Lighthouse at Duluth Harbor MN
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Reflections on the meaning of Memorial Day

For me, the long weekend for Memorial Day will always symbolize the onset of summer. It is a time when everyone packs up their cars and heads to the cabin “up north” or visits one of Minnesota’s numerous state parks or lakes. It represents freedom in more ways than one. The freedom of summer and of course the freedom that we are so lucky to have living in this country. A freedom that so many brave souls have fought for and died for.

My grandfather, father and two uncles were both in the US Navy. For my dad, it was a life-changing experience. At the tender age of 19, he set sail and saw the world. He told me that he will never forget the time the ship pulled into a harbor in Italy. It was the early ’60s and his young eyes had never left the United States before. He noticed that there was a large mob of Italians waiting for the ship to pull into port. Was it a welcome? he thought surprised.

Slowly the ship moored and once it was fully secure, the desperately awaiting crowd did something that stunned my dad. They ate. What on earth are they doing? my father asked an older, more experienced shipmate. Eating dinner he replied with a deep, shameful look in his eyes. The locals were so hungry that they feasted off the ships garbage for their meal. It was that moment in which my dad realized how truly fortunate he was, and moment that would be passed on to his children over the years.

His three year service in the Navy began a life long passion of travel and seeing the world. A passion that passed on to me and has never left my soul.

Lighthouse at Duluth Harbor MN

A holiday weekend away from home, along the North Shore of Lake Superior got me thinking. What does Memorial Day truly mean? And what does it mean to me?

Minnesota TRAVEL TRAVEL BY REGION United States
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Gifts that give back: 1000 Shillings

This post is in response to the work I’m doing on behalf of Global Team of 200. 1000 Shillings has provided us with the content and images below that are used in this post. For more information on 1000 Shillings, please click here. 

Screen Shot 2012-12-07 at 2.25.22 PM1000 Shillings is a Uganda-based organization that helps impoverished mothers earn a living through their small business by selling limited-edition paper bead jewelry. The unique name for the company is quite symbolic as it is the amount of money that they average woman in the Namatala slum lives on per day – approximately 1,000 Ugandan Shillings ($.40).

Gifts that Give Back Global Non-Profit Organizations and Social Good Enterprises SOCIAL GOOD
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A small town celebration of the Fourth of July

Happy Fourth of July all fellow Americans! Today is a day of celebration, family, watermelon, picnics, brats on the grill, parades and fireworks. Nothing could be better than spending it in small town America located in the heart of Minnesota’s northern lakes. My husband and kids even saw a bald eagle fly right over their head this morning as they were walking to our car. I can’t think of a more symbolic way to start off the day.

Minnesota TRAVEL BY REGION
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The Meaning of Mom

“A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine desert us; when trouble thickens around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.”  – Washington Irving

For this year’s Mother’s Day,  I decided to forego the flowers and use my voice as a gift for my mom.  I wanted to write her a letter to tell her what she means to me.  How much she has impacted my life and how much I love her.

Where do I even begin?  The task is arduous and complex.  There is no simple place to start.  It’s been 40.5 long years since she has been my mom.  How could I possibly due her justice in one simple post?  It isn’t possible.  But I’ll try my best.

CULTURE
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A slice of Semana Santa

The week of Semana Santa (“Holy Week”) is considered the most important cultural and religious event in all of Guatemala.  Semana Santa has a long, rich history, which began over 400 years ago as Catholicism spread throughout Guatemala due to the Spanish Conquistadors.  Today, Semana Santa can be viewed throughout all of Guatemala, however, there is no city more important during this sacred week than Antigua. It can be argued that Antigua has perhaps the largest, most traditional and famous Holy Weeks in the world.  Thousands of tourists flock to Antigua during Semana Santa to witness the spectacular religious processions, alfombras (“carpets”), fabulous floats and vigils.  It is said to be an experience of a lifetime.

Unfortunately my trip was timed a month too early.  The height of Semana Santa happens the week before Easter.  However, little did I know that smaller scale celebrations start on Ash Wednesday at the beginning of Lent.  Thus during my short stay in Antigua I was able to capture a glance at the magic and sensational beauty of Semana Santa.

Above is a glimpse of a spectacular Alfombra.  Alfombras are made of sawdust or sand dyed in brilliant colors and carefully constructed as a work of art.

CULTURE Guatemala TRAVEL BY REGION