Sheala Vast-Binder's Blog, page 4
October 26, 2016
Why Do I Celebrate Halloween?
Nevertheless, I have very fond memories of trick-or-treating as a young person. I remember one Halloween when I was about 13, running around the small Arkansas town close to where I lived. I was with a large group of friends, it was pitch black outside, and we were having an amazing time! After all, who doesn’t like to dress up, run around the neighborhood, and collect a ton of candy?! So, because of memories like these, I let my son participate in Halloween.
However, whenever my son wants to decorate the house with spiders, ghosts, etc., and I say no. I tell him that I’ll decorate with pumpkins, gourds, and Fall-ish things, but I refuse to decorate with scary things. I’m especially not going to put spiderwebs on my door; I have enough of those as it is!
So if you come to my house for Halloween, I’ll give you cavities by handing out candy, but don’t expect anything scary. God the Father raised Jesus from the dead to show that He is Victor, even over death! Halloween is for celebrating LIFE, not death!
However, if you want to swipe a real cobweb or two from around my door, feel free. Those spiders would be better off at your house!
Photo by Kevin Dooley
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September 23, 2016
What Does Blue Mean? (Cultures & Colors)
Likewise, different colors are used to celebrate and mourn. I was astonished the first time that I realized that white, used in the U.S. for weddings because it signifies purity, represents death and grief in other parts of the world! It makes me wonder what some people think when they see wedding pictures from the U.S.
Click HERE to see the enlarged version of an infographic that explains the meaning of various colors and how they are perceived across different cultures. You might be surprised to learn what blue means to you is NOT what it means to someone else!
Chart by Information Is Beautiful
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September 14, 2016
Happy Moon Festival!
Like the American holiday of Thanksgiving, the Mid-Autumn Festival is a time to celebrate family. People travel from all over China to join their families for dinner and to admire the full moon while eating moon cakes.The Chinese believe a full moon symbolizes peace and prosperity.
This holiday is surrounded by numerous legends involving the moon. The following comes from China Highlights:
When you look at the moon on a clear night, you can see there is a shadow on it. Although it has been proven that the shadow is actually mountains that were generated by a meteor, a Chinese legend says that [it] is the shadow of a huge tree on the moon.
The Story Goes Like This …Wu Gang (/woo gung/) was an ordinary person who wanted to become immortal but didn’t work very hard, and he never tried his best to learn the necessary theurgy.
The Emperor of Heaven got angry with him because of his attitude. In order to punish him, the Emperor of Heaven planted a huge cherry bay tree, which was 1,665 meters (5,460 feet) high, on the moon and ordered Wu Gang to cut it down. If Wu Gang could cut it down, he could become immortal.
This time, Wu Gang was very serious and worked hard on chopping down the tree. But you know what? He could never finish his work because the cherry bay was healed every time that Wu Gang chopped it.
Wu Gang wouldn’t give up. He tried time and time again, and is still trying now. On clear nights, people can see an obvious shadow on the moon. This is made by the huge cherry bay.
To hear the fascinating story of Chang E or The Jade Rabbit, ask a Chinese friend. All of these stories give insight into not just the Moon Festival but Chinese culture as well.
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September 1, 2016
Why Do Americans Love the Microwave?
Microwaves are very common in the U.S. because they are fast and convenient. In fact, in 2006 only DVD players and digital televisions were sold in greater numbers than microwave ovens and ranges!
Americans typically use microwaves to heat up food that is leftover from another meal. Since these are commonly made of a wide variety of ingredients, they are safe to warm in the microwave. Additionally, we have a lot of pre-made meals that are specifically made to be used in the microwave. These normally WON’T work in a traditional oven. The following foods can be microwaved with caution:
Scrambled or poached eggs. Please don’t try to cook a whole egg, even if it is peeled. It WILL explode.
Popcorn, but only if it is the “made for the microwave” variety.
Hot dogs and sausages that have been pricked with a fork to let internal heat escape.
Potatoes and tomatoes that are pricked (same as above).
Water IF you’ve added sugar, instant coffee, or another food to it. Otherwise, heated water can become super-heated. “Super-heated” means the water is beyond the boiling temperature even if it doesn’t look like it is boiling. Super-heated water can erupt and burn the user.
Foods that should NEVER be cooked in the microwave include foods with an external membrane or skin that have not been pricked, i.e., potatoes, sausage, and the other items mentioned above. Grapes and dried hot peppers should not be microwaved since they can catch fire! Other than these few items, most foods can be cooked in the microwave. (That’s probably why we like microwaves so much!)
Photo by Get Directly Down
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August 6, 2016
This Fundraising Race Is On!
With the Olympics taking place in Rio, I’m in my own race…a fundraising race! Want to join my team?
Although we all have a general call to love immigrants (Deuteronomy 10:19), God has specifically called me to befriend and empower international women and their families in St. Louis. Until recently, I’ve assisted them in a part-time capacity by helping them learn our culture, teaching them how to drive, leading Bible studies, etc. However, our immigration population is quickly growing and the need is great!
To become a full-time worker among internationals, I must raise $1075 per month by the end of August. Will YOU give now to make St. Louis (and the U.S.) a more welcoming place and to share the Good News with those who hunger for peace, healing, and hope?
Pick BRONZE, SILVER, or GOLD and go to easytithe.com/interface to make a secure gift. Once you’ve set up your account for scheduled giving, select “Vast-Binder” from the “Choose Fund Below” drop-down menu. Thanks for helping win the race!
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August 5, 2016
Author Interview with “An Indian”
Now, I’ve invited him as a guest on my blog because he is an author of a fascinating novel about India culture and history. I hope you are as inspired to read his book as I am! So, here he is…”An Indian!”
Q: Where are you originally from and where do you live now?
I was born and brought up in Mumbai (named Bombay earlier), India. I moved to the US in 1989. Now I live in California with my family.
Why did you move to the U.S.?
I had an opportunity to come here as a computer programmer. The company that employed me came to India to hire programmers. I was one of the candidates selected. Remember, this was in 1989, way before the .COM boom.
Did you bring family with you?
No, I came alone. My wife followed me after a month or so. Both of my kids were born here.
What was the hardest thing about moving here?
There is not one hard thing that I can pinpoint. There were so many, but I am no exception. Everyone who has migrated here – not only from India, but any other country – has found things quite challenging.
What do you like/dislike?
There are so many things I like and dislike about this country…just like there are so many things I like and dislike about India. I really don’t think one [country] is better than the other…just different.
If you could pick one piece of advice to someone moving here, what would it be?
If you are a single male coming here, make sure that you learn how to cook. Indian palates are very different than the US cuisine. I remember when I moved here, everything looked very attractive and tasty, but didn’t taste very good to me initially. There most definitely was an adjustment.
Do you write full-time? If so, what is your work day like? If not, what do you do other than write and how do you find time to write?
No, I am not a writer. I am a web developer.
Please tell us about your current book.
Here is a brief synopsis:
…Suddenly, he saw something shiny at the bottom of the abyss. He squinted his eyes to see what it was. He ran back to his binoculars and turned them to see what it was. Sharp barbed wires that separated the two mountains came into focus. He had come as far as he could in his country. But she was standing in another country.
He was in South India and she was in North India…
Have you ever imagined India being divided into two countries? What happens to the millions of Indians who are from South India but are now residing in North India? Kaahi & Jai were two such people who got trapped in this situation. Everything was going smoothly for them and suddenly, their world turned upside down.
How will they get together? Will India become one again?
Take an exciting journey with them from their college days in Mumbai to their life in the U.S. and back to India when they find out that India is divided.
What inspired you to write this book?
Writing has never been my passion. I had an idea for a story that I wanted to tell. The idea had been floating around in my mind for a while. I finally decided to write it down in early 2010. It took me less than a week to pour out my initial thoughts, and over a year to expand on them.
Where can someone find more information about your writing?
Website: India Was One
Facebook Page
Twitter Handle
Amazon
Goodreads
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July 13, 2016
Why Visit Budapest?
As a seasoned traveler, I have visited many places over the years. However, few of them compare to Budapest, Hungary. In the mid-90s, I took a team of college students to Budapest for two weeks. For most of us, it was the first time we had been out of the U.S. The excitement was almost palpable!
Since the cold war had only ended a few years before, entering the airport in Budapest was an unsettling experience; it reminded me of old communist movies with dark rooms, tight spaces, and grey everywhere. However, the people of Budapest were just the opposite. They were extremely friendly and open. Very proud of their country, they willingly showed us around the city.
I couldn’t believe how gorgeous Budapest is! Although many of the buildings were still marked from the war, the architecture was amazing. They also have lovely parks for picnics, biking, and just relaxing. No wonder people call it the Paris of the East.
Additionally, the food was extraordinary! We loved stopping every morning at a local shop to buy breakfast pastries (they were so good that I haven’t liked American bread ever since). Most evenings, we spent at a small Hungarian restaurant close to where we were staying. They served fabulous goulash and other dishes that I can’t pronounce. We couldn’t get enough of the food!
One of my most prominent memories of Budapest centers on a walk from the metro to our hostel. It was probably around 10-11 p.m. and the streets were mostly deserted. If I had been in a large American city, I would have been concerned for our safety. However, I felt SO safe walking through Budapest. I recall thinking, “I’ve never felt this safe before in my life.”
Don’t misunderstand me; every place where I had lived up until that time was relatively safe. However, I rarely FELT safe. It wasn’t until I visited this large city, half way around the world, that I truly felt–deep down in my bones–that I was safe. It was such an astonishing feeling of peace.
Although I haven’t returned to Budapest, I will always remember that trip. If you want to visit a beautiful, old European city at a reasonable price, Budapest is for you! You’ll find friendly people, amazing food, marvelous scenery, and, hopefully, you’ll have a sense of safety and well-being like none you’ve ever experienced before!
Photo by Moyan Brenn
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May 1, 2016
Five Lessons from an Indie Author
It’s hard to believe, but it has been almost 2 years since I made my debut in the indie author world! During that time, I’ve made connections with people all over the world, learned the art of social media marketing (or at least started), and written a workbook to supplement the first book!
As you can imagine, I’ve picked up many tidbits along the way, some of which have been helpful and others, well, not so much. But have no worries, I’m only going to share the helpful ones with you today! Here are my top 5 tips for new indie authors, and anyone else who enjoys learning from the experience of others.
Tip #1: Marketing a book is much harder than it looks! I now know that no matter how hard a book is to write, it is doubly hard to market! “Gird up your loins” (as someone years ago might have said), and get ready to FIGHT to get your book into the hands of the readers who will treasure you. Before your book even hits the market, you need a marketing plan for getting the news out! (Here’s a link to a webinar that I prepared for indie authors, and other new authors, who need a better understanding of social media.)
Tip #2: Accept all of the help that you can get. Build your network–online, offline, or wherever else you can find it. Join GoodReads and Facebook so you can connect with other indie authors and READERS! Ask your family and friends to like everything you post so it’ll be more widely distributed. Take advantage of the free online resources that tell you how to promote and sell your book. Hire a coach if you need encouragement, accountability, and assistance as an indie author!
Tip #3: Give, give, give! People enjoy building a relationship with someone who has their best interests at heart. You need to do more than sell your book; you need to look for ways to give to others! Give encouragement, advice, humor, or insight. Give copies of your books. Give whatever you have to give, but always try to give more than you get! (That tip also aligns with Jesus’ teaching, “It is more blessed to give than to receive!” Imagine that?!)
Tip #4: Don’t quit your day job! Unless you’re another John Grisham, and I’d guess that even he wasn’t discovered right away, one book will not support your family. In fact, you’ll be doing well if it pays for itself within the first year of publishing. To make a living at writing, you’ll need to write, write, write then MARKET like your life depends upon it (which your financial life might). If that doesn’t appeal to you, then you will want to diversify. Monetize your blog, become a freelance writer, or add something like affiliate marketing to your skill set. Whatever you choose, expect to work like crazy for several years before you have a dependable entrepreneurial income.
Tip #5: Hold onto hope! After that relatively negative tip #4, I want to challenge you to follow your dream. You’ll never know if you can accomplish what God has put in your heart unless you try! Some days you’ll feel confident and assured; other days you’ll feel like everything is falling to pieces. Whether you are up or down, look to God for help, connect with your family, friends, and readers, and keep pushing forward. Hopefully, there will come a day when your books are well known, you make a comfortable living doing what you love, and you have the opportunity to share with many fascinated fans what it’s like to be a famous indie author. Even if that doesn’t happen, you will have done your best, and ultimately, trying and failing is better than never trying!
Photo by Pedro Ribeiro Simoes
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April 9, 2016
How Do You Define Friendliness?
A man that hath friends must show himself friendly (Proverbs 18:24)
I don’t know any culture where friendliness isn’t expected of friends, do you?! The ancient Scriptures speak today’s truth with that proverb. Not many people tolerate friends who are always unfriendly, rude, or abusive. I tell my son all the time that he has to treat his friends well if he wants to have friends! That seems like a truth worth embracing.
But what happens when your friends (or coworkers or family members) come from different cultures? All of a sudden, friendliness becomes more complicated because it doesn’t look the same everywhere. (You do know that, right? If not, let me be the first to tell you that people show friendliness in different ways!)
I was reading a really good blog by Gayle Cotton about Saudi Arabian culture (here’s the link if you’re interested). In the blog, Gayle points out how Saudi’s feel comfortable standing very close to one another. It reminded me of times when I have been around internationals who stood close to me and it felt TOO friendly! Then again, I feel comfortable asking my international friends about their family, including their wives or mothers. This same blog notes that it is unacceptable in Saudi Arabian culture to ask after the women of the family. So, my friendly questions would actually be rude to them. This just goes to show that how we define friendliness matters, and understanding how other people define what it means to be friendly impacts how we connect with them.
With this in mind, I’ve put together some questions that are good conversation starters in American culture. They are written specifically for internationals who want to build or strengthen their American connections.
Family
Where did you grow up as a child?
How long have you lived here?
What is your best memory from growing up?
Where do your parents live? What do they do?
Do you have siblings? Tell me about them.
Work
What do you do for a living? What all is involved in that type of work?
What did you study in school? (If in school, “What are you studying in school?”)
What do you like the most about your work or school?
Favorite Things
What foods do you enjoy?
What are your hobbies?
What one new hobby would you enjoy learning?
Do you enjoy traveling? If so, where have you been?
If you could visit any place in the world, where would you go?
If you’d like more tips on developing American friendships, check out my blog, How Do I Make American Friends? Otherwise, go forth and “show yourself friendly,” but make sure the other person defines friendliness in the way that you are showing it!
Photo by Don LaVange
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March 12, 2016
5 Unusual Saint Patrick’s Day Celebrations
As you may know, people around the world celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day on March 17. What you may not know is that Ireland’s Roman Catholics have observed the saint’s day for over 1,000 years, although in a very different form than it is celebrated now. Traditionally, the Irish believers spent the morning in prayer and celebrated with a feast in the afternoon.
These days, the holiday is observed by far more people than just the Irish, and wacky traditions abound! From green drinks to green food to green-lit buildings, green is the color of the day (even though blue was the original color associated with Saint Patrick). Here are some other crazy traditions that have been added over the years:
via KnowledgeSeekerThe city of Chicago started dyeing its river green in honor of Saint Patrick’s Day over 50 years ago. The first time it was done, way too much dye was used and the river stayed green for a week! (http://www.irishcentral.com/culture/travel/top-ten-weird-and-wonderful-facts-about-st-patricks-day-and-the-patron-saint-196474441-237570551.html#)
via IrishNetworkJapanJapan offers a unique combination of Japanese and Irish cultures with its Saint Patrick’s Day parades and festivities. The parade in Ise is particularly unique since it starts at the Ise Shrines, the most sacred of the Shinto shrines. (https://www.pinterest.com/eiregems/all-japan-paddys-day/)
via ValoreBooksIf you want to see the world’s largest shamrock, head for O’Neill, Nebraska. And, if you really like to wear green, this is the place to live since they wear green on the 17th of every month. (http://news.discovery.com/adventure/travel/st-patricks-traditions-slideshow.htm)
via Meg PickardCelebrate Saint Patrick’s Day for a whole week in Montserrat with steel drums and creole food. Montserrat recognizes Saint Patrick’s Day as a national holiday because it also marks the date of a slave uprising which eventually led to the abolishment of slavery on the island. (http://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/unusual-st-patricks-day-celebrations-58807069/?no-ist=&page=1)
via Cphpost.dkGet your exercise and help raise money for local charities by participating in Copenhagen’s (Denmark) three-legged race. Just be careful that your green is green enough; the green police closely patrol the event! (http://cphpost.dk/news/leg-tied-leg-tired-and-legless-the-stuff-of-legends.4635.html)
However you decide to celebrate Saint Patrick’s Day this year, may this old Irish blessing be yours:
May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.
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