Westward, to the East

Since early 2012, our focus has turned to Asia. Over the year, we visited Viet Nam, Japan, Hong Kong, China (PRC), and Macau ... plus Guam, if it counts as part of Asia. Our circle of colleagues and friends has expanded to include a diverse  group of very smart, interesting, highly motivated people from around the globe.

Unexpectedly, I've become a great admirer of China!

©2013 by Carol Porter, taken inside A-Ma Temple, Macau

If I were beginning my career now, I would find work in China for at least a few years. Soon China will have more English speakers than the US, so English speakers can manage while they learn to speak Mandarin. Heck, I might even consider moving to China at this time, if we weren't already starting to live part of each year in Amsterdam!

But we will visit China every year, from now on. Perhaps multiple times each year. :-)

Holiday Nostalgia

I miss my mom every day, but my heart aches more acutely near her favorite holidays and birthday. Each year, Mom enjoyed making her family's Christmas a magical and loving tradition. Unlike her, I often lack motivation for such efforts -- at least during the holidays that Peter and I spend at home alone together. This year, a poinsettia plant is our sole visible homage to the season. But we're celebrating with friends, hosting meals and visiting others, making party rounds as usual. Our time together is kind, cozy, loving, and playful. We're also tackling home maintenance projects that we usually avoid.

This season, the family traditions will extend into January. On Thursday, we'll host our island family -- including my darling grand-cousins, their parents and grandparents, and my coffee farming cousins (plus their guests and extended ohana). For that, I think I'll quickly set up a pre-lit artificial tree that's in the garage. After celebrating New Year's Eve with fireworks at Mauna Kea Beach, I will have a couple days to prepare before flying to Oahu to take care of my great-nephew while his mom participates in a roller derby clinic. My nephew will join us there after five days, and then we all will head back to Hawaii island. Since this season's family celebrations are delayed, we'll celebrate more festively when we have children at home to inspire us!

Fifty-nine

Yikes! I can't believe that I officially am one year away from age sixty. No comprendo.

However, it was a fantastic birthday week. Three small parties were thrown to celebrate: one chez Tom and Caroline, another at Susan and Tom K's, and the third after Peter's tennis game on Monday at the seaside courts. On top of that, Ricky and Judy came for the week from San Diego, and we all trekked to Kona for dinner on Saturday (actual birthday) at La Bourgogne. Andrew also joined us. Unfortunately, it was our first disappointing meal there; we've dined there a few times each year since 2004. Two nights earlier, Andrew cooked a birthday feast to which we invited a few people. For the past ten days, I've been quite pampered. I am honored to have such caring and fabulous friends and family.

My favorite birthday card is from my first girl friend in Hawaii, Caroline:


I splurged on myself this year, and bought a dark brown leather De Manta clutch and a Gold Angels shawl from Alexander McQueen's final collection (on sale, of course). The shape of the clutch evokes that of the local manta rays; it's very special. Each is gorgeous, unique, and timeless -- and will be fun to wear during my upcoming trip to England and Cornwall with Caroline.

I received several thoughtful gifts from my friends, and Rachel sent me a book of poetry by Yehuda Amichai (for whom she named her Ukrainian cat). Peter's gifts included bath gel, gift cards, and -- best of all -- hiring a huge earth moving excavator to clear and level land on the lower slope makai (towards the ocean), in front of our lawn. Since 2006, I've envisioned creating a labyrinth there, and a bocce ball court adjacent to it. It may be five more years until they are installed, but the essential first step is complete.

Before:


After:


As we approach the Year of the Hare (or Rabbit), and Peter's sixtieth, I have to say that life is better than ever!

Gung Hay Fat Choy!

2010 will be a great year

It's spring in Hawaii -- lots of baby birds, flowers, and budding fruit around the property. I can tell that this year will be a good one!

Haiku Moment

Crystal singing bowl
Glorious shattering chimes
Crown chakra wind storm

Hawi in November

Finally, the air is clearing after a week of overcast skies. Whenever this happens, I wonder if it is vog, or just "bad weather." Today, the sea is dark blue with long white streaks where waves are breaking randomly. Originally, I wrote "whitecaps," but the white streaks and spouts are different today.

Relentless winds from the east are whipping past the house, bending all of the plants and trees towards the west.

Whales have been reported, but we haven't seen any yet. Winter is here!