Or, as my dad would say, more videos than you can shake a stick at.
But don’t worry; they’re all short!
First comes Istanbul where I spent a fascinating week last September.
Bon Voyage!
Next will be videos from either Paris, Scotland, Poland, or Austria.
Have a preference?
*** Sj ***
p.s. The shot at the top of the post is of Pedrata at the cool library called Mevmekan. There are both an art exhibit and a cafe at the library — one of my fave places I found in Istanbul. Thanks Tony for idea !
Final FINAL and Free Ebook
Dear Friends,
I promise that this will be my final FINAL notice about a revision/change/adaptation of Molly’s story in my first book My Life as a Mule.
On Wednesday, June 29th the idea plopped in my head to MOVE the bonus story “Can You Keep a Secret” from the back of the 2nd edition version to the FRONT and call it the PROLOGUE. As soon as I did, I felt the earth shift on its axis one millionth of a millimeter—it’s finished, it’s finally finally finished!
Why am I telling you?
I’ll be having another free Kindle book promotion on September 3 to 7 (based on Pacific time starting and going till midnight) where you can download an ebook version for free. If you did this last year (or purchased a Kindle version at any time), you can remove the book from your device and then re-add or sync it again to get this final FINAL 2nd edition version.
The one CATCH is that I ask you to please write a review on either Amazon (scroll down towards the bottom of the listing and look for Review this product on the left)
or Goodreads (or both) if you enjoyed any aspect of my first book.
I’m not on Facebook these days, so if you feel the desire to share my free ebook giveaway on your page, go for it. Please know that your time and effort are much appreciated.
Thank you for reading this far.
With love and gratitude,
Sj
p.s. I am working on Mr. Tafferty’s tale . . . it will take however long it takes to come to its final FINAL version. Really enjoying the process. ;-)
p.p.s. One of the challenges of being a self-published author is getting the necessary feedback during the draft writing process. If any of you wish to be a reader during this phase, please let me know. Mahalo nui.
***I’m heading to Europe for a few months for a 40th reunion with college gal pals (we met in Bonn, Germany) and other adventures. I’m no longer on fb, so I won’t be posting any photos there. I will possibly post on my blog now and then (subscribe to sjlehoven.com if you want to be included), BUT I will definitely post photos of my traveling companion Pedrata on Instagram (#travelingstuffedrat or @travelingstuffedrat).
Merci beaucoup!
For parts unknown.
What is this all about?
This video will fill you in:
The trust train first showed up publicly after kayaking Na Pali on Kauai. A chat with Congolio gives that background:
I plan on updating this website to reflect the changes . . . that will happen when it happens.
I’ll write and post now and then as I’m called to.
If you too experience life by trusting completely, HOP ON!
Even if you don’t, I invite you to HOP ON! You may find that trusting really isn’t so scary.
Kay den. Thanks for your time and attention. Sending lots and lots and LOTS of LOVE your way!
xoxoxox
✫ Sj out ✫
Number 1.
I really enjoyed my time in Lyon.
Number 2.
It was exactly the right length of time to be there (3 weeks).
Number 3.
I’m still amazed that I can converse in French at all!
The school I attended, Alpadia, is really a great school for folks like me wanting to get some input after learning on their own. The variety of ages and nationalities attending the school made it interesting. Bottom line. We were all there to learn French. Some because they had to (for school or work), but most (it seemed to me) because they wanted to (be there).
And this time around, I really got how spoken French is so very different from written French. I don’t mean the absence of sounds, like the s at the end of many words, but rather that they just don’t say what they write. They leave so many things out. And it seems that there’s an *unofficial way of talking that has nothing to do with what one reads, a spoken vocabulary that a non-native like me really has to search for. (Unlike spoken German which matches what we’re taught in school.)
So . . . my biggest take away is that I have to continue listening to French, spoken French, like in movies. This Harry Potter fan will continue to listen to JK Rowling’s books in French, BUT I’ll make sure to add a heaping dose of actual French conversations.
At times learning a new language seems insurmountable, with two steps forward and three steps back. BUT this gal, moi, has a tenacity that surprises even me.
I will continue.One step at a time.
Both the forward ones.
And the backward ones.
This includes the next four weeks, which I’ll spend in San Sebastian, Spain attending another small language school (this time for Spanish) while residing with a Spanish family.
Where am I at the moment?
In Germany, not too far from Heidelberg, spending a most wonderfully relaxing week with dear, dear friends.
And . . . believe it or not, speaking in German is actually giving me a most welcome rest from intense mental activity. My girlfriend, who I call a walking dictionary and grammar guide, corrects me when I say something a little wacky. I welcome each correction and celebrate as I also recognize that they’re coming less and less frequently.
Meanwhile, here are some photos I took while in Lyon.
Enjoy!
✫ Sj✫
*Dear Non-native English Speakers,
I’d love to know about some of your experiences in learning English. What are some specific challenges?
Thank you very much in advance for your replies.
That’s me, Pedrata. I’m a rat. A Mexican rat.Why Mexican?
Because I came from Mexico. On a boat.
All the way to Hawaii from Mexico. On a boat.
Darn tootin’ that was fun!!!
But I’m not just any rat. I’m a rat who loves to travel, a bit like my gal pal, Sj. We two females love to travel. Si!, I’m female. If I were male, I’d be PedratO, but I’m not, I’m PedratA.
I enjoyed Lyon. To da max. Here are some of my fav memories.
Enjoy!
✷ Pedrata ✷
p.s. for whatever reason, these 4 pix didn’t want to be part of they gallery . . . so they’re here all by their lonesome. : )
And especially a concert . . .
I’m not sure why Sj bought this old briefcase for all of 4 Euros.
had so much fun together !!!
Hmm . . .
Sj et Pedrata out . . . for now. ;-)
Gracias Tones for these wonderful pictures!!!
If you’d like to check out Sayulita, go for it!
And while you’re at it, visit Puerta Vallarta. We’re heading there in just a bit. The guys want to eat at Gaby’s Restaurant too! Plan is to watch a movie on the white wall opposite the restaurant. In the neighborhood? Come join us!
+Sj out
Yahoo!!!!
“SI!” Tony and I replied when Kevin and Marisela invited us to join them on their return trip to Kauai aboard their one-of-a-kind, original (can you say MAGNIFIQUE?!!) boat KALEWA — designed and built by Kevin.
Invitations like these don’t come every day!
From where to where? you ask.
Puerta Vallarta, Mexico to Nawiliwili, Kauai.
When?
Now.
But how can you make a post when you’re underway?
We’re not yet. There are a few details to take care of. Parts needed for this and that. And, most importantly, cousins to visit with!!!
I’ve been speaking a sloppy mix of French, Spanish, and German. BUT I made a promise to Flavio, Marisela’s cousin who’s a Biology teacher and gynecologist, that I’ll know Spanish by the next time we meet up. Yup, that’s my goal!!! Hablar con mia en espanol next time you see me. I most likely will make a mess of my reply, but I’ll give it my ALL, that’s for darn tooting!
Kay den, without further ado, below are pictures that fablisio Tony Baloney has taken so far . . .
