No surprise, it's the way of the world: multiracial and multiethnic Americans are "one of the fastest-growing demographic groups”, according to the New York Times. This month we’re pleased to highlight numerous people negotiating the ever-shifting space where cultures meet (it can get bumpy!)...what happens when we explore beyond our original environments (sometimes we go too far! other times we identify valuable parts of ourselves)...plus, a variety of innovative attempts to make our invisible connections with others more tangible.

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Nose bump, air kiss, surprise bear hug. In a topsy-turvy world, handshakes can be stand-offish, kisses formal and hugs too-intimate. Our favorite food blogger in Israel suspects it’ll be awkward when we meet, in a funny post about the greeting norms of multiple cultures -- sometimes happening all at once.

We’ve also been talking about catalytic experiences. Like the unravelling of British creative Susannah Conway, who reveals in a Turquoise Poppy "build your global niche" interview how she built an introspective livelihood from loss. Nomad artist Elizabeth Briel shares how the wider world lured her out of a box, and an expat blogger in Holland discovers...

...it takes arriving at the brink of disappearance before you realize you've over-assimilated to a new cultural identity. +++++ AROUND THE WORLD & AROUND THE WEB

Happiness Inside online community aims to help us all “build internal happiness as a way to affect global happiness” while a new parenting site is for people raising multicultural/intercultural children of the world.

Who doesn’t have something to say to LA? Palehouse is now taking submissions for an unusual book, a hand-delivered collection of open letters to the city of Los Angeles, what they call “an attempt to create a stronger connection between strangers in the World.”

We wonder if this CulturaLinks model will encourage other metropolitan areas to embrace their cosmopolitanism: Rebecca Blankinship (who we were happy to take out for lunch when she was in Istanbul!) heads a network for Seattle-based globalists to connect and participate in global awareness adventures and internship programs.

+++++ YOUR THOUGHTS

Earlier we asked what terms you use for your global identity. Ethel “Eppie” Ozen, writer of “The Village Bride” in the Expat Harem anthology, sends us some expressions that encapsulate the arty Tennessee native/Istanbul resident’s hybrid life.

“Cultural trapeze act. Global compassing. Earthy roadie. Globular jugular.” And our favorite Eppie term? “Globalance.” As you can see, we’re borrowing it! :-).

How are you striking global-balance? Send us a snippet

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Here’s to finding your own globalance,

+++++ MISS LAST MONTH?

Check out January's "Custom creative" --Want link to my new behind-the-producing-scenes page? Here it is.

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