wins and learns
There’s a famous quote by Nelson Mandela: “I never lose. I either win or learn.” We stand by that at 2nd Story Goods, calling things that some might see as losses “learnings” instead. I am learning to apply that philosophy…
Category Stories
goodbyes + the next adventure
Anyone who knows me can agree that I am not exactly good at goodbyes. Actually, let me re-phrase, I am terrible at goodbyes. When I said goodbye to my parents and boyfriend at the airport I was crying so hard…
The Finale of My Everest Journey
Rough Conditions After Phortse the conditions of each village continued to worsen. Dingboche, Lobuche, and Gorak Shep were all impoverished communities filled with makeshift buildings and isolated from anything other than tourists seeking to reach Everest. The prices of even…
Tiny Wurm, Big World
Welcome to my very first blog! I am slowly learning how to put the stories, ideas, and thoughts I encounter into words for you to not only read, but to experience for yourself. I am honored that you are willing…
The Dark Side of Everest
Following Namche Bazar, the environment changed quite drastically. Villages became more remote, access to common utilities was rare, and the climate more unpredictable. To Phortse We embarked on a 7.5 mile trek to a very small village called Phortse. This…
Dominican Wal-Mart, I love you
Well, almost two weeks down. I think I have each of the girls’ names memorized, all my pictures up in my room, wifi figured out, transportation is still in the works sometimes, and I’ve found my favorite store (La Sirena!…
Who Over What
“So, what do you do?” I’d probably have the funding for several micro loans if I received a dollar or two every time I’ve been asked this question over the past few years. I, too, am guilty of peppering people…
the place where your deep gladness and the world’s deep hunger meet
Happy July! Friday, we went to Port au Prince to move all of our stuff out of and close down the 2nd Story Goods store at the Marriott Hotel. Unfortunately, after renting the space for 3 years, it just was…
a new “normal”.
I have noticed a shift within myself in a week or so. All of a sudden, everything here seems familiar. I have begun understanding much more Swahili, the crowded streets that once overwhelmed me have started to feel normal, and…
halfway there// an extraordinary week
It hit me that I am officially halfway through my time in Tanzania, and honestly, that makes my heart hurt. It is mindblowing to think that for the last year and a half, I have been anticipating this trip, and…