Family

7 Ways to Foster Long-Distance Friendships

Published

4 months ago

November 15, 2022

Writer

As adults, think of all of the friends that we have accumulated in our neighborhoods, schools, places of worship, and employment over the course of our lives. Then consider how many of those people from our past that we still have as saved contact numbers in our cellular phones. When we leave those various locations that once bonded us together with close friends, we often let life happen, and we lose track of those people that meant the world to us.

Let’s not let the same vital friendships fall to the waist side for our children, nieces, and nephews. Being a friend that stays in the loop becomes even harder when a young person gets separated from their buddies by a long distance. Help the children and teenagers in your life learn how to put more commitment into their social bonds by utilizing these seven ways to foster long-distance friendships.

1.) Facetime Games

If a childhood friend lives hours away, it makes having spontaneous visits nearly impossible. If kids used to love playing games together, don’t assume that they have to be face-to-face in order to have fun like they used to. The internet can bridge those gaps of mileage and make it possible for children to make use of games to play on Facetime.

There are plenty of educational games that teach about vocabulary, math, food, and even animals to make that time online not only friendly but beneficial.

2.) Videos and Videochats

Did you or your friend move to a new home? Use the visual capabilities of FaceTime to give a tour of your new apartment or house to share this transition with your friend from afar. You can also enjoy new moments that your friend is going through, such as their favorite new store, meet their new friends, or see new projects that they are working on and be their cheerleader.

Feel closely connected by walking each other through the most recent people, places, and things that you are experiencing.

3.) Keep in Contact

You don’t need to wait until you and your friend are both free and available to see each other and stay up-to-date with each other. You can start the group chat to share new pictures and personal news that may not get put on social media.

Group chats are a great way for kids to learn about and respect each other’s privacy. Part of fostering a strong friendship is being comfortable enough with each other to be able to share information that isn’t meant to be posted publicly.

4.) Long Distance Activities

Another activity to maintain a strong long-distance friendship is by making the time to start watching the same TV show instead of just viewing it alone. Then you have the opportunity to have a debate about it afterward and share your ideas and feelings on the characters, acting, and storytelling.

5.) Accept the Distance

It is a normal feeling to become sad when distance separates a friendship. But what you don’t want to do is remain stuck in that sad place. Create the bright side of your shared story by accepting the fact that the distance is there and that your friendship can remain intact as long as both people put the effort in.

Is it possible to plan a trip to see each other during the holidays or during the summertime? Also, don’t become jealous if they make new friends. Be happy for them and make time to keep in touch.

6.) Make Time Together Count

If the time comes that the distance between you and close friends becomes not just far away but also very expensive to see each other, it will become important that you foster long-distance friendships by making new memories when you see each other.

Be sure to plan a special together at least once a year. They can come to visit you or vice-versa. There is also the opportunity to pick an amusement park or a city that you both would love to visit and meet there. Create special memories that you both can share forever.

7.) Send Gifts

Be sure that you don’t let birthdays or holidays pass by without sending your long-distance friends gifts. By sending gifts to friends when special days come, you can remind them that they still matter to you and haven’t been forgotten.

It takes effort on both sides of a friendship to keep it going once there is a considerable amount of distance between the pair. If a friend hasn’t contacted you in a long time, remember, that doesn’t automatically mean that you aren’t friends any longer.

People get busy, and sometimes they get overwhelmed by sad moments such as having a family member pass away, making them less social than normal. Don’t just wait for your friend to do all of the calling. Make an effort to stay in contact and find ways to have fun from afar.

Related Topics:Facetime Games friendship Gifts Long-Distance Friendships

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The Mayor of Times Square Meets One of the World’s Oldest Holocaust Survivors

Published

12 hours ago

March 26, 2023

Eli Marcus

I arrived to a packed lecture room at a Library in South Florida. This lecture caught my eye weeks prior and I made sure to have it in my calendar. After all, how many more times will I get a chance to hear a 99 year old survivor tell his remarkable story of inconceivable hell, survival and ultimately impressive success? What I heard in the room that day was hard to fathom it wasn’t part of a Spielberg movie with some creative liberty thrown in to embellish an already unbelievable true story. This was the real deal. A vivid description of hell on earth. What I couldn’t understand is how did this survivor go on to create a vibrant family and a very successful business career and not be bitter every day of his life? Equally remarkable is how someone his age could tell a story from 85 years ago as if it happened yesterday and with energy and charisma of someone half his age. He spoke for 45 minutes without a break. Little did anyone in the audience know that, just prior to arriving at the Library, he fell and injured himself, making his perseverance in even making it to the Library even more heroic. This is no ordinary man. I approached the stage after the lecture, patiently awaited my turn to speak with him and asked if I could interview him for my podcast. I am pretty sure he knew little to nothing of what a podcast was, but he agreed as you are about to learn why telling his story over and over is his divine mission.

Eli Marcus and Sam Ron

Sam Ron bears personal witness to the greatest atrocity in human history. He is one of the only remaining Holocaust Survivors his age who survived four concentration camps…and a Death March. He turns 99 in July. His story is remarkable…and he himself is equally as remarkable.

Here’s what you will learn when listening to this World Exclusive interview on The Motivation Show podcast:

-Where did Sam grow up and what was life like before the Germans invaded his country

-How life changed once the Germans invaded and how long did the changes take

-Why and when did Sam and his family decide to go into hiding and where did he hide

-How did Sam end up in the Krakow Ghetto, how was it different than the infamous Warsaw Ghetto, and what took place in the Ghetto

-When did Sam first realize that the Germans were not just transporting Jews to what they disguised as labor camps, but were actually killing them.

-How many times was Sam transported in cattle cars and what was that like

-Which concentration camps was Sam in & what were they like

-What was life like in the concentration camps and why did they move Sam around to different camps

-What is a Death March, why and how did that happen and how did Sam survive it

-What lessons should listeners take away from Sam’s experience

-What does Never Again mean to Sam and why is it so important for him to share this and other Holocaust lessons

You can listen to this interview on any podcast listening app or use this Spotify link: https://open.spotify.com/episode/3KBPe9jhTdYw1iA9UN7UiK WARNING: This interview is GUARANTEED to move you to tears!!!

Art

Events In April Bring Easter, Spring and Flowers Galore.

Published

1 day ago

March 25, 2023

Suzanna Bowling

Photograph: Eugene Gologursky/Getty Images for Macy’s, Inc.

Join the Judy Garland and Fred Astaire tradition with the Easter Bonnet Parade on Fifth Avenue. There is also the Orchid Show at the New York Botanical Garden or right at home the flower show at Macy’s. On select Fridays every month, you can enjoy Free Admission to the Intrepid Sea, Air & Space Museum between 5 pm and 9 pm.

Until 4/9: Macy’s Flower Show. The show includes beautiful, bright floral arrangements, special events including live music, and kids’ activities.

until 4/23: This is The Orchid Show‘s 20th year. Reconnect with nature while experiencing the picture-perfect beauty of the orchids. On select nights, adults can experience the exhibition through Orchid Nights, with music, cash bars, and food available for purchase.

4/1-30: Sakura Matsuri Cherry Blossom Festival. The festival, hosted by the Brooklyn Botanic Garden, celebrates Japanese culture and the arrival of spring. It features a variety of cultural performances and activities, as well as a small flea market, tea ceremonies, and crafts. The highlight is the magnificent display of cherry blossom trees, with over 200 trees in full bloom. Visitors can admire the pink and white blooms and enjoy a traditional Japanese atmosphere. Tickets are usually around $40 for adults, though seniors and students get a reduced rate of $35.

4/7-16th: The New York International Auto Show. The first new york Auto Show took place in 1900, for over 120 years now they have been sharing what’s new and interesting in the auto industry.

4/9: The Easter Parade starts near St. Patrick’s Cathedral at 10am. The tradition dates back to the 1870s, where elaborate bonnets and fashion galore is full frontal.

4/9: “Georgia O’Keeffe: To See Takes Time,” comes to MoMA.

4/15: The Tartan Day Parade is an NYC tradition that offers attendees a unique way to celebrate and honor Scottish culture. For the 25th year, there will be bagpipes, dancers, and even Scottish dogs marching in the parade. Attendance is free and open to the public. In addition to the parade, expect a whole week of Scottish-themed events and festivities.

4/15: Pillow Fight in the Park at Washington Square Park.

4/15: The New York Restoration Project is giving out 3,500 free trees to New Yorkers across all five boroughs. To get one of the 3,500 free trees that will be given away, register in advance on this website, where you’ll also get to browse through the current list of distribution dates, times and locations.

4/15 and 29: f the likes of udon, yakitori, ramen, and taiyaki make your mouth water, then mark your calendar for Japan Fes in Chelsea. The event will be held from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and is considered a paradise for Japanese foodies and cultural enthusiasts.

4/16: Holi in The City demands food, music, dance, and fun while embracing people and organizations from all ethnic and religious backgrounds.

4/22: Earth Day celebrated in NYC with a festive, family-friendly outdoor fair in Union Square. There will be dozens of exhibitors, interactive displays, a green-vehicle show, family activities, music, and entertainment. 12-6pm.

4/27: Attend The Queen’s Ball: A Bridgerton Experience

4/27- 30: Antiquarian Book Fair now in its 63rd year, this festival for book collectors at Park Avenue Armory for a full weekend of first editions, maps, manuscripts and other treasures from literary epochs past from nearly 200 exhibitors.

Events

Celebrity Chef Sal Scognamillo, George Pettignano Bring Patsy’s Italian Restaurant To Life

Published

2 days ago

March 25, 2023

Errol Rappaport

Patsy’s Italian Restaurant has been known for years as the restaurant made famous by Frank Sinatra, and his family still enjoys dining here whenever they are in town. George Clooney’s aunt, cabaret singer and actress Rosemary Clooney, was once quoted, “Patsy’s is still the best Italian restaurant in town. I make a pasta pilgrimage there every time I return.”

Other long-time high profile patrons who consider Patsy’s Italian Restaurant their Manhattan dining room include, Tony Bennett, Michael Bublé, George Clooney, Sean “Puff Daddy” Combs, Tony Danza, Jennifer Lopez, Liza Minnelli, Al Pacino, Rihanna, Martha Stewart, Ben Stiller, Oprah Winfrey, and many others.

Celebrity Chef Sal Scognamillo

We all had the pleasure to join Celebrity Chef Sal Scognamillo for a very special Private Lunch on March 18th hosted City Guide and Eli Marcus.

Eli Marcus,George Pettignano

Chef Sal shared some of his riveting stories about celebrities, sports stars and others famous guests. Ha also told us a few one-of-a-kind frank Sinatra stories about Frank’s exclusive table near we were seated.

Popular entertainer George Pettignano, a cousin of Bobby Rydell, sang classic tunes from the 40’s to 70’s ranging from Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin, The Beatles, Elvis & more! George, as a former Hollywood stunt man, shared some of his classic stories