It's been 1 years and 6 months. A beautiful period of stories and growth, love and good things. Ah, what a time. During our last episode, I hinted at taking a longer break, so I could take some much deserved rest and give more attention to other loves of mine, like my blog (www.storiesfromaround.com) and my French classes. So the time has come for me to do just that. I'm taking a break from podcasting for a while, but this is not goodbye...I'll be back before you can say the word 'Maryaaaannn'.

It's been such an honor to have you as may audience thus far. You've been the greatest.

Thank you, and so much love.

Maryann x SFA.

And we're baaack. Well, Urmi is back, and remember the great conversation we had on episode 1 of season 2? Today we're having a continuation of that. I read her book 'Discovering Your Identity- A Rebirth From Interracial Struggle' and I loved it. So we discuss this, travel and other cool things.

So go ahead, give it a listen...and thank you for being here:)

I'm publishing this one hours late because I've spent the whole day trying to find a fitting title. Whoever said podcasting was hard...forgot to mention that finding titles for your episodes was harder. But alas...at exactly 7:24pm on a nice rainy Wednesday evening...while tossing in bed after trying to find answers for my French assignment...I found a topic!

Well...I'm still not sure if it's the right fit...but it'll do. It has to...unless some other topic comes to me while I'm making dinner.

Anyyyway...I've been learning French for the past one year and whenever I get the chance to complain about it...I do. Because I love complaining about it...and also because it makes me both happy and grumpy...sometimes angry. And on today's episode, I let you in on how that happy, grumpy, angry journey has been...one year later! I'm still complaining....but at least I do it in a bit of French nowadays!

So enjoy listening. And if you're learning a new language just so you can live in that country of your dreams or just so you can talk to your partner or just for yourself...for that street cred...then I wish you nothing but fun and the best of adventures with it!

Love, Maryann Kariuki,

SFA.

I had my first ever backpacking trip 2 weeks ago. And I have a few things to say about it. First of all...it changed who I am as a person and I felt so light in the streets, walking and strutting like I had no care in the world! You should try it out. And if you're an avid back packer...what are your best backpacking tips?

I thought I loved the architecture in Paris, until I saw the Duomo in Milan. Paris, don't get me wrong, I'm still very much in love with you it's just that right now, there's a bit of competition having been in Milan.

It was grand, it was flamboyant and extremely beautiful and full of life. Of course now you know what this episode is about...me raving about Milan and all the things I loved about it!

And if you've ever been to Milan, hey, I wanna here what you thought about it:)

Hvala...is how you say thank you in Croatian. Learn it, you'll need it some day when you visit or you've already used it if you've been there. I said thank you so many ties to people in the streets and in shops and in restaurants and in bars when I was there because the people were so kind!

And this week's episode is an appreciation of all the beauty that was the small city of Zagreb, and all its people and great food:)

Picture this: Adulting is kicking my behind, but I'm trying not to let it. Cheap flights season is upon us and Ryanair is becoming my first love, very very fast. I'm planning my first short trip this year, and everything's looking up!

Bless my soul, really.

On this episode, I catch you up on all I've been about the past 2 weeks, and where I'm going to on my first short trip this year! Consider it a rant with a happy ending:)

Love, Maryann x SFA.