Map of Africa

Okay so this map is a little big...haha. I just wanted to get you all oriented. So first stop is Kenya on the Middle to Southern East coastish of Africa. Then to Zimbabwe which is more southern, and finally South Africa on the southern most tip of Africa.

I'M OFF...by way of London

I have no pictures to upload yet but i am at the airport in London waiting to go to Niarobi and I thought i would update everyone as i am at a computer and have that luxury still. So since people asked i was going to say what i am doing. I am starting off in Kenya (little place called Kisumu) and working at an orphange for 2 weeks, then on my way to the next spot I have a three day layover between projects in Niarobi and will hopefully go on a three day safari ( to the Masi Mara). Then off to Zimbabwe to a place called Harare and i will be working with Black Rhinos and Elephants. It is on a safari so there is a school and a community that i will also be able to work with for 4 weeks. Then off to Cape Town, South Africa for 1 week to be ther by myself and do day trips to the wine lands, table mountain, to see penguins, and to dive with sharks. Then to London on my way home for a couple days and then home in mid may. Thats the trip in a quick note. So enjoy the posts from here on out and i will keep you as updated as possible. I LOVE that people want to follow this so keep it up. It makes me feel a little connected. Oh Meg (you know who you are) will you tell Harrisons mom to tell Mia's mom about my blog and that i will be in London for a few days in the beginning of the second week in May and would love to see them or call them so if they can send their number as a message to one of my posts and i will call them when i am there. thanks a MILLION. Take care everyone and hopefully the next post will have pictures.

The Dream House!

Jason is amazing at designing things and he has been working for years on the house that he will some day build. He has all the rooms sketched out although they change when new ideas strike him and it is so amazing inside. Here is his first outdoor 3-D drawing (which he did) of what the house would look like. It is a dream that will some day be reality. I think it looks great and looks like such a happy place to live!

BEST PRESENT EVERRRRRR!

Right before I was about to leave for Africa, Jason sent the best present EVER! He sent me a digital frame but better yet it was loaded with pictures from all of our trips so that I would remember him back home. Since I couldn't take the whole frame with me since it is amazing and I don't want it to be stolen he sent me a key chain one too. That one mainly has pictures of both of us so I will have something with me all the time to remind me of who is waiting at home. I cried as i watched the pictures because it was the most thoughful and wonderful gift i could have gotten especially since i miss him and will miss him so very much while being away. THank you for being the best boyfriend anyone could have!!!!!! I know the girls are jealous but stay back because he is mine and i will bring a Rhino back to take care of buisness if anyone tries to steal him while I'm away. I LOVE MY PRESENTS!

My Babies

Oh yes this is so crazy cat lady-ish but it needs to be done. The flash was too bright so they closed their eyes but here is a picture of both zoe and chloe. They are the cutest!

Family (People and Animals)

Here is my family plus my two cats (Zoe and Chloe...not meant to rhyme but they do)... going through central park in their stroller and Zoe taking a BIG snooze on my legs.

Marissa time!

So on my last travel before leaving for Africa I flew back across country to visit a school in Portland, OR and a school in LA.  My friend from high school (Marissa) and her boyfriend (Andrew) and their two dogs live in Seattle, WA and they drove down to have a weekend in Portland and so we could all hang out.  It was GREAT!  I haven't seen Marissa in years and we had a lot of catching up to do PLUS i had to meet Andrew and the pups.  We stayed in an AWESOME hotel in Portland called The Nines and it is worth looking up on their website because it is great.  Then we went to dinner in an old school house that is converted into a restaurant, bars (like a mini bar in the janitors closet), and a hotel (the classrooms).  It is the greatest idea and it was great food (well after one was returned...then it was all great)!  I had such a great time seeing and meeting them all and i am so glad that they came down for the weekend.