When you have so much to say...

{source}

A week ago, we started our journey here to Guyana. And I haven't shared anything about the trip. And it isn't for a lack of things to say. The trip here was much less difficult that I imagined. We have access to more American (or, mostly British) foods that I anticipated. Our house, from what I understand, will be amazing. My son started his first day at school and loves it. Our fears have been eliminated and we are completely enjoying the warmth of being embraced by a small community and is close knit but gets the coming and the going so there is no essence of being closed to the new guys. 

I almost have too much to say.

But I was cursed with an over active mind. I want to understand the culture and community ways as soon as possible. I want to get an understanding of the dynamics between the three main people groups (Indo-Guyanese, Afro-Guyanese and the Amer-Indians. I want to get involved in the humanitarian efforts of the embassy to make some sort of minor impact on the intense poverty all around me. I want to get to a point where the smells that overwhelm me now become common place. My questions abound: will I be able to accomplish even half of this in the two years we will be here? Will my heart be broken when we go to volunteer at the orphanages? (yes, let it be!) Will I be able to navigate my way around this town of no street signs?

Well, one week down. Let's do this thing! (Goal one: learn to drive on the other side of the road!)

Waiting...

                                                               Source: homester.com.ua via Marina on Pinterest

I have been quietly waiting.

Well, my thoughts haven't been quiet but I have been trying to adhere to the old "if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say anything at all." But, I don't want my little space here to be a scrubbed and white washed version of my life.

The truth is: if you have been in this mid-move slump before, you understand. Or if you have ever waited for something or someone, you understand. You want that moment to just hurry-up-and-get-here-already!
The moment is almost here. We were supposed to leave this last Monday, but an extra class was added to my husband's schedule. After having a date on the calendar for so long {and counting down to that day} for so long, I have been a bit grumpy over the change. I am tired of living out of a suitcase. I am over not having my own space. (even though I am very grateful for the people who have sacrificed their own personal space so that we could invade it for a time.) I am mentally over being a single parent for the most part. (and I must say that while living with grandparents is amazing for the built-in babysitter and support but there is an exhaustion that comes with having to parent your child with full-time audience. Or is that just me?)
I am ready to get this show on the road.


We leave this Monday. We will live in a hotel for an extended period of time. I will be working and our little man will start pre-K. Large chunks of change will be hitting us at rocket speed and I know I shouldn't wish away this period of resting and waiting. But I am. With the exception of a special birthday celebration on Saturday, I fully admit that I am wishing away the weekend.
(And I will say that I am NOT looking forward to the trip overseas with a newly 4 year old, two Jack Russell Terriers, and 6 suitcases. With a 7 hour layover in New York. And a total of 18 hours. Yikes.)
Bring it on. I have been waiting long enough.

{August Break} A road trip and new shoes...

{August Break} Tools of the Trade

What I have been using for the August Break:

-Instagram in my iPad (I am taking a break from worrying about shutter speed, f stops and my ISO and concentrating on composition. I have a long way to go.)

-I read this article about using the Camera+ app to add captions to my Instagram shots. I have a feeling I will be using this alot more.

-Blogsy app for blogging. Easy to use and I can out together a quick photo post in a minute or two.

I closed my eyes today.

I closed my eyes today on my run. The sun was hot on my face, even though I was one of the first runners on the trail. I had to work a bit harder to breathe through the humidity. But with the flora to my right and the ocean to my left, my eyes closed and I pictured what my morning run will be like in two weeks. My breathing became rhythmic and my senses opened to the smells and the sounds. The birds, the lizards in the path. The conflict of the poverty asleep in the park and the wealth that even I have that allows me to be here in Miami on {a working} vacation. In two weeks, I may get up to run in Guyana and my nose will fill with the same smells of spice, sand and heat. I may be surprised by how different it is. But, today on my run, when I closed my eyes, I was almost there.

{August Break} Ten on Ten

My day in Instagram:: ten pictures documenting my day on the 10th of the month. (Which, by the way, is my dad's birthday...Happy birthday, daddy!

good morning, Heather...breakfast date to start the day...

finding color at the store...

sunlight through the trees at the park

library time

nap time means a little summer color

working on the calendar for September. Next month is a clean slate.

Summer time is pool time, a good book and some sunshine.

30 day shred. Day 6.

After dinner:: keeping the high-energy 3 year in motion. Sun up to sundown.

before retiring inside for the night, checking the pears for ripeness...can't wait till they are ready!

{August Break} Collections

from the collections around the in-laws house...