Gabby Douglas after winning the gold medal
I’m awed more by the composure and naturalness she kept throughout the competition than her performance. Yep, so much to learn from this 16-year-old.
My favorite spot in Chi-town…
People of all ages and races go crazy on the water, especially kids, any kids. They love it. Rolling on the ground like nobody’s business. Such an enjoyable scene. Their parents sit aside and watch them; some get in trying to catch them or take their pictures. The whole thing just makes you feel good and happy.
There is a wall/screen thing on each side displaying random faces of Chicagoans. Anybody’s face. Water comes off the wall, creating the “fountain” in between. Occationally, their mouths pout and create a small cascade. Then, you just watch the kids lining up underneath it, laughing.
At night, the screens light up in different colors. Time to get wet!
Yep, I’m moving to Portland, Oregon!
Got a Girl Crush On: Emily Finch, mother of 6 with no car and 1 incredible bike
Call her crazy. Call her a Portland stereotype—although she claims she doesn’t do it to save the world—“I cancel out my bike riding every day with all the other terrible things I do,” she admits. “I don’t compost, I stink at vegetable gardening”.
But, Emily (34) traded in her SUV for a bakfiets (a traditional Dutch cargo tricycle) to haul her brood of six (ages 2 to 11).
In three years, Emily estimates she’s spent about $135 dollars maintaining her bike.
It also saves her money on exercise equipment or a gym membership. She’s lost 25 pounds since she got the bike in 2009 and says she never thought she’d get back to her pre-birth weight after having six kids. When I asked her why she doesn’t get an electric-assist system, she replied with a big smile, “Because I like chocolate!”
Talk about a POWER-FREAKIN-HOUSE!
Weeeeeee, I have one to share too!
Holy Soul’s Top 100 Soul Songs (Minus Two)
Photographer K Vlaeri :)
If only all we needed was a corn on the cob…
The second day I got my car, I went to fill up its gas for the first time. When I pulled into the gas station, I went a bit too far, so I drove forward and then reversed. I stopped, pulled my key out—the key would not come out! I turned it back, and the car would not start either! As a new drive, this is scary enough. I began to fumble the key around and realized one of the lights on my dashboard came on. I checked the user manual and found out it was the “malfunction indicator lamp”, aka “check engine light”. At first, I thought it was probably because the gas went too low. So I filled it up, hoping the problem would just go away. However, it was no use! The light was still on, and the car would still not turn on. I started to freak out. I asked a guy nearby for help, who, of course, had no idea what was going on. I pulled out the user manual again and tried to comprehend the explanations; I tried calling my friends, but nobody picked up. Thirty minutes went by. During this time, many thoughts went through my head—about how the dealer promised me this was a good car, about how he would “stand behing it” if I made the purchase, about the possibility that I have made a naive decision of trusting him… Just as I was ready to call him up for a confrontation, a simple idea came to my mind. I changed the gear from Reverse to Park. And then, guess what, everything went normal…
…
Lesson of this story: when you start to doubt humanity, take a step back, and almost always find a foolish self.
(And yes, it sucks living in the motor city and knowing nothing about cars!!!)
Marshmallow clouds (Can you see the smiley face on the top? :) (Taken with Instagram)
Bride and bridesmaid wearing traditional Hmong costume. The wedding is more about the leaders in the families than about the couple themselves to show the respect for the elderly. A family get together. Lots of hard work in preparing the big meal. The women work, and the men talk… Thanks @thao2m for inviting me. A great cultural experience! #family #tradition #ethnic #occasion (Taken with Instagram)
