Lions and tigers and bears, oh my!

Normally I would rather not venture to a zoo because my heart breaks every time I see the exotic animals in their tiny, crowded cages. However, my German boy and I ventured to the Stuttgart Wilhelma Zoo and Botanical Gardens and I was quite pleased with what I saw! The animals were very well kept and cared for and there was not an overabundance of species that you would typically see in an American zoo, although I have unfortunately never been to the infamous San Diego Zoo, so that experience could possibly be as equally enticing.

I learned before venturing to the zoo that it used to be a royal palace and that Kaiser (which is similar to a king or emperor) Wilhelm had created a large portion of the botanical grounds, but that it was closed to the public during World War II. I was able to find a lovely depiction of what a small portion of the zoo looked like in 1900! Beautiful, isn’t it?

Parts of the palace were built in the Moorish Revival style, which explains why I thought the green color, moon decor on top of the buildings, and Arabic scripture looked so familiar! The architecture is hauntingly similar to that of AlHambra Palace, as well as some mosques that I have seen in Islamic Cairo. 

 

The details were just incredible! I couldn’t stop examining the gorgeous green color, and couldn’t help but think it would make a magnificent eye shadow or nail polish…

I was extremely impressed with the stunning combination of flora and fauna, which makes sense because this zoo is Europe’s only large combined botanical and zoological garden! Needless to say, I was in heaven and could have spent hours sitting in the Amazonian green house, outside by the aging laughing fountains, or studying the mysterious statues that were sprinkled about the breathtaking grounds.

I didn’t expect to see this statue in Wilhelma, but I found it entrancing nevertheless. Good thing I didn’t see this while enjoying my ice cream cone!

Surprisingly, one of my favorite houses happened to be the “Schmetterling Haus”.
The Butterfly House!
I felt like I was in a scene from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory due to the bright flowers, cascading water, and vibrant butterflies that fluttered throughout the sweet-smelling room.

Watching the butterflies was so relaxing and almost tantric. I haven’t seen any of these creatures in ages, so it was such a nice spring welcome!

Then again, I also felt a little like dear Alice in Wonderland when she tried to make friends with some rather complicated flowers…

However, I must admit that I was also extremely fond of the underwater-world collection. I’ve always been a fan of the sea, as most of you know, and I never grow tired of visiting aquariums or things of the like. My favorite little creatures were the jellyfish, of course. I loved the way their glow flashed from the cool tank, beckoning the visitors to reach out and attempt to touch them. They are such haphazard, naughty things.

For as much time I’ve spent in the ocean, I’m quite surprised that I’ve never been tragically tickled by one of these!

Well, that’s all for now dear readers! I couldn’t resist and had to post a little something, since I went to Barcelona for my birthday weekend and it’s been hectic ever since, but I’ll do a proper Barcelona post as soon as I get the chance. Best wishes to everyone, wherever you may be!

The lovely flowers bidding me a sweet farewell.

Have you been able to visit a zoo recently? What’s your favorite animal there or plant exhibit? Please share!

Shakira and Jawahe Visit the Valley of Kings

I caught myself thinking of Egypt again, but in a different light than usual. This post was originally created on February 10, 2012–after “A Trainride to Luxor”. You can also read on my this WordPress blog, dear friends and readers, if you find yourselves so curious…

To continue my story of Luxor, I must now tell how amazing and unforgettable it was, regardless of what happened on the train. After spending only a few moments with the big chief in the police station I was seriously thinking about, well awful things to say to him. Jayanni kept looking at me, slightly exasperated I believe, and would say, “Whitney…it’s okay. Now, Whitney…“

With our dear host, Ernesto, as we wait semi-patiently for our blood red henna to dry.

The “big chief” was a big idiot. I swear any of my younger cousins would have been more productive than this man. He wouldn’t listen to anything I was saying and continued to chastise me for not speaking better Arabic. I thought that he would have been sorry if my Arabic was better. In that moment this strange, red haired younger gentleman glided through the door wearing a traditional galabiya. I was taken aback but knew instantly that this was our Couchsurfing host, Ernesto from Nicaragua. The big chief greeted him like an old friend and began to ask him all sorts of questions about the train ride, what was stolen from me, where I lived, and other general questions. Ernesto explained that he wasn’t on the train with me and was just meeting us for the first time. The big chief, confused as ever, continued asking Ernesto questions even though he obviously couldn’t answer them. After an hour or so I finally had an official police report, written on a piece of wide-ruled paper and stamped. He told us to come back in a day or so to get tickets to return to Cairo.

Ernesto grabbed my monstrous bag and took off through the station as Jay and I followed him. I stepped outside into the sun and felt a little better, then realized I was absolutely starving. We stopped at this little cafe type place for some hummus, bread, and soup. Ernesto had pizza, apparently one of the best places for pizza. We decided it would be best to go to his home and relax before doing anything else. Ernesto said that we had to take a ferry then a small minibus to his house, which was fine by us. As Jay and I walked to the ferry the view was breathtaking. The city swallowed us whole but I felt safe and at ease. Ernesto told us that we were looking at the ancient city of Thebes. Well, hello Thebes…nice to meet you!

The rest of the trip was magical, all a part from being heckled for extra piasters here and there. Tourism has really dropped within this area of Egypt and it’s more often than not the only way the people made their living was by selling their crafts at the ancient sites or in front of shops. It was different than in Cairo and no one was hostile towards us.

Jay and I sightseeing in Luxor. I had to wear my glasses all day due to our furry, feline friend named Mimosa!

The Valley of Kings proved to be as unreal as you can imagine. Jay and I spent a few hours at the site. Many of the rooms looked like they had been painted just yesterday. I snapped photos to store in my favorite memories of the beautiful black and blue ceilings, painted with stars and hieroglyphics. Jayanni was so intrigued by the ankhs and we both loved the little owls that we saw painted everywhere. Some of the images were sketched so deeply into the wall, it was incredible to try and interpret what was created so long ago.

The color in the temple was still so vivid! Could you possibly imagine what it looked like when it was first built?

I don’t know why I’m always drawn to birds. These falcons were beyond spectacular!

However, my absolute favorite part of the Luxor experience came in a package of three. The family that lived next door to Ernesto was an internally displaced Egyptian family that had been moved while Mubarak was still in power. This family, along with many others around Ernesto, had lived on top of the tombs for hundreds of years. The Egyptian government claimed that they were grave robbers and turned off all of their electricity and water, which forced them to move. Their homes were then destroyed, right in front of their very eyes.

The package of three turned out to be three little girls, very outgoing and mischievous. They made my heart smolder and I forgot every bad thing that had happened in Egypt. They called me Shakira and made me dance with them until I couldn’t move my hips any more. Jay and I found ourselves in their home listening to Arabic music while the little girls performed in front of us. One was an especially good dancer and I prayed that she wouldn’t be given to some man at an older age because of her beauty and amazing skill. *We learned later than her parents wanted both of the girls to become educated and make their own decisions, thanks to the influence of Ernesto.* The family was very smart and spoke almost perfect English. They made delicious meals for us and refused to take money from Jay when she tried to pay. We bought a lot of scarves and other handmade things to make up for this later.

With my talented little dancers. I still think of them often. 

We danced and laughed under the moonlight, sat beside of a small fire and shared stories, and the girls rubbed henna on our hands so we would be “even more beautiful.” Mohamed, their father, tried to sell us off to his friends and they offered us many camels and a lot of good food but we had to turn down their offers. My spirit felt at ease and I was in awe of the love and goodwill around me. Jay and I talked about how we met in Uganda, we compared the Egyptian sky with that of Gulutown, and how we were so fortunate to be in that place together.

Shakira and Jawahe.

Inshallah, we will be so lucky again.

CHARMS: Birthday Edition

Last night a dear friend and I were supposed to venture off to the infamous Berghain, as I’ve lived in Berlin for 9 months and still have not been to the outrageous club, however the Fates had a different plan in mind. After a few delicious glasses of French and German wine we found ourselves cleaning out my closet and makeup (quite a treacherous task indeed), while we managed to make chocolate covered pineapple and homemade Italian garlic bread, so we could thoroughly enjoy our girly-girls night which I haven’t experienced in ages!

My favorite part was possibly indulging in the 80′s film “Teen Witch“, until I almost-sadly realized that half of my wardrobe also consists of tutu’s, denim jackets that I’ve had since middle school, ruffles and lace, and more glittery pieces than most New York drag queens probably own. However, I will proudly say that my dance moves are much better than those found in this charming film.

Speaking of charming things…

My 25th birthday is right around the corner! On May Day, to be exact, and I am really looking forward to the festivities. I’ve thought of a few charms that I would love to have, but seeing as my family is on the other side of the world (and because Germany is more than finicky about online shopping with eGift Cards) I may have to treat myself to a few of these spetacular items.

1.Betsey Johnson’s Rose Gold Boyfriend Watch 2.BlackMilk’s Cheshire Cat Swimsuit 3.Alice in Wonderland German Learning Edition 4.Sephora’s World Travel Brush Kit 5.Miss Dior Parfum 6.Blu Bijoux Emerald Crystal Teardrop Earrings 7.Pandora’s Brandenburger Tor charm 8.The Foreign Service Office Test study guide

What about you–Did you have a wonderful weekend now that spring has finally arrived, or are you doing any spring cleaning?

Chinese Dumplings and Sunflowers

I must declare the following:
Spring is here, spring is here, SPRING IS HERE!!!

I want to run around, roll in the grass, and let my skin feel the bashful sun (without getting burned to an inedible crisp).

Instead, I’m going to restrain myself, like a proper Southern lady should (until I get ahold of a Gin Basil Smash or Cherry Cosmo), and will go shopping for unsuspecting birthday attire. Wonderful May Day is almost here!

Also, I can’t wait for tonight’s dinner as a friend and I are going to gorge ourselves on these delicious Chinese dumplings we’ve found at a little hole in the wall spot, in Prenzlauerberg. I’m not quite sure how they get the glass noodles to cook so well in the fried veggie dumplings…It must be magic.

Sunflowers are my favorite of God’s flora creation. They are all over the flower stands in Berlin!

My apologies for the short post. Happy weekend everyone!

P.S. My crazy, brave younger sister is participating as a Tribute in her school’s Hunger Games challenge! That’s right, she has to “fight until final death” and all proceeds of this manic event goes to the Appalachian Outreach as a donation. Please help my heritage, my sister, and this wonderful cause by sponsoring her! Each item you purchase for Caitlyn will help her to succeed! Thank you in advance for your generous sponsorship! Click here for more information about Carson Newman’s Hunger Games and to sponsor my sister.

The Art of Confession

[I'll be returning to Egypt in the next few months to finish up my masters degree and I've had difficulties describing my emotions, and how I feel about easing into my roller coaster of a life there. A major part of my resistance has to do with leaving my beloved German boy (and the mouthwatering Schwäbisch brezeln) for a few months, the other part is in regards to the amount of Cairo shisha-ing I'll partake in. Although the political situation is rocky, to say the least, I know I must return, and I must remember the enchanting and enticing things about the country that I originally fell in love with. This post was originally created on August 31, 2010 at approximately 8:19 p.m.]

Telling the truth is something that I have always valued. When growing up my mother always taught my sister and I to tell the truth. In our defense, we always told the truth…even though the truth may have been twisted just a tiny bit. Many of my friends have asked me about my travels from the summer and how I have felt since coming back to the states. Normally I try to give short answers and details since I can talk on the subject for hours but now I must confess…

I must confess that Egypt was amazing.

The beautiful and unforgettable view of the Nile from Cairo Tower.

I remember that the music was haunting and the food was astonishing. The all-encompassing religious aspects of the culture were unforgettable. I almost missed a flight from Sudan due to my speculations and complicated religious conversation with this darling Muslim woman in a prayer room in the Addis Ababa airport. My curiosity got the best of me and I was in heaven, or a state or nirvana, perhaps.

Delicious food in Alexandria! Queen Sofia ate here.

 I would also like to confess that I have dreamt about frolicking in the Mediterranean sea more times than I can count and have relived Alexandrian conversations (and dastardly sunburns and sand in my swimming bottoms) that don’t even make sense any more thanks to my haphazard ways of being. Frankly, it’s not fair that America doesn’t have figs the size of a fist or crooked, dirty streets filled with little shops where one could buy a tall, cold glass of harroup and a good-luck talisman to put around a rear view-mirror.

Alexandria, my most favorite city in all of Egypt.

While I’m on a roll, I should also mention that I have never met more hospitable people than in Egypt. I learned not to compliment on women’s jewelry because they would take it off and give it to me “to remember them by.” I received pictures of friends and family and was often stuffed like a Thanksgiving turkey. I had to strap down my heart so it wouldn’t beat out of my chest due to the kindness that was bestowed upon me.

That cool morning, when I barely managed to leave Egypt at 3:20 a.m., the straps broke and a part of my stupid and ignorant heart tore out of my chest and jumped into the Mediterranean as the plane was soaring over it. So you see, I believe that I must go back to Egypt to see the rest of the country in order to make myself whole.

I must also confess that I have had a difficult time adjusting since I have been back in the states. Hello, culture shock! I miss the people that I met in Egypt and Uganda and the African way of life. I am thankful however for my washing machine, chest of drawers, microwave, the sushi restaurant across the street, Gamma Sigma Sigma, and the shoes that I left behind this summer. My American friends and family are extra perks, of course, when it comes to being back home.

While I’m doing all of this confessing due to the influence that this experience had on me, I would also like to add that I am indeed set on trying to go to grad school abroad. I am also losing patience for those who can not fathom what the simple words “humble” or “selflessness” means. I confess that it’s heartbreaking to see many of the American women I know suffer under the hands of a man because of the same kinds of oppression that can be found in a developing country. I must also confess that I’ve changed a lot in the past three months from these experiences and I hope that it’s for the best (so please forgive me, dear friends, if I’m a mess).

And finally, I confess that I am indeed very blessed.

 

And I Lost My Heart

Despite the freezing sea wind that burned my poor ears for several hours, and the rumbling stomachache I received after shamelessly eating an entire platter of the most incredible fish and chips, I am certainly positive that I’ve lost a bit of my heart to beautiful Galway.

The city was smaller and more bewitching than I realized, and also quite similar to New Orleans, as described by a local pub owner by the name of Tom Richardson. [I also promised ol' Tom that I would be sending him a license plate from Cairo, Egypt within the year so he could place it in his pub. It's a promise I intend to keep! So, if you're ever in Galway, stop by Richardson's pub, near the bus station--it's great craic, you won't regret it!] However, I’m a little more than devastated that I didn’t try the local brew known as, “Galway Hooker“.

After meandering through the winding Shop Street I couldn’t help but purchase my very own Claddagh ring, and learned that  the Claddagh is originally from Galway! If you’re not familiar with this beautiful symbol, here’s a photo.

This charming design represents love (the heart in the middle), loyalty (the crown above it), and friendship (the two hands holding the heart). When worn as a ring, the symbolism represents whether a gal’s heart has been captured, or if she’s on the prowl! Sorry lads, I’m taken.

Ireland has been much more enticing than I remember, particularly the “Irish Prom” at Trinity College which I attended with my long lost friend, and over 6,000 drunken guests, on Friday. I am really looking forward to writing a proper post about Galway once I get settled into Berlin this week. For now, I’m afraid I’ll have to leave you with this measly post, and this marvelous song, until then.

Have you ever traveled to Ireland before or have you been yearning to visit? What do you find intriguing about the Irish culture? 

Lost in an Easter basket

Apfel strudel, hiking in the Schwabisch Alps, Gold Lindt Hasen, Back to the Future, more apfel strudel, carpooling from Stuttgart to Bamberg to Nuremberg to Berlin…

I am a delirious disaster, and so are the remnants of my Easter candies.
Oh, but what a blissfully, relaxing and hectic holiday weekend!

After successfully depriving myself of all heavenly sweets for 40 days, I certainly overindulged, and then some, during this long holiday. At the moment I write in haste, only to promise that some lovely blog posts will be created this week before I jet off to Dublin for Irish Prom (the Trinity Ball) on Friday!

***Note to self: Must find outrageous, froo-froo prom dress immediately.***

Happy Easter, Frohe Ostern, and best wishes to you all.
In love and adventure,
Whitney

P.S. What did the Easter Bunny bring to you on this lovely Spring holiday? Did you have any beautiful and surprising weekend adventures? Please share! 

The Little Fox

It seems as if this Lenten season has crept quickly and silently by, right before my little green eyes. With Easter being a mere week and a half away, I spent some time today reflecting on what I’ve learned over the past 30 days or so, and how much closer I’ve come to God and loved ones around me. Each year Lent brings something so different into my life, something completely unexpected. Last year, while I was in Cairo I learned how to have complete control over my actions and emotions (for the most part). I restricted my diet to nothing but fruits and vegetables, and spent a lot of time indoors or with close friends, who helped me focus on being myself in light of the complicated environment around me. This year I’ve found myself so in love with my life, by not giving up entirely too much [only desserts and all sweets, except for honey], and indulging in the things that I love the most–yoga, reading, going to a Methodist church in Berlin, self care and wellness, dancing to wake myself up most every morning, drinking chai with milk as often as possible, and partaking in every adventure that I can (no matter how small) while realizing what my greatest adventure actually is…

But I can’t tell you, it’s a secret.

However, earlier today I was further reminded of how wonderful this Lenten season had been when a stranger in line at the grocery store commented on my hair (I had to ask her what she meant in English, since I couldn’t quite understand her German unfortunately) and said that it looked like that of a fox! At first I wasn’t sure how to take the comment, but I smiled when I recalled…
I remembered this enchanting and touching tale, about a prayer and a little fox, that was shared with me by a very dear friend. Today it further reminded me to take nothing for granted, to drink up every thing good that is bestowed on me, especially delicious German treats, and that I am lucky–so very lucky. 

The Tale of the Prayer and the Little Fox
From The Prologue

In Egypt, in whose ancient Christian past there had once been many grand monasteries, there once lived a monk who befriended an uneducated and simple peasant farmer. One day this peasant said to the monk, “I too respect God who created this world! Every evening I pour out a bowl of goat’s milk and leave it out under a palm tree. In the evening God comes and drinks up my milk! He is very fond of it! There’s never once been a time when even a drop of milk is left in the bowl.”

Hearing these words, the monk could not help smiling. He kindly and logically explained to his friend that God doesn’t need a bowl of goat’s milk. But the peasant so stubbornly insisted that he was right that the monk then suggested that the next night they secretly watch to see what happened after the bowl of milk was left under the palm tree.

No sooner said than done. When night fell, the monk and the peasant hid themselves some distance from the tree, and soon in the moonlight they saw how a little fox crept up to the bowl and lapped up all the milk till the bowl was empty.

“Indeed!” the peasant sighed disappointedly. “Now I can see that it wasn’t God!”

The monk tried to comfort the peasant and explained that God is a spirit, that God is something completely beyond our poor ability to comprehend in our world, and that people comprehend His presence each in their own unique way. But the peasant merely stood hanging his head sadly. Then he wept and went back home to his hovel.

The monk also went back to his cell, but when he got there he was amazed to see an angel blocking his path. Utterly terrified, the monk fell to his knees, but the angel said to him:

“That simple fellow had neither education nor wisdom nor book-learning enough to be able to comprehend God otherwise. Then you with your wisdom and book learning took away what little he had! You will say that doubtless you reasoned correctly. But there’s one thing that you don’t know, oh learned man: God, seeing the sincerity and true heart of this good peasant, every night sent the little fox to that palm tree to comfort him and accept his sacrifice.”

- An excerpt from Everyday Saints and Other Stories by Archimandrite Tikhon (Shevkunov) h/t

Have you had wonderful experiences this Lenten season? What are things that you want to focus on, or change, during the Spring months to come? 

Johnny Cash and Koshari

After an amazing weekend in Stuttgart with my German boy, I had to return to
Berlin today. On the long journey back, about 6 hours with a carpooling ride, I found myself thinking about koshari and lemon juice in Tahrir Square…
[This post was originally written on June 13, 2012.]

It’s strange, this feeling I always get in the pit of my stomach, when I’m about to leave a place for a very long time. Cairo has been wonderful these past two or three months, and I’m finally coming to terms with this crazy city. I realized this when I went with a complete stranger (who wasn’t really a stranger after all, my darling friend Acom arranged that he would pick me up so we could all have shisha and koshari near Tahrir Square together) and we were stuck in traffic over the Nile. Somehow I didn’t even notice the cars honking away and felt at peace with myself, even after sharing conversations with this new friend about the troubles that I’ve had in Egypt.

He apologized to me, for the wrongdoings that every Egyptian man had ever done. It was the FIRST time EVER that any Egyptian guy has done that. I could tell he was being sincere. My breath was taken away from me. I could tell he was furious as he listened to my melodramatic stories. He continued to grip the steering wheel and sat in silence while listening to my every word. Never once did he tell me that I should dress a certain way, or that I should do this or that in order to protect myself from the harassment. He never cracked a smile or rolled his eyes, which has been the norm in the past. We talked about politics in Egypt, how he wants to move to England so badly to get out of the city, about Germany and my boyfriend, and about music. This guy has such a love for music and I was thoroughly impressed with his iPod playlists. Johnny Cash, Pink Floyd, and great musicians I’d never even heard of!

“I’m an everywhere man…” filled my ears as we edged closer to our destination. I was really looking forward to meeting my friend Acom, the first female Egyptian friend that I ever made here. We sat down at one of the streetside café’s beside of Tahrir, and I ordered my favorite drink called Aneb and apple shisha (the only flavor available at this little shop), and began to chat away. Acom’s friend slipped away and I found myself asking her about FGM (female genital mutilation) because I’d always been curious about the situation in Cairo, have read about it constantly, but have never asked a close Egyptian friend about it. Needless to say her responses were what I expected to hear, and made me love her even more! I love all of the strong and outspoken women I’ve met here. 

My Swiss friend from AUC, Marie, showed up just in time and we all went around the corner so I could experience koshari for the very first time! Now let me tell you something about koshari. It is not, by any means, an elaborate meal and involves throwing rice, spaghetti pasta, lentils, hummus, tomato sauce, little round pasta, and maybe a few other things into a massive pot…and then voila! Dinner is served. They have a bowl of cumin and bottles of extremely spicy chili pepper sauce, or vinegar and garlic (which is what I chose), to add onto your mysterious bowl of carbohydrates.

Apparently I don’t know how to eat koshari properly because I added spoons full of cumin and salt, then way too much chili pepper and found myself completely disgusted with my meal that was supposed to be almost magical! I had been putting off this koshari occasion for months. Marie, the sweetheart that she is, gave me the rest of her koshari so I could enjoy what it’s REALLY supposed to taste like. It’s really not that bad, but very filling and I don’t think I’ll be eating it again for quite some time because…

I AM LEAVING FOR GERMANY IN TWO DAYS!

Can you tell I am excited? This summer is going to be so amazing because of time with my German boy and my amazing family. It seems almost surreal; I remember leaving them at the airport like it was just yesterday. I was a complete disaster with my two massive “purses” as carry on’s that were probably bigger than most 7 year olds. I just am truly thankful that I have incredible friends and family all over this great big world. Without them, I would be nothing (and I sure as hell wouldn’t have had all of these great opportunities). Thank you all for everything.

So dear readers, what about you–have you ever eaten such a strange dish? What are you looking forward to the most during these “spring” months? 

JellyStone

I finally bought a yoga mat this weekend.

I also discovered a gorgeous vintage, beaded-velvet corset in a manic Berlin shop that I also had to purchase. It’s that time, to begin thinking about work out plans, since I normally eat quite healthily anyway–no pork or beef, or masses of cheesy catastrophes. I also try to stay away from most hearty pastries or bretzels, unless I’m visiting my German boy in southern Germany while his mom is making the best foods in all of Deutschland, then that, my friends, is a different story.

Before I start ranting away [I've had one too many cups of my afternoon chai tea and have to work quite early in the morning] I wanted to say the purpose of this post is to loudly declare, “I‘m beginning yoga…again!“

There.
I said it!
I told a friend via Skype today and her response was, “Don’t you have to have a yogi to direct you? Are you going to classes in Berlin? Do you really have time for yoga with everything else going on in your life?“

My first thought was something along the lines of this…

Ol’ Yogi here may be happy in JellyStone Park, but I’m not!

However, I suppose a bear isn’t the best sort of mentor to have, especially when it’s an unfashionable, fictional bear…who is heavily obese and steals food on a regular basis. I need a life style change. I crave it, and am tired of feeling like a bag of winter jelly!
I did think of the questions that my friend asked and I really want to make time for this, even if I don’t have a personal yogi. From what I can see, there are plenty of  ”online classes” with a lot of great feedback until I can find something that I feel comfortable with in Berlin.

No more dreams of jelly donuts or biscuits for me!

Okay, I lied. Dreaming is harmless, right?
Wish me luck, dear friends and readers!

Have you ever done yoga before or would you like to try it? If so, what kind of yoga do you find is the best for you? Any advice or recommendations would be greatly appreciated, as always!