Add together: a willing meandering partner, a moody sky competing with late afternoon sunshine, appreciation for my new home town's biggest attraction and you're bound to get a pretty content lady over here.
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Riverfront
Add together: a willing meandering partner, a moody sky competing with late afternoon sunshine, appreciation for my new home town's biggest attraction and you're bound to get a pretty content lady over here.
Wednesday, May 29, 2013
Round 2
Because it's only 3 USD to get in, it's only a half an hours drive away, it was sunset, I had this inkling that I'd finally spot my first moose.
We found five.
Monday, May 27, 2013
Practice nature
Skerp oogies/little sharp eyes. A 'nickname' my parents gave me when I was still very young. For as long as I can remember my family enjoyed taking long weekend trips, especially up to the Kruger National Park in winter months. How do you keep a toddler entertained in the car while you're trying to enjoy the magic of the bush with hopes of spotting wild life? Let her believe that she has a super power. A super power where she can spot all the amazing animals first. (Because what's the point in spotting that giraffe second right?). A super power I still believe I have thanks to their clever parenting skills.
This weekend we took a drive through Turnbull National Wildlife Refuge. Maybe a half an hours drive from home. Ben and I both wanted to fine tune our super power skills (turns out he is part of the force too) before heading over to Yellowstone next weekend.
The skill that is combing through bushes and trees to spot a moose, a bear, a chipmunk. Remembering how to dive into nature with all five senses. The sound of rustling quaking aspens, the smell of a water body, the taste of last minute packed snacks, the feel of gripping onto binoculars or adjusting the zoom just right, the peace that comes from staring off into wide open spaces.
** Read this account of my friends visit there with kids, also with more useful information and gorgeous photos!**
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Stirred
What is this inside me that marvels at yellow with green and open and sounds of the a waterfall so? I don't care to explain it, I only care to appreciate and nurture it.
What ever it is, it's grand, and the Northwest sure knows how to stir it in me.
***forgive the dirty wind shield, but road trips can not be done any other way ***
Friday, May 24, 2013
Everyday end
I woke up to a flooded email this morning.
Hundreds and hundreds of concerend fans asking why I missed the last few days of the 'blog everyday in may' challenge.
Firstly, guys thanks for the concern, nothing terrible has happened, I'm still here.
Secondaly, I'm sorry that you missing out on my inspiring daily blog posts have messed up your past few days.
Thirdly, sorry for making all that up.
I'm not a fan of giving up. Who is right? However, the more I tried to follow the blog everyday in May challenge the more I started to realise that I'm just not that kind of blog.
I enjoyed trying on a few topics, I enjoyed the challenge of coming up with something new everyday. I also enjoy, and still will, following along other blogs that are keeping on with the challenge to the very end.
But things just started to feel less organic, less Lanlettie, as the posts went on. The moment I decided that I need to walk away from the challenge was the moment I felt peacefully excited about Lanlettie again, so I'm just going to go with that.
I hope you enjoyed the days that I did do, and I hope you'll keep stopping by as I figure out what it is I want this space to be. Talking about my most embarrasing moments and my lot in life is not it, I think.
Enjoy these pictures as I continue contimplating qaulity and authentic material for upcoming posts.
From a tucked away Hanoi file, I recently rediscovered and feel like sharing with you for no apparent reason.
Hundreds and hundreds of concerend fans asking why I missed the last few days of the 'blog everyday in may' challenge.
Firstly, guys thanks for the concern, nothing terrible has happened, I'm still here.
Secondaly, I'm sorry that you missing out on my inspiring daily blog posts have messed up your past few days.
Thirdly, sorry for making all that up.
I'm not a fan of giving up. Who is right? However, the more I tried to follow the blog everyday in May challenge the more I started to realise that I'm just not that kind of blog.
I enjoyed trying on a few topics, I enjoyed the challenge of coming up with something new everyday. I also enjoy, and still will, following along other blogs that are keeping on with the challenge to the very end.
But things just started to feel less organic, less Lanlettie, as the posts went on. The moment I decided that I need to walk away from the challenge was the moment I felt peacefully excited about Lanlettie again, so I'm just going to go with that.
I hope you enjoyed the days that I did do, and I hope you'll keep stopping by as I figure out what it is I want this space to be. Talking about my most embarrasing moments and my lot in life is not it, I think.
Enjoy these pictures as I continue contimplating qaulity and authentic material for upcoming posts.
From a tucked away Hanoi file, I recently rediscovered and feel like sharing with you for no apparent reason.
Tuesday, May 21, 2013
Day 21. Sometimes I amuse myself
Day 21... are we there yet?
Topic for today is: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives.
Easy enough.
Below are some of my personal favorite blog posts. My favorites probably because I really enjoyed wrting them, or because the topic has a special memory or because I laugh at my own jokes.
For your enjoyment:
From this challenge:
Teaching you more about South Africa in 'South Africa 101'
Talking about what not to be afraid of anymore
From before:
I like this post about me falling in love with Spokane in the Summer, I remeber trying to imagine what life would be like here. Slow walking in Spokane
Sharing photo's from our road trip to Glacier National Park, here, here and here.
Sharing with you all the DIY projects I've done for our wedding.
Dealing with being homesick, missing South Africa.
Celebrating my 100th post!
Admitting to being a cheapskate in 'Thrifting around'
Do you have any particular favorites? I'd love to know!
Topic for today is: A list of links to your favorite posts in your archives.
Easy enough.
Below are some of my personal favorite blog posts. My favorites probably because I really enjoyed wrting them, or because the topic has a special memory or because I laugh at my own jokes.
For your enjoyment:
From this challenge:
Teaching you more about South Africa in 'South Africa 101'
Talking about what not to be afraid of anymore
From before:
I like this post about me falling in love with Spokane in the Summer, I remeber trying to imagine what life would be like here. Slow walking in Spokane
Sharing photo's from our road trip to Glacier National Park, here, here and here.
Sharing with you all the DIY projects I've done for our wedding.
Dealing with being homesick, missing South Africa.
Celebrating my 100th post!
Admitting to being a cheapskate in 'Thrifting around'
Do you have any particular favorites? I'd love to know!
Monday, May 20, 2013
Day 20. On the real side
Today's topic is: Something you're struggling with right now.
Guys, blogging everyday is turning out to be both wonderful and a tad bit more challenging than I anticipated. By a tad I mean a lot.
But,
This is not my struggle.
(It might just be me, and my South African history geekery, but when I say struggle I over-roll the 'R')
I'm not a big fan of writing about the tough things here, not because I want to look like I'm awesome, but this was never a space for every single account of my life. It's a creative outlet or something...
However, I myself am big fan of reading other blogs and I just love that moment when you read an account and go "it's not just me!", "this person has problems too", "wow, what a different perspective".
So that's why I'll share a little of what I'm struggling with right now. Along with shadows in my house, you could see the shadow snaps as a representation of some deeper meaning, or, just enjoy them as I am.
Wow, that's a lot of rambling without really getting anywhere. What is my daily struggle you ask impatiently?
Confidence.
In different aspects, and it's a fight in different ways.
The source is mostly found in the fact that I'm new at so many things. Strangely not so much the wife part, I have a great confidence in being a new wife to the most wonderful man in the world. So that's an obvious new for me, but not a stRuggle.
Small things like not having a drivers license here, and not driving for over half a year is hard. Not having that freedom I've been used to for almost a decade is hard. The longer it takes me to just get around to doing the tests and getting the paperwork the harder it gets. Usually I just feel like an idiot for taking so long on something so simple.
I don't have the job I used to have, in a way I'm starting new or over. That's why I decided to intern while my green card was in process, taking the pressure off to just keep on working like I used to. I can't wait to feel that confidence in what I do everyday. Guys, this is possibly the biggest fight I've fought here. Fighting with the impatience of why it's taking so long for me to settle. Wondering what I'm really good at. Longing for the days where I knew exactly what I was doing, whether it was selling a house, teaching a class or booking a travel package. It's been a long time since I've had that.
People who've know me for a while are usually surprised at just how shy I can be. Being the new kid in town doesn't help with that. It's getting better honestly and so far I've met some really wonderful people. But I miss the confidence that comes from having solid friendships and a few at that. If you've never moved to a new place you might not know what I'm talking about, but trust me, appreciate it when you have your peeps around. Don't take it for granted!
I think back on the week before our wedding, we had a bit of a destination wedding, so a few friends and family members were able to come a few days before. If that wasn't one of the best weeks of my life! I just miss that.
Hmmm, I'm tired. Let's just end there. Of course, here is the disclaimer: I know this will pass, I know that through this weird process of rebuilding my confidence I'm learning about myself, America and life. I know that there are way more difficult things to go through in life, and while this is very real to me at this stage of my life, I do also say Thank You a lot for what I do have. Which is so much, a ridiculous amount of wonderful. Focusing on what I'm thankful for is usually what get's me through the dark and heavy moments.
Other things that help:
Listening to this Sound of Music tune: I have confidence
Mostly because Julie Andrews can lift any a moody moment, and my life makes more sense as a musical.
But on the serious side, I've listened to this song over and over: Oceans (where my feet may fail)
Because sometime I don't have the words to pray, and this reminds me where all real confidence comes from.
Guys, blogging everyday is turning out to be both wonderful and a tad bit more challenging than I anticipated. By a tad I mean a lot.
But,
This is not my struggle.
(It might just be me, and my South African history geekery, but when I say struggle I over-roll the 'R')
I'm not a big fan of writing about the tough things here, not because I want to look like I'm awesome, but this was never a space for every single account of my life. It's a creative outlet or something...
However, I myself am big fan of reading other blogs and I just love that moment when you read an account and go "it's not just me!", "this person has problems too", "wow, what a different perspective".
So that's why I'll share a little of what I'm struggling with right now. Along with shadows in my house, you could see the shadow snaps as a representation of some deeper meaning, or, just enjoy them as I am.
Wow, that's a lot of rambling without really getting anywhere. What is my daily struggle you ask impatiently?
Confidence.
In different aspects, and it's a fight in different ways.
The source is mostly found in the fact that I'm new at so many things. Strangely not so much the wife part, I have a great confidence in being a new wife to the most wonderful man in the world. So that's an obvious new for me, but not a stRuggle.
Small things like not having a drivers license here, and not driving for over half a year is hard. Not having that freedom I've been used to for almost a decade is hard. The longer it takes me to just get around to doing the tests and getting the paperwork the harder it gets. Usually I just feel like an idiot for taking so long on something so simple.
I don't have the job I used to have, in a way I'm starting new or over. That's why I decided to intern while my green card was in process, taking the pressure off to just keep on working like I used to. I can't wait to feel that confidence in what I do everyday. Guys, this is possibly the biggest fight I've fought here. Fighting with the impatience of why it's taking so long for me to settle. Wondering what I'm really good at. Longing for the days where I knew exactly what I was doing, whether it was selling a house, teaching a class or booking a travel package. It's been a long time since I've had that.
People who've know me for a while are usually surprised at just how shy I can be. Being the new kid in town doesn't help with that. It's getting better honestly and so far I've met some really wonderful people. But I miss the confidence that comes from having solid friendships and a few at that. If you've never moved to a new place you might not know what I'm talking about, but trust me, appreciate it when you have your peeps around. Don't take it for granted!
I think back on the week before our wedding, we had a bit of a destination wedding, so a few friends and family members were able to come a few days before. If that wasn't one of the best weeks of my life! I just miss that.
Hmmm, I'm tired. Let's just end there. Of course, here is the disclaimer: I know this will pass, I know that through this weird process of rebuilding my confidence I'm learning about myself, America and life. I know that there are way more difficult things to go through in life, and while this is very real to me at this stage of my life, I do also say Thank You a lot for what I do have. Which is so much, a ridiculous amount of wonderful. Focusing on what I'm thankful for is usually what get's me through the dark and heavy moments.
Other things that help:
Listening to this Sound of Music tune: I have confidence
Mostly because Julie Andrews can lift any a moody moment, and my life makes more sense as a musical.
But on the serious side, I've listened to this song over and over: Oceans (where my feet may fail)
Because sometime I don't have the words to pray, and this reminds me where all real confidence comes from.
Sunday, May 19, 2013
The 5 Fav's
Today's topic: 5 favorite blogs and why you love them.
Today, I'm not feeling awesome, so forgive me as I make it a little short.
In no real order:
Today, I'm not feeling awesome, so forgive me as I make it a little short.
In no real order:
-Travel blog
-Longest blog crush (over three years)
-My favorite writer on the list
-Gorgeous, authentic moments
-Poetic writing
-One of my new favorites
-a Family member
-Great writer
-because EVERYTHING
-fashion
-photography
-biggest source of where my pins come from
Saturday, May 18, 2013
day 18, on being a child
Today's post is ' a childhood memory'
I don't have a specific memory to share today, more just a stream of moments really.
Visits to grandparents. Sprinklers on hot days. Building mansions for my barbies with books. Making clothes for my barbies with scraps. Chomps. My favorite shocking pink swimming costume. Willow trees and the crowns my Grandpa would make out of them. Swings. Mom's bedtime bible stories, Dad's made up bedtime stories. Killie die krap. Crayons and a fresh coloring book. Heidi in Afrikaans. Dreaming about the day I can make a ponytail. Twirling. Wearing skirts on my head, pretending I had long hair. Not understanding English. Sunday school and praying for a baby sister. My grandma's nighttime lullaby. My immaginary friends 'Klienkie' and 'Maaitjie' Picking out a piece of candy for under R2. Watermelon and water slide parks. Tweety and Sylvester in Afrikaans 'ek-dag-ek-sag-n-kittie-kat'. Trying to milk a dog that one time. Burning leaves with a magnifying glass. Hide and seek. Training wheels coming off. Princess band aids. Animal shaped kids vitamins. Getting lost in an elevator. Jumping castles. Roller skate dares. Climbing trees, my favorite thing.
Side note: Wondering about getting bangs again...
I don't have a specific memory to share today, more just a stream of moments really.
Visits to grandparents. Sprinklers on hot days. Building mansions for my barbies with books. Making clothes for my barbies with scraps. Chomps. My favorite shocking pink swimming costume. Willow trees and the crowns my Grandpa would make out of them. Swings. Mom's bedtime bible stories, Dad's made up bedtime stories. Killie die krap. Crayons and a fresh coloring book. Heidi in Afrikaans. Dreaming about the day I can make a ponytail. Twirling. Wearing skirts on my head, pretending I had long hair. Not understanding English. Sunday school and praying for a baby sister. My grandma's nighttime lullaby. My immaginary friends 'Klienkie' and 'Maaitjie' Picking out a piece of candy for under R2. Watermelon and water slide parks. Tweety and Sylvester in Afrikaans 'ek-dag-ek-sag-n-kittie-kat'. Trying to milk a dog that one time. Burning leaves with a magnifying glass. Hide and seek. Training wheels coming off. Princess band aids. Animal shaped kids vitamins. Getting lost in an elevator. Jumping castles. Roller skate dares. Climbing trees, my favorite thing.
"Could we but see the world through the eyes of a child a little longer? Oh to live once more in innocence and well being where time has no meaning and money is the price of sticky sweet clutched in an equally sticky hand." Trevor Wright
Side note: Wondering about getting bangs again...
Friday, May 17, 2013
me, yellow, roadtrip: yes! day 17
Today's topic: A favorite picture of yourself and why
I'm choosing this one.
From last weekend when we took our quickie road trip to Palouse Falls.
I love it because of the colors, the flowers, the fact that we're out on the road, that Ben will always pull over for me to take photos when I ask, that I'm 'caught' doing something I really enjoy, it's not posed and lastly because I remember how happy I was in that moment.
Here is the other side of the story...
I'm choosing this one.
From last weekend when we took our quickie road trip to Palouse Falls.
I love it because of the colors, the flowers, the fact that we're out on the road, that Ben will always pull over for me to take photos when I ask, that I'm 'caught' doing something I really enjoy, it's not posed and lastly because I remember how happy I was in that moment.
Here is the other side of the story...
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