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Hindustan Times
05-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
Woman writes novel to say goodbye to her ‘dead mother'. Then this happens
Author Stefany Valentine lost all hopes of meeting her mother after not having any contact with her for 25 years and even feared that she had died. But on New Year's eve of 2023, a call from her sister-in-law changed her life. For the first time, in over two decades, in August 2024, Stefany came face-to-face with her mother Meiling Valentine. Speaking to Stefany said she wondered whether she would be able to recognise her mother in the crowd after all these years and safe to say, she added, "I did." "It was just so good to hug her for the first time. I needed that hug," the author said. At the time of Stefany's reunion with her mother at the Taiwan Taoyuan International Airport, the author was working on her debut novel called 'First Love Language'. Her novel is based on Catie, a Taiwanese-American teen and adoptee, who looks to reconnect with her origin roots by learning Mandarin. A 31-year-old Stefany said that she used the novel, in some ways, "to really say goodbye, to close the door" on finding her birth mother. Meiling was married to Lt. Col. Todd Merrill Valentine and had five children with him. The family used to move around a lot because of Todd's career in the Air Force, spending time in Texas (where Stefany was born), Taiwan and South Dakota. When Stefany was five-years-old, her parents got a divorce and all the kids went into Todd's custody. Their father moved them back to the States and their mother, Meiling, who did not speak any English, was cut of their lives. When Meiling lost ties to her children, she told "I almost collapsed." She said that the language barrier, lack of money and work experience, did not help in being able to find solution. "It was unfair treatment." Despite all these years, Stefany notes that her mother did not have the resources that her dad did even though she tries to maintain a "neutral" stance on their relation. Stefany said that she was made to believe that Meiling was "dangerous" and "neglected" her children. However, she said, that was another cultural divide as she didn't feel neglected in Taiwan. The author recalls that her and her siblings left behind their Taiwanese culture in America. "It was 'Go to school, speak English, assimilate, we're not doing that that anymore. And I think that was that. Losing a mother is one thing, and then losing your culture," she told While Stefany initially struggled to get a hold on English, her escape methods eventually led her to a writing career. When Stefany turned 8, Todd remarried. Her stepmother, Cindy, brought into the family her four children from a previous relationship. Cindy became a single mother to nine children when Stefany's father passed away in 2006. But the loss led the author to struggle with depression. Stefany said that growing into her teenage years, the rage from the loss of her father and her birth mother's absence, only increased. She was reportedly sent to live with other family members throughout majority of her high school years by Cindy. She was allowed to move back in her senior year. While looking for answers about Meiling, Stefany sought refuge in writing. She wrote a short story for the young-adult anthology, 'When We Become Ours', which points at the adoptee experience. The experience from this work led her to rework her first novel, First Love Language, into a more adoptee-focused piece. She looked historical and genealogical records in her attempts to find Meiling. But several psychichs indicated that Meiling had died, leading to Stefany putting an end to her search. On New Year's 2023, she got a surprising call. "My sister-in-law calls me and is like 'There is a Taiwanese lady in our Mormon church, and she grew up with your mom, and she's going to find her for you'." Initially, Stefany and her siblings were able to reconnect with Meiling via texting and though her siblings were not as much open to the idea of reunion, Cindy facilitated the author's trip to Taiwan. The author said that since Cindy worked with Delta, she was able to provide her with flight and everything. The day finally came in August, Stefany and Meiling were reunited. In the lead up to their first meeting at the encounter, Stefany said, "Nervous, anxious, scared, excited, everything — what wasn't I feeling? It was like Christmas, when you're going to bed and you're like, 'I'm going to get to open the presents tomorrow?' It was very much that for weeks leading up to it, just like, 'One day closer. One day closer.'" The mother-daughter realized how much similar they looked. The two made up for their long-lost time during Stefany's two-week trip to Taiwan last year. Stefany and Meiling went hiking, visited street markets, spent night in an aquarium and even celebrated the latter's birthday with a cake. 'She was like, 'This is the best birthday I've had in 20 years,'" Stefany said. During the second week, Cindy also visited Stefany and Meiling in Taiwan. The birth mother and the stepmother thanked each other for Stefany. Stefany's Taiwan visit also sparked her desire to learn Mandarin. She has applied for the local Chung Yuan University, where she is all set to start the term in the fall. The author said that with the help of her studies, she wants to facilitate reunions between her mother and the other siblings, and to eventually tell Meiling's story. "I want to write a memoir, for sure. But this memoir, I want it to also be her memoir and I want to be able to tell her story and all the complexities of it as well as I can in addition to writing my story," Stefany told Stefany said that now she does not want to waste any more time.
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First Post
22-04-2025
- Politics
- First Post
Did JD Vance flout Vatican rules by getting photographed in the Sistine Chapel?
US Vice President JD Vance's Vatican visit has made headlines, especially as he was one of the last foreign leaders to meet Pope Francis before his death on Monday. Besides the meeting, social media users are talking about Vance's picture inside the Sistine Chapel with his son in his arms. Why is the photo receiving backlash? read more JD Vance is facing criticism over his picture inside the Sistine Chapel. X/@charliekirk11 United States Vice President JD Vance's weekend visit to the Vatican City has gained the spotlight, especially after Pope Francis' demise. He was one of the last foreign dignitaries to meet the leader of the Roman Catholic Church on Easter Sunday, just a day before Francis took his last breath at the age of 88. Images and videos of Vance meeting the pope have gone viral. The US Vice President's picture inside the Sistine Chapel has also got people talking, with many expressing objection. But why? STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Let's understand. JD Vance's photo sparks backlash US VP JD Vance's visit to Italy also included a trip to the Vatican. On Sunday (April 20) morning, he held a private meeting with Pope Francis at his Vatican residence to exchange Easter greetings, according to the Vatican's statement. Vance had hit headlines after reports surfaced that Francis skipped an official meeting with the US VP on Saturday, sending his deputy instead. The Republican leader, who is currently on a four-day visit to India, is facing flak after supposedly getting a picture taken inside the Sistine Chapel. As per Vance, along with his family – wife, US Second Lady Usha Vance, and their children, Ewan, Vivek and Mirabel, also visited religious landmarks during his trip to the Vatican City over the weekend. A picture taken by official White House photographer Emily Higgins shows Vance holding his son as they admire the world-renowned painting by Michelangelo on the ceiling of the Sistine Chapel. However, the image garnered criticism after it was shared by conservative activist Charlie Kirk in a post on X on April 20. 'An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel. What an incredible way to spend Easter weekend,' he wrote. An epic shot of Vice President JD Vance and his son inside the Sistine Chapel. What an incredible way to spend Easter weekend. — Charlie Kirk (@charliekirk11) April 20, 2025 STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD The Daily Wire's White House correspondent, Mary Margaret Olohan, also shared the image, saying it is an 'official White House photo'. With his family by his side, US Vice President JD Vance, a Catholic, marvels at the breathtaking beauty of the Vatican and the Sistine Chapel. Video: Vatican Media — Sachin Jose (@Sachinettiyil) April 19, 2025 However, X users were quick to claim that Vance broke the Vatican's photography rules. 'You do NOT take pictures in the sistine chapel. No respect,' a user wrote. Another similarly chimed, 'No photography allowed in the Sistine Chapel.' STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD A third user added, 'There is a strict rule of not taking pictures within the chapel. But we all know that some people wipe their feet on rules and even the law.' Democratic candidate Sara McGee described the image as 'incredibly disrespectful'. Anyone who has been to the Sistine Chapel knows that taking pictures inside of it is not only strictly prohibited, but also incredibly disrespectful. I'm so embarrassed by our government. — Sara McGee for Texas HD 132 (@SaraForTexLege) April 21, 2025 Another user called the picture 'utterly despicable', saying it shows 'rules are only to be followed by others but not the American government'. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Photography is not allowed inside Sistine Chapel The official website of the Vatican Museums, the organisation monitoring tourism to the holy site, says photography inside the famous chapel is banned. 'In the Sistine Chapel it is forbidden to take photographs or films with any type of electronic equipment,' according to the website. It says the guard staff has the authority to 'request the immediate cancellation' of pictures or videos taken in violation of this rule. 'It is permitted to take photographs, for personal and domestic use only, of the works in all areas of the Vatican Museums, apart from the Sistine Chapel. Flash photography is strictly forbidden,' it adds. Visitors are told not to use their mobile phones inside the Sistine Chapel, and tourists are 'requested to observe absolute silence' during their visit out of 'respect for and in view of the sanctity of the location.' The Sistine Chapel attracts millions of visitors every year. However, they are barred from capturing Michelangelo's awe-inspiring, biblical frescoes adorning the walls and ceiling of the room. The photography ban inside the chapel can be traced back to its restoration that started in 1980 and continued for nearly 20 years. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD According to Mental Floss magazine, Japan's Nippon Television Network Corporation gave millions in funds for the restoration of Michelangelo's art in the chapel in exchange for exclusive rights to photography and video of the restored art. Photos and recordings of the restoration process were captured by photographer Takashi Okamura, who was commissioned by Nippon TV. This led to Nippon producing several documentaries, art books, and other projects with their exclusive footage and images of the restoration of the Sistine Chapel. Newly installed tables stand under Michelangelo's frescoes in the Vatican's Sistine Chapel on April 16, 2005. File Photo/Reuters It came to light in 1990 that Nippon's exclusive rights on photos inside the chapel came to an end three years after each phase of the restoration was finished. While Nippon's terms have expired, the ban on photography within the chapel continues even today. Vatican officials probably want to avoid the risk of thousands of camera flashes affecting the renowned artwork inside the chapel. Although the ban still exists, it is not very strictly enforced, reported Mental Floss. STORY CONTINUES BELOW THIS AD Did JD Vance break Vatican protocol? JD Vance's photo inside the Sistine Chapel was captured by an official White House photographer. This indicates he might have had prior permission to film him and his family. As per Indy100, footage filmed by Vatican Media and shared on the YouTube channel of Times News shows the US VP being shown around the site by Vatican officials. Moreover, this is not the first time US officials and their families have been filmed inside the Sistine Chapel. In 2009, the then-US First Lady Michelle Obama was clicked on a tour inside the landmark with a guide, and can be seen looking at the ceiling and admiring the artwork. With inputs from agencies
Yahoo
03-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Harry Styles completes Tokyo Marathon
Harry Styles has completed the Tokyo Marathon. The former One Direction star, 31, was among the runners taking part in the 26.2 mile race in Japan on Sunday (02.03.25) and he finished with an impressive net finishing time of 3:24:07 - putting him in 6,010th place out of 26,706 athletes who crossed the finishing line. The singer has been a keen runner for years and his trainer Thibo David previously told Harry can run a mile in around five minutes and 13 seconds. Results from the Tokyo race show Harry managed an average pace of 7:47 per mile during Sunday's event, according to Other stars to log impressive times in their marathon runs include actor Colin Farrell - who ran 3:53:14 at the 2021 Brisbane Marathon in Australia - and Jennifer Connelly, who recorded a time of 3:45:47 at the New York City Marathon in 2024. As well as being a keen runner, Harry also keeps fit with regular Pilates sessions and previously opened up about his routine in an interview with Vogue magazine. He told the publication: "I've got very tight hamstrings - trying to get those open." Harry went on to reveal daily meditation rituals have also been a huge help. He added: "It has changed my life, but it's so subtle. It's helped me just be more present. "I feel like I'm able to enjoy the things that are happening right in front of me, even if it's food or it's coffee or it's being with a friend - or a swim in a really cold pond. "Meditation just brings a stillness that has been really beneficial, I think, for my mental health." He also talked about his diet - revealing he's cut out meat and has been pescatarian for the last few years. Harry explained: "My body definitely feels better for it."
