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