It is Sent Off...Yea Team

sent the BSW Program Self Study off to the printer today....it is done...now we get ready for the site visit in late Jan...it is done! it is done! great relief. thinking of using this image for a gift..

The day after

a holiday without being in az is hard sometimes; not many people to call and just say "want to xxxx" without it being related to work...so I spend a lot of time by myself...went to a movie today. had tg at c,n with l,d,n and w and b...we laughed and laughed and ate and ate...my friend from Washington decided not to come to visit so that was a bit of a disappointment. will be getting more involved with the q center and that will be fun...Ms S is sleeping on my printer...or should I say her printer...next to the heater, of course. She is smart. went for a long walk yesterday so that was good; want to do it tomorrow too...my new health insurance. anyway, time to go to sleep...so off to sleepy time.

Long Time Ago

Just a hello to my blog; have not forgotten you...just busy with other stuff...started doing some body work with yoga...yes, hard to image me on the floor but yes I did it...and it was fun. Nov 15 the anniversary of my mother's death in 1977. Some tears and lots of memories. She was quite a woman of her times; she crossed many boundaries and cultures for her time. Miss her! What a life she lead....a role model for me in many ways...thanks mom.

Char in China in the 1977

It is time to Laugh--yes an antidote for grey

It takes a team to plan an ecocity

Guess Who in Vietnam

It Is Me Again

so after turning 64, going to Vietnam for almost one month, being in the er for a couple of days with lots of love around me, attending a national social workers meeting, being a new member of a national social worker board, starting to teach, finishing a self study, revising an article...just a few things the last time I wrote in this blog...plus coming to the conclusion that Ms S will not be able to continue living with me...and all that implies...selling my timeshare...to a dear friend who loves Phx in the summer (how rare is that)---so, basically, trying to find some time to get my thousands of pictures organized for a small presentation...had a spring roll today for lunch; the first time I have had Vietnamese food since late September. The pix is in Hoian...cool looking leaf in a resort place we all stayed....but it was so hot...

Thursday

A week of fun and starting my vacation; movies, dinner with friends, getting my apartment clean. packing and repacking, buying luggage, taking luggage back, buying purses, taking purses back...relaxation, sleeping late, taking naps...all vacation type behaviors...leaving tomorrow afternoon for Japan and Hong Kong...my luggage looks good and used so many tips from packing ideas from youtube...c and n came over toniight and he sang me a blessing song and smuged me with his eagle feather...so sweet...I was looking at the sunset; they took s to their place. l,d,h came over with dinner with points so sweet...feel so loved...will miss s but she knows I love her...it is a beuiful day and night...all is well...I am blessed by so many friends...had a nice dinner with m and her daughter last night too...surrounded by love and feel their love and acceptance...it will all be well..it is all good! I am blessed. Thank you hp...great spirit...buddhas...

Art Face Collage

Getting Ready

Trying to get stuff ready for my trip to Vietnam....new camera and new ways of uploading for friends to see my trip as I go....fun

Sorrel Is an Action Cat

n,c, h are leaving tomorrow for o....will miss them; went over there for dinner and they burned a fire outside with papers....we had marshmallows...what fun they are. 2 friends called today from Flag and they are here visiting so will see them for dinner tomorrow night..know them from uu. watching a documentary about the Doors from the 60's---that takes me back...I was so young. The music makes me think of so much...Prescott college, UofA, my friends from PC...Sorrel is sleeping my my computer....not an action cat now...for a change of pace...so sweet when she is resting. it was a beautiful day...cool in the am and in the 70's in the afternoon...blue skies...even saw a star to night...that is always a treat....sure miss the night sky from Flag.

It is getting closer

It is getting closer...the end of August will be here....so far I have bought three suitcases and finally today think I actually found the one I will use...have to take back one and already took the other one back to AAA. My visa dates were wrong so glad I actually read the visa the other day so had to sent it in again....there is enough time to do that...thank g....l et al is coming home tonight from 3 weeks in Italy...it has been beautiful today...cool in the am and warmer in the afternoon..very nice.

Portland is Finally Sunny and Hot

It took awhile but it is now sunny and hot...yea team! Reading "The Sacred Willow" by Duong Van Mai Elliott a four generational story about her family in Vietnam...very interesting to read about the life and not just tourist places...inside their culture and values. Trying to get my computer hooked up at home with a new wireless system..keep calling...going over to l,d, h to see the kitty cats pretty soon; after a visit to n,h,c...big noisy birds outside on the trees and s is going crazy; she wants to hunt so badly..her eyes are big and her lips are quivering and her tail is going all around..poor thing can't get to them at all...off to reading a little more and staying cool inside.

A Beautiful Day

A day we all like....cool in the morning and getting warmer in the afternoon with sunshine! Late evening with sweet gentle light...bought my new luggage for my trip...plus some other goodies...travel book was given to me by the manager since my experience with another salesperson earlier was not pleasant...so that was nice of her. So I have been reading the history of Vietnam in my new LoneyPlanet Vietnam book. They are an amazing people and culture...no matter who has tried to take them over...they have not been able to. Sure getting excited about going there...going to do a trail pack and see how little I can take!

Zen Then Something

Full day---made my hotel reservations for Hong Kong and Vietnam...got my visa yesterday...went to a workshop on Zen Buddhism...taught us how to begin to meditate from the Zen perspective; sitting with your eyes open...did it for about 20 minutes...very relaxed after wards..meeting new people...liked the feeling of the place...near by off Hawthorne...then went to n,c,h for dinner...a small pool outside and watched them play...I just laugh when I am with them...now I am totally tired and still need to make my bed for tonight...2nd day of ww and doing really well..what I liked about what they said about Zen is that it gets you in touch with your body by sitting and listening and feeling your breathing...quietly. It did...I liked the way the place felt...very nice day...hot but not unbearable like a couple days ago...really want to do some watercolor...nite nite

In the Last 72 hrs

bought ticket to Vietnam...that is commitment! sent for my vias*** and got two immunizations...they hurt a bit...so, basically I am really going to do this...still need to find a hotel in Hong Kong...it is huge city and can't decide where I want to be...the island or the mainland...each has something else to offer...so...meeting more of the faculty tomorrow at lunch...I am going to Vietnam. Wow that is a big one to say the least. So all the classes in Spanish will not help me there...reading some poetry about the people and country...off to see n,c,h over the holiday weekend near San Diego--now that will be fun...

The Moon in All Its Beauty

Saw a full moon tonight after dinner with l et al...pesto--best I have had! Had a great day with more decisions and planning for my trip to Vietnam and where I am going to stop for a layover...visa had to fix due to different address than origiially was given to me..oh well..ww at noon...art supplies...walked ...good day all in all

Sitting in My Little Tree House

My foot hurt today so I stayed home and rested...me and Sorrel...just us..did talk with l1 via Skype which is a fun way to connect over the river...Sorrel was in the camera frame a bit too...worked on my trip to Vietnam...some thinking about it anyway..

What a Wonderful Day

Went to see the Lion King Then watched "This is It" by Michael Jackson...talk about creativity...and music! I am overloaded with beauty, music, images, the spirit of creativity, and love nite nite

A Party for Me---Dear N,C,H,B,W

going to a party that nchbw planned...lots of stories and fun...thank you dear freinds; those who can come and those who can't...thanks for helping me the last two years in my new home away from home. even walked for 40 minutes this am...yea team. Yes that is "the bobcat"--sometimes it feels like she is two cats but she is only one....

What a Week

This last week has been really something...graduating our first BSW class at PSU..attended several events..mixed emotions all the way..started walking at the student health club which has been good; called re my immunizations for my big trip to Vietnam and will be getting two shots; not bad! Starting to get excited about it...lots of planning, still have not decided re Hong Kong or not...the best news is that L got back from China this evening..can't wait to talk with her...so here is a pix of graduation...it was quite an accomplishment...have been doing some watercolor too; sure enjoying my new little hobby..just sheer fun and peaceful watching all the colors take on a life of their own with the water...

A Nice Day--Cool but Not Raining

went to the PSU multicultural graduation and two bsw student's graduated there; it means so much to them that we show up....I was proud of them...Sorrel is watching me type...so some rest now....l and h are in China and she sent more pictures...they look so happy....

Laura's in China

We heard from her today and saw her pictures...h with a kitten....it is still raining...the summer is going to be so short.....please sun come today, tonight, tomorrow and after that too....

Sunny Now

This is what we live for allllllllllllllll winter long...a sunny day...

it is getting to be TOO MUCH RAIN

Yep it is still raining...it is June for pete's sake! In other places in the world it is summer..but not here! Yes I am getting tired of it...thunder clouds today and hard rain! watching Glee how funny it that...went to my last water color class last night and we showed our work from the 8 weeks...had fun and made some new friends...and learned something about watercoloring...I like it...just pure pleasure with no deadlines or meetings or agendas....just pigment and brush and paper....and me. Made reservations to go to San Diego in July with n,c....a huge pow-wow at a Native American casino. No summer vacation plans yet....really want to be here for summer since that is the most beautiful time of the year...if it gets here! Go home rain!

Memorial Day Weekend

a tiny bit of sun today...it felt so good...please come back oh great Sun! We miss u. Signed up for a new art class on line...SuzieBlu

Meetings and more Meetings

I am reaching my point of "why so many meetings?"---just crazy making sometimes. The Fountain in my front window is prefect to look at after a crazy day...sweet green leaves and soft grey skies....and just relaxation now....

Rain, More, Rain

oh well...life goes on...that's the good part. Went to my first orientation meeting for my trip to Vietnam in Sept...trying to decide my route...and dates to go and return..the other faculty are representing: lingustics, engineering, biology, urban affaris, cultural anthropology, and business. It will be "chaos in action"--a very fast dynamic changing country. Read my first article on gender change and role change of women in Vietnam...here we go...this bay is 3 hours north of Hanoi...

Good weekend--some art too

Sure enjoying my watercolor classes-great weekend--lots of activities and fun! Plus painting...painting...learning many techniques and practicing them too...just fun and gets me out of my "thinking too much mode"....went to see Robin Hood last night...ok...fun to see l, h, j..and of course Happy Birthday to D!

Art Class

Lots of fun tonight with my art class---more free flowing use of colors, salt, and leaves...got there early and went for a nice long walk..trying to get out more...good day all in all...

Why Is Everyone Smiling Today?

BECAUSE IT IS SUNNY....

Cuban Woman with Red Hair

More Fun in Early May

These are more pictures which have been altered by photoshop...cuba woman with yellow highlights and more

May is a New Month

Some fun stuff from my last few art classes and the pow wow I attended on Sat.

Art Back in Char's Life

Images from my watercolor class--just playing with photoshop---different filters plus just want to totally escape from the crazy place....left class early tonight due to GLEE...what fun that show is...happy colors, shapes, and different ideas....my art teacher said "it looks like modern art"---what fun hearing that....we painted apple still life tonight. Much harder with perspective and the notion of depth....water on water and watercolor on dry...love my new brushes...learning so much and meeting new people. All of the art we are producing all looks so different...I love the soft colors that watercolor is able to do...I can't do it yet but I am learning....

Fun Stuff from Fun Places

From top to bottom: 2 of tree bark near Pioneer Square on Sat; love the texture and color; 1 of a cute pink child's scooter with carrots at the Sat Market on the Park Blocks; 3 of Pink flowers enhanced with photoshop; 1 of my first water color drawing class; 1 of a pencil drawing using the right brain (looking at a picture upside down); that was fun and I liked what I did! Basically playing and resting today...too much the last few weeks..I needed a mental health day!

Rain for the last 8 days

Living under a leaf is all about "the rain"....oh well. Started a walking program and it feels so good. Where I walk is located downstairs from where my office is! Trying to take care of cg...and get rid of the stress so I don't hurt myself...so the leaves are coming out---can see from my living-room window area, facing north and east...4 paws is walking all over my keyboard...started a watercolor class last night...fun time; I really enjoyed the teacher and the other students...did a pencil drawing of a man (it was upside down) and I used my right brain....it looked pretty good quite frankly...it reminded me of my dad's drawings....talk about pulling up a lost memory of my childhood and his files from his younger age...so maybe I do have a tiny "art" gene after all.....so funny.

Day at Work

meant some new people today; went to an afternoon social networking workshop and learned lots about new media, etc. just some fun; home pretty late; too many bananas...s seems to be eating better; found the old type of cat food so she likes it over the "good" kind. Lots happening at the new rec center today; even watched a basketball game between faculty and students and the students won; 47 to 45! free popcorn...just darn fun place to be. used new rec center; walking on the treadmill; sunny today but suppose to be stormy for the next few days...

Spent most of the day---reading

Started to read a book called "The Family"---how fundamentalism is at the heart of American power and government...pretty scary . Watched netflix re a video about two men in France and their budding loveship for each other; made me sad. Went to the mall had my nails done so they are very pretty now....hung out with charchar and sorrel

good evening

Just saw "Crazy Heart"---it was great but so much from my childhood/youth/teenage era re my own family...growing up with XXXX parents. They did not want to have their feelings and so they XX. So I learned to be like them and now just really "getting it:--truth, awareness, presence...sounds so simple but it is so hard...be in my body with my feelings...go through the feelings and not XXX. Watching CH from this new light really gives me a different perspective of all XX with anyone now....be loving to myself and be more loving...

Spring Break

back from Atlanta--good week---Sorrel to the vet today---funny story of preparing to go to the vet...the equipment to purchase to take her to the vet was 100.00 and the shot was 19.00...I am basically a crazy women with an extra needy cat! A good time was had by all...signed up for a watercolor painting class in April at a local community college; sweet lunch with l1. so back to the grin next week after tomorrow at work...THE HEALTH CARE BILL PASSED! FINALLY

Reconnections

Wrote someone from my past and she responded with a very sweet, kind, warm, and loving note; I was pleasantly surprised. Drove to Mt Hood CC today in the rain...lots of rain...and more rain...afterall it is Portland!

Accepting My Past

Telling the truth...contacting the past....I don't want any regrets when I die. It is a beginning...accepting my own story and finishing hurtful relationships. This is for me not the other person...I have to clear my side of the path. What happens next is up the HP. My body is holding on to "the past and the present"--time to let go and let goddess.

It's Done

just finished my federal income taxes....yea! another year! This is what I look like now...it's over!

March 1st---It is spring in Portland

So many flowers are opening....pink, green, yellow, orange, peach, leaves budding...this is what the water brings....saw Mt. Hood this morning in all her glory...covered with snow with blue skies...love it...4 paws is sure happy to see me---she just follows me around and jumps on me when I am at the computer....so cute. Someone said I looked like I was in the sun...I was! Back to work now.

The Sun Does Exist--

Completing a week in Arizona---love it & miss it!

Getting Ready to Go to Flag

Sun and blue skies...here I come!

Fun with Image Shifting

Sweet Sister----

L1 you are so dear and sweet to me; lov you so much....I lov my card and stickers...what a fun day it was with you and j...our brunch, movie, pizza, BL, and laughter in the van to 70's music...thanks for being here for me in so many ways...BLS or Big Love Sis....that is you.

Happy Almost V Day

Had a lovely dinner with j,l,d last night---yummy Greek food! This is where we went: Eleni in Sellwood. Tonight having dinner with more friends from psu....watched the Opening Ceremonies with j,l.d, last night too. Nothing like seeing a pow wow at the opening ceremonies...that was different. So Happy Almost V day...I am also taking a online class re photoshop...figs with light....

A New Online Art Class

an Outdated and Obsolete Method....I hope so

“It is my belief that whereas the twentieth century has been a century of war and untold suffering, the twenty-first century should be one of peace and dialogue. As the continued advances in information technology make our world a truly global village, I believe there will come a time when war and armed conflict will be considered an outdated and obsolete method of settling differences among nations and communities.”

His Holiness the Dalai Lama