It is both a blessing and a curse to feel everything so very deeply.

So I have been tumbling a lot lately. Not sure if that's the most accurate way to describe what I've been doing, but to simple put it, surfing the Tumblr. Many things cross my dash, mostly Disney gifs and actors from the Walking Dead and Supernatural with jokes/ quotes I do not understand. Benign frivolous things for sure. But every so often social awareness images and articles pop up as well. And I wanted to share three of them. The first is one of my favorite tumblrs, favorite probably not being the best choice of words, "Project Unbreakable.*" 

*The mission of Project Unbreakable is to increase awareness of the issues surrounding sexual assault and encourage the act of healing through art. Since the project's conception in October 2011 by then nineteen year old Grace Brown, it has featured over two thousand images of sexual assault survivors holding posters with quotes from their attackers. 

There is a saying that when you share pain, you cut it in half; if you don't you double it. 

It is a beautiful project; wonderfully illustrating the power of words, and allowing for healing through the very words that cut so deep. It is an empowering thing to witness the ones considered so weak and broken taking back the power.

One thing that I like most, I believe, is that survivors post not only things that their attackers said but also what friends, family and even member of the police have said. It's shocking sometimes to bear witness to the things that will come out of the mouths of those who should show the most love and support. 

Never underestimate the power your words can have on someone. 

Post #2: My feelings exactly.

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*This makes me so crazy. 

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Naturally a blog of mine is not complete without a multitude of Disney gifs.

The third and final post that has crossed my dash and deserved to be recognized is Canada's "Don't be that Guy" campaign to stop the violence. 

"Don't Be That Guy - a behavioral marketing campaign sends the message that sex without consent is sexual assault. We are sending a visual message to men between the ages of 18 and 25, graphically demonstrating their role in ending alcohol facilitated sexual assaults. Don't Be That Guy shifts the emphasis to men to take responsibility for their behavior. Studies involving 18-25 year old men revealed that 48 percent of the men did not consider it rape if a woman is too drunk to know what is going on."

Go Canada, eh?

Carry on.

**Update: California has its shit together**

Welcome to the Year-END!

That title sounds like a sadistic roller coaster. I apologize.
Or at least it does in my head.

So it's been two months since my trip to Africa, Thanksgiving has come and gone, my friend's wedding is tomorrow, and Christmas is days away... Naturally, all I want to do is sleep. 

This is how holidays should be spent. In bed.

With catching up with work and life, we are now approaching the end of month two in my attempt to finish "The Wise Man's Fear," WHICH is an excellent book, it's just long. TIME. WHERE YOU GO THESE DAYS? Peter understands how I feel.

So I'm in the process of moving. And instead of packing up all my belongs efficiently and moving them in a orderly fashion, I tend to get distracted and reminiscent- when I really should throw most of it away since, because if I'm going to be real, I haven't touched it in years... or even knew I still owned half the things stored in my closet. 

This could be a quick and painless process, or I could play with all the things I find. 

I think we all know what will happen. Maybe I can be all packed up before spring. 

Just kidding. Goal is New Years.

I have rekindled the disease known as the travel bug and search for new adventures around every corner.

New Years comes after Christmas. Hopefully it will be an evening full of good choices.

Those are my thoughts for now. Peace.

Africa!

So it's been a really long time since I have posted. It occurred to me recently that the last you heard of me was that I was travelling to Kenya on safari for my birthday. 

This was followed by radio silence. I did not die. 

Promise.

And the trip was absolutely amazing. The best I have ever taken hands down.

Please enjoy the highlights.

Me and the elephants in Samburu

I took this picture immediately after a lioness walked in front of our van.
I was so excited.

This was me and the lioness I saw already (see expression above),
except this day I am more composed.

Shelly, Bob and I with a Samburu village

The elephant camp

A leopard...

with its dinner. Po' impala.

A baboon, eating Ruffles.

We visited a school, which was fun

I went on a balloon ride over the Maasai Mara

I may or may not have sung Lion King

The zebra and wildebeest run together

The multicultural ballooners

Cheetah #1 that I spotted... Gah. Gorgeous.

I am in both Tanzania and Kenya. Boom.

Cute Lizard

Vultures, hippos, and crocodiles, oh my!

Cheetah #2, who had been nomming on a wildebeest

Then she was forced away by a troupe of baboons

Water spins different ways depending on what side of the equator
you are on and is still on the actual line. True story. SCIENCE.

The falls.

The group: Bev, Shelly, Bob, myself,  and John

They threw me a surprise birthday party and invited the Maasai warriors to come and
dance/ sing Happy Birthday to me in Swahili. It was pretty rad. No lie.

You know dat's right.

The Great Rift Valley... So gorgeous. 

Kenya 2013. No regrets.

These are a few of my favorite things...

I was feeling inspired by Sound of Music. Ergo, this week's "Favorite Things"

You know, just a little something to get you through the rest of the week.

1. Ballet Dancers in Random Situations. Because dancers are amazing
http://www.lostateminor.com/2013/09/04/ballet-dancers-in-random-situations/

2. My sister is now also a Theta:

3.Tom Hiddleston.

“This generation has lost the true meaning of romance. There are so many songs that disrespect women. You can’t treat the woman you love as a piece of meat. You should treat your love like a princess. Give her love songs, something with real meaning. Maybe I’m old fashioned, but to respect the woman you love should be a priority.” -Tom Hiddleston. Good man.

Also this is him wielding a sword.

He's adorable.

4. These images I found on pinterest:

And last but not least...

5. I'm an aunt and my niece is pretty nifty. Say hi to Grace Harriet. Aka Gracie Goose.

Leaving for Kenya in two days for my birthday safari. 

Hugging baby lions, riding elephants and running with flamingos is definitely on my to do list.

Later gaters. 


(Linking up with Hallie!)