Since the birth of our daughter, I have not written a thing here but fill the cyber-pages of her blog with our adventures thoughts, etc.
Until further notice, please visit our family's blog at - http://aylajadesblog.blogspot.com/
Thanks!
Jason
Sunday, January 18, 2009
Sunday, November 16, 2008
Tibetan Dolls
Really cool piece about preserving Tibetan heritage and identity through dolls.
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/11/11/church.tibetan.dollmakers.long.cnn?iref=videosearch
http://www.cnn.com/video/#/video/world/2008/11/11/church.tibetan.dollmakers.long.cnn?iref=videosearch
Ayla's Stuff
Ayla's blog and photo galleries can be found here -
http://aylajadesblog.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/aylajadesangster/
http://aylajadesblog.blogspot.com/
http://picasaweb.google.com/aylajadesangster/
Open Letter to Barack Obama from Alice Walker
Nov. 5, 2008
Dear Brother Obama,
You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. Us being
the black people of the Southern United States. You think you know, because
you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver
the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after
decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the
flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear. And
yet, this observation is not intended to burden you, for you are of a
different time, and, indeed, because of all the relay runners before you,
North America is a different place. It is really only to say: Well done. We
knew, through all the generations, that you were with us, in us, the best of
the spirit of Africa and of the Americas. Knowing this, that you would
actually appear, someday, was part of our strength. Seeing you take your
rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina and character, is a
balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about.
I would advise you to remember that you did not create the disaster that the
world is experiencing, and you alone are not responsible for bringing the
world back to balance. A primary responsibility that you do have, however,
is to cultivate happiness in your own life. To make a schedule that permits
sufficient time of rest and play with your gorgeous wife and lovely
daughters. And so on. One gathers that your family is large. We are used to
seeing men in the White House soon become juiceless and as white-haired as
the building; we notice their wives and children looking strained and
stressed. They soon have smiles so lacking in joy that they remind us of
scissors. This is no way to lead. Nor does your family deserve this fate.
One way of thinking about all this is: It is so bad now that there is no
excuse not to relax. From your happy, relaxed state, you can model real
success, which is all that so many people in the world really want. They may
buy endless cars and houses and furs and gobble up all the attention and
space they can manage, or barely manage, but this is because it is not yet
clear to them that success is truly an inside job. That it is within the
reach of almost everyone.
I would further advise you not to take on other people's enemies. Most
damage that others do to us is out of fear, humiliation and pain. Those
feelings occur in all of us, not just in those of us who profess a certain
religious or racial devotion. We must learn actually not to have enemies,
but only confused adversaries who are ourselves in disguise. It is
understood by all that you are commander in chief of the United States and
are sworn to protect our beloved country; this we understand, completely.
However, as my mother used to say, quoting a Bible with which I often
fought, "hate the sin, but love the sinner." There must be no more crushing
of whole communities, no more torture, no more dehumanizing as a means of
ruling a people's spirit. This has already happened to people of color, poor
people, women, children. We see where this leads, where it has led.
A good model of how to "work with the enemy" internally is presented by the
Dalai Lama, in his endless caretaking of his soul as he confronts the
Chinese government that invaded Tibet. Because, finally, it is the soul that
must be preserved, if one is to remain a credible leader. All else might be
lost; but when the soul dies, the connection to earth, to peoples, to
animals, to rivers, to mountain ranges, purple and majestic, also dies. And
your smile, with which we watch you do gracious battle with unjust
characterizations, distortions and lies, is that expression of healthy
self-worth, spirit and soul, that, kept happy and free and relaxed, can find
an answering smile in all of us, lighting our way, and brightening the
world.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
In Peace and Joy,
Alice Walker
Dear Brother Obama,
You have no idea, really, of how profound this moment is for us. Us being
the black people of the Southern United States. You think you know, because
you are thoughtful, and you have studied our history. But seeing you deliver
the torch so many others before you carried, year after year, decade after
decade, century after century, only to be struck down before igniting the
flame of justice and of law, is almost more than the heart can bear. And
yet, this observation is not intended to burden you, for you are of a
different time, and, indeed, because of all the relay runners before you,
North America is a different place. It is really only to say: Well done. We
knew, through all the generations, that you were with us, in us, the best of
the spirit of Africa and of the Americas. Knowing this, that you would
actually appear, someday, was part of our strength. Seeing you take your
rightful place, based solely on your wisdom, stamina and character, is a
balm for the weary warriors of hope, previously only sung about.
I would advise you to remember that you did not create the disaster that the
world is experiencing, and you alone are not responsible for bringing the
world back to balance. A primary responsibility that you do have, however,
is to cultivate happiness in your own life. To make a schedule that permits
sufficient time of rest and play with your gorgeous wife and lovely
daughters. And so on. One gathers that your family is large. We are used to
seeing men in the White House soon become juiceless and as white-haired as
the building; we notice their wives and children looking strained and
stressed. They soon have smiles so lacking in joy that they remind us of
scissors. This is no way to lead. Nor does your family deserve this fate.
One way of thinking about all this is: It is so bad now that there is no
excuse not to relax. From your happy, relaxed state, you can model real
success, which is all that so many people in the world really want. They may
buy endless cars and houses and furs and gobble up all the attention and
space they can manage, or barely manage, but this is because it is not yet
clear to them that success is truly an inside job. That it is within the
reach of almost everyone.
I would further advise you not to take on other people's enemies. Most
damage that others do to us is out of fear, humiliation and pain. Those
feelings occur in all of us, not just in those of us who profess a certain
religious or racial devotion. We must learn actually not to have enemies,
but only confused adversaries who are ourselves in disguise. It is
understood by all that you are commander in chief of the United States and
are sworn to protect our beloved country; this we understand, completely.
However, as my mother used to say, quoting a Bible with which I often
fought, "hate the sin, but love the sinner." There must be no more crushing
of whole communities, no more torture, no more dehumanizing as a means of
ruling a people's spirit. This has already happened to people of color, poor
people, women, children. We see where this leads, where it has led.
A good model of how to "work with the enemy" internally is presented by the
Dalai Lama, in his endless caretaking of his soul as he confronts the
Chinese government that invaded Tibet. Because, finally, it is the soul that
must be preserved, if one is to remain a credible leader. All else might be
lost; but when the soul dies, the connection to earth, to peoples, to
animals, to rivers, to mountain ranges, purple and majestic, also dies. And
your smile, with which we watch you do gracious battle with unjust
characterizations, distortions and lies, is that expression of healthy
self-worth, spirit and soul, that, kept happy and free and relaxed, can find
an answering smile in all of us, lighting our way, and brightening the
world.
We are the ones we have been waiting for.
In Peace and Joy,
Alice Walker
Friday, November 7, 2008
WELCOME AYLA JADE!!!
November 3rd, 2008 - Leigh and I welcomed our daughter, Ayla Jade into the world. She was born at 7:25pm in water. She weighed 8lbs 5oz and is 21.25 inches long.
Her first photo gallery can be seen here - http://picasaweb.google.com/jasonsangsterphoto/AylaJadeBirthAndFirstDays#
Her first video is above.
We are SO IN LOVE!
Her first photo gallery can be seen here - http://picasaweb.google.com/jasonsangsterphoto/AylaJadeBirthAndFirstDays#
Her first video is above.
We are SO IN LOVE!
Sunday, October 19, 2008
Colin Powell Endorses Obama!
I urge you to watch till the end. Mr. Powell says some very, very important things towards the end of this segment.
Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Olbermann on Palin
I don't usually advertise screaming liberal talking heads...but this one is really good!
Olbermann on Palin
I don't usually advertise screaming liberal talking heads...but this one is really good!
Monday, October 6, 2008
Friday, October 3, 2008
Extreme Drug Resistant Tuberculosis
Very powerful images from one of my favorite photographers, James Natchwey, about a very distressing new mutation on an ancient disease - http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/10/nachtweys_wish_awareness_of_xd.html
Website for the cause - http://www.xdrtb.org/
Tuesday, September 30, 2008
Cancer in Children Awareness Month
Powerful images, powerful stories...wow.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/childhood_cancer_awareness_mon.html
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2008/09/childhood_cancer_awareness_mon.html
Monday, September 15, 2008
Anti-Palin Alaskans
Dear friends,
I just received this from my cousin who lives in Alaska...
"This Saturday, I had the pleasure of joining my mom, my aunt Martha, and 1500 or more like-minded Alaskans in rallying to draw attention to those of us Alaskans who don't support Sarah Palin's politics and policies. There were a lot of people there, with some very creative signs. It was tremendously inspiring to see so many people gather peacefully and exercise their 1st Amendment rights. Whether you share this point of view or not, please take a look at this slide show. I think some of the signs may tickle some funny bones.
Friday, August 29, 2008
Tuesday, August 5, 2008
Summer lovin'...having a blast
My body hasn’t been this sore since two-a-day summer football practices 15 years ago!
Hope y'all are having a great summer!
Within the last 10 days, Leigh and I have traveled to Colorado (where much partying and hiking was involved for one of my best friend’s weddings), packed our apartment up in a bunch of cardboard boxes, rented a U-Haul, loaded it (with the help of some of the best friends/humans EVER!), unpacked the truck, unpacked the boxes, moved furniture and then weeded, tilled and planted a 20’x20’ garden in the backyard. I’ve got blisters on my blisters and you better believe my dogs are barking!
But I cannot tell you how freakin’ excited we are to FINALLY be living in our own house again. It’s like that feeling that comes over you after you’ve been sick for a few days and then you get better again. It’s like feeling better again and really loving feeling healthy and so glad you’re not sick anymore. So the apartment was sick. The house is now healthy.
Can you believe it’s been since 2005 since we’ve had our own space? In ’05 we lived with my mom (I’m not afraid to admit it…she’s a whole lot of fun!) to save money for our trip to Tibet. Then we moved to Tibet and lived in a hotel for a year and a half. Then we come back to America and move to Oregon and land in an apartment for the last year. That’s a long time to be away from this and we love it!
Our place is a cute 2/1 (with a large office space in the basement that is totally cool even in the hot sunny summer afternoons). It was built awhile ago and has lots of cool built in shelving, hideaway ironing boards, potato drawers, a canning storage closet, hardwood floors, a almost new washer and dryer, lots of big windows, on a quiet dead end street, an amazing garden space with herbs and roses and flowers already established, really cool landlords and it is less than a 10 minute walk from the University of Portland. (Yeah, I know).
Today we planted our garden and it felt so good to have dirt under the fingernails and sweat on the brow. The soil here is amazingly lush and dark and rich. I should know…I’ve taken a shower twice today to wash it off me! We planted spinach, lettuce, collards, kale, broccoli, brussel sprouts and next month we’ll be planting onions, garlic, carrot, snow peas and maybe some fava beans.
School starts in less than 3 weeks now. That’s crazy. I don’t feel eager to give up my very leisurely pace of life this summer. It has been so fantastic to not have a job, not have to go to school (I’m taking online classes) and just be able to wake up early, do yoga, work in the garden, play tennis or go hiking or camping or just chill with Leigh (or should I say distract her from her work). I would be jealous of me right now too and I am definitely grateful for this chance to catch my breath and relax before the gates of chaos are unleashed upon me. Not only school but…
Baby is growing fast! Leigh has expanded incredibly in the last month and it is true joy and magic to witness the transformation. She glows. She is happy and healthy and getting heavy. Just tonight she was complaining that she might be starting to waddle a little bit. But she is really carrying well and is in really good spirits and looks more amazing and beautiful every day. Funny moment, we had just stopped at a bakery for a middle of the afternoon snack during one of our many running-around-doing-errands-all-day days and she was munching on a raspberry hand pie when she said to me, “I love being pregnant. It is a trump card for anything – eating ice cream or pies, not lifting too much during a move, people treat you especially nice, taking naps…”
So, yeah, I think she’s enjoying it. Especially recently since the baby has started to really move around. The other night we were watching a movie (Everything is Illuminated – really good film made from the book, I recommended it), and I had my hand on her belly and I swear the baby was breakdancing! She told me today that she has a balloon from her butthole to her boobs and this baby can just bounce from rib to rib. Just watching the seismic activity of her uterus is amazing and kind of creepy. I can’t help picturing the scene from Alien when the thing bursts out of the guy’s stomach. Yikes, I really hope that doesn’t happen…
Hope y'all are having a great summer!
Our first dinner in the new house! YAY!
Pics of the new house to come...
Pics of the new house to come...
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