AUGUST #PHOTOADAY CHALLENGE LIST

What better way to capture the last month of my summer than with FATMUMSLIM's photo a day challenge. I've never done it before because I don't have a phone, but I went to her website and read that you can post your pictures to Facebook or your blog, it doesn't really matter. I'm excited! Do any of you participate in this challenge? Comment bellow!

- janeen mickayla

LEGENDE DER LORELEI

So, recently I've been emailing my host parents a lot and we've been going back and forth getting to know each other, so that it won't feel like  we're strangers when I get to Germany in September and meet them in person. What I can tell you, for certain, is that  Heike and Dieter are such kind, warm people. They always make me laugh at something when I'm reading their letters to me. And they write back almost immediately! They had sent me picture while they were hiking [they're real outdoorsy - a perfect match for me!] and Heike wrote to me about this old German folktale about this really huge, beautiful rock called the Lorelei.

It's a legend from the Rhine river valley. This rock has been coveted over for centuries and I have to admit that it drew me in too. Because of the murmuring noises it makes it was given it name: "lureln" translates to "murmuring" in the Rhine dialect and "ley" means rock. The noise that comes from the rock comes from a waterfall it contains that was once visible in the 19th century. This murmuring rock is this majestic gem that has caused many accidents as well because of it's strong current. I can't even wait to go there myself and "feel" it. It's so cool. Maybe,you aren't as excited about something like this as I am, but these are the kind of things that I'm a dork for. Those hidden parts of culture that you wouldn't know, or notice, unless you were a part of it. Oy! I can't wait! I wanna be there now!

resources are found here: 1 . 2 . 3

- janeen mcikayla

10 T H I N G S...I'll miss about America [#3. MY BABY BROTHER]

41 days

until Friday September 07 2012

I should't even have to explain. He's four and he's the cutest little boy in the world. He starts kindergarten September of this year, and I'll be gone. LUCKILY, I believe I may be here for his first day, so, I'll survive. And we've already created a skyping schedule with mom. I'm gonna miss his hugs.

 - janeen mickayla

BITS + PIECES // A DAY AT THE PARK WITH MY BABY BROTHER

bits + pieces {a day at the park}

one. peekaboo! two. follow the leader. three. the only time he didn't make me go with him. four. I went first. five. William made me a song :)  

It was a lot of fun, and SO HOT. After a few hours, we went and got subs and then brought them home to have dinner with mom. I'm cramming as much bonding time into 42 days as I can! He was so happy, it was a memorable day.

- janeen mickayla

QUOTE OF THE DAY : 7|26|12

JAMAICAN CURRY CHICKEN

I am a Jamaican's child and I love curry chicken. Since I am going to be in a different country wher the serve only German food I've decide to put as many home-recipes as I can. m a t e r i a :  chicken thighs, carrots, potatoes, onions, scallions, curry powder, rosemary, chopped basil, and other spices. 1. wash your chicken and then add the spices (rosemary, chopped basil, etc. ) and marinate over night. 2. brown your chicken. 3. Once browned add water and coconut milk to pot and cook for about 1 half hour at a very low heat. 4. Chop your carrots, potatoes, onions, scallions, and any other vegetables you'd like and stir into pot. Let cook for another 30 minutes and then serve hot over rice. 

It's best served in a bowl :)

recipes. {jamaican curry chicken}



This is my 3rd favorite Jamaican dish, it tastes great and it's extremely healthy. Enjoy :)
Leave a comment if you like the recipe, or you decide to give it a try. Ask me anything!

- janeen mickayla

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 7|17|12

A SONG THAT EXPLAINS HOW I FEEL RIGHT NOW;
New Perspective by Panic! At The Disco

I am so nervous and excited and troubled and happy. Never felt this many emotions before...and this is a small preview of the whirlwind  that will be going on inside me when i'm there. I am so ready to see how people - other folk like me in many ways- live their life, I'm ready to experience life in their shoes. I can't wait! Because I'm going to be becoming part of a completely different culture in "fifty-something" my mom's been making lots of Jamaican foods for us. I'll have updates on my home recipes soon. :)

yours truly;

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {SWEET}

today was {sweet}

today was a good day. It started with an extra yummy breakfast and, of course, tea. (what can i say, i'm Jamaican.) i took my brother outside to run around a bit and there was just the loveliest sunset - so i took a picture! and, to make this day even better, Sue - an amazing person that works with the exchange students from AFS-New Jersey - told me i got the rest of the funding for my tuition! now all i need is to raise spending money for my 10 months there. i'm thrilled! i hope your day was as lovely as mine.

happy wednesday. =)

- janeen mickayla

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 7|10|12

-  janeen mickayla

10 T H I N G S...I'll miss about America [#2. my mom]

mommy + me {my first birthday}

59 days

until Friday September 07 2012

When I am in Germany I will, of course, miss my mother. I  have never been away from her for that long of a time. She doesn't even know how much I love her. I am going to miss her like crazy! These are pictures of me in my my the first two years of my life. These photos are from the 90's so I'm super happy that I have them scanned. I want to make sure I have these pictures forever, even though the memories they give me are a little hazy. These pictures are very personal and my mom is one of the most important people to me.

 - janeen mickayla

PLACEMENT {prt.III} : Meine Schule

When I first found a picture of this place I instantly thought, oh my gosh, HOGWARTS! And then I read about what they offered there [a little difficult, the information was in German] and I almost peed my pants. They have a much better selection of classes than they have at my high school, that's for sure! They have theatre, film and photography classes! And they will also have the math and science class that i'm required to take when I graduate back here in the U.S.

- janeen mickayla

10 T H I N G S...I'll miss about America [#1. New York]

61 days

until Friday September 07 2012

New Jersey is my home, beautiful and I will always love it, but I think that I will miss being in such close proximity to New York more. The city of lights, the city of $2 jeans, the city where anything can happen...this I will truly miss. I remember my first trip to Central Park. It was almost magical to. We went in the spring and I was just amazed by all the smells and all the different types of people that were all clustered into one place. I remember the funnel cake and hot dogs and the hundreds of personal food vender's and I remember my mom getting her portrait done, and doting over the horse we passed. I can't even explain what it feels like to be there. I know it's cliché but, only in New York, right?

- janeen mickayla

PLACEMENT {prt.II} : My Host family [I can't wait to meet them!]

This is my host family! Dieter und Heike. September 7th I will fly to Germany and become a part of their family. They sent me many pictures of them and this was the very first image that I got of them. I can't even explain how badly I want to meet them. My host mom is a buyer for a fashion company! That's unbelievably perfect because i'm a bit of a dork for fashion and all things art. And my host father loves running and sports, just like I do. I was a little nervous at first when I read that I wouldn't have any host siblings, but after reading their letter I was just as excited all over again. Plus, my host mom also sent me a post card from Düsseldorf! I have never gotten a post card before so I can honestly say that I was close to hysteric in my excitement. This whole thing is so surreal. Today I finally got enough courage to send her an email, it was so hard to try and form coherent sentences when your that jittery. I really want my host mom to speak with my mother before I leave. I'm so proud of my mom for allowing me to do this. We have never really been away from each other for more that a week or so, it's going to be a bit tough, especially for her - i'm her "baby girl" forever.


Wish me luck, and home I don't implode from all my freaking out. It's a good mix of emotion, though, so don't worry too much. ;)

I'll dig up some dirt on my host school soon....Placement part III.....

- janeen mickayla

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 7|6|12

- janeen mickayla

PLACEMENT {prt.I} : I'll be living in Düsseldorf, Germany!

{Düsseldorf, Germany skyline}
I doubt that I can explain the rush of excitement and pure bliss that surged through my veins when I read the email,  AFS: You Have New Information About Your Permanent Host Family in Germany! I almost cried! The waiting is so very, very hard, I had been checking my email in ten minute increments for about two weeks now.  There is just so much for me to talk about and to look into that I breaking up all of this wonderful new into three parts. This part will be on my research of the town that my host family live in: Düsseldorf, Germany!

The city itself cam about around the 7th and 8th century and got it's name from theDüssel river. The settlement their became what is now the thriving city of Düsseldorf, Germany. It's very old city that is wrapped in a rich history and culture. It's a very family friendly town and its absolutely beautiful. I been in for a cool winter the ten months  I'm there. I'll never run out of things to do, that's for sure. 

The Altstadt, Shopping on Königsallee, 

Kunstsammlung Nordrhein-Westfalen, 

Boat Tour on the Rhein

There's an abundance of things to do and to see [and hopefully, if I can get an adequate camera, take lot of pictures for my porfolio]. I have this feeling that I am going to be very, very happy where I am.

- janeen mickayla

TODAY WAS {PATRIOTIC}

Happy fourth of July to all Americans and anyone else who likes to celebrate! This is one of my favorite holidays. Today, in my small town, there was a  sort of mutual happiness that coated the air. It was  sweet and [not to sound too corny] it felt truly American. Today I spent the morning with my family and we grilled hot dogs and fried chicken [we ate lots of American food] and I drank lot of tea....because i'm always drink tea. I spent the afternoon with my good friend: we went to my house, we walked around town -- it was SO HOT -- we went to her house, watched some American movies, [Comedy skits and X-Men] had some tacos -- not very American -- and then we walked around some more. Ice cream and movies and hot dogs and, of course, fireworks. A few block from my house my neighbors had street fireworks in their yard, which gave the night a euphoric feeling...I felt: happy to be where I was, in America, with my friends enjoying the day :) I was a very happy camper.

It may not sound extremely "American" or like I did much celebrating but, to me, it was a good fourth of July. My day was filled with laughter and smiling and enjoying life with good friends and family, which is what I believe is the best way to celebrate American Independence day.

Happy fourth of July!

- janeen mickayla

QUOTE OF THE DAY: 7|3|12

- janeen mickayla