glad we adopted a hen

chickens at blossom hill farm, originally uploaded by didihardy_72.

Thanks to Rachel.......we are the adopted parents of one of these beautiful hens (I think it's the hen who is philosophizing about the sociology of egg-making---but I could be wrong).

I am enjoying her fresh eggs each week. I love knowinng where my food is coming from and I am enjoying buying fresh produce from the Bidwell farmer's market as well.

If you are interested in adopting a chicken next year---check out BlossomHill Farms~

My Mom's story on Story Corp

Yesterday my sister Jen and I interiewed my Mom on Story Corp--an oral history project sponsored by the Coporation for Public Broadcasting. The project gathers stories of everyday people. The stories are archived into the Library of Congress and--if you have a good story---it is broadcasted on NPR.

My Mom told her story--starting with her decision to become a nun. She told of the joys she had of being a 2nd and 3rd grade teacher and her struggles with her loss of individuality. Her life choices led her to a wonderful guy (my Dad)...and then of course to motherhood.

I won't ruin the story---because we hope it will air on the radio.

Thanks Mom--for telling the world your story--and for being the best Mom anyone could ever ask for! We love you~

Happy Birthday Sofia

Today is my good friend Sofia's birthday. She is such a wonderful soul--full of passion for her family, friends and her research. She brightens up our lives---with her wonderful cooking--her fantastic stories and her love of life. It was so much fun to have her a part of our Moroccan adventure (above)...and I hope we can share some more travel adventures in the future!

Big hugs to you my friend Sofia.

My cutie nephew Aidan

WOW is he getting big! I remember at Christmas when Santa got him this bike...he couldn't even reach the peddles! Now...he's riding like a pro.


And...he LOVES this Guitar. I am sure he will be a rock star some day....so people, get his autograph now....

I am so happy & Lucky to be able to watch this energetic guy grow up...he's such a light in all our lives! I love you Aidy!

Highlights from Costa Rica

This was a fabulous holiday! There are so many pictures to post.
I am so grateful to Catalina and her family for hosting me....I loved the country, people, food (the fruit is SOOOO wonderful), landscape and of course...the coffee!


Catalina's family---and our adventure to a park. Check out the friend we met below!

Our trip through the mountains to the city of Jaco. Catalina's sister's in-laws allowed us to stay in their summer home for the weekend. The view from the pool took my breath away!


You can walk down to a semi-private sandy beach.


Catalina has such a wonderful family!
This is Catalina's dad's tree house! We stayed there for 2 nights. We could hear monkeys at singing to us at night!

Banana's are just growing everywhere....they taste like candy!
mmmmm. did you know how good coconuts are to drink?
This is dragon fruit. As you can see....I was in LOVE with the fruit. Below is the flower that only blooms at night.

Molek-Ramming Shower and PIg Roast

This was the best wedding shower I have been to! Thanks to Kris and Joe's family---and the Molek wine---fun was had by all :)
Check out some of the pictures.

Mike and Bill couldn't wait for their share~

Joe and his dad brought out the Molek wine!

Best Wishes Joe and Kris!

Do we look happy or what?

Their grapes are still little babies...but they are growing fast!

I was at the shower for 12 hours...and if it wasn't a Sunday night, I think we all would have stayed as long as the home-maid wine was available!

Learning compassion

Light of Infinite Compassion, originally uploaded by cyanatic.

The universe has been so kind to provide me opportunities to understand and learn about compassion.

My most recent experience has been with people's feelings.

As we travel through life we can hurt someone's feelings--and when we do, that person usually (not always) reacts. This is the opportunity for us to experience compassion.

I have learned to stop, take a deep breath and allow the other person to act out their own drama--and I have learned to not accept their drama as my own.

I have been getting better at this---but of course sometimes it is not easy. Therefore, the universe continues to provide me with opportunities to get better at this.

So I thank the universe--and those friends that provide me with light and understanding on this journey.

David Byrne goes from Talking Heads to singing buildings

I heard the coolest story on NPR about an art instalation called Playing the Building in NYC--by David Byrne. Many times I have heard my own home singing--whether it be the heat pushing through the pipes or the refrigerator starting it's temperature decent....your house can sing a song all it's own. Now you can go to NYC and make the The Battery Maritime Building sing.
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=92470122

Kris' Bachlorette Blast

This past weekend my adopted, fantastic cousin Caroline hosted Kris and I for a Bachelorette party--and SPA weekend! Oh wow...did we eat well, shop well and enjoy this oasis of a SPA in downtown Toronto.

I am so happy for Kris--she has found a really fantastic guy in Joe--and I am so happy that Caroline and I can be a part of her big moment....

This heavenly place is called Body Blitz Spa. It's so worth the money. I felt transformed after leaving the place :)

Toronto is full of trendy little hide-a-ways that only a local would know about--and not just any local---but our very cool friend/cousin Caroline~ She's is in the "in crowd" for sure.
Not only did this place have a wonderful brunch--it also has probably the best looking waiters in all of Toronto-thanks again Caroline!

This is one of the roof top terraces in Caroline's building--it's a dream space in downtown TO~

Dinner with friends~

The bridesmaids (Caroline & Di) and future bride~
Thanks Caroline for the lovely weekend.

Kudos to Jason

One of my good friends from high school--Jason Sperling (an extremely talented artist) has been involved in an organization called, Barrel of Monkeys)--this organization really makes a difference for kids in Chicago. Most importantly he has been voted Monkey of the year!


Here is more information about BOM, and how you can you can help them help others!~
"Barrel of Monkeys (BOM) is an arts education theater ensemble that works with some of the most under-served students in Chicago. BOM achieves its mission by teaching fundamental creative writing skills; providing a safe and supportive learning environment; building self-esteem and confidence in children; adapting stories written by children for the stage by professional actors; and presenting a smart, funny theatre experience."

UB is a changin'

Check out these photos! The trailers at UB are finally coming down...

I love June 26th, It's my BIRTHDAY!

I have always loved my birthday. Of course as a kid it was all about presents and a party. But now I love my birthday because it is a reminder to myself how lucky I am. I am healthy, happy--smart (heee, does almost having a Ph.D make you smart? not so sure~) and I have a rich-full life. I am so very lucky in so many ways. I have a wonderful family, friends I adore---and this little nephew, Aidan that lights up all our lives.

(One thing I don't have...the ability to say that Turkey is going to the Euro Cup final. Hopefully in 2 years we can say they are going to the World Cup final!)

Oh and most importantly, I wouldn't be here today if it wasn't for my Mom!!! Thanks Mom and Dad :)

EURO CUP2008 - GO TURKEY

EURO 08 - Vienna FanZone, Day 1, originally uploaded by webguruAT.

Today is the day......My hope is Turkey beats Croatia to move on to the next round in the Euro Cup 2008.

They have the heart and the talent....INSHULLAH..they CAN do it!
GO TURKEY!!!!!

China....

Last night I watched "Frontline" on PBS. The program was called, "Young & Restless in China" (part 1)....it was a glimpse into the Chinese economic boom and how it is effecting the everyday lives of young Chinese. I thought the show did a fabulous job of talking to those young people who are wrestling with the tensions of old Chinese ways of life, (parents pushing young women to have babies)--while trying to forge and create something new for their booming country.

check it out, you can watch a reply on the PBS website: http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/

UEFA Euro 2008-- I have EURO CUP FEVER!

UEFA Euro 2008, originally uploaded by AdreWine.

Oh wow..it's that time again to get excited about world soccer! I am enjoying the games...and totally torn over what team to root for!
I am so excited for ROMANIA!
Obviously I want them to go all the way....

THEN, I would say TURKEY! Kris and I enjoyed EURO 2000 in Turkey when they made it to the 2nd round~ I hope for them they can make it that far again.

But who do I think will win? I have my money on PORTUGAL!

Stay tuned...
(PS, those reading stateside, you can catch all the games live on ESPN.360).

Happy Birthday Dawn~

Yesterday it was Dawn's birthday! Happy Birthday Dawn!
She is such a wonderful person...she is always the first one to help others--with a big smile, hug and lots of love~
I am so very grateful she is my friend. She makes a cloudy day---sunny!
Thanks Dawn for being YOU!

Big Hugs!

Dissertation Proposal Defense

2008-06-05_1148, originally uploaded by Ramona'sFlickr.

It's official....I am going to defend my dissertation proposal on Tuesday, June 10th.

If you are reading this, I ask that you please send me positive energy on that day!

I am so very excited to start this research! More to come...
~Di

PS--Thanks to Mona who sent this cool scanned copy of the e-mail announcing my defense!

Washington DC work and fun

This past week I was in Washington, D.C. for the NAFSA conference. While I was there for work...of course I played...
And there is no better play-friend than Sofia! We enjoyed the sites and sounds of D.C. as well as wonderful food and old friends. Above is a exhibit promoting renewal energy sources and a greener world.

It was so nice to hang out with Sofia, Kia and his friend. It has been a while since we all hung out and it was a pleasure for sure.
It was one of those dinners where the conversation was so delightful and energizing. It makes me really want to move to D.C. to hang out with these cool friends!

Which one should I choose? They are both so cute!
They were cool pieces of recycled artwork outside the National Geographic building.

The National Gallery of Art hosted this fantastic exhibit, "Afghanistan:Hidden treasurers from the National Museum of Kabul." The exhibit provided treasures from the once Taliban raided Kabul Museum. The treasures date back to hundreds of years before Christ. The treasures provide keys to the stories of travel, trade and migration. The stories of how these treasures are still traveling the world is as exciting as the exhibit.