Welcome to the series on "Giving Gratitude", today I will share my thanks to Malayalee community in Rochester, NY.

Hello everyone I am your host, Jennifer Kumar.

Being a part of the Malayalee community has helped me to learn:

How to feel like an 'insider' when it may seem like I'm an 'outsider'.
How to find commonalities with others and feel like I truly "fit in" in both the 'outer' world (likes, dislikes, etc) and in the 'inner' world (thoughts, feelings, etc.).
How allowing others to accept me leads to self-acceptance (and visa versa).

Lessons I have learned:

I can....
Find things in common with others in my outer world
(likes, dislikes, hobbies, foods, etc.) even when
appearances are deceiving.

Find commonalities with others in my inner world
(thoughts, feelings, experiences, values, etc)
regardless of labels or outer appearances if I am open to finding it. (Other's
joys and struggles are relative to their experience . There is no fair comparison.)

Find self-acceptance in allowing others to accept me.


Have you ever felt like you did not 'fit in' or 'understand others' or 'be understood' by others when you moved abroad as an expat, international student, or newcomer? Why or why not? What kind of things help you feel a part of your 'new community'? How did labels you place on yourself or others influence your adaptation and comfort in your 'new home'? I share some of my thoughts on this being a part of an immigrant (India- Malayalee/Kerala) community in USA. (These are issues I help people explore through Authentic Journeys.)
Thanks for spending your valuable time here today!

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If you are interested in embedding this video on your page, visit this video on the YouTube page for embed code.

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Creator of this video, Jennifer Kumar, is a life expat coach helping people living their best lives anywhere they relocate in the world! If you're looking for help navigating cross-cultural, multicultural, overseas, interfaith and global lifestyles, give me a line at authenticjourneys@gmail.com.

More about coaching and help with adjusting to new cultures and lifestyles.

In this giving gratitude video, I thank Viji for 'going out on a limb' and offering Tamil Brahmin cookbooks to everyone across the world so we can learn more deeply about the culture. I also thank her editor and cheerleader, Padmini Natarajan for her encouragement. None of this would be possible without her, too!! The international publication of these books (and some into French and Japanese) will open up people's understanding of Indian cuisine past the typical 'pan Indian' or 'continental Indian' offerings I have at least seen in American restuarants. These recipes represent a slice of a wide variety of vegetarian options and a very regional and specified taste palate found in Tamil Nadu, a south eastern state in India.

This video is not only to thank Viji and Padmini for their amazing and ongoing efforts to promote cross cultural understanding through food, but also to share a tutorial on a Westerner's approach and ongoing learning of a unique slice of Indian culture, language, and cuisine.

Get a link to all her books on Classic Tamil Brahmin Cuisine, Yogurt in South Indian cooking, Festival Samayal, Vegetarian Samayal and 'general' Samayal on my blog here.

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If you are interested in embedding this video on your page, visit the video page at YouTube for the embed code.

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Jennifer Kumar helps Indians work and communicate more effectively with Americans without compromising their identity.

Thank you, Srivalli Jetti!

Meet a talented woman who:

Can write recipes to make Indian 'complicated' cooking fun and understandable?
(She's made Indian cooking a bit easier for me!)

Thinks outside the cookbook in her approach to relationships and learning about the world.

Takes herself seriously with integrity and self-respect.

Thanks for watching this video.

Remember....
... There is someone out there ....

Who can help you understand complicated stuff in a way that makes sense to you!

That will appreciate you as they appreciate themselves.

That can help you see things differently because they take the time to try to see things from others point of view (including your unique perspective).

Thanks for spending your valuable time here with us today!


See Srivalli's Blog on Indian cooking and yummy surprises!


My Audio Review of 'Flavours from a South Indian Kitchen"

Thank you for spending time on my website.

**All names and stories used in this series are used with permission.

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If you are interested in embedding this video on your page, here's the code ;-). (Cut and paste as required into your HTML coding.)

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About Jennifer Kumar creator of this video series. Jennifer is a cross-cultural coach helping people figure out how to feel comfortable in their new surroundings by getting to know you and helping you create long-lasting solutions that will help you weather life changes, cultural change, and more!

Do you relate to any of "giving gratitude" stories? Maybe you've experienced a life transformation or lesson while living abroad. Do you want to uncover your lessons and create memoirs? Would you like some help to sort all that out in a confidential environment? I am a cross-cultural coach and mentor, contact me for details or see more details about what I do here.