Going on 85

Photographer Lauren Fleishman's project Love Ever After melted my heart this Valentine's morning - so I thought I'd pass it on. You can only imagine how much my old soul loves these photos & words. xoxoxoxo

Photos via: Lauren Fleishman

Story via: Cup of Jo

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

ne

"happyiest moment"

I probably over-use my 23 year old limit of omg, o.m.g., oh. ma. ga., so on & so forth. BUT THIS, this is a top OMG moment.

Due to my space travel a few weeks ago - I failed to update my lovely blog readers about some of the best news (or the best news) I've heard in weeks, months, maybe even the last year (that is - after gettin' hired).

Khalda had her baby*!!
Anwar sent me an e-mail titled, "you invited to chair our happyiest moment". Wasn't expecting ... "As I told you the doctor told us the baby is girl, but surprisingly the baby is boy." It looks like Sarah Jeanna is out of the name game, but oh well, Ahmed Anwar probably sounds better anyway.

Immediately I splurged on some Skype minutes & called my sister up! Thinking I was being sneaky ... Khalda didn't think twice about it (note, we haven't heard each others voices in over a year) she just goes, "Oh HI. You hear the news? Jeanna - I SOOOO happy."

We chit chatted for about 10 minutes & I can't even begin to explain how happy it made me. Hearing her voice/laugh was meaningful enough, but to be able to share in such a happy moment. BEAMING. SMILING. GLOWING.That's all I've got, I can't form sentences.

Welcome to the world baby Ahmed. You've got yourself an amazing mum, & an excited American Auntie.

PS: I keep pestering the woman for pictures, & she keeps reminding me that I should cool it- she just had a baby. She wins. Updates to come. xoxo

*Didn't remember she was preggers? No problem - here's a reminder.

Penny

A map - that you scratch off where you've been.

                               

'nuff said. I need one. 

You too? Get it here. 

(via A Cup of Jo)

yr. ago

Sandpoint, Idaho. 

Top Customers

At the Deli I serve a lot of different people, but my favorite - hands down - are customers over 60. Here are a few reasons why:

they call me cute names (doll, sweet, lovely, sugar, hunny, etc.),
their jokes are terrible,
they always dress to impress,
they are polite,
they laugh a lot,
they love chocolate,
trying something new off the menu is a huge deal,
they are comfortable eating alone,
they savor pastries and baked goods,
they order caffeine at night &
beer in the afternoon.

My favorite though, is when they order ice cream, because they always - and I mean always - get a double scoop.

Fighting Winter

In a journal entry from January 2006 I wrote, "a happy thought a day keeps the doctor away".

I then proceeded for the next few months to write down a daily happy thought. Sometimes it was a list of happy things; other days it was quotes from friends or favorite song lyrics. On a few occasions it was simply a word. I remember doing this because winter had gotten me down.

The next few years I relied on 'happy lists' to aid in the fight against winter blues. In fact, in 2007 on this very day February 18th, I loved: the library, warm winter days, soup, Blast From the Past, little reminders, highlighters, Burt's Bees, the Gap, masks, fountains, decorating, weird dreams, and late night showers.

For the last few years though, I haven't taken the time to reflect on the good things. In fact, it wasn't until Ms. Sarah suggested the idea of a 'happy list' I even remembered my many notebooks full of them. I'll give you two guesses as to what I've restarted ...

Yes, I'm reinstating the daily happy thought journal. Lately, I've been getting so wrapped up in the negative, I've left no space for anything positive. No more. No more. With just a few minutes of daily reflection - I am officially re-welcoming happy into my life. I hope you join me.

At first it may be forced, (gah, okay. I ate chocolate today - that was okayyy), but before you know it your lists will grow (8 hours of sleep, a smiling stranger, old songs on the radio, rain boots, the smell of vanilla, sighting of green leaves, etc). The goodness of life will become more evident. Then - one day - you won't need a list at all... you'll find that happiness is all around.

Something to do today: reflect on the good of your day.

onetwo

2 weeks into home life.

2 days into job searching.

Who knew depression and discouragement could set in so quickly.

I’ve been pretty bummed lately, feeling really out of control and sad in this whirlwind of readjustment, job-hunting, and frankly- loneliness. Welch Minnesota is the prefect place to sit back and enjoy the peacefulness of Mother Nature, not so much for entertainment. Although, watching Ringo be chased by our new chickens did throw the family into a fit of giggles.

The other week during my visit to Ames, my beautiful friend Megen told me that she had made the decision to be happy.

Made the DECISION to be happy.

Made the decision FOR HERSELF to be happy.

Made the decision to be HAPPY.

Today, it finally set in what a wonderful idea that is! Who wants to hire a frumpy, unenthusiastic, bitter recent graduate? My disheartened attitude has done nothing but hurt the people who are closest to me, and put me further behind on the ‘to hire’ list.

SO. I started with a smile and a library trip.

Book List:

“Guide to Internet Job Searching” Co published with the Public Library Association.

“The Perfect Resume: Today’s Ultimate Job Search Tool” by Tom Jackson

“Resume Buzz Words: Get Your Resume to the Top of the Pile” by Erik Herman and Sarah Rocha; it just might work!

“The Vagina Monologues” by Eve Ensler; because she keeps me spunky, and the courageousness of women keeps me motivated.

“Three Cups of Tea: One Man’s Mission to Fight Terrorism and Build Nations… One School at a Time” by Greg Mortenson and David Oliver Relin; I am constantly on a hunt for inspiration, and my lovely IRIS crew tells me it is a must read.

DVD List:

Michael Moore’s “Sicko”; I’ve got not health insurance …

Ugly Betty Season One; simply, I love her.

2 weeks until all these things are due back to Redwing Public Library.

Thank You Ensler and Kingsolver

Tilde and I had a long conversation about what it takes to appreciate Cairo. We concluded that one 'simply' needs to have a passion for culture, an open/flexible mind and person, and an ability to see beauty in the smallest of things.

A Beauty In:

The glimpse of a leopard print shirt under the full covering of a niqab.

Piles of fruit for sale on the street; the greens of mangoes, oranges (ironic, I know), apples, peppers, and pears.

Call to prayer, 5 times a day when millions (billions around the world) take a pause in their day to drop everything and praise their God. I see it as the only consistent thing in Cairo (other than bad traffic), it comforts me.

Mostly, I see beauty in strength. In Khalda and her friends (along with the entire Sudanese community) who face daily racism, but continue on with smiling faces. In the elderly who shuffle their way around this chaotic city. In the sweat of people who work hard for minimal pay.

The women here, amaze me. I personally struggle daily with my lack of freedoms due to my sex. I get so angry about my inability to roam, dress, speak, and stare freely. Cat call after cat call, stares that burn, and a constant awareness that I'm female- by the end of the day I'm exhausted. Granted, I face a different kind of harassment than Egyptian women because I am foreign. I am young, American, and in the minds of young Egyptian males I am Angelina, Jennifer, Britney, and Beyonce combined. Yet, through all the oppression when I enter the women's cart on the metro I'm surrounded by smiles, laughter, respect, style, and love.

Today tutoring I got to meet three inspirational women. Ask me their names and I will not remember them. Ask me about their smile - and I'll do my best to describe it. All three of the women came in today, simply to talk. To practice their skills in English.

First there was the woman who works at the Cairo Opera House. She is an artist who finds happiness in the warmness of orange, yellow, and red. She lives with her mother and it is obvious she wants more, but doesn't complain. Instead she talks about her job and friends. She talks about her dreams to travel, because when she travels she feels alive.

Then there was the young Somali woman. She studies both Arabic and English to be a Social Worker. She is one of two Somali students in her class at Cairo University. Her daily 45 minute trip each way to school doesn't bother her, because here she feels safe. There is no one trying to hurt her in Cairo, no killing on the streets, a constant fear of violence does not exsist. So she complains about nothing.

I got to end my time with a middle aged single mother from Eritrea. I was able to sit beside a woman who would do anything for her children. She didn't understand a word I said in English, or a word in Arabic. She lives with only her children and a constant state confusion and fear. She knows though, that education is her key to survival. So she goes to English classes twice a week, and goes home to immediately teach her children. They teach her the Arabic that their young minds pick up so easily. She holds onto her native tounge also - her children are learning three languages.

These three women were all inspirations, to just keep - keeping on. They were all scared. Scared of being alone, of language, of homework, of the city, of the heat, of their past experiences, of what is still left. Yet, each talked about their mothers and Oprah. About their dreams and passions. Each of them had a smile on their face and in their eyes.

How can I not fall in love with a city when it holds so many surprises and so much beauty?
One just has to search for it a little harder here, but hey, welcome to the Middle East.

We Packed Apples and Water

OMG I saw the pyramids.

I could have sat at the edge of the Great Pyramid for hours soaking in all the people (there is a true sense of excitement and wonder illuminating from everyone), the camels/horses/donkeys- dressed in their best, children trying to sell postcards to every 'madam and sir', the "camel ride? camel ride? low price!" guys, history, tourist police (mostly just around for picture taking), the desert, a mild eeriness, Giza Cairo skyline, the overall greatness-vastness of the pyramids/Sphinx. It's been days since I've been there and I still cannot even start to wrap my mind around how those beasts were made.

Khalda and her friend Abdullah made sure that I had the ultimate pyramids experience. They wouldn't let me leave the Khafre's Valley Tomb until I dropped a coin in the 'good luck' well. They made sure we took horrible tourist photos (pushing the pyramids, petting the Sphinx). And I just had to ride a camel. That ended up being quite the adventure- ending in separation from my friends, a lot of yelling, an angry camel man, a trip to the tourist police, and a few tears - ahh, but most importantly... a lot of really great pictures. Because come on, me on a camel ... that is just hilarious. Oh, and Mother- I didn't fall off, even though I know you would have loved that.

I got the best sauna experience of my life when I went inside one of the Queen's Pyramid's and the Great Pyramid. Let me repeat - I WENT INSIDE two pyramids. To do this is not an easy experience nor for the claustrophobic. It is done by crouching down really low in a tight space, then climbing (in the Queen's Pyramid you descend) a ridiculous number of steep metal rods, holding on tightly to wooden planks while you stare at the ass in front of you, and like I said- it is hot in there. It is all worth the 50 LEs- 10USD (and in my case two days of sore legs) in those moments where I overcame the fear of crashing and looked up and around at the interior walls of the pyramid.

All around the day was simply FUN. Khalda, Abdullah and I had such a good time wandering around, taking a break in the air conditioned Solar Boat Museum, trying to remember what we've learned about ancient Egypt, laughing, taking pictures, and people watching. At the end of it all- we chowed down on some falafel and passed out on the metro.

I have seen the sunset at the Giza pryamids. Sometimes, I don't know what I've done to deserve experiences like these...

MISR! Mountian! Mummies!

Okay, well.... I've been up a mountain and back.

This weekend (the weekend here is Friday/Saturday) Khalda and Anwar treated me a nice vacation on the Sinai Coast. I went with a tour bus of about 20 people - a wonderful mix of Americans, Europeans, and Egyptians, etc. Mostly comprising of students, interns, journalists, volunteers, human rights activists - ma people! It was utterly exhausting and relaxing at the same time.

We drove all night to arrive at Mount Sinai around 3AM and started our trek. Thank God I had no idea what I was getting myself into. Otherwise I probably would have never signed up. Little did I know that the "nice hike" mentioned in our trip agenda was actually a hike up the second largest peak in the Middle East. Mount Sinai is the mount in which Moses is said to have spent his 40 days and 40 nights to receive the 10 commandments. It is 7,500 feet high ...

7K and 2.5 hours - of a rocky/sandy, dark, cold, camel filled path & 700 "steps" of small steep steep steep rocks, shaking legs, and a racing heart - later I reached the top with my new insta-friend/motivator/partner in panting/hotelmate Tilde (a sweet, sweet, woman from Denmark who is interning at the embassy). We made it just in time to see the sunrise. Even through it was a hazy sunrise dulled by sand, dust, and my own hunger- it was definitely one of those "life moments".

I felt pretty proud of myself too... until I saw a group of elderly people with canes reach the top- no problemo.

The way down? Well I wasn't thinking about life then...mostly just my demise if I stepped badly on one of the 3,000 "steps" on the "stairs of redemption". At least on the way down there weren't any camels in my face.

We spent the rest of the weekend in Dahab - relaxing by the Red Sea. I've never seen clearer water. It felt SO good. Think - paradise ... with no green. Mountains, sea, and tourists everywhere. I probably should have snorkeled or diving, but I was having too much fun laying without the sound of dogs, people, or car horns.

It was really nice to have some down time and meet some people working in Cairo. Talking to people who could understand me at normal talking speed was indescribably comforting. Being back in the city isn't too bad though. I missed Khalda, the pushing, and adventures of crossing the street.

- I've been spoiled -

Last week Khalda and company brought me to an Egyptian football game. Egypt is hosting the U20 World Cup right now, and it is seriously the only thing people are talking about. So we headed to Cairo Stadium to check out the Egypt (Misr)- Paraguay game. SO. MUCH. FUN. Spirits were so high (until we lost...), everyone had painted faces, a flag and/or drum in hand, lots of chip eating, cheering, and I've never done the wave so many times. In Egypt football is life- and I could feeeeeel it. It was such a fun experience. ... that I think is going to be repeated sometime this week.

I also got to check out the Egyptian Museum. In true Egyptian nature its mostly a chaotic maze of ancient unlabeled artifacts. More like our 6th grade rendition of ancient Egypt rather than a world known museum. No matter, it was somethin'else to be able to wander around such old pieces. Some of my personal highlights were the ancient royal jewelry room, any/everything King Tut, and the mummy rooms. I made fun of Khalda for being too scared to go in the mummy rooms, but I can't lie- they were pretty freaky.

Next week I'm going to start tutoring English at St. Andrew's Refugee Services I'm pretty excited to meet some more refugees, help out, and see how another program works. In just two visits I can the staff is over their head in work, but I hope I can steal them away for a bit to get some advice and conversation.

More later, Khalda is home from work - Alhamdulillah - (a common Arabic expression that means "Thank God")

All the Love,

Jeannnnnnna