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Know Your Euro Cup / We Love Ronaldinho
Portugal beat the Czech Republic 1-3 today to go to the quarter finals of the Euro Cup. I have many fond memories of watching the Euro and World Cups in Sao Joao. This win makes me very happy for the beautiful small country, so often overlooked. I immediately emailed (Portugal fan) Colin Borden in Tanzania […]
Jenelle
June 11, 2008
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Jesse Borden is Twenty-One!
Though others have properly celebrated him here, and in motherly ways here, I also wanted to add in my celebratory comments for Jesse’s 21st birthday. Jesse is a great younger brother. He runs after God in a big, hearty ways. His hugs are healing. And his manner is so calming. I met him in the […]
Jenelle
March 27, 2008
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Request
I would like to dance now, dear. I would like to sway with you and still (stay Still, now) in the silence; we meet here. Do not take me from this place- When the pulse of practicality Beats as a drum in our ears. I would like ferocious laughter, dear. I would like belly-shaking laughter- […]
Jenelle
December 10, 2007
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Saudades
This weekend I hosted a tiny dinner party. It was the first time that I’ve done such a thing in quite awhile, and it made me very happy. I really enjoy putting on my apron. (It is a very special one, you know.) It is a creative challenge to only use that which is in […]
Jenelle
November 25, 2007
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Travel Log #01 – Portuguese Trees/Skies
On the Bus to Porto Two minutes of lo-fi travel, designed to be a calming pause in your day, and to make you feel like you’re sitting next to me on the bus. Music by Yann Tiersen (Amelie soundtrack). Jesse and Trevor’s travel log from Tanzania to California was my inspiration. Oh! Their video surprise […]
Jenelle
August 25, 2007
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Interruptions on the Way
I’m traveling by train from Lisbon to Castelo Branco, on the way to spend a night at Barbara’s land. We’re stopped. The Portuguese lady on the recording calls it a brief “interruption on the way.” But the other passengers say there is a fire up ahead, somewhere near the tracks. Catherine is with me, and […]
Jenelle
August 22, 2007
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Just as Far as the Lighthouse, Girl
Yesterday I was walking up the stoney streets of Cascais, on my way to run along my most favorite path in the globe: from Boca do Inferno (lit. “mouth of hell”) to Guincho beach, overlooking the Atlantic. I was intercepted by a phone call that my presence was requested in Sao Joao for Indian food […]
Jenelle
August 11, 2007
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I Crossed the Ocean
…to get this haircut. Any body in Cascais with the least strand of hair-sense knows (the infamous) David from W2 Stylists in Monte Estoril. I’ve missed him. David said he affectionately refers to all us girls who left Portugal as “the mystery girls who came and went.” I like that monniker. (Or, as Agent B […]
Jenelle
August 10, 2007
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Well, To Be Honest
I can’t get past the strange feeling that I never really left Portugal, but that I just happened to go on a really long vacation. A year long vacation. And I took all my stuff with me. I’ve gone to a few of my old favorite places–the Salamandra with Jasmin, the Indian restaurant with Cristina, […]
Jenelle
August 7, 2007
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Familiar Streets, Salinger on Family
Portugal is familiar as ever. And I do mean familial-er. The uneven stone streets of this land reach out and greet me as a sister because I, too, am uneven. And we will keep on walking, dear. I might start including scraps from my scrappy journal, as I write them. My tone betrays my own […]
Jenelle
August 6, 2007
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Home, a Definition; or Home is Where the Obedie Dances
I’m writing from London Heathrow, en route to Lisbon, and then on to Christian Associates’ annual staff conference. I can’t wait to return to Portugal. I have that excited/exhausted nausea from skipping across time zones during the night. I feel a bit like a little girl on those groggy mornings when I knew I was […]
Jenelle
August 5, 2007
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Everybody Mango!
I am currently back in Baltimore. I got my three tiny cavities filled, quite painlessly. Among many other things, I am pond-fishing through my iTunas and putting the finishing touches on a Hey you! It’s summer! homemade CD mix extravaganza of indie goodness. In honor of Portuguese summers, it shall be entitled Everybody Mango! If […]
Jenelle
July 10, 2007