Uniting the World and Cultures in song- HAPPY by Pharrell Williams

Pharrell Williams' song HAPPY 

and the world-wide phenomenon

Happy from Bordeaux, France

Have you ever had something you wanted to express but didn't know where to start?  Or you wanted to write something down, but didn't know how to capture it?  How do you share a feeling, intuition or an emotion and then describe it in written words?

That's the way I feel this morning, I'm very moved by a phenomenon that I see happening on-line, on the internet and in this world-in general.  It's happening through music, through a song that seems to be taking the world by storm. It's one of the songs from the popular movie of last summer, Despicable Me. It's call "Happy" by Pharrel Williams. This catchy, upbeat, fun song is presently on top of the music charts world-wide and is even taking on a life of it's own.

People all of the world are enjoying it's words, catchy melodies and rhythm and it's truly creating Happiness world-wide.  Why do I say this?  Well if you follow my facebook page or Google+ link, you may have seen the video above that I shared a few weeks ago- "HAPPY from Bordeaux "- my current city.  This 4 minute clip shows people all over Bordeaux lip syncing and dancing to the song.  It's upbeat, fun and, in addition, gives the viewer a great sense of the city of Bordeaux and the Bordelaise people.

When I first saw this,  I thought "Wow" - what a great idea.  What a great way to show off this incredible city - not only the city itself but it's people.  I felt it showed how most people I know feel about this area.  A true reflection and one couldn't help but fall in love, all over again, with Bordeaux after listening and watching this video.  There is just something about this song - you listen to it and instantly, you feel lighter, freer and of course happier!  It's also a song that's very difficult to get out of you head - one can find themselves bopping and jiving to the beat.  But really is this such a bad thing?

So this morning as I was having my cup of coffee, my husband was listening to a video on TV that  was sharing that this concept is happening worldwide - People from cities all over the world are putting together videos about their cities to this song!  It's a spontaneous world-wide effort and it seems to be changing the morale of people.  This song is perfect - HAPPY - isn't it what everyone should be?  Put aside conflicts, put aside strife and just be and live life!

For about 45 minutes this morning, my husband and I scanned YouTube to find these videos - and since the beginning of 2014 there are many from all over.  We clicked on London, Paris, cities in Morocco, we enjoyed seeing Rome.  I was just amazed at the common thread of a single song and watching people from many different cultures dance and move to the same beat.  What a beautiful way to show how we are all different but also similar.  It was hard not to be moved by the whole phenomenon.

It's also a great way to show kids the world through a medium that they know well - popular music.  To see Beijing, to view Sydney, see people in Moscow all dancing and uniting through music.  You can get the feel of each country, city and the people just by watching these.  They are all truly moving in their own way.  Each are spontaneously done by different groups of people in various cities.  Each showing being "Happy" in their cities.  Below are a few of my favorites.

Happy from Moscow

Happy from Budapest

Happy from Marrakesh

Happy from Jamaica

One of the most moving videos is from the city of Kiev, where they filmed the video among the camps and barriers, as the people are the fighting for Ukraine to be free.

Happy from Kiev

I have put together a playlist including videos from all over the world to just give a sampling of all the cities that have joined this movement.  My family and I are enjoying the sights of these great cities and also learning about so many other cities that we were not as familiar with. People from all kinds of cities, small, medium, large - it doesn't matter - it just takes a group willing to produce one.  Such great lessons in this multi-cultural world.

If you are a reader and your city has a video and it was not included, feel free to email me and I'll add it to the playlist.  It would be fun to see this list grow so a true world-wide variety is accessible.  

I hope I was able to convey how special this movement feels to me and it's one I'll love to see keep growing - when we, as people, are more focused on happiness - the whole world becomes a better place.

Raising Global kids..Music & Playing for Change - Super way to bring people together!

Music, France & Kids

Just yesterday as the girls and I were running errands in the car - a French song came on the radio and not one, but all three of my girls sang right along with the lyrics.  I was suddenly reminded how far we have come to have 3 bilingual daughters.  I still sit in amazement to listen to them ramble away in French to their friends and then in a split second, turn and speak English to me.  I really treasure this gift that we have been able to give them.  I also marvel at my older daughters who love popular music and when they find a song they enjoy, no matter what language, they search YouTube to find the lyrics and learn them.  My middle daughter is especially known to do this - so far she has not only learned songs in English, French but also Spanish and Portuguese..  She just loved music - it truly is very powerful.

I find music is such a beautiful force to join cultures - gives children and families a window to other places but also a way to bond us together.  Through songs, we are transported to a higher place, a place where we are all one, all united by one force and more aware of similarities then differences.  I remember a few years ago when my older daughters were about 7 & 10 years old and we were vacationing in France with family.  They got the opportunity to spend an afternoon with French cousins who were the same age.  At the time, my daughters didn't speak French or understand it, and the cousins didn't know English - but I still remember them bonding that afternoon with music!

Music in France is diverse - many songs, multiple languages representing many countries in Europe - but they also import American & British pop music. For my girls, they love that - it helps them still feel connected to the States and when a friend on instagram or facebook talks about a popular song in the States, for the most part my girls are very much up to speed.

For several years, my family and I have been following the work of "Playing for Change" via their YouTube videos - This project seeks to bring together musicians from around the world - they also believe that peace and harmony are accomplished by bringing people together through music.

Check out their website - Playing For Change

Most recently this group has teamed up the French company Okaïdi  and created  a music video featuring children from around the world singing.  I was so moved by these 2 videos - I felt I had to share.  Their purpose as quoted by them:  "Okaïdi and Playing for Change are teaming up to unite and help children around the world through music.  Music is the uniting force - wherever one comes from, whatever political, economic, spiritual or ideological beliefs - music breaks down barriers and unites all of us."

So I encourage everyone to listen and if you have children - share it with them.  These are beautiful videos and such a wonderful way for all children to see kids from around the world.

I hope you enjoyed listening to these and I encourage everyone to share them!!  Feel free to share this post also - I just want to spread the word about how wonderful this project is. 

News - Paris, Expat blog Contest, Loire Valley Article in Girl's Guide to Paris ET PLUS & some music!!

Morning view of Paris - Rainbows are always great to see!

A little of everything....

It's the third week of school and we are still trying to find the routine of the family.  The juggle of where activities fit in and who has what when - is always a bit of a challenge with having 3 girls.  Needless to say, this has zapped into some of my blogging time.  In addition, I had a wonderful opportunity late last week to visit with my sister-in-laws from Boston up in Paris.  Too good of an opportunity to pass up (I hadn't seen her in over a year)...but again the organization of being away for 3 days takes some time.  Throw in my laptop computer malfunctioning last week - it's been a bit crazy here!  Currently, using my daughter's laptop - thank goodness!!

So briefly - in Paris - I enjoyed some "Girl" time!  We toured the Musee Marmatton Monet (we met up with Nicky from Growing Berries), lunched and then did a little shopping and browsing along the Champs-Élysées.

Enjoyed Musee Marmatton Monet

L'Arc de Triumphe - and walking down the Champs-Élysées

It was fun to just have a relaxing time!  Enjoyed some nice meals - both unique (Tapas) & traditional.  Returned refreshed and relaxed!!  There is just something about girl bonding time!!

Fun Tapas meal - breaded Calamari

Of course - Mojito's are always delicious!

Fell in love with this entree - Fresh Artichoke hearts, Arugula & shaved Emmental cheese

Circle of Mom's Top European Mom Blogs 

Someone nominated me again this year for Circle of Mom's Top 25 European Mom Blogs.  This is a voted ranking.  Readers may vote daily for blogs that they enjoy up until Oct. 4th.  It's also a great place to find new blogs. (Last year, I ended up at #26)  So please - if you are feeling up to it - Click on the link below and vote for me.  Feel free to share the list & recommendations with friends also - All votes count!!  Remember you can vote daily!! (At this point, I'm at #6 ..)

Girls' Guide to Paris - newsletter/article

Wanted to also share with everyone - that I just had an article published in The Girl's Guide To Paris ET PLUS - e-magazine.  This travel website is expanding beyond being an excellent resource for all things "Paris".  They have created a digital travel magazine which will be exploring  Paris, France and many other destinations around the world.  My article - The Loire Valley en Famille is featured in their debut edition.  If you are interested in checking it out and also reading about Vendage in Bordeaux & the area of  Provence - just subscribe to their newsletter (free) and you will receive one free copy of their new magazine!  If you love what you see - you can then subscribe to receive this beautiful magazine - 6 times/year.

Additionally, you can find more information here:  Girl's Guide to Paris - website

Dave Rudbarg Music

 Finally - A little plug for a great musician and friend of mine, Dave Rudbarg.  He lives in NYC and previously produced a wonderful album entitled "Living in the Land of Yes".  He's passionate about music in general and what music is for people in this world.  Take a listen to the video below.

If you enjoy what you heard, read more about him below.  You can see from what he shares - he's up to great things and truly wants to make a difference for people in this world!

So it's off to run the girls around to their various Wednesday activities!!  Thanks again for reading!  Have a good rest of the week!!