All posts tagged: A to Z Challenge

Lost in Santiago de Chile

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Leaving my small town of Hilo, to live in Santiago de Chile in South America was a pretty big culture shock for me.  Although I was caught up in my classes and learning to navigate a city in a foreign language, I was always in a trance when it came to all the people who surrounded me on my daily commute to downtown. I enjoy people watching, but this took it to a whole new level.  Every day I was surrounded by thousands of people.  Living in the capital city of Chile with a population of about six million people was a bit of shell shock for this small town girl.  But, I thrived in the anonymity.  I loved that I didn’t know them.  I could stare and they would never remember me.  From the balcony of my apartment, I had a clear view of Plaza Italia and the entrance to the metro. I was always shocked how protests would always spring up at different times of the year.  If it wasn’t due to elections, …

Z is for Zero More “A to Z Challenge” Posts

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Today is the LAST day of the A to Z Challenge.  Whew, what a sigh of relief.  It was super hard, and I didn’t think we were going to see it through.  But, just like running a marathon, you gotta go slow and pace yourself.  I did burn out a bit, and got stuck when I hit the letter X.  I am glad to have Kainoa and Rogene who jumped in when I was out of blogging ideas for this months challenge.  I have no idea how other bloggers can manage a month-long challenge when they have to balance work, family and their blog.  I think I will have to take a break from blogging for a while.  I am so ready to kick off my shoes and just chill for a while.  I am so excited for summer to roll around. Blogging has provided me with a new lens on viewing my everyday interactions.  Now, everything I do or see is a possible blog post or story.  It makes life a lot more interesting.  But, …

Y is for Yak Butter Tea

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When I visited Lhasa, Tibet, it was one of those surreal experiences. I think it also had to do with the fact that I was walking at an elevation of close to 12,000 ft, and was light-headed most of the time from not enough oxygen.  One of the most interesting things I did during the one-week visit, was try yak butter tea.  I am not sure if the altitude sickness contributed to this, but I was very sensitive to many smells around me.  When I was offered a cup of yak butter tea, my very expressive face almost gave itself away.  But, I knew that the family that was offering us a cup of tea had a very simple life and this was a very kind gesture to offer a stranger.  With a huge smile, and a very reluctant grasp, I dived right in and took a sip of the tea offered to me.  At first I had no idea what I was drinking, but after it starting to sink in, and the rich taste of the …

X is for Xanadu

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I had been racking by brain for a word that starts with the letter “x”.  My husband questioned what I was doing this past weekend as I hovered over my laptop, and when I told him, he just blurted out “xanadu”.  I was puzzled.  I never heard of this word nor knew its meaning.  Well, I was in for a little surf culture education.  In his younger years, my husband was hitting the beach every day to catch the perfect wave.  He mentioned that xanadu was a state of being.  I didn’t get it, so I googled it.  It turns out it is the name of a surfboard shaper, as well as a name place of a location in China and Florida. I think it is interesting how a word can be redefined by a group of individuals.  I guess he must have heard his peers refer to Xanadu as a cool individual, which later brought him and his peers to start using it in their everyday language.  I wonder what other words originated as …

V is for Vibrant

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Hawaii’s flora are diverse, rare and beautifully rich in color. Nature walks are my favorite pastime and I often stumble upon vibrant foliage: majestic trees, unusual shrubs, and colourful,fragrant flowers — all growing in abundance.         April is the start of the A to Z challenge. Check out other blogs participating in this challenge at: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com

U is for Ukulele

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The State of Hawai’i was just about to pass a bill to name the ukulele as the state instrument.  But, fans of other instruments spoke up to request that their musical instrument such as the ‘ipu gourd and steel guitar also be considered.  I wish I was gifted in playing the ukulele, but unfortunately, even after several attempts, my fingers hurt from strumming the nylon string and gripping the neck of the instrument. This week here in Hilo nei we are in the midst of the Merrie Monarch hula festivities.  On stage while the hula dancers are performing a hula ‘auana (modern hula), the back up singers will be accompanied by musicians or they themselves will readily be playing a ukulele.  It is one of those instruments that is small enough to be easily transported and available during an impromptu back yard jam.   Several intermediate schools here in Hawai’i offer ukulele classes in school.  They even have marching ukulele bands that perform at various events in the community.   I wish they offered this …

S is for Sand Dunes

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When visiting Peru, one of the places to include on your list is the Ica Region, also known to the Peruvians as the “Land of the Sun”.  The land is very fertile due to the warm dry climate. There is an abundance of grapes grown here.  This area is also known for the delicious Pisco – the national drink of Peru.  There are many vineyards found in this area attracting many visitors all year round. But, one of my favorite things about this area is the massive sand dunes surrounding the area. After a nice visit with various vineyards, and an afternoon at Huacachina, as we were headed back to the hotel, we noticed several locals climbing up to the top of the sand dune behind our hotel.  We asked at the front desk what they were doing and where they were going.  All my husband heard was sand surfing and he was very excited. We were very lucky to have stared the climb before dusk so we could climb the enormous sand dune and enjoy the sunset while hitting the …

R is for Rest and Relaxation

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Rest is the sweet sauce of labor. Plutarch   We live in a culture that has a dysfunctional view of time; we are programmed to achieve, perform and work towards goals with the assumption that relief (or reward) is earned through hard labor. But at what price? Today, around the world, too many people are re-enacting The Longest Day every day.  Casualties lay strewn on the “beaches” of our lives. Marriages. Families. Wives, Husbands. Children. Visiting friends and family from afar have often commented on how “it must be nice to live in paradise,” and how they “wish” they could be on vacation 365 days a year. My response: “I may live in paradise, but by no means am I on vacation all year long.” I am quick to correct that misconception.  Just like any other hard working person in the world, I labor to sustain the necessities of life, battling the “beaches” of work. So how does one find respite from the occasional stings of life’s stray jellyfish? Treat yourself to some Rest and Relaxation on a …

M is for Muse

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What once was an organized and relatively clean home, is now a home full of creative opportunities.  I like to tell my self this when ever I see the clutter of toys, bibs, baby blankets, straw cups, and other baby related items scattered in my home.  When I would find my spouse’s stuff all over the place it would drive me nuts.  Compared to him, I cannot believe how one little person has caused more confusion and chaos, but I am learning to find comfort in our beautiful mess. I have noticed that my baby’s stuffed animal giraffe is the central theme when it comes to playing, eating, bathing, and dressing.  At our baby shower, one of my colleagues gifted me a set of giraffe toys, which trickled into various giraffe like items.  I never thought I would find it amusing to watch my little one interact with her giraffe. When she eats, she wants her giraffe to also eat.  When she is ready for her nap, she makes sure her giraffe is also tucked …

J is for Juicing

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Juicing is the most effective and immediate way to inject grade A nutrition into the body.  A potent elixir that is sure to add a “pep to your step” and a sweet sounding hum in the bowels of the body’s engine.       April is the start of the A to Z challenge. Check out other blogs participating in this challenge at: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com

I is for Illusion

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When visiting California, I like to spend some time admiring the buildings – apartments, hotels or homes.  They are usually made out of concrete covered with stucco, which is a sharp contract to those normally found in Hilo. I am always impressed with the large entrances, tiles, windows, wrought iron balconies/railings, and a courtyard with a water feature. Well, what do you know, here in Hilo, our downtown United States Post Office has quite an impressive façade.  The Mediterranean Renaissance Revival architectural style from the 1900s influenced the design of this building.  I love standing in the courtyard listening to the water trickle through the fountain.  The tiles have aged since it was built, but since it is has been listed in the National Register of Historic Places, I think it will continue to be maintained for many more years to come. Visit other blogs participating in Bastet’s Pixelventures – Illusion: http://wedrinkbecausewerepoets.com/2014/04/07/bastets-pixelventures-april-8-2012-creating-illusion/ April is the start of the A to Z challenge. Check out other blogs participating in this challenge at: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com        

H is for Hats

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I love hats. They are, by far, my favorite weekend accessory. I like to think I have the head and face to pull off wearing them, but the reality is, putting one on is easier than having to style my uncooperative hair. Fashionable or lazy? I’ll admit, maybe a little of both. April is the A to Z challenge. Check out other participating blogs at: http://www.a-to-zchallenge.com