EL SALVADOR HAPPY

Well... I'm racking up all the happy places I've lived.

Here is El Salvador:

irreducible to language

It's no secret I LOVE me some TED. Whether its their videos, websites, articles, podcasts... i just can't get enough. And typically they truly are "ideas worth spreading" as their motto proclaims. And through the years I've shared many videos on this platform.

So when my dear friend Mama Ellie Elloise Ellington Stephens posted a TEDactive blog entry written by her brother Joe Stephens (Who I've never met but the Stephens family fame proceeds it!) I quickly clicked and opened in a new tab. What I found written was beautiful. Below is the link to the full article. And an excerpt I enjoyed.
Reflecting on all the wonderful experiences in my life I can smile and be glad, laugh, maybe even cry. But put into words? words that give it justice? That convey's what I feel... yeah. right.

My bff of the Stephens Clan and I in Xela, Guatemala

>>>  An Experience Beyond Words : by Joe Stephens

"The beauty of emotion, sometimes, is how irreducible it is to language. That’s why people place hands over hearts when they talk about love. It’s why they sometimes shake their head, gaze up, and use their hands when they search for the right way to describe something." 

Simple Math

= 

Key Island Hoping

STARRING:
Tia Guera as DJ and navigator,
Mom as back seat "consultant",
Paulina as fun,
Mama as Love
And I'm behind the wheel.... as chauffeur

All: Car Dancing and Karaoke professionals

High-Tech Lady

My g'ma's with it. . . catching up on news on her ipad :)

La Morena en Los Llaves

GIRLS TRIP : FL Keys addition

After a full day of travel everyone was ready to get some food in the belly
And in some true vacation style, with some live music surrounded surrounded by the beach people with savage tans, warn flip flops and a slow pace. 

Its an understatement to say I'm excited to spend the week with my family. It was so nice to wake up to the sounds of the women in my family chatting, laughing, and sipping coffee on the porch. *full heart* 

And this beach house is incredible.

a photo of my abuela's successful morning mission to bring down ripe papayas with a broom. 

STILL HAPPY....

SO. IT seems there are a BUNCH of different cities/ countries around the world who have made videos to Pharrell's song "Happy". So of course I had to look it up and see if any of my other home cities had videos.

I"m hoping someone in Des Moines, Denver, El Salvador, or Jerusalem (the tel aviv one didn't do it for me), makes one soon. But until then....

WASHINGTON D.C.

)

#BanBossy

I just read the article about #BanBossy in Parade this past weekend. 
Then I stumbled upon this video. 
It's official, I'm joining the #BanBossy Campaign!

You should read the whole article but if you don't have time this very moment, here is a teaser: 

my favorite quote from the Parade article:

Sheryl Sandberg (facebook COO) : "I tell parents, instead of saying, “My daughter is bossy,” try, “My daughter has executive leadership skills.” I’ve never had anyone say that without laughing. Now say it for a boy: “My son has executive leadership skills.” There’s no humor in that sentence, which reveals the difference in our expectations. Women still represent only 5 percent of Fortune 500 CEOs. And more worrisome is that the number has been stagnant for a decade. What hasn’t changed fast enough is our acceptance and encouragement of female leadership. That’s goes for all of us—parents, teachers, managers, society, everyone." 


  )

wordsmith

I know what a farce is, but didn't know about the word being used as an adjective.
hence, my WORD OF THE DAY. . .

farcical |ˈfärsikəl|

adjective

of or resembling a farce, esp. because of absurd or ridiculous aspects: a farcical tangle of events.

strengths

“Success is achieved 

by developing our strengths, 

not eliminating our weaknesses.”  

~Marilyn vos Savant

Follow the Frog!

Such a great way to start a friday. . . laughing really hard, and trying to keep my oatmeal from flying out of my mouth.

 

My Happy Place: Antigua, Guatemala

Antigua Feliz!
I lived here for a year and a half. It was the place I used all my vacation days to visit while in Peace Corps El Salvador. After my service I went to write my Masters thesis here bc it was "my happy place" and then I decided, what the heck, why don't I just live here?

.... and now a friend of mine made a video capturing what I felt the very first time I visited back in 2010. The vibe is unbeatable, not just because Antigua is beautiful, but so are the people.

I know and love most of the people in this video, and those that I don't know, I still love!

Such a great video and put a big big big smile on my face.



 

D.C. Art

Meridian Hill Park

The park is so beautiful and when cutting across town I try to walk the steps.
I"ll be happier when the weather warms and the fountains are filled. 

Stickers Everywhere. The new graffiti 

On my third time moving back to D.C. I've vowed to take advantage of the Smithsonians
(there are 18 of them)

So much amazing beauty and for FREE!
This is the National Gallery of Art.
pretty atrium. 

Loved this one.
Something about her face...

I like the contrast of old and new architecture around town

This deflated pumpkin is how I feel about this long winter. 

enjoyed this art piece at an event in Adam's Morgan
 b/c I remember using these kinds of skates at birthday parties growing up.
Memories.....

National Portrait Gallery Courtyard by night.
Felt like I was on the inside of a golf ball.
Its was awesome .. . 

If I were a Piñata, I wonder what I would be filled with? 

Took me back to my Flamenco dancin' days...
heel stompin' and castanet clickin' 

More dc street art in the Mt. Pleasant neighborhood

The colorful homes gave me that warm fuzzy feeling
remembering the crayon box of colored homes of Antigua Guatemala.