Laura Zera

Stories to Connect Cultures

Monsoons of Change: Guest Post by @Kendall1hunter

By 14 Comments

It is a true pleasure to have author and photojournalist Kendall Hunter as my guest blogger today. She’s fresh off a trip to Thailand and Myanmar with her two daughters, but it wasn’t just any kind of trip. No, these three women are out putting their special mark on the world, as you’ll read below (and here on Kendall’s blog).

It’s been my good fortune to have Kendall as a friend for eighteen years. We met in South Africa and experienced that country’s transition to democracy together (out of which came her book Black Taxi). Our friendship continued when we lived in Vancouver; later, we rendezvoused in Frankfurt and Zurich. Over the years, no matter the place, one thing has remained strong and true, and that is Kendall’s desire to authentically and honestly tell people’s stories, with care, intention and integrity. And she’s one hell of a fantastic role model to her children, to boot. I hope that you’ll get to know Kendall a little bit here, then stay in touch on Twitter and Facebook to join her on her future journeys.

***

My umbrella sits on my head like a rice hat while I use both hands to hold and focus my camera. The August monsoon rain is smearing street life in front of me with an irresistible effect.Continue Reading

Mental Health: Nova Scotia’s Gr.9 Curriculum

By 18 Comments

School has started again and so I’m starting to work on my presentation for high school students that I originally talked about here. Thanks to a U.K. group called the Youth Mental Health Network, I stumbled across a story about a new mental health curriculum that is being rolled out for ninth graders across the province of Nova Scotia, Canada. Awesome stuff. The link for it is found here at Teen Mental Health.Continue Reading

Don’t Be a Walt Wawra

By 24 Comments

A casual letter to the editor caused a controversial social media stir on both sides of the border earlier this month when a police officer from Kalamazoo, Michigan wrote in to the Calgary Herald after his visit to the low-crime city. Walt Wawra complained he felt vulnerable when two men walked up to him and his wife in Nose Hill Park and said, in a very aggressive tone, according to Wawra, “Been to the Stampede yet?”

And then they said it again.Continue Reading

“Giving is Living” for The Bloody Munchkin

By 8 Comments

Blood Donor, Cushing Memorial Library Archives, Texas A&M

It’s really quite amazing how good it makes you feel to give. I’m guest posting today over at Tylia Gardner’s blog, The Bloody Munchkin, and the giving theme is inspired by the work she’s been doing to raise awareness about George Mark Children’s House. Located in the San Francisco Bay area, it specializes in pediatric palliative care, and it’s a place with a close connection for Tylia. I invite you to hop on over, have a read, and hopefully be inspired to take action. There are a hundred grillion ways to give, and two hundred grillion worthy recipients, so go ahead and fill yer boots. And why not take this opportunity to leave a comment with a shout-out to your favorite non-profit organization? Give them the props they deserve. Thanks, gang!

 

Is Your Foreign Policy Bilateral or Multilateral? Guest Post for Reading the World

By 6 Comments

Time for some traveling! I’m hanging out with a kindred spirit today, Sarah Bowdidge. She has created a new blog called Reading the World with a mission that is near and dear to my heart. In her words, “My personal goal is to get people thinking (or rethink) their beliefs and to promote a greater sense of world citizenship. Too many people are stuck in the box of nationhood and forget they are first and foremost a citizen of earth.” Hallelujah, sister!

Hubby chews the fat with Kishna

I invite you to read my post about busting past the ‘government view’ of the world to get down and dirty with real people. You know, like, talking. Also, check out Sarah’s book reviews (she even did a fabulous review of Tro-tros and Potholes that made me want to weep) and just give this great new voice in the blogging world some love in general.

 

First, accept hugs from me. Next step, click here: http://www.sarahreadstheworld.com/guest-post-laura-zera/

Not My First Rodeo: Molly Greene Talks Real Estate

By 25 Comments

One of my favorite storytellers is here today. Molly Greene is a woman with a load of chutzpah and the consistent ability to keep me amused and keep the Crayolas out of my ears. We often bounce ideas, vent, and discuss foibles and follies, and when you need a cheerleader, Molly is right there. Today she’s sharing about a simpler—albeit less comfortable—time in her life and the wisdom that came from it. Thanks to Molly for being my guest, and I hope you all enjoy! Don’t forget to check out her new book, Mark of the Loon, which was released this month.

***

I was a baby when I got married at 22 (and yes, if I had it to do over again, I would try to talk myself out of it). My husband was my best friend, and I assumed we would be a couple forever. Not so. But we had some outrageous adventures during the ten years we were together. We traveled, we (I) dreamed about our future, we bought and sold property. We had a few successes, and we definitely crashed and burned more than once.Continue Reading

The Fundamental Flaw of Bootstrapping

By 17 Comments

Buckle up, here comes my Canadian perspective again…

I miss these.

I’ve noticed a couple of things since moving to the United States eight years ago: there’s a strange absence of mail collection boxes on street corners and other handy places (I no like having to drive to a post office in order to mail a letter) and a surprising lack of use of the one dollar coin. I was here for years before I even knew there was a one dollar coin. (And if you guys tell me there is a two dollar coin, I am going to be flabbergasted.)

Okay, I’ve noticed a few other things, too, especially now that I’ve been here through two—almost three—presidential elections and a nasty, ugly recession. One thing is that the American Dream really is a real thing! (I’m sorry, America, but in Canada, The Pursuit of Happiness is just a band with song titles like “Gretzky Rocks.”)Continue Reading

Getting Out of Poverty: Bootstrapping Around the Barriers

By 16 Comments

Several years ago, pre-recession, some married friends of mine decided to start their own business. The husband (I’ll call him Jay), a plumber, worked for someone else, and while he liked his job, his wages weren’t enough for his family of four to break out of a low-income bracket. Jay and his wife (we’ll call her Beyoncé, just to mess with the image in your head) went out on their own.Continue Reading