The sweet and savory culture of Brasil
Before I was born, my parents made the life-changing decision to move to the United States. This journey wasn’t an easy one, my dad came over first to the US with only...
Family Traditions: Late nights at the Vietnamese flower market
As you grow older in an ethnic household, you unlock new things that you are allowed to do each year, like levels in a video game. For me and my family in...
Family Traditions: Colombian novena
Every culture has its own traditions and customs. In Colombia, the Christmas Novena is one of our most beautiful and joyful traditions. It is a wonderful way to get friends together and...
Family Traditions: Manigong Bagong Taon
TALON! MANIGONG BAGONG TAON!” my mom screams in Tagalog as the ball drops and the clock hits twelve. I jumped as high as my little legs would allow.
My...
Family Traditions: Keeping Vietnamese traditions alive in America
Vietnamese culture is full of exciting and vibrant celebrations. The most important celebration is Tết, or Vietnamese New Year. This is one of the main ways I am able to keep close...
Family Traditions: A truly Texan Christmas
Christmas. The word evokes images of snow-blanketed rooftops, sleigh bells and cozy cups of hot chocolate by a roaring fire. You can picture a beautifully trimmed tree nestled in the corner and...
Annual serenity: the new year celebration in Sri-Lanka
While the rest of the world welcomes a new year on Jan. 1, I celebrate the new year on April 13-14 in Sri-Lanka. The season of Aluth Avurudu is the most important...
Family Traditions: Garifuna Settlement Day
Nov. 19 marks Garifuna Settlement Day, the birthday of my cultural heritage and the most anticipated day of the year, where my entire household is required to cook.
One...
Family Traditions: literary liturgy
Last weekend while on a Zoom call with my family, who is scattered throughout the country, we referenced at least three children’s books we had enjoyed growing up. Reading picture books with...
Family Traditions: Resurrection cookies
Easter is the most important day of the liturgical year for Catholics because Jesus’ suffering, death and resurrection complete our salvation. I didn’t realize how important it was when I was younger,...
Priceless gifts create lasting traditions
Tom Borchard never believed he would be able to stop the spread of an infectious disease that could have killed him, but thanks to my dad, Mr. Borchard was saved from paralysis...
Family Traditions: Loving the simple things, together
My family has been fortunate enough to be able to visit my relatives in Mexico every year. When I am in Mexico, I am humbled by the simplicity of life that my...
An identity formed at the summit
My parents fell in love in the wild rains and green grassy plains of West Africa. As a result, my older sister and I were raised there. My childhood was full of...
Family Traditions: feast days
Oct. 1 was no ordinary day for me as a child. I was born knowing that the first day of October was my feast day, and it was always so special.
Family Traditions: A reckoning on Texas Independence Day
March 2 is recognized state-wide as Texas Independence Day, marking the anniversary of the signing of the Texas Declaration of Independence from Mexico in 1836, which established the Republic of Texas.