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TRUST THE TIMING OF YOUR LIFE

November 14, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

TRUST THE TIMING OF YOUR LIFE

Today marks November 13 and I am heading into my last two Portland weeks of the year. It feels a little early to me to wrap up this year and get into the holiday mood but due to the fact that we will spend the month of December in Germany my Portlandia-Year 2017 will officially end on Thanksgiving. Crazy. My new favorite thing to do called Motherhood has taught me many things but here is one:  If you think you have time do something right now, you better get it done right away as you never know when the next “now” will be.  Sometimes it’s just NOW or NEVER. So, let’s look back:   2017 was definitely a very special year for me and so different from all the other years before. I didn’t really know what to expect but I Continue Reading

How BE ACTIV came to life….or simply: DON’T OVERTHINK IT.

October 23, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

How BE ACTIV came to life….or simply: DON’T OVERTHINK IT.

I didn’t know what to expect when a client asked me to meet him for happy hour to share an idea with me. It was a typical rainy evening, and he had already arrived when I entered the cozy restaurant in NW Portland. He was a bit nervous and hesitant to share, so he launched into small talk. I finally told him I couldn’t help him if he wouldn’t share his idea with me. His idea was to create a mobile fitness concept. He had done tons of research and analysis about what keeps people from moving and what barriers prevent them from working out. His analysis revealed the problem, and he had created a business idea based on it. A fitness van or trailer would arrive at participants’ homes where they could work out with friends or neighbors. Once Continue Reading

BACK TO SCHOOL

September 27, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

BACK TO SCHOOL

When I was still in school summer was always my favorite season. The weather was nice, we were out and about all day, went on unforgettable family vacations in Italy, spend all day windsurfing, playing at the beach with friends, enjoyed good food, didn’t worry about a thing, most of the time didn’t have to do anything tasks or homework, the parents were a pretty in a good mood as well and it was just a good time overall. Also, our back then six weeks of school vacation felt forever and always too short at the same time. When it was time to go back to school we were excited about the first day and also sad that the summer felt like it was over. If you were lucky you could still wear your brand-new Italian summer dresses and there were Continue Reading

LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE MAKE OTHER PLANS

July 25, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

LIFE IS WHAT HAPPENS WHEN WE MAKE OTHER PLANS

“So you will be gone next weekend? But we had this girls weekend set for months now. You can’t be at the wedding? Honestly, isn’t there anybody else that can go on this site visit?” Over the last 15 years those kind of questions occurred frequently and my family and friends got used to fact that they would be healthier and easier for them not to get to excited for me to come and visit already days before. They would rather start to get excited when I actually made and stood in front of them. Also, I am pretty used to the fact that things change all the time. We would be planning a job and felt like we just had figured out everything when we had to learn that the whole concept needs to be changed, the event day would be re-scheduled Continue Reading

Alameda, Freemont and Alberta.

April 25, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

Alameda, Freemont and Alberta.

We moved to Alameda in May 2015 and happen to end up just between Freemont and Alberta. Back then I wasn’t really sure I would like the area we decided to rent a house in. I hadn’t spend much time on Portland’s east side and I was hesitant if we wouldn’t be to "far out". ( funny, right?). Besides the fact that we ended up loving the house we stayed in, the neighborhood has been growing on us day by day and we still very much like it. The question leaving our house basically was: “Left or Right?” Which either meant we would end up on Alberta Street or Freemont Street ;-). // When on Alberta // A sun downer, a happy hour, a blazer’s game or just a little snack and IPA. So many times we ended up in THE STATION. It’s definitely Continue Reading

You got half a day to kill in Portland? What about…? #getoutthere!

April 19, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

You got half a day to kill in Portland?  What about…? #getoutthere!

Being the tourist guide in your own city always makes you explore more things and might take you to places you normally don’t go that often which is great! A similar thing happens when you take different kinds of transportation: Even if you have the same destination you need to go to every week: If you mix it up (car, bike, walking, public transportation) you will notice different spots you might not have known just taking by car. The last couple weeks motivated me again to play tourist in my own city more often as well as to try to get to same places taking different transportation and ways to explore more by even doing your daily routine. Here we go with my new April-finds, ever-greens to go’s as well as some “re-born” Continue Reading

Wanna go on a little city hike today?

April 11, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann 1 Comment

Wanna go on a little city hike today?

When I first moved to Portland, I rented an apartment in NW Portland as it seemed so convenient to get to work as well as it felt such a nice #placetobe. The combination of being walking distance to the city center, having the chance to always do a little neighborhood shopping and the fact of being so close to forest park sealed the deal for me. Upon today NW is still one of my #placestobe in Portlandia and one of my favorite half day activities is definitely a little hike in forest park accompanied by a brunch, lunch or coffee afterwards. One option is to park your car somewhere on NW Thurman Street. If you like to fuel up before the walk, get yourself a coffee, a snack and fill up your water bottle at the Dragonfly Coffeehouse and Continue Reading

All for soccer. Soccer for all!

April 6, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

All for soccer. Soccer for all!

Happy Thursday! Couple weeks ago I introduced you to my friend and one of my role models when it comes to entrepreneurship, leadership, community involvement and volunteer work Kaig, the founder of PCFC, Portland Community Football Club. As the players are getting ready for the 5th Season, Kaig and team are in crunch time mode too, trying to get the funds the club needs to make sure we can keep the standards of last season, elevate our game on all levels and keep doing what PCFC is all about: All for soccer. Soccer for all. Portland Community Football Club (PCFC) offers an inclusive and equal opportunity for youth between 5-16 years old to participate in a club environment with quality coaching and at an affordable cost. Continue Reading

Prasad – so good, so healthy and sooo yummy!

April 4, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

Prasad – so good, so healthy and sooo yummy!

Yes, on Tuesdays we talk about #placestobe. Today I would love to take the chance to introduce you to Prasad. Or should I better say: I will remind you that it still exists as it feels like it has been there forever but we all have forgotten about it? My gut feeling is that a lot of Portland peeps interested in healthy food, especially bowls as well as organic, gluten-free and plant-based food, know Prasad and Harlow already. That's exactly how I was. I knew both places, I liked both places and would stop by there very randomly ( just because I never happened to be around this area during lunch time or early dinner time). The fact that I was looking for a pre-natal yoga class ( yes, I do it and it really does good to me so I Continue Reading

NOW OR NEVER!

April 2, 2017 by Maika Janat-Vennemann Leave a Comment

NOW OR NEVER!

It was a Tuesday at the end of January. I went to bed way too late the night before. We had a business dinner where we had a lot of challenges to tackle and we actually didn’t really come to a lot of solutions at all which was frustrating on so many ends. So I here I was that morning thinking about what else I needed to pack while taking a shower and getting ready for work. I had 10 more hours left till Mr. V would drop me off the airport to leave for 10-day trip to Australia. I had never been to Australia before, it had always been a huge dream to go, but also something that did not seem realistic to me: Too expensive, who would go with me and also time was an issue ( “if you go you should travel around Australia for at least Continue Reading

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GO. SEE. DO. 18-Month Calendar 2020-2021

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Go. See. Do. by Maika Janat

Go. See. Do. Book. 10 Life-Changing Quotes to Be Successful as a Young Professional.

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About Me

Maika Janat-Vennemann

I am Maika Janat-Vennemann, a Portland-based creative and event management professional by way of Frankfurt and Berlin. Born and raised in Germany, I fell in love with the Pacific Northwest in the fall of 2012 and settled in Portland, Oregon with my husband, Venne. More about me.

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The start of 2021 is definitely a tough one given The start of 2021 is definitely a tough one given the lockdown and all the other crazyness happening around us again, but this location and my little runs make it all better 😃. 
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#littlethings #countyourblessings #runningismytherapy #getoutside #coldandcrisp
My heart is breaking for my choosen home country a My heart is breaking for my choosen home country and the pictures we saw on TV and all kinds of media last night. 
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This is not how I see our America. 
It is unbelievable. Or not? Are we surprised? Or wasn’t that to be expected? These were all white people, what if there were black? Are we living in 2021 or somewhere in the middle age? And what about the pandemic? 
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A lot of unanswered questions and unforgettable scenes. A lot of work to do. 
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But at least - thank you Georgia. You showed up. You were able to see & hopefully  this result & the two seats will be one little step to be able to make things better in the future and to be able to protect our democracy. 
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#stillinshock #thishastostop #dontbesilent #youcantbewhatyoucantsee #america #currentmood #quotestoliveby
Always (a little) tired, always (at least) one chi Always (a little) tired, always (at least) one child with us, (almost) always together and outside....sounds like our 2020. 
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The kids took all our extra time (due to less work) this year and filled our worries, doubts, insecurities and challenges with their joy, their optimism & simply their lives. 
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Thanks to 2020 for making us better parents, for gifting us with all this extra family time, for taking any filters off and being pure - good & bad days included. 
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And here is to 2021 and hopefully a great mix of the old & new normal: a mix of the home office world & the travel for work luxury, a mix of family adventures & times with good friends, a mix of family pizza parties & parents date nights, a mix of taking care of each other & letting grow, a mix of being together while doing things alone. And mix of celebrating our love & friendship.
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Thanks to the love of my life for doing all the things we do to make our life like it is: simply GOOD. 
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#bye2020 #hello2021 #thankful #familyfirst #togetherisbetter #pdx #fra
Morning walks with my little early bird. #nofilter Morning walks with my little early bird.
#nofilter 
#peaceful 
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#getoutthere #teethingbaby #sleepisoverrated #goseedo #germany
We made it to Germany and it is for sure our bigge We made it to Germany and it is for sure our biggest christmas gift. The girls did awesome on the plane and the @lufthansa crew was a big reason for it because they were extra kind and treated us Firstclass. 
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Their service and their kindness was a good reminder to what always counts and even more in our current times: Always try to be a little kinder! 
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#kindnessrules #quotestoliveby #germany #holidays2020 #itsallaboutthelittlethings
Letting @llovely01 put a mural on our garage wall Letting @llovely01 put a mural on our garage wall was one of the best ideas I had this year. Bright colors, beautiful art & a good quote. It makes me so happy every time we pass it and it’s definitely one of the main reasons why we mainly use our back entrance 💛.
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#supportlocalartists #quotestoliveby #muralart #brightcolors #dailyreminders #blm #happiness #pdxartists
December sun, princess dresses & an after-run pick December sun, princess dresses & an after-run picknick on the new deck. Life is good #itsallaboutthelittlethings
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#coronalife #countyourblessings #saturdays #coviddeck2020 #lifeisgood
Motto of the last few weeks (or2020?) I guess 😃 Motto of the last few weeks (or2020?) I guess 😃.
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#embracethechaos #currentmood #busybusybusy #timeflies #wheredoestimego #quotestoliveby
Beach days are the best days! 💛. . . . . #getou Beach days are the best days! 💛.
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#getoutthere #lifeisbetterbythebeach #myheartisfull #pacificwonderland #lifeisgood
Hello December. Hello Holidays. Hello last month o Hello December. Hello Holidays. Hello last month of 2020. May it be merry, may it be bright & may we please remember this month and always: Black Lives Matter. 
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#currentmood #hellodecember #blacklivesmatter #2020 #merryandbright #quotestoliveby #2020calendar
A sunny picknick in November. We were so lucky 💛. 
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#forage #chanterelles #picknick #lifeisgood #getoutside #oregon
We had the best day in the woods today and found s We had the best day in the woods today and found sooo many chanterelles 🧡. #goodforthesoul
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#mushroomseason #oregon #chanterelles #somuchfun #getoutside #clearyourmind #novembermagic
This is how we roll these days! My favorite co-wor This is how we roll these days! My favorite co-worker, emails, zoom, laundry, lunch & laughs. We get along pretty well and we got used to working together over the last five months 😂. Thanks for all your patience with me, my little covid-home-buddy-baby 💜. 
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#homeoffice #fromwhereiwork #kidsworklife #covidlife #countyourblessings #2020
This weekend has been such a good reminder that co This weekend has been such a good reminder that corona weekends in November are so much better when we say YES more often: 

YES to more projects & chaos inside the house. 
YES to more quality time with our family & inner circle 
YES to Nutella for breakfast 
YES to long runs
YES to birthday car parades 
YES to impromtu (outdoor) playdates
YES to laundry can wait till monday 
YES to being kind to yourself 
YES to date nights at home 
YES to ignoring your to do list 
YES to putting your phone away all day 
YES to embracing the chaos 
YES to 2020 😃. 
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#yesstyle #sayyestosuccess #currentmood #covidvibes #lifeisgood #oui  #pdx
When you fall asleep at the playground you know it When you fall asleep at the playground you know it’s been a week #TGIF
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#TGIF #friyay #itsbeenaweek #mybiggirl #hangloose #currentmood #pdx
When we put this interims-back-up-quick-fix-old-ki When we put this interims-back-up-quick-fix-old-kitchen-shelf-plywood-desk together back in march we had no idea that this would become the main office desk in venne’s & my co-working space (including childcare area & yoga studio) located in our bedroom over the cause of the last eight months.
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We have spent more time in this room & in our house in general than ever. If we would have known this before, we would probably would have said that it would be way too small to do so, but here we are & it’s all good. 
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Sometimes the quick solutions turn out to be the most pragmatic & most budget friendly 😃. 
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Whatever the next few weeks will bring and what the next changes will be and what we will be required to adapt to this time...for sure we’ll hold on to our little desk which I hate-love and love-hate so much 😂
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When you are positive in a negative situation you win 😃. 2020 wasn’t all bad! 
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#tuesdayvibes #fromwhereIwork #quotestoliveby #allaboutthelittlethings #coronalife #stayhome #pdx
My favorite coach used to be Lucy because she woul My favorite coach used to be Lucy because she would fall asleep and would just let me do my thing. Coach Amy is no joke though and very strict: she pretends to sleep, too but the moment I slow down or stop her blue eyes are wide open 😂 #justkeepgoing #nobreaks #coachamy #runrunrun #getoutside #pdx
Hello November! I picked that quote for a reason.. Hello November! I picked that quote for a reason....🤷‍♀️ #election2020. 
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The race isn’t over until every single ballot is counted! 
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#keepgoing #hopeful #november2020 #currentmood #quotestoliveby #goseedo
Given all the crazyness we are surrounded with I a Given all the crazyness we are surrounded with I am so thankful for moments like this. 
Being out and about in the woods with my girls & friends has always been a good idea. 
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And the good thing is that sunny fall days, stunning nature, yummy picnics, some good laughs & fun times outside together are resilient against any pandemic!! #itsallaboutthelittlethings 
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#nofilter #nomakeup #badhairdontcare #tiredbuthappy #basics #getoutside #goseedo #lifeisgood #pdx
There is no finish line these days it seems like. There is no finish line these days it seems like. We just have to keep going, hustling, wearing our mask & doing our part I guess. 
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My days are packed with work, kids, life all the other noise of 2020. All of that makes me feel cluttered, all over the place, helpless, overwhelmed & unproductive from time to time. 
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Thankfully I have figured out some tools & go to’s to conquer those bad vibes. And most of the time they work well for me. 
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The most effective, most reliable & easiest solution to immediately feel better is running. Nothing helps me more to get centered, focused and relaxed than 3miles out and about.
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What helps you?
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#runninglove #runningismytherapy #nrc #metime #current #goseedo #pdx
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