June 2009

Why have I never heard of Passport DC before? Passport DC is a 10-day smorgasbord of international events, including Embassy Open House Day, when embassies throw open the doors and let us in to experience their food, music and culture!

Here’s a snippet from the Cultural Tourism DC site about the 2009 event: “As a world capital, Washington, DC presents unique opportunities to learn about and engage with world cultures. This spring, Cultural Tourism DC invites Washingtonians and visitors to cross borders and break down barriers, traveling around the world all from within the District’s boundaries. Starting Thursday, April 30, embassies will throw open their doors, drawing in visitors to experience the music, dance, crafts, and cuisine of their nation.”

I’m already planning to go next year! You can sign up on the site to receive information about upcoming events and the 2010 Passport DC if you’re interested.

NPR’s got a new short story contest worth writing about: “At NPR, we love to hear, and tell, your real-life stories every day. Now, we want to hear your fiction as well. This summer, we’re beginning a contest called “Three-Minute Fiction.” The premise is simple: Listeners send in original short stories that can be read in three minutes or less — that’s usually about 500-600 words long.”

Read the rest, listen to a sample short story, check and the rules and submit your piece at the NPR site.

I’ve got a few story ideas mulling around … maybe I’ll let mine out, too!

Sheep at Clevedon, New Zealand, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

Beautiful white sheep! It was so neat to see sheep out and about, just doing their thing, while I was in Auckland! Thanks to sister Maria for this and all the other New Zealand and Australia cards I’m posting today! 🙂

Clevedon, New Zealand, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

Clevedon is one of four cities in the greater Auckland area. This scene looks so peaceful, so relaxing … as I type this I’m wishing I were there! 🙂

Queensland, Australia, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

Now while multiphoto postcards are not my favorite, this postcard is an exception! I love the colors and hues and scenes … it is my favorite Australian postcard! When I saw it, I knew immediately that I would take my children to the Great Barrier Reef someday. The kids cheered together loudly when I told them! If you like this card as much as I do, then you’ll like to know that the images are:

1. Heron Island, Great Barrier Reef
2. 4 Mile Beach, Port Douglas
3. Welcome Bay, Fitzroy Island
4. Spirit of the Outback, Central Australia
5. Millaa Millaa Falls, Queensland

Caesars Head State Park, South Carolina, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

This card was actually bigger than my scanner; instead of presenting it sideways, I let the right side be cut off a little. But you’re not missing much 🙂 This is truly a beautiful place … how grand it would be to have a home with a view like this ….

Australia – A BIG Country!, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

Not much else to be said … it’s BIG! 🙂

Australian Booties, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

Wait, I lied … earlier I said that the multi-photo card was my favorite … but, as a mother, I have to say this card actually ties for first! This scene is so adorable, so precious … and my kids got a good giggle out of seeing the little kid booties 🙂

Down Under on Top, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

It’s funny how countries at the “bottom” of the map like to flip things so that they can see themselves “on top.” Actually, who says that it’s not really this way anyway … and we’re all upside down? 🙂

Australian Road Signs, originally uploaded by CarolinaRen.

Now this is TOO COOL. Imagine driving down the road and seeing signs like this? “What a rip-snorter” that would be!