January | 2013 | rfljenksy – Practicing Simplicity

I have been off the charts for a bit and only have time for a quick update. I left Venezuela on December 16 and am very sad about it. It was a beautiful country full of great weather, great people from so many countries, and tons of great outdoor activities.

However, I’ve had an amazing time with the kids and grand kids I spent my first week with my family adjusting to a 30-50 degree temperature drop and got a bit of whatever disease was going around my hometown. (Being a hypochondriac most of my life, I’m sure I was on the brink of total physical and mental failure — needless to say a few antibiotics and some good old-fashioned home-remedies and I’m back on the move and feeling great!!).

We took some family photos from my favorite photographer (Alisha Southard – Haute Pink Photography), played at home and had an all-around good family spending quality time together. During my time at home I was able to get together with my all too busy sister and meet up with some high school friends as well. I met up with a junior high friend also and her four-year old son gave me a wash off tattoo of “tater” a character from “Cars” It was supposed to stay on for about 4 days. Two weeks later.. well.. I’m beginning to wonder if it might be permanent. I also had a lucky few minutes as a pirate with the same kid. AWESOME!!

January 7 my youngest daughter and grandson took off by AMTRAK leaving Spokane at 1:30 a.m. and hitting Chicago at about 3:00 pm on the 8th of January. My daughter left me in Chicago to go to Indiana to visit grandparents and I continued on to New York. I’m going to spend a few weeks here visiting friends and family and hoping to get some great photos of my favorite city in the world.

I’m due to hit D.C. in about a month and will once again have a computer. I’m guessing I will have some whirlwind updates at that time. For now, enjoy the following pics.. and for all my friends.. wish you could have taken the trip with me. I hope you enjoy.

Since the time I sold all of my belongings in Venezuela up until now I have not had a computer, an Ipad or any technological devices that would allow me to post. I have missed some great themes from the various theme makers I follow and so in an attempt to cheat (New Year’s Resolution is to NOT cheat anymore) I will combine some of my favorite themes that seem to fit my journey.

Travel Themes from “Where’s My Backpack” – “Festive”; “Transportation”

Weekly Photo Challenges from the Daily post – “Resolved”; “Surprise”

Sunday Post by Jake’s Printer – “Christmas”; “New Year”; “Goals”

The last three weeks have been amazingly full of resolutions and future Goals (don’t cheat, be happier, celebrate one good thing each day and always try to show appreciation for what others are doing for me and random acts of kindness). I was met with many surprises from physical gifts to surprise visits from high school and junior high friends. Nearly everything about my trip so far has been a festive delight. Transportation, easy one, 4 days on Amtrak from Spokane, Washington to New York – also a trip very festive and full of surprises AND a resolution to travel by train more often.

I hope you enjoyed my journey so far and look forward to settling down in D.C. for a few months of training. Peace for the new year.