Prizes

Follow this site and win a prize for the day. If you are already a member, make 4 comments and you can also win a prize. Then email OTTE at mikeandpetrina@gmail.com

The music continues with Carrie and a Request by Laurie at Honduras Gumbo.

Let's start with Maxwell

Welcome to the

This is the 2nd Anniversary Blog Party for Our Trip To Ethiopia (OTTE). We have prizes, music, last years favorites, dancing, & helpful tips and posts throughout the day. All until 12 midnight! Lets start off with some music....

CNN Heroes 2011

CNN Heroes 2011 is here! They will be choosing this years winner on December 8:00ET/5:00PT.I love this show. I always admire the candidates as they are doing the work we all desire to do and on a bigger scale. They inspire us to be brave, to follow our visions and show consistency in making a difference.

CNN Heroes has been an inspiration to me starting the Ethiopian Foundation. I secretly dream of the day when I can be nominated for just being on the show. I also envision hosting my own award ceremony as I enjoy the process of nominations and recognition of awards given by "the people" for "exemplary humanitarian efforts". For now, I'll keep my head out of the clouds and keep my hands dirty with Aide Work.

And as usual I have more than one person I want to vote for. If you want to vote for your favorites, you may do so now as voting has commenced.

CNN Heroes 2011-Everyday People Changing The World.

The Ethiopian Foundation Update

We have officially, had our first meeting for The Ethiopian Foundation (TEF) at the most meaningful and historical site, The Martin Luther King Jr. Library. Everyone came with their committed hearts and ideas for raising scholarships for Ethiopian candidates.

Nataniel Fikru, our first candidate, spoke at the meeting. He brought his mother who cheered him on and the members of TEF for her son's consideration as a recipient for our "Text Book Fund". He is a wonderful young man with much plans and hopes for himself and his country, Ethiopia.

The Board Members are a dynamic group of Ethiopians, consisting of two Engineer, two Computer Wizards, a Medical Doctor, a former Member of the UN, a Professor, a Business Owner and myself the Counselor/Therapist. We will be having our first fundraiser in the beginning of December. Stay tuned and thank you for your continued support.

-The Ethiopian Foundation Team

Thank You Blog Expat

I have seen this button before from traveling to other blogs, blog surfing to read the latest on blogs similar to my own. I was curious enough to click and glance and read and admire but it never crossed my mind to join. Maybe I thought they wouldn't like my blog.

Well I saw it again and this time I took a chance and filled out the online registration. I was surprised at how quickly I was approved. I must admit, being a part of a community of expatriate bloggers is a wonderful forum to be apart of. I love that it is international and bloggers are single and some married with children, like myself. Plus it will keep me on the edge, reading and reminiscing of my travels through the eyes of other travelers. Did I mention this will be a motivational site to keep me working towards my future goals for helping humanity?

The latest featured blog is Us! Check out OTTE on Blog Expats. Feel free to vote for us as well. Thanks.

Missing Summer

I miss summer already. It's time to get back to work and I am just not ready. We were able to finally launch "The Ethiopian Foundation" which also made this a great summer. It started with our trip back home to New York. We visited family and our old neighborhood. The kids missed each other so much.

We ate well and visited places of meaning for us. We even caught a movie with my nephew. On our way back to the bus terminal. I gave the boys my camera and these are the pictures they took.

My Youngest

My Oldest

Me

and thirteen pictures of this same sky.

My father in law treated us to Kings Dominion in Virginia. We had a blast and a delicious picnic. These are my boys with my husband, skipping eagerly to the entrance.

The boys had fun on the bumper cars.

Driving around,

Talking daddy into taking a 13 story drop,

All of us riding the crazy roller coaster, especially the Grizzly which took you through the woods.

They tried to win a bear for their one year old cousin, which they won.

We enjoyed our pool for the rest of the summer,

Which closed on Labor Day. See you next year, Summer. Now back to work.

Until we meet again......