BITS + PIECES OF BROOKLYN

bits+pieces. our trip to brooklyn.

images can say a whole lot. how was your labor day weekend?

one.  train clouds
two. heart of manhattan, catching the subway
three. subway views
four. baby cousin
five. a double heaping of trouble
six. the sweetest girl
seven. the boy and the baby
eight.   play in the park with three eldest : 11, 9, und 5+1/2
nine. the 8:38 to Somerville
ten. a long ride
eleven. brooklyn architecture

- janeen mickayla

SEVEN DAYS.

I've really surprised myself. I've always been the girl that never did anything really...daring [except maybe on stage, i.e. acting]. I feel like this is sort of coming into myself. Having the balls to do something that no one really thought was attainable. "Yeah, okay, you going to Germany for a year. Sure you are!" And it's only seven days away. I wish you could SEE my grin. My cheeks hurt!

This next school years is approaching fast. It seems as if the summer has gone by in a flash. Back to morning rituals, alarm clocks, and cold showers, right? Not for me. I just realized that I won't be going back to any familiar routines. I won'rt be starting my Junior year with the rest of my class. I'll be going to a different country. [Almost] living a different life. My hearts racing the thought. I'll blame it on the hormones. I've never been so worked up over anything...except maybe passing my written driver's test.

In other news, my luggage tags came in the mail, and...drum roll, please....I purchased my plane tickets! I'll officially be flying to the orientation site. Row 6. Window Seat. Oh my! First plane ride  E-V-E-R and I'll be flying alone. One and a half hours. Half stoked, half freaked. I've gotten some contributions on my fundraising site here that i have not collected yet, but I was able to buy my ticket due to an "in-person" sponsor. I'm so grateful, and so happy.

And so, the post-week countdown begins. 7 days. Good grief.

awkwardly, not-so-patiently waiting,

- janeen mickayla

A LITTLE CELEBRATION.

 So, today was my baby brothers 5th birthday! It was a good day, a lot of laughing and giggles! It was a small get-together: just my brother, mom, his dad and me. I took lots of pictures to be sure that I remember this day. He's 5 now, ans he's starting school in September. 2 weeks! My gosh, just yesterday he was in diapers. We go school shopping for him soon, so I'll be back soon. this week is just so busy. A birthday, school shopping, check ups and a lot of planning for Germany. It was nice to have a day to just celebrate. I love my brother and I love that there's a day in the year just to make him laugh and watch him smile.

Happy 5th Bobby-yum, I love you so much!

- janeen mickayla

BITS + PIECES

bits + pieces{of our friday}

one. my neighborhood. two. sunny-side-up follow. three. 's a charm. four. bacon egg 'n' cheese. five. brand spank-in' new. six. watermelon. seven. yum.

my goodness, it's a month away. yea, it's getting really close and i  feel 'soft afraid'. hesitant some, extremely excited, and really, really nervous. but, that's enough cliche's, i am trying to cram as much into these last few weeks as I can. watermelon. mmmnnn. honestly, who doesn't love it? exactly. My my luggage came in the mail, and it was a bit like a splash of cold water in the face [an abrupt wake up call, but at the same time, refreshing]. i started packing my bags and it truly registered how much i love my family. they're everything to me, and i'm branching out in a way. it's not college, but it's a longer separation than college would cause. 

- janeen mickayla

please, help me pay for my German study abroad by clicking here.

MY LAST AND FINAL FINANCIAL HURDLE!

Let's take a moment to reflect on all that's happened so far on this journey that's barely begun: I heard about this program around November of last year through an online classmate studying abroad in Spain. I instantly realized that this was the type of chance that only fell in your lap once, if you were lucky. I told my mom about it - she didn't take me seriously at first, of course. And then, because my  mom is my all-time hero, she paid the preliminary admission fee and then it truly started. Around January my mother and I realized that the cost of this wouldn't be just the tuition fee, $13,000, but also a bucket load of other "hidden" expenses that would come up to $17, 500.

I remember my mother reading to me every night before I went to bed and helping with my homework every single day when I got home from school. She instilled in me a passion for learning, and made sure that I would be able to have a better future than she had and that I was given opportunities that were not offered to her. Even though I come from a low income family she has never allowed it to put a strain on the things that I strive for in life. Even though we needed to raised $17,500 for this to happen, she told me if I really wanted it we could find a way raise the money.


And because she amazing we raised $13, 500/. Now, our time is almost up and we down to our last hurdle. $4000! So much less that the initial $17, 500. Mymom has set up an account on indiegogo for us to raise the last of the money. It be great if you could donate or contribute. EVERY CONTRIBUTION can get something, even a dollar. Check it out: http://www.indiegogo.com/afsgermanyfund?a=980067


Even if you can't give money, I understand tight budgets more thatn anyone, tell your friends, share it on twitter/facebook/pintreast/ANYWHERE!
Please help me, I'm so close. If I don't raise the last of this money, I won't be able to go at all, and then my mom and I would have worked so hard for nothing. 


Please, Help Me Study Abroad with AFS Germany.

- 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

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

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

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