The One with the France Sized Heart

Today my best favorite guy is celebrating his one year Missouri anniversary.

Our year in Kansas City has been full of BBQ, beer, and baseball. Although I am incredibly pleased to call Missouri our home, the truth is that home is wherever we are together. Whether we are cheering for the Kansas City Royals at Kauffman Stadium, relaxing in the hot springs in Glenwood Springs, overlooking Paris from the top of the Arc de Triomphe, or drinking goasmass in Germany; I am glad he lets me share my France sized heart with him.

 “She had a heart the size of France, and the lucky few whom she loved with it were loved with every square inch...” Ransom Riggs, Library of Souls

The One with #Birthdays

Today is my grandma's birthday and the day she died. I remember celebrating our birthdays together near the end. It was a sweet way to celebrate my Sweet 16. #OodlesAndGobs

Having now celebrated thirty, THIRTY, birthdays I am thinking back to some of the most memorable ones.

I was young and my parents had gone out one night, leaving me at home with a phone number to reach them in case of emergency only. Not long after they left there was a commercial on TV announcing Celine Dion’s tour dates. When I heard that she would be in Kansas City on my actual birthday (and one day before hers) I freaked out. And I mean that. There were screams. There were tears. There was a phone call to my parents. Although it must have sounded like it was an emergency, it most definitely was not. Once I explained what was going on and that I wanted to go to Celine’s show my mother chastised me for using the emergency number out of context and said that we would talk about Celine at a later time. Fast forward to my birthday. My mom and I were with my best friend and her mom watching Celine pound her chest while singing. It was my first concert and it was amazing. #TeamCeline #MyHeartWillGoOn

In the height of my Jayhawk basketball fandom, my parents agreed to a weekend trip to Lawrence, Kansas where we would check out all things basketball. We had just gotten a new dog and decided to bring him with us, which may have been a decent decision had the air conditioning worked in our hotel room. Alas, the air conditioning did not work; therefore, we kept our door propped open to create air flow. This meant that our dog was on his leash to prevent escaping as he barked at every passerby. #RockChalk

For my fifth grade birthday party I decided just to invite my two best friends. Even though I found out at the party that they did not really like each other it was still one of my favorite birthdays. My parents took us to the Country Club Plaza in Kansas City where we ate at the Cheese Cake Factory and saw a rerelease of Grease at the theater. Once back at home I, along with my guests, were all gifted a Nano Baby (a digital baby). I am fairly certain that we spent the remainder of the party tending to our babies. #GreaseIsTheWord

When I turned 18 I was lucky enough to be in France. I was on an exchange trip with my high school and on my birthday we were in Normandy. “The Normandy American Cemetery is one of fourteen permanent American World War II military cemeteries constructed on foreign soil by the American Battle Monuments Commission.”** It was a rainy day and our group was rushed, so I am especially anxious to revisit this site in a few short weeks and spend more time experiencing this part of history. #ViveLaFrance #BonAnniversaire

For my 21st birthday I hopped on a plane and flew to Texas to visit my best friend who was going to school at Baylor. I had visions of enjoying a nice glass of wine with my birthday dinner, but upon being seated at a recommended Italian restaurant we learned that we had come to a BYOB establishment... empty handed. We stayed. We ate. We laughed at our misfortune. Even once we were in a place that served and sold alcohol it was a game of hard to get. My best friend was not yet 21, so no one wanted to encourage any illegal activity at our table. We stayed. We laughed. And I (eventually) drank. A margarita. Finally. #BYOB

A few years ago I was finally able to convince my parents to take a trip to Colorado to visit friends that they had not seen in years. This became my birthday trip and it was on this trip that I was reconnected with some friends from childhood, and am now happily dating one of them.  Along with reconnecting with some awesome people, I was also the designated driver the entire weekend. Although fun, I did get my parents back and made them the designated drivers for my birthday trip to Colorado last year when we stayed at the Stanley Hotel. #DesignatedDriver

Last year, for my Golden Birthday, I went to Estes Park, Colorado with my parents and my boyfriend. We stayed at the Stanley Hotel where we experienced some ghosties, knocked back some drinks at the bar, and made new friends while drinking “tastables” in the third floor hallway. Read about that birthday here. #TheShining #Haunted

I have said it before and I will say it again, I love birthdays! Even now that I am thirty I still love birthdays. I am very thankful to every single person who has ever helped me celebrate a birthday and I look forward to what future celebrations I will reminisce on when I am sixty and can only hope to have as much love around me on my last birthday as my grandma did on hers.

** American Battle Monuments Commission online information

The One with #RefugessWelcome

My heart aches with uncertainty in this moment and it is deepening the pit in my stomach. Upon getting to work yesterday, I had an email from the Executive Director of my company stating, “There is unconfirmed information from our advocacy partners that Trump will shortly be issuing an executive order that impacts refugee resettlement.” Shortly thereafter, I received another (forwarded) email, this time from the Director of Government and Community Relations of the U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants in Arlington, Virginia. This email addressed the same executive order saying, “Now that the announcement has gotten media attention, we want to send voices DIRECTLY TO TRUMP expressing opposition, in an effort to change these plans. We need to take action NOW. SHARE WITH YOUR STAFF, VOLUNTEERS, and SUPPORTERS.” The email concluded with suggested tweets to share and hash tags to use.

I will admit that I am ignorant of a lot in the way of politics; however, refugee resettlement IS something that I actually know something about. Working for and with refugees as well as having been accepted into a pocket of culturally oppressed Americans, many with dual citizenship, has broadened my heart to a fuller love of all people. No matter how different or similar. It was for the lessons of love that I have learned from my resettled friends, as well as the people I have met and the traditions I have adopted through my travels, that I eagerly tweeted our President, signed a petition, and continued to think. Think of all the things I regularly take for granted. Think of the ways in which the world we live in is changing. Think of the ways I can continue to show love to all people. And think of ways to be more mindful of my language and attitude.

In being more mindful of my language and attitude I will be challenging myself to remember the difference between WANT and NEED. Before a trip to the grocery store I make a list of what I NEED. Truth be told, the items on that list are not NEEDed. I may WANT those items so that I can make a desired dinner or dessert, but I can certainly live without them. By being more cognizant of my language, even as simply as WANT vs NEED, I believe that my attitude will be a better reflection of the love I always hope to show to all people. 

I have said it before and I will say it again. People are what make my world go round. Not white people. Not American people. Not Christian people. Not straight people. Not men. Not women. Not gay people. Not black people. Not Syrian people. Not Jewish people. Just people. All people. Learn from them. Love them. Welcome them. 

Come in! Entrez! Komm herein! تعال!

#refugeeswelcome

The One with the 2016 Lists

The year 2016 brought with it so much. So much Love.  So much Adventure.  So much Growth.  As the New Year is here I look back at the best that 2016 had to offer. The following are my Lists of Top 5’s.

MOMENTS (in no particular order)

5. Employment: 
At the start of 2016 I began my stint as a long-term substitute in fourth grade. That was certainly a learning experience and I am grateful for those students and team of educators. 2016 also brought full-time employment back into my life. Working for Jewish Vocational Service as a Disability Navigator has so far proven to be a well-accepted employment offer. Here’s to hoping that remains true throughout 2017.

4. My Birthday: 
Ghost tours, lavish drinks (tasteables and otherwise), and Brie cheese at the Stanley Hotel made for a unique way to celebrate my last birthday as a twenty-something.  I excitedly await my next visit to The Stanley and will forever expect candles in Brie cheese on my birthday. Read about it here.

3. Relocation:

Halfway through the year my boyfriend relocated to Kansas City to be with me. I am forever grateful for his willingness to transfer his work and his life. Not without challenge, having him here has been a lesson in love, an adventure into new routines, and a glimpse into the future. Read about it here.

2. Surprise:

With help, successfully pulling off a surprise for my boyfriend definitely makes the list. Knowing how happy he was to have his best friends with him in his new home and to share with them his life in Kansas City made for many happy hearts.

1. Traditions:

I have recently realized that my family has more holiday traditions than I thought. Independence Day on the lake, Santa-Cali-Gon over Labor Day weekend, singing the 12 Days of Christmas on Christmas Eve, and Christmas morning coffee cake are some such traditions. My most favorite of all though, the Christmas lighting ceremony at the Plaza, I have missed out on for the last number of years. This year, not only was I back to tradition, but I had my boyfriend there to experience the magic of the lights with my family and me. It has been with great gratitude that I thank him for enduring such fantastical family traditions.

PARTIES/REUNIONS (in no particular order)

5. Happy Birthday, Dwight/ Welcome to Kansas City, Jon Party:

Family and friends gathered for 12 hours of fun to help celebrate my dad turning 60 and to help welcome my boyfriend to Kansas City. It was a party to remember, for sure.

4. Harry Potter Party/ Jon’s Birthday:

My best friend and her family hosted a very elaborate Harry Potter Party complete with Moaning Myrtle in the bathroom, a Quidditch match in the backyard, House Cups and a Sorting Hat, Horcruxes, chocolate frogs, butter beer, a Marauder’s map of their house, a birthday cake, and a marathon of the movies.

3. Wayfare Reunion:

The nostalgia hits hard when I return to my Wayafre family and I am embraced with open arms. That is love of God in the flesh. Read about it here.

2. Narnia Christmasgiving Dinner:

I love when my framily group gathers together. It is always full of laughs, food, drinks, and games.

1. UCM Roomie Reunion:

I had the chance to reunite with my college roommates over Labor Day weekend. The last time we were together was ages ago and it was such fun to be together again and laugh for a while.

BOOKS (in no particular order)

5. Harry Potter and the Cursed Child, J.K. Rowling:


So fun to revisit the series and fall even more in love with it.

4. Persepolis, Marjane Satrapi:


An interesting format for an interesting topic. This is a new favorite.

3. Norwegian Wood, Haruki Murakami:


So far, I enjoy everything I read by this author.

2. Miss Peregrine’s Home for Peculiar Children, Ransom Riggs:


A fun and quick journey into a world of wonder.

1. The BFG, Roald Dahl: 


Such fun language and adventure. I even have my very own BFG in real life now.

Not to be left off of any lists are the following memories in pictures:

Here's to 2017!

The One with Milk and Honey

 Last Christmas my cousins and I started a beer exchange. This year we added books. The book I got was Milk and Honey. Although I do not usually read much poetry, this was a nice and quick collection with some definite points to ponder in regards to hurting, loving, breaking, and healing. I will share the following excerpt, in which I see some of my own tendencies…
 

“you treat them like they
have a heart like yours
but not everyone can be as
soft and as tender

you don’t see the
person they are
you see the person
they have the potential to be

you give and give till
they pull everything out of you
and leave you empty.”

-          rupi kaur

 

I look forward to future book exchanges with my cousins. Here's to seeing the potential in people and living with the sweetness that can be found in the now.

The One with Star Wars: Rogue One and Christmas Carols

“Be careful not to choke on your aspirations.”- Darth Vader

This week has been comprised of talking and crying my way through disappointments of unmet expectations and how to stay optimistic with future ones. Even though my body is seeking refuge in the form of my cozy and comfy bed, my heart and mind are telling me to tie a knot and hang on.

Between seeing the newest Star Wars story on the big screen opening night (and again tonight) and singing along with adored Christmas carols in the car on the way home afterward, the days that have made up this long week have been reconciled. 

“For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn.”- O Holy Night

The One where Addie Beth Turns Seven

     Seven years ago today I remember feeling jealous that my parents were able to be at the hospital for the birth of my cousin’s daughter. At the time, I lived away from home, and was living vicariously to celebrate the new babe. 

     Although I did not have to live vicariously through becoming the new babe’s godmother or through her first birthday party, I did still live away from home. With no intention to ever live back at home I often wondered about having a relationship with my goddaughter and how it would ever evolve. 

     Fortunately, I have lived back at home now for 6 years and every single day I thank God for the blessing that is having an actual relationship with and being close to my goddaughter. She is my favorite little human. She challenges my thinking and my actions. She makes me realize how precious life is and helps me to show love in creative ways. I love the days when we can go on Hilly and Addie adventures to see a movie or to explore Science City. I love playing games and doing puzzles with her. Even though I am terrible at art, I love helping her illustrate a book that she has authored. And I especially love having her stay the night at my house for sleepover parties so that I can spoil her rotten which I will be doing soon. 

     My aunts are special people to me. As a kid they would invite me over and spoil me rotten. Even now, as a big kid, they still invite me over and spoil me rotten. They’ve taught me how to bake, how to travel, how to vote, and how to love. It is to my aunts that I look when I need inspiration on how to be a good role model for my goddaughter. I can only hope that when she is 30 and looks back on her childhood memories with me that she feels half as much acceptance, understanding, and love as I do when I look back on mine.

     Happy 7^th Birthday Addie Beth!