And speaking of Roman Holiday, a post or two ago, I've been learning more and more even now about my hero Audrey Hepburn.  A lot of heroes become less heroic the more you learn about them and the behind the scenes of their life.  And then you kind of wish you could know less about them so that they could be your hero again.  But you can't, so you just have to try to find a new hero.  But with Audrey Hepburn...I love her and increase in respect for her the MORE I learn about her.  

I'm amazed, AMAZED I tell you, at her life.  She seems to be a hero for every season of my life and I'm so enjoying that realization.  I love her movies, her style, all of that.  But I feel...past that almost.  Beyond it.  It's kind of struck me as sad that this is pretty much all people know about her.  But there is so much more to her life, you know?  It didn't stop with the movies and the style.  Her and her image went beyond those things and on to some of the most noble work that can be done in my opinion, especially from a celebrity of all people.  She was a mother and an advocate for children.  One of my favorite books now is a biography about her written by her son Sean Hepburn-Ferrer.  Pretty much the entire book is about these two things, motherhood and Unicef.  It's a glimpse into what was really important to her.

My interest in her now is looking at her work as a humanitarian, her work with Unicef.  A spokesperson.  For children.  She used her image, her influence, people's interest in her this.  For children.

I wish I could have an assignment where I could write a paper about the later years of her life and all about her work with Unicef.  I've been finding interviews with her on youtube and speeches she gave about the subject.

I just can't get over her.
She lived a beautiful life, in almost every sense of the word.

Also as I was looking up these things on youtube I also discovered a newfound excitement and respect for another old celebrity- do you know who the first celebrity ambassador for Unicef was?  Danny Kaye.  I've always liked him.  But now I think I love him.  He raised so much awareness for Unicef.  I found interviews and videos of him where he entertained and played games with the kids, singing songs, dancing, making faces, ruffling their hair.

These people are so impressive to me.  Why aren't more celebrities doing things like this?  Why aren't more of US doing things like this?

I'm so grateful for heroes that last.

A new favorite show: 

Somebody Feed Phil.  It's a documentary about the best food Phil, who is the creator of Everybody Loves Raymond, can find in different countries.  So far I've watched Bangkok, Vietnam, and Israel.  It's kind of a random show.  But suddenly it's my comfort show for nights when I'm on my own here or just up late by myself.  

I have a movie about Malala rented from the library that I've been meaning to watch, and not with the kids.  But when night comes I get nervous to watch something about sadness and violence and oppression.  

So one of the things I've been thinking about a lot lately is culture.  And the thought that keeps coming to me, exclamation points and all, is 

I wish every culture was my culture!  

I feel very very blessed to have so many cultures a part of my life.  

I'm grateful to have knowledge  of and deep appreciation for both my white side and my brown side- Pioneers and Polynesians.  

Growing up in a place nicknamed "Little Manila" and being aware of the several other cultures around me all the time (there was ONE blonde haired girl in my grade...and she was part hispanic).  Spending much of my teenage and young adult years hearing Spanish everyday with Rocio living with us speaking Spanish to her kids and working at PFM for several years where every co-worker spoke Spanish (and tried to teach it to me so that I could impress Andrew when he came home from his mission in Paraguay).  

Watching and loving shows like The Nanny with Fran Fine and her Jewish family, 

or Living Single with Queen Latifah and her loud and proud knowledge of her African Amercian culture and who she is,

or the Big Family Cooking Showdown with the Indian family's amazing passion for food and family,

or Northern Exposure with the Native American spirituality and connection with nature.  

And movies like Cocoa, Moana, Princess and the Frog.  My favorite movie of all time Roman Holiday and the culture that surrounds the romantic plot.  I just love it all.  

I guess this is why I'm such good friends with Phil right now.

I love so many cultures.  I wish I could take all the wonderful things from each one and have it all be a part of who I am.  And I guess maybe I can.  In our families we create our own culture don't we?  I hope to raise my kids with an appreciation for all the wholesome, good, beautiful, exciting, and different things and different people all around the world.

I'm so glad God gave us culture. 

I love realizing that I'm passionate about something I didn't know I was.