A sabbatical, if you will

Looks like I took an unplanned break from the blog. Let’s call it a sabbatical and then I won’t feel so bad. Actually, it has been a bit challenging to find bloggy inspiration in our new life in DC, which is quite a bit different from our life in Freetown. In Sierra Leone, stories were everywhere. Our days were less packed and I had more time to think and process. There are stories here too, certainly, but it is different.

Washington, DC is a beautiful city (or...district?) and it is beginning to feel like home. Shopping for fruit at Eastern Market, jogging on the mall past Lincoln and Roosevelt and MLK, growing tomatoes and peppers in my very first garden, getting to know all of the dogs in Capitol Hill (thank you, Sundance). This is a sweet place and we feel very blessed.

However, this summer has been a bit “extreme” in the weather arena. Heat waves, an earthquake, and then the hurricane this past weekend. I have to say, Irene was a bit disappointing after all the build-up. Sundance is definitely enjoying the aftermath of branches scattered about the streets- one of his favorite things is to try to carry branches larger than his entire body. One of my NOT favorite things is getting stabbed in the legs by Sundance's branches.

As a native Californian, one might imagine I wasn't too impressed with the earthquake…and one would be wrong. David and I were eating lunch outside when it happened. First, I thought it was just the large truck that passed by at that moment. After things kept shaking, I said to our friend, “Aaron, stop shaking the table!” Once I realized it was an earthquake, was there a rush of memories from years of earthquake drills in school? Crawl under the desk, cover your head, etc? Nope, not at all. Instead, “Earthquake??? WHOA! THIS IS AMAZING!”

It is September now, and a wave of fresh, crisp air is finally pushing out the humidity. We missed last fall while in Freetown, so for the past year my soul has felt like fall should be just around the corner. The other night, after David and I had said good night and started to fall asleep, I whispered in his ear excitedly, “Fall is coming soon.” Needless to say, he was a bit creeped out.

We are going camping this weekend in Shenandoah Valley- our first family camping adventure! More on that to come.

A few pics from our vacation in California:

(My sister Leslie and nephew Conor)

(View from the amazing house we rented in Sea Ranch)

(Jen, me, Dad, bro)

(Conor mesmerized by David's mustache)

(Relaxing in Sea Ranch)

(Breakfast with Meg and the Blainster)

While we were gone, Dancer had some super fun play-dates with Annie, his crush who lives upstairs. Doesn't he look sooo sad? Like he missed us soooo much?

Thoughts on being a Californian

Dog shelter employee when we adopted Sundance: "You're from California? You should have said that earlier! Yeah, you can adopt him. Californians are so laid back."

Landlord about a kale salad David made: "What is this stuff?! Seriously, Californians always know how to do the coolest stuff with greens."

Friend from church: "I could spot you guys from a mile away- tall, blond Californians."

My boss while waiting for her to finish an email: "Gosh, you're such a laid back Californian, just sitting here nicely. Don't let me take advantage of that."

New friend: "You're from San Luis Obispo? How could you leave?!"

Landlord while looking at my garden: "You planted hot peppers? That is such a California thing to do."

Neighbor: "I've never met a Californian who didn't want to ultimately end up back in California."

Last few months in 15 pictures

I guess it's about time I update this thing with life since Sierra Leone.


We left in early December. A day later, we arrived in London (via car, water taxi, bus and plane).

It was snowing. We didn't have winter clothes. We ate a croissant in the airport and I was pretty sure it was the most delicious thing I had ever had. Also, we looked silly.

In London, we drank cup after cup of mulled wine to warm our bodies (and hearts). Look at this cold face. We were unprepared for the winter wonderland.

We wandered around Bath for a few days, then hopped over to Paris to meet up with my Dad and Jen. I learned I was too old for hostels after a terrible night in a 12-bunk room full of 18 year old male Aussies.

We had an amazing week full of stories, exploring and food (cheese! chocolate! wine! pasta!) with the best travel buddies around. Really.




David was sporting an impressive beard.

Back in London, we hung out with our new friend Rob and his family (who are the family of Freya, our dear friend in SL). He introduced us to some excellent places (a toast and jam restaurant where you toast the bread yourself!) and we attended his Christmas choir concert.


Shortly before Christmas, we headed back to California. I finally got to meet my sweet new nephew, Conor.

In January, we moved back across the country. All of our things, BACK to the East Coast. Now we live in Washington, DC. We got a dog. We love him.

That's not him. This is Sura, his cousin. Isn't she a beauty? I'll introduce our pup more formally soon. He deserves his own post.

Great, now all caught up!

Back to the West Coast!

It took a week of long driving days (for David) and lots of candy (for both of us), but we made it! This drive felt quite a bit different from the trip out to Baltimore because we were exhausted from finishing school, packing up our apartment and moving all within 2 days. I was tired. And exhausted. But, we got to see some great friends, family and places along the way. Here is a little taste.

Davidson, North Carolina

New Orleans, Louisiana

San Antonio, Texas

Las Cruces, New Mexico

Christmas break #5: San Luis Obispo

We spent a quick day in SLO, thinking about how perfect it is, how lucky we were to live there, and how many dear friendships we made. We didn't get to see everyone we wanted to, but we will be back soon. We have to, or my heart just won't make it. It was 75 degrees in January. C'mon.

(Last few moments before David's big haircut. Super cute pigtails.)

Santa Fe, NM to Denver, CO

(David eating clouds.)

The drive itself was less than exciting, but we had a great time with David's grandma, aunt, and uncle in Denver. Grandma made us a delicious slow-cooked dinner as only grandmas can, and when I asked what David was like when he was little she said, "Oh, he was an ornery little guy." Ha ha ha.

During dinner I heard thunder and rain out the window and became embarrassingly excited. I know I'll miss SLO's ever-perfect weather, but for now I'm looking forward to storms and dark clouds and change. In SLO I often forgot what month or even what time of the year it was. I want to crave seasons. I want to need spring to come and take winter away. Silly California girl.

Big Sur

This place is a treasure. I can't believe I grew up in California but didn't go here until I was 23. In just 6 hours we explored sandy bluffs, witnessed the fighting of huge elephant seals, watched kite boarders lifted into the air, searched for zebras near Hearst Castle, drove past monasteries and hot springs, and danced in the abandoned fields. Not a bad day. I will miss you, California. I hope I can come back to you some day soon.