It's not rocket science.

I woke up this morning thinking about Ticonderoga #2 pencils and who decides what item(s) will be the monthly special at Office Depot.  Weird!  But then again, not really.  Sometimes my dreams inspire, sometimes they frighten, and sometimes they are drenched in folly.  The dreams that count are the ones that stick with me longer than the first cup of coffee.  I try to analyze them as only an unprofessional interpreter can do!

Analysis:

Just back from a business trip to NYC and Washington.  While in Washington, I took an international grant writing course.  During my research for funding the water project and the human rights project (web content not live yet)  I came across this video.

I spend a lot of time thinking abut how to make this a reality.  How, if girls in the US and around the world had equal access to education like boys, inevitably we would live in a lovelier world.
No wonder I dream of sharp pencils.
x,
A

Educate Girls

Just back from a business trip to NYC and DC.  In Washington, I had the chance to take an international grant writing course.  I came across this during my funding research today.  It pulled at my heartstrings.

Only a few more weeks away...

When I am in Paris next month, I am going to try and have lunch here.  At this very lovely looking table.

Chairs look a little tough, but I love all the books and just the way it looks.

Not lovely. At. All.

Dear B.O.,
Not all Americans who are "wealthy"(earn over 250k/year) are stingy.  Some "wealthy" Americans pay roughly 35% of net income on student loans because they were entrepreneurs and put themselves through many years of college and received doctorates so that they could live their "American Dream."  They did not believe they were "entitled."  They studied hard, worked hard through college and continue to do so today.
I am not suggesting you have failed as our leader, but please stop pitting the haves against the have nots.  This is what I hear when you address the nation.  I agree there are injustices in our country, but families who earn over your benchmark income are not the enemy.
Oh, and when that "underprivileged person" gets his/her medical degree thanks to you being President,  do you think she/he is entitled to a 250k salary?  He/she will need it to pay those student loans off (not to mention he/she is not allowed any tax deductions on the interest....because she/he makes too much money).
Sincerely,
A registered voter who rarely has political feedback nor has decided who will get her vote.

What we naturally want.

She writes really well.  I want to write like her.  Instead, I fantasize about Fritos.  Whenever she posts about something I'm doing or thinking too, I get a surge of lovely.  This entry stimulates careful consideration:
What we naturally want.
On a totally separate note:  We made savory crêpes for dinner.  Daughter thought they were better than the crêperie on Rue Mouffetard.

This isn't the crêperie, but it's the fruit market at the base of Rue Mouffetard.

Gearing up for Paris this fall with mom.  They say if you dream in the language you're fluent.  Bonne nuit, sucre rêve(s).
x,
A

There is good and happiness everywhere if you just look for it.

I'm reading Half the Sky.  It's heartbreaking, agonizing, and makes me angry.  I can't even get through more than about 20 pages or a chapter in one sitting.  It's too much to take in.

So.....when I saw a post from Megan Wilcken, it lightened my mood and reminded me of the good we can find if we just look for it.

"I love this video! Here's what the artist had to say about it:

Whenever I see and hear reports of Africa in the media, more often than not, they seem to regularly convey war, poverty, and economic strife. I believe that generally we get what we look for, so I decided to look for and highlight the beauty of the land, the zestful enthusiasm for life in the brothers and sisters, and the innocent youthful joy of the children.  Guess what? We found it!"

August 13 is a good day.

Today is Fenway's birthday.  He is four.  Now if he would just start acting his age.  Pretty please.
Today is also #18 for H and me.

1994

18 is porcelain.  I found this lamp in Boston last April.....it's made of, yes (!) porcelain (well, close enough to call it OK).   We're buying it.  It's going to look lovely on the antique library table we have on lay-a-way (!) at Frederick Squire.

We're having a good time.  I woke up today all puffy and tousled and told H, "Happy Anniversary.  It had to be you."

x,

A

Summer living at the lake

and it's easy!!!

When I'm not counting 1,2,3 (so daughter can jump into the water on 3) or video taping her routines on the diving board, I'm busy working on company stuff, CFAC water project, and a new, exciting project with one of my besties (not at the point of open discussion yet.....but gonna be lovely!). Please, if you aren't already a follower, take a moment to become one over at my CFAC blog.  It will help when I give statistics for my funding requests. Have a lovely day.  You deserve it! x, A

"Investment in girls education....

may be the highest return investment in the developing world."  Lawrence Summers, Chief Executive-World Bank.

The water project still needs support and donations.  If you would like to help bring clean water to the girls dormitory,  send me a message.  Any creative idea will be considered.  I've updated my etsy site with a few new items and have a few more coming.  Check early and often!!

We are still counting on numerous, small donations to reach our goal of $10,000 ($7500 to go!).   Recently,  I've branched out into professional fundraising:  grant writing and corporate sponsorships.  If any readers have tips or suggestions, please send them my way.
Below is a link updating you on the Samburu Girls Dormitory.

http://www.kenyakeys.org/Area/Projects.aspx

Thanks for reading!

Celebrating in NYC

Daughter was born on Father's Day 12 years ago.  I know I've written this before, but every year I try to do something special for her and H to celebrate their day.  This year, we flew to NYC!

Accidental three (not one) second movie.

At Inglot.  Daughter goes into trance like mode when shopping.  Seriously, her eyes glaze over and it "appears" she cannot hear a word I am saying.  "Turn around. I want to take your picture."

Love the energy here.  Double entendre!

Just received Tiffany birthday earrings from her dad.

Times Square Museum in Times Square Visitor Center.  That ball is Waterford!

Taking in the view from hotel.

Overpriced cupcake from Crumbs.  But, hey, it's ok, it's her birthday.

Little video clip of our song while we were in NYC, which I find laced with irony.  Lately, my travels have theme songs.  Totally lame to have theme songs on trips!!  My 12 yo would roll her eyes right now if she was reading this! NYC always has a few surprises:

1. A Tiffany box for me too!  
2. This place RIGHT UNDER the Plaza Hotel.  How did I miss this???? 
3. The Times Square Visitor Center.  Free!!!  
4.  The High Line

Before I sign off and use the word lovely.....I've been thinking....was becoming a Mom on Father's day just luck, fate, coincidence, or destiny?  Not a firm believer any one of said courses,  so I'll land on:  It was just meant to be.

Big day tomorrow!  Also, (I can't help myself here), daughter took her first steps on Independence Day 2001.  I hope everyone has more fireworks than just those in the sky. x, A

Foreign, spicy, and so spur was Singapore!

It's not everyday a person gets a text from one of her loveliest besties:  "Come to Singapore with me!  I leave next Sat.  How was the meet?"  But it happened while I sat in OR Hwy 217 traffic driving daughter to gymnastics practice (and quietly growling about the delay) on a Friday afternoon.
Well! Booked flight, made arrangements at home, kissed H and daughter good bye while all the time, "Lucky, like a four leaf clover" sat like a cartoon cloud over my head.

Here are some skyline pics:

Some street pics:

• 

This is called a hawker.

Thank you, SLSK for the late night talks, lightening storm watches, slings, and jet lag!  ;) 

xo,
A

In Singapore thinking about Savannah

Living the rummy, tired, but can't sleep feeling.  While sorting through pics I took today I came across a few from last year when my mom and I were in Savannah....then I got this familiar feeling (no, it's not sweat....although that's what one does in both places.....not to mention freeze in the AC).  You know, the frustration of being somewhere drenched in beauty but for whatever reason(s), unable to capture or describe it.

Savannah:

Singapore:  Day 1 1/2.   Maybe there's still time to get the description for both hot, humid, but visually pleasing places?  I don't leave until Friday after all.

Well, I do love how my KS iphone case mimics the Singapore Flyer!  Taken from taxi ride super early yesterday morning.

On the bank of the "riverwalk."

I know, where are the skyline pics?  The hawker pics?  Raffles?  Ummm...Marina Bay Sands?  I'll get them before I leave, but an apt description for these cities?  Up in the air.
Have lovely dreams!
x,
A

When you want to do something forever

Forever (or it seems) I've wanted to ride the Banks Vernonia Rails to Trails bike path.  Today I did it with the fam!  It felt good, smelled good, and tasted good (thanks to the picnic).

Taken with my iPhone which I did not drop off the side despite giggles about its retrieval if I had!

Now, this "forever want" (the fluffy face, ever so slightly tapered cut into the body) didn't turn out according to plan.  I thought he would look like Boo.   Obviously, didn't google "lion cut" prior to approval.  Here's what we're working with:

Nothing grows slower than a bad haircut.

Boston chowder crawl and NC trip (no, not "first amendment" votes and John Edwards drama) posts to follow soon....but first some sleep because tomorrow I wake up and fly to Singapore to meet up with a lovely friend.  Pinch me.

It turns out I like Pinot Noir after all! ALOT!!

Spent Saturday having a lazy day touring wineyards and vineries.*

Views from Solena Winery.  The pics are in the same order in which I took them.  Oh moody Oregon sky!
* That was intentional for all you spell checkers.
Now I'm a member here and here!   What does that mean?  I can brings friends and family for tastings whenever.  Plus, I had to commit to buying 6 more bottles of wine (at a discount!) in September.  I can do that.
Day ended with dinner here.
Uncork a lovely bottle you've been holding onto for awhile.  Because, ya know, every day is a celebration.
x,
A

Never take yourself too serious.

"Too late for second thoughts.  Head back.  Face forward.  And hold on like you mean it.  5, 4, 3, 2, 1........ " and you're off like 0-55 mph in 3 seconds..... thinking (and am quoting cousin here, from a trip we took together many years back)  "This can't be good!"

Roller Coaster Face:  Compliments of California SCREAMIN'

Spent a long weekend with the fam in Disneyland and California Adventure.  We rode roller coasters over and over and over and over again.  H took a break Sunday to watch football games at the hotel bar.  I kept going with daughter..... long enough to the point where I started to wonder, "How many times can one go upside down and travel at these speeds without damaging mental faculties?*  We saw fireworks over Sleeping Beauty's Castle while riding Thunder Mountain.  Walked on, (walked on!)  Space Mountain more times I can count.  "Yo ho yo ho, it's a pirate's life for me," still sings in my head.   I love going to Disneyland.  I tell H and daughter the same lovely memories about my childhood visits every time we are there. They listen, then add their memories.  This is what dreams are made of and part of the recipe for living happily ever after.

x,

A

P.S. The first one to spot the Matterhorn wins!

*Evidently, we just might have hit that mark since H asked me to also be the social media person for Specialized Endo. ......I agreed, notwithstanding some negotiations, of course!

RR*

I'm not sure why my mind is on shopping....it's not that I like it that much.  But, for some reason, I'm transported to the moment at the shop!
My mind is racing a little.
Do I take it home?
Do I show if off *just a little* on my arm OR keep it in my closet until I'm ready to fill it with everyday stuff?  Thinking in the back of my mind...this is the WHITE leather handbag. WHITE!!!!!
You all have those personal retail moments. ADMIT IT.
Lucky for me, I only have the white leather handbag(s) moments in Boston (Furla, with the topstitching!!! Impractible at the time!), in Cologne (the Coccinelle....still searching for that one) and NYC, Goyard (how can it cost THAT much???).  But I found her last Spring.....and once mid Feb. rolls around, she'll be out and lovelier than ever!
Handbags travel with us everywhere, everyday.  That's why we need to choose them so specially.
x,
A
*Retail Regret