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

Monday Blues

I had such a fun, thrifty, cozy, filling weekend with my mom and Sister. Wish it wasn't over.

The BIG 21

Whoops. I'm a day late in publicly blog-style celebratin' my little sista's 21st birthday! I could say our day was full of rowdy debauchery, but really Emily was shopping and I - was cleaning my car.

Isn't she beautiful? (& all grown up?!) Oh Emmy Bee  - heres to wishing you the happiest of birthdays and an adventurous, fulfilling and happy year. xoxo

Splittin' Time

Look what Alex did for my dad & his log splitter -- Alexandra Doffing Freelance

* Photo by Alex Doffing

Sugarplums

Happiest of birthdays to my wonderful Mother! 

She thinks I'm a strange bird, but I think, I learned from the best. Side note: It is really a shame high energy cannot be learned.  

Thanks for a wonderful day of desserts and drinks - cheers to many, many more. Oh, and thanks for (almost) always answering the phone. 

Love you! xoxo

Rat Sniffing Bombs

While I'm on my Kristof kick ... if you have a father or know a father or know that this weekend is father's day - read this.

Khadka & Barakoti

This family. Changed my life. & its not just because they fed me apples and homemade yogurt*.

*the actual creamy/chunky white sauce is still a mystery. For my own comfort I like to think it was yogurt. 

I'm Cold.

Well, lazy blog week. Snuggling up today (what is with the cold?!) and having a LOST party with Emmmmily. She is finally done with finals.

Photo by Sarah Pederson Weinhandl @ the Watkin's Museum in Winona!

Just think- one more year + a few summer classes and wa-la there will be no more reasons for Winona road-trips. I'm still struggling to believe that I've graduated from college (it's been a year already?!) - I'll need this year to imagine my little sister doing the same... 

Best of luck to all my dear friends on their finals! 

I Found the First One!

Last night my dad and I went Morel mushroom hunting around our house. Neither of us had done it before, but the lilacs are in bloom so - it was time. Upon returning home & doing some research it was obvious we made a few noob mistakes, but I'd say a pound and a half is quite the score for first timers! Do any of you hunt for Morels?  

For someone who doesn't eat mushrooms - I had a blast. Every once in a while it feels good to run around in the woods and get your hands dirty. Mayyybe I'll even try one, I do like butter... 

Mochas and Confidence

The delay in this London Trip update is 100% my fault. Em was right on the ball... I, not so much. As you may remember my Bitty Sister went to LONDON for Spring Break and had a blast on her first trip out of the U S of A. Saaaweeet. Here's what she had to tell me (& now you) about the trip (I bolded the statements that made my heart burst):

"& now I will tell you - London was fantastic, I was not expecting myself to fall in love with such a fast pace, large city but I did. I loved the fashion of London I could just sit there and take notes and try to look as trendy as them, tights tights tights and  knee high boots. I was in heaven with a mocha and croissant in one hand and confidence in the other I was ready to go explore. My favorite sights in London would have to be the view from the St. Paul Cathedral, you can't even picture the view until you hike up all those steps and you are finally standing at the top the wind is smacking you in the face and you dont even care because all you can focus on is that view. It feels like the city is at your finger tips. It was as beautiful as the cathedral itself. Another favorite of mine was not even in the heart of London, it was Camden Town, the shops and booths filled with gorgeous going out dresses and smoking pipes... it was a mixture of everything in all these shops you would be walking and suddenly you would be finding broaches and lace then a door down would be studded belts and a underground tattoo parlors. It was an experience and I wanted to not only buy everything for myself, but also for you - if only we were rich right? Not to mention, this was where I let a sexy Italian cut off all my hair.  Every time I cut my hair and do something bold I may not love it right away but it is always so refreshing and it makes me feel like I can conquer anything. [Emmy-Bee offered to be the 'dummy' or rather model for a group of Italian cosmetology students. Free haircut at a top London salon - she snatched up that opportunity!] I get this wave of freedom, every inch cut off I feel like I have gained 1 yard of freedom. 

FOOD something that used to be a scary topic for me - ahh vacation, it helped so much. Some of my favorites?  Hmm let me see, I loved all the desserts (how could you not?) I had: cheesecake, ice cream, pie... My favorite was probably the lamb and apricot shepard's pie (flakey, light, warm, and delicious) Shared bottles of wine didnt hurt either. OH MAN, I almost forgot about the CURRY. We went to this dodgy resturant/bar where on Wednesdays (we got lucky) they had a curry special so for 5 pounds. Note to anyone traveling to London the fish & chips while yummy, I'd go with the curry. Another note... their mochas are not that great so instead order a hot cocoa with expresso shots - it's more rich and chocolate-y. I think it tasted better that way ... No actually I know it tasted better that way :)

It was just so much fun that I just smile & giggle everytime I think of my trip and it makes me want to travel travel travel even more. New York, Spain, ITALY who knows where next but there will be a somewhere in my future there will be..." 

YAY! Isn't that just wonderful? For past big-sis bragging you can visit here or here. & - NEWS Emily has started a blog too. You can read about her 'little beautiful things in life' here at "Wandering the Road Already Traveled" 

She's Backkkkkkk

Ohh, my baby's back from London.
Stories to come soon.

2 Pairs of Shoes

This is Emily.

aka: Emmy Bee, Em, mylittlesister

Cute, eh?

Well this lady is about to make her first trip out of the country! It's spring break time at Winona State and Emily + her friend/coworker Kristin are heading off to ... London!

Their friend Ashley is currently student teaching right outside the city and so when the idea came up to visit Emily's thought process went something like this... "hell yes - free housing - worth it - hellllllo Europe".

& what is she most excited for? Let her tell you, "I'm most excited for a new environment. Its time to get out of Winona and not think about school. I just want to enjoy everything; take in the smells, food, sights... Ideally, I'll just sit outside (or inside) have some coffee (or tea!), watch people and compare it to the States."

& most nervous for? "Getting off that plane ... and going with the flowwww in a different place."

Apparently the lovely travel bug has bit my Bee before take off. I asked her where next and I got a list including Italy and a little stateside tourism - Chicago in the near future, and hopefully someday NYC.

Our parents may be shaking in their boots, but I'm beaming. Traveling has been such an important part of my own life- I'm thrilled that Emily gets to experience a bit of adventure herself!

What's Emily bringing her big sister home? To be determined. She says whatever I want, but I highly doubt I'll be getting that plane ticket anytime soon...

Photo Credit, Emily Templin (Sister Emily's Bestie), Thanks!

Epic Thank You Card.

Iowa. You treat me so well, & all I can do is say THANK YOU!

Thanks to my Rwanda ladies, who remind me how small and fragile our world is. That a small group of woman can change the world. & it's okay to enjoy 3+ servings of Kenyan food in a single sitting.

Thanks to Mike and his roommates for always letting me barge in as number 5. Mikey, your shoulder saves me every time. & the microwavable burritos weren't that bad.

Thanks to my Alexandra's (Doffing and Jones) for always being on the same page as me.

Thanks to Sarah for the delicious meal and even better conversation. I have no idea where you get all your optimism and love for life- but it's contagious.

Thanks to IRIS and LSI co-workers/friends for reminding me of what I've done and believing in what is yet to come. Experiences within your walls have shaped me both professionally and personally in ways I can hardly comprehend. I've been so lucky, and catching up is always a blast.

Thanks to Thai Kitchen for heart shaped rice.

Thanks for Saturday night company. You kids are my family (meaning: I love you and you can't get rid of me). Your hugs and spirits will change the world.

Thanks to the brave and beautiful women who performed the Vagina Monologues. Each year the stories move me in a different way, but I am always inspired.

Oh, and Thanks to Mom and Dad for helping an unemployed daughter out by filling the Jetta with her beloved gas.

What a week can do for the soul. Life is beautiful.

Something to do today: call a friend.

LEROY IS --

This is my dad. Sometimes he climbs trees.

Today is his birthday.

He reminds me allllll the time that I've seen more of the world than he has. But I'll let you in on a little secret -- he just might know more about getting around in it than I.

Love you Dad! Happy Birthday and many thanks for always being my optimist.

Heres to many more adventures and creations. xoxo

Festival Time

Bare trees, red decorations, Christmas music, warm food, and chilly weather.

I've officially arrived back in the United States just in time for the holiday season. For that, I am thankful.

I thought I would freeze after being spoiled by Cairo's weather, but the warmness of family, friends, and the holiday season have treated me well. Wool socks, tea, and quilts haven't hurt either.

Thanksgiving was a success, and I'm so happy I was home for it. Thank God for America and a holiday focused on feasting, chatting, napping, and ad shopping! Now, I just need to gear up and bundle up for Christmas.

My friends in Egypt and Muslim friends around the world are also in the midst of holiday celebrations. During my time in Cairo I was fortunate enough to celebrate the end of Ramadan, Eid ul-Fitr. Approaching now is the Eid al-Adha (Eid meaning "Festival"). According to a BBC article (linked), "Eid al-Adha, the Feast of the Sacrifice, is a three-day festival that is celebrated after the Hajj - the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca that every Muslim who can afford to and is capable is required to perform once." During this time individuals focus on the ideas of sacrifice, giving, and sharing.

Sound familiar Thanksgiving and Christmas celebrators? During this holiday season lets remember that people around the world have more similarities than differences. The joys of love, sharing, and good friends and family are bigger than religion, skin color, and nationally.

'Egyptians Gear Up for Eid al-Adha'

Let us remember our neighbors both near and far during this holiday season.

Africa, Again.

Hello All,

Whether you've: heard it via the family grapevine, been asked for travel advice, opened my the eyes to the world of refugee advocacy, provided moral support (I needed a lot to buy my ticket), given me travel advice, or have no idea what I'm even talking about- you've all helped me in this next (2 month) life step.

I'm heading to Cairo, Egypt tomorrow!!

I will be living in Cairo for two months with a Sudanese Darfur refugee to help her learn English. This opportunity came about after my internship with Lutheran Services in Iowa Refugee Cooperative. My new roommate and host, Khalda Anwar Ahmed is the fiance of a former client of LSI.

While I'm living in Cairo, Khalda will be my personal tour guide to all the countries tourist spots, as well as a teacher of Arabic, cooking, and culture. Most importantly I hope we can build a beautiful friendship. I hope to return to the United States in November with a better understanding of life as a displaced refugee, African/Middle Eastern culture, and more travel/language/teaching experience. (Then yes, it will finally be time to put that degree to use with some kind of job and/or grad school :)).

I have re-issued my Rwanda blog -- http://jeanna12.blogspot.com/ and I'll do my best to keep it updated. I encourage you all to follow my journey- in fact, I'd love it!!

I also welcome e-mails and cards!! You can e-mail me for my address and skype.

Thanks for all your support, and I hope we can keep in touch while I'm away - or when I get back!!

All the Love,