# ~ # ~ # ~ # ~# ~ # ~# ~ # ~# ~ # ~# ~ # ~ # ~ # ~
CROSSING BORDERS 22-01, NOVEMBER 23, 2001
# ~ # ~ # ~ # ~# ~ # ~# ~ # ~# ~ # ~# ~ # ~ # ~ # ~
Published by Ken & Lynette Chandler
Website: http://kenandlyn.home-page.cc 
E-mail: mail@kenandlyn.home-page.cc 
Online version: http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/kenandlynette/cb/2201.html 
Archives: http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/kenandlynette/cb/archive.html 

************
IMPORTANT
************
If you did not request subscription to our e-zine please accept our apologies. Send e-mail to CrossingBorders-unsubscribe@yahoogroups.com and you won't hear from us again. If you have been forwarded this e-zine & would like to subscribe, send e-mail to CrossingBorders-subscribe@yahoogroups.com. Thank you.

+ + + + + + +
CONTENTS
+ + + + + + +
1. Lynette's Musings
2. You're Invited!
3. We need your stories! Submit your story or idea to us at
http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/kenandlynette/cb/feedback.html

*********
LIL-BITS
*********
Don't go it alone. Get help with this simple I-130 Step-By-Step E-book
http://www.angelfire.com/ok2/kenandlynette/ebook/Order.html 

Refer a friend to Crossing Borders! Click to Recommend-It!
http://www.recommend-it.com/l.z.e?s=862083 

~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+ 
QUESTION OF THE WEEK
~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+~+
Did Nostradamus predict the bombing of the Twin Towers in New York?
http://www.christiananswers.net/q-comfort/nostradamus.html 

+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
LYNETTE'S MUSINGS
+ + + + + + + + + + + + +
Dear reader,

Our poor baby got 4 immunization shots yesterday and it just ripped our hearts out! She cried so pitifully it made me want to cry too! A year ago, we didn't think we could love any person more than each other but today we do one tiny little being :).

It's Thanksgiving! What are YOU doing? This will be our second one together. Last year Ken cooked a traditional Thanksgiving feast and he's doing it again this year. Looks like this will be our little family's tradition for years to come.... daddy cooks and he's good at it too. Many of us have a rough idea about this holiday but if you'd like to read more about the origins, "What's the origin of America's annual Thanksgiving?"  ( http://www.christiananswers.net/q-wall/wal-g007.html ) is a good place to start.

Till the next issue, Happy Thanksgiving, Happy Holiday and God Bless.
~Lynette Chandler

+ + + + + + + + + + +
YOU'RE INVITED!
+ + + + + + + + + + +
If you're new to American holiday traditions, this season can be intimidating. You may have already found yourself wondering if you should buy gifts for the family, what gifts you should buy and what's proper. Or, you may have been invited to a party or a get together. Great! But wait a minute. Are there any protocols you have to observe? Unless you are a real natural, parties tend to bring out the worst fears in many people; even if it's just the weekend barbecue at your spouse's friends. So, Crossing Borders searched the Internet for advice how to be a good guest in America. Most times, common sense takes precedence. Many fine points of being a good guest are pretty much universal, the largest difference is perhaps in the approach. Here are a few tips that may be helpful.

********************
GOING SOMEWHERE?
********************
Don't put extra mileage on your car this holiday season when rental rates are so low!
Only $20/day Compact, $30/day Mid Size and $40/day SUV/Minivan

Los Angeles - Kuala Lumpur $780 including tax!

Newark - Narita $505 including tax!

E-mail info@123getmethere.com

(Terms and conditions apply)
*****************

- RSVP before the date. Your host will appreciate it.

- Always ask your host what you can or should bring. Wines and liquors are usually popular. Sometimes, the party is a potluck where every guest brings something. A good host should inform you what you should bring if it's a potluck but it never hurts to ask. Be alert though, because of the diversity of cultures and beliefs, be sure to find out if liquor or certain types of foods will offend your hosts.

- If it's a potluck, take a little time to make your dish look it's best (and most appetizing). Keep your hot dishes hot by putting it in a thermal bag. A potluck can also be a tempting time to bring your country's specialties. Do resist this unless your

host asks for it. This will save you a lot of disappointment and awkwardness on the part of your host's and other guests.

- Even when your host refuses gifts, do bring something nice for them like flowers.

- If you have children, ask if children are welcome. Not all hosts welcome children and this is particularly true at wedding parties. So make it easy for them, ask and clarify.

- If it's an office party, be sure to also ask if you can bring your spouse. Just because you're married doesn't mean the invitation is automatically extended to them.

- Offer to help your host clean up.

- If alcohol is served, don't drink yourself into a drunken stupor.

- If you are invited to a wedding and reception, do attend both. If you can't make it for either one, check with the couple. It's always best to attend both though. As for gifts, most couples have a registry. This is a 'wish list' of items that they would need for their new home/life. Find out where they have this registry, what the couple has requested in it and purchase a gift accordingly. Today, not all couples have a registry because some live together for years before getting married or they are strong advocates of certain issues and would like a donation to their favorite charity in their name instead or a donation of your time / skills toward their wedding in place of a gift. Always check with them.

- Had a great time? Or simply glad you were invited? Send your host a thank you note. It would be appreciated and you'd probably find yourself being invited back. Do this, even if it's for your sister-in-law who had you over for the holiday feast.

As for giving gifts, you need not break the bank. You'd be surprised how many people do! Remember a good gift does not equal expensive but a thoughtful one. A great way to save money is to make your own and I'm sure for us who've just arrived here and yet to find a job, time is something we have plenty of. There are absolutely tons of ideas on the web and here are some we find interesting. Have fun!

Homemade Christmas & Hanukkah Gifts from Laborof love.com
http://www.thelaboroflove.com/forum/dollar/20.html 

Inexpensive Gift Ideas From Readers of Laboroflove.com
http://www.thelaboroflove.com/forum/dollar/22.html 

(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)
Who is Jesus?
http://www.ccci.org/whoisjesus/interactive-journey/ 

This e-zine is listed in www.ezine-directory.com
(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)(#)

***********************************************************************
Copyright 2001. All rights reserved.
This e-newsletter can be freely distributed as long as it's in it's entirety, this message including. No part(s) of it may be copied, re-written or distributed in any electronic, print or broadcast form without the publisher's permission.
************************************************************************