Topics

Nov

Raising Global Citizens

by Joyce McGreevy on November 28, 2018

Maria Surma Manka, Workation Woman, and her family of global citizens find inspiration as digital nomads Edinburgh, Scotland. (Image © Maria Surma Manka)

At home-from-home in Edinburgh, Scotland: Joram, August, Baron, and Maria.
© Maria Surma Manka

When Mom and Dad Are Digital Nomads

Not all who wander as digital nomads are twentysomething, unmarried, and mortgage-free. Some digital nomads live in rural Minnesota with lively kids and full-time jobs.

Just ask author and public-relations strategist Maria Surma Manka. She teaches parents across the U.S. how to live and work abroad as digital nomads while enriching—not uprooting—family life. No selling the house, homeschooling the kids, or ditching their day jobs.

It’s about expanding cultural awareness and creating wonderful family experiences while meeting everyday responsibilities. Read more...

Joyce McGreevy 1 Comment

Adventure Travel/Life Lessons/Stereotypes/Worldwide Sites

Nov

Emoji Mojo

by Meredith Mullins on November 20, 2018

Set of emojis from Apple that show cultural and language, especially the universal language of emojis. (Image courtesy of Apple.)

Some of the 2018 new emojis
Courtesy of Apple

Are Emojis the World’s First Universal Language?

Imagine archaeologists finding a set of emojis 1000 years from now in a buried time capsule. Or, picture visitors from faraway galaxies stumbling on Earth’s emoji language.

What would they think of us as they looked over this strange range of pictorial symbols? Read more...

Meredith Mullins Comments

Language & Culture/Worldwide Sites

Nov

Storytelling in Miniature

by Meredith Mullins on November 5, 2018

Giant Panda eating peaches on a postage stamp from Mongolia, proving postage stamps show something about a country's cultural heritage and traditions. (Image © Gingwa/iStock.)

Cultural Heritage and Traditions of the Mighty (Yet Tiny) Postage Stamp

As the popularity of “snail mail” dwindles in our digital age, it seems sadly plausible that some people today have never used a postage stamp. And that’s a pity.

Postage stamps of the world tell fascinating stories. And stamps—like the design of paper currency noted in an OIC Moments story last month—reveal much about a country’s cultural heritage and traditions.

Postal services have exploded with creativity to offer stamps that people look forward to adding to their letters and cards—like an artistic bow on a heartfelt package. Read more...