20 people were killed and a further 26 were left wounded after the a mass shooting in a Walmart at an El Paso shopping complex on the morning of August 3, 2019. The lone gunman was taken into custody, and Texas law enforcement has identified the shooting suspect as 21-year-old Patrick Crusius of Allen, Texas.

The violent attack has left the region in grief and shock, as locals come to terms with their loss and the disturbing details surrounding the lead-up to the shooting. According to a manifesto, reportedly written by the suspect, the act was the result of Crusius’s sociopolitical disillusionment. His written document is cited as referencing the Christchurch shooting, a “Hispanic invasion of Texas”, and the failure of Democrat and Republican leaders in the US.

In the midst of all the turmoil and hate is the call for a demonstration of love and compassion from El Paso teacher, Teresa Garrett. She left the following message on her Facebook page:

“Hello. We are teachers in El Paso. We would like to know if anyone is interested in sending us postcards to help our students know there is plenty of good in our world. As teachers, we may only be able to say so much. We think concrete messages of support would help us calm some fears.”

Unfortunately, we don’t live in a world that’s void of pain, and during traumatic times, it’s the most vulnerable who are at risk of trying to work their way through events that can cause long-term psychological problems. Dealing with distress can be extremely difficult for adults but ever so much more for the little people in our lives. Mass panic and fear can permeate through the homes of families and the classrooms of schools, when the unfathomable happens in our communities.

Sometimes, we as adults may not always have the words to explain or provide comfort during times where children can become confused and fearful of the world around them. It’s at these times that only love will do – the expression and demonstration of love. It is said that love conquers all and perhaps is the only tool we can use use to fight fear. Garrett’s appeal for messages of support for her students is an example of the importance of how each of us in society can help and think of others, even those on distant shores, just through a demonstration of love and compassion. Love can drive out pain, fear, resentment, and discomfort.

You can reach out to the teachers and students of El Paso, and show them that the world still has a lot of goodness to be experienced. Our humanity should be one of our most important defining characteristics and will always shine a light in the darkest of places.

To send a letter of love and encouragement to the teachers and students of Hillside Elementary and Tom Lea Elementary in El Paso use the contact details below. Remember that your messages of hope will not only represent an outpouring of compassion for the students belonging to these schools, but to teachers and students everywhere.

Flores

Hillside Elementary

4500 Clifton Ave.

El Paso, TX 79903

Teresa Garrett

Tom Lea Elementary

4851 Marcus Uribe Dr.

El Paso, TX. 79934

All we need is love.

There are a lot of things from home I miss here in Beijing, decent skincare, “normal” toilets, and of course my friends and family. But MOST of all, I miss my home cuisine, and the ingredients that are easy to buy in Western supermarkets. I want to recreate some food that my family miss, share my recipes, and know where to get the ingredients. If you see a blonde lady on a bike with a toddler and bags of groceries, that’s me, on the hunt for little pieces of home.

Another drink that has recaptured my attention (although not a winter brew) is horchata. My Mexican friend in Houston, Texas in the United States introduced me to this drink in college. And while asking around in the Beijing expat community about culinary delights we miss from home, this drink resurfaced. As usual there will be debate on how to make this drink and which version is the best. All the ingredients can be found anywhere in Beijing, but don’t be fooled as horchata will warm your soul like you are on an unpolluted beach.

Horchata comes from Valencia in Spain, where orxata was made from ordi (barley). Although nowadays in Spain horchata is not made with barley but with tiger nuts, water and sugar. Horchata is served as a refreshment with ice. Variations can be made with nuts, rice, seeds, herbs, ground almonds, and lime zest.

Horchata de Arroz (rice) is by far my favorite and I remember my friend taking me to stands by the street in the blistering heat in Texas for a refreshing drink.

Ingredients:

½ cup rice                                                                                                                                                           Half cup raw almonds
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon                                                                                                                               ½ teaspoon lime zest
6 cups of water
1 cup sugar
1 teaspoon vanilla

1. Pulverize the raw rice in a blender.
2. Combine the rice powder with almonds, cinnamon, and lime zest in a bowl and cover with half the water. Let stand overnight.
3. Next day blend the mixture in a blender till smooth.
4. Combine the mixture with 3 cups of water and blend again.
5. Strain with cheesecloth or a clean kitchen towel.
6. Add vanilla and sugar to taste.
7. Serve over ice!

Pauline van Hasselt has been working for beijingkids since October 2016. Born in Wassenaar, The Netherlands, she moved with her husband and her 3 year-old daughter to Beijing in June of this year. Prior she lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Paraguay, Texas, and London, studying and working as a chef. Pauline enjoys biking around Beijing, finding markets and new restaurants, reading crime and fantasy books in bed, and most importantly, turning her house into a home for her family.