thefutureisred

The Lila's Second First Day of School Give-Away

It's that time of year again. Lila goes back to school, and you know what that means? Another give-away of fantastic Brooklyn confectionery Whimsy and Spice cookies.

Last year, I went all proud mama when Lila went to her first day of school. It was a pretty big deal, and she was understandably nervous. Not only was it a first day of school, but a first day in a new country in a language she didn't yet know. Still, off she went in her little white knee socks and did her thing.

That was last year, though.

This year, she was excited to see her friends again, happy to finally have a place she calls home where her friends can visit and totally digging being a big girl in first grade.

This photo is Lila just before she left home her first morning of classes. She's standing in front of our new place. Lila and I planted herbs -- lavender, mint and rosemary -- in the pots behind her. That hammock used to swing on our dock in Bocas del Toro. We stuffed it into our suitcase the last time we came back from the US. Talk about not traveling light.

This year, it's time for more wonderful cookies. And this year, there are TWO ways to win. 

THE FIRST: Leave a comment for shortbread!!

I'm giving away boxes of shortbread cookies to three lucky people who leave a comment, any comment, below.

Choose from Chocolate Orange Cardamom, Brown Sugar Gingerspice and Honey Lavender.

Bonus points for anyone who tells me their own back-to-school story. One of you story tellers will also get one of the Whimsy and Spice Sampler boxes.

Please note: Remember to leave your e-mail address when you leave the comment so I can let you know if you win.

THE SECOND: Join my mailing list for marshmallows!!!

In addition to a chance for three more people to win a dozen box your choice of Chocolate, Caramel, Cardamom, Maple and Rose Vanilla Handmade Marshmallows, you'll receive notices of my new blog posts as well as any new contests and give-aways. (Note: I have something planned for my birthday this month as well as for Lila's birthday in April).

Enter the give-away by subscribing with your e-mail address in the box below. You must verify your subscription, though, in order to enter because unless you verify, I have no way of knowing you've joined the mailing list.

Enter your email address:

Soon after subscribing, you will receive an e-mail asking you to verify that you truly want to be on my mailing list. All you need to do is click on the link in that e-mail.

If you're already receiving updates, you're already entered to win the marshmallows.

Last day to enter: Last day of March, 2010. One more caveat: Whimsy and Spice only delivers within the US, so for anyone else, I'll send you a box of Calchaquitos Alfajores (Best I've ever had).

Any questions or comments? Feel free to e-mail me! I can't wait to hear what you have to say!

Enter the Geotourism Challenge 2009 - May 20 Deadline Approaches

Want to get involved and make a difference?

Here's how.

Check out Ashoka's Changemakers and their Geotourism Challege 2009. There are three ways you can help out.

1. Nominate your favorite Geotourism Changemaker.
2. Educate yourself by reading about inspiring organizations worldwide who are making a difference.
3. Apply for the Changemakers Challenge yourself.

There is also 10 million dollars in funding available for sustainable development projects in Latin America and the Caribbean in addition to other prizes and funding as well as the whl.travel/ Intrepid Travel prize designed to support local tourism.

Digital Vagabonding Announces the Roads Scholarship

How would you like to be paid to travel across North America, publish your writing and finally find yourself with a free ticket to Burning Man 2009?

Here's your chance.

Pat, the Digital Vagabond, will pay some lucky winner of his new Roads Scholarship a monthly stipend to travel across the United States. Along the way, you'll write articles that will be published on two of the top travel writer networks found on the internet: Travellerspoint and Matador Network -- both of which I'm a member as well so feel free to look me up on either website.

At the end, you'll come home to Black Rock City, Nevada and the Burning Man Festival to be greeted by a group of other digital vagabonds, including myself and Noah. (Yes, you heard me!)

Want it?  All you have to do is apply!

The It's April! Give Away: Win the Moleskine Notebook of Your Choice!

 

Welcome April, you cruelest month!

Home of cherry blossoms blossoming, April Fool's Day and Lila's birthday!

To celebrate -- because I'm always good for an idea to celebrate something -- this most gorgeous month, I'm giving away a Moleskine Notebook.

Yes, Moleskine, the notebook favorite of writers, travelers and artists with it's soft supple cover and smooth pages. What better place to jot down your blog notes, story ideas, sketches and journal entries?

I'm giving away to one lucky reader any one of the products Moleskine has to offer. Sketchbooks, city notebooks, calenders and more. It's your choice.

How to win? The rules are easy. Subscribe to my mailing list sometime between now and the last day of April 2009. All you do is fill in your e-mail address below or on the right side column of this page and hit the subscribe button. You'll receive an e-mail in your chosen mailbox. Open it. Click on the link inside. And voila! You're an e-mail subscriber.

A winner will be randomly selected on May 1, 2009 from the list of e-mail addresses iregistered to my site. If you're already a subscriber, you're already entered to win. Any questions or problems, feel free to e-mail.

In the meantime, enjoy your April. I always do!

Enter your email address:

Write your First Day of School Memories, Win an After School Snack!

READ TO THE END OF THE POST FOR HOW TO WIN YOUR AFTER SCHOOL SNACK!

My baby just began kindergarten!!!

"But I'm not a baby," she tells me.

"I know. It's just something mamas say about their kids," I reply, and somehow this makes sense to her.

It all sort of snuck up one me. Lila goes to some sort of school or camp wherever we decide to stay for any extended period of time. It allows her to play with other kids, allows us to meet other parents. Brooklyn. Bocas. Buffalo. Atlanta. That coupled with the fact that her peers in every other part of the world we've lived don't start their school year until September, made it seem like just another school experience in another part of the world.

So when we enrolled her here in Salta, it didn't hit me that this is actually it. Lila is starting KINDERGARDEN!!!

She is beyond happy to go. "I'm just so excited," she repeated over and over on the way to the bus, on the bus, on the walk from the bus and through the doors of her new colegio. Not to mention, she's been asking every day for the past 2 weeks. "Am I going to school today?"

She was, in fact, so excited, that she didn't even mind wearing a uniform for school. All schools in Salta -- and I believe in Argentina as well -- require them. This is the girl who likes pink, bright colors and skirts or dresses. Pants are only marginally acceptable if they have stars on them. I thought she would hate it! Instead, she not only accepted dark blue shorts, white t-shirt, white knee socks and white tennis shoes, she embraced them.

Let's just say, few can rock a outfit like this as hard as Lila can.

Here's how the morning drop off went.

We arrive to see a woman in a navy blue sequined ballgown and full make-up standing at the door to welcome the kids. Lila hid behind Noah. Then, go further in the school to see the mob of parents and kids, cheering, kissing hellos and goodbyes.

Lila's teacher, Moira, greeted her wearing a pink princess dress. She kissed Lila on the cheek then introduced Lila to the class. "This is Lila. She's learning Spanish. So we'll help her with that. And she will help us with our English." Obviously, this is my translation. This entire morning was brought to you by loud, raucous, happy Castellano.

Then Lila waved goodbye, joined the circle of kids in their uniforms and that was that. She didn't even look up to see us again.

So in honor of Lila's first day of school, I'm giving away an after school snack of beautiful gourmet cookies from my old home of Brooklyn, care of Whimsy and Spice.

TO ENTER:  You've been hearing my stories all this time. Now I want to hear yours. 

Simply leave a comment here on this blog entry describing one of your First Day of School Memories. That can be yours, your child's, anything that in any way relates to starting school. If you feel shy about posting your writing online for all to see, you can also e-mail your entry to me. It doesn't have to be long or perfect. I just want to hear what you have to say.

A winner will be drawn at random and announced March 9, 2009. Winner recieves a Whimsy and Spice Classic Sampler box of cookies, biscotti and -- get this -- luscious espresso brownie laced with dulce de leche! Be sure to include a working e-mail in the designated space below (it won't be posted online, ply sent to me) so I can contact you for your address if you're the winner.

Can't wait to hear all your first day of school stories!