Practice Makes Perfect

Yesterday I had the opportunity to teach the Snow kids on friendship using the learning task methods of Jane Vella. Reckoning will incorporate this style of teaching into our workshops and art interventions this fall so it was mutually beneficial to have this opportunity – the kids got to learn about something they wanted to know about and I also had the opportunity to learn and practice.

Being the first to teach of the Reckoning Clan during the kids summer break, I knew it would be a challenge to engage the kids who I am sure were thinking of a million things they would rather be doing – like sleeping or being outside on the first sunny day in weeks – so it was a rocky start. As we mover through the exercises, the kids became more engaged and lights started to go on as the information started to connect with their personal lives. I have to say it was a lot of fun to watch that happen and I am looking forward to teaching part two.

The kids will also have classes in cooking, sewing, clothes redesign, tie-dying, which will be taught by Ali and Shawna. I will also teach a class on finding God in unusual places. Hopefully this will allow the kids to have an interesting and fulfilling summer and the Reckoning girls will have the opportunity to hone their skills in preparation for the fall.

Visitors

For the first time in my years of living overseas I am starting to get visitors who come to hang out with me and see where I live. It has been really wonderful to hear from so many of you who are willing to make the trek to see this beautiful continent and lovely city.

I cannot tell you how much it lifts my spirits to see good friends and be encouraged. Even though I am not fully settled, it is nice to know that people want to come take a look at how I getting along out here. The conversations and hugs have made my summer. Thanks you so much for coming! I hope more of you can make it here too! Looking forward to see those who are coming in the fall.



The Parks family came from Grass Valley, CA after spending time in Morocco.














Hilde flew from South Africa to London where we met and spent lovely days taking pictures.














Jean-Marie (from Santa Rosa, CA) and Susan (from Afghanistan) were in the country for trainings and came to spend the day in Amsterdam.

4 Days

This weekend Embellish, one of Reckoning’s companies, participated in the Atelier Celebration in Amsterdam. Atelier is the Open Studios Tour in Amsterdam's Jordaan Area which started in 1988 as a small-scale initiative of fifteen artists working in this picturesque old neighborhood, it has, over the years, grown into a phenomenon that draws many visitors and has become internationally known.

The Open Studios attract thousands of visitors to the Jordaan’s artist community. This year there is art in abundance - to see, to buy, and to discuss with the artist. It is an ideal way for galleries to scout for new talent. Ali was able to make some major contacts for Embellish and Reckoning and it gave us a chance to meet new neighbors in the Jordaan.

Yesterday we participated in the Serve the City Amsterdam’s kid’s party in Bos en Lommer. Bos en Lommer is a section of Amsterdam with over 30,000 residents living in 2.71 km area (about 1.6 miles) representing over 178 cultural backgrounds. Many of the recent residents are new immigrants who are separate from much of Dutch culture. They are often marginalized socially, culturally and economically in their adopted country and the children are trying to cope within this reality without the necessary skills to navigate through such obstacles.I had fun playing with the kids, serving water to parents and making pannenkoeken, a tasty dessert, for the children.

There was one 18-month-old girl in particular I noticed when I first arrived. She was of Middle Eastern descent and at the park with her grand parents and she never smiled, not once, while she was walking around the playground. Her distraught grandparents tried to get her to play on the swings, slides and seesaw, but she wandered around resisting everyone and everything. Then the face-painting area set up and she was one of the first children to participate. She sat in complete stoicism as the girls touched her face and began to paint. What broke the dam was when she looked in the mirror and saw her little face a smile finally erupted and she giggled and clapped her hands! It was like watching a new child emerge from with in her. For the rest of the afternoon she was running and playing and engaging with others. It warmed my heart to see how something so simple and creative could have such a profound change in a child.

By using art as a platform to facilitate transformation, Reckoning hopes to address some of the essential issues, which shape a child’s personal identity and their place in the world.

Today we are headed to Bos en Lommer for meetings with Podium Mozaïek to discuss a proposal to hold a Reckoning Event and offer workshops in the Bos en Lommer area. We have such a desire to connect and become part of this community and we believe that there are incredible opportunities that lie ahead for everyone involved, but most especially the children of Bos en Lommer.

Cruising In My Hood

One of the benefits of being in such a wonderful city is that you can always find something new. Most days I take time to familiarize myself with the neighborhood as I take walks to help me battle some serious jet lag (yes it is still hitting me). Here are some of my encounters…

First let me start of with where I am staying...This is the outside of the flat where I stay: The open window is my room!



And here’s the street we are on.



The fresh fruit at the markets are amazing and I have a wonderful store right on the corner. Look at the size of these blueberries. Mouthwatering goodness.




My arrival could not have been timed more perfectly. The sun is out and everyone is eager to be outside as much as possible. At the Saraphatipark near our flat people gather after work to bbq, relax and unwind.





Those who are lucky enough to own a boat take their happy hour on board. Hey who wouldn’t want to tan while you sail?



I will not bombard you pictures of all the amazing architecture, cute shops or the Heineken Brewery that litter the area, you will have to wait until I create an album or you will have to come see it for your self.

Cheers!