My Happily Ever After... On Hold??

me- "hello??"

voice- "Hello there Mhea! I hope you are doing well! This is your Happily Ever After calling, I just pulled your record and realized that you haven't really done anything to get to me in the past five months."

me- "Oh.. riighht.. Uhhh...?? I've been.. busy??"

My happily ever after- "I know. but don't forget about me.. I'm still waiting!"

me- "reaaalllyy."

So, my Dad thinks I'm putting my entire life on hold. He doesn't want me to stay in this little town and not move on with my life. But, let's look at my options. 

• Go back to school- to do what?! I still have no idea what to with my life. the only thing i can see myself being is a mom.  
• Go back to being a nanny- seems pretty stupid considering my little brother needs me here to be doing the same thing. 
• Move out and get a real job- pfffft

I can't think of anything else. Hmm. oh! wait.. this one's my favourite.. 

• Move to the Carribean and live my life drinking pina coladas sitting on the beach.

No? Fine. How about..

• Move to Kenya to help the kids in the orphanage we're building??

So this essentially does not leave me much choice to begin with. Now let's look at why I WANT to stay. 

• BabyBoy needs me! I'm the only one that understands his garble. I don't want him in daycare. He hearts me. I heart him.
• I'm a little terrified of leaving my family again. Look at what happened last time..

So now Dad wants to know if he should put BabyBoy in daycare next year. Now, there are a lot of things to consider in actually moving out and getting a life back. 

• friends. I'll actually see them more than once every 2 weeks.
• Going out.. more than once a month
• Independence 

Most of it has to do with other people. It gets very boring/ lonely living in the middle of nowhere. and I'm a VERY social person. Which is probably why I started this blog to begin with. If my family was living somewhere more populated, I would DEFINATELY be much happier. I moved from Edmonton (booming with people and fun) to the middle of nowhere (oh look! a truck went by.. well, there's my entertainment for the day!)

Ah well. I suppose I'll figure it out.. Tomorrow. :P

Obsessed...

SO not cool. I promised myself that I wouldn't get hooked. That I wouldn't do it. But I did. It started with just attempting to read a few pages to say I tried it. But now? its like a drug. I CANT GET ENOUGH .. now.. what? you ask.. what am I talking about??

Well, what is every other woman/ girl obsessed with at the moment? That's right. Twilight. GOOD GOD. I love those books. I KNOW I'm behind jumping on the bandwagon, but, c'est la vie. I can't even explain how irresistible Edward is in those books. Mysterious.. a gentleman to the point of insanity.. LOVE it.. 

WHICH would not be an issue. However, my little pain in the butt sister loaned out the third book.. so I'm WAITING.. not even attempting to be patient.. lol.. that would be plumb crazy.. for this book to be returned. Which could be next week, the week after.. theres a good chance I might cry. I read the first two yesterday.. CRAP!.

Anywho.. I'm gonna go sob into my cereal.. (thats a lie. I hate cereal. but I shall be sobbing!) 

Decisions Decisions! and christmas memoirs..

One of the hardest things about this first year after mom was killed is the whole what we should/ shouldn't do for holidays, birthdays and so on. For example, our big dilemma right now is whether or not we should decorate the house for Christmas. It was always mom's big holiday, she absolutely loved it. We'd have 2 trees. The one in the basement was upside down, hanging from the ceiling. Christmas decorations were everywhere, and the house smelt of cinnamon. One tree would be store bought decorations, the other would have all of our handmade ones from over the years. 

Our house would be blasting Christmas music from the beginning of November for as long as mom could keep it going. Christmas was always the same. Christmas Eve we'd open our Christmas Pajamas, and then hit the hay. Then, Christmas morning, sometimes at 3 AM, usually at 7, my baby sister would bounce into my room, waking me up. Then she'd go get our parents up, who would take FOREVER making coffee and setting up stockings. My dad would get out the video camera, and we'd stampede down the stairs. Then came the three hours of around the circle gift unwrapping, oohs! ahhs! a mountain of wrapping paper, CinnaBuns, and coffee with liquor.. Good times.. So now we must decide. Pain now? or pain later.

The weekend...

On friday, I (for some CRAZY reason) left the warmth and comfort of my home, to brave the dreaded white stuff to drive into town to pick up Jenn and my sister off for her camp reunion. 

After the treacherous drive there, the next 8 hours were hell. We didn't know if we'd even be able to get home. My sister lost the address and couldn't remember the name of the town she was meeting her friends in. Our windshield wiper randomly flew off my car.. and after 20 minutes of struggling to figure out how to put the damn thing back on the car, finally got the whole grocery store in giggles, and, got help from the nearest cart boy. Thank God. Did get asked out by a cashier though. Interesting times.

Snow covered, snowing like a banshee.. the roads were awful.. but we made it. I decided that was it for me! So. Drinks and Get Smart ensued. mmm.. white freezies.. Next morning, 8:00,  we were baking bread! no no, not breadmaker bread.. I'm talking HOME MADE. And by 9:00 we were elbow deep in seasonings, making meatballs. THEN we trekked on over to the hardware store where we got metal cloth stuff and wood, and staples that you hammer.. and then attempted to make a ferret playpen.. WHICH WE DID!! :O I know, I was insanely impressed at the feats we accomplished. craziness. I am woman hear me roar!! OH! and neither of us have taken shop in school or anything. I know. impressive. 

So that brings us to Saturday night. I had to watch BabyBoy so that Dad could take the smallest sister to see Twilight, we watched WALL-E which was awesome. Loved it. then Jenn and I took a dangerous walk (yes dangerous! slippin, slidin, falling, OUCH) down to the ONLY PUB in my small town. It was.. quaint? There were actually people in it! :O This was surprising.. good drinks.. good wings.. then bedtime. mmmmm.

Sunday we finished our projects, and cleaned out the garage, and spent another 5 hours out and about trying to get my sister back from her weekend at the camp. The roads were dry, however people everywhere were in the ditch, and emergency response teams were everywhere. Terrible. After the first real snow, people think they are superheroes because they CAN drive in the snow.. so on dry roads its now acceptable to go double the limit weaving in and out of traffic?! I think not. Idiots. 

Either way. I feel like it was a very productive, yet cold weekend. :D

Jinxed.

Alright. I am now going to explain to you EXACTLY why I'm jinxed. There isn't much that goes right in my life.

April 2007- diagnosed with depression. My entire year at university is botched. I drop out.

August 2007- lost my job. moved to edmonton.

February 2008- in a HUGE accident. Van is a write off and lucky to be alive.

May 2008- mom is killed in car accident. enough said.

November 2008- car broken into. one week later, my brother takes my car over a stop sign. Gutted the underside of my car. 

especially this last year has been mighty shitty. 

There is more. Much more, but I'm busy and frustrated. As I remember, I will add.

Stuck..

.. in a small town, in the middle of nowhere

.. in a house, because since mom, I'm still nervous of driving

.. with a family that doesn't appreciate

.. with limitations I hate

I'm. just. stuck. 

Winter Memories

So while I'm trapped in this land of snow and ice, I've been reminiscing of winters past.  This was my life last year, a letter I wrote to one of my friends from Ontario..

"So, after a treacherous drive to M's school, I then find myself STUCK in the middle of the flippin road! I mean.. COME ON!! firstly, edmonton doesnt plow the roads that often, and definately not the sideroads. secondly.. in the - 46 degree weather, where your face can freeze in 5 friggin minutes, its a lovely thing to be stuck. thirdly, I am stuck beside the house. Like, the garage door opener works.. BAHH!!!.. so .. I go and get construction workers.. to come help me.. and it takes 3 of them to push me out. They say, how do you wanna do this? I go "I dunno! I'm from ontario.. they actually plow the roads there, and we are SISSIES and STAY INSIDE!! (ps- I'm very proud of that)"... so now, as I listen to sirens go by, and wonder why I'm in this terrible climate.. I think of the poor ppl on the bus that is stuck on 23 ave, or the cop who has veered off into the snowbank off Riverbend, or our paperboy who is no doubt frozen stiff probably just off 22 ave, because we didn't get a paper this morning! So, I sign off.. Freezing in Edmonton.. 
ps... ont the bright side, we are supposed to get HIGHS of minus 26!! isnt that EXCITING?!.. 
I think I should move back to Ontario to get away from this forsaken land of ice and snow. PEACE!"

Clearly I was very mistaken if I thought I'd get any break from the horrible weather I'd experienced in Edmonton by coming back to Ontario. I think this is Rag on the Weather week.. however, I'm allowed. I'm a weather girl and so not impressed. Ready for the hot weather to be back. 

HBI- What Constitutes Life??

***NOTE: I fully realize and accept that I most likely will lose the few consistent readers I have, however I started this blog for me. Not to be recognized for my writing, although that is pretty neat, however to just be me. For me. In this one case, I will not apologize for what I believe. And if it offends, there's nothing I can do. 

An old friend of mine told me 3 months ago that she was pregnant for the third time. The first she carried to term, and delivered a beautiful baby boy (who is now a holy terror), my godson. The second, she aborted. The third she is carrying to term. She doesn't know who the father is of any of the children. 

Now, I'm a pretty accepting person. But in this kind of case, I'm at a loss. You would think that someone would learn from their mistakes. I also understand that people make mistakes. We are only human. However when you aren't ready or very good at coping with the first one, how exactly can you justify a second?!

It is my belief that every child is a gift. I have worked with kids long enough to be able to say that with full certainty. When a woman conceives, a CHILD is living within her. Not a fetus. Not a piece of tissue with no life. A child. Yes, a woman's body is her own, and should be able to choose what happens to it. But when the decision can take the life of another human that they created, it's an issue. 

We've accepted abortion as a way out. You make a mistake, you get rid of all evidence. Doesn't seem right to me. Admittedly some people shouldn't have children, however if those people are irresponsible enough to get pregnant to begin with, they should own up, and consider adoption as an excellent choice. There are thousands of people out there looking for a child to love, who can't have one of their own. 

Now, what about victims of rape? 

I can't even imagine what these poor women and girls are going through when confronted with such an event. However, the emotional pain and distress of abortion itself would put her through even more emotional pain as well. It's something you don't forget. Again, adoption would be the best option, in my opinion. 

Please don't write comments telling me in no uncertain terms that I have no clue what I'm talking about and to go to hell... But please DO let me know what you think.. 

That Damn White Stuff...

At this time of year, I realize my dreams. I remember what I forgot. I recall my feelings. 

I remember how much I HATE snow. Ok guys, I seriously love living in Canada, I love everything about it. I love the fact that Kelly Ripa talks about how clean Canada is, and how she feels like she needs to buy a new pair of shoes so as not to track dirt on our pretty streets.. lol.. 

I love that when you visit other countries, people greet you kinder, look at you different. Apparently more polite.. lol.. no offense to my American friends!! :D

But then there's snow. Evil, white, cold, biting, terrible snow. I'd be okay with maybe a week of it. Then it needs to go away. Except for the weekend getaways to local ski hills, snow is okay. On those afternoons when you go tubing, and then sit indoors, sipping hot chocolate and watching the snow fall, I will deal with it. But for every other day, I HATE it. I couldn't see across the road for the better part of the day, and now where 2 days ago I could see green grass and the warm sun, only a thick white blanket of EVIL and cloud cover greets us. 

If you live where there is little, or no snow.. I'm moving to where you are.. I hate this weather. 

As of right now, my winter GETAWAYFROMTHISHELL trip schedule is as follows..

December- Carribean cruise

January- Edmonton- ok. Edmonton is actually colder. But if I don't go, I'm toast. 

February- Cancun I think. 

March- any ideas?!

I have to get out. Anyone want to move with me to a hot beach somewhere that has an unlimited supply of pina coladas and white freezies?? I'm game if you are... :D 

Tilt-a-whirl for your liquor

Guys, I have to say that you HAVE to check these glasses out. I've been drinking Sambucca out of them tonight.. and they are flipping TRIPPY!! .. Because if drinking doesn't make you dizzy enough, here is a tilt-a-whirl for your liquor.. They are hard to explain.. so you have to check it out! They don't spill!! CRAZINESS! I'm amazed. Impressed. check it out!!

http://www.geekologie.com/2007/11/roly_poly_shot_glasses_will_sp.php

My Little Orphans- Take 2

here is some information about children in the Orphanage 

Dauglas Ashoya - He is an orphan with one single parent who is his mother. That is why he decided to seat in the street due to lack of good health care.

Isaac Wanyonyi - he has his mother but donʼt have a father.. He was in street for one year. Because he had nobody to care for him. That is why he decided to stay to street.

John Bared - He has his mother but no father. So he decided to stay in street because he had nobody to care for him.

Geofry Alim - he has a mother but no father. He stayed in street for two years. He stayed there due to problems.

Tyson Watilu - the father died last year and the mother died this year November.

Daniel Kaguta - he has a mother but no father.

Emmanuel Ekirappa  - He has both parents but lost their home during post election due political violence.

Stephen Odhiambo - Has a mother but no father.

Fadhili Musa - He has a mother but no father. His mother is a drunkard in that she canʼt take care of the family.

Carlos Kwanusu - Has a mother but no father.

Jackson Osama.- Has a father but no mother. The father is a drunkard.

Haron Wanjala - he has both parents, but they are poor so they donʼt take care for him.

Isaac Odongo - The father died last year. The mother doesnʼt take care of him.

Sammy Lombole - Has no both parents.. They died and that is why he decided to stay on the street.

Lilian Asmith - The father died and the mother is HIV positive.

Moureen Nekesa - Has both parents but were displaced during post election.

Violet Nabangala - Has both parents but were displaced during the post political violence.

Rose Alubit. - Has both parents but were displaced during post political violence.

Faith Misiko - Has both parents but have financial disableness.

Rabecca Wafula - The mother died and the father is nowhere to be seen.

Brenda Ekai - The mother is a street lady.

Zaitun Irene - Has no parents.

Valentine Asha - Her mother died  when carrying out abortion.

I want to cry at how many parents just can't or won't take care of their little ones, and how many were killed in times of unrest.. More info to follow.. 

Mhea's Horrible No Good Very Bad Day.

My car = my baby.

My baby was violated. Assaulted. Molested. Some idiots thought it would be a good idea to pop the lock from the passenger side window and then try to rewire her. Someone must have scared them off but they grabbed my GPS and hit the road. 

Allow me to explain how UNIMPRESSED I AM. Not to throw a pity party, but haven't I been through enough this year?! I don't want to deal with some tractor driving hicks that thought it would be fun to try to steal my radio and/or car!. and yes, thats who did it because that is the only kind of person who lives in a town like this. I've moved 1500 times.. (or at least 5).. I've quit 2 jobs, I've left an entire life behind. Lost a mother and all the family I was getting to know back in Edmonton, and now this?! WHAT did I do to deserve this shit?! 

I did nothing wrong!

When you've lied to me before

How do you expect me to believe anything you say about her?

When you've kept secrets,

No wonder I'm annoyed by the note I found.

You say it was old, 

You don't even know when it is from!

But how can I believe you?

And how can you get mad at me when I confront you?!

I did nothing wrong.

I have nothing to be sorry for.

My Little Orphans- Take 1

Ok guys, here's the deal.. We are building an orphanage in my mom's name. If you want more info, click here. Below I've posted pics of the children, and where they are living now.. I'm trying really really hard not to cry right now, but they are beautiful.. Please check it out. 

this child is AMAZING.

So my FABULOUS BabyBoy has started a new phase of adorable actions. 

When he laughs, he covers his mouth with both hands. 

When he's mad, he either folds his arms, (I swear I didn't teach him that!) or throws himself straight back from standing to lying on the floor, whacking his head in the process. 

When he's content, he walks around pounding his chest like Tarzan and yelling.

When he's feeling mischievous, he comes and tugs on my pants, and then runs and peeks around the corner at me. 

When he wants our other brother, or sees pics of him, he clicks his tongue. That's kind of their thing. 

He says 'please' and 'yes' and 'daddy' .. SO adorable. 

It's so much fun to watch them grow, and change. Watch them go from baby, to little boy. Their faces change, they grow taller, and just get more amazing. It's awesome! I'm in love!! 

Who is the person you can't imagine your life without?

This was a question on a 20SB discussion thread. And I have no idea how to answer. Eight months ago I would have said my mom. But I'm living it out now. And surviving.. somehow.

Then I think maybe BabyBoy, but there's no 100% certainty we'll get him for sure, since the adoption is still going through. And I've dealt with kids that were like siblings and part of the family, kids that I loved dearly, leaving. Being adopted by another family. Gut-wrenching pain. So, as usual, the one that isn't for sure staying drops off the list. 

The rest of my family? Well, I love them all dearly, but since Mom passed, I know that it'd be painful, and hard, but we'd get through it. 

And now, I wonder who it is I that I can't imagine my life without. Maybe my best friend. But I've said that about friends before, and I've always moved on. (sorry Jenn.. please don't hate me lol)

Does it make me cold-hearted if I say somewhat sadly that there is no one I can't imagine my life without? That losing mom made me lose all hope of having those that I love around me as life goes on. 

Flight of the Conchords

ok, so I'm sure this is against blog etiquette, but I'm posting five, yes five videos that are absolutely hilarious.. My friend Eric introduced me to this dynamic duo, and I think they are hilarious. And since today is my relaxation day after slaving over that dang room, I figured I'd share them with you!

I spent a summer in Quebec, attempting to learn the language, so this video cracks me up big time.. 



this is just stupid, and I love it...

hahahaha oy



Hippie power??

Anyways, I hope these have given you a little chuckle.. I'm going back to my chillaxin.. Have a great day!

Cruise Anyone??

So we are going on a cruise for Christmas, and I have mixed feelings. 

I know! Mixed feelings about an entire week in the sun, not cooking, cleaning, just working on a beautiful lobster red most likely?! (I've never been one for sunscreen :S) But I'm going with friends and family. And by friends and family, I actually mean my family and THEIR friends. Me? I'm gonna be hanging with the whole family and their friends allll week. And its on a boat. With no way off. At all. 

BUT. There is a ray of hope. My dad's maybe girlfriend maybe not chiquita backed out! So now there's room for someone else to come! Now I just have to convince one of my friends to come with. In general? No problem! But it is a difficult thing because its over Christmas. We will be in Jamaica on Christmas day. (which I'll admit is pretty cool!) So now I have to find someone that I'm gonna enjoy hanging with.. anyone wanna go cruisin?!

Hot younger girl on Simcoe

We passed each other on the side walk by simcoe and wellington.  We both kept looking back.  Interested in meeting?

I absolutely love reading the personals. The one above came from today's paper. I love the hope thats in them. For some reason, this reminds me of the "if you like pina coladas' song. How about this one??

gave you a quarter for parking at fanshawe college on tuesday

you were short a quarter for your parking ticket so i gave you one...would love to spend a couple more of them buying you a coffee over a chat.you were with your mom and a little one.hope you get this....

Translation? 'I couldnt hit on you with your mom there! Please remember who I am?' 

hahaha absolutely cracks me up. So, the real reason for this post and long intro is because there is another article out in the papers about the orphanage. We are pretty excited. 

To check it out, click here. 

To check out our website, click here.

Stay tuned for much much more :D

It's nice to have something to concentrate on, and with any luck, we'll reach out goal in no time at all. Very exciting.

HBI- A Confuzzling Conundrum

**NOTE: I apologize in advance if this post insults anyone in anyway. That is not my intention at all. Then again, I judged people so much for so long, I guess I have no right really to ask for anything less. and if you want to read a good post about this topic thats less emotional click here lol

A conversation I had recently. 

Friend: I'm gay.

Me: That would explain a lot. 

Friend: Do you think I'm going to hell?

Wow. uhh. Wow. 

Me: I.. uh.. couldn't tell you..

Friend: I've tried so hard not to give in to it. And I've tried to like girls, but I just can't! 

Me: You don't have to justify yourself to me!

Friend: I know. But I pray everyday. For forgiveness. 

Bah. Poor guy. He can't even tell his family. Now let me give you my background.

I grew up in a Christian home that took in foster kids. Us bio kids were expected to be role models and good examples for the kids that came into our home. My mom and dad were also very set in what they believed and, as a result, I was the same. I believed that homosexuality was a sin, and, although you don't choose to be gay, you do have the choice to act on it. 

This was me all through high school. I was the top debater in my religion class. I could discuss it for hours. 

Don't get me wrong, we didn't go to any anti-homosexual rallies or anything. We were taught to accept them, but that what they were doing was wrong.

And then one day, I realized that I didn't know what I believed. I came up with some things that just seemed downright hypocritical.

1) Christianity teaches that God loves everyone, and that we are called to do the same. Last time I checked, homosexuals are people too.

2) The Bible says that God will judge. It's definately not my job. And I don't like other people judging me so what the hell kind of person would I be if I did it?!

3) The Bible says that all sins are equal. So if I lie, it's the same  as the guy who murders. So how hypocritical would it be to condemn another when I'm not perfect?

So, I decided that I was done with all that. I decided that I believed in God, and I try to be the best person I can be. But you don't have to be a self-righteous bitch about it. 

But then you have the whole family issue. If I told my dad how I felt about this, what would he say? Would he be hurt that I didn't continue on in the faith that they tried so hard to teach us through their lives?

Really though, what right do I have to tell someone they can't love someone?! It's a matter of the heart. And ever since my mom died, it's really hit me that you have to live your life to the fullest. Take advantage of every second you have, because you only live once. And who knows which second will be your last? 

'The greatest thing you'll ever learn is just to love and be loved in return.'

MM.. A Small Gift

I think the Weatherman knew how crappy life has been, so he decided to give us a beautiful day yesterday. At about 20 degrees Celsius, the sun was shining, and not one cloud to be seen. Absolutely gorgeous. 

So, to celebrate the gorgeous weather, I called up all the friends I've put off seeing for the last 5 months, and told them to all meet me down by the river. Kill five birds with one stone?? So me and all the girls, Baby Boy, and Charlie (one of my three new ferrets) all went for a walk around the river. Both Baby Boy and Charlie were in heaven. All these people paying attention to them?! Plus, I let Charlie run around the park without a leash. Eventually she got tired though, and came and fell asleep on my feet. Adorable. 

I love those days where after everything has gone wrong for so long, and then for one single day, everything seems to go right. :D 

A rant.. about Stepford Wives

I have mentioned the Stepford Wives in past posts, so I figure the time has come to explain what and who I mean.

While living in Edmonton, I worked for a well-to-do family, and the little girl I worked with went to a pretty decent school. Everyday, after school, the parents and nannies of the grade 2 kids would  gather together in the little area off the hallway where their classrooms were. 

There were cliques. Yup, cliques among the parents.. you had the parents who hovered outside the door waiting for the exact moment the bell would ring so that they could bounce into the classroom, grab their kids, and talk to the teachers- they were, in general, very bubbly. Then there was my group, the nannies and down to earth awesome moms. Then there was the Stepford Wives. 

Now I'm not one to judge.. In general.. and I like everyone! but in this case? I made an exception. The Stepford Wives were a group of about 6 moms who had perfect gel nails, perfect hair, too much make up, wore Gucci to school, and always looked like they were about to go down the runway- all the time. 

This alone would not have been an issue. But they were so fake! It was awful! They were like those evil b****s in high school that smiled to your face and then talked about you to everyone else. And they were so shallow!! Two of the worst lines I ever heard in my life were uttered by these ladies;

1) 'Oh my god! This morning, the stars all aligned and my hair and makeup just worked!!'

2) (in response to oohing and ahhing over her boots) 'Oh these old things? I need new ones! I got these ones like.. last week!'

NO JOKE. oy. my word. I don't even know what to say. 

I just stared. Mouth open. Thankfully I was saved by my best Edmonton Nanny friend Jenn. 

These interesting specimens always stand around, gossiping. When I moved home, they all made a huge deal of it at school, even though I really don't know them all that well.. and were upset I didn't call to tell them!!

Anyways.. I figured I should explain about these interesting creatures.. especially because I'll probably talk about them again.. so there it is! My rant..

Sarah Palin Pranked

"if one voice can change the world for Obama, than one viagra can change the world for McCain!".. Montreal's Masked Avengers.. lol.. check out this video

A Whole New World

So I just got back from Ottawa, where I was being introduced to a whole new side of me.. Let's see if I can explain properly.

The dad I have now is not my biological father. He adopted me when I was 3 years old. He's also the only father I've ever known. When my mom married my sperm donor (SD), he came into the marriage with a six year old daughter named Shannon. When they split, Shannon and I didn't see each other again.

Until about four years ago. I came home from school, and my mom told me she had found Shannon. We've seen each other probably around 4 times since, both of us being very busy, and avid travelers. So, this weekend I went to Ottawa, to meet the aunts, uncles, and cousins. 

It was pretty awesome :D It's neat to know that I have an entire family that I never really knew about. The weekend was filled with Wii, peach schnapps, cherry pie, blueberry pancakes made of mostly blueberries, a cat named Pudge, 'brown guy', 'zing!', 'you don't know me!', shwarma, pizza with broccoli, 'paper planes' by m.i.a. and family dinners. Oh, and SOOO much expresso :S...

Growing up, we never had much extended family at all, and I'd kind of wondered about what they were all like. Turns out they are pretty awesome!.. I can't wait to go back, and continue to find out more about the relatives I never knew. 

Btw, please checkout this blog. And this website. Thanks!