Scar Tissue That I'm Glad You Saw

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It's not a stretch to say that our bodies are a map of our lives: the stretch marks after that growth spurt in junior high, the highlights you got during last winter's doldrums, the chewed off finger nails that mean you've met someone new. These 'flaws' help mark us as the fascinating, storied people that we are, don't they?

A story: when I was living in Taiwan, I briefly entertained the idea of getting a tattoo to represent my time there. I was particularly intrigued by the huge, traditional black tattoos favored by the constantly shirtless construction workers who tore up the street outside my flat. I'm not sure that I would have ever had the guts to get something that epic and intense drilled permanently into my body, but the point became mute six months before I left. While wearing a tiny half helmet, a dress and flip flops, I crashed my scooter, ripped myself up and created several scars that I will have for the rest of my life. Who needs a tattoo to help you remember an experience when you've got a wee slash across your chin and a discolored knee?

I was initially quite unhappy with these new additions to my body: I spent a lot of time blending concealer over the inch in my chin that had been stitched closed and dabbing whitening cream over the oddly darkened road-rash scar. But eventually, I came to see them a badges of my adventures. If I was ever feeling like a simpering wall-flower, I remembered that thread of scar tissue that crossed my chin and the fact that I was the sort of girl who was tough enough to drive fast through the streets of foreign countries. My scars remind me of who I am when I'm feeling adrift and unsure. The other ones I have?

The Mountain Biking Scar
Wait. Don't be impressed. I hate mountain biking. It's hard to go up and it's scary going down. Eff that. I actually got this scar because I saw a baby horse in a field next to the bike trail, got off my bike to go talk to him and then fell into a bunch of thistles. The baby horse did not care. Jerk.

The 'Cigarette Burn' Scar
This scar is not actually a cigarette burn. It's actually the scar from getting a large mole removed. A mole that people constantly mistook for a wood tick. Hawt. Inexplicably, during college I took to telling people that this scar was from someone accidentally burning me with a cigarette at a party. So which is lamer? A woodtick-esque mole or a totally trashy cigarette scar? You be the judge.

The Former Piercing Scars
Didn't we all pierce our belly buttons and noses at some point? Because they are the cutest and least painful? Like every other girl who ever liked Gwen Stefani or tried to rock man-pants, I at one point pierced my belly button and my nose. The belly button piercing met a bad end when I attempted to rock a belly chain, and then accidentally pulled out said chain when I went to pull up my sagging man pants. The nose ring was met with raised eyebrows from my first 'real' boss, so it became weekend-only wear and then, eventually, never-wear.

These scars remind me of the camaraderie I felt with my friend as we stood in the vault of the hair salon where we worked, working up the nerve to pull the trigger on the peircing gun. We swore each other to secrecy and dabbed each other's bellies with rubbing alcohol. We were like blood brothers. Except we had studs in our tummies.

What are the stories behind your scars? How do you feel about them?

30 New Things: Read Harry Potter

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Guys, it's over. I am 100%, well and truly gone on this book. Want to hang out this weekend? Well, too bad because I'm very busy lounging around in my underwear, eating popsicles and engaging in compulsive page-turning.

Now, as we've established, I can be something of a book snob. It took some heavy duty convincing to get me to try Twilight and I don't think I will ever crack that pages of The Da Vinci Code, but this book? I think it just might live up to the hype. There. I said it.

Usually my book choices run towards slightly heartbreaking lady literature, Tim Winton, Joyce Carol Oates, Michael Ondaatji and the like. And while all of the above are fantastic, there is little magic or joy to be had in stories of familial tragedy or burnt spies. Enter Harry Potter! So lovely! So fun! So.damn.engaging. It seems ridiculous to call a book about wizards 'magical' and 'enchanting,' but it truly, truly is. It makes you feel about reading the way you did when you were nine and you finally got your very own library card. The delicously weird names! The every flavor beans! The people who won't stay in their pictures! It's just all too clever for words.

I have not even finished the first book yet, but am completely committed to reading every last one of these books, to be followed by watching ever last one of these movies. Possibly to be followed by purchasing a striped scarf.

Have you read Harry Potter? Are you a Potter zealot?

The Wind Finds a New Job

How cute is this ad?! Wellington, I know you feel me on this one.

Are you ready?

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If You Could Not Fail

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Now, I am not someone who generally expects to fail (witness my totally unfounded belief that I am destined for cycling greatness) but my reckless enthusiasm is often tempered by a big dose of "Let's be realistic now." Visions of night-club siren-songing get watered down into karaoke nights and book-writing becomes blog-writing. I'll give myself a tiny pat on the back for at least heading in the right direction, but I sometimes wonder what would I attempt to do if I knew I couldn't fail?

So many things, friends! Like:

The aforementioned night club singing - all cooing and Jessica Rabbit-ish.

Writing a book. Or books! Wild, ridiculous children's' books, full of outlandish pictures! And funny travel books that give Bill Bryson a run for his money!

Becoming a tap dancing fiend. I'm not sure where my tap dancing success would take me, but I'm sure it would be full of glittery jazz pants and seamed stockings.

Giving up the 9-5. I love my job. I do. But I would love to be one of those people who cobbles together a decent living through a bunch of free lance work and general fabulousness.

As I type these fantasies up, I can't help but think "Why am I not making these things happen? Why am I sitting on my haunches, settling for the watered down version of my dreams?" It's go time, kiddos. What would you attempt to do if you knew you couldn't fail?

How to Get a Good Job Teaching ESL

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Dear Sarah Von,

I'm just starting out with teaching ESL and I was hoping to pick your brain a bit about it! I know lots of people just teach as a way to travel for a year, but I am hoping to make it into my career, like, for real. The job you have now sounds amazing, and I was wondering if you had any words of wisdom about how to find such a job in the US (I hadn't had much luck with full-time ESL jobs here), and what to look for in potential gigs abroad. How did you find the places you taught? Any thoughts on separating the good online job postings from the bad? Anything else ESL or otherwise related you are dying to impart to the first person that asks!?

I'd be happy to share my two kernels of knowledge! I feel incredibly lucky to have found a job that I genuinely enjoy (most days) and allows me to live almost anywhere I please. Here are a few of the things that I've learned after five years and five countries worth of teaching.

Finding an ESL Teaching Job Abroad

When it comes to finding a job, you really have two options, lining something up ahead of time or going to your country of choice and finding something once you get there. Both options have their pros and cons. Lining something up ahead of time could mean free airfare, training, being met at the airport and job security. It can also mean being stuck in a job or town that you're not too keen on. Finding something once you get there may equal higher pay, better benefits and a working environment that fits you. But it also means all the normal stress of finding a job - but in a foreign, non-English speaking city. Wicked stressful, yo.

If this is your first time traveling in a non-English speaking country or teaching ESL, I would probably recommend trying to get something lined up before you go. Do some really in-depth research on your potential employers - check out expat online message boards and see what they have to say about the company and ask your school if you could chat with a few of their current employees. English school vary hugely so it's really important to find one that's right for you. There are approximately a gajillion ESL-job sites online; some of the best are esljobs.com, eslemployment.com and Dave's ESL cafe.

At Home

Finding ESL jobs in an English-speaking country is understandably a bit harder than when you're abroad, but it's not impossible. You just need the right qualifications and need to know where to look.

Required qualifications vary a lot depending on who and where you are teaching. Private language schools in areas with a population of wealthy ESL students will only require a B.A. and teaching experience. You can find schools like this in Sydney, London or New York. However, if you're teaching in the public school system, at a university or at a non-profit you'll probably need some sort of qualification - a teaching certificate, a TEFL or CELTA, or even an M.A. in TESOL.

To target your job search, you should know that there are three main areas of ESL: private English schools, adult basic education for refugees and immigrants and teaching in the public school system. The latter two are probably the easiest to find jobs in.

Private English Schools are usually found in large, cosmopolitan cities. The students here are often wealthy, young and attend these schools as part of a gap year or to improve their English enough to gain acceptance into an American university. The pay at these schools is decent, but there is often little job security and you can be laid off if student numbers drop too low. The atmosphere at these schools is pretty laid back and the students are often quite fun, if not always particularly motivated, because they are essentially on vacation. You can find these many of these schools in Seattle, San Francisco, L.A., New York and Miami.

I currently work in Adult Basic Education for refugees and immigrants. Many countries offer support to refugees if they make steps towards integrating into their new culture - steps like job training or English classes. There is a bit more job security in these jobs because the schools are government funded and the students' food stamps and subsidized housing are tied to their class attendance. The students are also incredibly motivated, respectful and thankful for all the help you give them, which is not always a common dynamic between students and teachers. The work can be a bit emotionally draining when you hear about the lives your students lead before they left their countries and the learning can be slow going as many refugees have never attended school before. You can find these jobs in any city with a sizable refugee or immigrant population; I would imagine there are heaps in Texas, California, New Mexico and Arizona.

It's also possible to teach ESL in the public school system, though you'll need a teaching certificate. These jobs are a bit harder to come by because most schools only need one or two ESL teachers for the entire student population. Also, children learn English so quickly, many school systems don't even bother with ESL specialists for primary aged children. Six and seven year-olds can often become completely fluent in one school year, just from being immersed in English. However, these jobs do come with the other perks of public school teaching - three months off and tenure, so if you can find one (and keep it) you've gotten lucky.

Anybody else out there taught ESL? Any other advice for our teacher friend?

In Praise of Popsicles

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To say that I am completely obsessed with popsicles would be something of an understatement. I recently considered buying a second set of popsicle molds because apparently, I need to have sixteen popsicles on hand at all times. Because you never know when a sweaty kickball team is going to pound on your door, demanding the rest of those strawberry/rhubarb 'sicles you made last week. It's a concern, guys.

Popsicles are fantastic for many a reason. They're doable for even the most culinarily challenged, they're cheap to make and you can eat multiples without feeling tooooo guilty. But let's not limit ourselves to freezing orange juice and calling that a popsicle. We're better than that, right?

Fruity

Strawberry Rhubarb
Chop up some rhubarb and boil it with a bit of water and plenty of sugar until it's delicious and mushy. Add some smashed strawberries, pour into the molds and thank me later.

Cherry Lime
Mash up some cherries and top with some nice, high-quality limeade.

Peach Blueberry
Stuff some of those tiny, flavorful organic blueberries into the bottom of your popsicle mold and cover with pureed peaches. Yummo!

Watermelon and White Grape
Puree a bit of watermelon with some white grape juice. Maybe even sparkling grape juice if you're feeling kicky, you rogue, you!

Nectarine Sun Tea
Brew an extra-strong jug of sun tea and pour on top of thin slices of nectarine. Super fancy.

Creamy

Coffee Pops
Using either vanilla or chocolate pudding, use your left over espresso to mix up a batch of coffee-flavored, creamy goodness.

Caramel Creme
Drizzle a bit of caramel ice cream topping into the bottom of your popsicle molds and top with vanilla pudding.

Greek Cherry
In the blender, whip together a hand full of de-pitted dark cherries and some greek yogurt. Transfer to molds and eat while wearing a toga.

Oreo Cheesecake
Sure, it sounds unhealthy and decadent, but I'm pretty sure once you put something in the freezer and put a stick in it, the calories are cut in two.

Coconut Cream
In the event that you're like me and have to fight the urge to eat that coconut-scented sunscreen.

Naughty
Did you know that you actually can freeze alcohol, if it's a relatively low proof? If possible, turn your freezer up as high as it will go for these and stick them in the back corner, away from the door.

Sangria
wine plus rum plus pineapple equals fantastic!

Margarita
Not only are these refreshing and delicious, you could make them ahead of time for a party, so you don't spend hours hovering over the blender.

Mimo-sicles
Orange juice and your favorite cheap champagne. This would be a great way to use up all those half-bottles of champagne that accompany most graduation parties and wedding receptions.

Cranberry Reisling
This super sweet wine would pair nicely with some tart cranberry juice. And super pretty!

Shandy-sicles
How good would lemonade and beer taste in popsicle form on a hot day? Answer: incredible.

What's your favorite popsicle flavor?

30 New Things: Take a Belly Dancing Class

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I like to think I can dance. Really, it is probably more accurate to say that I'm not afraid of trying to dance. Or perhaps that I'm not afraid of moving my body in an enthusiastic manner. In any case, I'm pretty constantly shimmying around my apartment/fake tap dancing/singing karaoke with jazz hands. So obviously one of my 30 New Things had to be dance related. And have you ever seen the music video for La Turtura? If you are not moved by the sight Shakira humping her way down a table using only her pelvis, you are dead inside, my friend.

So I signed up for a community ed belly dancing class hoping to someday give Shakira a run for her money. Or at least find some new dance moves to embarrass myself with. The teacher of the class did not disappoint - all tiny and sexy and be-eyelinered. Until she opened her mouth and rocked one of the sharpest Minnesota accents this side of Fargo. But one cannot judge a dancer by her accent, eh?

We spent the majority of class flexing and releasing muscles I hadn't known existed (like the one under your ribs?) which doesn't sound particularly sexy but when put all together the result is hip-swivelingly good. The trick seems to be isolating the moving, swiveling bits from the rest, so you can do those impressive chest pops or pelvic figure-eights while maintaining steamy eye contact with some exotic sheik who wants to trade five camels for you.

All in all, it was wicked fun and a pretty decent workout as well. I look forward to bringing out these moves at the next house party I attend. I'll be the girl trying to inch her way across the floor using only her pelvis.

Have you ever tried belly dancing? Would you?

Idea Thief: Fashion Edition

I like to think that I can be an innovative dresser (what's up, leg warmers made from sweater sleeves?!) but lately I've been rocking something of a uniform: button-up shirts with puffy sleeves, chunky ethnic necklaces, wide-legged be-cuffed pants, ballet flats. It's cute enough, but how many pairs of brown ballet flats does a girl really need? Four pairs, apparently.

Annnnnyyway. I turned to my BFF, The Internetz for a bit of wardrobe inspiration and look at all good stuff I found! These ladies are remixing wardrobe staples in new ways that I, personally, am going to immediately copy. Ideas worth stealing!

Bright tights paired with matching shoes

make for a more exciting outfit, no?

Look at that lovely bit of plaid peeking out

between her boots and jeans! What a lovely detail.

I love this outfit because a) we've established I

want to dress like a Russian all the time b) how

clever are layered skirts!?

Rain boots! When it's not raining! Too cute.

What's innovative here? I'm not sure.
But I'm pretty sure this cutie should be my friend.


I love the idea of layering stripes under solid colors.

An apron as an accessory! Also, an
excellent place to hide treats and secret notes.

Who needs sunscreen when you can be
exponentially more alluring with a parasol?

(links are imbedded in photos)

What interesting things are you doing with your wardrobe these days?

30 New Things: Try Ethiopian Food

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A review in haiku form.

A cold, rainy night -

old friends, new food, seems good, right?

Sadly underspiced.

But I can look past

this to eat with my fingers.

Fingerfood trumps alllllll.

Have you ever tried Ethiopian food? Did I just get a mediocre batch?

Looking Around

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Web Time Wasters

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Because it a Friday! And it's summer! Like you're really going to accomplish anything at work.

My girl Winona makes an excellent argument in favor of every one's favorite early 90's hairstyle.

How cute are these sweaters? And I bet you could make your own if you're handy with an embroidery needle.

Because I love a) things that are sparkly b) weird things hanging from the ceiling: ship chandeliers!

Spread love where ever you go with this guerilla love kit. Too.damn.cute.

Fantastic drug-store makeup finds for under $8. Wouldn't it be great it everything that made us feel beautiful cost this little?

Fascinating! Gorgeous houses in terrible locations. I love the historical farmhouse that has a train running through the back yard!

An adorable idea for any upcoming birthday or anniversary - a catalog of love.

You wouldn't think that a bullet casing and gemstones would go together so well. And yet....

I love every.single.one of cmykboom's inspiration machines. Really, all of them!

Apparently, I'm not the only one who wants to reinterpret Disney princesses for the modern day.

On the reality of rock/paper/scissors. And how, exactly, paper beats anything.

Oh, this video is going to get you. Street performers around the world singing Stand by Me. Tear!

Have a great weekend!

How To Look Good In Travel Photos

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Dear Sarah Von,
I am heading to El Salvador this month to rebuild houses, so glamorous travel is not the issue, but I am wondering if you have any basic tips from your travels on keeping me from looking frightening in every picture? I am hoping to keep my toiletries to a minimum given where I will be living but I would like to maintain some semblance of myself, even when my full routine isn't quite practical.

A girl after my own heart! When I headed out on my world ticket, I was vainly aware that the photos I would be taking on this trip would be photos I would be showing for the rest of my life. You only get to Angkor Wat so many times in your life, you don't want to look all dumpy and blotchy standing in front of those Buddhas! Now, I certainly don't look great in every travel photo I'm in, but here are the things that work for me:

A low-key makeup regimen
May I point you in the direction of my post on The Traveling Fashionista's Makeup Bag? Really, just take your daily make-up routine and dial it down a few notches - tinted lip balm instead of lipstick, tinted moisturizer with SPF instead of foundation. If you're really concerned, you could even get your eyebrows and eyelashes tinted before you left so you wouldn't have to bother with mascara and eyebrow pencil.

The Power of Headgear
Traveling (and house-building) often result in less than fantastic hair. Just cover that business up! But not with a baseball cap (what's up, ugly American?) or those all-purpose neck/headband things. I'd go for a cute bandanna, a silky scarf or even a fabric headband. And there are heaps of cute, out-of-your-face hairstyles to be had. Like the side braid, the messy chignon and may I shamelessly plug my own faux-mo?

Find a photo pose that works for you

If you want to take vanity and anal-retentiveness to a whole new level, like I pretty regularly do, find a few photo poses that work for you. It pains me to admit that I have perfected this art, resulting in photos that look damn flattering, though oddly similar. In the event that you're dying to know, my photo pose of choice usually includes some angling of the face (makes your jawline look better), tilting my head down a bit (because then you can look up through your lashes like a Disney princess), and smiling in a way that creates a dimple. Good lord, can we pretend that I didn't just tell you all this?

Know good lighting when you see it

Of course, you can't always plan your visit to the Leaning Tower of Pisa to coincide with that flattering afternoon light, but nobody looks great in overly bright, mid-day sun or all washed out by a flash. If you know enough about your camera, you can change the settings to counteract this. Or you can just load up on photos when the sun's at a more flattering angle. And really, it can make a huge difference. This is one of my all-time favorite pictures - all that good light totally cancels out my total lack of makeup or clean hair!

When all else fails, photo shop

For real guys. Sometimes the only clean stuff you have to wear to the Eiffel Tower is that awful U of M t-shirt with the gopher and your mesh track pants. It happens. Or maybe you just happened to break out the day before you got to Venice. Don't delete those photos! Both picnik and picassa are free to download and can remove red eye, unfortunate t-shirt graphics and that weird guys standing behind you.

How do you ensure you like the hottie you are in photos?
Got the travel bug?  Check out my ebooks and podcasts on making long-term travel a reality!  Only $15 forpetessake!

Because I Actually WANT to Live Under a Rock

Ever since the days of blanket forts and tree houses, I have longed to live in something slightly more ridiculous and magical than a boring old apartment. These buildings? Built specifically for people to live in? Laaaaaammmmmeeee. Let's talk about converting non-traditional spaces into homes!

via KGW.com

Converted Train Car
My love for this converted box car is three fold. Because a) I love tiny, tiny spaces b) I could fulfill my fantasy of train hopping without risking my limbs and skincare regimen c) I want to be Maude of Harold and Maude when I grow up. And it's gorgeous, right? All those clean lines and blond wood!

via unodesign

Converted Church

I'm not sure what the awesome to creepy ratio would be on living in a converted church (what's up fifty years worth of funerals?!) but I think I could get past that if it meant I could have ceilings and windows like these. Also: How much do you love that crazy paper 'chandelier'?!

via Apartment Therapy

Converted Bus

Even if they didn't live in a converted bus, I'd want to be friends with this adorable couple. Not only are they driving across the country teaching people about sustainable living, they've converted their bus into the most adorable home on wheels. I'm particularly impressed that they managed to make it feel cozy without feeling cluttered. Because that is the eternal struggle, no?

via Apartment Therapy

Converted Cave

How amazing would it be to live in an actual cave?! Then you'll have a totally valid excuse for not knowing who won American Idol. This magical home is located 45 feet beneath a lush forest in eastern Missouri and even boasts a goldfish pond fed by a natural spring. As if that wasn't fantastic enough, the inner part of the cave is a 1950 rollerskating rink where the kids can skateboard!

Would you ever live in a non-traditional home?

30 New Things: Ride the Munger Trail

Do you guys ever have a sneaking suspicion that you would be really good at something? That lurking deep inside you is a natural talent for belly dancing/pizza dough throwing/foreign languages? I've long harbored a belief that I would be a great long distance cyclist. Of course, this belief is based on absolutely nothing. Prior to this trip, I'd never ridden a bike a) with a cross bar b) with drop-style handlebars c) further than 6 miles. But I had this inkling that I was going to be great.

My fantastic friend KT (who has actually ridden further than 6 miles before) joyfully agreed to ride The Munger Trail with me last weekend. And, oh, but it was an adventure!

Saturday
11:13 am Arrive in Hinkley and discover that we have inadvertently chosen to ride the trail the same weekend at 3,000 other people who are taking part in the MS bikeathon. Sah-weet.

11:20 Try to drown our frustrations in small town diner fare. I am allowed my biannual serving of chicken strips (I'm a vegetarian) with a large side of pie and one giant coffee. To the tune of $8.00. I love you, rural Minnesota.

12:13 At the car, loading up our bike packs, discover that I have forgotten the poles to the tent. Clearly, I am awesome.

12:30 We start on the trail, biking against the flow of 3,000 charity cyclists. We spend a the majority of the trip yelling "bike up. Bike up! BIKE UP!" and driving into the grass to avoid crashing. Also: we check out lots of super cute cyclist dudes.

2:45 Discover that we are actually biking into a storm. The bikeathon volunteers in Finlayson mention "golf-ball sized hail." So we do what all long-distance cyclists should do when confronted with this situation. Find the nearest bar.

2:50 Find bar, which features a freshly broken window and a lot of yelling. Promptly try to find the nearest VFW.

2:55 Ask a little blond girl if there's just the one bar in town. She says "Uhhh, I don't know. And I don't want to know. Because I'm 10." Touche, my young friend. Decide to wait out the storm in a diner with more cups of $1 coffee.

4:07 Fight the urge to ride back, drive to Duluth and get a hotel room. We are going to ride in the rain, because we are HARD CORE! I put on all the clothes I have with me, which results in a look that is part ninja, part flying monkey. I am hawt.

5:15 Stop for hot chocolate and food in Willow River. Decide that nothing is going to fuel me as well as fried cheese.

7:20 Roll into Moose Lake and decide that we will sleep on picnic tables, in a band shell, next to the lake. I am genuinely excited about this.

9:00 After eating dinner in a cafe featuring no less than 7 (seven!) taxidermied animals, we head to the local cinema for a $6 showing of Night at the Museum. KT and I are in stitches over everything Hank Azaria says. Apparently we are the only ones.

11:17 Attempt to fall asleep on my picnic table, to the sounds of teenage boys skinny dipping. Oddly enough, I don't sleep very well.

Sunday

8:07 am Eat my breakfast of granola bars and strawberries on the dock and am thrilled with this adventure. Think: "Be happy in the moment. This moment is your life."

9:30 Get coffee at a local cafe where someone calls us "God Damn Hippies." We laugh in confirmation that we are, in fact, god damn hippies.

10:11 Back on the trail, I can no longer feel my bum. Unless I stand up on my peddles, then the pain is so overwhelming, I whimper. I wonder where I can buy one of those donut butt pillows.

2:30 Accidentally run over a chipmunk and feel awfulawfulawful. Wonder if this is somehow connected to eating the chicken strips yesterday. Am I in trouble with the animal gods?

4:15 88 miles later, we are back at the car. I am dirty, tired and not sure that I will ever be able to sit again. I am also so, so proud of myself. I'm not sure that I am a total natural at this, but it's definitely something I'll be doing again.

In the Movie of Your Life ...

Someday, someone may make a movie about your life.
Make sure it doesn't go straight to video.

Let's give ourselves over to some unadulterated daydreaming, shall we? That artsy, yet commercially successful director (you know the one) finally tears himself away from that ridiculous vampire script and realizes that your story story is the one that's begging to be filmed! Your life is nothing short of Oscar worthy!

Would your movie be a classic love story? An action adventure? An 80s comedy set in the suburbs? And, most importantly, who would play you?

I would like, very much, to believe that Sandra Bullock would be cast in the part of me. But let's keep it real. They would probably have to travel back in time and cast a twenty-something Halley Mills. Because the resemblance, it pains me to admit, is undeniable.

But! We will overcome the casting of a sixties has-been because this film? It'll be directed by Wes Anderson. Everything will be shot in saturated colors, filmed in exotic locations and set to obscure classic rock. There will be magic, there will be dry humor, there will be Wilson brothers.

If I condensed the last five years of my life into a movie-worthy plot, the dvd jacket would read like this:

"On a classic quest to find herself, Sarah Von leaves behind her small-town life in rural Minnesota to seek her fortune in the great unknown. She moves to Asia where she dates a series of unsuitable men, teaches five year olds and dances with firecrackers. After three years of travel she is attempts, with some success, a return to normality with graduate school and a stable relationship. But when her relationship falls apart, she is left wondering where she belongs and with whom."

Ooooh, that sounds rather melancholy doesn't it? But I promise you, it would end with a shot of me walking into a crowded airport, all confident and self-possessed, with a compass in one hand a plan in the other. And it would be quirky! And full of Lost in translation-esque humor! Like the time I accidentally threw trash into a ceremonial urn in Taiwan. Or the time I dated a 22 year old Australian surfer with an adjective for a name. Or the time I inadvertently ate congealed duck blood.

What's the movie of your life?

Why Wait?

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A Winner!

Erin Walker! You won the Yes and Yes Peru giveaway! In a few days one wooly hat, a chunky necklace and some weird little charms will be winging their way to your home. Please email me your address.

Coincidentally, Erin would have named her pet llama Cusco. Adorable!

Ideas I Will Now Procede To Steal

As you guys may know, I'm knee deep in paint and spackle and craigslist furniture in an effort to turn my diamond-in-the-rough apartment into the sparkler that I know she wants to be. I've been trolling the design blogs, searching high and low for a bit o' inspiration. Here's what's floating my boat!

Chalkboard doors! So lovely and whimsical!

And more importantly - great for list making.

Piling my oodles of bangles onto something delightful

and appropriately weird. Why didn't I think of this before?

It's awesome because it's like a library and a shoe store all at once!

Is this what heaven is like?

Tiny little biospheres! Wouldn't this be even better

if there was a wee plastic DINOSAUR IN THERE?!

I love the idea of tucking three dimensional objects

into arrangements of photos on the wall.

Delicate little mobiles made from

things hiding in your junk drawer.

Hanging random things from the ceiling.

I love it!

And the best design element I've seen yet?

One very giant dog.

(all photos from designsponge)

Are there any design tricks you've been aching to try?

30 New Things: Try EFT

As some of you guys may know, it has been a rough month for the good ship Yes and Yes. Two months ago, my three-year/shared home/joint checking account relationship went the way of My So-Called Life and Winona Ryder's career. And it has been hard. Exponentially harder than I ever expected it to be. In the past, I've successfully dealt with break ups by leaving the country or eating a lot of cheese. But oddly enough, neither of those medicines were healing what ails me these days.

So I decided to give EFT a try, largely because everyone's favorite blogger Gala Darling recommends it so highly. If you're not familiar with EFT, it's essentially emotional acupuncture, in which you use your fingers to tap on your meridian points while verbally addressing an issue you'd like work through and the fact that you love yourself despite this issue.

The whole thing struck me, not surprisingly, as painfully hippie dippy and embarrassing. Good lord! Tapping bits of my face while saying things like "Even though I cry all the time and I'm totally crushed, I deeply love, totally cherish and completely forgive myself"?! I was more comfortable weeping in the bathroom stall and telling my students that I had allergies than engaging in any of that tomfoolery.

But after week three of the weeping, I decided to give it a try. I did the tapping and the water drinking and crying and reciting and had a nap.

And I woke up feeling as though the sadness had been sucked out of my body. It was completely bizarre, and honestly, a bit disconcerting. I didn't want to feel as though that relationship had never happened. I didn't want to think about the time we went to the Sevens dressed as Aladdin and Jasmine and feel a huge gaping blank. I was glad not to be a wobbly, weepy mess any more, but I didn't want particularly want to be the emotional equivilent of a robot either.

The emotional blank? It didn't take. Within a few days, I was feeling a bit down again and sniffling over facebook updates. I tried another round of EFT and it helped a bit - again - but didn't hold long term. But each time I started to come down, I felt that I wasn't heading down into the dumps quite so low as before. And at this point, I'm happy with a general upward trajectory.

I'm not sure that EFT is the miracle worker that a lot of its deciples perport it to be. Or rather, it hasn't been for me at this point. That said, it has certainly helped me and I think I'll definitely add it to my list of other proven mood lifters: dancing to New Wave pop songs, eating popsicles, goal/list making and kitty snuggling.

Have you ever tried EFT? Would you?

Anthro-Fashion

My love for fashion is only slightly topped by my love of all things travel and anthropology related. So let's combine the two for a delicious treat - modern ensembles inspired by the traditional fashion of women from around the world.

Aymara
Maybe I actually stole the idea for Schmoopy Style from these ladies of the Altiplano. What could be more comfortable that a cuddly pancho and one of those cute ear-flap hats? Sleeping in public, optional.

Oromo
Saturated color, piles of accessories and natural fibers equal gorgeous, no? Did you know that Oromo boys run over the back of bulls as a right of passage? I surely didn't. And apparently, some of the women swear that soaking their hair in milk makes them even more beautiful. If such a thing is, in fact, possible.




Hmong
It's hard to argue with nearly neon colors, hand embroidery and oodles of silver jewelry isn't it? Annnnd, I have a soft spot for any culture that sings songs to call a baby's soul to earth before they name it.

Which country's fashion do you covet?

What You Give

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30 New Things: Beer/Cheese/Bacon Cupcakes

Because cupcakes of this caliber

should only be served on a silver platter.

Obviously we only used the highest

quality ingredients in these cupcakes.

Yummo.

(all photos courtesy of the lovely Jill Melom)

How would you feel if you knew that your favorite foods could be combined into a perfect storm of deliciousness? I mean, I'm still waiting for someone to develop some sort of dark chocolate/pasta/cheese dish. Nigella, I'm looking at you.

Needless to say, I was pretty damn excited when I found this recipe for Beer Cheese Cupcakes with Bacon Cheddar Frosting. Ridiculous? Yes. Possibly fantastic? YES! My girls Darcie and Jill were kind enough to drink a lot of beer and eat all the extra cheese with me as we challenged the belief that bacon doesn't play well with baked goods.

The results? Goodish. It was all a bit sweet for me and I was only able to eat one cupcake, instead of my usual five, so I'd suggest reducing the sugar in both the batter and the frosting if you're going to give these a go. But totally worth making, particularly if you want to steal the show at the next potluck you attend.

P.S. Do you know any recipes that incorporate cheese in an awesome/weird way that I need to know about?