Heartbreak in Delhi

There are things I cannot write here, I would not know how. I don't think it matters how many times you see poverty, it is never easy on the system. The injustice of some people eating well while others do not eat at all, children who play during their free time and others who look out for one another on the streets of the train station.

It is clear that Rex and I are foreigners, which is difficult for Rex who loves just being one of the people. If I could have one wish in life it would be to speak the language of all the peoples of the world... there is so much I want to know about the people I meet. I dream about being able to run up to someone and ask them about their life or sit next to the children who are homeless to play and laugh with them.

Bouncing About

I have not had access to the internet as I thought I would so far... partly because we have not known where to find it and partly because we have been so busy. We have traveled to New Delhi where we visited The Baha'i Lotus Temple and we traveled to Agra where we saw the Taj Mahal. Yesterday we started our visit in the most wonderful city of Jodhpur, famous for it's blue walls. It is in this town that we made many dear friends while walking the streets. I am moved to tears daily and I look forward to each day of this experience.
:0

Off We Go

We leave in a little over 30 minutes to O'Hare airport in Chicago... then our journey really begins. I still have a few things that I really want to get done,

but I am practicing a new 'going with the flow' in trip preparation.

It really works!

Although I easily fall in love with all the Baha'i Writings this one struck me today.

Love is the source of all the bestowals of God.

Until love takes possession of the heart,

no other divine bounty can be revealed.

-'Abdu'l-Baha

To India & Beyond

In 1 week Rex and I will be flying to India and we will be there for 3 weeks! This trip is important for sooo many reasons...

1)Rex and I will have time together (we love time together)

2)We will be visiting a country that has long been in our hearts

3)We will be meeting with rural health organizations

4)There are few things better than being humbled by the beauty of those around us

As long as we have internet access, my plan is to keep a photo log of our travels on here. If we can't get on a computer I will update you all when we return.

Vacation to The Apostle Islands

...Although the name is misleading, that's in Wisconsin my friends.

This was the best trip! Beach volleyball, games, ice cream,

hiking, kayaking... I could go on and on.

The Bear Claw...Fierce!

Chris & B w/our adorable niece & nephew

Chris & B

Kia & Angeline

This was a work out... not because we were kayaking, but because our guide
wanted to break the record for fasted return time while facing high wind speeds.


Family...I made everyone try out several poses.

Summer Time - Family Time

In July Rex and I took a trip to see my family from Alaska and be at my

brother Adam's wedding! Besides being a fun get-a-way it was a hilarious road trip

& a wonderfully bonding time for us as a family.


Rex & Chels in Seattle



Chels & cutie bro Andy in Oregon



John, mom & Andy



Beautiful Oregon Mountains

Adam & Tash... What a Sweet & Lovely Day!

...did I mention how much I love family expansion!

I keep acquiring more fabulous family members.



me and my wonderful brothers

Notice the remnants of a camping trip (yes bug bites). The unknown critters were clearly

determined to leave Adam with a little something for the wedding pics.

Congratulations to Kev & Jessie

Super sweet together, up to BIG things, & no doubt making a difference in the world!

I am so so happy for these two!

Some of the beloved TIBIA folks

A Few More From Ang & Kia's Wedding...

The Most Beautiful Wedding

Seriously, this wedding was unbelievable! Angeline & Kia are incredibly happy to be together & their love is INSPIRING. We all LOVE Kia and feel so blessed to have him in our family. I have a few pics from my sister and can't wait for more.

A few photos from Angeline & Kia's wedding...

Celebration

Rex's sister Angeline and her sweet Kia had a wonderful dinner for their family & many of their friends in preparation for their upcoming wedding. We are all overjoyed for them! Badieh (also Rex's sister) decided it would be fun for the whole family to match Angeline who was wearing black & white...so we did. Unfortunately I did not get pictures of the family together which I believe was the reasoning behind us all coordinating our attire.

Computer Malfunction

that's what's up...sent to the computer recycling world. I plan on getting a new computer soon. In the mean time I don't have much access. Luckily they saved my music/photos...this is the second time this has happened except there is no fixing it now. :)

Fun in Seattle

Driving from the airport to see my brother...clearly excited!
We aren't actually driving as we take the picture, that would not be safe.



With my mother, brother and his girlfriend Elysse.

Out eating fabulous seafood...I miss it already!

Thank you Andy and Elysse for taking such good care of us...love you both!

Headed to Seattle

I can't wait! I will be visiting my brother Andy, and my incredible mother will be meeting us there. This visit is long overdue... it has been 1 1/2 years since I have seen either of them. It won't be the entire family getting together, but I am in need of whatever I can get.

Ready for the Cold

People always bring to my attention the fact that I was raised in Alaska and should be used to sub zero temps. This is a misconception... I am not made for cold weather. I grew up in a rain forest and can deal with rain day after day even without an umbrella.

This picture was taken of me and my sister a few years ago in Dublin, Ireland. At the time we thought it was extremely cold, hence the winter parkas. You will notice the few people in the picture are not dressed with quite as many layers. That is because it really wasn't that cold.
I could use those layers now... Wisconsin winters last forever!

Expo Time

A few of the FABULOUS women I work with!

A Night on the Town

Not really on the town, we walked to Walgreens to get food.
There was so much snow we couldn't get the car out of the garage.

Yes, Rex is wearing my scarf as a hat...somehow it works.

Before the surprise snow fight...

Rex shows no mercy!

My Very First Blog

I have to admit I am slightly intimidated with the whole blog phenomena. I have put this off for a while...I just couldn't convince myself that I would be able to maintain entry after entry. Then I remembered why I decided to do this...I want to creatively express the feelings and thoughts that I am committed to getting out there. And in preparation for a family of my own I want to stay in touch with all the people I love who are spread around the world.

Still a few questions come to mind...

1) Will I write something too personal and regret it later?

2) Does anyone care that much about my life to take the time to read what I write?

3) Do I really want to spend time blogging?

Great questions I know..
These questions make me think of my dear friend Mojan who I have felt extremely inspired by. She started a blog about 5 years ago...I know 5 years of consistent posts!!! I look forward to her posts and pictures and although she lives in Haifa, Israel and I live in Milwaukee, WI I don't feel like she is very far away at all.

(By the way Moj, congratulations on your beautiful baby boy!)

Holiday Dinner

Every year Rex's work has a beautiful Christmas dinner. They generously hire a photographer to take pictures of the guests. This year we opted out of the Christmas tree photo, since we don't celebrate Christmas... we were given special permission to have our picture taken seated on the royal pink sofa. I am pretty sure the people watching wished they had done the same.

The photographer complimented Rex saying his pose was "internationally sexy,"

very James Bond & definitely masculine against the pink couch. I would have to agree.