Taking advantage of this being “Mother’s Day” weekend, and inspired by a recent Daily Prompt suggestion, I’ll try to answer this tough question, and yet, illustrate the ‘response’ with a few musical memories… See if you can catch them!
We each have many types of love relationships — parents, children, spouses, friends. And they’re not always with people; you may love an animal, or a place. Is there a single idea or definition that runs through all the varieties of “love”?
Love Changes everything ♫. We’ve become more than a couple, we’re a family, and with each child, we now wholeheartedly understand the meaning of Timeless Love ♫… There are different kinds of love, and we love each person in our lives, in a different way, no more, and no less… Simply different. Fortunately, there’s no single Meaning of Love ♫. But there’s definitely, Not Enough Love In The World ♫ to all the ones that need it!
That said, if I may leave a bit of advice, as somebody who’s constantly experience love, from my family, friends; from the one I chose to be my partner for life, the one who’ve given the most precious expressions of love – our children – here it is: “Put A Little Love In Your Heart“ ♫, and all will be well… ♥
Happy Mother’s Day, to all the moms out there! And much, much love to us all!
For the “non-Portuguese speaking world”, inside the heart you may find the word ‘Mãe’, which means, “Mom”… too perfect, right?
My daughter Journey has recently become a fan of the Disney Channel. She just turned 7, she has officially outgrown Nick Jr. and since Nick seems to show SpongeBob all day, she has moved over to the Disney channel. At first, she was pretty much only watching Phineas and Ferb. Eventually, she started watching the rest of the line up including Good Luck Charlie, Austin and Ally, Shake It Up and Jessie.
When I stop to think, ‘why do I blog?’ or ‘why do we share stories about your family experiences, our travels, our difficulties and joys while raising kids?’, I come back to the same answers:
I blog because, to me, it’s a personal experience. I have no ambitions to use the blog as some sort of ‘marketing springboard’, although, since along the years, it has become quite a forum for other expatriates, traveling families, members of the foreign service community… a safe place where I can express my views and takes on life, share our questions, seeking for answers and/or advice from others facing similar situations…
I’m a parent, and with my husband, we’ve built an interesting lifestyle for ourselves and for our growing children. We are diverse. We share different backgrounds, cultures, knowledges and lessons learned. We share our learnings with our kids. We speak different languages in our household… and everyone has to try all the different types of food mom and dad were brought up with!
We share the joy, the sad moments, the adventurous decisions… We share the concerns and we look for solutions. Among ourselves, within the expat community. We look for input from other families in the foreign service. We try to enjoy life, snapping shots along the way, and sharing those beautiful and unique images here. Hopefully, this ‘live journal’ will one day be useful to our kids, our worldly citizens, growing up as products of hybrid cultures – and if that happens, I’ll be very proud! ♥
That’s why I blog. I makes me happy to share, and at the same time, it keeps me going. It helps me cope with difficult situations, it helps me assist other families, and it gives me the so much needed reassurance that, despite all challenges, we are not alone. And we’ll never be alone… that’s one of the beauties and positive sides of the cybersphere!
And you, why do write, blog, share your very own ‘personal space’ with other bloggers, keeping the ‘blogsphere’ active and spinning? Some others have done their part, and, as expected, given away their reasons [see below]… thank you all for sharing!http://dailypost.wordpress.com/2013/05/01/daily-prompt-personal-space/
I’ve been away from blogging a bit too long, and now, the opportunitiy to bring up my random thoughts on a very intriguing social issue, has arisen. The suggestion for this personal op-piece comes out as Michael Pick pokes us all this week, with the question: “Does watching violent movies inspire violence in the real world? “. In his own words, “When tragedies happen in the real world because of the violent deeds of a particular individual, the shock and horror that this happened very soon leads to trying to unravel the reason behind how it came to pass.
For some, the violence seen in films is taken as a catalyst or the inspiration for disturbing acts of violence in the real world. For others, blaming film violence for real life tragedies is cutting corners at best and “scapegoating” at worst — an effort to pin complex social or psychological issues on an enemy that can’t fight back…“
Violent? These are Super-Heroes, embedded with super-dupper powers, and any husband’s little boy’s dream! Image downloaded from the site http://abduzeedo.com
As a parent, a traveler, a ‘serial expat’, and mother of 3 growing TCKs, I believe there are so many factors responsible for shaping up a child’s future – and this is especially true when we’re talking about raising well-adjusted, worldly citizens, well-rounded children, as products of hybrid cultures.
Some of these factors are culture, socialization and the own child’s experience; its perception of the world, and the child’s feelings and frustrations. Unfortunately, due to being exposed to a myriad of social situations and contexts, a so-called ‘third culture child‘ is also more vulnerable to external influences. One of the strongest influences relates to the common day-to-day aspects of life: the innocent act of ‘absorbing‘ images and concepts brought home through movies, TV shows, streamed videos, all the so-handy resources offered by the internet! And why not say, through the apparently harmless violence-based children’s video games…
Third culture children are in continuous need to understand the true origins of caring, the need to help others, and the strategies to display a nonaggressive behavior. The key players in order to achieve that level of self-knowledge, comes from parental socialization, the family system, schools and cultural influence. Currently, the easiest and quickest [albeit, not fully harmless!] avenues are the social media tools, television and movies. For younger kids, especially, the last two ‘avenues’ mentioned before, have both a fast and deep impact on the children’s minds, and the way they begin developing their own concepts, affirmations and perceptions about their surroundings.
Children who are growing up under this modern ‘violence-influenced’ scenario, will likely tend to develop the understanding that violence is a regular [and maybe necessary] part of life, which could be extremely dangerous for our future generations.
Again, as a parent, I’m concerned with the loss of sensitivity when it comes to publicly offering free violence viewing to our kids, as if it were part of a healthy environment.
Is reality really as cruel as it’s perceived through the movies? Is it all necessary? What good is it bringing to the upcoming generations?
Too many questions, and not on single answer – at least, not from my parental and confused mind.
We’re all just trying to get by surviving one day at a time, and hoping that our children will turn out to be well-balanced, responsible and loving adults. That’s simply my hope; as much as I’d like to, I don’t have control over my children’s future. I can offer them advice and love, but can’t hide them inside a bubble, making sure they won’t get hurt or even hurt others. This ‘motherly bubble’ doesn’t exist, thankfully… Kids need to be kids and yet, need to experience life. Life as it is. Holywoodian life is not life, it’s not real. The ‘reality’ portrait by movies is not, in fact, real. And the violence offered by movies should always be perceived as what it really is: fiction…
ome good A long time has gone by since I prepared this blogpost… And it remains so current! Even celebrated my birthday surrounded by bubble wrap & moving boxes – it was pack out season! The original post was ”Inspired by the FS Blog Round Up, I decided to do some research and put together a pack of interesting information about moving and packing, including my personal comments. Some of the “facts” were actually quite new to me.
Others, made me laugh.
Also found some “advice” on moving with small children – supposedly, “moving with kids could be a breeze, if you plan ahead”. This is probably my favorite, and I ask: “how much ahead to you need to plan? maybe before you were joined by your kids??”
Anyway, here are some of the ‘facts’ about moving and packing:
Moving is the third most stressful event in life, following death and divorce. (from: Employee Relocation Council).
Comment: Really?! Would have never guessed! Moving is trauma, ranked right up there with getting a divorce, losing a job or burying a loved one. But chances are you already know that. So here comes the question:
So.. Why we do it???
** just a rhetorical question! We all look forward to those intense
finding-sorting-wrapping-packing-storingdays!
One-sixth of all Americans, an estimated 43 million people, move each year. (U.S. Census Bureau)
Comment: And 50% of all moves take place between Memorial Day and Labor Day – that’s just weird – no idea why the preference! [** And recently I learned it was because of the U.S. school year/calendar (thanks, Carla!)... now it does make sense - another hint that I'm a foreign-born spouse!]
Individuals move 11.7 times in their lifetime. (from: U.S. Census Bureau)
Comment: Already crossed that mark, even before meeting the husband and joining the FS…
The typical moving customer is a married couple between the ages 25 and 44, with one or two children between the ages of 2 and 11.
Comment: Good to know we’re not alone. It comforts me to know there are several other parents out somewhere, screaming and kicking …
And here are some of the “advices”:
Get back to normal: For the sake of the entire family’s happiness, try not to take too long to resume doing what your family enjoys.
Comment: I’d really appreciate knowing how to get back to normal after a move, not taking long to resume to your ‘normal’ routine. Maybe I’m always too busy trying to prevent the kids from killing each other, that I may loose focus…
Pack late (late?) – The actual process of packing up and putting things away in boxes may be emotionally trying for preschoolers, as they see familiar and favorite objects disappear into boxes. Try to pack your preschoolers’ belongings as late in the moving schedule as possible, and reassure them that their belongings will be going to the new house.
Comment:You don’t realize how much stuff your kids have until you start packing. BTW, where are the kids? Make sure the answer to your question is on the top of your to-do list!
Pace Yourself: Your already busy schedule keeps you on your feet at all times, and moving adds a whole new list of things to do. Plan ahead. Give yourself several weeks to pack for your move, that way you are only packing a few boxes a day. This will decrease the amount of time you need away from your everyday responsibilities, including your kids. In other words, it’s not only about keeping your kids busy, but it’s about making yourself more available during your move.
Comment: Would love to know how to pace myself. One day I’ll learn. Not next year. Not in this decade. Also, how could I “buy” several weeks ahead, for packing before a move? If I’m able to manage a semi-smooth “packing & moving” event, ensuring that our car keys and travel documents won’t be packed away with our HHE, I’ll be pretty lucky!:o Here is some good advice (at least for me!) about keeping it real for the traveling children (thanks to “Family-Travel-Scoop”): Do talk frankly with your children about the moveDo let your child express his/her feelings Do acknowledge their frustrations/angerDo research the country you are moving to with your childDo let your child say goodbye properly to the place you are leavingDo expect an adjustment period when your child has mixed emotionsDo keep traditions from home alive in your new homeDo maintain regular ties with family back “home”Do bring items (e.g. framed pictures) and put them in each home you live in a similar placeDo involve your child with any decisions that may affect him/her if possible
Good luck to all the ones moving out this season! I’m glad we don’t have to think about packing for at least, another year…
Just mentioned [on a previous post] our recent trip to Chile, during the Easter break, taking advantage of the short and pleasant flights to Santiago. As part of our personal photo project called 52 Bolivian Sundays, inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, now it’s time to share colorful images, from recent visit to Viña del Mar, Valparaiso and the Concha y Toro Winery, located in Pirque, a few of the many scenarios spotted during our family trip to Chile.
Find here, more impressions from other bloggers… Thank you all for sharing! ♥
GREEN AND DELICIOUS BURGUNDY!
ALL BURGUNDY… AND EXQUISITE!
THE COLORS OF HAPPINESS & FRIENDSHIP!
city mural
kids just being kids!
Classic Travel Family Photo: everyone exhausted, but happy! :o
Classic Travel Family Photo: everyone exhausted, but happy! :o
city mural
hotel, by the boardwalk
A quick stop to eat, before the walking and sightseeing continue! :o
Paseo Mirador
city mural
Entrance to the Ascensor
Colorful Valparaiso
boardwalk
family going up on the Ascensor Concepcion
overview of the city
Detail from downtown Valparaiso
kids just being kids!
Just mentioned [on a previous post] our recent trip to Chile, during the Easter break, taking advantage of the short and pleasant flights to Santiago. As part of our personal photo project called 52 Bolivian Sundays, inspired by the WordPress Weekly Photo Challenge, now it’s time to share a day in Chile’s main port and known for its bohemian, artistic vibe and lovely vistas. I’m talking about the famous city of Valparaiso, only 70 miles northwest of capital Santiago. Its UNESCO-designated historic downtown offers charming colonial architecture, great seafood restaurants, markets and stores were our family’s chosen spot for enjoying the last Friday of March.
Sharing here, impressions and snapshots of a day well spent with our family of 5 and dear friends from our time in Africa, now, adjusted expats in Santiago. Find here, more impressions from other bloggers… Thank you all for sharing! ♥
Post originally prepared as a contribution to the Hardship Homemakingcollaborative blog, which is a back to basics blog for recipes, tricks, and tips to make life overseas at hardship posts easier”. The blog is a collaborative effort, with several authors, each one sharing unique experiences and life backgrounds, most of them, with real examples of life in the Foreign Service, its implications, challenges and strategies to overcome them.
“Handling Fruits and Vegetables: Sanitary Tips
Living at hardship posts offers more than challenges to all ‘household managers’ out there. If offers us the opportunity to learn – through advice from our peers, through our own research, through experience and why not say, through mistakes – ours or someone else’s – while facing similar situations. A common concern among families living at hardship posts is ‘how to offer the best, healthiest diet to my family?’- and that includes not only how to “optimize” your grocery shopping budget, but how to ensure those beautiful fruits and veggies will be safe for consumption, even before they’re tossed in the fridge, or beautifully displayed on a fruit bowl!…” [continue reading]
Curious to learn more tips on this and other topics? Hope over to the Hardship Homemaking collaborative blog! Thank you for the interest…
The value of diversity promotion in the State Department was well emphasized by EEO Counselor Krishna Das (Letters to the Editor, January issue). As a parent, I see the discussion regarding how we bring up our children within the diverse Foreign Service lifestyle as equal parts interesting, challenging, and crucial. It is, of course, necessary to serve as role models for our children right from the start, particularly in teaching the lesson that everyone, despite appearances or stereotypes, deserves respect.
As noted, State Department children are highly exposed to diverse cultures, and we as parents should demonstrate why this is such an advantage to their own growth as human beings.
Building a culture of diversity starts at home, a literal reality for many State Department families. We speak different languages, come from distinct cultural backgrounds, and practice different religions. And yet in most cases, our children are growing up in a culturally richer environment than we (parents) were brought up. Children in the Foreign Service live the concept of diversity and its social implications – on a daily basis.
That said, it is often necessary for us to question what is our role as parents in this process? How can we assist our children regarding the issue of diversity? It would appear as far as diversity is concerned, we need to be extra involved in their lives: listening to their stories, learning about their ventures and challenges adjusting to new, countries, discussing their questions and social frustrations, establishing a healthy communication channel, building positive identities and respect for differences. Further, we should seek ways to insert these concepts into the routines of our children’s everyday lives and help convince them through our actions that a society without discrimination is possible. It is critical for us parents and caretakers to develop ‘cultural sensitivity’ regarding our surroundings; otherwise, without specific cultural information, we may inadvertently promote practices and approaches that could counter other parents’ efforts.
One great piece of advice I once received was to “encourage your child’s friendships with others across race, ethnicity, class, religious practices, background and ability.”
The more personal experiences children have with other groups, the easier it will be to dismiss stereotypes and misperceptions.
******
Want to add to the discussion? Please feel free to share your comments/opinions/suggestions here!
Parenting isn’t an easy task. There aren’t many solutions out there for our ‘day-to-day challenges’. Yet, we all keep on going… And why? Many bloggers/parents may relate to these statements, and who knows, even add more to the pot! With that in mind, and a bit of inspiration provided by this week’s suggested writing challenge from The Daily Post [Image vs. Text], had the perfect scenario for a ‘pictorial explanation’ of, ‘why we do what we do’ for our children!
Hopefully, the plan for this post will work. The images should provide at least a clue about the answers to these proposed questions… check the list below, and let’s see if you agree with the ‘suggested reasons’! ♥
* Why trying to prepare that special treat they love, knowingly we’d be tired after a full week of work, and the weekend is our only chance to recover and rescue ourselves before the upcoming work week strikes again?
* Why teaching our children the importance of group activities, the meaning of camaraderie and why being part of a team is greater than knowing how to work alone?
* Why having your house ‘invaded’ by little ‘barbarians’, who love to scream and cry, fighting over toys and games with their peers, during a so-called ‘birthday celebration’?
* Why teaching kids to love and respect their cultural traditions, their distinct backgrounds and their personal stories?
African Bath
June Festivities in Brazil
Carnaval in Brazil
Folklore written all over them… Gotta honor their Brazilian culture… that’s what “hybrid culture kids” are made of… learning how to respect and preserve the culture they’re inheriting along the way! :o
* Whygetting up early in the morning, making sure our children have all they need for that particular school day, even if sometimes, we need to come up with a ‘last-minute’ solution for a very special request for some school activity?
* Why going over and over their school homework, despite sometimes having a splitting headache and zero inspiration to help them with their writing assignments?
A letter of ‘appreciation’, from my resident first grader…
* Why volunteering your very scarce free time, to join them in some activity at the school?
* Why teaching our children that they need to share their life skills and abilities with others, in a selfless way?
* Why is it necessary to show our children they’re special, unique, important in their own way, and always, unconditionally loved?
* Why we, parents, end up doing exactly what we do, despite our list of countless complaints, which include tiredness, lack of resources and sleepless nights? We do it because we care. We care for their well-being, we care for raising emotionally resilient children, who will mature to become grounded adults, for a more compassionate and stable society. That’s why we do what we do… ♥
Here, the big brother welcoming his Valentine’s Day sister, with a kiss, a perfect fit for this week’s theme. She’s not a baby anymore… better to say, she’s a young lady… a ‘señorita’…
We’re pleased, lucky and grateful for all the experiences we’ve been through, and we’re grateful for having had this intense, warm, active and loving girl into our lives for the past five years… Half a decade ago, husband and I received the best gift one could ever expect for Valentine’s Day: the birth of a baby girl! ♥
Find here, some lovely impressions from other bloggers… their special understanding of “KISS”: Thank you all for sharing! ♥
Oh well, the answer is actually, quite simple: join forces with other fun friends! Couples willing to help each other during the long 5-day weekend, where kids had no school!
Share responsibilities. Tag along with friends and other families, especially the ones facing the same challenges with their lovies…
Cook together. Host group parties. Let the kids run wild while the adults are enjoying some well-deserved quality time! Have the older kids teach the younger ones how to really get into the “Bolivian Carnaval” traditions: the water fight, with latex globes filled with water, water guns and foam!!! Let the good fun begin, keeping a close eye on your ‘little warriors’ while they’ve got each other soaked, covered in foam, running for their lives!
[snapshots from our Family Brazilian Feijoada, recipe & instructions below]
Simple, healthy fun. A fantastic time with family and close friends. Learning about the Carnaval Paceño. Dancing. Remembering the old days of high school cheerleading… Eating a lot [why not? It's Carnaval Weekend!]
Whenever I meet someone else from Brazil, I ask them what their favorite food is. After steak (picanha), it is almost always feijoada. It’s an old bean, pork and beef recipe, brought to South America, like many foods in many places, by those intrepid, globetrotting spice traders, the Portuguese, and then enhanced, like many other foods in many other places, by African slaves and their descendants.
1 1/2 cups dried black beans (turtle is preferred, for texture)
1/8 lb. carne seca/cesina (about the size of your flat hand)
1/8 lb. pork ribs (about 2 thick ribs)
4 strips smoked bacon, finely chopped
1 paio sausage, cut into thick slices
1/2 lb. of linguiça calabresa (Portuguese-style smoked pork sausage), cut into thick slices
1 white onion, diced
3 cloves garlic, minced
1 tbsp olive oil
2 bay leaves
1 orange, peeled (remove all of the white pith!)
8 cups water
The night before, soak the pork meat in cold water. In yet another bowl, soak the beans in cold water.
The next day, cook the pork meat and then drain. Refill the pot with cold water, bring to a boil again and cook until the meats are tender and beginning to fall apart. Drain well.
In a large pot or dutch oven (preferred), place the beans and 8 cups water, bay leaves, and peeled orange. Bring to a boil, then lower to simmering. Cook for 45 minutes. Add all meats, and cook for 20-30 more minutes.
In a saute pan, fry the onion and garlic on olive oil. Add about 1 cup of beans from the pan, cook briefly and mash well with the back of a spoon. Return the whole mess to the dutch oven and adjust for salt. Let simmer for about 20-30 more minutes, until beans are tender and meats are falling apart willingly. Remove from heat and let cool about 10 minutes.
Serve with boiled, medium-grain white rice, orange slices, farofa and (chiffonaded) collard greens (that have been quickly fried in canola oil and drained on paper towels.
Like her parents, this young lady has already moved quite a bit…
She was not born in Rio de Janeiro, like her momma, not in Virginia, like her daddy. She did not have her Brazilian ‘vovó and vovô’ to welcome her into this world, nor her American ‘nana and abuelito’ to greet her when she first smiled… She was born 5 years ago, while our family was stationed in Mozambique, and was fortunate enough to have the unique Pretoria (South Africa) as her birth place.
Despite not having our families around, she was [and still is!] surrounded by love, through her parents’ friends, the extended family, and her now, personal friends in Bolivia.
This morning, before getting ready for school, still recovering from the very intense and fun Carnaval in La Paz, our girl came to our bedroom, holding her index finger upright: “Mommmy, would you believe we’re only ONE DAY away from my cumple?” She’s right: Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, and she knows it! For our family, this particular day will aways transcends all the commercialism, the consumerism associated with the date – it goes beyond that, it’s definitely, truly, unconditionally related to LOVE. The love between parents and their daughter…
We’re pleased, lucky and grateful for all the experiences we’ve been through, and we’re grateful for having had this intense, warm, active and loving girl into our lives for the past five years… Half a decade ago, husband and I received the best gift one could ever expect for Valentine’s Day: the birth of a baby girl! ♥ And, for the ones who may find hard to believe that there are no boundaries, limits nor geographical barriers for friendships, that little baby girl got some visitors… friends from DC [pictured below] came to meet her, while visiting South Africa… Our deepest appreciation for such a great demonstration of friendship! ♥
Home is anywhere where one is able to share the joy of being alive, being its own person… Home is where we share, where we teach in exchange of learning… home is where we feel safe, surrounded by trustworthy friends… Home is the place where we share love…for a nomad like myself, trying to answer the question: “where is home” has a very unique response, because it’s a challenge to define ‘home’ for ‘serial expats’… Very personally, home is the place I feel free to be myself, and share all my passions!
Previous Posts from the Project “52 Bolivian Sundays”:
WOW: Moving is the 3rd Most Stressful Life EventMoving is a big source of stress for many Americans every year. And it’s listed as the 3rd most stressful life event.View Original
I’ve been blogging for exactly 22 months [the first post went live on March 11, 2011, about the Largest Street Carnaval in Brazil – and apparently, it didn’t take long to be picked up by Pop Pressed‘s radar, on March 2011. Link here for full post].
But it’s always nice to get that sweet email from the WordPress editors… Especially, for the second time.. what are the odds? Thank you all for reading! ♥
A bit of Math here [and my former Algebra students who thought they were free from this!]: The chances of being Freshly Pressed are, on any given day, about 12 per million. Well, considering that just happened for the second time, it brings the odds to… 1 in 6,400,000,000
Found these very inspirational quotes the other day… What better time to ‘rethink life’ than the beginning of a New Year?!
I highlighted my ‘favorite’ quotes/suggestions from the author… Oh, how I wish I could simply act like that! Life is full of blessings, but, somehow, we tend to choose not to see those blessings… Life is simple – we, the society, end up making it so much more complicated, difficult and painful than it should really be!
Written by Regina Brett, of The Plain Dealer Newspaper, Cleveland, Ohio. The journalist is often misidentified with the ’90-year-old” lady she portraits throughout this text (she’s in her 60s!) – probably because many people see her ‘lessons’ as wise advice for when we all grow older… Anyway, the teachings/learnings are presented here…
Enjoy the reading! ♥
“To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most requested column I’ve ever written. So here is the column once more:
1. Life isn’t fair, but it’s still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step..
3. Life is too short – enjoy it.
4. Your job won’t take care of you when you are sick. Your friends andfamily will.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don’t have to win every argument. Stay true to yourself.
7. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
8. It’s OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11… Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it…
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye But don’t worry; God never blinks.
16… Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful. Clutter weighs you down in many ways.
18. Whatever doesn’t kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It’s never too late to be happy. But it’s all up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don’t take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don’tsave it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23 Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words ‘In five years, willthis matter?’
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive but don’t forget.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don’t take yourself so seriously. No one else does..
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn’t do.
35. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative — dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else’s, we’dgrab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. Accept what you already have not what you need.
42. The best is yet to come…
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.”
So, 2013 is here… and we got to celebrate it’s first hours surrounded by great music, yummy food, good friends, all of our kids, who joined us for the midnight celebration (yeap, kids were too excited to fall asleep, or even, take a short nap!); while we all watched the fireworks happening throughout the city of La Paz…♥
Earlier, I’d shared that a couple of our expat friends here had decided to put together an 80s party to welcome the New Year! Everyone had a blast, and here are some of the images from the last day of 2012, and the very first hours of 2013.
That’s what the New Year’s Celebration brought out! The best? Definitely the 80s hair styles… look at what people came up with!
Someone else who wrote about ‘Style’ for the New Year? Here!
Celebrating the arrival of 2013, and bidding farewell to a dear 2012… All with style – 80s style! Could there be a more fun way to do it?
[A confession,thank you very much, Robert Smith, for not only making my high school/early College years bearable, but also for helping me endure my recent parenting years, as a mother of 3 little ones...
Only another tired mom would understand the calming and motivational power of an 80s song...
Especially if, that same mom is ready to give up on her first-grader's homework on a Saturday morning!
Somehow, the 80s music finds a way to 'reach out to me', and bring me back to reality... Not in high school anymore... the sleepless nights are not due to some term paper or exam...
now, the short nights usually come from a crying kid with fever, or, another one having a nightmare; or simply, missing my well-deserved beauty rest by having a couple of extra 'bodies' in our bed... every single night, since 2005! ♥
But well, that's the path we chose, and the 80s music have always helped me thru 'tough times'... ♥ My favorite, without question, The Cure...
Wonders that only a blond wig can do! 5 years later, 3 kids, 2 more countries under the belt… the forties have arrived… let’s see what type of hairstyle this mom will bring out!
Let’s see what the New Year’s Celebration brings!
Now, not only I’ll go to a party with ‘my guy’, but a handful of other ‘accessories’, which will include a 7-year-old boy, who loves 70s & 80s music; an almost 5 year old girl who loves to dress up [like her mother!] and is ‘addicted’ to dance… and a 2-year-old girl, which’s still a bit young to define her style… time will tell…
That said, getting these bad boys out of the closet [I mean, the leg warmers! mine are pink with white stripes], making sure the hair will be ‘par’ for the celebration, check the clothing colors [lots of them, and they better be bright!], accessories, make-up… and head to the party humming my favorite tunes!
NOW:on my way out to the local market, trying to find some ‘miracle hair products’ for tomorrow night’s bash!
June 2012: After 2 years at post, our family says goodbye to Brazil in style, surrounded by friends & family!!
2012 will mark the 12th New Year’s Eve with my guy… yeah, the one riding the Peace & Love 70s van with me, just pictured above… ♥ And this December we celebrate 110 months of married life… it sure goes by pretty fast!
How was the year of 2012?
Apparently, we all did okay through the Mayan quasi-apocalipse, so, that’s a pretty positive point!
It’s often said that images speak more than words, so…. Considering that during 2012, we had homes in three countries, it was a bit of challenge to pick an image to represent each month, but, why not give it a shot? :
Here is our 2012, through photos!
August 2012: New life, new school, new friends. School kids receive their ‘welcome’ with a traditional ‘Salteñada’.
July 2012: Spending Home Leave in the USA. During a family Reunion, kids get to ‘show their colors!
September 2012: Learning about our new home, the beautiful country of Bolivia. First stop: the traditional architecture of the San Francisco Church
October 2012: Halloween at the USAID/Bol Compound
“November 2012: Celebrating the Anniversary of the Marine Corps. “Who doesn’t like a Ball?”
January 2012: Beginning the year cooking: a typical Portuguese/Brazilian dish: Shrimp casserole, here, with an added hint of…. beer!
June 2012: After 2 years at post, our family says goodbye to Brazil in style, surrounded by friends, family and co-workers!
March 2012: A trip full of adventure to the Archipelago of Fernando de Noronha, Northeast of Brazil.
May 2012: A visit to the Rainbow Warrior, ship from Greenpeace on Brazilian Waters.
February 2012: Enjoying the largest street carnival in the world – Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
December 2012: Scenes from old homes and present home. The warmest wishes for a fantastic New Year!
April 2012: Visiting the mystic city of Brasilia, capital of Brazil, for a USA/Brazil summit. Here, the architecture, lighting and unique beauty of the Metropolitan Cathedral.
This week’s photo inspiration is to portrait 2012 in pictures… one per month… Let’s see how good of a job I did over here!
Having previously established that Santa has to be magical (because the laws of physics prohibit a real Santa accomplishing successful toy delivery), we can turn to the question of Santa's gender. One might question this on the grounds of Santa's apparent historic maleness, but in counter I offer George Sand, Mulan and any number of Shakespeare plays.
One might also question this on the grounds of gender perhaps not applying to magical creatures, to which I reply that Hobbits, Elves and Dwarves seem pretty clear on the matter (although one can never really tell with Dwarves—all that hair and battle armor are quite concealing, and it's poor form to actually…
Why not a bit of humor, right after Christmas Day? The 'post-holiday blues' kicked in, now, it's all about cleaning the house, washing whatever leftover dishes are pilling up on my sink... make sure the kids don't kill each other over their new toys... :o That said, during one of my blog-hopping ventures, found this funny piece on Santa Claus, discussing the pros and cons of 'it' being a man or a woman! As a mother, the one in charge of pretty much everything related to Christmas for our family, ranging from grocery shopping, gift-wrapping, meal-planning, cooking, and the aftermath cleaning - I'm a little bias... maybe, the original author [Wyrd Smithe, from Logs con Carne] has a good point with the 'pros' on Santa being a woman... who knows? If you've got more to add to this intriguing discussion, hop over to his site, and share it! I'm sure it'd be appreciated! Below is an excerpt from the original text, where I [freely] highlighted my FAVORITE parts, for both genders, so, I may not be 'accused' of being... errrr... a bit...bias! Enjoy!
"Santa is a man!
...It is precisely because Christmas is an“organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal”that Santa has to be a man. Delegation… that’s the key. Just imagine if a woman was trying to delegate all of those tasks and obligations to her underlings. Christmas would be as ambiguous as the spring equinox. Nobody would know what day of the year we were going to celebrate it on.
It takes a man to organize a commercial event as huge as Christmas... We’d have to plan football schedules around lunch instead of the other way around. Or worse yet… there might not be any football at all. [shudder] That’s a scary thought.
If Santa was a female, the toys might never be delivered. It would take a she Santa until New Year’s Eve to get dressed (for the third time) and out of the bathroom. And just try harnessing those reindeer with freshly painted nails. Never happen. Once she got underway, she’d be too busy talking on the cell phone to her girl friends to get all the way around the world to every girl and boy’s house in a single year, let alone a single night.
Santa is a Woman!
For starters, the vast majority of men don’t even think about selecting gifts until Christmas Eve. Once at the mall, they always seem surprised to find only Ronco products, socket wrench sets, and mood rings left on the shelves. On this count alone, I’m convinced Santa is a woman......Even if the male Santa did have reindeer, he’d still have transportation problems because he would inevitably get lost up there in the snow and clouds and then refuse to stop and ask for directions.
Other reasons why Santa can’t possibly be a man:
Men can’t pack a bag.
Men would rather be dead than caught wearing red
Men would feel their masculinity is threatened having to be seen with all those elves.
Men don’t answer their mail.
Men would refuse to allow their physique to be described even in jest as anything remotely resembling a “bowlful of jelly.”
Men aren’t interested in stockings unless somebody’s wearing them.
Having to do the Ho Ho Ho thing would seriously inhibit their ability to pick up women.
Finally, being responsible for Christmas would require a commitment.
Thank you for letting me share this piece... funny, and a great way to jump back into reality... nothing wrong with a bit of healthy humor, post-Christmas, right?! :o
little things that make me happy… click here for this week’s ‘Happy’ post!
Less than one day until our Thanksgiving is here! Be Thankful. It’s the word for the Season. Thanks to This mom’s got something to sayfor letting me share this fantastic post. It’s about being grateful, which I’m sure many of us need to be.
“Thanks. And a whole lot more.” Just in time for this Friday’s photo challenge: Thankful!
“It’s Thanksgiving. The perfect time to reflect and say thank-you for all of the things you have been blessed with in your life. A time to hug your loved ones and let them know how much they mean to you. It’s a time to step out of yourself…”
Thanksgiving is getting closer by the day. 24 days to be exact.
I´ve been reading a few blogs/websites, looking for some sort of project to work with the kids, something they could relate to, which would prepare them for the Season to come. I came across interesting ideas to show how grateful we are, instilling values of gratitude, appreciation and giving back, daily; it’s not always easy.
One of the blogs I follow, has a suggestive list of holidays and events for the month of November, and the idea to have something in preparation for Thanksgiving. Among the ideas, is the Thanksgiving Blessing Tree, which I´m sharing now, hanks to the The Education Cafe . the suggestion if for a 30-days gratitude tree. Wait, we don´t have 30 days anymore… we don’t even have 4 full weeks. 24 Days from today, you may be able to read each of our thoughts on gratitude, as you share a Thanksgiving meal and celebrate the holiday together, as a family.
Instructions for the Thanksgiving Blessing Tree:
“Make a tree out of construction paper and hang it on the wall. Every day put leaves on it with things you are thankful for.
By Thanksgiving you should have it completely filled and running over. Just a way to help the kids and grownups to remember what they´ve received. You can make your leaves out of colored construction paper like fall leaves. Or, trace your child’s hand on different colors of construction paper. Hang each “leaf” upside down on the tree.
Curl the fingers slightly by rolling up over a pencil. Write the thankful statement on the palm of the hand.
Cheers to a new tradition and a 24-day gratitude challenge”
The ”packed out” couple. “UNACCOMPANIED AIR BAGGAGE” & “HOUSEHOLD EFFECTS”
Memories from last June…
A year’s gone by since I prepared the original blogpost about packing and moving, focusing on the FS events… More than four months have past since we packed out from our last post assignment, Recife, Brazil.
This year, I even celebrated my birthday surrounded by bubble wrap & moving boxes – June was our pack out season – but husband and kids found a way to bring joy to my special day, despite the craziness we’re all familiar with, when it comes to have your house taken down by movers, packers, filling endless forms and making sure you don’t lose track of your life during the process!
[UAB to HHE] “why are you taking so long to come home?” [HHE] “Sorry, dear… you know how it is at the port… you meet a couple of cool young boxes… begin chatting, talking about the midlife shipping crisis… and you lose track of time!”
So, now it’s the end of October, and since we STILL DO NOT HAVE (not yet! I’m always hopeful!) our household effects, I thought about turning the frustration into something, at least, fun, for this year’s Halloween at our local Marine Detachment House. Husband and I went as ‘pack out couple’... Well, a bit of crafting skills, an open mind and a good sense of humorwere the perfect recipe for this year’s costume!
Did you have any last-minute, crazy idea for your adult costume? I’d love to know!
myself, a realistic impression, according to one of my kids!
I guess I’m bringing these memories back because my baby is now almost 2 years old… and the sleep deprivation days are becoming fewer and fewer… [at least, that's the hope!]
I’m still trying to figure out the Mathematics of “life with children”!
[Backstory] Once upon a time, there was a young girl who loved children, had a great time playing with other people’s kids, and believed she’d make a great mom, when the time came…
Well, this young girl got older, found her prince charming, and once again, they (so naïve!) thought:
“We’re gonna be parents! We’re gonna be the best ones! We’ll love and cherish children! Our kids will be the best behaved ones, always clean, always loving and respectful”
And then, the family started growing: first we were, as some friends (already with 3 children) used to call us: “a couple with a child”. We had it easy! Once kid #1 was sound asleep, mommy and daddy could enjoy some quality time (and even some wine!) at the end of a long day of work. So, here was the formula:
f = [(a loving husband) + (a loving wife) + (a brand new baby) = (a happy family!)]
Life and Math seemed so easy and manageagle: we were living overseas, had support and household help. We then decided to increase our legacy. Here came kid #2, and with it, a way more challenging routine, accompained by several sleepless nights…
We had no idea that with two kids, the chances of having one of them sick, at some point in time, are extremely high!
We, the “once before-pretty smart” parents, learnt that our “Math skills” weren’t gonna cut…
Take a look at the “new & improved” formula:
f = [(still loving, but very tired parents) + (demanding toddler) + (a brand new baby)
= (a still happy, but somewhat confused family!)]
We managed life. We found our niche, learnt from other couples new strategies and ground rules to apply to our own routine, began training the kids on life skills (sleeping, eating, drinking, bathroom needs).
Regarding our Math knowledge, we sort of came back from a lousy D- to a pretty solid B-…
We were back, baby!! We knew how to survive with kids, lead an enjoyable life, took short trips with the whole family, went grocery shopping… We had it down! And the excess of confidence and maybe some extra excitement about our new FS assignment, responded for kid #3…
And then, the third one came into our lives.
We’re a family full of life and joy. Today, we don’t sleep as many hours as we used to, let’s see, six years ago, when we were sure to be the best “parents-to-be”.
Today we may not have the face-time with our spouse, the way we wanted, but if the kids are healthy, fed, dry, and the most important of all – sleeping – we, as parents, are pretty satisfied.
Our definition of happiness may have changed a bit, and we’re taking a day at a time. A sleepless night might be followed by a great day, who knows?
At least now we’ve got an idea on what’s in-store for us. We know kids give us a hard time when it comes to sleeping, eating, getting dressed, getting ready for school, and pretty much anything else.
But at least now, we know we need to be prepared. And we’re learning. Also, we decided to give up on our Math skills – raising kids has no formula.
Life with kids is just a massive equation, with tons of variables… We’d be silly trying to map it out. And the worst and maybe the funniest of all is that, at the moment, we’re graded by a team, whose combined age doesn’t even reach 13 years!
In sum, I’m thankful to all the readers and parents out there, for the support during my parenting experience, and I guess, gotta thank my own children, for the ENDLESS INSPIRATION they provide to my blogging days! ♥
Opening the School Year. bit late, but well-worthy the wait! From KG3 to G12. Parents, siblings, food for sale, games, contests, bake sales, you name it… Kids had a lot of fun!
Each day, we discover bloggers on WordPress.com exploring different passions and interests, immersed in unique industries, fields, and worlds. At The Daily Post, we’ll highlight more of these niche blogs and the various communities within WordPress.com. We hope these spotlights introduce you to new communities and ideas, and inspire you to find—and create—your own cozy corner in the blogging world.
School was off for a day – a staff meeting. What to do with our super energetic, active, children? Get them to run, enjoy the playground together, ride the pedal boat, chase ducks, walk (several times!) along the bridges, have a picnic at the park! That’s exactly what some four families (Chilean-Argentinean, Greek-American, Brazilian-American and Norwegian-American) did! It’s one of the beauties of this (sometimes crazy & intense!) expat life! ♥
It is one of the largest parks of the city of La Paz, with a surface area of 2 hectares. Here we find an aquatic lagoon with fish and ducks, games, a suspension bridge, bike path, green areas with games for children, adult areas and barbecues to enjoy a pleasant field day for the family. The park of Cota Cota is in the Southern district of the city.
[Español] Es uno de los parques más grandes de la ciudad de La Paz, tiene una superficie aproximada de 2 hectareas. Aquí encontramos una laguna con peces y patos, juegos acuáticos, un puente colgante, ciclovía, áreas de juegos para niños, adultos, áreas verdes y parrilleros para disfrutar de un agradable día de campo con la familia. El parque de Cota Cota se encuentra en la zona sur de la ciudad.
This week’s photo challenge is guest hosted by Jon Sanwell of Without an H. Read on for more about this week’s theme and his photography tips!
“Everyday Life. This challenge is all about people and the things they do every day: working, eating, drinking, chatting, dreaming, walking, exercising, or any of those things we do all the time without really thinking about it. Take a walk around your neighbourhood, or around the streets where you work or study, and take a look at the people you see. You might think that your neighbourhood isn’t very interesting, but imagine that you’re giving a guided tour to someone from the other side of the world—what’s normal for you might be extraordinary to them”.
Simple pleasures of life. From a toddler sneaking in, and climbing up on the desk, to adults enjoying a bottle of wine with homemade dinner, from getting ready for your first day in school, to being a ‘kid veteran, posing for a shot at your new school… or simply spending time playing outside, a collection of ‘everyday images’.
The Greene Family, Burke, Virginia, July 2012. A long-waited family reunion enable almost 40 of us to get together and celebrate family ties!
The Greene family has a very rich history in the United States and England that has been well-documented by researchers. The Greenes were among he earliest colonizers of the United States, having arrived in 1635. Related branches of the Greene family trace back to at least three Mayflower passengers: William Brewster, Richard Warren, and George Soule.
The first Greenes were likely Norman French before arriving in England, and the original spelling was de Grene de Boketon – which means Lord of the Deer Park.
Greens Norton in Central England was where the original Greenes lived, and the town still carries their name. Our line later moved to Gillingham on the Southern coast of England. It is from this town that our Greenes sailed to the New World.
While no Greene was on the Mayflower, our Greene line traces directly back to at least three Mayflower passengers: William Brewster, George Soule, and Richard Warren.
The first Greene of our line to arrive in North America was John Greene “the Surgeon”, who arrived on the ship James on June 3, 1635. He really was a surgeon.
John Greene was a friend of Roger Williams. He was also one of the original proprietors of Providence, Rhode Island and a co-founder of the town of Warwick.
Our line from the arrival of the first generation until my grandfather goes like this: John-James-David-David-David-David-Joseph-David-Hosea-Hosea-Shirley.
David Sr. (third generation) was the first of our Greene line born in America.
David III (fifth generation) was a Private in the Rhode Island Militia during the Revolutionary War. He was a second cousin of the famous General Nathanael Greene, considered second only to George Washington in military ability.
David (eight generation) was a private in the CT Volunteers during the Civil War and fought at Winchester, VA before his discharged after a year of service (1862-3).
Hosea Jr. (tenth generation) was a Private and appointed musician in the CT Volunteers during the Spanish-American War. The war ended before he saw action.
Five years ago… We began the search for the Greenes’ roots:
The Miranda Family headed back to Washington, DC, for our well-deserved R&R, after almost a year in Mozambique during our first hard-to-fill assignment.
We decided to stop in England, one of Leonel’s long lost plans as part of his genealogy hobby/work…
The family enjoyed time in London, visiting the Big Ben and Parliament in Westminster Abbey, the London Eye, the plaza of St. Margaret’s Church, the Buckingham Palace, the Tower Bridge and Tower of London.
And, of course, experienced the famous “London rain”…
Leaving the capital, we visited Greens Norton, the historic home of the Greene Family – St. Bartholomew’s Church, and headed out to Oxford, the home of the famous university, and visited sites like the Saxon Tower of St Michael at the North Gate, the city’s oldest building.
After Oxford, we drove to Bath. City used to be a spa resort built by Romans in the 1st Century, with its various architecture examples, including the medieval wall at the Bath Abbey.
Continuing with the search through the family ancestors, we visited Gillingham, the last home of the Greenes before moving to the new world in the 1630s. Road trip continued to Shaftesbury, Salisbury and the mysterious Stonehenge, before heading back to London on our way to the New World!
The Greene Mirandas, The Lima Mirandas, The Solorzano Mirandas Three countries merging together into one multicultural setting!
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A Family Portrait: The best way to celebrate the bonds between different generations, especially when they’re all scattered around, due to work schedules and/or lifestyles… They live in different places, learn and speak different languages, share and cherish different cultures, but all with one common goal: to celebrate and honor the family ties…
Just decided to repost (or re-blog!) this, in preparation for the weekend: Family Reunion.
Here is the post:
“The original suggestion for this blog post came as an interesting opportunity to share a bit of my husband’s ongoing research on his family origins, and is one of the themes we already posted about.
The most recent wedding preparation events in England are the perfect excuse to bring out the reasons why our two daughters are part of the descendent line from the “Mayflower“, and (very, very far, “urban legend-bordering”, but still) able to be traced back to European royalty… (really??)
Let’s see how it turns out!
My husband’s dabbled with researching his family’s history. Our children can trace back to royal roots in their very distant past through the family of their grandmother, whose last name is Greene. The Greenes came to the United States from England in the 1630′s and eventually married into the Mayflower descendants bloodline. Before England, the original Greene family could be found in France, and the spelling of the name has changed throughout the years.
Honestly, I have no intention to bore anyone with facts/info, just a historical excerpt, but still trying to keep a “fluid” feel for the post: (Acknowledgement: Mrs. Pamela D. Hudson, Georgia USA ).”
“Today’s name “Greene” was originally written “de Grene”, “de Grean” (sometimes transcribed as “atte Gream”) or “Grene” and changed again to simply “Greene” and in America changed again to mostly “Green”. It appears that the Greene’s assumed their name from an allusion to their principal and beloved manor which was Boketon (now Greene’s Norton), in the County of Northampton, England. The place was known for the excellency of its soil, its situation, and its spacious and delightful green. From Buckton, they assumed three bucks for their coat of arms. The earliest known Greene, Alexander, a younger son of the de la Zouche family, was given an estate and title as a “Great Baron” by King John of England in 1202 AD. The estate was that of Grene de Boketon. Walter de Boketon, was in the Seventh Crusade in 1244. Walter’s son, John Grene de Boketon, died in the next crusade in 1271 leaving a year old son, Thomas, who became Sir Thomas de Grene (married Alice Bottisham). Then came Sir Thomas de Grene, who married Lady Lucy de la Zouche, his relative, and a direct descendant of King Henry I of France“.
For us over here at least it’s fun to learn about these interesting historical twists. In the meantime, our two little “aspiring princesses” are happily living in the Lima-Miranda Castle, our “always-on-the-move home”, surrounded by unicorns, barbie dolls and baby bottles!!!
Funland is a family amusement center located on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
A family owned and operated business since 1962, Funland provides family fun at reasonable prices for those who visit us each summer – and this Miranda Family is happy to spend part of its Home Leave around here!
The park offers great entertainment for the whole family, featuring 18 rides, 13 midway games, an electronic shooting gallery, redemption center, and an arcade with video and pinball machines. Each summer approximately 100 high school and college age students from the U.S. and countries around the world are hired to provide quality service to all who choose Funland as an entertainment destination.
Surrounded by big trees, Grove Park is great for relaxing in the shade on a hot summer day, or enjoying a picnic with family and friends. The Park has a “Tot Lot” area for children to play, Pavilion seating for large gatherings, Bathrooms and many benches. Grove Park is located near the Visitor Center and Museum. In addition to the ‘tot lot’, there’s newly installed circuit work out equipment with more than ten stations and detailed instructions for each piece of equipment. Hot weather, at the beach, but could we get a bit of shade?
Great facilities for kids and just plain relaxation for yourself. Reading, sitting or taking a break from jogging or walking.
The best way to celebrate the bonds between different generations, especially when they’re all scattered around, due to work schedules and/or lifestyles… They live in different places, learn and speak different languages, share and cherish different cultures, but all with one common goal: to celebrate and honor the family bonds…
So much to see, so many attactions to visit and appreciate… so little time now! We’ve just learned that there’s a “Lifetime Pass“ for Delaware State Parks, and we’re very grateful for the opportunity to enjoy some time with mother nature!
While we’re still deciding what to do during our last week in Delaware, we found this great description of natural attractions, from Delaware State Parks, with the respective links for further information… some would involve a bit of driving (and it could become pretty challenging with 3 kids aged 6 and under!) – but all well worthy!
All information displayed below is public and further details may be obtained at the DE State Parks administration office.
Delaware State Parks have exceptional trails, ponds, beaches, forests and fields, but there’s so much more! Delaware State Parks bring you exotic animals at the Brandywine Zoo, resort cottages and a state-of-the-art marina at Indian River, folk art at the Blue Ball Barn, and history in the Mt. Pleasant Meeting House, Indian River Life-Saving Station, Fort Miles Historical Area and many, many more special places.
Delaware State Parks’ newest attraction offers the chance to experience life at the dawn of the automotive age.. Home to the three generations of the Marshall family, the Auburn Heights mansion is fully furnished with exquisite antiques. The Marshall Steam Museum, operated by the Friends of Auburn Heights Preserve, features model and scale trains as well as the largest collection of steam automobiles in the world!
This extraordinary barn, built in 1914 by Alfred I. duPont, is named after the Blue Ball Tavern, an inn and meeting house, that was once located near the property. The Blue Ball Barn is the centerpiece of the new Alapocas Run State Park, and an example of the preservation and adaptive reuse of an historic structure.
Open since 1905, Delaware’s only zoo is located a few steps from the Brandywine River. The 12-acre zoo features a siberian tiger, river otters, and other animals native to the Americas and the temperate areas of Asia.
The cottages at Indian River Inlet are located on the north shore of the Indian River Inlet inside Delaware Seashore State Park. The park is one of the Mid-Atlantic region’s most popular recreational destinations, with a wealth of natural settings and six miles of ocean and bay shoreline.
The works in the collection reflect the local cultures of Delaware. Visitors are able to tour the exhibit and yard art use the interactive touchscreens to learn about the collection, and the artists and their work.
During World War II, the Delaware River was a chief priority for defense planners because of the access it afforded to the giant trade centers of Wilmington, Philadelphia, and beyond. Fort Miles, located in what is now Cape Henlopen State Park, was a key piece in the nation’s coastal defense at that time.
A trip back in time with the help of a soft breeze off the inlet and pristine white sand, against the backdrop of a picturesque, historic Life-Saving Station. The Life-Saving Station has been meticulously restored to its 1905 appearance, complete with diamond-shaped trim.
A step back to a simpler time at the Mount Pleasant Meeting House, listed on the National Register of Historic Places. A restored sanctuary with its original decorative amber windows and walnut pews, the meeting house offers a simple, yet tranquil setting.
I’m forty errr, I´m forty-one… that´s it… no come back… Thirties are totally, completely, over… Last year was my “landmark birthday”, the number 40 (and every single one of its partners!) carries some weight with it. But in a good way. When I was a teenager, I used to think that by the age of 30 I’d have conquered the world, traveling all over, hauling my perfect and obedient kids with my not-less-than-perfect husband.
Well… at 30 I´d discovered the world was much bigger than my ‘embellished‘ reality…
… And I’m still working on conquering my world, not solely by myself, and not as easily as I’d initially fantasized…
having a really bad hair day!
Secretly, I was looking forward to my 40´s – the idea gives me a sense of pride, of accomplishment, of the ability to overcome challenges.
It does make me really proud to tell people who ask about my age – “I’m forty one”… (also I’ve a confession: it’s the best when some kind soul responds saying: “really? you don’t look like“… it just makes my day! Don’t care if there’s an excess of kindness about the comment – I’d take it face value, why argue?!) ♥ Accept the compliments gracefully… and gratefully! These 4 decades have taught me a great deal.
I’ve learnt that I can’t know everything, control everything and decide alone about everything (don’t let my husband know that!). I need to listen more than I talk. I need to be more understanding and more patient with little things (now tell me how, if exactly when you’re trying to get out of the house, your middle child spills her morning juice all over your new tablecloth, your clothes, and maybe, on your hair?) I’ve also learnt that no matter how expensive your anti-wrinke creams are, they may not work the way your expected… and may not disguise those distinct motherly dark circles under your eyes, a proud label saying: “I’m a mom and I’m tired”. But I’m not always tired. Just often. Pretty much everyday… But I know there’ll be an end to the tiredness: when my kids grow up (??), and begin living their own lives (this is also part of my ‘embellished reality‘ – gotta hold on to something!!)
Nature has been kind to us…
Age has taught me a few tricks for life:
(1) a good bra may work wonders, but it may hurt you, too. If the improvement on your posture and silhouette is worth the pain, go for it. Not for me. I’d likely pass.
(2) I got my sagging eyelids from my mom. She’d (plastic) surgery when she was 33, and I haven’t (yet?). That said, I already owned the right to ‘blame’ her genes… “you know, it comes from my mother’s family“…
(3) If you think some piece of clothing (or shoes) may not look good, don’t even consider trying it on, and/or buying… Just because something looks good on your laptop screen or on a catalog, it doesn’t mean it’d look good on a real 3D you! I’m sure those (super) models are starving, and would give anything for a 1/3 pounder burger!!! ♥
(4) My backpacking days are way over. Got hand it to a good comfy room, unlabeled sheets, with AC, wi-fi, and if possible, with a bathroom, separated from my kids‘…
I’ve learnt to enjoy some “me”, and cherish it. Especially if ‘my company is being flavored’ with some wine… I’ve learnt to appreciate the quietness, but also, to survive the hectic and noisy madness that is my household.I’ve learnt to be my own person, and I’m content with it. I’m happy to be part of the 40s since last year – lots of planning to do for the this decade. Included among the plans, lots of love and laughs…
…e agora. com 6 anos na festa da Escola, no Brasil.
June has always been my favorite month. I’m a June baby, and so is my husband. The two of us met and began dating in June. In Brazil, Valentine’s Day is also celebrated in June… “Dia dos Namorados”, akin to Valentines Day, is celebrated by married and unmarried couples, in a grand manner. Our kids’ school also had a very special way to celebrate the month of June, and in particular, the Brazilian state of Pernambuco, home of Brazil’s most famous forró singer, Luiz Gonzaga.
Pernambuco e Gonzagão, homenageados…
In Brazil, Dia dos Namorados is celebrated the eve of Day of St. Anthony. Known as the Marriage Saint, he’s believed to bring good fortune on marriages, so this day is celebrated on a grand scale. Celebrations in Brazil consist of lavish parties, stunning costumes among other things, and commemorating Dia dos Namorados is no exception to this tradition. So, throwing in a huge party where family and friends are invited, and by buying gifts for your beloved is a very common way of celebrating this day.
Linda homenagem ao Estado de Pernambuco!
Single women perform a ritual known as “Simpatias” on this day, to find a good boyfriend or husband for themselves. The day is also celebrated with the exchange of love messages in the form of figurative objects among couples, both married and single. Exchange of greeting cards among couples is another tradition.
And, you also have the so-called “Festas Juninas” or the “Festivities of June”, celebrating life, marriages, crops & harvesting… Filled with lots of typical foods, warm beverages and games.
Traditional costume to celebrate the Saints of the month of June.
A very typical “couple”, ready for the traditional dance!
Folklore written all over them… Gotta honor their Brazilian culture… that’s what “hybrid culture kids” are made of… learning how to respect and preserve the culture they’re inheriting along the way!
Paraiba is one of the prime Brazilian states, situated on the Atlantic Ocean in the northeast region of the country. The state is famous for producing leather goods of various types.
The capital of the state is rich in historical monuments as well as contemporary buildings, many of which are great examples of baroque-style architecture. Nevertheless, the greatest enchantments are still related to the sea. In addition to the beach of Cabo Branco, with its beautiful, unique lighthouse, the beaches of Tambaú, Manaíra, and Bessa are among the most urbanized on the coast and known for their lukewarm waters.
In the capital of João Pessoa, old meets new – a great example is the newly developed Convention Center.
The Natural
The modern, newly designed Convention Center, ready for 2014!
What is Motherhood? I’m still trying to figure the answer out… some days I just feel like we’re “getting by”, instead of living… other days, are simply wonderfully perfect…. and, most of the days, are plain regular, filled with lots of “mom!!! come here, please!!!” or “mom!!! she took something from my bedroom!!!” or even, a gibberish cry that could mean anything from hunger, pain, to simply: “mom, hold me in your arms…”
Anyway, here are a few shots from this past “Mother’s Day (weeklong celebration)”
The best recipe for a good time at a new posting/assignment: making friends. True, honest, friendship. for this week´s WordPress Photo challenge, a quick tribute to an unforeseen, but strong (and hopefully long!) friendship!.
There are so many ways to show friendship and to see it in others… (wordpress.com)
This is not a bad thing, don’t get me wrong, and we’re pretty grateful for our life here, especially the beachfront… but the thought of having a fireplace, is just great, it will remind us from our first home, back in DC! And, because, our future post seems to be a bit on the chilly side, with average temperature of 64 F (18 Celsius)… At least, for me, it’s cold… I’ve forgotten how the Winter is… We’re living in Brazil, for crying out loud!
The best recipe for a successful Sunday: Gather friends and neighbors around good food, great conversation, games (for the children) and wait for the relaxing sunset…
This is the authentic image of a genuine Mole Poblano… The recipe is not mine, unfortunately… Its preparation and execution are all credit to two of our lovely neighbors, both are Mexican families currently living in Recife due to work relocation. Click here for more images and their recipe! This past Sunday our Mexican neighbors brought to our place a quasi-Mexican fiesta, including delicious deserts, and we’ were happy to host [and still embarrassed for not knowing how to cook as well as they did!) … making sure everyone finished their plate!…and getting ready to wait for the calming sunset over the sea! Also, check this other post out. It’s about honoring the Mexican Culture, from another fellow blogger, passionate by Mexico, good food and cheerful celebrations!
Recently, got news the group was able to raise funds, in coordination with the local Japanese Consulate, for finishing the year-long construction of a day care for those limited-resources families… Still remember the group’s first meetings, all the planning between us, the founders, the intense energy… and the will to do do good… Great feeling! It’ll be a good memory for our time in Recife…
Congratulations to all who participated, in one way or another!
Searching for a calming place to spend a well-deserved long weekend, our family headed out to the Hills of Gravata, some 86 km from the capital of Pernambuco. Besides enjoying a much desired “cooler” weather (it’s been very warm at home!), we got to spend some quality time with our children and close friends.
Welcome! Here I am, 'releasing' my thoughts on traveling, parenting, raising TCKs, teaching, writing, working... and who knows what else!
I’m a WIFE, 'geeky-stuff' SCIENTIST, TEACHER, AUTHOR, (aspiring) AMATEUR photographer, MOM of 3, TRAVELER by choice and by marriage, and of course, a HOUSEHOLD QUEEN!!
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Who doesn’t love a good play with words?
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...It is precisely because Christmas is an“organized, warm, fuzzy, nurturing social deal”that Santa has to be a man. Delegation… that’s the key. 
If Santa was a female, the toys might never be delivered. It would take a she Santa until New Year’s Eve to get dressed (for the third time) and out of the bathroom. And just try harnessing those reindeer with freshly painted nails. Never happen. Once she got underway, she’d be too busy talking on the cell phone to her girl friends to get all the way around the world to every girl and boy’s house in a single year, let alone a single night.
… And I’m still working on conquering my world, not solely by myself, and not as easily as I’d initially fantasized…
brasileiro? latino? no speak americano?? click!
Photo Project: 52 Bolivian Sundays
good feedback!
