March 30: Broke Ass Winner

Tonight was a very extroverted night. It started off with dinner and a meeting and after everyone else had left, my friend Abe stuck around so we could play a round (or 3) of Jenga Xtreme.

As soon as we had set up the game, in walked our friend Travis and our 5-year-old friend Eliot.

Eliot, loving crashes of all kinds like a little boy should, immediately ran over to our completed Jenga tower and with a, "CRASH!!" sent the whole thing scattering to the floor.

Throughout the next two hours, Abe or I would try again and again to set up the game but Eliot would notice and with a, "CRASH!!...CRASH!!...CRASH!!..." the game would fall to pieces again.

So at about 11pm (a very late bedtime for Eliot) Abe and I started our first game.

Leah 3 - Abe 1

Also worth noting: after surviving a very long day, I decided to buy Abe this appropriately titled wine as a present. Way to survive, Abe. You didn't come out of it unscathed, but way to survive.

March 29: PRESENTS!!!

PRESENTS!!! There are PRESENTS in the MAIL!!!

Today I received a package in the mail from a dear friend from my hometown in Iowa. We love sending each other little gifts that let us know that we're thinking about the other.

Ericka, my dear friend, is an interior designer who also manages an interior designing store. She sells everything from what you see here (a cheese dip mix for wine and an adorable wine-inspired dish towel) to small furniture pieces. Her store is full of unique and trendy pieces that will look great in your home :) It's also my favorite place to buy my Maruca (designer) purses.

Her store is named 'Close to Home' in Sioux City and Le Mars Iowa - if you're ever in the area you should stop by!

Thank you, thank you, thank you, Ericka!!

I love my surprises! Enjoy your birthday gift :)

March 28: Sunday Dinner guests

Meet Amelie:Today was a typical Sunday dinner with family except for we had some friends join us.

My mother's next-door neighbors came over with their one-year old girl Amelie.

Normally Amelie is the happiest child I have ever had the privilege of meeting. But for a split-second today, we saw her wrath. Amelie decided that she really wanted to finish her dinner off with a glass of wine - but when my mom wouldn't share hers, we saw this face.

Soon enough though, she returned to her normal temperament of pure joy and playfulness.

March 27: Antiquing with the girls

So what if I have 3 photos when i'm only supposed to have 1?

It's my blog and i'll do what I want to.

So you pick which one should be my best photo of the day:
LOOK! Anna with binoculars
Shelby with the creepy kitten mug (beware the eyes...the eyes!)

Or Shelby and I dressing up for afternoon tea and a game of croquet.

March 26: Our Non-productive Routines

So this picture wasn't taken with my camera... I took it with my computer.

This is our routine: I'll get home, sit down, and get out my lap top to work.

My cat will follow me, jump up on my lap, push off my computer, and fall asleep.

How can I get any work done?

He's too cute to shove off..

Ironically enough, he just jumped up on my lap and sat down. But before he could spread out and shove my computer, he decided the window was more interesting and left.

March 25: I am a senior helper!

This afternoon I had an interview at Senior Helpers: a business that offers compassion care and aid to senior citizens.

I have been crossing my fingers for a while to get this great part-time job so...

I celebrated when they invited me to join their team!

Yay! I am a senior helper :)

March 24: Late Night Jam Session

Last night I was up late telling stories with my friends Monika and Abe when we realized that each one of us used to play flute.

Monika had played since 5th grade, I had played since 5th grade (but quit my senior year of high school), and Abe had been forced by his mother to play for a few years in elementary school.

So at about midnight we got out some sheet music and played together (Monika and I on flute and Abe on guitar).

We played everything from Aladdin to Handel.

(I should mention that I have never seen a guitarist play sheet music before - I was very impressed. You're still a show-off though, Abe!)

March 23: Lunch with Momma

This morning I met my mom for a half-day of fun: hair cut with her favorite hair dresser, a little bit of shopping, and lunch at Panera Bread.

I love spending time with my mom.

March 22: Daiquiritas

Tonight we decided we wanted something fun so we made a new creation: The Strawberry Daiquirita. Half strawberry daiquiri and half margarita.

Half way through my daiquirita, I started to get a headache behind my right eye. When my friend finished, she mentioned she had a headache behind her right eye too!

"Huh... we hardly put any alcohol in these...what could it be?"

And at once we knew it.

"Sugar!"

Neither of us take in much sugar in a day. In fact, I think a normal day can pass and I could have had no sugar at all. But tonight the sweet stuff did us both in.

Daiquiritas are recommended for extreme sweet-tooths, but carry warnings for everyone else.

March 21: Spring flowers

Spring showers may bring May flowers, but we're getting them already!

This week the crocuses began blooming :)

I really love flowers... there will probably be more flower photos to come...

March 20: Pizza with Pablo

Tonight Pablo and I made some tasty pizza for dinner.

Spinach, tomatoes, mushrooms, banana peppers, pepperoni, provolone (like the slice-layering technique?), and other veggies on a whole wheat crust.

YUM!

March 19: CAUGHT!

As I have mentioned previously, my cat is ADORABLE. But he is also naughty.

One of his little quirks is he loves to open doors (I think he does it just so show us that he can) and not shut them.

His favorite door to open in our house is to our coat closet. Up until this afternoon I just thought he got a kick out of it when he was bored.

This afternoon I was leaving so I went to grab my coat and... CAUGHT!

Little sucker has been napping in our basket of gloves, hats, scarves, and other assorted comfy winter dressings.

Still adorable, but naughty.

March 18: I (Heart) my Dutch Oven

I am the proud owner of a lime green Dutch oven :) :) :) (Does that seem proud enough?)

Tonight was the first time I have used it so I broke it in with that delicious dahl recipe I learned in India.

Isn't she pretty?

(Yes)

Indian Dahl Recipe: http://leahandjo.blogspot.com/2010/01/jan-27th-my-indian-cooking-lesson.html

March 17: Happy St Patrick's Day - Now buy a car or get out.

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

Today I went car shopping and I found the perfect way to send you all holiday greetings.

With a promo for a car, of course!

Now time for a few observations:

1) Exactly how much fun is a "barrel of leprachans"?

2) Before writing on a public area, shouldn't one learn to spell correctly so as to not look foolish?

3) Would a "barrel of leprechauns" be more or less fun than a "barrel of leprachans"?

March 16: World's Cutest Cat

ADORABLE.

I know, my cat is the most handsome thing you have ever seen.

Seriously, look at that face.

ADORABLE!

March 15: Jimmy the Bear

Today I went shopping with my friend Andrea for decorations for her new office space.

To start the day off right, we went to the wellness center to see her space and visualize what kind of decor fits her needs.

Look who was there waiting for us!

The wellness center has a decor of wildlife: specifically wildlife being hunted.

Jimmy, the Adia-something bear, lives in the waiting room.

Jimmy is an extrovert so he actually stands between the chairs so that he can mingle with the people.

Oh, by the way, he told me to tell you all, "Happy St. Patrick's Day!"

March 14: Coffee and Checkers

This weekend my dad, my brother and enjoyed the sunny afternoon in Caribou Coffee: drinking their new varieties of lattes and playing checkers.

Who won?

He did. He always has and always will.

I still love him though.

March 13: Bob's (Organic) Bad Breath Burger

Yummm...

When I arrived back home there were a few things I had missed while being away...

Bob's Bad Breath Burger: Organic ground beef with green goddess sauce, carmelized onions, cream cheese, greens, tomato, mild paprika sauce and served with a side of greens and savory roasted potato wedges.

This burger can be found at Madison's 'The Weary Traveler' on Willy Street.

It's a local favorite and definitely loved by my family.

March 10-12: Fell off the horse

Well, I completely forgot about my camera. Yup.

Oops.

Oh well.

March 9: Look, Learn, Laugh

Today Kyli and I were visiting my momma when we decided to take a stroll around the neighborhood.

While we were walking through a park, we noticed this humorous yet educational sign on how to build parent-child relationships. Always loving a good photo shoot, I proposed that we follow their suggestions.

So this is Kyli following step #1 "Stand in circles, look at each other, and make each other smile or laugh"

I've also included a photo of the sign so you can enjoy it for yourself. Maybe give it a try - it worked for us!

(If you are my friend on facebook, I have the entire series in a photo album - check it out!)

March 8: A Miracle of the Mane

Okay, so this may seem insignificant to you, oh blog reader, but this morning I was very excited.

Why?

My entire life I have had stock-straight hair and, for my entire life, i've been bored with it.

The only time it was different was when I payed $50 to get a perm. I was so excited for that change that I actually spent time in the mornings to do something with it (which was only 5 minutes, but still that's a lot for me!). But, as all things come to an end, my hair grew out so I had this awkward three inches of straight roots with a poodle-poof at the end (I really did resemble a poodle).

Back to today... last night I fell asleep with wet hair expecting to wake up to a nightmare when...viola! Perfect curls and volume - almost as good as when I got a perm!

What did I say? Miracle.

I've tried to repeat the process but with no success. I guess it's just like with a real miracle, if it can be reproduced on demand it's no longer something miraculous.

March 7: My new dress

Whenever I return to the states after a significant time away, the first thing I want to do is take a little shopping trip. Today it was to Target where I found this dress (which I had noticed before I left) on clearance.

March 6th: Home!

After a 16 hour car ride, 2 hour flight to Beijing, 9 hour flight to Abu Dhabi, 16 hour flight to Chicago, and 2 hour drive home, I made it home in time for the wedding! Today was my friends Kate and Caleb's wedding. She was beautiful and he was handsome (both like normal) and the wedding was so much fun.

But I forgot my camera!! I couldn't believe it!

So instead I took a picture of the nail polish my friend Monika got me addicted to today. We put it on for the wedding and I've been wearing it ever since.

March 5: ...and I just wanted to go to the bank...

This morning was a normal morning: get ready, eat breakfast, run to the bank, etc. You know, the usual. But, just like I mentioned previously, 'normal' doesn't follow me. I thrive in regular funny situations.

So this morning I got in the van and headed towards the bank when suddenly we find ourselves in the middle of a New Year parade. When our van came to a stand-still because we were surrounded by kids dancing and paper dragons, I jumped out and got this shot.

March 4: Invited into the kitchen

While waiting for dinner, some nice waitresses let me enter the kitchen to take pictures of them cooking.

This was SO much fun :)

They later complimented me (through a translator) that they thought I could understand Mandarin completely because I could respond to what they asked me. What they didn't know is that I stretch my little Chinese as far as it can go and the rest is all reading body language. Still, I really enjoyed the compliment.

March 3: One more funny situation: check!

Funny situations seem to be attracted me.

-Mistaken for a celebrity: check.

-Unnecessary body guards: check.

-Awkward day with mafia: check.

-Home-made bombs: check.

-Catching a Costa Rican peeping-tom: check.

-Focus of a photo shoot: check.

(Seriously, i'm a good person, I just happen to be in the wrong place at the wrong time some days.)

For example, a team of journalists were also visiting the same village for the festival. They thought that, since we were the first white people to visit this village, we would make for a good section in their news articles.

Well, they had a photo shoot/interview of us for about 10 minutes until I decided it was my turn. I stood up and said exactly that, "Okay! Now it's my turn!" I motioned to my camera as they realized what I meant. They stood there shocked for a second and then turned to each other and laughed. Then, much to my pleasure, they gathered together for the photo you see below, still laughing. (I think this funny little foreign girl made their day).

Bonus track: Traditional Dress

Here's one of me dressed up in the traditional dress. That's me on the left and my dear friend Erica on the right.

I feel like a little girl Dutch-dancing again. Minus the wooden shoes. (If you don't know, don't be afraid to ask. I may even give you a sampling. I definitely did on the day I was wearing this.)

March 2: Grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

Day two of the festivities!

Another day of WOW!

Just look to see what I mean... this guy was one of the main characters in their story-dance.

March 1 (por fin!): A Humbling Experience

Day one of the festivities!

This was one of my favorite experiences traveling yet. I was in a small village that no white person had ever been to before...seriously! I felt like I was employed by National Geographic (which made me feel quite satisfied with myself since they are my heroes).

Throughout today the entire village participated in the festivities because each family created and then presented their own dance. It was great! We went from home to home experiencing their amazing hospitality. With every new threshold we entered there was another multitude of warm hands offering food (delicious) and drink (delicious but strong) into mine. My cup was never empty and I ate all day long. And the entertainment was stupendous. The dancing and singing lasted all day long and into the night.

To summarize this day into one word... WOW! It was truly a blessing to join in on these festivities. I felt so honored being welcomed into their homes...wow.

And let me mention... it's MARCH!! I've caught up to the real month!! Hip-Hip-Hooray!

Feb 28th: The most beautiful place I've ever...

"This is the most beautiful place I've ever gone to the bathroom" I announced as I jumped out of the van.

Like I mentioned earlier, my driver would stop for three things: meals, bathrooms, and photos. Well, we are both multi-taskers so we decided to take a bathroom and photo stop in one.

Feb 27th: Road trip photo-stops

Today I started a week-long expedition. Two day road trip, three day Chinese New Year festival, and 16 hour trip back.

This was, hands down, the most beautiful road trip I have ever been on in my life. Southern Spain, central Mexico, California's Highway 1, remote villages in Morocco: you're all whipped.

This was just one of the gems along our way. Luckily, my driver is also an avid photographer so we would take pit-stops for three things: meals, bathroom, and photos.

Here's a photo stop.

Feb 26th: So many beautiful children

I mentioned previously that I had more great photos from the orphanage that I wanted to post, and, what the heck?

I decided that these kids were much cuter than other photos I could post anyway. And, since I made up the rules to my blog, I can break them once in a while.

So here is another beautiful child.

Feb 25th: You are beautiful

Today I spent some time in an orphanage. Man, are these kids cute.

I'm not really a huggy-snuggly person so sitting and holding kids isn't my thing. I love to run and play soccer with kids, but since the majority of these children were handicapped, that limited their soccer skills. So what was I to do?

My camera saves the day! The kids love to have their picture taken and then played back for them.

I have so many great portraits from this time, I wish I could post them all.

Feb 24th: Chinese blessings

I was just walking through an alley today and as I stepped through a doorway I saw this.

"Huh, that's really unique." I thought and got out my camera.

The red paper hanging on the side of the door is a blessing, or proverb, which is written on these sheets of dyed red paper and hung on each side of the door during Chinese New Year. It is supposed to be a blessing for the family who dwells inside of that home.

The last time I was in China I was given one of these as a gift. A girl in my English class made it for me and is still one of my most prized possessions.

Feb 23: Still not getting old

Here's a picture of some fireworks being set off at the foot of my apartment building - and exploding outside of my window!

It was so much fun.

Feb 22: Happy New Year!

Like I mentioned earlier, the Chinese celebrate their New Year in style.

Here's a picture of some people setting off fireworks inside of my apartment complex.

Feb 21: The Muching Monkey

I enjoy Asian advertisements...for example...meet the "Munching Monkey".

Feb 20th: Firework Vendor

I'm visiting during Chinese New Year which, essentially, is a month-long 4th of July anarchy.

It's great! Every night there are fireworks exploding right outside of my window and I am having so much fun with my camera.

There don't seem to be any rules or regulations on how the people are to celebrate so it's one long party that goes on late at night and early in the morning.

These little stands are set up on the sides of streets and the entrances to apartment complexes.

Feb 19th: Market

Today I went shopping in the market. Fun times but I hate bartering.

Feb 18th: YOU TOO Can Be White!

Today Hallah and I were walking when we noticed this funny billboard. Neither of us being able to read Mandarin, we gave it our own interpretation.

We decided this advertisement looked like a college recruitment fund that was telling its viewers, "If you go to our college, you can get the job you want to have".

This made sense to us...until we noticed the very last person/occupation represented was a little white guy. Which, of course, made us laugh. "If you go to our college, YOU TOO can be a little white guy!"

Well, we found out later that it was not for college recruiting, but for a cell phone company (or something like that). We decided we liked our interpretation better.

Feb 17th: Shower Head Liqueur

Today I took a taxi to Walmart to buy some Chrysanthemum tea in bulk.

While wandering around, I noticed something interesting about the liquor selection down this aisle.

Look closely..."Beer...Beer...what the?...Wine...Wine..."

That's right... Walmart's selection of alcoholic beverages includes "Shower Head".

"Beer...Beer...Shower Head...Wine...Wine"

Who knows, but I enjoyed it.

Here's a closer look:

Feb 16th: Experiencing my worst fear

What is my worst fear about traveling?

-The airplane crashing? No.

-Lost baggage? That would suck, but no.

-Cancelled flights? No.

-Not being able to sleep on a 16 hour flight? I'm used to that so no.

-Puking while in air? YES!

In all of my 22 years of being a frequent flier I have never gotten sick while airborne. Well, on this the 16th of February, that all changed.

Thanks to bad Chinese Eastern airline food I saw my noodles twice. My flight from Kunming was a blur of bathroom trips and fainting spells. But the last time we were in our descent and there were no bathroom trips for me. And when it really counted there was no 'barf bag' to be found... Ugh.

So here is a picture that summarizes my day. Oh, and that's my friend Abe sympathizing (completely abnormal for him but, even though trying to hide it, he also helped take care of me).

Feb 15: Another...another...another...

Ugh. Traveling again. It seems like so long ago that I lost my child-like love for traveling. Since my mother's family is in California, I traveled a lot for a child. I used to love it, what happened?

Now it's just another flight, another layover, another issue at the ticket desk, another, another, another...

Here's Hallah in just another layover in the Kolkata (Calcutta) airport.

Feb 14: Cricket with the boys

Happy Valentines Day to me! Before I left for the flight to China, some friends taught me how to play cricket.

Aren't they amazing? (ps the photos are backwards)