Sherry Alexander's Blog

Finding the Courage To Be You!

Finding the courage to be yourself is not as easy as it sounds especially with all the forces against you. No I am not talking about the StarWars forces of darkness and light. I am talking about the pressure from family, friends, teachers, and others who see a future for you that you have not imagined. Yesterday, as I watched the new movie, Ferdinand the Bull, I was reminded how we, parents, want the best for our kids, so we set goals for them when they are young. Just like Ferdinand's dad expected him to be the best bull selected by the matador when he was full grown, we parents decide when our kids are born that they will be the best lawyer, the best doctor, the best butcher, baker or candlestick maker. There is nothing wrong with wanting the best for you--our kids, but it has to be what YOU want as well. That's where courage comes in.As you grow older, you become interested in hundreds if not thousands of things. Life, as we say, is a journey, and it is up to you to journey well. If you discover you love medicine, but your family wants you to program computers, talk to them. Ask them to help you explore the possibilities of both careers. It's not always easy to speak your mind to parents, but you can find the courage to speak up. Courage is defined as the ability to do something that frightens you, and speaking up or keeping your own goals can be frightening. But, courage can also be rewarding. Throughout your life, you will need to find the ability within you to do things that are scary. Walking into a new class for the first time can be scary. So can getting behind the wheel of a car for the first time, or asking someone to a movie. But confiding in your parents about the career you would like to have should not be scary. So no matter what it is--find the courage to be you. After all, you are unique and the future is in your hands.

What is sexual harassment?

"What is sexual harassment?" my granddaughter asked after listening to the news last week. It's a good question, and one that all kids should be asking.Basically, sexual harassment is another form of bullying. Only with sexual harassment the comments, gestures, suggestions, threats or unwanted physical contact is aimed at your body parts, your appearance, of your sexuality. It can occur at school, after school, on your job, or even at your home, and it is NOT just an adult problem. Both boys and girls can be victims. In fact, some experts believe that 1 out of every 7 boys and 1 out of every 4 girls will become victims. Why so many? One of the answers is social media. Kids as young as 5 years old are now carrying smartphones, and smartphones offer an easy and efficient way to intimidate, bully, and sexually harass other kids.  Kids with smartphones and computers can now receive unwanted texts, emails, and even pictures, and since some texts now disappear shortly after viewing, the bully can be anonymous. Then of course, there are the old ways to bully that become sexual harassment--spreading rumors of a sexual nature, writing things on the bathroom wall, grabbing or groping or brushing against your body in the hall, telling sexual jokes when you are in the room, sexual gestures, and posting comments on social networks like Instagram or Facebook.It's important to remember that this type of harassment can come from your peers, older kids, and even adults such as coaches, teachers, or other parents, so what can you do?           TELL SOMEONE YOU TRUST IMMEDIATELYIt's not easy to to, but it is necessary. The only way to stop the intimidation, hurt, and fear that sexual harassment causes is to bring the darkness into the light. If you receive an unwanted text, email, or picture, show it to a trusted adult. Don't believe the bully! You know who you are and what you believe. You are an amazing person, and under no circumstances do you deserve to be bullied or sexually harassed. The power is in your hands! Now the knowledge is too.

Book Month Continues: The Vargrom Series

Charles Scribner, Jr. said, "Reading is a means of thinking with another person's mind. It forces you to stretch your own."For me that means stretching your mind into genres you might not have considered before. For a long time, I was read only historical fiction, but then an author, Kevin Hopson, invited me to read his fantasy series and I was hooked. I hope you have the same experience. Enjoy!
Note: If you read The Fire King, you met the dwarf warrior, Modrad. I came to love the way he looked at life and the strength he commanded in the face of danger. But, I wanted to know what made Modrad the warrior that he was, and I found it in Vargrom: Modrad's Exile. You will not be disappointed.

Vargrom: Modrad's Exile Facing exile from everything he has come to know, Modrad must journey back to his home city of Vargrom. The way is not easy, but there are other things at play and the Dwarf Council may have other plans in store for the young warrior. Available at Amazon. This available as an ebook or in print, but the new print edition includes a short story you will enjoy--Modrad's Surrender.

A Fantasy Read for Teens

EEK! I didn't realize I ad been gone so long. But I am back with a series of books for the fantasy reader in you.It's from one of my favorite fantasy authors, Kevin Hopson, and it's all part of the Vargrom series. The Fire King is the first book, and here's a hint--there be dragons. 

The planet Oabrora faces a perpetual winter after a human mage, Vico, causes all the volcanoes in the dragons' homeworld to erupt. Three dragon siblings survive the blast and set out on a journey to bring the Vico to justice. But there is a far worse enemy on the horizon.You can get your copy as an ebook or in print at Amazon. 
P.S. I loved this book. The personalities of the three dragons combined with an adventure that could end both them and the world around them kept me turning page after page.

Kids: Could you have a future in robotics?

Have you ever wished that there was a robot to make your bed, feed the dog, do your homework? If you have, you are not alone. In fact, your mom and dad have probably thought about the same thing once or twice. The difference, however, between you and your parents is that you have the opportunity to turn your wish into a reality through a career in robotics. 
Robotics is the technology that creates, designs, constructs, and programs mechanical devices that can perform tasks or jobs in a set environment. It combines mechanics, science, engineering, and computers. But the most important aspect of robotics is creativity. That translates into imagination. Your imagination!
Today, there are hundreds, if not thousands, of different robots. Some stack shelves, paint cars, manufacture parts, defuse bombs, do people's taxes, perform surgeries, explore the galaxy, and even mix your frozen yogurt. They can be stationary or movable. They can be so small you can only see them with a microscope, or as big as the 56 foot long walking, fire-breathing dragon that holds the Guinness World Record for the largest robot. There are no limits because there are no limits to what can be imagined, and whatever can be imagined can be created if you are willing to put the work into it. While it is true that technology has made great leaps in the last twenty years, there is so much more just waiting for you to dream it, create it, and make it happen. So ask yourself, "Could I have a future in robotics?" Why not check it out and see if it interests you. Ask your parents or teachers about classes like Lego Robotics or other STEM classes that will introduce you to the concept. You never know, there could be a robot in your future that will make your bed, feed your dog, and even do your homework.

Kids: How to Keep School Friends During the Summer.

With summer vacation right around the corner, will the friendships you have made at school stay or will they disappear when the last school bell rings? One of my favorite authors, Dr. Seuss, often talked about the value of friendship and the need to keep friends. He said, "To the world you may be one person, but to one person you may be the world." So how do you keep those friends? 

When summer comes, life gets busy. There are soccer games, baseball games, vacations, swim practice, and hundreds of other activities that take time. There is also the probability that either mom or dad, or both, still have to work, and your summer time is spent with grandparents, aunts, or the dreaded babysitter. Or maybe, you've been enrolled in a week long or month long summer camp. So with all of that going on, is it possible to stay in touch with those valued school friends? The short answer is YES, but even short answers need a little motivation and lots of effort. Here is the best way to stay in touch and keep that friendship growing right through the summer.Talk and share. Notice I didn't say "text"?  Don't get me wrong, a simple text to say "Hi" is fine, but to keep a friendship going, you need to actually talk to each other either in person or on the phone.There is something that connects emotionally and mentally when you hear a friend's voice. It allows you to share experiences you've had throughout the week, share secrets, share the sadness and the joy, and it helps build a lasting friendship. A text does not carry the same feelings. It's just words, no matter how many exclamation points you include.Poet Maya Angelou said, "I've learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel." Hearing your voice can make you "feel" that friendship. So, while you are having fun this summer, remember your school friends with a visit or a call. It will pay off when school starts again in the Fall. 

Kids: Be The Courageous You!

When you see a picture of a knight fighting a dragon do you think, "Now that's courage?"Depending on the circumstances, you may be right. But what is courage really? And, do you have to be a knight in shinning armor before you can be courageous? The answer is "NO!" Courage is the ability to do something even though it scares you. It's being bold, brave, and determined to face a situation that might make your knees shake and your palms sweat. Courage is that part of your mind and heart that says, "I have to do this," and it takes all forms.I see kids just like you show their courage every day. There are kids who stand up for a friend when another kid tries to be the bully. There are kids who know when to back down from a fight. There are kids who know words cannot hurt. There are kids who raise their hand in class even though the thought of answering in front of their peers makes their stomach queasy. There are kids who walk up to the new kid and introduce themselves. There are kids who fight for an education even though the law of their country says girls cannot go to school. There are kids who work before or after school to help their families out financially. There are kids who use their grief at losing a loved one to help someone else in the same circumstance. There are kids who face a debilitating illness like Type 1 diabetes head on. There are kids who are starving, but share their only sandwich with another kid who has less than they do. I could go on and on. There are literally as many forms of courage as there are kids. So what's my point?Here it is. Every single one of you has the grit to face your fears, pain, illness, bullies,  or fears. I know the word "grit" is an old term, but look it up, you'll see your picture next to the definition.So, kids, be the courageous you! Use that courage to face those difficult situations. You can make this world a better place.

Knowledge is Power Series: Refugee or Immigrant?

With all of the discussion on immigration, the one term that needs to be clarified is "refugee". What does it mean to be a refugee? What circumstances occur that create refugees? And, where do refugees go?First, let's define the term. A refugee is a person who is so afraid to stay in his/her country that he/she is forced to leave. This fear can be caused by war, religious persecution, the threat of death,  a natural disaster like a flood or a volcanic eruption, or even starvation. In other words, the situation is so bad in the person's home country that he/she is no longer safe to live there. When that occurs, the person or persons flee to another country often with little more than the clothing they are wearing. As you have probably seen on television or heard on the news, thousands of people have fled Syria in the last few years because of war. These people have lost their homes, family members, everything they own, and are afraid they will lose their lives or those of their children. They have set out to sea in overloaded boats, crossed dangerous territories, and walked hundreds of miles to find safety. The United Nations believes that over 4.8 million people have left Syria as refugees. Where do they all go?Over one million have fled to Europe, but the majority of these refugees are still in the Middle East. Most of these people end up in camps set up by foreign governments to hold the war-weary peoples until another country agrees to take them. But conditions in refugee camps are not great. The majority of these refugees are women and children who do not have enough food, clean water, warm clothes, or even in most cases are suffering from the loss of a parent, brother or sister, grandparent, aunt, or uncle. Some are even alone, separated from their families and left to fend for themselves.It's important to remember that a refugee is different from an immigrant. A refugee is forced to leave because they fear for their life, and an immigrant usually goes to another country for economic reasons or to be with family already there.If you want to know more, you can check out these organizations dedicated to helping refugees.
World Vision Syrian CrisisRefugees InternationalThe White HelmetsDoctors without BordersInternational Rescue Committee Remember: Knowledge is the Power that Conquers Fear!

Knowledge is Power Series On Immigration: Why is Illegal Immigration Sometimes Worth the Risk?

We have discussed what is meant by immigration and why you should not be afraid of immigrants. We've also discussed illegal immigration. However, those are only terms used to describe an action. The more important question is, "WHY".Why do people risk jail, deportation (sending a foreigner back to their original country), separation from family and friends, and in some cases, their lives to enter a country illegally? There are as many answers to this question as there are people willing to take the risk. Yet, there are a few common factors, and they include the same things that your parents, your future self, and I feel are the necessities to life. WorkShelterFamilySafetyWork. Thousands of illegal immigrants enter the United States to find work--any work. They pick vegetables and fruits, clean houses and businesses, do construction, mow yards, take care of someone else's children, become maids, work in the clothing industry, and willingly do any job that will pay them a meager wage and not ask about their immigration status. It might surprise you to know that a large number of these workers don't want to stay here, they just want to make money to send home to support their families. They would probably like to be legal, but our system of immigration does not allow this except under certain circumstances.
Shelter. No one wants to be homeless, but millions in this world are homeless. In areas suffering economically, people can't either work to support themselves, or work for so little money they can't afford housing. They live on the street, in houses build with cardboard boxes, tin houses, tents, or whatever they can find to keep the rain out. They cross the border illegally on the hope that they can find a place to live for them and their families. Wouldn't you? 
Family. In many instances, a family member has already immigrated legally. His/her foot is in the door so to speak. The family can apply to join him/her. However, it can still take anywhere between one to 10 years. However, if the family member immigrated illegally, there is no foot in the door. There is no one to sponsor a legal immigration, and if the family wants to be together, they take the risk and cross the border illegally.
Safety. We hear a lot about our safety and the threat illegal immigration poses, but what about the immigrant's safety. In some countries, safety is an issue. War, crime, and violence tear families apart. Parents want their children to be safe, so they leave their country for a another one that looks safer than where they live. 
As I said, there are many reasons for crossing another country's border illegally. The ones listed are just a few. But there are other reasons people illegally enter another country, and those reasons do not include work, shelter, family, or safety. What are these reasons? Next week we'll discuss drugs, human trafficking, and terrorism.
Remember: Knowledge is the Power that Conquers Fear! 

Kids: Knowledge is Power Series: Should You Be Afraid Of Immigrants, Part 2 Illegal Immigration

There is a tremendous amount of discussion going on today about illegal immigration, and it is easy to get confused and even worried. However, knowledge is power, and understanding the simple facts can dispel any fears of immigration--legal or illegal.Simply put, illegal immigration occurs when someone violates a country's immigration laws, or enters another country without permission.Every nation in the world has rules that define how people from other countries can enter their country. If you travel to a foreign country for vacation or to visit, you need a passport. A passport is a government document that certifies who you are and which country you are a citizen from. If you are planning on staying in the foreign country for a specific time period, you may need a Visa. A Visa is another government document from the country you are visiting that says you are allowed to enter, leave, or stay. Illegal immigration is when people plan on moving to another country, but do not have a passport or visa that allows them to do so, or that they have not applied to that country to become a citizen. This means they are an "undocumented" citizen.A citizen, remember, is a person who is recognized by a nation as one of their people. Citizens can be native or natural. If you are born in that country, you are a native. If you go through the citizen application process that the country you want to live in creates, and pledge your allegiance to that country, you are a naturalized citizen. More than 2,000 immigrants become naturalized U.S. citizens each and every day.As you know, breaking the law anywhere in the world can lead to imprisonment and/or fines. It is the same with illegal immigration. People who enter a country illegally can be jailed and then sent back to their home country. So why would anyone risk going to jail to cross a nation's borders without permission? Next week we will take a look at why people decide the risk is worth it.