As you know I like to write about Ethiopia and humanitarian giving. Every now and then I like to write about an interesting fact on Ethiopia or Ethiopians. I also like to do Guest Posts. Hopefully we will have some more for you. But my favorite is Post Presentations.
For the month of December, Our Trip to Ethiopia will be focusing on other organizations making a difference in helping others. I will be researching and doing real time interviews asking the questions you want to know about these organizations.
Next year I hope to present the the non-profits we are targeting for giving contributions. It will be special because we finally have our own non-profit which I will announce, so I am so excited. Of course it will start off small and in a few years really grow to meet the needs. Thanks for your support.
Tuesday, November 30, 2010
Tuesday, November 23, 2010
The Famous Abduction
I love the science of Astronomy and have always been interested in time travel, worm holes far off galaxies and one day working for NASA. I also knew about the famous stories of witnesses who saw flying saucers and claimed to be alien abductees. One such famous story which captured our full attention and went down in history as the leading account of the 1961 Alien Abduction was the case of Betty and Barney Hill.
They were an interracial couple which back then was very rare. Their story became national and I remember seeing a movie based on their alien encounter. It was a total sci-fi, but what came out of it was their duplicate description of the account and the infamous "Star Map" (a written recollection of Ms. Hill's communication with the aliens) that became a huge phenomenon, for it showed stars or what soon became known as planets in our solar system, that was not yet discovered until decades later.
Betty died in 2004 and remained true to her story as did her husband Barney who died earlier in 1969; just a few short years after his foreign encounter. Betty was a Caucasian American and Barney was of Ethiopian birth. Click below to view one of the many online articles about this interesting couple.
They were an interracial couple which back then was very rare. Their story became national and I remember seeing a movie based on their alien encounter. It was a total sci-fi, but what came out of it was their duplicate description of the account and the infamous "Star Map" (a written recollection of Ms. Hill's communication with the aliens) that became a huge phenomenon, for it showed stars or what soon became known as planets in our solar system, that was not yet discovered until decades later.
Betty died in 2004 and remained true to her story as did her husband Barney who died earlier in 1969; just a few short years after his foreign encounter. Betty was a Caucasian American and Barney was of Ethiopian birth. Click below to view one of the many online articles about this interesting couple.
Tuesday, November 16, 2010
Live Your Purpose
I am always amazed at how different we all are yet so much alike. To think we were made in similar form but each with our own strengths and weaknesses. One person is fluid in water while the other can take a crowd by storm. Another has a voice of angels yet another mathematical brilliance. Another has the art of a paint brush while another creates splendid garments. I marvel at tech savvy individuals and neurochemists. All talented in their own right. This talent is weaved into our purpose in life for why we are more advanced than others in our expertise and we can't really explain it.
I always find it ironic that we can see every part of our body except our own face. Everyone else can see our face except us. We need the use of a mirror. Everyone else may be able to see how dynamic you are with your given talent but you have to see yourself with your capabilities or else it is useless. What do you use your talent for? What is the ultimate use of your talent? Does it benefit others and if so does it reach those who are in need of your talent? The greatest use and biggest impact of your gift would be to the greatest in need. You know what is even more ironic some of us have two or more great talents. Don't stifle them. Let them flow, fluidly with freedom to touch the lives of others. That is what you were made for.
If you don't think you have talent. Go and have fun discovering what you are good at. Ask others. They will tell you. Then incorporate or associate it to other strengths, asking what good can you do with the information. If you know what your talent is and don't know how to use it, make a calendar with events on how you can express your gift. Start with what makes you feel comfortable but be sure to put something challenging and exciting on the days ahead. Beware, that once you start, it becomes addicting. And once you stop you may feel under the weather. As a singer who doesn't sing will tell you, they are miserable if they do not sing. So go out there and do what you do best. "Live your purpose".
I always find it ironic that we can see every part of our body except our own face. Everyone else can see our face except us. We need the use of a mirror. Everyone else may be able to see how dynamic you are with your given talent but you have to see yourself with your capabilities or else it is useless. What do you use your talent for? What is the ultimate use of your talent? Does it benefit others and if so does it reach those who are in need of your talent? The greatest use and biggest impact of your gift would be to the greatest in need. You know what is even more ironic some of us have two or more great talents. Don't stifle them. Let them flow, fluidly with freedom to touch the lives of others. That is what you were made for.
If you don't think you have talent. Go and have fun discovering what you are good at. Ask others. They will tell you. Then incorporate or associate it to other strengths, asking what good can you do with the information. If you know what your talent is and don't know how to use it, make a calendar with events on how you can express your gift. Start with what makes you feel comfortable but be sure to put something challenging and exciting on the days ahead. Beware, that once you start, it becomes addicting. And once you stop you may feel under the weather. As a singer who doesn't sing will tell you, they are miserable if they do not sing. So go out there and do what you do best. "Live your purpose".
Ephesians 2:10
"For we are God's Handiwork, created in Christ Jesus
to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
to do good works,
which God prepared in advance for us to do."
Wednesday, November 10, 2010
Bitter Sweet Marathon News
"He's still the best" they say. According to the New York Times online blog called On the run. Sources say Haile Gebrselassie will retire. He is Ethiopia and World Olympic Champion runner who has set 27 world records. During the New York Marathon Race on Monday, November 8, 2010, Gebrselassie chose to end the race. Due to an injured knee and stating "things didn't work out", he voiced his retirement from running. Fans are hopeful he will return. You may see the article link here.
There he is the winner of New York City Marathon 2010,
Gebre Gebermariam. Below you can see him as runner #7.
A New Ethiopian Champion has emerged with many others who placed in the race.You can see more about our new winner as EthioSports does a great featured presentation with other news on Ethiopian sports coverage. You can see the coverage here.
Friday, November 5, 2010
Thank You.
Thank you for visiting our anniversary celebration yesterday. It was great Hosting. You can see the beginning of the celebration by clicking on "older posts". (There are two other pages). Can't wait to see all the successes next year will bring.
Best,
Petrina
Best,
Petrina
Thursday, November 4, 2010
We have come to the end of our celebration! It has been great hosting Our Trip to Ethiopia's 1 year anniversary. Thanks for all your support. We look forward to another year of progress. There will be one more Guest Post and end with our finale. I now leave you with music from one of the greatest Ethiopian singers of all time-Mahmoud Ahmed.
These are the Foundations we project helping in 2011. Two are the same. We added another organization and two centers in DC.
Wesmco, Ethiopia Reads, and The Fistula Foundation are our next projects in Addis Ababa, 2011. In the centers in DC, we started assisting in the tutoring program. We will be visiting the other center before the end of the year. You can see the previous post earlier today. Let me know if you know of some others that we could highlight.
Wesmco, Ethiopia Reads, and The Fistula Foundation are our next projects in Addis Ababa, 2011. In the centers in DC, we started assisting in the tutoring program. We will be visiting the other center before the end of the year. You can see the previous post earlier today. Let me know if you know of some others that we could highlight.
These are the most memorable blogs of the year for OTTE
(click and view)
(click and view)
1. Showcase: Tigist Selam
2. Words of Dawit
3. Ethiopian Joke
4. Enjoying the New Year
5. Photographer-Ethiopia
6. Liya Kebede-Super Model
7. Ethiopian Comedy
8. Adoption
9. Ethiopian Soccer Tournament
10. Father's Day Tribute
11. Ethiopians in White House
12. Poem-Beloved Ethiopia
13. Pictures in Ethiopia 1
14. rice
15. Carrie Underwood-Change
2. Words of Dawit
3. Ethiopian Joke
4. Enjoying the New Year
5. Photographer-Ethiopia
6. Liya Kebede-Super Model
7. Ethiopian Comedy
8. Adoption
9. Ethiopian Soccer Tournament
10. Father's Day Tribute
11. Ethiopians in White House
12. Poem-Beloved Ethiopia
13. Pictures in Ethiopia 1
14. rice
15. Carrie Underwood-Change
I so wish I was in Ethiopia during the concert featuring Beyonce'. I really like her. I found this clip on the web of her singing to the crowd. See how the crowed goes wild when Teddy Afro is played. You may even catch a few performers doing eskista. The original song, which I love, is below Beyonce's debut.
My Good News
There are a few programs out there that are doing a great job of helping the Ethiopia community when it comes to immigration and helping mothers and children. Most of them are not registered with their state. It is family and community coming together as this is the way we should help one another.
From my research there are no non-profit organizations in Virginia. which has a growing Ethiopian population second to District of Columbia. In DC there are only two non-profits that I know of that works with the fast growing needs of Ethiopians within the tri-state (DC, VA, MD). You can find them listed below.
Ethiopian Community Center
7603 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012
3608 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012
Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church
1350 Buchanan Street Northwest Washington D.C., DC 20011-4453
My good news is that I am in the process of starting a new non-profit. I wanted to announce it for the 1st Year Anniversary Post of "Our Trip To Ethiopia". It is now registered. My goal is to continue our work abroad and to partner with the centers here. The focus will be on Scholarships, Acculturation/Adjustment and Crisis Intervention. We have to get off the ground first, so to speak, and then the real work begins. Keep us in your prayers and again, thanks for your support.
There are a few programs out there that are doing a great job of helping the Ethiopia community when it comes to immigration and helping mothers and children. Most of them are not registered with their state. It is family and community coming together as this is the way we should help one another.
From my research there are no non-profit organizations in Virginia. which has a growing Ethiopian population second to District of Columbia. In DC there are only two non-profits that I know of that works with the fast growing needs of Ethiopians within the tri-state (DC, VA, MD). You can find them listed below.
Ethiopian Community Center
7603 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012
3608 Georgia Ave NW, Washington, DC 20012
Kidist Mariam Ethiopian Orthodox Church
1350 Buchanan Street Northwest Washington D.C., DC 20011-4453
My good news is that I am in the process of starting a new non-profit. I wanted to announce it for the 1st Year Anniversary Post of "Our Trip To Ethiopia". It is now registered. My goal is to continue our work abroad and to partner with the centers here. The focus will be on Scholarships, Acculturation/Adjustment and Crisis Intervention. We have to get off the ground first, so to speak, and then the real work begins. Keep us in your prayers and again, thanks for your support.
Keep up the good work Ethiopia. Continue to make strides and progress. Surprising everyone. As you are one of the greatest countries of Africa. Keep moving forward and when you get a chance to look back, you will find that you have come a long way, further than you ever thought possible. Many look to you as you have a great history, even more now, as you triumph into a great Future. Anbessa (Lion) is truly fitting.
Give Aways!!!
If you join OTTE, you will get a free gift!!!
You have until tonight at 11pm, when the celebration is over, to follow this site.
Just email us at mikeandpetrina@gmail.com, after you follow (on lower right hand side) and win.
Make sure to put in the subject line "OTTO new follower" Leave your address or PO box and your free gift will be sent to you.
*All information is confidential.
If you join OTTE, you will get a free gift!!!
You have until tonight at 11pm, when the celebration is over, to follow this site.
Just email us at mikeandpetrina@gmail.com, after you follow (on lower right hand side) and win.
Make sure to put in the subject line "OTTO new follower" Leave your address or PO box and your free gift will be sent to you.
*All information is confidential.
How did "Our Trip to Ethiopia" (OTTE) get started?Mike and I used to work for an Aid Organization in East Africa where we worked with an orphanage and many other projects. We would travel on furlow to Ethiopia whenever we had an opportunity. When we came back to the states we felt the need to continue giving. We started fundraising at work and when we traveled to Ethiopia, we would bring the private donations to the local centers and organizations who were helping mothers and children.
For our trip, I started documenting online. I have another blog on marriage and family, which just celebrated it's 1st year anniversary last week. You can see the 17 post celebration here. I figured if I could start a private blog on my family, I could start a public one on our philanthropic giving for others to join in, support, comment, connect with other blogs on travel (which I will highlight later) and highlight the culture which is the most important reason. With the help of my husband, who is Ethiopian (which I will tell you how we met, shortly), it would become a great online journal of just a small portion of work in Africa on a whole. I love that I get to write about Ethiopia. I will leave you for now but will continue the program in a few minutes. Thanks for your support!
Best,
Petrina, a.k.a Hirut
Happy 1 Year Anniversary "Our Trip to Ethiopia"!!!
It has been one year of much growth, lots of happiness, many connections, new goals, new friends, an awesome family, another amazing trip, and lots of fun.
It has been one year of much growth, lots of happiness, many connections, new goals, new friends, an awesome family, another amazing trip, and lots of fun.
We will be posting all day in celebration up to 11pm tonight. Thanks for joining us. Lets start our party with some good music. We'll start with Aster....
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