Christmas in Hong Kong

Christmas in Hong Kong reminded me so much of New York with all the lights and decorations. The City went all out and of course the Chinese Red was everywhere. Even Carries table for our Christmas dinner was festooned in shades of red. We did the traditional turkey, dressing and all the other yummies. Somehow she managed to bake it in a countertop over… the wonders of Hong Kong hi-rise living. 

The boys and I even managed Christmas cookies in the small kitchen, however we moved to the dining table to decorate them and then save a few for Santa, with a note to say thanks for the gifts.

We found an Anglican Church with a candle light Christmas Eve service in English, and the carols brought back so many memories of the St. Louis Christmas Carols Festival.

But nothing could ever top the early morning glow of the skyline, with the shouting wake-up call, “Ga-Ga, there REALLY is a Santa and he came to Hong Kong for us. See all the presents!" The magic of childhood and the love that fills our hearts at Christmas is so special. I want to remember the spirit everyday and every year. Thanks for sharing the happy times, the memories will last all my lifetime. And yes, the photos are hanging in my Thailand house.

May you and those you love be blessed every day.

Thanksgiving - Loy Krathong

Thailand does not celebrate Thanksgiving as it's an American tradition, but I enjoy celebrating as my daughter was born in 1970 on Thanksgiving day! I am so grateful and blessed to share our many happy times traveling together.

This will mark my 4^th Thanksgiving in Thailand and I have taught on every one. I often hear it said that teaching is a thankless job, however I am fortunate that everyday at the end of a class the students say, “Thank You Teacher Rose.” AND every day I say, “Thank You” to the students as they give me so much joy. The smiles and expressions on their faces when a “light-blub” goes off in their head is always a moment of delight for me. I never tire of their hugs and waves, as they say “hi teacher loze,” because the Thais replace the R sound with an L. 

Loy Krathong is always celebrated on the full moon in November so it is sometimes close to Thanksgiving and for me it has similar overtones. It never ceases to amaze me the amount of painstaking effort and time that goes into making Krathongs. All the children made them at school. Even I tried to create one with leaves and flowers artistically arranged, then completed with one candle and three incense sticks...hopefully it will float when placed into the water. YEA, it did on Sunday eve in the little klong (creek) by my house.

Families gather to float the Krathongs in the ocean and many rivers throughout the country. That is often followed by the releasing of  fire-lit hot air lanterns sent skyward to "let go" of the old creating a spectacle to behold.

Loy Krathong began in the 13^th century, and pays respect to Mae Khongkha, Goddess of Thailand's many life bringing rivers.

The festival with roots in Hinduism and Buddhism has taken on an additional meaning; today releasing the krathong symbolizes the letting go of anger, grudges, and bad luck and ushers in a new year of happiness and blessings. May you also "let-go" and be blessed.

 Krathongs floating in the river with a backdrop of Bangkok Temples

Amazing America

After a short layover in Tokyo from Sri Lanka, I was finally going back to America after my being away teaching in sunny Thailand for three years.  My dear Hollywood friend (and X neighbour -hairstylist Anthony Wilson was waiting for me at LAX international airport. It was wonderful to see a friendly face and enjoy a catch-up chat over lunch before my flight onto Las Vegas. Landing in "loss wages" via friendly Southwest air, I was met by my Yoga teacher, Carolynn and then off to Jeana's for a yummy Mexican taco dinner. exhausted, I finally hit the bed after traveling over 24 hours! Sunday morning church at The Center and lunch with girlfriends felt like old times. Next a quick visit to Red Hat Queen Ruth who recently had eye surgery, and she looked amazing! Then a delightful afternoon tea with homemade cookies and my super Sandpiper neighbours Pat and Jan.

Monday Yoga and another lunch with my Goddess girlfriends, wearing Thai tops!

Venturing onto Henderson (South Las Vegas) I spent some quality time with Dianne in her new house. Somehow we were too busy to take photos of us together with her two georgeous  and lively felines. So until next time, the images will stay etched in my memory. 

Now I was going to meet Janie Lynn a friend from Rotary. Guess where we had dinner...The Elephant Bar, almost felt like I was back in Thailand, she even ordered Thai chicken salad. Always the perfect hostess and fabulous cook, Janie arranged a great party with my "old Rotary gang."

I was leaving Las Vegas with mixed emotions... it was gratifying to see so many dear friends and really enjoy being together. As I believe, a friend is forever and time and distance doesn't change the love we share. Now it was time to go to San Diego and visit my sister, see her lovely new house and her two beautiful daughters...of course see the dogs too!

THANK YOU ALL FOR AN AMAZING TIME IN AMERICA!!

Loved Sri Lanka

Time to relax! I had just finished the first semester of my third year of teaching in Thailand, so it must be time to travel again...

Daughter Carrie and grandsons Aidan and Taylor flew from Hong Kong to Bangkok where I met them for a continuing flight onto Colombo, Sri Lanka.

Arriving late evening, we had a short night of sleep before departing with a car and driver to see the Elephant rescue park. Amazing to see the exquisite animals bathing and playing together in the river. It reminded me so much of the African Safari that I did over 10 tears ago.

 

After a very yummy vegetarian curry lunch overlooking the river and a bit of shopping we were back in the car on our way to the city of Kandy where the famous “Temple of the Tooth” is located.

On the way we saw a special local parade celebration with street musicians and even beautifully decorated elephants.

Of course we had to see paper being made from real Elephant "poop" called dung.

That evening before visiting the Temple, we took a walk along the lake and then saw a traditional music and dance show complete with loud drumming and fire walking. Our driver had even reserved four seats for us near the front, a welcome relief as the venue was packed with many tourists.  As it was Sunday eve many ‘locals’ were dressed in all white as they brought flowers and offerings to the Temple.

The next day, leaving from our pleasant stay at “The Mansion” we journeyed to the top of the mountain to visit the huge Buddha statue and light some candles for blessings.

Then onto see Sri Lankan Tea being produced and enjoy a cup of tea with small cookies. The next stop, a busy outdoor market to shop a bit before the long car ride to the seaside resort at the very southern tip of the Island.

For a late dinner we ordered pizza, a big mistake, as it wasn’t very good…lesson learned: stick to the kind of food that the natives eat. Anyway we were staying at the beach for the ocean and not the food! Another short night as it was early morning when we boarded a Whale and Dolphin Sightseeing vessel, luckily we saw both and got a little bonus sunburn sitting on the top deck of the boat.

The next day Taylor and I hung out on the beach and took some photos while Carrie and Aidan took surfing lessons. Amazingly they were both surfing "like pros" within an hour. "Surfs-Up"

Then it was time to travel to the Safari Camp where we would enjoy luxury tents, even with bathrooms and hot water showers inside the tent. Camping in Wisconsin was never like this! 

Treated to wet towels and cool lemonade as we arrived hot and hungry, we were advised that our outdoor lunch was ready to enjoy before our first afternoon safari ride. First class gourmet multi-course meals were a pleasant surprise and delicious too! We also had a campfire at night and roasted marshmallows.

Traveling into the park in our own safari vehicle we saw lots of wild life in the early morning, afternoon and even a night safari, with elephants in the road.

We learned to spot animals at night because when a light beam is shined, their eyes reflect different colors depending on what kind of animal they are. When we made a list in the car on the way to the airport I think we named over 50 different animals including leopard, water buffalo, deer, crocodiles, cranes, snakes, birds and monkeys that tried to attack the safari jeep for food!

We all agreed that out time together in Sri Lanka was FANTASTIC! 

Before we left to go to the airport, we had time to visit another temple that we fondly named “Disco Buddha.”  Blessings to All.

Another Year Older...

Every August I celebrate a birthday and each year I am more grateful to be healthy (wealthy and wise would be nice too) but I am blessed in so many other ways. I have wonderful and amazing friends all around the globe and in so many cities. This year we celebrated the August Full Moon and my birthday with a Goddess gathering... feasting, singing and dancing in the moonlight.

 Gifts galore ... jewellery, purses, orchids, and of course roses and coconut ice cream with small sweet cakes from India. And so many Facebook birthday wishes as well as emails and the best of all was a phone call from my daughter Carrie and grandsons Aidan and Taylor... I am truly blessed! 

  

 May you also be blessed and enjoy the gifts of friendship and family.