More things that fill my moments and days.

Family. Travel. Writing. Coffee. Words. Joy. Working.

So, this is my Cultural Collage for Intercultural Communication.

I have included in this collage many things that represent my culture, and I believe give an accurate representation of my values!

Going counter-clockwise from the top left, we first see a donkey. This photo was taken in Texas, the state that I was born and raised in, so it clearly is owed some credit for all it has done to shape me. I lived in Texas until 6th grade and learned much about family values, good Mexican food and BBQ, and how to love the outdoors. The donkey is also significant in itself because donkeys have a very unique story. When Jesus was in his mother, Mary's tummy, it was a donkey that Mary rode on that lulled baby Jesus in er belly until the time was right for Him to arrive. It has since been noticed that on the back of the donkey is across. Stretching down it's spine and with arms open wide accross it's back, a cross lies there, representing the fate of the Humble King that was carried on a donkeys back before it was yet born. This is significant to me because this Jesus, this Messiah and King, is someOne that I know very well and continue to pursue, if you read even an ounce of the New Testament and get to know the Jesus of the Gospels, I assure you, you will want to get to know Him, too.

Next is a picture that I drew while in California with my family this summer. Family, as represented in the top two photos, and art represented in the background and in this little image are two things that have been part of my culture growing up. As soon as I was old enough to pick up a pencil, I did, and seldom did I ever put it down. Drawing, doodling and writing have been a huge part of my life within relationships and within myself. I write to express, and I write to share. The envelope near the bottom right corner of the image and across from the image of my drawing is an envelope that houses a card my mother gave me before I left for a month and a half this summer to tutor out of the country. I write my closest friend who lives in Washington to stay in touch between our busy work and school schedules. Words are life-giving and life-changing, and I love to share them through writing, or creating them in typography.

Underneath the drawing and image of the envelope are images of food. Food was and is a huge part of my family and the culture I grew up in. Because both of my parents heritage are mixed, we don't have one root of origin to link ourselves to, but we have learned to love making and eating food together. The first image is a dish I made myself, I was home alone working on homework, keeping myself from procrastinating, as hard-work is something my father bread into my family values. The second image is of Mexican food. When my mother and I took a roadtrip this summer, we made a stop at a different Mexican food restaurant in every city we stopped in. Although we have no ties to the hispanic culture, we all love Mexican food and I especially love everything about their culture. Food has always brought me and the people closest to me together, and this is a value my family culture has taught me growing up.

The top right images are of my mother and brother. The image of my brother includes a cup of coffee, another item shared at the table with others that has brought me to enjoy fellowship with family and friends. Starting with my dads love for espresso, almost all of us have acquired a great love for coffee, espresso and tea, such a quality craft and source of enjoyment :).
As you have probably gathered, I am very close to my family and they have shaped so much of who I am. I have 3 brothers, 1 sister, both parents and a dog, and we have learned to never give up on each other, or ourselves and to always stay true to who we are, even in our stubbornness and craziness! I have learned to always be thankful for them, in times of abundance or need, in frustration or ease, they are always a gift I will uphold as important.
This leads me to the last image, the background. This is a card I stamped for my fathers birthday. I gave it to him with the almond biscottis that I baked for him (his favorite cookie with coffee), and it combines the important of handmade things and all that I have said about my family in one. I will make a choice to love and cherish them no matter the circumstances and be grateful that we have each other in the sunshine or the storm.

Thank you for reading, and I hope my collage has accurately informed you of my love for food, family, art, coffee and choosing joy in Christ above all circumstances!
Ciao!