happy birthday, my Majlinda!

Yesterday was Majlinda's 10th birthday! If you've been reading for a while, you know that Majlinda is one of the children that I sponsor with World Vision. She lives in Albania, near the seacoast. I have another little boy in Albania, in the same community, called Redion, and I have a little girl in South Africa called Boikokobetso. 

I can't believe that Majlinda is now ten! TEN! I've officially been sponsoring her for more than half her life, as she was just four when she came into my life. This is the most recent photo that I have of her, which I received a few weeks ago:

She's so big, especially compared with some of her early photos! I found this post from several years ago, with a photo of the doll that I sent for her birthday. She wrote back that she named the doll Alma, the Al for my name, and the Ma for hers. Isn't that the sweetest thing you've ever heard? I nearly cried when I read that. 

Majinda, I hope that you had the most wonderful day, sweet girl. 

I'm so blessed to have you in my life. 

a monogram for Majlinda!

Every little girl should know about monograms, right?

Of course!

So, it made sense to send something to Majlinda, 

the little girl I sponsor in Albania with World Vision!

I found a little wooden M (from Anthro, no less!) that was in the clearance bin for $4.99, and the chain was $2.99, I think. Perfect!

Hope she loves it!

Do you like to wear monograms?

happy five, my Majlinda!

It was five years ago today that I began sponsoring Majlinda in Albania with World Vision!

Here you can see the first ever photo I received of her, at age four, along with the most recent, age nine, from just last month. I had sent her family a gift notification, and she is standing with some of the grocery items that they were able to purchase. 

Majlinda, you have been such a blessing to me. I hope and pray that one day soon, we will be able to meet! I will give you the biggest hug, and I will probably cry, but it will be one of the best days of my life, I just know it. 

Sharing the Joy of Sponsorship | World Vision Child Ambassadors

Please take two minutes to watch this video...I feel the same way as each of these people about my sponsorship of Majlinda and Boikokobetso!

Maybe a resolution for 2011 can be to sponsor a child? I promise, you will love it and it will change your life- for the absolute best.

what are YOU doing?

Today is National Philantropy Day!

I've seen lots of posts about this on twitter, so I thought it would be appropriate to discuss. According to their website (linked above), 2010 is a very special year, as not only does it mark the 50th anniversary of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, the chief sponsor of NPD, but it’s also the 25th anniversary of this special day.

In the United States alone, there are more than 1 million charitable organizations, and Americans give more than $300 billion annually to charitable causes (Giving USA Foundation). In Canada, more than 88,000 charities provide countless services to millions of Canadians, who in turn contribute more than $10 billion annually to those organizations (Canada Revenue Agency). In Latin America and Asia, with governments no longer able to provide enough funding for social services, charitable sectors are growing rapidly and creating programs to meet the needs of their countries’ citizens. The quality of life for all people—everything from education, healthcare, the environment and the arts, to name only a few—would be far less if not for these organizations.

(italicized paragraphs come from their site)

I talk about them enough, so I'm sure you know of two of my favorite organizations-

Scarlet Threads

A a compassionate boutique, specializing in unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia.

World Vision

a Christian relief, development and advocacy organization dedicated to working with children, families and communities to overcome poverty and injustice.

It has only been recently that I've become involved with Scarlet Threads, but I just love their mission and beauty, and I'd love you to check out their site (linked above, and on the side of my blog) for more information. They have gorgeous fairtrade aprons and other gifts that are perfect for any occasion. They just came out with their new products, and see the Aubergine apron? That was my name suggestion! Time for another giveaway, perhaps?

As you know, I sponsor two little girls through World Vision. Majlinda is seven and lives in Albania and Boikokobetso is three and lives in South Africa. I've been sponsoring Boikokobetso for just over a year, but it's hard to believe some days that Majlinda has been in my life for more than three years! I just love having them both in my life, and I think about them often, sending love and prayers their way. I have a picture of them both on my desk at work too. Unfortunately, I cannot post their pictures on my blog, as WV works hard to protect their privacy, and I respect that, but trust me when I say how adorable they are!

What are your favorite charities and what are you involved with? Are you passing along the message of philantropy today?

rumbles

Hello lovelies! Hope your Valentines Day was happy and chocolate-filled. Steve took me to a restaurant in Georgetown called Sea Catch, which looks out over the C&O Canal, and, according to its website, is one of Georgetown's best-kept secrets. They had a prix fixe menu (did I spell that right?) and I lived up to my true New England roots by ordering the lobstah for each course! First was a lobstah and corn chowdah, second was a lobstah ceviche and the main was a lobstah thermidor! So, so good! For desert, it was a chocolate mousse cake. Amazing.

Other random tidbits-

• We watched Couples Retreat last night. have you seen it? Cute movie, I thought. It had some funny parts. I feel like it didn't get very good reviews when it came out, but it wasn't terrible!
• Jill over at Peeptoe, Pumps and Pearls is having a lovely giveaway that benefits Scarlett Threads, a business that specializes in "unique products designed and produced by talented seamstresses in rural Asia." Go have a look at the site- the aprons are so beautiful!
• I am hoping that my Albanian class will finally begin tomorrow. It was supposed to begin two weeks ago, but the snow canceled class both weeks. I even bought a new notebook! I totally love back to school supplies. I'm really excited about this too, I want to learn Majlinda's language!
• I bought a bottle of Firefly sweet tea vodka on my way home Friday night and mixed it with lemonade. Gosh that stuff is good!
• I really love the song "Where the Green Grass Grows" by Tim McGraw
• Last night was the premiere for The Amazing Race. This is one of my favorite shows. Miss South Carolina, a la the Iraq, is a contestant this time. I think my early favorites are the grandmother/granddaughter, the father (baseball coach)/daughter and the lesbian couple. Are you watching?
• I ordered an iphone on Friday! I used most of my tax refund to pay bills, so I treated myself to an iphone! Hurray! I've needed a new phone for a while, as mine is three years old (!!!) and really needed to be replaced. Do you have one? What apps are a must-have?
• I am so depressed because I found out that one of my favorite restaurants in the world closed down over the weekend. It is a family favorite, and I am sad, because I never got a chance to take Steve there! It's in NH, and every time we were home, there just never seemed to be time, though I had mentioned it several times to him.
• I'm thinking about hosting a giveaway soon. I enjoy them. Also, I know I mentioned this before, but I am still thinking of organizing a swap. Still want to play?
• I came across at etsy shop (via twitter) that sells the most lovely dresses for weddings. Isn't this lovely? I think it is ideally a bridesmaid dress, but maybe I can wear it to one (or all!) of the six weddings that I have this year? I think I adore it.

What's new with you?

quilted with love!

This weekend was very successful! I finished my very first quilt! It's small, but adorable :)

It's a doll quilt, and is about 12" by 24" and is made of scraps of random sizes. I will send it to Majlinda in Albania! I went to the sewing lounge at DC Threads on Saturday and began it then, and then finished it later that night when I got home. I was pleased that my binding came out well, unlike the last time! I used a different method, and I like this way much better. It was easier, though I may have kind of improvised a bit on the corners!

So, who's dolly needs a new blanket? :)

how to frame a bead

I was doing some cleaning and organizing last night (so much more to do!) and found a stack of letters from Majlinda in Albania. With the letters was the gift she sent me last year and I was reminded that I never did anything with it.

I think that the best thing would be to frame it. I don't want to put it flat on a table, because I am afraid of the beads cracking and/or breaking off, and I'd be so sad if something happened to it. If I frame it, I can hang it on the wall and everyone can see it, and it will be safe. There are many places around here to get things matted and framed, but they are expensive. Have you ever been to Michael's to have something framed? I think they frame things there, and I would imagine their prices aren't bad, but I still want it to look nice!

I love that store anyway, but have never had something like this done there. Have you? Advice?

arrivederci Inaete

Last week, I posted about my learning that Inaete left the World Vision program. At the end of last week, I spoke to someone in the Seattle office about the situation and yesterday's mail brought a letter from them as well. It seems that Inaete and her family has left Albania and moved to Italy. The Italy part surprised me, because, as I mentioned, her grandparents live in Greece, so I would assume they'd go there. At the same time though, it is easier to get to Italy from Albania, as the Albanian-Greek border is tough, from what I understand.

As I said, I'm sad to lose my sponsorship with her, but I am looking at it in a way that it is partly because of my sponsorship that her family was able to move. They'll have new and better opportunities in Italy and Inaete will have new experiences that will only better her later in life. She'll continue to be in my thoughts and prayers and I'm thankful that I had her in my life for this short time.

Now, the question remains is what to do next. I will continue my relationship with World Vision (I still have Majlinda, after all!), but I am debating where to sponsor this time. I could, of course, continue with Albania. Or, maybe I should sponsor a child in a new country? If I sponsored someone in Latin America, I could practice my Spanish when writing, and that would be a good thing. In case you are curious, here is a list of the countries that World Vision serves. As you can see, there are quite a few to chose from.

What would you do? Stick with Albania, or branch out into the world a bit?

bittersweet

One day last week, I came home to find three letters from World Vision Albania in my mailbox, which of course, thrilled me to pieces. One was from Majlinda, two were from Inaete. In the letters from Inaete, her mother wrote how happy her birthday celebration was last month and how much she was looking forward to beginning school on September 15. I was amazed at how fast these letters arrived, as her birthday was September 8, and they had already celebrated with cake and singing. Less than a month for the letters to find their way to me!

The next day, when I got home, I found yet another letter from Inaete in my mailbox, this one, very different from the other two.

My dear friend,

This is Inaete's mother Enkeleda writing you. This is a thank you letter that I am writing on behalf of Inaete and all of the family, because we are leaving Albania. All our family is moving to another country. It is hard for me to write this letter, as we became good friends. You gave us the joy of a new friendship and we really appreciate the support that you have given us, as well as the community. Inaete has kept all the presents, the letters and the cards you sent her and will take them all with herself. She is going to keep them as something very precious for the rest of her life. The house we have bought will be preserved with much love as a bridge of our friendship. I hope you are well. May God bless you in every step of your life.

With love and respect,

Inaete and family

I didn't know what to think when I read this letter. It just seemed to sudden, since the previous letters were talking about the new school year and all! Of course, I knew that something like this could happen. One of World Vision's goal is to help each family become self-sufficient, which is a really wonderful thing, but I assumed that if this were the case, I would first be contacted by the World Vision office itself. When I got this letter, I called them to find out what was happening, but they didn't have record of Inaete's family moving. They said that the family hadn't notified them of this change. They are looking into it for me and will let me know when they find out.

I know that Inaete's grandparents live in Greece, so I assume this is where they are moving to, but of course, I could be wrong. I am so happy for them; that they can sustain themselves and will be closer to their family, but I can't help being a bit wistful too, because now, I will no longer have any contact with Inaete and I won't be able to watch her grow up and hear her stories. I know how wonderful this is, and how many new and wonderful opportunities that Inaete and her family will have. Greece is a member of the European Union, whereas Albania has a long way to go before that might happen. She will likely learn Greek now too, and probably English later and will have new experiences that she may not have been able to have in Albania. I just wish that there was still a way that I could keep in touch with Inaete and her family.

I'll miss her.

gëzuar ditëlindjen Inaete!

Remember a few months back when I sent Majlinda a beautiful doll for her birthday? I had a letter from her last week saying that it arrived! The letter said that she had a wonderful birthday that I was a part of too :)


On May 5 it was Majlinda's birthday and she turned six. It was a beautiful day for her. Majlinda had a party in the kindergarten with her friends and they had a good time there. A week later, her teacher organized a beauty contest and Majlinda won two prizes: Miss Smile and Miss Kindergarten. We thank you for becoming part of Majlinda's birthday with your gifts, cards and letter. Majlinda loves the doll you sent her, you made her very happy. Do you want to know how Majlinda named the doll? She named her Alma (Al stays for you and Ma for Majlinda). I hope that you are okay with that!


How could I not be okay with that?! Lovelovelove. Her doll shares part of my name, just like Majlinda shares part of my heart. She also sent some drawings she made, including one where she wrote my name. I need to start framing some of these for my walls!


Meanwhile, Inaete's birthday is coming up in September and this little lady will be on her way to Albania this afternoon!







I love her little polkadot legs and her cherry covered dress! I hope that Inaete loves her as much as Majlinda loves her doll!

from Albania with love

A few weeks ago, I came home and found a notice from the post office in my mailbox, indicating that I had to head there to pick up a package. I thought this was interesting, because my mailman is rather cool and usually leaves packages at my door for me, saving the trip down there. I figured maybe my regular guy was out and there was a sub, hence the note. I waited a few days, because I thought maybe when the regular mailman was back, he'd redeliver, but then a week went by and no package came, so off I went to the main post office. 

When I got there, and handed the slip to the lady behind the counter, she said "looks like registered mail from Albania." First of all, I don't think I've ever received registered mail from anywhere, much less Albania! She came back a few minutes later with a big box, though it was quite lightweight. At first I panicked, thinking that it was the birthday gift that I sent to Majlinda in April, as maybe it couldn't get through customs or there were tariffs or something. As soon as I was finished signing for it, I ran to one of the stands they have in there and tore the box open. At the bottom of the box, I found a white business-sized envelope that was a bit bulky. When I opened it up, I nearly cried. Look what was inside---

I know you can't read the letter (mainly because it's in Albanian!) but I wanted you to see how Majlinda decorated the page. Here is part of the translated page---

We hope this letter finds you and your family well. We wish you a very long life and a very wonderful day with your friends and family. I would like to send you for your birthday an embroidery, which I have made myself with much love for my sister's best friend. I hope you like it and I send you the best wishes from my heart. 

I couldn't believe it! In a letter, Majlinda had asked when my birthday was (this was sometime around March), so I told her that I had celebrated my birthday in January. Of course my letter saying this arrived maybe in April or so. I never knew that they could send me "things," but I thought it was just so sweet. It's not embroidery- it's a beaded thing. It is probably about 18" long and 12" wide and just so, so lovely. I was so touched by it, I think it is by far, one of the nicest gifts I've ever received. 

Majlinda had asked for a picture of me, so I had printed out a few to send her. She told me that she loved the pictures and showed them to all of her friends and teachers and family. Her family also hopes that I will continue to send more pictures "from other important moments in my life." I guess I'll need to send wedding pictures one day?  :)

As I've said before, I really love and am so grateful for this friendship that I've formed with both Majlinda and Inaete. It makes me so, so happy to know that I am making a difference for them and their families. Really, what is better than knowing how happy you can make someone, just by something as small as a note in the mail?

thanks for the glue

As I mentioned, Steve is now the sponsor of an adorable Albanian called Redion. He began sponsoring him in mid-February. The day we decided to sponsor him, I noticed that his birthday was coming up, so I immediately picked up a birthday card to mail to him, which I did.

The other day, Steve received his first letter from Redion, along with a drawing of flowers! The letter, of course, was adorable, as they all are. In it, his sister, who wrote the letter, commented on the glue that he received. Steve was puzzled by that, and I was too, at first, until I remembered that I sent a package of stickers along with the birthday card.

So, if you are in Albania, apparently "glues" actually means stickers :)

gezuar ditelindjen Majlinda!

On May 29, Majlinda, one of my darling Albanian babies, will celebrate her sixth birthday. I just packaged up this sweet girl to send to her- 

Her name is Little Miss Gingham and she came to me from ginghamworld's etsy shop. I had bought two of them a few months back, thinking what lovely birthday presents they'd be for both Majlinda and Inaete, and now the time has come for one to journey to Albania! Inaete's birthday isn't until September, so the other will stay with me until then. 

She's so adorable, about 18" tall and so bright and colorful! I hope Majlinda loves her and has a really wonderful birthday! 

Gëzuar ditëlindjen Majlinda!

good day sunshine

I woke up this morning and it was hot. Hot. Really hot. It was 90* all weekend! Yes, it is a nice break from the cold, but I'm not sure if I am ready for this heat just yet! I am so much more a cold weather girl. What about you? Do you prefer heat or cold?

Big news! Friday night, I had a sushi date with Magda and I tried TWO new sushi rolls! We went to Mate in Georgetown and I decided to try a volcano roll on my own. Then M coerced me into trying a spicy tuna roll as well. Seriously, that girl is manipulative ;) I'm a bit of a baby when it comes to sushi. I like the veggie rolls; ie, avocado, asparagus, cucumber, etc. I will also eat ones with crab and sometimes salmon, but not always. I once got something with smoked salmon in it, and disliked it so much that I used my chopstick to poke out the salmon and just ate the cream cheese and avocado! I refuse to eat eel and it is unlikely that I'll eat much raw stuff in the near future. Sashimi? Highly unlikely ever! However, I did try the spicy tuna, and I liked it! Magda was so proud of me that she wasn't upset when I didn't like the hot sake we ordered :)

I'm way behind with my correspondence. My best friend's wedding anniversary was yesterday and my aunt's birthday is today. Both cards will be dropped in the mailbox today. I have several other cards to buy and send. Majlinda, one of my Albanian girls, has a birthday at the end of May, so I need to get her present in the mail. I found the most adorable doll on etsy. I bought two of them, one for each girl, for their birthdays. Obviously it will take a few weeks to get to Albania, so I need to mail it this week!

Speaking of Albania, it seems they are making a formal application to join the European Union tomorrow. This is following the news that Iceland is apparently closer to joining as well. Sigh. When I was in Poland, my Master's thesis was written on Norway and Iceland and their reasons for remaining outside of the EU, and the implications of eastern enlargement of the EU to them (this was written in 2003, before the big ten enlargement of Poland and the others). My first Master's is in European Studies, and I spent my time in Krakow studying the EU and enlargement of the EU. Despite that, I'm a bit of a Euro-skeptic. Iceland, yes, they are having a few issues, but they'll be fine!

Dear Norway,

Please don't ever join the EU. Don't let them suck you in, you know you are better off without them.

Love, Lexilooo

xoxo

Oh yes, and on Saturday we went to the book sale at the Arlington library that I mentioned on Friday! I spent about $35 and came home with 20 books, including a few quilting books with patterns of things I can eventually make. I found a gorgeous book called "Coastal New England" that is all photographs. I also found a few childrens books (I collect them) that looked great, including a gorgeous hardcover copy of Eleanor, by Barbara Cooney. Do you know her work? She's an amazing artist- she did Miss Rumphius, which is one of my all-time favorites.

We went to WARL (Washington Animal Rescue League) yesterday where I fell in love with a beagle called Oscar. He's adorable. I need him.

The Red Sox swept the Yankees this weekend! This included a steal of home by Jacoby Ellsbury!

I took the link to my blog off of my twitter profile. More of my "real life" friends are joining twitter, including a co-worker and right now, I'd prefer to keep the blog low profile. Some people know about it, which is fine, but I'd rather be the one to tell them, then them finding it on their own.

I was so sad to hear that Bea Arthur has passed away. Thank you for being a friend...

Oh and huge congrats to Katelin, who got engaged over the weekend, on her birthday! Happy birthday and congratulations to you and Matt!

Albania huzzah!

Steve has decided to sponsor an Albanian through World Vision too! Yay! I've volunteered to be the Chief Correspondent and will be in charge of sending all letters and packages. He said to pick my three favorites listed on the site and then he'll choose one.

I'm hoping I can convince him to sponsor two of them :)

her small hand

I came home from work tonight and found in my mailbox two Christmas cards and two letters from Albania. Excited, I hurried up the stairs to open them. Both letters were from Majlinda. One thanked me for the jump rope I sent many months ago and told me how much Majlinda likes to "build the snowman," but it doesn't snow much there. She asked about my Christmas tree and what sort of decorations are on it (note to self: take a picture of my tree to send to Albania).

The second letter told me how much Majlinda loves going to kindergarten and how she wants to learn to read, so she can read my letters, and then learn to write, so she can write to me. Ahh, simple joys. Then she said "I am asking now Majlinda what she would like to send you and she says a hug and her small hand." When I looked at the second page of the letter (the first page is the English translation and the attached second page is the original, in Albanian), Majlinda had traced her hand, and written both our names inside the hand. She even colored at the end of the fingers and she has green nail polish, along with a pink bracelet.

I may frame that letter and hand.

I love coming home to mail from my girls and I love knowing that I am making a difference in their lives. Part of my Christmas shopping was done on the World Vision website. Ducks, chickens and seeds, oh my!

Really though, it's things like this that make my holidays happy.

What makes yours happy?

it's the little things

I came home the other day to find two letters from Albania in my mailbox, one from each of my girls. Bliss! Both girls are only 6, so their mothers write. Majlinda's mother told me that everyday when she comes home from kindergarten, she takes my letters out and looks at them, every day. Inaete wants to know when my birthday is and she loves vegetables.

My heart melts each time I hear from them.

I love these girls, I do, I do.

Christmas, Balkan style

I just packaged up two puffy envelopes for my two favorite Albanian girls to be mailed in the morning! Happy Christmas, Majlinda and Inaete! Soon, in their mailboxes, they should be receiving each a book (in English and Albanian!), a small stuffed Care Bear, two little bracelets with wooden beads and one of the Wizard of Oz Madame Alexander dolls from the McDonalds Happy Meals (not the scary flying monkey!). In addition, I had also called World Vision a few weeks ago to set up a gift donation for their families. I'm hoping they'll use it for Christmas gifts for each other, and a turkey for dinner. Okay, if they don't like turkey, I don't mind if they get something else :)

I just hope their Christmas is happy.

how to make a meal happy...or not

I was planning to go to Subway for lunch, and get some fairly healthy. Unfortunately for me, the McDonalds is in my path and I was swayed by the thought of french fries.

In I went. I convinced myself that it was better to get a Happy Meal, since it's smaller, therefore, not as bad, right? So, that I did. Then I noticed that the current Happy Meal toys were Madame Alexander toys dressed as the characters from The Wizard of Oz. Fun!

I thought these would be really perfect, as I could send them to Majlinda and Inaete in Albania.
So, I bought my cheeseburger happy meal and waited for lunch.

My lemonade went to the tray. Then the cheeseburger, and then the fries.

She looked at me and said para nina?

I said si, por favor.

(yes, Spanish speaking McDonalds in Dupont=good practice for me!)

She rummaged through the box of toys under the counter. I was hoping, of course, for Dorothy or Glenda the Good Witch....but instead, I got a flying winged monkey.

Seriously, if you were a 6 year old Albanian girl who had probably never see The Wizard of Oz, wouldn't this scare the bejeebuses out of you?!