Grand Opening

Within one block of my house in Clifton there are many grand openings:

Comfy Cow Ice Creamery

Pie Kitchen Cafe

Quest Outdoors (re-opening)

Just down the street:

Trader Joe's (long awaited and coveted!)

YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS

Adventures with P. Diddy

You want to know a secret Patty?

Sure.

Sometimes when I'm on car trips, I pretend like I'm still in Tanzania.

Really?  

Yea.  Is that weird.

I dunno.  Kinda

[clash bang scrape blow out scrreeech]

Oh [snap]

What was that?

Blow out.

Uh what are we supposed to do now.

You're not going to do anything.  I'm going to change it and you're going to sit here because we're on the side of the road and I don't want you to get hit by a semi.  Unless you want to go pee in the woods down there.

No, there might be bears.

I hate wild animals.

You're really fast.
I know.
That was a compliment.
Well that was my fourth.  Look, I need to stop and get another spare.  I'm not trying to have another blow out on this godforsaken highway and get stranded here.  This is the boonies.  And I've got precious cargo.  We'll stop up here, I know a place.
Aw, you think I'm precious cargo?
No, I've got my climbing gear in the back.
It smells like burning rubber.  Or maybe your air freshener.
Both.
...
Uh is this it?

Yea I think these guys have a tire that will fit.
This is Tanzania.  Except they have double wides instead of huts.
They're just good ol' boys.
They think you're a city slicker.
What do you think they think of you?
That I'm a priss.
You are.
NO I AM NOT!  Just because I can't change a tire or kill a bear with my bare hands does not make me a priss.
Ok.
Hey, you guys rock climbers?
Yea.
Well how do you get that rope up there?
This would be a one star trip if it weren't for the Rollings Stones playing out the side of that Dodge Neon.
I think that guy just pulled a knife on his friend.
We should go.
Yup.

Did you find your shoes?
Nope.
Oh, sorry.
Yea and some briar patch cut the [snot] out of my arm on the way down.  How was your nap?
Great.
...
I think we make a left to cut through the Gorge to Muir Valley.
Uh, that's a dead end.
This would totally be a one star trip if it weren't for such gorgeous weather.

 This was my first lead route.
What was the name again?
Mr. Bungle
I give it three stars.
Overall 3 star day.
Word.
Let's hit the road.  Margaritas or a giant Pacifico?

Rose-colored glasses

A year ago today, I boarded a plane headed for Tanzania.  I had no idea what I'd find.  I didn't even know where I was going to sleep when I got there.  That was the adventure I craved.

My time there was life-changing, because I've never lived in a world where everything was an adventure.  A trip to get groceries meant a mile walk, hanging onto the side of a dala dala (bus) for dear life while the pavement raced beneath me, bartering in Swahili with a local for pennies worth of delicious produce.  The children I worked with had diseases I had only ever read about in books.  But now I have seen rheumatic heart disease, rabies, and pediatric AIDS.

I had every target on my back: Single. White. Woman.  And yet I approached my life there confidently (and only sometimes with reckless abandon).  I have never lived so simply.  It's a true test of flexibility to forego all of the luxuries of Western culture.  And yet, I'd love to live without them again.

I miss the beauty of my surroundings: Kilimanjaro peeking out of the clouds, flowers blooming on every tree, the amazing fruits and vegetables that were picked straight from the trees, the feeling of Karibu and the sweet nature of all of the Tanzanians.

I miss Dana.  Happy friendiversary!!!!

I don't know if I'll ever make it back to Moshi, Tanzania, but that's okay because I live out the lessons I learned there every day in my life here.  Karibu, work hard, be present in your community, provide resources, care for the children like they were your own.

Happy BERTday!

Bert & I go way back, and I mean wayyyyy back.  So far back that our we share genes.  And I'm not talking denim.

Bert is my twin cousin
My brotha from anotha motha (love you Aunt Janet!)
A partner in life through my formative years
Someone with whom I can be open and honest and candid and silly all at the same time.

We are three weeks apart in age but it's obvious we're cut from the same cloth.

Bert is one of the most genuine (tied only with other members of our family), loyal. caring men I have ever known.  After all of the fun we had at Carolina, how could it get any better?  But it did, we spent every Wednesday morning of the next two years having breakfast together before school at Duke.  The subjects were varied: careers, life, basketball, dating, travels.  No matter the subject, Bert is present and invested.

You're the best guy friend I have and I am so thankful to have so many special memories with you.  Can't wait to see what's to come this year!  Thanks for being my older cousin and showing me that it's safe to turn another year older :)
Note: I am not worried about your fiance seeing these pictures-- she's got to know what she's getting into :)

So happy birthday sweet sweet cousin!  We'll celebrate this weekend and again at my birthday.  (You'll have to wait for Katherine to come down for your fantastic present!)  Can't wait for a big ol' birthday hug (not that you're old or anything)!!!!

Keeneland

Sundress? Check.

Sunglasses? Check.

Bourbon? Check.

Dollar bills? Check.

No, I did not go to Vegas.  I went to Keeneland for their fall series of horse races!  Whit and I loaded up on Saturday morning for an easy 1 hour drive down to Versailles, KY outside of Lexington.  Although a little apprehensive about being allergic to horses (it was not fun to realize that) and not knowing what to expect, we headed inside.  Here's how the day panned out:

1st race: bet $4, no win
2nd race: bet $6, won $12
3rd race: bet $4*, no cash win**
4th race: bet $3, no win

*some guy told me to place on a certain horse and I bet him that if that horse lost then he owed me
**a $6 beer

There's one more weekend at Keeneland this weekend before next spring.
October 29
FREE parking
$5 admission
Lowest bet- $2

...getting very excited for DERBY!  Local Townie is currently taking reservations for May 3-7.

A milestone day

His brown hair to my blond.
His brown eyes to my green.
His right hand to my left.
His shy, quiet nature to my... well... loud verbosity.

We're total opposites.  But we've got one thing in common: We're siblings.   That's a bond that has an unspoken, indescribable connection.  It's something that no one can take away.

Today is a very special day.  Today is my brother's 30th birthday.  He has conquered many milestones and his birthday is an exciting celebration of his achievements and the promise of his future.  I am so excited for his life and the trajectory that it's going.

So happy happy happy birthday big brother!  I hope your birthday brings you many smiles, fond memories of your past, hopeful wishes for your future, and a feeling that you are very loved-- because you are!  Happy birthday!

"Your home sounds wonderful.  Louisville is not trying to fill the shoes of Chapel Hill, because it never could.  We are just trying to be a new pair of shoes.  A pair that is shiny, and new, and makes you feel pretty when you wear them." ~a good friend