Some I have read and want to read again, some I have heard of, some are pretty new; I have put hold requests on a handful of them in the library. If they are good reads I would consider to actually own a copy.

The silent auction during VIP reception went very well. Most people got what they REALLY, REALLY wanted. I only really wanted to Brazilian dinner and the German weather house and Bali vacation and handbag, so I got outbidded after several attempts. I wished I had more time to see all 35 of the country exhibitions; the students had put a lot of effort to make each of them very beautiful and educational. The performances were breathtaking and very entertaining.

UW Marketing has taken some amazingly beautiful pictures during the performance which I must share: http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/album.php?aid=31635&id=151514384895849&fbid=168439209870033

I look forward to the next FIUTS CulturalFest

Show your support to international understanding, student leadership, and a great non-profit by coming to the reception, bidding in the silent auction, and enjoying the performances!

See one of FIUTS CulturalFest performers, Natya, featured on Q13fox: http://www.q13fox.com/videobeta/bc213394-1aff-452e-9f80-fea4ed47f5ce/News/Kaci-at-Cultural-Fest-7am-

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Moroccan Tea Glasses & Scarf (Item # 128)

FIUTS staff alumna Alicia and FIUTS student board member Boyan brought back from Morocco these beautiful tea glasses and scarf.

Moroccan Tea Glasses & Scarf (Item # 128)

• Bali!
• Lake Union Sailing – I’ve always wanted to learn sailing!
• The Red Nicole Hobo handbag
• Home-cooked Brazilian Dinner – yummm I love Brazilian food, and nothing beats good company
• Black Forest Weather House – so cute! Check it out in the catalog, item #112

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Insider Tips!
Suddenly realized that this is not mentioned anywhere on the CulturalFest page or the event calendar of Celebrated Chefs, but know that Celebrated Chefs will be present at CulturalFest!

Sign up so that every time you visit a participating restaurant, a portion of the revenue would be donated back to your favorite non-profit (or, preferably, FIUTS). Enrollment is FREE and includes the exquisite Celebrated Chefs cookbook featuring a signature recipe from each participating restaurant. AND! If you sign up at CulturalFest, you don’t have to pay shipping for the FREE cookbook! I’m super excited about signing up

How it works: https://www.celebratedchefs.com/howitworks/learnmore.aspx
FAQ: https://www.celebratedchefs.com/howitworks/faqs.aspx

See you all tomorrow at CulturalFest!

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Viva Costa Rica! Expand your coffee making collection with this traditional wooden, hand-made coffee-maker with wooden cup. The coffee beans and hand-made pottery platter come from the Chorotegatribe. Hand carried from Costa Rica by FIUTS staff member Alison!

Chorreador De Café Coffee Beans with Chorteaga Pottery from Costa Rica (Item # 127)

Chorreador De Café Coffee Beans with Chorteaga Pottery from Costa Rica (Item # 127)

See the full silent auction catalog here (It has been updated recently with more exciting items!):
http://www.fiuts.org/educationoutreach/Auction%20Catalog%20-%20February%202,%202011pdf.pdf

Thursday February 10, 2011
Artist Reception & Silent Auction 5:30-7:30pm
Cultural Music and Dance Performance 7:30-9:30pm
Meany Hall, University of Washington campus

2011 CulturalFest Performers:

• Southern Cross, Music from Chile
• Husky Wushu Team, China
• Silk Strings, Japanese Koto Ensemble
• Natya Indian Dancers
• Delshodeh Dance Ensemble, Persian Circle Student Association
• Sayaw Dance Troupe, Philippines
• Made in Taiwain, Pop Music
• Barvinok Ukrainian Dancers
• UW Klezmer Band, Eastern Europe

And special guest, KUOW’s Marcie Sillman as Master of Ceremonies

Adult Tickets $15 Performance / $45 Reception
Student/Youth Tickets (5-18 or with Student ID) $10 Performance Advance / $15 Performance at the door / $20 Reception
Under 5: FREE

Artist Reception tickets include appetizers and beverages, a silent auction, and access to exhibit booths.
Evening performance tickets include admission to the exhibit booth area starting at 7pm.

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And now, to our silent Auction item of the day: 2 Colombian Handbags

2 Colombian Handbags (Item # 118)

Silent Auction Item #141

These Turkish Ceramic Gas Lamps are a unique example of Anatolian handcraft. They originally made in the city of Kütahya, 186 mile east of the capital city, Ankara.

Don’t you want to bring with you home these exquisite and beautiful home decor items?

O! Such soft leather!
O! Such beautiful colors!

*drool over pictures*

I have personally handled these bags (duty as part of the organizing committee, tough job!). They are absolutely to bid for! I won’t spill too much beans… I want them for me-self…

Red Nicole Hobo handbag from the Ellington Store in Portland, Oregon:

Silent Auction Item #146

Turquoise Nicole Hobo handbag from the Ellington Store in Portland, Oregon:

Silent Auction Item #113

*So bright… so beautiful… ah, Precious.*

These two paintings were brought back by my parents during one of their recent visits per my special request.

“City” (Auction Item #125) is of the view of Central district’s skyscrapers from Victoria Harbour. Amongst them, some of the most recognized and tallest buildings such as Bank of China Tower , 2 International Finance Centre, and Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre.

Painting from Hong Kong -Framed (City)

“Harbour” (Auction Item #124) has one of Hong Kong’s signature – junk yacht in Victoria Harbour. It complements “City” in that it looks from the opposite shore (Tsim Sha Tsui) of Victoria Harbour. You’d notice center in the background, again, Bank of China Tower.

Painting from Hong Kong -Framed (Harbor)

Bring a piece of Hong Kong’s vibrancy and tradition into your home with these beautiful paintings of Hong Kong’s famous cityscape!

Dinner was delicious and we had a great time chatting away about relationships. Susan and Peter also got to meet Emil for the first time.

Hula & Emil

It wasn’t easy to get a group picture where most people look fairly normal. At least this one it looks like Ani is very, very happy.

The Dinner Party

It was a good evening of celebration. I still miss celebrating new year in Hong Kong though. One of these years I’d make the trip…

FIUTS Executive Director, Era Schrepfer brought these vivid handmade pillow covers (Auction Item #129), hand-embroidered on locally-made cotton fabric, from Mexico.

Silent Auction Item #129 Mexican Pillow Covers

Vibrantly colored Arabian pillow cases from Dubai (Auction Item #144) make for great decorations at home!

Silent Auction Item #144 Arabian Pillow Cases

Both items are beautiful and make great additions to a collection of international home decors and it’s a great time to start a collection if you don’t have one yet!

Quick Fact: FIUTS was founded in 1948 (it’s been over 60 years!). It is currently supported by 3 full time staffs, Era Schrepfer (Executive Director), Alison Kilkenny (Homestay and Community Relations Coordinator), and Nicole Comforto (Manager of Student Programs). You will see them at CulturalFest and you can also get to know them a little more here: http://www.fiuts.washington.edu/about/staff.htm