ADU, Travel, Community
Lina Menard
Maui, Hawaii

After A Week Long Send Off, My Round the World Trip kicked off with eight days in Maui visiting my sister Sarah who has split her time between Hawaii and Alaska for many years. What an epic way to start this adventure! There was mist falling when my sister greeted me at the Kahului airport on Maui a week ago, so she teased me about bringing the rain from the mainland. We headed straight for Paia where she presented me with a young coconut and a lei, accompanied by the chant for the gifting-of-a-lei.

Maui, Hawaii
Tiny House, Travel, Planning
Lina Menard
Lucky Penny Moves to Walla Walla

A number of circumstances collided recently to compel me to move the Lucky Penny to my property in Walla Walla where I have a ground bound small house called Valencia Cottage. So on Tuesday trusted tiny house movers Linh and Stephanie Pham helped me move the Lucky Penny safely from Portland to my place in Walla Walla.

Lucky Penny Moves to Walla Walla
Minimalism, Workshop
Lina Menard
Downsizing Tune Up

As I packed up recently in preparation to travel cross country in my Honda Fit, I did some downsizing… It was harder than it had been during my last couple of moves because this time I had more stuff. I’d been living in a bigger space…My apartment was a studio, but it was still about 6 times bigger than the Lucky Penny! I talked with several people about the experience and a handful of them said “oh my goodness, I need to do more of that!” So I’ve decided to offer a 6-week Downsizing Tune Up…

Downsizing Tune Up

Round the World Trip

2024 Review & 2025 Preview

2024 Review & 2025 Preview

I’m glad that I wrapped up my 2023 Review & 2024 Preview with looking forward to “Whatever might come next… (I’m trying to keep an open mind and an open heart!)” 2024 did indeed bring some surprises, most of them quite delightful! It ended up being the gap year I didn’t know I needed… I’m looking forward to seeing what my next career move will be as I figure out the best way(s) to help create more small, smart, sustainable housing. I’m eagerly anticipating teaching in person at Yestermorrow again for the final two weeks of the upcoming Tiny House Design Build Certificate. I’m scheming some new e-courses and revisions to previous offerings. And, of course, I look forward to doing more consultations and design work, too. The times ahead are uncertain (as they always are, I suppose). So I’m glad to be in community again and ready to share my gifts, time, and talent in the best possible ways in the coming year.

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O'ahu, Hawai'i

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O'ahu, Hawai'i

I’m realizing it’s going to be hard to capture the last week in words… When I arrived in Hawaii two week ago, I didn’t know I’d be attending Spirit Fest, but as several people there told me with a wink or a twinkle in their eyes, I was right where I needed to be… It was a few days before the event that Cambria, the event logistics coordinator, mentioned they could use one more volunteer. Sarah checked in to see if I was interested. I said I was, that I’d love to be helpful, to be part of something. So glad I was!

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Maui, Hawaii

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Maui, Hawaii

After A Week Long Send Off, My Round the World Trip kicked off with eight days in Maui visiting my sister Sarah who has split her time between Hawaii and Alaska for many years. What an epic way to start this adventure! There was mist falling when my sister greeted me at the Kahului airport on Maui a week ago, so she teased me about bringing the rain from the mainland. We headed straight for Paia where she presented me with a young coconut and a lei, accompanied by the chant for the gifting-of-a-lei.

A Week-Long Send-Off

A Week-Long Send-Off

I’m writing from the San Francisco International Airport as I wait for my flight to Hawaii. And I’m feeling extremely grateful that I’ve just enjoyed a week-long send-off by many loved ones as I embark upon my Round the World Trip. I’ve begun my four month(ish) international journey by road tripping to California to drop Raffi off… It felt apropos to begin this adventure on Leap Day (Feb 29, 2024). This Round the World Trip is indeed a big leap for me! Here’s to living my little life while exploring this great big world!