle? Couldn’t tell, but it was enough to mess with plans of anyone who waited too long to head out.  But in short order we were in the hands of Cathay Pacific for our 1:00 am departure out of LA across the pacific.

On the Way to the Airport

China Here I Come!

With my China travel buddy at the Getty Villa yesterday.

June 25, 2016
It has been well over a year since I've visited this blog.  All I can say is time moves faster than we (I) make allowances for, the life of a teacher leader is fast paced, bottle-necked on many days, full of way too much to do (taking into account both our teacher live as well as our personal lives), and then before a blink is complete, a month, 6 months, a year has zipped by.

So here I go. Starting over using this space.  Going forward, some posts will aim to give a look back at the past year and a half.  Eventually though, most will aim to catalog, reference, share and teach all things global.
Bags packed and ready; first a stop in LA on June 23rd.             At the Getty Villa Saturday afternoon.                                                                                                       Beautiful serene space with so much                                                                                                         to learn about antiquities

Young African Leaders Summit

An exciting opportunity!!

The Mandela Young African Leaders summit is an initiative that fosters leadership skills and provides academic exposure for young people on the continent who show promise.  The program brings them to Washington DC (after a rigorous application process) to participate in a prestigious leadership program in the summer.

"What are the criteria for selection?"

"Selection panels will use the following criteria to evaluate applications (not in order of importance):"

• "A proven record of leadership and accomplishment in public service, business and entrepreneurship, or civic engagement.
• A demonstrated commitment to public or community service, volunteerism, or mentorship.
• The ability to work cooperatively in diverse groups and respect the opinions of others.
• Strong social and communication skills.
• An energetic, positive attitude.
• Demonstrated knowledge, interest and professional experience in the sector/track selected.
• A commitment to return to Africa and apply leadership skills and training to benefit the applicant’s country and/or community after they return home."

https://youngafricanleaders.state.gov/washington-fellowship/apply/

Mandela Young African Leaders Summit

I Love Tea...Stunned When I Listened to This Piece on BBC News!!

       When I think 'tea' I think of the drink I've had from I was a child growing up in Jamaica...(I only got to like coffee after migrating to the United States). But there is still nothing like a cup of tea...any kind..Chamomile, Mint, Green, and yes, brands such as Lipton, Tetley, and now Assam, which I was personally able to try, and bring back home, from my trip to India this past summer.  Heck, tea and I have a relationship! We have history!
        So when my husband and I, a couple evenings ago tuned in to the BBC News' report on the appalling conditions of workers on tea estates in India, to say I was shocked would be an understatement. My goodness, on my day trip to Tamil Nadu, my friends Riyas and Yasir stopped for pictures so my colleagues and I could see and touch tea plants! The weather was divine, balmy 60s farenheit, sunny, and just enjoyable.  We saw ladies at work picking tea leaves.

Check out the story for yourself.

A Tea Story That' s Not Tasty

India's President on the Move in the US

Having now had firsthand experience, (though by no means an expert), about education in India definitely causes me some ambivalence hearing about the Indian Prime Minister's visit to Silicon this past week.  The reason for this is that I now know, that despite what seems like a vast amount of Indian nationals working in the technology industry in this country, it really is not even a drop in the proverbial bucket when one considers the population in India..1.2 billion people, and that a whopping 800, 000,000 of them are between 18 and 35 years old.  That's the country's future!!

My recent visit taught me that a great portion of this demographic is still not receiving a quality education, and some, those who reside on the streets, are receiving no education at all.

Should Prime Minister Modi be focusing his attention instead then on trying to see how he can solicit help educating his population more fully, instead of trying to woo back the "techies" to the homeland?

Silicon Valley Wooed by Narendra Modi

There is a phenomenon that exists where one doesn't begin seeing or noticing, say, a particular type of car until one actually owns one.  I expect most of us are familiar with this concept.

For me, it's playing out in the fact that so much in the news over the past couple of months relates to India!  Of course I just got back from visiting this awe-inspiring, complex country of paradoxes back in late July.  I can't help but be drawn to many of the reports because so many of them involve issues relating to women rights, and children's education.  See for yourself.  Take a look at some of the links below.

This story reminds makes me think of many teachers I met in Bangalore and Kerala



Do You Want, or Enjoy the Right to "Loiter" Where You Live?



Can You Imagine Living in a Place as a Female Where Your Birth is Not a Welcome Addition to the Family?