What Is My Passion Thursdays: Genealogy and Ancestry

Photo Credit via Vectorstock.com

Over the last few days I've been obsessed with discovering my family's genealogy and ancestry backgrounds.  My family is unique in so many ways because of the dynamics of relationships.  How can my mom and her sister marry a "Washington" and they not be related?  How about the fact that so many children on both sides of my family took on their mother's last name and not their father's? And why are there so many different spellings of last names in the same family?  Furthermore, the census reports stated that many of my relatives were farmers and laborers.  Was this their passionate career? Did they ever think of doing something different? Maybe a musician or writer?  Where did I get my need for artistic expression from? 

As the trip to S. Africa in October looms, the curiosity has increased.  More often than not, I've been told that I have very "Afrocentric" features that resonates from someone of African descent. More so, I'm often asked if I'm from there.  Yes...but not so direct.  I've been told I could be from any number of countries in Africa but specifically, being from South Carolina, that the likely area would be from the Ivory Coast or Ghana region.  I'm so curious, and for the life of me, I can not find a family tree from a previous family reunion from my mother's side of the family completed almost 20 years ago.  A good thing that has come out of it has been that I've gotten rid of a lot of paper clutter around the house...any way....

So if it's not all about your family's surname, then how do you really know who you are and where you come from?  In the discovery phase we found out about Ancestry DNA.  It's a new option for someone who's looking to get the details about their ethnic origin.  By finding what's unique about your DNA, you are able to discover your true roots.  Love this concept!!  So in a few weeks I plan to take the test, and should get my results back just before Rhonda and I head off to S. Africa.  And because Rhonda and I are identical, there is no need for us both to take the test.  As excited as I am about finding out my African roots, I'm also curious if there are other parts of me yet to be discovered.  For example, my mother's maiden name is of English-French origin. Could be coincidental considering many slaves took on their master's last name.  But what will my DNA tell me?  Hmm....will this discovery take us to our next travel destination?

Are you passionate about finding your family history or ethnic ancestral background, if unknown?  Have you found out anything interesting?

Sharee W.

Travel Tuesdays: Do You Travel With Your Siblings?

Phylicia Rashad & her sister Debbie Allen Grande Mosque in Oman
Photo Credit: Debbie Allen's Facebook Picture

Phylica Rashad and Debbie Allen with their daughters at the Eiffel Tower in Paris
Photo Credit: Debbie Allen's Facebook Picture

Actress and Director Debbie Allen (Fame, Grey's Anatomy) recently shared with her Facebook friends pictures taken with her sister, Actress Phylicia Rashad (Cosby Show) and their daughters.

 






Sharee and I often travel together as siblings. Our brother travels on occasion with us either by himself or along with our nieces and nephews. It's always a fun time.

Do you travel with your siblings?  
Where have you traveled to?

Travel Tuesdays: Family First

Visiting family attributed to our love of travel....find out more via our first vlog.

Where do you have family that you would love to visit?

What is My Passion Thursdays: Meet Dawn Bryant

My passion is to run my own business and create relationships with my customers that are positive and impactful. My goal is to not only serve a good product but to serve that product with so much warmth and love that it will carry over into their lives throughout the day. My only goal in my lifetime is to leave an imprint that somehow will affect the world.

I originally went to school to be a Registered Nurse. I always knew since I was a child that I wanted to help people and in some way, so a nurse was what I felt was the best way to do that. As I neared the end of my schooling I realized that I did not have the same passion for it as I had when I first started. I still wanted to help people, but just could not figure out how.

The sacrifices I have made to figure out my path in this life were at a great risk. I discontinued pursuing my Bachelors in Nursing and got a job selling products house to house. I had no idea what I was doing when I first started but I quickly realized that I got satisfaction out of selling people products that they loved and held great value for. I quickly worked my way through the ranks getting promotion after promotion until I reached my glass ceiling. At that time I made the choice to sacrifice my job and move back to South Carolina to build Blythewood Seafood Emporium & BBQ Haven with my family. I quickly gained a strong passion owning and operating my own business and realizing as long as you give people 100 percent of you each and everyday, there will never be any goal you can't reach. The freedom to choose and navigate, and learn from mistakes without having the fear of being replaced was so freeing. It allowed me to focus on what was most important... And that is building lasting, impactful relationships. Relationships that are genuine and not based on a bottom dollar. I feel if I can impact a person in anyway it is only a matter of time before I can impact an entire world.

The advice I would give others is, everything worth having comes as a risk. If you find yourself dreaming it and breathing it... If it keeps you up at night and gives you the energy you need during the day, then their is nothing you need to fear because it has become a part of you. If you believe in yourself and feel in your gut you have what it takes to get it done, then do it. Having your own business is a lot of work and you will have many restless nights but when you get to the point where you begin physically seeing your success, pride overjoys you like seeing your babies face for the first time. It overjoys you because its confirmation that people believe in you and your mission and in some way, you share that same vision which you both experience for the first time together. I would also advice people to have a tough skin because there will be a lot of people you encounter who will try to spread negativity your way. There will be many times you fall but as long as you dust yourself off and learn how to maneuver around that pothole everything will work out just fine.

Photo Credit:
Blythewood Seafood Emportium
& BBQ Haven Facebook Page

Readers can learn about our Business through Facebook (Blythewood Seafood Emporium & BBQ Haven) or visit our website at www.bsebh.com. You can also visit us at our physical location at 420 McNulty Rd, Blythewood, SC 29016. (803) 563-5295

What have you sacrificed to follow your passion?

Rhonda W & Sharee W.

What Is My Passion Thursdays: Sojourner's Family Travels & Tips

A few weeks ago we introduced to you travel blogger Sojourner.  Not only is she passionate about travel and volunteerism, she also has a passion that is so much more.  Ohm is his name.  The meaning... vibration of the universe.  And if you could see how this lil man could move about from the quickness he got out of his bright red stroller, to his fast-paced walk around the back courtyard of the restaurant we were eating at, you'll understand.  And that smile.  The pic above says it all.  His vibes are radiant!!

What is even more impressive is the fact that this recently turned 2 year-old has travelled quite a bit thanks to his adventurous mom and jazz musician father.  Where has he been... Japan, Mexico, Portugal, England, and Jamaica.  Whew, that's a world traveler in the making.  And for those that are unaware, many airlines allow children under the age of two to travel for free.  Now that he's 2 years-old, does it mean that the travel stops.  According to mom Sojourner, the answer is "No".  

While she'll have to be more savvy in researching airfare deals, she's not going to let the costs deter her from traveling with her family.  The great part is that as long as they travel with her husband during his international tours, his transportation and accommodations are covered.  Thereby, Sojourner needs to only cover Ohm and hers transportation costs.  As for other travel, she seeks locations that serve two purposes:  short weekend or holiday getaways that can be reached via car or a discounted airfare deal that is family friendly and exotic enough to serve as content for Sojourner's travel blog.

What tips can be taken away from Sojourner's and Ohm's travels?

1)  Take advantage of weekend getaway deals, especially when children are young.  If traveling by car, avoid late evening travel and get on the road early morning.

2)  Don't be afraid to travel with an infant.  Ohm got his passport at 3 months, and it's valid until he turns 6.  Let him/her sleep when need be (if on plane, your fellow passengers will thank you).  Bring games that will entertain during hours awake.  

3)  Combine personal and business travel, if permitted, as long as it is not too disruptive from child's school schedule.  Some schools even allow for such activity to be excused if you can supplement it with a current school assignment (English/Language Arts or Social Studies/Geography).

Time to Unplug

We're taking the advice of fellow bloggers Jennifer Poe of Important Chocolate and Danyelle Little of The Cubicle Chick and taking some time offline.  It doesn't mean we're going to totally disavow the Internet, emails, or social media, but take the time to put life in perspective as we create a work/life balance.

There have been times when we have been way out of balance on either side, and it makes sense to reduce the "noise" so that we can find "clarity".  We'll continue to update the blog 1-2 times a week; check emails at least twice a day during week and once on weekends; make comments and interact on social media at least once a day during the week and unplug completely on weekends; and promote our  E-book, Take A Leap Career Mentoring Program, and WCP, LLC projects in online and offline platforms.  And if you need to get in touch with us outside of email or social media, a phone call is nice.  If you don't have our number, contact us via email at weconnectedprod[at]gmail[dot]com and we'll be glad to share our deets.

Here are some reasons you might find it necessary to unplug:

#1)  Refocus- whether in career or personal life, there are times you will find yourself needing to refocus.  For us, we find it in reading motivational books and magazines, talking to our Mentors, and in prayer.  Refocusing gives us new, thought-provoking, and think-out-the box ideas.  The creative juices are explosive.  Especially when you follow this tip along with #2.

#2)  Healthy lifestyle- as soon as we're off from work, we walk around our neighborhood trail.  Not only do we walk during the week, but also on weekends and vacations.  We also juice our fruits and veggies for instant and long lasting energy throughout the day.  We no longer feel sluggish at 2pm.  Taking time to unplug allows us to exercise, eat healthy, and put our energy into a strong body and mind.

#3)  Reclaim family time- we love finding time to spend with family whether in church, family gatherings, or sporting events.  There's nothing like being in the present with the ones we love.  And as the jet setting twins will have it, outside of SC, we also find time to visit distant relatives and often make trips to NY, NJ, TX, and NC.  Family means the world to us, and if we had a choice as to how to spend a day, it'll be with family.

What are some reasons you find it necessary to unplug?  Can you do it for a day? 3-days? 7-days? An entire month? Longer?  Please share a comment below.

Rhonda & Sharee 

Guest Post: Traveling Abroad As A Family

Traveling with loved ones can be an exciting, unforgettable time. It can, however, also be a big headache if proper planning and accommodations aren’t made. Below are some things you should consider for a smooth and memorable vacation:

Destination and Accommodations

Plan accordingly for age-appropriate destinations for children. Consider their safety, the busyness of the city, fun attractions for kids and the affordability of the place you are visiting.

Also consider using a vacation rental instead of booking a hotel – it is a great way to get a feel of how the locals live. You can save some money too by looking for vacation rentals on sites such as Vrbo or Airbnb for affordable accommodation options for your family.

Air Travel

When it comes to air travel, try booking window seats so that the family can stay together and children have a little more freedom and space from other passengers. If anyone in your family has special needs, be sure to notify the airline you are using beforehand. They will most likely be able to accommodate any special requests that you may have.

Packing

Don’t pack anything you can’t carry. Ancient streets often mean cobbled or unevenly paved roads, making rolling backpacks difficult to navigate. And, If you go to gems of cities such as Florence, Italy, the buildings stay true to their old world appeal, meaning tiny elevators or no elevators at all. Hauling heavy luggage up many flights of stairs may be a good workout, but it is nonetheless a hassle.

Moreover, if you’re planning a trip across many cities via train or plane, lugging your luggage from one form of transport to another is a burden.

Also, instead of packing your whole closet, pack a few key clothing pieces for you and your family that can be mixed and matched effortlessly with other easy-to-wash clothing items. 

A favorite toy can keep a child company during a long trip, so be sure to include this with your packing. Also remember to pack any necessary medications and keep your family’s immune systems strong and healthy with plenty of vitamin C. 

Budget

There will be plenty of souvenirs that will be tempting to buy; however, it is important to keep a budget for your expenses. Research beforehand for popular cheap eats that you know your children will enjoy. If your children are picky and you’re worried they won’t be interested in the local food you want to try, consider telling them about the places you hope to visit and “hype” up the food, so they’ll be excited to try it when it comes. You can also pack familiar snacks from home that the children already like in case the local cuisine isn’t to their liking.

Keep in mind

Being in close parameters with people who know you well (and therefore, know how to push your buttons) can take its toll on anyone, especially after a long day of traveling. While traveling is supposed to be a form of a getaway, there is always a chance of getting on each other’s nerves. Just be aware of this possibility and step outside (safely, don’t get lost!) for a breather when needed.

Traveling has so many benefits, especially for children. When kids have the opportunity to travel, they gain exposure to different cultures and languages, and they gain a better appreciation for their own culture and other cultures’ ways of living. Such exposure to different languages is brain expanding, and promotes a sense of adventure and creative thinking.

Safety

It is important before your trip that you discuss safety measures with your family, such as

what to do when a family member gets lost. If you’re bringing electronic devices, have each others’ phone numbers ready, and have local family members or authorities’ numbers ready for emergencies.

Traveling can be a fulfilling, grand adventure that creates bonds with your family. By planning ahead and being prepared, you and your family can have a shared experience that you won’t soon forget.

 

Virginia Cunningham is a freelance writer and mother of three who loves traveling abroad with her entire family. She has been all over the world with her children, and every experience has been enjoyable because they were always well-prepared.

Focus Focus ..Time Away ..Refocus

My family is getting together for an upcoming weekend trip to NYC. For some, like my nieces and nephews, it'll be their first time. For others, it's been a while.  We've sketched out an itinerary that will include food, shopping, sight-seeing, and entertainment.  We have been focused on the activities and logistics of the trip for the past year, and in the midst of it all, a relative became seriously ill.  We had to take some time away to deal with her health scare.  But now the weekend is upon us.  Do we cancel the trip? Do we gather at the family home?


It has been decided that the trip will go on. However, some of the family have elected to stay behind.  And that is their choice, as it is those that have decided to continue with the trip.  Though it is best believed, our hearts, thoughts, and prayers will be with our dear Aunt/Sister/Grandma.  She has regained much of her strength, and the Lord has and will continuously watch her day by day.

So we have now refocused our attention back on the trip. The hotel rooms are confirmed. The chartered bus has been paid for. The banquet hall and DJ has been booked.  We're a few days away from embarking on our very first true family gathering outside the state, and we're rolling about 30 persons deep.  Our mother, brother, aunties, cousins, nieces, nephews...fun and laughs for sure during our 12 hour journey from SC to NYC.


With our Take A Leap 10-day trip to Italy a little more than three months away, there is some concern and apprehension.  We have travel insurance because we are utilizing a vacation tour package.  But for those who have made life abroad their "career", I would imagine there is no insurance of this kind.  Further, I've wondered how these expats respond to news at home while they are abroad. Do you hop on the next plane "back to the States" or do you remain focus in your "international home" and pray that everything is settled after awhile? Do you miss out often on major family events..weddings, births, funerals, etc? Is there a right or wrong way to handle such sensitive matters? Do you focus focus, take time away to deal with family matters, and refocus on life at hand, as we have done? I would appreciate any comments or advice.

Thanks,
Sharee