Earthbag House Tour – Beginning of Year 2
We put the earthbag house project on hold for the winter and a large portion of this summer. It’s now August and we are back to resume work. Here’s what it looks like after a nine month absence:
Our Secular, Renaissance-Themed Wedding
This next week, Keith and I will celebrate our 4th anniversary! I’ve been recalling the happy occasion by editing our wedding video—yeah, it has taken awhile. But I have not had Camtasia Studio until this year, so that’s my excuse. If you’ll indulge me, I’m going to share some fun memories from our wedding… More… Keith and…
The Glass Castle Book Review
Every now and then I read a book or watch a movie that brings back memories of my childhood, running from the cops. While I was at the World Domination Summit I spoke with a literary agent about our current book project, Seven Years Running. The agent, who has worked with New York Times bestselling authors, encouraged me…
Notes from World Domination Summit 2015: Part 4
Have you read my earlier WDS posts? Click here to read Part 1 from July 9 and 10. Click here to read Part 2 from July 11. Click here to read Part 3 from July 12. This is the fourth and final in my series of WDS notes. If you missed WDS, I hope you…
Notes from World Domination Summit 2015: Part 3
Have you read my earlier WDS posts? Click here to read Part 1 from July 9 and 10. Click here to read Part 2 from July 11. Sunday, July 12, began much like the previous day, with a long line snaking up the side of “The Schnitz” (as Portlanders affectionately call the Arlene Schnitzer Concert…
What I Learned at World Domination Summit 2015: Part 2
(Did you miss my first WDS post? Click here to see Part 1.) By the time I arrived at the Arlene Schnitzer Hall for the Main Stage event at 8:10 or so on Saturday morning, July 11th, the line already snaked up and down the block from the front doors to the South Park Blocks…
What I Learned at World Domination Summit 2015: Part 1
I just returned from the most amazing weekend I’ve experienced in several years: the 2015 World Domination Summit in Portland, Oregon. I enjoyed five intense days of workshops, inspirational speakers, and world-record-breaking activities. What is the World Domination Summit, you ask? It isn’t the sinister gathering that the title implies. Instead, WDS seeks to answer…
Podocarpus National Park, Loja, Ecuador
One of the best things about Loja, Ecuador is the great hiking opportunities nearby. Here are some photos from Podocarpus National Park, in the section closest to Loja. Enjoy!
Vegetarian Foods in Ecuador
I appreciate learning about local foods from the perspective of fellow vegetarians. While Ecuador and Loja have many unique meat-based dishes, since I cannot eat those I want to know the options for vegetarians such as myself. Incidentally, I am not a vegan even though I feel better on a vegan diet. I try to…
Becoming an Expat: Ecuador – Book Review
My book, Live Like a Local in Loja, shares many stories of our experience living in this beautiful southern Ecuadorian city. In it I did my best to provide an accurate description of what to expect. I also included helpful resources and advice for successful integration into the community, for anyone interested in living there…
Market Day in Loja
People commonly ask about the cost of living in Loja, Ecuador. How much does food cost there? Going to the market each week was a treasure hunt for both of us—a constant discovery of new foods and affordable prices. Today I’ll share a few weeks of typical expenses at the local weekly open-air market, where…
Trip to Yacuri National Park and Amaluza in Espíndola
Not long before we were scheduled to leave Loja, I found a group on Facebook called “LojAventura”—a large group of adventurers who went on hiking trips around the province of Loja. They advertised an upcoming hiking trip to Amaluza and Yacuri National Park for the celebration of World Water Day—March 22nd, 2014. In order to…