I'm in love

 Reading Le Monde's blog the other day set    
my brain in motion. Her blog talked of a recent trip to Malaysia and I was thinking of how she probably had seen more things than I had ever seen- although I lived there for many years. 

I guess when we live somewhere, we tend to take it for granted. We think, "I'll see such and such a place another day...when I'm not busy..." 

Sometimes I'm so busy talking about where I have been...I forget to mention where I am. The great Northwest, specifically Western Washington. I've been so many places in this world, but I must say this place has captured my heart. 


What about this place captivates me? Is it the greenery, the ample opportunities for hiking, the mountains, the pacific ocean? Is it the people? Is it the great accomplishments of business ventures in this region? Is it, possibly, my roots, which I have recently discovered are solidly lodged in this region? I'm not sure what it is. I do know I love it here.

Rocky Mountain High- March 15th 2010

Large roads laid out endlessly in front of me. This is Denver, Colorado. When I drove down Colfax, suddenly I saw the foothills of the Rockies up ahead. The awesome beauty of the sight sucked my breath right out of me. I thought I was seeing the Rockies (what do I know, right?)...I found out what I was looking at was just the foothills...just the foothills, what would I do if I saw the actual Rockies? How would my heart stand the beauty and majesty?


Wide open spaces seem to be the norm here in Colorado. I could hear John Denver in my head as I was driving around- his "Rocky Mountain High" and other tunes started forming in the recesses of my brain. 


I had never really cared for Denver- only been here 3 times now- one time I was being rushed off a plane and to an emergency room, but that is a story for another day. Today, I saw the beauty of Denver and Colorado. Although I would not want to live here, I can appreciate the splendour of this place. I guess I got a little 'high' on the Rocky Mountains today- or at least the foothills. :)

New Trip-Denver March 11 2010

On March 11 2010 I stepped onto a new pathway in my life's journey. I started down the path when I heard the words, "Mom, it is a girl!"

My son and his wife had their first baby, a little girl. She is a doll. Her name is Kailynn Josephine Ong. 

On this new path, I've taken on the role as 'grams' (grandmother)- I've never been a grandmother before....I have my ideas of what kind of grandmother I want to be and I don't want to be. They are just ideas. Now will be the testing of those ideas, and we will see what happens.

I'm open to ALL advice...words of wisdom...etc etc...in the meantime, I'm going to hold my beautiful little Kailynn as much as I can before I have to board the plane back to Seattle.

Rendang in Denver

Who knew I'd come all the way to Denver to eat the most delicious rendang. The plane touched down at little after 5 pm & my son and his wife whisked us from the airport..."To somewhere special"...boy they weren't exaggerating!

We walked into the simple restaurant; it was wedged somewhere inbetween a quiznos and I vaguely remember a Jamba Juice around. My husband- a true blue Malaysian- glanced at me like "are they serious??"...but once we started eating the food at Jaya Asian Grill there were no more looks, glances or anything of a kind. We were too busy enjoying the delicious food!

What a great start to our time here in Denver, Colorado. Now if my grandbaby would hurry up and make his/her appearance...well, I think my time here would be just perfect! 

*Thanks to  "just call me 'A'" for catching my incorrect name of the restaurant- it is JAYA and not RAYA as I had stated :)

Who are you?

I've talked about my grandmother's old suitcase. The one which held countless pictures and documents. The one which opened up the world to me as far as extended family members. In this same suitcase, there are still some unidentified photos. Two of these, yet to be identified pictures, haunt me with "Who were you?" "What did you do with your life?" and many more such questions.

 

Orvina E. Kebom looks directly at the camera. Her eyes twinkle with the promise of secrets yet to be told. Is she taking this picture for some young gentleman she plans to marry? Is she just posing for her parents- somehow I think not. 

I did find a woman who thought this might have been a picture of my great-uncle's girlfriend. He met her while serving in WWI...does the fashion indicate this timeline would be correct? If this is the girl- then she died of TB and he was forever crushed by her death. 

The memory of the woman who told me this tale is questionable. Her stories melded from one story into another. She picked up the next picture and said, "Oh there she is ..."

This ethereal young woman was then decided to be the one who died of TB. The only name on the portrait is "Jacks Tacoma"- which I can only assume is the name of the studio where this was taken in Tacoma, Washington. 

I've googled..I've searched...but Orvina E. Kebom and Mezzo Studios, Tacoma yielded nothing. I searched for Jacks Tacoma with no results. I've even tried Jacksa or Jacksh...nothing. 

So I look at the two photographs and wonder what ever became of these young women. One who looks so full of life; the other who looks like she is a wispy, spirit who has been accidentally captured by a camera. A spray of fern close to her bodice and a ring caught up in her hair, she waits for her sweet heart to join her. 

I wish I could have known Orvina. Somehow I think she would have been a fun person to get to know. We might have enjoyed some great adventures together. As for "Miss Wispy" she seems so fragile. I would still have liked to know her story though. I love hearing people's stories..some sadness mixed with happiness, woven together to make up their life. 

There will be no story today. Although I put these photos away, I will not stop asking about them. Hopefully one day I will find someone who knows Orvina E. Kebom's story or "Miss Wispy"'s story. Until then I carefully put the pictures away for safe keeping.

Feb 20- Ghana- Akwaaba

Akwaaba means "Welcome" as only the Ghanaians can say it. Their hearts wide open and they receive one and all with such grace. Maybe it should not be a title of a post at the end of my trip to Accra; however, it sums up Ghana in a lovely way, I think it will be alright.

 Mom's with their babies tightly bound to their bodies welcome strangers who need some water, food, or just friendly advice about where to go. The babies learn the real meaning of trust; they simply 'rest' in the tight cloth against their mother's body. They don't struggle or strain to get out. They relax and enjoy the ride. Oh how I wish I could learn more of the same in relation to God. Just relying on Him and His will and ways- instead of always wanting to leap into my own plans and actions.

 

Accra has changed, as I commented in a previous post. With the changes, there are differences, but at the same time the spirit of the Ghanaian people has remained the same. A very resilient and eager to help type of attitude reigns. The congested city of Accra still retains feelings of good will and such hope for the future.

 

What is hospitality without good food? Ghana certainly has her array of delicious cuisine. It might be local fare or International delights. I did go to "The Heritage House"- they opened a branch near the house I was staying, so this made it easy. I enjoyed Indian cuisine while chatting with old friends. How much better can life get than that? 

All in all, the trip went splendidly. It was a great time of being reunited with old friends and meeting new friends. I laughed, cried, sighed, and rejoiced with people who I love. This is what life is all about - the people. It is hard for me to go anywhere and just speak of the sights and sounds; I find myself always relating back to the people. The Ghanaian people are such a warm and welcoming people. They truly make Ghana what it is today- a wonderful place to visit!

Feb 14th- Accra- Rawling's House

Lightening flashed across the sky; booming thundered rolled through the heavens. As usual, rain accompanied the sound and light show. This all took place at 2 am. Of course, the electricity went off. This meant at some point in the night it would come back on. For us, in East Legon, this was a good thing. Unfortunately for the former President J.J. Rawlings, it was not such a good thing.

The electrical fluctuations and subsequent wet walls were a great combination for a fire. The house was ablaze in the middle of the night and ex-president Rawling's wife and daughter escaped with no injury. The house was destroyed, along with all their personal possessions.

 

*courtesy of The Ghana Journal

The rains gave coolness to some and at the same time brought sorrow to others. I wonder if just the rain can be blamed; after all, the electrical fluctuations had a large part to play in the burning of the house.