Happy Valentines Day :: I took a field trip during work yesterday and was mesmerized by this donut making machine.

Lola Versus :: I don’t think I have mentioned Saturn Returns(read THIS if you have no idea what Saturn Returns is and have any interest in learning) on this blog even once yet. Crazy, since the title of this blog could very well be Saturn Returns.

I can only explain the tumult in my soul these past few years as Saturn Returns. Okay, maybe that’s a little dramatic, but maybe it’s not. And yes, in reality I’ve been true to my all too reflective self and can give a better explanation than an astronomical phenomenon for the emotional ups and downs and questions of my heart, but when I don’t feel like rehashing all those things it can be summed up that Saturn paid me a visit.

One week from today I will be 30. 30! I thought I was ready, but I am not. What I am ready for though, is for Saturn to get the heck away from me for the next 29 years(at 58 when she returns again I will be prepared!).

I’ve been sick this past week. I hate being sick. I know no one likes being sick, but I always take my getting sick as a personal life failure. I was unable to fend off the germs. I was unable to take care of myself. Ugh, massive fail.

Getting to the point. While sick, I watch the movie Lola Versus. I feel like it was a good prerequisite to turning 30. The movie isn’t great, but I could relate and the reference to Saturn Returns made it poignant for my little life.

“Shake life up a little. It’ll catch you.” – Lola’s Dad (pictured above). This my friends is my plan for 30. WATCH OUT.

INSPIRATION :: Have you  been to the 1^st Thursday Art Walk in Seattle? Every time I think about going it’s the 2^nd Thursday of the month – meaning the 1^st has just passed and I have a whole month to wait. By then, I forget about it and the cycle of remembering it  a week after it happens repeats. BUT in December the stars aligned and I somehow had the urge to go to the Art Walk during the 1^st week of December – 2 days BEFORE it was happening.  OH and was it ever an evening of creative inspiration. Ready for the highlights:

THIS EXHIBITION – At first glance we were utterly unimpressed, but upon learning that the artist is autistic the art transformed and became instantly fascinating. It was magical being in a giant room with images all over the walls representing the way one human’s mind works. Plus, we got to meet the artist! (Photo #1)

The super cool moving piece pictured # 2 above. I should have taken a video so you could see just how cool it was. We were seriously mesmerized by it. Sadly, I can’t remember the artist’s name or find a worthy link to the gallery.

THIS APARTMENT – We didn’t go in it or anything(someday!), but we spotted it while walking and I was reminded of how amazing of a space it is. (Photo #3)

And we topped the evening off at THIS DARLING RESTAURANT.

First Thursday Art Walk I hope I can remember you more than once this year.

Anne Of Green Gables :: It took all of my willpower to not post a picture of Anne with Gilbert Blythe. As much as I love their fabulous little romance, it was Anne and her smart, independent self, romantic ideals, and feminist strength that I think I was most draw to as a nine year old when I first read the book. That, and she had red hair.

I remember so vividly reading the whole Anne of Green Gables series. It was the summer after 4^th grade – I was 9 – I loved being 9 more than I’ve loved being any other age thus far. We spent a good chunk of the summer in Iowa visiting my mom’s distant cousins and the farms my grandparents grew up on. My great aunt taught me how to make the best cinnamon sugar toast in the world, I went to my first rodeo and country fair, and while driving from Atlanta to Iowa and everywhere in between I was deeply immersed in the Anne of Green Gables books.

We rented and watched the entire Anne of Green Gables movie series last week. I had only ever seen the first movie, but wast delighted to learn that there are 3 in the series! I cried my eyes out when Matthew died. My grinch heart grew about 3 sizes at Gilbert’s love for Anne. I laughed at all the amazingly dramatic sentences Anne composes(odd, as they weren’t funny when I was a kid). I thanked my lucky stars that I know what it means to have kindred spirits in this life and decided that one day I shall take a vacation to Prince Edward Island.

Christmas Eve :: I’m behind on my blog posts. Every other day in December I would say “I’m gonna blog about this…and that”, but alas it’s January and I only posted ONE THING in December.

So, how would you like to hear about my Christmas Eve? Well, you’re looking at it. We have this thing in my family – none of us really love amusement parks – stinky people and long lines, but have you been on Christmas Eve in Southern California? Changes everything. Beautiful 70 degree weather, no lines. My brothers crammed 26 roller coaster rides into our 5 hour visit to Magic Mountain. I couldn’t quite handle that many in my old age without my head exploding(seriously I started to black out on one ride), but I’d say I still got my money’s worth.

Pre-Magic Mountain we had a breakfast of chicken biscuits from Chick-fil-a (because they have them in California now!) Post magic mountain we had waffle fries and chicken nuggets with Polynesian sauce from Chick-fil-a. I know they’ve gotten some well-deserved bad press this year, but their chicken is so good. I also know its disgusting that I ate there twice in one day, nonetheless it was pretty great.

And after our day of chicken and roller coasters we scampered home in time for church and our traditional Christmas Eve lasagna dinner. Why we have lasagna on Christmas Eve I do not know, but we always do.

Top 3 Romantic Places :: I know you didn’t ask, but I’m going to tell you anyways. I find the following places to be the utmost romantic locations:

 AIRPORTS

 CAR WASHES

 ROOFTOPS

Not that I’ve ever personally experienced much romance in any of these locations, but perhaps someday. Until then, I’ll continue to spot lovers departing and reuniting in airports, and go through the car wash on bad days(or when I park by the recycling plant at work and birds crap all over my car), and plan fictional parties on rooftops.

What Might Have Been :: Super cute sandals, cool organization. A friend of mine knows the people running it on the Uganda side and she says they are legit. That’s a relief – because I always wonder and hate to be disappointed when I find out an organization isn’t as good as their stated intentions. Anyways, I recently read about the cuteness of these shoes on a hip blog and was reminded that I do want to buy a pair some day – maybe they will be 2013’s summer shoes 🙂

Once upon a time(almost 2 years ago now!), when I was planning to move to Dhaka (thus the title of this blog) I was excited about a job that would’ve allowed me to immerse myself into the world of social enterprises and fairly traded products – particularly those that support and benefit the women who make them. It goes without saying that I am NOT QUITE doing that at present and when I happen upon organizations like Sseko I often think about what my life might have been had things worked out differently. It took awhile, but I think I’m okay with what didn’t work out and okay with what IS working itself out.  That, and being on the consumer end of these endeavors isn’t so bad – because these sandals are CUTE! Check ‘em out, I bet you’ll want a pair too! http://ssekodesigns.com/