Taken first thing this morning after Andreas-photography tagged me last night. Ten things about me then... if I can think of 10! 1] My earliest memory (I was about 4) is of helping my grandparents to move round the corner from us. They were only coming from the next road, so I can remember "helping" my grandfather push a wheelbarrow containing their radiogram. 2] I wasn't born blond, but it's been much more fun. 3] I hate wearing glasses, but can't wear contact lenses. Thank heaven for varifocals. 4] Married at the age of 21 and immediately went with my husband (now ex) to work in Malawi for 2 years at the age of 21 and have great memories of a beautiful country. Only wish that digital cameras had been around in the 70s. One day I WILL get a negative scanner and get some photos on here... (as if I don't have enough already) 5] I have 2 great kids, who both now live and work in France - donc il faut pratiquer la langue de temps en temps, et essayer d'ameliorer. It also explains the number of French pictures in my stream - as a family, we used to go there annually on holiday. 6] Finally got to know my birth father at the age of 46 (my parents had split up when I was a baby, so I had no memories of him). In the meantime, my mother had remarried and I was adopted by my stepfather, who will always be my "dad". I've been lucky to love and know "all" my parents and step-parents, and to discover a new sister who's nearly as mad as I am. 7] I love to travel and explore new places - whether it's local or further afield. 8] Divorced at the age of 46. 9] Decided when I reached 50 that it was time to come out of my shell. Started singing at folk clubs again (sadly lapsed - must try and get back into that), and travelling on my own. Went to America to see a Malawian friend who's settled near LA, then flew over to Georgia to stay with family. 10] Like Andrea, one of my cameras - or at least my camera phone - is always with me so I take far too many pictures, and I'm always behind on editing! I'm going to tag: larry211 Larry has already done this, so I'm going to ask jocelyn aka nowaglas Knight Zeisy BeccaG Dutchman 1660 illinichick357 piX1966 ozz13x Allie Oop Photography Steve Beard camtb

July 30, 2011 The plan was to get up early and hike around 8, be done by 12 to go snorkeling, then around 4 get ready to go to the Luau. Plans got messed up when we didn’t know we were gonna sleep over at Nanay’s house… So, the girls still got up around 7, but the Moms kept chatting ‘til 10, so we didn’t get to start hiking ‘til 11. That hike was horrendous. I thought I was gonna die. Being so high up was scary as shit with the wind blowing everywhere. In the picture of the mountains, where you see the second peak where the sunlight hits it, that’s where we stopped and turned around. All the cousins were burnt out by this time and our Moms didn’t even make it half way and just sat on a bench in the middle of the hike… -.- I picked up on the “technique” quickly and managed to make it back alive in 3rd place. Hahah. By the time we were done hiking (with everyone back), it was 1. Too late to try to go snorkeling… So we went to Kahala Mall ‘cause Papa Pat wanted Jamba Juice. I don’t know whose idea it was to eat cinnabon as a snack after hiking…. We started arguing ‘cause we were pissed we couldn’t got snorkeling and that we possibly wouldn’t go to the Luau. But my aunt made things happen and Papa Pat managed to get the kama’aina rate for everyone. There were complimentary activities that came with the Luau ticket. Like free tattoos, making haku leis, etc. Then there was a pre-show, dinner buffet, and the main show. We all shared alcoholic beverages with our Moms, ehehe. After getting back from the Luau, I was pretty tired and had a bangin’ headache. Mama Anne somehow lost one of my glasses lens so since the hike, I’ve been wearing contact lenses. Armari hit me up after she got off work and we ate at Zippy’s then went to Walmart ‘cause I really needed some advil and contact solution.