TCK Spotlight on Julie of Jewels Wandering

Julie of Jewels Wandering is a Brazilian Third Culture Kid turned expat and has been blogging through her blog Jewels Wandering of her travel tales. 

1. What is your name? I'm Julie.

2. Where were you born? Brasília, DF Brazil

3. What is your heritage? I am fourth generation Japanese Brazilian

4. Where have you lived and how long at each place?

I have lived in Brasilia off and on for a total of 4 years, Rio de Janeiro for 2 years, New York off and on for 10 years, London for 5.5 years, San Francisco for 3, Brussels for 2.5 years, New Hampshire for 2, Tokyo for 2 and Washington DC for 1. Not in that order! I've now been in Singapore for just over 5 years. 

5. What is your definition of "home" and how is it different from those around you?

Home is wherever my parents happen to be living, after all, home is where the heart is. Maybe this will change if I ever get married and start a family of my own, but for now, home is wherever my parents are.

6. Where do you consider "home" and why?

My parents have been based out of NYC for the past 12 years and where I have been going to visit them in the past 11. NYC definitely has the connotation of home for me because I also lived there for 8 years before moving to London. 

7. Do you have interests in the following: foreign languages, international relations, travelling, international politics, different cultures of the world, etc...  Yes/No 

If so, do you think your background has helped you develop these interests?

Most definitely YES! Having grown up in different cultures, you invariably end up learning about the political climate of the country and one with which you end up keeping up with, for the most part. And with the different cultures, I am a mish mash of the different cultures from the different countries I grew up in to the point I'm not even sure where it all begins. As for traveling, it's the best thing on earth! I've carried on living the expat lifestyle so I can learn more about different cultures and travel the region where I'm based.

8. What are your thoughts on globalization? Current political situation?

I think globalization is a double edged sword. In one aspect, I think it's great that we are more exposed to different cultures, products, etc but the flip side of that is that everything is being watered down and homogeneous. What was once something different and new and exciting is no longer unique. I could go on and on about the pros and cons of globalization but let's leave it at that! 

Let's not even get started on the current political situation.. I prefer to read animal stories now instead of real news.... 

9. How are your thoughts on world affairs different from those around you?

For the most part, my peers and I are on the same page. But then again, you naturally tend to gravitate towards people with similar views. So while I may not surround myself with friends with opposing views, I do try to read blogs and news from those who don't see the world in the same way as I do. 

10. Do you plan on incorporating a large amount of travel with your career?

My career is not super portable, though it has allowed me to work in different countries - NYC, London and now Singapore. And because of that paycheck, I have been blessed with the opportunity to travel. So does that count? 

Jewels Wandering www.jewelswandering.com or find her on Instagram @jewels_wandering Twitter @jewelswandering or Facebook Jewels Wandering. 
All the pictures in this post were provided by Julie of Jewels Wandering. (c) All rights reserved

Thank you Julie for sharing your story!! If you would like to be featured on this series please drop me an email at ahdancecompany@gmail.com

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My interview with Paulette Bethel for Lost in Translation series

I recently was interviewed by Paulette Bethel about being a TCK & Chameleon. Here's the recording of the live telecast: http://instantteleseminar.com/?eventid=48995067

The audio interview is about an hour long.

Paulette's Lost in Translation series is amazing, she's interviewed so many guest experts in the Third Culture Kid, Expat, Relocation world. Ruth Van Reken, Tina Quick, Kilian Kröll, Myra Dumapias, Rahul Gandotra, Jo Parfitt, Eva Lazlo-Herbert, and more! It was such an honor to be asked to be interviewed for this series. Reminded me how much of an impact I've made already among the TCKs, Expats, Cross-Cultural coaches and experts, Educators, etc. with the work I've done so far with the Chameleon project and even the TCKs I meet around the world. Its quite humbling and a reminder that I still have a lot of work left to do using dance/movement to tell the stories, memories, and experiences of TCKs.

TCK Problems: 10 reasons why being part of the majority is uncomfortable

I don't know about you but I've briefly touched about this topic before in my previous posts this past year. I've kept it to myself for the most part but I can't hold it in any longer because I know that there are TCKs who know this exact feeling.

I am uncomfortable being part of a majority group of people.

1) I don't like being stereotyped into a majority lump.

2) I don't really fit "in" the majority.

3) I like feeling unique and standing out.

4) Assuming I know certain languages, rules, customs, local pop culture, local vernacular.

5) Being lectured to.

6) Made a MOCKERY of when I break their preconceived notions.

7) Being put down. No, I don't take negative criticism well. I usually shut it out - but if its being shoved down everyday ALL THE TIME, I'll resent you.

8) On a good day, I'll mess with your head and try to confuse you because of reasons 1-7. Its entertainment to me. :-)

9) I'll ignore you if you insist on assuming I know what you're talking about. And I'll do it VERY DELIBERATELY.

10) Not having to explain everything 3-4 times while you stare blankly at me resulting in me getting extremely frustrated at you.


There you have it. My very obnoxious list of reasons.
I apologize for the rant but I can't hold it in any longer. #tckproblems

This is also mostly, I like discovering the unknown. 

Alaine Handa will be presenting at Families in Global Transitions Conference March 17-19

I will be presenting two topics at the Families in Global Transitions Conference held in Washington DC this year on March 17-19, 2011.

Check out the list of presenters: http://www.figt.org/Default.aspx?pageId=904056

Kitchen Table Conversations I

Building a TCK Community Through the Arts
Alaine Handa

I spent the past year developing and showcasing my multi-disciplinary arts project, Chameleon. Every person involved in the project is either a TCK or CCK. The support from the TCK community has been wonderful. In this table conversation, I want to show you short video clips of the responses from our community-based activities. The TCK community can be united outside of the School-Church-University club setting, even with our busy lives.

Kitchen Table Conversations Alternatives 2

Unleashing Your Creative Potential Through the Arts
Alaine Handa

Do you get a “block” trying to write your article/book, choreograph a dance, paint a picture, design an outfit, etc.? In this session, mini-activities using movement, character writing, art therapy, and free-write will be introduced, to help you unlock creative potential that can become material for your work. TCKs are rich with unconscious thoughts that may or may not have been repressed. By unleashing these vulnerable thoughts, we let go of what we have kept “locked” inside and can use it as material to move on with our mobile lives.

Little Broadway in the Netherlands

I was browsing through the Expat Women website and stumbled upon an interview of Tiffany Jansen. An American expat who moved to the Netherlands after she married a Dutchman. She recently launched her successful venture Little Broadway as a way to combine her talents of musical theatre - acting, singing, dancing - with her love of writing and teaching children. Upon reading her profile, I am finding so many similarities between myself and Ms Jansen. I wanted to highlight how amazing that she has found her niche in the Netherlands when she found very little opportunities when she first moved there. By creating her own company of bringing original musicals (she writes the scripts herself!) to the international schools for an after school activity program; she is able to teach, direct, and produce musicals in such a short period of time! As an after school dance educator myself, it is no easy feat to even get kids to stay focused on learning a dance routine for their end of year performance! (Tiffany if you're reading this - Congratulations and hope to hear from you soon!)

"I am a TCK" (2005)

This is a mash-up of the project I did as a senior at UCLA's Department of World Arts & Cultures. This project premiered at the Electric Lodge in Venice, CA in May 2005.

The interviews/documentary film, and the dance pieces are being recreated and explored more in depth currently.

My hope is that this current project will bring the cross cultural, multi cultural, third culture kids, cross culture kids, global nomads, bi-cultural, internationally-minded, expatriates, recent immigrants, families, travellers, sojourners, wanderers all together. Its a big dream but I think we can do it.

- Alaine