I have to write a very short post, because Im on a short battery and we don't have too much internet. We are in Nairobi and arrived safe. Everything in town seems normal and the city seems alive and busy. Today we went to an Elephant Orphanage and a Giraffe Manor. Both places raise these animals or take in orphans and then release them into the wild. The giraffes were great, just wanted to eat. The elephants were full of personality. They liked to show off and play and seemed to have more character.
Here are some photos. Tomorrow we go into our first park and start our game drives. Its gorgeous here and the weather is great. Everyone is so friendly.
This was the baby, so cute. Adapted very well to the other elephants.
I almost got ran over by a teenage elephant! haha. Im not sure if this is the girl but she was almost 16 months old. She was so sassy and kept getting on the other side of the rope. I wasn't paying attention and she nudges me on the butt with her trunk. Haha. I think she was showing off. She was all over the place, soaking up the attention and rolling around. They all like to play soccer and are pretty good. They rolled the ball all over the place. I love ellies!
Lois got kissed by a Giraffe!
At Giraffe Manor, these guys had the best markings. So tall and pretty. They seem elegant until there sloppy tounge is all over you. HaHa.
This is more of an update post. My trip to Africa was rescheduled for this Saturday. Its been a mess trying to reschedule flights and get things situated that I was supposed to do at the end of January. However, I am so excited to still be going. The violence has not stopped but it has not become worse. It may have even eased up. The areas we are going to be in have not been affected.
The Havanese Calendar I designed arrived today and looks great!!!!! We have had AWESOME success in selling almost 250 copies. That is a lot of money that will be donated to rescue. The Havanese rescue does a wonderful job in taking in abandoned dogs and getting them help, both social and medical. Now they need the money more than ever to help dogs like Annie who they just rescued after being hit by a car. She seems like a fireball just like my Goldie. If you would like to read her story click here: Havanese Rescue.
I know you were expecting to hear from me after our Cowboys loss on Sunday. Its still hard to even think the word loss. All I am going to say is I think Tony Romo played Great. I think you can't force someone to catch a ball. Our entire team was at fault, like the teary T.O. told us. I do NOT think Jessica Simpson has ANYTHING to do with losing. If we blame one girlfriend for our entire teams season, WHAT KIND OF TEAM are we???? Seriously people, thats only for the press. Jessica is cute and she is the second best person Tony could ever be with. I do appreciate her keeping him entertained until I am available.
Dear Tony Romo, I still love you and you played great!!!!!! Next time, take the ENTIRE team to Mexico so they play better.
My friend Daniel ( Kristies husband and new daddy) isn't so forgiving. He had a few choice words for T.O. and some others, which I cant repeat here. Daniel will heal in time. Its been a tough season ending for all of us.
Stogie got into Westminster again. WOO HOO. Lois ( my Africa traveling buddy ) is going to show him. He was in a show over the weekend and won Best of Breed on Sunday. He will hit a few shows this year and I am sure I will have many interesting stories. He has still been using the doggie door more, even though any trash bag or cardboard box is fair territory for marking.
To purchase a calendar, go to this site. Keep in mind, I am not sure how many we have left and I am about to go to Africa so if you order now, it will take 2 weeks. I will order more and I expect them here when I get home. Its better if you choose the paypal option because I can print shipping labels. The link for PayPal is in the description and says Buy Now. Click here for the calendar:
Calendar
Here is January since it got robbed this month. The calendars went out late, so it won't get its fair share of attention. The calendars do go through Feb 09.
I now have one more person in this world to love and adore. Only one thing could have stopped me from going to see Kristie after she had this little miracle. That was a pre planned trip to Africa. When that got cancelled, I knew I had to go. It was great to see both of my girls. My good friend and my new little friend, Makenzie. She is so beautiful and perfect. No matter how tired Kristie is, you can't see it on her face because she won't quit smiling. She is what motherhood is about. She is glowing and happy and in love. So is daddy Daniel.
Makenzie is the perfect newborn. Like her mother, a born model. 7 days old. I couldn't be more proud of my two favorite parents for making this beautiful girl and doing a wonderful job in the first week of parenthood. Kristies mother is there helping her. Thank goodness, because she needs it as does every new mother. I see them all bonding, three generations, so very sweet.
I will post more photos later, but had to get these on. I went to Tampa for a couple of days and was not online at all, so no blogging, but not intentional. Thanks to Kori for going on the visit and helping me with these.
The nephew... for those who know.. with the baby mama who I always knew he would end up with. :)
Edited to add: Laura, I took this with the Leica, the 90mm, so you know how far I was, it was a great pretty place. Isn't the quality awesome??? Ok back to normal blog programming...
Im still pouting about my canceled trip. Today I am really bummed out. I thought I would post my Chinese fortune. I am year of the Rabbit. And in 2008, it appears that this Tai -Sui is conflicting with my energy. So I am basically going to have a tough year. The article goes on to say not only am I going to have a rough year, but I should sleep a lot. The stress from the bad year will affect your health, so sleep it off. It gets better. This Tai-Sui thats not liking me, is also the Protector General in Heaven. Just my luck. Im conflicting in 2008 with the Protector General in Heaven. AND they didn't waste any time causing my stress. Three days in and BAM!
All of these stars are causing grief: Ju-Men and Gou-Jiao are going to induce gossip, argument and legal matters. Lovely. Then there is the Xi-Shen sucking all my energy away. And one good thing, the only star working in my favor, Houng Luan which is supposed to encourage prosperity energy for marriage. I'm NOT joking.
I must go see the Chinese jeweler to obtain the proper crystals and protect me from all this negative energy.
Can you believe that crap??? Britney Spears must be Year of the Rabbit also, sister had a worse day than me yesterday.
Lois, who was going with me, had a water main break in her town. So this morning she was brushing her teeth with bottle water because the normal water was contaminated. She may have just made up that story to cover her denial. She might be photographing her dogs and hiking through her backyard as if she is in Africa. I hope she doesn't have a Britney meltdown.
Here is a shot I forgot to post yesterday of Goldie. She likes to lay on my shoes. She naps with her head on any random pair of shoes laying around. I had to remove these to shoot them. The hiking shoes that should be on a plane on its way to Kenya right now.
The dogs expression when I told them I wasn't going. Im sure inside they were jumping with joy. Now maybe they will get a bath this year.
Hearing the staged rally in Kenya was unevenful, was welcome news this morning. I was packing stuff, getting last minute things done, excited about getting my gear together. Calls from concerned friends and family were taken and I reassured them we would be safe. I explained to my mom CNN reporters go to places like this ALL the time. She reminded me I was not a CNN reporter. Minor details... we could be freelance reporters.
As the day went on, I was sure we were going. Then the email from the people heading the tour group. They had already completed the first leg of their trip also feeling good after the low key rally. Upon news of continued fighting and an uncooperative new president, they decided to turn back. The president of Kenya has decided to talk with the opposition who many people felt won the election. Some are encouraging them to go into a coalition together, weather they unite or redo the votes, its going to spark one side or another. Until the entire election and president is settled and the violence settles down, its not safe to be there. That sucks royally. Its a day to day change. The tour organizers can't risk being there when something takes place to cause an uproar with the Kenyan tribes.
At this point I am throwing my self a pity party. I have gone through stages of being disappointed to feeling things happen for a reason to just being pissed. I am now still in a state of pissed, but dont know who I am mad at????
The people of Kenya.. HAD to choose violence to settle this. They burned down a church with children in it!!! I am mad at them. I have photographed some of the great things the people of Kenya wont see tomorrow or the next day or the next day. Im bitter!
This great jacket for the mornings when it is cool outside. Notice the lion like fur hood. I was blending in with nature. The lions are probably pissed they wont see me in this jacket. I don't blame them.
A fab camo shoulder bag. Pockets, style and comfort. Does it get better? Perfect accessory for being in the bush.
Now, a mere closet decoration.
A fur Zebra Flask. I bought Lois and I both one. I am needing it tonight for my pity party. Isnt it sexy? And the blue nail polish is icing on the cake. ( Mac Whirlwind)
Multiple colored bandanas. I got several and am modeling the orange. What does a person do with bandanas if they are not exploring in the African sun with wildlife????
I went to Bass Pro Shop for this trip!!! That was dangerous enough, even at Christmas time! Hell Civil war in Kenya should have been a breeze compared to December parking at Bass Pro Shop. I did score these Khakis that made my butt look not too massive. A good thing. I guess I can wear them to the zoo??? :(
This photog chic, Jessica Claire, who made these awesome shoot sac bags. You tote all your lenses in them and carry your camera in your hand. Brilliant and stylish. I found these when I found her blog, which is why I have this blog. The same person designed them and he is great! I got the bag with the dots to match my blog. See how it all comes together. No africa trip for the shootsac.
Last but not least, here is a pic of me in Hawaii. I bought this great hat and planned to take it to Africa. Its a tad flashy, but it does have SOME camo. Also these wonderful Tom Ford sunglasses that I am in love with. I must do My Favorite Things Blog soon.
A last note, I am sad and depressed. We MAY get to go at the end of January but it would depend on Kenya.
And at this point I am hearing nasty things about no refunds due to War like situations. Im not happy. :(
Cheer me up.
Im doing good with the photo of the day. One of my new BFF from New Years Eve... Love this girl. Jenna.
We totally did not go shopping together at Neimans and pick out dresses that were similar on New Years Eve. Ok We did.
I will post more tomorrow about Africa. Its all up in the air with the major election protests they are having. Please think good thoughts! I will know tomorrow if we are going, we are supposed to leave Friday. GOOD THOUGHTS!!!!!
Happy New Year! The daily photo section is fixed just in time. I hope to post a photo daily.
Saturday I shot this photo. Sunday I surfed myself. Monday I rang in the New Year in Honolulu.
2008 will bring great things, I can feel it. Happy New Year!
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