August Review (Month 8 of Quests)

August 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Quest # 13: Gardening

I have successfully cultivated a small batch of herbs and vegetable plants on my back porch - a container garden, if you will. I just harvested some juicy little tomatoes from my tomato plants, so I feel like it's time to officially declare this quest a success!

Quest # 22: Contact Lenses

I can see! Glasses are cool looking and all... but I prefer the freedom of not having something hanging onto my face. Maybe surgery will be a goal for next year? :-o  

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 1: Biographies

Although started (and intended for) July, I finally completed this biography in August. Michelle Obama: A Life by Peter Slevin was well-written and a fascinating look at the First Lady's life. I recommend the read; she's pretty darn inspiring and strong. I've been noticing a pattern in successful people I've been reading about: they live their lives very intentionally, and they tend to want to prove people wrong. I like the former of those traits a lot, and I'm thinking that may be on my list of things to practice in earnest next year. Back to the book though: Seriously, if Michelle Obama ran for president, I am in 110%. 

Quest # 3: Tithing

Tithing money this month went to disaster relief efforts in Louisiana due to their insane and unusual amount of flooding. These areas in Louisiana (the two major areas being the surrounding Lafayette area, and the surrounding Baton Rouge area like Livingston and Ascension ) were not historically flood-prone areas, and many people do not have flood insurance there, so this may devastate the area's economy (and people) for at least the next couple years. I donated to the Red Cross and the Salvation Army, and my post is here.

Quest #4: Spirituality

I tried going to a Universal Unitarian Church - Yay hippies and atheists! The music may not be as good as what I grew up with, but the messages are refreshingly all about love and connectedness. I'm going to try this out for a while, but not convinced yet that it's my "home." Glad to finally get this quest started though.

Quest #18: Exercise
In an effort to live more active (Quest #19??) and to keep myself working out, I signed up for a dance class that meets once a week. I'm now having dreams of training to get my teaching certification so that I can establish a healthy "side hustle" to fall back on if I need a little extra cash (because, I love this!).

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies

In September, getting inspiration from both Day of Democracy and Constitution Day, I'm going to read a little more about the people who help keep our country safe. This book follows the lives of a few service women - in various branches of the military - and I'm looking forward to reading about another set of lives so different from my own! The book is Undaunted by Tanya Biank.

and... continue with ongoing Quests!

KJets

#3 Tithing : Louisiana Flood Relief

In August, much of southern Louisiana was designated as a federal disaster area by FEMA due to flooding in what was called the worst natural disaster to the area since Hurricane Sandy in 2012. So, this month's tithing went to recovery and disaster relief efforts in the affected areas of Louisiana.

Half of the tithing amount went to The Salvation Army - to the local Gulf Coast Floods program through the Mississippi affiliate. The Salvation Army's mission statement is:

The Salvation Army, an international movement, is an evangelical part of the universal Christian church. Its message is based on the Bible. Its ministry is motivated by the love of God. Its mission is to preach the gospel of Jesus Christ and to meet human needs in His name without discrimination.

The other half of this month's tithing went to the Red Cross - specifically to the Louisiana Flooding efforts. They typically provide shelter and emergency supplies to people affected by disasters. The mission statement of the American Red Cross is:

"The American Red Cross prevents and alleviates human suffering in the face of emergencies by mobilizing the power of volunteers and the generosity of donors."

More about them, from their website:

   The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides emotional support to victims of disasters; supplies about 40 percent of the nation's blood; teaches skills that save lives; provides international humanitarian aid; and supports military members and their families. The Red Cross is a not-for-profit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to perform its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or cruzrojaamericana.org, or visit us on Twitter at @RedCross.

KJets

#11 Photography : Pregnancy Announcement

In August, I had the privilege of being the photographer for my older brother and his wife for their pregnancy announcement photos!  

I love those smiles!

Being a bit of a Pinterest junkie, I had a lot of fun sharing and discussing ideas of poses and shots. There's such a fun, never-ending supply of portrait ideas on there. They already had most of their ideas set though, and I hope I was able to help them capture what they wanted!

I, personally, have a bit of a soft spot for baby shoes, and may have gone a bit overboard in getting baby shoe photos 8-o 

This was my first attempt to do something with photography for a project other than just personal enjoyment, and I had a blast! I would love to do more photography like this, especially if I had better editing software than the automatically loaded Microsoft photo program (if y'all have a free/inexpensive editing program that you love using on your computer, let me know in the comments! I'd love to get some ideas!).

Story time!

I am overjoyed for these two! They've been working towards this for a while, and it's so beautiful to see them achieving this dream of theirs. I can't wait to be an aunt and... have a legitimate excuse to buy *all* of the baby shoes ;-) 

"Behind the scenes," before we went inside (there's a baby!! yay!) 

KJets

July Review (Month 7 of Quests)

July 2016 Questing Report

Quests Completed

Eek!  None this month :-o

Quests-in-Progress

Quest # 1: Biographies

I didn't complete a biography this month (that was disappointing... I got halfway through though and plan to finish it in August). I did, however, read an idea-inspiring book on how to start your own business, "The $100 Startup" by Chris Guillebeau (click the link to check out this, as well as his other books).  I plan to pay off car and school loans before I start on my big, dream jobs/businesses. But, this book inspired me to think more about potential "side hustle" ideas.
On a side note: Chris Guillebeau's website/blog is great for those who like to travel and live full on less.

Quest # 3: Tithing

Although I have been wanting to put money toward a cause to help with civil rights in the country,  it wasn't until I saw that the KKK was doing some of their own marketing in my State that I decided for sure I would donate to Black Lives Matter.  Because,  frankly, they do matter,  and the way many of us behave now - automatically and often unintentionally -  indicates that deep down in our culture,  we somehow feel like they matter less. Here in the South (because I can't speak for elsewhere) I feel like racial inequality is a problem often overlooked by white people until someone of color points out the injustice,  and then they are labeled as whiny and ungrateful (at best). I've heard more than once here that "they should stop complaining so much! Life here is way better for then then in many parts of the world."  I'm not going to say there isn't some truth to that. But,  as a woman - who also happens to hear that line a lot in reference to women - I get sick of that comeback.  I *am* grateful that I live in a country that allows for more equality than many others. But,  no,  that does not mean we sit back and rest on our laurels now,  y'all.  There is always room for improvement,  and we can be so much better than we are now.  So,  I do support the Black Lives Matter movement,  because they do.

Quest #5: Performance

Grandfather Mountain Highland Games (GMHG)  is the largest Highland Games/Scottish Festival in North Carolina (my blog post about it here).  It's held on Grandfather Mountain,  in the beautiful western North Carolina. Although it was roasting down in the Piedmont,  the weather on the mountain was a heavenly low-80's with a cool breeze.  If you've never been to a Highland game festival,  I recommend checking one out. The bagpipes and men in kilts alone are worth the ticket money.

Quest #27: Family

My younger brother and I did a road trip up to the mountains again,  to pick up some furniture and to help him and some other friends move. He's a good road tripping buddy! 

Coming up next:

Quest # 1: Biographies

Finish my July Biography, Michelle Obama: A Life by Peter Slevin.

and... continue with ongoing Quests!

KJets

#13 Garden

August Update: Although waaaaaaaay smaller than I was originally intending, I have created a little herb and veggie garden for myself on the back deck. I have successfully *not killed* at least half of the plants. So, I consider this a win for this year -_^

The herb garden started off as mint, basil, and sage, but when the sage died I tried lavender (which then, also perished). I now have mint (top) and thyme (bottom). I'm learning that, for now, I need to keep trying until I find a plant I can really jive with. Like, some plants take way too much care that I can't give them, and others are resilient enough to survive my negligence (I'm getting better! I've started getting into more of a routine for watering and checking on them. Everything takes practice, right? -_^). The basil has been revived more than a few times. I keep forgetting to water it on these sunny, summer days. I am pretty impressed with the plants that have survived.

My veggies have been peas and tomatoes. My pea plant got root rot, but did not officially bite the dust until after it produced its first pea pod. So, I count that as a partial success with a learnable moment: make sure that you put rocks at the bottom of the pot before putting in potting soil; the drainage is apparently absolutely necessary for plant health. My tomato plants were grown from organic seeds, and have been really flourishing, with very little assistance from me. Somehow it keeps getting caterpillars though... not sure how that happens on a screened-in porch. I have had several cherry tomatoes at this point, and have a couple more maturing now. Not necessarily a bountiful harvest, but it's been more than I've ever been able to cultivate in the past. Huzzah for progress!

KJets

#5 : Performance - Samantha Fish, blues singer

On July 29th, I met up with friends to eat food truck foods and enjoy the music of a local blues performer, Samantha Fish, at the Durham Central Park.

Our evening ended with drinks at the rooftop bar of the the historic hotel The Durham. It was pretty swanky! 

KJets

#5 and #6: Performance and Exhibit "Destination Dix" festival

On July 23rd, Raleigh put on the Destination Dix festival at the newly acquired Dorothea Dix Hospital grounds - now the "Dorothea Dix Park." 

'twas a hot and sunny day...

The hospital used to be owned by the state and was a hospital for patients with mental illnesses. It is now (well, as of July 2015) owned by the City of Raleigh. The buildings are used now as the headquarters for the Department of Health and Human Services, and the rest of those 308 acres are being transitioned into being a "destination park." 

It was so hot, the hot air balloon had trouble lifting off. The temperature of the air inside the balloon was too similar to the temperature outside (lack of differential? Wasn't sure if that was the right word choice, but if it is... yay!) . :-o No rides for us! T-T

The balloon was pretty on the inside!

I'm assuming that means they want to put on more festivals and events here in the future, which I'm cool with (although, from what I understand, the patients who used to be here are now located outside of Raleigh, sort of out in the countryside. I'm not sure if that's so great, but I'm sure it's cheaper for the taxpayers? Must be hard to visit family now though...). 

The bubble pool! This is near the end of the day, but it was overflowing the bubbles earlier.

Gypsy Jule is a local vendor with awesome stuff! If you get a chance, check out their wares!

Potato Bombs from Stuft, a food truck specializing in baked potatoes. These were sinfully delicious! While my taste buds were being serenaded by a beautiful orchestra of flavors, my ears were buzzing with joyful tunes from a fun, folky, local band, Bombadil. 

Despite some recent laws by the current Governor, Pat McCrory, there are many in NC who are supportive of equal rights here. I love seeing positive art like this in my city!

KJets