By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, March 12, 2010

This past month saw a blizzard both literally and figuratively in relation to weather and ideas! Check out what's been going on in Alaivani in the past month!

Thank you for spending time on Alaivani.com.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, February 12, 2010

Thank you to Srivalli, My Facebook Friends, Indians Abroad, and Indian Student Association (OASIS) at Rochester Institute of Technology for the inspiration on some of the posts this month!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, January 08, 2010

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Tuesday, January 05, 2010

Face-to-face, I share with you through a video thoughts and directions for 2010 and Alaivani.com.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, January 04, 2010

Vaikunta Perumal temple leaves images of wonder in our minds and hearts- and is part of Outdoor Magazine's photo contest. Click in to read more!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Thursday, December 31, 2009

This year, we have seen and experienced many things in America and India! Click inside to see some photos and videos of our travels.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, December 30, 2009

This year with a growing  list of 40 creative contributors; sharing their world and experience through words and photography, this post is dedicated to you! I appreciate the time and interest in my website- contributors and readers alike!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, December 11, 2009

In the spirit of the season, plenty of gifts of thanks for my friends and family included in this month's Alaivani newsletter!

I appreciate you spending time on my website.

 

Photo right: Krishna Kumar (Toronto, Cavalcade of Lights)

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, November 16, 2009

Want to follow me in different social networks from Facebook to Yahoo?

I updated my social networks list today. Check it out!  Thanks.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, November 13, 2009

Learning about cultural integration from different perspectives on my site and through intriguing discussions on Facebook have characterized the last one month. 

Click in to see what else was in store the last one month!

Thank you!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, October 09, 2009

Want to experience some of the sights and sounds of our 5,300 mile cross country road trip? Links to the videos and the video playlist is embedded with in!

Of course, as usual, links to the previous months Alaivani posts are also detailed within. Enjoy!

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, October 02, 2009

Cultures of Kenya, India, and self-development inspired me to click in and experience more from Africa Expat's Wives Club, Jonathan Morrow, Pavithra, Kamala and Maami.

Though quantity of posts to share has decreased, the quality has increased!! Thank you for sharing, bloggers!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Tuesday, September 15, 2009

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, September 04, 2009

This month, I have enjoyed reading culturally and spiritually inspiring posts by Aarathi, Mariellen @ Breathe Dream Go, Sharon Wilson @ Coaching from Spirit Challenge, DragonArtz, Jana @ Hijab Style, Abhilash @ Hindu Blog, Hindu Education Plus, Akshay @ I'd Rather Burn Out than Fade Away, Maddy, Cath @ Mine Your Resources, Pareltank, Brijesh @ Scaling New Heights, Leo @ Zen Habits.

Thank you for sharing your creativity with the world!

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, August 14, 2009

India, China, America- cross cultural lifestyles and cultural celebrations across the seas- a theme heard loud and clear in the last month on Alaivani from over 10 contributors!

I really appreciate each and every person who supports this blog! Thank you!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 10, 2009

Reflecting on everyday aspects of life in India and America to help ease transitions between life in America and India has been on my mind in the last one month.

Challenging your own life's borders by living away from 'home', creating a new home, and flawlessly moving between cultures, cities, countries and 'homes' intrigues me. This topic has inspired me to write on topics of cross-cultural significance: homesickness, childraising and independance, gift giving, socializing, kitchen etiquette, and related topics.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, June 12, 2009

Globetrotting to India and across New York in present time and in sweet memories is the theme of this month's newsletter.

This month, we visited unique and beautiful places in New York (Highland Park, Lilac Festival), Lockport Caves, Olcott Beach on Lake Ontario, Sonnenberg Gardens in Canandaigua and have come half way round the globe to be with family and friends in Kochi, Trivandrum, Chennai and Kanchipuram (South India). These stories, still and moving images span the last three years. Enjoy!

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Saturday, May 09, 2009

As spring blooms with excitement all over Rochester, New York, so does many projects and creative endeavors through Alaivani! Open up to find out more!

I appreciate you spending your time on Alaivani!

Photo right: Krishna Kumar

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Wednesday, April 22, 2009

I maintain a flickr photo blog. Some of the photos from that blog are displayed here in Alaivani blog as well.

I am moved to share the top 20 photos from my photo blog at flickr here.

 

Photo to right, photo by Ajoy, one of the most popular photos on my blog! Thank you, Ajoy.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, April 10, 2009

This month, join Viji, Padmini, Maddy, Raman and many others in the Alaivani community for some nice hot chenna masala and rotis while taking a peek at what's been going on in the world of Alaivani for the last one month!! Enjoy the company, enjoy the food!! Enjoy life!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Thursday, March 19, 2009

You are invited to join me, the guests of honor in this invitation and millions of others in celebrating Alaivani's 2nd birthday!

Some guests of honor include, my husband, Krishna, all of our family, A. Nagarajan, Ajoy, Africa Expat Wives Club, Arun, Baree BN Kartha, Cheryl Snell, George J Thaliath, Mithila and Rekha Aunty, Speakbindas.com,

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, March 13, 2009

Creating India inspired artwork at home integrates Indian culture into American life.

In the last month, I have created some youtube videos sharing on topics of cultural integration and authenticity. There are these videos plus much more in this month's Alaivani newsletter, open and explore!!

Photo by Krishna Kumar, used with permission.

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, February 13, 2009

Deeper meaning of Pongal, Ganesh and Thaipusam were few of the thoughts on my mind this month along with other activities of daily life. Hope the inspiration of reflection is helping you to achive all your dreams in 2009! Click into read and explore more!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, January 09, 2009

With a new year upon us, there are new opportunities waiting at every corner, lessons and options we can learn and implement to make our world interesting, fascinating and purposeful!! The last month has bought some changes into my life, as I hope with yours.

May 2009 bring you all the happiness, health, wealth and abundance you rightly deserve!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, December 29, 2008

Here are the top 20 articles of Alaivani between March 2007- December 2008. I am pleased to report that four of the 20 articles are contributed by guest bloggers! Thank you, guest bloggers (Arun, Ajoy, Baree and others) and all the readers over the years for helping this blog have such a pervading presence on the internet!!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, November 14, 2008

Sit down, sip some coffee, and catch up with the Alaivani community!

Meet Nagarajan, BN Kartha and Sudarshan, contributors to the Alaivani community. Also view my first podcast, keep up with the just passed Hindu holidays (Diwali), mine and my husband's fantastic photos (including Ende Keralam, the best of Krishna's Kerala shots), and vegetarian restaurants reviews and recipes.

Photo right: Krishna Kumar

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, October 10, 2008

 Ganesh Chathurthi, Onam, Navarathri...one left to go... Diwali!

How have we celebrated and enjoyed this year? What else have we been up to other than celebrating holidays?

Follow our outings through our photo galleries and flickr blogs. Click in to read more....

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Monday, October 06, 2008

What are all the things one must consider in preparing for Navarathri? Who is invited to Golu? What, if anything, is given to guests who visit golu? What kinds of things are required and how are they acquired? More specifically how do I prepare for this holiday?

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Relive an amazing experience- my first Navarathri. Not 'baby's first Navarathri' but 'adult's first Navarathri' at around age 21! Celebrate Navarathri with me back in 1999 Chennai. Happy Navarathri Friends!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, September 26, 2008

It has left me breathless that my site has received almost 2 Million hits since April 2007! It also boggles my mind that more than one article on the blog has received 75,000 hits each! I am humbled I can provide information others find useful! Thank you to all who visit my site once or frequently!!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, September 05, 2008

Hi Friends! Experience our summer with us- our travels to Pennsylvania Grand Canyon, biking trip to Pine Creek Rail trail, Montezuma Refuge in New York, Puerto Rican Parade in Rochester , RIT welcomes new students, and much much more!!!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, August 08, 2008

Running a bit late with this update. Lots been going on with me. Click inside to follow my stories...

Thanks for stopping by!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 11, 2008

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, June 13, 2008

After a pause of two months of follow ups, see what's in store from our travels to India, contributors discussing Tamil celebrations and temples, holistic healing through chakras, vegetarian recipes and more! Enjoy.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, April 11, 2008

Walk down memory lane with us as we reminisce our trip to Kerala, India in May 2007! Enjoy!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, February 08, 2008

 

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, December 21, 2007

In the last few weeks, readers may have noticed a few posts talking about Africa and Kenya. Today I will share some of my thoughts on this East African Country.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Saturday, November 17, 2007

View photos of holy sites in North India, with focus on Maharasthra including Shri Trimbekeshwar, Ganga River, Matheran and Saputara (Hill Stations), Famous Hindu temples in Orissa, Vinzai Devi and learn about Holi and see photos of how some North Indians celebrate the birth of Lord Krishna.

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, November 09, 2007

Topics in this first edition of Follow Up Fridays include: Alaivani Visitors | Editorial News | Thiruvathirakali: The Dance of Slow Gracefulness | Rethinking Renunciation | The Many Faces of Jesus | Wilderness Wisdom Wednesdays: Mongoose

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, September 14, 2007

Since July 28, 2007, an amazing 102,000 hits to the alaivani.com host has been tallied! Friends Nagarajan and Prabhakar share their thoughts, while the statistics speak for themselves!

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By Jennifer Kumar, LMSW, Cultural Adjustment Coach/Mentor on Friday, July 27, 2007

My 2007 India adventures are not yet fully published on this blog. My last post from the diary was on July 11, 2007. I have many more entries to write.

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