Wish You Were Here...

Khami Leon finds herself grieving...

As some of you may have read in my opening blog, I mentioned that I had been through a lot of personal tragedy. I have lost many people close to me in the last 8 years and it doesn't feel like it is going to stop anytime soon. On Saturday March 3rd 2012, my beautiful eldest cousin Craig lost his 16 month battle with cancer. He fought the most courageous battle right to the very end and I am so very proud to be able to call him my cousin. The loss was extremely hard for me as I am very close with my family and this is the first death that I have been living overseas for. I made the horrible discovery on facebook, as people thought I would be asleep and were not going to call me for a while. It then became very hard to deal with because I felt very alone. I don't know if any of you have had people close to you pass away, but from my personal experience one of the best things to help you move on is to sit around with other people grieving and reminisce about funny stories and memories. Being in America I don't get the chance to do this. I also don't get to say a final goodbye, because I wont get to attend the funeral. As well as feeling immense pain, I am also feeling a strong sense of guilt. I feel guilty that I wasn't there for the last six months of his fight. I am not there now for my family and his kids, I am feeling so many emotions that I cant even explain. Fortunately I have made some beautiful friends here and they have helped me the best way they can considering most of them have never known someone to die. I received hugs, kisses, beautiful flowers and a weekend filled with activities that I love to keep me busy. If it wasn't for such good friends, I certainly wouldn't be holding myself together so well. In Craig's honour I want you to all promise me that if you aren't feeling 'right' that you will see your doctor. Symptoms of cancer are often hard to detect as each cancer is so different. Regular doctor check-ups are a must. Life is too precious to risk having it cut short. Craig is survived by his beautiful wife Kiley and six children, Tiffany(21), Samantha(18), Kylie(16), Logan(11), Brody(8) and Zac(4). Rest in peace Craig xxx


Below you will find links to sites that have helped Craig and his family through such a tough time, please help them out in anyway possible.

Cancer Council Australia
Red Cross


Love and Laughter,




Khami X






*Video taken from www.youtube.com, I do not own this video

One Door Closes And Another Opens...

Khami Leon Finds Herself - Tail Gating

Being an avid Australian Rules Football fan, it was hard when I came here knowing that one of my favourite things would be taken away. It is a code of football like no other and although there are minor leagues here, it is just not the same. On my first weekend in 'The Bay', I came to see that as one door closes another really does open. I was introduced to college football by my bosses, who were wonderful enough to give me a season pass to Stanford games. Not only do I get to go to every home game (across my little dirt road), I also have been introduced to 'Tail Gating'. Much like back home, football involves food, drinks, fun and laughter. I was quick to realise that like most things here in America, it is exactly that, just BIGGER! Think endless beers, home made starters, chips, barbeque's, secret recipe chilli, decorations, tables, chairs, TV connected to a Toyota Prius to watch the pre game and half time show and the list goes on. How could you not love a new tradition like this? 

Love and Laughter,

Khami X

*All pictures taken and edited by Khami Leon of www.khamileon.blogspot.com

Everyday Is A Winding Road...

Khami Leon Finds Herself at - 

Lombard Street, San Francisco, CA.

My new home is proving to have so much on offer. Who would have thought that my usual Sundays back in Australia of watching movies, would turn into spending my Sundays at some of the most exciting tourist destinations in the world? Well it wasn't me, that's for sure! Lombard Street in San Francisco is no exception. Famous for it's one winding block, consisting of eight hairpin turns. This section of the street is breathtaking, with every ounce of detail thought out ever so carefully. From the brick pavement to the architecture of the houses, right down to the horse head sculptures on the hand rails. The landscaping which winds from top to bottom is some of the most magnificent that I have seen in the world. Standing at the top you get the most beautiful view of North Beach, on walking to the bottom you are mesmerised by the angle in which the street is on and realise exactly why it is winding and that cars can only go down. Upon leaving Lombard Street, I could not wipe the smile off my face, Is this really my life?


Love and Laughter,


Khami X




*All pictures taken and edited by Cathi K of www.lesfreckles.blogspot.com or KhamiLeon

Out with the old, in with the new...

Khami Leon Finds Herself at - Stanford

I was born and raised in a farming community with around 200 residents. From day one I lived on my family dairy farm. I had a nice house and some good friends. We always found things to do. On weekends I would cross the little dirt road out the front of my house and play in my neighbours yard, among many other things. Fast track 22 years when this little small town girl finds herself moving to the other side of the world. No idea what to expect or what she is getting herself in for. My little dirt road is now a 6 lane highway which is part of the California State Route 82, called El Camino Real. If I cross my new "little dirt road" I find myself in my new neighbours yard. A far cry from a little patch of grass with a swing set, which is what I was used to. I now am fortunate enough to be playing in the world famous Stanford campus. I go for walks here most days and soak up the amazing architecture and landscaped surrounds. I get to enjoy sporting events of all kinds, college and professional. There is not one day that goes by that I could take this place for granted. There is always something going on and it is always breathtakingly beautiful. If this is just my new "neighbour" then what else can my new "home" have to offer?


Love and Laughter, 


Khami X




*All pictures taken and edited by Cathi k of lesfreckles or Khami of KhamiLeon

Introducing - Khami Leon

The Life Of - Khami Leon

Hey! First of all I want to thank you for reading my blog and I hope you enjoy :) Here is a little bit about myself. My nick name is Khami and this is due to the fact that I am ever changing and always evolving (Just like a Cameleon). I am about to turn 23 and am originally from Australia. I am currently living in the stunning, warm but often foggy San Francisco bay area. I came here after becoming bored with my routine and suffering a lot of heart break both romantically and through tragedy. I needed to do something purely for myself to find what it is in life that makes me TICK! Follow me on my journey and see where I have come from, what I have endured and where I am going from here! Meet people along the way who have made this possible and who have helped make me the person that I am today. Find out my loves, loathes and anything else in between. Suggestions and questions on people/places/websites and anything else that you may be interested in learning about are more than welcome and much appreciated and will be answered and featured as soon as possible :)

Love and Laughter,

Khami X