Those of you who have read this blog from the beginning will know that I have been praying for Jen who has relocated to Australia (Jen of the "stopovers" entry) and Braam. Braam's relocation wasn't to another country. He moved from Canary Wharf to another investment firm just outside London...but it might have been thousands of miles away for the cultural change he has experienced.
Abraham (or Braam to his friends) has moved from an American work culture to a British work culture, which has brought some insights to this South African. He is becoming quite a "work-culture translator." When you read my book, "Parents on the Move," (out this March 2010 from Destiny Image Europe) you will see what a vital resource it is to have a cultural translator on staff. This is not a language translator, but someone who is able to see cultural differences in the workplace and assist others with making a transition from one approach to another.
While Braam hasn't done a lot of work-culture switching, he seems to have found two main differences in the American investment company he recenly left, and his new job at a British investment company. " Neither is right or wrong," he hastens to add, "they are simply the cultural values that define the way a company works."
For example, in the American work culture that he experienced, he found a core value of respect for every employee regardless of where you are in the company. If someone had an idea, it was at least listened to, even if everyone wanted to help you refine that idea! In the British company where he is now working, the culture seems to value listening to employees with the most experience, qualifications or higher position on the corporate heirarchy. " They are shown the most respect," says Braam who is happy that he is one of those who is shown considerable respect.
The second major cultural difference between his American and British work-culture experiences is that in the American work culture he was given scope for doing things the way he would like to do them (as long as he met dealines and goals etc), but in the British work-culture he has been told that there is a tradition in the company for "how things are done."
"I'm quite happy, but it's good to know which work culture works for you, before you accept a new job!" says Braam.
Some one else who is starting something new is Maryanne ...check out her blog and nourish your spirit with some lovely art. http://paintdance.blogspot.com/
Tuesday 23 February 2010
Monday 15 February 2010
Pancake Tuesday
At the moment, the British grocery stores are promoting all the ingredients for English pancakes*, so being a Level Four (read "Parents on the Move!" to find your level), I have to make it complicated.
We have invited our Dutch friend, Rosalinde, for one of our favourite (because we like to eat) English traditions, Pancake Tuesday; and will start with German pancakes (my mother in law's recipe-the German first course for this tradition is with bacon) and finish with Dutch pancakes and French crepes. All cooked in an English kitchen (measurments, layout etc) and eaten by an American, an Englishman and our lovely Dutch friend. My kind of evening!
Pancake Tuesday is the night before Ash Wednesday, and it is the start of Lent. The last night for great carbs until Easter, at least for me. We fast for the day on Wednesday after the morning worship service in our local church. From Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday many Christians around the world sacrifice such things as chocolate or wine, or maybe some habit for a season. We sacrfice these things, in the hope that through giving up something we truely enjoy we will gain understanding of the concept of sacrifice.
But Lent isn't just about giving up things. It's also a time to reflect on some issues in these challenging times. Let's remember that not everyone has the freedom to worship at a local church, or wear Ash Wednesday ashes on their foreheads which lets others know they have a commited faith. Let me encourage you to seriously consider joining me in Praying for The Persecuted Church in Lent. There is an excellent booklet that can help guide your prayers and it is produced by the Barnabas Fund. Find more information at http://www.barnabasfund.org/
I pray you have a thoughtful and reflective Lent, as we prepare to remember the sacrifice Jesus made so that we may have life, and life to the full.
*not just English pancakes, but Scottish and a whole aray of microwavable!
We have invited our Dutch friend, Rosalinde, for one of our favourite (because we like to eat) English traditions, Pancake Tuesday; and will start with German pancakes (my mother in law's recipe-the German first course for this tradition is with bacon) and finish with Dutch pancakes and French crepes. All cooked in an English kitchen (measurments, layout etc) and eaten by an American, an Englishman and our lovely Dutch friend. My kind of evening!
Pancake Tuesday is the night before Ash Wednesday, and it is the start of Lent. The last night for great carbs until Easter, at least for me. We fast for the day on Wednesday after the morning worship service in our local church. From Ash Wednesday until Easter Sunday many Christians around the world sacrifice such things as chocolate or wine, or maybe some habit for a season. We sacrfice these things, in the hope that through giving up something we truely enjoy we will gain understanding of the concept of sacrifice.
But Lent isn't just about giving up things. It's also a time to reflect on some issues in these challenging times. Let's remember that not everyone has the freedom to worship at a local church, or wear Ash Wednesday ashes on their foreheads which lets others know they have a commited faith. Let me encourage you to seriously consider joining me in Praying for The Persecuted Church in Lent. There is an excellent booklet that can help guide your prayers and it is produced by the Barnabas Fund. Find more information at http://www.barnabasfund.org/
I pray you have a thoughtful and reflective Lent, as we prepare to remember the sacrifice Jesus made so that we may have life, and life to the full.
*not just English pancakes, but Scottish and a whole aray of microwavable!
Monday 8 February 2010
Stop Overs
You may recall I have been praying for Jen, the lovely young woman relocating to Australia. She skyped the other night/day when she stopped over in Kuala Lumpur. I thought her remarks on the advantages of "stop overs" was worth noting here, especially for Experience Levels One and Two. See her notes below and then order the book "Parents on the Move!" to check out your Level of Relocation vs Experience Level!
“Doing a stopover” by Jen:
"It had been a while since I did a stopover and I decided to make this particular one longer than the previous because I was flying to Australia and would have had to change planes anyhow. My stopover was in Kuala Lumpur - around 25 hours, not including the journey to and from the airport...
Overall, I would say it was a positive experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is flying far and has the option of stopping in a new location for a night. Firstly, a stopover gives one the opportunity to get a taste of another city without having to commit yourself to one or two weeks- if you do not like the place, there are no regrets because you are only there for a night and if you do like what you see, you can always come back to explore further another time.
Secondly, long-haul flights can be exhausting and as we know, not good for our health so a stopover which includes a night in a hotel is a perfect way to un-wind, rest and break up your journey.
Finally, it also helps to deal with jet lag as it gives you an extra day to re-adjust and catch up with your new time zone, thus avoiding the unnecessary shock to your system when you arrive at your final destination."
It was great to literally see Jen in Kuala Lumpur on the webcam...I am not always a fan of using the camera when talking on skype but it was good to see her looking so well after such a long flight.
Just a note to say I have taken off the "comments" section of this blog as I understand you can only comment if you have a google account. Most of the comments I have received so far have come from email anway. Please do checkout the website http://www.parentsonthemove.com/ for contact details.
“Doing a stopover” by Jen:
"It had been a while since I did a stopover and I decided to make this particular one longer than the previous because I was flying to Australia and would have had to change planes anyhow. My stopover was in Kuala Lumpur - around 25 hours, not including the journey to and from the airport...
Overall, I would say it was a positive experience and I would recommend it to anyone who is flying far and has the option of stopping in a new location for a night. Firstly, a stopover gives one the opportunity to get a taste of another city without having to commit yourself to one or two weeks- if you do not like the place, there are no regrets because you are only there for a night and if you do like what you see, you can always come back to explore further another time.
Secondly, long-haul flights can be exhausting and as we know, not good for our health so a stopover which includes a night in a hotel is a perfect way to un-wind, rest and break up your journey.
Finally, it also helps to deal with jet lag as it gives you an extra day to re-adjust and catch up with your new time zone, thus avoiding the unnecessary shock to your system when you arrive at your final destination."
It was great to literally see Jen in Kuala Lumpur on the webcam...I am not always a fan of using the camera when talking on skype but it was good to see her looking so well after such a long flight.
Just a note to say I have taken off the "comments" section of this blog as I understand you can only comment if you have a google account. Most of the comments I have received so far have come from email anway. Please do checkout the website http://www.parentsonthemove.com/ for contact details.
Tuesday 2 February 2010
British Military Wives
This past Saturday I attended a wonderful one day women's conference in Aldershot, a home of the British military. To begin with there was a great welcome, which is always a good start. Most of the attendees were from the base, but there were others like me who had heard about this conference from their local church. I came with two friends, and we had a day to remember!
The speaker was from St Aldate's in Oxford ( http://www.staldates.org.uk/) and she travels all over the world with her ministry "Heartscry!" ( http://www.heartcry.co.uk/) She's a Vicar's wife, but don't think of afternoon garden tea parties when you think of Rachel. Think of challenging you to being a watchman/watchwoman for the nation! Let me explain.
Rachel held up a glass with water. "What happens when an opera singer goes for the high notes?"
The glass breaks. Sound makes a vibration.
It was with sounds put together in a word, that God breathed out the word and created the world.
Then...Rachel asked these military wives, "what happens when your husbands are marching and go over a bridge?"
My friends and I hadn't a clue,but the hall errupted with women saying, "they break step!"
What's that about?
Well, it seems that the vibrations of marching could bring down the bridge unless they broke the pattern of being in-step. NOW, think of the walls of Jerricho. Men marching in step, round and round the walls seven times.
Rachel then asked us, "what sound are you making?"
She said that from the beginning of time God designed us, and made us to be here for such a time as this. (yes, think Ester) Are we being called to be "watch women?" Is there something happening in our world with which we are "not best pleased?" Are we meant to make a difference? What is it we want to say? What sound are we making and sending out in the world? Are we saying, "Not on my watch!" to something we feel strongly about?
I pray that you make a sound or two today. What is your sound? If we are in agreement about the sounds we send out and "keep in step" a wall or two just might come down.
The speaker was from St Aldate's in Oxford ( http://www.staldates.org.uk/) and she travels all over the world with her ministry "Heartscry!" ( http://www.heartcry.co.uk/) She's a Vicar's wife, but don't think of afternoon garden tea parties when you think of Rachel. Think of challenging you to being a watchman/watchwoman for the nation! Let me explain.
Rachel held up a glass with water. "What happens when an opera singer goes for the high notes?"
The glass breaks. Sound makes a vibration.
It was with sounds put together in a word, that God breathed out the word and created the world.
Then...Rachel asked these military wives, "what happens when your husbands are marching and go over a bridge?"
My friends and I hadn't a clue,but the hall errupted with women saying, "they break step!"
What's that about?
Well, it seems that the vibrations of marching could bring down the bridge unless they broke the pattern of being in-step. NOW, think of the walls of Jerricho. Men marching in step, round and round the walls seven times.
Rachel then asked us, "what sound are you making?"
She said that from the beginning of time God designed us, and made us to be here for such a time as this. (yes, think Ester) Are we being called to be "watch women?" Is there something happening in our world with which we are "not best pleased?" Are we meant to make a difference? What is it we want to say? What sound are we making and sending out in the world? Are we saying, "Not on my watch!" to something we feel strongly about?
I pray that you make a sound or two today. What is your sound? If we are in agreement about the sounds we send out and "keep in step" a wall or two just might come down.
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