Notes From The Travel Journal--Copenhagen Part One

Wednesday, January 13, 2016


While my younger brother currently lives in Copenhagen with his wife, they're contemplating a move to the states. It seemed silly to let them leave without visiting! So on December 30, we met up with my mom at Logan, enjoyed some wine, then boarded an overnight plane to Denmark. Let the adventures begin!

We arrived on the last day of the year, dazed and confused from our sleepless night and early morning stopover in Reykjavik. But they gathered us up and off we went to their neighborhood, Fredericksburg (you'll have to excuse any spelling errors). We dropped our bags at Glenn's Airbnb then made the short walk to their apartment for some DANISH OPEN FACED SANDWICHES, a demand Simon had declared prior to our arrival. A Danish tradition of dark rye bread and toppings such as frikedeller (meatballs) with pickled onions and remoulade. Smorrebrod carries with it strict traditions around recipes and consumption, so be careful if the Queen is about. 

Fireworks galore for New Years Eve. This cant be overstated. Fireworks for HOURS. Literally everyone sets them off from the stoops of their city apartments, street corners, and parks from sunset (3:30ish) until around 2am. It was quite a show. We toasted 2016 with some champagne by the lakes then gave into jet lag as the bursts diminished.

We celebrated New Years with a canal tour on a boat designed to easily glide under the low-slung stone canal bridges. I always think seeing a new city from the water is a good way to get the lay of the land. Plus it was the balmiest day there; we sat on the outside portion of the boat for most of the tour. Traditional Danish "polsers" (hot dogs) followed before we roamed back to our home away from home for surprisingly excellent pizzas (that I BIKED to pick up...for the record, one can forget how to ride a bike) and game after game of Pete's new favorite, Qwixx.

We quickly fell in love with Copenhagen. It feels quaint even though it isn't small. I loved the cobblestone and brick streets and the classic European squares that for some reason, American cities lack. More to come as we pile into the "Ka" for adventures outside our new favorite city!

The Everyday Disruption



The non-profit world goes through phrases with its hot topics and lingo. A few years ago it was "capitalization" and "outreach," the buzzwords that drove philanthropic interests and non-profit strategies. I've recently heard the term "creative disruption" thrown around. As far as I can tell, this refers to a literal disruption, a sabbatical for leaders that you initially think would lead the organization into chaos but instead serves to strengthen operations and invigorate leadership.

All this babble to say that I am beginning to think of travel as my own "creative disruption." Sure, a break from work is nice, but it goes beyond that. Disrupting the everyday by exploring a new place, seeing breathtaking landscapes, gaining understanding of different cultures, and removing yourself from yourself is invigorating. When you return, you are refreshed with a refreshed perspective. You see the everyday nuisances a bit differently and somehow less significantly for a little while. The traffic? Eh, whatever. The mountains meeting the lava fields at the edge of the ocean were too amazing and too big and too unimaginable to let minutia have an impact. A journey somewhere a little uncomfortable, just removed enough from your everyday pattern and routine is powerful. And for a little while after, the experience and memories make all the stressful things seem to pale. I want more!

Merry Christmas!

Friday, December 25, 2015

1 Merwin 'Til Christmas

Thursday, December 24, 2015

Rest up before present unwrapping tomorrow makes you weary. 

2 Merwins 'Til Christmas

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Terrified of Christmas lights. How could he possibly belong to me!?!?

3 Merwins 'Til Christmas

Tuesday, December 22, 2015

It is raining today, and I am trying not to complain after last year's snowpocalypse but it's almost Christmas! Plus, Mer is so cute with snowflakes on his little nose.

4 Merwins 'Til Christmas

Monday, December 21, 2015

Love that he is so happy with his frenemy, Stella, that his paws barely touch the ground.

5 Merwins 'Til Christmas

Sunday, December 20, 2015

If he's not careful, one of these days, it's going to fall off.

6 Merwins 'Til Christmas

7 Merwins 'Til Christmas

Friday, December 18, 2015

HAHAHA. Merwin was bad so he got shut in the bedroom. His snarky little eye says it all.