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A mini timeout to celebration week -

 x 4 Million. SIGH.

Why

I've been trying to reflect on why I blog (I still have no conclusion). & I looked back at both my very first blog as well as the Martin Luther King Jr. Day blog (when I decided to use my voice daily). 

I think, I've always realized my fortune. I'm only 22 and I've held hands with Rwandan orphans, seen Natural Wonders of the World, picked up refugees from the airport, made friends from around the world, & shared meals with a Sudanese family during the Eid. I have no idea what I've done to deserve such wonderful opportunities, but in turn I feel a true social responsibility to share what I know about the world; to make it a smaller place for everyone. 

It was in January that 'it's a small world' made the transformation from a travel diary to an outlet for my opinions, a place to tell stories of my experiences, to share current events, books, photos, movies, etc, and my young ideas on how we can  make this world a better place. I can only hope that my words are inspiring, informational, and motivational (and humorous). & I strive daily to practice what I preach. I'll leave you with someone else's words: 

"For me, it’s about trying to do the right thing — even when nobody else is looking. I believe worrying about the problems plaguing our planet without taking steps to confront them is irrelevant. The only thing that changes this world is action. Most people tend to get caught up in going to college, then getting a job, buying a house and paying the mortgage. Somehow, I’ve had the desire — and the drive — to do things a bit differently. I believe that words are easy — the truth is told in the actions we take. If enough ordinary people back up our desire for a better world with action, I believe we can, in fact, accomplish extraordinary things." 

- Jody Williams, When Ordinary People Achieve Extraordinary Things, This I Believe Essay 

Where I Blog From

In 'honor' my 100th blog week (yes, week, I'm totally going to milk this) I thought I'd share - where I blog from. My desk is always a work in progress - usually a complete mess of business cards, to-do lists, and mail. Once every few weeks I get the urge to clean, folder-ize, and recycle. Today, being rainy and cold - was one of those days. I snapped a few pictures and here she is - where I blog from:   

  

  

I can't forgot my wonderful, cozy, cuuuuute chair...

or my cool mug/coffee - the ON switch to my brain. 

Otayyy, I don't think you need pictures of my couch or bed; 'cause ... I blog from there too. Remember to check out my 100th blog post and leave a comment to win my give-a-way! 

100 Day

BIG DAY!

Today is the one yr anniversary of my college graduation (oook I'm a day off - nbd). My second day of employment at the Old Market Deli in Cannon Falls. The day after Mother's Day, & most relevant to this forum - it's my 100th BLOG POST!

I've been trying to think of something fun, witty, engaging, special, yadda-yadda for this grand day. & I said to myself, "Jeanna, you've written 100 posts join the big-leaguers and attempt a give-a-way!" So, here goes - one of you lucky readers is going to receive a copy of Worst Case Scenario Survival Handbook - Travel. With tips ranging from - how to survive a runaway camel, catch a fish without a pole, escape from a car hanging over the edge of a cliff to gestures that should be avoided and packing ideas -- the book is both hilarious & informative. It's the perfect conversation starter or gift for the traveller in your life.

To win, simply leave a comment! Say 'Hello', beg for the book, share a survival skill, tell me  what you want to hear next, or your favorite post - anything! Next Monday, I'll trick my dad into randomly picking a name/#/something & wa-la we'll have a winner.

Can you believe it? I've babbled via public forum one hundred times. Watch out - I'm thinkin' this entire week is going to be a celebration of my blogging adventure. I know sometimes I complain, but really, I have so much fun blogging & I hope you have fun reading! Thanks for stopping by. xoxo

of this i ask.

I realize this may be against blogger-etiquette, but I'm doin' it anyway. 

I truly enjoy blogging and sharing some of the tales of my travels, passion for culture, interest in non-profits, daily observations, & the occasional (lately frequent) political rants but sometimes ... it's hard to find motivation.

So here goes an awkward request...

If you read me: follow me (See the little follow box to the right? You don't need a blogger account to press it! & you won't get any e-mails (unless you sign up for notifications). 2: Comment!! I've had fewer than normal comments lately, and I can't help but wonder - are you bored? 

Is anyone really reading? Learning? Laughing? What do you like? Do you ever disagree with me? What do you want to hear more about? Rwanda? Egypt? Australia? France? Non Profit Work? Refugees? World Issues? More tales of yoga attempting and cookie baking during caffeine overdoses ... I write for you. I love hearing from you. I want you to enjoy reading "it's a small world". 

Something to do today: press that follow button & dish out some feedback! 
Thank You (Murakoze, Merci, شكرا لك ) for reading. xoxo 

PS: If you follow me via googlereader & further - understand googlereader, will you e-mail me? I have some questions. Thankya.
PPS: This is post 99!! Can you believe it? 

OHNOYOUDIDN'T

AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

IF YOU LIVE IN MINNESOTA YOU BETTER READ THIS ARTICLE

Legislation was introduced in Minnesota today that would COPYCAT Arizona's recent immigration law. If you don't know how I feel about that already - see here.

MINNESOTA. DON'T YOU EVEN DARE.

Well, I guess I know what I'm doing this weekend: Writing letters to my representatives....
HF3830 I will unfortunately have to loose my sanity over your demise.

I want to scream/type awful, awful, awful things. So I best step away from my public blog... I want to cry.

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! 

Foodie

Today was my first day working in the food sectooooor ------> Which means, I'm too tired to think. So ------> instead of using my own brain, I'm passing on a New York Times article about a new Roundup Resistant Weed. This is terrifying, folks. (Notice the food theme? Eh? Eh? Okay. Sleeeeeeeeep).

... another new, scary, article about links between Cancer & Chemicals.

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... 

Do I look Illegal?

After some weekend thoughts, some opinions ...

Lets face it, if you don't look Hispanic you're probably safe to say, "No" to today's raised question. It's absolutely embarrassing that there are people in this country that have worry about 'looking illegal'. (Not to mention years of unjust criminalization of African Americans, Africans, Muslim Americans and Middle Eastern populations.) For another view (wellllll, not really, He and I are on the same side) read this article. Are the numbers of undocumented immigrants concerning? Sure. Does our country need immigration reform. Sure. Is Arizona handling the 'issue' the right way? Uhh, no.

A former boss of mine had a bummer sticker that read: NO HUMAN BEING IS ILLEGAL. Think about it.

I like that people are talking about immigration. I do. Unfortunately a lot of people aren't thinking reform, but instead BURN BABY BURN. Everyone is forgetting the bigger issues of WHY people feel the need to leave their homeland.

Now is the time to take a deep breath, clear your mind ... and ask --

Do you really think people want to leave their homeland? Their culture? Their family? The familiar? Do you think people want to live in a place where they are discriminated against? That they are deemed 'illegal'. That they do not understand the language or customs, and are often victims of violence and slavery? If you've ever talked to an immigrant or refugee it's pretty obvious immigration isn't a matter of want but rather - of need. Why did my ancestors leave Europe? Because they no longer lived in a place with freedom, work, rights, or safety... so they did what was needed for survival and life happiness.

What would you do if your family was being killed off by drug cartels & corrupt officials, or your mothers, aunts, sisters, and friends were being raped and murdered in Maquildoras, or there was no way to feed your family here in Minnesota? You betcha you'd be jumping that border to Canada.

Lets - for one second - stop thinking about walls and start thinking about human beings. (copying Robert Greenwald) Do you look illegal? What if you did?