Saturday Evening Post — We Made This Ourselves

Olivia Leigh Photographie

Olivia Leigh Photographie

Hey!

We document our family's working sabbaticals as well as adventures a tad closer to home.

Aug 1

Aug 1 Saturday Evening Post

Julie Schumacher

A few photos from our week.

New Regent Street, Christchurch

New Regent Street, Christchurch

Wallaby, Hanmer Springs Animal Farm

Wallaby, Hanmer Springs Animal Farm

Tram Ride, Christchurch

Tram Ride, Christchurch

New Brighton Pier

New Brighton Pier

Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch

Cardboard Cathedral, Christchurch

Wacky Stays, Kaikoura

Wacky Stays, Kaikoura

Wacky Stays, Kaikoura

Wacky Stays, Kaikoura

Napier

Redwood Memorial Grove, Rotorua

Redwood Memorial Grove, Rotorua

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Jul 21, 2017

Week in Review

Jul 21, 2017

Jul 21, 2017

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@w ellturnedwords

Next week!

I’ll be sharing a bit about how we navigate being independent creatives and taking a working sabbatical each year as part of @acehotelchicago’s Coffee Talk Series. It’s lovely timing as we’re just about a month away from departing for our seventh trip, this year to Cape Town.
I’m happy to answer any questions from the big picture WHYS to the nitty gritty HOWS of our trips and our little family’s mission statement and life design. It ain’t always easy, but it’s always worth it. Whether you have a kid or not, travel a lot or not, work for yourself or not...I love hearing how other people define success, community and exploration so come join me! It’s free, casual and super wonderful. And there are snacks! Bring a pal, I’ll save you both a seat.

Join me Wednesday May 16 at 2 pm at the @acehotelchicago. Thanks to @malloryulaszek and @kelseysaurus of @presenceagency for bringing people together. 🌍

Graffiti is something that rattles around in her rule-wired brain. It’s not allowed, but sometimes it is allowed. When it’s great it’s art or a political statement or just awesome. But when it’s not, it’s a bummer and maybe it’s vandalism. We try to explain. We don’t always do a great job. We told her there’d be a graffiti wall we’d read about in @atlasobscura (I think? If not, let’s add it!) She knows that means something weird might happen. So it was pretty great to all have all our minds blown when we thought there’d be a wall and instead there was block after block after block after block. We walked, we stopped, we went back and got the car. We drove till we had to turn back. No end to the art, the only kind of border wall I like.

The joy she brings us. The joy she puts out into the world. And my god. How even that feels like something so tenuous and so fleeting. Can any American parent look at their child right now and not ache for the parents of children lost? Of futures stolen. Of politicians spineless and purchased. I got to hug her yesterday and the day before. Curl her hair and hike up her tights tonight. We cannot rest while schools are not our safest places. While carnage is the norm. While an AR-15 has more defenders in Congress than our kids. To the students of Parkland, I hear you. We see you. Stay furious as you heal and stay active as you grow. Vote like your child’s life is on the line. It is.

One more from yesterday’s @womensmarch in Chicago. It’s so fun raising this extroverted, curious, compassionate person. To get complimented on her spirit and witness her develop into a rad human being. It’s also the greatest responsibility. To engage in answering hard questions like “What does Black Lives Matter mean?” and to carefully explain why she can’t just touch a black friend’s hair. To explore what “My Body, My Choice” means and to endlessly remind her why consent, on her part and others’, is key. To talk about immigration and access and DACA. To bring the entire history of injustice and oppression into a context a wee one can wrap their brain around. To stoke a fire in her belly without putting fear in her heart. To everyone who helps us help her, cheers and thank you. Photo from the awesome March photo essay over on @rebelliousmagazine.

She chants with such ferocity that not once but twice organizers handed her a megaphone. I love that she carried her peace sign paper plate. I cried when she chanted “Me Too.” I explained what misogyny is, and democracy. I’m heartbroken and hopeful, empowered and exhausted. And I’ll march again and again. I’ll march for an intersectional feminist future and to preserving and improving our shredded democracy. I march because the family that protests together instigates systemic change together. I march to form the muscle memory of opposition that will be required for real, lasting, powerful change.

What Happens Next: Napier

Aug 3 What Happens Next: Napier

Day Trip: Arthur’s Pass

Jul 25 Day Trip: Arthur’s Pass