Organizing: mind, spirit and life.

Do you ever have the problem to where you have one thing churning in your mind?  

You want to release it but lack of energy, motivation, or even tools seems to win. Then in conjunction, corresponds with the rest of your ideas, existence, or being. That this one thing manages to manifest into the simple, less thought-provoking things and that fixation that you still haven’t done the one thing you were wanting to do in the first place hasn't been done. Yet somehow,it effects the day-to-day and everything else manages to be placed on the back burner.

That’s how I feel with most aspects in life. Not just metaphorically but the physical, the spiritual, and the emotional.

I decided to put the one big thing that’s been churning at me, the one thing that I want to get out and explain, I decided to take the pressure away and start working on the little things.

Besides, isn’t it the little, small things that begin to add up? It’s the small things that become overlooked until we’re drowning in small issues and tasks that just originally needed to be pruned and maintained a bit. But they add up, and then restoration has to happen. Often times stripping the entire piece just to get to the core of what it is and start over.

Wow, I wasn’t intending to pour all this out.

I wanted to take the time to show you some of the details in my room in South Africa. Nothing fancy, just a couple visuals. 

please note the crooked lamp. it just doesn't want to stay straight. 

some random crafting + painting. had some bad dreams one night and decided to paint a dream catcher. 

postcard from time spent with my friend ashley in boston + a note for Jayde's wallet

tink the cat + perfect window lighting 

Phase two: Oregon and the art of being lost

What a lovely day for an adventure and a perfect day to get lost.
The day after I quit my job I went to Oregon for a few days ro rejuvenate and spend some quality time with friends and family. I even managed to adult-nap Jessi Duke and put her in my suitcase.

It was great fun. We surprised everyone with her arrival. There were laughs, hugs and quite of a few tears. Truly, there is nothing fabricated about that statement. It was refreshing to be back with familiarity and be with a handful of people that know me. I miss that.

For the weekend, there were two teams. Team 306 and Team Ritz. It's not like there was really a competition or anything of the sort, it's just easier for clarification. Team 306 consists of two of my best friends, Jessi Duke and Bethany Lomas. Jessi Duke is the map master and Bethany Lomas and I, not so much.

Adventure One: A superbowl party in Albany, Oregon with the Marks Family. 

Let's be honest. I don't care about football in the slightest. Although the Destiny's Child reunion was worth it. Guilty Pleasure.  I have a lot of adopted families that take me in as their own. The Marks' family being one of them. Team 306 and Team Ritz set out. We mapped the location and got to a place where Beth said, "I got this." Miscommunication happened. I thought she knew the rest of the route but "I got this meant" she know how the interchange worked. We ended up 20 miles out of the wrong direction. Eventually on the right track, and a few messages inquiring about our ETA, we managed to get there. Spending the afternoon eating and hottubbing and watching the concert with a football game. Then we were off.

Adventure Two: Saint Helens, Oregon.

"Sam, Are we supposed to be in Washington?" Bethany asks.
"No, but the map says we are going the right way." I say.  "I think we are going to cross back into Oregon.

Lesson learned: Always trust your instinct. Especially if you've been there before and all of a sudden going a completely different route than normal.

Normally the "map master" would have charge of the map but her phone fell down a toilet and she  was using one of those non-smartphones. About an hour later, we find ourselves driving in the middle of nowhere, surrounded my darkness.

"Do you recognize where we are going" Bethany asks.
"Oh sure, I think we are really close." I reply.

To be honest, I had no idea where we were but I continued to follow the directions.
Then began to look at the map.

If you are noticing something wrong you are absolutely right.

"Beth, don't be nervous but I would recommend driving slower. We might be running into a body of water soon. I'm sure it's just me misreading something though."

Nope, I was reading correctly. We were in fact running into a body of water. Wazemaps, There is no bridge!

We get to our final stop where we cannot go any further and I make a phone call. See the thing about that body of water is, it's the distance to where we were wanting to go, which was less than a mile. If we would have flashed our lights, my family across the water would have been able to see us.

This little mistake cost us over an hour. We were not supposed to be in Washington, we were supposed to be in Oregon. But it's the little things that keep us with an adventurous spirit. Plus, it was quality time with some of my greatest friends.

After a while, we made it. Greeted with laughs and wine with friends and family. Later graced with Team Ritz, we spent the rest of the night chatting, drinking wine and hot tubbing.

I always love going to my family's house. They have this amazing house that overlooks the water and it's the perfect retreat. We didn't get to go sailing this time around. Sadly, there was no wind but we did get to take a boat ride and enjoy the day.

I could get used to waking up to this every morning. 

Adventure three: Portland hiking. 

Another scenario of finding ourselves lost and no idea where we the actual trailhead was. Once we made it, it was lovely but we only have 40 minutes to spare. But it was nice to be in the woods with the cool air against my face. 

It was a perfect four days. Thanks to all who made the weekend a success. 




In the air. Northern California.











\\

Home is where your heart is: I don't remember writing this

Tuesday: 26 April 2011 


Trolley pushing. Terminal searching. Where the fuck is terminal 5. Terminal 1, 2, 3 and 4 all seem to be clearly marked by the heathrow express.

“Excuse me, how do I get to terminal 5,” I ask.

“You’re in terminal 5,” the heathrow attendant remarks.

“mmmm well then terminal 3,” I stutter. Shit, I got the directions confused.

In another trolley parade I go. Back and forth, back and forth.  Today is going on a downward spiral quickly. Next train to terminal 3 in 15 minutes. Perfect, at least I found it. The topheavy Green rucksack maneuvered on my back. Blue French connection bag on my shoulder and heavy camera bag that weighs just as much as my rucksuck in my hand. All balanced perfectly, any sudden movement shakes my thoughts. As I imaginarily topple over into the mind the gap section. Brutal.  I lean on a wall to stop my thoughts.

Ah crap, I’ve only been here for 30 minutes. What to do, what to do.

Unfinished

Always unfinished

No endings

Only moments

Rarely ever a beginning.

An untraceable story

for something that’s dying to be heard

more than words

more than pictures

hear movement

see movement

watch it ebb and  flow

there’s a story that’s dying to be heard

revolution.

As I’m sitting in the London airport, on this layover that is anything but pleasant mainly because I cannot check my bags and explore like I intended on. So I’m stuck in one section without much companion except for a measly computer. I have no desire to drown out my thoughts with movies, nor can I formulate a thought at the moment, and I’m running from my bible. As I have been for the last 2 weeks or so.  I can’t say I feel nothing like normally. In fact, I feel a lot.

Scotland is a fabulous city. London would be a fabulous city if I could explore, but cannot.  I’ve never really been a tourist. In America, sure but that’s always with the knowing that I’m returning somewhere within days and maybe once or twice in mexico, but once again—that’s still America. But as I tour Scotland, I think I could live here but can’t really picture it. My heart isn’t really for Scotland. Although, it’s a lovely place to visit friends. As I’m on my flight to London from Glasgow—I picture myself in the bush. On field—doing something. African travel seems like a breeze compared to UK/European travel. In Africa travel if something doesn’t work out it’s automatically assumed TIA (This is Africa)—Let’s make a plan. But in UK/European when something doesn’t work out a rise of blood begins and the only words crossing through your mind are cross. Shit. Fuck. Dammit. 

Excuse my language, but I’m just needing to be brutally honest right now.

But take me back to African life. And not just to South Africa which I have began to view as my second home. Not so much in the metaphorical sense but in an actual physical sense. As in I miss my bright pink bed and my family bound through Christ—and other minor factors.

But take me back and put me where I’m called to be. Among something greater. A calling that requires all of me.             

           

One of my absolute favorite children

Kayla Danielle_-- if only your daddy could drive you to me. 

Or even go to the ATM to buy money. It just breaks my heart when you tell me I'm too far away on skype. 

IcanD photography

I know I know, you've heard it before. I love this girl. She has so much personality for a three year old and is very wise beyond her years. 

Understanding this, you will understand my sheer joy when I woke up to this story posted on my skype. 

Lucia:  So this morning I'm drawing with Kayla, and she asks me to draw our family...so I draw Edgar and myself and Kayla and Joss....and when I'm finished, she says: "and Sam, and Sam!!!"

The first thing I did 

Smile a big-toothed grin and then looked up plane tickets. Daydreaming about South Africa, pre-packing my bags trying to already consolidate.   Then was hit with the realization that plane tickets are far too expensive. I'm reminded of this daily. 

I keep hoping that I will discover my superhero abilities and fly soon. 

With a Cup of Tea

Thing get done. 

And according to Three Cups of Tea ( must read)

One cup of tea; you are a guest

Two cups of tea; you have become a friend

Three cups of tea; you are family

Memories 

I have a lot of memories of tea from a very early age. Below are a few--- not the only important ones but just a few to explain my love and appreciation of the Art of tea.

But my very favorite has to be with my grandfather

He's the very dashing man in the middle.  Benjamin Mitman. Opi as I call him. 

He used to brew a cup of loose-leaf Jasmine tea every afternoon like clockwork and then he would put his cups of sugar in his cup and the biggest smile on his face would appear. When I was between the age of 10-12, I stayed with Omi and Opi for two weeks of the summer. My favorite and really only memory would spending the daily ritual with him. I forever have a love of black tea. 

Memory number two-- Cha for Tea, 

Although I share this place with a few people, the last four years has been attached to hours spent with Natalie and Leallani Stewart and various other friends.

And always in the wee hours of the morning. Soy Almond Milk Tea with pearls. The best night laughing and much snorting. Great friends and Taboo-- my nights were overjoyed. This place shares a special place in my heart.

The Queen drinks tea as well as Ashley wells. 

Miss Ashley Wells,  studied at Oxford and with that brought back her love of English Breakfast Tea. She has developed the science of making it. Bowl the water. Let is sit. Three tea bags in a tea kettle. Pour in the water--let steep. Put milk and sugar in a mug and put in the microwave but only long enough to warm the milk and let the sugar sweeten it. Then pour the tea in the mug and perfectly it is stirred. 

 

 Lots of conversations have come through tea in our house, as well as over twenty types of tea in our home. Which over half means something special to a specific person in the house. Ash with her English Breakfast-- I enjoy my Rooibos tea to remember Africa. Etc..

But the Excitement continues....

Finding great loose-leaf tea can be a challenge around here.  I found a great place in Los Angeles right by Amoeba called Ground Works. The place is calming in the heart of chaos. 

But today I found a gem and only by chance. 

Photo Courtesy of Bird Pick

 This place is whimsical and the girl that helped me was a doll and helped me tremendously. Although she probably thought I was crazy for sniffing a million teas. It was heaven for my nose either way. I found this place in the heart of Old Pasadena (they also have other locations).  I knew when I saw this place that I had found the place for me. I only got to spend ten minutes in here and it is probably a good thing.  They have so many types of teas, White, Oolong,  Green, Black, Blossoming-- you get the picture. I bought Jasmine Tea and Black Forest Tea-- Both taste AMAZING.  Bird Pick pays so much attention to detail all the way down to the packaging. With a  brown bag with their logo (two birds-- my favorite) and Lime Green tissue paper. The presentation was lovely and details are important to me.

It is all in the name and I the meaning says it all.

"The name Bird Pick originates from an ancient practice of cultivating the finest tea leaves. Extraordinary birds with acute senses would pick out the best leaves for their own nourishment. We strive for the same standards by selecting the most aromatic leaves to make our special blend of teas."

Their mission. 

"Whether a novice or true connoisseur of tea, our setting encourages you to explore and sample a premier selection of teas in a friendly and welcoming environment."

I would have loved more time to explore Bird Pick

I can't wait until my next trip to Pasadena happens. This will be priority and I cannot wait to tell more people about this place and cannot wait to try more of their teas and spices.  Mmmm so excited. 

I will end with this.  I texted on of my housemates telling here to move to Pasadena because I found her ideal tea place. I left my pretty little bag on the counter tonight. When I came home-- she pranced down the stairs very excited asking me to explain this tea place. After I explained-- she mentions, "Well I kind of already checked it out and got excited-- And I love the two birds on the logo." 

I slid her the business card and five minutes later found her in her room salivating over  her keyboard as she was perusing the website finding the closest locations and  dreaming of the blossoming teas.