week without walls

Standardized tests are the pits. Our school does something neat right after them, to celebrate/relax after a week of grueling exams. It's called Week Without Walls. Each teacher teaches a week-long program and kids sign up for the ones they're interested in—things like improv, golf, graffiti, and photography. Mine is—shocker—all about thrifting, and today is day two!






Yesterday we ventured into San Francisco and thrifted in the Mission. Today was spent between two thrift shops in Hayward. The kids picked up a lot of great stuff, and I managed to get some neat finds as well! :) For many of them, it was their first time ever thrifting. They were impressed with how cheap they could get things. (I think it blew their minds. We have some converts!) Tomorrow, we'll begin the DIY stage. Kids are planning to cut, sew, bleach, and dye the heck out of their finds. At the end of the week, we have a fashion show for the school. I can't wait to begin crafting (can you believe I get paid to do this?!) and I'll be sure to post pictures of my creations. :)

throwback: tunisia, part two!

Hey guys! I have been running around lately; I can't seem to focus on any one thing. It's probably some almost-summer energy or something. My brain is definitely someplace else. I have a lot to look forward to this summer, but I'll be telling you more about that soon! ;)

throwback: carthage ruins, tunisia

This summer was Henrik's first time in Tunisia. I was incredibly excited to show Henrik where I'm from; as a dual-citizen, I am very fond of my "other home" and take great pride in my North African roots. I was able to learn a little more about my country's history as well while we explored ruins left over from the great Carthaginian Empire. I love the mix of old and new world that exists in Tunisia, and wish we had a bit more of that here. It gets tiresome, always seeing the same colossal gray buildings of concrete and the blinking billboards and signs by the highway. I think there's something to say about preserving and honoring what was.

Oh, and by the way, that beautiful lady accompanying us? That's my cousin Farah! :)

throwback: st. martin, france

Over the summer, I had the great pleasure of staying in Henrik's summer home in the south of France. St. Martin is a tiny, beautiful village complete with antique buildings and quirky characters. I had a wonderful time wandering the winding streets and meeting the folks who live there, calling out from their open doorways with a wave.