YES YES YES

"I think it's first you have to feel it. If you don't feel something about this and feel that immediate sense of responsibility then you'll never be able to do anything effective. Once you do feel that, it's amazing how the Universe will always point you in the direction that becomes effective."

- Richard Gere; in response to Burma VJ

...this is dedicated to Kim & Jess two of my dear friends who are running with their dreams as of late.

Karen New Year Pt. 2

 G-gal girls, Awesome Hair, & cute lil'babies 

Karen New Year Pt. 1

A day full of singing, dancing & performance, Traditional Clothing, & my man Calvin!

Good Morning

ghaw luh a ghāy

 via, drumpublications

THX

I've been feeling more than overwhelmed by the news lately. I feel like all my Brothers and Sisters around the world (the United States too) are facing too much political tension - heavy. tragic. violent. misunderstood. I was going to rant about it - link to news articles & whine, but instead - I'm going to focus energies on positive thoughts.

I've been reading THXTHXTHX on and off for quite some time, and it's always a joy to come back to. I just love it. Similar to my theories on fighting winter & the blues with a 'happy thought a day', Leah Dieterich writes a daily thank you note. To anything and everything.

In this time of political unrest, human rights violations and gloomy days - keeping reading the news, but find something to be thankful for as well. There's plenty of good going around too.

PS: Remember that hilarious time I tried doing yoga? Well, I've been trying it again (this time in a Core Power Classroom setting) & I love it. This week - I'm thankful for yoga.

 THXTHXTHX Cards via: thxthxthx

The Travels of Tilde

 

Well, isn't it funny that after a recent post about mail, I should get some? & from Tilde at that.

Tilde, oh what a girl. Oh, this lady. She's wonderful. Fate and Karim brought us together when we both randomly set out on a solo trip to the Sinai Coast hosted by Tour Egypt . We became insta-friends.

Together we've climbed a mountain, swam in the Red Sea, been pained by hives & bus crashes, healed from hives & bus crashes, experienced an Egyptian 'aquarium', doubled our weight in bottled Coke, toured Zamalek, watched a Godfather marathon with my Sudanese pals, played hours of backgammon, toured Coptic Cairo (made it there & back with our flawless Arabic), bought Egyptian cotton sweat pants from City Stars, made plans for our future and then went on a hunt for Twilight* in Arabic (I swear it wasn't for me). 

& now, I've been so lucky to be added to this woman's travel postcard list. So far I've gotten postcards from Switzerland, Paris & Hong Kong. Funny, I'm still waiting for one from Denmark - where the lady calls home. Someday, when I can afford a slice of pizza in Copenhagen I hope to visit my dear friend.

*We found it.

NO WALL

via pasunepipe

musical chairs

via dollyrockergirl

In Care

Aww, shucks.

I missed National Letter Writing Week which, apparently, is the second week in January every year.

Do you still write letters? I do! (I even got some stockin' stuffer stamps). Sitting down with a stack of paper (& records, because it's my firm belief that every letter needs a soundtrack -- with that, press play nowwww for a wonderful Pasty song about letter writing), a good pen and a cup of tea - is one of my favorite pastimes.

& wouldn't you know, coming home after work and finding a letter addressed to moi also on the top of my favorites list hinthinthinthinthinthinthint. 

So. This week (since, I'll just assume you all missed the Letter Writing Week memo too) sit down and write a letter to a pal. You'll love it. They'll love it.

& let me know if you want to be pen pals...
& don't even get me started on my dreams of cutesy stationary sets.

Tea Parties I Like

Since moving away from my loves in Iowa 'I miss you' has become a common phrase in conversational Jeanna English.'I sure wish I could have some tea/coffee/beer with you right now.' - comes in close second.

So naturally - I find these tea party teabags from donkey products genius. Tea with rock stars? Or leaders in world peace? Yes please! You can even buy a pack that allows you to create your own teabag. I can't stop snickering (even thinking about DIY?!...).

No seriously, I'm tickled pink by these lil'guys.

To easily entertained you say? Probably.
Added to my never ending wish list? Definitely.

Images via donkey products

Radio Wavvves

One benefit of working in the midst of  St. Paul's warehouse district - Led Zeppelin music (& other great rock bands) floats through the windows. All day. Everyday.

Images via GoogleImages

From the Desk of Jeanna

DNA/DNR

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) has a pretty niffty program that allows hunters to donate harvested meat to food programs/families in need. Cool right?

Since their arrival in the US many Karen families have been getting in some -- errm, trouble, for their hunting practices in Minnesota (you need a license, what?!). The DNR has been wonderful about teaming with KOM to teach and help the Karen learn to hunt in their new home, legally.

& now, we keep getting deer dropped off for families who may be hungry during these cold days. Anyway, rumor has it - a deer arrived at our doorsteps yesterday.

The current the sight from my desk is a couple of men chowing down, and all I can make through the Karen talk is, "mmmm DNA, mmmm DNA".

Dancin' and Drumin'

It's Friday. Relax, and read this awesome article by MPR on the Karen New Year 2010 - I guarantee tomorrow's New Year Celebration 2011 (2750) will kick even more ass.

Attend. Eat. Dance. Drum.& meet the co-workers I'm always swoooooning over.

YR 2750

YES

Reflection

Anyone remember when I talked about the This I Believe project? Well, 8 months later - I've written my own. & it wasn't due to my own will. It was an assignment for my Emerge*AmeriCorps service year, & boy, did I treat it like an assignment -- fast typing, nit-picking, long hours of spacing out, procrastination, caffeine and a few tears.

I've been up in the air about posting it in it's entirety, but as so many around me discuss their New Year's resolutions, goals and dreams for 2011 - I figure - why not?

I realize, that as years pass my beliefs will change and grow with me. But here's what I've got now, and mayyyybe - writing a new This I believe essay will become my yearly "New Year's reflection". 

--- 

While trying to decide what I believe it soon became impossible to distinguish what I believe versus what I wanted others to know about my life, opinions, passions and dreams. It wasn’t until I looked within myself – sitting in silence with my heart – that I realized – that’s it.

When in doubt, I sit with my inner voice.

While it goes by many names – gut feeling, Devine intervention, impulse, urge, or a punch in the gut  … I believe, the answers lie within one’s self.

I believe in the importance of growing in an atmosphere of openness and trust of both yourself and the Universe. I believe that the right answer’s lie within our very core. But to get there – you’ve got to have conversations with yourself. And further – you have to be on the listening end.

Often we act before thinking. There are many times which our inner voice is unable to shout louder than our fears, doubts, and other outside influences. It is not uncommon to find materials and conformity taking the lead. Sometimes, our inner voice is the problem itself– trying to disrupt relationships, jobs and other plans going seemingly smooth – it’s always trying to make you go one step further – or highlighting your wrongdoings.

But when we are not listening our inner voice – we welcome not only that achy feeling in our gut, but also disappointment, discontent, and unhappiness.

These are opportunities to learn and grow.

Saying I believe in my inner voice – is not a statement of believing only in myself. I believe that in the process of learning to trust one’s inner voice there comes a responsibility to understand and accept the voice of others. Not everyone’s inner voice feels the same, and they may not be linear to your own. When you listen to the core of your being and try to understand that of others– differences are hard to come by.

But when they do, they are not feared, but embraced.

Our own inner voices are continually growing and changing. Teaming with our dreams, values and beliefs our inner voice is a reflection the loved ones and strangers around us. It is fueled by our experiences, stories we hear, the advice we receive, and the hard work and flexibility we put into life. We cannot decide and act alone – the trust, input, love and experiences of others will help guide you.

Trusting your inner voice is also practice in accepting the connectedness of the Universe.

In listening to my inner voice I’m able to more firmly believe in the inherent goodness of people, the value of diversity, the right of all to experience joy, and the importance of imagination.

If only we all listened to the depths of our heart – I believe there would be more passionate people, more tolerance and significantly less hunger, slavery, violence and discrimination.

While I do not believe in utopia, but I do believe that if we all take the time to listen to our inner voice- we’d know how to respond.

In the novel, ‘The Alchemist’ a man says to the young protagonist, “Listen to your heart. It knows all things, because it came from the Soul of the World, and it will one day return there.”

This. I. Believe.