reflections on tanzania

while i was on my "blogger break" i came across this blog . this blog is about laura her life as a wife, mother and founder of an amazing project that is near and dear to my heart.

laura, started the grace project after a summer (i think) in tanzania (my new favorite place). laura reflects on tanzania: But she had made a mark on my heart and burned a desire to give in my mind that couldn't wait a year. Grace gave to me in a way that I had never experienced before. She didn't have much to hang her hat on, but she had a wealth of hospitality and was rich in the kind of faith many of us only read about. Here I was, a young, bright-eyed, college student thinking I was going to make my way to Africa and make an impact on someone, and I left there feeling overwhelmed with the impact that Africa had on me.

before you see the pictures i want to share a video with you, these are our guides singing to us after we made the summit on kilimanjaro

From Africa (Picasa)/ December 2011

i have been so lucky to have lived and experience tanzania has to offer. here are some of my favorite pictures from my trip.

state of the union...yes please

blown away from mr. presidents speech!

thank you for finally running down a list of items we have accomplished. i am so honored and beyond excited to have you leading our nation.

proud to be ameri-can!

my favorite highlights:
As long as we’re joined in common purpose...the state of our union will always be strong" -President Obama

As long as we maintain our common resolve, our journey moves forward... and the state of our union will always be strong

Our journey moves forward, our future is hopeful, and the state of our Union will always be strong." #SOTU

"This nation is great because we worked as a team, this nation is great because we get each other's backs"

crazy crazy crazy!!

sorry all, i promise to update this website soon but i am currently in the process of moving....and well i am slacking. i am moving to my own new space on the 1st!! cannot wait!!

all pictures are ideas, thank you pinterest

Source: google.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Source: potterybarn.com via Jackie on Pinterest

Source: firsthome.tumblr.com via Jackie on Pinterest

oh yeah and if only i can get one of these...

Source: petfinder.com via Jackie on Pinterest

2012 movie list

i cannot wait for this movie....tearing up right now


yes, i will be at the movies to watch this and cry. i love romantic movies

i finished reading all three hunger games...amazing simply amazing, i cant wait for this movie to come out


that is it for now happy hump day all

happy new year!

happy new year all!!

well i am finally back from my lovely, amazing, incredible, and the most amazing vacation ever!!

what did i do? i along with six other friends headed to tanzania, africa to climb a little mountain, mt. kilimanjaro...have you heard of it?

i left nyc on december 27th and came back january 14th...best time ever! i will be honest though hiking up kilimanjaro has been the hardest thing i have ever done ever. some highlights from my trip:
1. i fell into a river, the water came up to my boobs and i was drenched. did i mention this was within the first 30 minutes of a 5 hour walk. i took the fall with a smile and kept it moving.

2. i kissed a rock, seriously i did! part of walks/climbs/hikes included rock climbing. yes you heard correctly rock climbing...guys i have never ever done that and i didn't have a harness or anything. i was so scared but it was so much fun. i am totally going to look into this more.
3. first time sleeping in a tent. enough said. lol
4. we made it to the summit. this was by far the most emotional, physical and mental thing i have ever done but when you see the uhuru sign...you forget the pain and you finally catch your breath you realize to made it to the top. i completely lost it at this point. i knew that i would make it but i never thought it was going to be so hard.
5. chilling at the safari! :)



so now you know i have to get corny right? reaching the top of uhuru peak made me realize that i am the only person that can make my life what i want it to be. i came away with such an appreciation for my life, my family, friends and my career. i have a plan and now its time to put it into action.

after that amazing part of my trip we headed to zanzibar to rest up on the most amazing beach. here are some pictures for ya!

can you tell that i got some sun!! so excited!!