Abby Sams

    “Show me a man with a tattoo and I'll show you a man with an interesting past.”    - Jack London --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                I've done something. Two things really. Tattoos, my friends, are my favorite things. They are one of my favorite conversation starters and story-tellers.   Number One:    It's very simple and will most likely be filled in sometime in the future, but for now this outline of Tanzania sits on my left forearm and a reminder to me of the place I love.     Number Two:   "Future gardens from all this rain, future flowers from present pain" The childhood cancer ribbon is so important to me. I've lost two friends to the disease and have several who are currently fighting it or finally beat the beast. This tattoo has been almost 2 years in the making. Between concept art, quote font, final ar

      "The only man I envy is the man who has never been to Africa, for he has much to look forward to" Richard Mullen  -----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------                   Friends,                    Here we are again, my favorite time of the year. The months before Africa. If you've seen my blog before you know that Africa has a very large portion of my heart. Tanzania to be specific. Last year was my first time away from home in a foreign country, but home is exactly where I was. The minute I stepped off that plane on to the tarmac of Kilimanjaro Airport I just knew. The smell, the air, the welcome arms of the people I would soon consider family all created this intense connection. I would be lying if I said there was never a moment I didn't feel at home, but only once did I get this feeling and it never came again.                   Karanse, Tanzania, Afric